Focus December 2017

B E V E R LY H I L L S | B R E N T W O O D | M A L I B U | W E S T H O L LY W O O D | S A N T A M O N I C A

COMMUNITY POWERED

DOCTOR, HOST, ‘HEAL’ APP ADVISOR

DECEMBER 2017 | FOCUSMAG.US

DR. DREW

NIKKI SHARP

MODEL, MODEL, BRAND BRAND EVANGELIST EVANGELIST

STEPHEN BENJAMIN EXECUTIVE EXECUTIVE CHEF, CHEF JEAN-GEORGES BEVERLY BEVERLY HILLS HILLS

ELISSA GOODMAN HOST, HOST, THE THE ELISSA ELISSA GOODMAN GOODMAN SHOW SHOW

WELLNESS ISSUE

WOW MOMS

NICOLE ZEOLA JENNIFER STANO, NICOLA

AUTHOR, SLAY THE FAME GAME

McCORD RACHEL MCCORD

LISA MANSFIELD

Realtor, NRT’s Top 1,000 Sales Associates

310.481.4313

lisa.mansfield@sothebyshomes.com www.lisamansfield.com

Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc.

BRENTWOOD BROKERAGE | 11911 SAN VICENTE BLVD SUITE 200 | LOS ANGELES | CA 90049

Top

2%

of Sales Associates Nationwide

TESTIMONIAL

I have greatly benefited from Team Mansfield’s…expertise in the Brentwood Glen/Brentwood market which has empowered me to make informed, pragmatic, and productive decisions…Team Mansfield has treated me like a VIP. Team Mansfield has always demonstrated flexibility and dedication to service, providing me with meeting/discussion times which accommodate my challenging schedule. Team Mansfield keeps things moving at an ultra-efficient pace, yet no quality is sacrificed and no “taste” or “aftertaste” of pressure is experienced.… Lisa has displayed integrity which is of utmost importance to me….Lisa fully deserves the title, “Queen of the Glen”.

– Keane

DID YOU KNOW…? “…According to the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) latest Existing Home Sales Report…There is currently only a 4.2-month supply of inventory available for sale (6-months inventory is considered ‘historically normal’).…there are not enough homes…for sale to satisfy all of the buyers who… are out in the market in record numbers. Bottom Line …If [your home] hasn’t sold in today’s active real estate market, perhaps you should reconsider your current asking price.”

(KCM Crew)

I HAVE IDEAS THAT WILL INCREASE THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME! DIRECT: 310.481.4313

LISA MANSFIELD

LISA’S NEW LISTING

LISA’S RECENT TRANSACTIONS...!!!

1322 11426 11350 11350 11338 11414 11445 11421

1322 N. Beverly Glen Blvd.

3 Beds + 1 Bath BGListing.com

Bel-Air Patio with Fig Trees Offered at $899,000

CELL: 310.993.2303

N. Beverly Glen Blvd. Just Listed!!!

Chenault St. In Escrow!!!

Albata St. Just Sold!!!

Joffre St. For Lease!!!

Cashmere St. For Lease!!!

Albata St. Just Leased!!!

Waterford St. Coming Soon!!!

Chenault St. Coming Soon!!!

Contact me to hear about my upcoming listings! – Lisa

Focus TV

focustvnetwork.com America's First Streaming Video Talk Show Network

Stone Symbol

Dr. Drew

Dr. Raj

WOW Women

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Jon Paul Crimi

Pixsweet

Rachel McCord

Sarah Buxton

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Waldorf Astoria

Blushington

Nikki Sharp

Concern Block Party

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Empowerment Breakfast

Miss Malibu | Miss Bev Hills

Project Knapsack

Teen Luncheon

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CONTRIBUTORS

Tambi Saffran (Stollman) Tambi grew up in NY. She left a producer job at MTV to start a family. Returning to her passion of producing and music, Tambi is currently producing a documentary called She Rocks! about female guitarists. In her spare time she enjoys being a mom, hiking, boxing and live music. instagram.com/just_tambi

Suzan Brittan A Southern California resident, but forever native New Yorker, started in Los Angeles as a singer/songwriter/ actress. However, to pay for luxuries like rent, a car and food, she climbed many corporate ladders and climbed right back down. She finally found her niche and outlet as a creative and non-fiction writer. imdb.com/name/nm1483913

Melissa Meyers As a tastemaker and lifestyle blogger, Melissa’s passion is to share her best-kept beauty, style and wellness secrets with other women to enhance and simplify their lives. Through her experience as Founder of AskMelissa, PageDaily and now her personal blog Melissa Meyers Glow Girl, Melissa has spent over 15 years sharing valuable tips and product picks to help women with everything from selecting the best skincare lines to chic activewear, street style and healthy eats. melissameyers.net

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Wendy Brokaw Kretchmer Wendy is an editorial producer at CNN but considers her most important job to be raising her 2 girls. Her rare spare time is spent on a multitude of passions including fundraising, cancer awareness, fitness, and her guilty pleasure – Pinterest. instagram.com/wendbrokaw

Janet Gunn a Texas gal, born and raised, currently soaking up the sun in Southern California and day dreaming of life in Italy. I love jazz, scarves, Diane Keaton movies, fitness, flowers and creating in my kitchen. gratefulgardenia.com

Shayla Hess Shayla has been training and performing for over 19 years in the entertainment business and just last year was a professional dancer and host for the NBA. In January of 2016 Shayla was cast in a girl group where she flew to the Philippines for 1 month to shoot the making of “No Grey Skies” girl group and a full reality season at the Big Foot Production studios. She has been seen in features, TV series and movies such as “Hellcats” & “Supernatural” on the CW network as well as “Diary of A Wimpy Kid 2”, “Girl In Progress” and much more.

She was crowned Miss Teen Canada Global 2010, and Miss Tropic Beauty Vancouver 2011. instagram.com/shaylajustinee

Dina Manzo Dina Manzo is an artist first and foremost...an artist, a curator of all things beauty. You may have seen a glimpse of her passionate spiritual force on Bravo’s Real Housewives franchise or HGTV’s Dina’s Party. Wherever you have seen her, it’s only a small window into her world of inspired living. Consider her your guide on your personal path to beauty, wellness, health and joy.

“The simplest ritual of beauty can elevate and transform...” instagram.com/dinamanzo

Michelle Gillette Certified Martha Beck Life Coach Owner of Thrive + Fly Coaching Over 10 years experience in personal growth, health & wellness. thriveandfly.com

Shirin Yadegar Shirin Yadegar is the Founder of LA Mom Magazine. The mission of the magazine is to empower moms to feel self-confident about the decisions they make for their families. lamommagazine.com aims to help thousands of moms find the products and services they need to make motherhood easy and fun. lamommagazine.com

Community powered.

Editor Andrew Waldman andy@focusmag.us Assistant Editor + Designer Ava Mauriello Focus TV Editor/Hosts Tambi Saffran Alex Wehrley Janet Gunn Tanya Memme Michelle Gillette Wendy Brokaw Kretchmer Sande Charles Hillary Gadsby Staff Writers Felicia Waldman Suzan Brittan Photographers Dalen Muster Ben Shani Dana Adams Videographers Dalen Muster Racquel Levin Ben Shani Focus TV Production Evan Waldman Victoria Simone Gee Sally Colón Winston Moore Publisher + Creative Director Mark Castellino Copyright 2017 by Focus Media Agency.

Focus (ISSN 2328-1359) is published 4 times per year. Please do not to reproduce any of the content without permission.

Subscription and distribution inquiries: promo@focusmag.us

EDITOR’S LETTER

Dear Readers, Here’s to Wellness!

The staff at Focus has been working overtime, scouring through the hoards of fantastic, life-improving and anti-aging products, companies, websites, blogs, fitness and health studios, and health experts that come across our desks. Taking care of mind, body, and soul is always on trend. But today, you can’t seem to ignore the daily demands and scientific pleas to pay attention and participate.

Our good health and well-being is a lifestyle almost everyone strives for, or at least finally realizes is best for all of us. We are proud to share some of our best finds, and we hope that you are inspired to take some wise advice from the contributors in our Wellness issue.

Our cover story features Dr. Drew Pinsky, who introduces us to a health app that will make your life easier and healthier. Check out his partnership with Heal.com; on-demand doctor visits, conveniently in your own home – you name the time and place.

We chat with a popular LA soup cleanse curator...We bring you the story of a miracle berry from India that seems to heal everything......as well as wisdom from a pair of influential moms who will WOW you with their all-encompassing mom’s wellness world. And finally, we visited LA’s hottest new hotel, The Waldorf Astoria, and had a fun chat with their world renowned chef extraordinaire, Steve Benjamin.

We are here to help you with your health journey... sit back, relax, and enjoy.

Cheers to Life, The Focus Team

ISSUE 26

CONTACT US SUBSCRIBE

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America’s First Streaming Video Talk Show Network

focustvnetwork.com

BLOG SPOTLIGHT The subject of our blog spotlight this month is our very own Tambi Saffran.

Laura Kyttanen: Giving You A Taste Of My Life www.laurakyttanen.com

Excerpt from Laura’s Blog: After meeting the Publisher of Focus Magazine at a Tech Coast Angels event, I started following the magazine on Instagram. Focus Magazine is a community-powered online and printed magazine for West Los Angeles.

And it is through this that I discovered the lovely and talented Tambi Saffran (A.K.A. Just Tambi), a host and Food Editor for Focus.

About Laura: LAURA KYTTANEN is a multi-sensorial brand consultant.

Director of experience, buzz & taste for Pixsweet. Mother to Aiden Tyler Kyttanen. Lifestyle blogger living in LA.

After following and liking all the great stuff Tambi was doing, I decided to reach out to her and boldly sent her a message on IG. One day later we jumped on a call and couldn’t stop chatting about all the potential collaborations for Pixsweet (my husband’s company of which I support branding and marketing)! Proof that you can actually make real connections through social media!

Over the last few months, I have gotten to know Tambi better and really enjoy her charisma and energy! Recently, I even got to be on camera with Tambi when she interviewed Pixsweet on Focus TV. After the interview I was asked to join her for a segment called “Fast Focus,” where she literally fired questions at me for 60 seconds to see how fast I could answer.

Let’s just say this wasn’t my finest moment on camera (why was it so hard to answer what my favorite designer is?) but it was a lot of fun! Tambi knows how to put you at ease and get you to laugh, which breaks the ice!

http://www.laurakyttanen.com/ladybosses/2017/8/27/tambi-saffran

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12 Stellar Workouts To Get Your Body in Top Shape My top picks for having fun while getting fit

BY MELISSA MEYERS

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W

e all need a little extra motivation when it comes to working out, so I’ve rounded up my top 12 classes in LA to get fit and have fun in the process.

Many of these classes can also be found in New York and throughout major cities across the U.S. From boutique dance studios to high intensity boxing gyms, these innovative fitness routines are sure to whip you into shape fast.

And, they sure beat going to the gym!

1. The Class by Taryn Toomey (http://taryntoomey.com) – locations in Los Angeles and New York The Class by Taryn Toomey is an incredible and unique mind-body experience that blends boot-camp cardio, yoga, sound, pilates, and freestyle dance together. This gamechanging workout founded by fitness guru and it-girl Taryn Toomey is physically and mentally demanding but somehow the hour long class flies by. Between the inspiring verbal guidance and the carefully curated music playlist (think Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Eminem), it’s possible to surpass your physical and mental limits, and reveal a new level of endorphin-release and power. I found The Class

by TT just over a year ago, and it has been an enlightening experience for me and my favorite current workout. I am a Natalie Kuhn groupie and look forward to her empowering athletic classes filled with inspiration and energy each week.

Be ready to scream, cry, sweat and push your body to the limit. The Class by TT has a cult following and is a favorite among celebs and models including Naomi Watts, Christy Turlington Burns and many more. There is nothing else like it out there so check out the video below to get an idea of what to expect!

2. BoxUnion (https://boxunion.com) – Los Angeles BoxUnion recently opened its doors in Santa Monica and offer fat-burning cardio classes that will have your body toned in no time. This amazing new boxing studio has reinvented shadow boxing and heavy bag drills with cardio and core work to create a lean sculpted body! The fat-melting 45 minutes sessions burn a ton of calories and will make you sweat big time. I have to admit that I was a bit intimidated to try this class but was so pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the super fun workout.

Here’s how it goes – you warm up with a variety of exercises like mountain climbers, planks and pushups and then move on to a variety of boxing routines with the heavy bag including freestyle punching. The studio is clean and beautiful, the music is great and what’s even better are the Malin+ Goetz products found in the full service bathrooms.

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3. Body By Simone (http://www.bodybysimone.com) – Locations throughout Los Angeles and New York Like to mix in some dance moves to get in top shape? Meet former Broadway dancer Simone De La Rue, founder of the fitness craze workout Body By Simone. She has crafted an energetic vibe and dynamic dance cardio workout that has helped clients of all fitness levels achieve incredible results.

Simone and her inspiring teachers give you the tools you need to achieve your ideal body--they change up the routines regularly so you never get bored. There are a variety of classes to choose from including Dance Cardio, Full Body, Trampoline Cardio and more. I prefer the classes with a bit less dancing so my personal favorites are the Hips, Thighs & Buns and the Trampoline classes. Simone loves to share all her best-kept fitness secrets and is the personal trainer for some of the best bodies in town. Loyal celebrity clients include Anne Hathaway, Naomi Watts, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Garner, Sandra Bullock, Chrissy Teigen, Emily Blunt and too many more to list (I have personally taken class next to many of these A-listers)!

6. Pilates Platinum (http://pilatesplatinum.com) – Locations throughout LA Beloved by influencers and celebrities across the globe, this popular studio uses the revolutionary Megaformer for its challenging workouts that are extremely effective for increasing core strength. This Pilates machine uses the same principles as traditional Pilates, but adds resistance and extra repetitions for a tough and energizing workout (it’s actually like Pilates on steroids). I found this class to be one of the most challenging workouts I have ever experienced, but was told to take five classes and not to get discouraged. A favorite for celebs like Alessandra Ambrosio and Marcia Cross, these 55 minute fat-burning classes give you quick results for serious full body toning and flexibility.

7. ModelFIT (http://www.modelfit.com/) – Los Angeles, New York ModelFIT’s whole mission is about living a balanced life.

Earning its name from some of the sexiest supermodels in the game like Miranda Kerr, Chrissy Teigan and Karlie Kloss, this fitness regime shares all the secrets to scoring that model bod.

Co-developed by ex Victoria Secret trainer, Justin Gelband, 4. PLATEFIT (http://www.platefit.co) – Locations throughout these effective sculpt classes stress precision and form. Class Los Angeles, more to come soon! instructors focus on a technique with smaller, slower moves, PLATEFIT uses the medical Power Plate device for it’s meaning less bulk and more lean. I tried a class taught by signature workouts that are effective, fun, and fast. These Justin when he was in LA and it was SO much fun! Although circular vibrating pedestals equal serious burn, engaging ModelFIT classes are technically in the group setting, onethe muscles to contract 30 to 50 times a second. Each on-one attention from instructors makes them feel more high-intensity class is extremely efficient and is only 27 like personal training sessions. It’s no wonder these sculpt minutes long--perfect for busy working Moms or anyone sessions are a celeb favorite too! with little free time looking to get in top shape fast! Sources have claimed that a 30 minute workout on the power plate 8. YogaHop (http://www.yogahop.com) – Locations in Santa equals 90 minutes of traditional training. YAY! PLATEFIT Monica and Pasadena, Los Angeles offers a broad range of classes like BootcampFIT, Barre/ YogaHop is a low key yoga studio with two locations in LA DanceFIT, and the super challenging HIIT-FIT taught by known for their fun one hour yoga classes set to amazing encouraging, fun instructors. High-intensity not your thing? music. It great for people who are not necessarily looking They also offer CelluliteFIT and RecoveryFIT classes to for “zen” yoga but an energizing and physically challenging smooth out cellulite and for muscle recovery. I like to do the flow yoga workout. Upon entering YogaHop’s boldly colored BootcampFIT for the burn followed by the CelluliteFIT class confines and hearing hip-hop jamming out of the booming for recovery. Between the great music and fast-paced routine, speakers, a headset-microphoned teacher leads the class your class at PLATEFIT is over before your know it. through the postures. I enjoy taking founder Matthew Reyes class as he connects with the students and elicits a special 5. Tantris (https://www.tantris.com) – Los Angeles energy from them. I have seen some of the most impressive Music mogul Russell Simmons is quickly setting his place as a yogi’s in LA practice here, but at YogaHop anyone would feel lifestyle guru with the opening of his hot new Indian-themed at home with the eclectic mix of people it attracts including yoga studio in West Hollywood. The inspiring classes seek some A-list celebs. the enlightened type, offering what he dubs as a “devotional 9. Physique57 (http://physique57.com) – Los Angeles, New yoga” experience. Inside the two-story wellness center also York City, Hamptons, Beverly Hills, Dubai, Bangkok lives a blow dry bar stocked with beauty products from Physique57 is a challenging barre-based exercise that utilizes Jessica Alba’s Honest Company and a retail space where you intervals of cardio, strength training, stretching and recovery can score all the latest activewear fashion from the Tantris to lengthen and tone arms, thighs, glutes and ab muscles apparel line. A one-stop shop for all things enlightened, this while burning fat. One of my favorite things about this classic eclectic studio will have you feeling good from the inside out. barre workout is that it’s very effective and results can be Celeb fans include Lady Gaga, Usher, Jessica Alba and A-Rod. seen after only eight sessions. This is also how devotees like I recently took a great class here and thought the studio was Chrissy Teigen, Alessandra Ambrosio and Suki Waterhouse beautiful with a traditional yogi vibe! keep their bods toned and tight!

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10. SoulCycle (https://www.soul-cycle.com) – Cities throughout the U.S. Everyone already knows about SoulCycle but I could not publish this article without mentioning this fitness phenomena, especially when they are about to get a bike facelift! The company was sold last year to Equinox but originally was the shared vision of co-founders Elizabeth Cutler and Julie Rice. This wildly popular indoor cycling studio is home to that signature yellow wheel and a fitness routine that offers one of the biggest endorphin releases out there. The inspiring community-oriented workout is as efficient as it is joyful and addicting. Set in a dark candlelit room to high-energy music, rockstar instructors guide riders through a meditative fitness experience that’s designed to benefit the body, mind, and soul. It’s important to find the instructor and vibe that works with your personality to get the full experience of this class. Also, always be sure to check out the instructors play list on the SoulCycle website to make sure their tunes are your thing. SoulCycle has become a workout obsession for so many fitness enthusiasts (my hubby included) over the past ten years and has an endless list of celeb fans including Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga, Ryan Gosling and David Beckham.

11. Burn 60 (http://www.burn60.com) – Los Angeles Burn 60 is a fast-paced workout designed for all fitness levels and combines the spirit of group fitness with personalized

attention from a certified Burn 60 trainer. Beloved by A-listers like Reese Witherspoon and Naomi Watts, this fun and effective workout combines a mix of treadmill cardio intervals with strength resistance work. Each Burn 60 workout offers modified levels of walking, jogging or running doubled with targeted floor work using weights, bands, kettle bells, and suspension training. The 60 minute class is intense but you can burn at your own pace.

12. Exhale (https://www.exhalespa.com) – Several locations throughout the U.S. Exhale, founded by fitness veterans Elisabeth Halfpapp and Fred DeVito, offers multi-disciplinary workouts that combine fitness and movement with spa and healing therapies all within a modern setting. You can choose from a variety of barre, cardio and yoga classes at all levels. Spa services include massages, body therapies, facials with innovative, cutting-edge technology, waxing and nail care. In addition, exhale offers transformational services including nutrition coaching, detox and cleansing programs, cupping, reiki and acupuncture by experienced licensed practitioners. I have been a fan of the core fusion barre workout there for many, many years and take these classes religiously when I am in New York and the Hamptons. Their retreats and workshops are fun too! Many serious power women, models and actress Allison Williams are big fans of the classes and services offered there.

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Jennifer Stano and Nicole Zeola WOMEN OF WOW

STORY BY SUZAN BRITTAN INTERVIEW BY TERRY BRIGGS

T

hese two entrepreneurial, empowering Moms have the “3 Bs”. Brains, Beauty and Babies!

Together Jennifer Stano and Nicole Zeola have figured out the niche space between smoothie stealing husbands and Chuck E. Cheese. Their palatable partnership picked out the needs of Modern Moms trying to negotiate healthy eating, playing and relaxing all in one spot, sans the plastic, germy ball pits. WOW is short for World Of Wellness, and along with their brilliant idea to create a one-stop, peaceful play shop made for Moms and kids, they also sell a 30-day nutritional weight loss and wellness system.

Where were these amazing moms when I was trying to lose the 65 pregnancy pounds I gained... eh-hem, 19 years ago? I swear it looked like my tush was going to have twins.

It doesn’t matter if you’re losing pregnancy weight or just life weight. Their WOW protein shake program has tons of positive testimonials bowing down to this platform of balanced weight loss. They state: “We’ve thought of everything: our products are non-GMO, free of soy, glutens, and aspartame, they’re vegetarian, they’re paleo friendly, and they’re kosher. We use only natural ingredients and our meal replacement products are truly high vibration super-foods.” Go grab your own at https://wowmoms.com If it sounds like they know what they’re talking about, it’s because they do. Zeola is a nutrition, fitness and spiritual coach with a business background, and Stano’s preparation is deeply rooted in retail swimsuit fashion and nutritional supplements. In fact, they are both convinced the Universe made sure they’d meet and redefine a business together to

support the needs of modern moms and families. In Nicole’s words; “...It’s about humanity... create more harmony,” and the much bigger picture of, “...world peace.” In essence, if Mommy is happy, everybody is happy. Agreed.

FOCUS TV host, Terry Briggs, sat down for a face-to-face chat with the two self-titled, “Glam Hippie” Moms to discuss their lives and how their synergistic business pairing came about and who is “WOW MOMS”. Nicole expressed it well, “Being a Mom is a unique animal, it’s very challenging, pushes you and it’s the most sacred amazing experience anyone could ever have…” Being moms is also their “why” for doing all they do. It is important for Steno to make sure people know; “I didn’t just sit on my ass and live off somebody else.” She wanted something she created and brought to fruition for not just her kids, but for herself. Once Nicole saw a small gap in the big window of how Moms and children entertain themselves, it was a no-brainer brainchild. There were no places dedicated to families with small children focusing on focusmag.us 15

“We’ve thought of everything: our products are non-GMO; free of soy, glutens, and aspartame, they’re vegetarian, they’re paleo friendly, and they’re kosher. We use only natural ingredients and our meal replacement products are truly high vibration super-foods.”

healthy snacks, meals and play areas. You can even buy your own franchise at www.wowmomsworld.com - but the source of their bread and butter was their shake. When Jennifer first met Nicole, it was a divine meeting via a mutual friend and they “clicked”.

Nicole had wanted Jennifer to try her protein shake, but forgot, so she phoned her afterwards to nudge the issue.

The shake was like nothing else Jennifer had tried. It was full of the best ingredients, made her feel fantastic and most importantly – tasted yummy! Jennifer quickly called Nicole and started to connect not just on a business level, but also, on a Mom level. “Mom level” meaning... it’s time to give back to moms and present better options for them and their families. After some rebranding and redesigning they came up with an even better product and bigger picture for World Of Wellness; “We’ve developed a wellness program inspired by the seven chakras that combine supplements with recipes and exercises (both physical and spiritual). We both took this 30-Day Weight Loss & Wellness Challenge ourselves with a group of 100 women and had spectacular results.” (https:// wowmoms.com/pages/testimonials) See for yourself on their IG: @jenniferstano and @nicolezeolalove Their slogan is, “Holistic/Spiritual/Modern”. It makes sense, because their best attribute, as partners, is their ability to juggle between all aspects of their lives and still find balance. Regarding business practice Stano adds, “Establish roles and delegate to the right person – what are the roles and work load responsibility? It’s about pulling balanced weight.” Nicole recommends getting centered and realigned through meditation, a simple bath or a stint at the gym to

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maintain balance in the home or at work. They both agree, when starting your endeavor, make sure you have a great mentor, whether it’s one you know or one you find in a book.

Set boundaries and time for yourself and create task lists constantly. Ask the Universe for what you need. Basically, their advice when starting your business is not to try to reinvent the wheel, just make it better. Also keep it Holistic, Healthy and Happy... Let’s not forget World peace.

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@jenniferstano @nicolezeolalove https://wowmoms.com www.wowmomsworld.com https://wowmoms.com/pages/testimonials

Stone Symbol

An artifact turned modern jewelry line

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This ancient stone has a new story...

D

oriana Richman is the founder and creator of Stone Symbol, a luxury jewelry/ accessories collection for men and women.

Doriana’s jewelry line is inspired by an ancient spiritual symbol she discovered in her travels to the ancient, excavated city of Ephesus.

Created by the combination of 5 Greek letters, the symbol is incorporated into the entire Stone Symbol jewelry line and represents Unity and Universal Acceptance.

“My whole mission, besides the fact that I want to bring unity, is we have never needed unity more than now,” explains Richman.

Doriana is also an actress, a professional stunt driver in film and television, and a longtime animal rights activist. Doriana has been working as a commercial stunt driver for 20 years and her performances have appeared in over 400 commercials.

When Doriana is not behind the wheel, she stays involved in stunt work through the company L.A. Motorsports, which she owns with her husband. Created in 2000, L.A. Motorsports members include world champion stunt and performance drivers and stunt coordinators.

Since early childhood, Doriana has been passionate about the well-being and security of all animals, and 10% of Stone Symbol sales are allocated to the Beagle Freedom Project and the Physicians Committee.

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www.stonesymbol.com www.lamsports.com/

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B E V E R LY H I L L S | B R E N T W O O D | M A L I B U | W E S T H O L LY W O O D | S A N T A M O N I C A B E V E R LY H I L L S | B R E N T W O O D | M A L I B U | W E S T H O L LY W O O D | S A N T A M O N I C A

COMMUNITY POWERED

COMMUNITY POWERED

EXECUTIVE CHEF CRAIG’S LA

KURSTEN KIZER

B E V E R LY H I L L S | B R E N T W O O D | M A L I B U | W E S T H O L LY W O O D | S A N T A M O N I C A B E V E R LY H I L L S | B R E N T W O O D | M A L I B U | W E S T H O L LY W O O D | S A N T A M O N I C A

COMMUNITY POWERED

COMMUNITY POWERED

EXECUTIVE CHEF CRAIG’S LA

KURSTEN KIZER

GIRLTALK NETWORK

SARAH PENDRICK

SPOTLIGHT

WHIMSICAL BARTON G.

FOCUS TRAVEL EDITOR

WENDY BROKAW KRETCHMER

SIMPLY STYLIST

SARAH BOYD MUSIC EDITOR/HOST

EXECUTIVE CHEF, BALTAIRE

TAMBI SAFFRAN

JANUARY 2016 | FOCUSMAG.US

TRAVIS STRICKLAND

AUTHOR AND PHILANTHROPIST

JULIE STEINES AND NORBERT JANUARY 2017 | FOCUSMAG.US

FOOD ISSUE

GIRLTALK NETWORK

INSPIRATION ISSUE

BEAUTY PIONEER, FACE BAR FOUNDER

AMAZING RACE WINNER

TRICIA DIKES

LAURA PIERSON

HOST | FEARLESS FEMALES

SARAH PENDRICK

FOUNDERS | CEREMONY MEDITATION

JANET GUNN

ROXY GHORAISHY, TRAVIS MAJICK

FOCUS TRAVEL EDITOR

WENDY BROKAW KRETCHMER STYLE

5 TH ANNIVERSARY Eat

Sandwiches come of age.

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Shop

A shop-by-shop guide to South Barrington Place 14

See

Music and Theater performances this month 16

DINING

FITNESS

INTERVIEWS

ART

MAY 2014 focusmag.us

INTERVIEW

MIKHAIL BARYSHNIKOV

ANNIVERSARY EDITION

ONE YEAR ON

AUTHOR AND PHILANTHROPIST

JULIE STEINES AND NORBERT

DO THE HUSTLE AN INSIDER VIEW OF THE MOVIE AWARDS SCENE

ISSUE

Do

Box, climb, Cobra pose - have fun and get fit for Spring.

22

FOCUS

PERFORMANCE

CO M M U N I T Y P OW E R E D

STYLE

DINING

FITNESS

INTERVIEWS

PERFORMANCE

ART

APRIL 2014 focusmag.us

CO M M U N I T Y P OW E R E D

SPRING ISSUE: 1 April 2013

Insights into your neighborhood.

Explore

Serene Places

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

EDEN SASSOON

ODEEVA TV

Insights into your neighborhood.

Shop Antiques and Home furnishings 12

See

The creations of celebrated architect A. Quincy Jones 14

Do

It’s Bike month – dust off your cycling gear.

22

MOTHER OF AN IDEA FUND YOUR CONCEPT

STYLE

FOCUS BEL AIR

ISSUE 2: May/June 2013

JULY 2017 | FOCUSMAG.US

Zen

Yoga on the beach 18

ALLI WEBB

INTERVIEWS

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE FOUNDER OF DRYBAR

MELISSA MEYERS

Eat

Ice cream, yogurt and shaved ice.

26

FITNESS

PERFORMANCE

ART

DECEMBER 2013 focusmag.us

HANGING OUT WITH ACTRESS NICOLE CANNON

GLOW GIRL

Do

Ideas for daring experiences 16

DINING

CO M M U N I T Y P OW E R E D

THE GLEN CENTER See

Fashion photographer Helmut Newton 12

FOCUS

BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR AND A MOTHER

JANUARY 2017 | FOCUSMAG.US

Eat

Burgers for carnivores and vegans alike 26

FOCUS

MOMPRENEURS

#sassoonway

TANYA MEMME

STYLE

DINING

FITNESS

INTERVIEWS

PERFORMANCE

A GOOD GUY

EX ‘SOPRANOS’ LOUIS LOMBARDI HITS A HIGH NOTE

A HAPPY PLACE THE SENSORY WONDERLAND THAT IS HAVEN & Co.

ART

NOVEMBER 2013 focusmag.us

CO M M U N I T Y P OW E R E D

Things to see and do in your neighborhood.

BRENTWOOD

ISSUE 3: June/July 2013

See

Hammer Time – What’s going on at the museum?

12

Books

Frederick Forsyth in conversation.

13

Free

Outdoor movies.

Talks. Yoga.

All Free 25

Eat

STYLE

DINING

FITNESS

INTERVIEWS

PERFORMANCE

ART

August has a lot of sweet celebrations.

26

FOCUS

FINANCE

FEBRUARY 2014 focusmag.us

CO M M U N I T Y P OW E R E D

ISSUE

LOVE your neighborhood

BRENTWOOD

E*TRADE

ISSUE 4: August 2013

THE VALUE TRADE

Mobile Dating

Efrem Harkham

Realty Mogul

The Art of Giving

LUXE HOTEL FOUNDER

REAL ESTATE CROWDFUNDING

FUNDING WORTHY CAUSES

INTERVIEW

INSPIRATION ISSUE

Best of *

BRENT WOOD *Our Pick of THE Best Places in Brentwood

1

WHERE TO SHOP

FASHION ISSUE

MINUTE YOGA

MEN & WOMEN’S CLOTHING

PHILANTHROPISTS

HOST | FEARLESS FEMALES

FOUNDER | PŪRLISSE BEAUTY

FOUNDERS | CEREMONY MEDITATION

JANET GUNN

JENNIFER YEN

KELLY STONE, EDEN ALPERT

ROXY GHORAISHY, TRAVIS MAJICK

B E V E R LY H I L L S | B R E N T W O O D | M A L I B U | W E S T H O L LY W O O D | S A N T A M O N I C A

COMMUNITY POWERED

SPOTLIGHT

WHIMSICAL BARTON G. SIMPLY STYLIST

SARAH BOYD MUSIC EDITOR/HOST

EXECUTIVE CHEF, BALTAIRE

TAMBI SAFFRAN

JANUARY 2016 | FOCUSMAG.US

TRAVIS STRICKLAND

STYLE

DINING

COMMUNITY POW ERED

FITNESS

INTERVIEWS

PERFORMANCE

ART

MAY 2014 focusmag.us

FOOD ISSUE

BEAUTY PIONEER, FACE BAR FOUNDER

AMAZING RACE WINNER

TRICIA DIKES

LAURA PIERSON

STYLE

DINING

FITNESS

INTERVIEWS

PERFORMANCE

ART

APRIL 2014 focusmag.us

COMMUNITY POWERED

STYLE

DINING

FITNESS

INTERVIEWS

PERFORMANCE

ART

DECEMBER 2013 focusmag.us

COMMUNI TY POWER ED

STYLE

DINING

FITNESS

INTERVIEWS

PERFORMANCE

ART

NOVEMBER 2013 focusmag.us

CO M M U N I T Y P OW E R E D

STYLE

DINING

FITNESS

ONE YEAR ON

ART

FEBRUARY 2014 focusmag.us

Mobile Dating

MIKHAIL BARYSHNIKOV

HANGING OUT WITH ACTRESS NICOLE CANNON

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

DO THE HUSTLE

PERFORMANCE

CO M M U N I T Y P OW E R E D

INTERVIEW

ANNIVERSARY EDITION

INTERVIEWS

EDEN SASSOON

Best of *

FINANCE

MOMPRENEURS

#sassoonway

BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR AND A MOTHER

AN INSIDER VIEW OF THE MOVIE AWARDS SCENE

FUND YOUR CONCEPT

ALLI WEBB

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE FOUNDER OF DRYBAR

Hammer Time – What’s going on at the museum?

12

Books

Free

Frederick Forsyth in conversation.

13

Outdoor movies.

Talks. Yoga.

All Free 25

Eat

August has a lot of sweet celebrations.

26

FOCUS LOVE your neighborhood

BRENTWOOD

ISSUE 4: August 2013

*Our Pick of THE Best Places in Brentwood

ISSUE

MOTHER OF AN IDEA

See

BRENT WOOD

See

Fashion photographer Helmut Newton 12

Do

Ideas for daring experiences 16

A GOOD GUY

EX ‘SOPRANOS’ LOUIS LOMBARDI HITS A HIGH NOTE

A HAPPY PLACE THE SENSORY WONDERLAND THAT IS HAVEN & Co.

Zen

Yoga on the beach 18

Eat

Ice cream, yogurt and shaved ice.

26

FOCUS Things to see and do in your neighborhood.

BRENTWOOD

E*TRADE THE VALUE TRADE

ISSUE 3: June/July 2013

1

Efrem Harkham

Realty Mogul

The Art of Giving

LUXE HOTEL FOUNDER

REAL ESTATE CROWDFUNDING

FUNDING WORTHY CAUSES

INTERVIEW

Eat

Burgers for carnivores and vegans alike 26

Shop Antiques and Home furnishings 12

See

The creations of celebrated architect A. Quincy Jones 14

Do

It’s Bike month – dust off your cycling gear.

22

FOCUS Insights into your neighborhood.

ISSUE 2: May/June 2013

MINUTE YOGA

Eat

Sandwiches come of age.

26

Shop

A shop-by-shop guide to South Barrington Place 14

See

Music and Theater performances this month 16

Do

Box, climb, Cobra pose - have fun and get fit for Spring.

22

FOCUS Insights into your neighborhood.

SPRING ISSUE: 1 April 2013

Explore

Serene Places

WHERE TO SHOP

FASHION ISSUE MEN & WOMEN’S CLOTHING

ADVERTISE@FOCUSMAG.US

Rachel’s Tips on Slaying the Fame Game

Photo: Tasia Wells

From Trailer Parks to Red Carpets

focusmag.us 21

W

e are exceptionally excited to feature Rachel McCord, speaker, model, and overall philanthropist, featured in top magazines such as Vogue, Forbes, and Glamour.

She is the star and co-producer of one of Focus TV’s very own shows, The Rachel McCord Show: From Trailer Parks to Red Carpets.

What caught our eye was Rachel’s passion to help others accomplish their dreams. We were excited to get her top 5 tips to stay sane in Hollywood (or wherever you are in the world).

Taken straight from her book, SLAY THE FAME GAME, where she shares her list of secrets to “break into Hollywood and Social Media without it breaking you,” Rachel is passing on these 5 tips to help you feel empowered, and protect your heart…

1. Believe in yourself. It’s incredibly important that you become your biggest fan. There are plenty of people in the world who will say why you’re not good enough, but if your voice is louder and stronger, and saying “you’ve got this,” you will make it.

what to do to feel better. You may feel overwhelmed, when you get in the heat of the moment, but don’t have the tools to deal with the drama. You need to be able to keep your head straight, even if there is chaos around. Before you get to that point, you should have a plan, so you know just what to do to feel better. Try taking a walk, talking to a friend, reading a book, or distracting yourself by watching TV. Whatever you do, make sure it has the ability to put you in a great mood.

Then, when you’re ready, come back to the situation with a leveled head, and decide how you want to resolve it.

To hear more motivational tips from Rachel, pick up a copy of SLAY THE FAME GAME, from Amazon or Fred Segal/Ron Robinson, or, by visiting slaythefamegame.com.

You won’t want to put it down, as you laugh your way through this must-read, full of Rachel’s eight years experience in traditional and digital Hollywood. She “shares more industry secrets than she should” (Hollywood Producer), as she dishes on behind the scenes fails, successes, and scoops from working with brands (Coca-Cola, GlamSquad, Showtime, ABC), fellow talent (her sister and actress, AnnaLynne McCord, Leighton Meester, Shaun Ross, Sazan Hendrix) and by building a brand as a “rising star”(Daily Mail) and “one of the hottest models in the world” (Daily Star)!

2. Stay resilient. When you go for your dreams, whether they are in Hollywood, on social media, or, at that fabulous company down the street from you, you are going to fail, you are going to make mistakes. That’s okay, the most important thing to do is to get back up, dust yourself off, and you keep going.

3. Build a community of supportive friends. Having a solid community around you makes a huge difference! When I started The McCord List, I built a community of fellow talent, celebrities, entrepreneurs, and creatives, so that we could collaborate, support one another, and create fabulous experiences. Years later, we are 1,000 women strong, and growing and collaborating weekly!

4. Stay away from the crazies. This is my personal favorite, because it has saved me in life. I’ve been around so many crazy people, I had to learn when to walk away…or run!

Tune in, to how those closest to you, make you feel. If you are constantly walking away feeling discouraged, maybe you should stay away.

5. Create a system for dealing with drama and conflict.

When conflict comes up, which it will, you need to know

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https://themccordlist.com

This is the last book you’ll ever need on networking, building fame, interviewing, and collaborating with others. Rachel will encourage you to “always believe in yourself... never ever give up” (Star, Pretty Little Liars), as she shares tips to overcome insecurities, cope with rejection, follow your dreams, and avoiding painful mistakes such as selfsabotage.

http://dec2017.focustvnetwork.com

focusmag.us 23

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The Elissa Goodman Show

I

n this series, nutritionist and cleanse expert, Elissa Goodman, interviews wellness professionals who are disrupting the health space with powerful and innovative approaches to achieving well-being. These sessions go beyond the surface, as they discuss both the emotional and physical components of their own healing journey. The conversations deeply examine the components of body, mind, and spirit in healing and help others to do the same.

“One of my big focuses lately has been connection. I’ve been asking myself, how can I better connect to the world around me and share that connection with others? Well, for the past couple of months, I’ve been putting together a plan to answer that question.

The first way I’ve started to approach connecting was by reaching out to people who I feel are doing incredible work within the healing space. I sat down with several of my favorite people in the health and wellness business, to discuss their healing journey. These aren’t just your cut and dry nutrition/health people or doctors. They’re people whose spirit and essence shine through what they do in a big way.

They’re all doing deep work with a truly unique approach.

Each conversation digs in down to the root of what got them to the place they’re in today and how they help others achieve the same success.

I wanted to connect with people who are approaching this work in a new and unique light. I chose this platform so I could share these powerful conversations with you. This was such a fun project and I’m SO excited to share it with you. I found these conversations to be incredibly energizing and I hope you do too.” – Elissa

http://elissagoodman.focustv.us

About Elissa

Elissa Goodman is a holistic nutritionist and lifestyle cleanse expert who believes that proper nourishment, healing by listening to your gut, and a daily renewal practice are essential for optimal living. Elissa’s mission is to educate and encourage healthy, mindful living, helping others embrace the concept that we are a product of what we eat and how we treat ourselves. Based in Los Angeles , Elissa works privately with professionals and celebrity clients to develop personalized wellness programs that encourage true health from the inside out. Creator of the food based “S.O.U.P” Cleanse and “Cleanse Your Body, Cleanse Your Life,” her approach to cleansing is gentle and accessible for those looking to renew, recharge, rejuvenate and maintain their healthy lifestyle. Elissa collaborates with health and wellness partners throughout Los Angeles and is the creator of M Cafés macrobiotic RESET Cleanse, signature juice blends at Erewhon Market and multiple food creations that can be found at Earth Bar LAX. Elissa’s International Bestseller book, “Cancer Hacks” is available on Amazon.

https://elissagoodman.com focusmag.us 25

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How NIKKI SHARP went from a model to a successful brand, (signing a two-book deal, #1 app), and her advice to you

W

hen you think of a successful brand, what comes up for you?

I have asked myself this question countless times and the answer always remains the same: to be happy as hell each and every day while helping people achieve their goals. So that’s exactly what I’m going to do in writing this article for you. I will share some inner details of my life, my brand and how I managed to overcome a lot (and I mean a lot) of drama, BS, people telling me no. And ultimately how I have become a model turned well-known wellness expert and turned a passion of health into a career.

Let’s jump back a few years ago, five to be exact, when I was living in another country, the United Kingdom. I was going on living in my seventh country for modeling, which meant a lot of moving around, a lot of new people and a lot of loneliness. The modeling world is an interesting one and while I’d love to go into more of that here, my focus is on brand/ career building and overcoming all the negative BS that you have inevitably gone through in order to thrive!

The modeling world did teach me one invaluable lesson: you cannot take the no’s to heart. It is not about you personally; it’s about you just not being the right person, face, body, hair color, etc. etc. for the job at that exact moment.

The interesting thing about life and that job you applied for and didn’t get? It’s the same thing!

It’s not personal; rather it just wasn’t the right fit for whatever reason. Modeling did give me a thick skin though and I learned that I couldn’t let someone else’s judgment affect me.

I began learning about health while I was still modeling as I had huge body dismorphia and was severely underweight.

I knew I needed to clean up my act for myself and so I began studying nutrition in London, started a food blog, and created an Instagram account to motivate myself and track my own progress. Well, people began following me and the IG account grew. And I mean it grew by the thousands each day! People loved what I shared as it was a new social platform that no one else was doing. This became a huge passion that literally came out of no where, considering I could not cook for the life of me and ate terribly!

During this time I wrote a program called the 5-Day Detox, which was cleanse based on eating real food, 5 meals a day for 5 days. People couldn’t get enough of it and soon I had sold 100,000 copies of the e-book. This was both through word of mouth and posting before and after’s on my Insta account. I decided to then turn this into a mobile app, and a few months later launched it where it hit #1 in 6 countries (including the US and UK) in 24 hours with no paid marketing. focusmag.us 29

This then turned into a two book deal with Random House, in which I released the updated version of the detox aptly named ‘The 5-Day Real Food Detox’ last March to glowing reviews. It hit #3 on the Amazon Best Seller list and to date has sold a lot of copies. My second book, “Meal Prep Your Way to Weight Loss,” comes out next May and I couldn’t be more excited.

Since starting my brand I have done self-publishing, written a book through a major publisher, designed and launched an app, written multiple e-books on health, become a wellness expert who is featured on TV often, done a lot of my own PR, and created a successful brand through social media.

But you’re probably sitting there thinking, ‘well, that’s just great isn’t it. You’ve had things handed to you, you have a model body, you already have followers, and are already on TV. That doesn’t help me at all.’ Okay, so maybe you didn’t think exactly that, but I do seem to get this a lot where those who don’t know of my story and look at me from the outside see only the success. They don’t see the days I’ve spent on my floor crying and wanting to quit because it’s crazy hard. The times I wonder if I’m a failure because I didn’t hit whatever X goal I had in my mind. And they don’t see the times I have been sued by greedy people wanting to take advantage of others.

All of this has of course made me have incredible self-doubt though. I wonder if this is the path I should be on. If I’m not speaking on Dr. Oz yet, The Today Show, or being asked to cook on The Chew, does it mean that I don’t deserve to do what I love? Of course not!

We tie our value of our brands (and by brand I mean our company, or personal self worth, etc.) so heavily into achieving more, more, more. We need more followers, more engagement, and more people to just like us. Because when we have 120 million followers like Selena Gomez, suddenly all our dreams will come true.

Well, I’m going to share a simple yet very helpful truth with you: creating a successful brand/happy life/beautiful relationship starts from YOU being happy where you are in this exact moment. It took me a lot of years, a LOT of failures, a lot of self-doubt to realize this. If I could shed light on anything, it’s that building a brand/happy life/beautiful relationship is going to be a lot of hard work, a lot of you wondering if you’re doing things wrong, and a lot of times wanting to quit.

But that’s okay. Because if you thought the above I’m here to say that no matter how a brand, a company, someone’s career, life, marriage, or social media looks from the outside, it always has something you don’t see on the inside.

I have been told “NO” more times that I can count. I have had countless managers and agents tell me that because my Instagram following isn’t large enough (because apparently over 300,000 followers isn’t a lot these days) they won’t take me on as a client. No, I need 1 million followers. Nevermind the fact that I have a book, an app, a lot of ebook sales under my name and go on TV regularly without a PR agent. But that’s okay. I’ve learned the no’s only make me stronger and make me want to prove to myself I can and will do it.

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But then, when things do start to flow you will think, why did I ever want to quit this?! I love my life. But that’s exactly what life is, it’s the ups and downs, and learning things in order to share them with others. Because ultimately sharing our stories, our lives, what we have learned is the most valuable thing you will ever do in this life.

Needless to say, this has led me onto my next venture of branding and social media consulting. Because who better than someone who has done all the above to share what I’ve learned to help others achieve their goals! This pairs nicely with the health coaching I do, because for me at the end of the day, it’s all a matter of making someone better in whatever way I can, be it in health and fitness, branding, social media, or inspiring people through TV, printed magazines like this one, or speaking engagements. http://5daydetoxapp.com @nikkisharp

focusmag.us 31

Aging Gracefully with Julie Diamond, Founder of Julie Diamond Fitness

BY MEAGAN ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY MEKINA SAYLOR

W

e sat down with Julie Diamond, celebrity fitness guru, to get some insight into her philosophy on aging gracefully and the importance of a healthy mind and spirit to maintain a healthy body. When asked about her experience as a woman over 50 in the health and exercise space, she expressed a calm acceptance to the aging process. “It seems everybody is obsessed with the fountain of youth.

The truth is, we start to age the second we’re born. It’s inevitable and should be embraced instead of frowned upon, because getting older is a wonderful thing and a natural progression in life.” While her positive attitude towards time passing is admirable, we admit, it can be difficult. However, Julie asserts that this kind of positivity is vital to aging well. (and let’s take it from her; she looks amazing).

Her three “secrets” to maximizing the aging process are Nutrition, Exercise, and, you guessed it, a Positive Attitude!

When asked about the first component, Nutrition, she shared, “I can’t emphasize this enough! A low-glycemic (low sugar) diet high in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein is best. AND of course, WATER WATER WATER! Also, foods rich in omega 3’s are essential- think walnuts, salmon, and flax seeds.”

“Health goes beyond the physical! It’s proven that people with a positive attitude have more resilience to stress.” Her favorite ways to train and maintain a sharp mind? Meditation and Tapping.

Julie’s philosophy in living a healthy, agefriendly lifestyle is what she calls The 3 C’s: Control, Choices, Consistency. By control, she means that the responsibility to change your habits and routine are completely in your own control. Own that fact, she says, and you are on your way to making better choices to exercise, eat well, and de-stress. Finally, consistency. Consistently sticking with your choices is arguably the toughest part, however it is the part that produces results that your body and mind will thank you for as you continue to age.

Learn more about Julie at her website: JulieDiamondFitness.com or on Instagram: @JulieDiamondFitness

As a fitness trainer, of course she includes exercise as one of her secrets, specifically including both aerobic and strength training exercise. She turns to science in supporting this one, telling us, “The average woman loses about 25% of her muscle mass between ages 35-70. Resistance training increases both mass and strength, and is proven to decrease the risk of dementia.” The prevention of dementia is enough to show that the benefits of exercise are not just skin deep.

Her last secret of having a positive mental attitude ventures further into this mind-body connection. Julie stressed, 32 FOCUS | D E C E M BE R 2 0 1 7

JulieDiamondFitness.com @JulieDiamondFitness

Stephi Maron –

PRETTY POWERFUL EMPOWERISTA STORY BY SUZAN BRITTAN INTERVIEW BY ALEX WEHRLEY

“Feeling pretty is priceless.”

“W

elcome Lovelies,” is how BLUSHINGTON, your go-to place for all your makeup and beauty needs greets you on their girlie designed website boasting pictures of glam-tastic boutique shops. The beauty and brains behind this one-stop-shop for feeling and looking pretty is, STEPHI MARON. She opened Blushington to fill a niche for women, who couldn’t get all of their makeup and beauty applications in one spot.

Maron didn’t stop with one spot, she opened up 5 thus far since 2011, and has plans to open more in the near future. Do I smell a future franchise opportunity here?

FOCUS TV’s Empowerista Host, Alex Wehrley (#empowerista) had the pleasure of sitting down with Stephi to learn about her reasons for Blushington’s existence.

Besides wanting to do what she loves in the beauty industry, Maron stated, “I wanted to work for myself. I knew I wanted to own my own company and business and (have) that independence.” Wehrley went deeper and asked her what her “why” was for starting this boutique; Maron simply answered; “Feeling pretty is priceless.” It’s true. When you feel good on the outside, it makes you feel good on the inside. It’s as if your soul is the moist yummy cake and Blushington is the buttercream chocolate icing.

You could eat one without the other, but why? It was important for Maron to design a “home away from home” atmosphere in her ‘beauty lounges’ to be listened to and also heard. Her crack 34 FOCUS | D E C E M BE R 2 0 1 7

team of talented makeup artists and a staff of 120 make you feel like you can take on any work challenge or be ‘Red Carpet Ready’, which is one of their titled services ($80 fee for full makeup and flawless skin). Maron emphasized, “It’s all about the customer and customized experience.”

About that customized experience - Blushington professionals will come to your home, hotel or office as well if you can’t make it to one of their wham bam thank you glam locations (https://www.blushington.com/store-locations/ but, you really should see the gorg-ie décor for yourself).

Their services menu includes the usual suspects like Wedding Packages, Girlie Parties or a corporate event from 2 to 100 guests. But, what’s an unexpected service one I’ve never seen is the “ DADS & DAUGHTER” makeup classes with a group or a private session. The makeup artist leads the example and completes one half of the daughter’s face and Daddy does the other half, hopefully nearly as well. This is a fantastic daddy bonding time idea and probably an hysterical experience.

I’m imagining my father holding liquid eyeliner aiming for my eyeball lid... disastrous. But, it’s an endearing, clever and needed service. All men should know what us ladies go through trying ready ourselves every day with our best face forward.

You can also purchase different monthly memberships online like the ‘Carte Blush’, an exclusive monthly membership that offers unlimited in-store services on a monthly basis across all lounge locations. With Blushington, gone are the days where you have to watch tutorials or guess how to apply current trends in makeup.

With an unlimited monthly membership you can go daily and

get any look you want like: Pure & Simple offering a very natural look, Simply Glowing showing off faux sun-kissed cheeks, Lucky Stars for a starlet camera ready face, Smoke & Mirrors to vamp up your bedroom eyes, Bridal giving you a blushing bride shine, Red Carpet Ready makes you into a glamor girl, TV Ready for a lights, camera, action look and the Simple & Easy just woke up quick fix au natural fresh face. Check out all of their services to service your face.

Building a beauty biz is not just about what’s on the outside either. Maron states, “I’ve battled with depression and anxiety my whole life. Blushington gave me my own voice.”

At 21 years old she pushed through her fear and angst of developing and creating a beauty lounge. She explains; “You don’t need to know everything, it’s okay to ask for help and raise your hand. It’s okay to ask for help. No one expects you to know everything. You’re your own worst critic.” She describes herself as a ‘hustler’ and ‘determined’ with the innate ability to push and challenge herself. One of her biggest assets his her circle of mentors, her family and especially her own father, Mark Maron who helped Stephi formulate a business strategy and plan. Her sister Nicki Maron serves as the Chief Marketing Officer building

the brand with partnerships and promotions. It takes a Maron Village and it helps they all have one goal in mind: help Stephi to make Blushington a massive success and a household name.

With over 120 employees, 5 Blushington boutiques and nowhere to go but the stratosphere, Stephi will tell you, “Keeping everyone motivated and happy is a big challenge.”

But the most important element is relationships. Stephi is solid on, “Connecting with the client and giving them exactly what they want. We hear and listen.” This female-centric group has lots of different personalities and it’s important, especially being the youngest in the room for Stephi not to take issues personally. Women supporting other women needs to be a goal and should be for every woman according to this Millennial beauty biz pioneer. In her own words she uses as a mantra for her staff; “Nice girls finish first.”

Stephi Maron is: Smart, lovely, ambitious, driven, talented, compassionate, giving, educated, curious, successful and really wants to hear about what you need and have to say to help make you more beautiful inside and out. Now that’s Pretty Powerful.

“Nice girls finish first.”

http://dec2017.focustvnetwork.com

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Edwina Cheer in conversation with Tiffany Angulo

Celebrating Diversity in our Great City Presenting Beige Bae TV on The Focus Network

T

IFFANY ANGULO, founder of the popular health and wellness blog “The pretty little lifters,” stopped by Beige Bae TV, to share her insights with Edwina Cheer on how to find balance in life and work, and the importance of teaching our children healthy habits.

coaches at Burn Babe in West Hollywood, and at Fit Club at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centers.

Her mission with her blog, “The Pretty Little Lifters”, is to empower women to lift some weight, be strong, and show them muscles are still feminine! She hopes to inspire people to make healthy changes to their lifestyle, become active, and feel good inside and out!

Tiffany is a born and raised Southern California girl. She has a Master’s in Teaching from USC, and teaches at an elementary school in West Hollywood. While being a busy full-time teacher, she also coaches fitness classes, trains personal clients, and does online programming/nutrition too. She has been a kettlebell trainer and has had the opportunity to work with various clients, and NFL players in TN. Tiffany currently

Tiffany believes that lifting and CrossFit can not only make you physically strong, but it takes your mental game to another level! She is of Nicaraguan and half Mexican descent.

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You can also connect with Tiffany at: http://theprettylittlelifters.com

Brett’s passion, knowledge and creativity can be seen in the lifestyle-fitness programs he’s created, his company Hoebel Fitness, as well as his Rise Above Bullying campaign where he speaks at schools around the world to inspire and educate children on how inner-strength can turn pain into passion and is the key to overcoming adversity.

Hosted by Celebrity Sports Nutritionist, Fitness Expert and Beige Bae, Edwina Cheer.

T

he one and only BRETT HOEBEL stopped by at Beige Bae TV to share his wisdom and insight with Beige Bae TV Host, Edwina Cheer

As the founder of Sweat With Soul, author and creator of The 20 Minute Body, and celebrity trainer on NBC’s The Biggest Loser season 11, Brett Hoebel is one of the country’s most sought-after experts for fast fat-loss, nutrition and motivation. He was also one of the health and fitness experts on Food Network’s Fat Chef, as well as the brains behind the RevAbs® DVDs from Beachbody (producers of P90-X).

Greatist named Brett one of the world’s “Top 100 Health and Fitness Influencers” with others including Michelle Obama and Jillian Michaels; and has been touted as “Best of New York” by New York Magazine and Allure. His “fitness from within” philosophy and body-mind approach come from his struggles as an overweight teenager and diverse experiences in different Eastern and Western disciplines, including his martial arts training in capoeira while in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

Russell Peters said it best when he said 100 years from now, there won’t be white or black people.

We will all be beige.

Why does our content not reflect this on TV? What about all the beige people?! ;) • A caucasian man who grew up in Hong Kong and speaks fluent Mandarin.

• A female with red hair and fair skin who speaks Spanish.

• A mixed race child.

Beige Bae TV is a platform for EVERYONE (not just beige bae’s), to get behind the lens of an ethnically diverse human being, and give the audience a chance to experience diversity in thought through humans that may have had a different experience to themselves in their lives.

Beige Bae Tv Host, Edwina Cheer, hopes to inspire the audience to embrace their power and very special lens as diverse beings.

In addition, Brett earned his educational background with a pre-med neuroscience Bachelor degree and has been certified Beige Bae TV is a platform of inclusion, reality, with many organizations including NASM, CrossFit, Yoga interviews with cool people, and of course the Alliance, and the C.H.E.K. Institute for Corrective Holistic Exercise Kinesiology and Nutrition & Lifestyle Coaching. A healthy tips and workouts to keep all you beige 15-year veteran in the fitness industry, Brett has shaped-up bae’s ON TOP! Hollywood’s finest, including Victoria Secret supermodels and A-list actors. He appears frequently on shows like Dr. Oz, The Talk, The View and the Today show, and is a contributing fitness expert for publications, including Shape, Self, Women’s http://beigebae.focustv.us Health, Vogue, and Details.

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“Yes, it’s at the point where I have been continuously on MTV; longer than Kurt Loder...It’s official now.

I’ve literally been on MTV continuously since 1996.

That is weird... and in various incarnations.”

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DOCTOR DREW GOOD

BY SUZAN BRITTAN INTERVIEW BY TANYA MEMME

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R. DREW PINSKY has gained notoriety on our TVs and airwaves for his ability to heal broken hearts, as well as his amazing bedside manner for helping celebrity drug and alcohol addicts. His successful on-air therapy sessions, in turn, have helped so many others who benefit just by listening. He is a born healer and doesn’t seem to ever stop reinventing and expanding his reach. He is one of those faces and voices that people listen to, and have been listening to for many years.

This charismatic physician arrived on the radio scene in 1984 giving the KROQ-FM station’s FCC community service time requirement to the radio show, “Loveline” as their “Ask A Surgeon” free co-host (unpaid gig for first 10 years!). Since then he has catapulted his way into the media stratosphere as the ‘go-to’ TV doctor of choice. And, because he’s very easy on the eyes, it was a natural fit for on-screen appearances as well. His vast and varied knowledge, progressive balancing act and professionalism kept him at the forefront, making him one the most sought after media darling doctors on the planet. Yes, the planet. By the way... he’s also kind of an awesome guy who just wants to do some good.

Focus TV Host, Tanya Memme, sat with the good Doctor and asked him what’s currently on his slate. From his passion project as an advisory board physician for the doctor-ondemand website and app, HEAL.COM, to hosting radio shows: “Dr. Drew Midday Live with Mike Catherwood” on 790-KABC radio weekdays from 12pm to 3pm and several podcasts including “The Adam & Drew Show”, “The Dr. Drew Show,” “This Life with Dr. Drew & Bob Forrest” and “Weekly Infusion with Dr. Drew & Dr. Bruce” (http://drdrew. com) to manifesting and pioneering, “Save The Males” Prostate Cancer Charity – he’s sorta busy. This 59-year old, on-point Virgo man is on a detailed, organized mission to help heal anyone who reaches out. Pinsky recalls to Tanya; “You mentioned MTV...Yes, it’s at the point where I have been continuously on MTV; longer than Kurt Loder...It’s official now. I’ve literally been on MTV continuously since 1996.

That is weird... and in various incarnations.” He just finished hosting the MTV, “Teen Mom OG Reunion” specials, interviewing the moms and getting their latest drama updates.

Dr. Drew has worn a few types of white coats as a practitioner. He’s board certified as an Internist and he specializes in Addiction Medicine. Being pulled away from his medical practice for “Loveline” was a labor of love and he was proud to be the first radio host who talked about the newly titled AIDS scare, but in 1992 he got two great pieces of news: Firstly - “Loveline” was being picked up for 5 nights per week and Secondly - his wife, Susan, told him they were going to have triplets. She was also adamant that he finally start getting paid for his on-air expertise before she went into labor. He agreed. Plus, what husband would argue with his wife who was having three babies at once?

“Loveline” led to more opportunities behind the mic and in front of the camera. The platform of questions and answers was appealing to Pinsky, so much so, he started another nationally syndicated radio show, “Dr. Drew Live” in 2007, with a wider range of medical and health topics. In 2016, “Loveline” lost Dr. Drew, but don’t fret – you can still listen to the magic duo of “Adam and Drew” on their podcast. Adam Corolla was the favorite co-host on “Loveline” and was sorely missed, like Butch without Sundance. Listen in: http://drdrew. com/category/podcast/adam-drew-show VH1’s “Celebrity Rehab, with Dr. Drew,” was a highly rated reality series with a run from 2008 to 2011, documenting celebrities who struggle with different types of addiction. It made great TV. However, Pinsky was upset with the shows weeding out and screening process of each patient. To him they were patients in need of care; to the show it seemed,

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they were merely props and talent. He wished he had been asked to be a consultant in the intake process. However, he got more spin-offs and he gained more control in “Sober House,” and “Sex Rehab, with Dr. Drew.”

As if the Good Doctor Do Good-er wasn’t busy enough over the past few years, he also found some time to pen a few successful books. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Mirror Effect: How Celebrity Narcissism is Seducing America (Harper-Collins) and Cracked: Putting

Broken Lives Together Again (Harper-Collins). Dr. Drew co-authored the first academic study on celebrities and narcissism. The study was published in the Journal of Research in Personality (Elsevier) and received worldwide coverage in the media and press. He is thankfully addicted to addiction and on a mission to change people’s perceptions and stigmas attached to this topic.

Let’s talk about Heal.com. Dr. Drew is on the advisory board of this progressive physician house call company.

(Read the Heal.com article in our, Focus Magazine – ‘5 Year

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Anniversary’ Issue: http://focusmag.us/5thanniversary ).

Heal.com is essentially an online and mobile app-lication, which directs a physician to your home as soon as possible.

It’s incredibly easy to join this app, I know because I did it in five minutes and it only took that long, because I couldn’t find my wallet. No emergency room, no overhead, no paying for the equipment and infrastructure, billing company or administration. Because, the minute you breathe or step inside a hospital’s sliding doors, your bill starts to rack up since you’re paying for every cotton ball, bed pan, machine

and staff member. You’re treated like part of their system instead of a patient in need of one-on-one care and attention.

Heal.com brings a board certified doctor directly to your home or wherever you are - just for you or any family members for at most, $99 per visit, and that’s without insurance. Most insurances cover this house call platform.

(Say what now?) Dr. Drew is insistent that it’s the answer to our health care problem, especially when it’s broken down financially for the patient and the caregiver. Billions of dollars are wasted on non-emergency hospital visits to the ER. You’re also wasting time and exposing yourself or family to other

sick people. He explains it’s the most effective care you can get 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week, including holidays. Makes ya wanna get the sniffles just to try it out, right?

Pinsky is also a proponent of Biotechnology, which is happening now and will save our future as he sees it. He explains that the medical hardware industry isn’t changing much, nor will it progress quickly enough to heal the terminally ill or help a vast amount of people all at once.

However, biotechnology advancements and the manipulation of genes, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, hormones and microorganism exploitation will radically alter the way people heal and live. Welcome to the future people!

Dr. Drew, a prostate cancer survivor, kicked off Prostate Awareness Month this September by blasting out PSA’s all over radio and social media about the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s media blitz video, “Save The Males”. Prostate cancer is no laughing matter... well, that is until you get Funny or Die involved. Check out this hilarious 4-minute short about Prostate Cancer awareness starring Dax Shepard, Rob Riggle and Dr. Drew - http://www.funnyordie.com/ videos/ff93c4c82d/save-the-males. It’s easy to join the cause: simply share the video and tag men on social media with #savethemales to spread awareness about the disease and raise funds to support research. No pressure, but for every eight men tagged, a life could be saved. To learn more, visit manyvscancer.org or www.savethemales.org.

Most fans of Dr. Drew might not know he’s an opera singer.

Now that would be some great bedside manner skills; “While I’m taking your blood, Mrs. Jones, I’ll be singing for you an aria from Puccini’s, TOSCA”. Ahhh, more like Dr. Drew Dreamy. He has sung our National Anthem at numerous sporting events as well. It’s no wonder, he has talent for medicine, media and singing, Drew’s father, Morton Pinsky, was a physician and his mother, Helene Stanton, was a singer and an actress. Talk about taking the best of both parents!

Unfortunately Dr. Drew isn’t one of the Heal.com house call doctors, but maybe as their top advisor, he can train the staff to sing while they take your temperature.

http://dec2017.focustvnetwork.com

http://drdrew.com http://heal.com http://drdrew.com/category/podcast/adam-drew-show http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/ff93c4c82d/save-the-males manyvscancer.org www.savethemales.org

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Introducing Amla from Dr. Raj Kanodia Reversing the clock!

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hances are, if you live in Los Angeles and you are shopping for a plastic surgeon to refine and enhance any part of your face, you’ve crossed paths with Dr. Raj Kanodia.

His roster is a who’s who of Hollywood elite and royal subjects from around the world. For non-locals, he is worth flying into town to see.

He is unequivocally the “go-to” plastic surgeon for rhinoplasty. His work is so subtle and natural that you wouldn’t necessarily know his patients had any work done if they didn’t tell you. And now, Dr. Kanodia, born in India, has a new super potent, antioxidant system containing a magical ingredient, Amla, from his homeland. He is exclusively introducing it to the world in the form of a serum, a cream and capsules.

As a child, Dr. Kanodia was exposed to Amla (Indian Gooseberry), considered “the miracle fruit” with 50x more antioxidant properties than blueberries. Known in Ayurveda literature as the “elixir of life”, with its ability to heal all the body’s imbalances, ingesting Amla daily is a ritual for families in India. There, it is consumed in the form of Chyawanprash, a gooey paste made up of a cooked mixture of sugar, honey, ghee and Amla. “Nobody knows about Amla here, so it’s compelling to take it and back it up with modern science and introduce it to everyone.” He feels strongly that every human being should be incorporating Amla into their lives. And lucky for us, now we can. Extracts of this wonder fruit are ingested orally and used topically. His new product line is comprised of 4 products sold separately:

Amla Products Amla Rejuvenate capsules: Taken in the morning, this capsule packs a punch bringing the highest antioxidant value to your system to reduce stress and improving the function of all the vital organs. It helps to hydrate and nurture the skin.

Amla Relax Capsules: Taken at bedtime, this capsule induces calm and peaceful sleep.

You can ditch your melatonin.

Amla Peptide Serum: Using a few drops every morning, it helps to polish the skin and promote collagen production while protecting the face against the UVB rays. It has some sun protection and no other moisturizer is necessary!

Amla Moisturizing & Nourishing Cream: Applied in the evening before bed, this cream minimizes pores and promotes even skin tone with revitalizing the skin while you sleep!

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Dr. Kanodia believes in his products so much and is excited to share this fountain of youth and wellness. “It’s a great thing to be able to introduce a fruit in this format that helps invigorate the cells and reverse the clock to create wellness and beauty from within.” http://dec2017.focustvnetwork.com

To get your hands on it, please call 310 276-3106 or go to www.drkanodiaamla.com or come by Dr. Kanodia’s office in Beverly Hills.

www.drkanodiaamla

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<<FOCUS REWIND First published – January 2016

Angela Davis

Angel-A the Empowerist-A and Fitness Evangelist-A

BY SUZAN BRITTAN INTERVIEW BY ALEX WEHRLEY PHOTOGRAPHY BY DALEN MUSTER

W

hen you are in the presence of divine greatness you feel it, know it, and it sends chills up and down your spine instantly, like a match lighting a firecracker. There’s a profound depth and heavenly height behind the eyes of one ANGELA DAVIS. It’s no coincidence that her first name is such. You can almost taste her passion for arousing your spirituality and empowerment, starting from your inner soul making its way through your body to your mouth, and manifesting into an utterance of “Wow,” as if you just sampled the best dessert of your life.

Davis gives animation and energy to significant words through movement via her newly created fitness project “AMDIO” (Angela Manuel Davis Inspiring change from the Inside Out) launching, September 2016. She’s a grounded goddess, with many loyal and faithful followers who have reaped the rewards of her physical and verbal authenticity. focusmag.us 47

I know she has ka-trillions of followers, because if you Google her name one of the top 624,000 plus hits is, “SoulCycle” – a more than adrenalin infused spin class she conducts in Los Angeles. Uh, yeah – so, what is the proper name for followers of this mega SoulCycle spin guru-ette? How about “SoulLests” maybe, “SoulLeys” or could be “SoulSters”… definitely not “SpinSters”. Speaking of followers, you can shadow her around the country in the BELONG TOUR 2016, August 19th to November 19th (belongtour.com/belongevents). She was also one of a few choice guest motivational speakers hand-picked, (in 2014), by OPRAH herself to set off on, “Oprah’s - The Life You Want Weekend Tour” (tour’s over – sorry). Of course, she feels honored and humbled to be chosen by the Queen of all Media who not only branded her the “Fitness Evangelist” but, also put Angela’s new method of fitness on her website, (oprah.com/ app/21-days-of-motivation-and-movement.html), as a featured inspirational fitness instructor.

The “21 Days of Motivation and Movement” is a platform for fitness videos. Each of the 21, (one per day), videos features a unique movement for the empowering word of the day. The word announced inside the inspirational video for DAY 1 is “Accountability” where she lets you know she’s an “accountability partner” for you throughout the 21 Days, but honey – you’re accountable for the three minute plus motivational workout attached, and the Sliding Squat (I tried this, nice burn and sweet message). So, for the sake of time and words, I skipped the rest of the videos and went to the 21st DAY and achieved instant (undeserved), “VICTORY” with Plié Pops (phew, that was ouchie and awesome). Angela Davis understands the science behind this program in that it takes 21 days to break a habit, both mentally and physically. This seems more than do-able.

firm believer that it’s not all us… There’s something greater than us, so stay on purpose.” Being a “Spiritual Athlete” was a calling and natural transition. On her social media pages, she talks all about her mission to uplift the weighted down – facebook. com/shapewithangela - Twitter and Instagram both equal @ shapewithangela. But, can I just mention Angela’s arms, please?

I mean even Michelle Obama is salivating over those ripped huggers!

Mrs. Angela Davis is raising two beautiful boys with her supportive and likeminded husband, Track and Field Hall of Famer, Jerome Davis. This determined married couple organizes speed clinics and holds motivational forums all around the country and fully believes, “If it doesn’t challenge you, then it doesn’t change you.” If you’re ready for a massive change, then you are ready for the affirmation-instilled workouts she’s been developing and fine-tuning over the last twenty years as a fitness trainer professional. Athletics was as important as her faith growing up in a family where her father, Jerry Manuel was enveloped in Major League Baseball as a player, coach and manager.

When FOCUS asked Angela her definition of “Empowerment”, she answered, “Empowerment… getting to a place where you don’t need an external stimulant to turn you on, ignite you, motivate you and inspire you – but you already have it on the inside.” As Angela sparks her inner fuse, lights her fire and fans her flames higher and higher, she’s doing exactly the same for others around her. Her mission is so noticeable that Oprah once again called Angela to share and join her “SuperSoul 100” Teacher’s team in good company with Tony Robbins, Deepak Chopra, Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith, Jack Canfield and Iyanla Vanzant, to name a well rounded famous few. However, none of these motivational speakers have her athletic background or have Awarded one of the top sixteen trainers in Los Angeles for 2015 approached anywhere near her physical fitness accomplishments.

Even amongst 100 super souls, Angela Davis’ soul stands out and is just one of her many accomplishments being fabulously fit.

This true blue American is a member of the USA Track and Field is genuinely in a spiritual and motivational league all her own.

Team and was sponsored by Nike to run professionally. Angela was an Olympic trials finalist, on the World Championship team and a five-time world ranking All-American track athlete. When she’s not busting her own body on the track or in the gym, she’s kicking other people’s butts.

Angela’s classes are a collective group spotted with celebrities, amongst other worshipers, getting happily wrecked, (including our beloved Oprah), but she fills her flock with encouragement and drive to keep moving forward, cycle through it and stay in your lane. FOCUS was granted exclusive access to visit Angela’s video set and location for a face-to-face chat where her AMDIO method is filming (amdiomethod.com – also available on her app). She shared her secret, “That’s where the grace is…when I’m staying in my lane, ‘his’ grace is on me. You be in your lane. Don’t look toward the past. You can’t move forward if you’re looking behind you.” Can you tell she was raised in the church? She mentions, “Spirituality was an anchor and I’m a

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http://dec2017.focustvnetwork.com

facebook.com/shapewithangela @shapewithangela

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Focus TV Shows

Content Served Focus TV is looking for outgoing and interesting influencers to present 5-10 minute weekly shows for our Focus TV Network. The subjects can range from current affairs, to fitness, healthy lifestyle topics, design and sports.

If you have an idea for a show, please email editor@focusmag.us and we will get in touch with you.

These are some of the shows that we currently produce.

Empowerista Each week #Empowerista by Alex Wehrley brings you interviews with empowered women around Los Angeles from a wide range of industries, talking about their unique journey and success secrets.

What they all have in common is: ambition, purpose, confidence and empowerment.

Guests include, among others, Eden Sassoon, Heather McDonald, Lauren Gores-Ireland, Lauryn Evarts and Danielle Cuccio.

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Focus Events Each week there are dozens of newsworthy events, either for charities, store openings or high profile gatherings. Focus Events aims to cover these events with enthusiastic presenters and interviewers. Please let us know if you wish to be considered.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Good Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Good is a weekly show hosted by Amy Paffrath and Justin Walter. Each week, they talk about feel good news stories, positive vibes, world changers and good samaritans. Recent guest stars included Kristin Brockman from Hollywood Today Live and Laura Linda Bradley from The Laura Show.

focustvnetwork.com focusmag.us 51

“Breathwork has changed my life. Jon Paul’s online live class is incredible. I didn’t think it would be the same kind of experience as a private in-person class but it was.

People think of online classes as being alone and having a flat experience but this was very engaging. It was a live experience with all the energy and privacy of an in-person session.

It was Jon Paul in-person with me but I didn’t have to get in my car.

Thanks, JP!”

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Jon Paul Crimi Heals Through Breathwork Learn how to leave your misery behind forever

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on Paul Crimi is a former Celebrity Trainer and world-renowned Sober Coach, turned Breathwork Meditation Expert. His focus and life purpose is to help those suffering from addiction, child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, PTSD and other trauma, to rise up, heal, transform and leave behind their crippling emotional misery, forever.

A native of the South Shore Boston, Massachusetts; Crimi is straightforward, no-nonsense and refreshingly brash.

His signature style of outrageous humor as he approaches a self-help world filled with overly serious, earnest and often patronizing “gurus” not only makes him a stand-out, but a trusted and reliable voice.

His ground-breaking work has been featured worldwide on TV, streaming and print media, including but not limited to: Good Morning America, The Huffington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Australia’s Channel 7 And The Hollywood Reporter.

Addiction PTSD Other Trauma

Healing Child Abuse Domestic Violence Sexual Abuse

A favorite of A-list celebrities as well as working class folks simply needing new and constructive ways to cope with an overwhelming world, Crimi’s colorful life story, ultimately leading to a successful embracing of sobriety, is as inspiring as the work he does worldwide to help others via his unique and utterly original approach to healing and personal empowerment.

While quickly becoming everyone’s favorite combination of Tony Robbins and Jim Carrey, Crimi is probably best known as a compassionate, caring teacher whose life purpose of helping others is second only to be a loving husband to his wife Nomi and father to their two amazing children, Mika and Cosmo.

Crimi lives in Southern California, but he’ll always be a Bostonian…

You can find one of Jon Paul’s packed classes all over Los Angeles by going to his website www.breathewithjp.com or if you’re not in Los Angeles he now does LIVE (notprerecorded) classes on his website, various days and times throughout the week. focusmag.us 53

http://dec2017.focustvnetwork.com

www.breathewithjp.com

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Locations 109 North La Cienega Blvd.

Beverly Hills, CA 90211 310 855-1059

2924 Beverly Glen Circle Los Angeles, CA 90077 424 832 3056

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“I always say that if you can transport the guest somewhere they are not expecting, they will always remember the journey.”

Chef Steve Benjamin: Taking Jean-Georges To New Heights At the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

BY TAMBI SAFFRAN Focus Magazine Food Editor

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he Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills opened for business on June 1, 2017 and the place to be for both visitors and locals alike is dining in one of its world-renowned Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s first west coast outposts… Jean-Georges Beverly Hills, The Rooftop by JG and Jean-Georges Beverly Hills Bar. Along with Jean-Georges, a top-notch team of culinary experts was brought in. At the helm is Executive Chef Steve Benjamin. Benjamin, who began his illustrious career in his birthplace of Paris, France, comes to the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills after helming the kitchen at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. There, for more than a decade, his culinary prowess gained worldwide fame, won a coveted Michelin star and brought numerous other accolades to the talented chef. Benjamin’s association with the Robuchon dates back to 2002, when he trained under that famed “Chef of the Century” at the Astor Hotel in Paris.

Now with Vongerichten, Chef Steve Benjamin is bringing magic to the luxurious Waldorf Astoria at intersection of Wilshire and Santa Monica boulevards.

Focus Magazine’s Food Editor Tambi Saffran chats with Benjamin…

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in France just outside Paris in the Val d’Oise.

When did you know you wanted to become a chef? How old were you? Is there a memorable experience from your childhood that inspired you to become a chef?

I was 14 years old when I started cooking. I remember helping my dad cook Foie Gras and preparing food for a dinner with his friends. I started staging on the weekends at the finest restaurant where we lived.

How long have you been a chef professionally and did you train anywhere?

I have been cooking for 28 years now …. I was fortunate to train in some of the finest venues in Paris (Hotel Westminster, Le Drouant, Le Sofitel Balard, Hotel Astor).

Where did you work before the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills?

Did you come to the Waldorf Astoria right when it opened?

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I was in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand working for Celebrity Chef Joël Robuchon. I joined the team at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills at the end of April 2017, ahead of the property opening in June 2017.

What are your signature dishes?

My signature dish, if I had one, would be a Scallops Carpaccio or a Langoustine Carpaccio. I love featuring raw food with an Asian influence.

Tell me about working as Executive Chef at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Las Vegas. What are the main differences between overseeing a restaurant in Las Vegas vs. Los Angeles?

I worked for 18 years with Chef Joël Robuchon, participating in opening both L’Atelier concepts (one in Paris and the first one in Las Vegas). The biggest adjustment for me is that the MGM Grand in Las Vegas is a 6,000 room property where I oversaw two fine dining venues as well as the villas. The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is a smaller property with 170 rooms, and is one of the most luxurious properties in the world. Here I have been fortunate to be involved in a unique collaboration with another celebrity chef, Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

How often do you change the menu and what inspires you to come up with new dishes?

We will change the menu with Jean-Georges’ team every season to best showcase what each season has to offer. We are so fortunate to be provided with spectacular ingredients yearround from our local farmers.

What is the most ordered item on the menu?

I would say the Tuna Tartare and the Shrimp Salad, both signature dishes from Chef Jean-Georges.

Can you share a humorous story about being a chef?

When I was a line cook I dreamt of being a head chef ….now that I am a chef (with a lot of responsibilities), I want to return cooking in the line! Some days I feel like I wish I was still a line cook, being in a zone and getting through service, but I love what I do.

What do you think is the key to a successful restaurant?

Cleanliness, consistency, an element of surprise, conviviality, attention to detail, and product freshness and quality. I always say that if you can transport the guest somewhere they are not expecting, people will always remember the journey.

What is your favorite The major difference ingredient? between Las Vegas and Piment d’Espelette Los Angeles clientele (Red pepper from is that in Vegas, guests the Basque Country are more relaxed since France). most of them are on vacation. LA clientele What is your favorite expect a faster pace kitchen gadget and with higher demand. why?

In Los Angeles, we The sous-vide machine frequently get celebrity ….. you can cook to visits where as in Las perfection and you have Vegas celebrity guest unlimited possibilities visits are seldom. There to create …I love it and is also a difference in always learn something the time period people with this machine. enjoy diner; in LA What is a sous-vide machine? guests come in to enjoy dinner earlier than in Las Vegas. There’s It is a machine that extracts air from inside the bag and seals it. also more of a demand for organic and low calorie products in LA. We usually use this machine for precise temperature cooking, What made you decide to go on the show, Chopped? along with storing the product. It is useful for keeping products This was a decision from the public relations team at MGM fresh and moist. The sous-vide machine is versatile- it can be Resorts. The goal was to further promote chefs in Las Vegas. I used for cooking while concentrating the flavor into food. For did enjoy it. It was really fun, especially when you win. example, when preparing My “Foie Gras Torchon”, instead of marinating it for 24 hours in a container with a seasoning and Do you oversee all the dining at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly liquid with plastic wrap, I season the Foie Gras Torchon, put it in Hills? How many people do you have on staff? the sous vide, and the seasoning will be concentrated. I can cook As the Executive Chef, I oversee all of the venues: The Rooftop it directly in the bag in a controlled temperature.

by JG, Jean-Georges Beverly Hills, in-room dining, The Lobby Lounge, special events and the rooftop pool. The Culinary Team, What is your most memorable moment about being a chef? at this time, consists of about 100 cooks and stewards.

Mentoring, inspiring, and learning something new everyday.

What is your favorite item on the menu?

The Crispy Sushi and the Sea Urchin Toast. Both offer a great interpretation of local Southern California ingredients.

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What do you do for fun when are you are not working?

I love golfing, wake boarding, surfing, skating, snowboarding…

I like to be very active.

What do you like to eat when you’re not at the restaurant?

Sushi. I love Japanese food and I love In-N-Out Burger as well!

If you had one last request meal, what would it be?

The mashed potatoes of Chef Joël Robuchon If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and what would you eat?

Marilyn Monroe, I would cook anything she wished to eat.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what 5 ingredients would you bring and why?

Water (it is the most important 90 % of your body is water), rice (because I love rice), butter (because I am French), bread (again, because of my French culture ), fruits (to provide myself with lots of vitamins)!

Where do you see yourself in 5 and 10 years from now?

Retired! Just kidding. I don’t know….there is no set plan for the next five to ten years yet.

Do you have any advice for young people who want to become chefs?

You need to be patient, have passion, and remain very curious.

The technique will come. You will need to understand how and why you make mistakes and you can learn and improve. You will need to develop your senses and find within yourself what style of cuisine you enjoy cooking.

http://lachefs.focustv.us/

www.waldorfastoriabeverlyhills.com/dining focusmag.us 65

Sarah Buxton

SAFE FUN IN THE SUN STORY BY SUZAN BRITTAN INTERVIEW BY SALLY COLÃ&#x201C;N

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Sarah’s story of how safety and Shark Tank shaped TUTU BLUE

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hat’s the first thing that comes to mind when I say: SUN, BEACH, SAFETY and SHARK? I think it could be a day at the beach gone very wrong.

Alas, no. You should think of the lovely, talented entrepreneur, SARAH BUXTON, who starred in the hit soap opera, Sunset Beach and created a swim and surf wear line, TUTU BLUE [https:// www.tutublue.com] to protect your skin from the sun. After her product showing on the famous “start-up” company TV reality series, SHARK TANK, Buxton instantly earned order and sales from her episodes. Talk about swimming with sharks. Even though her product wasn’t “bought” by the judges, it became an instant success because of the niche need it fulfilled, born out of her own life’s scary moment in time.

If you are a sun goddess who wears Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil and love your bikini baked in lines, TUTU BLUE suits are not for you, although you should be wearing them to save the future of your own skin. Sarah Buxton is an ingénue in every sense of the word. She’s a leading lady in her acting career, life with her husband, kids, and business, and is a fair-haired and light-skinned stunner. Yes, you’d look at least twice if you see her walking past your table.

Luckily, being fair-skinned made it easier to notice a dark brown patch of skin on her hand. Her worried friends said she should get it looked at by a doctor. A few minutes after the doctor’s appointment they rushed her in for a biopsy. It was melanoma, but curable by being surgically removed. I’m happy to report Sarah is healthy.

But, Buxton knew that the risks of getting more patches of Melanoma were high unless she took action, and completely avoiding the sun with her kids was not an option. So she got to work first to save her own skin then to save others.

She explains, “My dream is global. Because, when summer ends here it is starting in Australia... the ozone layer is so compromised and you get a sunburn so quickly. They have a rule in Australia, ‘No Hat, No Play’.” Stats show an overwhelming amount of people die from skin cancer in that part of the world. focusmag.us 67

The outreach is huge for this type of protection, mainly because it’s eco-friendly, easy to wear and washable. No more chasing around kids with bottles of whitewash SPF 50 Sunscreen to paint their little bodies with while they play in the sand. Dermatologists warn that people never put enough SPF skin protection on, don’t reapply and sometimes just don’t bother. Just throw on TUTU BLUE UPF 50 sun wear, protect your face and go. UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor while SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, making her UV protection fabric wearable for one and all, which blocks out 90% of harmful UV and UVA rays and has cooling technology – Oooooo! Sad fact: Did you know Sunscreen is also bleaching and killing the coral reef?

http://dec2017.focustvnetwork.com

Buxton’s number one job is being a mom and a busy one at that. If Sarah isn’t kid watching, she is doing hot yoga, hanging with gal pals or on the beach fully protected and working on her mission business. TUTU BLUE offers all sorts of styles for children up to adult sizes in current, cool and breathable fabric. Whether you’re an athlete running or playing volleyball on the beach, hacking up a round of golf or hitting tennis balls, hiking or biking, a family enjoying a pool day or just BBQ’ing in your yard, there are all shapes and silhouettes to fit each body comfortably for each activity.

And, hey, hey, hey it’s all made in sunny L.A., USA. If you’re wondering where to buy online besides the local shops like Canyon Beachwear and Tight Assets, you can go to Amazon and search TUTU BLUE. I’m gonna say it... Sarah, reach out to the retailers in the Middle East; women would love this full body one piece for obvious reasons, besides being stylish and functional - it saves lives and puts the ‘Burkini’ to shame.

IG: @tutublueca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tutublue-879268355462176/ website: http://www.tutublue.com/

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A Seaside Cure

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Photos: Powers Studio Malibu

CURE is an upscale destination salon & spa located in Malibu, California, and offers a complete medical, cosmetic, and spa experience, that was developed by Dr. Lisa Benya and her husband Michael McCauley.

They offer comfortable treatment rooms with the all the newest equipment and techniques. There is massage in a variety of styles – traditional Swedish massage, Deep Tissue work, Hot Stone Massage, Reflexology, Sports, Pregnancy and CURE Signature Message. They also offer facial and body treatments, Vitamin C Antioxidant Facial and CURE’s Anti-Free Radical Treatment. The day spa has the latest in anti-aging products and techniques, as well as traditional services like hair and nail care.

SPA EXPERIENCE

Palomar Starlux – Reverses the signs of aging by treating hyperpigmentation, sundamage, melasma, rosacea, small veins, and wrinkles.

Hydrafacial MD – The new revolution in microdermabrasion. The microdermabrasion system is crystalfree and includes infusion of serums into the skin that has never before been accomplished!

Botox, Dermal fillers (Juvederm, Restylane), Mesotherapy, and Sclerotherapy – CURE offers the most advanced products, services, and techniques on the market today. Dr. Benya has been trained and certified by the top doctors in the world and performs only FDA approved procedures.

Nutrition, weight loss and weight management program – Establish programs/protocols for having complete medical spa services for patients.

Executive/Presidential/Full physicals utilizing all labs, Xray, scans, genetic testing, etc to give complete health assessment.

CURE was created and is managed by a physician. All areas of the business are overseen by a doctor, ensuring that care and services are safe, elite/state-of-the-art, and effective.

http://dec2017.focustvnetwork.com

Cure Spa 22741 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265 curemedspa.com focusmag.us 71

A New Song for a Favorite Soprano

Louis Lombardi takes on a new role as Southern California Real Estate Expert Serving Beverly Hills to Long Beach and Beyond

C

haracter actor Louis Lombardi has turned 30 years of acting into a new passion he has come to love...REAL ESTATE! Starring in over 60 films and TV series such as the hit shows “The Sopranos,” Fox’s Emmy winning “24,” and HBO’s “Entourage”, Louis, aka Louie, has made a long and defining career playing interesting characters that have made him a household name. He was loved as the computer geek Edgar Stiles on “24” and the not so fan favorite on “The Sopranos” where his FBI character Skip Lipari busted a fan favorite “Big Pussy”.

This inspiration for a new career in real estate has come from a combination of his passion developed from years of travel and his love of homes with unique architecture. Lombardi says “growing up in New York all the architecture and beautifully designed buildings left a memorable, inspiring and uplifting feel for design.” He believes “where and how you live dictates the quality of your life.” With a laugh and clarity of his philosophy of home sales, Lombardi adds, “It goes back to the old saying, you get what you pay for.

It doesn’t necessarily mean you need a mansion, but what makes you happy? The ocean in Santa Monica or a ranch in Texas to an apartment in Manhattan. It’s all about what’s important to you and your family’s lifestyle!” He finds it an amazing privilege that he can place people in homes that

they will raise families in and enjoy lifelong memories that he helped create for his clients. “To me that’s everything.

The smile on someone’s face who purchases a new house is priceless,” sums up Louie. Lombardi has joined the Keller Williams family as part of one of the biggest and most successful real estate companies in the world to make a perfect fit for all your real estate needs. Lombardi feels, “This is the best workfamily I’ve been around in years. Everyone here is always supportive of not just me but understanding of all our clients needs.”

Lombardi services all of the California areas and any out of state needs also. “The best part of the Keller Williams team is we can find you what you want and where you want all over the country”. He firmly believes that if you follow your dreams and passions, the boundaries are limitless. Louis is taking his ‘can do’, winning business and life attitude and experience to the Real Estate industry. If you’re interested in buying or selling, Lombardi can make all your real estate needs a reality.

Contact Louis at: 424 256-8430 http://louislombardi.kw.com

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The Essential Shopping and Food Guide to Milan: Where to Shop, Where to Eat in the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most fashionable city

BY WENDY BROKAW KRETCHMER Travel Editor

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Italy is one of the most spectacular countries in the world, with a variety of the most beautiful cities you could find in any one country!

O

ne of the hardest parts of planning a trip to Italy is figuring out which cities to visit.

Milan is not an obvious choice when you think of a scenic Italian getaway because it’s not thought of as a beautiful city. But it doesn’t have to be because the trade off is it’s the coolest city with a hip, urban vibe,and is considered one of the fashion capitals in the world.

So it shouldn’t surprise you that the streets of Milan are bursting with the people that have some serious fashion credentials. The streets of Milan are fashion catwalks. Milan has the world’s best people watching for fashion inspiration set against an invigorating backdrop.

The whole city is one big mural of street art. That is really my nice way of saying that there is graffiti everywhere. Italians clearly like to express themselves artistically and I love it too.

To me, Milan is a unique mix of LA meets NYC. It has a gritty NYC vibe but every part of the city is sectioned into distinct areas like LA. And if you need to get your “beautiful Italian city” fix in, you will love Milan’s proximity to many of them.

Lake Como, arguably one of the most stunning destinations in the whole world is 1 hour by train; Venice is about 2 ½ - 3 hours by train; Portofino, another world class dream destination, is a little more than a 2 hour drive; Bergamo, a medieval hilltop town with breathtaking views, is a 45 minute drive; and Forte Dei Marmi, a small fashionable beach town is about a 3 hour drive, and worth the trek!

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But let’s get back to Milan.

Yes, you must see the Duomo and in fact, it’s impossible to miss it. It is majestic and beautiful, and literally in the center of Milan flanked by an unbelievable amount of shops and restaurants. The Duomo is aptly known as “the wedding cake” for its multi-layered ornamentation on its facade, and the view from the roof is pretty cool too.

Milan also attracts people who want to to see Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” but for that, you will have to make reservations months in advance. As for me, I couldn’t wait to explore the world famous shopping and delicious northern Italian cuisine.

So I’ll get right to it. Here are my Milan highlights in a shopping cheat sheet and restaurant guide.

SHOPPING: Milan, concept stores are the rage. So, whether you are searching for high-end luxury brands, trendy Italian or promising upcoming designers, discounted fashion or little boutiques with unique finds, Milan will give you a little something special in your shopping experience while catering to all your shopping sensibilities and needs.

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Milan Shopping Guide •

Antonia - Located in a beautiful building, this is the chicest and coolest privately owned department store. The store was founded by Antonia Giacinti, a Milan native whose style is impeccable and who is the curator of every item in the store.

•

10 Corso Como - This luxury meets lifestyle concept store offers, considered the very first one, is the best of the best and is curated for people in the know that want a luxury offering away from the crowds. This is a shopping experience paired with a delicious meal at their adjacent restaurant attracts a chic Milanese crowd.

•

Antonio Marras - Created within an old factory/ workshop, this fairy-tale concept store is filled with clothing, ceramics, flowers, vintage furniture, vintage artworks, antiquarian and art books.

•

Antonioli - Located on the Naviglio canal, this store is at the forefront of Milanese style with a progressive selection of international brands.

•

Aqua Del Carmen - A really cute boutique filled with an eye-popping eclectic mix of clothing and accessories.

•

Aspesi - You might think you are walking into an art gallery for clothes in this super chic store offering timeless classics.

•

Excelsior Milano - Milan’s version of Barney’s, it is genuinely an incredible shopping journey with cutting edge fashion that is better experienced than one can describe.

It’s a museum of fashion and accessories with neon lights, glass partitions, dark walls, and flashing video displays.

And, if you are hungry while shopping, no worries, there are two whole floors devoted to dining, gourmet takeout, and artisanal groceries •

Funky Table - This home accessories store is filled with eye candy from all over the world.

This super awesome homewares store is perfect if you are looking to grab something original as a gift to bring home.

•

Le Lunetier - Quite possibly my favorite sunglasses store in the world. This store offers a beautifully curated range of the unique and elsewhere hard to find glasses.

The owners are kind as they are knowledgeable and helpful at finding you the perfect pair of glasses, or two or three.

•

Manebi - This boutique is resort wear heaven and is one of my absolute favorites with its boho meets tropical vibe. I first discovered this store on the island of Panarea off the Sicilian coast so I was elated to find one in the Brera area of Milan!

•

Madina - This cult Italian makeup store is one of 2 stores that exist and can only be found in Italy. Anyone visiting Milan must go to pick up every single one of these coveted items: chic and shine highlight stick, crystal glass bronzer, the crystal glass powder, the self adjusting lipstick (that calibrates to your own body chemistry’s version of a red tint), the twist up eye pencil in bronze or khaki, and the Nutrilash mascara! During fashion week, these items all sell out as all the models and makeup artists from around the world descend on this store and scoop them up!

•

Flea Markets in Naviglio - Every Saturday from 7:30 to 2 pm you will be tempted by lots of good finds at the Cormano Flea Market. And the last Sunday of the month, from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm you’ll be tempted by all antique treasures at Milan’s biggest antique market, The Mercatone dell’Antiquariato del Naviglio Grande.

•

Dmagazine - think Wasteland, featuring heavily discounted fashions by Italian designers.

•

Milaura - Milaura is a concept store with an international and innovative soul, selling the Milaura label and more than 100 other brands coming from all over the world.

•

Pull & Bear: Think a cheaper more teen-oriented version of Zara. This is a Spanish brand that is owned by Inditex, owners of Zara too. If you are visiting Milan with teen girls, then make sure you pay it a visit. You won’t find this brand in the states so your girls will come back with something no one else will have back home!

•

Wait and See - I love this store! Someone described this to me as “Iris Apfel shopping” and that is spot on! Housed in a 18th-century former convent, this fashion, accessories and gift store is a burst of fun and whimsy, including the sales staff.

•

Wok - This hip concept store features womenswear, menswear, a nice mix of accessories, home goods, and art.

•

Zara - Yes we have Zara in the states everywhere, but this is the most beautiful Zara I have ever seen, and I have been to way too many. If nothing else, go purely to be enchanted by the dramatic entrance displays at the Zara by the Duomo.

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Milan Food Guide Just a quick note about food in Milan. It’s all about the aperitivo! Italians like to linger over very long meals and it all begins with the aperitivo, or pre-dinner cocktails. And what accompanies the cocktails is what they call snacks.

But their snacks are the equivalent to what we consider lite meals consisting of pizza, pasta, salads etc. Also, you won’t find anything close to an American breakfast here. Get your sweet tooth on because in the morning you will be enjoying an amazing pastry and frothy coffee drink.

Included in my food guide is everything from breakfast to dinner and everything in between: •

Bar Luce - This colorful and whimsical eatery designed by Wes Anderson is a food destination not to be missed more for the amazing aesthetic than the food, and the food is good!

•

Bar Pasticceria Ronchi - This unassuming coffee bar has not only the best morning coffee and pastries but also the most lovely owners. Most of my Milan mornings began with a macchiato and raspberry brioche here.

•

Biancolatte - Great neighborhood spot for coffee and gelato.

•

Dry - Very trendy and fun restaurant excellent pizza, stuffed focaccia, and cocktails.

•

Eats - In the Galleria del Corso, right behind the Duomo, is this beautiful gourmet shop and bistro with great food.

•

Il Fiorano Bianchi - A cozy yet lively neighborhood cafe where the fashion crowd unwinds and is great for an evening drink.

•

La Terrazza Triennale - This modern art museum offers a lovely rooftop restaurant with a stunning view over the park. My recommendation is to skip the food but order a cocktail and enjoy your view!

•

Marghe - Excellent pizzeria with an atmosphere to match.

•

Olmetto - Lovely and relaxed restaurant with excellent regional Italian cooking.

•

Pattini - This historic Milanese bakery has excellent pizza, fresh pasta, and bread.

•

Pisacco - A classic restaurant with excellent food.

•

Princi - A great bakery (chain) with amazing pizza, pastries, and coffee in a happy atmosphere. There are several throughout Milan - think the Italian version of Starbucks, but better!

•

Pretto - Best gelato of all in Milan.

•

Radetzki - It’s a great place for drinks and light lunches and is lovely in the evening for aperitivo and people watching!

•

T’a Milano - A beautiful bistro and store that’s nice for drinks, coffee, snack or lunch.

•

Terrazza 12 - Lovely covered rooftop restaurant for an aperitivo with an amazing view of Milan.

•

Trattoria La Tradizionale - Located in a former industrial building, La Tradizionale serves good Italian food in a very beautiful setting.

•

Yoshinobu - One of Milan’s best Japanese restaurants. Excellent sushi. Very good and very expensive.

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Janne and Laura Kyttanen of Pixsweet SUCH A SWEET IDEA STORY BY SUZAN BRITTAN INTERVIEW BY TAMBI SAFFRAN

T

his is one sweet, brilliant treat! If you want the perfect party favor for any type of event in need of a customized giveaway – like a frozen ice pop of your face, meet 3D printing proficionado, Janne Kyttanen. He has your back and gives brain freeze a good name with his brainchild, PIXSWEET. His partner in sweet tooth crime is his lovely wife, Laura Kyttanen whose titles are, “Multi-sensorial brand consultant” and “Director of Experience, Buzz & Taste,” which instantly pique your imagination. Basically, she’s kind of a marketing guru. No wonder why this dynamic duo created one of the most innovative 3D products in the last few years.

kitten face or emoji poop pop? Sure! The launch of this new innovative start-up was nothing less than a homerun while they showed off their prized pops in the shape of the LA DODGERS logo witnessed by 45,000 fans during opening season of Dodger’s Stadium. The success of this frozen logo pop was massive, extremely well received and in demand instantly. Where can I get one?

You can only find this specialty item on www.pixsweet.com and because the staff is so hands on, they will work with you to create the best image possible.

PIXSWEET scours the Internet to find your best image to reproduce. Each pop is printed using 3D thermo-injection technology then shipped to your address of choice from either Los Angeles or Holland facilities. Flavors offered are: Juicy Watermelon, Crisp Green Apple and Sweet Strawberry Lemonade just to name a few. You too can “taste the internet” just by uploading an image from your computer or PIXSWEET’s database of preloaded and searchable clip art images. Their biggest cash cow doesn’t necessarily come from a single buyer; it comes from other businesses that see the value in customized food items. Think of McDonald’s offering their famous logo as a new frozen treat or Sports teams creating their own pop to offer fans. It’s ingenious and fast. It literally takes under 2 seconds to create one pop.

Mind-boggling.

In over 100 years the shape and look of the Popsicle has not changed. But, it’s not just a frozen treat printer. Any substance or ingredient below 140 degrees is injectable: chocolate, Gummy Bears or soap, is feasible. Depending upon the ingredients used, a yummy pop is between $2 to $4 each, not including shipment.

Co-Founder and CEO Janne and his wife Laura, sat down with Focus TV’s, Tambi Saffron to talk about this new 3D food platform in the form of a frozen treat. Janne describes PIXSWEET quite simply; “It turns every pixel on the internet into food in (under) 2 seconds.” Or, you can upload a selfie or any picture that fits into the customizable size of the ice pop. Just imagine your son’s face print-carved into 100 party pops for his fifth birthday while his little pumpkin toothed buds bite into his cheek giggling. Do you want a logo pop, focusmag.us 83

No, you cannot buy one of these machines; it’s not an Easy Bake Oven from Target darling. However, PIXSWEET is in development to sell a licensing model printer to businesses and the total investment. This company is a well oiled printing machine with a kitchen and engineering team who work together to manufacture your vision using patent pending 3D technology (3DTi) at almost the speed of sound or light (pick one, doesn’t matter it’s FAST!).

The 3D food design platform sounds technical and mysterious.

Who cares! These treats are adorable and could easily be one of the most snapchat’ed, Instagram’ed, social media posted dessert that you know of. Another important message this company wants to convey; “Giving back is also close to our hearts.

We constantly find ways to be more socially and environmentally sustainable, while also investing in causes we believe in.” You have an idea for an adorable pop? Great, PIXSWEET can make it come to fruition as their mot to says, “Create the tastes that matter to you!” and “Because we value

“Create the tastes that matter to you!” and “Because we value empowerment & selfexpression! What will you create?” empowerment & self-expression!

What will you create?”

Currently, this business is geared toward massive orders over 100 pops per order, and they do have a scaled down order for fewer than 10 pops, but let’s face it, the cha-ching is in bulk. But, I see a future where you go into a type of FedEx Kinkos or copy shop and print out a treat called – “Print-A-Pop,” “Pop-Up-Printer,” or “Copy-Pop.” I might just want to have a party and invite over 100 guests just so I can order these cool, current and trendy goodies. What about you? How will you communicate with your frozen treat? It is the ultimate way to design food. Think of all the pop-sibilities.

“Giving back is also close to our hearts. We constantly find ways to be more socially and environmentally sustainable, while also investing in causes we believe in.”

http://dec2017.focustvnetwork.com

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Interested in featuring pixsweet? press@pixsweet.com Interested in ordering custom ice pops for your event? orders@pixsweet.com Have another question? hello@pixsweet.com

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Happenings 826LA Third annual Tell Me a Story at the Avalon in Hollywood.

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Happenings Concern Foundation/The Sprocket Project Foundation for Cancer Research successfully produced its 43rd Annual Block Party, Kingdom of Concern, on the back lot of Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood. Photos: The Sprocket Project

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Happenings Empowerment Breakfast 5th Annual Empowerment Breakfast: Women Helping Women Succeed at the Taglyan Complex.

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Happenings Project Knapsack The 10th Anniversary Gala for Project Knapsack, at the W Hotel, West Beverly Hills

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Happenings 2018 Miss Malibu & Miss Beverly Hills

Sunday, August 20, 2017 at Cure Spa & Salon Malibu The 2018 Miss Malibu, Miss Beverly Hills Pageant held at Cure By Dr. Benya, Malibu.

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focusmag.us/getfocus Focus TV Studios 9020 Beverly Blvd, West Hollywood Ceremony Meditation 417 Rose Ave, Venice The Hall Center 406 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica Crown Diva Boutique 1247 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica Banc Of California 2635 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica Cure Spa 2247 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu Base Color Bar 11677 San Vicente Blvd, Brentwood Banc of California 2528 San Vicente Blvd, Brentwood Marckâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Newsstand 11737 San Vicente Blvd, Brentwood One West Bank 2932 Beverly Glen Circle, Bel Air LIVV TV Studios & Boutique 9020 Beverly Blvd, West Hollywood Vibrato Grill & Jazz 2930 Beverly Glen Cir, Bel Air Alchemy 43 440 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills Lash Beverly Hills 421 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills

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Who, What, B E V E R LY H I L L S | B R E N T W O O D | M A L I B U | W E S T H O L LY W O O D | S A N T A M O N I C A

COMMUNITY POWERED

B E V E R LY H I L L S | B R E N T W O O D | M A L I B U | W E S T H O L LY W O O D | S A N T A M O N I C A

COMMUNITY POWERED EXECUTIVE CHEF CRAIG’S LA

B E V E R LY H I L L S | B R E N T W O O D | M A L I B U | W E S T H O L LY W O O D | S A N T A M O N I C A B E V E R LY H I L L S | B R E N T W O O D | M A L I B U | W E S T H O L LY W O O D | S A N T A M O N I C A

KURSTEN KIZER

COMMUNITY POWERED

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SPOTLIGHT

WHIMSICAL BARTON G.

FOCUS TRAVEL EDITOR

WENDY BROKAW KRETCHMER

SIMPLY STYLIST

SARAH BOYD MUSIC EDITOR/HOST

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TAMBI SAFFRAN

JANUARY 2016 | FOCUSMAG.US

TRAVIS STRICKLAND

AUTHOR AND PHILANTHROPIST

JULIE STEINES AND NORBERT JANUARY 2017 | FOCUSMAG.US

FOOD ISSUE

INSPIRATION ISSUE

BEAUTY PIONEER, FACE BAR FOUNDER

AMAZING RACE WINNER

TRICIA DIKES

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HOST | FEARLESS FEMALES

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FOUNDERS | CEREMONY MEDITATION

JANET GUNN

ROXY GHORAISHY, TRAVIS MAJICK

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5 TH ANNIVERSARY Shop

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Music and Theater performances this month 16

FITNESS

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MAY 2014 focusmag.us

INTERVIEW

MIKHAIL BARYSHNIKOV

ANNIVERSARY EDITION

ONE YEAR ON

AUTHOR AND PHILANTHROPIST

DO THE HUSTLE AN INSIDER VIEW OF THE MOVIE AWARDS SCENE

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Box, climb, Cobra pose - have fun and get fit for Spring.

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CO M M U N I T Y P OW E R E D

SPRING ISSUE: 1 April 2013

Insights into your neighborhood.

Explore

Serene Places

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

EDEN SASSOON

ODEEVA TV

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Burgers for carnivores and vegans alike 26

Shop Antiques and Home furnishings 12

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It’s Bike month – dust off your cycling gear.

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ALLI WEBB

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE FOUNDER OF DRYBAR

MELISSA MEYERS

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Ice cream, yogurt and shaved ice.

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EX ‘SOPRANOS’ LOUIS LOMBARDI HITS A HIGH NOTE

A HAPPY PLACE THE SENSORY WONDERLAND THAT IS HAVEN & Co.

ART

NOVEMBER 2013 focusmag.us

CO M M U N I T Y P OW E R E D

Things to see and do in your neighborhood.

BRENTWOOD

ISSUE 3: June/July 2013

See

Hammer Time – What’s going on at the museum?

12

Books

Frederick Forsyth in conversation.

13

Free

Outdoor movies.

Talks. Yoga.

All Free 25

Eat

STYLE

DINING

FITNESS

INTERVIEWS

PERFORMANCE

ART

August has a lot of sweet celebrations.

26

FOCUS

FINANCE

FEBRUARY 2014 focusmag.us

CO M M U N I T Y P OW E R E D

ISSUE

LOVE your neighborhood

BRENTWOOD

E*TRADE

ISSUE 4: August 2013

THE VALUE TRADE

Mobile Dating

Efrem Harkham

Realty Mogul

The Art of Giving

LUXE HOTEL FOUNDER

REAL ESTATE CROWDFUNDING

FUNDING WORTHY CAUSES

INTERVIEW

JULIE STEINES AND NORBERT

DECEMBER 2013 focusmag.us

HANGING OUT WITH ACTRESS NICOLE CANNON

GLOW GIRL

Do

Ideas for daring experiences 16

DINING

CO M M U N I T Y P OW E R E D

THE GLEN CENTER See

Fashion photographer Helmut Newton 12

BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR AND A MOTHER

FUND YOUR CONCEPT

STYLE

FOCUS BEL AIR

ISSUE 2: May/June 2013

JULY 2017 | FOCUSMAG.US

Insights into your neighborhood.

MOMPRENEURS

MOTHER OF AN IDEA

TANYA MEMME

Do

The creations of celebrated architect A. Quincy Jones 14

#sassoonway

JANUARY 2017 | FOCUSMAG.US

Eat

Sandwiches come of age.

26

DINING

CO M M U N I T Y P OW E R E D

INSPIRATION ISSUE

Best of *

BRENT WOOD *Our Pick of THE Best Places in Brentwood

1

WHERE TO SHOP

FASHION ISSUE

MINUTE YOGA

MEN & WOMEN’S CLOTHING

PHILANTHROPISTS

KELLY STONE, EDEN ALPERT

FOUNDER | PŪRLISSE BEAUTY

JENNIFER YEN

HOST | FEARLESS FEMALES

JANET GUNN

FOUNDERS | CEREMONY MEDITATION

ROXY GHORAISHY, TRAVIS MAJICK

CATT SADLER/ANDREA SCHRODER/MARK STEINES/BROOKE ANDERSON/EDEN SASSOON APRIL BEYER/KIT HOOVER/TRACY O’CONNOR/LAURIE DAVID/HEATHER BILYEU KELLY RUTHERFORD/ALLI WEB/BRANDE RODERICK/SANDRA TAYLOR...

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YO U R CO M M U N I T Y P OW E R E D M AGA Z I N E

focusmag.us B E L A I R | B E V E R LY H I L L S | B R E N T W O O D | W E S T H O L LY W O O D | S A N TA M O N I C A

Where, When.

REAL ESTATE

OPENINGS/PRODUCT LAUNCHES

CHAUTAUQUA BLVD Pacific Palisades

Video coverage of the preview party for Partners Trust to reveal a new construction property for sale.

Video coverage/photo gallery focusmag.us/tv/hamptonsinla

HERITAGE WINES STORE OPENING 9400 S Santa Monica Blvd

Coverage of a wine store opening in Beverly Hills.

Video coverage/interviewer/photo gallery focusmag.us/tv/heritagewines

CHARITY EVENTS A NIGHT TO INSPIRE Beverly Hills

Red carpet coverage of the Catt Sadler hosted, Women of The Agency event in Beverly Hills.

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Magazine and Video coverage to make your event unique.

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