The Spring Issue (2022)

IN THIS ISSUE ON THE COVER McKENZIE STARR PHOTOGRAPHER ABBY LEARY MAKEUP ARTIST OLIVIA BELTRAN GOWNS & ACCESSORIES GOWNS BY ELLA CONTRIBUTORS JULIA MANGANARO JENNIFER BOURGEOIS MARZIA PRINCE BUSINESS MANAGER JOHN TYRA EDITOR IN CHIEF EDITH DUARTE

ELLA Inspires is an online & print magazine that celebrates business and entrepreneurship. Each issue highlights powerhouse women and tells their personal stories of life, love, and business. ELLA is a modern woman; unafraid of paving her own way. She is strong despite overcoming many trials before reaching her own version of success.

ELLA Inspires is published by ELLA CREATIVE MEDIA, LLC. Access past issues at www.ellainspires.com.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS ELLA INSPIRES MAGAZINE

Page 12

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MODEL SPOTLIGHT: MEET McKENZIE STARR

Page 16

WOMEN TO WATCH

Page 26

WHAT IS YOUR ‘PURSEOLANITY?’

MEET PWR WMN

ELLA STAFF

ELLA Inspires Magazine

LESSONS FROM A DECADE OF LOVE

Page 28

EDITORIAL BY EDITH DUARTE

3 WAYS TO GET MORE RESTFUL SLEEP

Page 42

BY DR. JEN BOURGEOIS

THE ART OF SHOWING UP FOR YOURSELF

Page 46

BY MARZIA PRINCE

ELLA Inspires Magazine

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From The Editor The creation of ELLA Inspires Magazine

Our indie magazine has now featured

and the ELLA brand itself was the direct

TWENTY SEVEN inspiring, powerful,

result of taking tiny steps forward at

flawed - yet - fabulous professionals,

crucial moments. In an effort to improve

entrepreneurs, influencers, mentors,

the brand visibility for my then web

teachers,

design clients, I formed a magazine.

artists, celebrities, and many others.

Then, to create a unique experience for

These women shared one common trait:

the women being featured, we formed a

the courage to pursue their dreams and

#beautysquad to help women look their

take life by the horns. Thank you for

best during their photo shoot. In order

sharing your lives, your stories, and

to include even more women into our

your triumphs with ELLA. We are eager

mission, we started partnering with

to show you what we have planned for

local studios and venues to host those

and thank you for being part of this

photo shoots. After that, we reached

amazing journey!

beauty

queen’s,

makeup

out to local women-owned businesses to sponsor products in exchange for photography.

In this issue we celebrate the TWENTY SEVEN

covers

of

ELLA

Inspires

Magazine! Writing that seems like a dream to me.

Edith EDITH DUARTE

EDITOR + FOUNDER

ELLA Inspires Magazine

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MEET THE COVERGIRL McKenzie Starr is a recent graduate of Texas A&M’s College of Engineering. During her time at Texas A&M, she served on the Sounding Rocketry Team, the Women in Engineering Program, and multiple engineering organizations. Her passions include science, technology, and serving as a role model and example for younger girls wanting to break ground in the STEM field.

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ELLA Inspires Magazine

MODEL SPOTLIGHT

W H AT I S YO U R Q U O T E T O L I V E B Y ?

“Ego = 1 / Knowledge” - Albert Einstein “You can never be overdressed or overeducated” -Oscar Wilde W H AT M A K E S YO U R L O O K U N I Q U E ?

I value traditions, heritage, and culture; although I am not necessarily complying or agreeing to the rules. I am proud to be biracial - representing my Vietnamese and Caucasian Heritage. I love having people guess my nationality - most are surprised to hear that I am Vietnamese and can understand the language! I grew up with my grandparents and mother’s side of the family speaking Vietnamese to me, and it is important to me to know and practice the language to preserve the culture.

Volunteering and studying abroad in South Africa, I met and celebrated people’s own culture and beauty, and I believe that we should applaud each culture and race for their uniqueness.

Furthermore, I love working and spending time with diverse groups, teams, family, and friends, and participate in many volunteering events. I believe that my uniqueness is the combination of experiences I have lived. By definition, I believe that beauty is much more than just an external factor.

W H AT S H O U L D O T H E R W O M E N K N O W A B O U T BEING IN THE MODELING INDUSTRY? Stay true to yourself and your beliefs and values. Modeling gives what you put into it.

W H AT W O U L D YO U T E L L YO U R 2 0 -Y E A R O L D SELF IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME? I would tell my younger self to have patience and empathy for others, especially your loved ones.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YE ARS? IN TEN? I am an avid believer in pursuing education and feel very fortunate for the opportunities to be able to do so here in America. Speech and debate were the most impactful extracurriculars I did throughout my youth. I have always loved public speaking, and the opportunity to story tell and influence positive change through your words and speech. Progressing further inro my professional career, it’s a goal of mine to become a professor and lecturer to give back to the youth of America through education. Within five years, I plan to get my master’s degree in a field of Engineering. I want to earn and complete my Ph.D. and eventually be a professor within

M cK E N Z I E S TA R R

T H R E E W O R D S T H AT D E S C R I B E YO U :

Optimistic, Confident, Ambitious W H AT A R E YO U R FAV O R I T E T H I N G S T O D O O N THE WEEKENDS? I am a huge lover of all things dance and yoga. I’ve been studio trained in dance since I was a little girl and I genuinely feel happiest when I am dancing. It has been the biggest blessing getting back into the dance studio and working towards continuously improving and perfecting my craft.

Besides spending time with my loved ones, I enjoy traveling to new places whence I can appreciate and take in the different arts, dance, theatre, and museums each new city has to offer.

There are always new things to learn and see, and personal growth is rewarding and worth investing in.

I’ve found that traveling to new places enhances my empathy and appreciate diversity and other cultures. This has helped me be more engaged in volunteering for great social causes.

I currently serve on the Diversity and Inclusion Council for my company. I hope to help others through the volunteering events I help organize or participate in whenever my weekends allow.

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PECAN ZUCCHINI BREAD

BY ELLA STA FF

Pecan Zucchini Bread

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place top oven rack in the center position and pre-heat oven to 325°F. Generously grease two 9-inch loaf pans with butter and set aside.

P R E P T I M E : 15 M I N U T E S COOK TIME: 45-65 MINUTES YIELD: 2 9 -INCH LOAVES

The timing for this recipe can vary quite a bit depending on the amount of moisture in the zucchini. Some recipes recommend draining the excess moisture after shredding the zucchini for more consistent results. However, if moist, delicious bread is your goal, you definitely won’t want to do that.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, vegetable oil, applesauce, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract just until blended.

Instead, shred the zucchini with a box grater placed over a large, rimmed plate, as shown, to collect the excess moisture. Then, bake the bread at a fairly low temperature (see notes below) and check after 45 minutes to determine your final bake time.

4. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet, a little at a time, and mix to combine. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula, as needed, to make sure the dry ingredients are thoroughly incorporated into the batter..

KITCHEN NOTES: This recipe was tested at both 325 degrees and 350 degrees. At the higher temperature, the outside developed a really nice golden-brown crust along before the inside was baked through. Toward the end, the loaves needed to be covered with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. Use lower temp and TOPPING INGREDIENTS

• 2 T. unsalted butter • 3 large eggs, room temperature • ½ c. vegetable oil • ½ c. applesauce, unsweetened • ¾ c. raw cane sugar* • 1 c. dark brown sugar, packed

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• • • • • • • • •

1½ t. real vanilla extract 3 c. all-purpose flour 2 t. ground cinnamon ½ t. ground allspice 1 t. baking soda ½ t. baking powder ½ t salt 3 c. shredded zucchini 1¼ c. pecans, roughly

3. Add the flour, cinnamon, allspice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to a medium bowl and stir to combine.

5. 5Add the shredded zucchini and one cup pecans to the mixing bowl and fold into the batter.

6. Divide the batter between the prepared loaf pans and place in the pre-heated oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle the remaining pecans on top of each pan.

7. Return to oven and bake for another 30 minutes before checking for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of each loaf. If necessary, continue baking until the toothpick comes out clean. (Depending on how much moisture is in the zucchini, it may take an hour or slightly longer for the loaves to finish baking).

8.Remove from oven and cool for several minutes. When cool enough to handle, transfer the loaves to a wire rack or cutting board. Slice and serve immediately or cover tightly with plastic wrap once cooled and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Enjoy!

ELLA Inspires Magazine

RECIPES

PECAN ZUCCHINI BREAD

PECAN ZUCCHINI BREAD

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P W R W M N // B L A Z E R S F O R W O M E N

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W O M E N TO WATC H

@ANGELICAMARIEPHOTO

K I M B E R LY B O R G E S &

MIRIAM MCDONALD, FOUNDERS PWR WMN

Kimberly Borges is a wife, mother, and co-founder of PWR WMN. She’s a proud Afro-Latina that loves to celebrate women in every stage of their life. Miriam McDonald is a wife and co-founder of PWR WMN. She is a proud Mexican-American immigrant that strives to bring representation and equity into women’s work wear.

Kimberly was obsessed with her mother and everything she did. She was her first super hero and still inspires her to this day. Her intensity for everything in life is something she tries to replicate in hers as well. Miriam loved female authors and looked up to their strong female characters. As a child she wanted to be Elle from Legally Blonde!

Our parents both immigrated to the USA with us when we were 7-10 years old. They instilled in us the ability to limitlessly dream and work hard. Their prime example of how literally anything is possible provided the foundation for the way we dare to dream.

neurial journey and want to invite everyone into our space in which we share everything we’ve learned and are learning.

SUPPORTING WOMEN So many women have inspired us! We are so blessed to have so many women in our families be our inspiration. They are all strong willed and go getters and have certainly set a wonderful example for us. We always say that to entrepreneurship requires you to dream and proceed in spite of fear, not in the absence of it.

The fear never goes away but your confidence soon finds enough footing to stand in the face of fear and continue to pursue your dreams. Your gut instinct is just like any muscle in your body and it needs to be exercised to get stronger. Start trusting your instinct and yourself.

BECOMING A FOUNDER We design and make blazers for women brate their individuality and equips them pockets they deserve to be ready at all times what. We sold our first blazers September

that celewith the no matter 5th 2019.

We love to celebrate women in our community and try to incorporate this into our blazers as well. The lining in some of our blazers is actually artwork from local female artists that we admire. We offer inclusive sizing that is based on American women so that our needs and wants are tailored to us. We are very transparent about the ups and downs of our entrepre-

ELLA Inspires Magazine

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EMILY AUSTIN X PWR WMN We have a beautiful collaboration with Emily from @chic.as.a.mother that has been so fun and has taught us so much!

The set is called the “Rosé S’il Vous Plaît” and the blazer has already been released!

It has truly been a labor of love and friendship and we are so proud of how its turning out! Ever since we saw Emily on her instagram @chic.as.amother we’ve been so inspired by her.

ABOUT EMILY AUSTIN Emily is the kindest soul to be around with an energy that is both warm and bubbly and sassy and powerful! She is such a force to be reckoned with and we are so inspired how she doesn’t compromise ANY of her femininity in order to be the powerful Emily we know her to be. She is a wonderful wife, a loving mother, and the sweetest of friends and this pink velvet set is the personification of her. This set is meant for you feel luxurious and self loved even on the days you don’t even leave the house! We we’re so tired of wearing sweats and frumpy clothes everyday that we decided we were going to romanticize our life…starting with our work from home wardrobe! We wanted whoever that was wearing it to feel loved and comforted but also empowered in their femininity to call the shots from anywhere! Whether that be on a zoom call from the comfort of your home or at the office, this set will help you celebrate...YOU!

PINK VELVET BLAZER

Rosé s’il vous plaît!

BLAZER @pwr_wmn MODEL @chic.as.a.mother PHOTOS @angelicamariephoto LINING ART @cheracreative

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W O M E N TO WATC H

We fully believe there is room for all of us and then some!!! Some of our biggest most beautiful moments have been when we were a part of someone else’s success. To us, their success is our success and our success is theirs too! We share every contact, every bit of information, every resource we’ve ever gathered with anyone

@bjoyfulillustrations

SHOP HERE

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E

GOWNS

BY ELLA

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THE SPRING COLLECTION Our curated Spring collection features flowly tulle and soft, feminine touches like feathers and glitter! Borrow or buy our couture evening wear for Prom, Red Carpet Events, Galas, Weddings, Debutante Balls, or Pageants.

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GOWNS

BY ELLA

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Heather Ballgown

Emeline Look super cute in this short A-line glitter tulle dress with beaded bodice. A-line short gown with glitter tulle skirt and embellished lace applique bodice.

Sleeveless bodice secured with spaghetti straps finished with tulle ribbon bow ties. V-neckline secured with a sheer inset modesty panel. Open back.

Buy $160

Emeline

Cinderella Light up the room in this glitter print long sleeveless V-neck dress with A-line skirt. An elegant and sophisticated option for any formal occasion, this A-line gown features an illusion V-neckline and bodice that nips in to accentuate the waist before descending to a voluminous, gathered, floor-sweeping skirt. It boasts an allover beaded and embroidered leaf design.

Borrow $315

|

Buy $249

Cinderella

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Heather

Dance the night away in this floral appliqué long sleeveless V-neck feather dress with A-line skirt.

Cut from layers of glittered tulle, this princess-like gown features a sheer floral corseted bodice, feather shoulder detail and open back. The floral appliqué grows from the bodice partially down the skirt.

Borrow $460

Sandy

Light up the room in this glitter print long sleeveless V-neck dress with A-line skirt. An elegant and sophisticated option for any formal occasion, this A-line gown features an illusion V-neckline and bodice that nips in to accentuate the waist before descending to a voluminous, gathered, floor-sweeping skirt. It boasts an allover beaded and embroidered leaf design.

Borrow $439

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|

Buy $379

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Buy $398

Laurel

A-line short gown with tulle skirt and embellished floral applique bodice. Sleeveless bodice secured with spaghetti straps. Deep V-neckline secured with a sheer inset modesty panel. Open back.

Short A-line sparkle tulle skirt. Bra Cup, Fully Lined. Available in Smoky Blue, Champagne, or Blush. Sizes: X-Small to 3X-Large.

Buy $199

Pink Plume

Make a red carpet entrance in this long one shoulder feather dress with A-line slit skirt.

Flocked with scores of gold glitter this silhouette is cinched at the waist with a satin belt. Delicate faux feathers line the neckline for a glamorous look.

Borrow $459

|

Buy $399

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THE BEADED CLUTCH

SPRING TREND ALERT

SHOP THE

clutch collection

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ELLA Inspires Magazine

WHAT IS YOUR PURSEONALITY?

BY ELL A S TAFF

A

purse says a lot about our personality. If you start to analyze the different aspects of a purse, you will find that it tells much about that person. What you would find inside the purse is as important as the purse itself. You might look inside for different hints to ones organization or items of importance to the individual. If you look inside someone’s purse, you could tell if that person is organized or not. You could also tell if they are conscious about looks or more about other things. Think about what you have in your purse. Unlike men, most women do not only carry the essentials such as identification, money, and keys?

Most likely you have some personal items that identify you. You might have pictures of your family, makeup, candy, or toys for your small children. Whatever you carry in your purse defines what is important enough to have with you at all times. You may not have given it much thought unless you have ever moved out of one purse and into another. There are always things that you feel you must have in your purse. When you shop for a new purse, you also look for purses that allow you to carry the things that you need or want with you. There are so many types of purses on the market and new ones are designed daily. Why would there need to be so many different purses just to carry basic essentials? Most women choose to tote around their belongings in a purse that reflects their own personal taste.

They express their personality through the

ELLA Inspires Magazine

color, style, and perhaps even the designer of their purse.

A recent survey revealed that 86 percent of college women felt that owning only one purse was not enough. In fact, 62 percent admitted they own five or more purses. Some change purses as often as they change outfits. However, there were some young women that felt that one purse was sufficient for their needs. One student said that when she looks for a purse, she looks for something small with a lot of compartments to hold money.

‘Without a purse, change would get lost at the bottom of my backpack and you just need somewhere to put your change,’ she said. ‘I bought my purse because it’s small, like a wallet on a string.’ Another student said that she only carried specific designer purses such as Dooney & Bourke, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci because they made her feel more glamorous. Several students expressed that color was the most important aspect of their decision to buy a purse. They wanted purses to match their favorite color or outfit. Some chose colors because it reminded them of other things.

One student said, ‘I have a bright green one that says I am fun and outgoing.’ Another woman said, ‘I own a blue purse because I love the ocean.’

Shopfromella.com has a great selection of handbags and purses made with quality materials. How will you style your new bag?

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ELLA ELLAInspires InspiresMagazine Magazine

LESSONS FROM A DECADE OF LOVE

BY EDITH DUARTE, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Ten years. Ten years of love, life, laughter, and marriage. When I first decided to write this editorial, I had a lot of different ideas of what everything I wanted it to mean. At first I thought I wanted it to be about all the things we have endured and survived over the course of ten years. Then I scratched that idea. After that I brainstormed ten ways to keep your marriage alive and well after a decade. I quickly trashed that idea as well. The reality is that even after ten years of marriage, there are still moments that teach me what true love is and remind me why we fell in love in the first place. Moments that take my breath away and make me think I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

Nothing tests a marriage like a tragedy. Deny it if you must but the pandemic shifted the course of every marriage. Yes, I said EVERY marriage. It is no ones fault, it is just a fact. For some, it unearthed a hidden strength as families endured job loss, illness, and the death of a loved one (in some families, multiple deaths). For others, the pandemic amplified issues never before addressed and couples separated. An influx of time at home meant mothers and fathers worked from home while simultaneously assuming the role of ‘teacher’ for their children. Engaged couples and their families dealt with the pressures of postponed honeymoons and cancelled wedding ceremonies. Children peered at their friends and classmates from behind their iPad screens and wondered how long it would be until they could all be together again in a classroom.

We all became virology experts and ZOOM became our only window to the outside world. My own marriage was no exception. And although this article is about the first decade of our marriage, the pandemic became the catalyst to many lessons we learned.

BUILDING A HOME After the initial shock wore off we did what all humans did: we adapted to our new normal. We didn’t adapt, we REFINED our new normal. We started with our house. Like many of you, we reevaluated every room and every piece of furniture in the house. After that I realized I hated many of the pieces of furniture we had so carefully collected over the years. So what had changed? For us, that meant discovering that our house more than just a house, it was our home. A place of respite, not just somewhere to sleep. I broke all my silly rules about guest towels and I learned to sit in my formal living room and nap on my decorative pillows. Until I had failed to build a home that fit us and our way of life.

PRIORITY RESET Although my husband has worked from home for years, the absence of our normal routine — meals out with friends, dinner parties, road trips to see family, and networking events — opened our eyes to how chronically overbooked we lived our lives prior to the pandemic. We realized we rarely declined any invitation. Should we really drive two hours each way just to share a meal with someone who doesn’t do the same? Sure, why not. We obviously don’t have anything better to do. We were the proverbial “yes men” of social engagements. After the pandemic, we realized we needed to ask some difficult questions and we began to reevaluate our priorities. How were we really spending our time? Were we taking any time for ourselves to have a date night? Did we ever say no or did we always say yes to placate someone else? (After a brief stent in the hospital) we began to ask: who are the people that have always supported us and truly remained by our side?

Tw o y e a r s u n d e r q u a r a n t i n e p r o v i d e d u n p a ralleled insight into our marriage and our relationship.

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R E A L TA L K Before the pandemic, we both considered ourselves to be very open with one another. Being in quarantine together, however, showed us there was much improvement to be made. We realized the time we spent talking was not as important as HOW we communicated. We began to speak with greater candor; open honesty. This can only be done if you have complete trust in your partner and know they allow you to speak freely. Getting to this stage is not always easy (think hurt feelings and misunderstandings) but its definitely worth it because it leads to growth and maturity as a couple. It means you begin to see your problems from the perspective as a couple versus two single people. This also means that you are working together to correct communication weaknesses versus getting caught up on assigning blame when disagreements arise.

The worst thing you can do is air your dirty laundry out to friends and family. Admit it, you’ve done it. We’ve all done it before. If you’re going through something, refrain from looping friends or relatives into the dialogue. Involving others prevents you from sharing your true, unbiased feelings with your spouse. If you’re tempted to start a sentence with ‘can you believe that man wants me to..,’ chances are you need to be talking to the man in question instead of talking about him to someone else. Consider this: your relatives will remember your complaints and fault him long after the fight is over and you have forgiven him. Is it truly worth it?

QUALIT Y TIME When we first got married, every Friday night was date night. We would go out to dinner or catch a movie. The activity varied depending on where we lived. Finding out about iPic was a game changer: great food and a movie?! Yes please! Over time, however, we allowed other activities to crowd out date night. A few weeks into the pandemic we started getting restless from being at home all the time so we explored the great outdoors. Just like that we had reinstated date night, only this time it was during the day. This was even better than date night because it rarely involved distractions from our phones; its hard to check messages when you’re walking in nature. We also discovered we had a mutual love for birds and began learning more about the species that visit our feeders and even purchased books and binoculars to take along on our walks.

THE ME IN WE Perhaps the biggest lesson I have learned after ten years of marriage is that there is still a “me” in “we.” We are a married couple composed of two individual people with individual personalities and interests. THIS IS NORMAL! Spending time together as a couple and with couple friends is great, I highly recommend it but you also need time apart. This can take any form, really. Perhaps you can go to the spa or the gym alone.

Maybe he has a recurring coffee or lunch set up with a best guy friend, thats great too!

At the end of the day, I am so thankful for the loving support of my husband and I am excited to continue to grow in love as we age together and continue creating memories and building our home together.

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Editorial @ellainspiresmag

Photos

@izziecervantesphotography

Florals @flora.and.vine

Cake

@ruthihutsoncakes

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SPONSORED ARTICLES women to watch A new story highlight series for up and coming female entrepreneurs on the edge of professional greatness.

Open to to professionals from any industry.

artist corner The Artist Corner is a new interview series for up and coming artists. It is open to female makers and artists M A K E U P A R T I S T /from / @mirrorsbygizem all creative spaces.

M O D E L / / @itsjkboss R E T O U C H I N G / / @retouch_tina

ask the expert Answer a commonly asked question in your field and tell us why you're the expert on the "Ask the Expert" series for professional women and entrepreneurs.

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pricing

double spread | $300 This four page feature will include your logo, up to 5 images, and an article of 850 words. Includes one free copy of the printed issue and mentions on our social media.

full spread | $149 This two page feature will include your logo, up to 3 images, and an article of 500 words. Includes one free copy of the printed issue and mentions on our social media.

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3 WAYS TO GET MORE RESTFUL SLEEP

by Jennifer Bourgeois

Circulating from magazine covers to online articles, women of all ages are drawn in by the ever-so-popular buzzword: “Beauty Sleep.” It turns out there are over 1 billion hits for this word on Google (just to give you an idea of its popularity.) The premise of beauty sleep is that by getting adequate, restful sleep women will see benefits to their skin that will make them appear more beautiful.

During restful sleep, the body repairs damaged cells, replaces dead cells with new cells, and builds collagen in the body. This is also the time the detoxification system works to rid the body of toxins. The overnight increase in blood flow throughout the body will leave skin glowing. All these natural processes will improve elasticity and plumpness of the skin, decrease the appearance of wrinkles, and enhance the complexion.

If a person doesn’t obtain the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep per night, the body can’t complete these physiological processes that are necessary to keep skin and hair healthy. Studies show that women who do not get the recommended 7 hours of sleep will show signs of sleep deprivation such as dark circles, puffy eyes, drooping eyelids, and dull skin. Here are 3 things you need to know to get your beauty sleep and wake-up refreshed:

CIRCADIAN RHYTHM BALANCE Our bodies have a natural “sleep-wake” cycle. We awaken to light and prepare for sleep at night when it’s dark. Our cortisol level rises in the morning, causing our melatonin level to fall.

This allows us to wake-up. At night, our cortisol level drops and melatonin level rises, resulting in drowsiness. Maintaining a consistent bedtime will help keep this rhythm in balance.

PR AC TICE PROPER SLEEP HYGIENE Establish a comfortable sleep environment that includes cool temperature, no light, and dampened sound. Also avoid blue light before bed, as well as excitatory events. Don’t eat within 2 hours of bedtime.

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ELLA Inspires Magazine

WELLNESS

Sleep disruptors can interfere with the circadian rhythm.

Some examples may be stress, medication, alcohol, refined sugar, caffeine, shift work, parenting young children, and travel among others.

D I E TA R Y S U P P L E M E N T S Use dietary supplements short term. Sleep aids are not intended to be used long term. If there are chronic sleep issues, work with a practitioner to identify the root cause of the sleep disruption and correct that. In the meantime, use supplements to help improve restful sleep. These may include magnesium, melatonin, GABA, 5-HTP, and L-theanine.

Dr. Jennifer Bourgeois

Functional Medicine Specialist, Integrative Health Practitioner, and Clinical Pharmacist

Now, go be beautiful!

Jennifer is the founder of The STRESSED MOM™ Transformation and CEO of Well & Free Functional Medicine Practice. SingleCare recognized Jennifer as the Best Pharmacist of 2021 for her commitment to service and excellence in the profession.

Visit everydaypharmgirl.com

DRJENBOURGEOIS

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MEDITERRANEAN PASTA SALAD

BY ELLA STA FF

Mediterranean Pasta Salad P R E P T I M E : 15 M I N U T E S

INSTRUCTIONS

C O O K T I M E : 12 -15 M I N U T E S

1. Prepare the pasta according to package directions until just al dente. Drain, rinse, and set aside.

SERVES 4 - 6

This salad packs a lot of interesting flavors into each bite. From the peppery taste of fresh arugula to the salty appeal of Kalamata olives and Feta cheese, there is nothing bland or boring about this dish. Yet, its strong flavors aren’t overwhelming because they are tempered by the satisfying addition of penne pasta. This robust salad can be served as a satisfying main course or as a hearty side dish for grilled chicken or sautéed fish.

2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vinaigrette by combining all ingredients in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Cover and shake vigorously until emulsified. Set aside. (Or prepare in advance and store in the refrigerator until ready to use).

3. Add olive oil and garlic to a skillet set over medium heat. Sauté for approximately 1-2 minutes, or just until the garlic develops some color.

LEMON VINAIGRETTE INGREDIENTS

• ½ c. extra virgin olive oil • 2 T. white balsamic vinegar • 2 T. fresh lemon juice • 1 t. fresh lemon zest, preferably organic

• 1 large clove garlic, finely minced • 1 T. Dijon mustard • 1-2 T. honey, preferably local • Sea salt and black

TOPPING INGREDIENTS

leaves, sliced thin • 1 16-oz. box penne pasta • 2 T. extra virgin olive oil • 1/3 c. Kalamata olives, chopped • 2-3 large cloves garlic, minced • 3 T. Parmesan cheese, freshly grated • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved • 3 oz. Feta cheese, roughly chopped • 2 c. fresh arugula

4. Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes or just until the tomatoes are warmed through. Remove from heat and stir in the fresh arugula.

Set aside.

5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm tomato and arugula mixture with the fresh basil and Kalamata olives. Add the warm cooked penne pasta and both types of cheese. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and drizzle with 3 tablespoons of the lemon vinaigrette. Toss to combine.

6. Transfer the pasta salad to a large serving bowl and garnish with some fresh arugula, sprigs of basil, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with the remaining vinaigrette on the side. Enjoy!

• 12-15 large fresh basil

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M E D I T E R R A N E A N PA S TA SA L A D

M E D I T E R R A N E A N PA S TA SA L A D

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THE ART OF SHOWING UP FOR YOURSELF

by Marzia Prince

It was a typical Monday evening; I had driven directly to the gym from work for my regular yoga class. I like to show up about 10-15 minutes early to set up, say hi to my regular yoga friends, and get settled. But on this day, it felt different. I walked into class and the room was empty. I instantly thought ‘How weird!

Where is everyone?’ The classroom was dimly lit; yoga music was playing as if class was about to start. There was no people or instructor in sight. I sat on my mat stretching and watched the clock go 10 minutes past the starting class time. I knew something was off. I checked on the app to make sure they did not cancel class. I did not see a notice, an email, nada, nothing, zip.

Hmmm…I went onto social media to look, nothing. I decided to let everyone know on my IG that I was the only one who showed up to class today. After I posted, I checked the gym app a few more times and my email for a cancelled class, nothing.

Was I being punked? Was someone playing a trick on me for Tik Tok? My mind reeled as I looked around the empty classroom.

I wanted to leave.

I needed the deep stretch, but even more, I needed the will to stay there and do it. I argued to myself in my head for a few minutes on why I wanted to leave. I can’t do yoga by myself.

That is why I come to a class. I need accountability. But the other voice reasoned that since I was already here, I might as well stay and do it. Something stronger inside of me told me to stay. I mean the yoga music was already playing and the classroom was set at the perfect yoga mood. I knew that I was not going to do a yoga flow by myself, so I YouTubed a yoga video. It was official, I was staying. .

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After my yoga video, I felt good and it was not just from the stretching, I felt a sense of accomplishment that I did not walk out on myself. I could have quit but I did not. I smiled and thought: I showed up for myself

W H AT D O E S I T M E A N TO S H O W U P? Showing up for yourself can look different for everyone. It can be doing the right thing when you don’t want to. It can be honoring yourself in the form of self-love. It can be speaking up for yourself when you are too scared. It means being there for yourself when you need yourself the most. Showing up for yourself can be hard at times but when you push past the excuses, fear, and self-doubt, you just grow into a stronger person.

S T O P T H E N E G AT I V E TA L K You talk to yourself more than anyone else in any given day.

How do you talk to yourself? Or better yet: how many times have you talked yourself out of something you truly needed to do for you? Think of why you talked yourself out of it. Was it fear? Was it the easy way out? I can think of many times that I talked myself out things for all kinds of reasons. Even when I had a gut instinct to do the right thing and I talked myself out of it. Why? Simply because I could not show up for myself. I let excuses and negative self-talk win. Most of us struggle with selfworth and old wounds. Our brain remembers old thoughts that are no longer relevant to our current situation. I had to learn my self-worth. I learned the art of talking positive to myself daily more than being negative. That day, the positive me showed up for myself. I became stronger in making the right decision every time. Hence, I stayed and did yoga.

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I used to spend a lot of time putting other people first and taking on other people’s problems too.

I kept allowing myself to get walked on and would blame others for my shortcomings in life. I realized one day that I had no boundaries: no boundaries with myself or other people.

There weren’t even blurred lines. I was open to get walked on 24/7. After years of failed situations with no win in sight, I still wondered how I got here. I had to learn to say no. Saying no was scary for me. Saying no did not feel natural for me. Over time I started saying no to people, places, and things more often. I started to say yes to me. After years of consistently saying no to others and yes to me. I was finally showing up for myself. It felt good. Think of where you need to set boundaries. In today’s busy-technology-driven world, we are pulled in so many directions. Not having boundaries is detrimental to our mental health. Understanding how to set up personal boundaries is essential to taking care of yourself. Next thing you know, you start showing up for yourself. The more you set boundaries, the more it will change your internal dialogue.

S TA R T S M A L L Show up for yourself in small ways every day. It can be by keeping a time commitment to yourself or voicing your opinion on a subject matter. These small acts of consistently showing up can shape how you move through your world. Today it is being on time for a yoga class and tomorrow it might be pitching the biggest deal of your life. Small consistent acts of showing up improves your mental health and overall well-being.

Rx Ways to Show Up for Yourself

SET BOUNDARIES

Be on time.

Save money.

Establish a daily routine.

Say no to things that don't add value to your life.

Eat more fruits & veggies.

Move your body more.

Pursue a passion.

Be present.

Trust your gut.

Marzia

DO THE HARD THINGS Showing up for ourselves isn’t all fun and games; life is hard. We must do hard things to be happy and succeed at life; and I am not talking about getting good grades in school. I am talking about daily choices. I saw something on the internet that resonates with me: “Marriage is hard. Divorce is hard. Choose your hard. Obesity is hard. Being fit is hard. Choose your hard. Being in debt is hard.

Being financially disciplined is hard. Choose your hard. Communication is hard. Not communicating is hard. Choose your hard.

Life will never be easy. It will always be hard. But we can choose our hard. Pick wisely.” — Unknown

S TA R T YO U R J O U R N E Y You are 100% responsible for showing up for yourself. Get to know yourself better during the self-discovery phase. You can pray for and meditate upon ways to show up. You can journal goals and celebrate wins. Be present and self-aware through the process. It is not going to be an easy road, but it will be worth it. You are worth it. What are some ways you can show up for yourself today?

Marzia Prince

Marzia Prince is an award winning health and wellness expert.

She empowers women to live their best life from the inside out with simple sustainable lifestyle hacks.

Visit www.plantchics.com

MARZIAPRINCE

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ARONIA BERRY SMOOTHIE A DA P T E D BY M A R Z I A PR I NC E

Aronia Berry Smoothie SERVES 6 - 8

Did you know that the Aronia berry is a superfruit that has major antioxidants, anthocyanins, resveratrol, and proanthocyanins. It is one of the most nutritionally dense fruits on the planet. One daily serving has the antioxidant power of 10 servings of fruits and vegetables.

It has 4X the power of Acai berry. It is not a sweet berry, it is tarter. You can serve with sweet fruit like banana and dates to mask the tart taste. It can be added to smoothies, oatmeal, and desserts. You can find them in the frozen produce section.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup frozen Aronia Berries • • • •

1 banana 2 handfuls of greens 2 TBSP ground flaxseed 1 scoop of your favorite plant protein powder

• 2 cups water

INSTRUCTIONS

Blend all ingredients together until smooth. Add more ice for a colder and thicker smoothie. Enjoy!

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ARONIA BERRY SMOOTHIE

ARONIA BERRIES

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WATERMELON MINT LEMONADE

BY ELLA STA FF

MINT SIMPLE SYRUP INGREDIENTS

Watermelon Mint Lemonade P R E P T I M E : 15 M I N U T E S COOK TIME: 7-8 MINUTES SERVES 4 - 6

This watermelon mint lemonade is super easy to make and is so refreshing on a hot summer day. This is one of those recipes you’ll want to tinker around with to find the right flavor combination for your tastes. For example, the amount of water you need to add will vary depending on how juicy the watermelon is and how strong you want the flavor to be.

Directions for a mint-infused simple syrup are included.

The watermelon adds a lot of sweetness, however, so you may not wish to sweeten it further. It really depends on how sweet or tart you want the final results to be.

If you are serving this recipe outside on a warm day, make extra so you can freeze some into ice cubes or an ice ring (if serving in a punch bowl). Using ice cubes made of the beverage you are serving rather than plain water will prevent watered-down drinks as the day or evening progresses.

For an adults-only variation, add some citrus-flavored vodka before serving.

• ½ c. granulated sugar • ½ c. water • ¼ c. tightly packed fresh mint leaves, stems removed and crushed

REMAINING INGREDIENTS

• 6 c. fresh watermelon, cut into chunks • ¾ c. fresh lemon juice (6-8 medium lemons) • ½ c. cold water, (plus more, if needed)

• ½ c. fresh mint leaves, tightly packed with stems removed • Ice, to serve • fresh mint sprigs, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare the pasta according to package directions until just al dente. Drain, rinse, and set aside.

2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vinaigrette by combining all ingredients in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Cover and shake vigorously until emulsified. Set aside. (Or prepare in advance and store in the refrigerator until ready to use).

3. Add olive oil and garlic to a skillet set over medium heat. Sauté for approximately 1-2 minutes, or just until the garlic develops some color.

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WAT E R M E LO N M I N T L E M O N A D E

WAT E R M E LO N M I N T L E M O N A D E

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A STORY

It’s just a story.

But this is a new chapter where I adorn myself in beauty. I lovingly brush my daughters’ long hair. Every stroke and tangle we tackle I tell them it’s beautiful.

I will tell them to show up as loud and boisterous or as quiet and thoughtful as they please.

Eva will wear every color.

Ellie will wear her leather jacket with holes in her jeans.

I will admire my smile lines and stretch marks and every little crevice that I’m supposed to fill or fix. Instead of nipping and tucking and tweezing and plucking I could learn to love it.

And if someone comes in, they’ll love it, too.

It’s just a story that no one will love you.

It’s just a little story. Nothing more than a story.

JULIA MANGANARO POETRY

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BORROW OR BUY COUTURE & DESIGNER GOWNS

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GOWNS

BY ELLA

RENT A GOWN

RENT A GOWN

SHOP GOWNS

SHOP GOWNS

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GOWNS BY ELLA S H O P F R O M E L L A . C O M