December 2015, Issue 4

FASHIONED

lauren Gets Real, Page 6

mary’s Choice, Page 8

what to wear fitness

A Guy’s Perspective, Page 12

Holiday Tips, Page 18

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WHAT’S GOIN’ ON WITH FASHIONED? We might be brand spankin’ new to the world of publication, but one thing is for sure...we sure like to have fun, no matter where we go!

Cyndi and Edna, one of FM’s creative team members, indulge in selifes on the set of “One Word with Art”, a new series being filmed for 2016 with Pastor Art Garcia.

Our magazine’s stylist, Virtuous Arevalos’s Winter White pick for December (above).

Follow Virtous on instagram @vanityisvain.

Charles Dickens would be proud! What happens when Fashioned Gals, Kalan Jackson and Ashlyn Pike join our Editor-in-Chief for some holiday festivities? They spread some Christmas cheer and a little yuletide as they sang with a group of carolers at a Christmas party in Malibu, CA. Is this Victorian style making a comeback? We think not, BUT with fashion, you never know. In fact, winter capes could be great!

Social Media Madness: Brittany patiently showing Cyndi how to use Snapchat. @Fashionedmag

Watch FM’s Youtube Channel as Britt & Lauren get chatty about Christmas and all things gifts!

Dec/2015

Merry Christmas from Cyndi!

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style...in the air there’s a feeling of Christmas!” I’m not going to lie, this is just one of the many songs I listen to almost year-round; December just gives me the hallway pass needed to not be yelled at by no-Christmas-music-until-December-enthusiasts. This song, along with countless others happen to cheer my heart the moment I hear them. And why? Well, after years of Christmases celebrated, I have come to my own personal conclusion as to why this “merry” month?

Have you ever wondered why the joy, the lights, the decor, the bustle and festivities that fills the air during this one month? It is true that there are other holidays that many enjoy--some might even argue more than Christmas. While that may be true for only a few, I find that I hear people over and over again saying that Christmas is truly their favorite season of all. Now I know we’ve got all of our different verbiage and phraseology around this time of year. One hears “happy holidays”, while another, “Merry Christmas”. Why we get so twisted over saying one over the other is beyond me. For me the bottom line is the message Andy Williams so beautifully croons to me hundreds of times in one Christmas season (thank you, KOST 103.5)...it really is the most wonderful time of the year!

If you know the song, you hear all of the fabulous reasons--the greetings, the parties, the caroling and hosting. But if you and I were to sit over a cup of Java, I’d tell you that while I absolutely agree with that song 100%, my thoughts on the joy, cheer and goodness this season brings is because of one reason: it is centered around the celebration of the greatest gift ever given to mankind...the birth of Jesus.

Now, some may be reading this, thinking, “Girl, I don’t even believe in Jesus.” While others who may, will say that December wasn’t even the time Jesus was born. And while that is true, I am convinced that the reason our hearts are stirred, why people have a spirit of generosity, goodness and giving, is because regardless of the month of His birth, or the number of wise men, the core of this season is Christ, which boosts thousands, if not millions, to help the hurting, give to the poor and needy, along with countless other ways to bring tidings of comfort, joy and peace on earth and good will to men. We see love and beauty as mankind bands together.

Now don’t get me wrong, there are many other reasons why this season is for me, the most wonderful time of the year. That list for me includes many things, inclusive of shopping, Harry Connick Jr.’s Sleigh Ride, Nat King Cole’s The Christmas Song (the history behind how that song written

by Mel Torme and Bob Wells is pretty cool), watching Bing Crosby’s White Christmas, other sappy Christmas romance movies, the constant fireplace (until a mouse came down the flue), shopping for loved ones and lastly, a pound of Gloria Jeans’ Spiced Butter Rum-flavored coffee beans from-whether decaf or regular, it’s a cup of heaven in your mouth!

While there are so many other reasons WHY this is the most wonderful time of year, for Fashioned, this was the first year our magazine celebrated Christmas together...oh what fun! Truly, Fashioned has been blessed with an incredible team wthout, which, this would not be happening. Another huge treat for us this month was in having Lauren Thorneycroft as this

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month’s cover girl! A total LOVE and natural beauty inside AND out, her joy and ability to just be real was a gift to Fashioned! You will love her heart for the NextGeneration and will thoroughly enjoy her interview with Britt. Lastly, we loved THIS particular Christmas because the Force Awoke! Thanks to the fantastic Star Wars-themed-fashion rocked by the Pentatonix at last month’s AMA’s Star Wars’ Tribute, some of us jumped on that train to dress like the chic and Jedi-like fashionistas we are!

Okay, so back to Christmas and the beauty it brings (sorry, I am a little A-D-D). I love it for all of these reasons and more! Even being single at Christmas-time for me, is special because of Who and what I am celebrating! While I had one quick moment of sadness because I would have loved to have that special someone to celebrate Christmas with, I quickly realized the magnitude of being single at 46 during this world-celebrated holiday and all of a sudden felt quite fierce--especially in the midst of all that is going on in this world. I felt more singled out (no pun intended). Stronger. That moment was a gift just for me that was so graciously given, but you could ‘t put a price tag on it.

One song lauds, “Tis the season to be jolly…”, and while many may attest to the fact that is not necessarily the case where shopping and parking lots are concerned, it is a good reminder to keep the Christmas spirit, no matter what comes your way. While a fake response is by no means what is being encouraged, having a hopeful heart does help spread Christmas cheer. I think of a family who I love that was robbed the second week of Christmas this year. Why steal, taking that which is not YOURS?!?!? Okay, back to my family—they got hit pretty hard. Do you know what I saw? A family, who in a matter of hours from being violated, quickly turned their misfortune into being thankful and joyful. Do you know what? Within less than 72 hours, finances and gifts began to flood this family who chose to believe in the miracle and joy of Christmas and the impossible!

Maybe you’re in need of true joy or you’re in a situation where you feel trapped or backed into a corner this season. Have you tried calling on the name of that precious baby born in a manger? Open your heart to the true meaning of Christmas. choosing to be merry--even when you’ve been hit--can be the game-changer you didn’t even know you needed.

Go ahead. Sing away and let the songs of joy and gladness ring loudly wherever you go…’TIS the season! What grace and reverence appears while singing simple songs like “Away in a Manger”, “O Holy Night”, or “Silent Night” (a dear friend of mine gets choked up every time she hears the song, “The Little Drummer boy”...every time). (Cont. on Page 14 )

ELIZABETH ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE HER PASSING. SHE WAS AN ENCOURAGEMENT AND STRENGTH TO ALL WHO KNEW HER. (PHOTO COURTESY OF VAUGHN FAMILY PHOTOS).

THIS & BELOW PHOTO: TAKEN IN 1997 IN TULSA, OK WHERE WE MET WHILE IN GRADUATE SCHOOL, AT ORU. (ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY).

ONE OF OUR LAST TIMES TOGETHER. SISTERS FROM THE MOEMENT WE MET. FOREVER IN MY HEART. Dec/2015

UNDER THE MISTLETOE...

AS TOLD TO BRITTANY TREGLIA

Sparkly Green Blouse available on sassyrack.com Friday afternoon was a perfect time to do our photo shoot with Lauren. She was in weekend mode and even more energized than normal. She was dancing and singing to a song only she could hear and she was more than ready to start taking photos.

She walked in sporting a black tee, jeans and a pair of well-worn Keds. She sat on my desk telling me about her Thanksgiving plans, and laughing at random Snapchat stories. Occasionally she would reach over and drink my soda, without a thought to what she was doing.

As we began pulling out pieces and accessories we wanted her to try, we would get wide eyes and an occasional nervous laugh.

When the makeup came out she was interested in “the stuff that makes me look happy,” but seemed to be a total pro at putting on her pouty red lipstick. The result? The entire photo shoot was a breeze. Lauren is an absolute natural behind the camera, and so fun to work with. We put on Chris Brown, Pandora and BAM… Lauren was in her groove. I was able to get a few fun shots of her dancing. She kept making comments about being “fashionably-challenged.” not realizing her style is a staple of both, her and her character--fun, comfortable and ready for anything on any day. One of the remarkable things about this shoot was that Lauren was completely oblivious to her beauty. She is gorgeous, hysterical, she cares deeply, she is passionate, and you will not feel anything but appreciated and encouraged being around her.

Once the camera stopped, it was fun to have some one-on -one time with Lauren, and hearing her heart and passions.

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FM: What was your first reaction when we asked you to be the “It” girl for Fashioned?

LT: I legitimately laughed out loud. Actually, embarrassingly enough I think I snorted. Brit caught me in sweat shorts and a baseball cap, you would have laughed too.

FM: Tell us a bit about what it is that you do.

LT: I oversee children’s ministry at a church in Simi Valley.

Throughout the week I spend my time planning and preparing curriculum for Sunday services, training volunteers, and interacting with parents and their children. I share responsibilities with our youth pastor for our “tweens” (aka Junior High-ers) on Sunday, and I volunteer with the youth group.

FM: What is your favorite part of working with kids EVERY week?

LT: They are SO funny. From their perspective on current events to their examples of biblical themes, they keep me laughing and they remind me that life can be simple.

FM: Share one of your favorite memories so far.

LT: Last week I was sitting with our preschoolers while they were coloring. The lesson for that week was “God Made Me” so while we were coloring I began to ask them who or what else God made. The first two or three basically all said “the world”.

But when I got around to one of our sweet little three-year-olds, she paused her coloring, looked me dead in the face, and said “hippopathumussusses”, then went immediately back to color-

ing. You are right, sweet girl, God did make hippopotamuses.

FM: Since we are entering into the holiday season, what is something you like to do for the people around you?

LT: I love to send Christmas cards. In my opinion, there aren’t many things better than coming home to some homemade, snail mail Christmas cheer.

FM: You had mentioned giving things to the people in your community, can you expand on that and tell us more?

LT: Sure! At my church we strive to have a missional mindset in all that we do. Often times people think that means overseas missions, but in all honesty, that is just the tip of the missional iceberg. I wanted our kids to have the opportunity to be missional outside of what their parents might be doing, so for the month of November we launched “give thanks”.

Because there were five Sundays this month, we designated a group of people for each Sunday that the kids would spend time writing thank you cards too. Depending on the group, we would meet during the week to deliver our thank you cards (and little treats) in person. The kids took cards to the fire station, to the police station, and to the church office. They also wrote thank you cards for all of our children’s ministry volunteers and for their families. I believe that it is so important to instill gratitude early on in the life of a child because it teaches them that you can choose to be thankful and to have an attitude of gratitude. We had kids from age 1 to age 9 participate in “give thanks” and it was awesome.

Lauren was all smiles for our december photo shoot. (Above) Lauren rockin’ her green sports H&M jacket from sassyrack.com (bottom photo) Photo Credit: Brittany Treglia

FM: You have a pretty important job—you pretty much help shape and mold the minds of the next generation. What is the most challenging thing about it?

LT: Oh wow. There are so many challenging things about my job, and I

think that’s the best part. I’m growing every day, in every way. I think if I could speak to one of the challenges it would be my age. I am twenty two years old. This means that some of my volunteers and even some of my parents have been volunteering and parenting longer than I’ve been alive. I have the qualities, characteristics, skills and experience to work this job, but my age seems to challenge those things the most often. I don’t have kids, so how do I teach/model/ emulate good parenting? That volunteer has gone to school for longer than I’ve been on earth. How do I correct and steer them to join in on what we are doing and how we are going to do it? There’s a new family on Sunday. How can I present myself in a way that shows that I am confident and in charge, when I look so young? Although these are legitimate questions I have asked myself, I am surrounded by bosses and by a staff who believes in and empowers me. It’s a challenge, but it isn’t debilitating.

FM: How did you know that the job you have is what you wanted to do?

LT: Haha, I don’t! Or, well maybe I do.

This is exactly what I want to be doing with my life for right now. I have such a passion for seeing kids understand and develop a relationship with Jesus, and I always will. But I have so many other passions, involving kids, involving Jesus and involving so many other things. I knew this job would serve as a foundation for all of those passions, and I have always dreamt of being on staff at a church.

As for the future, who knows if this is still what I’ll be wanting or doing!

FM: What do you do to keep yourself in the holiday mood?

LT: There’s this CD my family has had since I was little that has a bunch of artists singing Christmas songs that I play on repeat throughout the holidays. That, and the J-Beeb Christmas album, Under the Mistletoe, don’t judge me. (Cont. on page 14 )

Dec/2015

MARY’S Choice

“YOU BRAVE SOLE” BY

SUSANA SZARKO

BY TIFFANY DIRMANN

As a mother of a five-year-old precious girl, I clearly remember all the preparations and fuss my husband and I made over getting the nursery ready for our first-born baby. There were long lists of items we bought and many hours poured over choosing the best crib and safest car seat in the market. When the delivery date finally came, we proudly held our beautiful daughter in our private hospital room as a very sweet nurse attended to the needs of the newly born child and the nervous and inexperienced mother and father. Soon family members arrived to meet the sweet little princess, bringing gifts, flowers, and the all-important cameras to forever capture that amazing moment in time.

As Christmas time gets closer and I hear the familiar notes of the oldtime favorite carols, I begin to think what it must have been like for the young expectant mother, Mary, to have to experienced the gift of birth in that town of Bethlehem and as she heard the words “Mary, the stable is set.”

I am pretty sure that Mary and Joseph did not care about a state-ofthe-art monitor system, a wipe warmer, or even the best and more accurate thermometer. However, I can’t fail to imagine that as the firsttime parents-to-be, they had already made arrangements for a crib, probably one even made by Joseph himself or one that was passed down from generation to generation. They may have even chosen the part of the humble house where the crib was to be placed—away from the cold, drafty air and close to the fire…but not too close.

What a contrasting picture we come to find when Mary finally gets to hold her new born baby—away from her family and friends, far away from the comforts of her home, and not even a crib for her precious

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little boy, but just a simple manger. No grandparents or all-knowing aunts to make a fuss over the baby and help her during the very tiresome hours following the birth. No familiar laughter heard from outside the window from friends who came to congratulate the parents and to point out that “the baby has the smile of the mother, but the eyes of the father.”

Mary just sat there in an unfamiliar place, exhausted after a long trip and the birth of her baby. All her motherly expectations of a beautiful birth experience totally shattered. But she did not complain, not even when her first visitors who came to see the baby turned out to be a group of unknown shepherds who where living out in the fields, who probably hadn’t showered in days!

Even though Mary’s ideal delivery day was not as expected, she did not fail to experience the blessing of the miracle of that special night.

I would have complained to my heart’s content—from Nazareth to Bethlehem and thereon after “reminding” my husband what “he” had put me through! But Mary chose to find the beauty of the moment even though the circumstances may not have been what she had desired. She concentrated on that precious baby and the blessed promised made to her.

As a perfectionist, creative, over-the-top hostess who loves Christmas, I can get a “little” carried away with the preparations for the holidays and sometimes I get “over excited” if things don’t go as planned, feeling disappointed and even sometimes sad or overwhelmed. But Mary taught me a very important lesson: no matter what the circumstances, don’t fail to see the beauty and blessing of what this season really is all about.

(Continued on page 11)

Kenzie’s trip to New York Fashion finds: Furry Head-Piece, wal-Mart, $5; Black gloves, Target, $25; Checkered coat, Forever 21 (Friend’s Closet); Black Long-sleeved dress, Express, $30; jeans, c2 at mall, $10; black coach boots, burlington coat factory, $35.

Life is too short to stay stuck in the yesterdays! Reliving the past or worrying about what happened, won’t change it.

As we approach this very festive time of the year and eagerly plan our family gatherings and celebrations, circumstances could change in a second deviating us from the perfect and idyllic holiday season. Some of us may have just found out that a loved one is not going to be there sitting at our table as we wish each other a Merry Christmas or Happy New Year. Maybe financial limitations don’t allow you to celebrate the way you intended. It could be even something very low-key as the turkey being left a little too

KENZIE MCMURREN

long in the oven, or aunt Sophie spilling soda on your white-starched-perfectly-ironed table cloth jus as guest are arriving. Let us not even think about the possibility of the annoying “twice-removed” cousin deciding to crash our party…unexpectedly!

Mary reminded me that is not the cute crib or perfectly decorated nursery that is important. Mary reminded me not to look at the shabby surrounding of a stable room or cave where animals were kept from the cold

Dec/2015

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(Continued from page 8) As we approach this very festive time of the year and eagerly plan our family gatherings and celebrations, circumstances could change in a second deviating us from the perfect and idyllic holiday season. Some of us may have just found out that a loved one is not going to be there sitting at our table as we wish each other a Merry Christmas or Happy New Year. Maybe financial limitations don’t allow you to celebrate the way you intended. It could be even something very low-key as the turkey being left a little too long in the oven, or aunt Sophie spilling soda on your white-starched-perfectly-ironed table cloth just as guests are arriving. Let us not even think about the possibility of the annoying “twice-removed” cousin deciding to crash our party…unexpectedly!

Mary reminded me that is not the cute crib or perfectly decorated nursery that is important. Mary reminded me not to look at the shabby surrounding of a stable room or cave where animals were kept from the cold and not to be bothered by the absence of familiar, helpful hands. Mary reminded me not to look even at the old, rugged manger, but rather to look at who is in the manger. Who is in the manger will make all the difference no matter how chaotic the circumstances may seem, because you see, in that lonely stable, in that old manger, the greatest treasure to human kind was peacefully sleeping: Jesus, the gift of hope, the gift of life, and the gift of love.

Susana is a writer who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with husband, Fabian, daughter, Audrey and dog, Chico.

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CHANGE OF HEART...

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’ve been walking about life somewhat despondent, without direction. I’ve tried just about everything to fill the emptiness I wake up to every morning. By everything, you know what I mean; But if I’m completely honest with myself, I realize that I still feel empty. How is that possible?

may have casually referenced You before, but this time, I am serious. I’ve heard about a God who is real, kind, loving, forgiving and Who can pull me out of even the darkest of places. If you are real, then I take a step towards You & give my life to You. If You are real, I accept that Jesus took my place on the cross so many years ago, so that I would come to this place and meet You here. If I’ve ever done anything that has broken your heart, forgive me. Hurting you is the last thing I want to do.

I need You and receive Your forgiveness & love. My heart and life is Yours. Make me new, right here, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

If you said this & want to chat with someone, email us at fashionedmagazine@gmail.com or fill out the “Contact Us” on our web at www.fashionedmagazine.com.

Dec/2015

5 WAYS TO “TRY IT ON FOR SIZE”… A GUY’S PERSPECTIVE

BY CHRIS GENIN You could say I’m new to fashion. Although I’m still a young man of only twenty-four years, I actually didn’t start paying attention to what I was wearing until about three years ago. My entire wardrobe consisted of band T-shirts and skinny jeans.

It wasn’t until I began rooming with a guy who loved clothes, that my horizons--where fashion is concerned, were broadened. It definitely took some getting used to initially, but after some time; I fell in love… with fashion. Since then, I have changed so much in the past few years and as a result of that, my style has significantly changed, as well. I have come to realize, that not only do I enjoy nice clothes and looking good, but I have definitely developed an eye for fashion—not just for what looks on guys, but also, for girls! With this newly-acquired eye, I have also come to some tips on how a chic young woman should dress – no matter her income, her line of work or what city she lives in…she is fabulous! So ladies, today’s your lucky day. Why? I’m sharing a guy’s perspective on five things for today’s fashionista to consider as she’s getting ready for her wardrobe day!

MODESTY In today’s world, it seems that a lack of clothing has become fashionable. Almost everywhere I go—whether it be the mall, public transit, or even just walking around downtown, I see girls showing off their body by revealing a lot of skin.

I’m not impressed by that. Or in the words of Shania Twain, “That Don’t Impress Me Much!”

Ladies, you can still catch the

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eye of a man while dressing modestly. I am a firm believer that you don’t have to dress scandalous or push the borders of social acceptance to be beautiful. Geoffrey Beene once said, “Fashion is in a terrible state. An overdose of too much flesh.” Now, I’m not saying you should only wear turtlenecks, but do be conscious of what you are allowing other people to see. You can be beautiful without showing too much. Ladies, modesty is hot.

COVER IT UP Now while this could seemingly fall in the category of Modesty, this one is a little different.

How to wear skinny jeans is dependent on your own sense of style, your fashion sense, and ultimately, your confidence. Jeans can be dressed up or down depending on your mood. However you prefer to wear them, you gotta cover the junk in yo trunk! There are so many ways to cover it up. For instance, you can do this with a shirt that has a rounded hem or maybe with a long flannel shirt (you can even tie it around your waist). Why, you ask? How about the plain old reason of keeping creepy people from just staring at your bottom?

Reason enough. This is not a new trend for fashion, yet I still see girls wearing skinny jeans with nothing covering up their backside. In this case, more is best. While you might be trying to get that one special guy’s attention, there are a whole lotta other people around—grandma’s, grandpa’s, young ones, married ones…and the list goes on and on. So go ahead… throw on that extra something

to cover it up and feel beautiful and fashionable rocking that layered look!

LEGGINGS ARE NOT PANTS When I was in high school it seemed like a lot of the girls wore leggings almost everyday. It was nothing but a bore.

While leggings are a versatile piece of clothing, let’s revisit what leggings actually are NOT. Leggings aren’t pants… they are leggings. So here’s the things, girls—leggings really should be worn as a part of a layered outfit or as an option for tights, not as a regular pair of pants. I so often see girls wearing leggings as pants or jeans or even as workout pants.

I wish they could see what I, along with everyone else, see. Because leggings are not pants, one basically sees everything. By mixing, matching and throwing the right shrug or long-Tee with those leggings, coupled with a lower-heeled shoe, like rider boots, “Chucks” or a low-heeled bootie, leggings can be stylish and worn in any season.

MIX UP BLACK & BROWN There are rules in fashion. One rule of thumb was that you’re never supposed to mix brown and black. New rule: Black and brown pair well and with the right mix you can pull it off. Finding the right color can be difficult because there are so many different types of brown—Light brown, pale brown, medium brown, deep brown, red-brown…and the list goes on. It’s important to pick the right tone to offer that unique touch. So how does one pull it off? Pair a brown acces-

sory fairly close to that shade of brown of your shoes to tie it all together. This is extremely important because it rounds out your outfit and shows you have a great sense of style. Some examples may include a pair of brown sunglasses, a watch, a necklace, or a brown bag or purse. Last but definitely not least, wear it with confidence!

When I see someone pulling this off, I know they have a great fashion sense and style.

CAN YOU WALK IN IT? In heels, I am no expert and I don’t know everything about heels. But I do know that they make a woman taller, and in many cases, more stylish, and sometimes even sophisticated. Some have said that when it comes to heels, they symbolize power and authority. I have noticed that when some wear heels, they carry themselves differently (and I don’t mean they walk in pain).

For me, there’s nothing classier than a girl who can wear a nice dress and heels, working her authority and confidence.

While I could see that for some, I wouldn’t say that heels work for all. If you’re going to wear them, make sure you can walk in them. While most sassy Stilettos ride the 4” height, there might be an occasional 3” that could work in one’s favor if the 4-incher has you walking like a newborn giraffe. Heels are hot.

So, if you need to bring it down an inch (or two), go for it, so that the next time you go out on a date or have a girls’ night out, get out those heels and enjoy!

regina’s Engagement in New York Fashion finds: black coat, macy’s; scarf, h&m, $17; boots, kathy jean, $50; excercise pants, the gap, $25; mac lipstick, “sin”, $17.

REGINA CROSBY Dec/2015

(Continued from page 4) Why do we get misty-eyed when gazing upon The Nativity? I’ll tell you why, because we celebrate an event so beautiful, humble and holy. Does that mean we chuck out Santa? No way! Christmas is a beautiful season, but Charles Schulz couldn’t have told it any better to Charlie Brown than through his thumb-sucking intellect, Linus, who quotes Luke 2:10 - 14 to his best friend saying, ”And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.”

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If you are still wondering, ask in quietness. As for me, I second Linus.

Enjoy this most wonderful time of the year with friends and those you cherish! With love....Merry Christmas!

Cyndi Galley

Photo Credit: Charles Schulz Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown

PRETTY PALETTES FOR THE HOLIDAYS

BY ALISHA PHALEN With all of the fabulous colors coming into play this Winter, a girl’s gotta have the lips to match! Now, you know we love Mac, Bobbi Brown and Dior like the next girl, but let’s be real – we can’t always afford it. What’s the point of going into debt over a striking lip-color that will last all day? While it may be fitting for some extra special occasions, we thought we’d help a sista out, giving some awesome alternatives.

Ranging from $.89 to no more than $2.99 per lipstick, Target, drug stores and even some of your local beauty supply shops carry some fairly decent designer-priced alternatives, at a price you can afford (yes, girls, we even found some of our favorite colors at the Dollar Tree! FM’s Executve Editor, Alisha Phalen, brought us some fun colors from Wet-N-Wild—it looks like they’re stepping up their game.

And if that’s the case, isn’t it time for your lips to join in the fun, and play with a little (or a lot) of color this Festive Season?

Colors shown (left to right): Cherry Bomb, Cherry Picking, Purty Perisimmon and In the Flesh.

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vintage jackets available at sassyrack.com

Dec/2015

(Cont. from Page 7)

dent & exuberant.

FM: Hahaha thats actually in my car right now, so no judgement here.

LT: ATTA girl …hahaha, lets see I switch out my coffee mugs to my Christmas ones, and I light as many holiday candles as possible.

FM: When you hear the words joy, cheer, and merry, what immediately comes to your head?

FM: Favorite Christmas movie?

LT: White Christmas

LT: Honestly? Confetti! Mistletoe…and twinkly lights.

FM: Top three favorite clothing items you own.

FM: Top three songs you haveon repeat?

LT: My oversized red/blue flannel, my Lucky Brand denim jeans and my leather jacket.

FM: What is your favorite holiday tradition?

LT: Every year at midnight on Thanksgiving my cousin and I go Black Friday shopping and we always christen the Christmas season by playing All I Want for Christmas - Mariah Carey followed immediately by Fa La La - Justin Bieber/Boys II Men at full volume!

FM: Describe yourself in two words.

LT: (Laughing) Can I use emojis instead? (smirking face and dancing girl) Translated: confi-

whip (and sometimes an add shot).

LT: Justin Bieber’s Purpose Album, Die A Happy Man - Thomas Rhett and XO - John Mayer FM: With the “winter” season approaching what does your perfect winter day look like?

LT: Sunny with a high of 75, on the real. I was born and raised in the desert; anything below 75 is too cold.

FM: What is inside of your red holiday cup?

LT: Black and white mocha with

FM: You describe yourself as “fashion illiterate”. Why? LT: (Laughing) Oh man. I would say that I actually took an interest in what I wear my freshman year of college, but it doesn’t come naturally to me. I spend most mornings trying to copy cute outfits I’ve seen others wear. Often times that means multiple tries and sometimes even a few picture texts to my friends asking if it looks good or not. I can copy cat pretty well, especially when I can afford a new staple piece to add to my

Great Gift Ideas for friends or for you: lauren Conrad’s Book, Beauty, found at Nordstrom,

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wardrobe, but for the most part I’m just trying to make what I’ve got work.

FM: What do the clothes you wear say about who you are?

LT: Well that certainly depends on the day. Sometimes they say that I am laid-back, ready to tackle anything (think jeans, flats or Keds and a top). Other days they say that I am an ex hip-hop dancer who misses the studio desperately-- dark skinny jeans, flannel around my waist, vans and a snapback. On another day if wearing say, a T-shirt dress and white “Chucks”, I am leisurely taking care of business.

FM: If you could have anyone’s closet--celebrity or friend-whose would it be?

LT: Blake Lively. She’s tall like me and her style is impeccable. If someone wanted to fund a new closet for me, it would look like hers!

Dec/2015

Holiday Tips & TRICKS TO AVOID WEIGHT GAIN

BY KELSEY LEE The tail end of each year typically means abundant temptation to over-do it, with fun foods and beverages for sake of the season. Enjoying the foods you love is never inherently a bad thing, but how often we enjoy them tends to be where things go wrong. The solve?

Incorporate over-indulgences with lack of exercise or activity over a month or more of time, and you’ve set yourself up for the status-quo 5-10 lbs. of holiday weight gain, which is actually quite easy to avoid.

Let’s hammer out some of my must-know tips and tricks that will help you stay healthy and active without compromising any social gathering, food-indulging cheer.

Start your day strong.

This is one of those fundamentals that should become part of your daily repertoire, but even more importantly, through the Christmas season. Wake up with a grateful attitude, and get your body in motion right away. Get your arms up over your head for a quick stretch, bend your legs and breathe deeply as you head to the kitchen for a glass of water. Avoid putting your metabolism into slug-mode by getting your breakfast in within an hour of being up-and-at-‘em. A good balance of carbs, fat and protein is the way to go, so don’t skimp out with meal one. This will also help keep you satiated so you aren’t tempted to eat yourself into oblivion as the day goes on. Decide what you’re doing for your next meals by taking snacks and food with you. We’ll talk about dining out options shortly.

Be a taste tester.

Just because sugary, savory, salty foods are available in abundance, you don’t need to make a meal of them all. If there are several things you just have to get your hands on, consider slowing down and going a little lighter. Think of yourself as a taste tester, but only for the fun foods you love. Small bites, savored slowly, create a way better experience than devouring something so fast you “better eat another just because you didn’t get to enjoy it”. This is a great way to get the festive food cravings out of the way without putting your body in big-time fat-storage mode.

Drink your water.

Of course, you know this. Just be sure you’re consistently drinking throughout the day (water, that is) in order to get at least half your body weight in ounces to a full gallon down, depending on your activity levels. Keeping your water intake up and consistent is as important for your general health as choosing balanced meals and snacks throughout the day. Do this and you’ll feel less prone to chow down on all the fun food.

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Eat well around the outings.

This is the season where social gatherings seem to multiply, so being intentional with meals around them is imperative if you want to at least maintain your current body composition. One bad meal doesn’t make someone overweight or unhealthy, just like one great workout won’t make someone look any different, so single out the food festivities so you aren’t making every meal a full on feast or sugarfest, because that will make someone overweight and unhealthy. For example, if there’s a dinner outing where you’ll be eating abundantly, keep your breakfast, and following meals a bit lighter, and pick back up with your balanced meals the next day. If you’re dining out, and you aren’t mentally committed to eating a lot of heavy food or dessert, opt for a balanced option like a protein, carb and vegetable dish with water or tea, rather than bread, appetizers, pasta and dessert.

Save the feasting for the festivities that really warrant it, rather than just catching up with coworkers or friends while grabbing a bite.

Don’t drink your calories.

A glass of wine, a sugary hot cocoa, holiday latte, a beer or a cocktail once every so often won’t fill up your fat cells, but indulging in them several times in a week or more will move you in that direction. Saving these beverages for special occasions, rather than blaming the season for a daily indulgence will spare you the extra tire.

Stress check.

The hustle and bustle of extra socializing, gift shopping, baking, cooking, cleaning and just plain ol’ life stacks up quickly. We might ‘feel’ fine, possibly even thrive off the constant go-go-go, but our brains and bodies are more intelligent than we might think. When stress levels rise, so do the hormones in our bodies that contribute to fat storage and other health complications. Make time to be active, and to rest and recharge. Exercise helps release the endorphins that counteract negative emotions and stress, so remember that some is better than none. Commit at least 3 days in the week to put your body in motion and make fit matter, even if that just means being active outdoors, or sneaking in a quick workout at home. When we’re fueling our bodies well, and staying active, our sleep cycles benefit, and recharging with a good night’s rest during the holiday season is a must if keeping stress down and fat storage at bay is a priority.

Kelsey Lee is a health & fitness guru, who has infiltrated the fitness world as wellness coach, personal trainer and Boot Camp instructor.

Through social media, her reach has grown globally, being acknowledged from a variety of sources including NY Times and The Examiner.

For more information, visit kelseylee.com

FASHIONED EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Cyndi Galley CREATIVE, DESIGN AND FASHION DIRECTORS Cyndi Galley, Alisha Phalen & Brittany Treglia EXECUTIVE PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR & CULTURE EDITOR Brittany Treglia EXECUTIVE EDITOR Alisha Phalen SENIOR EDITORS Janae Klatt & Lorie Radina PHOTO EDITORS Cyndi Galley, Brittany Treglia & Liz Taylor MANAGING EDITORS Cyndi Galley, Alisha Phalen & Brittany Treglia CREATIVE TEAM Edna Deleon, Cyndi Galley, Janae Klatt, Alisha Phalen, Lorie Radina & Brittany Treglia WRITING TEAM Regina Crosby, Edna Deleon, Cyndi Galley, Chris Genin, Kristy Gerbrandt, Janae Klatt, Kelsey Lee Hollenbeck, Alisha Phalen, Lorie Radina, Susana Szarko, Andrea Tejada & Brittany Treglia THIS MONTH’S FASHIONED GIRLS Regina Crosby, Kenzie McMurren & Lauren ThorneyCroft SOCIAL MEDIA Virtuous Arevalos, Cyndi Galley, Alisha Phalen & Brittany Treglia FM WEB-HOSTS Cyndi Galley, Brittany Treglia, Edna DeLeon, Janae Klatt, Lauren ThorneyCroft & Alisha Phalen SPECIAL PROJECTS Olivia Couture, Michelle Dorsey & Samantha Salazar EDITORIAL DIRECTORS Cyndi Galley & Alisha Phalen WWW.FASHIONEDMAGAZINE @FASHIONEDMAGAZINE (FB & YOUTUBE) @FASHIONEDMAG (IG & TWITTER)

Dec/2015