Red Rock, NV May 2024

LADIES' ISSUE

SPARKLING FEARLESS FEMALES

In the practice of pain management, there is never a “one size fits all” solution to help patients mitigate their pain.

At the Neuropathy and Pain Center of Las Vegas, our providers focus on each patient individually, and create a personalized treatment plan to suit their specific needs.

From non-surgical modalities to regenerative medicine, we help harness the body’s amazing ability to heal itself, which in turn can allow patients to avoid invasive surgeries.

ROBERT ODELL, MD, PHD Pain Specialist & Neuropathy Protocol Pioneer

STEPHEN

CLARITY. FOCUS. SERVICE.

We offer hands-on, customized banking options because your needs are unique. With The Private Bank, you’ll have a dedicated Relationship Manager backed by a team of professionals to help you manage your net worth.

Your relationship manager can help simplify your life with expertise around complex decisions such as personalized retirement planning, managing wealth or financing* for some of life’s major events. Let us show you the benefits of establishing a long-term relationship with a local Private Banker who will work with you to design a customized financial approach to your life, your legacy, and your finances.

nsbank.com/private 702.855.4596

WHY ARE YOU SO ANGRY?

DR. VICKI D. COLEMAN

Anger Management, Conflict Resolution, Substance Abuse Evaluations, Human Capital, Psychotherapy, Training, Research

In the 21st century global economy, Anger is a major challenge! Although a valid emotion, unmonitored, anger can lead to stress, inappropriate behavior, and violence. Anger is frequently the antecedent to a myriad of mental health and behavioral issues and challenges.

A former Tenured Professor at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, I earned a Doctorate in Psychology from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ.

National/international publications include Amazon #1 Bestsellers, refereed journal articles, curriculum guides, and technical reports. My goal is to facilitate the identification of viable solutions for my students, clients, and patients. With multiple Full Clinical Licenses in several states, and over 20 Certifications, I can assist individuals domestically and globally.

As a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC); Master Addictions Counselor (MAC); Doctoral Addictions Counselor (DAC); Substance Abuse Professional (SAP); Certified Career Counselor (CCC); Certified Anger Management Facilitator (CAMF); Board Certified Coach (BCC); and Federal Mediator, among others, I will help individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, and institutions address issues and concerns related to the following challenges: anger, conflict, stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, sport psychology, and sexual assault/domestic violence, to name a few. Multicultural and diverse populations are also an area of expertise.

Real MVPs

Okay, so here is the thing, I absolutely adore any chance to celebrate the amazing women in my life. They are like glitter in my daily routine; making everything sparkle. From powerhouse wives and supermoms to the inspiring daughters lighting up our world, these women are the real MVPs.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and, yes, it is all about moms. But let's not forget those fabulous mother figures who also sprinkle magic in our lives—whether they are family, teachers, friends, entrepreneurs, or neighbors. These women are the heartbeats of our communities, touching our lives in ways that leave us in awe.

Speaking of awe, let me tell you about my awe-some Aunt Sophia. She is this whirlwind of positivity, always seeing the glass half full. Once, when I was feeling down about a missed opportunity, she turned the whole thing around with her “no rain, no flowers” attitude. It completely changed my perspective!

And here is a shoutout to all the women running businesses in our community. As publisher and owner of Red Rock City Lifestyle magazine, I have the fantastic opportunity to connect with these incredible women entrepreneurs. They are the game changers, the innovators; tirelessly working behind the scenes and in the spotlight, crafting beauty in ways we often overlook.

So, why not pick up your phone and send a sweet message or initiate a video call to those wonderful women who mean the world to you? It is super easy to make their day brighter and remind them that they are cherished. After all, a little love goes a long way!

From my heart to yours,

CAMILLA DORAND, PUBLISHER @REDROCKCITYLIFESTYLE

May 2024

PUBLISHER

Camilla Dorand | camilla.dorand@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Paige Candee | paige.candee@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Mark Aljon | mark.aljon@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Patranya Bhoolsuwan, Stacey Escalante, Dr. Tiffany M. Smith, Cynthia Newdel, Taylor Shea

West, Jennifer Florendo, Leann Parker, Nicolette Martin, Amy Bernstein, Andres Molina, Mark Aljon

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Casey Jade, Jes Summerlea, Janie Jones, Oscar Picasso, Downtown Lens, Horace Smith III, Nicolette Martin

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad

LAYOUT DESIGNER Rhiannon Coffman

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: The 9th Annual SHERO Awareness Ball raised funds for the B.E. A S.H.E.R.O. Foundation founded by Kimberly Miles (middle).

2: Li Jackson, Dr. Susan Feneck, Ed Bernstein, and Claudia Bernstein enjoyed the event. 3: The fundraiser was held at the Palms Casino Resort.

4: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Chief Administrative Officer James Kilber received a Phoenix Award. 5: The red-carpet event raised funds to provide resources for girls in vulnerable situations. 6: Guests purchased tables, tickets, and sponsorships, bid on auction items, and made pledges to fund programs. 7: The organization’s Teen Board presented at the fundraiser. Photography by Le SonnyD

Want to be seen in the magazine?

8: The American Lung Association’s Scale The Strat event welcomed all three local City Lifestyle publishers at The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower.

9: Over 600 participants showed up to walk/run the 108 flights of stairs. 10: Even our brave men and women in uniform participated in their full gear.

11: Overjoyed participants were happy to have completed the climb and helped to raise crucial funds. 12: No man or woman was left behind as friends, colleagues and families climbed together. 13: Participants raised funds and awareness about lung disease. 14: Proud participants were congratulated after their climb was complete. Photography by Cashman Photos and R2I Photography.

DISCOVER THE 2024 CROSSTREK WILDERNESS. STANDARD SYMMETRICAL ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, 9.3 INCHES OF GROUND CLEARANCE, A 182-HORSEPOWER SUBARU BOXER® ENGINE, AND IMPROVED GEARING TO CLIMB TOUGH TRAILS, THE CROSSTREK WILDERNESS UNLOCKS A NEW FRONTIER OF ADVENTURE.

monthly

A ROUNDUP OF NEWS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES

Academy Award-Winning Actress and Novelist/ Filmmaker Mark The Beverly Theater

First Anniversary

Las Vegas’ indie film house, storytelling headquarters, and intentional live music venue, The Beverly Theater, marked its first anniversary with a weekend full of film screenings and special guests. Novelist and filmmaker Rebecca Miller attended for an introspective on the renowned novelist and filmmaker as well as the screening of "She Came To Me" with a surprise appearance by the star of the film, Academy Award-Winning Actress Marisa Tomei followed by a Q&A.

Photography by The Beverly Theater

HopeLink of Southern Nevada Welcomes Anthony McCrary

HopeLink of Southern Nevada, a nonprofit organization focused on preventing homelessness, welcomed Anthony McCrary as its director of development – a position created to support the organization’s ambitious growth plans to meet the accelerating homelessness crisis. McCrary has more than 20 years of strategic partnership experience. He is focusing on developing and sustaining long-term strategic business partnerships for HopeLink, as well as improving and strengthening the framework for corporate giving and grant programs. link2hope.org

CONTINUED >

Photography by HopeLink of Southern Nevada

Eugene Williams brings over 14 years of experience to Las Vegas. Taking a consultative approach, him and his team are able to provide the best solutions for clients while providing first class customer service.

702-870-4000

1945 Village Center Cir, Suite 150 Las Vegas, Nevada 89134

Local Media Maven Launches Cordova Creative Agency

Local Red Rock resident, Allison Monette-Cordova, recently founded Cordova Creative, a marketing, communications and digital consulting firm designed to help brands grow their marketing goals in the most innovative, cost-effective, and diverse way possible. A Latina with two decades of experience most recently with CCSD, Vegas PBS, and local startup Blueprint Sports, she opened Cordova Creative to service the needs of nonprofit, government, and private companies. cordovacreative.com

Photography by Elly Rivera

Red Rock Pointe

Our all-inclusive services and amenities empower you to live independently while ensuring that every day is filled with enriching opportunities to connect and grow. Enjoy engaging events, freshly prepared meals, beautiful accommodations, and so much more! Make the most of your retirement as your story continues to evolve at Red Rock Pointe.

And Many

We have such amazing, innovative business leaders in our community who are proud to serve you, our residents, with class and quality. We’ve compiled some of our top company picks for the services that might be on your mind this month in an effort to make your lives a little easier.

Medical Spa

Hollywood Wellness Med Spa hollywoodwmedspa.com | 702.762.8923

The Look Med Spa thelookmedspalv.com | 702.246.2238

Chic La Vie Med Spa chiclavie.com | 702.233.8535

Center For Aesthetic Medicine and Human Performance centerforaestheticmedicineandhumanperformance.com | 702.333.4896

Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center bhrcenter.com | 702.957.1196

Women's Health Doctor

Women's Health Associates of Southern Nevada whasn.com/locations/whasn-summerlin | 702.382.2900

Anita Gondy, MD lasvegasobgyncenter.com/provider/anita-gondy | 702.978.8900

Sarah L Newton, MD redrockobgyn.com | 702.228.0319

Want to suggest a monthly pick?

Woman to Woman Gynecology lvgyn.com | 702.531.5400

The ObGyn Center lasvegasobgyncenter.com | 702.978.8900

FEARLESS FEMALES

For this month's "Ladies'" issue, Red Rock City Lifestyle is highlighting the accomplishments of some very impressive women in our community. These "Fearless Females" have made amazing strides in their respective industries, and their work has inspired others to follow in their footsteps. We sat down with each woman as they shared the secrets of their success.

Local women business owners share insights and inspirations

ARTICLE BY PATRANYA BHOOLSUWAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CASEY JADE

When it comes to breaking barriers in the culinary world, female chefs have always faced challenges in this male-dominated industry. But for Nittaya Parawong, the owner of Nittaya's Secret Kitchen and Block 9 Thai Street Eats restaurants, she has never let being a woman stop her from pursuing her dreams.

"I first moved to the U.S. from my native Thailand back in the ‘90s. I was going to school to be an accountant, but I soon discovered that my true passion was cooking. That's when I opened my first restaurant," said Parawong. "I knew a lot of successful male chefs and restaurant owners, but I never let that deter me from going after what I wanted. I knew I loved to cook, and I wanted to open my own restaurant. To me, that was enough to keep pushing forward."

Parawong now runs four Thai restaurants in Southern Nevada - Nittaya's Secret Kitchen on West Lake Mead, Nittaya's Little Kitchen in Centennial Hills, and Block 9 Thai Street Eats in both Summerlin and Henderson. Parawong said the road to success has not always been smooth, but the advice of her 70-year-old mother keeps her motivated.

"My mom, Renoo, has always been my inspiration," said Parawong. "She taught me to stay true to myself and that is the philosophy behind all of our restaurants. We are proud of our recipes, and we never copy anyone else. My mom also instilled in me the spirit of resilience and to never give up, no matter what."

A busy wife and mother of two young children, Parawong has this advice for other women who are thinking of starting their own business.

"Believe in yourself. You can do anything if you put your mind to it," said Parawong. "I don't regret anything. I embraced failures because if you never fail, you wouldn't know how to get back up and do things even better."

Nittaya Parawong

Another fearless female carving her own success story in Las Vegas is Traci Human, whose long career in real estate goes back to when she first got her license right out of high school.

"My dad worked as a developer here in this town, so real estate has always been in my blood," said Human, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty and founder/owner of Traci Human LV Homes. "I went full-time with my real estate career after my kids started school and I have been at it ever since."

With close to 40 years of experience in the world of Las Vegas real estate, Human has unparalleled industry knowledge and experience in this industry. She said the secret to her success has been in her ability to build lasting and positive relationships with her clients.

"Relationship building is number one," said Human. "Maintaining good relationships with your clients really means getting to know the people you are working with and keeping them in mind in different stages of their lives.

Also, I don't believe in pressuring people. We are talking about the biggest investment in their lives when you talk about real estate, and I don't believe in pressuring people into something when it comes to my sales strategy. It's not the way to go."

Now with her children grown and running their own careers, Human says she is thinking about retirement over the next few years. Human says that it will be hard to completely leave a business she's grown to love. It was her father who inspired her to keep learning no matter what age you are, and that's the advice she's passing on to other women who are following in her footsteps.

"My dad is 83 years old and every day he's learning something new, like learning Spanish," said Human. "When you stop learning, it's kind of the end, I feel. You need to always be learning and growing and adapt to new challenges. Also, I surround myself with other successful women who are like-minded. That support and inspiration are crucial."

Traci Human

Liza Wolff, owner and senior designer of Inspired Closets, followed her passion when she entered her field more than 30 years ago. Wolff took lessons passed on to her from pioneers in her industry and launched something that became her own.

"I just love how my work changes people's lives," said Wolff. "People have so much pride in their homes. and I want to help them create a personal space that is not only beautiful but also practical. This leads to a stress-free lifestyle. It's all about simplifying the lives of our clients and their families."

Inspired Closets as a brand launched in 2017, but for over 20 years Wolff has been busy building her business focusing on unique storage solutions, tailored to each client's home and lifestyle. As an effective business owner, Wolff says you always must be up to the challenge when it comes to solving problems, for both customers and her own team members.

"It is always a challenge when you work with different types of people," said Wolff. "My goal is for them to keep learning and growing and to be successful in their career. I am proud to say I have several people who have been with me for over 25 years. It's really rewarding to help mentor those who will come after me to create, and go after, their own dreams.”

Wolff's advice for other female business leaders looking to make a mark in their industry? Find and build a relationship with a good mentor, be involved in your community, and give back.

"Our company is really proud of what we do in our community," said Wolff. "We have a great partnership with Opportunity Village, for example. We purchase the artwork created by the wonderful people at this nonprofit and put them up in our showroom. Then, we give them to our Inspired Closets' customers as gifts. My mom has been a very well-known artist, so this partnership has a very special place in my heart."

Liza Wolff

When it comes to being fearless, Jennifer Knight is a shining example of success in a field dominated by men. As the founder and CEO of True Investigations, Knight has been in the private investigator industry for 18 years. This year, she's celebrating a decade of running her own business and leading a team of private investigators in Las Vegas.

“I absolutely love what I do," said Knight. "Before I started my firm, I was a little reluctant because of my insecurities and worried about being a woman in this field. But, I quickly learned that there are clients out there who only want to work with female investigators or with a female owned firm. That is really empowering, and now 10 years in, I am still doing it."

Knight said she's also happy to see more women entering this industry over the years. She said women can often connect with clients at a level that men may not be able to as effectively, especially when it comes to being empathetic and nurturing. She said the most rewarding part of her work is getting the results her clients are looking for.

“It's not necessarily the bad results, but the good results. Things like helping them reconnect with people they have lost contact with, like a mother, father, or children,” said Knight. “Those situations are extremely rewarding because sometimes, even after the fact, they still email or text me an update of where they are in life and those are the success stories I am really into and feel good about.”

As for the top skills she sees in herself and other successful business owners, she credits organization, the ability to multi-task, and not giving up on your dreams.

"Keep plugging along and stick to your aspirations. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it. If you want to make it happen, it will,” said Knight.

Jennifer Knight

This philosophy also holds true with Helen K. Vasquez, an insurance agent and business owner with American Family Insurance. With 22 years in the insurance industry, Vasquez took the plunge and launched her own venture just over a decade ago and today her team is known for dependable service, offering their clients auto, home, business, health, and life insurance. She said what makes her stand out as a business owner is to focus on superior customer service.

"That's what I believe in. It all comes down to great customer service," said Vasquez. “I am in a business that's very competitive. You can get out there and get a quote anywhere, right? My goal every day is to get people to see why we are the best at what we do."

Vasquez said getting to this stage in her career took a lot of hard work, but also the willingness for her to step up and take risks. She said one of the biggest challenges when she launched her own venture was marketing.

"I am Hispanic, so I target that demographic. That was a big challenge for me moving from one part of town to another," said Vasquez. "But I took that challenge head on. I did a lot of door knocking and joined new business groups. Over time, it paid off."

When it comes to advice that Vasquez would give other women who want to pursue their dream career, she said it's about building trust with your community and going out there even when you are not sure if things will work out the way you had planned.

"I am always a go-getter and that has worked for me being in sales," said Vasquez. "You don't get clients sitting behind a desk all day. You must go out there, meet and greet people, and tell them your story. I am proud of how far I have come and the team that I have built. We all come from unique backgrounds and have different experiences, but that is a plus when we are trying to connect with our growing and diverse community."

Helen K. Vasquez

G e t t i n g C l e a r S k i n i s a j o u r n e y , b u t w i t h o u r g u i d a n c e a n d y o u r c o m m i t m e n t , w e w i l l g e t y o u t h e r e !

T r e a t m e n t s & S k i n c a r e P e r s o n a l l y A d j u s t e d t o y o u !

e e l B

P r o p e r S k i n c a r e

IV THERAPY  BENEFITING WOMEN

Dr. Anastacia Munro, a fellowship-trained anesthesiologist, is a passionate advocate for the advancement and enrichment of women's health and well-being.

“One of the ways I hope to support women’s health and well-being is by providing a customized IV infusion service and peptide therapy to those in our community,” said Dr. Munro.

Discover the customized wellness approach with Dr. Anastacia Munro

To do this, she founded Luxe IV Infusions, a physician-led mobile IV infusion service that provides convenience, wellness, and vitality through crafted IV treatments and peptide therapies in the comfort of one’s home, hotel room, or office.

IV therapy, also known as intravenous therapy, involves the delivery of fluids, vitamins, minerals,

ARTICLE BY TAYLOR SHEA WEST

and other nutrients quickly and directly into a person’s bloodstream through a vein.

Those who choose to use IV therapy can expect many benefits such as hydration, nutrient absorption, energy boost, detoxification, immune support, and hangover relief.

“Overall, the benefits of IV therapy can vary depending on the individual's needs and the specific formulation used. This is why it is very

important to consult a professional to guide you and ensure the therapy is safe and effective,” said Dr. Munro.

Women can also have unique benefits from IV therapy, including postpartum recovery, energy restoration, stress relief, immune support, skin health, and overall wellness. Many women may be happy to hear that IV therapy can also help with PMS relief.

“IV therapy can be customized to include vitamins and minerals that may help alleviate symptoms of PMS, such as mood swings, bloating, and fatigue. An example is that magnesium and vitamin B6 are often used for relief,” said Dr. Munro. “I feel women’s symptoms are often overlooked or dismissed. This is a therapy that may help target those at a deeper level.”

Women can also have unique benefits from IV therapy, including postpartum recovery, energy restoration, stress relief, immune support, skin health, and overall wellness.

There are some misconceptions surrounding IV therapy, with one prevalent notion being that it is exclusively reserved for individuals who are unwell. However, this perception overlooks the broader scope of IV therapy applications, which extends beyond medical emergencies.

“While IV therapy is used in hospitals, it is also used in wellness clinics for hydration, vitamin supplementation, and overall wellness. Many

healthy individuals use it for various benefits,” said Dr. Munro.

IV therapy has expanded its reach beyond traditional perceptions, now catering to a broader audience seeking proactive health management and holistic well-being. Consulting a healthcare provider and understanding the facts beforehand is crucial, but embracing IV therapy can offer a safe and effective means to support your body's needs.

Esōes Cosmetics Revolution

How

ARTICLE BY STACEY ESCALANTE

BY CASEY JADE AND JES SUMMERLEA

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photo credit: Downtown Lens

They say necessity is the mother of invention. For Joy Hoover, a mother of two young girls, her invention came about in 2021 while she was sitting with her 4-year-old daughter.

Joy describes the moment she had an epiphany, "You like lipstick, Mommy. Can we do lipstick next?" That simple question took her down the rabbit hole of researching personal safety in the world of cosmetics. She couldn't find anything, so one thing led to another, and eventually, Joy applied for a “cosmetics with safety features” patent.

It’s no surprise she tackled this venture with gusto and passion. Her effervescent personality and can-do attitude are contagious. Joy and her partner in life and business, husband Phil, hosted a small “I have this idea” launch party in their backyard.

"As soon as I shared the idea of a lipstick that tests your drink for roofies, there were audible ‘wows’," explained Joy.

People raised their hands to join the crusade and Joy garnered monetary support through different levels of crowdfunding. She recruited engineers and scientists, and they went from being a company that revolved around lipstick with roofie test strips to a tech-enabled company with an app, and Esōes Cosmetics was born.

"Esōes is the phonetic spelling of S.O.S.," explains Joy. "We're combining beauty, science, and technology to create a lipstick that could save your life."

Photo credit: Downtown Lens

The lipstick case hides roofie test strips you can dip into your drink to determine whether it is safe or spiked. The customizable app enables 24/7 monitoring. If the user presses the logo on the app, it goes into safety mode, which enables a personalized message, before you leave the house, that you can send to your contacts. Then, when you are out, if you find yourself in danger, you can push the panic button on the lipstick, and it will automatically send a text or phone call to your chosen contacts. If you don’t answer or someone puts in the wrong pin, the service will immediately dispatch first responders.

“My 10-year-old carries the lipstick,” says Joy. “We don’t have to live in fear anymore.”

Before this business venture, Joy spent over a decade in the nonprofit world advocating for women’s safety in Las Vegas. She was frustrated that violence against women wasn't decreasing, so now she's focused on prevention all over the country and says she is grateful for her supporters: "Women and survivors who understand the problem of violence against women who have a stake in the solution."

Joy wants to leave a legacy for her daughters and other females, in hopes they won’t endure the pain and suffering she has experienced in life.

Her husband is her biggest cheerleader and says her goal is to get more men to champion her cause,

"Esōes is the phonetic spelling of S.O.S.," explains inventor Joy Hoover. "We're combining beauty, science, and technology to create a lipstick that could save your life."

"If it's not a hell yes, it's a no. There's no way women can solve this problem alone. We need men to stand up and say ‘We see you;’ this is an epidemic. Our passion is to end generational violence in our families and in yours. We save lives by creating innovative solutions."

The entrepreneurial business continued to evolve in 2024 in ways Joy never imagined. She now distributes her lipstick starter kits to universities, bars, clubs, hair salons, and individuals across the country. Businesses can co-brand the roofie strips with Esōes and companies who purchase a certain amount of product will get free Safe Spaces certification training. esoescosmetics.com.

As Esōes Cosmetics continues to expand its reach and impact, Joy Hoover's mission to safeguard women's safety through innovation brings us all hope, signaling a new era of empowerment and security.

Anastacia Munro

Navigating Emotions After Birth

UNDERSTANDING BABY BLUES VS. POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

ARTICLE BY DR. TIFFANY M. SMITH

DR. TIFFANY M. SMITH

DNP

Dr. Tiffany M. Smith DNP is an integrative and functional psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. She utilizes a holistic natural approach to mental health care, treating the root cause and not covering up the symptoms, and has a holistic wellness component to optimize her clients' overall health to treat common conditions such as weight gain, hormonal issues, and belly fat.

Motherhood is an extraordinary journey, and the arrival of a new baby is an emotional rollercoaster for many parents. Feelings of joy and anticipation can sometimes be overshadowed by sadness or worry, commonly referred to as the "baby blues." However, when these feelings intensify or persist, it may signal a more severe condition known as postpartum depression (PPD).

WHAT'S NORMAL?

The baby blues are characterized by mood swings, tearfulness, and overwhelming feelings, peaking around three to five days after delivery, and typically resolving within two weeks. Unlike postpartum depression, self-esteem usually remains unchanged, and any sleep disturbances are more about physical discomforts like heartburn or the need to use the bathroom. Notably, there are no suicidal thoughts, plans, or intentions.

WHEN IT'S MORE THAN JUST BABY BLUES

Postpartum depression, in contrast, presents more severe symptoms that significantly impact a woman's ability to function. These can include:

• Persistent feelings of sadness, irritability, gloom, and rage.

• A marked decrease in self-esteem, often accompanied by guilt.

• Significant trouble sleeping, whether falling or staying asleep.

• A profound sense of fatigue that rest does not alleviate.

• A lack of pleasure in activities once enjoyed.

• Changes in appetite often leading to dysregulation.

• Withdrawing from partners, family, and friends.

• Lack of bonding with and caring for the baby.

• Stopping breastfeeding due to emotional difficulties and lack of energy.

• An increased risk for future episodes of depression.

Crucially, individuals experiencing PPD may have suicidal thoughts, plans, or intentions, which is a clear indicator that immediate professional help is needed.

SEEKING HELP AND SUPPORT

Recognizing the signs of postpartum depression is the first step toward recovery. If you or someone you know is showing symptoms of PPD, it is essential to reach out to a healthcare provider for assessment and treatment. Various resources are available for support, including:

• Postpartum Support International: Offers a toll-free helpline, Spanish-language support, and referral to local resources.

• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: Provides support and referrals in English and Spanish for those experiencing perinatal mental health issues. Understanding the nuances between “baby blues” and PPD is essential for new parents. This knowledge empowers families to seek the necessary support, ensuring a safer and more supportive postpartum period. Through awareness, education, and timely intervention, the journey of motherhood can be a more informed and compassionate experience for all.

Help and Support Resources

Postpartum Support International

• postpartum.net

• 800-944-4773

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

• mchb.hrsa.gov

• 833-TLC-MAMA (833-852-6262)

Aroma Functional Nutrition Psychiatry

• afnpsych.com/PPD

• 702-90-PSYCH (702-907-7924)

“The baby blues are characterized by mood swings, tearfulness, and overwhelming feelings, peaking around three to five days after delivery, and typically resolving within two weeks.”

GLAMOUR AND GRIT

ARTICLE BY CYNTHIA NEWDEL

PHOTOGRAPHY BY OSCAR PICASSO

Q&A with Celebrity Makeup Maven Katherine Graciano

“I've done hair and makeup for celebrities at Super Bowl LVIII, the Latin Grammy Awards, and Miss USA. I also have had the pleasure of working with Las Vegas celebrities like Terry Fator and Elaine Wynn, just to name a couple.”

HOW DID YOUR CELEBRITY HAIR AND MAKEUP JOURNEY BEGIN?

My journey started in the Dominican Republic, which is where I am from. I enjoyed watching my mother, who was a hairstylist, make her clients look and feel picture perfect. It inspired me to follow in her footsteps. As it turned out, my friend here in Las Vegas needed someone she could trust to help her run her salon. She invited me to live with her since I didn't know anyone here at the time. So, with literally $1,000 in my pocket, I made my way to the United States with a chance to live the American Dream.

WHEN DID YOUR BUSINESS START TO GAIN MOMENTUM?

It happened organically. There was always someone new in my chair and it was word of mouth that brought me more clients. My good friend and celebrity fashion designer, Joey Galon, introduced me to his clients who needed hair and makeup done for fashion shoots, weddings, and pageants. Since then, I've done hair and makeup for celebrities

at Super Bowl LVIII, the Latin Grammy Awards, and Miss USA. I also have had the pleasure of working with Las Vegas celebrities like Terry Fator and Elaine Wynn, just to name a couple.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR WOMEN WHO WANT

TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESS?

Start planning your business model while you have a job. There's a lot of sweat and tears that go into being your own Boss Lady and your plan has to be VERY WELL executed. You cannot go in blind. Sounds easy, but I've seen it. Ask yourself: What is your product? Who are you catering to? How are you financing your business? Why do they want to buy from you? What is your marketing budget? There is a lot of trial and error that goes into launching your own business, so don't give up. Brainstorm with your family, friends, and colleagues. I feel it's so important to support and empower fellow business owners to succeed in their trade.

Same Day or Next Day Appointment

ARTICLE BY LEANN PARKER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

Spring Floral Bowl

BRING THE BRIGHTNESS AND FRESHNESS OF SPRING INDOORS BY CREATING YOUR OWN FLORAL BOWL ARRANGEMENT.

Spring, come quickly! And if not, bring spring indoors anyway. Flowers brighten any room, any day of the year. No need to wait for a special occasion or holiday – give yourself permission to brighten everyday life with a bowl full of flowers. Place florals in an entryway, kitchen, living room space or even bathroom. Florals make any room come alive with pops of color and the smells of spring that’s just about ready to burst outside.

Consider this your personal invitation to play with flowers by creating your very own Floral Bowl Arrangement. Use any cereal bowl in the kitchen and a bundle of store bought flowers. For extra texture and depth, look for small spring branches and ornamental grasses found in your yard to pop into the arrangement, like I did here. Then, place your floral bowl in a place where you need that burst of joy most. Enjoy!

Supplies:

• 1 bundle of flowers (about 24 stems) + floral food packet

• spring branches & ornamental grasses found in your yard (optional)

• 6” bowl (cereal bowl size)

• floral shears (or garden clippers, kitchen shears, even craft scissors in a pinch)

• 12” square cut chicken wire

• wire cutters

• garden gloves to protect your hands when forming chicken wire

• clear floral tape (scotch tape will also do)

• lazy susan to easily move your arrangement and work from all sides (optional)

Preparation & Assembly:

• First prepare the mechanics. The mechanics are the non-floral elements used to assemble a floral arrangement. These materials will act as a grid in which the flowers are built into to hold each stem in its place.

• Wearing garden gloves, cut chicken wire roughly into a 12” square. Loosely form the chicken wire into a ball and place inside the bowl.

• Use clear floral tape to make an X shape over the top of the bowl to hold the chicken wire securely into place. This will also give extra support when adding the floral elements later.

• Fill the bowl with water and mix in a flower food packet, if your flowers came with one.

• Begin to arrange floral elements into the bowl. As a general rule, you will want to start with the strongest, thickest stems and end with the most delicate stems. Here, I began with branches, then the largest base flowers followed by taller focal flowers, and finally delicate stems, grasses and wispy greens.

Tip:

Stuck with broken, leftover blooms from creating your floral bowl arrangements? Don’t discard those flowers just yet! Simply arrange leftover blooms and a few ornamental grasses onto a cake to elevate any tablescape. Even though the blooms are arranged out of water, they will look fresh for hours (especially when using roses and carnations). Enjoy!

DIY Duotone Statement Earrings

PIECE BY PIECE

Use both your bent nose forceps and needle nose pliers to secure each end of the jump ring. Gently twist the jump ring to open the gap, and place the jump ring through the holes in the pieces you are connecting. When securely through both pieces, gently twist the jump ring in the opposite direction to close the gap and secure the pieces.

STEPS:

1.

2. 3. 4. 5.

SUPPLIES:

• 2 half-circle stamping blanks

• 2 large gold bars

• 2 medium gold bars

• 2 ear wires

• Jump rings, assorted sizes

• Embroidery thread

• Metal punch

• Bent nose forceps

• Needle nose pliers

Make sure to have all of your materials gathered before starting the project for easy assembly.

Take your half-circle stamping blanks, large gold bars and medium gold bars and arrange them in the order you want your earrings to flow. You can see how we arranged ours, but consider switching up the placement of each item for varying earring styles.

Mark where each of the holes line up on the individual pieces. These spots are where you’ll be creating holes with the metal punch to connect each item with jump rings.

Once you have your spots marked, carefully and precisely punch holes in your individual pieces. Once all of your holes are punched, connect each piece with the desired size of jump ring.

For an added touch, punch extra holes in the bottom piece and finish off with knotted embroidery thread for a bohemian tassel effect.

events

The Las Vegas Science and Technology Festival

The EXPO at World Market Center | 12:00 PM

Hosted annually by the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, this festival strives to spark curiosity and highlight the amazing science, technology, engineering, and math taking place right here in our community. Learn more and register for events at www.scifest.vegas

Swan Lake by the Nevada Ballet Theatre

The Smith Center of Performing Arts | 7:30 PM

The Nevada Ballet Theatre is honored to once again bring this enchanted fable of ill-fated love to the stage for all Southern Nevada to enjoy. Tickets can be purchased at www.thesmithcenter.com

“Once Upon A Time” Circus Couture

The Theater at Virgin Hotel | 7:30 PM

The 13th Annual Circus Couture event, Once Upon a Time, will be an enchanting evening that promises to be one of the most anticipated charity events, blending the mesmerizing worlds of circus, art, and fashion. For more information, visit www.cure4thekids.org.

MAY 4TH

Kids Cooking Class by Maggiano’s Little Italy

Maggiano's Downtown Summerlin | 8:00 AM

Get your little ones ready for a finger-licking adventure at Maggiano's Downtown Summerlin, where they can show off and enhance their culinary skills. Registration is available at www.eventbrite.com

MAY 4TH

May the Fourth Be With You Beer Festival

Beer Zombies | 6:00 PM

Calling all Star Wars fans, cosplayers, and craft beer enthusiasts. Beer Zombies and Nevermore Productions have joined forces to provide the ultimate experience for Star Wars Day. May the Fourth Be With You Beer Festival will be an immersive Star Wars event with live music, fun pop-ups, craft beer vendors, and more. Tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com

MAY 4TH

The Las Vegas Derby Fashion Show and Watch Party

Vu Las Vegas | 12:00 PM

Watch the Kentucky Derby and witness high fashion couture all in one fundraising event. Runway designers will be from Miami, New York, Nashville, San Diego, and Las Vegas. The fashion show will be followed by an auction of one-of-a-kind items like Frenchie Puppies and a guitar signed by Taylor Swift. Enjoy an open bar and gourmet hors d'oeuvres. www.lasvegasfashionshow.org

events

MAY 6TH

Tenth Annual DISCOVERY Golf Classic

Reflection Bay Golf Club | 7:00 AM

DISCOVERY Children’s Museum brings the Tenth Annual DISCOVERY Golf Classic presented by Interblock Luxury Gaming Products. All funds raised will support the Admission Subsidies Program, which provides free or significantly reduced admission to underserved Clark County elementary school students, allowing them to have an exciting, educational, and memorable experience at the museum. Register at www.discoverykidslv.org

MAY 7TH

Elementary School Choir Festivals

Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall | 10:00 AM

The UNLV School of Music and the Clark County School District host this annual event, which features outstanding elementary school choirs from around the valley. Admission is free, and tickets are not required. For more information, visit www.unlv.edu

MAY 10TH

27th Annual Power of Love® Gala

MGM Garden Arena | 5:30 PM

Keep Memory Alive will honor country music sensation Blake Shelton at the 27th Annual Power of Love® gala on Friday, May 10, 2024, at MGM Garden Arena. The star-studded event will raise essential funds to benefit the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Learn more at www.keepmemoryalive.org/POL

MAY 11TH

Shimmy Mob Celebrates World Belly Dance Day

Summerlin Library | 7:00 PM

Enjoy the visual beauty and feeling portrayed through the dancers' rhythmic movements. This is free and open to the public annual event supports local shelter, Safe Nest. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and may be limited. For more information, please call 702-507-3863.

MAY 12TH

Bouquets & Brooches Mother’s Day Brunch

Red Rock Pointe Retirement Community | 11:30 AM

Celebrate your extraordinary mom at Red Rock Pointe Retirement Community’s "Bouquets & Brooches Mother’s Day Brunch" on May 12th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Brunch will feature prime rib, salads, desserts, and bottomless mimosas. RSVP by May 9, 2024, at 702-936-8998.

MAY 17TH

Don Giovanni by Vegas City Opera

Charleston Heights Art Center | 7:00 PM

Maestro Paul Schrage makes his debut with Vegas City Opera and members of the Las Vegas Sinfonietta to bring you an updated, electrified adaptation of this Mozart classic. Celebrate the strength of the female trio as they conquer the Don. For tickets, visit www.vegascityopera.org

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