Guys: Just like how our May issue is dedicated to our female readers, our June issue is a bit more centered around “everything man”.
In this issue, we try to help you look a little better, eat a little more flavorfully, smooth out your golf swing, and even make your house more appealing.
I’m starting us off with my own article about my experiences with RJW Exteriors. Pizza One owner Moe Ismail first told me about them 2 years ago after he used them to replace his doors. I have had them replace most of the old windows in our home so far and I thought you needed to know how it went,
From there, we take you for an afternoon hitting the links to work on your golf. Lots of rounds and a few tournaments coming up so let’s get our swings looking better.
Ever thought about being a male model? I always pictured the glamour and glitz that would come with it. The easy, carefree sessions in front of the camera and then just go party it up at night. We sat down with local aspiring male model, Christian Savino,so he could share some insight as to what that world is really like. I am suddenly glad I’ve never been “model material”.
Many of us grew up with an idea of what it is to be manly. Years ago, most of us wouldn’t have even thought about going and getting a male facial or having our beard treated but, boy, have times changed. The days of looking like the leathery face of the Marlboro man are gone. Today we want a smooth, healthy-looking face. The guys out there no longer want that mountain beard that is so tangled and rough that you could kill a grizzly with it. Read about what Sophie at Face Space is doing for our faces to help make us “modern sexy”. Also, in this article, for the first time, we used one of our “Picture This” Student Photography Contest entrants for the photo-shoot. Congrats to Leah Kleinstein on now being a published photographer!
And you know I always help my boys out there. Instead of one specific dish, I shared a great homemade BBQ sauce that you can use on all different foods all summer long. Send some pics of your dishes via Instagram @ waynelifestylemag. Men, enjoy the issue and keep the dream alive. Maybe we’ll both become models yet!
Happy Father’s Day!
PUBLISHER
Phillip Barone | phillip.barone@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Don Seaman | don.seaman@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Alison Lukin | Alison@officiallysocial.com
INTERN
Zach Gilbert | wayne@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Don Seaman, Alessandra Guarneri, Phillip Barone, Daniel Schowengerdt, Pat & Gina Neely
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
John Agnello, Alessandra Guarneri, Phillip Barone, Leah Kleinstein, Don Seaman, Paez Photo, Valeriy Eydlin, Brandon Mirador
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard Learn
PHILLIP
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1: Lauren Turano and Seraphim Wood loved the "speed networking" part of Leads & Lunch 2: North Jersey Chamber's Leads & Lunch at Berkeley College was a huge success 3: The Stuffed Artichoke at Matthew's Italian Restaurant in Clifton was outstanding! 4: Saban Eldercare Networking Group held one of their famous meetings at Arden Courts. 5: On top of great business connections, Wendy Saban held drawings for some great prizes 6: North Jersey Chamber's Swing & Connect Networking Event was a “Hole-In-One”! 7: The Swing & Connect event was at The Clubhouse in Fairfield
PHILLIP BARONE PHILLIP BARONE PHILLIP BARONE PHILLIP BARONE PHILLIP BARONE
8: Wayne PAL recently hosted Collectorfest with pop culture memorabilia galore! 9: Vendors displayed a wide range of memorabilia such as cards, comics, toys, and signs. 10: Rare and popular Lego figures were available at Collectorfest. 11: Yo Adrian! Rocky made it to Collectorfest! 12: Roger Christian, designer of R2D2, the light saber, and Millennium Falcon loves Wayne Lifestyle! 13: John "Dak" Morton from The Empire Strikes Back signs photos at Collectorfest. 14: Colin Seaman from Wayne's School of Rock recently performed at Teaneck's Debonair Music Hall.
Spring is the perfect time to clear the daily hassles from your life and add more of whatever it is that makes you shine.
Learn how a move to Brightview will help you do both. Come meet our team and see how our resort-like amenities, services, and specialized support inspire bright, carefree days for residents – and peace of mind for families.
Join the Boys and Girls Club of Northwest New Jersey for their annual Golf Classic on June 3rd at the Bowling Green Golf Club, 53 Schoolhouse Road in Oak Ridge. Enjoy the driving range, putting practice, breakfast, a BBQ lunch, contests, awards, and more! 8AM check in/breakfast, 9AM Shotgun Start. For tickets, contact Gina at 973956-0033 or gradice@bgcnwnj.org.
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LETTING THE LIGHT SHINE THROUGH
It all started with a pizza. More accurately, it started when I was doing the photos for our "A Little Pizza Your Heart" article (February 2022). I was sitting with Moe Ismail, owner of Pizza one in Wayne, waiting for his delicious entry for the article to finish cooking. We were discussing projects each of us was undertaking in our homes. He was raving about his new front door which I, not being a door connoisseur, didn’t understand the excitement so I asked him to pull up a picture on his phone. After seeing it, I immediately understood where he was coming from. It was gorgeous. It was elegant. And it completely upgraded the entire look of his home. He said RJW Exteriors handled it for him. “Who?” (I had never heard of them before.) He said their headquarters was only about 25 minutes away and that they were the best. He said they also do a great job with windows.
Windows? Wait a minute… that’s one of my next projects.
For those of you who haven’t been to our house, let me explain some of the “charm” we’ve been dealing with. Our house was built in 1979 and except for the addition of the family room and the extension of the master bedroom in 2002, nothing else has changed in that house. Our windows were hideous-looking. They were old wood windows, some of broken handles and almost all had varying degrees of draft. If you stood in the right spot in Ava's room, your hair would move.
We called two companies to look into the initial windows we needed to replace: the upstairs bathroom, the huge window in the guest room and most importantly, all the windows in the kid’s rooms. We had “Company X” and RJW scheduled for back-toback nights.
“Company X” had their guy here for just under 20 minutes before he was asking us to sign a contract. We were given very few options and when I asked why these were the windows we should get, we were told multiple times that “they are the best”. It didn’t matter that they didn’t go with the style of windows from the two additions to the house nor did it matter that we would have to essentially take out a second mortgage to buy their windows. It was clear that the style he showed us was all he was willing to sell us. Pass. No, thank you.
The next night, Matt Brockman from RJW came to our house. He sat and asked us questions, then went to look at the windows from the additions, both from inside and outside the house. After that, he showed us the various options they have and explained each one to us. We even saw ones that looked almost exactly like the windows from the additions. He explained each step we would take after that night, the service side of their business, the warranty, and the favorable financing of theirs (that we took advantage of). Matt made it very easy for us to choose the right windows. More importantly, he made it very easy to choose RJW Exteriors.
A few days later I was connected with Joe Friedman. Joe was the guy who would be there with the installation team to make sure everything stayed on track, answered any questions, and did a final inspection. We had them do 7 windows that first time and things went perfectly, so good that we have called them back to our house 2 more times to keep switching out some of the old windows as we go. As of this issue's release, we have 3 windows left (not counting the kitchen or dining room because those rooms are complete remodels down the road).
Look, we’ve all dealt with projects on our homes. How many times did it go the way it was supposed to? Or in the timeframe it was supposed to? Or at the cost?
That's why I wrote this- because my answer, before RJW Exteriors, was the same as yours.
Call them, trust me.
RJW Exteriors is based in Lake Hopatcong and serves North Jersey. They can be reached at (862) 263-9733. See more at rjwexteriors.com
Imagine you’re about to walk the runway in front of hundreds of people. You’ve fixed your hair about a hundred times backstage and the adrenaline finally kicks in as you step out from behind the curtain - but the excitement doesn’t last long. You have to wake up at 6:00am for your day job and rush out of the office by 5:00pm to make it to another modeling audition. Besides this show, you haven’t booked a modeling gig in three months and you’re struggling to balance your modeling career with your 9-5 yet again.
This is the reality for male models attempting to make their way into the modeling scene today - something Christian Savino, a local New Jersey resident, is all too familiar with.
Savino began an aspiring modeling career a few years ago after his family and friends encouraged him to get started. Although he was uncertain about where to begin, he eventually reached out to a local photographer and began building his own modeling portfolio.
“I remember doing my first photoshoot,” Savino reveals. “I got a lot of great content out of it and knew modeling was something I wanted to pursue. It was exciting.”
Although that photoshoot was a productive step forward, he couldn’t predict the ups and downs that come with pursuing a career in such a competitive industry. It was the beginning of an uphill battle that Savino is still navigating to this day.
ARTICLE BY ALESSANDRA GUARNERI PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALESSANDRA GUARNERI, PAEZ PHOTO, VALERIY EYDLIN, BRANDON MIRADOR“I’m still trying to learn the puzzle of modeling and working through the challenges that come with this career,” he explains. “It takes a while to establish your personal brand. I’m working on that.”
Savino didn’t find much success at first, but things began looking up for him in the fall of 2022 when he signed with Meredith Models, a modeling agency in New Jersey. He booked a few gigs with the agency, but they recently dropped him after not booking enough gigs - an unfortunate setback aspiring models need to prepare themselves for.
After being dropped by Meredith Models, Savino signed with MMG, a New York-based modeling agency, shortly after and is constantly traveling in and out of the city in hopes to book his next job.
“I apply to new gigs on casting networks nearly every day and am constantly in touch with my agency for more opportunities,” Savino says. “It’s not easy. Modeling is super competitive and there’s so much stress. It’s a very stressful occupation.”
Every day brings new opportunities and challenges in the modeling world, but you have to keep going if you want to find success. It’s a quick dash from your day job to the gym before heading home and sending dozens of headshots out. Savino is constantly searching for new work, although not every gig is paid and there are countless expenses such as wardrobe, travel, and agency dues.
“There are always expenses that you have to deal with as a model, so there’s pressure to make that money back,” he explains.
Savino tries to enhance his chances of being booked by focusing on the things he can control, such as his physique. “I work out a lot and eat very clean. Some of it is for overall health, but it’s also to stay in shape for potential gigs,” he explains. “There are things you simply can’t change though - like your height.”
Savino continues to work on balancing his focus on his day job and aspiring modeling career as he still dreams of becoming a full-time model.
“I am still trying to find my ideal career path and capitalize on the opportunities that come my way,” he says. “My long-term end goal is to be contracted with a well known brand like Hugo Boss or Calvin Klein.”
The life of an aspiring model is not all it appears to be, especially on social media. The truth is - they’re trying to get by just like everyone else.
To see more of Christian's portfolio or for collaboration/ modeling inquiries, visit Christian on Instagram at christianmsavio.
• Height and Physique: The industry has specific height and body type requirements, creating a competitive barrier for some.
• Look and Image: Facing constant judgment on appearance, with trends and preferences evolving rapidly.
• Finding Representation: Securing a reputable agency for casting calls and jobs can be difficult.
• “Gatekeepers”: Dealing with casting directors, stylists, and photographers who control access to opportunities.
• Unstable Income: Modeling careers can be sporadic, leading to financial insecurity and reliance on side hustles.
• Long Hours and Short Notice: Workdays can be long and unpredictable, requiring flexibility and adaptability.
• Rejection and Self-Doubt: Facing frequent rejection at castings can be emotionally draining and cause self-doubt.
• Building a Portfolio and Brand: Creating a strong portfolio and personal brand is crucial but takes time and resources.
Christian travels to Esporta Fitness in Randolph to stay in "model shape"
“I’m still trying to learn the puzzle of modeling and working through the challenges that come with this career.”
If there’s one universal, undeniable truth about humanity, it’s that we all have a face. It’s front and center, exposed to the world, 24/7.
You get regular haircuts, wash your clothes, polish your shoes (sometimes). You work out those to keep your body in shape. But what do you do with your face? You’ll wash it, shave it as you’ve always done, but that’s likely about it. But doesn’t that one guaranteed thing that people notice about you deserve some love, too? You bet it does.
That’s why we talked with Sophie Marcopoulos, owner of Face Space Esthetics, for a little advice on how to treat your visage to be Zoom-ready and looking your best.
YOU
ONLY HAVE ONE FACE. A GREAT ESTHETICIAN HELPS YOU LOOK YOUR BEST
THE FIRST TIME GUYS COME IN THEY TEND TO BE NERVOUS. ONCE THAT FIRST HOT TOWEL HITS THEIR FACE, THEY FIND OUT IT'S A BREEZE.
“I recently had a man come in for an appointment who said that he was here for ‘an oil change and tire rotation’ for his face,” Sophie said, laughing.
“Most men who come in are pretty nervous about the whole thing,” she says. After all, this is probably something that men haven’t thought of much. We spend more time worrying about our lawns than our faces. Yet both need proper maintenance and the right products in order to get the best results, some you can do on your own and some that could use more professional experience to achieve.
Let’s start with a bare-minimum: cleansing. Sophie recommends using a salicylic acid cleanser (it’s in more acne-control things than you’d think, from Neutrogena to Dove to CeraVe and more), which is exfoliating - the key to preventing ingrown hairs and blemishes. She says chemical exfoliating like this is better than a scrub, which contains particles that can get stuck in the hairs and be a pain to remove.
Just keep in mind that timing is key. Don’t use it immediately after shaving. Before you shave is great, or 12 hours after. Don’t exfoliate skin that’s just been abused by blades. And you’ve probably heard a thing or two about SPF if you’ve been alive for the past 20 years or so. If you’ve ignored the advice about the importance of SPF moisturizers, stop that right now. Sophie is an Ivy League educated (Columbia University) and Parisian Beauty Academy alum who values science over hearsay. Listen to her science-backed advice: a lightweight moisturizer (with an SPF somewhere between 30-50) is crucial to prevent dryness and wrinkles, preferably after showering.
In other words, moisturizing results in not looking old .
Yet there may be times when you need a professional to give you a bit more polish. That’s when you head to someone like Sophie.
Leah Kleinstein, the photographer for this article, was one of our students from the Wayne Lifestyle “Picture This” Student Photo Contest. She's a Junior at Wayne Hills High School in Pam Stomel's Photo 3 Photography class. Leah's wonderful shots are proof that artistic talent walks among us, sometimes unsung. It takes a skilled eye to see the world in ways that reflect beauty in the everyday.
We live in a visual world and everyone has a camera at the ready at all times. Today's photography students are learning how to refine their skills in order to capture those moments in time that might otherwise be forgotten. It doesn't have to be "A Moment" in order to be art. This simple photo shoot reminds us of that.
We know Leah will continue to develop her special talent for photography, along with all of the students who let the lens speak for them. We're proud of each and every one of them.
“A lot of men come in when they’re getting ready for their wedding. As soon as you set your date, that’s when you should reach out and speak to an esthetician, so we can determine when you should come in based upon your skin type and your specific concerns,” Sophie recommends. “That’s how we can make sure that you can look your best, especially on one of the biggest days of your life.”
“We try to put men at ease when they come in, especially if it’s their first time,” she explains. “Because of things like facial hair, we use a lot of hot towels and steam, and electrical modality called High Frequency to kill bacteria and stimulate healthy hair growth. Add in the soothing face mask and upper body massage, they find the whole process very relaxing.”
It’s a pretty convincing argument to come in for an appointment with an esthetician more than just a couple of times a year. “Usually, I’d like to see people come in every 4 to 8 weeks.” But a lot of men won’t come in quite that often. It’s more of an investment in their facial health than, say a clearly overdue trip to the barber. But even a few times a year is better than none at all. It's like the old L'Oréal ad used to say - "because you're worth it."
This is a higher-end investment in how you look than you’re used to, but in the end, let’s be honest – how many faces do you have?
It’s a pretty good bet that you’ll never get sick of hearing “my God, you look good” - and all you need to do is sit back and relax.
To find out more about how much of a difference a professional esthetician can make, Sophie’s studio, Face Space Esthetics, is at 1607 Route 23 South. Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling Sophie at 973-797-9792 or on the studio's website, beautysalonwayne.com .
Whether you are a new golfer or have been playing for decades, we all want the same thing—to be a single-digit handicap (or better). In some professions, golfing with clients is a must, and slicing off the tee box can kill the deal.
If you are buying clubs off the rack, you aren’t giving yourself the best chance for success. Golf technology is evolving every year, and although you don’t need to buy a new driver each year, if you’ve been playing with the same clubs for 5+ years, it’s time to take advantage of the new equipment. Newer clubs have lower and deeper center of gravity (CG), creating an easier launch off the face. Even off-center strikes can produce a straight shot with the right set of clubs. Any major golf store will fit you for free—just make sure you get the correct length club and size grip. The clubs don’t swing themselves, so don’t neglect instruction and practice, but getting the right equipment is a vital piece of the puzzle.
On drivers and hybrids, some of the newest equipment have premium shaft options off the rack. Generally, a $300 driver has a low-grade $15 shaft that you should change. The shaft is the engine of the club, so getting custom shafts will add distance and forgiveness—guaranteed.
As for the putter, you use it more than any other club in your bag on every round of golf. It should be the most tailored club in your bag.
Get good golf instruction, REGULARLY.
02.
We’ve all heard someone say, “I should get a lesson sometime.” To be effective, you need regular lessons from a PGA certified pro, not just one lesson. Getting quality instruction from the same instructor can turn slices into draws and give you the confidence to play with anyone on any course. Years ago, golf instructors started instruction with chipping and putting and then graduated to the driver. Now, instructors have been pressured to start with the driver because we all want to outdrive our friends. Resist that temptation! Get instruction on your short game and irons first. My friend regularly outdrives me by 50 yards, but my ball is in the hole first most of the time because of my training and practice on the short game.
Read quality golf books for a higher golf IQ.
03.
There are thousands of golf books, but don’t worry, you only need to read a handful of them to up your golf IQ. Here are some top reads: Short game: Dave Pelz’s Short Game Bible by Dave Pelz Mental game: Golf is Not a Game of Perfect by Bob Rotella Mechanics: Practical Golf by John Jacobs Ball flight laws: The Practice Manual by Adam Young (only read the first 50 pages)
Practice your short game every day.
04.
You don’t even have to spend time away from your family while practicing if you don’t have a golf simulator. You can practice putting and chipping on the carpet while watching TV with your family.
Chipping and the bump and run: The only mechanical advice I will give is the most important lesson you can learn in the short game. When you miss your approach shot you must be able to chip the ball within 8 feet of the hole for a one putt. Try this shot from Dave Peltz’s short game book. It gets me up and down from 25 yards out to just off the green.
Instructors have been pressured to start with the driver because we all want to outdrive our friends. Resist that temptation! Get instruction on your short game and irons first.
USING THESE TIPS YOU CAN MAKE A DELICIOUS HOMEMADE BARBECUE SAUCE.
A good Barbeque sauce is comprised of a variety of the same six components. The key is to discover what style you enjoy most, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Oh, and taste often during the preparation process to adjust if so desired.
SOMETHING SWEET
This can be honey, cola, molasses, preserves, brown sugar, or syrup. This caramelizes as you cook, bringing those smoky, sugary flavors.
SOMETHING TANGY
Think vinegar, mustard, or citrus. This is what brings the zing to your sauce.
SOMETHING SPICY
This provides your heat: a hot sauce is a great choice. A good rule of thumb is to use about 1/2 teaspoon for every cup of sauce you’re making.
SOMETHING LIQUID
It can be beer, water, chicken soda, stock, or wine. Start with about 1/2 a cup and see what happens.
SOMETHING TOMATO
You’ll most likely use ketchup, but you can also use tomato paste.
THE SPICE COMBINATION
This can depend on your liking and taste and can include anything from onion powder to garlic powder to chili powder to allspice to cayenne pepper to mustard powder to liquid smoke to cumin to Worcestershire sauce and more. Start with a teaspoon of salt, and keep tasting as you experiment with your desired spices.
• 2 cups ketchup
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 5 tablespoons brown sugar
• 5 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon black pepper
• 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
• 1/2 tablespoon ground mustard
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring frequently, for 1 hour 15 minutes.
Recipe and information courtesy of Pat Neely and Gina Neely.
