May- Our Women’s Issue
The month of May is here! The weather is getting really enjoyable, the flowers are blooming and I’m hoping by the time you read this that those sinkholes on 80 and 287 are a distant memory (ha!). Regardless, one of the biggie holidays is right around the corner - Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day is the main reason our May issue is our Women’s issue. I am blessed to have several moms in my life: Jamesine Barone- I miss you mom! Janet Barone, my father’s wife who has become a true mom to me and my wife, whom I get to enjoy and marvel at how she goes about it with our kids.
Thank you to The Enchanted Petal in Clifton for the “mom” sign you see above (they can do them in pretty much any color…hint hint). Angela and Marcello there were kind enough to put a how-to together for us that we shared with you all in this issue so maybe you can make a forever lasting vase arrangement WITH mom this year.
Mother’s Day isn’t the only thing that hits in May though. Let’s not forget about Cinco de Mayo…we sure didn’t. In honor of that special 5th, we brought you in Guacamole in Wayne for a true Taste of Mexico. Anyone who has been there knows that Tamara and Jaime Morales serve EVERYTHING freshly made every day and I am not exaggerating when I say that I never liked a restaurant burrito before I started eating there and it is LITERALLY now my favorite Mexican dish in the world. We will make the rounds back to them to go deeper into the meals but because of how much they do for everyone around town, we made this article about the GuacMomma herself so check it out. They also gave us a special recipe for their Garlic Shrimp that we shared with you. You’re welcome!
We also traveled over to Woodland Park to introduce you to Aliana Parisi. This amazing young woman has been shaping bodies with her Corpo D’Oro Body Sculpting studio while she attends law school. Sweet, hardworking AND makes you thinner? Geez.
Last and certainly not least we sat down with Executive Director of the USOA Miss New Jersey Pageant, Dayaneiris Burton. This is a woman and organization whose sole purpose is to Empower Women, Inspire Others, and Uplift Everyone. They live up to the hype. That is why we are proud to be the Official Magazine of the USOA Miss New Jersey pageant!
Enjoy and Happy Mother’s Day!
May 2025
PUBLISHER
Phillip Barone | phillip.barone@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Don Seaman | don.seaman@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Officially Social | alison@officiallysocial.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Don Seaman, Jaime Morales, Angela Shehi, Phillip Barone
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
John Agnello, Angela Shehi, Alten Burg Studio, AV Photoshot Photography, Phillip Barone
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler
PHILLIP BARONE, PUBLISHER @WAYNELIFESTYLEMAG
inside the issue
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Wayne Lifestyle was invited to the new J. Alexander's restaurant in Clifton. 2: The VIP open house and sneak peek dinner had some beautifully plated meals 3: J. Alexander’s sure doesn't skimp on drinks either- their specials came with a chilled refill 4: Stephanie Shore for Ms. New Jersey? She’s got our vote! 5: Dayaneiris Burton hosted one of the USOA Miss New Jersey Pageants’ open casting events. 6: A behind-the-scenes look into one of the open casting events 7: You know Waffles & Dreams is great if your 16-year-old happily sits with you.
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WINNING LIFE'S PAGEANTS
The USOA Miss New Jersey Pageants Help Women Rise Beyond Their Dreams
ARTICLE BY DON SEAMAN & PHILLIP BARONE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AV PHOTOSHOT PHOTOGRAPHY AND ALTEN BURG STUDIO
Wayne Lifestyle is proud to have been named the Official Magazine of the United States of America’s Miss New Jersey Pageants.
Why wouldn’t we be? Afterall, they are an organization whose motto is to “Empower Women, Inspire Others, and Uplift Everyone”. Their motto is not just for branding purposes, it is the guiding principle of their entire organization. It’s meant to celebrate who women are as well as who they can be. It’s not simply about image; it’s about helping someone harness their inner beauty and then guiding them to find a position where they can radiantly shine that beauty out into the world.
The USOA Miss New Jersey Pageant is led by Executive Director Dayaneiris Burton. She oversees all 4 divisions of the state-wide pageant (Teen, Miss, Ms., and Mrs.) and it is under her guidance that each year’s participants work towards becoming a queen. The pageant itself will be held November 2, 2025 (with a cutoff date to apply being September 30th). The four crowned winning queens for 2025 then move on for the national title in Las Vegas in 2026.
“Every woman, at least once in their lives, should compete in a pageant,” asserts Dayaneiris.
It’s a quest to find their inner beauty, not just to simply win a crown. Each contestant who goes through the pageant process
has the opportunity to discover more about themselves, develop stronger, practical life skills, and to find their spark.
“Pride is developed through the process,” says Dayaneiris. “It’s about what you learn about yourself, developing clear goals, about understanding who you are. It helps to remove and get past insecurities. The process holds the greatest reward.”
Everyone has their own values and purpose in life, and this is a platform that gives you the opportunity to demonstrate that purpose on a bigger scale, giving you a bigger voice to speak up for what’s important to you. It allows you to showcase not only who you are, but to leverage that into what you can do.”
It’s that spirit of community and giving back to others that distinguishes the New Jersey pageant program under Dayaneiris’ dedicated care.
CONTINUED >
INSIDE.”
“THE BEAUTY THAT WOMEN TRULY OFFER TO THE WORLD IS WHO THEY ARE ON THE
“Each of us provides some sort of service for others in some way,” she says. “You embrace your platform because you’re doing it from your heart, something that you really care about, not from outside of your comfort zone.” These platforms can range from supporting veteran’s groups to breast cancer awareness or autism support. Each participant must look inside and find a cause close
to their heart. The NJ organization’s platform, as a whole, supports finding a cure for cystic fibrosis. Dayaneiris personally champions this cause as she lost her brother to it.
Dayaneiris leads so well because she’s been a part of it herself. She was crowned the winner of USOA Ms. New Jersey 2023. She knows firsthand what value the process can bring to a young woman’s life. She offers that experience freely to all who enter their program.
That includes the expected pageant details - how to walk, how to answer interview questions, and what to wear for competition- but she also gives them so much more.
She helps them prepare for life.
Dayaneiris’ unique guidance includes teaching them how to create their platform, which, as she states, is much like
a business plan. It’s part of the platform she’s created to help participants beyond the pageant. These are benefits that you won’t find in other pageant systems, but then again, she isn’t like other executive directors. She has been in business for over twenty years as a successful cosmetologist and owns a popular cosmetic brand, Daya Cosmetics (dayacosmetics.store).
What they get from the pageant isn’t simply a line item on their bio. It’s actionable, practical steps to advance themselves in the world.
Beauty with a LinkedIn twist, you might say.
Contestants regularly say that the interview is by far the hardest part of being in a pageant. It’s where they’re laid most bareopening themselves up as to who they are, what they believe, and how they can make a difference. It’s often where they feel the most nervous, the most judged.
And like it or not, throughout life we’re all judged. Women have to endure an even greater burden of that, even if it’s just unconscious. The program set up by Dayaneiris and the USOA Miss New Jersey Pageants help women who choose to be involved to overcome that anxiety that society silently places upon them.
The USOA Miss New Jersey Pageant undoubtedly celebrates beauty. But it’s well beyond outer beauty. The beauty that women truly offer to the world is who they are on the inside. All of the queens who go through the process can come out with a restored sense of pride in themselves, knowing that they can do anything they set their minds to.
The remarkable ladies of the USOA New Jersey Pageants are ready to take on the world.
For more information about how to participate in USOA New Jersey Pageants and to see how much positive impact Dayaneiris Burton can have on your life, go to usoamissnewjersey.com or to @USOAMISSNJ (Instagram) for all the details.
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ARTICLE BY DON SEAMAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN AGNELLO
HOW ONE WOMAN’S DUALING PASSIONS CAN CHANGE LIVES FOR THE BETTER
THE FUTURE, TRANSFORMED
“IT
It’s hard not to see a recurring theme of duality when you talk to Aliana Parisi. She’s driven, yet grounded. Idealistic, yet practical. She’s the owner of a successful body-sculpting studio, Corpo
“Body sculpting seemed to be a natural fit for me. Women are their own worst enemy, and I gravitated to it because I was insecure in my own body like we all are,” Aliana admits.
REALLY IS A GREAT FEELING HELPING PEOPLE SEE THEIR OWN BEAUTY.”
D'Oro Body Sculpting , yet she’s in law school to become an attorney.
Aliana is not your typical 25-year-old.
A career in law was always on the table for her, although she didn’t have a clear direction of where that would ultimately lead. She’d been a legal assistant at 17 and worked at that through her undergrad until she got her degree. But a lack of growth there told her that it was time to go back to school for her Master’s.
During grad school, she found a job body sculpting, which allowed her to set her own hours while pursuing her studies. After graduating, she went back to working at a law firm, as a legal assistant in elder care and family law to gain some practical workforce experience. But when she got accepted into law school, she left the law firm and went back into body sculpting.
And that is when things started crystallizing for her in interesting ways.
There’s where duality rises to the surface - insecurity, paired with the innate confidence you expect from an attorney. But we all tend to gaze into flawed mirrors, seeing only the imperfections that are unseen by others.
“It’s hard,” she says. “No one wants to admit that they’re insecure in their own body. Everyone goes through their own insecurities. So I’m here to help them through that. They’re all beautiful but they see only flaws. So they come in quietly, privately to help them get to where they want to be. There’s nothing like seeing a bride beaming with pride about how good they feel about themselves - it really is a great feeling helping people see their own beauty.”
Shifting into a legal career will transform more than just anxiety and insecurity in people’s bodies. Aliana will be able to manifest confidence in people’s lives.
“I just thought about why I’m looking to be an attorney - what field am I really trying to gear myself up for? I threw myself into family law but I never felt a connection there,” Aliana explains. “Family is everything to me, but I didn’t mesh with family law. I thought it might be elder care since I’d lived with my grandmother who had died young, but that wasn’t a fit either. It was like I was a puzzle piece trying to fit into the wrong puzzle. So I was continuing to try to figure out where I was headed in order to serve those who I connected with most.”
And that connection came back to her family experiences.
Her Italian heritage has helped to find her legal calling. She plans on specializing in immigration law, specifically in helping people of Italian descent to obtain their dual citizenship.
“I’m the product of immigrants. I went through the process of getting my dual citizenship in Italy. I have such respect for the culture and want to make sure that I can help people go about it the right way - and to lessen those insecurities as well, I suppose.”
By the time Aliana was born, her father was a naturalized citizen, so she was technically born to two American citizens. “There are curveballs all over immigration law, so knowing how to navigate the process is very important.
EVERYONE GOES THROUGH THEIR OWN INSECURITIES... I’M HERE TO HELP THEM THROUGH THAT.
Working to help others has always been a big part of who Aliana is. Teaching CCD at church, running food drives, whatever she’s been doing, the goal to help others has always been front and center for this remarkably responsible, hard-working young woman. Her passion to help others rises above all else. It’s a special sparkle about her that lets you know that she’s a woman of purpose, someone who yearns to help set dreams free. No matter if they’re internal struggles or international ones, she’s destined to change lives.
There’s no duality there.
In fact, that’s the single thing that encapsulates everything she brings to this world - transforming insecurity into beauty.
Aliana Parisi is the owner of Corpo D’Oro Body Sculpting in Woodland Park. For more information on her services like Laser Lipo, Skin Tightening, Muscle Stimulation, and Vacuum or Wood Therapy, go to corpo-doro.com or call 973-293-4110. And if you’re hoping to get your dual Italian citizenship, give it a little time and you’ll know just who to call to help you with that.
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CREATE A STUNNING VASE ARRANGEMENT WITH LONGLASTING ROSES
THE ENCHANTED PETAL STEP BY STEP GUIDE
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGELA SHEHI
Love handmade creations? The Enchanted Petal brings you a step-by-step guide to design a beautiful vase arrangement using our preserved roses that last over a year with no maintenance! Simply keep them in a dry place, away from direct sunlight, and enjoy their beauty.
JOIN OUR PHOTO CONTEST!
Visit our store to choose your favorite blooms and design a unique arrangement. Snap a picture and send it to (email) for a chance to be featured in Wayne Lifestyle Magazine!
1. Gather Your Materials
• Preserved Roses
• Wired Wooden Pick
• Floral Tape
• Scissors
2. PREP THE FLOWERS
Securely wrap the wire of the wooden pick around the rose stem for stability.
3. Wrap with Floral Tape
Cover the entire stem and wooden pick with floral tape to strengthen the structure and create a polished, natural look.
4. Prepare the Base
Use a poking tool to create evenly spaced holes in your base. We used foam covered with leatherette for a refined touch.
5. Arrange the Roses
Insert each prepared rose into the holes, ensuring even spacing for a balanced and elegant design, or get creative with a more free-flowing, asymmetrical arrangement for a unique look.
6. Gently Secure and Adjust Your Arrangement in the Vase
Place your arrangement into the vase. Use a soft, blunt object to gently press the base down.
Pro Tip: Add a ribbon at the bottom of the vase to easily lift the arrangement out when needed.
7. Admire Your Work!
You’ve just crafted a one-of-a-kind floral arrangement! Display it proudly and enjoy its beauty for over a year.
VISIT US & CREATE YOUR OWN!
Stop by our store to explore a variety of rose colors, sizes, and decorative elements like filler flowers, stems, and leaves.
Want us to bring your vision to life? Bring your vase, and we’ll turn your ideas into reality!
Pricing starts at $39.95 for a 6-Pack Rose Box (same color) and $35 Arranging Fee for Custom 3-Rose arrangements.
Find The Enchanted Petal at the lower level of Styertowne Shopping Center (1051 Bloomfield Ave, Clifton, NJ). Call 877-837-2100 for inquiries or more information.
Step 5
Step 6
Finished product
ARTICLE BY DON SEAMAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN AGNELLO
GUACAMOLE’S TAMARA MORALES TEACHES US HOW TO CELEBRATE MEXICO LIKE AN AMERICAN
It’s May, and in many minds that means it’s time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo by enjoying some of your favorite Mexican foods and to usher in sunnier days. This inspired us to visit with Tamara & Jaime Morales, owners of Guacamole - a Taste of Mexico right here in Wayne. Tamara filled us in on what the true meaning of Cinco de Mayo is, her pride in being American AND Mexican, and some of the things that tie the restaurant to the local community.
Let’s get this going by dispelling a common misconception about what Cinco de Mayo actually is all about. Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day. That actually is September 16th, and Tamara is front and center in celebrating that. (She’s in charge of the huge annual Statewide Mexican Parade that will be held in Passaic on September 21st this year.)
“Cinco de Mayo is actually an American celebration,” Tamara explains. “In Mexico, it’s really a local event that’s important in the Mexican state of Puebla. Back in 1862, Napoleon sent his army - the largest in the world at the time - to invade Mexico during the FrancoMexican War, likely as a prelude to make inroads to invade the United States. The locals in Puebla - mainly Mexican farmers and under supplied locals - fought back and forced his army out of the country.”
“It’s not a countrywide celebration there. It’s a state celebration. But in the United States, it’s become very popular. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate anything Mexican in the United States, because it creates nostalgia, respect, and recognition for what we know to be Mexico and pride in all things Mexican.”
“To prepare for this celebration, for about two weeks before we’ll be working night and day to get ready for how busy we’ll be. We’re normally closed on Sunday, but we’ll be there, getting prepared for the big day - and for the few days afterwards, for those who couldn’t celebrate on May 5th.”
CONTINUED >
Tamara & Jaime Morales welcome everyone in Wayne to come in and enjoy the best Mexican food of their life
Working special hours isn’t new to Tamara, her husband Jaime, and their son Andy at the family owned-and-run Guacamole. They also have early hours during most school days, thanks to the popularity of their restaurant with the local school kids. They have odd lunchtimes (some as early as 10AM), so they have specials ready for their lightning-quick lunch visits.
The kids in the community are special to the Morales family. They’ve seen kids grow up coming to their restaurant, who are now becoming parents with their own children. It’s that family-first vibe that means everything to Tamara and Jaime - you can see that depicted in the colorful decor of the restaurant, with family images and cultural history woven throughout. In here, their customers really become part of their extended family, some even gracing the menu.
“We support many things within the community, especially with the schools,” Tamara says. They’ve done so much that the Wayne Board of Education gave them a special award for what they’ve done for the students of Wayne.
Tamara’s working hard to make sure that her community pride, her heritage, and what it means for the extended legacy of the American Mexican community overall is supported. She prefers the term American Mexican. “I’m an American first. This is my country. I just happen to be Mexican,” she says.
It’s this pride in being American born, yet infused with the legacy of her Mexican heritage that defines who Tamara is. Proud to be an American, proud of her business, and devoted to her family history. It’s infused in everything at Guacamole.
In order to ensure the legacy and empower other American Mexicans in the business community, she’s a founding member of the new American Mexican Chamber of Commerce, which will represent American Mexican small businesses across the TriState area.
To top everything off, Guacamole is celebrating their 6th anniversary this year. So it’s a great time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, their anniversary, a business leader, and a proud American of Mexican descent - and heck, probably your teenager’s favorite restaurant - with an authentically Mexican tamale (get there early for that - they sell out every day quickly), tostada, or enchilada. It’s all locally sourced, using traditional recipes coming straight from Tamara’s family. This is real Mexican food. And it’s breathtaking.
Guacamole is doing really good things for the community. But honestly, they do even better things for your palate. This truly is a special place, owned by some truly special people.
Guacamole - A Taste of Mexico can be found in the Wedgewood Plaza shopping center at 1055 Hamburg Turnpike in Wayne. They're open every day except Sunday. Find them online at guacamolewayne.com .
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The Gulp of Mexico
Guacamole - A Taste of Mexico’s Garlic Shrimp
The food found at Guacamole - A Taste of Mexico comes straight from the long line of the Morales family's kitchens, going back generations. Here's a recipe for Garlic Shrimp that you can make yourself, which can give your family the tastes and aromas found in traditional Mexican homes, both here in the United States and in Mexico. Make yourself your own taste of Mexico!
Ingredients:
• 12 cloves garlic
• 1 pound large shrimp
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vinegar
Directions:
1. Finely mince 4 garlic cloves and place in a large bowl. Smash 4 cloves under the flat side of a knife and place in a large skillet. Thinly slice remaining four garlic cloves and set aside. 2. Add shrimp to the bowl with minced garlic. Add 3 tablespoons olive oil and 3/4 teaspoon salt.
3. Add shrimp to skillet with smashed garlic and add remaining olive oil. Set over medium-low to low heat and cook, stirring and tossing occasionally, until they are deep ruby red, garlic is pale golden brown, and oil is intensely aromatic, about 10 minutes. Oil should be gently bubbling the whole time. Season to taste with salt. Serve immediately. 4. Serve with Mexican yellow rice or salad.
ARTICLE BY JAIME MORALES | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN AGNELLO
