HEALTH + WELLNESS
A LOCAL LEADER IN WOMEN’S HEALTH & WELLNESS
FOOD + BEVERAGE
MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH
LIFE + CULTURE
WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS BRING INNOVATION TO OUR COMMUNITY
WOMEN HELPING WOMEN
Ladies
Issue
MAY 2023
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports children & families in Central Florida. Mondays | 3PM to 6PM Reading Buddy Volunteers Food for our Free After School Program Hygiene Donations Community Outreach Volunteers We need help with: JOIN US! (352)255-7350 FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.eightwaves.org Wednesdays | 2PM to 6PM Our eight initiatives: Reading Intervention, Mentorship, Single Moms Support, Hygiene Help, Birthday Parties, Community Outreach, Life Experiences, and Family Stability PROVIDING WAVES OF OPPORTUNITIES
Are you a woman seeking financial wisdom?
At the LifeWealth Group, we understand that women have unique perspectives and challenges when it comes to financial matters. We created a group specifically for women to help Educate, Empower, and Encourage them to make better financial decisions. The LifeWealth Women’s group meets on a quarterly basis to enjoy lunch and make connections with like-minded ladies while receiving and sharing wisdom. We would like to invite you to join us on our journey from Wonder to Wisdom!
270 W. Plant Street, Suite 240 Winter Garden, FL 34787 TheLifeWealthGroup.com Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment products and services made available through AE Wealth Management, LLC (AEWM), a Registered Investment Adviser. MAS and the LifeWealth Group are not affiliated companies. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Any references to protection benefits, safety, security, lifetime income, etc generally refer to fixed insurance products, never securities or investment products. Insurance and annuity product guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. 1736225 - 3/23 Women, Wisdom, & Wealth!
Call 407.299.4129 to schedule your complimentary consultation with one of our advisors or reserve your event seat.
And Wisdom
Phillips Performing Arts Center Gather for good food, great people, and superb entertainment - paired with financial wisdom.
18th 6:00 pm LifeWealth Women’s Event: The LifeWealth Group Office Women’s Health & Wealth Complimentary Lunch and Presentation
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May
June
EVENTS THAT EMPOWER
A Girl Made Me The Luckiest Man Alive!
Little did I know that 15 years ago, on May 24th of 2008, I would meet the person that was going to walk beside me for the rest of my life. I was a 15-year-old boy who knew nothing about life, not even what I wanted to study or where I wanted to go to college. All I truly knew was that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with the blonde girl I saw across the room that Saturday at 12:30 pm when the first session of my new etiquette class began. Several weeks later my dream came true when on June 11 of 2008 Luz accepted to be my girlfriend while sitting in her sister's living room speaking in a shy and low voice.
The day I told my dad I had a girlfriend, my father said I would have to figure out how I was going to pay for all my expenses with my new girlfriend, so he lent me the money to buy my first batch of brownies so I can sell them at school. Because of my father, I became an entrepreneur, and my wife was the motivation I needed to survive the emotional rollercoaster that you live in constantly while being a business owner. I sold brownies to pay for the bus passes, dinners, and gifts she deserved. The only other woman in my life, my mother, raised me to be the man my wife fell in love with in the first place.
Almost 15 years later, our relationship is stronger than ever. Year after year Luz proves to be a beam of light and a beacon of hope in my dark days and hardest hours. I can’t see a future without my lightning rod, my motivation, and my best friend beside me. Thanks to her I am the luckiest man alive with a beautiful hard-working wife, who made me a proud father of three beautiful boys: Valentin, Luciano, and Marcelo.
Thanks to YOU, the community of Winter Garden, Windermere, and Horizon West, we finally feel at home and our family is happier than ever! This month is dedicated to businesswomen, mothers, single mothers, grandmothers, girlfriends, wives, and all ladies because you play a very important role in the development of our community and the lives of the people that surround us.
NICO PARRA, PUBLISHER @WINTERGARDENCITYLIFESTYLE
May 2023
PUBLISHER
Nico Parra | nico.parra@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Mary Sloan Smart | marysloan.smart@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Devin Clifton | devin.clifton@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Luz Arboleda | luz.arboleda@citylifestyle.com
STAFF WRITER
Madison Lambert | GirlInTheGreenApron@gmail.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Westly
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Westly
Corporate Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer
ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson
WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell
AD DESIGNER Rachel Collins
LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray
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LIFESTYLE LETTER Proverbs 3:5-6 Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com/franchise Winter Garden City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Media Partners LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Winter Garden area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Media Partners’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Media Partners’ does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Winter Garden City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed. CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/WINTERGARDEN |
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One Stop. Many Options. Chris Ballard Certified Financial Planner & Fiduciary Chris@ballardfinancial.com Briana DeFano Financial Advisor Briana@ballardfinancial.com Financial Advisor Alexa@ballardfinancial.com BallardFinancial.com | 773 West Montrose St. Clermont, FL 34711 Nervous About Tax Changes? 352.404.9990 Run Towards the “Hidden” Tax Opportunities That Uncertainty Presents • Why you should run FAST toward the opportunities hiding inside tax uncertainty • How to tap into 5 specific savings strategies to steady the tax change “roller coaster” • Specific limited-time opportunities you should take advantage of NOW before they expire • Unconventional strategies wealthy Americans lock in BEFORE the end of every year CALL US TODAY 352-404-9990 (407) 717-7142 | ColorWorxPainting.com Winter Garden, FL 34787 5% OFF Any Project when you mention Winter Garden City Lifestyle Offer Valid thru February 28, 2023 EXTERIOR & INTERIOR PAINTING CABINET PAINTING & REFINISHING KITCHEN REMODEL / PRESSURE WASHING COMMERCIAL PAINTING Get Social with Us! BV @ColorWorxPainting 5 | CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/WINTERGARDEN MAY 2023
inside the issue The Ladies’ Issue MAY 2023 ON THE COVER DEPARTMENTS 4 Lifestyle Letter 8 Business Monthly 10 Local Experiences 12 Outdoor Adventure LIFE + CULTURE 14 Chef’s Selection FOOD + BEVERAGE 16 Healthy Lifestyle HEALTH + WELLNESS 18 Inspired By LIFE + CULTURE 24 Giving Back LOCAL SERVICES 26 Trend Setter EVENT PLANNING + SERVICES 34 How To LIFE + CULTURE 16 14 24 26 FEATURED 14 Mother’s Day Brunch Serve this, and secure your place as the favorite child! 16 Gaya Wellness Empowering Women to take Charge of Their Health 24 Women Helping Women Local Charity Organizations Made to Help Local Women 26 Rouge Beauty Lab The ultimate one-of-a-kind luxury beauty experience Photography: Dr. Shweta Patel Dr. Shweta Patel, Owner & Founder of GAYA Wellness 6
Discover new dining options now open at Hamlin Town Center | 14422 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden SCAN ME TO EXPLORE
business monthly
A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.
Memorial Day Community Ceremony
The community is invited to a Roll Call of Veterans, placement of wreaths, and patriotic songs to honor and remember our local veterans who gave their lives during times of war or while serving in the United States armed forces. Please come by to pay homage to those that made the ultimate sacrifice.
Event details:
Monday, May 29 8:15 am - 9:30 am Veterans Memorial Park, 420 S. Park Avenue
Healthy West Orange Wellness Park
The Healthy West Orange Wellness Park opened in February this year with the goal of being a wellness destination to walk, run, bike and train. The five-acre park includes a halfmile, 10-foot-wide multipurpose trail around both ponds and four shaded wellness stations, two of which have suspension-fitness equipment for strength training. There is a boardwalk, seating areas, exercise equipment, and fitness stations that have 10 pieces of equipment with 60 different strength and training exercises.
The Girl Scouts Women’s History and Cultural Center
The Girl Scouts of Citrus Council just opened the Women's History and Cultural Center on March 18th. This museum is singularly dedicated to celebrating the history and influence of women and girls in our rich Central Florida culture and our world. The museum is located on the second floor of Girl Scouts of Citrus Council: 341 North Mills Ave. Orlando, FL 32803 Please check out their website for more information: womenshistoryandculturalcenter.org Scan
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BUSINESS MONTHLY MAY 2023
Photography Healthy West Orange
Photography Girl Scouts of Citrus
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Call (407) 807-6312 or visit doodycalls.com/orlando MAKING THE WORLD A H A P P I E R AND HEALTHIER PLACE FOR PEO P L E A N D PETS! RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL
pet waste
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Service Quote Pet Waste Takeaway Deck and Yard Deodorizer
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Waste Station Installation and Maintenance 9 | CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/WINTERGARDEN MAY 2023
We specialize in clearing
and
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like: Free
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Servicing
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The best places and things to do in our area.
The girls and women in our life create bonds that help shape us into the people we become. So, make sure to spend quality time with the special women in your life. Grab your girls and plan a relaxing or upscale day, weekend, or GNO (Girl's Night Out) with any one of these local experiences fit for the ladies and mom! Follow us on Instagram and tag us so you can share your experience with us!
Our Picks for The Gal Pals
DOWNTOWN WG BOUTIQUE SPRING STROLL: Gather your girls for a special ladies night of SIPS, SNACKS, and SHOPPING in scenic downtown WG. - May 11th
ROUGE BEAUTY LAB: Book a private event with your best girlfriends and learn how to make your own custom makeup while sipping some bubbles!
1681 Amazing Way Ocoee, FL
MOTHER'S DAY YOGA IN MEAD GARDEN: Enjoy yoga with your mom in the beautiful Mead Botanical Garden! May 13 from 12-1pm Tickets: $16
1300 South Denning Drive Winter Park, FL
NEW YORK BEER PROJECT: Go for a night out with the girls and grab some craft cocktails at the one-of-a-kind New York Beer Project. 9230 Miley Drive Winter Garden, FL
PINSPIRATION SOUTH ORLANDO: Get crafty with friends and book the Splatter Room at Pinspiration. This will make for a night full of laughs! 14416 Shoreside Way, Suite 100, Winter Garden, FL
Scan for more photos and the full list.
MEET THIS MONTH’S CURATOR
Mary-Sloan Smart
Mary-Sloan was born in Vero Beach and raised right here in Winter Garden. She works in Advertising at Anson-Stoner and has been a writer and Editorial Coordinator with City Lifestyle since 2022. After graduating from Ole Miss in 2018, she moved all over from New York to Detroit to Chicago to Atlanta until she made her back home. Her adventurous spirit leads her to spend her days off at the beach or on the boat, shopping the local thrift stores, or exploring the great city of Orlando! However, most days consist of spending time with her husband Michael, listening to music, taking care of her plants, and playing card games with friends.
MAY 2023
New York Beer Project
LOCAL
EXPERIENCES
10
Enjoy a charming and cozy STAY-CATION here amidst the downtown restaurants, shops, cycling trail, Garden Theatre and much more! 407 654 6921 | www.HistoricEdgewater.com 99 W Plant ST. (DOWNTOWN) Winter Garden, FL 34787
Ambiance | Free Breakfast
West Orange
11 | CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/WINTERGARDEN MAY 2023
Historic
| Free Wifi Gel Top Bedding |
Trail | On-Site Dining
ROLLING INTO SUMMER
Hi there! It’s Westly with Healthy West Orange, back at it with more healthy tips, resources, and encouragement. The month of May can be a busy one. Celebrating graduations, kicking off summer break, and honoring all the awesome mother figures out there. But did you know that it’s also National Bike Month? Here in West Orange, there are a TON of places to bike and local resources to help you put the pedal to the metal.
Westly with Healthy West Orange
You know what they say, safety first! Before you hit the bike trail, grab your helmet, fill up those tires, and keep the chain lubricated. Unsure if your bike is safe to ride? Take it over to Winter Garden Wheel Works on Plant Street for a free bike safety check during the month of May! Don’t have a bike? No problem! You can rent them by the hour at the West Orange Trail Winter Garden Station.
Now that we’ve got safety taken care of, let’s rock and roll! There are so many places to ride in our community, let’s talk about a few of my favorites. Of course, there’s the West Orange Trail; 22 miles of paved trail from the Orange/Lake County line all the way to Apopka. With many parts of the trail being shaded, it’s a great place to stay cool in the Florida heat! If you’re looking for a wilderness bike adventure, you’ve got to check out the Lake Apopka Loop Trail. With a 34-mile round
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE | LIFE + CULTURE
“With many parts of the trail being shaded, it’s a great place to stay cool in the Florida heat! If you’re looking for a wilderness bike adventure, you’ve got to check out the Lake Apopka Loop Trail.”
ARTICLE BY WESTLY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY WESTLY AND HEALTHY WEST ORANGE 12
trip along the north shore of Lake Apopka, you’ll spot birds, gators, and beautiful views. I also love biking in the villages of Horizon West! It’s so easy to ride to school, work, and the grocery store. You’ll save on fuel money AND get your workout in at the same time!
Looking for an encouraging group to ride with? The West Orange Sole-Mates is a local walking, running, and biking group who meet right here in Winter Garden! They welcome folks of all levels to get active together each day. Check out their Facebook and Instagram to get involved! Women of Westside is another awesome biking group, that gets together for cycling all over the Orlando area. May is also Women’s Health Month, and ladies - what better way to prioritize your health than working out with strong women? Don’t forget that our Healthy West Orange 5K events every January and September can be completed by biking 3.1 miles!
I can just picture it now: my stick figure self, rolling along on my bike, with the wind blowing through my nonexistent hair! Head to HealthyWestOrange.org for more bike tips, places to ride, and health and wellness resources available all year round. We’re here to cheer you on in your healthy journey!
See ya around!
- Westly
13 | CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/WINTERGARDEN MAY 2023
Mother’s Day Brunch
SERVE THIS, AND SECURE YOUR PLACE AS THE FAVORITE CHILD!
If your mom is anything like mine, she is notoriously hard to shop for. Flowers? “Oh hon, don’t waste your money.” Clothes? “Oh, you don’t know my size.” Candles? “I only like certain scents.” But the one thing that no mom can turn down is a delicious brunch made by her loving child. It’s the perfect display of thoughtfulness, effort, gratitude, and quality time. Plus, she doesn’t have to shlep herself down to the mall the next day to exchange some other gift you would have gotten her.
Custard dipped, panko-crusted, orange butter slathered French Toast. Need I say more? This sweet, savory, citrus combination pairs perfectly with mimosas, thick cut bacon, and the company of your momma. Plus, it’s so easy to pull off.
Panko Crusted Croissant French Toast with Orange Butter
ingredients:
• mini croissants
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1-2 cups plain panko breadcrumbs
• frying oil (avocado or peanut are my favorite)
• 1 stick salted butter, softened
• 3-4 tbs orange marmalade
• pure maple syrup
CHEF’S SELECTION |
+
FOOD
BEVERAGE
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY
BY MADISON LAMBERT
14
Chef Madison Lambert: For more recipes like this, visit @girlinthegreenapron_ on Instagram, or girlinthegreenapron.com
method:
1. Combine softened butter and orange marmalade with a hand mixer or in the food processor. Place in a ramekin and set aside.
2. Using a serrated knife, split your croissants in half, not cutting all the way through, and open lying flat.
3. To make the custard, combine whole milk, heavy cream, cinnamon, vanilla, and eggs. Whisk together.
4. In a separate bowl, pour out your plain panko breadcrumbs.
5. First, dip your croissant into the custard, soaking on both sides, for a total of 5 seconds, to avoid sogginess.
6. Then, transfer the dipped croissant to the panko and press the breadcrumbs into the croissant on both sides, ensuring it’s liberally coated.
7. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat, with your desired neutral oil. You only need about a centimeter of oil in the pan, just enough to generously coat the surface.
8. Shallow fry your coated croissants on both sides until golden brown and crispy. Let drain on a paper towel lined plate.
9. Once all the croissants are fried, place immediately on a serving tray, top with dollops of orange butter, lather with warm maple syrup, and prepare for the perfect bite!
15 | CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/WINTERGARDEN MAY 2023
Panko French Toast
Gaya Wellness
EMPOWERING WOMEN TO TAKE CHARGE OF THEIR HEALTH
ARTICLE BY DEVIN CLIFTON PHOTOGRAPHY BY GAYA WELLNESS
Women's healthcare is quickly evolving. While the COVID-19 pandemic caused much destruction, it also created change for the better. Gaya Wellness was born during the pandemic to change women's healthcare forever. Since its launch in June of 2022, Gaya Wellness has seen over 500 patients and counting.
Dr. Shweta Patel was unsettled by the profound lack of access to women’s healthcare and knew she needed to do something about it.
Dr. Patel built one of the nation's first entirely virtual women’s health and wellness practices, Gaya Wellness. There are many reasons women cannot prioritize their healthcare, from work to family to being underinsured. Gaya Wellness brings affordable healthcare directly to women. Imagine waiting in the school car pickup line, and instead of playing Candy Crush or swiping through endless reels, you can have a virtual consultation directly with your physician. That is what Gaya Wellness provides for patients.
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE | HEALTH + WELLNESS
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Over 46% of uninsured nonelderly women report not seeing a physician regularly. These shocking stats mean many women do not get critical preventative care to prevent severe illness. Because Gaya Wellness is fee-based and priced comparable to a standard co-pay, all women can afford to receive much-needed healthcare. Instead of paying a monthly healthcare plan, women can pay the low-cost fee on an as-needed basis.
Gaya Wellness is a comprehensive, 100% virtual women's health practice. Dr. Patel works with patients on comprehensive health beyond the gynecology we are all used to today. If you are a patient at Gaya Wellness, you will get one-on-one care for hormone balance, weight management, mental health (anxiety, depression, brain fog, etc.), improve your sex life, and much more. Gaya Wellness focuses on preventative health and providing medical care to women before they even know they need it.
You may be asking, "What if I need an in-person exam?" Great question! Gaya Wellness has personally vetted local partner physicians that meet their outstandingly high standards. Dr. Patel will work with the partnering physician to create a personalized treatment plan that works for the patient—no more cookie-cutter healthcare. Patients receive concierge service without the concierge price tag.
Dr. Patel is not shy to talk about sexual health, menopause, mental health, or other topics that someone might not feel comfortable talking about. She will instantly make you feel comfortable to open up about any issues you may have so she can provide the best effective treatment. Dr. Patel only has your health and happiness in mind. She will never judge you or make you feel embarrassed about yourself in any way. Gaya Wellness is about empowering women to take charge of their health and feel the best they can.
Dr. Shweta Patel was unsettled by the profound lack of access to women’s healthcare and knew she needed to do something about it.
17 | CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/WINTERGARDEN MAY 2023
Dr. Shweta Patel
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY
BY DEVIN CLIFTON
The History of Mother’s Day
Sleeping in, breakfast in bed with a single carnation on the tray to give it a luxurious feel; all of us mothers know what day I am talking about. It is arguably the best day of the year for us moms –Mother's Day. It is the day we don't have to lift a finger, wash a dish, or prepare a meal (but we end up doing it anyway). Mother's Day is celebrated all around the globe, but have you ever wondered how it started?
The mere acknowledgment and appreciation of mothers began in 1858 when Anna Jarvis, also known as Mother Jarvis, organized “Women's Work Days.” Anna Jarvis was a young homemaker in Appalachia who advocated for improving sanitation and preventing women's deaths from working in polluted waters and seepage containing disease-bearing insects. Anna taught Sunday school at the Andrews Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia. While conducting a Sunday school lesson, Anna Jarvis stated, “I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will celebrate and commemorate Mother's Day. There are many days for men and none for mothers.”
CONTINUED >
INSPIRED BY | LIFE + CULTURE
“I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will celebrate and commemorate Mother’s Day. There are many days for men and none for mothers.” - Anna Jarvis
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19 | CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/WINTERGARDEN MAY 2023
“But let’s be honest, even on our day off, we still end up cleaning a mess or two. And if you are far from your mother, remember that even a phone call will make her day.”
INSPIRED BY | LIFE + CULTURE
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Anna Jarvis
Those words strongly affected Anna Jarvis’ daughter, also named Anna, who was one of her students that historic Sunday. After Anna Jarvis senior passed away, Anna Jarvis junior started a strong campaign to honor her mother by making Mother's Day an official holiday. Anna junior started a letter-writing campaign to men of prominence, such as President William Taft and former President Theodore Roosevelt Because Anna now lived in Philadelphia and worked at Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Company, she gained considerable help from Philadelphia merchant John Wannamaker.
On May 10th, 1908, three years after Anna Jarvis senior's death, Andrews Methodist Church held a Mother's Day service to commemorate her honor. Here you can find the International Mother's Day Shrine marking the first official observance of Mother's Day. On the same day, the Wannamaker Auditorium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, also held a Mother’s Day commemorative service. Although the auditorium could only seat five thousand, more than fifteen thousand people showed up to celebrate.
The tradition of celebrating Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May spread quickly through the US all the way to Hawaii. It started its spread internationally to Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Canada. In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson signed the congressional resolution to name Mother’s Day as a holiday officially.
Today we celebrate Mother's Day with a day of pampering and homemade artwork. We show our mothers how important they are to us by giving them a break from their daily workload, whether they are homemakers or working moms. But let's be honest, even on our day off, we still end up cleaning a mess or two. And if you are far from your mother, remember that even a phone call will make her day.
21 | CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/WINTERGARDEN MAY 2023
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Women Helping Women
LOCAL CHARITY ORGANIZATIONS
MADE TO HELP LOCAL WOMEN
ARTICLE BY MARY-SLOAN SMART | PHOTOGRAPHY
BY CENTRAL FLORIDA DIAPER BANK, ONE HEART FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN, AND DRESS FOR SUCCESS
GREATER
ORLANDO
Our community is made up of 22,558 women according to Point2Homes. That is over 51% of our Winter Garden population. Many women and children are in need of a helping hand. Whether that’s help putting food on the table, needing supplies for their kids, or help finding a career, there are numerous ways that we as a community can help. These three women-owned and founded charity organizations have been making a difference for the women and children of this community for over 20 years.
CENTRAL FLORIDA DIAPER BANK
CENTRALFLORIDADIAPERBANK.ORG
Central Florida Diaper Bank is a local charity organization founded by Sharon Lyles whose mission statement “is to advocate and encourage healthy growth, nutrition, and development for children from newborn to age three.” Their goal is to help women and children who are at risk by identifying their needs and providing the appropriate resources. They accept donations of money, diapers, clothes, food, women’s sanitary products, and all basic essentials for women and children.
GIVING
LOCAL
BACK |
SERVICES
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Central Florida Diaper Bank
ONE HEART FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN
ONEHEARTORLANDO.ORG/OUR-VISION
One Heart for Women and Children is a local Orlando charity organization founded by Stephanie Bowman that focuses on helping individuals who are homeless by helping them meet their most essential needs. They help by providing access to food, clothing, school supplies, personal hygiene items, household items, as well as offering a full spectrum of educational and preventative services, focusing on topics like: life skills, parenting, drug and alcohol abuse prevention.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS GREATER ORLANDO
GREATERORLANDO.DRESSFORSUCCESS.ORG/ABOUT-US
Dress for Success is a local charity organization that aims to “empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.” They help women who live in poverty by providing the proper work attire, and through educational, career and networking events. Every woman deserves to realize her full potential and achieve financial independence.
One Heart for Women and Children
25 | CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/WINTERGARDEN MAY 2023
Dress For Success
ROUGE BEAUTY LAB
ARTICLE BY MARY-SLOAN SMART
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TINA SARGEANT PHOTO
The Ultimate One-of-a-Kind
Luxury Beauty Experience
Niki Shah is changing the way we think of makeup. No matter your skin color or texture, every woman has had an issue finding the perfect shade of foundation, concealer, or lipstick. That is why Shah created Rouge Beauty Lab. “I wanted women with all skin tones and all financial backgrounds to have access to makeup that is perfectly formulated for them,” Shah stated.
TREND SETTER | EVENT PLANNING + SERVICES
Niki Shah
26
Rouge Beauty Lab
Although she has a degree in finance and accounting, she has always had a passion for fashion and makeup. Being Indian, and working with many Indian women on their makeup, she found there wasn’t the perfect makeup out there for many women.
“Finding the right foundation for the Indian skin tone is one of the hardest things to do because brown skin has many different
undertones of yellow or orange.” After trying to find custom makeup at places like Macy’s, she realized the experience wasn’t unique or custom to her since the woman behind the counter was the one making it. That is when she started researching how to make her own. It started with foundation, then concealers, then she moved into lipsticks and gloss. With a background in project
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management, event planning, and beauty, she decided to take the leap and open Rouge. They did a soft open in November 2022 and are now fully open accepting appointments for everyone.
Rouge Beauty Lab is the ultimate one-of-a-kind luxury beauty experience every woman should enjoy. The interior is the epitome of being “Instagram-worthy”. From the beautiful chandeliers to the multiple plush chairs, the swinging day bed, and the perfect rouge pink accents that scatter the room, the salon is elegant, cozy, sexy, and trendy all at once. Just because it’s a luxury experience doesn’t mean it’s expensive. “I wanted people to come in and have the luxury experience with champagne and mimosas and leave with goodie bags without it costing a fortune,” Shah said.
An experience at Rouge is not just about aesthetics. Any experience starts with access to a full mimosa and sangria bar and of course snacks like cheese boards and desserts. Even the drinks and snacks are customizable to the guests, whether you have a food allergy or have a special occasion. There are four experiences to choose from, build your own lipstick or lip gloss, and build your own foundation or concealer. All their products are vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free, paraben-free, and talc-free. “Our cosmetics are made with skincare actives and clean ingredients. Giving you luxury formulas, and beautiful pigments that flatter a multitude of skin tones.” Shah stated.
The custom blend lipstick experience is so much fun! Whether you are in a small or large group, this experience is fun for everyone. The custom foundation experience is a little different. “We want to spend more one-on-one time with each individual so we can really understand their skin’s needs and what they are looking for.” Since the Foundation experience is so personalized, it isn’t best for large groups. This is a completely interactive experience from learning how the formula is made, then physically creating the blend yourself, to then trying on your custom makeup. “This is really a student-teacher relationship. We start with science, then math, then we enter the playground.” Shah said. “You have to understand the exact measurements in order to get the right formulation you are looking for.”
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Custom Lipstick Blend
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“Our cosmetics are made with skincare actives and clean ingredients. Giving you luxury formulas, and beautiful pigments that flatter a multitude of skin tones.”
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The formulations go into every detail on whether you want a matte, cream, or butter, SPF, or anti-aging. There are also enhancements you can add to your lipsticks and gloss like lip plumper, a taste, or a scent. There really is no limit on how customized you can have your makeup at Rouge. Once you have your unique formula, they will keep your card filed and you can call to have them make you a new batch every time you run out. Then, you can pick it up or have them ship it directly to you! Unlike large beauty stores, your custom makeup will still be cheaper than many name brands out there. Keep in mind, these are people rebuilding unique formulas by hand, so it may not always come out to the exact same shade every time. “This is like painting a painting. Even if we have the exact same materials, the paint strokes could be slightly different.” It's very important you write every step on your card so they can be as exact as possible when recreating your custom blends.
However, these are going to be such minor differences, you would almost never be able to tell, and it’s worth it to have 100% clean and custom makeup available to you whenever you want.
Niki Shah is an inspiration to all women. Not only is changing the way think of makeup, but she is changing the access we have to real affordable, clean, and custom products. Shah is also an incredibly inspiring woman entrepreneur who is building a brand new business concept right here in Winter Garden. “Don’t be afraid of taking chances. You will have a lot of people in your life who tell you not to do something or take the risk. But, if you truly believe in what you want to do and have the vision for it, then go for it. It’s one life, so take the chance.” Shah stated. There is truly no other brand or business that exists like this. It's glamorous, it’s luxurious, and it’s an experience available to everyone.
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Memorable ways to celebrate the mother figure in your life
Make an Impact for Mom
The moms and the mother figures in our lives mean everything to us. They deserve the best every day, of course. But at least one day out of the year, we get to shower them with the same love and thoughtfulness they give to us so selflessly.
This year, we hope you’ll consider some memorable ways to make lasting memories with the mom or mother figure in your life. If you haven’t already planned something special, take a look at our list of ideas and circle your favorites. If you have kids, let them join in the fun too!
Whether you decide to spend a day at home or enjoy a day on the town, these innovative celebration ideas will include fun for the whole family and make Mom feel loved. Whatever activity or surprise you land on to show your mom, wife, sister or maternal figure your appreciation for all they do, the most important thing is that you all get to spend some quality time together.
Invite Her To High Tea
Whether you make the brews and treats yourself or head out to an official tea house, Mom will love sipping her beverage out of fancy china and snacking on tea sandwiches.
Pick Your Own Fruit
This activity is especially fun if you have a lot of kids who want to get in on the action. Then, when you all get home, you can whip up a treat for Mom with your selections. (Maybe give her a strawberry in a Champagne glass while she waits.)
Book Her a Weekend Away
There’s no day like Mother’s Day to be impulsive! Book a weekend trip for the two of you at a cute B&B in a city Mom has always wanted to visit.
Complete a Jigsaw Puzzle
Find a puzzle with an image you know your mom will love (or make a custom one using a photo of the two of you) and put it together over wine and snacks. You’ll be amazed at how much chatting you can get done while puzzling.
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Take a Flower Arranging Class
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Mother’s Day arrives just as spring is in full bloom. Take advantage of the season by going to a flower arranging class with mom.
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