Today's Charlotte Woman

Page 1

FEBRUARY 2015

VOL 18 | NO 10 | COMPLIMENTARY

Blessings Counted Caroline Simas Spreads Cheer With Faith-Based Art

Hot For Hues One Local Doctor Drenches Her Home In Color

In Search Of Sexy Woo Your ManWith Lovely Lingerie

Heartfelt I Do! Your Blueprint To The Perfect Wedding


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Sandra Hatfield Cosmetic Nurse Specialist

mild and went away on their own, while others were more serious, required treatment and lasted 7–10 days. Other side effects may include small lumps under the skin that are sometimes noticeable when pressing on the treated area. Larger lumps, some that appeared months or more than a year after treatment, with or without swelling or skin discoloration, have also been reported. Some of these lumps were serious and required additional treatment, or even surgery.

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Inside This Issue

10 42 8

28

Editor’s Letter Be Your Best Valentine

10 Girl Power Eat, Shop, Drink & Be Powerful

16 Queen’s List

50

Goings On Around Town

18 Counting Her Blessings Caroline Simas Spreads Cheer Through Faith-Based Art

22 Matters Of The Heart Johanne Hawk Raises Awareness Of Congenital Heart Defects

28 Special Wedding Section Your Blueprint To The Perfect Day

42 Style Woo Your Valentine With Lovely Lingerie

46 Modern Love Charlotteans Remember Romance

50 Dwellings A Local Doctor Drenches Her Home In Color

58 I Really Think www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015 6

For The Love Of Dogs

OnTheCover I do, beautifully! Photo by Old South Studios.



From The Editor » By Karsen Price

Volume 18, Number 10 February 2015

PHOTO BY MICHAEL C. HERNANDEZ

Karsen Price Editor Editor@todayscharlottewomanmag.com

Be Your Best Valentine

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015 8

have to admit, the following item was on my to-do list this month: “Write a stupid love-based editor’s letter.” Cross my nontraditional heart. OK. So maybe I’m not the best person to write about “the icky love stuff,” as Julia Roberts’ character described it in the movie My Best Friend’s Wedding. I was never one of those girls who dreamed about her wedding day. I dreamed about being a professional softball player. (Yes, I was a bit different from day one.) When it was my time to get married, I announced loudly to anyone who would listen that all I cared about was the cake and the dress. I have been separated for years, and so, waxing eloquent about my wedding day is not exactly appropriate. (I have to say my cake and dress were absolutely perfect.) Regardless, TCW’s wedding issues are always my favorite. The world may be chaotic and life might be tough, but looking at gorgeous brides in dresses so pretty they make your teeth hurt is fun, any time of year. There’s just something light-hearted and hopeful about a gorgeous satin princess dress on a radiant bride — as long as that woman isn’t me. When it comes to Valentine’s Day, I am perhaps even more no-nonsense. I don’t dream of jewelry. I dream of chocolate. And I’ve been known to buy my own box of candy. There’s no shame in this act, or sadness either … in fact, I think it’s a point of pride. Why wait for someone else to do what you can do

better? I can pick out my favorite box, the perfect size, and the best brand. I think women everywhere should follow my lead. This way, you get exactly the box of chocolates/bouquet of flowers/ginormous diamond ring of your dreams. Be your own best Valentine! (Note to men reading this letter: I think I’m the exception, not the rule. Do not take my advice to heart, unless you plan to spend the rest of the year alone.) I might be a bit different when it comes to buying my own chocolate, but I’m not the only woman to have strong opinions about her Valentine’s Day candy. For this issue, I reached out to readers and Facebook fans, asking which piece of chocolate is the worst in a box of candy. I received an amazing response from women and men that was passionate and polarized. (Turn to page 14 for results.) I nearly had to break up a few virtual fights. All jokes aside, this Valentine’s Day, make a point to do something nice for yourself. Buy your own chocolate, and throw all the coconuts out the window! Pick up a bouquet of flowers, just for you. Buy some lingerie, even if you only wear it once a year. If you attend a wedding, grab the biggest slab of cake you can lay your hands on! It might be the month of the icky-love stuff, but that includes the most important love of all — love of self. And chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate.

Sharon Simpson Publisher sharon@todayscharlottewomanmag.com

Trisha Robinson Sales Executive Trisha@todayscharlottewomanmag.com

Beth Packard Sales Executive Beth@todayscharlottewomanmag.com

Taylor Buckley Sales Executive Taylor@todayscharlottewomanmag.com

Kerrie Boys Creative Director kerriboys@gmail.com

Social Media Director Michele Chastain mac21268@yahoo.com Style Editor Stacee Michelle • stacee.michelle@mail.com Contributing Writers Dana Durham Jackie Fogartie Melinda Johnston Lauren Levine Pat MacEnulty Lori K. Tate Contributing Photographers Ken Noblezada Glenn Roberson Old South Studios www.todayscharlottewomanmag.com www.facebook.com/TodaysCharlotteWoman Mission statement:Today’s Charlotte Woman celebrates the lives, loves and endeavors of the women of Charlotte. Our mission is to inspire and motivate our community through well-written editorial content, artful photography and elegant design. The magazine will enlighten, engage and entertain its readers, ever seeking to spotlight the unbreakable strength that is the heart of Today’s Charlotte woman. P.O. Box 1676 • Cornelius, NC 28031 704.677.9159 Today’s Charlotte Woman is published by Venture Magazines LLC, and is distributed on a complimentary basis throughout the greater Charlotte area. Subscription rate is $20 per year for 12 issues. Copyright© 2015 Venture Magazines LLC All rights reserved. Copying or reproduction, in part or in whole, is strictly prohibited. Today’s Charlotte Woman and Venture Magazines LLC, do not necessarily endorse the views and perceptions of contributors or advertisers.



Eat, Shop, Drink & Be Powerful

DEBORAH TRIPLETT

Girl Power » In The Moment » By Karsen Price » Photos Courtesy Of The Arts & Science Council www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015 10

GirlPower

Transforming Billboards Into Artwork

A Pop Of

Art

he next time you are driving around town, take a second to glance up at the billboards on the road near you. You just might see some art! ArtPop 2015 is an initiative between the Arts & Science Council and Wendy Hickey, of Adams Outdoor Advertising. Through the partnership, selected artists’ original work is featured larger than life on billboards around the Queen City. The collaboration, which was Hickey’s idea, has resulted in a unique tie-in between art and advertising, and serves to remind Charlotteans to get in touch with their inner artist. Katherine Mooring, ASC senior vice president of programs and services, says the partnership is the stuff of dreams. “Ultimately, it’s an exposure opportunity for local artists in the community to showcase their work on a scale that they might never experience otherwise,” Mooring says. “From an ASC perspective, it’s a really fantastic partnership with a local business where both


sides are bringing their expertise and resources to the table to create a win-win for everyone.” A jury composed of local arts and design experts selected the top artist submissions, with artists ranked among the top 15 automatically receiving invitations to participate. In November 2014, a public vote was held on CharlotteCultureGuide.com to determine the last five participants, with 6,700

involvement in the program, and the emotions it brings out in them to see their work going up in that scale,” she says. “There’s something cool about that, and knowing we had a part in making that happen.” Mooring adds, “I think it provides an unexpected spark as you’re driving around or living in this community.”

DENISE TORRANCE

votes cast. Adams Outdoor Advertising provides the billboard space, and ASC covers the cost of reproducing artists’ images on vinyl to fit the billboards, which went up in early January and will be displayed throughout the year. Mooring says she has enjoyed being part of the initiative. “It’s exciting to see the artists so excited about their

ToLearnMore

SY ARDEN

For information, including a list of 2015 ArtPop artists, visit Artsandscience.org/programs-aservices/art-pop.

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Girl Power » Shop Talk » By Lori K. Tate » Photo By Poprock Photography

A Walk On The Vegan Side ulia Simon likes to show how much she cares about people by feeding them. For the 34year-old Charlotte resident, cooking has always been a way to be affectionate to people in her life. These days, she’s showing affection to more than just her friends and family. Simon is the founder, executive chef and general manager of Nourish, a locally sourced, organic, veganprepared healthy food delivery service based in the Queen City. Nourish prides itself in offering the healthiest food possible in the healthiest way possible.

Cooking A Career

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015 12

Simon was eating clean long before it became the “it” thing to do. She became a vegetarian at age 13 out of a desire to tread lightly on the planet, hoping to be gentle with the earth and its inhabitants. “That’s what really spoke to me when I was younger. I started out down the ethical path, and the health stuff kind of found me,” she says. Just over three years ago, Simon bumped her healthy eating lifestyle up a notch by becoming vegan. Eradicating dairy from her diet has given Simon more energy and mental clarity after eating, and she is excited to introduce this way of eating to others who may not have access to it otherwise. A native of Florida, Simon left for New York City at 17 to study art at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. While there, her

culinary skills blossomed. “When I was in school, I had no money at all. Paint was very expensive, so I started cooking a lot. There was so much delicious ethnic food in New York City that no matter what was in a dish, you would get an education in food,” she recalls. “I had access to world-class ingredients in beautiful stores, and I ended up gravitating toward friends that liked to cook.” Eventually, she started catering friends’ parties. In 2009, she and her now-husband, Erik Berns, moved to Charlotte with the goal of starting a business. Simon immediately began working as a personal chef, focusing on vegetarian and vegan-friendly meals, and she soon found her niche. Vegans, healthy eaters, allergy sufferers and more searched her out, because this kind of food wasn’t easily accessible. Simon realized she needed to find a way to get her food to more people. A few years later, she met Laura Neff — a fellow healthy eater with a corporate background and a passion for organic gardening. “Laura had an idea for the delivery of the food, and I had a lot of ideas about what kind of food we would make,” Simon explains. Together, they launched Nourish, and by September 2012, they opened a brick-and-mortar facility at the intersection of Monroe and Sardis Roads. Nourish shares the 2,400square-foot commercial kitchen called the Garden of Vegan with Viva Raw. The business model is simple. Customers visit Nourish’s website on Sunday and order the food they want.

Julia Simon Leads The Way With Nourish The menu generally stays open through Thursday, although it sometimes sells out early. A Nourish employee delivers the food to the client’s doorstep by Monday or Tuesday of the next week. Tried and true dishes stay in heavy rotation, but for the most part the menu changes weekly. Favorites include butternut squash mac and “cheeze,” tuno salad and a “tortilla” pie with ranchero sauce. Other popular items include nacho “cheeze” roasted veggies and curtido. There is a $50 minimum for all orders, and the packaging is all biodegradable or recyclable. Simon says Nourish, which employs around 20 people, has 30 to 40 “power users” that order most of the year. Neff is no longer involved with the day-to-day operations; Simon and her husband, a 6-foot-5-inch vegan, run the operation now. This past December, Nourish began shipping weekly meal boxes across North Carolina. “Ever since we started, people would just email us out of the blue and say, ‘Oh, I wish you were here,’ ” she says. “We did a bunch of test shipping to see if it was possible to get our beautiful, fresh food to somebody intact and edible.” The food is shipped fresh and in cold packs via FedEx overnight, and so far, so good. Simon eventually plans to ship food across the Southeast. “We’re changing people’s lives by bringing them a lighter and healthier way of eating,” says Simon.

ToLearnMore Visit Nourishcharlotte.com.


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Girl Power » Readers Respond

Candy

Confessions 60%

Charlotte Speaks Up

alentine’s Day is synonymous with those heart-shaped boxes of chocolates that most people love. But when it comes to the candy itself, Charlotte residents were quite emphatic about which piece of chocolate is the worst! Hands down, orange cream is Charlotte’s most hated Valentine’s Day chocolate. Here’s the official percentage, from Facebook and email tallies:

say orange cream is the worst candy in the box

23%

Kathy Rowan voted orange creams the worst. “Those are the ones that still remain in the box, but with dents in them because people have poked into them, hoping to find caramel. They are left there because they are so disgusting. Cherry is a close second.” Harriette Baker agrees. “Orange cream and any other piece that ‘sinks in’ when you poke it with your finger.” Dress for Success’ Kerry O’Connor also dislikes the orange creams. “If it’s in the box, I hope it’s the first piece I get, so I can get it over with. When you get down to the last couple of pieces, it’s a big disappointment if one of them is the orange cream.”

hate coconut most

17%

Susan Coskrey Yates says, “Orange cream is disgusting. I think they put it in there as a bad joke.”

despise the chocolatecovered cherry

Party

Punch

Earl’s Demise www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015 14

What you said …

25 ounces Cherry Bomb Whiskey (one 750 milliliter bottle) 12.5 ounces Burnside Bourbon 75 ounces Smith Teamaker Earl Grey Tea (chilled) 25 ounces orange juice 25 ounces simple syrup 12.5 ounces sweet vermouth 5 tablespoons Peychaud’s Bitters Mix all ingredients in a large punch bowl, add ice or an ice ring, and serve in small punch glasses. Serves 10 to 12 people. Source: Portland-based Eastside Distilling, at EastsideDistilling.com.

Leanne Sanders Strauss loves the coconut. “Chocolate-covered cherries are, at best, just OK. But the orange cream will cause projectile vomiting at the first taste of it!” Joanne Spataro voted for the chocolatecovered cherry as the worst. “It is often slapped together in an assortment box,” she says. “If you like cherry cordials, you buy a box of just them and they are done well because it’s the specialty of the company. Even if you don’t like them, you can respect them when they are good quality.” Kathy McDonald Deiulio voted against the chocolate-covered cherry. “I do not like the burst of liquid when I bite into my chocolate. And I am the one who goes searching for the coconut ones! Yum!” Deborah Price voted against coconut. “Ruins a good piece of chocolate!” Former TCW art director Anita O’Hara disagrees that any chocolate is bad. “It’s impossible to have a ‘worst’ piece of chocolate!” she says. “I’m scoffing the lot.” Sharon Jackson agrees. “I can only tell you the order of which I would eat these pieces: chocolate-covered cherry (two beautiful flavors that go well together), then the orange cream (a la push-up pop!) and then the coconut, upon which I would have to go floss to get the fibers out of my teeth!”


City Gals Tell Us Your Best Road Trip n March,TCW is taking a look at Women in the City. We know that, as much as you adore home, women love nothing better than a good road trip. What’s the one city you love to visit most in the world? Visit us on Facebook, or email Editor@todayscharlottewomanmag.com.

The Winner Is ... Charlotte BusinessWoman Of The Year

WantToGo? Last year’s honoree, Duke Energy’s Lynn Good, will present the Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year award to Susan DeVore at a luncheon at Queens University on March 9. To register, visit Queens.edu/bwoy. [TCW]

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ueens University of Charlotte has named Susan DeVore, president and chief executive officer of Premier Inc., winner of the 2014 Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year award for significant, sustained contributions to business and the community. “I am both humbled and honored to receive the BusinessWoman of the Year award,” DeVore says. “Words cannot describe the incredible year we’ve experienced at Premier. Our quest toward improving healthcare in this country benefits people and families across the nation, including those in our community.” With approximately 30 years of experience, DeVore is an industry-leading thinker who has been named to Modern Healthcare’s 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare and Top 25 Women in Healthcare lists. The BusinessWoman award celebrates the achievements of exceptional women professionals who exhibit leadership as defined by the values of the McColl School of Business at Queens — competence, character and commitment to the community.

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15


Queen’s List

Queen’sList PHOTO BY MATTHEW MURPHY

Goings On Around Our Town

A Dramatic New Take Phantom Of The Opera Returns ameron Mackintosh’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” is coming to Belk Theater Feb. 4 through 15. This breathtaking production features a Tony Award-winning original costume design by Maria Björnson, lighting design by Paule Constable, and a fresh new take, which includes updated choreography by Scott Ambler, scenic design by Paul Brown, and staging by director Laurence Connor. The innovative production boasts many special effects, and a cast and orchestra of 52.

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www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015 16

arry Connick Jr. is a man of many hats — including pianist, vocalist, composer, band leader and actor. He is bringing his unique style to Charlotte Feb. 17 for an intimate performance at Belk Theater. Connick’s meteoric rise in the world of music has been followed by a multi-faceted career, which includes three Grammy Awards, two Emmy Awards, and two Tony Award nominations. He is a devoted philanthropist, spearheading efforts to help rebuild his hometown of New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Don’t miss the man who is known for his live and recorded musical performances, as well as his achievements on screens large and small.

WantToGo? Visit Blumenthalarts.org.


Stomp It Out Charlotte Concerts Offers Jazz Ball re you a lover of music? If so, don’t miss Charlotte Concerts’ annual ball, “Stompin’ at the Savoy Jazz Ball,� Feb. 21 at Myers Park Country Club. Charlotte Concerts is celebrating its 85th anniversary this season. Founded in 1930 as the Charlotte Community Concert Association, the group’s mission is to provide superior music and performances to the Queen City while also sponsoring instrument gifts to hundreds of underserved youth in the city’s school systems. In 2014, Charlotte Concerts gave $130,000 to music education in the form of free student tickets to concerts and musical instruments. The purpose of the ball is to highlight student success through music, and to raise funds to continue making a positive impact on our community. The event will offer a night of great music and celebration, plus a look at Charlotte Concerts’ future.

WantToGo? Visit Charlotteconcerts.org/ 2014_ball.

Feeling Fortuitous? Lark & Key Offers Lucky 7 Exhibit

WantToGo? Lark & Key Gallery is located at 128 E. Park Ave., Suite B. Visit Larkandkey.com.

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Rock Your Red AHA’s National Wear Red Day he American Heart Association wants to remind you that National Wear Red Day is Feb. 6. Bring awareness to the fact that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women by wearing red, and be sure to take care of your own heart health!

ToLearnMore Visit the AHA-Charlotte on Facebook. [TCW]

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015

elebrate the iconic Lark & Key Gallery’s seventh anniversary by attending the “Lucky 7� exhibit Feb. 6 through March 28. The exhibit features artwork by seven of the gallery’s core artists that will interpret — in straightforward or conceptual ways — the Lucky 7 theme, including work by Janet Eskridge, Elizabeth Foster, Judy Klich, Angie Renfro,Vicki Sawyer and Mary Alayne Thomas, along with art by gallery co-owner Duy Huynh. “We are excited to celebrate seven years in business and feel very lucky to be doing what we love,� says Sandy Snead, who co-owns Lark & Key with Huynh.

Lakeside Neurology

17


COURTESY OF CAROLINE SIMAS

Mover & Shaker Âť By Jackie Fogartie

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015

18


Counting Her

Blessings Caroline Simas Sells Her Colorful, Faith-Based Artwork Around The World n the midst of her airy Charlotte art studio, Caroline Simas has created a booming licensed art empire with her faith-based company Multiple Blessings. Her colorful, whimsical style and handpainted motifs adorn products such as tumblers, greeting cards and wall decor, and are sold all over the world. That’s right, the world!

Art From The Heart

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015

Originally from Fort Mill, S.C., Simas inherited her grandfather’s artistic talent and recognized it from a very young age. “I dabbled in everything I could get my hands on … watercolors, oil, acrylic, charcoal, clay, jewelry making and cartooning classes. I even remember searching through Mom’s fabric scraps trying to create clever outfits for my Barbies,” Simas says. Ironically, Simas initially didn’t pursue art professionally. Instead, she earned a degree in elementary education from the College of Charleston, and taught first grade for several years. It was a gradual journey from teacher to custom painter to licensed artist. After the birth of her first two children, Simas began focusing on custom painting with a business called The Creative Palette. She handpainted anything and everything, from children’s

19


Mover & Shaker » By Jackie Fogartie www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015 20

furniture to linens to custom murals around the Charlotte area, all while being a stay-at-home mom. When Simas and her husband learned they were expecting twin girls, she assumed her custom painting days were behind her. But after struggling to find a birth announcement she wanted to use, she created one herself, and this creation soon turned into a collection of greeting cards that Simas sold to a local Charlotte store. The greeting cards caught the eye of a representative group who marketed the cards to retailers, and before long the greeting cards were sold in over 250 stores in the United States, solidifying the beginning of her company, Multiple Blessings, named in honor of her two sons and twin daughters. Simas’ little blessings are now ages 16, 14, and 10, and Multiple Blessings is a household name in the world of faithbased licensed art. Simas works with a licensing agency that represents Multiple Blessings and forges relationships with manufacturers all over the world. She currently licenses her art to approximately 30 companies, designing everything from candles, Christian jewelry and gifts, to pillows, fabric, calendars, journals, garden flags, checkbooks, wall décor, greeting cards and more. Simas gets her inspiration from God and his creations. “I love noticing details in nature’s smallest places,” she says. “I try to see the extraordinary in the ordinary — water droplets on flower petals, the

color palette of the sunset, the chartreuse green of a Granny Smith apple, the intricate pattern of a monarch butterfly, heart shaped rocks. I’m constantly inspired by my kids, too. It’s amazing how much more you see through the eyes of a child.”

Blessed Business These days, Simas hand paints each piece of art in her Charlotte studio. From there, it is often digitally manipulated via scanning and Photoshop. These patterns, or “motifs,” are then paired with text (usually Scripture) and transformed into a collection. Simas’ handwriting recently became a font, which makes adding text much easier. “What people may not realize is that it may be 12 to 18 months from the time I design a collection of art before it becomes actual products on store shelves. The time of development is quite long, but certainly an interesting process,” she says. Simas has a studio assistant and graphic designer to help with business demands, and she gets most of her work done in her home studio while the children are at school. Simas is grateful for the opportunity to do what she loves while working from home. She enjoys meeting people from all over the world and hearing stories about how a simple product she designed made an impact on someone’s life. “Combining faith and art has become a ministry of sorts,” she says. “I hope my

art and the products I design lead others to discover God’s goodness as well.” Simas uses her talent to give back to local community-based organizations via charitable art donations, and also to partner with retailers who sell jewelry made by Ecuadorian girls who have been rescued from sex trafficking. She has traveled to Ecuador and Haiti as part of this mission and is also on the board of Education Equals Hope. Her originals are sold in Charlotte at City Art Works, and Bebe Gallini’s. Other local retailers also carry her products, but Simas says that is difficult to track, and so she depends on friends and fans to share where they spot her products. “It’s amazing to think my art appears on hundreds of products sold worldwide,” Simas concludes. “It never gets old hearing from people across the globe who take the time to reach out and let me know they enjoy it.”

ToLearnMore Visit Multipleblessings.com, or find her page on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Her work can also be purchased at Etsy.com/shop/ CarolineSimasStudio. [TCW] Jackie Fogartie is a Charlottebased wedding and event planner who appreciates all things creative.


Dr. Ross W. Nash

Ask The Expert

Thin Porcelain Laminate Veneers For Smile Enhancement

elain e before porc Laura’s smilate veneers lamin

Ross W. Nash, DDS, is one of only 46 Accredited Fellows in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, meaning he has acquired extraordinary skills in the area of esthetic and cosmetic dentistry.

S

ometimes, all that is needed to revitalize a smile are thin porcelain laminate veneers. With minimum removal of natural tooth structure,these high strength and esthetic laminates can be used to resurface teeth for the purpose of improving a person’s appearance. In this illustration, Laura’s smile was enhanced by replacing her previous direct composite bonding on her four front teeth with thin porcelain laminate veneers and adding eight additional veneers to fill out the corners of her smile zone.

Laura’s porc elain laminat e veneers on a mirror surface

Q: How much tooth structure has to be removed to place porcelain veneers? A: Sometimes, no tooth removal at all is needed. When preparation is necessary, only minimal tooth re-contouring is required. Q: How do the porcelain veneers stay on the teeth? A:The veneers are bonded to the natural tooth with strong bonding agents. This lamination process can actually result in strengthening of the tooth and the veneer itself.

after Laura’s fuller, brighter smile ers vene ain application of porcel

Q: How long can porcelain veneers be expected to last? A: With proper care and regular maintenance, these restorations can be expected to last for many years. Q: How long does it take to have porcelain veneers placed? A: These strong and esthetic restorations can be placed in two appointments only a few weeks apart. www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015

403 Gilead Road, Suite E • Huntersville 704/895-7660 CosmeticDentistryofthe Carolinas.com

Laura’s b e enhanced autiful smile with por celain laminate veneers

21


Mover & Shaker » By Melinda Johnston » Photo By Ken Noblezada www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015 22

Matters Of

The Heart Johanne Hawk Raises Awareness About Congenital Heart Defects

ells Fargo senior vice president Johanne Hawk is a lawyer, a CPA, a wife, and a mother of four. She works with corporate taxes every day, and is one of those rare folks who think taxes are fun. “I always tell people that I have one of the best jobs in the company. Taxes are what I do! I love my job, and I like to make it fun for others,” Hawk says. Of course, it doesn’t take long to realize that she is one of those rare folks who find fun in most everything she does. Her energy, optimism and compassion are endless and, when she latches onto a project she believes in, watch out.


www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015

“When you see something with your child that doesn’t seem right, don’t make excuses. Get it checked out. And if you aren’t comfortable with the initial diagnosis, get a second opinion.” — Johanne Hawk

23


PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHANNE HAWK

Mover & Shaker » By Melinda Johnston

The Hawks help build awareness about heart health by participating in the 2014 AHA Greater Charlotte Heart Walk.

abnormal formation of the aortic valve, which is the One such project is the valve connecting the aorta American Heart Association. to the heart. He needed Last year, Hawk headed up his aorta repaired, but local the Wells Fargo team for the doctors said it was a AHA’s Greater Charlotte complicated surgery. Heart Walk. Under her The family headed to guidance, 4,177 Wells Fargo Massachusetts for a second employees, family members opinion at Boston and friends walked in the Children’s Hospital. event, raising over $250,000 “It was too risky for for a nonprofit that is not Nathan to fly, so we had to only close to her heart, but drive. At the time, we only has saved the hearts of Johanne Hawk is the mother of had a five-passenger car, so children like her 13-year-old four children; Nathan (right), we had to trade it in on a son, Nathan. was born with bicuspid aortic large SUV. Thankfully, my Nathan, the third child of valve disease. brother lived in Boston, so Johanne and husband we had some family there,” Hawk says. Patrick, was born June 20, 2001, Cutting around Nathan’s little happy and healthy and ready to take shoulder blade, doctors reached his on the world. Eleven weeks later, just heart through his back. They cut out two days after 9/11, Hawk was told the restricted part of his aorta and her infant son had a congenital heart spliced the two ends back together. condition that, left untreated, would Two weeks later, the family piled back end his life. in the SUV to come home, stopping “I took him in for an ear infection, frequently to get him out of his car and the doctor thought she heard a seat and relieve the pressure on his heart murmur,” Hawk says. incision. The pediatrician thought it was an “The trip home was horrendous,” anomaly, but sent her tiny patient to a Hawk recalls. “Nathan had to lie in a pediatric cardiologist just in case. car seat and his shoulder hurt. We That “just in case” visit saved stopped at almost every exit to get Nathan’s life. He was diagnosed with him out and give him some relief.” bicuspid aortic valve disease, an

Little Tickers

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015 24

Soon, Nathan’s heart healed, and he was able to keep up with the demands of his older brother and sister. Six years later, his family added another daughter, Sophie, to the mix. Her birth brought the family another scare. “When Sophie was born, she had a heart murmur,” Hawk says. “I just broke down. I thought, ‘I can’t do this again.’ She went to the cardiologist two or three times, and they determined that she truly has an innocent heart murmur.” Last summer, Nathan celebrated his 13th birthday. His heart is monitored closely, and the family realizes that, in all likelihood, he will face future surgeries. He has a few restrictions in physical education at Providence Day, but otherwise he’s a normal teen with an eye toward the future. Today, thanks to research funded by the American Heart Association, babies born with Nathan’s condition are identified before leaving the hospital. In 2013, a law was passed in both North and South Carolina requiring pulse-ox screening — a simple blood test — on newborns as a less invasive way to test for congenital heart defects. “Now that I look back on it, I should have known there was a


problem,” Hawk says.“Every time Nathan ate, he turned blotchy and perspired on his forehead. My other two children never did that, but they were born in Maine in the wintertime. I assumed Nathan was just hot because it was hot in Charlotte.” Hawk’s experiences have taught her to trust her instincts, and that’s advice she’d like to give other moms. “When you see something with your child that doesn’t seem right, don’t make excuses. Get it checked out. And if you aren’t comfortable with the initial diagnosis, get a second opinion,” Hawk says. She has also learned the importance of perspective, and of setting aside time to take care of her family and herself. “Raising Nathan has helped put our lives in perspective,” she says. “I’m at the gym every morning from 6:15 to 7:15, because I know

I need to take care of myself. And every evening, from 5 to 7 p.m., is family time. Unless there is a true crisis, I’m not going to work during that time. We sit down and eat dinner as a family as many nights as possible.” Whether she’s at work, at play, in the doctor’s office, or volunteering alongside her children, she believes in living every day to the fullest. “You never know what’s going to happen, so you need to have fun in every aspect of every day,” Hawk says. “And it helps when you love what you do. It makes life so wonderful!”

ToLearnMore Visit Heart.org.

[TCW]

Melinda Johnston is a freelance writer and avid runner who believes in taking care of yourself.

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Special Wedding Section » By Dana Durham

Love Your Day! Your Blueprint To The Perfect Wedding www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015 28

t’s February, and love is in the air … but weddings are a year-round phenomenon, and one that takes plenty of planning. Romantic feelings aside, you need specialists to help you through the wedding-planning process. Luckily, the Queen City is full of wedding experts who can help make your special day a dream come true.


All About The Dress Located in Pineville, Mecklenburg Bridal has been helping brides, bridesmaids and mothers of the bride find the perfect wedding attire since 1981. “We specialize in providing the best quality, value and service for all brides, regardless of size, budget or age,” says Karen Chase. “We love to help them find exactly what they have envisioned.” Chase says current trends include lots of lace, low-backed gowns, and dresses with backs that feature an intriguing design. She’s also seeing a resurgence in ball gowns. “Mothers and maids are showing lace options in many colors,” she adds,“with fuller skirts. Dupioni silk fabrics are also popular this season. And bridal sashes with bling remain strong with many, many options.” Chase says an easy way to eliminate stress from your wedding is to respect the timelines associated with planning. “Many things in bridal take months for delivery, so planning ahead is the name of the game,” she says. Chase warns brides to beware of online information and pricing. “You often will not get the same product you thought you ordered,” she says. “It’s always best to purchase from a store that will support you if there ever is a problem.” Her biggest advice for brides? To enjoy themselves. “Try not to strive for perfection,” she says,“but to accomplish a beautiful day that was fun to plan and a day to always remember!” Located in Indian Trail,Wedding Dress Me is an up-andcoming bridal boutique that has experienced phenomenal growth since entering the market over two years ago. Katherine Maring enjoys helping brides look their best while also staying in budget. Wedding Dress Me features excellent customer service and a wide selection of gowns, with over 800 dresses in the store, many of which are reduced or discounted. “Eighty percent of dresses are new, and reduced 50 to 70 percent off the retail price,” she says. “The other 20 percent are consigned gowns that are deeply discounted. We also offer layaway at prices that brides can afford, and we work with them so they can pay off the gowns of their dreams.” Maring says dress trends include intricate lace work, mermaid style dresses, and keyhole backs, in addition to dresses that evoke a vintage romance style. “Everyone who comes to our shop is treated with white glove service, including family and friends,” she says. “We also offer private appointments where the store can be closed after hours for the bride and her party.”

When it comes to invitations, wave goodbye to the stuffy rules of yesterday. These days, it’s all about the bride and groom, says Tracie Stier-Johnson, with Papaya Papers in Cornelius. “We’d advise you to stay away from doing what you ‘think’ is the proper thing to do,” Stier-Johnson says. “Instead, do what you can to make the day yours. You’ll want to look back at this special day and know that each detail was exactly what you wanted to do, not what you thought you should do.” These days, invitations are bold and statement-making.

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015

Pretty Papers

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PHOTO BY CASEY HENDRICKSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Special Wedding Section » By Dana Durham

Although there’s still a place for traditional invitations, Stier-Johnson says brides are going bolder, opting for large, calligraphy-style fonts and bright designs, in addition to thicker, duplexed card stock. She encourages brides to be intentional with invitations … from the first save-the-date card to the final thank-you notes. “Each piece of mail you send will prepare and excite your guests for what they can expect on your special day,” she says. She adds, “Above all, remember to have fun!"

Picture Perfect Ann Norment is owner of Ann’s Photography, in Fort Mill, S.C. The award-winner photographer says the key to fabulous wedding portraits is to allow plenty of time for the photographer to work her magic. “When it comes to your wedding day photography, being on time is key to having great images,” she says. “The later you are, the less time your photographer will have to create amazing images. It is very important that you get with your photographer one month before the wedding to create a realistic timeline that works for capturing your romantics, as well as wedding party portraits.” Norment says the hottest trend for weddings in 2015 is what is known as a “fight box.” She explains, “Wine and letters go into a box to be opened on your five-year anniversary, unless you have a big fight; if you do, then open, read the letters you wrote to each other, drink the wine and replace with new letters and wine!”

Eat, Drink, Be Merry www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015 30

Creative Catering & Events Inc. in Lake Norman specializes in offering unique atmospheres and fun spaces in a variety of sizes, to help create the perfect setting for your event. Owner Shane Smith has been a chef in the area for over 15 years, and he enjoys setting the mood for clients. “We truly are full service,” Smith says. “You may use our venues or yours.” For large events, he offers the Pavilion, which seats 200 to 450 people and is ideal for corporate retreats or a fabulous family wedding.


www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015

PHOTO BY CASEY HENDRICKSON PHOTOGRAPHY

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Don’t have time to run errands or grocery shop? Need assistance planning/coordinating events?

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Special Wedding Section » By Dana Durham

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The Boulder room is for smaller, intimate events that feature 40 to 80 people. The Barn is available for that rustic family “throw-down,” or an elegant shabby chic or Southern barn wedding. Lastly, the 1850 renovated plantation house is great for “those super intimate times, when just 15 to 25 of your closest friends get together.” What’s the hottest trend for weddings in 2015? “You will see many brides putting a new, fresh spin on old trends, from the music to the food they serve,” Smith says. “Small tasting stations are hot!” Overall, Smith says venues should reflect the personalities of the bride and groom. “Let’s get back to who you are,” he says. “Let that reflect through your food,


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Special Wedding Section » By Dana Durham

beverage and venue choices.” In Mooresville, the Charles Mack Citizen Center is available for brides looking for a beautiful and affordable venue for their wedding, their way. Located in the city’s business district, the 62,000-square-foot facility offers six meeting halls and banquet rooms, plus two outdoor courtyards and the Knox Auditorium. “We have outdoor gardens perfect for wedding ceremonies and cocktail hours, and spacious banquet rooms for weddings of 25 to 400 people,” says Stephanie Crisco. “In addition to our spaces, we offer linen and centerpiece rentals to match your theme and colors.” Crisco predicts that in 2015, weddings will be more plugged in to social media outlets than ever. “Couples will use Smartphone apps like WedSocial,WeddingParty and WedPics to connect with their guests before and during the reception,” she says. When it comes to the guest list, Crisco says brides should think quality over quantity. “Invite only the people who will make your wedding day even more special,” she says. Above all, a bride should carefully select a venue that suits her needs. “Always look for a venue that offers you the flexibility to make your wedding just as unique and special as you are,” she says.

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Be Beautiful When it comes to the big day, brides want everything to be just right. Carolina Age Management Institute in Birkdale

Your Most Perfect You Whether it is 1 month or 12 months before your wedding, we can help you become the most beautiful version of yourself. Booking a customizable bridal package includes 15% discount for the Mother of the Bride and bridal party.

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Services Offered: injectables laser services dermapen & prp Flawless Face (6 Months Before the Wedding Day) – $1500.00 hair restoration • 1 Syringe of filler • Medical Facial – 6 Treatments (Hydrafacial, Chemical Peel or Dermapen) body contouring • Xeomin (30 units) fat reduction • Latisse (5ml) and more • Skin Care Starter Kit Happily Ever After (3 Months Before the Wedding Day) – $600.00 • Medical Facial – 3 Treatments • Xeomin (30 units) • Skin Care Starter Kit 8712 Lindholm Drive | Suite 302 Huntersville, NC USA 704.997.6530 www.carolinaagemanagement.com


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Special Wedding Section » By Dana Durham

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Village offers options for brides who want to tweak their appearance in small or dramatic ways. Dr. Stephen Giordano is board certified in internal medicine and a diplomat in anti-aging and regenerative medicine. CAMI offers a variety of services that the entire bridal party can enjoy before the big day. “Whether you are looking to perfect your skin tone or relax some wrinkles, we have a wide variety of methods to make you and your bridal party look their best,” he says. “Most of our procedures have no downtime, so you can book your entire party when they arrive in town, and they will still look amazing for the rehearsal dinner!” He notes that the Hydrafacial and Dermapen with Platelet Rich Plasma are sure to make any bridal party glow. Botox and dermal fillers are quick and affordable, and the BBL Forever Young treatment is a wonderful way to remove red and brown pigmented skin lesions, and stimulate the production of collagen synthesis to make the face, neck and décolleté look rejuvenated and beautiful. Dr. Giordano says,“We offer amazing package deals and give deep discounts if bridal parties come as a group. In fact, we love offering complimentary treatments to the bride when her entire bridal party puts their faith in us.” That said, Dr. Giordano notes appearance is not what brides should be most concerned with, but rather, the pursuit of happiness. “Ignore the drama,” he says. “Focus on your groom and loved ones, and the rest will all fall into place for the perfect day to remember. ”


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Special Wedding Section » By Dana Durham

Something To Smile About Dr. Kiya Green, with Matthews Periodontics, is aware of the excitement and pressure brides experience, and she enjoys giving them something to smile about. “Getting married and starting a new life with our ‘perfect complement’ is such a major step in a woman’s life, it’s truly life changing!” she says. “That being said, every bride wants to look her best on the day that dream becomes a reality, and her smile is one of the most captured memories of that day.” Dr. Green should know — she is getting married April 25! Matthews Periodontics specializes in gum therapy. Dr. Green can help any bride who is concerned with her smile due to receding gums, “gummy smiles,” or unhealthy gums, in general. “Our office has been treating recession without taking tissue from the palate for years,” she says. “In fact, it is one of our favorite procedures, mostly because our patients leave happy, without the ‘pizza burn’ pain.” In addition to using donor tissue to cover the root, Matthews Periodontics has incorporated a new technique to repair gum issues that does not require cutting or sutures — the pinhole surgical technique. She says it’s best if brides make their first appointment at least three months in advance of the wedding day; however, appointments scheduled as early as three weeks out will give brides a beautiful smile. Dr. Green says, “No matter what your gum issue is, Matthews Periodontics is here to help you look good, feel beautiful and be healthy!” [TCW]

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b a Wedding Dress Me A Bridal Boutique that sells new and consigned formal wear & accessories.

Discover hundreds of designers, styles and sizes at 50% off retail! You will get an amazing deal at Wedding Dress Me no matter if you are buying a dress or choosing to consign one.

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Special Wedding Section Âť By Dana Durham www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015 40

A very special thank you to Casey Hendrickson Photography and Evermore Classic and Vintage Rentals for sharing this lovely wedding with us! For a complete vendor list, visit EvermoreEventCompany.com. [TCW]


***Now Open in Latta Arcade***

320 S Tryon Street, Suite 114 Canvas_aBoutique@yahoo.com • 980-333-2450 Monday-Friday 10-4

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Designing the Charlotte area for over 18 years 704.776.9100 | www.wandashorton.com Member of the Interior Design Society, the National Kitchen & Bath Association CAPS - Certified Aging in Place Specialist

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015

Photography by Whitney Gray

Fresh!

41


Style » Styled By Stacee Michelle » Photos By Glenn Roberson

Lovely In

ace L omantics, unite! February is here, and that means lace is the order of the day … from elegant nighties to sensual bra and panty combos. This year, make your Valentine’s day by wearing lacy lingerie that accents your assets.

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015 42

Photos By Glenn Roberson Styled & Directed By Stacee Michelle Hair By Ashleigh P. Hairstyles Makeup By Alyssa Green Model: Linsey On location At The Comfortable Couch Company, Cornelius


Left: Purple lace bra, $98; lace panty, $68; both at I.C. London. Matte edge earrings, $300; silver cuff, $172; both at Sloan Boutique. This page: Black lace bra, $104; lace thong, $48; garter belt, $74; and thigh-high seamed stockings, $16; all at I.C. London. Stone ring, $12, Aldo Accessories. Black and gold stone earrings, $88, Sloan Boutique.


Style Âť Styled By Stacee Michelle Âť Photos By Glenn Roberson www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015 44

This page: Red nightie, $48, I.C. London. Bracelet, $40; and teardrop earrings, $62; both at Sloan Boutique. Right: Purple nightie, $130; purple lace-trim robe, $134; both at I.C. London. Clear shadow earring, $88; and long stone necklace, $80; both at Sloan Boutique. [TCW]



Love Stories Modern Day

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015

46


he movies are chockfull of love stories in their most dramatic, bedazzled form … but in reality, sometimes it’s the odd, funny or mundane deeds that mean the very most. Here, a spattering of Charlotteans share their modern day love stories.

“I just did the most touching reception of my 30-year career, for a 91-year-young groom and his lovely 76-year-old bride. It touched my heart that love and marriage are still alive and well at any age.” — Anne Robb, South Charlotte Banquet Center “An ex-husband of mine planned a twoweek surprise trip — from a country inn that was voted one of the most romantic in the world, to a stay in a haunted castle, plus a ride on the Concorde jet! I was told simply to pack a bag and have my passport ready. It was a trip to Scotland and Ireland. (I should have kept this husband!)” — Deborah Triplett “When my husband and I were dating, I had an awful dream that he was cheating on me with a beautiful blonde. This was one of those dreams that felt so real, I couldn’t shake being upset after waking. I guess I let him have it, because later that day I received flowers from him with a note that read, ‘Sorry about the blonde.’ It definitely made up for it — and made me laugh!” — Heather Fowler

the start of their ffuture. utfuture. ure the start of their Our kindergarten is designed gned for educational success. s. When your child is diagnosed with any type of ADHD or learning difference, ce, we are the place to start. Our Foundational Kindergarten is a bridge between kindergarten and firstt grade, providing the time to develop fundamental skills for success cess in school, in developmentally appropriate opriate settings. Our focus on children with learning differences can open a world of opportunities beyond nd their imagination.

OPEN HOUSE February 20, 8:30am - 10:30am Mini Tours:

FOR MORE INFOR RMATION, CONTACT: INFORMATION, Portia Eley at 704-365-5490 90 peley@johncroslandschool.orgg

March 6, 8:15am - 9:30am March 20, 8:15am - 9:30am

JohnCroslandSchool.org 5146 Parkway Plaza Blvd.. • Charlotte, NC 28217 • 704.365.5490 •

/JohnCroslandSchool JohnCroslandSchool

Crosland does not discriminate on the basis of race, co color, olor, sex, age, marital status, disability, religion, creed, or national nal or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational programs, admissions, financial aid policies es or employment practices.

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015

“The most romantic thing my thenfuture husband did for me was pay $3,500 for an emergency root canal that took place three days before my insurance kicked in. Even though he wasn’t the type to say, ‘I love you,’ I knew he would always be there for me! In return, the most romantic thing I did for him after many, many years of marriage was nurse him back to health when doctors removed his hip and he had to wait four months before they could replace it. Actions speak louder than words — or chocolate or flowers — and I married a man who always understood that.” — Gabrielle Bryson, Shain Gallery

The first dayday of school is i is The first of school

[TCW] 47


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Art with Heart is a great, fun, accessible, giant cocktail Arty Party that goes to, shall we say, “the heart” of one of our county’s most basic needs. •••••••••••••••• Paintings will be offered at every Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015 possible price point so everyone has a chance to participate in a 7:00-11:00 purchase. Founders Hall Uptown Charlotte.

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100% of proceeds from painting sales go to Art with Heart for Safe Alliance Safe Alliance supports victims of domestic and sexual violence and child abuse and helps people build safe, healthy relationships.

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We bring you relaxation and healing from the moment you step through our door.

4 licensed massage therapists New client rate of $49 for a 60-Minute Swedish or Deep Tissue Weekly alternative healing classes Guided meditation, breathwork, belly dancing, and more! Locally sourced tea & coffee lounge Open 7 days a week from 8am – 7pm

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Our soothing space and kind staff will take care of you as the world busily drifts by outside.

Full schedule of yoga classes 2 weeks for $20 for new students

49


A Local Doctor Drenches Her Home In Color

Dwellings » By Karsen Price » Photos By Ken Noblezada

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015

50

Hot ForHues


r. Holly Disser is an emergency department physician. She is also addicted to bright, happy colors — an addiction she wanted her 6,000-square-foot home to exemplify. “I am a pink addict — there is no other way to describe it,” Dr. Disser says. “I have been obsessed with bright colors since I was a little girl, and I can trace this back to my grandmother, who I distinctly remember telling me at age 5, ‘Pink really is a neutral — it looks good on everybody.’ ” It’s an attitude that Dr. Disser has taken to heart. Every day, she wears something pink, even if it’s only her socks. The doctor, who is also mother to an 18-month-old daughter and expecting her second child in July, says the color lightens her mood and brightens her day — and as a doctor who daily faces urgent and sometimes shocking maladies, the need for a pick-me-up makes perfect sense. “Even my wedding dress was pink!” she says. “I suppose I find bright colors calming because it reminds me of family and happy times spent together.” And so, when Dr. Disser and her husband stumbled upon their dream house and it was painted various shades of brown, she turned to an expert to help infuse her abode with color.

Pink Me Up That’s where Lauren Clement, with Lauren Nicole Designs, enters the picture. An awardwinning designer, including winner of Best of Houzz Design and Service in 2014, Clement prides herself in offering custom interior design that caters to each person’s unique tastes. When she first met Dr. Disser, the doctor made it clear that she loved pink, “and not just pink, but hot pink!”


Dwellings » By Karsen Price » Photos By Ken Noblezada

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015

52


“She expressed that when she comes home from work, she wants to walk into a bright and happy home,” Clement says. “Interestingly enough, the home they had just purchased had every square inch of trim, molding, casings, interior doors, stair risers and all outlet covers painted dark chocolate brown. Not such a happy color!” Clement says color is the first aspect of her design plan. “Color sets the mood for any space, and the mood for the people who are using the space,” she says. “That is exactly the case for Holly, who sees a lot of grim situations every day and relies on color in her life at home to lift her spirits.” The first order of business was to have the house “neutralized.” The home was repainted neutral colors, and all of the trim was painted bright white. Next, Clement pitched her design plan to Dr. Disser. “I presented my plans for bright color done right!” Clement says. “This means that, instead of presenting Holly with a hot pink sofa — which she would have loved — I showed her how to have a neutral sofa with bright colors shining through in multiple pillow fabrics, with varying patterns and textures.”

Boldly Go Clement found unique ways to satisfy her client’s love of color, including incorporating bold shades on the home’s ceilings, as well as accent pieces of furniture, such as the magenta and orange ikat fabric on two accent chairs in the den. Color makes a statement throughout the home on the window treatments.

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Dwellings » By Karsen Price » Photography By Ken Noblezada www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015 54

“This way, the color does not hit you over the head,” Clement says. “Rather, it warms and brightens the space and makes Holly smile, without sending her husband to permanently live in his man cave!” Delving into the color wheel turned out to be a fun experiment for Clement, who enjoyed recreating the space. She says Dr. Disser’s request for bold and whimsical décor allowed her to step away from the current trend of neutral color schemes, and really let her hair down. “The biggest challenge when adding these bold pops of color was to make sure they all flowed together and that they were used in just the right amounts per space, so as not to overwhelm the space or look ‘over the top’ in any way,” Clement says. Both designer and homeowner have a favorite room in the house. “My favorite room is, hands down, the dining room,” Dr. Disser says. “It’s


Kathy Kreshon Carver RE/MAX Metro Realty

ToLearnMore Visit Laurennicoleinc.com. [TCW]

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Truly a one-of-a-kind custom built hard coat stucco 2 Story on Carmel Country Club's 10th green! Luxury abounds with magnificent interior detail to include arched entryway, crown moldings, beautiful hardwood floors, 11 foot ceilings on main level, custom split staircase, 3 fireplaces, huge Master suite on main level with trey ceiling, sitting room, dual walk-in closets, custom built-ins, & exceptional outdoor living space with covered terrace, bead board ceiling, coy pond with lush grounds & circular driveway! Viewed with online at kkcarver.remax.com. Listed for $1,650,000!

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bright and fresh and fun, but still sophisticated.” Clement agrees. “I have been in love with this room since it was merely a plan on a design board!” Clement says the window treatment fabric sparked her design in this room. “The pink on the domed ceiling and in the butler’s pantry was derived from the pink embroidery in the drapery fabric,” she says. “I knew we needed to ‘bring the bling’ in this space. Enter the sophisticated wallpaper with a slight metallic sheen, the sleek square mirror, and dark wood table and chairs.” Other details make the room pop, including a chandelier in an atypical shade. “Have you come across a white chandelier in a dining room lately?” Clement asks. “Well, you should consider trying one! White is the absence of color, but coming down from the hot pink dome, it is the perfect tone.” Dr. Disser loves her home’s bold new look, and says it has been a learning experience for her. “The most important thing I learned from Lauren is that not everything has to be hot pink and bling,” she says. “She showed me how to express some personality, without making the room look like a fun house — which would have most definitely been the case had I tackled this project on my own.” Clement suggests all homeowners incorporate their favorite colors in their house, without overwhelming the space. “When you are trying to select a color palette for your home, think about colors that you wear a lot, or colors that make you feel good,” she says. “Try using those colors in your main accent pieces and not on your walls, so that you continue to love them, and your home, longer.”

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55



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Advertising Deadline: February 8 Publication Date: March 2 57


I Really Think » By Pat MacEnulty www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | February 2015 58

For The Love Of

Dogs y grown daughter said in a voice that I can never refuse, “Please stay.” I wasn’t completely opposed to the idea. I hadn’t spent Christmas with her in five years. We had fallen into an arrangement a year after my separation from her father that she would spend Thanksgiving with me, and Christmas with her father in California. I’m not a huge fan of Christmas, so I used it as an excuse to visit friends in Florida every year. But this year was different. This year her father would be in Charlotte, repairing the house where we used to live. He and I hadn’t spoken since March 2014, when we’d finally come to terms over the division of our assets, nearly a year and a half after our divorce, a divorce which had been acrimonious to say the least. Though we’d communicated occasionally via email, there was plenty of healing to be done. So I agreed to stay — because there were dogs involved. Yes, dogs. Even though my husband had been the one to leave the marriage first, he had been devastated by the actual divorce. “If only he’d get another dog,” my daughter and I lamented. He was an inveterate dog lover, and our last one had died about the same time the marriage did. It wasn’t until my ex had researched black field labs on the

Internet and found a puppy in Idaho that fit his specifications that he began the process of recovery. I, on the other hand, had no intention of getting another dog. That is, until I saw a ragged little Chihuahua mix darting through traffic on Morehead Street one day. I lured him into my car and dutifully reported a found dog to the proper authorities, but no one claimed him. Instead he claimed me the instant he looked at me with those big, grateful, bugged-out eyes. My ex flew to Charlotte in December with his dog, and my daughter retrieved them and brought them to my house around midnight. When they arrived, my dog, Franco, ever on alert, ran to the top of the staircase and began barking incessantly. I looked over the half-wall down the stairs. My ex stood at the bottom, barking back at Franco, which confounded the dog. We looked at each other and burst out laughing. A moment later, the most beautiful black lab peeked around the corner of the stairs. This threw Franco for another loop. First, there was this bear of a man intruding into our space, then this enormous dog. Moments later, we were downstairs in the living room with my ex feeding the dogs treats. The 75-pound lab, full of atomic energy, veered like a pinball from my daughter to me, while Franco

just tried to stay out of the way of those giant feet and get to know this man who seemed to know how to speak “dog.” We sat there into the wee hours of the night, telling dog stories and watching our own Mutt and Jeff perform their antics. I hadn’t intended to ever spend the holidays with my ex-husband again, and there were a couple of times when I thought it was a mistake. But on a balmy New Year’s Day, my daughter, my ex and I took the two dogs to Latta Plantation Nature Preserve. The lab bounded in the water after sticks while Franco ran in circles on the beach. It was the beginning of a new year, and I thought, perhaps the beginning of a new friendship. [TCW] Pat MacEnulty is the author of seven books. She teaches writing and literature at Johnson & Wales University.


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