The Beauty Battalion - Real People. Real Stories. Real Beauty.

the BeautyBattalion REAL PEOPLE REAL BEAUTY

ISSUE 15/ MARCH 2017

Dallas Graham

Changing the world one story at a time.

Tips for finding a Career Mentor

Cosmetic Surgery Hype Which procedures are Zeros not Heroes?

Don't be afraid to reach out Do your homework Join a network organization

Brain Boosting foods to add to your shopping list

Enter to win this month's giveaway! *detailsinside

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Letter FROM

THE EDITOR

THIS SPRING TO CLEANSE THE MIND, YOU'LL FIND IT CAN BE AS REFRESHING (IF NOT MORE) THAN JUST OPENING UP THE WINDOWS.

ITH SPRING UPON US WE TEND TO GET IN THE MODE OF CLEANING: OUR HOMES; OUR CARS; OUR YARDS; BUT WHAT ABOUT OUR MINDSET? WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU MADE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO CLEANSE THE MIND AND REAWAKEN YOUR PURPOSE?

AS ALWAYS , I MUST THANK OUR SPECIAL TEAM OF EXPERTS AND CONTRIBUTORS WHO ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE BEAUTY BATTALION. THESE ARE PEOPLE WITH INSANE TALENTS AND HUGE HEARTS. GIVING AND SHARING THEIR TIME AND THIS MAY SEEM LIKE AN EASY TASK BUT IT TALENTS TO BETTER OTHERS. OUR TEAM TAKES QUITE A BIT OF DEDICATION AND MEMBERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLY FOCUS OF THOUIGHT. PUT ON OUR COVERS AS TRUE BEAUTY AWARD WINNERS, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT FOR ME, FULLFILLING MY PURPOSE EACH ONE OF THEM ARE MORE THAN CREATES AN ATMOSPHERE OF PEACE AND DESERVING OF AWARDS. CALM IN BOTH MY HEART AND MIND. KNOWING I'M USING MY TALENTS AND SURROUND YOURSELF WITH LIKE-MINDED ABILITIES TO AFFECT OTHERS IN A POSITIVE INDIVIDUALS AND YOU CAN MAKE MAGIC WAY HELPS TO KEEP ANY "NEGATIVE" HAPPEN. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO THOUGHTS FROM DERAILING ME FROM MY HAS JOINED US IN OUR REBELLION AGAINST GOALS AND DREAMS. THIS INDUSTRY'S PERCEPTION OF BEAUTY. WE ARE REDEFINING BEAUTY WITH EACH ANOTHER PURPOSE FOR A "MIND CLEANSE" ISSUE OF THE BEAUTY BATTALION WOULD BE TO CONSCIOUSLY ELIMINATE MAGAZINE AND WE INVITE YOU TO BE PART SELF-DEPRICATING THOUGHTS. BY OF THIS MOVEMENT. REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEM, YOU ARE RETRAINING YOUR MIND, WHICH IN TURN XOXO, WILL REDIRECT YOUR FUTURE.

Missy Lovett

NEGATIVE THOUGHTS CAN HARM MORE THAN OUR SELF-ESTEEM. THEY CAN HINDER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF US FROM FULFILLING OUR PURPOSE. DON'T LET THOSE THOUGHTS IN! MAKE A CHOICE #JoinTheRebellion Like our Facebook page and Share this issue!

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Our Story 5

Index 4 5 6 10 12 24 26 28 30 32 33 34 35 37

Letter from the Editor Index Brain Boosting Foods Cosmetic Surgery Hype Cover Story: Dallas Graham Fun ways to decorate for Spring Dawn's Corner Spring Gift Guide Planning a Spring Getaway Finding a Career Mentor Hacks for your morning routine Miah's Message/Giveaway First Time Fur Mom The Bomb Squad Has your tattoo expired?

#JoinTheRebellion Be part of the movement to redefine Beauty

The Beauty Battalion

MAGAZINE Editor: Missy Lovett Creative Director: Shaun Anders Contributors: Nikee Miller, Wardrobe Stylist Karen Erekson, Artistic Production Dawn McCarthy, Dawns Corner Miah Green, Motivational Message Cover: Dallas Graham, The Red Fred Project

Website: www.TheBeautyBattalion.com www.TheBBmag.com For advertising opportunities please email advertise@TheBeautyBattalion.com

Join The Beauty Battalion in their Rebellion against the falsities of advertising and marketing in Beauty & Fashion. We are on a mission to CHANGE conventional beauty marketing. Cover models don't need to be size 0, have a certain look, or have celebrity status. We want to inspire individuals to be their authentic selves. You don't have to conform to someone else's idea of beauty.

The Beauty Battalion is forging the way to provide readers and viewers alike with a Magazine full of truth and honesty from the products and businesses they feature, to the stories and people they spotlight. Rapidly gaining in popularity, the magazine reaches people on a personal level, providing advice on subjects from; Beauty, Fashion, Makeup, Hairstyling, Grooming, Health/Wellness, Fitness, and much more. The Rebellion has begun... who's side are you on?

Health/TOP BRAIN BOOSTERS

Top Brain Boosters to Add & Brain Drainers to Drop From Your

Shopping List The foods you have in your pantry and fridge may be helping or hindering your brain. Dr. Christopher Calapai DO, explains that the foods we choose have a lot to do with how sharp, alert, attentive, focused and happy we feel after they're consumed

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ertain foods may taste great have additives in them that literally cloud our brains and leave us sluggish and dull headed.

The opposite is also true. We can eat certain foods and feel a charge of mental energy and focus. We

spoke to Dr. Calapai and got a quick list of foods that boost and drain the brain. Which ones will you add and remove from your shopping list?

Brain Boosting Foods to Add! 1 Nuts and seeds Nuts and seeds are great sources of vitamin E. Higher levels of vitamin E correspond with less cognitive decline as you get older. Add an ounce a day of walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, almonds, cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds, sesame

seeds, flax seed, and unhydrogenated nut butters such as peanut butter, almond butter, and tahini.

Raw or roasted doesn't matter, although if you're on a sodiumrestricted diet, buy unsalted nuts. “Adding nuts to your diet can aid in decreasing levels of enzymes that lead to protein plaques from forming and dementia. Nuts can also reduce brain inflammation, keep blood pressure low, key for preventing stroke,� explains Dr. Calapai.

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2. Blueberries “I eat these daily and encourage patients to add blueberries to as many things as possible. They’re great on their own, added to a shake, to oatmeal, or even to a salad,” says Dr. Calapai. Blueberries are tasty and sweet and loaded with antioxidants. They’re packed with vitamin C, K and fiber and pack high levels of gallic acid, making them especially good at protecting our brains from degeneration and stress. “Studies show that eating blueberries can boost focus and memory for up to 5 hours,” adds Dr. Calapai

4. Fish Salmon, mackerel, tuna, and other fish are rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA seems to be very important for the normal functioning of neurons in the brain.

Eating more fish often means eating less red meat and other forms of protein that are high in artery-clogging saturated fats. “People who are lacking in Omega 3’s can experience mood swings and feeling edgy or negative. Omega 3’s have been know to be mood boosters in addition to enhancing focus and memory,” says Dr. Calapai.

3. Broccoli

Broccoli is one of the best brain foods out there. Thanks to its high levels of vitamin K and choline which is a B vitamin know for aiding brain development keeps memory sharp and protects the brain from later decline with age. It’s also loaded with vitamin C. Just one cup 5. Avocado provides you with 150 percent of your This creamy treat is also a recommended daily intake. Its high-fiber levels makes you feel full quickly, too. rich source of the “People hear broccoli and roll their eyes antioxidant vitamin E. thinking it’s bland a boring. Think of Research suggests that foods rich in vitamin E— broccoli as a canvas ready to be painted including avocado, which with spices and flavors, offers Dr. Calapai.

Try stir frying with a bit of olive oil, red is also high in the antioxidant powerhouse pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Add in a spoonful of orange or lemon juice and it vitamin C—are associated with a lower gets this nice sweetness to it. risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

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Health/TOP BRAIN BOOSTERS

Brain Drainers to Drop!

1. Partially Hydrogenated Oils

that large amounts of sugar cause the hippocampus, the brain's memory control center, to become inflamed, meaning it can’t work at There is zero reason to ever eat foods that list "partially hydrogenated oils" in their ingredients 100 percent. Meanwhile, one cross-cultural analysis found that high sugar intake is linked to list. It's code for trans fats, which, in addition to depression. “Sugar is a big trap because when upping your risk for obesity and damaging your you eat something sweet there’s a high initially. heart health, can cause serious brain drain.

It feels good at first taste but then once it starts “Diets high in trans fats increase beta-amyloid, to be processed in the body there’s a heaviness peptide 'plaque' deposits in brain associated with Alzheimer's disease. One study published in that follows, says Dr. Calapai.

Neurology found that people who consumed high levels of trans fats had lower cognitive abilities and smaller brains later in life,” says Dr. 3. Saturated fat Calapai. Common culprits include fried foods, A diet high in saturated fat can decrease the baked goods, and processed foods. So bake or brain’s ability to fight the formation of grill chicken instead of frying it, go for sweet Alzheimer's-linked brain plaque. An onslaught of potatoes instead of French fries and avoid saturated fat also hurts your brain in the shortanything wrapped in plastic that sits on a shelf term. Saturated fat impairs your brain's ability to for months at a time. learn and form new memories within as little as 10 minutes after chowing down. Processed 2. Added sugars meats such as bacon, pepperoni, pork sausage, or chorizo are examples of very tasty foods that are The average American eats 79 pounds of added high in saturated fat. “Look we all like to indulge sweeteners per year which can cause constant from time to time and that is fine, but when insulin spikes and inflammation resulting in both saturated fats are staples in your diet, then that’s vascular and neuronal damage. One study going to take a toll,” advises Dr. Calapai. published in Brain, Behavior and Immunity found

About the Doctor: Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O. is an Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine, and antiaging medicine. Proclaimed the "The Stem Cell Guru" by the New York Daily News, Dr. Calapai is a leader in the field of stem cell therapy in the U.S. His stem cell treatments have achieved remarkable results in clinical trials on patients with conditions as varied as Alzheimer's, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, frailty syndrome, heart, kidney and liver failure, lupus, MS and Parkinson's. He has worked with Mike Tyson, Mickey Rourke, Steven Seagal, and Gotham's, Donal Logue; and as a medical consultant for the New York Rangers. Connect with him via twitter @drcalapai or at www.drcal.net 08

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Beauty/COSMETIC SURGERY HYPE

Cosmetic Surgery Hype: :

WHICH PROCEDURES ARE ZEROS NOT HEROES? The name of the game today in cosmetic surgery is fast and non-invasive. The reasons are obvious.

Nobody wants to be bedridden out of work and off the social grid as they recover. Fast results of a thinner, tighter, younger look within an hour is very alluring. How many of these seemingly miracle procedures actually do what they claim to? We turned to board certified Philadelphia plastic surgeon Dr. Kirk Brandow to breakdown cosmetic surgery hype; which procedures are zeros not heroes.

Instabreast If you’ve ever considered a breast augmentation, it’s not hard to understand the appeal of “test-driving” a pair of implants for a day.

This “try it before you buy it” procedure called Instabreast takes about twenty minutes in office. A saline solution is injected into the breasts until they are enlarged to the desired size. Surgeons who offer the procedure claim that it takes the guesswork out of 10

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Kybella This injection is made of deoxycholic acid, which is actually produced by the body naturally to absorb fat. The synthetic version is a fat cell destroyer injected into the pocket of fat below the chin. So far this is the only location on the body for which Kybella is FDA-approved. Dr. Brandow cautions, “Kybella may shrink fat but it’s also an acid which could burn the skin and cause an abscess or an open wound if placed too close to the skin. Equally important is that it can also destroy the deeper tissues as well which could lead to a dent just under the chin.” Another issue with Kybella according to Dr. Brandow is potential for ‘redistribution of fat’ to other areas of the neck when people gain weight, over time. “The loss of fat in this focused, Kybella, injected spot will look odd when areas around it are heavier looking.”

planning an augmentation by providing patients with 24 hours of experience with larger breasts.

“This is crazy!!” says Dr. Brandow. “How do you anesthetize the breast before you shoot in the saline? Wouldn’t this hurt?

Just the thought of it would scare off my patients.

Additionally, implants on top of the muscle versus under the muscle look different and the size you use on top looks totally

different from the one you would use under the muscle.” Dr. Brandow questions the safety of injecting saline under the muscle in office with a local anesthetic. “I would say it’s a recipe for a punctured lung! Additionally, I would love to know how a surgeon inflates a young, tight skinned, A- cup woman who wants a full C- cup, without causing a lot of pain during that injection.”

Mesotherapy and Lipodissolve as a Fat Dissolver

irregularities. None of the pharmaceuticals used for injection are FDA approved.”

Several cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists agree that if there is one procedure to avoid when shopping for a slimmer look, it's one called lipodissolve, a shot that claims to dissolve away stubborn fat deposits. This shot is often part of “mesotherapy;” a shallow injection of a cocktail of substances using a fine needle. "There is really not a single scientific study to show that it definitely works," says Dr. Brandow.

Are these chemicals safe when injected into fat?

What happens to this fat?

Where does it go? Dr. Brandow feels lipodissolve is an ill-advised treatment.

“This is a non-FDA approved use of a material called lipostabil, which can dissolve fat and other structures however, it can cause pain, swelling, hard lumps, ulceration of the skin, and contour

Laser Liposuction It seems like everything that has the word “laser” in it today is perceived as a stateof-the-art breakthrough, but in this case, using laser to assist in liposuction is not necessarily so. Laser liposuction uses lasers to liquefy the fat before it is removed, making it easier to vacuum out and they may also stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, which results in firmer, tighter, and smoother skin. Lasers may also coagulate small blood vessels in the area, which translates to less bruising.

What’s the downside? Dr. Brandow points out that, “There is greater risk of burning and therefore, pain.

Laser liposuction, Smartlipo and similar procedures add both time and money to the typical technique.”

About Dr. Kirk Brandow Dr. Kirk Brandow is a board certified plastic surgeon with practices in the Philadelphia metro area. Named a “Top Doc” in Plastic Surgery by Philadelphia Magazine as well as nationally recognized for one of America’s “Best Plastic Surgeons” of this decade, Dr. Brandow is a trusted expert who has developed many innovative, minimally invasive procedures for the face, body and skin. These procedures include the Boomer Lift™, the 48 Hour Facelift™, the Scarless Breast Implant, the Multilayered Micro-Lipo Augmentation, the Tumescent Technique for Liposuction and the CO2 Laser Blepharoplasty.

He has been featured on local, national and international television programs including 20/20, CNN’s Headline News, Good Morning America, ABC Action News, TV Globo and Telemundo to provide updates and opinions on the latest trends in cosmetic surgery. Dr. Brandow where he has spoken out on the controversial issues of cosmetic surgery, advising viewers to take a more responsible and more realistic approach to the latest fads and gimmicks in Cosmetic Surgery.

Dr. Brandow served as an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Aesthetic and Restorative Surgery as well as a preceptor for many live surgical training conferences where he helped teach other doctors advanced techniques in Cosmetic Surgery.

Connect with Dr. brandowclinic.com

Brandow

via

www.

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Lifestyle/COVER FEATURE

Who he is

Dallas Graham is the circle putting the Red Fred Project together. He created Red Fred and his Jolly Troop in 2010 and has been telling stories with them ever since.

Things he enjoys

He enjoys photojournalism, graphic design, and discovering creative ways of connecting people through their stories.

The ideas keep coming The Red Fred Project The Red Fred Project is a culmination of his favorite things: narratives, hope, and children.

Dallas has produced a number of personal and community driven projects and can't seem to turn off his "idea" switch.

Dallas Graham TRUE HERO AWARD

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Lifestyle/COVER FEATURE

"I was staring at this red bird on my white screen and I was like, 'You're going to change my life.'"

7 years ago as I was sitting in my loft when this idea flew into my head, I wonder if I can make a bird out of a comma? I ran to the computer, and within five minutes I had made Red Fred. I thought to myself, What if this bird could mean something more? I deconstructed him.

Pulled him apart. Looked at his huge comma body, his two exclamation mark legs...comma; to pause, exclamation; to rejoice.

Pause and rejoice. What a wonderful way to stop and punctuate each splendid day. But there was even more that this symbolic character wanted to do. To be utilized as a magic tool to help children in extraordinary circumstances create stories and characters of their own...thus began, The Red Fred Project.

"He is the most perfect child that could've done this. Dazzling, blazing, sunlight child."

The first book: Nathan Glad, 7, uses a wheelchair and has osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease, which makes him unable to do many things. However, his imagination and creativity are thriving and the story in his head was bursting to come out and be shared.

The main character of Nathan's book is a bird who was too afraid to fly.

It took a troop of other birds to convince him to leave the nest, and in the end the tiny bird bests a dragon, is healed by a magical tiger and becomes one of the fastest-flying birds in the sky. Click or scan QR code to buy his book.

His book, which holds a place in the U.S. Library of Congress, also helps Nathan connect with his peers. Kids can check out the book at the school library or read it with their parents and "see that he's more than just a little, tiny kid in a wheelchair. He has the ability to tell stories and play and have fun, and he has the imagination that they all have."

MEET DALLAS GRAHAM "My hopes are that the future collection of 50 books will one day grace hospital and school libraries nationwide, teaching lessons that can only be learned from the experiences of the uniquely challenged kids who created them."

---Dallas Graham

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Lifestyle/COVER FEATURE

Why are we doing this?

The Red Fred Project finds children living in extraordinary circumstances and asks them the question: If you could write a book for the entire world to read, what would it be about? The books use photography, graphic design, story-telling techniques and star a likable group of birds made from commas and exclamation marks called The Jolly Troop.

These creative kids have faced significant challenges in short lifetimes—with humor, compassion and wisdom-filled stories to share. We want to know how they view the world and help them create an original, one-of-a-kind book, publish it, place it in their hands and say, "Way to go! You've published a story; you've created a book!"

THE RED FRED PROJECT

Click here or scan QR code to hear the story of Red Fred

WE WOULDN'T BE US WITHOUT YOU. On Friday, 13 September 2013, a parking lot in Salt Lake City, Utah, filled up with kids and adults anxious to support a silver-starred collaboration.

That night, we launched our Kickstarter campaign online, we celebrated Red Fred's birthday; but most importantly, we witnessed a book signing of a seven year old boy that taught us what it meant to "climb with tigers." One month later, on 13 October 2013, our project exceeded our funding goals and the Red Fred Project came to life! The image above holds all of you that supported us—up until the very end of the Kickstarter campaign. We couldn't be US without YOU, truly. Thanks to each of you listed and many more not listed, but who were just as instrumental in helping get where we needed to be. You have given us wings and we are going to go to every state and make stories with children that have very important lessons to share with the world. We thank you—as far as our wings can reach.

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We will studiously and gratefully select a child (a “Creative”) from each state and make him or her the creative boss in the story and book-making process; I’m just there to bring the story to life through photography, design and The Jolly Troop.

The child will meet with me a number of times to complete creative tasks that will result in his or her published book.

The book then becomes many magical things: a lasting voice for these children’s beautiful stories; a tangible achievement for each child; a way to help families with medical expenses or a related cause chosen by the child.

You see? The magic multiplies, lives on forever – readers are inspired by the wisdom and imagination of these children.

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Lifestyle/COVER FEATURE

Photographer: Shaun Anders Wardrobe: Nikee Miller Makeup: Missy Lovett 18

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The Shop 1. STOP, BULLY! GO, BUDDY! 25.00 2.REDDY FREDDY: 1" COLLECTIBLE PIN 10.00 3. CREATIVE CAP 15.00 4. CLIMBING WITH TIGERS 25.00

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5. BOOK 2: FRIEND SHIPS IN A STORM 25.00 6. BOOK 3: THE FASHION NEST 25.00 7. BOOK 5: NEVER DEFEATED: INCREDI-KID 25.00

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Shop Now

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Scan QR code to shop or visit www.RedFredProject.com

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Lifestyle/COVER FEATURE

WAR·RI·OR 'w r r noun a brave or experienced soldier or fighter.

THE WARRIOR LOOK Dallas is such a fun , happy, and uplifting individual to be around that our creative team decided to stretch his comfort zone a bit and tap into his inner warrior. We feel that Dallas exemplifies strength and bravery as he fights for the voices of children everywhere to be heard with their stories.

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Lifestyle/DECORATE FOR SPRING

Spring is the perfect time to shake things up with your home decor. As Mother Nature transforms her landscape with fresh buds and blooms, you're probably longing to refresh your home, too. These five easy craft projects are perfect family activities and the results will add touches of springtime throughout the house.

5 FUN WAYS TO DECORATE FOR SPRING

RAIN BOOT WREATH

Do you have a pair of rain boots your kids have grown out of? Use these as an adorable way to display silk flowers in the entryway. Simply select your favorite long-stem flowers from your local craft store (hint: tulips are perfect for spring). Have kids help arrange flowers inside boots and then hang with a large decorative ribbon on your door.

THUMBPRINT FLOWER POTS Jazz up boring terracotta pots with acrylic paint and the tiny fingerprints from your mini helpers. Have kids wear a smock (acrylic paint can stain), then carefully dip fingertips into paint and press onto the

pot. For example, red fingerprints can be turned into cute ladybugs with a few black details when dry. You can also use fingerprints to create flowers, butterflies and more.

FLIP-FLOP WELCOME SIGN Favorite warm-weather foot gear can be used to create a cute sign welcoming guests to your home.

Buy four pairs of colorful flip flops from any dollar store. Line up and then adhere each side together with hot glue (eight flip-flops total glued together).

On the heel of each sandal paint a letter from "Welcome!" When done, let kids adorn with colorful gems, stickers, and other fun spring details.

PEEPS spring centerpiece

PEEPS is the quintessential springtime candy, but is also great when used in crafts like this colorful centerpiece. Just follow these easy DIY directions and you'll create a centerpiece that will be a real conversation starter for kids and adults alike. For more project ideas, visit www.marshmallowpeeps.com.

Supplies: 4-inch cube vase 6-inch cube vase Jelly beans 30 Gerbera Daisies or silk flowers of choice 20 PEEPS Bunnies 24

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Directions: 1. Center one vase inside the other and insert jelly beans (in any colors you like) between the walls of the two cubes.

2. Place PEEPS on top of jelly beans, making sure to save a few for the corners of the vase. Don't be afraid to squeeze them into the space. You should have enough to fill in any gaps.

3. Gerberas are usually sold with plastic tubes on the stems for support. Keeping the plastic in place, cut the flowers to desired length and arrange them in the smaller vase.

4. Cutting shorter stems for the outside flowers and longer stems for the inner ones will give you a nice rounded top. And don't skimp on flowers: If you don't want to use that many gerberas, find a pair of smaller vases.

PASTEL PAINTED PINE CONES Take kids on a nature walk and collect pine cones. Brush off dirt and allow to dry if moist.

Then, lay out paper and have kids paint pine cones in festive pastel colors. Mint green, soft pink and sky blue are classic spring hues. Once dry, display in a decorative bowl and hang from strings in front of a window.

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MISSY LOVETT Celebrity Makeup Artist Creator of Rebel Beauty Cosmetics

REFUSE TO CONFORM. #JOINTHEREBELLION

"Makeup is my tool to eliminate the distractions, revealing your authentic beauty." xoxo,

Missy

Travel/SPRING GETAWAY

No Matter Where you live, spring travel is synonymous with the search for warm weather. While the sunshine may help keep the blues at bay, it takes more than just golden rays to make a trip unforgettable.

Whether you're taking a family vacation, a couples escape or a getaway with friends, these insider tips will help you plan a successful trip: LOOK FOR DEALS AT WELLKNOWN DESTINATIONS The best trips happen when you find a destination that everyone loves and you stay on budget. Start by researching areas that have something for everyone so no one feels left out. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina - with virtually endless attractions, world-class dining and 60 miles of beautiful shoreline is one of these gems that also happens to be affordable.

Countless deals can be found in any season at www. visitmyrtlebeach.com.

Once you determine your destination, dig in to find the deal that's right for you. Some hotels and resorts offer themed packages that also provide deep discounts on museum tickets, concerts and other special events. Or you can make your own trip, allowing each member of your party to pick their favorite must-see attraction.

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How to plan a succe getaway TRY SOMETHING NEW It's important to enjoy some R&R, but also make time to try something new on your trip. This will take you outside your comfort zone, which can stimulate the mind in new and exciting ways. What's more, it's how you create lasting memories.

With growing interest in adventure travel, many destinations are offering exciting and fun experiences for all age groups. In Myrtle Beach, for example, you can try cable boarding at Shark Wake Park, which allows you to wake-board without a boat, or indulge your inner speed demon by racing around a track in the area's NASCAR Racing Experience.

EMBRACE EXPERIENTIAL EATING Eating is one of the best ways to truly experience what makes a destination unique, so be sure to eat like a local, and maybe even fish like one, too. Eating turns into a memorable experience when you've helped catch your main dish. Sign up for a shrimping, crabbing or a deep-sea fishing excursion and enjoy an adventure plus a delectable meal.

These four steps will help you plan a vacation that your travel crew will be

essful spring If you'd rather avoid the open sea, you're not out of luck. Seek out restaurants that source ingredients locally. That could mean eateries that boast a farm-to-table or sea-to-table experience so you enjoy the freshest fare available.

raving about long after you return home.

BECOME A HISTORY BUFF Virtually anywhere you go in the United States, you'll discover a fascinating history of how it came to be. When you make time to explore museums, walk stunning gardens and visit memorials, you'll be able tell tales back home that you would otherwise have never known.

For an insider's glimpse into history, check out National Historic Landmarks. For example, Hopsewee Plantation in the Myrtle Beach area was built an estimated 40 years before the Revolutionary War. In addition to beautiful scenery, you'll experience the heritage of the area up close.

Best yet, you'll have memories that will last a lifetime.

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Business/FINDING A CAREER MENTOR BIG MONEY

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WORK

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4 Tips For Finding A Career Mentor

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t’s not unusual for careers to get off to wobbly starts as young people, hampered by their lack of experience and contacts, find it difficult to achieve a firm footing.

That’s one reason they should make it a goal to find mentors who could help guide them through the rough patches.

“One of the biggest benefits of having a mentor is that person’s success can act as a catalyst for your belief in yourself,” says Lauren Davenport, CEO and founder of The Symphony Agency (www.symphonyagency. com), a marketing and technology firm.

“It’s also a way to expand your network because a mentor can introduce you to people who could help you with your career and who you otherwise might not meet.”

While mentors can be a great asset for young people in their career advancement, don’t expect the mentor to materialize out of nowhere and then do all the heavy lifting, Davenport says. Much of the onus is on the mentee to seek the relationship, cultivate it and make the most of it.

She says a few ways to do that include: • Don’t be afraid to reach out. A simple LinkedIn search can help you find people who are currently in your dream job.

Somehow, they managed to get the very thing you want. How did they pull that off?

Send them a short message and tell them your aspirations. Ask if they can spare 30 minutes for you to visit their office and “pick their brains” about how they achieved success.

• Do your homework. After you went to all the trouble to set up that meeting, you don’t want to show up unprepared. Learn 30 THEBEAUTYBATTALION.COM

all you can about this potential mentor with a Google search. Write down any questions you want to ask. For the meeting, dress like you already have a job with the person’s company and be 10 minutes early, Davenport says.

• Join a networking organization. If reaching out to an individual isn’t in your comfort zone, seek a networking organization that focuses on career growth.

Sign up for a MeetUp group taught by

someone you admire. “Take notes as the person speaks,” Davenport says.

“After the event, you’re also going to need to muster up the courage to introduce yourself. To find a good mentor, in most cases you really are going to need to take the first step.”

• Pay attention to the mentor’s advice. You may not follow through on every suggestion, but you do need

About Lauren Davenport

to listen to what they have to say. After all, the wisdom and experience they can provide is the whole point of having a mentor.

Davenport recalls early in her career joining a networking group and trying to pitch her company to the members without success. She mentioned to her mentor her inability to generate any business.

“She told me if I wanted to

be taken seriously as a business woman I needed to change my wardrobe,” Davenport says. “I put away the summer dresses I typically wore and bought some tailored jackets and other clothes that helped present a businessprofessional look.” Soon after, business picked up.

“I still actively seek women who are in my industry and at similar career levels,” Davenport says.

Lauren Davenport is chief executive officer at The Symphony Agency (www. symphonyagency.com). She founded the company after discovering that businesses were struggling to understand how to implement marketing and technology to reach their full potential in the digital age. Her natural entrepreneurial drive grew the organization from a boutique consulting business into a multi-million dollar agency. She is a contributor for the New York Daily News and has been featured on PBS, ABC Action News, iHeartRadio, AMEX OPEN, and more.

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Lifestyle/HACKS FOR YOUR MORNING

5 CLEVER HACKS TO SIMPLIFY ANY FAMILY'S MORNING ROUTINE Getting the family out the door on time every morning is no small feat. Seemingly simple tasks like getting dressed, packing backpacks and making breakfast can quickly turn into chaos.

Before you know it, you're running late and the kids haven't even eaten as you dash to the car.

Want to up the ante for breakfast without spending any extra morning time in the kitchen? Try this recipe for delicious overnight oats that can be made in the evening and customized for each family member.

Stop dreading the stressful start to the day and start taking control of your mornings. A few simple tips and tricks will turn Protein Power Packed Overnight Oatmeal the morning craze into smooth sailing. Plus, when you have a Recipe stress-free start, the rest of the day just seems to go better.

Courtesy of WhipperBerry.com Prep time: 5 minutes Instead of choosing outfits the night prior, supersize your Cook time: 8 hours time-saving efforts by doing this task just once on Sunday Serves: 1-2

Select a week's worth of clothes Sunday night.

night. Involve kids in selecting their clothes for the week so they feel empowered in their choices. Then hang entire outfits in the closet or stack in one drawer dedicated to weekday wear. When mornings come, kids know exactly where to find the day's duds. Bonus: you don't have to worry about midweek laundry.

Create a routine and set alarms.

Create a morning routine and stick to it. For example, kids wake at 7 a.m., eat breakfast at 7:15 a. m., get dressed and ready at 7:30 a.m., then out the door by 8 a.m. And if the kids need to share a bathroom, set a daily bathroom schedule with alarms to keep kids on track and avoid arguments in the morning.

Get ready before waking up the kids.

Trying to ready yourself for the day while helping the kids is a recipe for disaster. This is why waking before the rest of the family really makes mornings happier.

Try getting up 30 minutes before the kids so you have time to get ready and enjoy a cup of coffee.

You'll be fully awake, much happier and can focus on helping the kids stay on-task.

Create morning rules.

Just like you don't let kids eat dessert before dinner to ensure they eat well, set rules for the morning to keep things moving. For example, no TV until all morning tasks are completed. For teens, smartphones and other mobile devices must remain on the kitchen table until they are ready to go.

Sundays = meal prep.

Make a week's worth of PB&Js on Sunday and put them in the freezer. This way lunch items are ready to go and the sandwiches will be thawed and ready to eat by lunchtime. For breakfast, make it easy for kids by setting out shelf-stable items they can make themselves. New Jif(R) Peanut Butter and Naturally Flavored Cinnamon Spread keeps mornings interesting. Set out a jar by a loaf of bread and kids can quickly make a tasty sandwich they'll devour.

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Ingredients: 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled-oats 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt 1/4 cup pecans 1/4 cup fresh blueberries and raspberries Large spoonful of Jif(R) Peanut Butter and Naturally Flavored Cinnamon Spread (or Maple if you prefer!)

1 to 1-1/2 cups milk (basically cover what's in your jar) Optional: 1 teaspoon chia seeds 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon honey Instructions: 1. In a large jar, layer your ingredients starting with about a 1/2 cup of old fashioned rolled oats.

2. Then add about a 1/2 cup of your favorite yogurt, your favorite nuts and fruit.

3. Next, add a spoonful of Jif(R) Peanut Butter and Naturally Flavored Cinnamon Spread 4. If you want, add chia seeds and a drizzle of honey and vanilla extract.

5. Cover with your favorite kind of milk.

You can use cow, almond, coconut or soy milk.

6. Gently stir your ingredients, top with a lid and place in the fridge overnight.

In the morning, you'll have a jar full of yummy oatmeal ready and waiting for you.

MIAH'S MESSAGE

One of the things that my mom has helped me implement in my life are daily affirmations.

First, I started in a quiet place, my bedroom with my brother locked out), I closed my eyes and thought of positive things that I love about me, my dreams and goals. Then I wrote down five (you can do more…which means you are super awesome) positive statements about what I had just visualized. Now the hardest part, I had to figure how to add affirmations to my daily morning (best to start the day on a positive note) routine. What works for me may not work for you, but I wash my face, put moisturizer on (mom’s #1 rule tied with brushing my teeth), I look in the mirror and say my affirmations. I add affirmations to my normal list if I have an upcoming competition, acting role or any important event that I want to be successful at.

I am an average girl and have the same issues as most girls my age. I have been taught to rise above the negative talk or attitudes and to always take the high road. I have to admit, it is hard sometimes, but it is a must! Nothing good comes from negativity and I know that if I continue to be the bigger person maybe that will rub off on those needing more kindness in their lives. My mom always says, “Miah, you never know their story…they may be facing troubling times and don’t have the support that you have, so you need to be the positive in their life.”

I have bad days just like everyone else and one of my secrets is the book “Celebrating You” written by M.H. Clark. It is a short pick me up that reminds me that I am a kind, special and beautiful person and it is a definite MUST have book for anyone.

You can purchase this book or other inspirational products at

www.Live-Inspired.com Use code: MIAH for 20% OFF

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#FirstTimeFurMom

By Dawn McCarthy of Dawnscorner.com Can you believe it, with all this crazy weather the winter has brought!? March is finally here and the start to “Spring”. I personally love springtime as the weather is still not as hot as the summer, and the perfect temperature to be out at the park, go on walks and hikes, while not having to be all bundled up. It’s important to me to walk my dog (Josie) twice a day as she is a “Premium Blend” (my preferred moniker over “Mutt”) with a few mixes of Terrier, English Cocker, including some Jack Russell and Catahoula. How do I know all of this?

Yes .. I bought the DNA testing kit for dogs. That’s what you do when you rescue right!? I must disclose, the test also said my dog has Newfoundland in her. But she is all of but 16 pounds, the owner of a Newfoundland at a dog park and I got a real good laugh when she asked me what kind of dog I had, and I said she is a “Newfie”, too. Not too sure how precise this test is, but the many other breeds that came up fit her to a tee!

Exercise is not only good for us, but our fur kids. As long as my dog gets out once or twice a day for some run time, a hike, walk or to socialize at the park, life is good. As I said last month, she has really helped me find some balance and getting out and taking that break away from my desk. She is also just a little under 2 ½ years old and still has lots of energy.

I love having a whole new set of friends as well from taking her out and about. With the many connections I have, surprisingly, I even found my web designer who takes care of my website while out walking with my dog. I am telling you, Josie has opened many new doors for me which I never would have imagined. Just like moms meet new moms at school and on play dates…this happens with our dogs too!

I have also learned dogs, likes kids, have their favorite friends, good and bad days, and daily exercise is important to their health. I am lucky to live by hiking trails, parks and some open green spaces. My dog is obsessed with the ball, even over food and nothing makes her happier than just getting out to play fetch. I am also fortunate that I have close family who watches Josie and takes her on hikes while I travel with "Ms. Bingley", their friendly Labrador (also known as Josie's Mom). I will talk about that canine relationship later.

This month, treat yourself, your kids and the fur ones in the family to some kind of outdoor activity. And lastly, “Spring cleaning” is a time-honored tradition in many households, but be sure to keep all cleaners and chemicals out of your pets’ way! Almost all cleaning products, even all natural ones, contain chemicals that may be harmful to pets.

Here are some products from the ASPCA you should be careful about using..

Do you have a furry friend that you'd like to see in our magazine?

Post your photos on Instagram using #DawnsCorner #FurBaby You could see your photo in the next issue of The Beauty Battalion Magazine.

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HAS YOUR TATTOO EXPIRED?

According to a recent survey, nine out of 10 people with a tattoo have considered removing it at one time or another. While the reasons for removal vary, the increasing options available for tattoo removal are transforming the nature of tattoos from symbols of permanence to designs with a sell-by date. In a day and age when tattoos are more and more socially acceptable, even considered works of art, why are so many considering removal?

Syneron Candela, the makers of PicoWay, a leading laser treatment that removes tattoos with less pain and fewer treatments, commissioned the survey which took a closer look at the motivations behind tattoo removal.

tattoo before age 25. With increased access to tattoo removal devices like PicoWay, people with tattoos can conveniently remove their design if they grow tired of it over time. And, nine out of 10 tattoo removers noted that they enjoyed having the option to remove their tattoo.

They want more!

A pain in the butt, neck, arm, chest and back.

The decision to remove a tattoo doesn't necessarily reflect a change of heart about having a tattoo. In fact, 83 percent of people who have removed a tattoo said they are considering getting a new one, sometimes in the very same place where they just had one removed, while only 8 percent said they would never get another tattoo.

Additionally, the majority of tattoo removers were not swayed to remove their design for professional reasons, contrary to popular belief.

Only 16 percent of tattoo removers attributed their decision to their professional lives and workplace environment, while an additional 5 percent of those contemplating removal saw their career goals as a deciding factor. Both tattoo removers (18 percent) and people with tattoos considering removal (29 percent) said a faded tattoo was the main reason to contemplate or complete tattoo removal procedures. So turns out, many just want a better tattoo!

While tattoo removal has increased over recent years, the decision to remove a tattoo takes time. In fact, 76 percent of tattoo removers waited over a year before beginning the tattoo removal process. Although a variety of reasons contribute to a person's decision to remove a tattoo, pain and cost are two of the biggest factors that delay the tattoo removal process. The survey also found that 58 percent of people considering tattoo removal said cost was one of the main barriers they faced when considering treatment, while 45 percent of people regarded pain as their biggest hesitation. After removing a tattoo, however, seven out of eight people said their perception of the removal process was that it would be more painful than what they actually experienced.

It's only temporary.

Compared to previous generations, today's youth see tattoos as less permanent based on the availability and advancements seen in the removal processes, like the PicoWay laser, which shatters the ink into small particles to clear the tattoo faster than other devices. In fact, the majority of people who removed a tattoo received their first tattoo at a young age. While the average age of survey respondents got their first tattoo before they were 35, 61 percent of removers were between the ages of 18 and 24, compared to only 9 percent between the ages of 35 and 49. Women made up 62 percent of removers who got their first

So you've decided you're over it.

Good news, if you are interested in tattoo removal, options exist that are effective, less painful and cheaper than many believe. PicoWay removes tattoos in fewer sessions than other removal options due to its advanced technology, making it less painful and more cost-effective compared to alternative and competitive options. PicoWay's picosecond laser allows for the comprehensive removal and treatment of all colors of tattoos, including blue, green and yellow, and can safely treat all skin types.

Want to learn more? Visit www.picowaylaser.com to find a physician in your area and see if treatment is right for you.

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