Simply Bowie December 2021

DECEMBER 2021

SAVVY HOME STAGING HOW TO STAGE YOUR HOME DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Check Out

These Themed Stockings To Hang By The Fireplace

SEASONAL SANITY

Add Fun For The Whole Family To Your Next Holiday Get Together

The Wow Effect. All Year Long.

Specializing in luxury and intimate events, our event planning expertise has allowed us to produce fresh and creative ideas for every proposal, wedding, romantic date, and corporate or social event. We believe exceptional events are only created by building relationships with our clients so that every detail is communicated. support@lovelytevents.com | 202-350-0575 | www.lovelytevents.com

SAVVY HOME STAGING & DECOR

A PROFESSIONAL HOME STAGING COMPANY SERVING WASHINGTON DC AND SURROUNDING SUBURBS. • Experienced & Creative Home Stagers • Detail-Oriented • Customer Confidence Guaranteed

SHAREN SYLVESTER CEO Sharen@SavvyHomeStaging.com 240.200.0906 202.652.5689 MD-DC-VA SavvyHomeStaging.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS 6

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

Season’s Greetings

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

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Here’s To A New Year

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SAVVY HOME STAGING

How To Stage Your Home During The Holidays

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BUSINESS PLAN MONTH

Why A Business Plan Is The Key To Success

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STOCKING STUFFERS Check Out These Themed Holiday Stockings

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December 2021

25 22

SEASONAL SANITY

Add Fun For the Whole Family To Your Next Holiday Get Together

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29 31

WHAT GRANNY DID

Simply Bowie’s Staff Shares Their Family Holiday Traditions

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BRINGING THE OUTSIDE IN

The Best Indoor Plants When You Are Stuck Inside This Winter

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FINANCIAL WELLNESS 6 Questions To Ask Your Parents About Their Finances Before It’s Too Late

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5, 4, 3, 2, 1...

The Hottest New Year’s Eve Outfits To Welcome In 2022

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SIMPLY HAPPENING Bowie Center For The Performing Arts

PUBLISHER Veronica Fountain Veronica@simplymagazines.net

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Alyson Turner, Dominique Lassiter Taniyah Keve, Ravyn Hardwick

EDITOR IN CHIEF Alyson Turner Alyson@simplymagazines.net

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Ken-won Miller

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LAYOUT & AD DESIGN Natthaphon Foithong ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Veronica Fountain Veronica@simplymagazines.net

PUBLISHER’s

CORNER What a year this has been! As we end 2021, my wish for you all is to focus on the things that we sometimes take for granted. Family, good friends, our beautiful Bowie, and our ability to bounce back and come together.

Set goals, look ahead, plan a future getaway, focus on your business. Whatever it may be, do it with conviction.

I do love this time of year. The holiday decorations are all over and it brings me joy to see them.

This beautiful Washington DC Metro weather is perfect for getting out and seeing it all.

Season’s Greetings

Although events are limited this year, we can still enjoy the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts full performances in December. Supporting local is extremely important. Giving back to others is never restricted.

I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season. I look forward to enjoying this time with family and friends.

I am anticipating the wonderful moments the New Year will bring for us all. Thank you for your positive feedback on our new website and for your support as we will continue to provide your local news, community events, and more.

Happy Holidays!

Yours Sincerely,

Veronica Fountain Publisher

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December 2021

Letter

from the

EDITOR I just want to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts, to those who have stuck with us, to those who have read each issue, liked and commented on our social media platforms, and shared their favorite stories with family and friends. We wouldn’t be where we are without you.

For our final issue of 2021, we have some excellent stories including how to stage your home, the best themed stockings, games to play at holiday gatherings and so much more.

We hope that you have enjoyed every issue of Simply Bowie this year. We are looking forward to seeing you all going into a better and brighter New Year in 2022.

Light & Joy,

Here’s to A New Year

Alyson Turner Editor In Chief

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SAVVY HOME STAGING & DÉCOR

Licensed Realtor in DC, MD, and VA, & CEO of Savvy Home Staging & Décor Sharen Sylvester Shares The Best Way To Stage Your Home During The Holiday Season

Article By Alyson Turner Photography By Ken-won Miller Whether you are selling your house and need home staging or starting the process of buying a home, Realtor Sharen Sylvester is here to help. A licensed realtor and CEO of Savvy Home Staging & Décor Sharen was born in DC and then moved to Prince George’s County when she was 12 years old. She tells us, “I know the area really well and a hobby of mine is keeping up with the development going on in the area. Development in the area has a huge impact on home trends. It is a huge love of mine to keep up with commercial and residential development. I am familiar with Bowie as a resident and as a business owner.”

Sharen’s love for design and her love for helping people led her to her current career. “I had already been a business owner for close to 30 years. I was a hair stylist and started working in Bowie in 1998.

Around 2007, I became a part owner of a salon in Bowie. During that time, I was thinking about my next career move while preparing my daughter for college in 2010. I enrolled myself as well and pursued a degree in interior design. I liked the final stages of interior design and started researching home staging as a career path. I went on to research for a few years,” Sharen says, “I decided to get my real estate license in DC in 2017, and became licensed in Maryland in 2018. I was working a dual-career as a stylist and a real estate agent. During 2020, when things closed down due to the pandemic, I started to get the staging business off the ground. I started contacting realtors I knew to tell them that I was doing staging. I retired from the beauty industry in July 2021. I handed a lot of my clientele over to my daughter and left my space to her. I am a full -time realtor, and I recently became licensed in Virginia as well.”

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Being able to stage the home is an asset to her clients who are selling their home. “My value as an agent is that I can help make a great impression for buyers by preparing the home. When you first open that door buyers need a ‘Wow’ factor and that is what I try to bring to the table. Staging helps to bring a full price or over-asking price offer. Currently, I am also studying to get my broker’s license and open my own real estate brokerage with the option of in-house staging,” Sharen says, “Home staging is a method of decorating that neutralizes the home to make it appealing to the largest number of buyers. It depersonalizes the home so that a buyer can see themselves inside the home instead of the current home owner. It is not a personalized style of décor. We try to update, freshen up the space, modernize, and declutter. Sometimes a homeowner’s personal items can be used with some edits. Many times, it is a vacant home and we are totally furnishing the house with furniture.”

“We want to create an emotional connection with the home. It also shows buyers how to use a space. It creates possibilities for homes that a buyer might not have considered in the beginning. The buyers remain in the home longer and tour a home that has been staged longer. Staged homes tend to appraise for more than homes that are not staged and it creates better photos for home shopping. It puts another set of eyes on the house. A current homeowner is really connected to the house while a buyer doesn’t have the same emotional connection. When we suggest edits, it really helps to sell the home faster and for more money.

Many buyers are watching HGTV - they want to see that when they go home shopping. Once they do, they are excited to make an offer. A lot of times buyers will even ask to purchase the staged furniture. People get excited about the staged product because it creates a fantasy and a lifestyle,” Sharen says.

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Sharen started Savvy Home Staging & Décor as a home-based business and then moved onto self-storage units. She now has her own warehouse to store her inventory and a moving truck to transport her inventory to homes for staging. Sharen says, “My business is growing. We currently have two stagers and two movers, but we are always looking to add to staff. I’ve also attended a Master Class in San Antonio, Texas to become a master level staging professional. Women from all over the country came and completed a three-day workshop.”

When it comes to staging during the holiday season, it is important to keep everything neutral that includes avoiding specific holiday connotations, religious pieces, and sports teams. “Fall décor is popular so we can decorate seasonally with leaves and pumpkins. We want to stay away from any specific holiday, for example we wouldn’t decorate for Halloween because some people may not celebrate Halloween. When we go into December you want to stay away from specific religious displays because you don’t know who your buyer is and what they celebrate. You would stay away from anything that depicts a particular holiday. For the same reason you might not decorate with a specific sports team because the buyers might not be a fans of that team. The goal is to sell this house and you don’t want decorations to cause a buyer to not want your house,” Sharen says, “For winter holidays, gold and silver are still neutral and can be used in staging any

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time of the year. You can turn people off with green and red. We stick with cream, gray, beige, and taupe. If you are staging your house for the holidays – stay with gold, silver, and white decorations in order to avoid turning away buyers. You even have to be careful with scents when people come to your home. Strong odors in the house can turn buyers off. One great way to get rid of odors is to set a dish of white vinegar out and that absorbs odors. Fresheners just mask smells. It can be a little uncomfortable when selling your house because you have to focus on getting to your new house. Not everyone is a pet lover, so you have to put your dog away or take them out of the home during showings. Put away family photos. There are ways you can decorate without things screaming a certain religion or a certain holiday. When you are staging a home, you have to make it like a model home. Buyers want to see themselves living there.”

As a Realtor and Home Stager, Sharen is there for all of your real estate needs. “I love working with home buyers because I love educating them on the process. I love simplifying the process for a home buyer because a lot of people are scared to own a home, and they are afraid to ask questions. I enjoy helping people who are first time home buyers, and people who are moving on to their next home. I am patient, you can call me at any time and ask what is going on with the home process. I like to help people learn how homeownership can build generational wealth. Educating people on the value of homeownership is very important to me.”

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Sharen Sylvester Home Staging Savvy Home Staging & Décor Sharen@SavvyHomeStaging.com 240.200.0906 202.652.5689 MD-DC-VA SavvyHomeStaging.com

Real Estate MD Prime Realty Co 9015 Woodyard Road, Ste. 210 Clinton, Maryland 20735 SharenSylvester.com

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Located in Bowie, Maryland, A Father's Lens Photography offers photography for family portraits, seniors, portfolios, engagements, weddings, and events throughout Prince George's County, Maryland, Northern Virginia, DC, and beyond.

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Creating A Business Plan Experts Agree That A Successful Business Plan Can Make All The Difference

2022

is just around the corner and for many that means creating a business plan for new ventures. The US Small Business Administration is a great resource when it comes to creating the right type of plan for your business.

According to SBA.gov, there are a few things to know about creating the best business plan for you. “Your business plan is the foundation of your business. Business plans help you run your business. [First], pick a business plan format that works for you. A good business plan guides you through each stage of starting and managing your business. You’ll use your business plan as a roadmap for how to structure, run, and grow your new business. It’s a way to think through the key elements of your business. Business plans can help you get funding or bring on new business partners. Investors want to feel confident they’ll see a return on their investment.

Your business plan is the tool you’ll use to convince people that working with you — or investing in your company — is a smart choice.”

When it comes to writing a business plan there is no right or wrong way. An important factor to remember is that the best business plan is the one that meets your needs. Two of the most common categories for a business plan are traditional or lean startup. The SBA explains the differences as, “Traditional business plans are more common, use a standard structure, and encourage you to go into detail in each section. They tend to require more work upfront and can be dozens of pages long. Lean startup business plans are less common but still use a standard structure. They focus on summarizing only the most important points of the key elements of your plan. They can take as little as one hour to make and are typically only one page. The traditional business plan is very detailed, takes more time to write, and is comprehensive. Lenders and investors commonly request this plan. You might prefer a traditional business plan format if you’re very detail-oriented, want a comprehensive plan, or plan to request financing from traditional sources. ” The US Small Business Administration describes the most common sections used for a Traditional Business Plan Format:

1. Executive Summary

Briefly tell your reader what your company is and why it will be successful.

Include your mission statement, your product or service, and basic information about your company’s leadership team, employees, and location. You should also include financial information and highlevel growth plans if you plan to ask for financing.

2. Company Description

Use your company description to provide detailed information about your company.

Go into detail about the problems your business solves. Be specific, and list out the consumers, organization, or businesses your company plans to serve. Explain the competitive advantages that will make your business a success. Are there experts on your team? Have you found the perfect location for your store? Your company description is the place to boast about your strengths.

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3. Market Analysis

You’ll need a good understanding of your industry outlook and target market.

Competitive research will show you what other businesses are doing and what their strengths are. In your market research, look for trends and themes. What do successful competitors do? Why does it work? Can you do it better? Now’s the time to answer these questions.

4. Organization and Management Tell your reader how your company will be structured and who will run it.

Describe the legal structure of your business. State whether you have or intend to incorporate your business as a C or an S corporation, form a general or limited partnership, or if you’re a sole proprietor or limited liability company (LLC). Use an organizational chart to lay out who’s in charge of what in your company. Show how each person’s unique experience will contribute to the success of your venture. Consider including resumes and CVs of key members of your team.

5. Service or Product Line

Describe what you sell or what service you offer. Explain how it benefits your customers and what the product lifecycle looks like. Share your plans for intellectual property, like copyright or patent filings. If you’re doing research and development for your service or product, explain it in detail.

6. Marketing and Sales

There’s no single way to approach a marketing strategy. Your strategy should evolve and change to fit your unique needs.

Your goal in this section is to describe how you’ll attract and retain customers.

You’ll also describe how a sale will actually happen. You’ll refer to this section later when you make financial projections, so make sure to thoroughly describe your complete marketing and sales strategies.

7. Funding Request

If you’re asking for funding, this is where you’ll outline your funding requirements.

Your goal is to clearly explain how much funding you’ll need over the next five years and what you’ll use it for.Specify whether you want debt or equity, the terms you’d like applied, and the length of time your request will cover. Give a detailed description of how you’ll use your funds. Specify if you need funds to buy equipment or materials, pay salaries, or cover specific bills until revenue increases.

Always include a description of your future strategic financial plans, like paying off debt or selling your business.

8. Financial Projections Supplement your funding request with financial projections. Your goal is to convince the reader that your business is stable and will be a financial success.

If your business is already established, include income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements for the last three to five years. If you have other collateral you could put against a loan, make sure to list it now. Provide a prospective financial outlook for the next five years. Include forecasted income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and capital expenditure budgets. For the first year, be even more specific and use quarterly — or even monthly — projections. Make sure to clearly explain your projections, and match them to your funding requests. This is a great place to use graphs and charts to tell the financial story of your business.

9. Appendix

Use your appendix to provide supporting documents or other materials were specially requested. Common items to include are credit histories, resumes, product pictures, letters of reference, licenses, permits, patents, legal documents, and other contracts.”

A lean startup business plan is high-level focus, fast to write, and contains key elements only. Some lenders and investors may ask for more information. For more information and resources on how to create a business plan, visit the US Small Business Administration website at SBA.gov.

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Simply Happening

Bowie Center for the Performing Arts 15200 Annapolis Rd Bowie, MD 20715

Check out all of the amazing events at Bowie Center for the Performing Arts that are happening this month!

For more information and to purchase tickets visit BowieCenter.org/Events.

Class Act Performing Arts presents: Winter Wonderland Winter Performance Sunday, December 12, 2021 Showtime: 2 p.m.

A Tribute To The Music of Motown Musical Performance Friday, December 3, 2021 Doors Open: 7 p.m.

Concert: 8 p.m.

Starmakers Academy of Dance Wonderland Winter Showcase 2021 Winter Showcase Saturday, December 18, 2021 Showtime: 1 p.m.

A Christmas To Remember A Fundraising Event Brought To You

By The Naomi Group Hosted by Mayor Cashenna Cross Saturday, December 4, 2021 Showtime: 7 p.m

Ballet Nouveau School’s Nutcracker Suite Gala Performance, Gala, Cocktail Hour, Dinner & Dancing Sunday, December 5, 2021 Showtime at 3 p.m.

Gala at 4 p.m.

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Jyla’s Studio of Dance: The Bell Holiday Dance Performance Saturday, December 18, 2021 Showtime: 7:30 p.m.

Check Out

These Themed Stockings To Hang By The Fireplace Stocking Stuffer Ideas That Are Sure to Brighten Up the Holidays Article By Dominique Lassiter Everyone loves the idea of stocking stuffers, but it’s super easy to feel like the typical stuffers are unnecessary items that will be thrown away or forgotten by New Year’s Eve. Similar to buying regular Christmas gifts, figuring out what to put in a Christmas stocking can be a complete challenge on its own. You may have a list of traditional items, or you may be totally clueless on how to fill yours up.

Don’t worry about it! We got you covered. We’ve come up with some stocking stuffer ideas for 4 people that definitely need it this holiday season.

The Self-Care Stocking: For The Woman Who Puts Self-Care First If you’re looking for stuffers for the lady in your life, welcome! When it comes to women, gifts don’t have to be perfect or extravagant. The extra effort goes a long way and speaks volumes to women. Here are some ideas for stocking stuffers for that special lady:

1. A Silk Pillowcase Sleeping on silk has so many benefits for our hair and skin, not to mention its luxurious feeling. Many people don’t consider replacing their pillowcases very often. A silk pillowcase is the stuffer that says she deserves the best.

She’ll be thanking you right into the new year!

2. High-End Hand Cream Brr! It’s cold in here, there must be some dry hands in the atmosphere! A travel size bottle or jar of hand cream can fit right in her purse. Your lady will be saying goodbye to dry hands!

3. Exfoliating Mask Who doesn’t love a little self-care? Keep her skin moisturized and bright with an exfoliating mask (preferably one with organic ingredients)! Her skin will feel fresh and brand new thanks to a great mask.

4. Hand Sanitizer & Hand Sanitizer Holders It’s important now, more than ever, to remain clean & bacteria-free. With brand-new hand sanitizer and these little clip-on holders, she’ll be ready to fight any germ that comes her way.

5. Soft Slipper Socks There’s nothing better than lounging around in a pair of soft, fuzzy, warm socks. After wearing shoes all day, these slipper socks feel like a small piece of heaven. Make this gift a little better by getting them in her favorite color.

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The Gentleman’s Stocking: For The Man Who Likes To Be Cool & Comfortable

Christmas shopping can seem overwhelming, in general.

But for some reason, gift shopping for men always seems more challenging than shopping for women. What can you get for the man who usually buys his own gifts? Something that is practical and makes his life easier! Here are some ideas for stocking stuffers for the impeccable man in your life: 1. A Cooling Towel Does he like to work out? Or maybe his job requires lots of physical exertion. Either way, a cooling towel is a sure way to keep him comfortable and relaxed when he’s working hard.

2. Exfoliating Face Sponges If your guy isn’t into face masks, no worries! These sponges gently exfoliate and cleanse, leaving him with radiant skin. This is a plus in the winter months when everyone’s face is dry.

3. Shoe Deodorizers If he’s a gym rat, or if his shoes just tend to smell after a long day, these shoe balls will deodorize his works shoes, gym bag, or locker in no time.

The Studious Stocking – For Your Favorite College Students Who Are Working Hard

As college students embark on the early stages of adulthood, they’ll need stuffers that are very practical. Your student is in need of some pampering, so look no further!

Here’s some stocking stuffer ideas for the young adult in your life: 1. Gift Cards You can never go wrong with a gift card to their favorite store, food delivery service or ride-share app. Or you can get a general gift card and let them spend it on whatever they want! Sometimes college means prioritizing studying over making money. A gift card is always appreciated.

2. A Bluetooth Speaker Students use music to unwind in their room, to relax in the shower, while studying or while walking to class.

Changing up the scenery to study on the quad can always be made better with your favorite playlist. Whatever the case, they’ll definitely find themselves using their new speaker.

3. Color Changing LED lights The decorative lights add some flair and ambience to that boring college dorm room. They can brighten up your day or they might even serve as a night light!

4. Shoe Shining Kit A Gentleman always wants to look his best. This handy cleaning kit removes tough stains on sneakers and dress shoes almost instantly, so they’ll always look brand new.

4. Under Eye Masks Your college student is constantly working hard and pulling all-nighters to get work done. Help them get rid of any dark circles or bags (from lack of sleep!) with these nourishing masks.

5. Ear & Nose Trimmer Manscaping is a form of self-care for the gentleman with extra hair. Looking good means feeling good. I guarantee you’re doing him a big favor if he doesn’t already have one of these.

5. Succulent Plants These tiny plants are a sure way to brighten your student’s mood. Did you know that studies have proven that house plants improve concentration & productivity (by up to 15%), reduce stress levels, and boost your mood?

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The “Very Good Boy” Stocking – For Your Sweet, Four-Legged Family Member You didn’t think we forgot about your adorable little fur balls, did you? Your dog deserves to be pampered with gifts this holiday season too! Here are great stocking stuffers for your fluffy, barky best friend:

1. Candy Cane Rope Toys Traditional candy canes are a big no-no for dogs, but these decorative rope toys are definitely a close second.

Bingo can have his “candy cane” along with the rest of the family and get some of that pent up energy out.

2. Dog Booties Granted, your dog might not be too excited about these at first. As the weather gets colder, even our fur babies start to feel the temperature change. Once the snow starts, he’ll be thanking you on your next walk together!

3. Paw Balm Your pup may have dry or cracked paws due to the cold weather. Just like our hands, sometimes they need a little help to heal. Use this to help soothe them so they can put their best paw forward!

4. Dental Dog Treats A handful of these in your pup’s stocking is a sure fire way to add a festive and healthy touch to the holiday season.

5. Gourmet Dog Cookies Santa doesn’t have to be the only one that gets cookies around here! Gift your dog some festive cookies this year, and he’ll be jumping for joy.

We hope this list has made your Christmas shopping a little less frustrating this year. Have fun stuffing stockings!

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Publisher Veronica@SimplyMagazines.net Hi I’m Veronica Fountain, the Publisher of Simply Bowie Magazine. I am very proud of my Team and Community. There are so many traditions that my Granny had, such as cutting down the tree herself for the house, and leaving baked cookies out for Santa, but my favorite tradition was absolutely her Cornbread Dressing that she would cook by hand each year to stuff the Turkey. It was an amazing dish and I’m fortunate to remember the recipe to continue this tradition! Merry Christmas!

WHAT GRANNY DID Simply Bowie’s Staff Shares Their Favorite Holiday Traditions Passed Down Through Their Family

Photographer Kenwon@afatherslens.net I’m a family-loving Wilmington, Delaware native. I transitioned to the Washington D.C. area where I’ve developed a passion for telling stories with photos. Every year we visit my family for a Thanksgiving feast hosted by a different relative each year.

During the winter holidays, we rent a condo in Charleston, South Carolina and enjoy southern cuisine and holiday festivities.

Layout & Ad Designer Natt@SimplyMagazines.net I am a Graphic Designer, UX designer and Photographer. I am called “O” by my family, and “NATT” by those in USA. I was born and raised in Thailand. I enjoy using my skills to contribute and inspire others with beautiful designs. The only way to create great art is with love and passion. In my free time, I love spending time with my wife and friends. I love blues music and play soccer once a week. For a traditional holiday, I will spend time with my family all day. I will do activities such as cleaning the house, watching movies and cooking. Sometimes I take my family for dinner at a great restaurant.

Editor In Chief Alyson@SimplyMagazines.net My name is Alyson, I am the Editor In Chief here at Simply Magazines. I have been working in publishing for the last 10 years.

When I am not working, I’m spending time at home with my wonderful husband and three lovely children. My favorite holiday tradition is my Nana and Pop’s Christmas Party. Every year, my Nana and Pop throw a huge open house for the whole family and neighbors to attend. We eat lots of homemade dishes, and Christmas cookies, sing carols while my Uncle plays guitar, and wait for Santa to drop by with his reindeer with gifts for all the kids. When we lived in Japan, it was so hard to miss out on this tradition, but thanks to technology I was able to be there virtually. Due to the pandemic, there was no 2020 holiday party, but we are hoping we can reinstate this wonderful tradition eventually.

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Photographer

CTMPhotographybyRo@gmail.com

Photography has been my passion since childhood. I am currently Owner and Creative Director for Capture The Moment Photography by Ro, LLC. I am a certified photographer specializing in branding and imaging photography, capturing special moments at events and/or holding portrait sessions. During the holiday season, I can sometimes be found at the mall working diligently capturing photos of the kids with Santa. Prior to blessing the Thanksgiving table and dining on the bounty of food, each family member takes a moment to share why they are grateful as well as thankful to celebrate another year together. On Christmas morning, I’m the designated family photog. The adults wait patiently for the young ones to arise and then dash downstairs excited and anxious to open gifts. Our family tradition is to open them in order by age from youngest to oldest so everyone enjoys the wondrous moments.

Simply Magazines Intern

Simply Magazines Intern

My name is Dominique Lassiter. I am a senior Broadcast Journalism major, and Sociology minor from Birmingham, Alabama. One of my family’s Christmas traditions is to play Dirty Santa. Dirty Santa is a party game where amusing and impractical gifts are exchanged during festivities. My grandmother and her sisters would bring their signature dishes to my great grandmother’s house on the holidays.

My grandmother would always bring the dressing.

My name is Taniyah Keve. I am a writer and creative who aspires to connect with others and spread awareness using creativity and words! A holiday tradition that is still near and dear to my heart is my grandfather gathering us in his library on Christmas Eve to read “Twas the Night before Christmas”. He has been doing it since we were born and even though all of us are grown now, we still get our hot chocolate, milk, and cookies ready for Santa, then settle down for our favorite holiday story before going to sleep.

Simply Magazines Intern My name is Ravyn Hardwick and I am a senior at Howard University majoring in Broadcast Journalism and Minoring in Criminology. My favorite holiday tradition is when my immediate family and I all get together on Christmas Eve to exchange and open our gifts. We do this so that everyone isn’t scrambling to see each other on Christmas Day. I love spending the evening with my family and soaking up all the Christmas spirit.

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December 2021

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Seasonal Sanity Add Fun For The Whole Family To Your Next Holiday Get Together With 10 Games That Will Keep Everybody Smiling Article By Taniyah Keve

As the holidays approach, we find ourselves filled with joy as we know we are about to be reunited with all our loved ones on this special day. It is that time of year where we all find value in sitting around an open fire, exchanging gifts, and enjoying a delicious feast to celebrate the holidays. All is good…until it is not. So, instead of sitting around and waiting to see who will start the first fight this year, why not play some games to occupy each other until the clock strikes twelve!

Finding the perfect holiday game to play with your family and friends is a hard task to do. You need something that is going get the attention of almost everyone in the room, but it also needs to be a game that isn’t going to cause any boards to be flipped over, so Monopoly and Sorry are definitely out! The best way to go is to always look for games that cause laughter, whether that be a form of charades or a silly word game, or something that encourages a type of gift exchange, like white elephant.

We have come up with the top ten games that are sure to wow and keep your families happy this year. The room will be filled with laughter and smiles all day long. After all, a little friendly competition never hurt anyone, so may the best family member win!

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Emoji Game: What Does It Mean?

Who doesn’t love an emoji? We know for a fact that all of the kids do, so let’s gather them all up for a fun game of “What Does it Mean?”. In this game, a person is tasked with guessing what a series of emojis could possibly mean.

With all these games to choose from, there should be no reason that anyone is sitting around bored or arguing with each other. These games will help to bring the family closer together and keep them coming back for more time 25 with| one another.

December 2021

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Trivial Pursuit Let’s face it, there is always that one person who just knows they are the smartest in the room so why not put them to the test in a fun game of Trivial Pursuit! It’s about time for someone to earn their bragging rights!

Pictionary Unless you have an artist in the family, this game is always fun! Watching people try their hardest to draw out what’s on their card without the talent of drawing will always be funny. I don’t know what’s funnier, the guesses or the drawings.

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4 White Elephant This game might be one of the most popular holiday games.

A gift exchange that keeps the excitement rolling as people around you get to swap out their gift for yours.

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Charades Who doesn’t love playing charades? Choose the theme of the game and have everyone write down their pick and watch who can act it out the best!

December 2021

Tacky Holiday Sweater Contest Designing is always fun, and it’s even better when no skill is required. Have everyone design and wear their own tacky sweater and vote on who the winner is!

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Gingerbread house

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Karaoke

Let’s race to see who can build the best-looking gingerbread house in only a short amount of time! Bonus points for taste!

After a long day of fun, karaoke is always one of the best ways to end off the night. Put on your favorite holiday songs and watch as you and your family members embarrass each other in front of the entire room!

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Clue Nothing spells out fun quite like a game of Clue. This season gather all of your family members for a fun and mysterious guessing game, which is bound to have the family occupied for quite some time. It’s even more fun if you create the game yourself!

Alphabet Drinking Game Adults only! Now that they children are tucked away safe in their bed while visions of sugar plum dance in their head, it is time for you guys to start having some real fun. Play the alphabet drinking game! Pick a category and begin listing anything that fits in the category in alphabetical order, while remembering to repeat everything that was said before. If you hesitate or mess up, then you drink!

Let us know what your favorite holiday game is on Instagram @SimplyBowieMagazine!

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CORPORATE | PORTRAITS | WEDDINGS | FAMILIES CONTACT US! For more information & pricing At Capture The Moment Photography by Ro, LLC., we specialize in: Branding photography for promoting your business or personal imagery on social media or marketing materials!

Events and Portraiture aimed at capturing all of those special moments to savor forever!

Our certified digital artists have a keen eye for great composition and utilize the latest, state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to provide you the highest quality images. Whether on-location, in your home, or in our studio, we provide the setting that is convenient for you. Whichever venue that you select for your digital photography needs, our certified digital artists will ensure you have a pleasant and comfortable experience. All at an affordable cost.

COVID-19 Statement At Capture The Moment Photography, the Preservation of Your Health and Safety During Your Session Is Our Top Priority.

We Strictly Adhere to all COVID-19 Precautions, Safety and Sanitation Practices as Prescribed by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

(301) 346-1914 | ro@ctmphotographybyro.com | www.ctmphotographybyro.com/clients

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BRINGING THE OUTSIDE IN

The Best Indoor Plants When You Are Stuck Inside This Winter

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E

veryone always raves over gardening in the Spring. The beautiful flowers and the mild Spring weather, but what about flowers in the winter? Which plants thrive in cooler weather and which plants need to stay inside to survive the cold months?

One of the most well-known winter plants is the poinsettia also known as the “Christmas Flower”. It’s beautiful, long-lasting red leaves and full appearance. The low maintenance Poinsettia is popular this time of year and is widely used in Christmas floral displays.

For a gorgeous heart shaped plant that continues to bloom, check out the lace leaf anthurium The anthurium will continually bloom with proper care. Perfect for the winter time, it thrives with more indirect light. The flower is a beautiful bold red that resembles the shape of a heart, hence its other name, the “Ace of Hearts Anthurium”. They are very easy to keep alive as long as they are regularly watered.

One of the most beautiful plants that can thrive indoors during the winter is the peace lily. They are easy to care for, require low to medium light and thrive on less water. Their stunning appearance brings the beauty of nature into your home.

If you are new to being a plant mom or dad, the parlor palm is one of the best winter indoor plants for you.

It’s one of the most popular palms in the world precisely because it is nearly impossible to kill! It can live in low light, very little water, and thrives if left mostly alone.

The beauty of succulents is that they are adorable and don’t need much care even in the winter. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and don’t mind very little water. These sweet succulents are sure to brighten up a dreary winter day.

If you are looking for a beautiful winter flower, that makes you feel like Spring is surely just around the corner, then you need a gardenia bonsai. Its beautiful white blooms are cheery, fragrant and bright. This elegant beauty will provide you with year-round foliage, but be warned it requires a lot of maintenance to thrive. If you do your research before your gardenia home, you are sure to love it.

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We spoke with Janice Parker, CPA, about the importance of financial preparedness as your parents get older.

Article By Alyson Turner Talking about money can be difficult. Society has often told us to keep financial matters private when in fact it is better to discuss our finances with people that we trust. In this challenging time of COVID, there is an added layer of urgency because people are being hospitalized unexpectedly leaving their family to scramble in order to find important documents and make decisions about care. Janice Parker, CPA, spoke with us about the importance of financial preparedness as your parents get older.

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Is There A Power of Attorney In Place?

Janice Parker says, “A medical power of attorney authorizes [a person designated by the individual] to make decisions on their behalf. This is important even if your parent is healthy because with COVID [more] people are getting sick. Their parent is not able to make care decisions and someone has to give a notarized medical power of attorney to the hospital to make those decisions. It is a legal document that should be notarized, and you don’t need a lawyer to prepare that. Most of the time a medical power of attorney is part of a will or trust.

I can say that from experience when my mother became ill, I had to present the hard copy of the medical power of attorney to the hospital.” There are also other types of power of attorney that can authorize a certain individual to make other necessary decisions including medical and financial if needed.

It is important to have these documents in place, long before an emergency happens.

What Insurance Plans Do You Have?

Medical care can be a crippling financial expense. It is best to know what insurance plans your parents have and how their medical bills are being paid. “When you sit down with your parents you need to ask them about their insurance plans. Who is their primary insurance provider? If they are under the age of 65 and your parents are still working then their plan should be under their employer. It is good to know which provider and plan they are working with. If they are retired, which Medicare plans do they have? You don’t necessarily need the card number or the cards but at least discuss what insurance they use,” Janice tells us, “It is also good to ask your parents if they have long term care insurance. My father had Alzheimer’s and towards the end of his life he needed long term care and someone came into their home to take care of him. If they don’t have long term care insurance it can be challenging to get a parent into the right facility or to have a professional come into the home to take care of your parents without it costing a lot of money. It can be very straining financially. Encourage your parents to sign up for long term care insurance if it is offered, and ask their employer if their long term care policy can convert to an individual policy.”

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Do You Know How To Protect Yourself From Financial Scams?

Scams are everywhere these days, but many of them will target older people. Janice recommends that everyone put a credit freeze at all three credit bureaus if you are not buying major purchases because people are out there trying to steal your identity. “I had put a credit freeze on all three bureaus, and in October I got an email stating that someone had gotten access to my social security number and tried to collect unemployment. I had to contact several agencies and file a police report, but I already had a freeze on my credit so I was protected in that sense. Even as your parents get older, please run their credit report with them once a year. Ask them, ‘Do you really have all of these credit cards, do you really have all of these loans?’ Then ask if they need all of the credit cards they have open and close the accounts the correct way by going on line or writing a letter to the lender. Help your parents make financial decisions and be aware of scams. It is good to sit down with your parents saying if you get anything in the mail or an email asking for personally identifiable information, ask you or call the institution to verify that the form is real. Parents need to manage their finances, don’t go overboard [giving money to] their children or grandchildren, and be careful with cosigning for someone else because they don’t have the income to replace if they have to pay for it,” Janice says. Scams come in all different ways including emails, mail, text, or calls and scammers can take thousands from unsuspecting people very quickly.

Do You Know How to Access and Withdraw Your Retirement Funds?

When it comes to retiring, Janice says the number one thing to start with is to contact the financial institutions that are holding your money. “Your parents need to understand their withdraw rule. I am going to retire in two years and started attending webinars for institutions that are holding my money. It helped to hear questions from other people who are retired or getting ready to retire. It started to trigger my mind–how does this apply to me? It has been very helpful.

For example, I have a Vanguard 401k and they hold webinars frequently. I also have a fixed index annuity and did not know how to pull the money out until I spoke to a representative,” Janice says, “They also need to consider their personal risk tolerance – how would they feel if the market dropped and there is limited time to recover losses before retirement. If you are 60 and older, and the market drops, are you okay with it

taking 5 years to recover? Your parents may want to shift to a preservation mode, putting more of money to bonds rather than stocks.” Your parents need to be able to access all of their money and consider how much risk they would like to take when investing their retirement funds.

Have You Considered How Much Money You Will Need To Live On Per Year?

When we are working, we are used to having a bi-weekly paycheck; including knowing what our gross and net pay is. “When you retire, you need to figure out which order of retirement income you are going to withdraw first. Are you going to take out from your 401k or your TSP or your IRA first? How much are you taking out each year? You need to consider your income taxes. In retirement, your parents will need to create their own paycheck. They will need to decide, ‘How am I going to pay for health insurance especially if I retire before 65 when my employer no longer covers me?’

People should realize that their annual income impacts Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D monthly premiums. If their income goes over the limit, then they have to pay a higher monthly premium,” Janice says.

Is Your Will or Living Trust In Order?

Everyone, especially now with COVID, should think about getting a will or a living trust. A will should be filed with your local county or state register of wills. Janice says, “Rather than having to search through documents, a will can be filed with the court. Whether you have a will or a living trust, I would recommend that parents sit down with all of their children at the same time whether they get along or not. It is important to talk to everyone at the same time so there is no confusion on who the executor of the will or trust will be. In regards to inheritance, people need to understand that a power of attorney ends at death, and that is when your will or trust becomes effective. You can’t go to the bank or anywhere else and say you have a right to do something with a power of attorney [once a parent dies]. That is why your will or trust is important to have. I would suggest that especially with COVID to ask your parents to check who their beneficiaries are, especially with life insurance, and name an individual person rather than a trust or estate. When a person opens up savings accounts or CDs, they should not forget to put a beneficiary down. Sometimes you have to ask for a separate form to name a beneficiary or it can be done online.”

While there are many things to consider, it is crucial to ask your parents to have a frank discussion about financial matters including power of attorney, insurance, a will or living trust before the need arises.

“Hard Work Deserves Retirement Planning” Planning for Retirement is crucial. Call today to develop income distribution strategies, to determine implications on income taxation: Maryland, Federal, & Social Security, and to determine implications on Medicare Premiums.

Janice Parker, CPA Project Management Professional (PMP) 32 | Maryland Notary Public

jparker3cpa@gmail.com 301-500-8411 December 2021 linkedin.com/in/jparker3cpa

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The Hottest New Year’s Eve Looks to Welcome in

2022

Article ByTaniyah Keve

New Year’s Eve, a night filled with endless partying and endless looks to bring in the new year. As the fashion scene continues to change almost every few months, it’s no wonder people have a hard time finding the perfect outfit to wear on one of the most fashionable nights of the year.

People have begun to stray away from the typical glitz and glam of the New Year’s party attire and have opted for solid, classy attire, while others have decided to take a more daring approach for the evening.

In all honesty, fashion is an expression of yourself and there is no better way to express who you are than while bringing in the new year and the new you! For some that means wearing something that is a little more on the soft and elegant side, while another may opt to wear a piece that is formfitting and exudes luxury. No matter your sense of style, we have got covered for a NYE night out that is sure to have every head looking in your direction as you become the envy of every room.

Look at our guide for how to style some of the most daring and elegant New Year’s Eve looks!

The Leather Coat Leather has always been a staple piece for the winter. When going out, you are going to be met with a harsh reminder that it is winter, so a coat becomes an essential item to keep you warm as you venture from one event to the next. Many coats tend to take away from an outfit or just appear to be out of style, leaving you looking drab. However, if you choose the right coat then it can become the outfit. It can be easily dressed up with the right pair of heels, boots or accessories and you are ready to head out of the door.

Givenchy, Shark Lock Ankle Boots in Leather,

Pinko, Fur-panelled faux leather coat,

$1,750

$895

Shop Now

Shop Now

Alice And Olivia, Harmony Asymmetric Midi Dress In Blau,

The Statement Piece When you leave at the end of the night, there is something everyone is going to remember you by and, if you’re lucky, it will be about your outfit. Typically, people opt for a statement bag or dress, but not this time around. Heels make the loudest sound when you are walking, so naturally people are going to draw their eyes to that point on your body.

Now, all you have to do is keep them there. Make sure to pair it with something simple, so you aren’t drawing too much attention!

$395 Shop Now

Bottega Veneta, Dot Feather-trimmed leather sandals,

$1,390 Shop Now

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December 2021

Pamella Roland, Sequin and Feather Tulle Gown,

The Feather Dress Feathers have earned a bad reputation within the fashion community, and rightfully so.

Everyone who wears them has a bad habit of wearing them in the worst way. With that being said, there is no reason to shy away from an outfit with feathers! When done right, it adds a sort of elegance and surprise that many find it hard to replicate.

16Arlington, Michelle Crushed-Velvet Dress w/ Feather Trim,

$9,900

$1,290

Shop Now

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Gianvito Rossi, California 105mm leather sandals,

$895 Shop Now

AGGI, Dress Kim Brilliant Blue,

Saks Fifth Avenue, 14K White Gold & Diamond Earrings,

$1,240

$434

Shop Now

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Tom Ford, Padlock Metallic Stiletto Sandals,

$1190

The Glitz and Glam It’s New Year’s, and it just wouldn’t be right if we didn’t include at least one sequins dress. That’s pretty much all people wear that night! No matter how over worn sequins on NYE can be, they will always find a way onto our NYE outfit guide. After all, it will always makes you look like the shining star in the room!

Shop Now

The Red Moment Nothing grabs attention quite like the daring lady in red. So why not go for it! A red outfit adds a bit of sexy and fun to a look, reminding people that they can look but never touch. When it comes to a red outfit, it is always fun to keep it simple. So going for light fabrics, such as satin will do the trick every time.

RETROFÊTE, Silk Halter Tie-Back Top,

$245 Shop Now

Kate Spade New York, Dorset Patent Crystal Kitten-heel Sandals,

$198 Shop Now

Milly, Fiona Hammer Satin Bias Skirt,

$138 Shop Now

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December 2021

"We Make Any Space A Culinary Destination" Executive Chef & Founder Justin Bush Specializing in full-service catering experiences in Maryland, Washington DC & Virginia.

• Providing clients an exciting and memorable culinary experience.

• Preparing every dish from scratch and creating menu items specific to your event.

• For special occasions in your private residence or any other venue including weddings or corporate events

TalkOfDiTown.com

(202) 681-2874

Events@TalkofDiTown.com

PO BOX 7118 Landover, MD 20792

Craveables Catering Chef Cris

Craveables Catering LLC is dedicated to providing quality service and delicious food for your special event. We specialize in small to mid-size private events, such as birthday parties, anniversaries, and brunches, as well as meal prep services that will save you time and money!

Services: Meal Prep Catering for Private Events Contact us today at support@craveablescatering.com or call 786-453-4601.

CraveablesCatering.com

DECEMBER 2021

SAVVY HOME STAGING How To Stage Your Home During The Holidays

Check Out

Some of the Best Themed Stockings To Hang By The Fireplace

5,4,3,2,1...

The Hottest New Year’s Eve Outfits To Welcome In 2022