Hot Beauty- May 2012

Free!

Take Me Home

May 2012

Hollywood Glamour

Healing Power of Tea

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w w w. wo m e n s l i f e s t y l e k a z o o . c o m

Chicken Tacos with Cucumber Salsa

The People Who Make It Happen...

Publisher: Darlene Clifford dclifford@womenslifestylekazoo.com

Editor: Erica Shier editor@womenslifestylekazoo.com

Contributing Writers: Sandy Derby Kelly Duggan Emily L. Magyar Heidi McCrary Jeff Murphy Judy Pearson

Sales: Sales Manager Ruth Ann Dibert radibert@womenslifestylekazoo.com

Sales Representatives: Brenda Murphy

Layout & Design: jr4 designs JR Harper

Photography: K. Redmond Photography www.facebook.com/kredmondphotography

Office Manager: Patty Clifford

Contact Us

By Phone: 269-350-5227 Sales Info: 269-271-1032

By Mail: Greater Kalamazoo Women’s LifeStyle, P. O. Box 2284, Portage, MI 49081-2284

By Email: info@womenslifestylekazoo.com

May 2012 Table of Contents LIFE Taking Care of Young Teeth ...........................17 New to Motherhood? There’s an App for That ..............................................31 STYLE Tangerine Tango ..............................................9 Hollywood Glamour for Your Home................12 Accessories ...................................................19 Jeans Buying Basics .....................................20 The Rise of the Plus-size...............................23 Tips for Looking Your Best and Baring It........34 BEAUTY Make Over Winner ...........................................4 Today’s Trends .................................................6 Six Tips to Use When Considering Cosmetic Procedures ...............................27 Eight Easy Beauty Fixes from the Kitchen.....29 FOOD Tastes from the Kitchen .................................18 Say Si to Cinco de Mayo Salsa Sopes ............................................24 Crunchy Salsa Chicken Bake ..................24 Chicken Tacos with Cucumber Salsa.......24 Spring Dessert Easy Trifle .................................................25 BUSINESS & FINANCE Advertising Goddess .....................................21 Saving For A Rainy Day.................................28

Website: www.womenslifestylekazoo.com LOOK WHOS TALKING Kalamazoo Network Glass Ceiling ................14 International Women’s Brass Conference .....22 Girl Scout’s Heart of Michigan .......................30 HEALTH The Healing Power of Tea..............................10 PCOS and Metabolic Syndrome....................32 LEARN 6 Tips for Successful Garden.........................15 IMHO: She Went That-a-Way.........................26 Reader’s Lounge ...........................................38

Coming In June Summer Adventures

COMMUNITY NEWS & HAPPENINGS Calendar ........................................................35 Buy Local .......................................................38 May 2012

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From the Publisher Welcome to the May edition of Women’s LifeStyle!

This edition is always about Beautiful You! We women are truly beautiful - amazing creations, inside and out.

Every day I am blessed to meet new women or spend time with those I already know and I am continually blown away by how dedicated and loving each one of you is. Whether or not you consider yourself physically beautiful, I hope you know that you ARE beautiful in mind and spirit. And that no matter what – “beauty” is never just about your physical package.

Of course, May also brings about another Mother’s Day and a chance to celebrate how beautiful women can be. Perhaps these thoughts on motherhood say it best: • "God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers." - Jewish Proverb • “My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw.” George Washington • "The commonest fallacy among women is that simply having children makes one a mother - which is as absurd as believing that having a piano makes one a musician." - Sydney Harris • "All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother." - Abraham Lincoln • "The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom."- Henry Ward Beecher • "Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws."- Barbara Kingsolver Whether you are blessed with the gift of motherhood yourself or are simply fortunate to have a mother in your life, may we be the first to say “Happy Mother’s Day”.

Darlene At our 2012 WLSK Expo, many of our guests registered to win a FREE “Spring Style Update” makeover. This month we are pleased to introduce you to the lucky winner:

Congratulations to Our “Spring Style Update” Makeover Winner!

Meet Jean Conner Jean is delighted to be the recipient of this year’s WLSK/KELLYDUGGAN Image Consulting “Spring Style Update” makeover! For the sixty-eight year old mother of five, and grandmother of six, this opportunity comes at a transitional time in her life – retirement. She feels it is a perfect time to reflect on what has been, while focusing on current dress styles and grooming needs, and learning how to create a confident , timeless presence that will work for years to come.

KDIC Journal – By Kelly Duggan Week #1 – Contacted our winner by phone and arranged to meet for the first time. Jean was curious about what she had won and ready to learn more. We were both excited to meet!

Week #2 – The Style Journey officially began with Jean’s “Discovery Session”. We met at the WLSK office to familiarize Jean with all that is included in this process, learn about her personal style desires and goals, and begin the initial image assessments. Style assessments in color & line were completed, and an initial clothing personality assessment started. Jean went home with suggestions on how to best explore her personal style characteristics.

Week #3 – At this 2nd session with KDIC, color and style sessions were completed. Jean received her personalized color chip palette containing color information and a wardrobe development system. She was also given her cluster wardrobe strategy , which is similar to a designer’s “mix-n-match” rack where items are designed to work together. Additionally, Jean received wardrobe/closet organization information and beginning body profile-garment recommendations. A make-up finishing session was completed including demonstrations on color selection and technique. Jean really wanted to learn how to use eyeliner, and we had a fun time walking through the steps!

Next – Time to make plans with the WLSK/KDIC make-over team.

Remember to make sure to follow Jean’s Journey in upcoming issues!

Sponsors

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The hottest trends for the upcoming seasons range from the au natural look through fabulous fifties-style false eyelashes. See which ones suit you best.

BB B.B. cream, short for blemish balm (or beauty balm) is an all-in-one skincare cream. The lightweight, multitasking formula provides SPF sunscreen protection and works to moisturize, conceal, and treat skin in just one simple step. Silky tinted lotions effortlessly blend with your natural tone, minimize the need for foundation and serve as a skin-perfecting primer. With just one application, skin is left looking smooth, glowing, and au natural.

False eyelashes range from rhinestone embedded strips through semi permanent lash extensions (applied lash by lash) by a professional are a must have for the fashion jet setters through everyday divas. For extra drama be sure to check out the shu uemura collection of feather false eyelashes.

Streaking

The Brooke Shields eyebrow rises from the ‘80s! Runway models are brushing their eyebrows upwards to make them look as unkempt as possible. According to style.com, boyish and busy is the look to aim for.

Colored streaks and contrasts, including layered textures of color is a leading hair trend for the most darling of us all. Try out the look with tinted dry shampoo.

Nails are no longer a tool or something to chew, and fun nails aren’t just a teen thing in 2012. Mature women are finding that nails can be ten tiny canvases for works of art and are fun to look at. Edgy shades of orange and purples are in demand.

The Bun Wind-up that highly touted ponytail into an adorable bun. The versatile flat-hair friendly up do can triple-up as an elegant, romantic or a professional look. Especially handy between visits to the hairstylist, the bun is back.

Cat Eyes Get the hang of applying eyeliner and cat eye makeup will follow. Start out with a Smokey eye look. Draw the eyeliner along your upper lash line and give it an up-

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Lash Out

Big Bushy Eyebrows

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ward flick at your eye’s outer edge. Practice makes perfect.

Take the Plunge Plunging necklines, skintight curve hugging minis and peak-a-boo midriff cut outs are among the sexy dress trends of 2012.

Stick It to Me 3-D cosmetics including paper stencils, faux piercings and tattoos, as well as gold leaf sheets will be seen adorning the face of 2012.

Say It Loud Super pigmented lips are one of the hottest trends happening right now. If you want your lips to stand out and look good, be sure to exfoliate them, then apply a SPF lip treatment for conditioning. Keep the rest of your makeup at a minimum. Try out hot pink through crimson shades and decide which is most flattering for you, as well as over-the-top fluorescent hues (check out the Limecrime colors) in several colors at once.

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Au Natural The natural look is in and green brands are leading the way. According to thedailygreen.com it’s impossible to avoid every single suspect ingredient but by steering clear of products with ingredients that can harm both the health and your body and the health of the environment; you’re taking solid preventative measures. Here’s their list of six beauty product ingredients to avoid: • Petrochemical. Examples include petroleum jelly, isopropyl alcohol or isopropanol, methyl alcohol or methanol, butyl alcohol or butanol, ethyl alcohol or ethanol (often-used in skin astringents and perfumes or colognes).

• Sodium laureth/lauryl sulfates and other sulfate-based detergent. Examples include sodium lauryl ether sulfate; sodium laureth sulfate; sodium lauryl ether sulfate (most commonly used in shampoos, shower gel, bubble bath) • Propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol, along with various ingredients formulated with PEGs and PGs. Examples include ethylene glycol (used in firming lotions) and propylene glycol (found in everything from deodorant, mascara, baby powder, after shave and more).

• Formaldehyde & paraben preservatives. Examples include butylparaben, ethylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben (found in sunscreen, shampoos, shaving gel, toothpaste and more) • Synthetic dyes. Examples include anything with F&DC preceding it usually followed by a color and a number.

(F representing food, D&C representing drugs and cosmetics), other color additives, including caramel, lead acetate, manganese violet, and more.

• Artificial fragrances. Avoid most perfumes/colognes, which legally aren't required to list ingredients to protect their trade mark

Fun in the Sun Resort wear rules the summer months in 2012 and the queen of the throne is the sundress. Cool, vibrant, feminine fabrics in solids, as well as earthy patterns prevail. Wear with slip on pumps. Pair solids with a chunky necklace or bracelet.

Jessa Blades, a natural beauty expert and makeup artist says, "our hair is way too clean." Her advice is to stop washing your hair as often and give your hair some time to balance out."

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antone reports that their color of the year is " a spirited reddish orange, continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward. It’s is a winner in cosmetics because of its versatility, Tangerine Tango is a bit exotic, but in a very friendly, non-threatening way. Add a sultry flair to lips cheeks and nails with Tangerine Tango. An unexpected eye shadow color, Tangerine Tango is a complementary opposite that flatters blue or green eyes. When paired with brown eyes, it brings out an amber cast.

Energize interior spaces with Tangerine Tango patterned home accessories. Pillows, bedspreads and tabletop accessories in this high-impact hue add spice to any room. Or incorporate Tangerine Tango appliances and personal electronics for an unexpected pop of color. Looking for an inexpensive way to perk up your home?

Paint a wall in Tangerine Tango for a dynamic burst of energy in the kitchen, entryway or hallway."

Pair tangerine tango colored skinny jeans with a beautiful cotton tunic and comfortable wedge heels for a trendy summer look.

Want Tangerine Tango for your home?

RGB for TPX Breakdown: R-226, G-73, and B-47 CMYK Breakdown: C-0, M-82, Y-80, K=0

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The Healing Power of

Tea is an ancient beverage that has been enjoyed for centuries thanks to its healing benefits. Here are just some of the many ways sipping hot tea can be beneficial to you.

Hot tea may taste good and be soothing on a cool day, but there are also many medical benefits to this drink.

"Green Tea is simply the dried leaves of the Tea plant. All green teas are from the species Camellia sinensis, but depending on the locale where they are grown and on the processing they can be quite different. Chinese teas are predominant, and comprise about 90 percent of what is sold. There are numerous regional Chinese teas, the best known being lung ching (dragon well). Other teas from Japan are equally good.

Japanese green teas are of two basic types, sencha or gyokuro. Sencha is grown in the full sun, while gyokuro is shaded a few weeks before it is harvested. While there are many brands, the basic difference is that gyokuro makes a sweeter, darker green Tea than sencha, which is somewhat grassy in flavor."

- Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements. www.NaturalPedia.com

Decreased risk of heart disease A study published in the journal Circulation indicated that drinking more than two cups of tea a day decreased the risk of death from a heart attack by 44 percent. Even if you aren’t having several cups a day, tea can provide marked improvement in cardiovascular health and reduction of fatal heart attacks.

Reduction in blood pressure Drinking merely a half-cup of green or oolong tea may reduce blood pressure by up to 50 percent, say researchers. Because high blood pressure could contribute to stroke, one can surmise that drinking tea may have benefits in stroke reduction as well.

Antiseptic properties People who rinse their mouth with tea or drink it frequently may benefit from a reduction in cavities or periodontal diseases. The bioflavonoids in tea have antiseptic and astringent properties. A tea gargle can help prevent bad breath and kill germs

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in the mouth that contribute to poor oral health, according to the Hibiki-an brand of green tea. Because many viruses are airborne, drinking or gargling with tea may also help fight cold and flu.

Lowers cancer risk The polyphenols in tea may be responsible for inhibiting factors that promote cancer growth in the body, according to some studies. In addition, the antioxidants in tea can help improve overall health.

In one study, green tea was shown to inhibit bladder cancer cell growth in the laboratory. Some doctors surmise that drinking tea can fend off certain gastrointestinal cancers.

Neurological benefits Some research suggests that tea is valuable in the fight against neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

Many of the benefits of tea are produced through flavonoids — a natural class of antioxidants that are found in many natural plant-derived foods. Ac-

cording to medical experts, antioxidants remove free radicals from the body — molecules that form as side products of damage done to the body by pollution and the natural aging process. The instability of free radicals causes them to react negatively with cells in the body and DNA. This may result in malfunctions and mutations on a cellular level. These malfunctions or mutations can increase risk of heart disease and cancer.

What many people like about drinking tea is that there are no apparent side effects. Even if tea doesn’t produce all of the benefits it promises, there is still the comfort in knowing the beverage is not harmful.

Tea is a soothing drink that can calm a sore throat, hydrate the body, relieve symptoms of upper respiratory infections, and warm a person up when there is a nip in the air. Add a little honey, which has its own nutritive value and you may have a potent remedy in a cup.

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Hollywood for Glamour your home

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ollywood Regency is one of the biggest trends in interiors today. Decadent glitz was all the rage in 1930s Hollywood, when the stars’ homes were treated as showplaces. The house was a destination and place to entertain. Visions of bold chandeliers, brocade and damask, shiny lacquer finishes and floor to ceiling mirror applications come to mind. While these lavish interiors may be fun to look at in a magazine, they’re not always practical for our everyday spaces. Yet, I believe everyone can use a little luxury in their life. Even if you don’t have the budget of an A-list star or covet a home filled with bling, a touch of glamour can be added to existing décor to bring your house from “yawn” to “wow”.

It’s all about layering in luxurious details. Here are the elements to incorporate for high glamour: Mirrored Finishes. You can never have enough mirrors when going for the Hollywood glam look.

Anything and everything mirrored goes with the style. Beyond framed mirrors on the wall, think antiqued mirrored furniture pieces such as sideboards or beds. Shiny, reflective surfaces, like glass tile, high gloss paint and crystal or acrylic accents work to enliven a dull, dark space.

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Animal Accents. A little goes a long way when incorporating a touch of the animal kingdom into your home. Unless a hunting trophy room is part of your design plan, usually one item per room does the trick. A faux fur throw at the end of a bed, a zebra print rug in the sitting room, horned candelabras on a fireplace mantel, or cowhide covered pillow on a sofa all add a splash of drama without going overboard.

Crystal Chandeliers. Honestly, who doesn’t secretly (or not so secretly) lust over at least one decadent chandelier in their home? It’s natural to be attracted to the twinkling, reflective light created by these fixtures. The obvious choice is to hang one over the dining table or in a high ceiling of a foyer, but I like to find an unexpected place to display a small to medium size chandelier like over a freestanding bathtub, in a home office or over a children’s bed.

Luxe Layering. The layering of luxurious textures is the true secret to creating a Hollywood glam feel. Thick, sculpted carpet, heavy velvet drapes and fringed lampshades mark this design style.

Combine sultry silks and smooth metallics. Start mixing in small pieces like lamps or side tables of this time with your current décor. Even if you love modern lines, throw in a vintage high lacquered Queen Anne chair for unexpected drama.

Small Scale. Overstuffed, large sectionals were not part of the lifestyle back in the 30s. Rooms were smaller and people entertained at home. The scale of the furniture was smaller, allowing for ample space to move about the interior. Instead of covering your square footage with wall to wall furnishings, allow for breathing room.

While Hollywood Regency design is a throwback to another era, it’s still incredibly modern and relevant to today’s lifestyle. The idea is really about entertaining and enjoying time together in your home. Have fun with it!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ashley Cole is a professional interior designer. Her work has been featured on HGTV as well as numerous publications, including Kitchen Trends and Home Magazine. Ashley’s passion is “creating environments that enliven the spirit”. www.ashleycoledesign.com

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“A little goes a long way when incorporating a touch of the animal kingdom into your home.” - Ashley Cole

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Bridget Lorenz Lemberg 2012 Glass Ceiling Award Winner 2012 Glass Ceiling Award Every year in May the Kalamazoo Network’s Glass Ceiling Award is presented to an outstanding woman from the Kalamazoo community.

The recipient is often the “first” or one of a few women to achieve noted professional success in her field and someone who inspires others as a role model. Previous recipients include: Dr. Eileen Wilson-Oyelaran, Gloria Tiller, Jan Tamraz and Lori Moore, to name just a few.

This year’s winner will be recognized at the Kalamazoo Network meeting on May 8th at the Fetzer Center.

Guests are welcome. For more information or to make a reservation please contact: kalamazoonetwork.org.

Bridget Lorenz Lemberg Forensic Fluid Laboratories, Inc.

In 2005, after practicing toxicology and pharmacology for more than 20 years, Bridget Lorenz Lemberg launched Forensic Fluids Laboratories, Inc. She has developed new

methods for oral fluid testing and technology that have helped grow the company from just a few employees to over 30 in seven years. Often described as a pioneer in her field, Bridget’s testing method can also be used to monitor compliance for therapeutic drugs such as Ritalin, Xanax, Prozac, Vicodin, and can also test for the latest designer drugs, K2 and Bath Salts.

Oral fluid testing is easily observed, more accurate than a urine test, needs no facilities to perform and is virtually impossible to cheat. Tests only take five minutes and the results are back within 24 hours.

As an active member of her community, Bridget is diligent about serving as a role model and mentor for other women. In her free time she loves to kayak and bicycle.

Bridget shares her busy life with her hubby, a WMU professor.

Joan VanSickler is serving her 5th year on the Kalamazoo Network Board and is the 2011-2012 President. Communicate by Design with Joan VanSickler, Mixed Media Marketing and Design http://www.facebook.com/groups/24635987885/ http://kalamazoonetwork.org/index.php

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Remove Debris If you didn’t remove all the debris from your garden last fall, you must clear out the old leaves and stems before you plant. This is the single-most effective pest control measure you can take for your garden.

Insect eggs or disease spores from last year’s growth can infect your new crop.

Loosen Soil After you have removed the debris, use a shovel to break up clods of dirt and loosen the soil to the rooting depth of your plants. You want to create a uniform, porous seedbed for seeds and seedlings. Any plants that root below 5 or 6 inches are capable of penetrating most soils.

If your garden plot has packed clay or sandy soil, till in organic matter such as peat, composted leaves or lawn clippings and work them into the soil as deeply as you can. This will form a soil structure that allows roots to breathe and grow. It will also help retain vital moisture and nutrients. Do not use lawn clippings for this if you have treated your lawn with a weed killer or insecticide. Residual chemicals on the clippings can damage garden plants or make vegetables unsafe to eat.

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enough. If your soil is dry, fill the hole half full of water before you place the seedling in it. Firmly pack soil around it without compacting it.

Gently water over the top of planted seedlings. Keep them moist for a week or so, depending on your weather conditions.

When to Fertilize In general, fertilize when you first seed or transplant. This

“Learn to identify helpful insects, so you don’t kill off friends of your garden.”

Fertilizing Melinda Myers, host of Great Lakes Gardener public television show and author of several gardening books, advises gardeners to always use a fertilizer that is gentle on both plants and the environment.

“Use a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer that provides plants with small amounts of nutrients over a long period of time,” notes Myers. “This slow release nitrogen goes directly to the plants and not into groundwater. It's friendly to the environment and allows plants to use all the nutrients you apply.

It also promotes even growth, discouraging insect and disease problems.” Slow-release nitrogen fertilizer reduces the risk of damage to plants and the environment in the event it’s misapplied or overused.

Seeding and Planting It’s exciting to watch plants grow from a tiny seed.

If you plant seeds, follow the package directions.

Directions will vary for each kind of seed you plant.

Be careful! The most common planting mistake is planting too deep. This results in poor germination.

Water gently, keeping seeds moist until they germinate. Follow specific watering instructions for each kind of seed you plant.

Plant seedlings as deep as they were in their holder.

You can see the soil level on the stem. Keep their roots vertical by making sure your hole is deep

encourages early root and plant growth. Fertilize again when plants begin to flower or display leaf growth that will mature for harvest. For fullseason plants, fertilize a third time in mid to late summer.

Potatoes, tomatoes and similar plants especially benefit from this third application.

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Tips for a Successful Garden

If you have any doubts as to what kind of fertilizer to use or how much to apply, or if you would like your soil analyzed for nutrients, contact your local county horticultural extension agent.

“In many cases, treating a garden with pesticides kills off beneficial insect species that keep problem species under control,” says Archer. “Learn to identify helpful insects, so you don’t kill off friends of your garden.”

Those Darned Pests Insects, weeds and disease can present problems to a healthy garden. Mike Archer, master gardener and research coordinator for Milorganite, recommends using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for pest control. IPM is a low-cost, low-impact means for controlling harmful pests.

Other methods of environmentally sound pest control include hoeing weeds; staking tall plants so fruit does not touch the ground; providing garden ventilation to minimize incidence of disease; and trickling water on the soil, not on foliage, when watering on sunny days so leaves don’t scald.

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Taking Care of Young courtesy Teeth Family Featues

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ealthy teeth and a healthy mouth give children more than just a beautiful smile.

A healthy mouth supports overall health, and it can help children perform better in school. But far too many children have preventable oral health problems far too young.

Tooth decay affects more than 25 percent of American children 2 to 5 years old, and half of children 12 to 15 years old - that’s more than any other chronic infectious disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Left untreated, tooth decay causes pain and infection, which can lead to problems in eating, speaking, playing, and even learning.

There is plenty that parents and caregivers

can do to help prevent tooth decay and other oral diseases.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) says that children should have their first visit to a pediatric dentist no later than their first birthday. The first tooth usually comes in between 6 and 12 months of age - schedule an appointment and get started on good oral health care from the beginning. The AAPD says that, in one study, children that saw a dentist before their first birthday had dental costs that were 40 percent lower in the first five years than costs for children who had not seen a dentist by their first birthday.

Establish Good Habits - Kids need help establishing good dental care habits. Make sure they brush twice a day, floss every day, follow a healthy diet and visit the dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings.

• Using a soft-bristled brush, kids should brush for at least two minutes. Some power toothbrushes have a built-in timer. Before teeth appear, clean baby’s gums twice a day with a soft cloth or baby toothbrush and water.

• Parents should floss young children’s teeth once a day, until they can do a good job themselves, at least until age 7 or 8.

• Make sure they eat foods with vitamin C, which helps gum tissue stay healthy, and calcium, for strong teeth.

Be Alert - Watch for signs of oral health problems.

Talk to your dentist if you see warning signs such as: • Changes in performance at school - listening, concentrating and learning.

• Sucking on cheeks or lips.

• Reluctance to smile.

• Problems chewing foods.

• Problems sleeping.

• Aching teeth or gums.

You can also talk to your dentist about sealants, which can be applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth. Sealants are one more way you can help prevent cavities and keep your kids’ smiles healthy and beautiful.

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Do you have fashion questions and dilemmas of your own? It’s easy to ask our Image Consultant Kelly Duggan, just send your questions to Kelly at info@womenslifestylekazoo.com.

Be sure to indicate Image Questions in the subject line.

Accessories A Vital Part of an Effective Professional Wardrobe

You undoubtedly realize the importance of investing in a business wardrobe to enhance your image, but may fail to recognize that the garments you select are only one part of your overall professional image.

Your makeup, jewelry and other accessories also deserve your attention so that you always look your best. These important accents can complement or compete with your carefully selected, professional outfit.

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Look in the Mirror: Take a good look at yourself in the mirror before you leave each morning. Are your clothes clean and pressed? Are your shoes polished? Are your accessories simple and classic? If you do not look well put together, you are not conveying the professionalism that your colleagues expect of you.

Follow these six tips to ensure that what you decide to do with your accessories has you looking your very best at work each day:

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Check for Noise: While all shoes make noise, notice if yours are unusually loud. This can distract those around you and will be sure to make you uncomfortable. The same goes for jewelry.

Save the bells and chimes for the holiday parties and keep them out of the office. You do not want your noisy bracelets to distract from your powerful message.

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Simplify: Instead of carrying both a purse and a briefcase, invest in a stylish, feminine briefcase that can serve as your purse and hold your papers, or even your laptop. You can always stick a small evening bag in the briefcase if you need to go from day to evening. Just leave the case in the office when you go out to that dinner or cocktail hour.

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Don’t Forget Jewelry: Jewelry is important, as it finishes the look.

Always wear earrings to frame your face. Also, add at least a necklace or a bracelet, and consider wearing a watch. Without jewelry you look underdressed in the workplace…and underpaid. Invest in some good classic jewelry that will last a long time, and each year add one or two more current pieces.

Stick with the Classics: Choose suede or leather in neutral colors for your bags and shoes. Patent leather is a great way to add flair while still being neutral. Also, avoid the latest trends when purchasing these items. Classic shoes and bags are good investments and will look great for seasons to come.

Do a Test-Run: Take the time to do a “test run” on any new accessory or garment you add to your business wardrobe. Wear it first to meet a friend for lunch before you wear it to work so you will not be surprised by an earring that keeps falling off or a necklace that keeps catching your hair. You want to be aware of any challenges and resolve them away from the office.

Accessories are a vital part of an effective professional wardrobe. Whatever your professional role, follow these guidelines to ensure you always feel confident, and look fantastic.

Kelly Duggan is an Image Consultant specializing in executive and personal image development, etiquette and communication skills. She is a certified member of the Association of Image Consultants International. Contact Kelly at: www.kellyduggan.com

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Your Style If you’re looking to update your wardrobe, look for jeans with a bit of stretch for fit and comfort. With the numerous styles and colors available you can find jeans that fit like a glove and help you look your best.

Here’s a few tips for buying the best fitting jeans and the best style for your shape.

Jeans Buying Basics If you’re tall:

If you’re thin:

Look for jeans brands that boast an inseam size, like the way men’s jeans are sold. Some manufacturers offer jeans in various lengths, such as short, average and tall.

You may need a 33-inch inseam if you are around 6 feet tall.

How good your butt looks is what the search for great fitting jeans is all about. Look for ultra tappered legs.

The waist cut can be cut as low as you dare go. If the jeans you’re trying on feel a bit loose, check the next size down, as the jeans may give a bit with wear.

If you’re plus-sized:

If you’re pear-shaped:

Select jeans that streamline the legs and hips. Bootcut styles won’t taper at the bottom and will elongate the leg. Be sure to fit the largest part of your body, which could mean going up a size. A bit of looseness is more flattering than looking like you can barely bend.

Draw attention away from hips by wearing higherwaisted jeans that will immediately draw the eye upward. Ultra-tapered legs should be reserved for the most lean shapes, because they call attention to hips and thighs

If you’re petite:

If you’re ample in back:

Look for dark-washed colors, which can make the legs

Watch the pockets and avoid any extra embellishments, as not to call attention to your behind. Faded areas and pockets that are tiny or spaced far apart will make your butt look big.

look longer. Avoid cuffs, which make your legs look shorter. When purchasing petite sizes, but sure the hem touches your shoe.

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Confessions of an Advertising Goddess The Power behind “Yes, We Can!” Curled up on the sofa with a cup of decaf, I was catching up on the latest shenanigans of the Modern Family gang when the show went to break and the screen filled with a familiar face. “Yes, we can!” boasted the local icon, finger pointing at me and “daring” me to buy my next car anywhere else.

Say what you want about the man behind the pointing finger, Mr. “Yes, we can!” knows how to market himself. He’s a walking billboard and he knows how to work it. If you’ve ever wondered what exactly branding is, well that’s it in a nutshell.

As defined in BusinessDictionary.com, Brand Identity is: The visible elements of a brand that together identify and distinguish the brand in the consumer’s mind. Put in simpler terms, it’s the red bull’s-eye that immediately connects us to Target, or the golden arches that are recognizable worldwide. Branding is how a business, product, or person is perceived by the public, whether that perception is good or bad. While a strong positive brand is hard to build, a negative perception of a brand is twice as hard to erase.

While the rule is to stay with a brand identity in order to build recognition and loyalty, it’s equally important to know when to tweak a brand’s look or go with a new identity all together. Sometimes the economy or competition forces a business to reassess their current perception and selling message. For example, JC Penney has long been known as a safe, middle-of-the-road retailer with no real style and no strong identity. With the recent closing of many Sears and K-Mart stores across the nation, the folks at JC Penney realized that they needed to either step up their game or follow in the footsteps of retailers who were unable to adapt to the “new norm” of our economy. So, they decided to bring on Ellen Degeneres, one-price marketing and a whole new look and feel.

For this to work in the long-term, however, they will need to be sure that their product lines and the stores themselves are updated, for the one thing advertising can’t do is create a fabulous product that doesn’t really exist.

Another reason for tweaking or rebuilding a brand is if the heart of a business or product has changed, and the old perception no longer fits. The local newspaper recently took a drastic leap into the online media world, with the primary focus no longer being on the home-delivered paper. With newspaper subscriptions falling at an alarming rate, change was necessary and only time will tell if the current marketing campaign is successful in the promotion of the reinvented “New Company.”

Branding…it’s what makes you sing along to the local carpet cleaner’s silly jingle, and watch the local mattress store’s TV commercials in amusement each year as the owner’s kids grow up in front of our eyes. And branding is what makes you know who I’m talking about when I say those three words, “Yes, we can!”

The Advertising Goddess (AKA - Heidi McCrary) is coowner of Ad Shop, etc. – a boutique advertising agency offering full-service and ala carte marketing services to local businesses. Contact Heidi at heidi@adshopetc.com or at (269) 207-0103.

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Lin Foulk & Deanna Swoboda Brass Conference

If you enjoy brass music, Kalamazoo is the place to be this summer. From June 6th through the 10th, The Western Michigan University School of Music will be the host site of the seventh International Women’s Brass Conference (IWBC), featuring performances and presentations by world-class female brass artists and exhibitors.

Founded in 1990 by former St. Louis Symphony Orchestra principal trumpet Susan Slaughter, the IWBC aims to support and raise awareness for female brass musicians. The Conference is held every three years, and features new pieces written by female composers, exhibitions and performances by women who play brass instruments, as well as conference participant ensembles, and the prestigious IWBC competition.

Brass sections in ensembles are traditionally dominated by males. Though a growing number of women receive degrees in trumpet and low brass instruments, they currently hold less than three percent of the positions in brass sections of the top twenty-two orchestras. In 2006, only two percent of the music performed by orchestras nationwide was composed by women. The IWBC can help to change that.

Lin Foulk and Deanna Swoboda, Associate Professors of Music at WMU, are in charge of planning this year’s confer-

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ence, putting in time daily to correspond with artists and other participants, volunteers, board members, and reporters.

“These conferences will bring together professionals, students, amateurs, and community members to celebrate and bring awareness to female brass musicians,” Lin said. “The mission is important to us and we want to involve the local community as well as the brassplaying community.”

“This [conference] is a unique event that brings the best female and male brass players from all over the world together to educate, develop, support, and inspire all women brass musicians,” Lin noted. “Symphony orchestras continue to be important institutions in artistic culture. However, the diversity of its members has significantly lagged behind other cultural institutions.”

All concerts and presentations during the IWBC will be open to the public.

Performances will be held at the Dalton Center Recital Hall at WMU, and in a variety of venues in downtown Kalamazoo. Visit www.ibc2012.org for more information about the IWBC, and for a complete schedule of performances and locations.

- Emily L. Magyar

www.womenslifestylekazoo.com

The

RISE

of the Plus-size

While no doctor or health expert will tell you it is healthy to be obese, the fact remains that there are healthy women who wear a size 4 and healthy women who wear a size 18. Some in the fashion industry are acknowledging that women want to see clothing they can actually wear, giving rise to an increase in the number of plus-size models and personalities appearing in marketing campaigns.

Model Crystal Renn is just one proponent of the movement for all sizes to be viewed as beautiful. Renn, who authored “Hungry: A Young Model’s Story of Appetite, Ambition and the Ultimate Embrace of Curves,” nearly lost her life due to anorexia and other extreme measures she endured to walk the catwalk with a fashion-thin body. Renn, who is 5’9”, once weighed 88 pounds (and wore a size 0), but now speaks out against pressure to be a certain weight (whether thick or thin) to be seen as beautiful.* Ford Models has a Ford+ for non-traditional models. While these women may still not be considered plus-size according to everyday standards (NOTE: plus size in the modeling industry is between a size 8 and 12), they do present a more realistic example of the female body on the runway. Ford+ models are being hired for mainstream fashion designers, not just those geared toward plus-size clothing. Whitney Thompson, Marquita Pring, Zandra Rhodes, Gitte Lill, Natalie Laughlin, Tara Lynn, and Alyona Osmanova are some of the most recognizable names in plus-size modeling. *Renn is currently thin and has fluctuated between a size 6 and 16 during the past two years.

WE’RE BIGGER THAN YOU MIGHT THINK According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the measured average height, weight, and waist circumference for adults ages 20 years and over is: Men: Height (inches): 69.4 Weight (pounds): 194.7 Waist circumference (inches): 39.7 Women: Height (inches): 63.8 Weight (pounds): 164.7 Waist circumference (inches):

Bigger Mannequins?

Zandra Rhodes for Simply Be

37.0

courtesy www.mannequinstore.com

The recent trends in mannequins has been to increase sizes (as well as just breast and buttock sizes.)

The term "plus-size" in reference to mannequins is a little deceptive, as most mannequins are anything but normal size. Female mannequins are usually a size 6. A plus-size mannequin may be as small as a 10 or 12, which, in the world of people, is not plus sized but qualifies as plus-size in the mannequin world.

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EASY Dessert

courtesy Family Features

These no-fuss dessert recipes are sure to delight. Start with a pre-made pound cake and make a few easy enhancements.

In no time, you can put together an Easy Trifle, Pound Cake S’Mores, or even a Classic Strawberry Shortcake. With a few extra minutes, you can create a delectable Banana Nut Pound Cake Pudding, or Grilled Pound Cake with Ice Cream, Pineapple and Chocolate Drizzle – perfect for sharing any day of the week.

All of these easy recipes can be made with Sara Lee Pound Cake. The pre-sliced and individually-wrapped slices are ideal for making perfectly-portioned desserts or snacks.

Easy Trifle 2 servings 2 1/2 1 1/4 1/4 1

1/2-inch slices pound cake cup Greek peach yogurt cup light whipped topping, divided cup sliced fresh peaches cup whole raspberries tablespoon toasted almonds

Thaw 2 pound cake slices according to package directions. Cut thawed pound cake into 1-inch cubes. Mix yogurt with 1/2 cup light whipped topping, reserving remaining whipped topping for later.

Put two parfait glasses on a work surface. Layer 1/4 of the pound cake cubes into each glass. Top each with 1 tablespoon sliced fresh peaches and whole rasp-berries, and 1/4 yogurt mixture. Repeat layers, ending with yogurt. Top with remaining light whipped topping and toasted almonds.

Tip: You can make this recipe for more people, by scaling up the ingredients and presenting in a pretty glass bowl.

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She Went That-a-Way I’m the kind of person who always wants to look like she’s in control. However, when it comes to directions, I truly do NOT know what I’m doing. I can get lost in my own closet. My son was once stationed at the Air Force base in Wichita Falls, TX., about an hour’s drive from Dallas. Once, when I went to visit him there, my plane landed at 3:00 p.m. By 5:00 pm, I was still driving around Dallas suburbs, dodging children and Nerf balls, looking desperately for a freeway entrance. By the time I arrived at the base, his enlistment was nearly over.

A GPS doesn’t help. In fact, I think mine has fired me. On repeated occasions, she has become very irate when I’ve failed to turn as she wanted me to. She yells, “Turn left, turn left. At the first available opportunity make a u-turn and turn left!” She’s nearly cursed, and then gone silent, as if to punish me.

I’ve researched women in history to see if my poor directional skills are somehow a gender thing. It seems they are not. Cleopatra seemed to have no problems plying the Nile. Joan of Arc was able to lead hundreds of Frenchmen against the British with nary a misstep. Only Amelia Earhart let down our gender, but she had a male navigator so we can’t hold her responsible.

Then there’s Hansel and Gretel, who wisely left bread crumbs behind them to find their way back home. I thought that might be the thing to do in large malls, since I can’t ever seem to remember which way I was traveling before being distracted by attractive window displays. I bought and tore apart a large pretzel once, but it was not effective. Some untethered two-year-old gobbled up my pretzel chunks as fast as I dropped them.

Further complicating my situation is the fact that my mouth often works despite a poor internal direction finder. I confuse my left and right, and spout out incorrect instructions to everyone from girlfriends to taxi drivers. I even question my husband’s navigating decisions when he, in fact, is descended from Magellan and NEVER gets lost.

There is, however, one area in which I do excel: asking for directions. I am not shy about stopping people on the street of a strange city, or hop-scotching from gas stations to mini-marts in an effort to arrive at my destination. I actually think that this is a gender inclination and I’m proud of it. After all, if men were not so adverse to asking for help, Moses would have found the promised land earlier and the Wise Men would have arrived on time.

I will continue to hone my navigation skills, using maps and apps and anything else I can find. In the meantime, I’ll happily consider any suggestions you might have to speed the process. Please call soon, before my family restricts my travels to an electric golf cart with a short cord.

Judy Pearson is the founder of Courage Concepts, an organization which fosters courage in women through seminars and Courage Conventions. Judy is also the author of magazine and newspaper articles, as well as two books about ordinary people who exhibited extraordinary courage. Her latest, Wolves at the Door, has been optioned for a movie. info@courageconcepts.com and www.courageconcepts.com

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6

TIPS TO USE when considering a cosmetic medical procedures

“In many instances, dermatologic surgeons, who are properly trained and experienced in performing cosmetic medical procedures, are sought to correct the mistakes of inexperienced and unqualified physicians,” says Dr. Susan Weinkle, presidentelect of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS). “Consumers should be aware that lower prices do not mean equal training and treatment, and should be cautious that these discounted prices could put their health at risk as a result of the provider’s inadequate training and lack of expertise.”

Dr. Weinkle and the ASDS urge consumers to recognize that all cosmetic procedures are medical procedures that should be performed by a qualified physician or under the close supervision of an appropriately trained physician.

The ASDS suggests consumers follow these tips before undergoing any cosmetic medical procedure: • Check credentials: Research the physician before undergoing the procedure to ensure that he or she is board-certified in dermatology. To find a board-certified dermatologic surgeon, visit www.ASDS.net.

• Don’t rely on price: If a procedure’s cost seems too good to be true, it probably is. Bargainpriced treatments may end up costing you in the long run if they cause harm, need correction or are ineffective.

• Make sure a doctor is on-site to closely supervise: Most cosmetic surgery procedures should be performed by a physician. If the physician is supervising a procedure, make sure he or she is immediately available on-site to respond to any questions or problems that may occur while the procedure is being performed.

• Ask questions: Always ask questions no matter how minor your questions may seem. Good questions include the following: Who will perform the procedure? Is this treatment right for me?

What if something goes wrong? What procedures are in place to deal with an emergency? What training does the staff have? Is this laser, device or technique appropriate for my skin type? How many of the procedures do you perform in a month? May I see before and after photographs?

• Be sure your medical history is taken: Before undergoing any cosmetic surgery procedure, make sure the physician is aware of your medical history, including allergies to medications and previous surgeries.

• Trust your instincts: Don’t be afraid to walk away. If it doesn’t feel right, find a more reputable location.

For more information and to download a free precosmetic surgery questionnaire, visit www.ASDS.net.

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SAVE FOR A RAINY DAY

M

ost of us know it’s wise to get enough exercise, eat right, and watch our blood pressure and cholesterol.

We visit our doctor each year to be sure our body stays as fit as possible. When was the last time you planned for your wealth? Have you reviewed the condition of your investments, evaluated your taxes, and examined your retirement planning picture? And when did you last visit a financial planner to get a professional assessment of your financial health? This may be a situation you would rather ignore right now, but it’s safe to say that Uncle Sam isn’t likely to step in to help you anytime soon.

You don’t need to have wealth to create a good financial plan—but you may improve your situation if you have one. By doing so, you’ll be able to protect your retirement assets, keep from paying too big a tax bill, and have enough money to cover life’s little pleasures. Effective financial planning, is a disciplined behavior, much like health maintenance. Much of it is common sense—like knowing the difference between your needs and your wants.

YOUR EMERGENCY FUND

2. Start small. To get started, you may only be able to add $5 or $10 per week. That’s okay, because you will see that it adds up, and the more you have, the more you will want to have. The amount is less important than just getting started—the habit of saving is what is critical here. You can gradually increase the amount you contribute.

3. Work up to your goal savings rate. Once you get used to the savings habit, fine tune your savings plan to reach your financial goals. If you need to save $3000 one year, you will need to save $57.69 per week.

Many financial planners recommend savings of 5 to 10 percent of your income, but the exact amount is based on individual goals.

Financial planners usually recommend having three to six months of fixed and variable expenses in cash, in case of emergency.These funds should never be used for shopping, eating out, or entertainment. Make a list of the situations that you can use these funds, and stick to it. Emergencies should include job loss, unexpected auto and home repairs, illness, etc. Loss of income from layoffs and sickness or injury could last months. To calculate how much your emergency fund needs in it, you should evaluate your monthly expenses. Expenses include everything: mortgage or rent, car and related expenses, credit-card payments, groceries, insurance, and utility bills. The following steps will help you to increase an emergency fund or in establishing savings by paying yourself first.

4. Stay on track. Add to your savings each time you are paid and don’t let minor setbacks keep you from your schedule for meeting your financial goals. If you have a minor emergency, you may need to modify your savings plan temporarily or use the emergency fund that is already established, but resume your savings habit as quickly as possible.

1. Choose a convenient savings plan. Have your employer deposit a portion of your paycheck into a savings/investment account. Or you can have your check directly deposited to your bank account and have the bank automatically transfer a portion to savings.

6. Enjoy the accumulation of your wealth.

Once you’ve reached your goal amount, you can start putting your excess contribution into investments for other things you want to spend on, such as vacations, new car or furniture, and then start looking toward longer term goals such as children’s college and retirement.

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5. Track your accumulation. Maintain records of savings/investment plans to keep track of exactly what you have and the activity in your account. Periodically, review how you are progressing toward your financial goals— money in…money out. In just a short time, you’ll see a big difference in your savings balance.

After you’ve mastered this basic principle of paying yourself first, you are ready to take on new challenges in the other areas of financial planning, such as insurance, tax planning, retirement and estate planning. That’s where professional assistance from a Certified Financial Planner may help. A CFP® is best suited to help demystify the financial planning process and to assist you in managing your money to enrich your financial well-being and quality of life for you and your family.

Sandy K. Derby, CFP®, ChFC™ has been in the financial services industry since 1989. She is President of Derby Financial & Associates LLC, where our goal is to help women become financially secure and independent, through comprehensive financial planning. Sandy can be reached at sandykderby@derbyfinancial.net or 269-321-5047.

Securities and investment advisory services offered through Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. PO Box 64284, St Paul, MN 55164-0284, 800-8002638, Member FINRA/SIPC and Registered Investment Advisor, Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. is not affiliated with Derby Financial & Associates, LLC. Neither Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. nor its registered representative or employees provide tax or legal advice. As with all matters of a tax or legal nature, you should consult with your tax or legal counsel for advice.

www.womenslifestylekazoo.com

8 EASY BEAUTY FIXES

from the Kitchen 1. Avocadoes: Instead of mashing this fruit for guacamole, reserve some mashed avocadoes for a skin mask or to provide therapy to dry hair. Mix a little olive oil in with the avocado, apply to hair, let sit, then rinse thoroughly.

2. Egg yolks: Making an egg white omelet? Don’t toss the yolks in the trash. Whip them up, apply to your face for a firming mask.

Then rinse off.

3. Tomato juice: While it’s true that tomato juice may be able to help lessen the smell of skunk spray, it can also remedy hair that has been damaged by swimming pools. Light-colored hair can take on a green hue from pool chlorine and other chemicals. Applying pure tomato juice to locks, leaving on for 15 minutes, and then rinsing can remove the green tinge.

4. Grapefruit: Squeeze the juice of two grapefruits into a bucket of warm water. Soak your feet for 30 minutes to soften feet and remove tension.

5. Tea bags: Tea bags can reduce puffiness around

the eyes and also dry out pimples and boils. Steep the tea bags in warm water and then apply to the affected area. Just be sure the bags are warm and not too hot.

6. Coffee grounds: Coffee grounds make for good composting material, but they can also prove an invaluable beauty item. Rubbing used coffee grounds on cellulite, then wrapping the area in plastic wrap and leaving it for 30 minutes can help diminish the look of the cellulite in a few days.

7. Salt: Make a paste of salt and water and then gently rub it onto your face to serve as an exfoliant.

8. Cucumbers: Who hasn’t seen cucumbers used as eye pads? They can reduce redness and puffiness of the eyes when chilled and placed on for several minutes.

9. Oatmeal: Oatmeal is not just for chicken pox.

Oatmeal baths can reduce redness, itching and irritation from other skin ailments, such as psoriasis, eczema, and even just dry skin.

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J. B. Williams Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan is joining with other councils throughout the United States to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouts this year. On the weekend of June 1-3 hundreds of Girl Scouts from the 34-county area that comprises GSHOM will be in Kalamazoo, where they will sleep in dorms on Western Michigan University’s campus and participate in events going on in the city. Known as the “Kalamazoo Invasion”, this event is the second of five events planned by GSHOM to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting.

ties is to maintain her involvement in Girl Scouting, so she serves as a trustee with Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, where she is working to make sure that the Girl Scouts is recognized as the “go-to” organization for girls.

In honor of this anniversary, WLSK is pleased to present one woman’s story of how the Girl Scouts can leave a lasting impression on a young girl’s life. Meet J.B. Williams:

“Scouting was really good to me,” says J.B. “One of my most memorable experiences was as a Cadet. We were a very small group, just three or four of us, and we petitioned the local council for permission to design and make our own uniforms. We thought we were pretty high flyers to pull that one off.”

J.B. Williams says she continues to draw on the discipline and importance of preparation she learned as a Girl Scout in St. Louis, Mo. “The courage to take calculated risks both in my professional life as well as my personal life; I really attribute that to the out-of –the-box activities I did as a Girl Scout,” she notes.

One of her personal milestones was earning a Law degree in 1994 from Saint Louis University. While practicing law in the city where she was born and raised, Williams served on and supported a variety of boards, including that of the local Girl Scout council.

Four years ago J.B. and her family relocated to Kalamazoo for a job she took with the Kellogg Co. in their Human Resources department. She shares that one of her priori-

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J.B. continues to keep in touch with many of her fellow Girl Scouts and has passed on her passion for Girl Scouting to her daughter, age 9, who is a member of a troop in the Kalamazoo area. “My daughter gets a kick out of seeing my old sash,” she says.

During her time as a Senior Scout, J.B. was one of two girls selected from the St. Louis Council to attend a volunteerism workshop in Washington, D.C. “We had a private audience with President Reagan and got a chance to meet teams from all over the country who had done some outstanding service projects.

My scouting experiences helped me to develop socially and exposed me to amazing people and places.” She states, “I have wonderful relationships today with people who are doing very well in their personal and professional lives, many of whom have scouting as one of their foundations and I think that’s amazing,” So do we, J.B.! Thank you for sharing…

www.womenslifestylekazoo.com

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

NEW TO MOTHERHOOD? There’s an app for that.

A

ll moms need more time to handle their busy schedules – that’s a universal truth – but it could be argued that no one feels that cataclysmic time shift more than a first-time mother. Suddenly, there is little room for showering and sleeping; let alone for making grocery lists, keeping up with workout routines, planning weekly meals, or managing a household budget. The good news is that help is just a download away.

Smart moms use smart phones According to “Dr. Mom Study 3,” conducted by BabyCenter, smartphone ownership is higher among moms than the general population and moms spend an average of 6.1 hours a day with their smartphone handy. Having the right apps ready to assist is just one way to save time, money and sanity while moms focus on their new role.

New moms may consider the following apps as they gear up to bring an infant home or focus on those first few months with their little one. All of the apps are free, user-friendly and ready to make motherhood less difficult.

Baby Journal app

Calorie Counter

Gone are the days of juggling notebooks to jot down feedings and diaper changes or booting up the laptop to enter sleeping schedules. This app allows moms who breastfeed, formula-feed and pump to easily track feedings, diapering, growth and sleeping patterns – along with creating graphs to help monitor them.

Moms can even With Grocery iQ, simemail reports to family, friends or ply scan the barthe pediatrician. codes of products Read more about in the kitchen the features of this app at http://simithat need to be relac.com/app.

New moms should ease into any kind of physical activity, but many are eager to reinvest in their physique. Calorie Counter avoids fad dieting and helps tailor a diet to mom’s personal preferences, giving her a better chance for long-term success.

With an expansive food database, automatic recent history, recipes, custom foods, an emphasis on key nutrients and a community to help with morale; this is an all-in-one diet app. Check out this app at www.mynetdiary.com.

Grocery iQ

plenished and they’re automatically added to the list.

No more racking your brain to jot down a grocery list. With Grocery iQ, simply scan the barcodes of products in the kitchen that need to be replenished and they’re automatically added to the list. You can also search for millions of items independently. Once complete, the list can be synchronized with other devices, so when mom is home with baby, dad can feel confident he’s picking up the right stuff. To read more, visit www.groceryiq.com.

AllRecipes.com Dinner Spinner Dinner still needs to get on the table, even when the fridge is low on food and mom’s brain is even lower on sleep. With the AllRecipes Dinner Spinner app, simply plug in the ingredients available on hand and a variety of recipes will appear to take the guesswork out of mealtime. Visit www.allrecipes.com to check it out.

Stocking up on these apps before baby arrives, or downloading them once baby comes home, can alleviate some of mom’s stress as she adjusts to the wonderful chaos that her infant will bring and what better time to start than the very beginning?

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Women’s Health

PCOS and METABOLIC SYNDROME

by Dr. Adam Blickley

The classic presentation of PCOS includes obesity, male pattern hair growth, acne and a lack of regular menstrual cycles.

P

olycystic Ovary Syndrome and Metabolic Syndrome are two very common and inter-related conditions that many women experience. Because the two have broad and inexact definitions the number of women affected is unknown but estimated to be between 5-10 percent of reproductive age women.

The term Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is historical in that the ovaries demonstrate an abundance of immature follicles but not because they contain pathologic “cysts”. The term Metabolic Syndrome is newer and relates to a myriad of abnormalities related to insulin metabolism.

The classic presentation of PCOS includes obesity, male pattern hair growth, acne and a lack of regular menstrual cycles. Because PCOS is a spectrum of abnormalities, only a minority of women actually present with the classic profile. Most women will not have the condition identified until they may experience difficulty getting pregnant.

Metabolic syndrome presents with impaired glucose tolerance, central obesity, hypertension and hypercholesterol. Women with Metabolic Syndrome are at higher risk for the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease including heart attack and stroke.

The causes of both PCOS and Metabolic Syndrome remain undetermined but relate to genetic and environmental factors. Generally, an overproduction of insulin or insensitivity to insulin causes an imbalance of hormones leading to excess androgen (male hormones) in the body. These excess male hormones cause the secondary symptoms and associated risks.

The number one treatment is lifestyle changes such as losing weight by eating a lower calorie diet and getting more physical activity. Even a 5% weight loss can have a positive effect and reduce the symptoms of PCOS and Metabolic Syndrome. Women with PCOS who lose weight are more likely to have restored ovulation with better pregnancy rates. They also are likely to have lower androgen level and blood pressure. Weight loss alone can lead to a cascade of hormonal changes that get ride of symptoms without medical intervention.

Common medical treatments include oral contraceptives to restore cycles and reduce androgen levels, insulin-sensitizing agents to regulate cycles and reduce

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infertility, antiandrogen agents to improve acne and male pattern hair changes and cosmetic methods to eliminate unwanted hair. Your health care provider can assist you in prescribing the best regimen for you.

If pregnancy is desired often clomid, metformin or a combination can be effective in establishing normal ovulation. Occasionally more intense treatment with gonadotropins may need to be administered by a reproductive specialist. Even with pregnancy women with PCOS are at increased risk for pregnancy complications related to diabetes and hypertension.

PCOS and Metabolic Syndrome remain conditions re-

ceiving research and study regarding cause and improved treatment. However you can take control by maintaining an ideal body weight through exercise and diet and receiving regular evaluations from your health care provider.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Adam Blickley is a board certified OB/GYN with Grand Rapids Women’s Health. He specializes in normal and high risk pregnancy, ultrasound as well as other gynecologic conditions. When not working, Dr. Blickley enjoys spending time with his family and traveling the world doing medical mission work.

www.womenslifestylekazoo.com

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Tips for Looking

Your andBest baring it.

Perhaps you made a resolution to firm up before the summer, but didn’t quite reach your goal. That doesn’t mean you have to parade around the beach or poolside in long pants and sleeves. You can still wear a bathing suit and look good. Consider these tips.

• Choose a one-piece suit. It’s easier to camouflage areas of the body in a one-piece swimsuit or a tankini that offers modest coverage. Darker colors on the bottom also can help you look slimmer.

• Select a swimsuit that fits. Don’t try to squeeze into a suit that is too small in an effort to hold in what nature gave you. This can only cause a stuffed-sausage look. Rather, wear the right size and you will look thinner in the process. If you need help selecting a swimsuit, go to a boutique with salespeople who can assist. Bra and lingerie stores may also sell swimwear that can be custom-fit.

• Avoid boy shorts. Unless you’re relatively skinny and have few curves, boy shorts won’t look good on your body. You may think you’re covering up more, but you could be drawing attention to the wrong areas.

• Practice diligent hair removal. You’ll have more confidence if you’ve waxed or shaven thoroughly.

• Men should skip the Speedo. Only a select number of very athletic individuals can get away with wearing a Speedo-style bathing suit. Rather, classic swim trunks are more flattering on all types of men’s bodies.

• Nix the bulky T-shirt. Covering up your body with a large Tshirt can scream that you have something to hide. You’ll attract less attention wearing a modest swimsuit that fits you well.

• Stand with good posture. Slumping over can only exacerbate the look of girth. Stand up straight with your shoulders back and walk the beach with pride. If you have confidence in yourself, it will shine through.

• Work your assets. If you have a shapely bust, wear a swimsuit that draws attention there and away from curvier hips or bottom.

• Too pale? Dab on color with a self-tanning product. A little extra color can mask certain imperfections and your skin won’t look so stark next to a darker-colored swimsuit.

Swimwear photo courtesy Amoena

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CALENDAR

of Events

It’s easy to get listed in our Events Calendar. Our deadline is the 10th of the monthprior to publication. Email us at: calendar@womenslifestylekazoo.com Please type Calendar in the subject line. Or you may mail your info to P. O. Box 2284, Portage MI 49081-2284 May 1 Making it Up as you Go Along Transformations Spirituality Center. 9 am – 3 pm. Acclaimed international organizational consultant Margaret Wheatley will lead us in looking at some of the tools and skills essential for living and leading in these complex and ‘uncertain times.’ $90. Info @ 269-381-6290 x 249 www.transformationscenter.org info@transformationscenter.org May 1 Low Vision Solutions Parchment Community Library, 401 S. Riverview Dr., Parchment. Christine Below and Kelly Lewis on what can be done for low vision using aids and devices, magnifiers, etc. Free.

269-343-7747.

May 1 – 5 33 Variations Parish Theatre. Times vary. A mother coming to terms with her daughter. A composer coming to terms with his genius. These two people share an obsession that might, even just for a moment, make time stand still. $12 - $23. www.kazoocivic.com May 2 Centering Prayer Introduction Transformations Spirituality Center. 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Centering Prayer can help us enter into God’s silence, which then enters us and moves us through meditation and into contemplation. Evening includes teaching on and experience in this Christian prayer form. $20 Info @ www.transformationscenter.org or info@transformationscenter.org or 269381-6290 ext. 249 May 2 Wellness Conference Lawrence Education Center. 4 – 7:30 pm.

Living with diabetes and building a culture of health is the focus of a free wellness conference. For information and to register call 269-226-8135 or diabetes.borgess.com May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Kalamazoo Optimist Club Colonial Kitchen. Topics will include: Girls on the Run, Pretty Lake Summer Activities, OI Foundation, and the Citizen Leadership Academy, Memory Matters.

More info @ dwvanloo@sbcglobal.net or 269-327-8647

May 3 – 30 Images of Parkview Hills Willow Lake Club Gallery, 3707 Greenleaf Circle. 9 am – 6 pm, except Mother’s Day. Reception: May 18, 6 - 8 pm., for “Images of Parkview Hills” exhibit, showing. Free, open to public. Contact: 269372-4444, or caron.merrow@gmail.com May 4 Art Hop Various Locations throughout Downtown Kalamazoo. 5 – 9 pm. Art Hop is a free event that features new art exhibits in a fun, casual atmosphere. Numerous galleries and businesses in the downtown area host a variety of artwork. Free. 269342-5059. www.kalamazooarts.com May 4 Blackhawk Jazz & Blues Concert Blackhawk Bar & Grill in Richland.

Doors open @ 6:30PM, music 7-10PM. Join us for a great night of jazz & blues music. Keyboardist Wally Michaels & vocalist Tony Reynolds will be featured. $10. RSVP: Patti @ 269-731-5388 or www.blackhawkgrill.com/jazz.

May 5 GRAND OPENING! NOW AND THEN - Consignment Boutique 3104 Lovers Lane 9 a – 5 p A new exciting consignment shop with an eclectic mix of old and modern!

Coupons available at: www.nowandthenkalamazoo.com.

269-343-9250 May 5 Kalamazoo Humane Society Dog Walk Prairie View Park – Vicksburg. 9 am – 2 pm. Join us for the 28th Annual Dog Walk. This annual event is fun for the whole family and includes a 2 mile doggie walk. Free admission. 269-345-1181. http://www.kazoohumane.org May 5 Super Summer Flea Market & Garage Sale Kalamazoo County Expo Center. 7 am – 3 pm. This event is indoors in the comfort of air conditioning! Come check out the market for some great deals and great merchandise! Choose from new and used items, handcrafted items, and much more! 65+ Booths Available! For booth space call 269-383-8761 or visit www.kalamazooexpocenter.com

May 2012

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May 5 2012 March for Babies Celery Flats, 7335 Garden Lane, Portage.

Registration: 9am. Walk kicks off at 10am. Come support the March of Dimes & help raise funds to give every baby a healthy start. Info: Call Dana DeLuca at (269) 343-5586 or ddeluca@marchofdimes.com May 6 “Splendor in the Glass” West Michigan Glass Art Center. Art Hop 5 – 9 pm. Member sale featuring garden –themed glass art items. Watch glass art demonstrations. Visit our Reflections Gallery. www.wmglass.org May 7 K-IAAP Meeting Kalamazoo Educational Resource Agency (KRESA), 1819 E. Milham Road. 5 pm.

The Kalamazoo Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals will host the program “Customer Service Tips”. Free.

269-553-2086 michelle.stickley@cnuz@statefarm.com May 8 Glass Ceiling Award Kalamazoo Network P5:15-6 pm Networking/Cash Bar/Business Showcase/Dinner & Program Fetzer Center WMU Campus Register at kalamazoonetwork.org by 5/3/12.

May 8 Garden Pests Parchment Community Library, 401 S. Riverview Dr., Parchment. MSU Master Gardener Tammy March-Vispi on what to do about common pests and problems attacking your veggies. Free.

269-343-7747.

May 9 Vegan Gal Parchment Community Library, 401 S. Riverview Dr., Parchment. Come hear Jill Ovnik's (www.vegan-gal.com) personal story on switching to a vegetarian diet.

FREE. 343-7747.

May 11 Culinary Fundamentals: Gluten Free Can-do-kitchen. 6 – 8 pm. Explore the taste of the culinary delights of gluten free cooking. Hands on instruction provide by Chef Will Sprague. $85. 269-2164596. classes@kalamazoocooks.org May 12 WKFR 103.3 Mom to Mom Sale Kalamazoo County Expo Center. 9 am – 1 pm. Southwest Michigan's largest garage sale where moms sell clothes, toys, books, maternity wear and other baby items to other Moms! Admission: Adults $3 ($1 goes to charity), Children 5 and under are free. For more info: 269344-0111. mike.laviolette@cumulus.com michelle.kramm@cumulus.com www.wkfr.com

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May 2012

May 12 Touch-A-Truck presented by Junior League of Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Co. Expo Center, 11 am – 4 pm, Children get to see, learn about, and explore 50+ unique vehicles! $10/family.

More info: www.kalamazootrucks.com or jlkfundraising@gmail.com May 12 Sopranos in Spring Trinity Lutheran Church 504 S. Westnedge Avenue. 4 pm. Sara Emerson and Katelin Spencer will be making their Kalamazoo debut, performing a recital of popular Opera and Broadway duets and songs.Free. 734-576-1183. sara.soprano@gmail.com.

May 16 Evening Of Beauty Open House at Plastic Surgery of Kalamazoo 3 - 7 pm Demonstrations - Discounts - Event Specials! Enter to win: Gift Baskets Bring A Guest! 7901 S. 12th St. Suite 100 Info @ 269-372-3000 May 16 Project Connect Kalamazoo County Expo Center. 12 – 4 pm. Project Connect is a day of assistance for families and individuals living in Kalamazoo County that are in need of services. There will be medical, personal, basic needs, children's, educational, and employment services all offered. Free.

269-615-2001 priresources@haltpoverty.org projectconnectkalamazoo.blogspot.com May 16 Spring Open House Plastic Surgery of Kalamazoo and the Skin Care Center, 7901 South 12th Street, Portage. 3 - 7 pm. Join us and bring a friend! Experience live demos of Botox and Restylane injections. Call 3723000 to schedule your appointment.

Laser and skin care demos and make up applications. www.pskzoo.com May 17 GIVE, GIVE GET! Tower Professional Network Annual Event: Business Showcase, Appetizers and cash barKeynote speaker: Judy Pearson & Vanesia Norris – Sistas On The Move. Radisson Plaza Hotel Networking starts at 3 pm. More info: towerprofessionalnetwork.com May 18 Ayurveda & Restorative Yoga Awake and Aware. 1 – 3 pm. Slow Down with Evening Routines for better rest.

Join Cynthia during these Friday afternoon sessions to discuss and experience the benefits of Ayurvedic life style practices. $25. 269-352-7323

www.womenslifestylekazoo.com

May 18-20 Historic Country Homes Tour Presented by The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra League. The Symphony of Homes Tour includes 5 homes in the Alamo Township area, all over 100 years old, beautifully restored, and lived in.

This is an annual fund-raiser are donated for the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and to programs for young musicians in our community. More Info: www.KSOLeague.com.

May 18 Inversions and Balancing Workshop, w/Suzi Batdorff Awake and Aware. 6 - 8:30 pm. Build your strength, stamina, and balance! Experienced yoga students come explore standing balance postures, hand stand, head stand, forearm balances. suzison@yahoo.com May 18 Blackhawk Jazz & Blues Concert Blackhawk Bar & Grill in Richland.

Doors open @ 6:30PM, music 7-10PM. Join us for a great night of jazz & blues music. Saxophonist & vocalist Herbie Russ will be featured. $10. RSVP: Patti @ 269-731-5388. www.blackhawkgrill.com/jazz May 19 Watercolor: The Free Flow of Letting Go Transformations Spirituality Center. 9am – 3:30pm. Spiritual traditions tell us that watercolor painting can be a truly experiential metaphor for the spiritual journey, as this medium defies precise control yet yields wonderful results when we are able to let go. $85 Info @ www.transformationscenter.org or info@transformationscenter.org or 269-381-6290 ext. 249 May 19 Peace Pizzaz Bronson Park. 1:30 - 4 pm. "Take the Shape of Kindness" is the theme. Peace Pizzaz is a celebration with creations and performances demonstrating children's understanding of empathy and inclusion.

Free. 269-731-4289 May 20 5K Walk for Better Hearing Lakeview Park in Portage. Registration: 12 pm; Walk: 1 pm. All proceeds will benefit hearing services for low income individuals served by Constance Brown Hearing Center. All donations welcome receive a walk t-shirt for a minimum $20 donation. Family and pet friendly walk.

Contact Laura at rusklaura@hotmail.com May 21 Women In Networking Meeting Personal Care Center, 8799 Gull Road, Rear Entrance, Richland. 6 - 8 pm.

You're invited! Networking, beverages & snack. Cost is $7 (cash please). RSVP: win.richland@yahoo.com by Thurs. before. More Info: http://win.richland.tripod.com

May 23 “What’s New in Women’s Health” Lawrence Education Center, Borgess Medical Center - Learn latest news in women’s health including new standards of care for health screenings, updates in treatment options & the benefits of robotic surgery. Q & A time available.

Speakers: Janice Werbinski, MD, OB/GYN; Jennifer Thome, DO, OB/GYN; Dawn Robinson, MD, OB/GYN and certified nurse midwife, Lydia Hartman, CNM Light refreshments provided.

May 24 Planting Day in Kalamazoo Bronson Park. 9 am – 1 pm. Join Kalamazoo in Bloom as over 200 volunteers come together to plant flowers in Bronson Park and other areas in downtown Kalamazoo. Free. 269-381-2977. director@kalamazooinbloom.org June 1 Art Hop Various Locations throughout Downtown Kalamazoo. 5 – 9 pm. Art Hop is a free event that features new art exhibits in a fun, casual atmosphere. Numerous galleries and businesses in the downtown area host a variety of artwork. Free.

269-342-5059. www.kalamazooarts.com June 1 – 2 Art on the Mall Kalamazoo Mall from Michigan to Lovell.

Fri. Noon – 9 pm, Sat. 10 am – 5 pm.

Over 70 artists sell original works of arts and fine crafts in this annual art show.

Free. 269-388-2830. deb@eventkalamazoo.com June 2 Kalamazoo Mud Run Kalamazoo Community Church. 8 am – 1 pm. The Kalamazoo Mud Run is a 5k Mud Run and obstacle event and a Kid’s Mud Run where the goal is fitness, tons of fun and getting really DIRTY. 269-3434522. http://kalamazoomudrun .com/home.aspx June 2 Do-Dah Parade Parade Route: Lovell to Park, Park to Michigan, Michigan to Portage, Portage to Lovell. 11 am. Do-Dah is a parade that celebrates parodies. Filled with ”spoofs” and lots of laughs. Free. 269-388-2830. deb@eventkalamazoo.com June 1 - 3 Retreat Up North: Yoga, Hike, & Bike, w/Cynthia Hoss & Marti Jeffs Watervale Inn. Friday - Sunday weekend includes all yoga sessions, lodging, breakfast, dinner, biking the Betsy River Trail, & hiking along Lake Michigan! Call Cynthia for more details: 269-352-7323

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Reader’s Lounge

By Alexandra Fix

The Rhythm of Family, Discovering a Sense of Wonder through the Seasons

By Amanda Blake Soule and Stephen Soule Trumpeter Books, 2011, $19.95 “Wonderful things happen in our family when we choose to move slowly through our days.

When we stop running and rushing about, we discover more time, energy, and space for the things most important in our lives.” Using the framework of a year of seasons and its individual months, this author couple suggests ways to savor family life with playfulness, an adventurous spirit and a respect for the rhythms of the earth. Living in Maine with their four children, Amanda and Stephen Soule tap into the distinct changes of attitude and energy as winter unfolds into spring, spring into summer and so on. Besides beautiful reflective essays, this guide includes crafts, activities and tasty morsels for the whole family. For example, as spring approaches, change your attitude about those “pesky dandelions” and fry them as “tempura dandies.” For the summer months ahead, stitch a handy picnic cloth, with everything you need rolled into one. Camping tips and natural bug repellant formulas will ease you into the sunny outdoors.

Delicious summer smoothies, inviting family games and nature collecting ideas round out the fun in the leisure days ahead. For the months further into the year there will be snow play and wildlife care, as well as sewing, knitting and felting projects for a wide range of ages and abilities. Amanda Soule is a popular blogger at SouleMama.com and brings some of the best of her ideas to this book of family togetherness, intended to capture the joy and wonder of each glorious season of the year.

Ellis Island

By Kate Kerrigan Harper, 2011, $13.99 Brought together by their differences, Ellie Flaherty and John Hogan become inseparable friends from childhood on. In time, they fall in love, marry without parental approval and long to build a home and farm their small square of Irish soil. They share a love of the outdoors and a fierce pride in their Irish land and heritage. John turns his passion toward freedom for his country until his efforts are halted by a serious injury while serving with the Irish Republican Army. Spirits flagging, John needs an expensive surgery which he and Ellie cannot afford. Like other young Irish women in the 1920s, Ellie travels alone to America to earn the money they desperately need. Working as a personal maid for a flamboyant socialite, in an affluent New York home, Ellie has a glimpse of the golden opportunities of America and she wants more. Ellie meets a man who could give her that golden world, far beyond the simple life her marriage to John offers. Sending money home to John, she begs him to consider coming to America to share their dream, save their marriage and create their home. John’s love of Ireland and love of Ellie run deep with conflict. A family crisis brings Ellie temporarily back to Ireland, to John and to a decision to be made.

This is a thought-provoking story of difficult choices in love, life and the pursuit of the riches of happiness.

Alexandra Fix is the author of ten non-fiction children’s book, including the series Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (Heinemann Library).

Over the years, she has truly enjoyed being a children’s librarian, registered nurse, author, mother and grandmother.

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May 2012

Loedeman’s Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning is committed to providing the best possible customer experience while delivering a superior cleaning service. As part of their focus on excellence, they undergo annual training in new techniques and new equipment operations. With locations in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, they offer commercial and residential services and are equipped to deal with water damage as well. For more information, call (269)270-3233 or visit www.loedeman.com.

Neighborhood Cleaners is a courteous, professional dry cleaner and (shirt) laundry service with several locations through out Kalamazoo, Portage and Mattawan. They provide prompt, superior service and promise to do it at the lowest price around, guaranteed. Additional services include: bedspreads, comforters, express bags, fur cleaning and storage, alterations and more. For more information call (269)324-0558 or visit www.neighborhoodcleaners.com.

Rentalex is a full service rental store for, DIY’ers, contractors, businesses, industry and special events planners. Their services include rentals, sales, parts and service for leading tool & equipment manufacturers. Event supplies include pole & frame tents with accessories such as tables, chairs, linens, china & glassware, perfect for weddings and graduations. Located at 3928 S. Westnedge in Kalamazoo. For more information (269)978-9700 or visit www.rentalex.com.

www.womenslifestylekazoo.com