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Bringing Vintage Back

SPECIAL FEATURE p. 7Kerry Lee Gomez:A Touching Story of Motherhood

COVER STORY p. 9 Bringing Vintage BackLove, Luana Swimwear by Lena Patton

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4 • May 2014

MAY 2014

IN THIS ISSUE

7 SPECIAL FEATURE A Touching Story of Motherhood

9 COVER STORY Bringing Vintage Back

12 WOMEN’S WELLNESS How Healthy Are Your Hormones?

13 INNER FASHIONISTA Fabulous Fashion of the 50s

14 ABOUT A GIRL I Dream of Vintage

16 SHE SAID/HE SAID

18 REALTOR SPOTLIGHT Stacy Carter

19 SINGLE IN THE VALLEY

20 TAMMY’S TABLE Spicy Citrus Chicken Thighs

21 GIRLS NEXT DOOR Local Ladies Strike a Pose for LoLa Magazine

CONTACT US

To submit letters, inquiries, photos, email: ireadlola@lolamagazine.com

For advertising information, contact David Mains 951.319.4000 marketing@lolamagazine.com

Read LoLa Online: ireadlola.com Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/ireadlola Follow us on Twitter: @ireadlola

Photo taken by Amy Dawnelle in Laguna Beach. See story on page 9.

Tausha Chambers/Scensty p. 17

Kim Bunch Goes Vintage p. 14

Cover photo by Amy Dawnelle

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6 • May 2014

A WORD FROM THE PUBLISHER

LoLa Magazine 39252 Winchester Road, Suite #107-256 Murrieta, CA 92563 951.319.4000 ireadlola@lolamagazine.com ireadlola.com

PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Angela Mains

STAFF EDITOR Holly Suhi hollysuhi.com

SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR David Mains

OPERATIONS & SALES Glenn Wurdemann

SALES ACCOUNT MANAGERS Karen Twyla Twyman Kathy Zelasko

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Hope Fultz

LAYOUT & DESIGN Chris Keach chriskeachdesign.com

COLUMNISTS Grayse Kelly Inner Fashionista Missy Jones She Said/He Said Dominic Carcioppolo She Said/He Said Shelly Moore Single in the Valley Tammy Albery Tammy’s Table

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Heather Bremner Holly Suhi Dr. Alisha Moadab, N.D.

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Amy Dawnelle amydawnelle.com Brandy Pelligrino intimatephotographer.net Gabrielle Santos gabriellasantos.com

INTERNS Mikayla Fultz

LoLa Magazine is published monthly by LoLa Magazine, LLC. While every at-tempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content in this publication, the pub-lisher cannot be responsible for ad content, submitted articles, errors, or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publisher.

Copyright 2014, LoLa Magazine, LLC.

Happy Mothers Day!

It’s May … another month in the Valley filled with exciting activities! There is wine tasting, hot air bal-loon rides, baseball games (Go Lake Elsinore Storm!), the weekend farm-ers’ markets … and the list goes on.

In this issue we’re Bringing Vintage Back! We have the great pleasure of exploring some of the sassy styles of the last century as they continue to resurface in today’s modern world. From swimsuits of the 50s and 60s to sleek and sexy dresses of the roaring 20s, LoLa is smitten with vintage wear.

To all our moms, Happy Mother’s Day! Who’s more deserving of a day off than a mom? The funny thing about the role of mother is that the job is never, ever done. I used to hear people say they couldn’t wait until their children turned 18, implying that this milestone birthday releases the shackles of parenthood. I’m sure however, that all those moms dis-covered, like I have, that the job does not end as the child finds independence. Instead, parents have even more to worry about. We watch impatiently as our babies find their way, paving their own streets of life. We want so badly to reach out a hand to them, just as we did when they were little and crossing the street, but instead we must wait and watch. We hope they ask for our guidance … alas, they seldom do. We can only hope and pray that their important decisions are the right ones (like all of ours were). Then on days like Mother’s Day, we hear them say “thank you” and we pat ourselves on the back, reassured that we’ve done a good job all these years. And as we reflect, we can’t help but notice they don’t need us as much as we would like to think they do, because they’re doing a great job on their own.

So not only is Mother’s Day a time to thank all the wonderful moms out there for a job well done, it’s also a day to thank our children for making us so proud to be their moms!

Breathe. Believe. Achieve.

-Angela M.

Angela with husband David Mains

Comment from a reader (may be edited for space or clarity)

My aunt, Ruth Uurtamo, who lives in Murrieta, has been reading LoLa Magazine since December when we picked up a free copy at our local Stater Brothers. Her birthday is coming up and I thought it would be a great surprise for her to see herself in May issue. Could you please feature her as a Girl Next Door. I have included her photo and bio.

-Joey K., via email

May 2014 • 7

A Touching Story of MotherhoodBy Holly Suhi | Photo by Amy Dawnelle

THE SOUND WOKE ME BEFORE DAWN. Baby birds chirping noisily in the nest tucked in the bushes just outside my window. Actually, “chirping” is too nice a word for the racket the three little babies were making. “Mom … where ARE you?” they hollered in their birdie baby talk. “What’s taking you soooo long? We’re staaarrrrving!”

Suddenly I pictured my friend, Kerry Lee Gomez. She was probably up by then, or else she’d just fallen back to sleep after having fed the new baby. Kerry Lee is mom to three little ones whose demands can be just as insistent as the cries of baby birds with food on their minds. And just as precious.

Big sister Izzabella Grace (Izzy) is four-and-a-half, Beatriz Joy (Bea) is three-and-a-half, and baby Eliza-beth Faith (Ellie) is four months old. But becoming a mom didn’t happen how Kerry Lee had always imagined.

“When my husband Dom and I got married, we wanted to start a family right away,” she said, “but after an ectopic pregnancy that required surgery to remove a fallopian tube, followed by three-and-a-half agoniz-ing years of trying (I still remember the pain of my friends’ baby show-ers), then another surgery to remove an ovarian cyst, we started talking about adoption and other options. We decided to try in vitro fertiliza-tion. Our first attempt brought Izzy into our lives.”

Life was relatively simple until Izzy was 15 months old, when Kerry Lee and Dom took into their home — and hearts — a four-month-old baby girl whose mother, a relative, was addicted to heroine. The baby was born addicted. “We had known about the baby for months and wanted to rescue her, but birth mothers have legal rights. The woman tried rehab, but sadly, wasn’t able to stay clean. During the waiting period, I remember often waking up in the wee hours, wondering if the baby was being cared for. Was she cold, crying, or hungry? We cried for her. We prayed for her. Then after four months, the judge let us bring her home.” It took three more years of hearings and court battles for the adoption to become final. But at last little Bea was their own. And safe. Kerry Lee and Dom swore they could never go through this anguish again.

The couple still had a frozen embryo waiting to be implanted and often said to the baby-to-be, “Hang in there … we’re coming for you!” This past December they felt ready. The embryo was implanted and they were excited. And then news … the following day a family member called to let them know that Bea’s birth mother was preg-nant again and in jail. The baby was due in a few weeks!

They started thinking about bringing this baby home and talked of little else. “We asked God to show us His will and to prepare our hearts.” And then a heartbreak … the implanted embryo did not survive. A few weeks later, Child Protective Services called; the relative’s baby had arrived. Would they consider being emergency

SPECIAL FEATURE

SPECIAL FEATURE

photo to Amy Dawnelle

foster parents? The very next day, Kerry Lee was holding the new-born in her arms, Bea’s birth sister. This time they hope the adop-tion will be finalized in less than a year.

I invited Kerry Lee to my home where she could relax, and I could ask her some questions on behalf of other mothers:

What is it like to have a biological child and two adopted children? Is there a difference in the bond?

“Motherhood has nothing to do with biology. We feel each of our daughters is a precious gift, and each of them, like every child, comes with her own unique challenges.”

What advice would you offer other busy-beyond-belief moms?

“Be real and honest with your friends. It’s freeing sometimes, not to have a perfectly neat and clean home. Don’t feel like you have to make excuses. And make time for yourself. It’s easy to become isolated if all your time is spent at home. Arrange play dates. Take advantage of the gym’s daycare to work out or relax in the sauna. Have an occasional night out with the girls. You’ ll be a better mom. But be sure to listen to your husband. He needs a break now and then too.”

What would you most like to teach your girls as they grow up?

“To put God at the center of all they do. To see the beauty in how He has brought our family together. And to appreciate diversity. We love that our family is different colors! Bea said to me recently that she doesn’t like her skin, and wishes she had white skin. I told her that her dark skin is beautiful, and sometimes I wish I had skin like hers. But beauty is more important when it shines from the inside.”

There were a dozen more questions I could have asked this wise mother, when she got a call from Dom who was home with the kids. I could hear little girls’ upset voices in the background, and the baby was wailing. A total meltdown. “Okay babe,” Kerry Lee said to Dom, “I’m on my way.”

Shortly after she left, there was another ruckus outside. Birds again, but not babies. A big crow was threatening the nest. Mama bird was creating such a frenzy of flying and noise that she scared the crow away. Her babies were safe. There are all kinds of wonderful mothers.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you!

May 2014 • 9

COVER STORY

Born and raised on the beaches of Southern California, Lena Patton, a Hemet resident, has returned to her beach roots. Lena is the designer of Love, Luana New Vintage Swimwear, a line she officially launches this month. “My swim line is dedicated to my mother, Luana Her-rington-Olsen and is inspired by the classic surfing lifestyle she embodied,” Lena says.

Lena’s mother was born in San Pedro and was an icon in the surf cul-ture of California’s coast. With her signature red longboard (which Lena models on the next page), built start-to-finish at the legendary Hobie’s Surf Shop in Dana Point, Luana loved competing in local surf competitions, and she often won. “During a time when female surfers were few and far between, my mother made a name for herself in the surf culture,” Lena proudly boasted. In fact, Luana was the very first woman to grace the pages of the iconic Surfer Magazine. Luana made her own swimwear from scratch, a skill she learned from her mother who had been a surfer as well. Years later, her daughter Lena would do the same thing, but not for herself. And not just for surfers.

Lena brings more than 80 years of history to her new swimwear line. In the 1930s her grandparents, Voss and Margret Herrington, along with another surfing icon, Lauren Harrison, plus a handful of friends, were instrumental in starting the sport of surfing on our Southern California coastlines. “They spent most of their lives surfing and body surfing at the Corona del Mar jetties and beaches south to San Onofre, and fishing and dancing in the evenings to the strum of ukuleles.” Lena said.

Even before the death of her mother in 2006, Lena had decided to do something to honor her mother and her surf culture. She developed the concept of a vintage swim line, creating the entire line in her head starting with the hang tag, then the drawings, the swimsuit designs, the models, runway shows, and photo shoots, without ever sharing her idea with a single person. After her mother died, she began working on her line more seriously.

Her project was put on hold at times, because while still healing from the death of her mother, in 2010 Lena had to care for her dying hus-band, Steve. One day, when the couple was attending a church retreat in Big Bear, he became very ill and was rushed to the hospital. It turned out he had a rare blood disorder that was further complicated by medication the hospital had administered. Over the next two years, Lena would have to watch her husband’s health slowly deteriorate. Then after almost 27 years of marriage, in 2012 Steve succumbed to his illness. “The last thing he said to me,” Lena paused, “was ‘you have to do the swimsuit line. You have to do this for you.’”

“Not being a fashion designer … just a girl with a wild crazy idea … I figured I had to start somewhere and just roll with it,” she said. “Once I really got into it, it seemed like my team players were

Bringing Vintage BackBy Angela Mains | Photos by Amy Dawnelle

Model: Mimi Shorter

COVER STORY

This page: Lena Patton, designer of Love, Luana New Vintage Swimwear; Veronica Perez (top inset); Jordan Swendener (bottom inset)

Next page (clockwise from top left): Ocean Belt, Gabriella Santos, Faith Mikayla Fultz, Jordan Swendener, Sabryna Henderson

May 2014 • 11

almost handed to me. I started with a graphic designer, Scott Elsmore, who helped design the hang tag, featuring a photo of my mom from Surfer Magazine.”

Prior to Steve’s death, a pastor at the couple’s church had mentioned a friend in San Diego who was a swimsuit designer. Somehow introductions never happened. Then, two months after her hus-band died, a stranger showed up at Lena’s very small church in Hemet. During the sermon the pastor asked the church to remember Steve Patton and keep his family in their prayers. “I noticed the new man in the front row,” Lena said. “He looked surprised and his face paled. I wondered if he knew Steve. After church the man approached me and we talked. I found that we did know him after all.”

The man was John Paul McLeod. Twenty years earlier, he had been friends with Lena and Steve before John left Hemet to pursue his career. Lena goes on, “I said to John, ‘You missed Steve by only two months; he would have been happy to know you were here.’ He replied, ‘I think he knows I am here.’” Over the next few weeks they renewed their lost friendship, and during a casual conver-sation Lena mentioned that she was on a mission, working on a new swimsuit line. “He froze,” she said, “and answered, ‘Lena, I have a swimwear line, Dahlia, in San Diego.’ I couldn’t believe my ears. John was the friend the pastor had referred to two years prior! Now I really felt that my husband knew John was here.” John is now the productions manager for Lena’s swimsuit line, as well as one of her best friends, and the two have been working vigorously to realize Lena’s dream.

Lena’s full line will recreate styles of the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. “I’m launching with designs from the 50s and 60s because this is a tribute to my mom. This was her era of swimsuits,” she said. “The 30s and 40s are when my grandmother was surfing and making her own swimsuits. Those styles will come a little later.

“I wish my mom could have lived longer to be a part of this, but it was not to be and I accept that. Much of the way I am is because of my mom. I can still hear her say, ‘You want to do that?’ Go for it!’”

Lena’s swim line and more of the story can be viewed on her website, love-luana.com. The line will be available for purchase on her website later this month and soon in retail stores around the country.

COVER STORY

12 • May 2014

WOMEN’S WELLNESS

How Healthy Are Your Hormones?By Dr. Alisha Moadab, N.D.

Most women are well-aware of the relationship between hot flashes and a declining level of estrogen, a hormone produced by the ovaries and to a small degree by the adrenal glands (more so by the adrenals after menopause). However, there are a multitude of hormones in the body and eleven main hormones that are especially important as we age. The thy-roid and adrenal glands pro-duce many of these critical hormones, and they must work together like a symphony to result in health and well-being.

How do you know if your adrenal and thyroid glands are function-ing optimally?

Well, it’s likely they aren’t if any of the following sounds like you:

• Under a lot of stress

• Trouble losing weight

• Fatigue

• Foggy thinking

• Sugar cravings

• Acne

• Blood clots

• Hot flashes, night sweats

• Low libido

• Allergies

• Fibromyalgia

• Headaches

• Anxiety, irritability

• Depression

• Skin & hair lack radiance

• Tired, dull eyes

A simple saliva test done at home throughout the day enables us to measure the hormones produced by your adrenal glands, includ-ing cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and others. A full

thyroid panel blood test will show how well your thyroid is func-tioning. If tests indicate you would benefit from hormone therapy, bio-identical hormones are better than synthetic hormones because they can be made to match the hormones inside your body.

5 Hormone Balancing Acts You Can Do Yourself

1. Get a good night’s sleep. Even if you can get by on less, eight hoursof sleep is still proving to be the most regenerative for the body.Lack of sleep over time can result in “sleep debt,” causing you to feeltired and less alert even if you’ve slept well for a few nights.

2. Nourish. Start your day with protein within one hour of waking.A veggie omelet is great, or if you’re on the go, a protein shake.Continue to eat small balanced snacks or meals every two to threehours throughout the day; this keeps your blood sugar levels steady.To avoid excess hormones, look for hormone-free, grass-fed meatat the grocery store. Try a gluten-free diet for one month to seeif symptoms such as moodiness, digestive problems, fatigue, orpsoriasis improve. The best foods for the adrenals are whole, unpro-cessed foods that are rich in B vitamins, specifically B5 and B6. Tryadding more eggs, avocados, bell peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, andlegumes to your diet. Foods rich in vitamin C (citrus foods top thelist) and E (gluten free oats, nuts and seeds) are also beneficial.

3. Exercise. Moving your body in a non-competitive way not only getsyour body and brain in better shape, but your adrenals as well. All ittakes is 20 minutes of exercise such as walking, biking, or hiking afew times a week.

4. Breathe. Deep diaphragmatic breathing not only delivers moreoxygen to your brain and throughout your body, it also relievesstress and anxiety. You know you’re breathing deeply if your stom-ach, rather than your chest, is the first to move when you inhale abig breath. Start with a minimum of 10 intentional deep breaths perday, and work your way to 100.

5. Laugh. Yes, laughter is still the best medicine! It actually decreasesthe production of stress hormones, giving your adrenal glands alittle time off! Get your giggle on by watching a YouTube clip orcalling a funny friend.

Dr. Alisha’s Temecula office is in the Ajna Health & Beauty Spa on Winchester. She can be reached at 951.296.6444.

What is an ND?

Naturopathic doctors are licensed primary care doctors who specialize in an holistic approach to diagnosis and natural therapies. Treatment can include non-toxic ther-apies that are centuries old, as well as new, cutting-edge natural medicines. A naturopathic doctor can work inde-pendently with you, or together with your medical doctor.

May 2014 • 13

INNER FASHIONISTA

Fabulous Fashion of the 50sBy Grayse Kelly | Photos by Gabriella Santos

The 1950s — an eye-stopping fashion era filled  with glamorous starlets and tailored gentlemen! Chivalry was common, women embraced being pampered and polished, WWII was over and the economy was recovering. The mood of the country was light and celebratory. And the fashion industry boomed!

Many fashion houses were on their way to becoming huge names. Chanel, Christian Dior, Cristóbal Balenciaga, and Pierre Bal-main all flourished. In Hollywood, the demand was for styles that embodied lots of glitz. And everyday women pushed the envelope to create new looks that were both stylish and comfortable.

In contrast, monochromatic styles emerged in the Beatnik Move-ment. Beatniks were a group of young people who expressed emo-tion through art. Black was the favorite color. Black stirrup slacks, pencil skirts, sweatshirts, leotards, turtlenecks, knit shirts, and thin sweaters. Audrey Hepburn captured this look perfectly in the movie Funny Face.

Defined cinched waists were a big hit, and the infamous hourglass figure was born. Christian Dior became every lady’s best friend with his new look for dresses that were more tailored, and hem-lines altered to show off feminine shapes with natural curves. Halter dresses were the cute and casual style preferred by many house-wives. Lauren Bacall perfected this look in the 1956 movie How To Marry a Millionaire.

Women also loved the chic, crisp look of ankle pants, capris, and high-waist pedal pushers. These items were often paired with sleek peplum tops, printed buttoned shirts with Peter Pan collars, or light sweaters. Grace Kelly was the epitome of the preppy look — polished, clean and stylish. She also captivated the fashion world with her demure, aristocratic style accented by a classic string of pearls, white gloves and high heels.

Women’s footwear became more sleek as well. The stiletto heel was introduced at a Christian Dior fashion show, and chunkier heels were cast out in exchange for pumps with peep toes and a classy V-cut. The kitten heel was also a forerunner in ladies’ wear. They were often worn with pedal pushers, unlike their sister sti-letto, which was the preferred style for cinched dresses and cocktail gowns worn by the movers and shakers. The ballerina flat was made popular by Audrey Hepburn. This cute versatile shoe could serve as a quick switch when stilettos become a bit daunting.

Sound familiar? These styles are everywhere in today’s fashion trends. You may not want to go full “Grease” with neon leotards, or over-the-top with the ball gowns and showgirl costumes seen in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Find a happy medium. Have fun with the fabulous fashions of the 50s!

Model: Joy Anderson Makeup by Alex Glaudini

Polka dot blouse: H&M Black capris: Target

Pointy toe flats: Macy’s

14 • May 2014

ABOUT A GIRL

I Dream of VintageBy Angela Mains | Photos by Gabriella Santos

MOVIE MAIDENS AND SOPHISTICATED LADIES OF THE 1920s flaunted their independence in knee-length dresses drizzled in beading and fringe. They dared to show a little leg and strutted their femininity in dazzling head décor that complimented their flirtatious dresses. Though fashion has changed dramatically over the years, favorite styles continue to resurface. Fashions of the Roaring 20s for example, are a look we just don’t want to give up. Those sassy styles are back to adorn women who wish to make bold appearances at weddings, balls, proms, and Gatsby-themed parties.

Local designer Kim Bunch has always had a passion for vintage fashion, and she has turned her passion into a career. Fourteen years ago Kim was a busy teacher and mother of two young children. With the support of her husband, also a teacher, she decided to give up teaching to stay home with the kids. But Kim had a knack for business and wanted to contribute to the family’s finances, so she started a small business selling used vintage items on EBay. As her business grew, she saw the demand for vintage pieces and soon launched her own website, Wear Dreams Are Made. Teaming with different companies to expand her business, in 2012 Kim made a bold move — selling vintage dresses that she herself designed. “I saw a resurgence in vintage clothing, especially 1920s dresses,” she said. “I had no formal training in fashion or design — my major had been theater arts — it was my passion that led me to become a designer.” Kim credits her love for the nostalgic look to her grand-father. “My grandfather worked for 20th Century Fox Studios as a prop and set builder. When I was a child, I would sit for hours and listen to his stories. He showed me photos of props he had built … he actually built the grand staircase that the von Trapp family made so famous in The Sound of Music. He had been close personal friends with stars like Natalie Wood, Shirley Temple and Marilyn Monroe.

I remember looking through his 20th Century Fox Studio yearbook of silent film stars, and I fell in love with the fashion of that era.”

Kim sketches her 1920s  beaded  flapper style dress designs, and partners with a manufacturer who hand beads each dress to Kim’s specifications. Ordering from her line can be done directly from her website in sizes small through extra-large and plus sizes. Clients who need in-between or special sizing can be custom-fitted. From order to delivery takes four to five weeks. For shoppers who need something sooner, Kim carries a range of ready-to-purchase dresses that can be delivered in just a few days.

“The most rewarding part of this experience is seeing my designs go from paper to an actual garment,” Kim says. “It’s exciting to see that I did something creative … not just buying and reselling, but actually creating!”

Want to know more? Visit weardreamsaremade.com. You can pre-view all the fabulous styles, read more about the clothing line, and place your order in time to have your dress dazzle your next event.

Designer Kim Bunch Tiffany Guffey

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16 • May 2014

ADVICE

She Said/He SaidGet great advice on life and love, from a woman’s perspective and a man’s perspective.

Question from Heather, Temecula: My boyfriend has been spending a lot of time on the phone with his ex-girlfriend. He says they’re just friends and they’ve been friends since childhood. I am not normally a possessive type, but I’m uncomfortable with them constantly texting, talking and laughing together on the phone. I’ve met her briefly and I must admit that I’m little intimidated because she seems to be the perfect match for my boyfriend’s personal-ity. He insists that she is just “one of the boys,” but I can’t get over the fact that they were together for over two years. If I insist that they stop being so chummy, will this drive a wedge in our relationship?

Missy Jones: Oh my gosh! How are you buying off on this “ just friends” thing? I know you don’t want to be a bother to him and you’d like to appear as if it’s no big deal, because you’re not the possessive type, but come on, girl! It’s one thing to exchange an occasional message with your ex through whatever social platform you prefer. It’s another thing to maintain a full-on relationship with an ex. There is no such thing as a girl being “one of the boys” or even worse, “like a sister.” Deep down you know the truth, he knows the truth, and especially she knows the truth. It seems you are afraid to stand up for yourself because you don’t want to lose him. Either way, you are losing right now because you are miserable with the current situation. Trust me girl, I’ve been here before on both sides. Any man who is truly serious about you should be ready to put your relationship first. There are many examples of this situation in media. If you haven’t seen When Harry Met Sally, you need to ASAP. I will also point you in the direction of the Friends saga when Emily asked Ross to no longer see Rachel. What happened in the end?! Ross and Rachel had a BABY together! If there were ever a time for an ultimatum, this is it! If he hems and haws, then you have your answer. You must stand up for yourself if you want to be happy.

Dominic Carcioppolo: Red flag! Obviously, she’s not one of the boys because she’s a woman.  However, whether a “friend” is male or female, if someone is a bad influence on your relationship, the situation needs to change. A solid relationship is all about trust, and it seems like he’s planting seeds of doubt.

How you approach this with your boyfriend matters. Don’t insist on them not talking. Instead, bring up how you feel, and why it’s not healthy for your relationship. Ask him kindly to end it. If he truly cares about you, he’ll want to make sure you are happy and he will stop. After all, a current girlfriend’s feelings should be more important than an ex-girlfriend’s feelings.

Have a comment or a question for Missy & Dominic? Send an email to ireadlola@lolamagazine.com. Subject line: She Said He Said

All information expressed on this page is a matter of the writers’ individual opinions. None of the advice is intended to take the place of legal or professional counsel.

May 2014 • 17

BUSINESS SAVVY

The Smell of SuccessTAUSHA CHAMBERS became an independent Scentsy consultant in October of 2013. Founded in 2004, Scentsy is one of the fastest grow-ing consumer products company and offers a wide range of beautiful warmers, delicious fragrances, and a wonderful variety of other scented products.

For the last 14 years, Tausha has worked remotely from home as a health information coding auditor, but she loves the personal inter-changes that her Scentsy business allows. “Working from home has its advantages, but a disadvantage is the lack of day-to-day relation-ships with co-workers,” she says. “Scentsy allows me to connect with people and build long term relationships.” 

Another reward is being her own boss. “I chose Scentsy as a busi-ness because I love the product,” she explained, “plus there are excellent opportunities for me to excel as fast as I’d like, or as slowly as I need. There are great incentives including trips … a free trip to Australia sounds amazing just for selling something I believe in! And I really enjoy socializing and sharing Scentsy with friends and family.”

The scents are made with a high-quality, specially-formulated paraf-fin wax blend. Lovely warmers are used to melt the wax with the use of heat from a low-watt light bulb or other heating element. Once melted, the warmed wax spreads aromas throughout your home, office, or even your car. There is no flame, smoke or soot associated with Scentsy warmers, which makes it safer to use than candles. Scentsy fragrance bars do not contain or release harmful phthal-ates, and do not contain any mineral or nut oils. They also are BPA, gluten, lead, egg, and formaldehyde free. The product is safe for the environment and useful to customers who have some types of aller-gies. Recently the company launched a line of bath and body prod-ucts called Layers. The newest addition to the product line, laundry care products, is called Laundry Love.

Tausha is originally from South Carolina, and proudly boasts her southern accent. “As wonderful as South Carolina was, the beau-tiful weather brought me here after a vacation to San Diego five years ago.” Tausha has two sisters who live on the East Coast. One of them, her identical twin, also sells Scentsy products. “What can I say? It’s a family thing!” Tausha says. “I also have the support of my husband, Amir (the couple will celebrate their first wedding anniversary this month) and my ‘ junior Scentsy consultant in train-ing,’ A’mya (Tausha’s “tween” daughter). They are my cheerleaders and love assisting me with Scentsy home parties because they get to have fun and food! I have furry kids too … Jasper my poodle and Pepper my yorkie-poo. They’re my official sniff testers.”

“Starting a business can be exciting and rewarding,” Tausha says. “I get many calls from people who are looking for a local Scentsy consultant  to provide products to them. I welcome anyone inter-ested in networking, hearing more about Scentsy products, learning about our fundraising opportunities, or becoming a consultant, to contact me.”

Advertorial

Photo by Amy Dawnelle

“I absolutely love fabulous fragrances and having my home and car smell wonderful. Scentsy has over 80 scents to choose from, and new scents are introduced seasonally.”

Tausha Chambers Independent Scentsy Consultant

951.241.6500 Taushaordermyscent@gmail.com

Taushachambers.scentsy.us

18 • May 2014

REALTOR SPOTLIGHT

Why Choose Stacy Carter?STACY CARTER HAS BEEN IN REAL ESTATE SINCE 2002 as a residential resale broker. She lived in San Diego North County for many years before moving with her husband and children to the French Valley area to be closer to family. Stacy is a broker associate with Keller Williams Realty Temecula Valley.

In addition to being a full service realtor and broker, she has earned the industry’s designation of Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, and a Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification.

Due to her commitment to excellence and personal service, Stacy has been elected to serve as the 2014 president-elect of the South-west Riverside County Women’s Council of Realtors. Stacy has become one of the most highly regarded realtors in the Southwest Riverside area. She is experienced with both new home construc-tion and residential resale markets. Her knowledge, resources and expertise equip her to market homes effectively, and also help buyers choose the right neighborhood, the right schools, and the right builder.

Stacy believes that real estate is more than simply buying or selling a home. To her, it is critical to develop relationships that build trust and friendships. She insists on putting her clients’ needs and desires first and enjoys helping them through the process of buying or sell-ing a home. “At the very start, I sit down with my clients and make sure it makes sense for them to purchase a home,” she says.

www.StacyCarterTeam.com Keller Williams Realty Temecula Valley

27290 Madison Ave. #200, Temecula, CA 92590 BRE# 01395110

Home For Heroes

Stacy is proud to be the Temecula affiliate realtor with Homes for Heroes. As a daughter of a retired teacher and Navy veteran, and sister-in-law of an active duty Navy Seal, she understands the sacrifices of those who serve and their families. So when a colleague introduced her to the Homes for Heroes program, she immediately applied to become an affiliate to have the opportunity to give back to the Heroes in the Temecula Valley area.

The Homes For Heroes (HFH) program was created after the tragic events of 9/11 as a thank-you to the men and women who serve their communities. Active duty military, retirees and reserv-ists, firefighters, law enforcement officers, doctor, nurses, emergency medical technicians, teachers and clergyman across the country can register on the HFH website to be matched with HFH affiliates in their area. HFH is currently in 21 states and partners with over 600 companies (real estate agents and lenders). Agents in the program offer at least a 25 percent discount on their gross commissions.

The Homes for Heroes program is growing and expanding its dis-counts. So spread the word!

To determine if you meet the qualifications for Home for Heroes, visit www.homesforheroes.com, click on “Sign up for Hero Sav-ings,” answer the questions, and select Stacy Carter as your local agent. You will be contacted within 24 hours of your inquiry. For more information call 951.795.5711.

Advertorial

May 2014 • 19

SINGLE IN THE VALLEY

Donna BlanchardBy Shelly Moore

Last November when I embarked on my adventure as LoLa’s “Single in the Valley” columnist, I really didn’t know what to expect. I was nervous at the same time I was excited to meet my single sisters in the Valley. But I didn’t have a clue about how to be a writer or where to begin finding women to feature. But as single women we are con-stantly faced with challenges, so we put on our big girl panties and just figure out a way to do it. Donna Blanchard is an example of a strong woman in our Valley who when faced with adversity, says “Bring it on!”

When Donna walked into my home she appeared nervous. Then she looked down at my polka dot painted toes and asked, “Is that what you do if you’re dating?” We laughed so hard, and I knew we were going to talk freely. Donna’s journey into the single life has been one of pain and courage, but it exemplifies how one simple choice can change you forever. As a mother of four kids with sole custody, both physically and financially, every day she’s faced with making big decisions on her own.

Eight years ago, Donna made a spur-of-the-moment choice that changed the direction of her life. She was a newly licensed realtor and was headed to her Temecula wine country home, when she noticed a car pulled over in front of a house that had a For Sale sign. Something told Donna to pull over and ask the woman behind the wheel if she was interested in viewing the home. The woman seemed a little taken aback at first, but expressed an interest. Donna asked her to wait just 10 minutes while she drove home to get her lockbox key. Little did Donna know that the fate of her life was about to change. The woman would not only become a client, but also a very close friend. Donna represented her and her husband on the sale of a property, among other transactions that soon helped Donna pay off some debt, become current on her mortgage, and give her a fresh start and new enthusiasm for life. “I don’t know what made me pull over that day,” Donna said, “I just did it with no idea it would be such a profound decision.”

Since that time, Donna has established herself as a successful realtor in the Valley. She is known for her work ethic and strong values. Although she is proud of her success, she openly shared with me that juggling a real estate career and being a single parent is far from easy. “Almost overnight I went from being a stay-at-home mom and home-schooling my children, to being a working mom,” she said. “I had always wanted to sell real estate, but for vacation money or funds to improve the house. I never dreamed it would become my only source of income.” Her eyes welled up as she continued, “For a long time, I felt like I didn’t belong in either world.” But Donna chose to persevere and rise above all the challenges. Today she has the respect of her peers. She still regrets how difficult those early years were for her children, but she hopes she is teaching them that hard work and commitment pay off.

In her free time, which isn’t much, Donna is dedicated to her kids, Natalie who is now 20; Brett, 18; John, 11 and Tracy, 9. Donna is excited that she can be involved this spring as the team mom for John’s baseball team. She also loves going to concerts at Pechanga, wine tasting, and socializing with a small group of friends. Dating isn’t a priority yet, but she hopes that she’ll feel ready someday soon. “Right now I want to focus on my kids and their activities, and my career,” she says. “I don’t have anyone who can help me and there’s a lot of responsibility.”

When I looked at my watch, I was shocked to discover we had been talking for more than four hours. Donna has such a great heart and spirit! When she left, I sat down and took a deep breath. I felt grate-ful for having met this amazing woman.

“A single mother has a backbone made of steel and a heart made of gold.” – Author Unknown

Photos from left to right: Donna (r) with columnist Shelley Moore (l), at work, and with her family.

20 • May 2014

TAMMY’S TABLE

Spicy Citrus Chicken ThighsBy Tammy Albery

Marinade• 3-4 chicken thighs, bone in, skin on• 2 limes, zest and juice• 1 orange, zest and juice. I recommend organic citrus. You will be

using the peel for zest and non-organic citrus is highly sprayed with pesticides. Be sure to zest the citrus before juicing.

• ¼ cup EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)• 2 cloves garlic, minced • 2 chili peppers from a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

(find in Mexican section of grocery store) • ¾ tsp. cumin• ¾ tsp. smoked paprika• ½ tsp. kosher salt• Small handful of cilantro, roughly chopped. A little bit of the

stems are okay; the stems add flavor as well.

Prepare a gallon zipper bag for marinating the chicken. Line an 8-cup bowl with a zipper bag, then turn the edges down the side of the bowl. Fill the bag with the marinade and chicken, and fold the bag up and zip shut. Leave the bag in the bowl to ensure a clean refrigerator in case the bag leaks. Do not wash the chicken thighs before placing them in the bag. It has been proven that washing the chicken spreads germs on your kitchen surfaces, and cooking the chicken will kill any germs in the meat.

Make the marinade. You can use a blender, food processor or do it by hand. I prefer using a food processor as follows:

1. Zest the citrus, then juice and set aside.

2. Turn on your food processor and with the motor running, drop the garlic cloves one at a time through the tube on the top. (They will chop nicely.) Turn off the machine and open.

3. Put the cilantro in the processor and turn on until finished chop-ping. Turn off and open the machine.

4. Drop in the 2 chilies from the can of chili peppers in adobo sauce. Add spices, juices and citrus zest, and turn on the processor. After the ingredients are processed, slowly add the EVOO with the machine running. Continue running for a few more seconds to incorporate everything. Pour the marinade over the chicken. Zip the bag shut, removing as much air as possible. Remove the sealed bag from the bowl, and from the outside of the bag gently massage the marinade over the chicken thighs. Put the bag back in the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes to several hours.

5. Preheat oven to 425 degrees (or you can grill the chicken thighs). If you bake them, use a a disposable aluminum pan. Otherwise the pepper glaze will create a sticky mess in your baking dish.

6. Remove chicken thighs from marinade and place on paper towel to dry a bit. Salt and pepper to taste, and bake for 25 minutes while you prepare the glaze.

Pepper Glaze• Juice of 2 limes• 1 ½ tablespoons EVOO (or butter)• ¼ cup red hot pepper jelly (find in jelly section of grocery store)

1. Juice the limes in a small microwave-safe bowl and whisk in the EVOO. Add pepper jelly and whisk until well-incorporated. Cover the top of the bowl with wax paper and microwave for 20-30 seconds, or long enough for the jelly to melt into the oil and lime juice. Set aside.

2. After 25 minutes of baking, baste the chicken thighs with the glaze and place back in the oven for 5 minutes. Then baste with remaining glaze and bake 5 more min-utes or until thighs reach 165 degrees. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serves 2.

Tammy Albery is a private chef and cooking instructor.

tammystable22@gmail.com facebook.com/tammystable22

May 2014 • 21

GIRLS NEXT DOOR

Eran Khi Scarlett has been married for 10 years to Kareem Scarlett. The couple have two chil-dren, Noah and Nahri. As a young child, Khi developed a love for cosmetology while playing with dolls, and her parents encouraged her to pursue her passion. Today Khi has more than 14 years in the beauty industry and has worked at many of the trendy, upscale salons in Southern California, which has helped hone her skills as a true artist in the cosmetology field. Khi has also worked for a hair restoration studio in the San Fernando Valley. She is currently a master stylist at Salon O in Murrieta, where she has been for the last six years. Khi loves being “an ear and a shoulder” for her clients. “You get to know people, almost like becoming a therapist, one  that helps people feel good about themselves by enhancing their features and refreshing their look,” she says. “The way people feel about their appearance affects how they feel on the inside. Providing a service that puts smiles on my clients’ faces is priceless to me.”

Brandy Pellegrino is a boudoir photographer by day and a roller derby girl by night. Brandy’s love for boudoir photography started in 2004. Her passion is to make women feel beautiful and confident in the skin they’re in. With the support of her husband and two children, she operates Pellegrino Boudoir Photography from her home studio in Murrieta. Pellegrino Boudoir has been recognized by professional photography associations including Professional Photographers of San Diego County, Professional Photographers of California, and Professional Photographers of America. Her dedica-tion to female empowerment is evidenced in her photography, as well as her drive on the derby track. Brandy became captivated by the roller derby sport in August 2013 and joined the league. “Being part of a competitive league, The Wine Town Rollers of Temecula Valley, gives me the opportunity to work with so many strong women,” she says. “The confidence that comes from playing a contact sport is exhilarating. I’m proud to be involved in such a unique and rewarding sport!”

Ruth Uurtamo is a certified nursing assistant (CNA). Originally from Uganda, she came to the U.S. 14 years ago, settling on the East Coast. Her husband’s career move in 2012 brought their family to California, and they now reside in Murrieta. She says that the beauty of the area’s hills and valleys beckoned to her and reminded her so much of places back in Uganda. “Living in California has been a good influence on my family’s life choices,” she said. After moving to the area, the family made the decision to adopt a healthier lifestyle through diet and exercise, and Ruth was able to lose over 100 pounds. She jokes that living close to Hollywood has influenced her family to stay fit. Ruth is a born nurturer and loves her position as a nursing assistant, and especially being mom to five children, four boys and a daughter.

Ritu Sharma is owner of B.E.L.L.A. Nails & Spa. She and her husband moved to Temecula from San Diego 13 years ago. Together they’ve raised three children while enjoying the growth of Teme-cula and surrounding cities. Ritu has spent 10 years as a beauty professional and enjoys working with the wonderful and talented women in the industry. In 2006 she started fundraising for the City of Hope, a charity dear to her heart. “It feels good to support such a good cause, and it has taught my children the importance of giving to those in need.” Since opening her salon in 2005 she has been featured on myFoxla’s Hot List and in various Press Enterprise articles. In 2013 the Cali-fornia Legislature Assembly awarded her a certificate of recognition for her outstanding service to the customers of the Temecula Valley. These days, any spare time is spent helping her son prepare to enter college in the fall, and helping her other children with end-of-year school activities.

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