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7

Finally its spring time, it has been a long winter but a very busy one for El-evate Lifestyle. The Elevate team took a little time off around the holidays so everyone could spend some time with their family and friends.

For those who don’t know, Elevate cel-ebrated their Ten Year Anniversary in November at Bubble in the EpiCentre; for those who attended this party it was awesome. Fun was had by all!!

As soon as the New Year started we were all busy giving the maga-zine a much needed facelift. With the size of our publication there was not a lot of design work that could be changed but you will notice small changes, majority of what’s new is the content.

We have listened to our readers and advertisers and are now focus-ing more on these specific industries; Fashion, Dining, Entertain-ment, and Nightlife. Of course we will still have articles on other topics such as Culture and Fitness.

Over the years we have had some excellent Contributing Writers; a few who have been with us since the beginning (Debra Kennedy and Julie Tache) and several from the last two to three years (Stan Owings, Telisha Wheeler, and Angela Han). I would like to welcome the newest members to our team; they are Adam Williams, Bradley Rhyne, Brian DeBrun, and Gregory Lawrence.

publisher’s note

Back to the big changes; they will come primarily in the form of content. Here are some of the new columns (some will be monthly, others every so often): “The Trend Report” will be dealing with the trends in beauty and fashion for women coming from Stan. “The Style Guy”, from Bradley and Brian will give us guys the do’s and don’ts in fashion, “The Art Of Grooming” will provide guys the es-sentials for looking our best and staying healthy. “Inside Dish” by Adam with Charlotte Restaurant Traffic will give you the 411 on all the new restaurants opening in Charlotte or coming soon to our city! “Dish du Jour” by Angela will give you the hottest tidbits on what new with the Charlotte restaurant scene, “SIP” will keep you updated on the cocktail scene from newest products to dinner pairing with some of your favorites brands and “By The Pint” is all about beer; from beer dinners, to beer festivals, to new breweries and new products hitting your local beer store or nearest pub. “Skyline” by Telisha will keep you updated on some of the hot happenings around town and “Nightspots - The After Dark Scene” will let you know the newest and hottest bars, clubs, and lounges to open up in Charlotte.

With spring weather comes plenty of outdoor events; join Elevate at Kennedy’s on Friday, March 14th through Monday, March 17th for our “Four Days of Green Party” celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Then, in April we will be having a Jimmy Buffet pre-party on Thursday, April 24th for his concert at PNC Music Pavilion, and on Saturday, April 26th we will be taking our annual trip down to Mineral Springs for the Queens Cup Steeplechase.

As always, more details about these events and plenty more are at ElevateLifestyle.com or on Facebook.com/ElevateLifestyle.

Til’ next month, Steve Caldwell

PublisherSteve Caldwell

EditorTelisha Wheeler

Creative DirectorGreg Smith

Design and ProductionGreenspon Advertising

COVER GIRL Winner Cover and Photo SpreadPhotography: JMT Photograph; Jim Merrill, JMTFoto.com

Model: Alyssa Pisani | Clothing: Lipp BoutiqueMakeup and Hair Stylist: Angie Cottone

Advertising, Sponsorship, Website Sales,and General Advertising Sales Information

Christie Hannula, Christi@ElevateLifestyle.comSteve Caldwell, Steve@ElevateLifestyle.com

Contributing WritersAdam Williams | Bradley Rhyne | Brandon Russell Brian DeBrun | David Sentendrey | Debra Kennedy

Gregory Lawrence | Jay Johnson | Julie Tache Lauren Nguyen | Stan Owings | Steve Caldwell TekaRose | The Squishy Monster | Troy Adams

Contributing Photographers:CM Photography, Backprint.com/CMPhoto

Green Valley Photography, GreenValleyPhoto.biz Johnny Perez, Jammin JP Production

S Ali Photos, SAliPhotos.com TrueBlue Promotions, TrueBluePromotions.ning.com

Contributing Videographers:N-Digilabs, NDigitLabs.com

Cocktail and Beer Specials | Hors d’oeuvresSilent Auction | Live Music | Fashion Show

RSVP@ElevateLifestyle.comTO BE THE FIRST IN THE KNOW

ElevateLifestyle.com

MASSIVE AWARDS PARTYIN APRIL

14 Eye On Fashion

18 interview With… Cover Girl Winner

20 The Trend report “The 4 lipsticks Every Woman needs”

24 Debra’s Fashion Buzz

32 style Guy | Back to the Basics

36 Cover Girl Winner | alyssa Pisani

44 interview With…angie Cottone

contentsmarCh 2014

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44

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14 Eye On Fashion

18 interview With… Cover Girl Winner

20 The Trend report “The 4 lipsticks Every Woman needs”

48 art Of Grooming | Essential For men

52 after-Five Fashion | Poffie Girls

60 Brand Business | The Kovick Process

24 Debra’s Fashion Buzz

32 style Guy | Back to the Basics

36 Cover Girl Winner | alyssa Pisani

44 interview With…angie Cottone

76 By The Pint

82 nightspots | The after Dark scene

86 skyline | hot happening around Town

contentsmarCh 2014

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EYE ON FASHIONBy Brian DeBrun

Spring is just around the corner and now is the time to check out the fashion forecast. We will take a look at trends, travel and some savvy cost savers for the followers of fashion.

Trending for men is a strong continuation of an existing move towards shorter and narrower suits and trousers. That means staying away from the oversized suiting and pleated pants. Plaids and checks are big and can even be combined for the most adventurous or fashion forward persons of either sex. Colorful and even two toned lace up oxfords with contrasting soles can work with jeans and suits alike. Men can be aggressive with their footwear even while com-bining them with more conservative office wear.

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For the ladies an old favorite of styled blacks and whites in combination are showing strong. Check in the back of your closet for such an item that may be right back in fashion now. For the more adventurous seek out the artist MIA inspired prints that are showing up everywhere from Target to the current Versace Versus collections. Again you can be fairly ag-gressive with the combina-tions or take a more conser-vative stance; either way, you should take a look at these Pan African styled prints.

Travel is always a great way to get a heads up for current fashion trends in New York or Europe. I have booked my last few trips to NYC to coincide with the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. My wife and I have always gotten an eyeful of celebs and fash-ionistas wearing their best all over the city and particu-larly in the Soho area. New York fashion weeks are held each September and Febru-ary. Last September among the many fashion sightings we made were Elle Fanning, Samuel L. Jackson, Roger Federer and Gwen Stefani to

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name a few. Also I had a great moment talking with Ethiopian super-model and women’s healthcare advocate Liya Kebede while having a drink at the always fashionable Standard Hotel. If Europe is in the cards for you, try London, Paris or Milan where fashion weeks are also generally in September and February each year.

Most people have a few articles of clothing that while they are made very well are hopelessly out of fashion. I have recently discovered a reasonably priced tailor who can do magic to reconfigure and modern-ize just about any article of clothing. That has included taking pleats out of trousers and shortening suits and sports coats. I now have added several suits back into the rotation that previously had been relegated to the very back of the closet. (National Tailoring Shop, 3023 Central Ave, Suite A).

Don’t forget the Mint Museum’s current exhibition of vintage Dior, Bal-main and Saint Laurent through May 26th! Enjoy the oncoming spring and don’t go out without looking and being your best!

Brian DeBrun is a Charlotte Attorney practicing in the area of Personal Injury.

Back By PoPular DemanDexperience Steeplechase the elevate lifestyle Way!

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Queen’s CupS t e e p l e c h a s e

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t h e N i n e t e e n t h a n n u a l

2014 COVER GIRL SEARCH WINNER ALYSSA PISANIBy Steve Caldwell, Publisher

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Elevate Lifestyle: Congratulations on winning the Elevate Lifestyle 2014 Cover Girl Search! We are thrilled to have you represent us, Alyssa. EL: Are you from the Charlotte Area? Alyssa Pisani: Lake Norman EL: If not, what brought you to the Queen City? AP: After I finished school I knew I wanted to live and work in the city. Charlotte is beautiful and just keeps growing.

EL: What do you do to stay active and healthy? AP: I love to run and do anything cardio. I’m looking into starting Crossfit soon. EL: With Summer right around the corner, do you have any exercise tips? AP: Yea, start with a light jog to warm up then a combination of high knees, crunches, burpees, push-ups, lunges, squats. Be sure to stretch before and after you exercise. Also eat healthy. An apple a day keeps the grumpies away. EL: What advice do you have for women about feeling good about themselves? AP: Just be YOU and be confident. EL: What do you do in your spare time for fun?AP: Anything adventurous, I love being outdoors. Also I’m very creative and crafty. Hand me a glue gun and Pinterest watch out. EL: Do you plan on adding any stamps to your passport in the near future? AP: Yes, I will be adding a few here shortly with a friend getting married this April in Mexico and my older brother living in Germany. EL: You win $5,000; what do you do with it? AP: I would take my family on a vacation and finally visit Bora Bora. Rent one of those huts out on the water. Swim with the dolphins and probably never want to leave.

2014 COVER GIRL SEARCH WINNER ALYSSA PISANI

THE TRENd REPORT“THE 4 LIPSTICkS EVERY WOmAN NEEdS”By Stan Owings

There really are no rules when it comes to expressing yourself through your makeup, hair and fashion. This day and time, anything goes. As long as it’s done well and you carry it with confidence, YOU can rock anything! Express yourself. Love yourself. Love others. Make an iMpact.

Welcome to my new column, The Trend Report. This is where it’s all about expressing yourself! I’ll be talk-ing trends in makeup, hair and fash-ion. I’ll also be interviewing some of Charlotte’s brightest stars in the beauty and fashion community. I look forward to sharing with you and you sharing with me.

Contrary to popular belief, a woman really only needs 4 lipsticks TOTAL in her wardrobe. However, most women have at least one drawer full of lipsticks (most of which are never worn). Just as it is important to wardrobe your clothing, it’s also im-portant to wardrobe your lip colors. This will help you avoid wearing the wrong shades. If you stick to these guidelines, you are sure to always look polished and you still have enough op-tions to switch it up and play around with different looks. So, here we go...

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1st: a NUDE lip colorChoosing the right nude lipstick can re-ally be a challenge. Not every nude is going to look good on everyone. It de-pends on skin tone and depth of skin. The best way to find the perfect nude is to try it on. Once you find the perfect shade, you still need to partner it with a gloss. Nude lip colors worn alone (without gloss) can give the illusion of

a band-aid over the lips offering a “washed-out” look to the lips. A lip gloss over the top will give it life and create a sexier, poutier look to the lips. I love this lip look when partnered with smokey eyes.

2nd: a NEUTRAL (goes with every-thing) lip colorI always describe this type of shade as “your lip color with the volume button turned up just a bit.” This is the perfect go-to color that works with everything. It can be casual or cocktail. It’s that lip color that’s always in your purse be-cause IT JUST WORKS! You may find yourself with 2 or 3 of these at a time.

One in your purse, one in your makeup bag, and one at your desk. It’s like your AMEX... Well, you know the rest!

3rd: a CLASSIC RED lip colorJust like a nude lip color, a red shade can be hard to find as well. Here are a few tips. Select a neutral red. One that is not blue-red or red-or-ange. Opt for a more brick red type of shade. It is truly complimentary on all skins. The beauty of the perfect red lipstick is that it is the “star of the show” so you can wear less makeup and still have a big WOW factor! Red lipstick is also a teeth whitener and a confidence booster. It’s THE power lipstick! With that said; if you are feeling down and need a pick-me-up, throw on a red lipstick and feel the power!

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4th: a METALLIC lip colorMetallics continue to be a huge trend in fashion. In fact it’s almost like animal print, it’s becoming a classic. So, that makes having a metallic lipstick a MUST HAVE! The key here is having the right metallic shade. I recommend more of a bronze-metallic type of shade. I love this be-

cause whenever you wear this type of color it looks progressive and modern. It looks great on a 20 year old or an 80 year old. This is the perfect lipstick for evening and it’s also great to tone down a red lipstick if it’s too bright. This shade over the red will complement it while taking it down a notch. An abso-lute must have.

Life TrendThis month’s life trend is all about inner beauty. As much fun as it is to play in make-up and beautify the outside, it’s more important to beautify the inside. I believe inner beauty is the direct result of loving yourself and others with an unconditional love! When we feel good about ourselves, we treat others better. It is through this process of unconditional love that we learn to let our inner light shine.

Lipsticks recommended:Nude shade: i’M humble crème lipstickNeutral shade: i’M pampered crème lipstickClassic red shade: i’M confident crème lipstickMetallic shade: i’M honorable crème lipstick

All can be found at iMpactcolorcosmetics.com or at Shine Salon at 1819 E 7th Street.

Light, Love & Peace,

Stan Owings, Creator/Founder iMpact color cosmeticsFacebook.com/stanley.owingsTwitter.com/stanleyowings

TOP30

UNDER30FUTURE LEADERS OF CHARLOTTE

IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN WHENSEARCHES FOR THE “TOP 30 UNDER 30” IN CLT.NOMINATE YOUR FUTURE LEADER AT:ElevateLifestyle.com/Top30Under30

dEbRA’S FASHION buzz By Debra A. Kennedy

Tired of your winter wardrobe? Me too! Spring fashion this year hit the “Platinum Level” for fresh and wearable fashions. New York Fashion Week was full of designer trends and getting into the designer shows at Lincoln Center as well as art galleries in the big apple (designers like Carolina Herrera who wanted a more intimate crowd for their fashion shows) is uber fabulous, but most of us cannot afford the showings on the catwalk.

Pastels in a rainbow of shades are the colors of choice this year with blush pink and greys being the highlights. Crop tops are all the rage; paired with skirts for a trendy look, and jeans for a relaxed look. The midi-skirt (length between mida and maxi) may be the ultimate transition piece for 2014. This is my personal favorite and if skirts are not your thing, you can find a dress in this length as well.

Jackets are a staple item as well. The collarless jacket and the Moto jackets are flattering on most body types and you can get the most wear out of them as they can be yearlong items.

The Color-block dress, Feminine style dress in white and accessories (lots of accessories as layering is still a must-do) are items that will wear well for work, parties and vacations. Adding heels or sandals will set the mood for whatever invitation comes your way.

Fashion Cheers to All and I look forward to seeing your Spring Looks as I hit the fashion shows, events and parties right here in the Queen City.

Debra A. Kennedy, Lifestyle EditorDebraKennedy.com

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Screen Print Tee $49.00Stripe Skirt $69.00Photo Credit: Belk Department Store

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Vivian Separate Dress $268.00Photo Credit: Belk Department Store

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Floral fit and flare party dress $220.00Photo Credit: Belk Department Store

Vivian Separate Dress $268.00Photo Credit: Belk Department Store

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Grace Knit Dress $148.00Photo Credit: Belk Department Store

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KATE SPADE JEWELRYLady Antoinette Graduated Necklace $178.00Lady Antoinette Studs $58.00Photo Credit: Belk Department Store

A S T E R I S K C R E A T I V E . C O MA S T E R I S K C R E A T I V E . C O M

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A S T E R I S K C R E A T I V E . C O MA S T E R I S K C R E A T I V E . C O M

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THE STYLE GuYbACk TO THE bASICSBy Steve Caldwell, Editor

Recently, we sat down with one of our resi-dent men’s style experts Bradley Rhyne, the CEO and Chief Editor of Charlotte based gentleman’s clothing company OLE MASON JAR. In this month’s edition, we take a step back and focus on the basic essentials that every man should know and have in his wardrobe.

Elevate Lifestyle: When we first spoke about doing this interview, you mentioned this was the first topic you wanted to really dive into. Can you talk a little about why?

Bradley Rhyne: I really wanted to start things off with a solid foundation. Believe me, I get it, fashion/style for men is some-thing that often takes a back seat to other things in life (as often times it should), and as a result is something that a lot of guys

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are any combination of unin-terested, intimidated or clue-less on. My hope is to break things down in the most sim-plistic way, giving someone the core items to own or prin-ciples to go by when they get dressed everyday.

EL: Who is the ideal man this guide would speak to?

BR: You know it actually is a guide for every man. Sure, we may not all run a clothing company, or work in corporate America, but this translates to every man regardless of his day job or what he likes to do on the weekends. The basics are just that, the items that every man should have, or could benefit from having.

EL: When talking about the basics, what parts of your wardrobe apply and where exactly do you start?

BR: I am actually going to break things down in a couple different categories: Casual attire, business attire, footwear, accessories and outerwear.

Beginning with the most worn category, casual wear, the basics are incredibly simple. White and blue solids for button downs and polos are the building blocks for your shirts and should be the most worn, followed by some additional muted tones or patterns (think a grey check). For pants, some dark denim and khaki chinos can be worn with just about everything.

While every man may not need to dress up for work every day, he likely will have a need to at some point throughout the year (think some form of special event, or hey, even a job interview). For business at-tire, a grey suit and a navy suit should be in every closet, along with plain white and blue button down shirts. It also makes sense to have a few basic ties that are very simplistic (reds and blues that are either

34

solid or have a very simple stripe or polka dot pattern). These basics will get you through whatever event/interview you may have.

Footwear is one of the most important categories, as while you can get every-thing else right, if you don’t get the shoes right that is what oth-ers will notice. First tip is to keep those chunky sneakers for only your physical ac-

tivities, and make sure you have something more simplistic for your casual activities (running errands/out to eat/hanging with friends). A causal leather or suede driving shoe or classic desert boot should be the “go to” every time. For dressier occasions you want a pair of basic black and brown oxfords.

Accessories are the items that should accent what you are wearing, not stand out and scream for attention. A stainless steel watch that is a normal size is going to be the most versatile and frequently worn item in your wardrobe along with plain leather black and brown belts.

Lastly, while really only applying when it gets a little chilly outside (and man have we needed this year here in Charlotte), is often times the most overlooked item in the wardrobe due to its seasonality. A grey or tan wool overcoat/pea coat is something that can be dressed up or down and so is perfect for all occasions.

EL: What is the number one style tip a man should follow when looking for these basics?

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BR: Fit is the absolute most important part of every man’s wardrobe. Guys usually make the mistake of going a size too large when pick-ing out their shirts and pants. Slim fit does not mean skinny, but actual-ly that it is more fitted to your body. Slim fit items are becoming more and more available today, and shouldn’t scare guys away (even those on the heftier side). Make sure the shoulder

fits (shoulder points should extend to the end of the shoulder but no further) and the waist fits (when buttoned, there should only be up to 4-5 inches of extra fabric). For pants ensure are not too baggy and not too long to where they are dragging the ground. Once you have the basics and the fit down, you are ready for just about anything!

EL: What is the most common misconception about building your wardrobe, or having what is considered good style.

BR: Hands down the cost factor. For both men and women, it is be-lieved in order to dress well you need to spend a lot of money. Hon-estly, this is absolutely not the case at all. There are a lot of great brands out there that are both very affordable and fit great for you to build your wardrobe around, and so there is absolutely no need to go out and spend a lot of money on any one specific item if you don’t need to. Once you have built your wardrobe with the basics, only then maybe splurge on that extra nice (pricey) shirt or pair of shoes you have had your eyes on!

Photography: JMT Photography, Jim Merrill JMFoto.comModel: Alyssa PisaniClothing: Lipp BoutiqueMake Up Artist and Hair Stylist: Angie CottoneWall Art: Angie Cottone

C O V E R G I R LS E A R C H 2 0 1 4

W i n n e r A l y s s A P i s A n i

C O V E R G I R LS E A R C H 2 0 1 4

Twenty Top $68 Twenty Sweat Pants $158

House of Harlow Bracelets 1960 $48

W i n n e r A l y s s A P i s A n i

Heather Top $106 Level 99 Jeans $129

Lipp Boutique Necklace $50

Riley Cobalt Maxi Outfit $168 Kendra Scott Ring $80

Kendra Scott Earrings $75

Charlie Jade Colorful Maxi Outfit $196Kendra Scott Earring $65

LIPP BOUTIQUE LOCATIONSMetropolitan:

1111 Metropolitan Ave. S160Charlotte NC 28204 | 704.370.2440

Birkdale Village:

16836 Birkdale Commons Pkwy. SEHuntersville NC 28078 | 704.655.1243

Langtree: 138 Village Dr. S101

Mooresville NC 28117 | 704.360.5087

INTERVIEW WITH...ANGIE COTTONEBy Steve Caldwell, Publisher

Elevate Lifestyle: I read your impres-sive professional profile. Your credits are all over! How did you break into the industry?Angie Cottone: Painting, drawing and creating things. I’ve been an Artist my entire life; Makeup Artistry was never my intended career path, I pretty much fell into the industry and I’ve been ad-dicted ever since! By Ryan L. Sumner,

Fenix Fotography

45

EL: Is it a competitive industry to get into?AC: There are definitely Makeup Artists out there who make the Industry way more competitive than it should be.

EL: Do you have a mentor, or do you have someone in the industry that you look up to? AC: I look up to anyone in the industry who is talented & loves makeup artistry in the same ways that I do... (basically obsessed with it). I guess this is where I name drop? Renee Smith & Christie Nealis...I’m a part of their Smashbox Cosmetics Team, John Ader & Candace Corey

EL: It looks like your career has given you the opportunity to travel all over the coun-try. What are some of your most memorable “on-location” places you’ve worked?AC: Most memorable would have to be Calgary, Canada with the Travel Channel be-cause it was the first time I’ve ever been outside of the country. My first ever stamp on my Passport was very special to me.

EL: Care to share any diva stories or star struck moments?AC: My lips are sealed.

EL: You call Charlotte, NC home ... are you from here? If not, what brought you to Charlotte?AC: Charlotte is my home but South Florida is too, that’s where I’m from. I moved up here with some of my family; my sisters and I all went to school out here. I really like living in Charlotte! It’s a really great “central” location to travel in/out of which makes some work opportunities convenient, accessible and budget-friendly!

EL: The market is flooded with beauty products. What product must-haves would you recommend to our readers?AC: I literally have 100+ “must haves” but at the TOP of my list is Organic Coconut Oil, I use it for EVERYTHING! Face & body moisturizer, I shave with it, hair mask, dry skin, etc. It’s perfection in a jar! EOS “Sweet Mint” Lip Balm and Smashbox’s Photo Finish Primer, BB Cream, Halo, limitless liquid liner, O-Gloss...and Urban Decay’s “De-Slick” Setting Spray

EL: Can we expect an Angie Cottone salon opening in our area anytime soon? AC: No way...but I do have some creative product ideas sketched out that I’m inter-ested in developing and definitely happening in the near future... Stay tuned!

Instagram @baybee_CottoneFor Bookings: Angie.Cottone@Hotmail.com

By Ryan L. Sumner, Fenix Fotography

ART OF GROOmINGESSENTIAL FOR mENBy Gregory Lawrence

However much you protest, it cannot be denied that people instantly judge you based on how you look.

You could be a successful professional raking in the dinero but if you are dressed poorly with food stains on your clothes and with two days’ growth of stubble on your face, then you will be judged accordingly. We’re here to make sure that never happens to you. Read on and get a grip on how to groom properly for a great first impression.

If you take care of your body, then half of the job is al-ready done when it comes to making a strong impres-sion. Eat regular and balanced meals and get your share of physical exercise. Smoke and drink only oc-casionally if at all, hard... we know! Cultivating habits like this will go a long way in making you a person with a significant presence, who is sure to make a lasting impression.

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Pamper your skin. Make sure you drink at least two liters of water a day. If possible drink at least a beer glass full of water in the morning. It takes getting used to but does wonders for your complexion. Get enough sleep so that you don’t have puffy eyes and also moisturize regularly to keep your skin nourished.

Close shave. Shave regularly to look your best. If you sport a beard or a moustache then make sure it is trimmed neatly and has no stray hairs sticking out in multiple directions. Also make sure that you shave in the same direction as the growth of the hair and that you soften your facial hair before shaving it. This will ensure that there aren’t ingrowths and also reduces the possibilities of getting nicked while shaving.

Get in the shower. The basic step to staying clean and smelling good even without any cologne. This is a step you are not allowed to miss because it’s as simple as water, shower and towel. So whether you’ve just come back from the gym, woken up, or are going for a party - shower!

Keep your hands clean. Cut and file your nails regularly and also make sure that they don’t have any residue of food or dirt stuck in them. Wash your hands frequently and especially after a meal because smelly and sweaty hands are the biggest turn off. Also use a bit of hand lotion on them to prevent your hands from resembling tough hide.

Don’t be shaggy. Since hair grows regularly, you have to always keep a check on when your ear, nose, chest hair needs a trim. It’s best to trim hair from these parts at least once a week. Also shampoo and con-dition your hair every day. Of course if you have long hair, maybe alternate days would be fine, but never let your hair look greasy and straggly.

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Clothes that fit well, which are clean, neatly ironed and smell good are very important. Don’t recycle clothes that have been chucked into your laundry bas-ket because you have run out of clean, ironed clothes. You won’t fool anyone with that trick! The fit also is very impor-

tant to looking good. It’s no use wearing expensive shirts and branded trousers if you’ve got the fit wrong. People will only notice that your clothes are hanging on you or alternatively, are too tight for you.

Men are judged by their shoes. If you don’t know this yet, you’ve obvi-ously no idea about the typical standards used to judge men. If you are wearing formal shoes, make sure they’re not scuffed and dirty. They should be polished and shiny. Casual shoes should also be clean. And avoid tattered shoes at all costs!

Posture is very important. Do not slouch and always walk straight be-cause it projects confidence and assertiveness in a man. If you have trouble with maintaining your posture, do some posture exercises regularly until it is perfected.

Avoiding eye contact or giving someone a limp handshake is the worst first impression you can create. It reflects a personality that is unsure and insecure. Neither of these makes for a good impression. Make your handshake firm and look them in the eyes and smile.

Sweat is inevitable but can be beaten. Keep a check on whether you are smelling and reapply deodorant. Also wear an undershirt if you tend to sweat a lot. Use foot powder on your feet to keep your shoes and feet from smelling bad.

Looking good and projecting the confidence that comes from it will get you noticed by people, and is sure to create a great first impression for you. Check regularly if your look needs any adjustments and keep these essential grooming tips in mind in becoming a more confident and successful person.

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AFTER-FIVE FASHIONS POFFIE GIRLS By Debra A. Kennedy

When it comes to fabulous style and after - five fashions, only one store comes to mind, Poffie Girls. The plantation style home that houses the most sought after cocktail dresses, formals and wedding gowns in the South is minutes from Charlotte and a dream come true for all fashion divas.

You may have seen Poffie Girls on national news as owners Syble Latta and Pam Smith (Mother/Daughter) opened their doors one Sunday afternoon to give away forty-four wedding gowns, veils and jewelry as part of the Brides Across America organization. Partnering with an organization that gives military brides the opportunity to achieve their dream wedding that would not have been possible on their own is just the kind of heart this store has. You may have caught the episode of “Platinum Weddings” that featured a bride selecting her dream wedding gown on film and in front of the world from Poffie Girls. Obviously Poffie Girls is world famous but the customer service and attention to detail is truly what makes customers like me return in search of the perfect after-five gown for any social event.

Immediately upon arrival you will be greeted with warmth and southern charm and whisked away to start the journey to finding “the perfect” gown that will turn heads and make you the “belle of the ball” at your next event.Poffie Girls has every big day in your life covered including your next social event or gala and the really big day you have been planning for your entire life, your wedding day. Yes, Poffie Girls has it all and you will fall in love at first visit.

Poffie Girls is located @ 512 South, New Hope Road, Gastonia, NC 28054www.poffiegirls.com

Debra A. KennedyLifestyle Editorwww.debrakennedy.com

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LaFemme $372

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Jovani $449

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LaFemme $635

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Jovani $599

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Partytime $525

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INSIdE dISHBy Adam Williams

This is the first article that we have written for Elevate Lifestyle. Instead of focusing on one restaurant opening in town, we de-cided to take a macro view of the Charlotte dining and entertainment scene. Two areas that have dominated the restaurant land-scape outside of Uptown over the past few years have been Montford Drive and Plaza Midwood. We believe the reasoning for the recent popularity of these areas is simple- they both share relatively low rental rates, and give patrons a walkable feel. People love the flexibility to park their cars and drift between an assortment of eating and drink-ing establishments. While these two areas have been a fixture in Charlotte’s bar and restaurant past, South End is going to be a fixture in Charlotte’s residential and cu-linary future.

Nan & Byron’s

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You can already see a mix-ture of old stand-by’s gearing up for the coming rush while the new blood plants their flags throughout the district. Tommy Timmins, who owns an impressive assortment of restaurants and bars in and around Uptown, is remaking Tyber Creek from a bar that

happens to serve food into a viable restaurant destination. He is taking the success of his Uptown restaurant Dandelion Market and bringing a similar focus to the menu and atmosphere of his Irish pub in South End. When I asked Tommy about his past and future in South End, he said, “Tyber Creek Pub has been proud to serve the South End and Dilworth communities for the past 15 years. Over those years we have seen steady growth but are truly excited to see the recent South End construction boom take place. We are looking forward to the future, and as more people call South End home, we hope that they can also call Tyber Creek Pub their home away from home.” Another South End staple, Sullivan’s Steakhouse, is stepping up their game as well. Sul-livan’s is undergoing a massive renovation that should be ready for a big unveiling within the next 30-60 days (We will give you a behind the scenes tour soon so stay tuned to RestaurantTraffic.com).

Newcomers to the area continue to establish them-selves as worthy contenders in South End. Tupelo Honey came out swinging by bring-ing their Low country / Ashe-ville vibe to South Boulevard and business is doing well- stop by for brunch on the weekend and you’ll find the

place is packed. Right next door, The Liberty is serving noteworthy burgers and an elevated craft beer selection. MAP Management, the group behind 5Church Uptown, transformed the old Vinnie’s loca-

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tion at the corner of South & East Boulevard into a killer Southern-influenced gastropub called Nan & Byron’s (named after the husband and wife in Grant Wood’s American Gothic painting). They melded casual comfort food and happening nightlife into one space, which is a new concept for bars and restaurants in Charlotte. Revelers looking to stay with a liquid diet should head to libation-focused locales such as World of Beer and Stache House. It is worth noting The Oak Room has expanded All American Pub’s casual sports bar offerings into a full service nightclub more commonly rooted in Uptown or the NC Music Factory. On Sundays in the fall, they are rivaled in attendance only by Bank of America stadium in sheer number of Panther faithful.

What has contributed to this surge of investment into food and bever-age concepts in South End? The answer is actually pretty simple and has much less to do with peoples’ palates and much more to do with city planning. The Lynx Blue Line and the subsequent high-density de-velopment that was allowed to shadow the light rail line has laid track for a massive influx of residents. All told almost 3,950 residential units

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will be completed in South End from 2012-2015 and the oc-cupants are going to need op-tions for food and fun. I asked Charlotte developer extraordi-naire David Furman why he has chose to focus on South End, “As Charlotte is recovering its pre-recession mojo, the close-in neighborhoods have taken

on much of the momentum for where the urban demographic desires to locate, especially South End because of the story associated with transit and the LYNX line.” He has doubled down with his vision for South End. Not only did he assemble and design the Camden Gallery residential project, he is in the process of developing a second project in the middle of South End called 1616 Center.

Judging by the recent growth and investment, restaurateurs and real estate developers be-lieve South End will be where more and more Charlotteans eat, live and play in the fore-seeable future. As more retail and restaurants open to ser-vice the expected surge of resi-dents, there is no telling what

the future holds for dining and retail options. But one fact residents of the Queen City can count on is RestaurantTraffic.com breaking news and writing reviews about South End and beyond.

Adam Williams is an entrepreneur in Charlotte primarily focused on retail and restaurant commercial real estate opportunities in the Caro-linas. Keep up with the restaurant scene in town on his website Res-taurantTraffic.com

dISH du JOuRGREAT dINING ExPERIENCESBy The Squishy Monster

Dish du Jour is the place to find out about all the new food happenings in and around the Queen City. Discover what restaurants are bringing you fresh and delicious bites. If you’re a foodie, you’re in the right place. Be the first in line for all the delicious food that Charlotte has to offer!

Heist Brewery announced their brand new menu created by Chef Rob Masone with ingre-dients sourced from local and regional vendors. Filled with inspired tapas, there are now vegan and vegetarian options. There will also be a gourmet brunch offering every Sunday from 10 am – 3 pm with live music every Wednesday. A sampling of their new menu includes salmon belly sticky bun tacos, chicken and waffle su-shi, M&M bacon wrapped meatloaf, and more. Also join Heist for their “Not So Small Batch” beer releases each Monday at 4 pm with Eric Mitchell.

The Ritz-Carlton welcomes Nathan Volz, a 14 year old restaurant veteran as their newest Executive Sous Chef. In a press release, Volz said, “I love partnering with local growers to create fresh and innovative menu selections, and North Carolina’s bounty is truly inspiring for me. I am thrilled to be in Charlotte, and look forward to bringing many new menu experi-ences to The Ritz-Carlton Lobby Lounge, Bar Cocoa and Urban Sip.”

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Baku, the trendy sushi Japanese eatery is now featuring their hap-py hour every Monday through Thursday from 4 pm – 6 pm. There’s something for everyone from small plates, to skewers, and sushi.

Cantina 1511 is set to move to the Park Road Shopping Cen-ter from their original Dilworth location in early summer. Their second location in the Stone-crest Shopping Center will re-main and with this move, they hope to expand and upgrade with a revamped menu. In re-lated news, they will be joining many new businesses in the

Park Road Shopping Center, which is said to be undergoing major renovations in hopes to develop it into a destination spot.

Good news for BBQ lovers! The Charlotte Knights announced that Queen City Q will be served at all their upcoming games and events.Exciting news for our own Cowfish; Universal Studios announced that it will be bringing the Charlotte-based restaurant to their Universal CityWalk next year.

South End is quickly becoming a hot spot for brunch, and Nan & Bry-on’s are jumping in… but not with ordinary fare. Crowning their brunch menu is a raw bar. Their buffet also features traditional items as well as twists like meatloaf with Sriracha sauce. It is also where Charlotte’s own “Bachelorette,” Emily Maynard recently celebrated her 28th birth-day/engagement party with her friends, family and new fiancée.

The Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend will be celebrating its 25th an-niversary during April 22-26. Get your tickets now to enjoy more than 30 events. CharlotteWineandfFood.org

Krazy Fish, Plaza Midwood’s funky spot for crazy tacos may be in trouble. Walgreens is trying to buy out their building and they’re cur-rently asking for donations, with a goal of $50,000.

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If you love food, why not give the Tour de Food a try? There are sever-al local tours available (even a private one if you’d like). There’s the Uptown tour that begins on 7th street and makes its way from Amelie’s to The Sorting Table; sampling everything from farm to table restaurants to lo-cal wines. The NoDa tour enables you to eat through this eclectic Arts district. Drink from the local brewery, dine on gumbo, and learn all about how the history of North Davidson

began right at the Highland Mill. The Metropolitan tour binds culinary cuisines from all over the world, not to mention it’s located through a lovely Greenway. Here, you’ll find everything from Asian to Italian fare. If you happen to be a pizza lover, the pizza tour is for you. This tour will guide you through the best pizza in town. There’s even a sweet treat to polish off the night.

SPoTLIghT oN:Block and grinder It’s hard to find a good scotch egg in Charlotte, and Block and Grinder not only created one, but also put their own twist on it. Traditionally, a scotch egg is hard-boiled, nestled in ground meat then plunged into hot oil for a crunchy golden exterior. Here, they elevate the experience by encasing a soft-boiled egg in Pork Confit. Its flash fried before it’s finished off in the oven and served with red pepper jelly and micro greens. 2935 Providence Road

Pisces Sushi Bar & Lounge As the brain child of Bob Peters, Head Mixologist at Pisces, the Barrel-aged, rosemary, maple duck Manhattan was a year in the making. It includes Ridgemont Reserve 1792 bourbon “washed” in rosemary duck fat, six-week barrel-aged Madeira, Angostura bitters and organic maple syrup. “I started thinking of possibilities and put technique on top of technique and this is what I came up with,” Peters says. The

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finished product is a silky-smooth, smoky cocktail with luscious un-dertones of duck and herbs. 1100 Metropolitan Avenue

olde Mecklenburg BreweryThey just released of their “LoSo Ryeder” rye ale for their monthly “Brauhaus Reserve” series. “It is unfiltered and not super hoppy,” says Cam Heiliger, who works in marketing and distribution at Olde Meck-lenburg. “A lot of people who drink the (American) traditional rye ale may be used to a hoppy beer. But with this, you get more of a spice. It’s pretty drinkable, and has a really unique flavor.” In other news, OMB is closing in on a new location, scheduled to open in the spring.

CLoSINg ITS DooRS:On January 14th, Jo Jo China Bistro closed its doors in Stonecrest. Their sister restaurant Boading, in South Park will remain. Another Asian themed restaurant is set to fill Jo Jo’s place.

In Uptown, Fox & Hound, Deltas, Karma Café, and Onoki sushi all closed their doors as well. F&H Acquisition Corp. parent company of Fox &Hound and Champps, recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Loco Lime announced that they are closing their doors, effective im-mediately.

Harvest Moon Grille may have closed their doors but not to fret; The Asbury is slated to take their place with specialty heirloom items on their menus sourced from small local farms.

Angela Kim is a food blogger who creates fun cooking tutorials with Tastemade on her channel at YouTube.com/TheSquishyMonsterTSM and tours local news circuits teaching people how to cook. She spe-cializes in unique fusion dishes and makes everything from cupcakes to traditional Korean food and everything in between with over 250+ original recipes on TheSquishyMonster.com

TheSquishyMonster.comFacebook.com/TheSquishyMonsterTwitter: ASquishyMonster

LITTLE bLACk dRESS VOdkAThe little black dress is an iconic symbol of simple elegance—every woman’s easy choice for looking good and feeling confident. Just like its namesake, new Little Black Dress Vodka is designed specifically to capture the essence of what women want in a cocktail: fuss-free, burn-free, and flavorful but with an eye toward calorie count.

Little Black Dress Vodka is available in classic and four distinctly delicious flavors.

• Classic: Exactly what it says it is. Unflavored, timeless, allowing the smooth pristine vodka taste to shine.

• Peach Vanilla: An indulgent blend of fresh, juicy peaches and creamy vanilla that finishes with hints of shortbread vanilla and citrus zest.

• Pineapple Honey: A fresh pineapple aroma followed by the taste of juicy pineapple, brown sugar, and honey with sweet brown notes and caramel.

• Black Cherry Vanilla: A chocolate-covered cherry aroma followed by the taste of black cherry and vanilla with creamy chocolate notes.

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• Blueberry Pomegranate: The scent of fresh blueberries followed by the taste of ripe blue-berry ad pomegranate, yumberry, vanilla, and honey with slight floral notes.

Designed with a woman’s palate in mind, Little Black Dress Vodkas’ smoothness and flavor are achieved by a meticulous, high-quality process. The vodka begins as a neu-tral spirit and is then triple distilled to remove any harsh notes producing an exceptionally smooth vodka. Natural ingredients are then added to the flavored offerings; natural sug-ars bring the proof to 60. The filtration pro-cess ensures a refined and polished vodka for sophisticatedly subtle enjoyment. Little Black Dress Vodka is sublime alone, eas-ily slipping into deliciously casual cocktail mode, or dressed up with one or two readily available ingredients.

Black Cherry Latte1 oz Little Black Dress Black Cherry Vanilla Vodka1 oz Kahlua4 oz Fat-Free Half-and-Half

In a shaker filled with ice, add ingredients and shake to mix, then strain into a chocolate-rimmed martini glass. Garnish with a cherry.

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Pineapple Honey Mojito1.5 oz Little Black Dress Pineapple Honey Vodka1 oz Agave Nectar2 Lime Wedges3 Mint Leaves4 oz Soda Water2Muddle lime wedges in bot-tom of shaker.

Add ice, agave nectar, Little Black Dress Pine-apple Honey Vodka and mint leaves. Shake to mix. Remove shaker top and add soda water, roll to mix. Pour into highball glass.Garnish with a pineapple wedge.

Blueberry Fresh Smash2 oz Little Black Dress Blueberry Pomegranate vodka1 oz Agave Nectar1 oz Water2 Lime Wedges12 Blueberries

Muddle blueberries and lime in a serving glass. Transfer to shaker filled with ice, add remaining ingredients, shake to mix and pour into a high-ball glass. Garnish with blueberries.

For more information on Little Black Dress Vodka, please visit www.lbdvodka.com or their visit Facebook page at www.facebook.com/lbdvodka.

bY THE PINTBy Steve Caldwell, Publisher

Welcome to “By The Pint”! Each month, we will be bringing you all the news about beer. From the new brews hitting the grocery cooler or at your local watering hole, the 411 on all the Charlotte area beer festivals, beer dinner’s hosted at local restaurants, to new breweries or restaurants opening up whose focus is on craft beers.

There is a new place that just opened in Plaza Midwood called Pint Central. They are located at 1226 Central Avenue. Their atmosphere will be like no other. Fun times will be had and laughs as soon as you come in. It’s a place amongst drinkers and schmoozers of all kinds, a neighborhood at the bar and a selection of food to tie it all together. Drink up, Eat up, Speak up and have fun.

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Whether out for dinner followed by drinks, or drinks and then dinner; Pint Central offers the best location for both. They are not just another place dishing out your average bar food. Their combined cuisine is meticulously crafted from Argentine, European, and American influ-enced entrees and is sure to satisfy any foodie. There are 28 brews on tap and a selection of craft bottle beers that will make choosing a drink easy for all tastes. Their patio with an outside bar gives you a relaxing break from the busy-paced uptown tempo, but with enough Charlotte skyline to make you feel at home. They will be providing an enjoyable atmosphere. This is their number one priority; and as a bonus, they pride themselves on making every experience affordable. Come check them out for yourself, you’ll be glad you did!

Charlotte’s newest brewery will be having their grand opening up on Saturday, March 1st. It’s called Lake Norman Brewing Company are they are ready to welcome you! At the grand opening you can expect to experience a gorgeous tap room opening its doors to the public for the first time. The tap room will feature eight different beers. Five of the beers they have brewed for you have never been available prior. The eight beers available will include: Man Overboard IPA, BassAk-wards Brown Ale, Dockside Blonde, Outboard Amber Ale, Pontoon Pale Ale, Raspberry Wheat, Coffee Stout, and Oak Aged English Out-board Amber.

A grand opening commemorative souvenir will be available celebrat-ing the big day. A food truck will be on site for people to enjoy. This is a bar at a brewery in an adult setting, 21 years and older only. Their normal hours of operation following the grand opening will be Tuesday and Thursday 4 pm -7 pm, Saturday 2 pm-8 pm. Going forward, the tap room will have a consistently rotating mix of beers. They are lo-cated at 159 Barley Park Lane Unit B in Mooresville.

Charlotte Craft Beer Week began in 2010 and will be celebrating its 5th Anniversary from March 14th – 22nd, 2014. With the help of craft beer industry groups and businesses, it offers North Carolina some of the best craft beer events in the state. CCBW also aims to educate new and seasoned participants on the craft beer scene, so there will

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be plenty of opportuni-ties to sharpen and ex-pand your beer knowl-edge. Each event is selected and crafted purposefully to incor-porate the many facets of craft beer culture. The committee contin-ues to educate the at-tendees, on the many craft beer selections that are currently avail-able in North Carolina.

“The 2014 CCBW Committee is working hard to ensure everyone has another memorable year!” said Darrin Pikarsky, the Founder of Char-lotte Craft Beer Week. He added; “Every year the event gets bigger with more craft beer lovers from surrounding states coming to enjoy 9 days of the regions’ best craft beer.” Charlotte’s craft beer Week always supports local businesses. Each event has its own pricing and terms, find a list at CharlotteCraftBeerWeek.org.

The Inaugural All Ale to the Queen Beer Carnival will be the “Official Closer of the Charlotte Craft Beer Week” All Ale to the Queen will be held on March 22nd at Silver Hammer Studios at the NC Music Facto-ry in Charlotte and you will sample over 100+ craft beers over 4 hours.

All Ale to the Queen promises to be a one of a kind event and a “must do” for craft beer lovers in the region. Unlike other beer festivals, All Ale to the Queen takes a different approach by focusing on the unique aspects of beer.

For true craft beer lovers, this is the event is for you. Beer and Cheese Pairings, 5 Year Vertical tasting, Queen’s Twin Cloning Challenge, Joker’s Wild (Strain) Brew Off, 10 Station Mixology Bar, Mobile In-fusers and more. To purchase your ticket now head over to AllAleTo-TheQueen.com.

NIGHT SPOTSTHE AFTER dARk SCENEBy Steve Caldwell, Publisher

It seems like every time you venture out there are new places opening up; it’s hard to keep track of them all. Well hopefully, now Elevate Lifestyle can keep you in the know. Check back each month to see the newest, hottest, and the coolest places to hang after dark.

Bamboo Sky A new chic Tapas Restaurant and Lounge will be opening late spring, located center courtyard at the NC Music Factory called Bamboo Sky. Bamboo Sky will serve freshly made tapas dishes and specialty drinks. It will also house a separate outdoor hookah lounge, which is surrounded by an Asian garden, ca-banas and fire pit.

Upon entry to Bamboo Sky, guests are transported from their normal everyday lives into a wonderland of sensations and entertainment. Bamboo Sky’s Asian inspired Patio garden and lounge secludes guests within a perimeter of bamboo. Crawl into one of their seductive cabanas or enjoy one of their spe-cialty drinks while sitting around the fire pit as the collection of Buddha statues watch over you. Relish the sound of deep house music embracing your ears while you become one with the bamboo gardens. All of this is in addition to their exceptional Tapas menu, which incorporates culinary components from award winning Chef Gene from Blue Restaurant.

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As the night grows longer, Bamboo Sky’s main room transforms from a Tapas Restaurant into a DJ driven dance area. As they open the large oversized doors to the exterior, the lounge and the bamboo gardens fuse as one while both venues collide to make the hottest ultra lounge in Charlotte. If it’s just to lounge in conver-sation with your date in one of the cabanas located within the bamboo gardens, or to dance the night away in the ultra lounge, Bamboo Sky will take you wherever you want to go.

Bamboo Sky can also be offered as a private rental and has the abil-ity to serve corporate functions with state of the art technology to aid clients with presentations.Facebook.com/ XNightclubclt

Chupitos Bar & RestaurantFrank and Pilar Lleras who own Optimum Income Prop-erty here in Charlotte, plan to open Chupitos Bar & Restau-rant in Uptown Charlotte at 400 S. Graham St. this spring across the street from the BB&T Ballpark. Chupitos will be a little over 2,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor patio space for dining and drinking.

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Chupito is the Spanish word for “shot,” and these types of bars have opened up all around the world in Barcelona, Singapore, Amsterdam and many other cities. Their menu will feature international flair with small plates and a Ceviche bar.

Red@28th Red @28th opened close to three years ago in NoDa at 2424 N. Davidson Street. They are described as “Charlotte’s first multicultural literary lounge”; offering hoo-kahs, books, pool table, full bar, outdoor patio, snacks, and free Wi-Fi. They are opening their second loca-tion at 9539 Pinnacle Drive by Wild Wing Café. They host regular events, includ-ing live entertainment, book signings, trivia and game nights, artist exhibitions, and karaoke every Thursday.RedAt28th.com | Facebook.com/red28th

VaultA little over a month ago Vault opened up at the EpiCentre on the third level. They took over the space where Kazba use to be. Vault is an upscale lounge which brings in some of Charlotte’s top and most well knows DJ’s. The place still has some of the Kazba vibe, but they created more space for dancing and VIP sections by knocking down a wall. Vault is owned by Chet Desai, who owns several other nightlife establishments in Charlotte, most notably Stash House Bar & Lounge which opened up in South End last year.Vault.com | Facebook.com/VaultNC

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SkYLINE HOT HAPPENINGAROuNd TOWNBy Telisha “Teka Rose” Wheeler

Some of Charlotte’s hottest events will be brought to you every month by Elevate Life-style via our new Hot Happenings column! As always a trusted, go-to source for the Charlotte’s best events; Elevate continues to deliver for our readers with a fresh take on where to go and what to do each month! From top to bottom, Elevate will keep you in-the-know on where to go!

March 13th Legends Tennis Tournament Watch McEnroe, Lendl, Connors and Cash to Compete in Champions Cup in Charlotte on Thursday, March 13 at 7pm. Charlotte will host tennis legends John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Pat Cash and Jimmy Connors at the Champions Cup to be played at the Time Warner Cable Arena. The one-night tournament will feature three matches; two one-set semifinal matches, followed by a one-set championship match. timewarner-cablearena.com

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NC half Marathon Charlotte Motor Speedway The NC Half Marathon at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 9 is the most fun running experience in North Car-olina! Go for the chase in this once-in-a-lifetime half marathon experience. Start right at the Charlotte Motor Speedway start line with the white flag waving in the air, run through the Speed-way, towards the Dirt Track, and the Drag Strip. Finish at the checkered flag right on pit row &

share your racing stories in the garage and bask in your glory in Vic-tory Lane. This event is about experiencing the best in racing in the most unique and exclusive of all venues...the Charlotte Motor Speed-way...where racing lives. All of our half marathon finishers will receive a HUGE medal with spinner and LED headlights! All 5K participants will get a smaller version of this awesome medal! For registration: NCHalfMarathon.com

DeRay Davis at the Comedy Zone A standout on the Cedric the Entertainer Tour and at the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival DeRay Davis won the Comedy Central Laugh Riots Competition which jump started his comedic career after mov-ing to L.A. DeRay has worked on the big and small screen opposite Hollywood’s top Comedians. He has been seen in HBO’s “Entourage”, Comedy Central’s “Reno 911”, ABC’s “My Wife and Kids”, Fox’s “Ce-dric Presents...”, VH1’s “Love Lounge”, NBC’s “Late Friday”, VH-1’s “Play’d”, Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend” and BET’s “ComicView”. He will be at the comedy Zone March 13, 14 and 15. For tickets & more info visit: CltComedyZone.com

St. Patrick’s Day Parade and go green Festival CelebrateThe 2014 Charlotte Goes Green Festival 0n Saturday, March 15 will be our best one yet. There will be something for everyone of all ages to

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enjoy and we will be expanding the festival to accom-modate the grow-ing crowds. It’s the place to be after the parade. The Festival is located on S. Tryon St. between 3rd St. & Stonewall St. The festival hours are 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and features

Irish music, Irish dancers, bagpipers, Irish/Celtic and other vendors, a large children’s amusement area and plenty of food & beverages. There is no admission fee to attend. The parade will step off at Tryon and 9th street in uptown Charlotte. It then marches south to 3rd Street where it takes a left and marches down 3rd St. to Caldwell. Visit char-lottestpatsday.com for more info!

Rich & Bennett’s 14th Annual St Patty Day Bar Crawl Home of the World’s Largest Pub Crawl, Rich and Bennett has geared up to rival all other bar crawls! Recently featured on the Travel Chan-nel’s Extreme Wild Parties episode of their Extreme series, the annual Rich and Bennett’s bar crawl has proven itself worthy of its “Home of the World’s Largest Pub Crawl” title. Participating crawlers will receive an event t-shirt--if you don’t have it yet--event koozie, and itinerary for the day. The crawl this year will be on Saturday, March 15. For entry fees and more info, visit their site at RichAndBennett.com.

Kristian Bush of Sugarland at Visulite TheatreKristian Bush, of Sugarland, has been leaving his mark on music for more than two decades. Bush founded Sugarland and he & Jennifer Nettles exploded onto the music scene. Selling over 22 million albums worldwide, achieved five No. 1 singles and won numerous awards, in-cluding Grammys, AMAs, ACM Awards, CMT Music Awards and CMA Awards. Bush made his solo debut in March 2013, his first release as

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a solo act, “Love or Money,” debuted in the UK and Europe and then it was released in the US. See Kristian up close and personal right here in Charlotte at Visulite Theatre on March 28! Visulite.com

Russle Peters at the Comedy Zone After selling out are-nas around the world and setting atten-dance records glob-ally with his Notorious World Tour; Russell Peters returns to his club roots as he starts working on new mate-rial for his next hilari-ous global conquest. Russell Peters latest stand-up special, No-torious was the first Exclusive Comedy Special for Netflix. His other specials, Outsourced, Red White and Brown and The Green Card Tour were also seen on Comedy Central, Showtime and Netflix. He will be at the Comendy Zone March 27 through the 30. For tickets, visit: Clt-ComedyZone.com

Queen City Awards Rock Band Competition15 of the best bands in and around the Queen City will compete for cash, prizes and bragging rights in the Queen City Awards Rock Band Competition. The competition kicks off Sunday, March 30th and will have two more elimination rounds in April and May; winners from each leg will compete June 29th for the top prize! See if your band will be selected with a FREE registration at: QueenCityAwards.com

If you’d like to see your event featured in Elevate Lifestyle’s next Hot Happenings Around Town contact us at TekaRose@elevatelifestyle.com

CHARLOTTE BARTENDER’S BALLSilver Hammer Studios @ NC Music Factoryphotography by TRuEBLuE pROmOTIONS

COVER GIRL SEARCH 2014City Tavernphotography by JAmmIN Jp pRODuCTION