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Spring 2014

SerendipityWe Love Your Style!Bridal Trends

www.meandminemagazine.com

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Cover Story: Serendipity ............................................... 1

Why We All Need Estate Planning ........................... 3

Parenting As A Nurse ...................................................4

My Mom In One Word ..................................................6

We Love Your Style .......................................................9

Ready, Set...Be The Bride! ......................................... 14

The No Eyeliner Wonder.............................................18

Brides Ask Bree ........................................................... 20

Thoughts From The Mother Of The Bride ............22

City Cafe: Chicken & Waffles ....................................26

Getting To Know Me: Jennie Porter .......................29

on the cover

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Russell Marsan and Tina Marie photographed byBrandi Schwartz Design and Photography

Jennifer Jaeger Traynham Publisher

Rona Desmond Marketing & Advertising Executive

Fritzie RhodyMarketing & Advertising Executive

Rena Mathews Marketing & Advertising Executive

Jessica JaegerEditor

Me & MineStaff

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Serendipity

Many of us have followed Russell’s recent accomplishments while competing in the World Championship of Public Speaking through Toastmasters International. A few years ago during one of these quests, Russell and Tina met while pursuing their passion for motivational speaking. They were two of the eight finalists in the Northern California/Northern Nevada regional finals. The stage they competed on was at the Atlantis Hotel in Reno, Nevada. Neither one of them won…at least not that night!

It was almost a year later that they bumped into each other at another Toastmasters event and realized they were both single. The energetic connection was obvious and Russell wanted to ask Tina out, but didn’t want to seem too forward. So instead, he asked Tina if she wanted to grab a cup of tea at Denny’s in Marysville. Many readers right now are probably thinking, “What the heck? This is not romance!” Please wait…it gets better!

Romance is alive and well in Yuba~Sutter, as proven by an engagement that took place this last Valentine’s Day weekend, Local native Russell Marsan got engaged to his soul mate, Tina Marie, but not in a way that most would consider “traditional.” In fact, their entire love story seems to be one of serendipity.

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About their first “date,” Russell says, “I remember that moment perfectly when she walked into Denny’s. If I close my eyes, I can still smell the Grand Slams cooking in the background. She sat down across from me and we began to share our life stories. With one story after another it seemed as though our lives were created as one big puzzle whose pieces fit perfectly together. A couple hours flew by in a millisecond. After that conversation, every cell in my body felt heightened and alive!”

“I’ve always had a calling to find my soul mate,” Tina admits. “When I was younger, I created a list of the 17 habits and characteristics that outlined the ‘perfect man’ for me. As I grew older and gained more relationship experience, the list grew to 27. After our first meeting I realized for the first time in my life, I had not only met a man that possessed all 27…he had more!”

For their second date, they decided to attend a musical concert in Sacramento Tina had heard about. Evidently, only a couple of these themed musical performances are conducted each year and every theme is unique and never performed again. “Return to Atlantis” was the theme of that night’s performance, which coincidentally fell within two days of the one year anniversary of their meeting at the Atlantis Hotel!

Every part of their relationship has been filled with a seemingly destined serendipity, even the coming together of their three wonderful

teenage girls. Before Russell started dating, his 15 year old daughter Mariah told him she wanted sisters if he was to ever marry again. Likewise, before Tina started dating, her 14 year old daughter Shelby requested to remain the youngest child if Tina was to ever marry again. Her 16 year old daughter Amber insisted that she remain the oldest child as well. It’s seems as though destiny has a way of solving complicated problems! Their girls have been planning their wedding practically from the first time they all met!

Fast forward past more romantic escapades than we could fit into this article to the evening of this past Valentine’s Day, just four days before Russell’s 50th birthday. As Tina and Russell were opening the door to their favorite Moroccan restaurant for a nice romantic Valentine’s dinner, the owner stepped outside and said “I’m sorry, I don’t think we have any room; it’s very busy tonight. Let me take another look.” They walked into a pitch dark restaurant and suddenly heard, “SURPRISE!” as the lights came on. Sixty of Russell’s friends and family members came to share in this festive birthday/Valentine’s dinner. Tina got him good with this surprise, but the best was still to come!

After watching a slideshow of Russell’s life story, Tina invited Russell to join her at the front of the room. She acknowledged how special their relationship was and thanked everyone for being part of the process. Then

she looked Russell deep in the eyes and said, “I no longer want to be your girlfriend… I want to be your wife.” She then pulled a ring out and presented it to Russell. Being the ‘traditional’ kind of guy he is, Russell pointed to the floor, beckoning her to one knee, before he would give his final answer. Sticking to their non-traditional theme, Russell then proclaimed “Tina, I would be honored to be your wife! My answer is YES”. The restaurant that had gone silent for a moment erupted in celebration. It was truly an amazing evening!

Four days later, on Russell’s actual birthday, Tina took him to his final surprise party at the Refuge in Yuba City where several friends who could not make the first party were gathered. The party ended at about 10:30, but there was still one final surprise destination she had planned. Tina had written something to give Russell at their last stop: Denny’s in Marysville. They sat at the only table available, which happened to be the very one where they sat on their first date. Russell read what Tina had written, then confessed he had always intended to propose to her there in that very spot when the time was right. As he spoke he reached into his pocket and pulled out a box with her ring in it, and then said “Away from all the crowds, it’s just you and me sitting where we first began our journey… Tina Marie, CMT, will you marry me?” Serendipitous perfection!

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Why We All Need Estate Planning

REASON #1

Avoiding Probate. Probate can be a costly and time-consuming court proceeding that can easily be avoided by establishing and funding a revocable trust. The revocable trust is important for clients who own real property, and especially important if the real property is located in multiple states, as probate proceedings could be required in each state. The revocable trust will identify your beneficiaries and provide asset management succession (in the form of a successor trustee if you become incapacitated).

REASON #2

Naming Beneficiaries. Many people forget who has been designated as the beneficiary under retirement plans, life insurance, and other assets; an important part of estate planning is reviewing these designations. You may be surprised to learn how the default provisions of the California Probate Code will distribute your estate in the event your beneficiary designation fails and you do not have a will.

REASON #3

Appointing a Guardian for Minor Children. If you have minor children, you should update or put wills in place in order to name guardians for your children. When deciding who will be the physical custodian of your minor child, you should also consider who will be the trustee to manage the child’s inheritance.

REASON #4

Appointing a Health Care Agent. We all need to consider who will make medical decisions for us in the event we are incapacitated. Recent news stories highlight the importance of communicating your wishes about life support. This is especially important for unmarried people who wish for their significant other to be their health care agent.

REASON #5

Appointing Agents/Trustees to Manage Assets in the Event of Incapacity. In addition to considering who will manage and benefit from your assets after death, you need to have a succession plan in the event of your incapacity. This may take the form of a durable financial power of attorney, a trust, or a combination thereof. If you have a business, you may want to name different people for purposes of running your company vs. managing your personal assets.

REASON #6

Protecting a Beneficiary from Himself/Herself. A trust is a useful tool for a beneficiary who is too young or does not have the proper investment skills to manage his/her inheritance. A trust can be used to name a person as the trustee until the beneficiary is capable (if ever). A trust can be used to distribute funds over time to protect assets from a spendthrift beneficiary’s own misjudgment. A trust can also be used to provide supplemental benefits to a beneficiary with special needs without disqualifying the beneficiary from other government support. Parents with special needs children are often unaware that by leaving assets outright to their children, they are placing the special needs child in a position that may disqualify the child from benefits in the future.

REASON #7

Protecting Children/Beneficiaries from Creditors and Divorcing Spouses. If your assets are maintained in a continuing trust after you die, the trust assets can be protected from your child’s creditors or divorcing spouses. If your child is capable of managing the inherited wealth, the trust can be designed as a beneficiary-controlled trust, which gives the beneficiary as much control as possible without giving up the protection the irrevocable trust provides.

REASON #8

Protecting Yourself from Creditors and Divorcing Spouses. If you may inherit several hundred thousand or more from your parents, it may be to your advantage to talk with your parents about changing their estate planning documents so that the inheritance is left in trust for your benefit, for the same reasons as mentioned in the previous reason.

REASON #9

Business Succession. If you own a business, you will need a succession plan to govern what happens to your ownership interest. This is especially important if you are in business with a business partner. In the event of your business partner’s death, you could end up in business with your partner’s spouse: forcing a buyout when you can’t afford it, or at a greater than expected price; or worse, liquidation of the business.

REASON #10

Leaving a Legacy of Order and Family Harmony. A loving and generous gift to your family is an organized and orderly estate. You can’t avoid the inevitable, but you can make the transition to life without you as easy on your loved ones as it can be. With legal documents in order, your beneficiary designations up-to-date, an accurate and complete list of assets, and the assistance of trusted advisors, your loved ones will not experience the heartbreak and frustration of an avoidable mess.

Paulla Hyatt-McIntire is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law* and provides quality legal counsel for all levels of complexity in estate planning, trust administration, probate, special needs

trusts, elder law, and business succession and tax planning. In addition to Paulla’s experience in law, she spent nine years as an elementary and middle school teacher for the Yuba City Unified and Franklin Elementary School Districts. Paulla is married to Brad McIntire and their family includes daughters Jackie and Katie and son Zach.

*State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

(even if we don’t have much of an estate!)

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (actually passed on January 1, 2013) permanently increased the gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer tax exemptions to $5 million per person. Due to the increased exemption amounts,

fewer of us need to worry about any wealth transfer taxes. So why have an estate plan? Here are ten reasons:

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (actually passed on January 1, 2013) permanently increased the gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer tax exemptions to $5 million per person. Due to the increased exemption amounts, fewer of us need to worry about any wealth transfer taxes. So why have an estate plan? Here are ten reasons:

by Paulla Hyatt-McIntire

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Does your experience in nursing help in raising your children?

My two girls, Julie (age 7) and Lisa (age 6) are energetic, healthy children. In my nursing career I have cared for many people experiencing illness and disease, which makes me hold them a little tighter and be thankful for their health.

As a parent, it is helpful to have a nursing background, especially when my girls get sick or injured. In emergency situations, my nursing training takes over so I am able to react quickly and determine the next steps. For example, one day my oldest daughter fell at the local playground and hit her head. When I picked her up, I saw that she was bleeding from the back of her head. I checked the wound, then called the local urgent care to let them know we were coming. Although I was completely in shock and upset because my baby girl was hurting, bleeding, and crying, my nursing instincts took over. I remained calm for her so she could endure the staples

as they were being placed, holding her little hand and talking her through it. Being a nurse does not make me immune to all the parenting trials and tribulations, but it helps me assess situations and respond accordingly.

Another way that being a nurse influences my parenting is by being more aware of common illnesses and signs of pediatric disease. These truly reduce my trips to the doctor, which saves us money. The girls bring me the thermometer and my stethoscope when they are not feeling their best, because they know that Mommy will check them over.

As a parent, all of us are concerned about our children’s physical health. How has being a nurse influenced your decisions with regards to food choices and television/computer time?

As parents, we are all juggling multiple roles and responsibilities. We do the best we can and hope our children grow up healthy and happy.

Lynette Garcia shares with us how she applies her knowledge of nursing to her role as a parent.

by Lynette Garcia, RN MSN EdPhotography by Brandi Schwartz Design and Photography

ParentingNurseas

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As a nurse, I am aware that in the Yuba-Sutter area, a staggering 67% of adults are overweight compared to 57% of all Californians (Sutter County Public Health, 2012). Additionally, one in three children age 3-9 years are in the overweight or obese category (Hollis, 2011). To make matters worse, at least 70% of overweight children will become overweight adults (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2010). This motivates me to plan out menus based on providing healthy meals and snacks. Our family’s most frequent meals include fish or chicken with fresh vegetables. We also drink water to decrease the amount of sugar our family is getting. Our snacks consist of fresh fruits and vegetables cut into fun shapes. Knowing that making poor dietary choices will lead to disease is a motivating factor to make the extra effort in planning out our meals. We have frequent conversations about nutrition, health, and how we can care for our bodies.

I also make every attempt to keep my children physically active and engaged in play. Just like many children, my girls ask to play with my cell phone, watch television, or go on the computer daily, but I am careful to limit it to less than one hour a day. The American Medical Association officially recognized obesity as a disease this summer (Pollack, 2013), and I know that a lack of physical activity combined with poor diet is a significant contributing factor. As a parent and nurse I cannot ignore the staggering facts and I try, just like any parent, to do my best to ensure my children get plenty of physical activity.

Taking steps to prevent the risk of chronic health disease in my children is worth all the effort. Obesity contributes to issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart failure, cancer, and a decreased life span. My hope is that instilling healthy habits in my children will result in a lifetime of health.

References Hollis, J. (2011, May 8). Battling the obesity epidemic in Yuba-Sutter. Appeal Democrat, p. 12.Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2010). Foundations of nursing in the community: Community-oriented practice (3rd ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.Sutter County Public Health. (2012). Sutter County- Obesity just the facts. Retrieved from http://www.co.sutter.ca.us/pdf/hs/ph/Obesity_Fact_Sheet.pdfPollack, A. (2013, June 18). A.M.A recognizes obesity as a disease. The New York Times, p. B1.

Lynette Garcia RN, MSN Ed is a registered nurse with over 14 years of experience. She serves the community by working in a wide variety of areas such as emergency room, critical care, pediatrics, organ transplant, medical-surgical, and the burn unit. In her current role as a Yuba College Nursing Professor, she has been active and in-volved in activities including the design of the new Health and Public Safety Building on the Yuba College main campus.

ooking back, I sometimes feel like my childhood really began when my mom left my dad. That was the best decision she could have ever made. In my opinion, she re-shaped our lives with that one decision.

Times were rough when she left my dad. The funny thing is that I only know that now; it didn’t occur to me then. We lived in a local shelter. I remember enjoying the staff there. They seemed to dote on my brother and me. We spent Christmas there, and were invited to several local Christmas parties (perhaps given by generous organizations and members of the community). I got a porcelain doll and a Cabbage Patch doll for Christmas that year. I woke up Christmas morning with a full stocking from Santa. Those are the things I most remember from that time.

By the time my mom was in her late 20’s, she had a high school diploma and a few college courses under her belt. Yet she was suddenly single

and had no savings. I’m not sure how she did it, but soon we moved into a small apartment and she started college. I really don’t remember questioning my mom a whole lot about why she was in school. I just knew that she was a student and took her studies very seriously.

What do I remember from this time? A lot of happiness. We were fortunate to be around a lot of family members. I have such fond memories of family gatherings, trips to Bridgeport, and just hanging out on my grandparents' farm. My family was the best. I remember always enjoying being around them. We didn’t just get together for holidays, but were always together it seemed. I’m sure they were a huge support for us. I just saw it as everyday, normal family activities.

I attended a prominent local elementary school. It’s funny how children perceive things. I never felt poor. However, looking back it was probably pretty obvious that we were the poor kids in school. I was even called a “welfare orphan” by a girl whose father was a physician. I’ll admit that

My Momin One Word ?

I completely owe the person I’ve become to her. She was raised by farm workers, and grew up working in the fields and orchards right alongside her parents and younger siblings. She married young and became a young mother. Her 21st birthday was a night when she should have been out celebrating, but instead was home nursing her newborn: me. I don’t think she regrets me; at least, I’ve never felt that way. A few years later she had my brother, so her early twenties were dedicated to raising us, working various secretarial jobs, and surviving a tumultuous relationship.

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Photography by Brandi Schwartz Design and Photography

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didn’t feel good, but I can’t stress enough how I always felt like I had plenty of toys and clothes and we never, ever went hungry. My mom stretched every dollar she got. She tells me now that she can remember driving to school with only five dollars in her wallet to last her until the end of the month, which sometimes would be a week or more away. I never knew this. This is a fact I credit to my mom. Our home was filled with so much fun and love, which she made sure to show us rather than worrying us with stress over finances. I have fond memories of my mom playing with us. We played lots of board games and she loved to be outside with us. We took walks, rode bikes, and played ball. We laughed a lot. We were very close, the three of us.

One of my funniest memories from my childhood was when our school held its canned food drive for the holidays. I remember coming home and asking my mom if my brother and I could donate food to the poor kids at school. She did not hesitate. Of course we could. Lo and behold when school let out for Christmas break, there was a knock at our door one evening. Apparently we were the poor kids! I laugh and laugh now at that story, but in all honesty, I’m happy that programs like that exist. I’m sure my mom was grateful and I find it so wonderful that she let us take cans to school. She didn’t want us to feel different.

All this time my mom continued to go to school. First she graduated from Yuba College, then headed to Sac State. I paid little attention to what she was doing. I had my own studies to worry about, but I did know that she was trying to make life better for us. I could already see the changes happening. I can remember when she began interning at

a counseling center in Marysville. I thought it was pretty neat that she was able to work in a place where she could help others. Of course being a typical teenage girl, I rarely told her that. In fact I often teased her about using her “psycho babble” on my friends and me. My friends certainly enjoyed talking with my mother. They often stopped to converse with her long before they would come to find me when they came over.

My mom graduated from Sac State with her Bachelor’s Degree and went on to a Master’s Program. She graduated with her Master’s in Social Work when I was in high school. Yes, you read that right. Here was this single mom with two

kids, with no money, little more than a high school diploma and now she was a college graduate, with her Master’s Degree nonetheless.

I must tell you that this whole time she raised us by herself, which she did a great job with as well. My brother and I were

good, maybe even great, kids. We were both active in school and sports. I went on to get my Master’s Degree in Social Work, just like my mama, and

now work as a Counselor and Intervention Specialist for YCUSD. I’m married with

three little girls. I feel so blessed to have them. That is the one thing I always

wanted: a daughter. I consider my mom one of my best friends and I desperately wanted to have that with my own daughter. I never thought I’d get three little girls. My brother is also doing well. He has a successful career with PG&E and is married with three kids of his own.

I know I can speak for both my brother and myself when I say that

we are so thankful that our mom raised us to be good, hard-working

people. I really believe that by watching her work so hard for her education, we

learned how to work hard for ourselves. We do not take things for granted and we are both motivated to work hard for our families. I will also strive to instill this into my daughters. I want to teach them to work hard, be kind to others, and to strive to be the best people that they can be. I look forward to the day that I can share my mom’s incredible story with them. I want them to proud of her, just like I am.

So, what is my mom up to these days? Well she didn’t stop at her Master’s Degree. She went on to get her license. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is the Intervention Specialist for a local school district. I can tell you that she’s remarried and lives very close to my brother and me. In fact, we all live within about a five minute walk from each other. We have dinner together almost every Sunday. Sunday dinner, as we call it, also includes my stepbrothers, stepsister and their kids. My mom selflessly spends her Sunday cooking for up to eighteen people. Amazing, right? Exactly.

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Describe your style for us.

I would describe my style as a bit bohemian, with a lot of classic elements. I wear a lot of dresses and I really like vintage styles, interesting colors, and patterns. I’m partial to many different fashion styles and I try to borrow from various fashion genres. I always look for clothing that I can wear a lot of different ways and across seasons.

Where do you find your inspiration?

I find inspiration all over. Anthropologie is my favorite store and I always find great fashion ideas there, but it’s a bit pricey for me. Instead of buying a lot from there, I get ideas of how to put interesting outfits together and use those ideas with clothing from stores that are more affordable.

Where do you find most of your clothes/accessories?

I get a lot of my clothes from Modcloth and Marshall’s. Most of my dresses I get from Modcloth because their styles are unique, usually well-made, and fit really well. I get more trendy pieces from Marshall’s and Forever 21 because they only need to last for a season or two. I like Ann Taylor Loft and Nordstrom for basics. I try to get classics, like black pants, jeans, and little black dresses in higher-quality materials because I wear them a lot in a variety of ways, so I want those pieces to last. It’s the same thing with accessories. For heirloom jewelry that I’ll have forever, I go to Poole’s, but I get a lot of my favorite costume pieces from craft fairs and Etsy. Forever 21 has great, fun styles of jewelry, but don’t plan on wearing them for too long. I go to DSW for most of my shoes. The selection there is huge and I’ve never left empty-handed! Be sure to check out their sales racks – I’ve found fantastic deals on really nice quality shoes there.

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STYLE!We love your

Have you ever wanted to stop someone and say, “Where

did you find that?” because you just love their look?

Well, we stopped and asked! Margaret and Holly

caught our attention, and we wanted to share some advice from two local fashionistas.

MARGARET GILBERT

Photography by Brandi Schwartz Design and Photography and Melissa Petays Photography

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1258 Stabler Lane, Suite 140

Yuba City, California 95993

(530) 673-7000

What blogs or websites do you recommend?

I don’t actually read fashion blogs, but I do look around on Pinterest. It’s a great place to see a lot of different styles put together in one place. If you’re looking for a cocktail dress, you’ll be able to see hundreds on Pinterest and a lot of different ways to put outfits together, too. I page through InStyle magazine almost every month, which is a great way to see upcoming trends and ways to use the same piece in a bunch of different

outfits. I look on modcloth.com and etsy.com a lot for style and shopping inspiration, too. Shoppers on Modcloth post photos of themselves in outfits they’ve put together, which is a great way to see how clothes look on real people, not just models.

What do you splurge on?I’ll spend more on timeless pieces, like a great coat or a pair of boots or a really beautifully cut dress. I also invest more in purses and shoes, as I carry a purse every day (I rarely change bags), and well-made shoes fit better and last longer. I cut back on shirts and anything trendy or something I plan on wearing very infrequently. One of my favorite holiday party dresses I got four years ago at Forever 21 for $20. I’ve worn it a handful of times and every time I’ve worn it, I’ve gotten a lot of compliments.

What is the one item you can’t live without this spring?

I haven’t even thought about my spring wardrobe yet because I’m still hoping we’ll get some winter weather. Winter is my favorite season and I have a serious weakness for coats, scarves, and hats. With our warm winter this year, I’ve barely had any chance to wear my favorite things! I have been thinking about getting a great purse in an unusual color like plum or green that I can wear every day.

Do you have any secrets to share with us?

I think what’s most important in choosing clothes is picking items that fit your shape really well, and if that means you have to try on twenty pairs of black pants (and I have) to find a pair that fits like a dream, it’s worth it. When your clothes fit well and you look good, you feel more confident. I’ve stopped buying clothes just because they’re on sale. If I won’t wear it a lot and it doesn’t make me feel good when I put it on, I don’t care how inexpensive it is, I just won’t buy it. Also, belts are amazing and completely underrated. I belt everything. I wear them over cardigans and dresses all the time. They instantly make your shape look more feminine by highlighting your waist. They’re also a great way to add a bit of funk or personality to any outfit. I buy belts everywhere. I have handmade leather belts, a belt made from a seatbelt and all different widths of belts so I can make them work with numerous outfits. They really finish an outfit.

Do you re-vamp your style every season?

I add new pieces to my wardrobe almost every season, but I don’t do a full re-style. For winter, I’ll wear a short dress with tights, boots and a cardigan. In spring, I’ll wear that same dress with sandals and brighter accessories. It’s actually a lot of fun to figure out how many ways I can wear one piece and still keep it fresh.

Describe your style.

My style is a mash-up of classic, conservative, and preppy, with a hint of feminine, trendy, and rock depending on my mood. That is really my favorite thing about fashion! I use it to be different people or express my different moods. It’s a major outlet for my personality and emotions. Where do you find your inspiration?

All over the place! Lately, on Pinterest, blogs, and Instagram! I always find my favorite fashion bloggers and follow them on all other social media. I’m also very inspired by the South. I love classic silhouettes and feminine touches. In the South, women are always a little more dressed up, with their makeup and hair almost always done. I really love a completely polished and put-together look! Also, I’m a hair stylist and wear black to work every day, so I’m inspired by different textures and accessories. I love making an all-black outfit so much fun that you don’t notice it’s all black. Where do you find most of your clothes/accessories?

I love Nordstrom, because their Top Shop section is on-trend and it’s a great place to get classic pieces that will last a long time. J.Crew is always a favorite, especially for spring and summer. They have the best “grown-up” short that are just long enough and loose enough for women over 16 (put down the ultra tight cut-offs!) and you can dress them up with a wedge or wear them with flats. They also last forever! Every summer I buy a new color or two! I love Lilly Pulitzer, a designer who was made famous by Jackie O. in the 60’s. Everything Lilly does is fresh and bright, and always puts me in the best mood! I’m obsessed with Nordstrom Rack, where I find great deals and it’s always organized and clean. H&M is another great place to get super fun, trendy, high-quality but low-cost pieces. I’m also dying to shop at Zara! I’ll definitely be visiting the next time I go to San Francisco! It’s supposed to be full of reasonably priced but high-end clothes!

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HOLLYMUDD

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What blogs do you recommend?

I’m in love with two right now. The first is WHAT COURTNEY WORE at thecourtneykerr.com. Courtney is hilarious, opinionated, outgoing and I think we could be best friends! Her style is a little more out of the box than mine, and that’s why I love her. She is always putting together the unexpected and inspires me to try new things and get a little crazy. She is also my biggest hair crush! Seriously y’all, this girl has the best hair on the planet! I’m also loving a blog called Sequins and Things at sequinsandthings.blogspot.com. The lovely blogger, Haley, is always put together and feminine with a touch of trendy. I obsess over every one of her pins on Pinterest; it’s like our fashion souls are connected. What do you splurge on?In the words of Carrie Bradshaw, “I like my money where I can see it...hanging in my closet!”

I definitely love to invest in purses. A classic, well-made purse can last for years, and if you make the right purchase, will still be stylish down the road. I also love well-made, high-end denim. Nice jeans will last longer and do a lot more for my shape. I also believe in splurging on classic pieces. For example, I’ve had the same Juicy Couture winter coat for almost seven years. It’s a beautiful black tweed coat with stunning ruffles down the back and big gold buttons. It’s finally starting to look worn, but I will cry if I ever have to give it up. I love that coat! A black dress, a black skirt, and a pair of nude and black pumps are all wardrobe staples that every woman should own. Once you have those basics, you can play with fun pieces and make them become different pieces. They can be professional or trendy.

You can add a jacket for the winter or go sleeveless in the summer. I cut back on super trendy pieces. If you don’t spend as much on the trends you can pair all these things with your well-made classic pieces, which makes them look nicer and more expensive. What is the one item that you can’t live without this spring? GOLD! All of my accessories, shoes, and sandals are gold. I’m also into mixing metals (silver, gold and rose gold). I’ve never done that before, but it feels fresh and easy to me right now. I’ve even dressed up my house with gold pieces! Do you have any secrets to share with us?Oh I have several, but I can’t keep secrets! First, I love spray tans. Everyone feels a little better with color, not to mention it makes me feel skinnier and makes my makeup look better. It’s nice to be tan but know I’m not compromising the integrity of my skin. I also love getting a shampoo and blow out from someone else. Even though I’m a hairstylist, my hair always looks better when someone else does it. That’s how the Blow Out Bar at Melissa Poma Hair was born! It’s an affordable luxury. Get a blow out for a special event or pick-me-up and with the right maintenance, it can last you two or three days. Another thing I love for special events is this website called Rent the Runway (renttherunway.com). You can rent designer cocktail and

full-length dresses for special events at a fraction of the price. I did this for the Air Force Ball last year, and it was so fun to wear something I could never buy! Their customer service was also out of his world. For one price, you get a dress and the same dress in a back-up size. My last secret is confidence and knowing who you are. If a trend isn’t your style or doesn’t look good on you, then don’t wear it! Don’t be someone you are not. Play and have fun with fashion, but don’t wear something that’s not you. Be true to yourself and only wear things you feel confident in. Do you re-vamp your style every season? I wouldn’t say I re-vamp; I re-assess! I donate or give away the things that I’ve had for several years that I won’t wear anymore or things that might be a little too worn. Then I evaluate what I need and what I want to splurge or save on. It’s a constant cycle!

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READYSET...

Bride!Be the

June Castner and Molly Goiburn of

The Collective Bride, join forces with

Andrea Johnson, hair and make-up artist

of Carnes and Co, to show us the bridal trends

of the season. Photography by Molly from Tony G Photography

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530-671-5033 | 960 Tharp Road Suite A | Yuba City CA | 95993

Academically SpirituallyEmotionally Socially Physically

7 4 1 W a r e av e n u e • C o l u s a • 9 5 9 3 2W W W . t h e o l l s C h o o l . o r g • 5 3 0 - 4 5 8 - 8 2 0 8

Registration on-line at www.Active.com or on-site the day of the race. For more information call: (530) 674-1885 X333,or contact daguilar@co.sutter.ca.us.A tobacco, alcohol and drug free event.

Adults are $15 Children under 18 are $10 Team entry (group of 5 or more) $10River Valley High School, 801 El Margarita Road, Yuba City.

Registration 7:00am Race Starts 9:00am

Family event 5K non-competitive/competitive run/walk 1/4 mile kids run/walk Fun mascot run

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A WTOO heart shaped lace mermaid dress was selected for model Crystal Webner. To bring out the heart-shape silhouette of the dress, Andrea gave Crystal a sweeping center part with a side rose bun. To add interest and balance, chandelier earrings and a matching hair pendant were added, giving her a "modernly elegant" look.

Tricia Bell wore a braided hair style that complimented the scalloped V-neckline of the WTOO "Cidney" gown.

A stunning Allure gown was worn by model Heather Sims. To highlight this amazing dress, her hair was simply styled down. It's important to keep the bride approachable in this glamorous gown.

The Collective Bride and Beauty by Andrea came together to create the most popular trends in bridal and beauty for us!

If it looks like lace, it must be lace…right? Look again! Bridal designers are embellishing dimension within the patterns of lace in unconventional ways, such as with pearls and beads, to elaborate details in their designs. Some of the latest novel and innovative materials used in fashion designs include leather and metal.

SEEKING BALANCE WITH DESIGNChoose a hairstyle that “complements,” not necessarily “matches,” your dress for your wedding day. Keep in mind the key element of design is balance. Seek balance within shapes, textures, and colors.

For example, if you have chosen an elaborately embellished dress, keep that as the focal point of design. Choose a hairstyle that is more soft and smooth in texture to harmonize the balance of your overall appearance. As for a more subtle dress, you might consider a more

elaborate hairstyle to complete your look.

Don’t be afraid to broaden your horizons when it comes to your style trial. Now is the time to be adventurous with some of latest trends for 2014. The last thing you want for your special day is to look like everyone else!

Add interest to upswept hair with a center part or wrap-around braid. Be approachable by wearing your hair down, or set your hair in voluminous curls.

BEAUTY: PREDICTABLE , DEFINED, AND SIMPLE! Save the smoky eyes for your bachelorette party! For your big day, instead focus on delicately defined eyes, perfectly groomed brows, and a rich burgundy or light pop of a pink lipstick! Radiant skin should be your preference this spring! Fresh, dewy, barely-there makeup goes with any attire!

The Latest C O L L E C T I O N S T H ES T Y L I S TS

June CastnerThe Collective Bride

Molly Goiburn The Collective Bride

Andrea JohnsonBeauty By Andrea

6:30 a.m. - Check-in and race day registration opens8:00 a.m. - 10K & Half Marathon start

8:15 a.m. - 5K Run startSutter Union High School 2665 Acacia St

Sutter , CA 95982

REGISTRATION CLOSING DATEWednesday, April 30, 2014

For more information, call 530.933.7007

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C A R N E S & C O . S A L O NPresents

The No Eyeliner Wonder

By Beauty by AndreaPhotography by Brandi Schwartz Design and Photography

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3 4

STEP 1: Conceal with MAC Prep Prime Highlighting Boost over the top of the lids and under eyes.

STEP 2: Apply Urban Decay Eye shadow primer to lids and under eyes.

STEP 3: Apply two base shades to the inner corners and half of top lids. First, apply MAC pressed eye shadow in Dazzle Light, a white iridescent shimmer base, to the inner corners and inner lids of eyes. To the outer corners, outer lids and crease of eyes, apply a neutral brown/red pressed MAC shadow called Soft Brown.

STEP 4: Place a matte deep purple pressed eye shadow, Signed and Sealed by MAC, to both top and bottom outer lash lines and work outward and inward. Keep in mind, the idea is to capture the transition of light. Focus on a deeper, darker, and more concentrated eye shadow to the outer corners of your eyes and lighter concentrations of the pigment to the inner corners of eyes. To avoid making eyes appear sunken in, try not apply this color too close to the inner corners of your eyes.

STEP 5: Overlay a metallic purple green eye shadow (my personal favorite is MAC’s Club Satin) to the outer corner and top lids of eyes. To the inner lids and inner corners of eyes, apply a Bare Mineral loose eye shadow, in an ivory shimmer color called Stunner. Hot tip: when applying loose powder to a concentrated area, use a wet finger or applicator to avoid making a mess! A little goes a long way!

To complete this look, apply mascara to top and bottom lids. I used Benefit’s They’re Real mascara. If you dare… add a pop of pink lip color! I used Mirabella’s velvet lip pencil in Rose and overlaid model Raini Melton’s lips with an inexpensive long-lasting favorite: Rimmel’s Show-Off Liquid Lip Color in Nova!

Hope this article inspires you!

Sincerely,

Beauty by Andrea

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What is the first thing a bride should do when planning her wedding before shopping for her wedding dress?

It is best to have your wedding date, location, and budget set before the search for the perfect wedding dress begins. Truly, these key decisions dictate the style of the wedding dress and can make the process less stressful and much more enjoyable.

When should I make an appointment to try on a gown?

There’s no time too early to start looking, but there is a time that’s too late. Is two years in advance a little much? Of course it is, but only because bridal fashion trends change and you don’t want your dress to be something you regret purchasing because you were in the mood to shop! You should start the search 9-12 months before your wedding. Depending on where you get your dress, it could take several months for your dress to be ordered and shipped. When you receive your dress, you’ll then need several weeks for your seamstress to make alterations.

How do I decide where to shop?

Talk with your family and friends about where they shopped and what their experiences were like during the entire process. Many places don’t require an appointment, but you should make one anyway. This is to ensure you don’t wait around for an hour while the consultant helps customers who did have appointments. People with appointments will always come first. Beware of shopping online! In today’s society we do a lot of online shopping because it is convenient and sometimes more economical; however, in the bridal world this is rarely true. Shopping for your wedding dress should not be done online when you are looking for the most recently released styles. Additionally, getting the dress sized correctly is vitally important and this is best accomplished by actually trying it on with a bridal expert to guide you. If you’re not careful, the money you saved by bargain shopping online could be lost if your dress doesn’t fit properly and you are forced to buy a new one. The shopping process should be done with a bridal stylist, not a keyboard. If you decide to shop online, do so with great care.

What should I take to my bridal gown appointment?

Make sure another person comes along with you. You’ll definitely want an opinion aside from yours and your consultant’s. However, don’t make the mistake of taking your fifteen closest family members and friends. I see this every day and can promise you, they will never all agree and that can turn into a lot of added stress for you! It’s usually best to bring two to three people, like your mother, mother-in-law-to-be, and maid of honor, whose opinions you trust and value.

Come to your appointment with photos of dresses you have found online or in magazines that have caught your eye. Pinterest can also be very helpful! These photos give your bridal consultant a solid idea of what you are looking for. However, be open to trying on different silhouettes to ensure you have chosen the right one for your body, as well as your venue and time of year of the wedding. Trust your consultant. If the shop does not carry the particular dress made by the designer you are looking for, do not panic. The shop you’re in may be able to help you find something very similar by a different designer. Also, many bridal chains have styles that bear a resemblance to dresses by a high-end designer as a less expensive alternative for brides with smaller budgets.

If you’ve already decided to wear a certain item, such as your grandmother’s pearls, your mother’s veil, your favorite 5” inch heel, or a trendy pair of cowboy boots, take the item with you to your appointment. If it’s absolutely necessary that you wear it on your wedding day, you’ll want to make sure the dress you choose goes well with it (though this may narrow your options considerably).

Last but not least, wearing the appropriate undergarments is crucial for the fit of the dress and for your comfort. Items we encourage our clients to bring to their appointment include a well fitted strapless bra, body slimmer (if desired), and nude colored underwear.

Finally, have fun with it. You will never get this moment back.

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askBree By Bree Gianassi Little

Bree Gianassi Little is the owner of Always Elegant Bridal and Tuxedo, which features a collection of traditional as well as fashion-forward styles from renowned designers such as David Tutera with Mon Cheri Bridals, Lilian West, Jasmine, and Sophia Tolli. No matter your style, the experts at Always Elegant Bridal and Tuxedo are passionate to assist you with your special-day fashions. They consider it an honor to be a part of selecting the most important gown you’ll ever wear.

Photography by Brandi Schwartz Design and Photography

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hat was your role as you prepared for your daughters’ weddings?

After I earned a degree in event planning, I learned that very few planners choose to go into weddings. The stress of working for brides can be too much. However, I was able to apply the wisdom I gleaned from school to my own daughters’ weddings: the mother of the bride and the event coordinator should not be one and the same! My goal was to enjoy the day.

Starting with the end in mind, I worked backwards in planning. The first decision after picking a date and venue was to plan the bridesmaid spa day, because a relaxed bride is a happy bride. The element that I also try to add is lowering the stress. Massage, relaxation, and quality time with friends and family are all ways to calm the bride…and her mom, too!

What has been your advice to your daughters during their wedding planning?

I see wedding planning as a delayed assignment. My mother literally put on my wedding. My parents paid for and planned everything down to the last detail. I wanted to provide the same security for our daughters – and so we did. My husband and I knew that we would be providing weddings for our two daughters, so we planned both mentally and financially for this.

I wanted our daughters’ days to be memorable in a GOOD way, with no disappointments. My husband uses the “cracked crystal globe” analogy in almost any given situation: everything has a crack or flaw in it, as we don’t live in a perfect world. Are we going to stare at the crack, or can we just turn the globe around and admire the beauty that’s

before us? When I bring anything under that lens, the answer is clear and super easy!

I also can’t say enough about “destination” weddings. It unfortunately eliminates some guests who won’t be able to attend, but the picturesque and

carefree atmosphere of vacation locations provide a lovely platform for being prepared well before the day of the wedding. It takes away the urge to do “one more thing” on wedding day.

Our daughter also chose a short engagement, so there wasn’t time to change her mind multiple times on menus, flowers, or favors. “Over-thinking” it is another unnecessary part of wedding planning that leads to a madness that will consume the bride and her mom.

Any words of wisdom to a new couple?Before you become the “new couple,” invest in marriage counseling, preferably for six months. Finding out what your partner expects in regards to children vs. no children, pets & how many, how to spend holidays, extended families such as parents and grandparents, household duties, finances, and so much more is crucial – it all should be discussed before walking down the aisle. Both of our daughters appreciate the good counseling they have received.

Photography By Brandi Schwartz Design and Photography

MOTHER BRIDE

There are many titles that go along with a wedding, and The Mother of the Bride is an important one. Gail Ernstam shares her words of wisdom with us.

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The City Café shares a delicious combo that will

make you say OH MY YUM!

Photography by Brandi Schwartz Designand Melissa Petays Photography

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Belgian WafflesINGREDIENTS:

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast

1 tsp sugar

3 cups warm milk (105-115 degrees F/45 degrees C; roughly about 10-15

seconds in your microwave)

3 egg yolks

¾ cup butter, melted and cooled to less than 115 degrees

½ cup white sugar

1 ½ teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 cups all purpose flour

3 egg whites

DIRECTIONS:

• In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and 1 tsp sugar in ¼ cup warm milk.

• Let stand for about 10 minutes, until creamy.

• In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks, ¼ cup of warm milk, and melted butter.

• Add the milk, yeast, sugar mixture, salt, sugar, and vanilla and stir.

• Stir in the remaining 2 ½ cups milk, alternating with the flour, ending with

the flour.

• In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until they form peaks. Fold into the batter.

• Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap, and let rise until it doubles in volume

(preferably in your refrigerator overnight).

• The next day, preheat your waffle iron. Brush with oil and pour ½ cup of the

waffle mixture into the center of the iron. Bake until the waffle stops steaming

and is golden brown. Waffles can be made ahead of time and frozen.

Fried ChickenINGREDIENTS:

2 pounds of chicken tenders

2 cups buttermilk

½ cup flour

½ cup cornstarch

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Vegetable shortening, for frying

DIRECTIONS:

• Place the chicken pieces in a large plastic Ziploc bag and cover

with the buttermilk. Seal bag and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

This will help to tenderize the chicken.

• Remove chicken from bag and pat dry with paper towels.

Set aside.

• In a large cast iron skillet, heat about 1 cup of vegetable

shortening until it reaches a temperature between 325-375 degrees

F. You want to get a layer of about an inch or so once it’s melted

(or at least enough to be able to cover half of the chicken pieces).

• In a medium shallow dish, combine the flour, cornstarch, cayenne

pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning.

• Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture and shake off

any excess.

• Working in batches (normally 4-5 pieces per batch), fry the

chicken until cooked throughout.

Spread salted butter over your golden waffle, layer chicken and 2 slices of thick smoked bacon, and top it off with maple syrup and powdered sugar.

Michael and Stephanie Fritz, the new owners/operators of The City Café, met at Faith Christian High School and have been inseparable ever since. They have both been working at The City Café for over 10 years and purchased the restaurant last April. The City Cafe is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They also have a new venture, CC Cellar and Sudz, a wine and beer-tasting room that will be opening soon, directly across the street from The City Café in downtown Yuba City.

WAFFLES

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901 N. Walton Ave. Yuba City, Ca

Jennie PorterPhotography by Kelly Mallory and Kathryn Porter

Getting to knowME

Tell us about you.

I was born in Tucson, Arizona and moved to the Yuba-Sutter area in 1985. I lived in this area for almost 25 years before moving to Alaska, then Hawaii, then finally returning to California in 2012. I own a business with my mother, called Re-Ride Stories. We make custom leather belts, purses, and accessories using repurposed materials. I am very lucky that my hobby became my full time job, which I love!

Tell us about your home.

I first saw people living in tiny homes and cabins in Alaska. I moved into a small, semi-dry cabin for many months during the winter and I got a real appreciation for conservation and living without most of the resources the average person takes for granted. For those that don’t know what a semi-dry cabin is, that means NO running water in the winter. No indoor toilet, no high water pressure shower, no running water in the kitchen sink! I was impressed by how many of the people I met there lived in these tiny cabins, with little furniture or material objects, and yet seemed truly happy. I even met a man who lived about a two hour drive out into the wilderness in a horse trailer with his dog, and he seemed completely content and not wanting for anything!

I don’t remember where I first heard of Tumbleweed Homes, but after reading about the tiny house movement I was hooked! I spent hours researching tiny homes online, looking at floor plans and brilliant storage ideas for small living spaces. At one point, I even downloaded software and started creating floor plans to build my own tiny home on a flatbed trailer. In my tiny house searching, I would come across people who lived in all sorts of unconventional places: old school buses, tree houses, gypsy wagons, and old camp trailers. I just thought it was amazing how these people really downsized their possessions, which allowed them more freedom to do other things in their lives, like travel and reconnect with nature.

One day I happened on a yard sale, and there was an old aluminum trailer in the driveway. Just joking with the owner, I asked if it was for sale (I couldn’t imagine in a million years he would want to sell it!) but he said, “For $600, you can have it!” After persuading my mother to park the beast on her property, I bought my 1954 Spartan Royal Mansion! Although it did not happen consecutively, it took me a total of 25 days to gut it, clean it, and remodel it. I carefully planned my layout to accommodate all my furniture and use it all in the most efficient way I could think of. I still have to finish all the plumbing, but that will happen in the summer. For now, it acts as a wonderful office/studio, and someday it will be a complete home! I love my tiny space!

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Before

What is your greatest talent?

I would like to think being resourceful is a talent of mine.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find my inspiration in other creative people.

How would you describe your style?

I love vintage items from the 1940’s and 1950’s. From clothing to cars, I just love that time period; it always seemed so classy and glamorous.

Tell us about your favorite place to be.

My favorite place to be is behind the wheel of my truck. I love road trips, and taking off down some road I have never been down before.

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If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Ireland! I would love to travel around and take in all the history, culture, and beer!

What is one thing about your life now that you would not change?

Being self-employed! Nothing beats not having to wake up to an alarm clock!

What is something you have dreamed of doing for a long time?

I would love to someday move back to Hawaii with my family and be able to run my business with an ocean view.

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Doors: 8pmShow: 9pm

Must be 21+ to attend. Management Reserves All Rights ©2014.

$5 CoverChargeFriday, May 23rd, 2014Friday May 23rd 2014

Kick off Memorial Day Weekend withKick off Memorial Day Weekend with

3770 Hwy 45 • Colusa, CA • 530.458.8844 • www.colusacasino.com

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JUNE 20 & SATURDAYJUNE 21

Doors open at 7pm • Show starts at 8pm More info: (530) 751-4070

COLUSA CASINO RESORT PRESENTS

A fundraiser for the Rideout Foundation and theAmerican Red Cross of Northeastern California

Rideout Foundation & American Red Cross of Northeastern California

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