By William M. Dowd

Little Black Dress

Four “Little Black Dresses”
Four Body Shapes!

The Triangle – Shapely hips and/or thighs
• Empire Waists help accent a thin ribcage and create the perfect drape on a triangular body shape.
• Avoid “pulling” in the hip area by choosing A-lines or circle skirts that skim your hips, but don’t create bulk.
• Horizontal necklines or details on top help to balance a larger bottom half.
Dress by Nine West-$159.
Available at Macy’s stores Nationwide.


The Circle and Rectangle – No defined waistline
• Ruching at waistline helps to “cinch” the waist and cover up bulges or imperfections on close fitting garments.
• Natural hourglass shape creates the illusion of a small waist.
• Double layers of thin fabric help to skim the body without creating bulk.
Dress by Arielle-$79.
Available at Rockabella Boutique of Saratoga Springs


The Inverted Triangle – Broad through shoulders or bust
• The V-neck of wrap dresses help to narrow shoulders and minimize busts.
• Exposure of skin around neck area draws attention to a woman’s beautiful décolletage.
• Look for wrap dresses in heavier jerseys to avoid unwanted clinging.
Dress by H&M-$35.
Available at H&M Stores Worldwide


The Boy Figure – Straight and Narrow from chest to hips
• Details around chest and hips help to create curves.
• Popular “Origami Folds” on top and bottom help to create an hourglass figure.
• This dress was featured in Lucky Magazine August 2007 issue.
Dress by Cynthia Steffe–$230.
Available at Couture 77 of Clifton Park.
Contributed by Allison M. Meyers of Seemless Clothing Consulting, a consulting service that helps women choose WHAT and WHAT NOT to wear according to their unique body shape. Find out more at www.flatterybattery.com.

TOP 5 “WEARABLE” TRENDS FOR FALL

1. Dark Denim – the combination of structure and color help to slim. Add a trouser leg and they are ULTRA flattering! Avoid the super trendy pleated trousers jeans, which create unwanted bulges!
2. Vibrant, Bold Colored Accessories – A great way to introduce a splash of color to your super-slimming monochromatic outfit! Look for enameled and wooden jewelry, colored leathers and bright satin shoes and clutches!
3. Textured Fabrics like Herringbone, Houndstooth and Plaids – Avoid fabrics that are too heavy in weight and create a “bulky” look.
4. Pencil Skirts – “Right below the knee” is the length of the season and is universally flattering! Be sure that the hemline doesn’t fall to mid-calf, which is universally UN-flattering!
5. Geometric Bold Patterns – You’ll find a lot of accessories and clothing options that incorporate geometric patterns. Avoid placing this type of pattern on body parts that you DON’T want to draw attention to!
Allison M. Meyers is owner of Seemless Clothing Consulting, a service that helps women choose WHAT and WHAT NOT to wear according to their unique body shape. Find out more at www.flatterybattery.com .

How to age gorgeously

Women may be programmed from an early age to believe the best way to avoid getting lines and wrinkles is to moisturize. But at some point, you may ask yourself, “should I do more?” As your fine lines start to deepen into creases, and those folds from your nose to the corners of your mouth begin to take over your face, it may be time to consider injectables.
If you are ready to move beyond cosmetic approaches to wrinkles, consider an injectable solution. One such injectable solution is Restylane. More than 4 million people in over 70 countries have experienced the safe, effective, and beautifully natural results it offers. Restylane is available only through a licensed practitioner. Complete product and safety information is available at www.RestylaneUSA.com. Log onto www.RestylaneUSA.com to find a doctor near you.
ARA Content

Buyer beware: make sure you’re not buying a “knock-off” purse

By Jill Vallecorsa


A “knock-off” bag is a term used for bags and purses that are made to look exactly like the original designer version. However, some are advertised as the real thing, making consumers think that they just scored a great bargain. With all these fake bags floating around the marketplace, how can you be sure that you’re investing your money in the real deal?
These replica bags are actually easier to spot than one would think. Be sure to know some of the clues before making your purchase.

• The first warning sign that a bag is not an original is the discounted price. Real designer wares are rare because of their high price. This expensive price is what gives the bag or purse its status. Be wary of sellers who claim that their bags are truly “designer” when they are selling them for $100 instead of $1,000.

• Another huge tip-off is the location of the purchase. Buying anywhere outside of the actual Louis Vuitton store will put you at risk of purchasing a knock-off. No matter how much you want to believe you just scored the deal of the century, if you buy a bag on a street corner or out of the trunk of a car, it is not a true designer bag. Same goes for flea market and fair booth finds.

• Inspect the item. There is no way a true designer bag would show poor quality or weak craftsmanship. The fabric and stitching should be near perfect. There should be no loose strings, uneven stitches or bumps in the fabric.

• The smallest features of a bag can often be the biggest hints, so it’s very important to do your research before shopping. Designers are very meticulous about where zippers, buckles, handles and buttons are placed on their bags. Many designers, such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana, have a specific monogram that is etched into the bag and in a specific spot on the bag as well. A lot of designers have also become careful enough to have serial numbers on the inside of the bag.

• Be wary of buying online. Sites like e-Bay can be a great place to find a bag, but buyers can never be 100% sure that the product they receive is true to the seller’s word. Since you don’t get to touch or inspect the bags, the Internet can be a breeding ground for the sale of knock-offs. There are a few sites that sell discounted designer purses with the approval of the designer company. These are probably the best bet for purchasing designer goods via the Internet.

“BITTEN” by the fashion bug

Sarah Jessica Parker launches her own line

Known as the fashion icon of the times, it’s not surprising that Sarah Jessica Parker has launched her own line of clothing called BITTEN. What is surprising, however, is the price – nothing is over $19.98, making it an affordable line of clothing for everyone, hence the tagline: “Fashion is not a luxury, it’s a right”.
The line is sold exclusively at Steve & Barry’s stores nationwide. Capital Region shoppers can find the line at the Colonie Center location.
BITTEN will bring women’s casual sportswear into a store that had previously specialized in men’s casual wear. Between the summer line and the fall collection debuting this month, the clothing line is comprised of over 1,000 pieces ranging from jeans and t-shirts to sneakers and dresses to cashmere sweaters and lingerie.
The inspiration for her own clothing line came to the “Sex and the City” star from clothes in her own closet, as well as her desire to make fashionable, high-quality clothing for women without forcing them to empty their bank accounts. The name for the line came after Parker first entered the store and was “bitten by the Steve & Barry’s bug.”
For more information visit www.bittensjp.com or www.steveandbarrys.com .
—Jill Vallecorsa

Be a healthier you:

Make a change for the better

Setting and keeping personal goals can actually affect our levels of happiness. The only difference between those of us who achieve our goals and those who don’t is the way we live each day. With all the pressures and stressors we face, it’s important to arm ourselves with the necessary tools to make healthy changes and achieve our goals, but change can be uncomfortable and challenging for many — even if it’s for the better.

“Positive change is often necessary to live a long, healthy and happy life,” states Laura Lewis, nutritionist and author of the book 52 Ways to a Healthy You. “Changes can improve your health, help you live longer, look younger, feel better, boost your energy, get leaner and most importantly, be happier than you have in years.”
As based on her new book, Lewis offers readers 52 tips to get on track and live a happier, healthier life. Here are five of her favorites:

• Do It Right With D - Most people know that vitamin D plays an important role in the development of strong bones, but recent studies now show vitamin D can also help promote other areas of health such as muscle and joint protection, support for colon and prostate health, autoimmune protection, heart health, mood health, immune system strength, breast health and more. In her book, Lewis suggests a great way to incorporate vitamin D into your life is through a daily multivitamin, like Nature Made Multis — with 1000 IU of vitamin D, the level many experts recommend for optimal health.

• Create a Little Resistance - One of the easiest ways to keep our metabolism revved is to improve heart and lung health and keep bones strong through resistance exercise. Resistance exercise, or weight training, can increase energy levels and simultaneously increase lean muscle mass. Great examples of resistance exercise include incorporating elastic resistance bands or free weights into workouts two to three times weekly.

• Make Yourself Feel Good - Get yourself in that space of just plain feeling great. You could have all the tools before you, but if you don’t feel good about yourself, about life in general, you won’t be motivated to change. Watch funny videos, feed the ducks, or get rid of negative people and negative thoughts. Lewis says, “True change happens from the inside out ... from the heart, then the mind and the result is a longer and happier life.”

• Get Those ZZZ’s - Short-lived bouts of insomnia are usually nothing to worry about, but chronic sleep loss can contribute to health problems. Not getting enough sleep can affect metabolism, mood, cardiovascular health and the body’s ability to learn and retain information. Bottom line — sleep is crucial. Trouble sleeping? Try avoiding caffeine, nicotine and alcohol before bedtime and if you don’t fall asleep within 15 to 30 minutes after lying down, get up and do something relaxing.

• Be Balanced - If your goal is optimal health and longevity, it’s best to take things gradually. By balancing the addition of each new lifestyle habit, you can increase the chances of long-term life changes, and feel less overwhelmed in the process. As you take on each new change, focus on how great you look and feel as a result, not only a few weeks from now, but also years down the line.
For more information to help you make changes for the better visit the Nature Made Wellness Advisor at www.NatureMade.com/Multis . For more information about Laura Lewis and her new book, visit her website at www.LauraLewis.com .
–ARA Content

Mineral Makeup 411

By Genn Shaughnessy

Mineral makeup has been around since the mid-1970s, but it seems as if this beauty product has just recently exploded on the market.
You might be wondering, “What is mineral makeup?” Well, it’s an alternative to the somewhat damaging chemicals we have been slathering all over our faces for years. Often found in blushes, bronzers and eye shadows, a true mineral makeup is formulated with as few chemical processes as possible. It is free of Parabens, Talc, synthetic dyes or perfumes.

What was once only offered on infomercials or department store cosmetic counters can now be found in nearly every drug and discount store nationwide ranging from $10-$50. However, with the onslaught of mineral makeup on the market, it can be quite confusing to sift through the different brands to determine what really is true mineral makeup.

There are many competitors out there that are merely labeling themselves as such to gain profit off the hype. Below is a “Question, Answer, Product” which sifts through fact and phony of the mad mineral trend.

Q~ Question A~ Answer P~ Product

Q: What are Parabens and Talc and why are they, and dyes, bad for me?
A: Parabens are synthetic preservatives, Talc is a filler and chemically altered dyes and perfumes are just that, chemicals. Preliminary studies have been done that link all the above to cancer and reproductive issues with prolonged and excessive exposure. It is also very common for some people to have immediate reactions such as asthma and itchy, irritated skin, or worse. Even though a label says “Mineral” check the ingredients, it may just be an imposter.
P: Jane Iredale Absence Base SPF15.

Q: Why is it beneficial to me to wear mineral makeup?
A: There are many reasons to wear mineral makeup. It’s a skin protectant, is soothing to the skin and is safe enough for even baby soft skin, post-laser and post-surgery clients. Mineral makeup is water resistant and most are made with a sunscreen, so even in a humid climate like the Northeast, it lasts on the skin along with the SPF during sports and even swimming.
P: Jane Iredale Amazing Base SPF20 or Pure Pressed Base SPF18.

Q: Will mineral makeup clog my pores like other liquid foundation and powders do?
A: Not every foundation and powder will clog your pores. Along with a lot of high-end cosmetic lines, Minerals are non-comedogenic and will not block your pores, thus preventing pimples, breakouts and acne.
P: Glominerals gloProtective Satin Finish Liquid Foundation or Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals Foundation.

Q: How is the color pay-off in mineral makeup in comparison to department store brands?
A: All department store brands are in different classifications. While being higher-end in general than drugstore brands, they are still in tiers. In general, the more money you pay, the better color pay-off you get. Mineral makeup has better color pay-off than most of them. MAC Cosmetics is one exception, they are the least expensive of the department store brands and have the highest color pay-off of any company.
P: Glominerals gloEyeshadow, Jane Iredale 24KT Gold Dust & Pure Pressed Eyeshadow or Afterglow Cosmetics Mineral Eyeshadow.

Is your teenager ready to wear makeup?

By Ann Burek

Ahh… the transforming powers of makeup! Fairy princess or Goth goddess – either is possible with a sweep of shadow and lipstick. Wearing makeup is often a rite of passage for teen girls. She’s probably been in your makeup drawer since she was able to reach it. A little eye shadow, blush and lipstick and ‘I look just like mommy.’ But now, how do you convince her that it’s her face that is supposed to get noticed, not her makeup?

For a lot of girls, makeup is a way of improving the look of their skin. But, just as a great painting needs a properly prepared canvas, makeup needs properly maintained skin to be most effective. Many of us still deal with an occasional breakout and do our best to conceal it. However, it is best to address the problem rather than just cover it up.

While your teenager might not be able to eliminate every blemish, a simple daily routine will alleviate the major causes of her breakouts. The care she takes now will last well into adulthood.
The rule for anyone wearing makeup should be, “If you put it on, take it off.” Key ingredients to look for in products are the combination of glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids which will keep the pores clean. The essentials for a lifetime of good skin are:
• A daily cleanser designed for her skin type
• An exfoliating scrub
• A moisturizer
• Getting into the habit of applying sunscreen daily will aid in the prevention of skin cancer and delay the appearance of fine wrinkles.

Shaping the face
A perfectly shaped eyebrow is one of the fastest ways a teen can polish her appearance. Many girls (and women as well) tend to over-tweeze their brows, which provides less than wonderful results. Take your teen to an experienced esthetician who can shape the brows to create the perfect frame for her eyes and face shape. With a little guidance, the brows can be maintained at home.
Now that the “canvas” is properly prepared, it’s time for the makeup. The key to any makeup approach is to create the most attractive you, to enhance your unique features. Does your daughter have amazing blue eyes? Rimming them in black eyeliner will not highlight them as effectively as a subtler palette of pinks, pewter or taupe. All those lessons in art class about color theory are incredibly useful when selecting makeup.

Cheryl Whitten, professional makeup artist, educator and creator of The 5 Minute Makeover, shared her tips for simple, yet beautiful makeup. Having the right tools makes applying it easy. She recommends the following essentials:

• A blush brush and powder brush (or substitute a kabuki for both)

• An eyebrow brush

• A dual tipped eye shadow brush with a rounded tip (to apply shadow) and a flat tip for lining

• An eyelash curler

• A concealer brush

Getting started
Start with a clean face with sunscreen already applied, spot conceal with a concealer and brush and blend (if you are covering a blemish, you don’t want to touch your fingers to it and transfer bacteria).

• Use a loose mineral powder (it provides sun protection, is water resistant, adds no oils to the skin, won’t clog the skin, is hypoallergenic and provides great coverage) with a kabuki brush and apply to your entire face. You can make your own concealer by blending the mineral powder with your moisturizer.

• Use the kabuki brush again to apply a light application of blush.

• Close your eyes and sweep the same brush over your eyelids to add a little color to your lids.

• Finish with a coat of black mascara and a pretty lip gloss.
If your daughter is an athlete, she should keep it simple with a tinted sunscreen and waterproof mascara. Be sure to have an eye makeup remover designed to remove waterproof makeup because it is gentler on the eyes and lashes.

The key to wearing makeup begins with proper skin care and ends with not looking too made up. It’s about looking natural and letting your best assets shine!
Ann Burek is the Spa Administrator at Kimberley’s …A Day Spa on Rt. 9 in Latham. For more information call 785.5868 or visit www.kimberleysadayspa.com.

Saratoga Fundraisers

What: Old Bags Luncheon – Silent auction of new, gently used, vintage, and designer handbags and more
When: August 3, 11am
Where: Gideon Putnam Resort & Spa
Ticket price: $150
Proceeds benefit: National Museum of Dance, Saratoga
Contact: 212.521.5305

What: Saratoga Historical Society Antique Show & Sale
When: August 10-12, 5pm
Where: Canfield Casino in Congress Park
Ticket price: $7 per person
Proceeds benefit: Historical Society of Saratoga Springs
Contact: 584.6900

What: Dare to Dream Gala – Honoring Hall of Fame Jockey Jerry Bailey with honorary chairpersons Mary Lou Whitney and John Hendrickson. Featuringlive music, dancing
When: August 13, 7pm-11pm
Where: The Saratoga Polo Club, Greenfield Center
Ticket price: $75 per person; $600 for table of 8.
Proceeds benefit: The Prevention Council
Contact: 581.1230 ext. 12

What: NYS Troopers vs. the Saratoga Jockeys in a softball game
When: August 13, 6pm
Where: Eastside Recreational Field, Saratoga
Ticket price: Adults $5; $3 for children under 12
Proceeds benefit: Catie Hoch Foundation and the fight against childhood cancer
Contact: 877.7539

What: Epiphany’s Broadway Belters and Bidders
When: August 13, 7pm
Where: Epiphany Theater Company, Saratoga Springs
Ticket price: $125 (a limited number of $50 are available for Epiphany fans under age 35).
Proceeds benefit: Epiphany Theater Company
Contact: 691.9780; www.epiphanytheater.org

What: Garden Party Fundraiser – Lunch, wine, pampering service providers, bachelor auction, silent auction
When: August 21, 1pm-4pm
Where: Union Gables B & B, Saratoga
Ticket price: $55
Proceeds benefit: Shelters of Saratoga, Inc.
Contact: 581.1097

What: Belmont Child Care Association Benefit - Dinner and auction fundraiser honoring Gretchen and Roy Jackson, owners of Barbaro
When: August 22, 7pm
Where: The Gideon Putnam Hotel in the Spa State Park
Ticket price: $200 per person
Proceeds benefit: Belmont Child Care Association
Contact: 516.488.2130

What: Travers Celebration Gala - Featuring fine dining, dancing and silent auctions
When: August 23, 6pm
Where: Saratoga Race Course
Proceeds benefit: Double H Ranch and Backstretch Employees Service Team.
Contact: 383.6183

What: Battle of the Brews - Age 21 and older. Taste micro brews from local businesses and cast your vote for your favorite beer
When: August 24, 12pm-4:30pm
Where: The Saratoga Race Course
Proceeds benefit: The American Red Cross
Contact: 792.6545

What: The 10th Anniversary of Heroes & Hope Dinner, dancing, the music of TS Ensemble, a complimentary open bar spectacular live and silent auctions
When: August 24, 6:30-10:30pm
Where: The Canfield Casino, Saratoga Springs.
Proceeds benefits: The Upstate New York/Vermont Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Ticket prices: $135 for 35 and older; $100 for under 35; admission at the door is $150.
Contact: 438.3583; 866.255.3583

What: Travers Wine Tasting – Featuring more than 200 wines from around the globe, gourmet cuisine from the finest local restaurants.Live & silent auction, live jazz and fabulous desserts
When: August 24, 7pm-11pm
Where: National Museum of Racing, Saratoga Springs
Ticket price: $125 per person
Proceeds benefit: Senior Services of Albany’s Meal on Wheels and other senior programs.
Contact: 463.4381

What: Adirondack Spectacular – A 5K, 6 or 12-mile cycle/run/walk event. Raises Hemophilia and Organ Donation awareness
When: August 25, 10am
Where: Mayfield Fairgrounds, Mayfield
Ticket price: Adults $25, children $10, family $60
Proceeds benefit: The Lawrence Madeiros Memorial Scholarship fund.
Contact: 661.6005

What: 7th Annual Wine & Food Festival – pairing dinners, music and grand tasting
When: September 6, 7, 8
Where: SPAC, times vary
Ticket price: Varies
Proceeds benefit: SPAC
Contact: 584.9330

What: 3rd Annual“Feast of the Fields” - A Culinary Extravaganza pairing award-winning celebrity chefs with fresh local farm produce
When: September 20, 6pm-9pm
Where: Saratoga Polo, Saratoga
Ticket price: $150 per person
Proceeds benefit: Saratoga P.L.A.N (Preserving Land And Nature)
Contact: 587.5554

What: Catiebug Gala – Live jazz, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, carving stations and a live auction
When: September 29
Where: Saratoga Automobile Museum, Spa State Park
Ticket price: $100 per person
Proceeds benefit: The Catie Hoch Foundation and the fight against childhood cancer.
Contact: 877.7539

What: Catiebug for a Cure – 5k, 2-mile walk and Kids’ Fun Run
When: September 30
Where: Clifton Commons in Clifton Park, 12pm
Proceeds benefit: The Catie Hoch Foundation and the fight against childhood cancer.
Contact: 877.7539

Beekman Street Art District

Described as “quiet but never dull” the Beekman Street Art District is a charming cultural center of Saratoga Springs. This rejuvenated part of Saratoga, just three blocks off Broadway, is sure to enrich the artistic senses of any visitor.

This creative environment – lined with galleries, restaurants, shops and local artists – has allowed art to flourish. And, with more support from the town and visitors alike, it will only continue to keep developing.

Prior to its revitalization, this district was previously designated as an area of deterioration. But, in 2003 the city decided to clean it up and designated it as an art district. Funding was provided, incentives were given to artists and renovations began.

Sidewalks and streetlights were installed, and artist galleries and studios opened up in previously abandoned warehouses.

Thriving with life and entertainment, the Art District is the ideal place to go for a summertime stroll. Take a peek inside one of the many galleries – the Crimson Gallery offers up jazz art as well as equine art done created by the owners, Frankie and Lisa Flores. The Beekman Street Co-op offers sculpture, ceramics, beads and painters and visitors can even witness works in progress.

Grab a hot cup of coffee between gallery hopping at Gotchya’s Trading Post. This little café boasts the “best coffee in town.” For a relaxing dining experience, try the Beekman Street Bistro for dinner. This restaurant’s specialty is preparing fresh meals with local and organic foods.

A visit to the quaint Beekman Street Art District is sure to be enjoyable and could possibly be the beginning of a summer tradition for Saratoga visitors.
For more information visit www.beekmanstart.com .
– Jill Vallecorsa

Horses

Saratoga Style 2007

A Saratoga summer wouldn’t be complete without horses, which is why “Horses, Saratoga Style” is the perfect addition to the summer scene.

The show previously debuted in 2002 with 24 beautifully hand-painted fiber-glass horses by local artists placed throughout the Saratoga region.

The popularity of the show prompted the Saratoga County Arts Council (SCAC) to revive the exhibit this year. It was originally planned as a one time show, but sales of the “Horses, Saratoga Style” calendar from the SCAC, along with constant inquiries about the horses, prompted the council to resurrect the exhibit, this time adding an additional 10 horses, bringing the total to 34. Artists from the Capital Region, Western New York, Vermont and Massachusetts were selected by a panel of jurors.

The overwhelming amount of submissions by artists and sponsors clamoring to either create or display a horse forced the SCAC to develop an outreach program to neighboring towns to host as many horses as possible. The Village of Schuylerville eagerly agreed.

The vibrant horses can be found outside local establishments, some of which are ones that sponsored the exhibit by purchasing a horse. The SCAC and the Saratoga Visitors Center both have maps available of all sculpture locations or you can download it at www.saratoga-arts.org .

The track season will also bring about something new. Riverfront Studios, located on Broad Street in Schuylerville, will host many events that spotlight the racing season. The first is an exhibit entitled “Uncorrupted Horses” that will feature area artists such as Rita Dee, Jean Haines, Dahl Taylor and Lloyd Kelly. This display of equine art will bring together paintings, ceramics and prints inspired by the beauty of this graceful animal. “Uncorrupted Horses” will be on display at Riverfront Studios until August 31.

Riverfront Studios will also be hosting musical performances by Denise McDonald and Elizabeth Woodbury on August 4th in conjunction with the Turning Point River Festival. The Turning Point Parade is held August 5th with an appearance by the Schuylerville horse sculptures.

They will also be showing several sculptures by artist Rita Dee at the Saratoga National Golf Course and at The Saratoga Hotel. The sculptures will be on display through Labor Day.
For more information on “Horses, Saratoga Style” call 584.4132 or visit www.saratoga-arts.org .
- Jill Vallecorsa

Home parties pop the lid off

By Amy E. Tucker

Home parties have taken on a new twist in the last decade. Long gone are the stereotypical images of housewives clustered around Tupperware® containers, gossiping about the drudgery of their existence while their husbands are out bowling. Today’s home parties offer everything from scrapbooking, jewelry and candles to wine tasting, lingerie and exotic body lotions!
The growth of home-based, direct-marketing businesses was spawned by the economic downturn of the 90s. But, its evolution occurred simultaneously with society’s shift from an industrial society to a technologically-advanced information and service-based economy.

Families struggling to balance work-life priorities with the need for a double income found respite through the convenience of selling established products with a corporate support structure. The added flexibility and convenience of working from home and creating their own schedule closed the deal and new companies burst onto the scene to absorb the multibillion dollar industry.
For some, the direct-marketing business is a full-time job. For others, it’s a way to bring in additional income.

“I’m a single mom,” explained Paula Genovesi, 37, who sells Silpada designs® jewelry. “I already have two full-time jobs between my kids and my work as a hairdresser. I’m adding this as a third job for extra income.”

Father and daughter team Rick Hardy and Stephanie Messercola turned to The Traveling Vineyard as an easy way to earn extra cash while maintaining their full time jobs.

In a little over six months in business the duo boasts the 25th highest sales in the company for May 2007 and were number one in sales for the Capital District territory.

“It’s been so much fun working with my daughter, learning a lot and meeting so many great people,” said Hardy, 54, who works in retail. Not to mention the amount of things they’re learning about the wine business, the different grapes and the countries they come from.

Messercola, a 27-year-old physician’s assistant, said the extra income comes in handy for projects she and her husband want to do around the house, but says “tasting the wines” is where it’s at.
Her favorite? “A 2002 Stone Briar Old Vine Zinfandel, which is a red wine from California. It has fruity qualities, but not in the sweetness per se.”
Her father recommends the 2005 Moscato d’asti, a champagne-colored dessert wine.

“It leaves a nice, refreshing taste in your mouth after you’ve tasted some white and red wines.”
The Traveling Vineyard makes wine-tasting easy and affordable by selling direct to consumers and providing online support systems for training and product knowledge. The wine list boasts 67 varieties with another 50-60 available online. Costs range from $11.99 to $17.99 plus $8 shipping per bottle.

“They offer many varieties and flavors including sparkling, reds, whites, after dinner and dessert wines,” said Hardy. “We work two hours a night and can bring in $500 a show by enjoying ourselves and having a great time!”

The initial investment of time and money varies depending on the company, but nearly all direct-sales businesses offer a starting kit containing product, sales forms, catalogues and other information.
Creative Memories scrapbooking offers a kit valued at $350 for a $200 investment and they don’t require consultants to complete a minimum number of shows or reach a specific sales target to keep it.
“The low investment was a no-brainer for me,” said Tammy James, 37, who started her business as a hobby to support her habit of scrapbooking.

The mother of five children, who also runs a heating and cooling business with her husband, found the flexibility of the company worked nicely with her lifestyle.

“You can run your business any way you want as long as you don’t promote competing scrapbooking product [which she dubbed ‘contraban’] at your workshops.”

Genovesi didn’t have the full start-up costs for Silpada kit, so she paid $225 for the paperwork and catalogues and is borrowing jewelry from her team leader, the individual who introduced her to Silpada and who gets commission based upon Genovesi’s sales. The company offers incentive tiers for new consultants with sales challenges built in to help them earn free product for their kit.

Silpada jewelry is .925 sterling silver with natural gem stones and a lifetime guarantee. Individual pieces cost between $30 and $80 and consultants can earn a 30 percent cash bonus from the sales of the show.
“You can make $200-$300 per show which is great for two hours of work,” said Genovesi. “People who are familiar with this brand of jewelry are like groupies; they want to keep going to parties to see new product and buy more!”

The Traveling Vineyard charges $300 for their start-up kit which includes 18 glasses, paperwork and catalogues, accessories such as corkscrews and wine charms and a five bottles of demo wine.
“It took about six hours of prep time to prepare for our first show,” said Hardy. “The online resources are fabulous, including product demos and individual websites for each consultant to recruit and track orders. We even have a local group of consultants who created a forum for asking questions and sharing ideas.”

Genovesi agrees that the online resources for direct-marketing companies save her time and facilitate her business.

“Silpada makes it very easy to submit your orders online,” she explained. “People can pay for their orders at the party and consultants have the option of using debit and credit cards or even PayPal® to reconcile orders with the company.”

Both Hardy and James cited the social aspect of the businesses as a reason they enjoy the work.

“The large wine-drinking audience includes 21 to 60-year-olds and keeps growing,” explained Hardy. “Wine sales have begun to surpass the beer industry which is great for business!”
At James’ weekend workshops or “crops” that she holds a few times a year in a hotel, she gets to bond with her friends and share stories about their families, while scrapbooking around the clock.
“We get together and share stories about our families, while we’re putting together pages about our lives,” said James. “It’s a lot more fun than sitting around for two hours and having a cookie.”
Another growing trend includes gender-neutral parties. In an industry formerly dominated by women, men have jumped on the direct-sales bandwagon and are working as consultants, hosting parties and attending Jack and Jill get-togethers with other couples and friends.

“Two of my male clients are among my best customers,” said James. “They have traveled to Egypt and all over the world and are creating elaborate scrapbooks of their trips.”
Regardless of the business, prospective consultants need to do their homework and be prepared for bumpy roads.

“You’ll need to plan to invest a little bit of money to get started,” said Genovesi. “And, you have to keep a positive attitude and expect to succeed or that self-doubt will show at your parties and be reflected in your sales.”

Messercola agreed. “You need to come into it with an open mind. There will be some weeks that you don’t have parties scheduled. But, if you work a little bit at your business, you can make it be fun and successful.”

James tells people it’s hard to make money in this business unless you already have a large circle of friends who scrapbook. “I show them my financials for my first two years in business and show them my losses in black and white.”

Last year she turned a $1,000 profit, yet she admits that even with the extra product, she’s not current on her children’s scrapbooks.

“I’m as lax as most of my customers,” she laughed. “I finally finished my 17-year-old’s baby book, but I still have the other four to do!”

For more information on The Traveling Vineyard visit www.myttv.com/0, Creative Memories visit www.creativememories.com/ and Silpada visit www.silpada.com/public/.
Amy E. Tucker is a freelancer writer who lives in Clifton Park.

Nowadays, the end of summer is determined not so much by the leaves on the trees as the clothes on the racks. Don’t believe me? Go to your local retailer. Even as we swelter in the summer heat, the stores are already anticipating the arrival of fall clothing. With that in mind, we are pleased to help you navigate the maze of new fall fashions with the debut of our first issue on fashion and beauty.

Working on this issue was especially exciting for me. Not only was I able to venture into downtown Saratoga quite a bit, but I was also able to experience different aspects of the magazine business, including the delicate art of the photo shoot. In that regard, I would like to mention a few people who helped make this issue a success: photographers Jeff Foley, Marty Kerins, Brittani Nass and Mark Anderson; Allison Meyers and Nancy Hart, who were nice enough to grace our cover; Natalie Sillery from Saratoga Trunk for dressing the women; and, of course, Violet’s Of Saratoga, Deanna’s Country Shoppe in West Sand Lake and Abby Rose Boutique in Albany for providing the fall fashions. I would also like to acknowledge our beauty writer, Genn Shaughnessy.

Speaking of Saratoga, if you find yourself in the Spa City this month, be sure to check out the Beekman Street Art District, three blocks from Broadway. While you’re enjoying your walk, you’ll notice that the equine sculptures are back along Broadway, so be sure to take advantage of that unique photo opportunity.

Whatever your pleasure, be sure to get out and enjoy the rest of your summer. It won’t be long before the fashions aren’t the only things that are changing, as we find ourselves longing once more for the good ol’ dog days of summer.

Enjoy!

Mary Beth DeCecco
marybeth@capitalregionliving.com

Do you skate?

By John Gray

Once upon a time there was a little boy without a father growing up in a small town in Canada. Being without a dad is tough on any child, but especially so in a tiny town where everyone knows your business. One day the boy’s mother saw a flyer posted on a bulletin board that advertised a mentoring program; call it Canada’s version of Big Brothers Big Sisters. She took it down and quickly tucked it into her coat pocket as if there was some shame in asking for help raising a boy alone. The crumpled piece of paper sat in that pocket for a couple of weeks until a combination of worry and exhaustion made her flatten it out on the kitchen table and dial up the number.

After filling out an application and waiting a few more weeks, she and her young prince charming stood nervously at the door of their modest home waiting for this stranger to come into their lives. He couldn’t have been 30, standing there with his hat in his hands, faded jeans and a flannel shirt. After the briefest of conversations with the mother, this hulk of a man turned his attention to the child.
He didn’t ask the little boy if he liked movies or bowling. He didn’t wonder if the child liked to read or play make-believe as most 5-year-olds do. Instead, the very first words he spoke were three words that would change the child’s life forever, “Do you skate?”

This was Canada after all, a place where most babies are born with a pair of ice skates already laced on. The boy looked down at the floor and in a voice no more than a whisper said, “No sir.” The stranger smiled at the mother then looked back at the child and said, “Well, you will because that’s what I do, skate, and I’m good and soon enough you’ll be skating circles around me.” Little did the man know how right he would be.

For the next few years, the kind man in the faded jeans taught our lad how to skate and shoot a puck and push back when someone tried to bully him on the ice. The young boy was soon a big boy and the best hockey player in every league in which he played. Thirteen years later when it came time to choose a college, he had schools all over Canada and the United State’s begging him to attend. He chose Union College in Schenectady because it was a top notch school and wasn’t too far a drive if he wanted to get home to see his mother.

And that is how I came to meet him. You see, one day I was doing a TV story on our local Big Brothers Big Sisters program and they told me I had to meet this incredible young hockey player from up North. As busy as he was with his studies and playing on the Union hockey team (division one, the highest level) he found time to sign up with our local Big Brother’s program as a mentor because he wanted to give something back, to ‘pay it forward’, if you will.

They matched him with a young African American boy from one of the toughest streets in Schenectady. Standing face to face on the front steps of a home in Hamilton Hill this child looked up at the man from Canada in his faded jeans and had to be wondering one thing, “What does this white man who talks funny want with me?” And our friend from the north didn’t ask if the child liked cookies or the playground or going to Crossgates Mall to shop. Instead, he asked just three little words that changed a life those many years ago, “Do you skate?”

That story is a true story told to me by that very hockey player a few years ago on the Union college campus. He was there with his “little brother” teaching him how to ice skate. I don’t know how the story ends, because like a seed that is planted in early spring, it’s impossible to know what fruit this tree may someday bear. The mere act of planting the seed brings possibilities, however, that were never there before. I’d like to think that child, who must be in his early teens now, is on a path that has nothing to do with hockey, but everything to do with manhood. Put on that path by a man who did little more than hold his hand and teach him to skate circles around a frozen piece of ice.

It’s August already, which means half the year has already melted away. I wonder how many of you made a New Year’s resolution to be a better person or give something back this year. How many of us see a flyer advertising a walk for cancer or a dinner for juvenile diabetes and tell ourselves this is the year we’ll sign up, volunteer, raise a few dollars? I don’t fault you for not doing it, life is busy and as my Dad used to tell me, “Many roads we travel are paved with good intentions.” All I’m saying is, I don’t believe in coincidences. There’s a reason you picked up this magazine today and turned to this back page and it has nothing to do with me. This is about you and getting into the game.

I have a friend who delivers meals once in a while to the Ronald McDonald House. She doesn’t have to tell me what day she delivers the food to these families who are caring for a sick child, I can tell by the spring in her step. The days she helps there is a glow about her. Like most people who “pay it forward” she gets as much out of it as the people she is trying to help. That’s the prize at the bottom of the Cracker Jack box, you see. You set out to help others and end up helping yourself.

The Capital Region is a wonderful place to live, filled with dozens of charities and organizations that make it their business to find cures, give comfort and change lives. They can’t wait to meet you. Whether you volunteer once a year with Special Olympics or spend a $100 to knock a golf ball around raising money for ALS, they are just waiting and hoping you’ll show up. And don’t tell me you don’t have the time or skills needed to make a difference. Do you know they have a room at the Children’s Hospital at Albany Med. where volunteers sit and play with sick and injured children? That’s it. Just being there to keep them company is the gift you give.

I like making you laugh, and those of you who have read this back page before know I can joke around about a lot of things. I sat down this month ready to write something silly about women’s fashion, but something kept pulling me north. Up to a town I’ll never visit and a man I’ll never meet who had to think they were crazy at Big Brothers Big Sisters to want him to mentor a child. After all, all he was ever good at was skating. But he took a chance and ended up saving a life that day and carving a masterpiece in the ice with that little boy he helped.

What are you waiting for? In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: “You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.” Or to put it another way: “Love is like manure. It’s of no use unless you spread it around.” So get off you butt, grab a shovel and start spreading.

John Gray is a Fox23 News anchor and contributing writing at the Troy Record. He can be reached at johngray@fox23news.com

Sun Sign Forecast

For August 2007

By Arlene DeAngelus

Best Days for August: 3rd, 4th, 16th, 18th and 31st
Aries: (March 21 to April 20) Children and loved ones bring joy into your life this month. After the 6th, you search for mind-expanding studies and abstract conversations appeal to you. Review any presentations or communications that you are planning for the 23rd. After the 28th, expect subtle changes in co-workers and work areas. Avoid letting another shift their responsibilities to you.

Taurus: (April 21 to May 20) Family and domestic areas bring you happiness this month. You gain emotional and financial support from others after the 6th. This can be a time of rejuvenation and healing. Guard against impulsive spending on the 23rd. After the 28th, you alter your goals and long-term directions in life. You work to accomplish a task that you have wanted to complete.

Gemini : (May 21 to June 20) Friends and short trips are a source of enjoyment for you this month. You catch up on correspondence and may even attend a workshop. One-to-one relationships expand and are harmonious after the 6th. Avoid disagreements in these same relationships on the 23rd. After the 28th, changes occur in your career, or the equivalent, and also your aim in life.

Cancer: (June 21 to July 22) Personal assets and finances are favored this month. You gain by focusing on money matters. Seek ways to improve your work or to expand your knowledge in work areas after the 6th. You focus on your health and begin a new exercise or diet program. Co-workers are less cooperative on the 23rd. After the 28th, expect changes in your communications with others.

Leo: (July 23 to August 22) Self-image and personality are your key assets for this month. This is a time to present your ideas. Develop your relationships with loved ones and children after the 6th. Be careful about trying to force your ideas on these same relationships on the 23rd. After the 28, settle matters involving shared resources including jointly held money and property.

Virgo: (August 23 to September 22) Humanitarian interests and self-analysis are favored this month. You seek a renewed spiritual fulfillment as you expand your emotional and physical home after the 6th. Family relationships also become more important, but circumvent disagreements on the 23rd. After the 28th, your attention turns to one-to-one relationships, both business and personal.

Libra: (September 23 to October 22) Social events and your hopes and wishes are important this month. You set new goals. Conversations with friends bring you exciting ideas and you expand your interest after the 6th. Neighbors can be troublesome on the 23rd. After the 28th, a work situation changes and suggests that you take on only what you can handle. You are more sensitive to other’s needs.

Scorpio: (October 23 to November 21) Business and professional areas are favored this month. You receive long-awaited credit or recognition for a past deed. Money and financial matters are handled successfully after the 6th. Be careful of impulsive spending on the 23rd. After the 28th, your creative ideas are stimulated and you look for ways to expand your relationships with friends and associations.

Sagittarius: (November 22 to December 21) Faraway places and faith gain your interest this month. Your self-awareness increases through reading about foreign cultures and religions after the 6th. One-to-one relationships tend to be strained on the 23rd. After the 28th, family and personal matters can be resolved. Attempt to balance your responsibilities between your home and those at work.

Capricorn: (December 22 through January 19) Joint resources and shared values are a focus for this month. Estate and tax matters can be handled successfully. Introspection and solitude are beneficial after the 6th. You seek renewal on both spiritual and psychological levels. After the 28th, you become interested in your neighborhood and everyday environment. Reconfirm all travel reservations.

Aquarius: (January 20 to February 18) Personal and business one-to-one relationships are favored this month. Resolve any differences in these important relationships. Enjoy your friends and join new groups after the 6th. You compromise with a friend on the 23rd. After the 28th, use care in monetary matters and with personal possessions. Unexpected or forgotten bills are discovered.

Pisces: (February 19 to March 20) Higher work standards and better health habits are a focus for this month. Begin a new diet or exercise program. Recognition for a job well done is possible after the 6th. A situation with an authority figure requires that you compromise on the 23rd. After the 28th, seek changes in your own persona and self-expression and not those of a marriage or business partner.

The Mummies of Guanajuato

Story & Photos by William M. Dowd

Guanajuato is a revered place in Mexico. The historic central highlands community of 76,000 situated northwest of Mexico City is in the middle of one of the world’s richest silver mining areas, and the region has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the capital city of the state of the same name.

It is the home of former President Vicente Fox Quesada, and the birthplace of the late renowned muralist and cubist painter Diego Rivera who lived here with his wife, the late painter and activist Frida Kahlo whose life was chronicled in the 2002 Selma Hayek film "Frida."

It has a large and varied arts and culture scene, helped along by the University of Guanajuato, founded in 1732, earlier than six of our eight Ivy League universities and 44 years before the U.S. became an independent nation. It hosts the annual Festival Internacional Cervantino, an event dedicated to the writer of “Don Quixote,” Miguel de Cervantes, which draws visitors from all over the world to attend readings, plays, concerts, dance and art exhibitions and even parades.

And, Guanajuato has mummies.

An unintentional tourist draw, to be sure. But, even though this beautiful city of rainbow-colored buildings and geometrically trimmed trees in the triangular downtown park known as Jardin de la Union is widely regarded as the cultural center of Mexico, it is taking advantage of the bizarre resource.

Fittingly, I first saw the mummies near the end of a long afternoon spent in various cafes and strolling the hilly streets of Guanajuato during the annual Day of the Dead festival, an event that coincides with our Halloween.

There is nothing as quintessentially Mexican as El Dia de los Muertos, a festival honoring the deceased that has been part of the culture since before the Spanish invaders. Originally held in July, but moved closer to All Saint’s Eve in November by Catholic priests brought here by the conquistadors, it is anything but a morbid or frivolous event. Families construct tiny temporary altars, festooned with large, colorful marigolds and chrysanthemums near the doorways to their homes to welcome back the departed. At least one Guanajuato church has its three levels of steep steps turned into a public altar covered by candles, flowers and framed pictures of the dead.

Crowds stroll throughout this city built in a ravine and sloping up two mountainsides. Vendors line both sides of the cobblestone streets, selling foods, trinkets and crafts. I joined a stream of walkers headed for a large cemetery where they visited the graves of their loved ones, replacing wilted flowers with fresh, often washing down the stone or metal markers with pails of water purchased from entrepreneurial youngsters who set up shop at the cemetery gates.

Artwork for the Day of the Dead features skeletons involved in all sorts of earthly pursuits, playing instruments, dancing, drinking and eating. In Mexican culture there is nothing macabre about this, so it is easy to see why the Mummies of Guanajuato were so quickly accepted.

I was directed to the Panteón catacombs in the western part of the city, a very steep climb up the narrow Esplanada del Panteón that left me puffing for breath in the rarified area of the city’s 6,700-foot elevation. Not as staggering as Mexico City’s 7,350 feet, but enough to make Denver’s famed 5,280-foot “mile-high” status seem paltry.

After a short pause to overcome my fears of cardiac arrest, I plunged on to the large, unremarkable concrete building known as El Museo de las Momias, the Museum of the Mummies. After paying a $2 admission fee to a bored, but polite teenager who was more interested in her paperback novel than in chatting with a tourist, I was in.

I knew ahead of time that the mummies of Guanajuato were not intentional creations. Nothing of the Egyptian embalming arts about them. Thus, they’re in more of a raw state rather than neatly wrapped in ribbons of once-perfumed cloth and lying in stately repose.

These mummies are the curious product of the interaction of chemicals and gases in the local soil with dry air and erratic embalming techniques. There are more than 100 of them, and they cut across the economic spectrum of the city. Poor immigrants, children, revered community figures, criminals and clergy. All are represented.

They were first dug up between 1896 and 1958 for a simple economic reason. People of financial means paid a one-time grave tax that permanently ensured their departed a resting place. Others who could not afford the annual fee were in danger of having their relatives or friends exhumed and moved to a lesser graveyard to make room for the dead of families able to pay. Some families died out or moved away, leaving no one to pay the duty. Once the exhumations began, the accidental mummies were literally unearthed.

The group I walked through with showed all the reactions one could expect to this bizarre display of human remains frozen in various stages of decay – some dressed only in shoes and stockings, some fully clothed, many with head and body hair still intact, some displayed standing up, some with a limb or a head missing, most of them tiny in stature.

Shock, disgust, awe, black humor, gulps, empathy, smiles. You name it, it was visible. And that was just on the part of the visitors.

The grave tax law was changed in 1958, so no additional mummies have been exhumed, although many probably still are in their original resting places.

Now that I’ve checked that one off my list, I look forward to visiting some other offbeat museums such as the Banana Museum in Auburn, WA, the Toilet Seat Art Museum in Alamo Heights, TX, and the Cheese Museum in Cuba, NY. You’re never too old to learn.

William M. Dowd, a local journalist, specializes in food, drink and travel journalism. You can check his collection of Web sites at Dowd's Guides.