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Just Fab Shines with Jessica Paster

April 29, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Just Fab

Just Fab

Just Fab, the popular e-tailer revolutionizing the online shopping experience, offers a winning combination of celebrity style, wide selection and simplistic ordering.  Just Fab designs, produces, and sells all of its own shoes, handbags, denim and accessories, passing the savings on to shoppers by eliminating the middleman.   Just Fab items are just $39.95 or less and shipping is always free.  With over 11 million members and growing, Just Fab has changed the online retail landscape.

At the heart of Just Fab’s success is their über talented Chief Stylist, Jessica Paster.  For over 16 years, Jessica Paster has been dressing celebrities, including movie stars Emily Blunt, Eva Longoria, and Cate Blanchett.  She has also worked with world-class musicians, including Mariah Carey and Hilary Duff.  Just Fab members have also benefitted from Ms. Paster’s star-studded friendships with such celebrities as Avril Lavigne, the pop-punk princess turned designer, who developed the Abbey Dawn Collection for Just Fab.

Just Fab attributes much of Jessica Paster’s success to the winning combination of great taste and hard work that has allowed her to work in film, television and advertising.  She has been featured on MTV and E! On the Red Carpet for her expert eye for all things fashionable.  Celebrities who have worked with Just Fab and Jessica Paster appreciate her fashion sense without the pretense that so often comes with the business.

As the Chief Stylist for Just Fab, Jessica Paster is truly in her element.  Ms. Paster leads the personalized styling service Just Fab offers to VIP members.  Each month, Just Fab VIP members receive handpicked selections of handbags, shoes, and accessories – all based on each member’s personal style.  Jessica ensures the boutiques are perfectly suited for each Just Fab fashionista.  She is well-heeled for this role at Just Fab, having styled celebrities for red carpet moments both at the Oscars and Golden Globes.

Additionally, Jessica Paster has partnered with Just Fab to design special collections, including a holiday and a summer collection.  The Just Fab 2012 holiday collection featured satin, sparkles, and hot holiday party pieces.  The Just Fab summer collection includes sandals perfect for the beach, and light, airy colors and prints.  Jessica Paster describes her own style as clean and minimalistic.  At Just Fab, Jessica can be seen wearing a lot of black with touches of big, bold colors.

For the Just Fab April Picks, Jessica Paster chose the Cadiz, a super seductive sandal with an island-patterned platform, the Just Fab Hayworth clutch with lady-like lace and a golden chain handle, and the Just Fab Go Mod colorblock bangles.  These three pieces will instantly add on-trend flair to any Just Fab fashion maven’s look, says Paster.

Just Fab members recognize Jessica Paster as one of the most sought-after stylists in Hollywood. Paster shares her expertise with women everywhere, even those without the celebrity paycheck.  To learn more about Just Fab and to take advantage of Paster’s celebrity style expertise, visit Just Fab online at JustFab.com.

 

Filed Under: Business Tagged With: , ,

Pam Gray, Bonaventure COO, Explains Types of Retirement Communities

April 26, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Pam Gray Bonaventure

Pam Gray Bonaventure

Pam Gray of Bonaventure Senior Living has been in the senior care industry for more than 20 years. With a wealth of experience in serving seniors, Pam Gray, Bonaventure COO since 2007, understands that one size does not fit all when it comes to retirement communities. In the following interview, Pam Gray of Bonaventure describes some of the most popular types of retirement communities.

Interviewing Experts: Thanks for joining us! Please tell readers about Bonaventure.

Pam Gray, Bonaventure COO: Bonaventure is a senior living and care company, with 37 communities located in six western U.S. states.

Interviewing Experts: Describe Bonaventure’s senior communities.

Pam Gray, Bonaventure COO:  Bonaventure provides independent retirement communities, full service retirement, assisted living, and memory care residences.

Interviewing Experts: How do these residences differ?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure COO: The retirement communities are for older adults who are healthy and active and want to live around other seniors and enjoy spending their free time doing what they want to do, such as participating in our wide variety of scheduled activities.

Interviewing Experts: What activities do you offer these healthy, active seniors?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure COO: Bonaventure offers daily activities like gardening, dance lessons, exercise classes, arts and crafts, and scheduled outings to local attractions.

Interviewing Experts: What about Assisted Living?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure COO: These communities are for seniors who want to enjoy their retirement years, but may also need assistance with daily living tasks, such as dressing and bathing. They are not necessarily in need of skilled medical care.

Interviewing Experts: What is unique about Memory Care?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure COO:  Memory Care residences address the unique needs of seniors facing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Here, the focus is on helping the senior live with dignity while taking part in activities specifically designed with their particular needs in mind.

Interviewing Experts: What other types of retirement communities are out there?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure COO: There are mixed-age communities where retirees and young families live side by side. There are also independent retirement cottages sometimes located on-site with retirement living residences that are a lot like Bonaventure retirement communities.  The cottages are separate houses with their own yards, garage, full kitchens, multiple bedrooms – just like your own house but with all the benefits of a full service staff.

Interviewing Experts: Do seniors have to move from place to place as they age to get additional services?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure COO: In some cases, yes. However, with Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), seniors can stay in one community all through the aging process.  As their needs changes, the communities can adapt to the resident without requiring another big move to a new location.

Interviewing Experts: Besides staying in one place, what are the benefits of CCRCs?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure COO: CCRCs encourage community building and allow spouses to stay together, no matter what health concerns arise.

Interviewing Experts: What if a senior wants to stay in his or her own home?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure COO: There are home health care agencies which provide in-home services.  In Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities, seniors band together to secure services they may need, like all pitching in for transportation.

Interviewing Experts: Are there other examples?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure COO: Co-housing allows seniors to live in their own house or condo while sharing a community space, like cooking and dining facilities.

Interviewing Experts: What about residences for the seniors with serious medical issues?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure COO: More traditional nursing homes provide skilled nursing 24 hours a day, seven days a week for those with the greatest needs.

Interviewing Experts: How should people choose a retirement community?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure COO: Consider facility features; proximity to family, shopping and parks; on-site opportunities; level of care and overall expense.  Most importantly, you want to feel “at home” in your community, so developing a relationship with the care staff is crucial.

Interviewing Experts: How can people learn more about Bonaventure?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure COO: Visit us online at RetirementPerfected.com to locate your nearest community and simply come in for a visit!

Pam Gray, Bonaventure and its team pride themselves in providing compassionate care to thousands of seniors annually. In addition to senior care, Pam Gray of Bonaventure enjoys gardening and spending time with her family. To learn more about Pam Gray, Bonaventure and senior residences, call (503) 566-5715.

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Investing in a Startup

April 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Over the past 15 years, it seems like all of the money in startups and entrepreneurship comes from the tech industry. And much of that money is made from websites that start with simple ideas and grow into huge international companies. Amazon, Facebook and eBay all had humble beginnings, but are now three of the most visited websites in the entire world. The success of these companies has led many people to wonder how they can get a slice of the pie for themselves. The answer is for investors to invest in startups.

Investing in these small companies that may not even have office space yet can be daunting. Someone may be putting their hard earned cash on the line to back a group of people who may not amount to anything. Or they could be about to create the next Google. But there are ways to tell if a company is a solid investment or too big of a risk.

Wise investors do business with companies in industries with which the investors are familiar. It wouldn’t make much sense to throw cash at a company that provides an education service when the investors know nothing about education. Without experience, it would be difficult to spot flaws in the business plan or execution of the product. By staying within a familiar niche, investors will have a more active role in the growth of the company and help guide it toward success.

Of course, no matter how much knowledge an investor has within a particular industry, there’s still a big possibility the project will fail—and the money will go with it. But by doing their homework and taking the time to identify the strongest startups with the most promise, investors can see a big return if they’re patient.

Filed Under: Business

Kelley D. Hamilton Discusses the Growing Number of Centenarians

April 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Kelley D. Hamilton

Kelley D. Hamilton

Kelley D. Hamilton is co-owner and Chief Executive Officer of Bonaventure Senior Living. The mission of Bonaventure is to provide an exceptional Senior lifestyle through a dedicated and compassionate team, innovative communities and enriched services that promote dignity, choice and independence. Recently, the staff of Interviewing Experts sat down for a brief conversation with Kelley D. Hamilton.

Interviewing Experts: What does it take to join the exclusive club of centenarians?

Kelley D. Hamilton:  First of all, you must live to be 100! That is something Americans are doing in increasing numbers.

Interviewing Experts: Do you happen to know any statistics about how many adults are living to the century mark?

Kelley D. Hamilton:  The last census data put the number of U.S. centenarians at 53,364. That’s up 65.8% over the 1980 numbers.

Interviewing Experts: What are we doing differently than we were three decades ago?

Kelley D. Hamilton:  Diet, exercise, and less stress have been shown to be quite effective in living a longer, healthier life. Perhaps people finally realized that and changed their habits accordingly.

Interviewing Experts: Does attitude factor in living longer?

Kelley D. Hamilton:  I believe so. I once heard a man who was forced into retirement say that now he was just sitting around waiting to die.

Interviewing Experts: That’s terrible!

Kelley D. Hamilton:  Yes it is, and unhealthy in so many ways. We at Bonaventure encourage our residents to find a new focus after retirement and live life to its fullest potential.

Interviewing Experts: And you think that makes a difference…

Kelley D. Hamilton:  Most definitely. Age is just a number. Think younger! Try something new.

Interviewing Experts: Like what, for instance?

Kelley D. Hamilton:  Well for starters, we encourage Bonaventure residents to challenge their minds. Get that college degree or start a new career around a well-loved hobby. Become a techie.

Interviewing Experts: A techie?

Kelley D. Hamilton:   Yes. A poll of U.S. centenarians showed that many get online to stay connected to friends, family, and current events. It makes them feel relevant in today’s world.

Interviewing Experts: So are you saying that seniors now use e-mail instead of snail mail?

Kelley D. Hamilton:  The number of senior adults who keep up with the latest technology is growing. E-mail, Facebook, Twitter, and Skype help seniors stay involved socially and keep their minds agile.

Interviewing Experts: But doesn’t that mean seniors will withdraw from daily life?

Kelley D. Hamilton:   Not at all. When they discover they can google lost friends and make new ones, it opens up a whole new world. It gives them something relevant to bring to their social interactions.

Interviewing Experts: So to recap, what are some characteristics that would make a person more likely to live longer?

Kelley D. Hamilton:  Healthy, happy ones! So, eat healthy, exercise, and be happy. Strive to be optimistic and don’t stress over the small things.

Interviewing Experts: Switching gears a bit, can you tell us who is the longest living person ever documented?

Kelley D. Hamilton:  A French woman named Jeanne Calment holds that honor. She was 122 years (and her age was verified) when she died in 1997.

Interviewing Experts: She must have been very healthy. Did she remain active throughout her life?

Kelley D. Hamilton:  She did. Ms. Calment took up fencing at age 85 and was still riding a bicycle at 100. She lived on her own until she was 101.

Interviewing Experts: Do centenarians have certain things in common that help them live longer?

Kelley D. Hamilton:  They are rarely overweight, exercise regularly, eat very little meat, and spend a lot of time with their family and friends.

Interviewing Experts: What about genetics? How much do good genes play in achieving the age of 100?

Kelley D. Hamilton:  Genetics play a significant role in longevity, but it isn’t the major factor. One study showed that attaining centenarian status was 20% to 30% genes and 70% to 80% environment.

Interviewing Experts: What country has the highest population of centenarians, and why?

Kelley D. Hamilton:  Okinawa, Japan. Okinawa’s citizens eat very little meat and dairy. Their diet is filled with fish, vegetables, and whole grain foods.

Interviewing Experts: What is the biggest obstacle in reaching centenarian status in the U.S?

Kelley D. Hamilton:  Well, if I had to pick just one, it would be obesity. Obesity contributes to a number of deadly diseases. Life expectancy has seen a dramatic increase in the last century and half because of advances in medicine and better nutrition, but some experts predict that those rates will decrease if the U.S. population continues to become more obese.
Kelley D. Hamilton is passionate about offering senior adults the best in assisted living and retirement accommodations. Bonaventure communities can be found in the Western United States. For more information, visit RetirementPerfected.com.

Filed Under: Professionals Tagged With: , , , , ,

YOR Health Embraces Simple, Yet Effective, Philosophy

April 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment
YOR Health

YOR Health

With a mission that puts people first, YOR Health is taking the world by storm with its superior nutrition products that inspire customers to live a healthy lifestyle. From the company’s many engaging conferences to global fitness challenges, YOR Health reflects everyday how a company should interact with both customers and Independent Representatives (IRs). YOR Health was established in 2008.

Rapid World Changes

The global environment, according to YOR Health, places heavy demands on citizens. To survive, people must make smart choices about how they work, how they maintain health and how they use resources available to them. Whether it’s deciding how to make the best use of time, how to spend money, or planning for the future, it’s vital to make a smart choice or risk falling behind.

Fortunately, there is help. Today’s most innovative businesses – companies like YOR Health – are stepping in with smart solutions. YOR Health was founded with a smart premise: The old ways just don’t work anymore.  Rapid changes in the world of health, finance, technology and business are reshaping the world. This new world demands new approaches, says YOR Health.

YOR Health: Finding New Answers to Old Problems

Health provides a good example, explains the team at YOR Health. In the U.S. and elsewhere, the cost of conventional healthcare is outstripping the capacity to pay. Meanwhile, YOR Health points out that biotechnology advances are pushing aside yesterday’s knowledge about how the body works and the best way to keep it healthy, lean, energetic and strong.

When the founders of YOR Health decided to look for a simple nutritional solution to improve people’s overall health and wellbeing, they didn’t settle for established answers. The YOR Health visionaries searched for new solutions and went in a novel direction, towards digestive health. As it turns out, scientists have been discovering some very interesting things about the impact of digestion on general health, reports YOR Health.

The digestive system affects every other system in the body. It is responsible for feeding every cell in every organ, according to YOR Health. So feeling tired and having low energy may be the result of digestive issues, says YOR Health. Are you struggling with weight issues? Again, poor digestion could be the culprit.

Joint and muscle aches, many types of pain, and issues such as bloating, irregularity and indigestion may trace their source to the digestive tract, explains YOR Health. Where once we saw many discrete problems, such as obesity, chronic pain, and fatigue, each with their own separate solution, we now see one ultimate problem: poor digestion. And, that means one solution. YOR Health is the solution.

YOR Health: A Smart Solution

The YOR Health approach is smart. By focusing on digestion, YOR Health is able to address a multitude of issues. That is the beauty and the simplicity of the YOR Health products, which are designed to work for a wide range of people, and to support a wide variety of challenges. This is why everyone can benefit from YOR Health products.

Customers and IRs alike know it’s a relief to have one less thing to worry about and often feel smarter after making the YOR Health choice to improve digestive health and, at the same time, improve quality of life.

Whatever your challenges are, all that is needed is to plug into the YOR Health product system, and let YOR Health provide the answers. For more information, visit YOR Health online at yorhealth.com.

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , , ,

Tax Deadline Around the Corner: Are You Prepared?

April 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment

The middle of April brings a sense of dread for many people, and a sense of relief for others. Yes, smack dab in the middle of refreshing warm weather and blooming trees is the deadline for filing your income taxes. Some people look forward to getting a nice refund, while others may owe Uncle Sam a bit extra based on what they made over the past year. But one thing is for sure—being prepared long before the day arrives makes it go much more smoothly no matter what your tax outlook.

When you prepare to file taxes, the first step is to simply gather important records. The most important of these are W-2 forms, which you should receive from your employer either in the mail or via an online PDF printout. If you’re an independent contractor or not employed by a company in the traditional sense, you may need to fill out a 1099 form instead. Either way, these forms contain all the relevant information about the past year of employment, such as total earnings and withholding status.

Next, decide if you’ll use tax software like TurboTax, or enlist the help of private accountant or a tax service like H&R Block. These options have definite pros and cons. Filing by yourself can save you money, but it requires time and effort, and you may miss certain important deductions, which can cost more money in the long run. Tax software can streamline the process, but for taxpayers with large families, people who own a business or work from home, hiring a tax professional may be the best option.

Once you’ve made a decision on which route to take, it’s time to get the work done. Allow yourself—or your tax professional—ample time to complete the tax return. In other words, don’t wait until the night before! Once it is completed, take the time to look it over carefully. Are there any errors? Keep in mind that even tax professionals make mistakes from time to time—especially when they are under pressure as the deadline approaches—and a single mistake could end up costing you big money.

Filed Under: Finances