Who Says You Can't Have Your Cake and Eat it Too?

Cosmetology students at Olympian University, 4501 N. Main St. in Roswell proved you can “have your cake and win it two, three times and more” when the school brought home the 2nd and 3rd place awards at a recent Educational Forum in Fort Worth, Texas.
Sweet Surprise was the theme for the second place winning entry and Queen of the Wild captured third place, both in the team category.

Cosmetology students Maritza Perez, Deja Riddle, Daniela Loya and model Heather Satterfield (also an Olympian University student) had 55 minutes in the arena to construct the hair and make up for their entry.



Satterfield, clad in a zebra-colored outfit, appeared to spring from a festively decorated three-layer birthday cake. But the crowning glory was in the model’s neon-colored tresses. Perez, Riddle and Loya fashioned gift boxes, party favors and other celebratory objects and covered them in hair so they appeared to be a part of the model’s tresses.

The third place entry featured a Queen of the Wild theme that incorporated elements from Aztec and Voodoo cultures in bewitching earth tones. Jessie Cadena, Crystal Gage and Debbie Lara also used body paint to design bones and other fetish designs on Yasmin Estrada’s exotic headdress.

Lara also competed in the bridal mannequin competition and placed fifth. Her entry featured an elegant and clean updo accompanied by soft and sophisticated makeup that would be the envy of today’s stylish brides.
“All of our students did an excellent job and demonstrated they could not only create an awesome project, but that they could be graceful under pressure,” said Kristi Eaton, an instructor at Olympian University who helped oversee the students at the Education Forum. “Our school in Roswell has a reputation for winning big at the Forum and we are proud of all of them.”

The contestants in all the competitions, three-person team, fantasy hair and bridal hair, were encouraged to pull out the stops on their themed entry and create a project that would wow the judges, spectators and fellow students. Each entry was judged based on creativity, originality, innovation, color and theme.

The three-person team category was performed on a live model and included a larger backdrop. The fantasy hair and bridal hair categories were performed on a mannequin. Another challenge of the three-person team event is the students must work cooperatively as a team.

Olympian University in Roswell is a cosmetology school that provides students with a distinguished environment that mirrors many of the upscale salons that will employ the students after they graduate and earn their cosmetology license.
For more information visit www.olympianuniversity.com or call the Roswell school at 575-623-6331.

Romancing the Stores for Valentine's Day

If you are looking for the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day, Cupid may be pointing his bow in the direction of the Village at Arrowhead Shopping Center, 20022 N. 67th Ave. in Glendale.

In addition to unique gifts that can be found, the shopping center itself provides a pleasant and enchanting experience for everyone in the family. The cobblestone-accentuated walkways, wrought-iron flourishes, faux stone accents and bubbling fountain are reminiscent of markets in France and Italy. February temperatures are generally mild at the center, however the outdoor misting system provides a comfortable atmosphere year-round for shoppers to stroll past each unique shop.

A French Country flair is evident from the rough-hewn, glass and wooden doors to the green umbrellas that provide shade and color to AJ’s popular bistro. Before shopping at the upscale grocery store for the perfect ingredients to prepare a romantic dinner with libations, customers can dine alfresco in AJ’s bistro or nibble on a delicious pastry or a variety of specialty chocolates.

Another delectable option is a rich, red, velvet cake with strawberry ganache ice cream from Cold Stone for only $33.30. Cakes should be ordered 24 to 48 hours in advance,however a variety of delightful desserts are always on hand. Other dining options in the Center include the popular Chipotle and Pei Wei Asian Diner.

For those who plan a romantic getaway to a resort or aboard a cruise liner either for Valentine’s Day or another holiday, a must-stop, shop destination is Fresh Picked where spring fashions in cool and comfy gauze by B’ Gauze and Fresh Produce are now in full bloom.

For Valentine’s Day, as well as those who love the color red all year round, apparel, jewelry and accessories in crimson and scarlet can be found at Chico’s, Pretty Please, Roka Boutique and Talbots. For those who prefer their wardrobe in black and white, The White House/Black Market offers a surprisingly vast selection of basic black and brilliant white, clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories.

In addition to jewelry and apparel, Francesca’s Collection also offers Valentine-themed gifts for the kitchen or bar including bar and cocktail glassware, wine toppers and flasks. For those who want a hint of color in the latest spring hues, chunky, stone necklaces in mint and peach are a popular choice.

For those romantic outdoor dinners and leisurely evenings outdoors, Today’s Pool & Patio offers perky, red pots of poppies for $17.99, as well as ruby-colored glassware, serving dishes and outdoor accents such as pillows that come in Valentine red as well as a rainbow of other colors and prints.

Men will not be ignored during this romantic season. Jos. A. Bank Clothiers offers suits, dress suits, sports coats, pants, ties, sportswear, outdoor wear, shoes and accessories in a variety of sizes including big and tall, to create ZZ Top’s version of a well-dressed man.

A stop into Robert & Jayson Miller Fine Jewelry provides dazzling accents for both men and women.

The store carries Revv, a sophisticated line of men’s rings, bracelets and other accessories in titanium, ceramic and tungsten. The titanium and tungsten options are especially popular for the active gentleman on your Valentine’s Day list. Of course women will want to make a purchase or two for themselves with beautiful baubles that range from $30 for everyday wear to exquisite items that cost thousands of dollars.

For our furry or feathered loved ones, Choice Pet Markets offers natural, organic and holistic foods, as well as toys, clothing and more to make every day a special occasion for our beloved pets.

The Village at Arrowhead also offers an array of amenities to make both men and women feel like a million dollars with services provided by Rolf’s Salon, European Wax Center, Medi Weightloss Clinics and the Nail Depot. The friendly and convenient Compass Bank BBVA is also a mainstay for the center.

The UPS Store also helps shoppers save money now through Valentine’s Day by offering 10% off in-store products and shipping. With more than an estimated 150 million Valentine’s Day cards expected to go through the mail for Cupid’s holiday, shoppers are encouraged to mail their gifts early. However, for those who are in a time crunch, next-day air shipping is always an option.

“Whether it’s Valentine’s Day or just another day, the Village at Arrowhead Shopping Center is so much more than just a place to shop,” said Mary Walker, marketing coordinator for the Glendale shopping center and president of Power Promotions. “It’s like Arizona’s version of a European piazza where friends and family can take a break from their hectic life and enjoy life.”

The shopping center has been a hub of activity and the sponsor of numerous free community events that collect food for local food banks, as well as sleeping bags for homeless veterans. Recent past events include: Carriage Rides with Santa

and the Music at the Village Concert Series. The spring Music at the Village concert series will begin April 5.
The Village at Arrowhead offers specialty shops that provide the ultimate shopping experience with distinctive fashion, home furnishings, restaurants and personal services in one of one of the most architecturally unique and aesthetically pleasing shopping centers around.
The shopping center is located on the southwest corner of 67th Avenue at the Loop 101. For more information contact Marks Public Relations at 480-664-3004.


THE VILLAGE AT ARROWHEAD MERCHANTS
20022 N. 67TH Ave., Glendale, AZ 85308

AJ’s Fine Foods 623-537-2300
Chico’s 623-825-6077
Chipotle 623-240-1289
Choice Pet Market 623-937-4444
Cold Stone 623-566-9400
Compass Bank BBVA 623-537-3100
European Wax Center 623-572-2800
Francesca’s Collection 623-376-2555
Fresh Picked 623-561-1120
Jos. A. Bank Clothiers 623-566-7196
Medi Weightloss Clinics 623-825-7931
Nail Depot 623-376-9197
Pei Wei Asian Diner 623-825-9949
Pretty Please 623-561-2135
Robert & Jayson Miller 623-376-6344
Fine Jewelry
Rolf’s Salon 623-537-2223
Roka Boutique 623-537-3500
Talbots 623-566-2895
The UPS Store 623-561-6475
Today’s Pool & Patio 623-344-5000
The White House 623-572-0710
Black Market

My Frugal Little Valentine

Valentine's Day is a chick's holiday. Sure the guys go along with it, but for the most part it's the women who do the shopping. I was recently at a friend's house and my guy friend, Tomo, asked if Valentine's Day was Feb. 16. His sister informed him of the correct date in plenty of time for him to get his main squeeze a gift in time.

While it is always nice to receive candy, jewelry, flowers and other goodies from our sweetie, one must always remember that we need to be our own best friend. That may require a bit of shopping.

And shopping can be hard work.

Therefore, I suggest to my readers in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Florida to check out the following pamper package.

http://www.prlog.org/12068168-arizona-valentines-enjoy-pampering-for-less-at-international-academy-of-hair-design.html

I offer this shameless self-promotion of my favorite client not only because I AM a public relations person and this is MY blog, but also because it is important to nurture yourself.

One of the best things you can do for yourself (other than the pamper package mentioned above) is to erase negativity from your life. Here is an excerpt from our book, Erase Negativity and Embrace the Magic Within.

Rather than turning your focus on fixing someone else, you must look inward. This is not only limited to behaviors, but how you perceive yourself. You’ve heard it a million times, but it really is true. You need to learn to love yourself. You may think you do, but look at your words and actions. How do you treat yourself? Do you say negative things about how you look, act and think?

It is essential that you stop all critical self talk. Self negativity puts a grinding halt to success and happiness. Every time you say a disparaging remark about yourself your subconscious soaks it up like a sponge. Your brain cannot distinguish between self ridicule and an offhand “I was just kidding” remark. Whatever you say or think, the brain just takes it in. It’s a big “yes” machine. If you say, “I’m stupid,” it writes the “Yes, I’m stupid, program.” If you declare, “I will never be happy,” the message becomes fact and you will never be happy. The irony is that it isn’t your enemies who fling the majority of these toxic statements about. You do it to yourself.

If you had a magic genie that would give you what you want, what would you wish for? Would your wish be a bad marriage, constant pain and a cruel boss? Of course not! Then why give those messages to yourself?

Your wishes, good, bad or indifferent, become your brain’s programming. So why not try for something that will bring you joy? That does not mean that everything wonderful you wish for will instantly become reality. But if you surround yourself with positive thoughts and begin a course of action to achieve the things you want in life, you will move your life in a happier direction.

Loving yourself can be more difficult than loving someone else so why not send a little compassion inward and read Erase Negativity and Embrace the Magic Within? All you have to lose is a big, bunch of grouchiness (and $14.99 plus shipping.) If you are broke, but sincere about changing your life around, contact me and I'll let you know how you can read the book for free.

Here is our sincere wish for a happy Valentine's Day.

Sally and Jackie