Simply Buckhead Magazine Archives - Page 2 of 2

Steve DiFillippo with Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse, Sharon Fisher with Sharon Fisher Events, Mark Shaver with Buckhead Paws

December 23, 2014 by angishields

Simply Buckhead Radio

Steve DiFillippo with Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse, Sharon Fisher with Sharon Fisher Events, Mark Shaver with Buckhead Paws

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Steve DiFillippo/Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse

Founder/Owner

“After 25 years I feel that I am just getting started.” says Davio’s Chef/CEO, Steve DiFillippo. At the age of 24, Steve purchased an established restaurant called Davio’s in Boston’s Back Bay. And this was the first in a succession of popular restaurants changing the concept to a Northern Italian Steakhouse. Steve is a graduate of Boston University and the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts. He is very involved in the community, serving on several non-profit boards. Steve is the honorary Chef representing the New England Patriots at the Taste of the NFL’s “Party with a Purpose” event at the SuperBowl.

In 2008, he was inducted into the Massachusetts Restaurant Hall of Fame. Steve lives in Wenham, MA, with his wife Pamela and their four children. He runs 4–5 miles a day, “so I can wrongfully delude myself that I can eat anything I want,” he says.

www.Davios.com | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook

https://twitter.com/daviosatlanta Twitter (Steve) @SteveDiFillippo

https://www.facebook.com/DaviosAtlanta

Sharon Fisher/Sharon Fisher Events

Founder/Owner

With over 25 years of experience planning full service events, Sharon is one of the most respected event planners in the Southeast. Specializing in weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, social and corporate events, Sharon has produced events for many celebrities, major sporting events and every day people looking to make their occasions special. With relationships with many of the respected vendors in town, Sharon is able to negotiate rates and details that are not available to the general public. She has flawless attention to detail and works with each client to make their day the most special! She and her events are regularly featured in major publications and most recently she appeared as the event planner on the TLC Reality show, The Sisterhood.

http://www.SharonFisherEvents.com

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/sharon-fisher/18/513/1b2/en

Tweets by SFisherEvents

https://www.facebook.com/SharonFisherEvents

Mark Shaver/Buckhead Paws

I had a long career as a corporate executive, working with Coca-Cola, Baskin Robbins, and RJ Reynolds. An interesting twist to that career is that I spent 15 years of it living and working overseas, including general management assignments in Seoul, Korea; Lahore, Pakistan; and Moscow, Russia. I returned to the States in 2004, settling here in Atlanta. The reason I chose Atlanta was pretty much the Chamber of Commerce reasons: cost of living; climate; good people; great airport; opportunity.

In my last corporate role, as General Manager of Country Operations for Reynolds, I was in charge of a business unit doing $500 million in annual revenue and oversaw about 800 people in 22 different offices across Russia. It was a big job, demanding and exciting. And that afforded me the opportunity to travel the breadth of Russia. But what I’m doing now with Buckhead Paws is so much more personally rewarding: we get to take care of critters; we’re able to be of service to our clients; and we help 11 people earn a living. We get to be outdoors and taking care of pets is a great way to meet new people.

www.BuckheadPaws.com Linkedin Twitter Facebook

John Plesnarski with Eighteen Eight Fine Men’s Salons, Drew French with Your Pie, Dr. Tim Kelly with Buckhead Wellness Center, Trisha Cornett with Diptyque, Danielle Rollins

December 16, 2014 by angishields

Simply Buckhead Radio

John Plesnarski with Eighteen Eight Fine Men's Salons, Drew French with Your Pie, Dr. Tim Kelly with Buckhead Wellness Center, Trisha Cornett with Diptyque, Danielle Rollins

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John “Skip” Plesnarski/Eighteen Eight Fine Men’s Salons

Franchisee Owner Operator

John Plesnarski is President and Owner of Plezco, Inc. He has recently invested in Eighteen Eight, a franchise which provides Hair Styling and Grooming Services for Men. He owns the territory rights in Atlanta which he plans on developing over the next three years.

John retired from corporate America in 2012. He is an accomplished Senior Supply Chain Leader with a wide breadth of global experience at Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE:KMB). John began his career in Finance and moved to several business Operations leadership roles. He spent the majority of his career leading a Global Supply Chain organization which supported the Safety Business Unit in the contract manufacturing, importing and distribution of personal protective equipment.

As Director of Global Supply Chain, John was responsible for vendor management in Mexico, Malaysia, Thailand and China. He also led a shared services organization which included Logistics, Customer Service, Information Systems, Sourcing and Supply and worked closely with the Sales organization to support customer expectations. John was instrumental in the successful expansion of contract manufacturing footprints to support sales growth around the world.

John has been recognized for his expertise in organizational development, strategic planning, operations, and the ability to develop successful leaders. This unique combination of experience and skill set has enabled him to achieve success across the entire organization to meet business objectives in all key areas.

www.EighteenEight.com | Twitter | Facebook

Drew French/Your Pie

Founder

Like every pizza lover, Drew French wants his own pie, his own way. Drews passion turned into an obsession while he and his wife were honeymooning in Ischia (pronounced: eesh – Key – ah), Italy. Thats where he received his first taste of authentic Italian brick-oven pizza. In 2008, Drew created Your Pie. It was the very first down-the-line, fast-casual pizza concept where customers select their own type of crust, sauce, cheese and toppings and watch the pizza bake in front of them. Today Your Pie is one of the fastest growing pizza concepts with 21 locations.

www.YourPie.com | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Dr. Tim Kelly/Buckhead Wellness Center

Founder/Owner

Chiropractor in Buckhead for almost 30 years, specializing in Applied-Kinesiology, nutritional wellness, gentle non-force chiropractic.

www.DrTimKelly.net | LinkedIn | YouTube

Trisha Cornett/Diptyque

Boutique Manager

Boutique Manager of Diptyque at Buckhead Atlanta. I’ve worked for Diptyque for 3 years now, in the cosmetic/fragrance industry for over 10 years. Prior to Diptyque I ran the cosmetic/fragrance department at Nordstrom in Nashville, Tennessee. I opened the very first Diptyque counter inside of a Nordstrom department store. I’ve trained with Diptyque Paris in New York several times, working at the Bleeker Street, Nolita & Madison Avenue Boutiques. I’m Nationally fragranced certified with a stellar nose! Diptyque is very dear to me & something

I stand behind as a consumer.

www.diptyque.com

Danielle Rollins

Author/Speaker

Author of bestseller, Soirée Entertaining with Style, (Rizzoli 2012), contributing editor for Veranda and writer for her own website, DanielleDRollins.com, Danielle Rollins has become one of the nations leading lifestyle experts. Designer, sought-out speaker, and mother of three, Rollins has been featured on national and local television, radio, print and websites.

www.DanielleDRollins.com | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Jason Sanders and Linda Torres with The Ritz Carlton Buckhead, Dedrick Thomas with Hideoki Bespoke, Rushia Brown with Women’s Professional Basketball Alumnae, Ashley Harris with Bark Fifth Ave

December 9, 2014 by angishields

Simply Buckhead Radio

Jason Sanders and Linda Torres with The Ritz Carlton Buckhead, Dedrick Thomas with Hideoki Bespoke, Rushia Brown with Women's Professional Basketball Alumnae, Ashley Harris with Bark Fifth Ave

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Linda Torres/The Ritz Carlton, Buckhead

Sommelier

Sommelier Linda Torres selects the wines poured throughout the hotel, from The Café, Lobby Lounge, Wine Bar and Club Lounge, to wedding receptions and parties. She demonstrates a masterful talent for pairing wines with the Modern American cuisine in The Café, and infuses the list of wines-by-the-glass in The Lobby Lounge with the delightfully unexpected. Ms. Torress fine expertise and polished style is evident in her management of the hotels wine cellar which has been renowned for more than a quarter-century. She has successfully completed her Court of Masters certified exam in 2009 and is currently working toward her advanced.

www.RitzCarlton.com/Buckhead | Twitter | Facebook

Jason Sanders/The Ritz Carlton Buckhead

Director of Food and Beverage

Jason is the Director of Food and Beverage for The Ritz Carlton Buckhead

www.RitzCarlton.com/Buckhead | Twitter | Facebook

Dedrick Thomas/Hideoki Bespoke

Owner/Founder

www.HideokiBespoke.com | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Rushia Brown/Women’s Professional Basketball Alumnae

Founder and President

Rushia Brown, an entrepreneur that has come from the ranks of professional sport. Rushia played 17 seasons of professional basketball (7yrs in WNBA AND 10 in Europe). Since retirement Rushia has spent quality time in the community.

www.RushiaBrown.com | Twitter | Facebook

Ashley Harris/Bark Fifth Ave

Founder and Owner

Ashley Daniele, a Florida native and successful fashion model since age four has been making headlines with her new business venture. Ashley is CEO of Bark Fifth Ave., LLC an online luxury dog boutique. With Ashleys strong passion for fashion and of course her passion for dogs, she created a world where upscale pet owners can treat their four-legged family members to only the best in fashion, travel, and accessories. Walking runways and dressing up animals is something Ashley has been doing since childhood. Today, she serves as CEO of Bark Fifth Ave and current fashion model with CLICK models.

www.BarkFifthAve.com | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Sally Larsen with Sally B’s Skin Yummies, Sara Hanna with Sara Hanna Photography, Laura Potter with Sprinkles Cupcakes of Atlanta

December 2, 2014 by angishields

Simply Buckhead Radio

Sally Larsen with Sally B's Skin Yummies, Sara Hanna with Sara Hanna Photography, Laura Potter with Sprinkles Cupcakes of Atlanta

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Laura Potter, Sara Hanna, Sally Larsen, Joanne Hayes (Host)

Sally Larsen/ Sally B’s Skin Yummies

Owner, Formulator

Sally Larsen is a native to Atlanta and Buckhead. She is the owner and formulator at Sally B’s Skin Yummies where they manufacture and sell skin care products made with certified organic ingredients. She started Sally B’s Skin Yummies in 2005 after an aha moment about how our skin care products and personal care products affect out health

www.salybskinyumies.com | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Sara Hanna/Sara Hanna Photography

Owner

Commercial, editorial, celebrity, and portrait photographer located in the heart of Buckhead.

www.sarahanna.com | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

Laura Potter/Sprinkles Cupcakes & Ice Cream in Atlanta

General Manager

www.sprinkles.com | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Niko Karatassos with Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, Mary Kathryn Wells with Buckhead Atlanta, Jamie Bodner with Pinnacle Fitness, Dr. Tejal Lalaji with The Womans Imaging Group

November 25, 2014 by angishields

Simply Buckhead Radio

Niko Karatassos with Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, Mary Kathryn Wells with Buckhead Atlanta, Jamie Bodner with Pinnacle Fitness, Dr. Tejal Lalaji with The Womans Imaging Group

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Simply Buckhead Radio 11-25-14 Group 2 — Mary Kathryn Wells, Jamie Bodner, Tejal Lalaji, Niko Karatassos, Joanne Hayes (Host)

Niko Karatassos/ Buckhead Life Restaurant Group

President and COO

Dining in any of the Buckhead restaurants is an experience to be savored. Each has its own style, atmosphere and flavor. Yet they all share one quality: a comfortable dining experience at a terrific value, unlike any other. We look forward to serving you soon. As in the beginning, what distinguishes Buckhead Life today is an all-consuming devotion to both food and guest. Imaginative menus composed by elite chefs delight and surprise, artfully mixing the classic and exotic. Gracious, impeccable service, perennially praised in a variety of publications, leaves patrons feeling as though theirs is the only table in the room. The History of Buckhead Life Restaurant Group: “A Thousand Little Things” On his philosophy for success, Pano has said, “Running a restaurant is not one big thing. It is a thousand little things.” Which is the reason each night, in every restaurant, it is a thousand little things that make the Buckhead Life experience unlike any other. 25 years and 12 internationally renowned restaurants later, the name Pano Karatassos rings synonymous with upscale Atlanta dining of every flavor. While CHOPS, PRICCI and VENI VIDI VICI mirror the dark-wooded, traditional sensibilities of forbearer PANO’S & PAUL’S, nouveau concepts such as KYMA and BLUEPOINTE dazzle with superstylish surrounds and chic, clubby vibes. For business or pleasure, Buckhead Life offers a destination perfect for any appetite, mood and occasion. Pano Karatassos did not set out to build a dynasty. Yet, starting with a passion for food, a pioneering spirit, and a now-famous hideaway in the heart of Old Buckhead, he would launch the company – and culinary renaissance – that put Atlanta’s restaurant scene on the map. Low-lit, velvet-draped and awash in Old World charm, PANO’S & PAUL’S debuted in 1979 to the acclaim of critics and locals alike. The shared vision of Pano and longtime friend, Chef Paul Albrecht, PANO’S & PAUL’S would defy fine-dining convention with a blend of casual sophistication and innovative gourmet fare. An instant landmark, it was little wonder that PANO’S & PAUL’S, the first Buckhead Life restaurant, would be far from the last.

www.BuckheadRestaurants.com Twitter Facebook YouTube Instagram

Dr. Tejal Lalaji/The Womans Imaging Group (WIG)

Tejal M. Lalaji, M.D. is a subspecialty radiologist in breast imaging and has been with The Radiology Group since 2006. She earned her medical degree from St. George’s University and completed her radiology residency at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn Heights and Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital. She completed her fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta. Her residency and fellowship focused on neuroradiology, head and neck imaging, and breast imaging. Dr. T. Lalaji, M.D. is MQSA certified and has over 10 years of experience in the field of mammography. She is trained in Breast MRI and passionate about women’s imaging.

www.wigmammo.com Facebook

Jamie Bodner/Pinnacle Fitness

Owner and Fitness design expert

Jamie Bodner. Jamie’s love for fitness, weight training, and health began at a young age. He realized he could finally be in-shape like those around him by taking care of himself through exercising and eating right. He started reading every book and magazine he could and working out every moment he was able. Once he started, it quickly became a passion and it opened up a new world and way of life for him. Growing up in New York, Jamie always expected to go to college before settling into the corporate lifestyle. He never once thought about making his passion for fitness his career. Still, while he was working his way up the corporate ladder at the World Trade Center, he never felt one hundred percent fulfilled. After 9/11, Jamie decided to follow his dream to fruition. Studying with the renowned Dr. Jack Barnathan, owner and founder of NYStrength, a worldwide leader in health, fitness, strength, and conditioning, he became a certified Fitness trainer with the International Sports Science Association (ISSA). He then moved to Miami and began his fitness career working for Bally’s initially as a trainer before then to assistant manager. He was later recruited by Results Fitness Studio for the head trainer position. During his time at Results Fitness, he also worked with the United Teaches of Dade County (UTD)creating and implementing dynamic fitness programs which resulted in a 90% increase in productivity, lower insurance premiums, and a raised level of moral. In 2005, Jamie and his wife, Laura, relocated to Laura’s hometown of Atlanta where Jamie set about realizing his lifelong goal: opening his own fitness studio. After thinking of the name and discovering the perfect location, Pinnacle Fitness opened in May 2008 in the heart of Buckhead. Since his first certification, he has continued to obtain additional certifications in Sports Performance such as Nutrition, Arthritis, Special Population and Sports Posifice Training, and Core/Functional Training. Jamie prides himself on understanding his clients’ needs and desires and seeing their potential. Jamie has worked with every type of client across the spectrum, from people in their late sixties who had never used free weights to high school athletes to improve their performance. No matter what fitness level, he will design a program that will suit your needs, whether it’s to make everyday activities easier or to make you a stronger competitive athlete. Jamie will always encourage you, pulling your inner strength out with a smile. Along with instructing you on the gym floor, he will also share with you the latest research he finds on nutrition and health. A healthy lifestyle doesn’t start or stop in the gym; he wants you to have the tools you need to reach your goals. He asks every client, “You know you are doing your best when you are here at Pinnacle for your workout. Are you doing the best outside of the gym?” Jamie will ensure that you will. Having been overweight as a child at the age of twelve, Jamie fully understand the difficulties and humiliation that is faced daily by those who are overweight and out-of-shape. That’s why Jamies first became interested in fitness, weight training, and health – and that’s why Jamie can be your special advoicate in finally geting yourself in-shape.

www.PinnacleFitnessGym.com Twitter Facebook

Mary Kathryn Wells/Buckhead Atlanta

Director of Marketing

What is Buckhead Atlanta? Buckhead Atlanta is a 1.5 million-square-foot mixed-use neighborhood covering six city blocks and eight acres in the heart of the Buckhead Village. The project features in its first phase 370 high-end apartments, luxury retail and dining and office space that will include the headquarters of shapewear company Spanx. Planning for a second phase is in the works. The project started its life as the Streets of Buckhead, a $1 billion-plus mini-city atop Buckhead former rowdy bar scene, that also veered heavily toward world-class luxury retail. It also included plans for ritzy hotels and residences. That project stalled after the recession started, and California-based OliverMcMillan took over at the end of 2010 and restarted the project on a smaller, but still ambitious scale.

www.Buckhead-ATL.com Twitter Facebook Instagram Pinterest

Justice Nwaigwe with Wells Fargo and Atlanta Fire Foundation, Kim Painter Chesney with Diversity Earth, Janet Page Author

November 18, 2014 by angishields

Simply Buckhead Radio

Justice Nwaigwe with Wells Fargo and Atlanta Fire Foundation, Kim Painter Chesney with Diversity Earth, Janet Page Author

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Joanne Hayes (Host), Kim Painter Chesney, Janet Page, Justice Nwaigwe

Justice Nwaigwe/Wells Fargo and Atlanta Fire Foundation

District Manager and AFF Board Member

Justice began his career in the financial services industry in the year 2000. Working for Direct Merchant Bank in Texas he was able to learn about consumer and business credit lending. Intrigued by credit management he began facilitating training classes around establishing personal credit and managing a budget. Justice then went into the United States Air Force to serve as an active duty helicopter flight engineer. Justice’s last duty station was Kirkland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After exiting active duty military, Justice went back to finance where he worked for Citibank as a loan officer. Two years at Citibank took Justice from unsecured lending, to business credit, and finally to management. Wells Fargo bank reached out to Justice and offered him an opportunity to become a Branch Manager. Over the last 6 years with Wells Fargo bank Justice has managed 7 branches in 4 different regions and is now the District Manager for Buckhead in Atlanta, Georgia. Justice is responsible for 552 million dollars in deposits and manages 74 employees. Volunteerism has always been a consistent part of Justice’s professional career as he’s logged over 300 volunteer hours with Wells Fargo. Habitat for humanity, Susan G. Komen breast cancer walk, Aids walk Atlanta, and United Way have been a few of the organizations that he participates in every year.

www.WelsFargo.com www.atlff.org Twitter Facebook

Kim Painter Chesney/Diversity Earth

Artist

Kim brings commitment, enthusiasm and energy to everything to which she jumps on board. As an artist, she has studied in several mediums including oil, watercolor and graphite. Currently, she is immersed in developing her own brand of encaustic painting, in which the works are both sculpted and painted. The encaustic process is an ancient hot wax technique known to have been used prior to 100 A.D. Using photographs of her travels around the world, Kim mounts the image on boards, spreads a combination of hot beeswax and resin onto its surface. She then fires up her blow torch and fuses the wax to the image. Using sculpting tools to etch into the cooled surface and then covering this with a colorful mix of oil pastel, creates a unique, rare piece of art. She began showing her work since 2008 and has gained recognition and won awards for her paintings, which hang in a number of private collections. Her work has been featured in several local publications. Kim has studied with acclaimed artists/instructors, among them, Marc Chatov, Jerry Fresia, Joe Paquet, James Richards and Terry Miura. Born with the name of Painter, Kim Painter Chesney was destined to become an artist. With years of working, child-rearing and fund-raising for child-related nonprofit organizations, there is no task too big for Kim to tackle. Her biggest joy to date is being a match for a bone marrow harvest, saving the life of a gentleman with leukemia. Kim’s creative juices are always flowing, from developing a culinary arts program for impoverished kids to donating art to charities and designing and running fundraising events that are wildly successful. Having lived in Asia and in multiple regions in the USA, Kim believes, “Art is a universal language, that unites us both spiritually and historically. That belief is directing her current work on a major series of encaustic paintings exploring and celebrating common humanity, drawn from her experiences across six continents.

www.KimPainterChesney.com

Dr. Janet Page

Psychotherapist, Author, Speaker

Janet Page, PH.D., is a psychotherapist in private practice working with individuals, couples, and groups 30 years in New York City and Atlanta. She has been featured extensively in the media including appearances on CNN, FOX, The Early Show, Salle Jesse Raphael, The Roseanne Show, and Hour Magazine, and articles in The Ladies Home Journal, Glamour Magazine, The New York Times, New York Magazine, New York Daily News, Atlanta Magazine, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Self Magazine, and L.A. Singles. She speaks to audiences around the country about how to win at marriage, building intimacy, and achieving excellence in business and professional relationships. For fourteen years, she was “Noonday” psychotherapist on NBC WXIA TV’s popular news show, and later joined “Peachtree Morning” and “Good For Parents”. For 22 years, she taught “I Will Be Married In A Year” Dr. Page is currently teaching “ The Sexiest Years: Romance from Forty to Forever”, How to Find your Perfect Mate”, and “Eat, Love, Live”.

www.DrJanetPage.com Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Rosina Seydel with Dorsey Alston Realtors, Jessica Camerata with My Style Vita, Sandra Grimaldi Recording Artist

November 11, 2014 by angishields

Simply Buckhead Radio

Rosina Seydel with Dorsey Alston Realtors, Jessica Camerata with My Style Vita, Sandra Grimaldi Recording Artist

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Sandra Grimaldi, Jessica Camerata, Rosina Seydel, Joanne Hayes (Host)

Rosina Seydel/Dorsey Alston Realtors

Realtor

Founded in 1947 by prominent Atlanta’s Roy Dorsey and Robert Alston, Dorsey Alston has a distinguished legacy of real estate service. For 65 years, generations of clients have trusted Dorsey Alston to represent them with integrity, discretion and professionalism. Working with fine properties in Atlanta, Alpharetta, Ansley Park, Brookhaven, Brookwood Hills, Buckhead, Dunwoody, East Cobb, Marietta, Roswell, Sandy Springs and Vinings, our commitment to providing the highest quality of client service and market knowledge is legendary. Our agents often uncover hidden gems overlooked by other Realtors who lack our insider access to Atlanta’s best addresses. The Atlanta real estate market is competitive and complex. School districts, city and county taxes, neighborhood trends and location are all factors in making successful real estate decisions. In guiding buyers and sellers, there is no substitute for experience. Dorsey Alston associates are among the most experienced and accomplished people in Atlanta real estate. On average, our agents have more than 14 years of experience. Dorsey Alston agents have access to all of the tools necessary to help our buyers and sellers understand the complexities of the Atlanta real estate marketplace and beyond. While we are proud of being locally owned and managed, Dorsey Alston has expanded its reach far beyond Atlanta and our region. Our affiliations with Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate and LuxuryRealEstate.com give us a global presence which includes a partnership with 1,641 outstanding luxury real estate firms with more than 120,000 sales associates throughout the United States and 65 other countries.

LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Jessica Camerata/My Style Vita

Founder

Jessica is a fashion and lifestyle blogger behind My Style Vita where she shares her daily looks, beauty favorites, home decor inspiration and easy recipes. My Style Vita (vita is Italian for life!). My little space in the world wide web where I share my Outfit du Jours and random stories with the world. And yes, that’s Pork my Boston Terrier, she says hi too! MSV got started when I wanted to pursue a new career in writing and fashion. My previous job in a very conservative corporate America atmosphere had me itching for something that I was passionate about. What really got the fire under my butt was getting reprimanded several times for “offensive” outfits at the old 9-5. A little nudge and push from friends and family and My Style Vita was born. MSV is to be quite literal, My Style “life”, which is everything from fashion, food to decor. I’m really just a girl, trying to figure out what the hell I’m going to wear today. You’ll find lots of fashion and wardrobe tips on how to make the best use out of your closet as well as easy recipes and home decor inspiration. In addition to MSV, I am also the co-founder of Southern Blog Society, a community of Southern lifestyle bloggers. This is a great place for bloggers and the resources that help make blogs successful to network and build as a community. Apply to be a member of this community here. I hope you stay a while and check out my Outfit du Jours!

mystylevita.com LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Sandra Grimaldi

Singer, Model

Sandra was always told to have a backup plan, “just in case” her dreams fell through. Well, she has always been, and still is, a dreamer. At a young age, Sandra was exposed to idols like Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Prince and Stevie Wonder and her passion for music exploded! She began singing her heart out and writing songs very early on but learned quickly that she had to create her own opportunities. By high school she began putting herself in music, dance, and acting lessons and then went on to study Music Business in college.

Her determination and ability to take challenges head-on led her to Atlanta, in 2008, after signing with a local independent music company that discovered her in NY. While working on her first independent record straight out of college, she decided to make Atlanta her temporary home making the move here in January 2009. Sandra has performed on TV, at MLB stadiums, at renowned convention centers and arenas, and has shared the stage with artists such as the OJs, Diana Ross, Pat Benetar, Train, Tone Loc and many many more!

Sandra recently spent 4 years performing and touring with top bands both nationally and internationally. Although born and raised in NY, she has marked new territory in the state of Georgia over the last 5 1/2 years and the Peach State is no longer just her “temporary home”. After marrying her GA bred beau, she competed as Mrs. Atlanta United States in the Mrs. Georgia State Pageant and was crowned as the 2013 state title holder, Mrs. Georgia United States 2013. She went on to compete for the national title, Mrs. United States, in July 2013 and was a top 10 finalist. During her reign Sandra spent time raising awareness and fundraising for her platform cause, the SADS (Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes) foundation, who she has been an avid supporter of since suddenly losing her best friend 6 years ago to a SADS condition (www.SADS.org) She also helped raise awareness and thousands of dollars for several other organizations throughout the state of GA.

In 2013, Sandra was recognized at the Georgia State Capitol and awarded with a Certificate of Resolution by the House of Representatives for her charitable work within her community. Also recently, Sandra and her husband, Chris Cauley, were featured as 2 of Atlanta’s 50 Most Beautiful and were also recognized for their charitable works, as well as their talents, by Jezebel Magazine.

Sandra, who works as a model, singer, is an enterprising and forward-thinking artist. She intends to use every avenue possible as a state ambassador to raise awareness and do good in the community, and to seek out opportunities in the pursuit of her musical dreams and the happiness of those around her.

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Joanne Hayes/Simply Buckhead Magazine (Show Host)

Publisher /Founder

Publisher and Founder of Simply Buckhead Magazine, launched in 2010. More than 18 years in the industry, worked for Journal Register Company (owners of 377 weeklies and dailies across the country), for 12 years, then as Marketing Director for SO RI Magazine, launched in 2007 at Providence Media, for 3 years, before moving to Atlanta. Without knowing a single person here, we spent 8 months in early 2010 researching and educating ourselves on the Atlanta media landscape before launching. As the fastest-growing publication in Atlanta, we are very excited to collaborate with many local businesses and Buckhead and Brookhaven residents, bringing to the readers unique stories that continue to keep them seeking us out. My specialty is building long-term relationships, educating clients, and helping businesses grow through advertising and editorial opportunities.

LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Sean Weatherspoon with Atlanta Falcons and Spoonful of Hope Foundation, Kristin Connor with CURE Childhood Cancer, Michele Stumpe with Taylor English and Children of Conservation, Joanne Hayes with Simply Buckhead

November 4, 2014 by angishields

Simply Buckhead Radio

Sean Weatherspoon with Atlanta Falcons and Spoonful of Hope Foundation, Kristin Connor with CURE Childhood Cancer, Michele Stumpe with Taylor English and Children of Conservation, Joanne Hayes with Simply Buckhead

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Michele Stumpe, Kristin Connor, Sean Weatherspoon, Joanne Hayes (Show Host)

Sean Weatherspoon/Atlanta Falcons

Spoonful of Hope Foundation

The mission of the Sean Weatherspoon’s SPOONful of Hope Foundation is to provide low income and inner-city youth with opportunities and resources to reach their full potential. The goal of the Sean Weatherspoon’s SPOONful of Hope Foundation is to impact the lives of more than 150,000 at-risk Atlanta-area youth.

SeanWeatherspoon.org Twitter Facebook

Kristin Connor/CURE Childhood Cancer

Executive Director

Kristin Connor joined CURE Childhood Cancer in March 2006 as Executive Director after a personal experience with childhood cancer changed and redirected her life. Kristin’s second son was diagnosed in Oct 2001 at a month old with an aggressive form of childhood cancer called neuroblastoma.

The suffering of children and families at the hands of childhood cancer caused her to leave her law practice and take the reins at CURE Childhood Cancer. Kristin graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1991 with a B.A. in International Studies. She attended law school at University of Georgia and graduated with a J.D. in 1994. She practiced law at Arnall Golden Gregory until 2004 when she took a leave of absence to work as Senior Vice President of Community and Business Development at a national childhood cancer nonprofit. She joined CURE as Executive Director in 2006. Under Kristin’s leadership, CURE has experienced 400% growth in revenue, allowing the organization to grow its investment in childhood cancer research and patient and family services, refocused its mission, rebranded the organization, established a strong Scientific Advisory Board and strengthened board leadership. Kristin is a strong advocate for strategic collaborations and seeks out opportunities to work with other mission driven organizations to further the goal of eradicating childhood cancer in our lifetime and supporting the critical and urgent needs of patients and their families.

CureChildhoodCancer.org LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Michele Stumpe/Partner Taylor English

Co-founder Children of Conservation

Children of Conservation takes a global approach towards wildlife conservation in third world countries. Our projects are designed to have immediate but long-lasting impact. We focus, not only on the animals themselves, but also on the education and well being of the people fighting for their protection and the people in the communities surrounding their habitats.