Style + Beauty

Shining in the Spotlight

A Taylor Swift-Inspired Confidence Boost Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by MuSen Photos by Karen Kwong Photography has the power to tell a story, and for Karen Kwong, it’s a tool for inspiring confidence in young girls. As the owner of Photography by MuSen, LLC, Kwong is on a mission to help girls find their voices through creative expression. One of her recent projects with our Publishers Daughters, a Taylor Swift-inspired photo shoot, was part of a national effort to celebrate...

Beauty

Curls, Confidence, and Community

How Hairitage Hair Lounge is Changing the Hair Game Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Dale Uborka and Jillian Spencer At Hairitage Hair Lounge, curls aren’t just styled—they’re celebrated. For owner Jessa Colon, every strand tells a story, and she’s on a mission to make sure curly-haired clients leave her salon feeling empowered, educated, and, most importantly, seen. Born in Puerto Rico and later moving to New Jersey, Colon was surrounded by a variety of hair textures, from sleek...

Style + Beauty

Crowning Confidence

Gina Mellish's Mission is Empowering Women to Find Their Voice—On and Off the Stage Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Jessielyn Palumbo Gina Mellish, crowned Miss New Jersey USA in 2020, didn’t have the typical pageant queen upbringing. In fact, she grew up as a self-described tomboy in Oceanport, NJ, and had no idea what the world of pageantry even looked like. Fast forward to today, and Mellish is not only a former titleholder but also an inspirational coach who has helped young...

Event Planning + Services

From Wildflowers to Florals

How House of Blooms Blossomed into a Business of Empowerment and Art Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Liz Polo - My Havana Photography On a warm summer afternoon, Lucy Sandler was captivated by the beauty of nature as she picked wildflowers for her mother. The colors and textures of the blooms left a lasting impression on her young heart. Dana Kane, meanwhile, found herself more focused on searching for four-leaf clovers and dandelions in the outfield during softball games rather...