JoAnn M. Romeo Aesthetics

Straddling the line between fall and winter, life and death, Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition. It is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints and martyrs; the holiday "All Saints' Day" incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as "all Hallows' Eve and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a secular, community-based event characterized by child-friendly activities such as trick-or-treating. In a number of countries around the world, as the days grow shorter and the nights get colder, people continue to usher in the winter season with gatherings, costumes, and sweet treats.

If you follow Angelina Jolie, and have read her mother and her story, you will appreciate this information and the importance of getting testing. A test to detect if you are at risk with breast cancer is the BRCA Test. When you are tested positive, you have a much higher risk for developing breast and/or ovarian cancer. Even if you practice a healthy lifestyle through nutrition, exercise, and other lifestyle choices, this outcome is almost unavoidable.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women today. Today, when you look around, you will see the unique things people are doing to help promote awareness of this disease and the efforts to find a cure. For instance, the Susan Komen Race for the Cure® that go on in many major cities across the US. For every dollar collected, 75 cents are used to treat, screen, and educate the medically under served. Also, you cannot help be touched by all the different ways professional athletes and coaches are showing their support. From pink shoes, pink sweatbands, and pink ribbon stickers on helmets, it is great to see then all get involved. You can see how widespread this campaign...

One year ago I started a new adventure of opening and having a studio for both skin care and makeup. On this journey, I've had some downs, but I mostly have had many ups. Opening the studio was a scary, but dream come true for me. Something that I have worked and dreamed of over 10 years ago of having, and a lot of hard work and goals were put in place. But I have to say that perseverance, determination, and never giving up is what put everything into place.