Ladies First Choice NEWSLETTER (727) 535-4446 1-888-301-4404 Toll Free 18746 U.S. Hwy. 19 N - Clearwater, FL 33764 Established 1985 SUMMER 2013 Ladies, Kelly Lou Rose Claudia Sylvia Brenda Suzanne We have been busy, busy, busy ordering new products to enhance our selection of the latest styles of breast prostheses and comfortable, stylish bras. During the past few months many of our suppliers have released both new breast prostheses and bras to enhance the products available to our customers. So come visit our store to see the newest products on display on our wall of bras or have our in-home fitter bring these lovely products to you. We know that our selection of products will offer you comfort, style and confidence. We have breast prostheses and bras made just for you. In addition, we now have a new shipment of bathing suits in styles that will flatter as you stroll by the seashore or pool. So come on in and see how truly beautiful you will look. During the spring months, we have been designing a new website and it is now out for you to review. Please visit our website at www.ladiesfirstchoice.net. Our website has been designed for easy navigation and will quickly tell you about us with a simple click of the mouse. Also, our current newsletter will be available for review on the website. We will continue to send you our Newsletter quarterly, but you can tell your friends about our website and they too can read the latest Newsletter edition. We ask that all who are interested in receiving the Newsletter sign up for a free mailing simply by completing the Newsletter sign-up sheet on the website and submit to Ladies First Choice. We are so proud of our Facebook page. If you are on Facebook, please click on Ladies First Choice for a daily current event update. Our Facebook page contains lots of good information and news about topics that are relevant to breast cancer survivors. There are a lot of fun things on the Facebook page too. You can hear Martina McBride sing her breast cancer song just by clicking on the link. Please join us as we grow and strive to be your first choice in mastectomy wear. Thanks for all your support now and over the last 28 years! Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time. John Lubbock Summer Come see what s hot at Ladies First Choice 2013 Swimsuits & Wraps are here Stop by and see our new selection of swimsuits and wraps SPECIAL EVENT Buy one new 2013 Swim Suit Get the 2nd one at 20% off! August 12th Birthday If this is your birthday and you are a Ladies First Choice customer, you just won a $10 COUPON Refer a New Customer And receive a $10 Publix Gift Card INSIDE THIS ISSUE Ladies First Choice Online pg. 2 Product Showcase pg. 4-5 Meet Brenda pg. 6 About Us - pg. 7 Ladies First Choice is a fully accredited facility. As an organization fostering, stimulating and maintaining the highest standards of competent and ethical practices. 1
SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2013 Our official website is www.ladiesfirstchoice.net. The website is designed to provide our current and potential customers with information about our boutique, product images, a digital newsletter, driving directions and insurance coverage information all through easy navigation. On the home page you will find icons for all of our social media sites including Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Ladies First Choice - Online Our Facebook page was designed to engage conversation between Ladies First Choice boutique and our clients. It is updated daily with news about Ladies First Choice, mastectomy products and information, events, new products on the market and a variety of other mastectomy and breast cancer related subjects. Please like us on Facebook and help us reach a number one position. (https://www.facebook.com/ladiesfirstchoice). Our Twitter and Pinterest pages alike, are designed to engage our clients on a more personal basis with Ladies First Choice. We invite you to comment on our posts and pictures and add content of your own. Our Twitter site is https://twitter.com/ladieschoicefl and our Pinterest site is: http://pinterest.com/ladiesfl. We hope that you find our website and our social media sites interesting and helpful! We look forward to connecting with you. 2
SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2013 We are so fortunate at Ladies First Choice to have as our customer a very special lady who creates and donates to our customers very special friends called the Sojourn Bears. Dolly Zukin, a breast cancer survivor since 1976 dedicates most of her time and effort to the creation of these lovely characters. Dolly, Sophie, and Lillian, three sisters moved from Norwalk, Connecticut to Tarpon Springs, Florida in 1986. Dolly and Lillian wanted Sophie to retire and move to Florida. Unfortunately, cancer runs in the Zukin family and in 2000, sister Lillian passed away from cancer of the esophagus. During Lillian s chemo sessions, she was given a Sojourn Bear to help her cope. Sister Sophie, who has always enjoyed sewing, took up the cause of creating Sojourn Bears. The fabric comes from donations as well as from a select group of ladies who cruise garage sales looking for colorful fabric. The Sojourn Bears are given to adults going through cancer therapy. They are quite colorful and cuddly and bring a smile to everyone s face. Each bear wears a crocheted hat or bonnet with a coordinating outfit. Sophie made a variety of bears, yes, even biker bears with tattoos. Sophie created a special bear for the local UPS delivery man going through cancer therapy. She designed the bear to resemble the UPS man s brown uniform. She made a special Teddy Roosevelt bear as well as angel bears. In 2011, Sophie passed away at 90 years young. Dolly now keeps the tradition going by organizing volunteers to sew the bears. Each bear is handmade with love by caring volunteers. The volunteers donate their time and effort to reproduce these unique, lovable bears. Two groups of volunteers sew the bears. The Sisterhood of the Sunshine Survivors (a group of 5-10 cancer survivors) come to Dolly s Tarpon Springs home one Sunday a month to create the bears. Another group, the Women s Cancer Survivor Club, in Holiday, gather on Thursdays in their mobile home park. The bears they create are then delivered to Dolly, who passes these bears out to adult cancer centers. Each Sojourn Bear is given a name by its creator. When asked, Dolly said the names are simply selected. If the bear looks like a Lucy, then the bear is a Lucy! And no two bears are ever the same. We were approached by Dolly and are privileged to be included in her delivery schedule of the Sojourn Bears. We have taken on the roll of ambassador for these lovely characters and it is our pleasure to provide these wonderful bears as comfort to our customers. So, if you are in need of a special friend, come and see us. The bears take on the personality of the recipient: they are someone to talk to, and someone to cry to. Brenda s Glazed Peach Cream 2 packages peach jello 2 cups boiling water 3/4 cup cold water 1 Pt. vanilla ice cream 1 can - 8 3/4 oz. sliced peaches Dissolve 1 package of jello in 1 cup boiling water, add ice cream. Stir until melted & smooth. Chill 1 hour, dissolve second pack of jello in boiling water. Add 3/4 cup cold water; set aside. Arrange sliced peaches on top of cold jello/ice cream mixture. Spoon the jello mixture you set aside on top of the peaches, refrigerate until set, (approximately 3 hours). August Dog days are here at last, summer has gone by too fast. Children are saying, school days, school days, dear old golden rules days. Reading and writing and rithmetic, taught to the tune of a hickory stick. Soon they will be back in school, no more playing in the pool. ~Jo Cover ~ SUMMERTIME IS HERE! 3
PRODUCT SHOWCASE Essential Swim Wear for Summer is here... Stop in and try on a bathing suit from one of our newest prints, from Anita and Amoena. Our bright new sarongs are so flattering and each has a special nylon tummy control panel to support and slim. Our sale rack is full with a bundle of different prints. Pick out a Tankini or Blouson top in any size, and add shorts or a skirt. Cover-ups in many colors are also available to add some fun in the sun! Summer Light Colourful Mix Blue Lagoon Berry Shades Sunset Idadora Soft Cup IMona Soft Cup Mona Underwire Ladies First Choice is the Exclusive Dealer for the Mini Cami! Many styles to select from Feminine, Fashionable & Functional A strapless mini camisole that slips over your head Easily attaches to post-mastectomy bra strap with Velcro application Covers a plunging neckline in style, including breast forms Discretely hides surgical scars & imperfections Glitz Mesh Stripes COMFORT AND FASHION, FIND IT IN OUR BOUTIQUE! 4 Stretch material conforms to body type Ideal for casual, office & evening attire
PRODUCT SHOWCASE 120 LACE TRIM SOFT CUP BRA 508 LACE ENHANCEMENT BRA 502 ADORE BRA 402 ADORE PANTY 273 OLIVIA Lace Accent Bandeau Bra Style 1260 105 PETITE T-SHIRT BRA 4029 LEAH 4009 LANA 515 SOFT SHAPE T-SHIRT BRA 4014 ALEXANDRA We are also providing an encore with our free bra gift on your next fitting (prostheses and surgical bras). Just mention free bra during your next fitting and receive one of our more popular styled surgical bras, the Almost-U Lace Bandeau Bra, style #1260 (a $40.00 value). This offer will end September 30, so call for an appointment now to visit our store, or for an in-home fitting. FASHIONS FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE 5
SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2013 Brenda It is our pleasure to introduce you to a new member of the Ladies First Choice team. Brenda joined our staff in February, 2013. She is a Certified Mastectomy Fitter and has fit many of our in-store customers with their mastectomy products. Brenda is currently our Marketing Specialist and promotes our services to various medical facilities. She also coordinates functions such as health fairs and breast cancer support events. Brenda is originally from Hastings, Nebraska, but settled here in Florida 13 years ago. Brenda spent 17 years as a stay at home mother, raising her three sons and one daughter. She was even involved in caring for several foster children during this same period. Brenda has previously had a variety of careers ranging from dog and bird breeding to hairstyling and most recently as a jewelry sales representative. Brenda currently shares her home in Clearwater with her two spoiled dogs. These days, Brenda loves spending quality time with her six year old grandson as well as baking lots of delicious treats for friends and family. Her daily journeys will encompass the counties surrounding the Tampa Bay area and her presentations will include making the medical community aware of our large product selection and services. Recently Brenda visited with several surgeons who are performing mastectomies. These include Dr. Sylvia Campbell who is located in the Tampa area and Dr. Peter Blumencranz who is located in Clearwater. Brenda informs the medical staffs of our primary goal which is to provide their patients with comfort, style and confidence. In our Newsletter we ask for donations of your unwanted mastectomy products. Over the past 20 plus years, we have donated these products to the American Cancer Society. It is our intention to provide to needy women who are unable to get mastectomy products that will make them feel good about themselves. It is very easy to donate. Just bring in your unused products or give them to your inhome fitter. These products will be donated to the ACS for distribution at the Patient Resource Centers. Thank you for your donations and continued support. We welcome Brenda to Ladies First Choice and wish her much success in promoting our caring staff and excellent selection of products. Dr. Sylvia Campbell Dr. Peter Blumencranz Jola Baginski Nurse Practitioner A Letter of Appreciation from Elissa Mirabelli. ALL OUR FITTERS ARE BOARD CERTIFIED 6
SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2013 Summer Energy Saving Tips To keep your house cool and lower your air conditioning bill, try these tips: Have your air conditioner tuned up. Have a reputable company do a routine maintenance that can prevent costly repairs. These check ups should be done every few years to make sure that your air conditioner is working at its optimum. Don t forget to change the air filters, maybe every three months. Adjust your thermostat. Have you checked out the latest in programmable thermostat controls? A professional installer will quickly set you up and teach you how to control the air conditioning system. For optimal savings, set your thermostat at 85 F when your not home, 78 F when your home and 82 F when you are sleeping. Don t heat up the kitchen when cooking. Try not using the oven during the hot summer days since this will also heat up your kitchen. Use your microwave which will not heat up your kitchen at all, toaster oven or slow cooker. Use your ceiling fans. Did you know that using an energy efficient ceiling fan will make the room feel 6 to 8 degrees cooler? Don t forget to set the fan s blades to run counterclockwise to push air down towards you. (And the reverse is true during the winter months.) Run the fan only when you are there to enjoy the cool breeze. Pull down the shades. Did you know that solar film can keep out 70% of the sun s heat? And, the solar film does not block the light from entering the room. The solar film is removable, and in the fall you can easily remove the solar film. Put the solar film on the windows facing the sun. The solar film will also protect your furniture from fading. Plant a tree. The tree will shade your home from the hot Florida sun and keep your home a little cooler. A beautiful face never goes out of style Having a beautiful face is not about having beautiful features. It s about taking care of your skin, using makeup to enhance your unique beauty and having confidence that you ve put your best face forward. Begin with a personalized skin care routine. This doesn t require hours of time or oodles of money. It just requires consistency. Every morning. Every evening. Devote a few minutes twice a day, and you ll enjoy more youthful, radiant and healthy looking skin. When it comes to your skin, there is bad news and good news. The bad news: your skin is the first place to show aging, whether it s your hands, neck or face. The good news: your skin responds quickly to care and tender treatment - and that includes nourishing it from the inside as well, with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. So, don t waste another day. Understand your skin, acknowledge what it needs and consistently take care of it. For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone. - Audrey Hepburn LADIES FIRST CHOICE ABOUT US... Our company was established in 1985, and was the first company to do in-home fittings. While we still do inhome fittings, we opened our Clearwater boutique in 2002. Over the years, we have always put our customer first by providing both convenient in-home fittings and a fully stocked boutique. We are a fully accredited facility certified by The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics. All fitters are Board Certified and provide you with the proper fitting and selection of the lightest weighted breast forms on the market and flattering bras, bathing suits, lingerie, and full figure bras. Please visit our store often as we are always bringing in the newest products from our suppliers. These new breastforms, stylish bras, bathing suits, and lingerie will make you feel like new again. We carry a full line of fourteen major brands of mastectomy products from: Active Amoena Jodee Jilliana Camp Still You Airway Nearly Me Almost U Classique Silique Anita American Breast Care Come to the store to see our wall of bras for the largest selection of fashionable bras in Florida. Both a wide variety of new colors and patterns are now available. We service the following counties: Pinellas Hillsborough Manatee Pasco Hernando Polk Sarasota We accept assignment on most insurance companies, Medicare, HMO s, and PPO s. We have a billing department designed to handle all claims and answer your insurance questions. The boutique is conveniently located in central Pinellas County. We are located on US 19. We realize that the area is under construction, there is an easy alternative to traveling on US 19. Try driving east on Nursery Road and enter a north access road just west of US 19. Look for our sign on Nursery Road, or just call us for more detailed directions. SEE YOU SOON! WE PROVIDE IN HOME FITTINGS -NO CHARGE-! 7
18746 U.S. Hwy. 19 N Clearwater, FL 33764 (727) 535-4446 1 (888) 301-4404 PRESORTED STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ST. PETERSBURG,FL PERMIT #4 PHONE: 727-535- 4446 TOLL-FREE: 1-888-301-4404 Store Hours: Monday - Friday 10-5 Saturday 10-2 (By Appointment Only) Driving directions... Ladies First Choice is centrally located at 18746 US 19 N. in Clearwater, Florida. The boutique is located on the west side of US 19, between Harn Blvd. and Nursery Road. From Gulf to Bay Blvd. (SR 60): Turn south on US 19, and proceed to 18746 US 19 N, about two blocks south of Harn Blvd. From East Bay Drive vicinity: Heading north on US 19, proceed to Harn Blvd. and make a u-turn on US 19 N, and continue south about two blocks to 18746 US 19 N. For verbal instructions, please call the store for directions. June 1 thru Nov 30 is hurricane season be prepared. Check your supplies. Ladies First Choice NEWSLETTER Summer 2013 Summer is here... Come see our awesome selection of swimwear! We accept assignment on all MEDICARE, HMOs & PPOs. We will get your authorization or prescription. Let our billing department do all the work. Established 1985