#BadAssLady: Melissa Berry of Cancer Fashionista

I recently attended the Cancer Wellness Expo and was honored to be interviewed by SaltyGirl Beauty. Click on the link below to read the entire interview and while you on their website browse through all the great products and information they offer!

#BadAssLady: Melissa Berry of Cancer Fashionista

Oct 22, 2018

We’re starting a new series here at SaltyGirl, a blog series where we can highlight and lift up some of the amazing women that we have come across in our journey. It’s a chance to highlight interesting women, doing some #BADASS things! We’d like to first introduce you to blogger Melissa Berry of Cancer Fashionista.

Breast Cancer Survivors

TNBC and Me: How to Stay Positive When You Have Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

When I heard the words “you have triple-negative breast cancer,” I thought to myself…this sounds triple bad. My head was swirling with thoughts of me leaving my children behind before I had a chance to see them grow up. All the things I wanted to do with my life, all of the places I wanted to go. I wasn’t ready to die yet.

Once I understood my course of treatment (and no, I wasn’t going to die), I decided I could either curl up in a dark room for the next year and cry my eyes out, or I could somehow embrace what was happening to me. And yes…make the best of it. Thank goodness for the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation.

Read more

Self-Gifting. It’s A Thing And You Should Do It….

Most of your shopping is done….right?! So now’s a great time to indulge, and I believe a little self-gifting is in order! Here are some of my selections. Girl just do it, you deserve it!

Bohemian Crush Yoga Mat, Apeiron, $97

Not only will you be the envy of everyone in your yoga class, but this super luxe mat is machine washable! The synthetic suede fabric surface provides extra comfort and non-slip technology for your practice.

I love me a great pair of hoops! I adore this pair from Millianna, $50.

Echo Dot Speaker, $29

This hands-free, voice-controlled device uses Alexa to play music, control smart home devices, make calls, send and receive messages…..pretty much everything except make dinner. And my cheesy 80’s dance music sounds divine on it.

The Porte Play Pull-Apart, $15.99

This handy dandy cord organizer is cleverly designed with five elastic slots to fit a variety of different sized cords and cables. The zippered mesh pocket fits your large chargers and keeps your electronic accessories secure and organized. And basically keeps me SANE!

Violets Are Blue Foot Salve, $15

Peppermint, Olive, Sunflower Rosemary essential oils. On your feet. Need I say more? Throw a pair of socks on for a more intense treatment.

Ana Ono Alejandro Hipster, $24

A flirty, vintage look with modern style, this high-waisted hipster hugs in all the right places. If you or someone you know is looking for post-mastectomy bras, check out Ana Ono. They have gift cards too, such a no brainer.

Melissa Multi Stick, Salty Girl Beauty, $25

This versatile tint for on-the-go application that literally melts onto your lips and cheeks using a healing blend of organic ingredients. Yummy.

Sunshine Pumpkin Peel Mask, $98

A natural Vitamin A skin peel treatment that provides a healthy alternative to chemical skin peels to effectively treat the signs of aging, sun damage, and congested skin. So basically a natural chemical peel that makes your skin look and feel amazing. And smells like delicious pumpkin. Includes enough product for about 6 applications. This is my Friday night ritual.

Spanx Faux Leather Moto Leggings, $110

I mean….moto style leggings that hug every curve? Yes please!

LED Tabletop Makeup Mirror, Muah, $32

Every girl should have one of these. 16 LED lights for optimal lighting when applying makeup. There’s even a small compartment to hold bobby pins or other accessories. So smart!

One Tough Muther Podcast

Cancer Fashionista is interviewed with Caitlin Brodnick by the One Tough Muther Team. We laugh, we cry, we talk about our dangerous boobies.

Listen to the Podcast here:

Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation holds 2016 eyelash fundraiser in Westwood NJ

Click Here to view all event photos

The Face of Courage: Melissa Stolper

“When I learned three years ago that I had triple negative breast cancer, the news was devastating. But Dr. Miguel Sanchez and his team at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center could not have told me in a more humane, sensitive, and loving way,” says Melissa Stolper, mother of two, fashion/beauty publicist, and entrepreneur. “It gave me the courage to face my cancer and ultimately share my journey. Read More

Englewood Hospital and Medical Center’s Breast Center is a One Stop Shop

Have you experienced the anxiety of waiting for mammogram results had to wait weeks to get a follow-up exam? Check out this article from the Bergen Momma about Englewood Hospital and Medical Center’s Breast Center. In addition to finding out what they have to offer, I share my own personal experience as well.

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Breast Rehabilitation & Healing Center – “The Pink Runway” Event

This event was held by the Breast Rehabilitation & Healing Center to raise awareness about the disease and celebrate the enduring strength of breast cancer patients and their beauty, inside and out. as they walked the runway modeling designer fashions. I was honored to be a part of this great event. It was so much fun walking down the runway in those fabulous designer fashions!

Check out it out.

Melissa Stolper – Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation Honoree

On May 18th, 2016, The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation held it’s annual Cocktail Reception to highlight the outstanding contributions of its honorees in the fight against triple negative breast cancer. I was flattered and proud to be included in this esteemed group and given the Courage Award.

Read more

Cancer Fashionista Goes To The Other Side….Of The Camera And Breast Cancer

CLICK PHOTO BELOW TO VIEW OUR VIDEO!

When the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation contacted me and asked, “Would you consider being interviewed by Rebecca Taylor at her store to create a video to help raise breast cancer awareness? You and Rebecca will do a little style session together and you can talk about your journey.” In true Fashionista form I was like, um yes please! All kidding aside, this turned out to be a truly unforgettable day for me.

I learned through this unique experience what a special person Rebecca Taylor is. I could see right away that her breast cancer awareness blouse wasn’t just a “to-do” on her marketing calendar. She takes so much pride in encouraging the young women who work for her to take care of themselves, first and foremost. One of the reasons that she chose to partner with the TNBCF is to encourage women (especially younger ones) to go out there and get their mammograms.

Behold this year’s creation, a plush pink off-the-shoulder top. It’s gorgeous AND 50% (wow!) of the proceeds will benefit TNBCF. Having been a fashion publicisit for….let’s just say a long time….it was strange yet soooo much fun (in the girliest way possible) for me to be on the other side of the camera. I’m usually the one making sure that everyone knows their talking points, double and triple checking the date that the story is going to run. Making sure the logo is correct….check, check, check. But this time I was in front of the camera.

I was surrounded by Rebecca Taylor’s wonderful staff and my incredible friends from TNBCF. There was someone on set to make sure my hair and makeup was just right, a camera crew, the works! It was very surreal and exciting, all of those good things. At the same time I felt a huge responsibilty to deliver a message as a breast cancer survivor. So there I was, not only on the other side of the camera, but also on the other side of breast cancer. I really had to take a step back to take it all in. When I received the final video file, I took a deep breath before I hit “play.” The obvious thoughts ran through my head. I hope I look ok. I hope I sound ok. I hope TNBCF is happy with it. I hope Rebecca Taylor and her staff like it. Once I watched it, those silly thoughts disappeared when I realized how important it is for me to share my message. Whether it’s a video on a designer’s website or a friend of a friend who’s just been diagnosed, I am committed to sharing what I know. Not preaching, not judging, just sharing what I’ve learned from this side where I now so humbly and gratefully sit…..survivorship. Be sure to check out the video on the Rebecca Taylor Facebook page or on YouTube. Hero Content, you swung this out of the park! Thank you to all involved, and thank you for reading this and sharing it.