A PUBLICATION OF EDMOND LIFE & LEISURE
How to take a game watch party to championship heights
Sports fans are a passionate lot. When a big game is on the schedule, diehard fans want to gather with fellow supporters, and that’s turned game watch parties into a popular way to cheer on the team.
Game watch parties can be hosted at any time of year, including during football season. As the action on the gridiron heats up, game watch hosts can consider these ways to take their parties to championship heights.
• Prioritize comfort. Depending on which sport hosts and their guests are getting together to watch, games can last anywhere from two to three hours, if not longer. Guests tend to arrive before the game begins and may stick around to discuss the game once it’s over. That means guests will be sticking around awhile, which makes it necessary for hosts to prioritize comfort. Comfort should be considered when choosing seating but also which room to host fellow fans. If the weather allows and hosts have the space, a backyard makes the most sense for a game watch, particularly if you already
have an expansive patio and outdoor living room. When hosting an indoor watch party, choose a spacious room so guests won’t feel like they’re sitting on top of one another.
• Stock up on snacks. Formal dinner parties may be all about the main course, but sports fans like their game day snacks. Traditional fare like chips and pretzels can be offered, but hosts also can serve up additional finger foods that can be eaten while watching the game. Chicken wings, sliders, homemade nachos, and a vegetable tray are fan-friendly finger foods that can be eaten while watching all the action on the field.
• Upgrade your screen. Hosts who have not upgraded their television in awhile can consider doing so in advance of the season or prior to hosting a game watch. A new screen can provide the crystal clear image fans have come to expect, and the updated technology can ensure fans streaming the game won’t be frustrated by outdated operating systems that can lead to excessive buffering and frustrating
mid-game interruptions.
• Set up more than one viewing space. More than one viewing space is ideal if your go-to game watch room is a little cramped or if you’ll be inviting guests with varying degrees of interest in the game. Diehards can congregate in a main viewing space while those who are there to have fun first and watch second can gather in a separate room to take in all the action. If possible, designate a separate area for children, complete with their own snacks as well as games and crafts to keep them occupied if the action alone is unlikely to keep them occupied for several hours.
• Start early. When sending invitations, encourage guests to arrive between 30 and 60 minutes before the start of the game. That ensures no one will miss a moment of the action, including hosts who will be tasked with welcoming arriving guests.
Game watches are fun ways for sports fans to get together. Some simple strategies can ensure all fans have a good time at your next watch party.
Letter from the Publisher Letter from the Publisher
THE JOY OF LIVING IN EDMOND
Living in Edmond offers a unique blend of small-town charm and modern amenities, making it an attractive place for individuals and families alike. Our vibrant community boasts a high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities, and a strong sense of community.
One of the primary benefits of living in Edmond is its exceptional education system. The Edmond Public Schools district is renowned for its high academic standards and comprehensive extracurricular programs. With a variety of public and private schools to choose from, parents can be confident that their children will receive a top-notch education. Additionally, the presence of the University of Central Oklahoma provides residents with access to higher education and cultural events, further enriching this community.
Edmond’s commitment to safety is another significant advantage. The city consistently ranks as one of the safest in Oklahoma, with low crime rates and a proactive police force. This sense of security allows residents to enjoy their daily lives without constant concern for their well-being. The city’s well-maintained parks and recreational facilities also contribute to a safe and healthy lifestyle. Mitch Park, for example, offers walking trails, sports fields, and a state-of-the-art YMCA, providing many opportunities for outdoor activities and exercise.
The local economy in Edmond is robust and diverse, offering a range of employment opportunities. Edmond is home to a variety of businesses, from retail and dining establishments to healthcare and professional services. This economic stability ensures that residents have access to the goods and services they need, while also supporting local entrepreneurs and businesses.
Community engagement is a cornerstone of life in Edmond. The city hosts numerous events and festivals throughout the year, fostering a keen sense of belonging among residents. LibertyFest, for example, is a beloved tradition that celebrates Independence Day with a parade, fireworks, and family-friendly activities. The Edmond Arts Festival and the Downtown Edmond Arts District also provide opportunities for residents to connect with local artists and enjoy cultural experiences.
Edmond’s natural beauty and outdoor amenities are another draw for residents. The city is home to several parks, Arcadia Lake, and golf courses, offering a variety of recreational options. Arcadia Lake, located on the eastern edge of the city, is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and camping. The city’s extensive trail system also provides opportunities for walking, running, and cycling, allowing residents to stay active and enjoy the outdoors.
In terms of housing, Edmond offers a range of options to suit different lifestyles and budgets. From historic homes in the downtown area to new developments in the suburbs, there is something for everyone. The city’s real estate market is stable, with property values steadily increasing, making it a sound investment for homeowners.
Overall, living in Edmond provides a high quality of life with its excellent schools, safe environment, strong economy, and vibrant community. Whether you are looking for a place to raise a family, start a business, or enjoy your retirement, Edmond offers a welcoming and supportive environment that is hard to beat.
Best Regards,
Ray Hibbard
Publisher Edmond Life & Leisure
PUBLISHER
Ray Hibbard
EDITOR
Deanne Marcella
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Erika Williams Rose Drebes
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Deanne Marcella
ADVERTISING
Alexx Reger
Advertising Director For information on advertising in At Home in Edmond, call 405-340-3311
READER SERVICES 107 South Broadway Edmond OK 73034 Phone 405-340-3311 Fax 405-340-3384
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edmondlifeandleisure.com @edmondlifeandleisure
Make your Oktoberfest celebration unforgettable
Millions of visitors travel to Munich, Germany, each year to take part in a celebration of Bavarian culture known as Oktoberfest. Although the name implies that the world’s largest Volksfest (people’s festival) occurs in October, the majority of Oktoberfest actually happens in September, and runs from between 16 and 18 days. For 2025, Oktoberfest begins Saturday, September 20 and runs through Sunday, October 5. Though it may seem like Oktoberfest is just a beer festival, it’s actually a celebration of community, food and music. The origins can be traced back to October 12, 1810, when Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen and the citizens of Munich were invited to celebrate the royal event outside of the city gates.
Whether one can trace his or her lineage to Germany or not, people of all backgrounds take part in Oktoberfest revelry, even hosting their own fests at home. The following ideas are some ways to create your own unforgettable Oktoberfest celebration.
Set up a beer tent
Visitors to Oktoberfest in Munich will find massive beer tents, each operated by Munich’s traditional breweries. These are the only official beer providers of Oktoberfestbier. People replicating Oktoberfest celebrations nearer to home can include beers by Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten-Franziskaner, and be sure to serve at least one Märzen-style lager at the celebration. Set up a beer tent with all of the beverages widely available for guests to enjoy.
Offer
popular culinary delights
Beyond the bevy of beer available, guests to an Oktoberfest celebration will anticipate traditional and hearty Bavarian specialities. Options include hendl (roast chicken), schweinebraten (roast pork), würstl (sausages), brezen (pretzels), and many other culinary delights. Side dishes like potato salad, sauerkraut and red cabbage also are popular.
Wear the right folk attire
Traditional Oktoberfest attire includes lederhosen for men and dirndls for
women. Lederhosen consists of leather shorts, often with suspenders, worn with a checkered shirt. A dirndl is a dress consisting of a bodice, blouse, skirt, and apron. The outfits are not just costumes, but a celebration of Bavarian heritage. Men and women may accessorize with Alpine hats, Haferl shoes and Loferl socks.
Set the scene
Many people wonder why the official colors of Oktoberfest are blue and white, despite this not matching the colors of the German flag. In fact, Oktoberfest builds its color scheme around the Bavarian flag. Bavaria is a state within Germany. It is one of the 16 states that make up the Federal Republic of Germany, and it has its own traditions, dialect, cuisine, and more.
Play Oktoberfest music
Traditional Bavarian oompah bands, polka bands and other sing-along folk drinking songs are often played during Oktoberfest celebrations. Each style contributes to a festive atmosphere. Oktoberfest is a lively celebration of Bavarian culture and history.
Decorating homes for Halloween
Drive through a suburban neighborhood in October and it’s likely you will find yards filled with inflatable witches, animatronic grim reapers and makeshift graveyards bearing witty sayings on tombstone and bony hands reaching out from the soil. Decorating for Halloween has become big business, with consumers spending a collective $10.6 billion in this category in the United States in 2022, according to a survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics and the National Retail Federation. In fact, decorations, particularly outdoor decorations, were the second most popular way to celebrate Halloween (candy still reigns supreme).
According to research by LombardoHome.com, which looked at Google searches across the country, Las Vegas, Denver, Baltimore, Portland, Oregon, and Seattle were the top five states that searched the most for Halloween decorations on average per capita. Carved pumpkins, skeletons and witch cauldrons topped the list of preferred Halloween decorations in America.
Halloween is an opportunity to pull out all the stops for this fun fall celebration. The following tips can help to turn any home into a Halloween haunt to remember.
• Decide on a theme. Most people fall into one of two camps when decorating for Halloween. There are those who want their homes to be frightening and full of horrific details, and others who prefer more of a fall harvest look. Identify your preferences and then gather decorative items accordingly.
• Shop early/late. Ideally, the best time to buy Halloween decorations is the day after the holiday when prices get
slashed (pun intended). This is the time to stock up on items for next year. You can save anywhere from 50 to 70 percent when buying late in the season. For those who need new items for this year’s Halloween, close-out retailers like HomeGoods and TJ Maxx start putting out Halloween products in
the middle of summer. Stock up as soon as you see items, as they’re not likely to remain on shelves for long. By the time October rolls around, decorations may be gone.
• Subtle touches can work. Though some people just love covering every square foot of a property with all things Halloween, it’s also possible to make a big impact with minimal effort. Lighting, or lack thereof, can create a spooky atmosphere. Swap existing porch lights with yellow or even black lights so everything glows. Candles flickering can add mystery. Place some battery-powered or electric candles in windows for an eerie feel. Swap out your typical curtains with purple or black ones to drape the house in even more spooky appeal.
• Wait on the carved pumpkins. Halloween seldom is complete without jack-o’-lanterns. But pumpkins often begin to degrade shortly after they’re first carved. Use artificial pumpkins if you plan to decorate early; otherwise, wait until a day or two before Halloween to add freshly carved pumpkins to the Halloween scape. Children can come up with the design, but ensure only adults cut into the pumpkins. Homeowners can quickly and easily transform their homes into spooky haunts this Halloween.
Bricksville Lego dreams realized
By Rose Drebes
Eric Lyons was stressed working in a corporate job. His one escape was LEGO.
“The sets currently available were great, but I really missed the Pirates and Western sets from my childhood, so I set out to find them,” he said. “I quickly realized there was nowhere in Oklahoma that sold retired sets or used sets at all.
“On one of the many drives out of state to visit the closest stores, Athraa (his wife) convinced me to follow my dream and open what would become our store where everyone could share the same passion and joy in creation.”
Bricksville started with what Eric said was “a crazy dream in our garage.”
“LEGO was a new thing for Athraa since she grew up in Baghdad Iraq, but seeing its effect on people and how it turned adults into kids (just for a moment) showed her the magic in play,” Eric said. “We decided to take the leap and now here we are, running Oklahoma’s first independent LEGO resale store where you can buy new, old, used sets, minifigs and parts to create your dream build.”
Not a franchise, Bricksville is a true “mom and pop” company, he said. The new Edmond store is run by mom Athraa while the first store in OKC is run by pop Eric.
“We started with the first store in OKC, and the response from the community over our first three years has been a blessing. In the beginning we were heavily supported by OKLUG (a LEGO supported group of talented
LEGO builders) and many new friends who helped make our dream a reality,” Eric said. “Thanks to everyone’s constant support we just were able to open our Edmond location and it’s been amazing! We honestly have been shocked by the outpouring of support so far.
“People have loved the store, our mission of building genuine community (one brick at a time).”
Bricksville offers new and used LEGO sets all the way from the current releases to sets from our childhoods, but the most unique items are the ones they create, Eric said.
“For the last year we have been printing our designs on genuine LEGO pieces,” he explained. “We’re able to come up with funny, creative ideas and make them a real thing.
“This allows us to make funny things, like a crime scene to include in your city, or even chips and salsa for your minifigs. My goal is for our little LEGO people to be able to enjoy all the things we get to.”
Lego mania doesn’t stop with collecting and building the coolest stuff, Eric said Bricksvile offers birthday parties so kids – and adults -- can celebrate their love for LEGOS together. The packages include 90-minute reserved private party room, with a birthday banner, plates and napkins; 60 minutes of guided Lego activities for all ages with a dedicated Bricksville team member; and 30 minutes for cake and presents. Each game participant has an option of one Poly Bag from an assortment of sets to take home.
Eric said he and Athraa still have time to build themselves.
“You’d think with us both working with LEGO from the time we wake up, to when we go to sleep, that we’d be tired of it,” he said. “Instead, we have sets that we set aside so we can build them on vacation. Athraa loves to paint though and is actually in the Edmond Arts festival each year, so I swear that we DO have hobbies outside of LEGO, too.”
When they first started Bricksville, Eric said they decided that first and foremost they wanted to create a community.
“That’s a saying that is in every corporate handbook, so it may seem a bit hollow, but it really is at the core of what we are,” Eric said. “The beautiful thing about LEGO is that the themes and interests are so wide, that people from all different backgrounds are drawn in and we get to know them all. The things we cherish are not the sales we make, it’s the people we get to meet and call our friends.
“Our first repeat customer was actually Chewy, the cat of our friend Earl, who constantly attacks his airplanes, and we even have Chewy’s picture on the wall of our OKC store. We’re really excited to make our community even bigger with everyone who comes to say ‘hi’ to us in Edmond.”
For more information, visit bricksvilleokc.com.
Get into the spooky spirit this Halloween
Come October 31, there is extra mischief in the air, and who knows what might be lurking around those dim corners? Halloween is a time when the line between having fun and being scared is easily blurred.
While trick-or-treating and attending parties are ways to enjoy the final day of October, there are plenty of other ways to make Halloween more fun.
• Read some scary stories. There’s something to be said about reading scary stories or poems on Halloween. Readers’ imaginations take over on Halloween as they envision scary characters and scenarios. Edgar Allen Poe, author of many notably macabre works, is a popular read come Halloween.
• Go pumpkin picking. Most people already make pumpkin picking an annual treat. Don’t overlook odd shaped pumpkins that can be carved into spooky jack-
o’-lanterns. Also, enhance Halloween decor with pitted and warty gourds that lend that scary appeal.
• Create a haunted house. Instead of going elsewhere to get chills and thrills, transform your house or yard into a spooktacular vision and invite neighbors to explore.
• Make creepy crafts. Children can get a kick out of crafting Halloween decorations. Drape a piece of muslin over a beverage bottle and spray it with laundry starch. Let sit and the muslin will stiffen when it dries. Paint on black circles for eyes and hang your “ghost” from a string.
• Whip up Halloween treats. Candied apples, extra-rich brownies and mini hot dogs wrapped in crescent rolls to look like mummies are just some of the ways to create a scary Halloween feast.
• Have a costume theme. Everyone in the household can get in on the fun by planning costumes to fit a theme. For example, everyone can dress like the Addams family.
• Host a Halloween book club. Those who love to read can ensure the October gathering of a book club is one that features a discussion of a scary book.
Those looking for a scare can explore horror authors like Stephen King, Anne Rice, Dean Koontz, Clive Barker, Shirley Jackson, and Tananarive Due.
• Host an outdoor movie. Projectors can now be hooked up to smartphones and tablets, so it’s easier than ever to watch movies outside. Simply project a device onto a screen, white fence or even a bedsheet. Since it gets dark somewhat early in October, the movie doesn’t have to start very late. Depending on the audience, choose a movie that is very scary or only mildly so if children will be viewing.
DID YOU KNOW?
Candy is a popular treat on Halloween.
While trick-or-treaters will often accept just about any confection in their bags and buckets, certain products reign supreme across the United States and Canada, according to RetailMeNot and Halloween Alley. These include:
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
• Snickers
• M&Ms
• Twizzlers
• Kit Kat
• Skittles
• Starburst
In Canada, Mars, a chocolate bar in the same family as Snickers, and Coffee Crisp also are popular among trick-or-treaters.
• Organize a Halloween treat exchange. Similar to a Christmas “Secret Santa,” participants put together a wrapped gift of homemade or store-bought foods and exchange with others. Halloween can be made even more entertaining with some extra activities that appeal to people of all ages.
Holidayforcooking a crowd made easy
A number of things can be expected during the holiday season. Children will anxiously await visits from Santa and travelers recognize there is bound to be traffic on the roadways and crowds at the airport. And if you’re opening your home to guests, those visitors will be expecting some delicious food.
Meals are a big component of holiday entertaining, so much so that holiday hosts may spend weeks pondering what to serve guests. These guidelines can help simplify cooking for a crowd.
Plan make-ahead dishes
Simplifying holiday cooking comes down to spending less time in the kitchen on the day of the festivities. Makeahead dishes that can be reheated or set in chafing dishes for buffet meals are preferable. There’s lots of dishes to choose from, including casseroles, stews, soups, and baked pasta dishes. Avoid fresh pasta offerings, like spaghetti and meatballs, for example. Leftover noodles will get mushy and will not reheat very well.
Ham is a good choice
Ham is a forgiving dish that is quite popular for holiday gatherings. Many hams come pre-cooked and pre-sliced, so producing a flavorful main course may be just a matter of dressing it up with seasonings or even using the glaze that often comes with such products.
Cater a meal
There’s certainly pride that comes with offering guests a
table full of home-cooked foods. But the expense, effort and time that goes into creating a masterful menu can be taxing. If a lot of people are coming for the holidays, hosts can find out which area businesses offer holiday catering packages and consider them. This frees up more time for mingling with guests. And food establishments often have experience knowing just how much food to have per person, reducing waste and helping hosts avoid having a refrigerator full of leftovers they may or may not eat.
Delegate some tasks
It’s alright to ask guests to bring something to the holiday dinner. In fact, they may be eager to pitch in. If someone brings a salad, another an appetizer and others some desserts, then it is just up to the host to provide the main course and maybe a side or two. This removes a lot of the pressure.
Select familiar foods
Hosts may be tempted to try all of the delicious recipes featured in magazines or online around the holidays. However, sticking with familiar dishes that you have made before reduces the chances for error. Recipes that can be whipped up by rote will make holiday cooking tasks easier and quicker.
Cooking for a holiday crowd doesn’t have to be difficult, especially when hosts employ a few strategies to simplify meal creation.
A new cookie for Christmas
Add a new offering to your Christmas cookie lineup“Santa’s Whiskers” likely get their name from the coconut on these cookies, which resemble Santa’s beard. Maraschino cherries add some jolly red to the cookies as well, making them perfect for Christmas. Try this recipe from “Butter, Flour, Sugar, Joy” (Sourcebooks) by Danielle Kartes.
Santa’s Whiskers
20 to 24 cookies
1 1⁄2 cups confectioner’s sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 12-ounce jar maraschino cherries, strained and stemmed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1⁄2 teaspoon almond extract
1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a stand mixer, with a hand mixer, or by hand, cream the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add the cherries, vanilla, almond extract, and salt. Mix thoroughly. Fold into the flour and mix until it forms a crumbly but moist dough.
Lay a 16-inch sheet of parchment paper onto the counter. Sprinkle 1 cup of the coconut on th center in a loose rectangle, making sure it does not reach the edge of the parchment. Place the cookie dough on top, flattening a bit with your fingers, and sprinkle the remaining coconut over the top of the dough.
Form the dough into a 12- to 14-inch log, about 3 inches thick. Evenly press the coconut around the log and roll to make the log an even cylinder. Roll the parchment up with the dough inside and twist the ends. Chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Slice cookies in 1⁄4- to 1⁄2-inch rounds, place on the prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart, and bake 12 to 15 minutes. Allow to cool before serving.
Nicole Rickey Interior Design and Luxe Lighting
By Erika Williams
Cooler weather means many people will be spending more time inside and thinking about creating their dream home. Decorating and designing a home is no small task, but neither is selecting the right interior designer. Whether it’s a new build or a home refresh, Nicole Rickey of Nicole Rickey Interior Design and Luxe Lighting, promises to bring her client’s vision to life.
After growing up around her father’s home design business, Nicole knew that she wanted to be an interior designer.
“My dad has been a home designer my entire life so that’s the only thing that I really ever knew. I grew up going to watch him draw house plans at his office and on construction sites. I just always knew, from the time that I was very young, that I was also interested in design and architecture. I made up my mind very early on in my life that’s what I wanted to go to school for,” said Nicole.
After high school, Nicole earned a degree in interior design from Oklahoma State University, and she’s been running her own design business for the last 22 years. Her focus has been working with clients to ensure they are pleased with the final product.
“I put my personal preferences aside and just truly try
to be a vessel that guides my clients into making good choices every step of the way to help them create what they can’t create on their own,” said Nicole. “Everybody has different tastes and preferences and getting to dive into those clients’ style and figure out what they want makes it a challenge every time, but it’s so fun and it keeps my job constantly changing and fresh and new.”
While she can accommodate all styles of design, Nicole is well known for modern and contemporary homes.
“I’ve done a lot of modern and contemporary homes because I really love and appreciate that style, so people that have had a preference for that know that I can do it really well,” said Nicole. “I would say the overall theme in all my designs I just try to help my clients achieve a very classic timeless look in their homes. There are a lot of different styles of interiors right now. There are many things that are popular, but I don’t just do one particular style. I’ve done every design style over the years, and I appreciate and love them all.”
Nicole has worked extensively with clients building new homes helping them make decisions every step of the way.
“I typically am helping people that are building new homes, starting from day one all the way till they move in, helping them make all of the interior selections, designing
their cabinets, pretty much specifying everything decoratively and architecturally that’s going inside of the house,” said Nicole. “I love seeing that project come to life off of a piece of paper.”
Those looking to refresh their home design with a more modern look can also take advantage of Nicole’s services.
“I enjoy doing full kitchen remodels, bathroom transformations, and coming in when people have a beautiful home, and they’re still happy with a large part of it, they just want to do a little facelift,” said Nicole.
Through designing homes, Nicole also found a love for lighting design. She started a second business called Luxe Lighting to offer clients unique light fixtures sourcing lighting fixtures from across the United States and Europe.
Said Nicole, “I started a lighting company about eight years ago I’ve always had a passion for really beautiful lighting fixtures, and it always was kind of a staple of my designs finding light fixtures for the rooms that I was designing. I always wanted to have things that nobody had ever seen before and that my clients would be very proud to have in their spaces.”
Through designing, Nicole has become a lighting expert
offering her services to clients and builders to create the ideal lighting environment for every room.
“I just have a lot of expertise in lighting design now not only just the decorative fixtures but also considering how important lighting is in interiors and in homes. Sometimes for clients, I just come in and put lighting packages together of unique pieces and things that they’ve never seen before,” said Nicole. “I make sure the size is correct, and the light output is correct. It has been very rewarding helping people find beautiful pieces they never would have been able to find on their own.”
Nicole prides herself on being able to help clients get exactly what they want bringing their inspiration into reality.
“I love it when clients come to me and they’re like, ‘We love this light fixture,” and I can look at the picture and say, ‘Oh I know exactly where to get that. I can get you that exact light.’ That just makes me so happy because I can truly just be a vehicle to help my clients achieve that dream space that they’re trying to create.”
For Nicole, every project is totally unique, and she enjoys getting to know her clients throughout the process to make sure their dream home is not only beautiful but practical as well.
“When I’m working with clients, I really pour myself into my time with them. I just kind of become part of the family. I really get to know them on a deep level. I get to know their kids and what their daily schedule is like, and I just really design everything around the way that they live their life,” said Nicole. “I become very close to them so all of
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the selections that I start suggesting to them become very personal because I do really feel like I get to know them on such a deep level spending so much time with them picking out these things for their home.”
While designing a home may feel like a big undertaking. Nicole assures her clients that she is there every step of the way
“I always tell my clients this is going to be a very fun stress-free experience. Let me take the pressure off of you. We’re going to take little steps, and it’s going to be easy to make these choices. I like to start with enough time that we never feel rushed to make decisions,” said Nicole. “I try to narrow down the options for my clients, so they’re not overwhelmed. I’ll say, ‘Okay there’s three options for this space. I think any of these would be beautiful which one do you like the best?’ I do that leg work ahead of time so that when we’re meeting face-toface the options are already narrowed down. It just makes going through all of those steps so much easier and lets those pieces fall together very naturally.”
To learn more about Nicole Rickey Interior Designs and Luxe Lighting visit nicolerickeyinteriordesign.com or call 405-757-5698 to schedule a consultation.
“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.”
-Emily Brontë
this holiday season Maximize outdoor spaces
The holiday season comes at a time when the weather can be anywhere from cool to frigid. But even if the weather outside is somewhat frightful, holiday entertaining in outdoor spaces can still be delightful. Making the most of outdoor spaces during the holidays and the rest of the winter can
enable guests to spread out, which should make things more comfortable for them. With that goal in mind, the following are some tips for putting outdoor areas to good use when hosting loved ones this holiday season.
• Decorate first. An easy way to make outdoor entertaining spaces more welcoming is to coordinate the decor with the interior of the home.
Greenery wrapped with lights around railings and fencing can create the perfect ambiance. Candles, wreaths and small, decorated Christmas trees can finish the effect.
• Consider a fire or heating element. Unless you live in a temperate climate, you’ll need some way to keep guests warm. Center the outdoor en-
tertaining space around a fire pit, outdoor fireplace or an outdoor heater. Make sure to illuminate the outdoor area so that guests can find their way around with ease.
• Host an early gathering. The sun sets early in fall and winter, so it may not only get colder, but also darker at a time when guests typically arrive. Think about moving up the start time of your holiday event if you’ll be having an outdoor area, so guests can see one another and stay a little warmer.
• Use the grill. Keep foods warm by using the grill or an outdoor griddle; otherwise, set up the food buffet-style inside so guests can make their plates and gravitate where they feel comfortable.
• Provide blankets or fleeces. In addition to warming elements around your entertaining space, stock a large basket with cozy throws, blankets or fleece jackets that guests can use to warm up. Hats and scarves also may be appreciated.
• Invest in waterproof furniture. Upgrade your exterior seating with plush outdoor couches and lounges that are decked out in weather-resistant fabrics. Make them more comfortable with throw pillows that coordinate with a holiday entertaining theme.
• Set up two drink stations. Set up beverages both inside and outside the home so guests can easily refill their drinks wherever they are relaxing.
Think about having some warm drinks outside, such as mulled cider or hot chocolate, so guests can be warmed from the inside as well.
• Use a wireless speaker. A Bluetooth-enabled wireless speaker placed outside allows guests to listen to holiday tunes while they are enjoying themselves.
Using well-equipped outdoor areas for entertaining can expand the possibilities and guest list for holiday gatherings.
Get ready for a furnace checkup
Turning on the heat may be the furthest thing from homeowners’ minds come the end of summer or early fall. After all, there are plenty more days of comfortable temperatures to expect over the weeks to come. However, failing to inspect a furnace prior to when it is needed could lay a foundation for cold evenings.
Many HVAC experts recommend that homeowners get their furnaces tuned up before the first cold spell arrives. When the heat is needed for the first time, it will be guaranteed to work if it’s been examined and any underlying issues have been addressed.
HVAC technicians are busy at the start of summer and winter. If a furnace is not working correctly, it could take some time before a professional can make a service call. Having the furnace and related equipment checked prior to when it’s time to turn on the furnace means homeowners will not be left in the lurch or potentially spending premium prices for repairs.
It is important to get a furnace checkup for a variety of reasons. Doing so can make the HVAC system run more efficiently, which could result in savings over the winter. Regular maintenance also can help the furnace last longer, delaying the need for a costly replacement. No one wants the furnace to break down in the middle of a frigid night. Annual checkups can help reduce the risk of that happen-
ing. In addition, many furnace manufacturers offer warranties on their systems that require annual maintenance from a professional. Failure to have the system inspected could void the warranty.
Even if homeowners are floating in the pool and cranking up the air conditioning, they should give consideration to having their furnaces inspected and serviced soon to prepare for the colder months ahead.
The Gin the perfect host
By Erika Williams
A new event venue recently opened in downtown Edmond featuring multiple indoor and outdoor spaces. Located in the former Edmond Cotton Gin at 29 West 4th St., The Gin has already hosted several public and private events. With over 13,000 square feet of outdoor space, this versatile venue is perfect for hosting weddings, fundraisers, concerts, and more.
The Gin owner, Robert Looman, says that he has dreamed of opening a space like this for a long time, and after five years of planning, his dream has come to life. Although he’s not an Edmond native, he’s raised his family here and sees Edmond as the perfect place for his vision to come to life.
and an art gallery.
“Once a month we’re featuring an artist or two. We let them put their work here, and they get to show it for the month. So, every time we have a band or something going on, they can come and act like this is their gallery. You just don’t get this opportunity at a lot of places,” said Robert.
“I didn’t grow up here, but my kids did. They went to Deer Creek, and we live here in Edmond. The town that I came from in California had a lot of places like this, and we’ve always wanted to own an event center,” said Robert. “We are right in the middle of the two hottest spots in Edmond right now, Stevenson’s Park and Downtown Edmond. It’s perfect.”
The Gin has three different areas that can be rented individually, or those interested in larger parties can rent out the entire space. Some impressive features of the venue include a stage, VIP deck, bars both indoor and outdoor,
In addition to partnering with visual artists, The Gin has also hosted several musical artists for concerts throughout the summer as part of their “On the Rocks” series.
Said Robert, “We have rocks instead of grass, so we don’t have to worry about mud when it rains. So, everything that we do is called ‘On the Rocks,’ so it’s ‘The Gin on the Rocks,’ it’s ‘Art on the Rocks.’”
While The Gin has only been open for a few months, they have already organized several functions. Robert explains that one thing that makes the venue unique is the variety of events they are able to host.
“We just did a kidapalooza through summer where we had sandboxes set up, water stations, and bubble stations. We’re getting ready to do a big cookie exchange for Thanksgiving and then again at Christmas,” said Robert. “You could do a car show, a cornhole tournament, or a chili cook-off here. You name it, we could do it here. We can do every -
thing except land a helicopter and launch a hot air balloon. I think those are the only two things that we can’t do here”
The outdoor space is sprawling allowing for large events. There are several shady trees ensuring guests are comfortable even on the hottest Oklahoma day. The Gin is not only ideal for events during warmer months. For winter events, the venue has portable heaters and fire pits available as well as a 40X60 foot tent.
The venue can hold up to 300 people with the amenities available on site, but there is enough space for events of up to 1,300 people if renters provide additional amenities. Those looking to host weddings or other private events at The Gin can expect access to bride and groom’s quarters, tables and chairs, and a flexible vendor policy.
Said Robert, “The hook that I’m offering right now is that you can bring in your own food. You know, people are already spending thousands of dollars on weddings, but maybe they know somebody that can barbecue or some-
body that owns a food truck. My big gate opens so you can open it up and pull trucks right in.”
Robert believes The Gin is the perfect addition to the downtown Edmond community. His goal is to create a family-friendly space where people can bring their kids, pets, family, and friends to relax, enjoy the entertainment, and have a good time.
“We don’t really have a nightclub, so this is kind of a better version of that in some ways where it’s a little bit more low-key, more chill. It’s a place that the average college student could go to but also if like you know a family wants somewhere to sit and watch the game while the kids play, it works well. There’s just so much room,” said Robert.
The Gin hosts weekly events that are open to the public like a writer’s roundtable on Tuesdays, open mic nights on Wednesdays, and concerts on Thursdays. To learn more about public events at The Gin or to inquire about hosting a private event visit theginok.com.
Get a head start on New Year’s resolutions
After the rush of the holiday season has largely ended, and the excess of the season starts to weigh on celebrants’ minds, it is customary for many people to start thinking about the changes they want to implement in the new year. According to a Pew Research Center survey of United States adults conducted in January 2024, 30 percent of people reported making at least one resolution, with half of this group making more than one. The survey also found that young adults are the most likely to make New Year’s resolutions, with 49 percent of those between the ages 18 and 29 saying they have made a resolution.
It’s never too early to start thinking about what to improve upon in 2025, or which goals to set. Here are some common resolutions and how to implement them.
• Exercise more. Getting in shape is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions every year. Gym memberships spike and people often invest in home exercise equipment around this time of year. According to the American College of Sports Medicine,
wearable technology continues to be a top trend in fitness and has been a mainstay since 2016. While Fitbit and the Apple Watch series have remained strong contenders, one also may want to invest in the Garmin Vivomove, which boasts wireless charging. Tracking fitness goals can keep those resolutions going strong.
• Improve mental well-being. Getting in shape is not the only health-related goal this time of year. Mental health also comes into play when people make their resolutions. Taking opportunities to slow down and be more mindful can help. One way to do so is through journaling. Human behavior expert and author Natalie Friscia Pancetti, says journaling reduces stress, helps with anxiety, encourages confidence, and can improve perceptions. This is why she developed a journal with inspirational writing prompts as a companion to her “This Too” book and planner.
• Quit smoking. Quitting smoking is a worthy goal. Health care experts know smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and has been linked to
more than 27 diseases. Many people want to quit smoking, but the Mayo Clinic says only about 5 percent of people who try to quit succeed without a smoking cessation product. Nicotine replacement items are some of the most popular smoking cessation tools. For those who want to go drug-free, Füm is a device that addresses the three major components of habit formation that occur with smoking. Employing flavored air, the device replaces the fixation of the hand-to-mouth habit with non-addictive plant extracts that are inhaled, simulating smoking without the negative effects.
• Learn a new language. Learning a new skill or language is another popular resolution. Today there are many apps available to help people learn one or more new languages. From Duolingo to Babbel to Memrise, there are programs available whether one is a visual learner or wants to jump right into specific phrases.
Many people get a jump-start on identifying their resolutions in early- to mid-December so they’ll be ready to move forward come New Year’s Day.
How to organize a home’s interior
The dawn of a new year marks a convenient time to turn over a new leaf. Much attention is paid to individuals’ intentions to eat healthier and exercise more at the start of a new year, but those goals are not the only ways to embrace positive change come January.
A quick look around a home’s interior may lead some to conclude that their home environments could benefit from a little less clutter and some improved organization. A more organized home may be easier to navigate and can even have a positive impact on residents’ mental health. In fact, a 2021 study published in the journal Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology found that women who cared for infants in cluttered homes experienced higher levels of physical stress than those whose homes were more organized. That study suggests an organized home is a less stressful environment, which itself can pay nu-
merous dividends, as the Mayo Clinic notes chronic stress increases a person’s risk for various health problems, including anxiety, depression, digestive issues, heart disease, and weight gain, among others.
With so much to gain from an orga-
nized home, individuals can consider these strategies to make interior spaces around the house less cluttered.
• Avoid procrastinating. A weekly, if not daily, routine that involves cleaning up spaces like the kitchen and living room can ensure a home is not overtaken by clutter before residents even realize it. Each day, go through the mail and discard papers like grocery store circulars and junk mail so they don’t pile up. Parents of schoolaged children can organize papers kids return home with each day so all that homework and event announcements does not create clutter.
• Purchase an entryway shoe rack. It might seem simple, but an entryway shoe rack can set an organized tone in a home. Whether the primary entryway is through the front door or a side door, a shoe rack just inside the door can ensure shoes are not strewn about and reduces the chances that floors are muddied.
• Consider furniture that doubles as storage. Many people utilize storage furniture so common spaces like living rooms are not overwhelmed by clutter. For example, a storage ottoman can hold blankets, pillows and other creature comforts so these rooms project a clutter-free vibe when not in use. Similarly, storage benches at the end of beds in each bedroom can help to establish a serene, clutter-free vibe, which can promote a better night’s sleep.
• Discard older items. Clutter can pile up when storage areas like closets, dressers, nightstands, and home offices fill up with items people tend to accumulate over the years. For example, a linen closet can be overrun by bath towels that are rarely used, while nightstands can become junk drawers over the years. Periodically go through these areas and discard older items that are no longer used. These tasks won’t take long, but can free up ample space throughout the home.
These are just a handful of the many ways individuals can effectively organize their home interiors and reap all the rewards that such efforts produce.
