May 2016 Ellis County Living Magazine

FASHION BEAUTY SHOPPING HOME GARDEN MEDICAL

Living HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Hometown agents providing the same exceptional service.

New Office Location!

Leslie Majors Broker, Owner Cell: 972.921.6880 Leslie@lesliemajors.com John Majors REALTOR速 Cell: 972.921.8215 John@lesliemajors.com Legacy Realty Group Office: 972.905.6333 1332 W. Highway 287 Bypass, Ste. 3, Waxahachie, TX 75165

Broker #9004968

Leslie Majors Team

elliscountylegacygroup.com

Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce 2015 Business of the Year Voted “Best Mortgage Company” In Ellis County 2013, 2014 & 2015

www.TheSchmidtGrp.com Your Award-Winning Team Jeff Schmidt - 817.681.7897 When you are looking for hometown service backed by expert, local professionals, turn to The Schmidt Group at Gateway Mortgage. Their Waxahachie office has over 90 years’ experience in the mortgage industry and best of all, they live and work right here in ELLIS COUNTY.

REGIONAL MANAGER

Whether you are purchasing a new home, considering refinancing or even seeking access to your home’s equity, they have the right solution to meet nearly any mortgage need.

Nick Hester - 469.855.9262

The Schmidt Group promises you: • A community - first approach • Local underwriting and reliable closings • Service for a lifetime

NMLS 91368

Jeff.Schmidt@GatewayLoan.com

Tom Ker - 972.365.7022 SENIOR LOAN ORIGINATOR NMLS 356892

Tom.Ker@GatewayLoan.com

SENIOR LOAN ORIGINATOR NMLS 338108

Nick.Hester@GatewayLoan.com

Terry Wooten - 214.949.9285 SENIOR LOAN ORIGINATOR NMLS 224831

Terry.Wooten@GatewayLoan.com

Lance Wallace - 903.571.9869 LOAN ORIGINATOR/BUSINESS DEV MGR NMLS 1146461

Lance.Wallace@GatewayLoan.com

Office: 972.937.2200 | 1332 W. Hwy 287 Bypass, Suite-1 | Waxahachie, TX 75165 Gateway Mortgage Group is a registered service mark of Gateway Mortgage Group, LLC. NMLS 7233

BOUTIQUE NURSERY • LANDSCAPE & DESIGN

THE BEST SELECTION OF NATIVE TEXAS PLANTS EarthTones Greenery is your hometown boutique nursery. Why shop at a big box store when you can have personalized service, the best selection of native plants, trees and all your organic gardening products? Whether you are an experienced organic gardener or a novice trying it for the first time, we have the supplies and advice to help you grow with success.

OUR STAFF We have an expertly trained staff of plant nerds and organic freaks who love to share their knowledge on all things Texas gardening.

Stop by anytime and learn about composting, organic gardening techniques and the best plants for your garden. We were green before it was cool!

Stop by EarthTones Greenery anytime to plan your home grown goodness!

810 E. Main | Midlothian | 972.723.0702

www.EarthTonesGreenery.com

texas pearls and co.

213 S. College St.

Downtown Waxahachie

Shop Hours: Tues-Sat 10am-5:30pm

er Custom Ord Your Table

Any Size & Style

We offer home consultations where Mandy will work with you to relove your space by creating a design that matches the style you are looking for within your budget.

We can help you with interior & exterior painting, cabinetry paining, woodworking, etc. Our team will help you fall in love with your home again.

Style Decor Farmhouse

Have you heard our big news?

Texas Ma de & Handcra fted

C

Magnolia Home furniture &

accessories are coming soon to our shop!

Follow @texaspearls on Instagram & Facebook for the latest shop happenings!

Briarpatch

Kaitlin Michele Photography

Mother’s Day

Cards & Gifts for All Occassions!

Father’s Day

Largest Brighton Selection in Ellis County The Briarpatch #1

The Briarpatch #2

The Briarpatch #3

BOUTIQUE 404 W. Main St., Waxahachie 972-937-7717

HOME DECOR 405 Water St., Waxahachie 972-937-1441

HALLMARK 507 N. Hwy 77, Ste. 406, Waxahachie 972-923-1884

TABLE OF CONTENTS 32

PERU AWAITS YOU

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14 FASHION

SAY HELLO TO SUMMER WITH A NEW LOOK

MAY/JUNE

HELLO SUMMER 14 NEON DREAMSICLES 16 LET THE SUNSHINE IN 18 ESSENTIALS FOR THE 1970S GIRL 20

LIFE & STYLE

GET THE SKINNY, A BEAUTY COLUMN 24 BOOKS: CELEBRITY ADVICE26 RECIPE FILES: BITTERSWEET BAKERY 28 GUY TALK COLUMN 30 TRAVEL: PERU 32 WEDDINGS: WHIMSICAL ROMANCE 36 2016 WEDDING TRENDS 38

HEALTH & WELLNESS SPA-ING AT HOME 42 PAINTING AS THERAPY? 44 ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE WIN! 46

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LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

SUMMER READING STARTS HERE

HOME

MARKETPLACE 40 DIANE JOHNSON COLLARD DESIGN COLUMN 48 THE FIREMAN’S WIFE COLUMN 50 COURTNEY WARREN COLUMN 52 MAY/JUNE GARDENING 54

MEDICAL

ASK DR. DONALDSON 58 Q&A WITH DR. DARIEN BRADFORD 60 A GUY’S GUIDE TO GOOD HEALTH 62

CINDY BURCH: THE JOY OF ST. CROIX 64

“I HAD ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE INSIDE THOSE HOMES!”

Living

ELLIS COUNTY

MAGAZINE

VOLUME 12 ISSUE 3 PUBLISHER CINDY CAMP CREATIVE DIRECTOR LINDSEY KEENEY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MEAGAN CAMP ART DIRECTOR BRITTANY MCDANIEL ASSISTANT EDITOR TYLER-MARIE HARTMANN ADVERTISING CHRIS BENNETT

Publisher’s Note: As the publisher, I encourage my staff to plan ahead and prepare for the unexpected in and out of the office. The same commitment to their work should be applied when it comes to their health and wellbeing. It’s something we all want to work on even when we don’t know how to start. This issue touches on many forms of wellness, and I hope you learn something new to help you be more committed to your well being. Happy Summer!

- Cindy Camp, Publisher Lindsey is the creative director for EC Living

Magazine. She grew up in Ennis and graduated from Texas A&M University. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, concerts, shopping and traveling, especially to her favorite destination, Las Vegas.

Contact Lindsey at lindsey@living-magazine.com.

Meagan is the editor-in-chief for EC Living

Magazine. Writing and cooking are her favorite hobbies as well as traveling with her husband Chris, a diplomat with the State Department currently serving overseas.

Contact Meagan at editor@living-magazine.com.

CFO SUSAN KOSORIS A special thanks to all of our contributing writers.

Ellis County Living Magazine is published bi-monthly by ECL Media, Inc.© using only environmentally-friendly ink.

Copyright 2016, ECL Media, Inc.© All rights reserved.

For advertising information, please contact Ellis County Living Magazine at 972.935.0938 or info@living-magazine.com.

We are proud members of the Waxahachie, Ennis, Midlothian and Red Oak Chambers of Commerce.

No portion of Ellis County Living Magazine shall be reprinted in any other publication without permission. The views expressed herein should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult your physician.

Follow us on Instagram: @ECLivingMagazine facebook.com/EllisCountyLiving pinterest.com/ECLivingmag twitter.com/ECLiving

Guarantee you’ll receive Ellis County Living Magazine by subscribing today!

Go to www.living-magazine.com and click on “subscriptions.”

STAFF PHOTOS BY MARIE Q PHOTOGRAPHY

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LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

Chris handles business development for

Ennis, Waxahachie and Midlothian for EC Living Magazine. He grew up in Red Oak and volunteers with the SPCA in his spare time. Chris is an avid collector of movie memorabilia and autographs from his favorite actors and musicians.

Contact him at chris@living-magazine.com.

Susan is the chief financial officer of EC Living Magazine. A University of Texas business school graduate, Susan has 25 years of experience in business management, marketing and accounting.

She has three sons and enjoys volunteering, cooking, reading and traveling.

Contact her at Susan@living-magazine.com.

Tyler-Marie is the assistant editor EC Living Magazine. She grew up in Southern California, is a 2016 graduate of SAGU with a degree in English Writing and Digital Media Arts.

Contact Tyler-Marie at social@living-magazine.com.

Brittany is the new art director of EC Living Magazine. As fairly new Ellis County resident, she enjoys spending her spare time finding the hidden gems of Waxahachie with her husband and daughter.

Contact Brittany at creative@living-magazine.com.

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

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A LOT IS HAPPENING IN ELLIS COUNTY...

AROUND TOWN RED OAK:

EDITOR’S NOTE May is upon us, and it is a season of celebration. Mother’s and Father’s Day, graduation ceremonies and end of school parties are filling up our weekends. During these happy times, it is so easy to lose sight of our goals for healthy living and wellness while we are busy taking care of others. It is possible to take time for yourself when you can rely on professionals to come to you! The feature this issue is all about bringing a little relaxation home with Beauticontrol’s Kiersten Lavallee’s in-home spa treatments.

Be sure to flip to page 14 to see our local boutique’s latest looks in our shoot that took us from downtown Waxahachie out to Loma Linda in Palmer. Special thanks to our team from The Wiser Salon, photographers Lucy Soerens and Hunter Holm for their beautiful work and to Tyler-Marie Hartmann, our assistant editor, for making it all happen.

We are ramping up our wedding section with a report from Certified Wedding Planner Teresa Choate on page 36. If you or a friend are getting married this summer in Ellis County, please let us know! We are looking for one-of-a-kind weddings to put in the September/October Wedding Issue.

Send a “Save the Date” to editor@ living-magazine.com if you wish to be considered for the feature.

Meagan Camp EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

27TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

MAY 13, COUNTRY VIEW GOLF COURSE, 240 W. BELTLINE RD., LANCASTER 27th annual golf tournament to fundraise for education scholarships. Rain date Monday, May 16.

Contact Shelley Martinez at 972-617-0906 or go to www.redoakchamber.org.

TRASH OFF

JUNE 18, 7:30-10:30 AM. RED OAK HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STADIUM HOME SIDE PARKING LOT. Bring your trash, brush, appliances, furniture, carpet, lumber, old automotive batteries, car tires (4 max) each customer. Contact Margaret Josey 972-576-3414 or mjosey@redoaktx.org.

ENNIS:

“CINDERELLA”

MAY 1, THEATRE ROCKS “His Majesty and Her Highness invite you to the royal ball to celebrate the engagement of their son, The Prince. Everyone in The Kingdom is required to attend!” Cinderella as retold by H. McMillion.

“DOUBLEWIDE, TEXAS”

MAY 6 - MAY 21 ENNIS PUBLIC THEATRE, 2705-C N. KAUFMAN ST. The rollicking mayhem of the flat-out funny Jones Hope Wooten comedy escalates as the residents attempt to secede from Texas, discover a traitor in their midst, and turn the table in a surprising and side-splitting finale. www.ennispublictheatre.com

PET PARADE

MAY 14, 10AM – 11AM ENNIS PUBLIC LIBRARY Friends of the Library Pet Parade.

Pet lovers can show off their pets or just get some exercise as we parade our pets around the block on which the library sits.

Every type of pet is welcome as long as they are leashed.

ANGEL RUN / WALK-A-THON MAY 21, 9:00AM – 3:30PM JAYCEE PARK

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LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

Sponsored by The Tyi’Gee Foundation. For more information, to register, or to volunteer, please contact Lakeshea Brown at TyiGeeFoundation@gmail.com or 469-323-7949. www.tyigeefoundation.wix.com/home

50TH ANNUAL NATIONAL POLKA FESTIVAL

MAY 27-MAY 30 The National Polka Festival® in Ennis invites everyone to come help celebrate fifty wonderful years of Czech heritage festivities.

Visit www.nationalpolkafestival. com for more information and full event schedule.

SECOND ANNUAL UNITY ONE MUSIC FEST

JUNE 11, DOWNTOWN ENNIS This is a FREE family friendly event to promote all the wonderful things Ennis has to offer. For event information call UNITY7-9227.

“CABIN FEVER”

FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS JUNE 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, SUNDAY MATINEE, JUNE 26, THEATRE ROCKS Witty and wise, best described as “Several Horton Foote characters in search of an exit from a Sam Shepard play.” www.theatrerocks.com

“BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, JR”

JUNE 24 - JULY 3 ENNIS PUBLIC THEATRE 2705 N KAUFMAN S Featuring songs from the Academy Award-winning animated feature such as “Be Our Guest” and “Beauty and the Beast.”

MIDLOTHIAN: WINE & ARTS FESTIVAL

MAY 7, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM DOWNTOWN MIDLOTHIAN Wine tasting and vendor booths in historic downtown Midlothian.

Purchase tickets at www.midlothianchamber.org.

8TH STREET DANCE

MAY 14, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM DOWNTOWN MIDLOTHIAN Featuring the band Le Freak and proudly sponsored by McKeever

Real Estate.

HEROES OF MIDLOTHIAN 5K

MAY 21, 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM MISD MULTI-PURPOSE STADIUM The Heroes of Midlothian Foundation is a non-profit, all-volunteer corporation dedicated to improving and supporting the community of Midlothian, Texas. www.heroesofmidlothian.org

WILDFLOWER WALK

MAY 21 & JUNE 18, 9:00 AM MOCKINGBIRD NATURE PARK Hope you’ll join us on this 1/2 mile stroll along the trail as we identify the wildflowers. Be sure to bring water and wear closed-toe shoes.

Insect repellent is also a good idea, especially in the spring when the chiggers are out and hungry! In the event of rain, the walk will be cancelled. lead by members of the Indian Trail Chapter of the Master Naturalist program, from Ellis and Navarro counties.

MIDLOTHIAN OPRY

MAY 21 & JUNE 18, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM MIDLOTHIAN CIVIC CENTER Country music show featuring the Goodtimers Band held every third Saturday. Concessions are available.

NECESSITY CLOSET AT ONE WAY CHURCH

MAY 27 & JUNE 24, 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM ONE WAY CHURCH Necessity Closet helps people on food stamps or who have a low income by giving them paper products and cleaning supplies.

They are open the last Friday of each month from noon to 3:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Jean Burns at 972-978-7210 or by email at mybrokee@aol.com

CPR - FIRST AID CLASS

MAY 28, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Contact the Midlothian Fire Department to reserve your spot.

The book Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED Student Workbook is required.

For updates and chances to win free stuff, be sure to “like” us on Facebook.com/EllisCountyLiving.

Do you have an event you want everyone to know about?

Send an e-mail to: EDITOR@LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM PANCAKE BREAKFAST FLY-IN

JUNE 4, 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM MID-WAY REGIONAL AIRPORT Classic airplanes, helicopter rides, fly-overs, radio controlled model airplanes, live music, children’s activities, Midlothian Classic Wheels, and Gold Wing Road Riders. Adults & children 8 and over $6, Children under 8 $3. 972-923-0080.

MOVIE IN THE PARK “INSIDE OUT”

JUNE 11, 7:30 PM @ HAWKINS SPRING PARK Outdoor Movie in the Park sponsored by Methodist Mansfield.

Make sure to bring chairs or blankets. You may also bring snacks and drinks or the concession stand will be open. Don’t forget your insect repellent!

WAXAHACHIE:

“JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT” FRIDAY, MAY 6 SUNDAY, MAY 8 CHAUTAUQUA AUDITORIUM IN GETZENDANER PARK. Tickets: $15 and are

available online at www.waxahachiecommunitytheatre.com

merchants PAINT HISTORIC WAXAHACHIE – THE PREMIER NORTH TEXAS PAINT OUT MAY 14-22

Historic Waxahachie For more information: www.elliscountyart.net CROSSROADS OF TEXAS FILM FESTIVAL MAY 18-21

For more information: www.crossroadsoftxff.com WAXAHACHIE AUCTION MAY 19, 7 PM 212 S. ROGERS; 3RD THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH

WAXAHACHIE OLD FASHIONED SINGING

MAY 20-21, FRIDAY AT 7 PM – SATURDAY AT 3 PM CHAUTAUQUA AUDITORIUM

DOWNTOWN GIVES BACK JUNE 4 Downtown Waxahachie

CINCO DE MAYO FESTIVAL

Full schedule of events on www.elliscountyhispanicorg. com.

11TH ANNUAL NORTH TEXAS LAKES RALLY FEATURING VINTAGE SCOOTERS

JUNE 9, 5 PM-8 PM MAY 7, 11 AM - 10PM DOWNTOWN WAXAHACHIE Every Month in Downtown Waxahachie with participating Hosted by Ellis County Hispanic Organization (ECHO). merchants

MAY 7, GETZENDANER PARK

JUNE 10-12 Lake Waxahachie For more information: www.northtexaslakesrally.com

Presented by Waxahachie JUNK IN THE TRUNK Lions Club & Waxahachie JUNE 11, 9 AM-2 PM Running Club For more information: www.waxahachie- Downtown Waxahachie lionsclub.org TRUCKS ‘N TUNES ST. JOSEPH SPRING FIESTA JUNE 11, 6 PM-10 PM MAY 7, BEGINS AT 10 AM

Activities include Raffle Drawings, food (tacos, BBQ, pizza) and much more.

For more information: 972-938-1953 2ND THURSDAY LADIES NIGHT OUT MAY 12, 5 PM-8 PM

Every Month in Downtown Waxahachie with participating

JUNE 19, 11 AM-4 PM Lee Penn Park

WAXAHACHIE COW CREEK COUNTRY CLASSIC BIKE RIDE JUNE 25 Sponsored by the Waxahachie Rotary Club For more information: www.cowcreekcountryclassic.org

CRAFT BEER SIP ‘N STROLL

JUNE 25 – 5 PM-9 PM DOWNTOWN WAXAHACHIE

For more information: www.waxauction.com

2ND THURSDAY LADIES NIGHT OUT

2ND ANNUAL HACHIE 50

WAXAHACHIE JUNETEENTH PARADE & CELEBRATION

Downtown Waxahachie

WAXAHACHIE AUCTION

JUNE 16, 7 PM 212 S. Rogers; 3rd Thursday of each month. For more information: www.waxauction.com

WAXAHACHIE GUN & KNIFE SHOW

JUNE 17-19 Waxahachie Civic Center

but first...let me take a selfie!

This month, check out our Instagram and Facebook accounts to win FREE tickets to upcoming events like The Gingerbread Trail!

HOW DO YOU WIN THESE TICKETS? Take a SELFIE with the magazine and tag

us in your photo. You will have a chance to be featured in our next issue, on our social media pages, AND you’ll be entered in our giveaways that week.

FOLLOW US Instagram: @ECLivingMagazine facebook.com/EllisCountyLiving pinterest.com/ECLivingmag twitter.com/ECLiving

The Crape Myrtle Festival The 2016 Crape Myrtle Festival will be on Sunday, July 3 through Monday, July 4. The festival will begin at the Waxahachie Sports Complex on July 3 with gates opening at 6:00 p.m. The event is free to get in, but everyone will have the opportunity to purchase food/drinks from food vendors.

Entertainment for the evening will be a concert by the Tejas Brothers Band followed by the fireworks show. Our sponsors for the festival are H-E-B, Carlisle Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac, and Interbank. KBEC will be simulcasting the fireworks show with patriotic music. Then on Monday, July 4, we will celebrate our Fourth of July Parade with Veterans serving as our Grand Marshals. The parade will begin at 10:00 a.m. on College Street and end at Getzendaner Park where Remedy Church will be providing hot dogs and water, as well as many games for everyone to enjoy at their “Picnic in the Park” celebration.

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

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Hello Summer

FASHION

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: DRESS, Chic Boutique, $29.95 NECKLACE, Multitudes, $24 EARRINGS, Multitudes, $12 DRESS, Multitudes, $42

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LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

FASHION

NEON DREAMsicle

DRESS, Multitudes, $6

8

Toss your coats into storage and grab those summer dresses and sandals. This season, we are loving neon colors! Who doesn’t want to enjoy the Texas sun in even brighter outfits? Coordinate your desserts with your outfits and you’re ready for your cutest Instagram photos yet!

STAND OUT S E I R O S S E ACC

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: DRESS, Multitudes, $44 DRESS, Chic Boutique, $39.95 NECKLACE, Multitudes, $24

EARRINGS, Multitudes, $10

BRACELET, Pistols & Pearls, $39

Essie, $8

“Taj-Ma-Haul” “Going Guru” Multitudes TOP, $28 // BOTTOM, $34

TOP, $28// BOTTOM, $34 Multitudes

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LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

BRING THE RAINFOREST TO YOUR CLOSET. FIND THIS SUPER TRENDY CROP SET AT MULTITUDES IN A VARIETY OF COLORS.

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

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FASHION

let the? sunshine in

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LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

Living the Bohemian Dream This summer find your inner bohemian and dress like the 1970s.

Everything old is new again

closet necessity FRINGE IS IN!

SHOES, Chic Boutique, $35.95 SHIRT, Briarpatch, $42.95 FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: NECKLACE, Pistols & Pearls, $62 DRESS, Briarpatch, $43.95 DRESS, Chic Boutique, $29.95 EARRINGS, Pistols & Pearls, $28

trend alert MIX YOUR TANS AND BLUES NECKLACE, Pistols & Pearls, $9.99

rise & accessorize EARRINGS, Pistols & Pearls, $15

BRACELET, Ark Country Store, $36.95

BRACELET, Pistols & Pearls, $89

DRESS, Briarpatch, $76.95 SCARF, SoCo Depot, $26

DRESS, Pistols & Pearls, $75 // VEST, SoCo Depot, $60

KIMONO, Bless Your Heart, $34

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

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LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

21

FASHION

Hello Summer & Neon Dreamsicle a special thanks to...

PHOTOGRAPHER: LUCY SOERENS MODELS: ERIKA LARSEN, HALIE ARREAGA LOCATION: THE VACUUM SHOP, DOWNTOWN WAXAHACHIE

let the sunshine in living the bohemian dream & 6 summer essentials for the 1970s girl

Lucy Soere ns - lucill ephoto.co

m

a special thanks to...

RIGHT: FROM LEFT TO utique, $36.95 Bo ic Ch JUMPER, utique, $39.95 JUMPER, Chic Bo

m Hunter Hol

hunter@hun

terholmph

om otography.c

PHOTOGRAPHER: HUNTER HOLM MODELS: HANNAH STIERHOFF, BETHANY BASKIN LOCATION: LOMA LINDA EVENTS IN PALMER FLOWER CROWNS: FRESH MARKET FLOWERS HAIR & MAKE-UP: THE WISER SALON - ROXANNE PORTER, MELISSA BRADLEY

A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR PARTICIPATING BOUTIQUES! Ark Country Store Bless Your Heart Briarpatch Chic Boutique Multitudes Old Town Village Antiques & Uniques Pistols and Pearls SoCo Depot 22

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

23

BEAUTY

Getting

the SKINNY Advice from Tiffany Miner,

your DermOne skin care expert

WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT

SKIN CANCER

Skin cancer will affect 1 in 5 people reading this article. If you don’t think it can happen to you, then consider that it will certainly impact someone close to you. But here’s the good news: Skin cancer is treatable, if caught early, and there are so many things we can do on a daily basis to decrease our odds of developing it. For a cancer that is so common, there is so much misunderstanding about it. In honor of this summer issue that will help you live your life to its fullest, here are a few questions that I hear often: Q: My makeup has SPF in it. Is that enough to protect my face from sun damage?

Unfortunately, no. You have to apply such a large amount of makeup on your skin to achieve protection, and even then, it won’t last long enough. If you want to protect yourself against skin cancer and, of course, those signs of aging that no woman likes, you need to wear SPF daily.

I recommend SPF 30-60 (with titanium or zinc), applied several times a day if you are outdoors. The good news is that there many new fantastic products on the market that provide you skin protection while also protecting your look from chalkiness or greasiness. Products such as those

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LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

from Cotz, SkinCeuticals and EltaMD are good ones to try. And don’t stop at your face – don’t forget your ears, arms, chest, neck, feet and anywhere else that is not covered.

Q: I’m indoors most of the day. I don’t have to worry about sun exposure, right?

Guess what, office workers: If you see any sort of light, whether from a window or a door, or if you go outside for lunch or break, you need protection. This also extends to driving in your car. For many commuters, or for office workers who sit near a window, that daily damage accumulates over time. You can even consider using SPF clothing while you’re in the car.

Q&A

Try brands like Coolibar and Mott 50, which make lightweight jackets and other attire that are convenient to wear to protect your skin. Use SPF liberally.

Q: Is darker skin more protected than lighter skin?

Yes, but that does not mean you don’t need sunscreen. Even the darkest skin types need SPF 15-30. Though melanoma is less common in African American and Hispanic populations, those who do develop melanoma are more likely to die from it than a Caucasian population. Often for people of color, lesions on their skin go unnoticed because it tends to affect “unexpected” parts of the skin, such as the palms of hands or soles of feet. The bottom line is that if you have skin, get it checked annually.

Q: I’m traveling this summer, and my friend says that a good “base tan” will help protect my skin. Is that true?

That is one of the biggest fallacies out there!

A tan – any tan at all – is your skin’s reaction to sun exposure, and you are damaging your skin because a tan is just the body’s response to damaged DNA. There is really no such thing as a healthy “base tan.” A “base tan” may delay sunburn, but it will not prevent damage from UV radiation. Whether it’s caused by sunlight or a sun lamp or tanning bed, no tan is healthy, and there are no “safer” types of rays. In fact, tanning beds are primarily UVA radiation, which does not burn the skin as fast as UVB radiation, but penetrates deeper in the skin to cause irreversible skin aging.

I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to stay out of tanning beds.

with skin care expert

Tiffany Miner

{

WHAT IS A SKIN CHECK, AND HOW OFTEN SHOULD I RECEIVE ONE?

}

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone receives an annual skin check by their skincare expert, especially if you are at a higher risk of skin cancer, including people with reduced immunity, those who have had skin cancer before, or who have a family history of it. Speak with your physician about what is best for you. For my patients, I recommend that they receive a skin check annually at the least, and more often if they are at a higher risk.

FACT OR FICTION:

Will a “base tan” help protect my skin?

- FICTION -

Have a question you would like to ask Tiffany? Send it to editor@ living-magazine.com and you may be featured in a future issue!

Tiffany Miner, PA-C DermOne Waxahachie 972-937-0200

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

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LIFE & STYLE

HOT OFF THE PRESS:

2 CELEBRITY TAKES ON HEALTHY LIVING Over past few years, the rise of celebrity memoirs, healthy living and diet guides as well as good old fashioned cookbooks have taken over the best sellers lists. Instead of reading the occasional interview where a starlet dishes on her diet, we now have her philosophy and advice in her own words. Here’s a look at two new books by Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Hudson.

5

PRETTY HAPPY: HEALTHY WAYS TO LOVE YOUR BODY

By Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson always has a smile on her face and exudes light and energy whether she’s in your favorite movie or in photos on her Instagram account. Sure, there’s a bit of Hollywood magic that influences how she looks, but in her new book “Pretty Happy” Hudson tells us of her struggles and philosophy called the Four Pillars of Health.

“Pretty Happy” isn’t your typical diet/memoir/workout book, it is filled with quizzes, journal entry pages and a primer for learning more about your body. Hudson wants to take you through your emotional and physical reality and help you break bad habits and look for life outside of the constant struggle for perfection.

FOR THE LITTLE LADIES

IT’S ALL EASY

5

By Gwyneth Paltrow

The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls, Revised Edition

Gwyneth Paltrow has been in our heads and hearts since the early 1990s, but it is the newest phase of her career as head of goop Inc. that has had an impact outside of our flat screens. “It’s All Easy” is her third cookbook and is aimed to help harried office workers and parents make healthy, diverse meals during weeknights. The collection includes classics like avocado toast and hearty sandwiches as well as more outgoing fare like bibimbap salad. There are ideas for curing the 4 o’clock blues like fresh beet chips and matcha tea. Take a page from Gwyneth and make something new and easy from this delicious collection of recipes.

REVIEW BY HOLLY BROWNING, COMMUNITY LIAISON AND FAMILY PLANNING COORDINATOR, N. P. SIMS LIBRARY

If you have visited the Buckner Room at Sims Library in the past few years, you should have noticed the many American Girl dolls that are on display on top of the many bookcases. I missed out on the dolls. They were released by the time I was in college. However, having worked with youth in church, museums, and now a library setting, I am so glad that they are around! These dolls are great for many reasons, but it is the books that truly make them special.

Here’s an example of how helpful they can be. One evening, I received a frantic call from my sister because my niece had made the change into womanhood. This life event put both of them in hysterics. Luckily, I know the American Girl book, The Care and Keeping of You. This book was the lifesaver for my sister and her daughter. It worked them through all of the mysteries of life that a preteen experiences, and teaches girls the importance of taking care of their bodies, their minds, and how to develop a healthy self-esteem. It is often hard to explain the adult aspects of life to a young girl, and this book is right at their level. What is even greater is that there is a sequel to the book for girls that are teens, and a "Smart Girl's Guide to..." series that helps young ladies to navigate the many turmoils and changes in life, emotion, social circles, and general knowledge.

Can you find these books at Sims Library? Some of them. I have just ordered The Care and Keeping of You, and there are a few of the "Smart Girl Guides" readily available. We are working on expanding the collection. As always, if you are needing a specific book to help talk to your child or teach your child about the many facets of life, let the librarians know. We will get the book for you. No one should have to go into hysterics over something that you can calmly and happily talk about together.

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LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

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LIFE & STYLE

Bittersweet Bakery's Vanilla Blueberry Bundt Cake with Meyer Lemon Glaze

BY ANGEL SCHIFFER

OWNER, BITTERSWEET BAKERY

Spring is here and with it comes the bright flavors of the farmers market and the promise of light sweet things coming out of the oven.

Bittersweet Bakery, located just off the square in downtown Waxahachie, has blown away their customers with a collection of beautiful cupcakes, chic wedding cakes and other indulgences. Surprise someone with this delightful cake that is perfect for the season.

KAITLIN MICHELE PHOTOGRAPHY

» 3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted » 1 teaspoon baking powder » ½ teaspoon baking soda » ½ teaspoon kosher salt » 2 cups granulated sugar » 1 ½ cups unsalted European butter, room temperature » 6 large eggs at room temperature » 1 cup buttermilk » 2 teaspoons good quality vanilla extract » 1 ½ cups fresh blueberries » zest of one Meyer lemon

Preheat oven to 350˚. Butter one 9" Bundt pan and dust the pan with flour, knocking out any excess.

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the sugar and butter together on high speed until pale and fluffy, between 5-7 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, scraping the bowl between each addition. Combine the buttermilk and vanilla. On low speed, add the flour mixture and the buttermilk mixture alternately in thirds, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until combined, being careful not to over mix! By hand fold in blueberries and lemon zest.

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tips from the pro

INGREDIENTS

Pour the batter in prepared Bundt pan three-quarters of the way full and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake on the middle rack of the oven. For 35-45 minutes, or until the center is set. Cool for 10 minutes and invert on your prettiest cake plate. Dust with powdered sugar, fresh blueberries, or make a lemon glaze (recipe below).

BITTERSWEET BAKERY’S MEYER LEMON GLAZE: Juice and zest of 2 Meyer lemons 3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted Whisk ingredients together in a medium bowl until smooth, pour over cake while warm.

TIP #1

Acid! A little bit of lemon zest can brighten up any dish!

TIP #2

No buttermilk on hand? Make your own!

In a measuring cup add one tablespoon of lemon juice, fill to the 1 cup line with regular milk. Wait 5 minutes and stir!

TIP #3

Invest in the best chocolate and vanilla that you can afford. Life is too short for cheap chocolate!

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

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LIFE & STYLE GUY TALK COLUMN

How Is Your Spiritual Wellness?

BY JUDD MCCUTCHEN

The Health & Wellness issue is full of helpful information that aims to improve your lifestyle, and in most cases is accomplished by a series of actions that lead to a result. Eat smaller portions…lose weight.

Exercise weekly…get stronger. Get more sleep…increase energy. When most of us think of health and wellness, our minds are naturally geared toward physical things such as these.

But to truly attain ‘wellness’ we need a balance not only physically and mentally, but spiritually as well. And there are no series of actions that can get you where you need to be when it comes to spiritual wellness. Let me give you an analogy to better explain.

If you are married, think back on your days of being a bachelor or bachelorette. I would be willing to bet that most of us had a vision of one day getting married, having kids, starting a career, and living happily ever after. I know I did. So why did I wait until I was almost 28 years old to get married? I started dating when I was 16. I’m sure a number of the girls I went out with would have made a suitable wife. I could have gone through the action of a marriage ceremony, the action of buying a house, and the action of raising a family. But there is one critical component in this scenario that I have yet to mention. Love.

That’s why I waited 12 years. It’s the connection of our two spirits that holds us together no matter what.

The actions themselves would have produced what looked like a good

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life, but without love, it would leave a big hole. One that couldn’t be filled by physically doing something about it.

To truly attain ‘wellness’ we need a balance not only physically and mentally, but spiritually as well.

So how does this correlate to spiritual wellness? As a Christian, I have heard my entire life about the importance of reading my Bible, praying, and regularly attending church services.

And while all of these actions are great habits to have, they do not automatically result in a person being spiritually well. I look at spirituality as the path that each individual chooses to follow in response to God. It is the Holy Spirit inside you that leads you to behave the way you do, say the things you say, and be the individual you are.

And there is power in the Spirit. After Jesus went to Heaven, he instructed

his disciples to wait until he sent the Spirit before they started testifying in His name. It took 10 days. And what was the result of that? There were 120 followers of Jesus then, and today there are over 2.2 billion. That isn’t remotely feasible by man alone.

So how do you attain spiritual wellness if there are no series of actions that produce it? You surrender your life to God and make him first in your life.

You no longer live for yourself, or what you want. The daily decisions you make are based on the connection with Him, and outwardly show Him to the world. Let Him guide you, and respond to the direction He leads you.

In my church, we like to call this ‘instant obedience’. It’s not always easy…but the end result is worth it. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

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LIFE & STYLE

Peru DESTINATION OF A LIFETIME Have you been considering an epic vacation – one that will check off a place most likely on your bucket list, provide beautiful scenery, interesting cultural sites and friendly people, plus include the added bonus of learning of a rich, multi-faceted history? If so, I would recommend putting PERU at the top of your list. A South American nation bordering the Pacific Ocean, Peru is a country of ancient cultures that are still in evidence today; not only in the physical remains of these civilizations, but in the heart and soul of its people, many of whom are descendants of the Incas or the Spanish conquistadors. The predominant language spoken is Spanish, although as you move closer to the Andes and to former Incan sites, a more indigenous language, Quechua, is commonly used. A daily non-stop flight to Lima from DFW is an easy, 7-hour flight with the bonus of arriving and still being on Central Standard Time. For pretrip enjoyment and enlightenment, I highly recommend the book TURN RIGHT AT MACHU PICCHU: REDISCOVERING THE LOST CITY ONE STEP AT A TIME, by Mark Adams, which chronicles the author’s retracing of the steps of Hiram Bingham, famous explorer and Yale lecturer who rediscovered the lost ruins of Machu Picchu in 1911.

A good beginning for learning about anything is a museum, and the MUSEO LARCO in Lima is no exception. Housed in an 18th century royal mansion set on beautiful, garden-filled grounds, the museum displays information, art and artifacts from the country’s 5000 year old pre-Columbian past. Don’t stay more than a day or two in bustling Lima; you will want to spend your vacation in more interesting areas and you’ll have plenty of time to hit the museum, visit the colonial center of the city that includes the UNESCO World Heritage designated Plaza Mayor, and have a nice dinner at one of the many seafood restaurants on your way in and out of the country. Stay in the

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BY SUSAN KOSORIS

lovely MIRAFLORES DISTRICT, where you can stroll around to cafes and shops, and visit pretty park squares, including PARQUE KENNEDY. Named for our past President and home to over a hundred sunning and slumbering city cats that are well taken care of by the local community; most of which love to be held and petted by locals and tourists alike.

I travelled with a small tour group of a dozen people; normally I enjoy planning my own itinerary, but Peru is a large country with complicated travel issues, which are best handled by a competent tour company. That is also the optimal way to ensure access to certain restricted Incan sites and for your reservations to still be intact when you arrive. After a short flight on a local airline packed with Peruvians going about their daily lives, and seemingly travelling with everything they owned, we arrived in AREQUIPA, a lovely city nestled in a valley surrounded by three volcanoes and snow-capped peaks of the Andes. Walking around the UNESCO designated historic main plaza filled with buildings composed of sillar, a white volcanic stone, you come upon the majestic 17TH CENTURY BASILICA CATHEDRAL and the 16TH CENTURY SANTA CATALINA MONASTERY, both worth a visit. Afterwards, enjoy a good meal and try the local Arequipa beer at one of the many outdoor cafes around the square. A visit to the bustling market SAN CAMILO makes a great educational side trip; stalls of vibrant textiles, local handicrafts, and colorful vegetables, fruits and meats are for sale, including many of the 4,000 varieties of potatoes found in Peru. A section selling live animals includes cage upon cage of Guinea Pigs. Here, they are not pets, but a popular national dish, roasted and served up whole. While this animal lover could not partake, others with me did try this dinner dish. The consensus?

Tastes like chicken. There are many hotels in the historic center, but we traveled by bus

through breathtaking scenery to a resort in nearby COLCA CANYON, a dramatic, geologic wonder, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, and home to the magnificent Andean Condor. Regardless of where you choose to stay, you must experience the joy of watching the majestic condors, with their 10-foot wingspan, soaring in the canyon thermals – such a thrill to see these birds in the wild.

Our next major destination was to the highest navigable lake in the world, pristine LAKE TITICACA. Also the largest lake in South America, it straddles the border between Peru and Bolivia, is a deep blue color, and is said to be the birthplace of the Incas.

Today, descendants still farm the area by hand, and their patchwork fields surround the lake, continue up the hillsides, and are interspersed by herds of sheep, llamas and alpacas. Not to be missed is a boat excursion to the Islas

Flotantes of the Uros people. Literally floating in the lake far from shore, these islands made of reeds house entire communities of structures (also made from reeds), the permanent residents, and even some pets and small livestock. The villagers in colorful native dress make their living selling handicrafts to tourists and by fishing, and live the same very simple way of life their families have for generations. It is a weird sensation to walk upon the reed islands; the footing is very soft, almost squishy – a wrong turn at night would be a cold, wet surprise.

After leaving Puno, we headed to the ruins of the 15th century TEMPLE OF WIROCOCHA in the archeological complex at Raqchi. Located in the area dubbed the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the geographical region where most Incan ruins are situated, the temple is the largest so far discovered and considered one of the holiest sites in the Incan Empire; interestingly it also served as a fortress and storage facility for weapons. Next up on our tour: the impressive INCAN FORTRESS OF OLLANTAYTAMBO, the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti, who conquered the region in the mid-15th century. Many other Incan ru-

ins can be found in the area, and the hills along the two rivers leading into the city are covered in agricultural terraces, cleverly designed by the Incas to permit farming of otherwise unusable land. Surrounded by mountains, Ollantaytambo was connected to other areas including MACHU PICCHU by a system of roads built by the Incas, and was later a stronghold from which the Incans fought Spanish invaders. Today it is a popular starting point for those wanting to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. For our group, however, the trip to Machu Picchu would be aboard a comfortable train, with panoramic windows above and beside the seats that provided an unblocked view of the scenery along the way. When you arrive and exit the train at Machu Picchu Station, the chaos begins. Seemingly thousands of people are all clambering to get to the same small ticket area and then the entrance gate to begin their journey to the top of Machu Picchu. Some were loaded with giant framed hiking packs, some, like us, simply had a day pack or bag - all trying to go to the restroom one more time (no facilities in the park, where you would be all day) and for the less organized, to purchase water or snacks to carry along. The many

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LIFE & STYLE

PERU CONT.

vendors were happy to sell such items at high fees, as well as other popular necessities such as ski poles and hiking sticks for help in hiking up the steep terrain. Although I had thought it several times during the trip, this was when I knew I had made the right decision to have a local guide who got us quickly and seamlessly through the bedlam. Soon, we were beginning our trek around this glorious monument, and spent a tiring but incredible day experiencing the unforgettable wonders of the TEMPLE OF THE SUN, the SUN GATE and the SACRED PLAZA, all major highlights of many seen while exploring Machu Picchu. It is not an easy journey; many of the paths are narrow stone steps with no railings. The site is sprawling, with lots of uphill treks, plus it is located at 11,000 ft – acclimating yourself earlier on your visit to the country makes for an easier and more pleasant visit. We

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were fortunate to have sunny weather and our guide provided the history and archaeological details that brought additional meaning to what we had all read about in travel books and were now seeing up close. However daunting this sounds, and it was definitely one of the hardest trips, physically, that I had ever taken, believe me it was well worth it. The images of this bucket-list destination are incredible, and are sure to provide lifelong memories to anyone who experiences it.

We spent a couple of days in another Sacred Valley standout, the city of CUZCO, before flying back to Lima to begin our homeward journey. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, this city with its narrow, cobbled streets had its beginnings in the year 900, when the Killke people occupied the region. This indigenous people built the striking citadel, SAKSAYWAMAN, the remains of which can be seen today. Cuzco became the capital of the Inca Empire in the 13th century, and there are several important remains from that era, including the extraordinary Temple of the Sun

at KORICANCHA, said to have once been covered with sheets of gold. The impressive CATHEDRAL OF CUZCO remains as evidence of colonial Spaniards who built it along with other churches and convents in the city they made their center for colonization.

As I journeyed toward home, I had time to reflect on my vacation in the beautiful country of Peru. The fascinating history, awe-inspiring cultural sites and monuments, gorgeous scenery and proud people made the trip an oncein-a-lifetime sojourn. A path I would highly recommend and was very glad to have taken!

We provide you a unique travel adventure in a small group setting. Our average group size is 8-10. No early morning departures on large buses covering 6 cities in 6 days. We want to share our knowledge and experience in travel, including purchasing and shipping antiques from overseas. We offer a mix of cultural outings along with visiting some of the best antiquing markets in Europe. Whether Paris to Provence, London and markets to the North, or our Irish fantasy with loads of adventure is your cup of tea... Explore the world of travel and antiquing on one of the personalized tours from The Vagabond International. Owner Mary Baskin has 30 years experience in the interior design and antiquing business. In addition, she has worked for and produced interior design articles for such publications as: Traditional Home, Better Homes and Gardens and Country Home. Mary’s latest venture is The English Merchant’s Inn which opened in March of this year in Waxahachie.

Now booking a Provence Antiquing Adventure September 10 - 17, 2016. 4 Spots Left!

Call Mary today to reserve your French Shopping Getaway. *Ask about joining us for a 3-day trip to Paris before we head to Provence.

The complete itinerary is on our website www.thevagabondinternational.com

MARY BASKIN • 254-366-0229 • INFO@THEVAGABONDINTERNATIONAL.COM

The English Merchant's Inn 717 W. Main Street Waxahachie, Texas 75165-3239 254.366.0229 • baskinmary@gmail.com www.theenglishmerchantsinn.com

HOME & GARDEN WEDDING

Whimsical Romance

BY TERESA CHOATE

Wedding season is always upon us. So, with so many styles and options how do you ever narrow down the decision for your special day? The type of dress or where your event will be held is a large determining factor. With all the trends and styles being suggested to brides, always remember to stay true to your own style.

Look at your options with an open mind, but always choose what makes your special day your own.

This issue’s featured wedding is a truly whimsical romance. This style follows the current trends that are going back to more romance, more glam, more gold, more nature and less burlap, less mason jars.

We designed the romantic bride’s bouquet to compliment the romance and glam style of the bride’s and bridesmaid’s gowns. It also emphasizes the ease of the groom’s look. Roses, spray roses, ranculous, alstormeria, cox comb, seeded eucalyptus and hanging amaranthysis were used to achieve the soft whimsical look in the bride’s bouquet. We continued the style on the cake table with accents of gold and pinks and groupings of florals.

The sweetheart table is surrounded by nature with details of vintage china, crystal stemware, cookies and sweets and flowers in interesting containers to continue the whimsical style.

When envisioning your event, it is important that you and the photographer have the same vision for the final photography product. Vanessa Tellez of Delaluz Photography loves to interact with her clients to capture genuine intimate emotion, not to just pose her clients.

Typically, Vanessa’s style of photography is bright, colorful and full of emotion. Some days the weather does not cooperate and you need an experienced professional photographer that can also work in an unpredicted overcast situation. In this photoshoot, Vanessa adapted to the weather conditions to create a moody but vintage look.

Her passion to spotlight the immense sense of love between the bride and groom definitely shows in final product.

She is fully invested in her clients as she takes each wedding to the full potential.

Best of luck with creating your lovely event with your handsome groom.

TERESA CHOATE, CWC

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The Bride’s Rep | 972.935.3478

the vendors VENUE: LOMA LINDA EVENTS MAKE UP: PAM PETERSON, MERLE NORMAN PHOTOGRAPHY: DELALUZ PHOTOGRAPHY FLORAL DESIGN: FRESH, HENRY FRAYRE EVENT DESIGNER/ PLANNER: TERESA CHOATE, THE BRIDE'S REP CAR: BILLY BATSON CAKES: SARAH ARDEN, I DO CAKES COOKIES: AMANDA FRAYRE, COOKIE LOVE DRESS: DE MA FILLE

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

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WEDDING

7 WEDDING TRENDS FOR 2016 3. Long, Farmhouse Style Seating

Wedding planners are seeing our favorite interior design trend translate to events with long farmhouse tables allowing for communal seating over the traditional round table.

4. Top 3 Flower Choices: Roses, Lilies and Peonies

PHOTO BY

STEPHANIE ROSE

(THEWEDDINGREPORT.COM)

PHY PHOTOGRA HEARTBOX PHOTO BY

1. Metallics

Incorporating silver, gold, copper and rose gold into your paper, table décor and reception design is a very popular trend to add opulence and easy luxury to your event.

2. Catering for Foodies Couples are curating their meals to represent their personal histories and are more aware of the quality of the caterer they choose. Bad wedding food is a thing of the past.

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These three flowers allow for floral designers to incorporate modern and traditional designs and colors for centerpieces, nosegays and large-scale room installations.

5. Naked Cakes

Fondant is finally taking a step back and naked cakes, with just a light coating of frosting between layers, give a rustic look to wedding cakes.

6. Highlight Reels for Sharing

Photographers are now offering to cut a “highlight reel” within a few days of the event to allow for sharing on social media.

7. After Party

Instead of driving off into the sunset, couples are opting instead to head to a second location after the reception for an after party with friends. Spending time with friends after the big party allows for more photos, fun and memories!

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MARCH-APRIL 2016

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GIFT GUIDE

Mother’s Day

SUNDAY, MAY 8TH

v

x

w

y u z 1. BLESS YOUR HEART

Take mom shopping for Mother’s Day. We have beautiful clothing as well as home items and gifts mom will love! Drop by Wednesday-Saturday to see our selection.

315 W. Main, Suite 16 WAXAHACHIE Find us on Facebook!

2. SOCO DEPOT

We have himalayan candles that are hand poured in the USA. Mom’s favorite scents come alive with these beautifully packaged candles.

501 S. Rogers Waxahachie (In the historic MKT train depot) WAXAHACHIE 972.351.0086

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3. TEXAS PEARLS & CO.

4. THE STUDIO

Facebook.com/ texaspearls

972.617.7740

We carry farmhouse style gifts perfect for mom on Mother’s Day. Come by to see our cotton wreaths and so much more!

213 S. College St. WAXAHACHIE

Dazzle mom with a beautiful piece of jewelry from The Studio! We have a large selection of styles to suit mom’s taste and personality.

3671 N. Hwy. 77 WAXAHACHIE

5. THE RUST SHACK

Surprise mom with a unique gift from The Rust Shack. We have a wide variety of rustic goodies and new treasures to choose from.

106 N. College Street WAXAHACHIE Facebook.com/ therustshack

6. MOSAIC MADNESS

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are just around the corner!

Stop in and make a unique, one-of-a-kind, handcrafted mosaic they can treasure for years to come. **Bring in this ad for 15% off a project.** Find us on Facebook & Instagram 211 S. College Street WAXAHACHIE

972.937.5797 www.MosaicMadness.net LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

SUNDAY, JUNE 19TH

FATHER’S DAY

7. OLD TOWN VILLAGE ANTIQUES & UNIQUES

Looking for a one-of-akind gift for Father’s Day? Shop over 60 dealers on 3 levels. We have antiques, vintage furniture, collectables and much more for dad’s special day.

307 S. Rogers Street WAXAHACHIE 972.938.9515

8. THE BRIARPATCH #3 HALLMARK

Hallmark is your one-stop-shop for Father’s Day cards and gifts. Check out our selection today!

507 N. Hwy 77, Ste. 406 WAXAHACHIE 972-923-1884

9. ARK COUNTRY STORE

GameGuard shirts for the outdoorsman now in spring colors. Lightweight and colorful in small to 3X. We also carry clothes for women and kids.

209 S. Highway 77 WAXAHACHIE 972.937.8860 www.arkcountrystore.com

10. THE RUST SHACK

We have beer can and beer bottle candles handmade by a local bartender!

Wow Dad with this handmade gift for Father’s Day! 106 N. College Street WAXAHACHIE Facebook.com/ therustshack

11. BOYCE FEED & GRAIN

12. SWFA OUTDOORS

www.BoyceFeed.com

1.972.SCOPE IT www.SWFA.com

Summer is the perfect time for grilling! Kick off summer right for dad with this amazing Weber grill for Father’s Day. 441 S. College WAXAHACHIE 972.937.1541

Buy dad the Yeti® products he’s been asking for! Visit our website or stop by our store to find the perfect item for Father’s Day. 5840 Chris Kyle Memorial Hwy. MIDLOTHIAN

www.oldtownvillageantiques.com

#oldtownvillage_antiques LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

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FEATURE

UNWIND WITH AN IN-HOME SPA EXPERIENCE

BY TYLER-MARIE HARTMANN

With all the busyness of everyday life, not very many women have the ability to stop at a day spa a few times a week. What if the whole spa experience was moved right into your living room? You come home, and there are heated foot treatments, exfoliating hand scrubs, and cucumber eye pads.

Kiersten Lavallee, a Beauticontrol Spa Director, and licensed esthetician, has built her business on bringing the spa to your home.

Every spa begins similarly. First, Kiersten introduces herself to the ladies she’ll be spaing for the day, then she passes out a stress test. While passing out a piece of paper to begin a spa might sound strange, this piece of paper will be the greatest revelation of the day. It is a stress test that determines what your stress level is. Quickly, this test assesses whether a person is living healthily and relaxing regularly or is dangerously tip-toeing towards stress-related illnesses.

Sadly, stress-related illnesses are the leading cause of death, which explains the need to create the habit of relaxation.

After the stress test, the spa gives the ladies participating a total of 8 relaxation focused spa treatments that also provide healthy ways to improve their skin.

When we are born, our skin is soft, fresh, and youthful. It could be compared to soft, ripe grapes. When we put our skin out in the sun, the sun begins the process of shriveling up like raisins. This is when we begin to see problems with our skin, resulting in discomfort. If we leave our skin untreated, it will soon progress from raisins to cornflakes. The cornflake level is the worst state for our skin to be in. This is characterized by dryness and irritation in the skin. It now makes sense, why we tend to have to layer ourselves with lotions. But, rather than helping our skin and turning our cornflakes back into raisins, the lotions just pile on top of each other, leaving our skin still in need of moisture.

The Sea Salt Exfoliating hand treatment scrapes away the cornflakes on our hands

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the treatments include the following:

1. A Sea Salt Exfoliating Hand Treatment 2. Back and Head Tingling Massage 3. Heated Foot Treatment 4. Detox Steamed Towels

5. Spa Quality Facial Treatments 6. Botox Alternative 7. Oxygen Therapy 8. Guided Relaxation Session

so that it can remove the dryness to actually moisturize the skin. The results are immediate with most ladies being shocked at how soft their hands are.

The rest of the spa focuses on cleaning up the skin while relaxing at the same time. It creates a balance of feeling and looking better. Knowing that you are cleansing your body and improving your skin is a relaxing feeling in and of itself. The spas are even complimentary so that there are no barriers in someone attending. Kiersten brings everything so there is no setup needed.

The company doesn’t want to invade your life and give you something more to worry about, but rather would like to provide an easy solution to stress. The journey starts at a 1 to 2 hour spa.

However, there’s a catch. Having one experience at an in home spa will not do the job of solving your stress. Consistency will.

While enjoying a spa with your girlfriends is a beautiful experience, it will not create the consistency that your body needs to achieve a relaxed demeanor. The spa is merely a door that leads to the greater step of living a steadily relaxed and healthy life.

Kiersten began working with Beauticontrol and providing these in home spas and spa products based on a desire to enjoy needed comfort. As a mother of five, going through financial struggles, Kiersten felt nothing but stress. All she would ask for on birthdays was a gift card to a day spa, just so she could

Kiersten’s Top 3 Beauticontrol Spa Picks 1. Warming Green Tea Mask 2. Cucumber Eye Pad 3. Lip Exfoliating Treatment

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

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FEATURE SPA CONT. have an opportunity to de-stress. Women deserve so much more than just a few trips a year to the day spa, and Beauticontrol recognizes that. This is what motivated Kiersten to start buying the products and providing services for other women.

spa themes Try one of these or get creative and come up with your own!

MOTHER/DAUGHTER SPA MARGARITA SPA CHOCOLATE SPA

having to de-stress alone, you’re given accountability partners in your friends and can use them to help you along, to encourage that consistency.

Kiersten told the touching story of a mother and daughter who bonded together by doing spas, “Life can be such an emotional rollercoaster. During one of my spas, I met a mother and daughter who were really dealing with a difficult situation. The two of them loved the spa products. They told me now that they’ll put on their cucumber eyes pads and relax together. They used their spa products as a way to bond closer and help each other through their rough time.” Kiersten’s care touches ladies in a much deeper place than just a typical spa experience. In a way, Kiersten shadows her company who is always giving back to the community. Beauticontrol recently partnered with the WHO Foundation (Women Helping Others), showing global

Kiersten loves being able to walk into a client’s home and connect with people with her passion and expertise. Not many people realize how healing this communal aspect of relaxation is.

Rather than

support of improving the lives of women everywhere.

This Mother’s Day, think of all the women in your life who deserve to be pampered.

So many women don’t take the time to de-stress, take care of themselves, or get together with girlfriends. Consider spending time with the special ladies in your life, and throwing a home spa.

Want to book your spa with Beauticontrol Director Kiersten Lavallee? Contact her at 214-966-0474 or check out her website www.beautipage.com/imakeupfaces.

PAINTING IS THERAPEUTIC?

BY MANDY JOHNSON

Does your life ever look like this? Zonked after a long day of meetings, racing through a drive-thru to grab dinner, eat in the car, get your kids to their practices on opposite sides of town, the car needs gas, and oh where did I put my cell phone? Whew! I know that routine too well. The busyness of the day that we live in leaves us exhausted at the end of the day and in need of a little therapy.

The routine of brush strokes in the stillness of your home gives me time to ponder the day and process the thoughts racing through my head. At first your mind races with to do lists, but then something magical happens, and your mind begins to rest. Your heart rate increases and your focus changes from the stress of the day to the beauty of the piece you are painting.

Painting to some sounds more like a chore, but for me, it is my form of therapy. After the day winds down and everyone is settled, I grab a paintbrush and a can of paint to escape to the land of creativity.

I like to keep a notebook close by to jot down the creative ideas that come to me while in my “therapy session”, I mean just painting.

You do not have to have a fancy workshop or craft room to paint, just a quiet place with

Have a question on all things DIY for your home?

Mandy would love to hear from you!

Send your design question to editor@living-magazine.com for a chance to have it answered

by Mandy in a future issue.

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good lighting will work! The DIY world is so hot right now not only because it’s fun, but also because of the therapy it provides the soul. Painting is a stress reliever and something that is simple enough to try— no experience - or talent - required!

There is beauty in taking something that has seen better days and giving it a little love and a new purpose. Not only will you feel a boost of confidence, but you will also end your day with a smile and happy thoughts. I challenge you to empower yourself and give it a try!

meet

Mandy Johnson OWNER & DESIGNER, TEXAS PEARLS & CO. Hi, I am Mandy, a true southern girl with a big ole heart. I was born and raised in the great state of TEXAS! Texas Pearls was born as a creative outlet from the day-to-day grind in the business world to capture my love for decorating, design and details. Follow along this wild creative journey on Instagram @texaspearls. I would love the opportunity to relove your space! www.texaspearlsandco.com.

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

45

FEATURE

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE WIN I know how you feel. I once was there myself, wiping the tears out of my eyes because I didn’t recognize the woman in the mirror. I used to work out. I used to eat healthily. I used to have amazing confidence. Where did she go?

Is this my life now?

It was January 2015. I had a new baby on my hip and a toddler at my feet, and I was done, DONE, feeling sorry for myself.

I was not going to sit around, unhappy with my body, wearing stretchy pants every day. I decided I’m not going to feel this way anymore. So, I didn’t.

I set goals and started to run.

This big momma pushed that double stroller with two babies, three times a week. I lost a few pounds, kicked the nighttime ice cream habit, and was feeling proud! But I needed more.

Then one day my friend posted something on Facebook about a 21 Day Fix challenge. 21 days? That’s not long....I can do that, I thought. My life changed within the first three days. I was thinner, had more energy and slept better than ever before!

I had done similar programs, but this one was different because I was able to join an accountability group. Anyone can start a plan, but I really needed the help to get my eating on track and get my exercising done. This group offered exactly that. It was made of people just like me. People that just needed guidance.

I mean, I know that bread

is a carb, but who knew that corn and beans had the same impact on your body?

alone. I had my people.

Together, we worked through the struggles, and the progEvery week I had recipes, meal ress is undeniable. I have lost plans and people that cared over 50 pounds total! I didn’t about my progress. When take pills, have surgery or do I saw that cupcake leftover anything drastic (don’t get me from Easter, taunting me, beg- wrong, I wanted a quick fix), ging me to eat it, I immediately, but I lost more weight than I went to my group and within ever thought possible and I minutes had several encourag- learned the right way to do ing comments. (I didn’t eat the things. I eat real food, workout cupcake by the way.) for a quick 30 minutes and my family does it with me. I am 30 Daily, I was able to learn about years old and in the best shape the multiple benefits of drinking of my life! I had two babies enough water, eating right and in two years, two in diapers, simply exercising regularly. If I twounder two, just two babies didn’t check in with my group, period! I had all the excuses, people were asking about me. but this program and this supIf I didn’t eat well and share with port group crushed them all. the group what I had eaten It wasn’t what I set out to do. I that day, people were ask- just wanted to lose that baby ing me. Win or lose I wasn’t weight and get my confidence back. What I didn’t expect, was for it to become a lifestyle.

I love the workouts, eating IF I clean, feeding my family DIDN’T CHECK IN healthy meals, and being WITH MY GROUP, PEOPLE a good example to my WERE ASKING ABOUT ME. IF children. As a mom, I DIDN’T EAT WELL AND SHARE it’s my responsibility to take care of my family, WITH THE GROUP WHAT I HAD and that means taking EATEN THAT DAY, PEOPLE WERE care of myself. I am ASKING ME. WIN OR LOSE, worth it, I am enough, I WASN’T ALONE. and I am loved.

I HAD MY PEOPLE.

WHERE TO FIND ACCOUNTABILITY? You can find accountability groups of all kinds on Facebook and Instagram. These groups allow you to connect with people of all ages and all sizes who have the same goal -- to get healthy. Find a group of runners, walkers or people doing a short term challenge, like the 21 Day Fix. Posting healthy recipes, exercise routines, empowering stories and, of course, before and after photos all contribute to a shared weight loss experience, instead of a solo journey.

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BY SUSAN BAKER

Susan Baker is owner of Bliss Event Management in Midlothian and is a Team Beachbody Coach.

Contact Susan at susanthomasbaker@gmail.com to learn more about the accountability groups she leads on Facebook.

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

47

HOME & GARDEN

waterfalls CREATING CALM IN YOUR HOME

BY DIANE JOHNSON COLLARD

Hotels, resorts and office complexes use extravagant water features inside and out to add the soothing sound of water for ambiance. We generally think of fountains and ponds in our backyards or the center of a circular drive, but not inside our homes. Why not? There are certainly a lot of options out there for both indoors and out, so let’s do it.

We are not all blessed to live on or near the water, but water features can bring the serenity of the lake to the most modest of homes. Water features come in all shapes and sizes just like homes and gardens, but they can all deliver the same tranquil mood to your space twenty-four hours a day.

Bathrooms are no longer just utilitarian.

They have become our sanctuaries.

One way to add beauty and serenity to the bath is to create the look, sound and feel of natural flowing water. This can be accomplished as simply as installing a rainfall shower head or as lavishly as building an indoor waterfall.

A few years ago I remodeled a bathroom for a client. They wanted a romantic bathroom with a large jetted tub centered in the middle of the room, but they could not decide how to get the serene feel they wanted to accomplish.

We discussed a fireplace, but the space was too limited. After some thought, I suggested a waterfall wall behind the tub. This feature utilized a water recycling

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system flowing down a faux lava stone wall. This lovely waterfall was powered by a simple electric motor. It was amazing.

Indoor waterfalls are always on point when it comes to giving the luxurious, yet calming vibe to a room. Adding the waterfall to this master bath created an oasis for this couple to enjoy for many years to come. It was also a conversation piece for guests touring the home.

Whether used in an entry, a bathroom or a niche in the hallway, you are sure to get a lot of positive comments about your choice to add a water feature to your décor.

I realize that everyone doesn’t have the space or means to build a lavish fountain, but there are so many ways to add water on a budget. Free standing fountains start at about $50 and go up from there. Wall hanging fountains come in all sizes and all prices. They literally hang on the wall and plug into an outlet for power.

Natural stone is always an amazing option for your fountain, but it isn’t always the right one. Natural stone is extremely heavy, and it requires extra floor support that really needs to be done before the house is built. Faux stone comes in many colors and a variety of styles. It is less than half the thickness of natural stone and half the weight. It does not require a mason to install it either. You can do it yourself or hire a tile setter.

Stone fountains and waterfalls are available ready made, also. If you can find the right size for your space, it is an instant room changer.

Stone is nice, but not necessary. The simplicity of water streaming from a water pump into a barrel can warm your heart and stir up the sweet memories of times gone by. The sound of water is magical.

Close your eyes. Envision the sound of water falling over huge boulders piled high next to a stream. Lush foliage in vast colors surrounds the falling water. You are bringing the beauty of the mountains to your very own home.

Large or small, indoors or out, water features will make your world a happier place.

UNTIL NEXT TIME,

happy decorating.

DIANE JOHNSON COLLARD Diane has been decorating Ellis County for more than 30 years.

Contact Diane Johnson Interiors at 972.935.8899 or djohnsoninteriors@hotmail.com.

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

49

HOME & GARDEN

THE FIREMAN’S WIFE

Nanny’s Summer Steamer

BY CHRISTINA DRISKELL

When I was a little girl, most of my summers were spent in the small town of Wharton, Texas, visiting my Nanny and Papa. I will always have the fondest memories of that place. Sleeping in pallets on the floor, Nanny telling us stories about when she was a little girl,

driving the tractor through the pasture, jumping on the trampoline with my cousins, and my favorite part, Nanny’s cooking.

Nanny had a garden in her backyard along with many friends who were

INGREDIENTS: » » » » » » » » » » » » » »

2 T Olive Oil 1 lb Chicken Tenderloins, cut into 1-inch cubes Salt & Pepper, to taste 3 T Butter ½ Sweet Onion, diced 2 Garlic Cloves, minced 1 lb Brussels Sprouts, cut in half lengthwise 1 Zucchini, sliced 1 Squash, sliced 1 Roma Tomato, diced 1 lb Broccoli Florets 1 t Seasoned Salt ½ t Pepper 3 t Mrs. Dash Table Seasoning Blend

This is one of those quick, throw together meals of my Nanny’s. It’s full of fresh broccoli, brussels sprouts, and straight-fromthe-garden squash, tomatoes, and zucchini. Summer meals should be simple and light, and this meal is just that!

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farmers. Whenever summer rolled around there was always a plethora of fresh fruits and vegetables. I loved it best when Nanny created a delicious meal on the whim, just throwing things into a big skillet and hoping it turned out great (which it always did).

1. Start by heating a large skillet with the olive oil over medium heat.

2. Season the chicken tenderloin cubes to your liking with salt and pepper.

3. Once the oil in the skillet is hot, place the chicken in the skillet and cooked through.

Remove from the skillet and set aside.

4. Add to the skillet the butter, onion, and garlic and sauté for about 3-5 minutes.

5. Once the garlic starts to brown, add in the brussels

sprouts, zucchini, squash, tomato, broccoli, and seasonings and gently stir everything together.

6. Cover the skillet and allow the steam to cook the vegetables for about 10-15 minutes on medium heat.

7. When all the vegetables are nice and tender, add the cooked chicken and serve! *NOTE: THIS RECIPE IS ALSO GREAT WITH SHRIMP INSTEAD OF CHICKEN AS WELL AS OKRA AND FRESH SWEET CORN!

meet

christina

Otherwise known as The Fireman’s Wife. I have a blog all about family, food and life with my fireman! I recreate old family recipes, create new ones and write about our life here in Ellis County.

Visit Christina’s Blog: thefiremanswifefood.com

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

51

HOME & GARDEN

if you don’t like it, then you should

PUT A HOOD ON IT

BY COURTNEY WARREN

Every house seems to have that one thing that we wish were different. For some, it might be the dated kitchen cabinets. For others, the longing for a bigger back yard or a dedicated office space. For me, it is the 121-year old staircase that makes me want a chair elevator that you see on commercials during daytime TV and game shows. I fuss like an anxious mother in law over ablebodied houseguests. I go over the top trying to be a caring and attentive host to keep BEFORE

When Kelly called me to take a look, I first tried one of her adorable, delicious cookies. Then, I was able to reassure her that changing the look of the kitchen would not take a huge renovation or expensive overhaul. In fact, by making one change, they could achieve the farmhouse look they wanted for less than they expected. I also explained all this with a mouthful of cookie.

My mom taught me manners, duh.

When walking into the kitchen, the eye instantly went to one large item, placed prominently in the center of the room.

The vent hood was a large, stainless steel contraption and because of its placement along the back wall, it was impossible to ignore.

What if we replaced the vent hood with a warmer wood piece? One that didn’t seem sleek, but like a piece of antique furniture in the middle of the wall. Something that brought beauty and would help you forget that it actually served a purpose?

them from succumbing to the 90-degree angled stairs. In the Thorpe’s case, that one thing they wanted to change almost kept them from buying the house altogether.

“The layout was perfect, the upgrades were high-end, the location was in our school district. However, the kitchen was too modern for our taste,” Kelly recalls.

“For some, it would have been the perfect space, but it didn’t fit the farmhouse kitchen I had dreamed of.” If anyone would know kitchens, it’s Kelly. In addition to her full-time job, she runs a home based sugar cookie business, so she spends more time in her kitchen than anywhere else in the home.

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I set out to find inspiration photos for beautiful vent hoods. Was there even such a thing? A quick online search told me yes. In the days of dancing cats and rapping mommies, a person can find anything they need online. (And after my purchase of knives that cut aluminum cans, a lot of things they don’t need.)

Kelly and Derek were quickly on board after seeing some inspiration photos and knew the easy change was just what they needed to love their kitchen.

We agreed on a style, one with a ledge if they wanted to display plates, and grooves to make the large wood structure more interesting. As soon as I met with

m y car-

penter, I could see the vision of the room taking shape and changing dramatically.

I got so excited for the new look of the Thorpe’s kitchen that I ate another cookie.

Quickly, the installation day came. The carpenter was able to work wood making magic to install the new piece over the existing one, so they didn’t acquire the expense of an additional vent hood. As soon as the wood piece took center stage on the wall, the room changed from modern to classic, from sleek to farmhouse chic. The Thorpes were thrilled. Kelly says, ‘I didn’t know where to start, and now I am so in love with my kitchen. I still like to sit and stare at how pretty it is!”. So we celebrated by eating more cookies. Because when you find someone that will make you cookies, it’s only polite to eat them every chance you can.

What is driving you crazy about your current home? Is there a way of looking at the room to figuring out a small change that might make a large impact? We all have things in our home that are less than ideal. It just might be easier than you think to make a change you love! And you should celebrate that with a cookie.

meet courtney I’m an interior designer who specializes in decorating, renovation & home staging. I am passionate about helping stuck people love their home. I love my home, which was just chosen to be featured in Better Homes & Gardens special publication, Best of Flea Market Style 2016.

I live in my 3rd renovated historic home in Waxahchie with our two boys & my husband, who is a local pastor. I would rather be wearing flip flops than heels & I have an (obvious) sweet tooth. Follow my daily projects on Instagram at @courtneywarrenhome or see my work at courtneywarren.com.

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

53

HOME & GARDEN

May

BY MELINDA KOCIAN

Ellis County Master Gardeners Association

PLANTING

FERTILIZING AND PRUNING

» It is time to plant sweet potatoes. It is not too late to plant okra and southern peas. » Sow directly into the soil seeds of sunflower, zinnia, morning glory, portulaca, marigold, cosmos, periwinkles and gourds. Achimenes, cannas, dahlias and other summer flowering bulbs can also be planted in May. » Plant heat-loving annuals including lantana, gomphrena, copper plants, firebush, purple fountain grass, sweet potato vine and pentas in sunny areas. » In shady spots, plant caladium and elephant ear bulbs, begonias, impatiens, nicotiana and torenias. » Establish new lawns before summer heat sets in. Sow seeded varieties of Bermudagrass from seed early in the month; or sod Bermuda or St. Augustine. Water daily for first few weeks to develop a good root system.

» Manually thin the fruit on peaches, pears, plums and apples to 5-6 inches apart early in the month » Fertilize tomatoes and most other vegetables every other week for productive and vigorous plants. » Prune spring-blooming shrubs and vines. Deadhead roses and other reblooming plants. » Feed fruit trees, perennials, annuals, ground covers and vines with a lawn fertilizer. » Allow foliage of spring-flowering bulbs to mature and yellow before removing.

»

» »

»

GARDEN WATCH » Allow bluebonnets and other reseeding annual wildflowers to die and the seeds to dry before mowing the stubble. Mow at least 4 inches high so as not to damage perennials. Delay

»

mowing until end of growing season if other wildflowers are growing in the area.

Maintain a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around all plants and beds. Use shredded hardwood or another wood mulch.

Make initial application of Image and Sledgehammer to control Nutsedge.

Check tomatoes for signs of early blight (yellow blotches on lower leaves). Apply a labeled fungicide if needed. Keep soil adequately moist to prevent blossom-end rot (browned tissue on bloom end of fruit).

Squash bugs tend to be a problem.

Destroy the eggs found on the underside of the leaves by hand or a stream of water. Many vegetable pests can often be controlled by mechanical, biological or organic means rather than chemical pesticides.

Keep an eye out for bagworms on cedars, junipers, cypress and other conifers. Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) or general insecticide at first sign of larvae feeding. Remember that once the bag has formed, your only option is to manually pull them off.

PRAIRIE VERBENA

(verbena bipinnatifida) BLOOMS APRIL TO OCTOBER Prairie Verbena is one of the most abundant wildflowers of Texas, growing throughout the state. It is an erect to sprawling plant 6-16 inches tall. The lower branches take root forming dense colonies.

The bluish-purple flower clusters grow at the ends of the stems. This perennial makes an excellent garden flower.

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55

HOME & GARDEN

June

BY MELINDA KOCIAN

Ellis County Master Gardeners Association

PLANTING

FERTILIZING AND PRUNING

» Buy and plant crape myrtles in bloom to be sure you are getting the color you want. Know the variety’s mature size to avoid future pruning. Look for those varieties that are resistant to powdery mildew. » Plant seeds for fall tomato transplants in containers; however, get the variety that mature early. » This is the best time to plant vinca (periwinkle) in full sun. Look for the variety ‘Cora’ since it is resistant to soil-borne diseases. Water with drip irrigation or soaker hose to keep water off the foliage. » Plant these tropical annuals for their flowers: tropical hibiscus, ‘Gold Star’ esperanza, mandevilla and Mexican heather. Use croton, bougainvillea and variegated tapioca for their foliage color.

» Prune back autumn sage and mealy cup sage by one-third their size.

Deadhead salvias, as well as annuals and perennials, to stimulate more growth to allow the plant to continue re-blooming until late fall. » Continue to prune as necessary, fall blooming plants such as Mexican bush sage, mountain sage, Mexican mint marigold, copper canyon daises, asters and mums to keep them compact and prevent buds from forming prematurely. Don’t prune after September when buds begin to form. » Remove flower stalks on coleus, caladiums, lamb’s ear and basil before buds open. This will promote new stem and leaf growth. » This is the second time to use an allnitrogen, slow-release fertilizer on turf grasses. Cut the amount by half

to prevent excessive growth which means more water and more mowing! » Fertilize container plants and hanging baskets with a water-soluble fertilizer every one to two weeks.

GARDEN WATCH

» Control aphids on crape myrtles with a strong spray of water. » Spider mites can be especially troublesome at this time, especially on tomatoes. Treat with an appropriate organic or chemical pesticide, if needed. » Control webworms in pecan and other trees using a long-handled pole pruner. Remove while webs are small. » To deal with the hot weather, water deeply and less often and hand-water newly planted trees and shrubs. » Take a good look at your landscape while at the height of summer development. Make notes on how the landscape can be better arranged; plants that need replacement, overgrown plants that need to be removed; or possibly, areas that can be converted to more family-friendly activities. Save this information for implementation later in the year or next spring.

SKULLCAP

(scutellaria drummondii) BLOOMS APRIL TO MAY This perennial flower has small oval rounded leaves with bluishpurple flowers. Some varieties grow up to 12 inches tall. Flowers grow in the axils of the leaf-like bracts. They have 5 sepals and 5 bluish-purple petals united to form a 2-lipped blossom. Excellent low growing flower for the garden.

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Learn more from the Ellis County Master Gardeners Association at /ECMGA

Sudoku is a logic-based number placement puzzle where the objective is to fill the 9x9 grid. Do you have to use arithmetic? No! Nothing has to add up to anything else. Instead, you solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic. Each column, each row and each of the nine 3x3 boxes should contain the digits from 1 to 9, only one time each (that is, exclusively).

Find the answers at www.living-magazine.com and click on the Sudoku link.

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

57

MEDICAL

GRATEFUL EIGHT

8 PATHS TO SELF-CARE BLISS

BY DR. KATHERINE DONALDSON

u

Have pockets of relaxation throughout your day even if you have to schedule it.

Take a walk in nature, close your eyes for a few minutes, watch a sunrise or sunset, do a yoga pose, stretch, sauna, whatever is relaxing for you. Create your day in a way that supports your well-being.

Most of us are so busy with work and families that we often forget to practice self-care. Although self-care looks different for everybody, here are some things to consider.

Be open to the interesting people that cross your path.

v

Find times to be in the zone when you are not thinking about anything else.

For me that means painting or drawing, playing music, or working out.

Find out what puts you in the zone and do it regularly.

w

z

Find something to enjoy in each day. To improve your

Don’t forget the tried, but true, self-care tips of eating more fruits and vegetables, exercising, and getting plenty of sleep. I like to work out early in the morning, but find a time that works with your body’s rhythm.

self-care, start right away to incorporate at least one of these tips.

Happy living!

Know what your values are and honor them. Do not waste time doing things

that are not important to you and that do not support your values.

x

Be in tune with the seasons. Winter

is a quieter time, a time of reflection.

Spring is a time to begin something new. Summer is a time of energy and movement. Autumn is a time to honor what has passed and to let go of what is not working.

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y

Laugh. Whether it is watching a funny movie, enjoying time with friends, or reading something, laughter is very healing. Also, be able to laugh at yourself. Don’t take yourself too seriously.

DR. DONALDSON is a clinical psychologist practicing in Waxahachie.

She can be contacted at 972.923.0730 or by visiting www.donaldsonwellnesscenter.com.

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

59

MEDICAL

HEART HEALTH WITH DR. BRADFORD INTERVIEW BY CHRIS BENNETT

ECLM’s Chris Bennett sat down with Dr. Darien Bradford, a local cardiothoracic surgeon, to talk about heart health, the importance of relaxation, diet, and exercising. He says that monitoring your blood pressure, walking daily and taking the time to unplug all contribute to keeping your heart in shape.

On High Blood Pressure There are different stages of high blood pressure. There is what we call a high blood pressure stage one and a high blood pressure stage two. Prehypertension is anywhere from a systolic blood pressure of I’d say 120 to 139. Once you start getting above that, 140 to 159, you get into the stage one of high blood pressure, and that’s the systolic, top number. After that, then you start getting into the stage two, anywhere from 160 or higher.

On Diets: When I hear the word “diet” I just cringe. When I think of the word “diet,” I think, “I’m being deprived of something I like.” When you begin this whole process or mindset of “this is the lifestyle change I have to make to reduce the risk of increasing heart disease…and risk of hypertension.”

You’re going to have to make these changes. It’s not as if the food is going to be so much worse; it will be different from what you are doing.

Try This At Home: Try reducing your salt [intake] for 30 days…you’ll start to notice that the second you start to add more sodium to your food that it has a totally different taste that most people don’t like anymore. They become accustomed to reducing their salt intake. The diet is huge and exercise, I think, is even more critical.

Effects of Long Term High Blood Pressure [High] blood pressure can lead to hardening of the arteries…already being contributed by the cholesterol and plaques that are being formed into the vessels.

It also can lead to strokes. It also can lead to rupture of different vessels that are in the body to include vessels in the brain.

Obesity and Your Heart [Being] overweight is often associated with higher cholesterol levels, high triglyceride levels, high fat content. So, a reduction in weight also reduces the amount of cholesterol and cholesterol plaque formation that you find in the vessels.

[Weight loss is important for] preventing the progression of atherosclerosis …a hardening of the arteries.

How Stress Affects Blood Pressure Anytime the body is stressed, there’s an automatic response in the form of epinephrine, and different endorphins, and things that are expressed in the body.

Someone gets hit in front of you and the next thing you know your heart rate is up, and you start sweating profusely because of the effects of epinephrine and other things your body produces. Now in that one event, you see how it affected you. If your heart rate is up, your blood pressure is up; everything is up in terms of [how] you start secreting far more cholesterol in your body. Those deposits into your body create more of a hardening of the arteries.

Taking a Pause If you are driving home, find some relaxing music or whatever you need to do to dial it back. When you get home, do absolutely nothing for 15 minutes and shut the phone off, the TV off, shut everybody off. Relax and recover. [Managing] stress is extremely critical in terms of the cause of hypertension and heart disease, the hardening of the vessels. We recommend stress-reducing exercises that include yoga…after surgery. As a matter of fact, I’ve been thinking about getting into yoga myself!

Start Moving [Exercise for] a lot of people depends on your physical capabilities and your exercise tolerance. What can you do? Things that I request most of my patients to do, especially after surgery, is walking every day. I encourage them to walk up to a mile every day, even if they are going to do it in 15-minute increments.

Walking is cathartic. If you are physically capable, lift weights or do different aerobic exercises.

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61

MEDICAL

A GUYS’ GUIDE TO

GOOD HEALTH

BY BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE MEDICAL CENTER - WAXAHACHIE

If you’re a man, chances are that going to see the doctor or getting recommended health screenings appeals to you about as much as going purse shopping with your wife.

Regardless, it’s something that needs to be on every man’s to-do list.

“Men don’t seem to seek help at an early stage, so by the time they present, their disease process is often more advanced,” says Anuj Kandel, MD, a colorectal surgeon on the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Waxahachie medical staff.

While Dr. Kandel is referring to colorectal cancer specifically, the same is undoubtedly true for many other disease processes.

STAVING OFF DISEASE Everyone knows that smoking is a big risk factor for a number of different forms of cancer. So is a sedentary lifestyle and poor diet. Men often are guiltier than women when it comes to not eating well.

Rather than trying to remember what all you need to be eating to stay healthy as you age, Dr. Kandel has pretty simple guidelines for guys.

“Try to eat brightly colored fruits and vegetables,” he says. “They provide a lot of antioxidants and dietary fiber, which have a number of health benefits.” He also says that drinking at least two liters of water a day is a must – especially in the Texas heat.

FEAR CANCER. NOT SCREENING. While there are a number of screenings that men need as they get older, there is one that men put off that seems to stand alone:

colonoscopy. However, it remains the best way to detect and prevent colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.

“Starting at age 50, everyone needs to get a colonoscopy because it’s the best way to catch colon cancer early when it’s highly curable,” says Dr. Kandel. That advice is for men and women with no additional risk factors for colorectal cancer. People with a personal or family history of cancer, or who have a digestive disease or are otherwise at heightened risk, may need to begin colonoscopy screening earlier in life.

In the past, drinking the preparation formula and the recovery time were often the considered the worse part of colonoscopy (after all, colonoscopy is performed under sedation and the procedure itself is simple and painless). Now, the prep and recovery are much improved.

For instance, the flavor of the preparation formula has changed and can be mixed with other liquids. In addition, the amount a patient must drink the day before also has drastically been reduced. “The recovery also is much better,” says Dr. Kandel. “People feel better and can go back to work the next day.”

AVOIDING AN OVERHAUL It’s easy to blow off routine check-ups and many of the things you need to do to stay healthy, especially if you feel fine. But remember, getting the occasional tune-up through recommended health screenings can go a long way to keeping you out of the hospital – and many other doctors’ offices – later on down the road.

Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers, Baylor Health Care System, Scott & White Healthcare or Baylor Scott & White Health.

RECOMMENDED HEALTH SCREENINGS FOR MEN The National Institutes of Health recommends the following minimum screenings for men between the ages of 40-64: » Blood pressure – every two years » Cholesterol – every five years (starting at 35) » Diabetes – every three years (starting at 45) » Colonoscopy – every 10 years » Eye exams – every two to four years (Note: Men with certain risk factors or other conditions may need these or other screenings more often. Consult your physician.)

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LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MAY-JUNE 2016

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LA FIN

joy

st. croix the

of

While St. Thomas and St. John are clustered tightly with the British Virgin Islands, their sister, ST. CROIX, sits alone 40 miles south. It’s less touristy, more relaxed and quite a bit bigger than those two islands combined. The topography is beautiful, full of green rolling acres, blooming mango trees, miles of untouched coastline, and a quiet airport with just two baggage carousels.

After a short connecting flight through Miami and the ease of traveling without the need for a passport, we grabbed a rental car and made our way to the east end of the island before turning into the palm-lined drive of the Buccaneer Resort. Just shy of the resort entrance is a gated community called SHOY ESTATES, where we rented a beautiful villa for the week with friends and family. Sitting on more than three oceanfront acres, KING HOUSE VILLA is an open air home incorporating old stone walls left from the islands Danish ruins. With lily ponds, covered breezeways, four large bedrooms, a chef’s kitchen, swimming pool and plenty of space, we had no trouble settling into island time.

A short distance from the main town of CHRISTIANSTED, colorful buildings, established by the Danes in the 18th century, surround palm-shaded courtyards offering some very good restaurants and shopping. We enjoyed several delicious meals in town throughout the week, but our favorite was at the popular 40 STRAND EATERY, where the chef prepares innovative island cuisine for lunch and dinner.

Each morning some in our group headed out to SCUBA DIVE in the waters touted as the only place in the Caribbean where you can dive a wall, a reef, a wreck and a pier all on the same day. I, on the other hand, opted most days to leisurely enjoy a fruity blender drink while lounging on the large outdoor sectional by the pool and just relaxed. The ocean view was spectacular as I watched boats sailing over to snorkel around BUCK ISLAND, an uninhabited U.S. Reef National Monument just a few miles off shore.

Mid-week, our friends and Waxahachie residents, Dick and Gail Dawson surprised us by sailing over from St. Thomas, where they teach sailing on a beautiful catamaran six months out of the year. My husband, Andrew, grilled huge freshly caught spiny lobsters and I tossed up a lemon fettuccini with fresh squash and peppers to accompany the memorable evening as we dined under a full moon.

With 20-knot winds and a rolling swell we chartered our own catamaran the following day through IDITARUM CHARTERS and enjoyed sailing with boat owner and captain, Rob Low and his crew. The waves were too choppy to snorkel, but it was still a nice day out on the water where we spotted a few green sea turtles popping their heads up here and there.

Captain Rob also owns a beautiful upscale jewelry shop in Christiansted called NELTHROPP & LOW. He designs and makes many of the pieces himself. We ended the day at a restaurant the crew recommended called DUGGENS REEF, on the East End Road at Teague Bay. Owned by

Cindy Burch and her husband, Andrew, own and operate The Doves Nest in historic downtown Waxahachie. Cindy is also a freelance writer, caterer and consultant. Her award-winning cookbook, “The Doves Nest Restaurant: New American Recipes From A Historic Texas Town,” is in its fifth printing.

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Bostonian Frank Duggen since 1983, we enjoyed perfectly prepared fish and chips as we watched the sunset.

From St. Croix’s hilly west end rain forest, to the east end’s high bluffs and arid landscape, there is something new to explore around each bend. The drive along the NORTH SHORE takes you past awesome views of the ocean on one side, the rainforest on the other, and an occasional stop for a herd of goats crossing the road.

The best food on the North Shore road is ROWDY JOE’S, a Caribbean dive that makes a home brewed root beer mixed with ginger infused Cruzan rum for their own twist on a DARK & STORMY. Sitting alone in the sea like a forgotten stepsister, this Cinderella of the Caribbean is both unpretentious and underdeveloped. I’m sure St. Croix bemoans its position as the overlooked U.S. Virgin Island while St. Thomas and St. John get all the attention. However, I don’t understand why that is. We have visited the island twice and love the laid back vibe.

There are no high rise glitzy resorts or the annoying daily cruise ship tourists. Selfishly, I hope it continues to stay that way for a while longer.

Cindy Burch

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