Haute Life Magazine, Issue 1

FALL/WINTER 2016 $8

A Portion of Proceeds Donated to P.I.N.K. of Terre Haute

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The convenience you need.

The care you

Convenient Care from Union Health.

When you’ve got a minor illness or injury that just can’t wait, head to Convenient Care. Our team of skilled caregivers is available when you need us most, including evenings and weekends. Just walk in for trusted care, and walk out a healthier you — no appointment needed.

Visit us at 221 S. Sixth St., Terre Haute Mon. – Fri., 8 – 8; Sat., 9 – 3; Sun., 1 – 5

uapclinic.com

Welcome: This is the...Haute Life When we began this adventure that is Haute Life Magazine, we had a vision, and a million ideas rolling around in our heads. If you’re anything like the two of us, your wheels are always turning. We knew we wanted to feature women in business, entrepreneurs, stay at home moms – all of the ladies who inspire us. We also knew, and most importantly, that we wanted this magazine to benefit women’s organizations. We just needed to figure out how and where to start!

So that’s what we did. We contacted the ladies that we knew who inspire us daily, we met and brainstormed together, and came up with what we think is a pretty awesome magazine. Every time we hold one of our brainstorming sessions, we leave feeling completely renewed and inspired by these women. Our hope, go forward, is to not only inspire YOU to follow your arrow, but to feature women in the Wabash Valley that you may not know about otherwise. In the time we’ve taken to create this issue, we’ve been approached by and have learned of so many “girl bosses” and inspiring stories that we MUST share with you!

As friends and shop neighbors, we remind each other (almost daily… girl bossin’ ain’t easy) to slow down. We are reminded to take things one step at a time, so as not to feel overwhelmed. To take time for ourselves, our families, and to refocus on what’s important, because as we all know, tomorrow is not promised.

P.I.N.K. of Terre Haute is an organization that is near and dear to our hearts. We have had the honor of getting to know some of these ladies and gentlemen, hearing their stories, and working with them on Project P.I.N.K. Fashion Shows, that it was an easy decision for Haute Life to benefit P.I.N.K. A portion of the sales from each issue will be donated to P.I.N.K., and that money will stay right here in the Wabash Valley.

These people do good things.

We’re excited to share this new adventure with you. We’re excited to be partnering and featuring some of the smartest and best ladies you’ll ever meet. And we’re excited to bring something new and different to The Haute. On these pages, you’ll find everything from beauty and fashion, health and home, to “girl bosses” and “haute messes” – we’ve all been there!

We hope you find some inspiration here, just as we have.

XOXO, Lori and Yvette Haute Life Magazine was created to celebrate, inspire, and uplift women in every aspect of their lives. Our mission is to recognize their courage and bravery in all that they do. We hope that Haute Life inspires you to seek your own passions.

We are Female + We are One

cover and welcome page photography by Samantha McGranahan

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CONTENTS...The Good Stuff

Mugs provided by *The Future is Female is a registered trademark of Otherwild.

#Girlboss is a registered trademark of Sophia Amoruso

FEATURES 5.

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Mission: P.I.N.K. Nurture by Nature: Caring for our Loved Ones OM For the Holidays Om KIDS Wanderlust Haute Beauty Trends Haute Hair Trends Brave Moms Club Haute Sycamores Make It Happen Makers Gonna Make Haute Home Trends So You Want To Be a Realtor?

Boss Lady: Women in Business Fan Girl Friday The Startup Ladies Hot in the Haute – Local Fashion Finds Will the REAL Dance Mom Please Stand Up? The Fabric Junkie Unveiled: Don’t Call it a Comeback Confessions of a Shop Girl

Editors: Allison Hunt, Erin Gregory, and Samantha Brown

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More Than What Meets the Eye Haute Women in History Haute Messes…This is REAL Life Dream Chaser Downtown Diva Shop Local Charmed Life Sincerely, Millie

Special Feature: Haute Holidays 39.

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It’s a Wrap – Creative Gift Wrapping Holiday Gifting What the Fork? Ridiculously Good Tasting Food And a Ridiculously Good Looking Table Holiday Fashion: What to Wear to the “Haute-est” Holiday Parties 48. Miracle Worker 50. Hectic Holidays

A Special Thank You to our Sponsor

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It would be an honor to meet you!

We love that our church is all about people and where every member of the family can experience the

fullness of God’s power. Everyone receives ministry and encounters God’s presence, regardless of their generation. Come worship with us and leave feeling refreshed, full of purpose and courage.

You won’t believe what you’ve been missing.

We would love to meet you!

2501 Thompson Street Terre Haute, IN 47802 (812) 235-4324 www.thchurchofgod.org

Mission: P.I.N.K.

P.I.N.K. of Terre Haute is a local breast cancer charity, served entirely by volunteers comprised of survivors, patients, and other caring individuals who are driven to help meet the needs of Wabash Valley breast cancer patients, as well as of their families and caregivers.

P.I.N.K. was born out of the hearts of a breast cancer survivor, Amy Bagnoche, with help from her close friend and local physician, Dr. Darren Brucken. The two know all-too-well of the struggles breast cancer patients suffer through at the time of their diagnosis, throughout their treatments, and through their lives as survivors. P.I.N.K. raises funds through local efforts, and returns 100% of those funds directly to breast cancer patients here at home in the Wabash Valley, through a variety of means. P.I.N.K. serves individuals and their families, helping with such things as utility bills, medical expenses, childcare, clothing expenses, and travel and auto expenses such as repairs and fuel. The organization is able to help patients not based on financial standing, but rather based on needs.

Aside from the financial help that P.I.N.K. is able to provide, the charity also created their CancerCompanion Program - matching current patients with survivor volunteers that have already walked that difficult path, being there to help provide encouragement, advice, and an understanding ear for these brave women and men.

The short of it - breast cancer sucks - and the caring, generous volunteers at P.I.N.K. came together to help make the journey of the patients here in the Wabash Valley more bearable, less stressful, and ultimately....survivable. As you read this article, when you hear their name, and see their P.I.N.K. T-shirts around town, please remember that every penny raised by P.I.N.K. is being used to benefit patients and their families right here at home in the Wabash Valley. As breast cancer will affect one in eight women in the U.S., your support could be helping someone you already know! As P.I.N.K. is not affiliated with other breast cancer charity organizations, they remain entirely dependent on donations received from businesses, organizations, and wonderful individuals from all over the Wabash Valley

P.I.N.K. wants to thank you for your continued generous support!

- Darren Brucken

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Our Contributors

Samantha McGranahan

Erin Gregory

Ellie Templeton

Ceci Spoomore

Nichole Hawkins

Traci McCreery

Angela Tapy

Danna Andreas

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Grace Sarris

Darcy Diehl

Candi Snyder

Sunny Workman

Shelley Klingerman

Susan Tingley

Lori Mitchell

Brittany Michaels

Ashlee Sappingfield

Barbie Fox-Moore

Samantha Ripperger

Yvette Morgan

Cheyenne Harris

Craig Mitchell

Allison Layton 7

Nuture by Nature: Caring For Our Loved Ones

When the holiday décor starts to go up I am reminded of my sweet grandmother and sitting at the kids table for holiday dinners. To memorialize my grandmother and give back her love, I extend holiday cheer to long term care residents. It can be as simple as taking some friends or your kids to sing Christmas carols, or taking a tray of holiday cookies to share.

“Unless we make Christmas a time to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won’t make it white.” - Bing Crosby The hustle and bustle of life has led most families away from tradition and forced them into the life of convenience. I have a daily reminder of how quickly you can get into a stress filled life of survival. I spend most of my work week going to and from senior housing facilities. I scurry in with my mind racing and thinking of what is next, however when I walk into the building, I am greeted by a sweet, kind, and frail elderly person just waiting to be hugged or spoken to. During the interaction with the resident I quickly forget my stress and I focus on the greater need of that person’s desire for conversation and companionship. It is these moments that force me to step back and evaluate life and how my energy should be guided.

Over 50 percent of all long term care residents have no family living close by that can visit. Typically, it is the staff of the facility that fills the void of family. If you have spent any time in a healthcare facility you quickly recognize how busy the staff is and the lack of extra time that they have. During the fall and winter months, which bring back holiday memories, sadness and depression are more prevalent in the elderly. Residents of long term care regularly need reminded and reassured that they are needed and are part of a family. I certainly hope you will consider extending your holiday celebrations with one of these residents.

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Holidays are a time to gather, reflect, celebrate, and be grateful. The true meaning of the holidays is love. Please step back and ask yourself: Are you focused on your family? Can you set aside time, talent, or treasure to bring joy to the lonely? For most of us the list of things we are most grateful for are what the elderly yearn for - family and companionship. We all seek emotional resilience, and studies show that giving and gratitude can enhance a more positive outlook on life.

I challenge you to view the holidays through the lens of the elderly.

- Candice Synder

A whole system centered around

Coordinated care at Union Health.

What does it mean that Union Health is an integrated health system? It’s actually pretty simple. It means that we work together during every stage of your care.

Because we connect the dots for you, getting well and staying well is easier. We partner with you for better health and well-being throughout your life. Why? Because we’re healthier, together.

Union Medical Group (UAP Clinic and Union Hospital Medical Group) | Union Hospital | Union Hospital Clinton

myunionhospital.org uapclinic.com

OM For The Holidays As we prepare to enter yet another busy holiday season, I’d like to introduce the idea of giving a gift to yourself a little early this year.

Many of us have the best intentions to take more time for ourselves, exercise, even meditate and find new ways to de-stress. The holiday season may seem like the most challenging time to try something new and add another thing to your schedule. Whether you thrive on the hustle and bustle of the season or dread it, consider taking a personal time-out to fill up your tank. You will emerge ready to tackle your to-do list and love on your family and friends. It will benefit you long after your New Year’s Eve buzz has faded.

Yoga means “to yoke”, or unite the mind, body, and breath. While the modern practice of yoga may look very different than what Hindu yogis created thousands of years ago, the intention remains very similar. It is rooted in the mind, body, and breath working together to find ways to become calmer, more mindful, and maybe a little stronger too.

Some perceive yoga as being only for uber-flexible, super fit, or younger men and women. That could not be further from the truth. If you can breathe, you can do yoga. Yoga is truly a practice that is for every body, every fitness level, age and lifestyle. Those new to yoga and wondering how and where to start will find answers literally a click away. If you prefer to try yoga at home, endless resources exist online through YouTube. Great apps such as Down Dog and Yogaglo offer a variety of classes accessible anywhere you have your phone or tablet. These are also great resources if you travel a lot or will be away from home during the holidays. If you prefer to try a group class environment, Terre Haute offers a variety of opportunities. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced yoga classes can be found at many fitness facilities and yoga studios in Terre Haute. Check out the schedule and don’t be afraid to contact the studio if you have questions about a particular class. Yoga teachers generally love to share their insights and help new students get acquainted as smoothly as possible. Classes titled “gentle”, “beginner”, “yin”, or “hatha” may be a good place for beginners to start. It is always a good idea to bring water and a mat if you have one. If you don’t, most studios will have some available. Wear comfortable but snug fitting clothing to avoid anything inching up an uncomfortable place as you stretch and bend your body. Most importantly arrive with an open mind and heart and willingness to learn something new.

- Ellie Templeton

Photography by Grace Sarris

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Om KIDS As parents and caregivers work to keep up with their child’s endless energy and hectic school, activity, and social schedules, they find themselves with less and less time to connect to one another and themselves.

Yoga is a wonderful opportunity for kids and their families to learn fun ways to relax their mind and body, increase self-awareness, and foster healthy habits to last a lifetime.

Practicing yoga provides children ways to learn to become more mindful and to manage frustration, stress and fatigue in a healthy way. This does not mean kids need to step into a formal yoga class. However, older children and teens may enjoy a more formal class.

There are short, simple, effective things that parents can introduce at home and families can do together to share yoga. Author Lisa Flynn presents methods for integrating yoga into your child’s life in her book, “Yoga for Children.” This book for parents is filled with ideas for individual and partner poses as well as games and songs to get your little ones excited. Partner yoga poses are a great way to increase self-awareness and awareness of your partner. Both partners must listen to their own bodies and make sure they feel good in a pose and communicate with their partner to make sure they also feel good and are doing the pose safely together. Try “elevator pose” to build confidence, balance, and strength.

Partners of similar size should face each other and step back until your arms are straight and you can lean back from each other slightly. Bend your knees to come down at the same time like you’re going to sit in a tall chair then, come back up at the same time.

The book also explains techniques for introducing deeper, more mindful breathing to relax and unwind. A favorite of mine is “bumblebee breath” to calm and center. Try it next time you sense your child needs to focus, calm down, or feel more in control of themselves. The car can be a great place to introduce this. Inhale deeply and hum to exhale slowly with the option of having eyes closed and hands cupped over ears. Ask them how they feel physically and in their mind, how that changed their focus.

You may be thinking, that all sounds great but what do I even begin to say to get my child to try this? Well, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

Kids are inherently curious and natural yogis. Their lack of inhibition, especially compared to adults, allows them to soak up the movements, techniques and ideas of yoga like a sponge. “Yoga for Children” gives suggestions about exactly what to say. A simple Pinterest or Google search will also yield dozens of ideas for poses, books, and themes to integrate yoga into your child’s life.

- Ellie Templeton Find class schedules at: www.commongroundcrossfitandyoga.com

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Wanderlust I’ve visited twelve countries on four separate continents. My feet have walked the cobbled stones of London and hiked the paths of Mount Vesuvius. My eyes have seen the unbelievably blue Aegean seas in Greece and marveled at the splendid nighttime lights of the Eiffel Tower.

I have tasted authentic gelato in Italy and rich mango-based delicacies in Thailand. The essence of exotic flowers in Central America and the multiple aromas of markets in Haiti have left their imprint on my soul.

I’ve been swimming with sea turtles in the crystal clear waters of the Bahamas and have ridden gentle elephants in Cambodia. In Germany, I heard more languages on one train trip than all of my other voyages combined.

It all changed me. It made me feel a sense of wanderlust. Adventure is part of me, and every time I travel, I am reminded of just how small I really am.

The world is so vast and the possibilities are endless. But the thing is, the older I get, the surer I am that adventure is actually just waiting wherever you are!

You don’t have to travel thousands of miles or fly over oceans to find new experiences. Some of my best discoveries have been right out my own back door.

When I was in high school, I never would have thought that I would still be calling the same place home. I can remember angst-filled night drives with friends just desperate to get out of Terre Haute. My heart was focused on a “grass is always greener” kind of place.

I thought that if I could just travel the world and live somewhere else, anywhere else, all of my problems would fade away and life would be magical. Especially with social media and constant bombardment of gorgeous feeds, it often seemed like I was the only one who wasn’t living some sort of fairytale. I thought I had to travel to far and exotic lands to find adventure around every corner and, ultimately, happiness and contentment.

However, now as a recent college graduate and new business owner in small town Indiana, I find that there is no place I’d rather be. I’m learning that adventure is found where you seek it. It might be exploring local antique stores for hidden treasures or wandering into a new coffee shop around the corner to taste something you’ve never tried before. Every day can bring new opportunities to expand who you are and what you know.

Maybe what I’m trying to say is that adventure is not about where you are, but about your attitude in regard to where you are. It’s about taking risks and trying new things, even if in your own backyard. It’s about being open to possibilities that you might have overlooked in the past.

I am certainly thankful for my time overseas and hope that travel is something I can always incorporate into my life, but I’m also thankful for a fresh perspective and new eyes with which to appreciate my surroundings…wherever that may be.

How does this look in my every day life? In the past year, this mindset pushed me to start a business focused on this concept and these very ideals.

It pulls from a lifestyle of every day adventures. Your life is not a movie. It’s not something you sit back and watch, and you shouldn’t wait for things to happen to you. If there is something you want to do, do it! Take control and make good things happen! Life is not about success or failure. It is about the process. Do you want to start a business? Is there a new skill you want to master? Is there something “crazy” you’ve always wanted to try? An adventure-filled life means doing those things!

Let me leave you with this from Helen Keller: “Life is either a grand adventure or nothing at all.” It is your duty to find adventure in your - Grace Sarris every day!

Photography by Grace Sarris

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Haute Beauty Trends I love the holidays, but most of all, Christmas. I love the decorations, the feel of the season and watching my children learn about its true meaning. However, as much as I enjoy this festive time of year, it’s also by far the most stressful for me. As I add up my to-do list, contemplate the upcoming spending and look at the events piling up on the calendar, suddenly, any thought about taking care of myself is nonexistent.

Every year, I am motivated to plan ahead more than I had the year before and somehow it always actually seems to get worse. Lately, with three young children in the house, I’m lucky to get a Christmas tree up, let alone decorate it. With the insurmountable list of priorities during the holiday season, I forget to stop and enjoy the holidays and pay attention to myself a little bit. The stress literally shows on my face.

Luckily for the readers out there, this year, I have made a promise to myself to take care of my skin and I am sharing my tips with you. By taking pride in my look, I believe it will help me stay confident and prepare me to tackle the holidays. By feeling good about my exterior, I will take care of the rest. - Ceci Spoonmore

lashes EYES

WITHOUT

ARE LIKE CAKE WITHOUT FROSTING

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photography by Grace Sarris

HOLIDAY BEAUTY MAINTENANCE 1. Implement a Healthy Nighttime Routine. I know you are tired, you stayed up too late wrapping Xbox games and Kate Spade wallets, but rinsing off your face will help you feel great in the morning. Use a mild cleanser and apply an anti-aging product, or a moisturizer. It’s the gift to your skin that keeps on giving!

2. Use a Tinted Morning Moisturizer. There are several great brands to choose from anymore, and I recommend looking into something paraben and retinol free. Do your homework - chemicals are known to be harmful and can cause long term damage. The more natural, the better.

3. Play up your Lashes. By simply curling your eyelashes and adding a few coats of mascara, you can completely change your look from tired to bright and fresh. If you are really looking to add some dimension, step up to a set of false lashes (quit rolling your eyes - just try it, you’ll like them!)

I wear these every single day and have for years, so there is no reason to be scared. If you are new to this idea, start slowly by choosing an inexpensive, subtle set or a multi-pack so you have back-up. To be honest, the actual lash brand and quality is less important than the glue that you use to apply them. DUO Eyelash Glue Dark Shade is a personal favorite.

4. Rock some Red Lips. Quit acting like you can’t pull it off! If you aren’t sure of exactly what shade is best for you, run into Ulta or Merle Norman and let a professional help you decide. Liner is key. You will want to take your time to help prevent the color from running and creasing. For additional ‘bleeding’ protection, lightly apply loose powder around your lips and slick on the color carefully; don’t expect perfection in the first application. For the holidays, go ahead and try something new. Who knows, you might even love your new look so much, you’ll want to wear it year round!

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Haute Hair Trends When your hairstylist is booked but you need “haute” holiday hair fast, use these simple at home tips.

Tools: You can’t successfully do holiday hair without the proper tools. You’ll need a heat protectant spray, comb, bobby pins, elastics, curling iron/flat iron and hairspray. If you have these tools you can achieve almost any up-do.

Prep: You can flat iron your hair to make it sleek and smooth or curl it to give your hair some texture.

Be sure to use a heat protectant to help prevent damage! If you’re wanting a half-up style or full on up-do, get your bobby pins and elastic ready!

Pick a style: Let’s say you want a simple low bun or chignon.

Tease your hair at the crown with a comb to add volume and smooth it into a low ponytail. Secure it with an elastic. You can use a sock bun to create a simple bun or if you prepped your hair with curls, you could pin the curls around the ponytail to create a chignon.

Add texture: A technique to add some texture to your style is braiding. If you have shorter layers around your face and don’t want to mess with your hair the whole evening, braids are a great way to secure those stray hairs and looks glamorous in the process! You can do a regular French braid, Dutch braid (same as a French braid only you weave the locks of hair under instead of over) you can fishtail braid or do all of the above. A technique that really gives texture to a braid is called pancaking.

Pancaking a braid is when you take the loops on the side of a braid and gently pull on them, expanding the braid and adding lots of volume. You could pull your hair in a low ponytail and do four pancake braids, pinning them in together making a low textured up-do.

YouTube is a vital tool. You can research any hairstyle you want and odds are there will be a tutorial on it. Just make sure you start off with all of your hair tools laid out, and you’ll be on your way to a self-made beautiful holiday up-do!

- Darcy Diehl and Danna Andreas

photography by Danna Andreas

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Brave Mom's Clu b As parents, we hope that our worst fears never come to fruition.

One fateful night, Nicole and Cody Adams’ fears did just that. Their story fill us with hope, inspiration, and eventually, pure joy.

Nicole Adams and her daughter, Madi, have an incredibly special relationship. “I had some fears about being a mother. Who doesn’t?” she said. “But the moment I laid eyes on her, I knew we were meant to be.”

Nicole, a young, radiant mother, describes herself as a pretend-to-be runner, avid pancake maker, and advocate for eating ice cream for dinner.

“I will be entering my fifth year of teaching at Terr Haute South this fall where I’m lucky to get to share my love of Web Design and Computer Programming with some really great students,” she said. When she’s not shaping young minds, she loves to be outside, as does Madi. “She’s a vivacious, sassy little girl! She may look like her father, but she gets her attitude from me. She has really developed this concern and compassion for others, which is incredibly sweet to watch,” she said. Luckily, Madi would much rather take her baby doll for a walk than watch Frozen, and as a result of that, she and her family spend a lot of time at Deming Park seeking out adventure.

But when Madi was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia, Nicole struggled coming to terms with it, and their adventure took a different turn. “Madi was generally a very happy baby. She was sleeping through the night at six weeks and rarely cried during the day. I thought we had the parenting thing in the bag!” she said. Gradually, though, Madi’s belly became very large. Nicole began to notice that it would take a strange shape or be very hard, but she also says it wasn’t very consistent.

Sometimes it would look “normal” to her. She explains, “It was one of those things where you watch your hair grow every day and don’t think it’s getting any longer. So I see it now in pictures. I think, ‘How did I not see that?’” Nicole brought Madi’s belly up to the doctor at her four-month check-up and his face immediately drained of its color. It was then and there that Nicole knew something was wrong.

The night they were sent to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, Nicole and her husband Cody knew that Madi was sick, but they didn’t know just how sick, and they had no idea what the treatment plan for her might look like. “That night in the ER, I was devastated. I remember vividly thinking, ‘This isn’t right. This isn’t fair,’” she said. While she knows that some might call her pessimistic, Nicole likes to view herself as a realist. She tried to prepare herself mentally for what she and her family were about to face on their journey through Madi’s treatment, but the statistics on JMML— Madi’s specific kind of leukemia—were not good. “Unfortunately, I spent the next week or so really distancing myself from her. I was convinced that I needed to brace myself for the inevitable,” she said. Nicole explains that she spent a lot of time praying, and that she knew there was nothing she could do for Madi to make it better. Instead, she put all of her energy toward asking God to save her, “and if that wasn’t part of His plan, I asked that He would prepare my heart for what was to come,” she said.

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Nicole certainly learned a lot from her initial feelings of disbelief.

“I mentioned that I distanced myself from her in this stage. I quickly realized, though, that even if I couldn’t do anything for her, it was my job to love her,” she said. She firmly believes that this whole experience is about Madi, not her diagnosis.

Most importantly, Nicole and Cody have felt the presence of the community surrounding and supporting them beyond their wildest imaginations. “We are forever grateful,” she said. Her husband continued to work while Madi was inpatient, so Nicole felt lucky to have her father and stepmom, as well as many other family members and friends, just a quick phone call away if she needed anything. “We also grew to love our doctors and nurses. When you spend that much time together, it’s really helpful to get along.” Before and after her bone marrow transplant, Madi saw them two to three times a week, and she lived inpatient for around 60 days, so they became incredibly close. Not only did Nicole and Madi grow close with the doctors and nurses, but Nicole and Madi grew closer themselves. “While her diagnosis wasn’t ideal, I was able to stay with her throughout her treatment, which was a blessing in disguise. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful bond with my sweet Madi-girl. I wouldn’t have it any other way!”

Out of this love and appreciation for both Madi, and the support of the community, Nicole came up with Madipalooza—a celebration to mark Madi’s remission and to help other children. “It was just an idea in 2015. It was something I came up with because another transplant family had brought bags to the stem cell patients in celebration of their son’s one-year ‘re-birthday!’ I fell in love with the idea,” she said. The community really surrounded Nicole and her family when they had fallen down, so to celebrate Madi’s victory with all of them, Madipalooza came to be.

“We are currently using the money raised at Madipalooza to take bags to children at Riley facing difficult diagnoses, whether it’s leukemia or something else. We focus mainly on the stem cell unit, but have given bags to several wings of the hospital,” she said. Nicole and her family have taken Madipalooza far past gift bags, though. They have been able to sponsor children to fulfill wishes, which they may not be able to do otherwise. “In the future, I want to sponsor parents to help them enjoy an afternoon to themselves, but I’m still working on those details,” she said.

Nicole, Cody, Madi, and the rest of their family hope to make Madipalooza an annual event, and make the celebration unique each year. “The tough thing is that you’ll read many stories about children with the same diagnosis, but they don’t always have happy endings. I want our girl’s story to be the one that people are able to read and move forward knowing that there is hope,” she said.

With a smile like Madi’s, it’d be hard not to be a ray of hope to this community.

- Yvette Morgan

Time to fall in

Healthy beginnings at Union Hospital.

Here at Union Health, we know that mother-baby bonding during the first 48 hours of your baby’s life impacts his or her well-being long after you’ve left the hospital.

That’s why we assure together time — so you can learn to understand and comfort your little miracle in the ways only you can. It’s how we support you in providing your baby with the best start possible. After all, we’re healthier together.

For more information on our baby-friendly initiatives, call 812.238.7083.

myunionhospital.org

Haute Sycamores Fashion has always been a part of my life. I love experimenting with different looks, styles, and trends. My style changes frequently, because I love to try new trends and create my own.

My love of fashion started at a young age. I was inspired by magazines such as Teen Vogue and Seventeen. YouTubers such as Bethany Mota and Tess Christine also inspired me, and still do to this day. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I was introduced to a new form of fashion media showcase: blogging.

I remember reading an issue of Seventeen magazine where I came across some fashion blogs that really inspired me: Flashes of Style and Someone Like You (websites found below!). Every day in free period I would look at these blogs to see the new outfit posts and read about what the author was currently working on. I wanted to start my own blog because I thought it would be the creative outlet I had been looking for. It wasn’t until my freshman year of college that I took the jump.

Starting a blog opened up a new world for me where I can connect with other bloggers and showcase my personal style. I chose to create my blog, SimplySamStyle, on Google’s free ‘Blogger’ site because it already has an established blogging community. Blogger has several design templates preloaded on the site, but you can purchase one from other websites as well to customize your blog. That is the great aspect of having a blog - you can make it as simple as you want or as complex as you wish.

I love blogging, especially when the seasons change. Living in Indiana, we are lucky to experience all four seasons - and then some, which makes transitional wear even more fun. For fall, I love taking my tanks into fall by layering with sweaters. That way I can take my sweater off if I get too hot, or keep it on if I’m a little chilly. To make it more “me”, I mix prints by keeping them as close as possible within the same color scheme. One staple accessory I would recommend purchasing for fall and winter is a pair of fleece tights. I purchased a pair this past winter, and it was life changing. It keeps my legs warmer than normal tights and allows me to wear dresses and skirts during the winter without freezing! Also for winter, I love a great statement jacket. I purchased a hunter green wool coat last winter, and I absolutely love it. Wool is an all-natural fiber that helps keep your body heat in, so to have a garment made from it during the winter is a lifesaver!

I hope to continue my blog for as long as I can! You can find me at: http://simplysamstyle.blogspot.com/

Also check out: http://flashesofstyle.blogspot.com/ http://someonelikeyou18.blogspot.com/ - Samantha Ripperger

Samantha Ripperger is majoring in Textiles, Apparel, and Merchandising at Indiana State University.

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Decorating Your Dorm The holiday season doesn’t feel the same when you aren’t home with your family. You miss out on enjoying the decorations, planning get-togethers, and the sweet aroma of holiday candles. Don’t get me wrong, dressing up with friends for Halloween is way more satisfying than passing out candy with parents, but there’s always that feeling that you’re missing something. Luckily, some of us are able to make it home for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but in the meantime, there are things we can do to make our dorm rooms feel cozier.

If we want to make the best of the holiday season while living in dorms, we must decorate, decorate… and decorate! A fun way to show off your personal holiday style is by going to a store - I recommend Jo-Ann Fabrics or Hobby Lobby - to buy some decorations. It’s important to have a color scheme in mind beforehand, and to also think about what will best fit in your dorm.

Halloween is the perfect time to use “wicked” decorations. Buy a pack of fake cobwebs to put on picture frames, in wall corners, or on bookshelves.

“Mummify” your door without having to spend a lot of money by using a roll of toilet paper and tape to make it look like it’s from ancient times. Fake pumpkins are essential to having a true Halloween atmosphere, and buying already decorated ones is a quick and easy way to go!

Thanksgiving decorations can be a little tricky unless you want your room to look like a scene from an old western film. Try a cute tray in yellow or rose gold that will fit on your desk and buy floral picks with acorns, pinecones, and cranberries. DIY fall leaves by putting tacky glue on the tips and adding gold glitter to them. If you feel like getting really creative, you could even punch holes in the leaves and make garland to hang on your walls!

Now, the most important question is whether you’re naughty or nice?! It’s all up to you and how you decorate for Christmas! If you want to be on the nice list, buy a few different rolls of wrapping paper and

adorn your bedroom door with a snowman, Christmas tree, or penguin - use Christmas lights to frame the door for an extra touch! If you’re okay with being on the naughty list, just add some red and white feather boas to your door. Of course, don’t forget the mini Christmas tree - that is a college dorm room favorite! I suggest buying a sparkly white one or a gold pre-lit tree. Make a Christmas wreath out of red Solo cups and add green or gold bows for a feminine touch. You and your roommate can even pick out stockings to hang at the end of your bedposts, and then surprise each other with stocking stuffers before leaving for break!

All of these ideas are affordable for college students and can help make your dorm room feel a little more inviting during the holiday season. So, ladies… let’s get decorating!

- Cheyenne Harris

Cheyenne Harris is an Indiana State University undergrad, majoring in Communications with a Journalism concentration.

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Each office independently owned and operated.

Make It Happen: Mila & Me Mila & Me is dedicated to unique, FUN t-shirt designs for moms, dads, and little ones, based out of Fishers, IN. Check out her designs, sold locally at Modern Charm Boutique in downtown Terre Haute, Indiana. I sat down with Sara Stellama, creator of Mila & Me, to get a little more insight on her family life and her growing business.

What was your main inspiration to begin a small business and when did you start?

It’s so funny… almost 2 years ago, I was about 9 months pregnant, and decided to make a t-shirt to express my excitement about becoming a mom. I ended up posting a picture [of me in it] on Instagram, and within a few minutes a local boutique owner asked me where I got it! She right away placed a bulk order and wanted to design a few more T’s with me. After the orders shipped and went “live” in her boutique, it was a no brainer… I needed to pursue this!

Do you have another job aside from running your small business?

I work full time at SLD (Sports Licensed Division) – the Adidas/Reebok Corporate in Indianapolis. I couldn’t imagine my life without it. It’s a nice break from my personal designs, as well as providing some adult interaction time!

Do you come up with all the designs yourself?

90% of my designs are created by a TON of research. But there is a part of me that loves to make my customers happy by creating designs suggested by them.

What’s easier that going straight to the source?!

Where do you sell your T’s? Do you accept custom orders?

We currently have an Etsy shop, Instagram, and a Facebook group that we sell through. I love getting the chance to sell in person, especially when we find just the right market to attend as a vendor, like Mack’s! We love to do custom orders for bachelorette parties and sports teams!

Anything else about you or your shop that you would like us to know?

We love what we do and wouldn’t have it any other way. When you see me out at the markets, I typically have one of my sisters with me, or even Mila – all who have supported me in every way. I pride myself on designing for the entire family, and creating prints that I would actually wear!

- Yvette Morgan

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makers

gonna make

Charm School, a local creative venture located at 7 South 7th Street in downtown Terre Haute, is a place to gather, learn, and make. It’s about forming relationships, having fun, and immersing yourself in the creative process. Charm School crafts is a community of makers, started

by Yvette Morgan and myself!

I’m the owner of angela’s images, and I have enjoyed creating art my entre life. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Art from Indiana State University, and I love that my degree has finally come fullcircle. Being able to learn, create, and now teach in my own space downtown is amazing.

I can’t wait to see what else happens here! Yvette, owner of Modern Charm Boutique, has an eye and love for vintage, crafty things. Before forming Charm School with me, she held classes in the basement of her boutique. She hopes that having the streetlevel storefront will create more community interest and accessibility!

Charm School has small class sizes that allow you to channel your inner creativity!

You get to choose your own colors and style for all of your creations and really take the leap to try something new. Our classes are for everyone - not just the “crafty at heart.” We instruct you step-bystep to complete your projects so that you never feel overwhelmed by the process, and encourage you to be yourself. Charm School is fun for all ages!

- Angela Tapy

Visit our website at www.charmschoolth.com to see all of our upcoming events!

Facebook and Instagram: @CharmSchoolTH Email: charmschoolth@gmail.com

photography by Samantha McGranahan

Charm School is not just your typical canvas event location - we offer so much more! We host traditional painting events, but are also very passionate about Craft Classes and DIY Workshops. Some of our events include: Make it Mondays, Create with Me Classes that are adult and child focused, private events, fundraisers, team building events, youth canvas classes, and craft workshops. We also enjoy a partnership with Gifted Custom Art. Gifted Custom Art is new and unique, and is sweeping the nation. Our partnership with them allows for you to submit a photo of

someone or something that is sentimental to you - a parent, child, or pet - and have it converted to a ‘paint by number’ image on a canvas. After your canvas is created, we bring you an instruction process and event experience so you can “Paint What You Love.” Gifted events are held twice a month; once on the fourth Thursday (registration and photo submission required two weeks in advance), and at least one other night during the month. If you can’t make it to one of our scheduled events, contact us to learn more about a private session!

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Haute Home Trends “People are curious about this house,” says Mrs. Homeowner with a smile when asked about the public interest of her 100-year-old home, and why wouldn’t they be?

As soon as you pulls into the shrub-hidden, paved circular drive and catch a glimpse of the yellow brick with historic mint green trim, you know you are somewhere special. You get the feeling that you have truly gone back in time.

Some of the paperwork in the homeowners’ possession dates back to 1917. Nearly everything in the house is original: creaky, narrow plank hardwoods in the main living areas, and honeycomb tile in the bathrooms. The bathroom walls are done in white subway tile, and all of the fixtures are original as well. Raised tank toilets are present in three of the four bathrooms and all of the sinks have original fitted faucets.

There are custom red carpet runners lining the stairs and hallways, and wooden doors throughout. Interestingly, each door is separately keyed. The pocket doors with windowpane inlays that lead into the formal dining room are another unique feature of this historical home. The only thing that outnumbers the doors in the home is the windows. All of them are original, almost all are still functional, and they have never been painted over.

It’s clear that a family of wealth and prominence, with purpose to entertain, built the house. Inside the foyer, there is a series of locking cubbies that occupy the coat closet.

I’m told that the household staff used these cubbies to hold the possessions and valuables of party guests! Speaking of household staff, there are two sets of stairs within the home - one grand staircase is located near the front of the house, and a more narrow set of stairs is in the back. The house staff, or perhaps even a teenage resident of the house hoping to avoid being caught for breaking curfew, would have used this back staircase.

Another unusual feature of this home is a passage that runs from one end of the small third story living quarters, through the walls, and to the other end. The current homeowner says that she is unsure of the initial function of this passage, but that it certainly made running cable wire easy! In addition to the passage, there is a root cellar in the carriage house near the back of the property, where it is thought to have previously held an underground tunnel.

In addition, there is a beautiful pool adjacent to a very nice pool house, which is currently set up as a mother-in-law apartment. Behind the carriage house is a raised garden area, and the backyard is tranquil and filled with mature trees and shrubs. The homeowner tells me that the birds here are the happiest of anywhere she’s ever lived, and that their beautiful songs fill the quiet air. The property used to extend to the lot on either side, but was eventually divided up, with houses now to the east and west.

When referencing current design trends, I must mention that if this were my home, I wouldn’t have any curtains! Mixing styles based on what you love and what means something to you - things that are eclectic - is what many homeowners are doing today.

- Amber Cates

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Designer - Nichole Hawkins

photography by Grace Sarris

Tips from the Designer: The trend for Christmas this year is to bring the outside in. Look for lots of natural stuff like agate, botanicals, evergreen stems, moss and anything “natural” looking. Golds, brass, gingham, vintage plaid, antique glass ornaments, and black and white decorations are also trending this Holiday! Etsy is a great place to find unique Christmas décor – here are some of Nichole’s suggestions:

Clockwise from top left: Blue Agate Ornament by Arielle Rassell, found at www.lemesto.com Merry and Bright picture, found at Etsy shop: DivineGiveArt • Moss ornament, found at Etsy shop: ElizabethanFolkArt • Botanical garland, found at Etsy shop: PeonyandThistle • Twigs in a glass, found at apartmenttherapy.com • Glass ornaments, found at Etsy shop: VintagePresents

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So...You Want to be a Realtor?

At a recent event, an acquaintance came up to me and asked, “What would it take to become a realtor?” I thought to myself for a moment about the job I have called a career for some time now. What is a realtor? The more common, official description involves a person who presents homes to clients, hoping to satisfy their needs and go home with a bit of commission at the end of the day. But unofficially, it is an entirely different story.

Being a realtor means being a secretary, photographer, creative writer, therapist, emotional caretaker, master negotiator, chauffeur, and superhero all rolled into one. So how does one enter this field of compromises and contracts?

First things first: for the Wabash Valley, an initial 90-hour prelicensing broker course is required and followed by three tests.

After the three tests, an in-person Indiana State pre-licensing exam is administered. Once that is taken and passed, real estate hopefuls must apply to the Indiana Real Estate Commission for a Broker’s License. Then, the real work begins: looking for a company that will be a good fit.

I interviewed with a couple different firms before ultimately deciding the family RE/MAX business was perfect for me. As a new member to the team I was eager to sell a house and make some money.

But, before that big ol’ commission made its way into my pockets, I had to deal with expenses.

Wait! What? Expenses? Yes, expenses - and there are many. I had monthly and yearly dues, fees to national and state associations, and apparently my new Broker/Owner would get a cut, too. And that is just the beginning. There was also gas to consider, lots and lots of gas; plus, yard signs (which people steal), advertising expenses, key boxes, business cards, health insurance, client gifts and a myriad of other things.

Now that I had paid for everything under the sun, it was time to solicit my services. I began with friends and family members and moved on from there. And OH did I try. But rejection, it happens in this business, a lot. Everyone says, “Don’t take it personally.” But you do; you just learn how to develop a thick skin and move on. The good news is that for every rejection you get closer to that first, satisfying, YES. There are so many different elements to real estate that can’t be summed up in a simple article.

A home is one of the most expensive, emotional purchases a person makes, and it is my job to handle the stress. There are long, sleepless nights that involve crying and second guessing, but there are also some really good moments. I have developed friendships with strangers and bonds with other agents who have become like family.

I have seen clients who are so excited to purchase their first home, or their dream home, and I have wept with clients who have left a home after what seemed like a lifetime of making memories

with their family. I love this job and I love the people I have met. It is not as easy as I initially imagined, but I have developed relationships with wonderful families and I have several clients who have turned out to be great friends. At the end of the day, that is worth more than any commission.

I hope this information gives a little bit of insight to anyone considering this crazy roller coaster of a career and also gives credit to those who are out there right now rocking it! As Modern Family’s Phil Dunphy says, “To be successful in this business, you have to have that ABC mentality- Always Be Closin’.’” - Traci McCreery

photography by Grace Sarris

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Boss Lady: Women in Business Lynn Hughes has been the Executive Director of Terre Haute Children’s Museum since 2009, and works tirelessly on fundraisers and events to help improve our community. Her experience and background has connected the Wabash Valley, and has strengthened bonds and partnerships with other businesses.

We asked Lynn some questions to get to know her better, and get her take on what it means to be a “Boss Lady”. We wanted to know what inspires her, so that she may continue to inspire other Boss Ladies.

What is your background/previous experience?

I studied Journalism and Radio/TV/Film at Indiana State University, and graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications.

During my junior and senior years at ISU, I worked for the TribuneStar as a reporter. In the fall of 1999, I left the Tribune-Star to work at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. I spent two years as a Graphic Designer, six years as the Director of Public Relations, and two years as the Executive Director of College Relations. In 2008, while I was at SMWC, I also earned my Master’s degree in Leadership Development.

What does your daily routine look like?

Every day is different. I spend the majority of my time on fundraising, marketing, and PR-type duties, but I also work with grants, educational programs, community partnerships and events, budgeting, personnel, and so much more. I could go from writing a grant for an exhibit or program to a finance committee meeting to feeding the snakes and cockroaches. All of the jobs here at the Museum provide a lot of opportunity for variety and creativity.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by people who use the gifts and resources that they have to make a positive difference, making our world a better place to live, learn and love. Our world is facing challenging times, and it’s easy to get discouraged. I keep reminding myself that I can’t fix it all, but I can use the gifts that I have been given to try to make things better for the people and world around me. In the words of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, “We are not called upon to do all the good work that is possible, but only that which we can do.”

What changes would you like to see with the Children’s Museum, and where do you see the museum in 5 years?

We’re actually discussing those things right now. When we first opened, we really had no idea what to expect. We moved from a 3,000-squarefoot facility to a 26,000-square-foot facility, and we were completely

overwhelmed with how different it was. We have spent the last six years trying to figure it all out. We don’t have all the answers, but part of our vision statement is to be a “point of community pride”, and I think we have accomplished that. In the next five years, I would hope that we’re not just a “point of pride”, but a major piece of the puzzle as we all work together to move this community forward in positive ways.

What advice would you give to inspire other “boss ladies” to follow their dreams?

My advice is to be confident in the talents and gifts that you have, and to use those things to go after their dreams. I have no children, I had never worked in a children’s museum environment, and I certainly didn’t have any experience running an organization. It would have been easy for me to say “I’m not qualified. I’m not going to apply.” Fortunately, I didn’t say that, and while this job has certainly been challenging, I wouldn’t trade these experiences for anything. When I present in high school and college classes, I always tell them all the same thing: If you want something, go after it. Work hard, network, and gain knowledge and experiences that will help propel you in the direction of your dreams. Will you get every job that you apply for? Of course not. You’re going to have disappointments, but those are not failures. Those are opportunities to learn, grow, make new connections, and make yourself even more prepared for the next opportunity that comes along.

Tell us more about yourself and your family, and anything else you’d like to share with Haute Life readers?

I’m originally from Bremen, Indiana, which is in northern Indiana, south of Mishawaka. I arrived in Terre Haute in 1995, starting out as a music major at ISU with intentions of transferring to SMWC to study Music Therapy, but I decided that I wanted to keep music as just a hobby, so I switched to Journalism. I have been married for 16 years to my husband, Aaron Hughes, who is the assistant principal at Terre Haute North Vigo High School. We have two dogs and three cats. We’re both singers, and have both sung in barbershop quartets. My quartet, Hot Topic, won the Harmony Incorporated International Championship in 2003, and his quartet, Forefront, won the Barbershop Harmony Society International Championship this year, in 2016. I currently sing with the 80’s cover band, Mullet Over. I’m a big fan of Colts football and the New Kids on the Block!

- Lori Mitchell

photo by Meier Photography

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Fan Girl Friday We asked you to nominate a woman in business that YOU thought should be featured in Haute Life. We wanted to feature ladies who may not otherwise have this type of outlet to highlight their business.

Our winner was Rebecca Nicoson of No Mess No Stress Cleaning Services, out of New Goshen, IN. We were inspired by her story of determination, love of family, and work ethic. Here’s just a snapshot of her story!

Tell me what type of business you own?

A standard or deep cleaning business for residential and commercial properties.

Why are you in business?

I’ve always wanted to work for myself and not be under someone’s thumb. I also want to make my family, especially my children, proud of me.

What is the best advice you could give someone interested in starting a small business?

Be organized, passionate, and never give up!

How did you come up with the name of your business?

I was sitting at home one day, and stated “I wouldn’t be as stressed if I didn’t have all of the mess!”

What motivated you to start your business?

The man in the picture, Matt Burris, gave me a chance to make a little extra cash by cleaning his home on a weekly basis when I was a single mother. I watched him build a business by helping others. He kept telling me that I should do the same. He referred my services to others and before you know it, I was overbooked (still working a full time job at the same time)! This business is in his honor. I reconnected with my husband three years ago and with the support of him, and our 6 children, I have more determination than I ever dreamed of.

How do you market your business?

We have a business page on Facebook, business cards, fliers, looking into radio stations, and building our website at the moment. We also offer a referral program to our customers! If they refer us to 3 potential clients and the work is completed, they get one free cleaning!

Do you have employees? How many?

Right now there are 8 part-time employees. And still looking to hire!

How would you describe your customers?

We have a large range of middle to upper class customers, to businesses in the community and surrounding areas. We have one time appointments such as move in/move out cleanings, and recurring customers that we work with weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly.

What are the biggest challenges to owning your own business?

Making sure you hire the right staff. I do not just hire warm bodies.

My employees must move quick, while being thorough and detailed every time. I like to give an opportunity to the women (and men) who have worked hard and weren’t utilized to their full potential, or weren’t paid what they are worth. I want to be the positive impact in their life - if they are willing to work hard and be as passionate as I am about customer satisfaction.

What are the positives of owning your own business?

The most positive aspect for me is being able to make a difference in someone’s life. Not only my customers, but my employees as well. It is also nice to be able to set my own schedule to have time with my family.

Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?

Never give up, work hard and live your dream! No matter how old you are, it’s never too late. And even if you have made mistakes in your past, do not let it define you. You create your future, your legacy.

- Yvette Morgan Find Rebecca at: Facebook.com/ nomessnostresscleaning 812-201-9026 / 812-229-8791

How long have you been in business?

I have been cleaning for over 13 years, however, the business aspect has expanded and was final at the beginning of this year.

What is your background, education, and work experience?

photography by Ashley Patty

I majored in Criminology and Psychology, and my minor was Business at Indiana State University. I also have attended other technical schools. I have managed restaurants for over 20 years, and managed in the financial industry as well. I have also been a motivational speaker, cosmetologist, and a DJ!

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The Startup Ladies Calling all female business ladies! Launch Terre Haute, a newly opened co-work space downtown in The Deming, has plugged into “The Startup Ladies” network out of Indianapolis.

There was an initial kickoff Meetup this past April where 35+ women showed up to connect with one another. This tells us that there is an interest in the community in being a part of a group like this. There are a number of local businesswomen who have an idea, are currently working on an idea, or simply want to support someone with a venture.

The Startup Ladies mission is to identify, educate, connect, and increase investment in women entrepreneurs starting up-and-coming businesses.

This is done through monthly Meetups and bi-monthly Startup Study Halls. The Meetups allow attendees to build relationships with experienced executives and fellow budding entrepreneurs. The Startup Study Halls provide the structure, consistency, and accountability to focus on moving ideas forward. Diversity is a competitive advantage - both men and women are invited to attend all of the events. It’s not too late to get involved either; we are still forming and molding this group locally!

As you plug in and think about your idea or business, remember to think big! Don’t limit yourself by saying, “I would never be able to raise $500K,” or “I can’t manage anything outside of my community.”

Don’t allow yourself to think, “I have no idea how to get from point A to point B.” Keep in mind that good ideas are not hard to fund and that there are a number of angel investors and organizations that are always interested in hearing about a new business idea. You may need to switch your thinking from small business to enterprise business. A small business is independently owned and operated and conforms to standards set by the Small Business Administration, while an enterprise business is a project that involves several people and focuses on the desire to do

dangerous or difficult things in regard to solving problems. Ultimately, there are people here who are able and willing to help you figure out what might work for you.

Lastly, there are mentors and coaches that you can be connected with to walk you through the process. A resource that was mentioned earlier, Launch Terre Haute, is becoming the front door for entrepreneurs to find the assets they need. At Launch Terre Haute, you’ll find yourself among like-minded individuals, you’ll network around the community and regionally, and you’ll consistently collaborate with others. In addition, there are meetups, workshops, office hours, lunch-and-learns, and much more for members, as Launch Terre Haute is a membership-based space. An annual $399 membership fee gets you 24/7 access to the space, fiber wireless internet, print capabilities, and a conference room.

With all of this support, more women are stepping up and going for it.

We no longer feel like we have to follow a stereotypical role and stress over how we will be perceived. Women are leading with their hearts and their minds, and are making a real difference - and even more so, they are - Shelley Klingerman pushing themselves to truly be fulfilled.

To learn more, visit: www.launchterrehaute.com www.thestartupladies.org

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photography by Ashlee Sappingfield

Hot in the Haute Local Fashion Finds

Dress your boots and booties up with flare!

These beautiful handmade “Boot Bands” are essentially a bracelet for your boot! Made with an adjustable strap to fit any boot. Any possible color combination can be made!

Found at: Trendy Lime Boutique

We are currently in love with these vintage posters printed on Italian paper. Use them as a gift, frame them to add that unique touch to your space, use as a wrapping paper, and so much more! They make any space stylish and unique.

Found at: The French Hen

- Farmhouse Tables and Home Décor

Supporting the community and our love for Indiana is stronger than ever. Their graphic tee line, designed and printed locally, is one of their most popular items! New styles and different designs are offered regularly.

This election year, teaching peace and love is more important than ever. Go comfy and casual this fall by throwing a cute “grandpa” sweater over these t’s, and pairing with your favorite jeans. These and other “Super Love T’s” are…

Found at: Millie & Maude Boutique

Found at: The Dainty Dandelion

Whether you want to add a special touch to your hair, or are looking for a stylish way to keep your hair out of your face, Specifically Random headbands are perfect for any occasion! Made in four sizes, certain to fit any head size. They come in the best quality fabrics, and variety of colors and styles to choose from.

Hands to Hearts is beautiful handmade lifestyle apparel, created by artisans from around the globe. These woven sweaters, accessories, and batik leggings provide artisans the opportunity to provide for their families, and aid in breaking the cycle of poverty.

Found at: Willow Gift and Home

Found at: Modern Charm Boutique

- Lori Mitchell

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Will the Real Dance Mom Please Stand Up

When we first read a Facebook post by Shanna Bradbury, mom extraordinaire, we knew it would make a great article full of inspiration.

Shanna forced herself out of her comfort zone and started taking adult dance classes. As you read her story, we hope it gives you the courage to step outside of your comfort zone and fulfill your dream of trying something new (and maybe a little bit uncomfortable)…

What does your daughter think of sharing the stage with mom?

My daughter has been absolutely amazing. Not once has she eluded that it’s embarrassing to have your mom dancing with her - and it’s been 4 years! Last year we actually did dance onstage together, and that was so special to me! We have fun backstage rituals - hanging out and making memories. I also get to have interesting conversations with other young dancers backstage.

At first, they’re a little confused, because they know the moms backstage typically don’t have costumes on! It’s been fun to explain to them that mommies can have fun and be in the recital too.

What advice would you give to other ladies wanting to do something that is out of their comfort zone?

Who inspires you?

I am inspired by a lot of people, but Patti Willey and Holly Kondras inspired me to put on my dancing shoes again! They are the best teachers, and make dancing fun. There is so much competition for young people today, but at this studio there isn’t that competitiveness. People are here not only because they have good teachers, but they encourage the love of dance. Some of the best have come thru this studio, moved on to bigger city studios, and come back to this one to return to their love for dance. That’s saying something!

What made you decide to take the leap and dance again as an adult?

The decision to dance again was hard. When we become mothers, it seems like our needs and wants come last. With my kids getting a little more self-reliant, I began to feel an urge to try the adult class! It was at the same time as my daughter’s class, so I grabbed a friend and we signed up. The rules are completely different in the adult class, they know we have responsibilities and it’s totally okay to skip a few weeks if you need to. It’s also a very “no pressure” class - no experience required!

I’m not any more talented than Jane Doe across the street - I can’t even touch my toes or do the splits! It doesn’t matter - it’s all for fun.

How did that first recital feel?

I’m an introvert by nature. I’m not gonna lie, there may have been a panic attack or two on my part backstage. I definitely had that, “OMG, what was I thinking?” moment, when I was realizing just how many people I would know in that audience. What if I fell? What if I forgot the dance? What if I look like a complete idiot and embarrass myself, my daughter, and my family? It felt a bit like jumping out of a plane. The first steps were the hardest, and my fears were faced. It was an adrenaline rush! It felt so good to conquer that fear. Now, I rather enjoy it. I still need to work on getting comfortable with people staring at me, but I’m definitely a lot better at it than I used to be!

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Life really is short. Yes, our kids are young only once and we should be around to see their moments, but we should not lose ourselves in the process. We are people too, with hopes and dreams of our own. It’s important for our kids to see us aspiring to do something for ourselves, and in that process we become happier, better parents for them. Some people jump out of planes for their bucket lists, I strap on my dancing shoes. Last year, my heart was tugging at me to take a huge step out of my comfort zone and try a class with no other adults, meaning my safety net would be gone. I had never done modern dance before, and now I was signed up with uber-talented teenagers where I was more than twice their age. I was so nervous, but I kept at it every week. The teens went from not talking to me at all, to being friends that I have come to cherish. This year, the recital meant a great deal to me because of this new class. My goal was to blend in and to not stick out like a sore thumb. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do this, and I have never felt so alive and wonderful! I found that Thursdays were my favorite day of the week. Next year, I’m actually passing up my daughter in the number of classes I will be taking - I am adding a tap class - can’t wait!

- Lori Mitchell

Winter Trends by The Fabric Junkie All the Feels...

I love a good fabric. You can tell a lot about the quality of a garment by the way the fabric feels – and more importantly, how it feels ON!

Plaid – Plaid is still going strong this fall and winter season. We started by seeing plaid dresses last year. This year, the pea coat gets and update with a large plaid print, or wear your plaid in unexpected ways, like this tartan plaid maxi skirt!

Bomber Jackets – Bombers are yet another evolving “military chic” trend. Feel a bit edgier by pairing your bomber with a softer look – skirts, florals, dresses… We’ve seen a lot of these amazing jackets in satin – the more vintage, the better!

*plaid pea coat – lipstickalley.com *plaid skirt – glaminspire.com

*vintage bomber – designforsoul.com

Navy – Navy is definitely the new black for fall/winter 2016.

Navy is always chic, super flattering… and NOT black! Wear your navy with a sophisticated twist, or take on the popular military look with a navy sailor pant this season.

Metallics – I feel the 70’s coming full circle here.

Metallic skirts and edgy metallic details are seen all over the runways for fall. Pairing a pleated metallic skirt with a solid sweater accomplishes a work-appropriate look as well! *pleated metallic skirt – designerswap.com

*both looks - trendspotter.com

Off-the-shoulder – Off-the-shoulder and “cold shoulder” looks are on trend for fall. Show a little bit of skin without sacrificing your modesty. *sweater – lovefromJackie.com

Velvet – Velvet is THE fabric of the season! We’re talking bell sleeves, corsets, rich colors… We can’t get enough of it this year. *navy velvet dress – Vanessa Seward, fall 2016 *wine velvet dress 2 – ferbena.com

Chic Hap pens

- Lori Mitchell

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Unveiled:

Don’t Call it a Comeback

What is the Haute Life? Ask ten different people and you’ll get ten different answers. As the gal behind the camera at the Roxy Studio, it was my job to capture its spirit and celebrate its beauty. From families and weddings to businesses and boudoir, the Roxy team delivered a fun-loving, modern photography experience to hundreds of people. But for us, it was about more than taking pictures. It was about telling the stories of life.

I led the Roxy Studio for nearly a decade. And the most important thing I learned—the most important thing you all taught me across hundreds of shoots—is that life is the story of changes. We move from chapter to chapter, leaving one behind to explore the next. Why? Because life should be about trying new things and stepping out of our comfort zones. Life should be about finding those little bits of magic that make it something special.

In 2014, I finally took that lesson to heart and launched UNVEILED - a studio dedicated to one thing: empowering women.

“But what does photography have to do with empowerment?”

Everything.

How often do we compare ourselves to others and tear ourselves down?

When was the last time we felt comfortable in our own skin or looked in the mirror and truly loved who we are? Too many of us don’t have the answers to those questions. That’s why I launched UNVEILED, a boudoir photography studio.

When I started boudoir with Roxy in 2007, a lot of people were afraid of it. They called it pornographic and claimed they’d never be in a shoot. But times change. So do perspectives.

Boudoir photography is sexy—but it isn’t about sex. It’s about stepping out of our comfort zones. It’s about self-confidence and self-discovery.

It’s about being comfortable with ourselves and our bodies. It’s about celebrating our femininity in our own way and on our own terms. That’s what I mean by empowerment.

Right about now, you might be thinking, “This sounds great, but didn’t you move to Bloomington? I don’t have time to make that drive.” It’s true, I did. But my relocation didn’t stop more than 100 women from the Terre Haute area from taking a day to focus on themselves and participate in this unique experience in 2015. For some, the resulting pictures were a treat to themselves. For others, they were gifts to significant others. But in the end, what these bold women did with their pictures doesn’t matter.

They walked in to the studio worried that they needed to lose weight, were too old, had nothing to wear, couldn’t pose, didn’t have enough money, or had no one to gift their photos. They walked out unveiled, rocking a level of confidence and self-acceptance that now touches every part of their lives.

There are a lot of things in life that we want. But there are even more things that we need. It may sound crazy but this is one of them. Why? Because you deserve to feel amazing in your own body.

You deserve to feel like you can conquer the world. You deserve to see yourself through another lens. You deserve to know the one thing most of us forget: you’re worth it. - Samantha McGranahan

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Confessions of a Shop Girl At first glance, it may not seem like Emily Morgan should be the owner of a boutique. Hailing from a rural part of town, she is part of a farming family, and loves living in the country. However, she’s known that she wanted to open a boutique since she was young, and that’s how Whimsy was born…

Emily began studying interior design, but very quickly into that endeavor, decided that the outdoors were more her style. She switched to landscape design and instantly fell in love. Working at garden centers growing up and being a member of 4-H for 10 years, it makes sense for her to be comfortable outside. She loves putting pots together and continues to do that as a side job.

When she was 19, she took a year off from school and worked for a marketing company that traveled around with a NASCAR team. “I met my best friend while working at this company and we would travel and always look up boutiques and shop together. When you come from a small town, you don’t really realize how many fun shops and fun things to do there are.” Emily says she and her friend knew they wanted to open their own boutique one day, but she fully acknowledges how that wasn’t a typical way for her to go. “I have no fashion background,” she says, “but I learned to sew through my mom and grandma.” Emily and her friend ended up opening separate shops after moving to different cities, and although her friend has since closed her boutique, she still assists Emily with big decisions for Whimsy.

Whimsy carries bohemian chic items. The customer age ranges from college-aged women, to 60-something women. She says, “The majority {of my shoppers} are young moms between 20 and 40; just very funky, cool women that love the style. My last intern brought in a good crowd.” She also prides herself on carrying unique brands in her store, stating that she is dead set on picking up new items and being exclusive in her shop. In regard to her love for fashion, she explains that at the end of the day, she loves change. “I love growing and being different, and I think that’s what fashion is all about.

It’s about constantly evolving and creating new things. Even my hair has been 100 different colors!

Being on top of trends is fun. It’s like Christmas all the time.”

As many women know, however, with change and growth come learning to balance things, and for Emily, those things are family and business. She says, “I try to do everything at the shop, and I try to get everything done there. But it’s hard. Work bleeds into home and it’s always on my mind. My wheels are always turning.” Fortunately, her husband is a huge supporter. He watches the kids and builds and hangs up things inside of the boutique. “I’m very lucky.”

Emily’s biggest challenges right now are maintaining the right hours and managing picking up and taking her children different places. She says that being the boutique owner is all about balancing customer service and maintaining the atmosphere. She also happily let us know that this fall, she’ll have an intern, in addition to one other person who is in school right now!

The five-year plan for Whimsy is incredibly important to Emily. Her goal is to get out of the shopping center, buy a cottage-like house, and turn that home into the store to carry the vibe of Whimsy into every facet of the shop. She knows that location is so important to the success of her boutique, and with three years left on her current lease, it’s time to start saving and thinking about future decisions.

In regard to advice for entrepreneurs, especially when opening their own store, she says, “So much of the boutique thing is trial and error.

You have to figure out what people like and what they’ll come back for.

An example of that would be when I was carrying children’s items that were a bit of a higher price point. It didn’t work. It was such a big miss.

There were a select few who loved it, but those select few can’t carry that brand in the store.” Now, she carries a more reasonably priced brand of kid’s clothes, sizes 7-14, and she expects those to do really well. She had to adapt and try something new, while still considering her customers. Overall, Emily thinks it’s incredibly important to remember that your tastes aren’t like everyone else’s. “You might like it, but will they love it?”

Ultimately, Emily loves Whimsy. Even more, she loves fashion, she loves landscaping, she loves her family, and she loves living in the country - most importantly, she knows that she might be a little different. “I’m the anti of where you think a boutique owner would come from… but I just try to remember that you can’t make everyone happy.”

Creating her own happiness is the best place to be.

- Yvette Morgan & Lori Mitchell

photography by Jen’s Lens Photography

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Emily ’ s Favor ite Things Favorite Fragrance: Tocca-Stella

Style Icon: Stevie Nicks and Blake Lively Favorite Shop, besides Whimsy: Anthropologie and Free People Most comfortable wearing: A free-flowing dress or tunic, paired with a rolled, cropped skinny jean and booties. Always accompanied by a cute jacket!

Hobby: Mommy-ing, landscaping, interior design Flats or Heels: Booties with a slight heel for comfort and style Favorite Season: F A L L Order 1 drink: Order 2 - One before the meal and one with, always accompanied by H2O. Favorite Flower: Too many, but if I had to pick, definitely the peony or foxglove!

Favorite Indulgence: Wine and Cadbury Mini-Eggs

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Coming Soon!

Dunkin' Donuts is coming to Terre Haute this fall!

2424 S. 3rd St. Terre Haute, IN. 47802

Š 2016 DD IP Holder LLC. All rights reserved.

NOW BOOKING FOR 2017

I Travel toYou! 812.239.9695 www.angeliaecclesmakeup.com angelia.eccles@gmail.com

Haute Holidays: It’s a Wrap!

It’s that time of year again… with a chill in the air and the holiday’s right around the corner. It seems like fall comes and goes so quickly and we’re thrown into the holiday season, Christmas list in hand, trying to cross off everything before December 24th. Black Friday is a big tradition for most of us, especially getting those hard to find gifts at a deal. But then it hits you - that eventually all those gifts need wrapped. Now if you’re anything like me, you usually find yourself scrambling a week before, or even days before Christmas Day, trying to find that perfect wrap. I usually have to find everything I bought, because I hide them all over my house and sometimes forget where I have placed them...I’m sure you all can relate on some level!

I tell myself year after year that I’m going to be more organized and prepared and have the most beautifully wrapped gifts for each of my family members…but I still find it hard to follow through with everything on my plate. Now this is where the truth comes out: Prior to all of this craziness you can find me on my day off “pinning” away on Pinterest with a cup of coffee in hand, browsing unique holiday gift wrapping ideas, hoping to get inspired by something. But we wind up doing the same gift wrap, year after year. We all have great intentions when it comes to holiday decorating and hoping to have it all match the decor in your home.

I personally only get to the pretty wrapping paper, then get overwhelmed with the amount of gifts I have to wrap, that I stick on one of those ribbon bows and call it a day! But is it really all about the wrap? I don’t think you have to spend a lot of money to make your gift special and unique. Trust me, if you browse Pinterest enough you’ll get bombarded with every style of wrapping paper and topper out there. In most households the women are doing all of the wrapping, or if you get lucky like I do, my husband Brent shares in this tradition! I guess what I want you to know is that this part of the holiday season doesn’t have to be crazy and stressful. I think you can wrap a gift and make it look beautiful with items you may already have in your home, or spend very little to make it all come together.

Here are some of my tips that I try to do to make my life run more smoothly during the holiday season:

TIP 1: Have all of your supplies close at hand...

I suggest keeping everything all in one room if possible for easy access. I usually have a tote with sharp scissors, tape, bows and any ribbons you plan to use. Also, if you’re like me, I hate sitting on the floor for too long, because my back starts to hurt! I encourage you to use a folding table, pull up some chairs, pour a nice glass of wine, put on Christmas music or a holiday themed movie, and I promise it will make a huge difference.

TIP 2: Nice wrapping paper is a MUST!! Not only does it look pulled together, but you don’t have those unsightly wrinkles and tears. We have so many choices and places to buy from - the dollar store to Target, and everything in between.

I personally love to get my wrap at Hobby Lobby.

They have the best quality wrap, and a wide variety of styles to match your home decor and holiday style, plus you can use your 40% coupon if it’s not already on sale.

TIP 3: Embellishments are so much better when you have choices. Recycle by using items you have around your home. I love to use bakers twine, jute, burlap, yarn and felt. Heading outdoors is a great place to find fresh greenery, or you can shop at your local nursery for boxwood and fresh foliage. And finally sparkle...I love anything that’s shiny and bright. Mix in something nontraditional to make your gift pop and give it some personality.

TIP 4: “Chalkboard” décor is everywhere, and chalkboard wrapping paper is no exception to that trend. You don’t need much in supplies except a chalk paint pen to decorate, and your chalkboard wrapping paper. You can find these items on Amazon or Etsy, or at Michael’s and Hobby Lobby.

TIP 5: Mix in some metal! Metallic embellishments like copper, bronze and brass look amazing on white or plain craft paper. It adds a bit of that fun, luxe feel to your gifting.

TIP 6: The most important thing is to have fun and make this an enjoyable part of the holiday!

Create memories and traditions with your kids and families. Do something unique and special for your loved ones, and I promise they will treasure it when they receive their gift!

Merry Christmas!!!

- Yvette Morgan

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H o l i d ay Where to Find the “Hautest” Holiday Gifts

We know that it’s not always easy get out during this hectic time of year to do your Christmas shopping, and frankly, sometimes it’s just more convenient. Here are just a few options for ordering unique gifts from the comfort of your own sofa….or recliner…or bed.

For The Gals Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter In a delicious vanilla apricot scent, this velvety, hydrating body butter is whipped to perfection. Her Body Butter features ingredients like shea butter, white tea extract, and avocado oil. Free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, great for dry skin during the winter months. Who wouldn’t want this in their stocking?!

For The Guys Fitbit Alta Fitness Tracker Fitness and fashion now for your guy. With 6 colors to choose from, you’re sure to find a match. He can track workouts, heart rate, distance, calories burned, active minutes and steps. New with auto-sleep tracking, tap display, “SmartTrack” auto exercise recognition, and call, text, and calendar alerts. $129.95 www.fitbit.com/alta

$35 / 8 oz. www.sephora.com

Caudalie Beauty Elixir A natural, innovative toning mist that sets makeup, provides an instant burst of radiance, and tightens the appearance of pores. Infused with rosemary, mint, and rose essential oil, this treatment reduces dullness, and preps your skin for makeup or other treatments. The therapeutic scent is invigorating throughout the day and perfect to freshen up with in the evening. Can be used as an aftershave for men, too! Great gifting item for the women on the go!

Birchbox Man Collections A great gift for the man that loves his grooming regimen! Choose from all-in-one regimens, exclusive kits, and other bundles of great grooming supplies. Subscription includes various grooming and skincare product samples delivered to your door every month. Let him try out new things each month! $20-$55/month www.birchbox.com

$18 / 1 oz. www.sephora.com

Bubbles and Books Romance and relaxation delivered right to your door. Subscribe to this service, and each month you’ll receive one romance novel in the genre of your choice (Historical, Paranormal, or Bad Boys – oh my!), one allnatural artisan-crafted soap, and one other book or bath related goodie. A subscription box can be gifted, or ladies, what a great gift for yourself! $24/month, billed on a monthly basis www.bubblesandbooks.com

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Beard Pack Because beards are awesome. Keep his moustache and beard in great shape with this all- natural facial hair care set. This product line was created by a mechanic, and is gentle enough for everyday use.

Includes 4 oz. beard oil, 2 oz. whisker wash, and a .6 oz. moustache wax.

Keeping it clean and fresh – hand made in the USA $40 www.uncommongoods.com

Gifting Gifts That Give Back

Supporting important causes can be easy to forget amid the hustle and bustle of shopping during the holiday season.

Luckily, there’s an easy way to give back to those in need.

Found Online

Found Locally Jackie Blue Handmade Making jewelry as a hobby for 6 years, it’s now taken on a whole new meaning. After facing their own fate with infertility, a portion of sales will be donated to those who have received the diagnosis that they cannot have biological children.

FashionABLE

Jackie Blue Handmade can be found at Whimsy Boutique.

The story of FashionABLE is women sharing what they are ABLE to do when provided an opportunity. Purchasing from FashionABLE provides jobs to women across the globe. This scarf has powerful statements written on it, making a bold affirmation of your support of empowering women with jobs.

The Giving Keys

Cuddle + Kind

The Giving Keys employ those transitioning out of homelessness to make jewelry out of re-purposed keys. The keys are sold and shared around the world, and share a “pay it forward” commonality. When you feel you’re “done” with the imprinted word, you gift it to someone you feel needs it more than you.

The Giving Keys can be found at Millie & Maude Boutique.

Grace & Lace Creating on-trend knits and clothing, Grace & Lace made a partnership with Angel House in 2013, where a portion of every sale would go towards building orphanages in India to house 50 orphans each. They were able to build 2 orphanages in 2014, and 5 additional orphanages in 2015.

Many Grace & Lace styles can be found at Modern Charm Boutique.

www.livefashionable.com

Cuddle and Kind is a for-profit company with giving back at its core. We believe in the power of business to help make the world a better place. For every Cuddle + Kind doll sold, they give 10 meals to children in need. They are able to give to children in need sustainability, without relying on fundraising. This company has already provided over 270,000 meals. www.cuddleandkind.com

PUNJAMMIES Punjammies are lounge pants made with hope by women in India who have escaped human trafficking. After visiting India, founder Shannon Keith decided she needed to do something about what she saw – women and young girls being sold into modern day slavery. Whenever you purchase Punjammies, you invest in the freedom and dignity of these women and girls who are working to forge a new life for themselves and their children. www.sudara.org

- Yvette Morgan

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What the Fork ?

Ridiculously Good Tasting Food How many of us have gone in to our kitchens for something to eat, but only found…ingredients? We actually have to make food!! I am not going to lie, even though cooking is my passion, and I do it for a living, sometimes, I just do not feel like cooking. I want to make cooking fun, to make it inspiring, and to share some amazingly tasty food with you all.

A little about me: I am a single mom of an AMAZING 13-year-old, who keeps me on my toes, and is my favorite taste tester. I’ve been cooking off and on my whole life, learning mostly from my mother, who is an awesome cook. At one time she planned to open a restaurant, but was unable to after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. So I guess part of my drive to eventually own my own eatery comes from her, and fulfilling that dream for her. As a single mom, I had to put that dream by the wayside while working several jobs just to pay bills, and support us. In 2011, I was given the opportunity to work with a young chef, who didn’t know it at the time, but inspired to me pursue a degree in culinary arts and to become a chef. I’m inspired by chefs like Thomas Keller, Eric Ripert, and Grant Achatz. Maybe not the most well-known, they’ve never had their own Food Network Show, but they love the craft, and they are some of the best culinarians in the world.

I have always been interested in food, not just eating it, but how it is fluid and organic. From where the protein comes from, to how the vegetable is grown, food is infinite. There are endless ways to prepare food. That’s what makes it so fascinating, the experimenting! Then, there’s that element of surprise when something you’ve made tastes so damn good! I love when people eat my food, and they not only love it, they savor it. To me, that’s what food should be. Not only should it feed our bodies, it should feed our souls. I like to think of how the Europeans enjoy dinner. It’s hours long - many courses, with wine, cheeses and breads, salads, pastas, and so on. They talk, they linger.

It’s an event.

What I hope to accomplish with this article is not only throw out some recipes, some little antidotes and funny stories, but to share my love of not only food, but of how it brings us together: families, friends, strangers. I want to show that you can make fancy meals at home, easier than you thought, and have the experience of going out to eat any day of the week. I am going to be all over the place, from easy to do everyday meals, to some time consuming masterpieces you will deserve an applause for. I want to talk about cooking for single people, like myself, and large families with lots going on. There isn’t anything I can’t cook, and once I cook it, I love to talk about the experience of how I got the finished product.

Whiskey and Honey Glazed Ham The traditional boozy glaze is punched up in this rendition with honey, molasses, and brassy red chiles Ingredients SERVINGS: 16–20 1½ cups bourbon or other whiskey ¾ cup honey ¼ cup mild-flavored (light) molasses 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes ½ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper 1 12–14-lb. cured smoked bone-in ham, skin removed if needed (but skin on and bone in is best for flavor and presentation.)

I would suggest making free with a few shots of Bourbon, just to make your day a little better and boozier.

Preparation Preheat oven to 350°. Combine Whisky, honey, molasses, red pepper flakes, and black pepper in a medium bowl.

Set ham on a rack in a large roasting pan and pour in 2 cups water.

Score fat in a crosshatch pattern, cutting about ½” deep ( Use a very sharp knife to make sure you cut through the fat. Doing so insures the glaze gets into the meat. ) Brush ham with whiskey mixture and roast, basting every 20 minutes with pan juices and tenting with foil if browning too quickly, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of ham registers 135°, 1½–2 hours.

Transfer ham to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Serve with pan juices.

Serve with extra buttery yukon gold mashed potatoes and herbed rainbow carrots.

The great thing about preparing ham for the Holidays, is that it is so versatile, you can use it in sandwiches, soups, salads, or for a family brunch to feed your family for days during the busy season.

I can’t wait to see what some of you can cook, with a little inspiration!

- Sunny Workman

photography by Ashlee Sappingfield

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Pear Bread Pudding with Cardamom and Pistachio Vanilla Bean Sauce

Frittata Sandwich with Ham and Roasted Tomato

Ingredients 5 eggs 3 egg whites 4 cups whole milk ¾ cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla 1 ½ teaspoon cardamom ¼ teaspoon salt 2 cups diced pears ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped 8 cups of a dense, crusty bread (I use brioche or challah, cake donuts, and pound cake to give it more body) ½ cup toasted pistachios, chopped

Ingredients 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup left over Whiskey and Honey Ham 1 cup diced leek (white part only) 6 large eggs, preferably pasture-raised 1/2 cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon finely ground black pepper 2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano, or 1 teaspoon dried Sicilian oregano 1/2 cup roasted onions 4 ciabatta rolls 8 slices white Cheddar cheese 8 tablespoons roasted tomatoes

Preparation Combine all wet ingredients and whisk thoroughly. Add pears and cranberries, then add bread and let stand for 20-30 minutes.

Place in shallow, 3 quart baking dish (it’s always a good idea to pan spray or rub butter on the surface to prevent sticking). You can also use individual soufflé dishes, for a nice after dinner touch. Cover dishes with foil (spray down side with cooking spray to keep from sticking).

Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Uncover and sprinkle pistachios on top. Cook uncovered for an additional 20-25 minutes. Serve with warm vanilla bean sauce.

Vanilla Bean Sauce 1 cup cane sugar ½ cup unsalted butter ½ cup heavy whipping cream 1 vanilla bean, split with seeds scraped out (I have also used a tbs of Madagascar vanilla bean paste as a substitute) Preparation Add all ingredients to a sauce pan and bring to a low boil, whisking to keep from sticking. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes, making sure to stir the bottom.

Serve with bread pudding, over ice cream, brownie sundaes, or throw shame to the curb and eat it out of the pan!

Preparation Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a 10-inch ovenproof skillet, heat the oil and sauté the leek over low heat until soft but without color. In a large bowl, crack and whip the eggs, and add the cream, Parmesan cheese, ham, salt, pepper, and oregano. Add the leek and the onions.

Pour the egg mixture back into the skillet and place in the oven. Bake the frittata for about 30 minutes, until the center is set. Use immediately or allow to cool (keeps in fridge for about 1 day).

Increase the oven to 350 degrees or preheat if preparation has been delayed.

Slice the ciabatta rolls in half and place one slice of Cheddar on each top and bottom slice of bread. Place the bread in the oven and remove once cheese is melted. Simultaneously, reheat the frittata in oven if made ahead of time.

Cut the frittata into four pieces and place one piece on each bottom slice of bread. Top with the roasted tomatoes. Close the sandwiches and serve.

This is a great brunch item. Pair this with fresh fruit, or herb roasted fingerling potatoes

This is a great dish to serve as a dessert or with brunch.

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...and a Ridiculously Good Looking Table

It’s no secret that entertaining in the home has become a big trend. Whether it’s for the holidays or just a family get-together, one of the most inviting areas of your home is often the dining room, and many memories are made around the family table. A beautiful setting with the right touch for entertaining really sets the mood, and this is especially true when decorating for the holidays. A lot of work is put into adorning the tree or other areas of the home, and the dining room is an easy place to miss decorating for social gatherings during this special time of year!

So…let’s decorate! Just because it’s the holiday season doesn’t mean you have to use traditional colors on your tabletop. Rustic items, such as wood and natural colors, not only provide an unconventional scheme for your guests, but also keep you up with the current trends! Using different elements like wood, moss, and glass provide different looks and textures for a chic dining area. You can also create height and contrast with something tall, like candlesticks.

Lighting candles in this space adds ambiance and a warm glow, and feels like a traditional element during the holidays. We decided for the table in our home to add a pop of color with red chairs! They really catch your eye and give the table a finishing touch.

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The holiday season is from November to January, so keep your decorating style flexible by using these rustic items around the house.

Not only will this be easy for you, but it will also keep you from breaking the bank, as the natural colors and textures can easily be carried into the New Year. For instance, removing traditional Christmas items and leaving wood or glass can have your table ready and still styled for New Year’s Eve. So simple!

There is nothing like the look of a room with a styled dining table. It creates a homey and comfortable feeling, which is ideal for guests. So don’t leave your tabletop empty! Instead, create a vibe that feels good to you, and you can’t go wrong. A beautifully decorated table can alter the mood for your entire house, so be creative!

Whether it’s a table for two, or a table for twenty-two, your guests will feel cozy and welcomed in your home when you’ve decorated the table where memories are made.

- Allison Layton

photography by Ashlee Sappingfield

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H o l i d ay What to Wear. . . .

Whether you’re headed to a fancy schmancy party, or to a casual affair at a friend’s house, we’ve got you covered…

Sparkle and Shine

Dress down a super-sequined skirt by pairing it with a simple jersey T. Give this outfit a fresh look by throwing on a flashy necklace, or keep it casual with a simple diamond stud earring, and some stack bracelets.

*sequin dress – discobits.com *liquid metal dress – Diane Von Furstenburg

*skirt - VICI collection

Put Your Party Pants On

This is How I Roll

Who says your pants can’t be the life of the party?! Pair a snazzy pant with a simple, sheer black top, or a white button down for a bit of a menswear look. A lavish necklace or sizeable chandelier earrings would balance out the look. Keep other accessories simple with a boxy clutch and gold bangles.

Perfect for a casual get-together at a friend’s house, a slouchy sweater and comfy, matching pants are just the right amount of fancy. Wear this look with a bootie (let’s face it, it’ll probably be snowing), or a strappy heel.

*outfit – purewow.com

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One Night in Jersey

Sparkling sequins scream holiday fashion – go with a solid or a colorful hue and look luminous wherever the party is. Liquid metal is a pretty alternative to full on sequins – you’ll be radiant in either look!

*Rafaella Sportswear top, Rachel Zoe pants, Wanderlust & Co. earrings Ivanka Trump heels

FA S H I O N . . . . to the “Hautest” Holiday Parties Channel your inner vintage soul with these timeless styles.

Vintage Vibes

Rich Vintage

The off-the-shoulder top makes another appearance with this full, 50’s inspired skirt. A pop of color on the skirt with a simple black fitted top is perfect for a casual party, or dress up with a bold necklace and strappy sandals for an evening out.

Look lush in elegant burgundy lace for the holidays.

Pair with metallic platforms and vintage gold jewelry to pull off this classic look.

*outfit by modcloth.com

*vintage burgundy dress - luulla.com

White Haute Holiday

Overcome Your Fear of the Jumpsuit

Step out in head-to-toe white this Christmas in a delicate lace. Complete the outfit with white diamonds, spiky heels, and don’t be afraid to let just a teensy bit of your white lingerie peek out.

You may be surprised to hear this – but you, too, can wear a jumpsuit! Find the right fit, and you’ll feel like a million bucks. There are so many versions of the jumpsuit out there, you’re sure to find one just for you. Add some sparkle or lace to a jumpsuit, and you’re holiday party ready.

*Chanel Iman in Dolce and Gabbana

*jumpsuit by topshop.com

- Lori Mitchell

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Miracle Worker Miracle on 7th Street, inspired by the iconic film Miracle on 34th Street, is a downtown Terre Haute event dedicated to charity and spreading holiday spirit!

Boo Lloyd, who started the event, is the true “miracle worker”.

After her friend Brian Weisenheim, who was the head of The Swope at the time, walked into The Corner Grind and struck up a conversation with her about what they could do during the Christmas season downtown, the idea evolved. “I used to put on the Jingle Bell Run downtown and that was great, but really nothing huge happened downtown for Christmas. Downtown was dwindling, there were big vacant buildings across the street, so we came up with Miracle on 7th,” Boo said. “It’s gone on now for seven years and I just love that it’s right here in front of our stores, right here on 7th. It’s become bigger and bigger and downtown, and what a great place to have it.”

Initially, Miracle brought people downtown to shop in the vendor tents, and with the downtown shops. Then after a year or two, those involved with Miracle began noticing that the community was in need, and they turned the event into one dedicated to charity. “We hold back about $1500 for ‘seed’ money for the next year, but everything else goes right back into the community.” With the addition of an ice rink in the last couple of years, Miracle has been able to bring in even more money, donating food to five local places, providing cash for the Tribune Star basket fund, and aiding the Salvation Army. “Last year,” Boo said, “I’m so proud to say, we gave away $10,000 in money, along with 28 tons of food. Not many people know about the charitable piece and more and more now, when we go to a sponsor, we hardly ever get turned down. We’re just working this Christmas element into the giving and it’s fantastic.”

As a result of that dedication to giving, the event has grown immensely over time. For the first couple of years, there were just

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vendor tents, but they soon added the gingerbread house decorating contest, and then the window-decorating contest. With Vectren as a sponsor for the gingerbread house decorating event, that piece has just exploded, and the prizes are amazing. Not long after, Miracle introduced an ice rink at the event that has become incredibly popular in the community. Added just last year, Boo says, “Now we have the Miracle Train that will run both Friday and Saturday this year. It’s gone from a five-hour event to a two-day event. Adding the second day allows those that don’t want to come down at night to experience Miracle during the day,” Boo said.

As a community focused event, Miracle makes sure to include several local organizations. The Swope, Clabber Girl, and the Children’s Museum are all involved. Boo also explained that this year, there’s a new part of the event called “Can-Struction.” “It’s actually in conjunction with Sony. They collected 1500 cans through a department against department competition. So there will be corporate people participating, but families are welcome to join as well,” she said.

In addition, this year at Miracle, there will be a lighted parade! The parade will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday evening. After the Miracle ends on Saturday, it will “move” to St. Mary of the Woods. For a monetary and/or food donation (which will be given to the Providence Food Pantry), you can enjoy different “stations” throughout campus, including the Madrigal singers, the REAL story of Christmas, and a live nativity. Driving onto the campus, expect to see the path lit by nearly 40,000 lights.

Personally, Boo feels inspired by several people in her life. “The biggest influences in my life have been my parents. My father was a true giving man, taught us to help and take care of people, and my mom was a very staunch [person], she taught us to never judge a book by its cover,” she said. On a different side, Boo thanks Terry Hogan (Smith Barney) for all of the help with Miracle. “He never says no,” she said. “He’s a truly genuine, giving, many times anonymous in his giving, God-send to Miracle. There’s no negativity in his being, and that’s truly hard to find.”

Boo uses the inspiration she gains from others to spread awareness about Miracle. To encourage others to volunteer, she says, “ I just talk about it! When people realize it’s for charity, they want to be involved. People from Grumbling Tummies, St. Ben’s, the Tribune Star, they call us and ask to help. They’re a huge part of Miracle. But we always need volunteers, and they can get ahold of me at The Corner Grind or Libby Waters at Crossroads.”

In five years, Boo sees Miracle and its reach tripling, and hopes to see it reach the success of other local events like Terre Haute’s Dancing with the Stars and 100 Men Who Cook. “There are so many stories involved with Miracle that melt your heart,” she said. “We had these farmers donate a huge flat of food so that their daughter could skate. After they went ice-skating, as they were heading down on the elevator, the little girl said, ‘Look, Daddy!

It’s the city lights!’ It really was like a big city to her. That’s the true miracle.”

Most of all, Boo hopes to leave a real legacy with Miracle on 7th. Her biggest wish is that it keeps going and keeps giving, and that people want to come downtown. “I want to take care of the people downtown,” she said.

- Lori Mitchell & Yvette Morgan

Miracle on 7th Street is Friday, December 2nd from 5-10pm Saturday, December 3rd from 10am-4pm

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Hectic Holidays SOMETIMES, IT’S ENOUGH TO JUST GET THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS I have a love/hate relationship with the holidays. On one hand, I am so blessed to have family who [literally] fights over our presence during the season. On the other hand, it really takes away from the reason for the season when my husband and I start screening our phone calls to avoid guilt trip, after guilt trip, after guilt trip…

So what do we do?

We do our best, that’s what. We try to give everybody equal time and attention and we take turns. The truth is, they’re not fighting over Mike and me. They’re fighting over time spent with our kids. We have a three-year-old, who over the years, has really become a seasoned traveler and quite the road warrior. We also have a 10-month-old, who is still getting used to the hours in a crammed car and varied sleeping arrangements. All together, we end up tired and stressed by the time December 26 hits. It’s not an ideal situation.

We have learned, however, through trial and error, that the best thing to do is just suck it up. Maybe that’s pessimistic, but with two kids under four and family spread across the Midwest, it’s the best we can do. We have stayed home in previous years. We have given one family Thanksgiving and New Year’s, another Christmas. At the end of it all, somebody ends up disappointed if we don’t include them in our travels. Sigh. Merry Christmas?

Don’t worry, I’m not ending on that note! After several years of the exhaustion, here is how we get through it without yelling at an in-law, ditching a toddler on the side of the road, or murdering a spouse:

photography by MG Photo Co

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“Remember,

you love your family”

SURVIVING HOLIDAY TRAVEL IN 5 EASY STEPS! 1. Listen to and indulge your family. I don’t mean the kids, they’ll do what they have to; I mean your parents, sisters, brothers, etc. If they feel like their opinions and concerns are being heard, that’s half the battle.

Remember, you love your family. You do! I can all but promise.

2. Have a plan of action. We have family in Fort Wayne, Indiana and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. That means half of our holidays are spent in the car. We plan out a schedule – who gets which days what year, and the next year we swap so nobody can claim neglect. We stock the car with snacks, (tip: suckers, although bad on the teeth are great for chatty toddlers) and entertainment. We also anticipate breaks and try not to stress when the toddler has to stop one hour, and the baby has to stop the next hour. We accept that this may be the case. If you accept it ahead of time, it can help to lessen the impending stress that will come with a long car ride.

3. Don’t expect to be rested. If you are traveling or managing a house full of family members, just don’t expect to sleep. I have learned that when we are in a different environment, my kids just won’t sleep as well. Knowing this helps to keep my frustration at bay when I wake up at 2 am and 6 am at my in-laws’ house.

4. Take breaks. Even though some of you may only see your family a few times out of the year, it can still be too much to spend all-dayevery-day with them over a holiday visiting time span. Take breaks.

Whether it means going to the store for the 100th time, or sneaking away to the bathtub and allowing your husband to hold down the fort.

5. Don’t overdo the alcohol. I say this with a smile, my friends. Let’s just say my husband and I are not saints. Sometimes that bottle of wine feels like it has all the answers, but the only answer it has is a headache the next day and some potentially embarrassing stories.

Best wishes this season. I hope you all are able to overcome the stress, manage the exhaustion, and have a very happy holiday – or at least a pleasantly, safe buzzed one!

- Erin Gregory

“Sometimes that

bottle of winexxx

feels like it has all the , but thexxx

answers

only answer it has is a headache the next day and somexpotentiallyxxx

embarrassing stories.”

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More Than What Meets The Eye “I weep because I am lucky enough to have a drawer just for glitter.”

Contrary to the title, “American Housewife” is not exclusively intended for housewives. Readers will identify with Ellis’s witty take on everyday life, from the unnatural strength it takes to flat iron her hair to deleting unflattering photos on her iPhone.

known that she seeks to be the next wife of the Fitter, his wife blesses the marriage, which will take place on her terms, after she dies.

Ellis’ prose is terse yet colorful. She blends various styles of writing including stream of consciousness, modern epistolary form (email), listed advice and more. Of the most memorable is her list of “How to be a Grown Ass Lady” in the Southern Lady’s code. “’You are so bad!’ is code for: “That is the tackiest thing I’ve heard and I am delighted you shared it with me.”

Ellis’ use of funny and clever short stories cater to the short attention span modern day women face, simultaneously answering text messages, tweeting and flitting through Pinterest, all in an attempt for a few minutes of “me time.”

This laugh-out-loud book is as polished as pearls and a sweater set, yet it reveals the underbelly and deep, dark thoughts that percolate in the minds of many modern women. Multifaceted women will appreciate the stories that are evocative of the author, a southern lady turned Upper East Side socialite and writer with a winning poker habit.

In the first story, “The Wainscoting War”, Gail Montgomery is a nosy New Yorker, living in an Upper East Side apartment building. When a new neighbor decides to renovate a shared hallway after the passing of the former tenant, Gail decides to see for herself, only to comment, “It breaks my heart to hear what you have done to my dear friend’s showplace. Mrs. Preston had character and the only thing with less character than Chardonnay is wainscoting.”

“Dumpster Diving with the Stars” tells of a down-on-her-luck writer trying to take back her career by participating on a reality TV game show to find the best antiques at the lowest price points. A playboy bunny, Mario Batali and John Lithgow all make an appearance.

“The Fitter” is perhaps the most moving story, about a man of impeccable judgment when it comes to ladies’ lingerie. Ladies from all over the south come for his assessments. “A good bra is fine, but a great bra is life changing”, commented the Fitter. “It gives you the confidence of a homecoming queen. It’s a tiara for your ta-tas.”

In a recent Vogue article Ellis states, “I like saying housewife because it stops people from talking to me too much. I like to just watch and play. It lets someone make their own judgment.

Based on how you judge me, it lets me judge you. I want you to underestimate me, always.” Ellis’ abilities not only allow her to dominate at the poker tables, they also afford her the chance to cheekily write about women who have made the domestic sphere their profession, with subtle satire.

Reading Ellis’s book is an experience similar to watching Steel Magnolias, or if you share the narrator’s preference, “Sixteen Candles is my Star Wars.” Readers: follow the narrator’s advice and fix yourself “a hot chocolate, because it is a “gateway drug to reading”, and enjoy.

While the Fitter can lift women’s spirits with his gift, his heart belongs to one woman, his sickly wife, who assists his clients. Many women come in and out of the fitting room, ignoring their desires to pursue the Fitter, until Myrtle makes her way. When Myrtle makes her intentions photo by Grace Sarris

- Brittany Michaels

American Housewife is available in print at the Vigo County Public Library

Read Alikes

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Haute Women in History When she retired in 1935 after nearly fifty years on the New York stage, Terre Haute native, Alice Fischer, was proclaimed to have created more roles than any actress in American theater history. One of those roles was Empress Poppaea, the mistress of Nero, in the production Quo Vadis at the New York Theatre in 1900. Among other things, Nero is famous for saying, “Hidden talent counts for nothing,” and aboslutely no one could accuse Alice of trying to hide her talent. She was a shining star on Broadway and in the far corners of the world, but some of her biggest fans were right here in her hometown.

Alice was born in Terre Haute on January 16, 1865, and loved to be on stage from a very young age. She made her theatrical debut while she was still in grade school at the local opera house in Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and went on to appear in several other local productions. By the time she graduated from Terre Haute High School in 1881, everyone in town knew that she was destined for a career on stage. Everyone except her parents, that is.

to Terre Haute in February of 1887 for her first hometown performance as a professional actress in the local Naylor Opera House production of Nordeck.

Imagine the pressure! Even though her performance was a great success, Alice vowed not to return to the Terre Haute stage until she was a major star, but a major star she quickly became.

She appeared in numerous theater productions to much acclaim. A review in The Opera Glass, a musical dramatic magazine, claimed: “The reputation of Alice Fischer as a character actress is established beyond a doubt. Anyone that can portray Zephyrine in The Two Little Vagrants as she does should be pronounced at once an actress for although the part is repulsive in the extreme, yet no woman could play a character of that sort down to the minutest details as Miss Fischer does without devoted study and careful observation.”

So it was in 1902 that Alice Fischer—by this point, married to Shakespearean actor, William Harcourt—returned to the Terre Haute stage at the Grand Opera House as one of Broadway’s most celebrated stars.

Herman Hulman had a silver loving cup from Tiffany’s of New York specially engraved to read: “Presented to Alice Fischer by the Citizens of Terre Haute, Indiana, on her first appearance as a star in her Native City, December 14, 1902.” It was presented to the actress during the show’s intermission, and this cup, along with a magnificent portrait of Alice, is on display in the Vigo County Historical Museum.

Years later, Alice recounted that her mother had heard of so many actresses dying in garrets—small, dismal attic apartments—that she didn’t want her daughter to move forward with that particular career path.

As a result, Alice enrolled at Indiana State Normal School to study education, but her love for theater wouldn’t disappear that easily. Along with her friend Helen Jeffers, she formed a stage duo and toured small towns in Indiana and Illinois performing vocal numbers and dramatizations. In an interesting twist, none other than Eugene V. Debs managed the duo!

Eventually, Alice convinced her parents to let her study at the Lyceum Theater School of Acting in New York City, and in 1884, her mother and the pastor from St. Stephen’s Church helped her move to the Big Apple.

She made a favorable impression instantly and appeared in a Broadway role in the melodrama Nordeck for the 1886-87 season. She came back

The last play in which Alice was featured was Symphony is 1935. After a very long and successful career, she and her husband spent their final years in Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. Alice Fischer Harcourt’s final return to Terre Haute was in 1947, when she was laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Miss Alice Fischer, an inspiring woman, is certainly one of our city’s most historic citizens.

- Susan Tingley

Photos found at http://broadway.cas.sc.edu

Haute Messes We asked you to send in pics of your “Haute Messes”, because let’s be honest ladies, this is real life – and real life can be pretty darn funny sometimes!

This is my daughter Farrah from about 5 years ago. I captured her one and only tantrum she’s ever thrown in her 5 and a half years of life. She was about 9 months old and was DEVASTATED that I wouldn’t let her eat crayons! Her whole world collapsed as you can tell!

Harper Klingerman, everyone.

– Shelley Klingerman

- Aleah Neal

My daughter Ruth is a 24/7 hot mess express. She is 22 months, this is a picture of her normal meal routine.

Swimming and potty training don’t go too well together.

It was too hard to pull up his swim trunks every time he went potty. So this is his new look!

Connor James, age three – Hannah Comar

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- Becky Farnsworth

Yogurt facial, anyone?

This is why mothers of 4 children have bladders of steel…because we know this is the fate of a bathroom break. Ugh! - Jennifer Vinzant

dream chaser Inspiring others has always come easy to me. I’d like to share the social media sites that I love with you. Hopefully sharing my inspiration will encourage you to see the world in a better light through fashion, makers, decorating, or women entrepreneurs.

- Yvette Morgan

Instagram:

Websites:

Grit and Virtue Belong Magazine Nasty Gal

Brave Girls Club – bravegirlsclub.com Oprah – oprah.com Magnolia – magnoliamarket.com

Blogs I love: A Beautiful Mess – abeautifulmess.com The House That Lars Built – thehousethatlarsbuilt.com Man Repeller – manrepeller.com

H S E R F D O FO T S FA 55

Downtown Diva

Most people think downtowns are just a geographical destination with some buildings along the sidewalks, but this is just not the case.

Downtowns are so much more. Downtowns or “Main Street” neighborhoods are located throughout the United States in cities and towns of all shapes and sizes, and they are the hearts of every community. They represent the image and character of a city to the rest of the world.

Downtowns are unique in that they are typically the only neighborhood that belongs to and is shared by everyone. They create positive images, attract new businesses, generate new jobs, and preserve historic architectural resources. Main Streets are powerful symbols for cities and often contain distinctive features, iconic landmarks, and unique places. They tell us who we are, who we were, and how the past has shaped us and gives us a future.

Our fair city is home to Downtown Terre Haute: the epitome of all of the aforementioned qualities.

Comprised of historic buildings, new architecture, culture, housing, statues, art sculptures, businesses, a university, and so many more incredible things - the revitalization of downtown Terre Haute has been ongoing for many years and continues to gain momentum. A big part of this change in the growth of downtown is due to our city’s Main Street organization, Downtown Terre Haute Inc., or DTH. This non-profit organization is a part of Indiana Main Street, which focuses on the state photography by Ashlee Sappingfield

and nationwide movement to restore, preserve, and grow downtown neighborhoods.

Downtown Terre Haute Inc. is committed to creating and promoting a downtown neighborhood that is a vibrant hub for businesses, entertainment, government, arts, and educational activities.

Governed by a board of directors and overseen by the Executive Director, yours truly, DTH is dedicated to the preservation of downtown Terre Haute, and dedicates itself to DTH’s four main pillars of focus, which are drawn from the Indiana Main Street organization model.

The four pillars are design, organization, promotion, and economic restructuring.

Our design committee is responsible for changing out street pole banners, planting and maintaining 92 planter boxes throughout the neighborhood, and implementing building improvement projects.

The organization committee takes care of volunteer development and fundraising, and things like budgets and handbooks. Our economic development committee heads market research, business assistance, property development, and business inventories. The promotion committee handles social media, newsletters, advertising, and special events. As such, Downtown Terre Haute Inc. is the host for several events like First Friday, The Block Party, Terror Haute Trick-or-Treat, and many more. DTH also assists, supports, and volunteers for many other downtown events, such as Miracle on 7th Street, Blues Fest, and The Altrusa Chili Cook-Off.

So, the next time you come downtown, take a look around and think about how many businesses, people, organizations, committees, and volunteers it takes to make our downtown special. From the flowers lining the streets to new businesses opening, DTH plays a fundamental role in the growth and preservation of our downtown.

We put so much time and energy into planning events, coordinating projects, and driving the revitalization of our city’s biggest neighborhood, all for the great town of Terre Haute!

You can find more information about DTH, downtown businesses, and ways to get involved at www.downtownterrehaute.org.

- Barbie Fox-Moore

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From Classic to Modern, We Can Help You Find Your Style CARRIE MACE TOTH

ELIZABETH BRADFORD JUNGERS

Broker Associate

Broker Associate

(812) 241-2228 CELL (812) 514-7854 DIRECT FAX Carrie.Toth@ColdwellBanker.com

(812) 236-1301 CELL (812) 514-7899 DIRECT FAX Elizabeth.Jungers@ColdwellBanker.com

788 South 3rd Street • Terre Haute, IN 47807

www.ColdwellBankerTH.com

TROY HELMAN REALTORS®

Shop Local BeYOUtiful Boutique – 7th & National (WTH, IN) A Bushel and a Peck – 10 W National Ave (Brazil, IN) Bottle 41 – 5131 S US Hwy 41 Charm School – 7 S 7th St Lola’s Boutique for Curvy Girls – 1706 S 8th St Millie & Maude Boutique – 11 S 7th St Modern Charm Boutique – 9 S 7th St Repeat Boutique – 1703 N 13th St The Burlap Penguin – 2420 S US Hwy 41 The Dainty Dandelion – 2971 Erie Canal Rd The French Hen – 123 S 7th St The Little Blue Box – 125 S 7th St The Rack – 10 W National Ave (Brazil, IN) The Red Raccoon – 8805 E US Hwy 36 (Rockville, IN) Trendy Lime Boutique – 688 E Springhill Dr. Urban Farmchic – 4220 W US Hwy 36 (Rockville, IN) Whimsy – 5127 US Hwy 41 Willow Gift & Home – 3500 Hulman St Zen Cat Yoga – 5129 S US Hwy 41

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Coupon good for one time use. Valid through 12/31/16. Must have coupon to redeem.

www.commongroundcrossfitandyoga.com

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Char med Life As I was preparing for this article, I knew I wanted to say something informative and possibly, helpful, if you are thinking about taking that leap of faith and doing that thing you’ve always wanted to do. I know some of you out there have shelved that dream, thinking it wasn’t achievable, but I’m hoping to inspire you. I want to share with you my personal experience of how a girl with a dream from “The Haute” can run a brick and mortar business, now with 10 years under her belt.

In my early twenty’s, my priority was work, school, and to raise my children giving them the best possible opportunity ranked top on my list, but being a single mom, I ran into many obstacles and struggles. I could have easily given up, stayed in the system, and let my dreams go… but I knew I wanted better for myself and for my kids. I had a great support system of family and friends, and I knew that working and getting a stable job with benefits was a MUST!! I had experience in retail as a key-holder, and knew that was something I could do... I mean, who doesn’t love a 40% discount on clothes when you’re in your 20’s, right?! Well, that’s kind of how it all started for me… someone believed in me and I took the opportunity and ran with it! I had a very successful 25-plus years in retail management. I had managers who were always supportive and willing to take a chance on me, and I will be forever grateful to all of them. Along this path, I observed and knew in my heart that one day I would have my own business with my rules and using my creativity.

Maybe this sounds familiar to you, and you’re ready to start living out your dreams.

However, I know some of you are raising families alone, working full time, or are college bound, and yet dreaming that BIG scares you.

Don’t get distracted by other people’s opinions - if you’re like me, the negativity now fuels my soul. I encourage you to go for it, just as I did!

So many of us want everything all at once, but we don’t want to put in the time and effort it takes to be successful, and we give up. Now that I’m a seasoned shop owner, I can say that it’s the most rewarding AND the hardest job I’ve ever had, yet the most satisfying and enjoyable experience a girl could ask for. Being a shop owner has its up and downs, and it can be a lonely job if you allow it. I suggest surrounding yourself with positive and uplifting women who want to see you succeed.

Lastly, I will say there’s nothing more rewarding than reading about another woman-owned business opening here in “The Haute”, and seeing women take charge of their lives, while inspiring the next generation. I spend a lot of time researching online and on social media reading stories, watching other women owned businesses unfold. By doing so, I get to witness some amazing stories with some gutsy females doing some awesome things out there in the world. I want to be part of a tribe of women doing great things in the community, and showing those nonbelievers that their dreams are attainable.

Owning Modern Charm has been a blessing in so many aspects of my life. Through my shop I’ve meet some outstanding artists and makers, who fill my shop with amazing handmade goods, and I’m honored to call them my friends.

Having a business downtown does has its share of obstacles, and can be intimidating and scary. I just keep moving forward during the slow times, kicking butt during the busy times, each time coming out that much stronger and ready to tackle the next big hill.

Hugs, - Yvette Morgan

photography by Samantha McGranahan

Modern Charm is located at 9 S 7th St Monday & Thursday 11:30am-4pm, Wednesday & Friday 11:30am-5pm, Saturday 10am-2pm www.moderncharm.bigcartel.com

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Sincerely, Millie

An Open Letter to Ladies Who Are Rockin’ It So I had this woman comment on a Facebook post, “your hours are not conducive to a full working woman”. Being that I usually can’t let things go, I commented back in the most professional manner possible, but let’s face it – I’m not Macy’s. I am one person, not a staff of 100. I own a boutique, with boutique hours, not a 24 hours sale kind of shop.

I knew what she meant. I’ve been there. Ohhhhh, have I been there. 60-some hours a week, kids are stinky and I don’t want them (my previous co-workers could tell you stories), I am career woman - hear me roar. I met a lot of amazing, hard-working people along the way, and some that maybe weren’t – but I fully believe you learn something from everyone you meet – good or bad. I loved that time in my life.

My husband and I worked, took vacations, spent time with friends… then I had a kid and I loved that even more (obviously). Then, I had the opportunity to open my own business, a dream of mine since high school, and I triple love all of it. I work harder now than I ever did, and still see family and friends, AND have time to shop (just ask the hubs).

I wouldn’t trade those 60-hour work weeks for anything, though. I gained the knowledge that I needed from that work experience to run a successful shop of my own. You see, most of us aren’t going to graduate college and immediately jump into our dream jobs. It just doesn’t happen that way – you’re not going to open a boutique from jump. Get some experience under your belt, for Pete’s sake.

Anyway, this woman’s comment on my Facebook page got me thinking about something else. What exactly is the “full” working woman? FULL working woman….. Again, I know she meant a woman working full time, but I started wondering, isn’t every woman I know a full working woman? I am convinced that we are all working our asses off. Whether she’s a single woman focused on her career, a student juggling a full-time class schedule while working and keeping grades up, a single mom trying to make ends meet, a working mom balancing family life, sometimes with multiple children, or a stay at home mom keeping up with the kids and day-to-day life – we are all working our butts off.

All of us want to be successful in whatever our focus in life is.

So often as women, we find ourselves judging one another, and base our own self-worth on what other women are doing – she “moms” better than me, she’s more successful than me… I propose that, instead of criticizing each other, let’s love each other. Let’s cheer each other on, no matter where we are in our lives. Let’s lift each other up, and rejoice in seeing other women thrive. Women already don’t get the recognition we deserve at times. Every once in a while, let’s remind each other that we’re rockin’ it. Because dang it, women are awesome. - Lori Mitchell

Millie & Maude is located at 11 S 7th St.

Tuesday – Friday 11am-6pm Saturday 10am-3pm www.millieandmaude.net

photography by Samantha McGranahan

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Naomi Leah DESIGNS

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Supporting the BOOKENDS OF LIFE and everything in between Serving the Terre Haute & Vigo County area for 14 years

Pregnancy Massage

Birth Doula Support

Parenting Support Groups

Business Chair Massage

Rehab, Oncology & Hospice Massage Relaxation & Therapeutic Massage and Reflexology

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Nichole Hawkins- Interior Designer nicholehawkinsdesign@gmail.com 812-881-5687 First initial consultation is free!

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REFITÂŽ Terre Haute Booker T Washington Community Center (13th and College) Monday's with Carrie at 5:30 PM Wednesday's with Stephanie at 5:30 PM First time is free, $3 per class or 20 classes for $35 Vigo County YMCA (951 Dresser Dr.) Tuesday's with Carrie at 5:30PM Friday's with Carrie at 8:45 AM Saturday's with Kelly at 10 AM Free with YMCA membership For more info: email: refitwithcarrie@gmail.com Facebook: refitterrehaute

REFITÂŽ Clinton The PVCYM Center (5th and Vine Street) Monday's and Thursday's with Kelly at 6:30 PM First time is free. $5 per class or $30 for 10 classes.

Bring this ad in to either Booker T Washington or The PVCYM Center for 3 free classes!

For more info: Facebook: refitclinton