FALL/WINTER 2016 $8
A Portion of Proceeds Donated to P.I.N.K. of Terre Haute
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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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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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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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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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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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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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