Kirkwood, MO January 2023 by City Lifestyle

STEP INTO THE NEW YEAR

LI F E + C U LTU R E

RESILIEN CE OV ER RESO LUTIO N H E ALTH AN D WELLN ESS JA N UA RY 2 02 3

HAPPY Celebrate the New Year with Cape Albeon. Sign a lease by Feb 28, 2023 and receive your first 2 months at no charge! Call 636-861-3200 for more information! 3380 Lake Bend Dr. St. Louis, MO 63088 www.CapeAlbeon.com

January 2023 PUBLISHER

Renee Moore | renee.moore@citylifestyle.com EDITOR

Elizabeth Nowakowski elizabeth.nowakowski@citylifestyle.com

LIFESTYLE LETTER

Resilience Over Resolution I love the idea of stepping into the new year with a mindset of resilience rather than making resolutions. We all know how long resolutions last. But having a resilient mindset is, by its definition, lasting. The boots on the cover belong to Kirkwood resident and international best-selling author Jennifer Bardot. These are the boots she chose for the cover of her third book “Resilience: The Deconstructing G.R.I.T. Collection.” The boots are a perfect metaphor for pulling yourself up by the bootstraps and working hard. But they also convey a mindset of resilience; put on your boots and keep going. Boots are made for kicking obstacles to the curb. And consider how boots become more comfortable the longer they are worn - symbolic of the fact that things tend to get easier if you just keep moving forward. Cheers to your health and wellness and resiliency as you continue on your journey in the new year.

CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

Beth Glennon, Caryn Dugan, Erin Joy, Lucy Rogers, Christy Wynne CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER S

Carey Campbell, Jennifer Bardot, Erin Joy, Palm Health, Kent Jewelry, Christy Wynne

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

RENEE MOORE, PUBLISHER @KIRKWOODCITYLIFESTYLE

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell AD DESIGNER Rachel Collins LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray

Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com//franchise

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Proverbs 3:5-6 Kirkwood City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Kirkwood area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Kirkwood City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

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inside the issue The Health & Wellness Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

10 What does it mean to be RESILIENT?

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Inspired By

Healthy Lifestyle

Career Advice

LI FE + C U LT U R E

Local’s Choice

LO CA L S ERV I CE S

Must See

Artist’s Palette

Manifest your best life through resilience

22 The Mindset of Well-being

Erin Joy sets an example for her daughter and future leaders

24 Remarkably Authentic Refreshingly Local

LI FE + C U LT U R E FO O D + B E V E R AG E

LI FE + C U LT U R E T R AV EL

A conversation with Zach Woolsey, owner of Kent Jewelry in Downtown Kirkwood

30 Inspired Wellness

Retreat and revive with wellness coach Christy Wynne

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Jennifer Bardot, Kirkwood resident and international best-selling author of Owning Your G.R.I.T. Jennifer’s newest book “Resilience: The Deconstructing G.R.I.T. Collection” will be available on January 25, 2023. The book features inspirational stories from 40 local women.

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city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen. 1

7 5

1: Everyone was dressed to the nines to celebrate STAGES St. Louis 2022 Applause Gala. 2: STAGES ST. Louis season ticket holders met and mingled at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. 3: TEAM Kirkwood celebrated STAGES St. Louis’ new home at KPAC. 4: Kent Jewelry owners Zach Woolsey and wife Sarah donated a gorgeous ring for the Gala auction. 5: Paula Berner (left) was outstanding as the STAGES St. Louis 2022 Applause Gala Committee Chair. 6: STAGES St. Louis founding executive producer Jack Lane (left) with his successor Andrew Kuhlman. 7: Cheers to STAGES St. Louis from Julie Gau and Michelle Simmons.

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @KirkwoodCityLifestyle

C I T Y SC E N E

RESILIENCE

What does it mean to be RESILIENT? ARTICLE BY BETH GLENNON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIFER BARDOT

Kirkwood resident Jennifer Bardot compiled inspirational stories of resilience from over 40 local women, including these remarkable ladies.

I NSP IR E D BY | L IFE + CULTURE

ROBERTA MOORE

JENNIFER BARDOT

International Best-Selling Author of Owning Your G.R.I.T. (Growth, Resilience, Intention, Tenacity)

I’m excited to share that our new book: “Resilience: The Deconstructing G.R.I.T. Collection” will be launching on January 25th. All the women in this collaborative anthology are dynamic leaders from different industries and each share their personal story of leading with resilience. Resilience in the rawest form means to “bounce back.” By choosing to be resilient, each woman in this book remained persistent by following her path to becoming a better version of themselves along the journey.

RESILIENCE chapter author and EQ-i Coach founder and executive coach

There is a saying that time heals all wounds. Being resilient means we must keep the concepts of challenge, commitment, and control in mind. When the clouds of negativity part, I can see the truth: We were all joined together in a common quest for worthiness.

Stepping-stones to RESILIENCE Commit: Choosing to being resilient requires you to intentionally accept change when overcoming pain, challenges, and hardships. Persistence: Consistently aspiring to stay on course despite difficulty requires patience, but it also allows you to discover your inner strength. Purpose: Setbacks allow us to be aware of our hidden gifts and ultimately determine where to direct our energy with each step ahead of us. Put your boots on and step over life’s challenges.

MICHELLE FITTER

RESILIENCE chapter author and Vice President, Client Strategy Manager at Marsh & McLennan Agency

Everyone experiences different things in their childhood that contribute to the person they become. Being resilient can be difficult and sometimes it means being lonely. I have had to set some tough boundaries. But difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations, and I have a beautiful life! JANUARY 2 0 2 3

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EAT the RAINBOW S T LV E G G I R L A N D F O U N D E R O F T H E C E N T E R F O R P L A N T- B A S E D L I V I N G , C A RY N D U G A N M A K E S I T S I M P L E . ARTICLE BY CARYN DUGAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAYMOND WILEY

H EA LT H Y LIF E ST Y LE | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

One thing I learned before founding the Center for Plant-Based Living was "Eat the Rainbow." And it's the truth. Food is fun, celebratory, a part of everyday life – and full of color. Let's eat real food that tastes delicious and is not rabbit food. Eating a wide variety of whole, plant-based foods increases our fiber (think, not hungry), strengthens our gut flora, and, thus, our immune system (fighting illness). Understanding how food affects our health is becoming more commonplace, and it's exciting to see people realize they have more control over their health than they thought they did. People think adding more plants to their plates or even becoming plant-strong or plant-based is complicated when it is quite simple. But being simple doesn't mean it isn't hard. Adding more plants to your

plate can be challenging because of outside pressure or needing more time to learn how to prepare delicious meals. While change is hard, the Center for Plant-Based Living exists to make it simple. It's encouraging to see medical physicians increasingly having whole-food conversations with their patients. Many physicians follow the Center for Plant-Based Living Medical Director, Dr. Jim Loomis, in prescribing center memberships to their patients. Dr. Loomis, the former team physician for the STL Cards and STL Rams and former physician at St. Luke's, is my co-host on The Doc and Chef Show, our new YouTube series. Follow Plant_Based_Center on Instagram or visit cpbl-stl.com for cooking class schedules at our store in Downtown Kirkwood. CONTINUED >

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“POPPING WITH FLAVORS FROM DILL AND ARTICHOKES, THIS CREAMY AND CHUNKY SOUP IS SIMPLY DELIGHTFUL. MAKE ONCE AND EAT FOR A FEW DAYS. WHAT A GREAT WAY TO GET

CREAMY WHITE BEAN AND GREENS SOUP Ingredients • 1 white onion, chopped small • 3 carrots, diced • 1 bunch of Bok choy, remove the clean white stalk ends from the greens and dice, save greens for later • 1 large shallot, diced • 1 large Yukon or Russet potato, peeled and diced • 1/2 cup of frozen or canned artichokes, chopped

Instructions 1.

THOSE GREENS IN, BECAUSE LET’S BE REAL, DO YOU REALLY WANT A SALAD WHEN IT’S 45-DEGREES OUTSIDE?” 16

H EA LT H Y LIF E ST Y LE | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

• 2 14 oz cans (3 cups) cooked white beans • 2 tablespoons of your favorite Italian blend • 2 teaspoons dried dill • 4 cups of vegetable broth • Pinch red pepper flakes (optional) • freshly ground black pepper to taste • 1 8oz bag of baby spinach • lemon

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

In pre-heated Dutch oven, add onion, carrots and Bok choy stalks. Bring heat down to medium/high and continually stir. Have a small cup of water or broth to deglaze browning on the surface of the pot. After about 4-5 minutes, add shallots and continue to stir another 2 minutes. Add potato, artichokes, white beans, and herbs. Coat beans and vegetables well with the herbs and then add broth. Cover and bring to a boil and then down to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes. Using an immersion blender, blend half of the soup so that it is both creamy and chunky, or scoop the soup out and transfer to a blender. Add the spinach and allow it to wilt. Taste and season as needed. Scoop into a bowl and squeeze a little fresh lemon juice on top. Stir and enjoy!

ZUCCHINI FRITTERS Ingredients • • • • •

2 cups of shredded zucchini (about 2 large zucchini) 1 1/2 tablespoons ground flax + 1/4 cup water 1 white onion, diced small 3 garlic cloves, pressed with your knife and minced 1 1/2 cups (one 14-ounce can) chickpeas, drained and rinsed • 1 cup chickpea flour • 1/3 cup fresh dill, minced

Instructions 1. 2.

Preheat oven to 375 Shred zucchini and then transfer in batches to a clean kitchen towel and squeeze water out. 3. Combine flax and water and stir. Allow to sit for 5 minutes. This is our flax “egg” and a really great binder. 4. To a hot pan, add onion and bring the heat down to medium-high and continually stir. Add a few drops of water to deglaze if the onions begin to stick. 5. Add in the garlic and cook for another 45-60 seconds, until fragrant. 6. Add the zucchini and cook for 5-7 minutes, cook out the water. If the fritter mixture is too wet, it will not hold together. 7. Add chickpeas to large mixing bowl and press them with a potato masher or the back of a fork. 8. Transfer zucchini and onion mixture to the chickpea bowl, add flax egg, chickpea flour and salt / pepper to taste. Fold in the fresh dill. 9. Place mixture in the fridge to chill for at least one hour or overnight. 10. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pick off an amount that feels somewhere in between a golf ball and a softball size. Roll in your hands, and gently press to flatten a little. 11. Bake for 15 minutes. Flip and bake an additional 10 minutes. 12. To freeze: Batch cook and allow to cool. Store in freezer safe container for 3 months.

Makes 20-22

Serve with Tzatziki and enjoy

CONTINUED >

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“IF THERE WERE EVER A SEASON FOR NICE CREAM, THIS IS IT! THINKING ABOUT HOW TO BECOME PLANT-BASED WITHOUT IGNORING YOUR SWEET TOOTH? DONE!”

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE NICE CREAM Ingredients • 2 overripe bananas • 2 tablespoons cacao powder • 2 teaspoons date paste (or 1 date, softened in warm water, pit removed)

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract or powder • 1 1/2 tablespoons cacao nibs (or dairy-free dark chocolate chips, chopped small) • 1/2 pinch salt

Instructions 1.

2. 3.

Peel and cut bananas to about 1/2” rounds and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Freeze overnight. Pop the bananas into a high speed blender or a food processor and blend until smooth. Add in the cocoa, date paste, vanilla and salt. Continue to blend/process. Transfer the Nice Cream to a loaf pan, sprinkle the coca nibs/chocolate chips on top and allow to freeze for a few hours. Using an ice cream scooper, scoop to a bowl or cone and enjoy!

Serves 2 Using a base of 2 bananas and date paste (or one softened date), here are some other delicious flavors: • Chocolate Peanut Butter: 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 1 1/2 tablespoon natural peanut butter + 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract • Cherry Vanilla: 1 cup frozen cherries + 1 teaspoon vanilla powder (or 2 teaspoons of extract). Add the cherries in during the initial mixing of the bananas. • Pistachio Maple Peach Vanilla: 1 cup frozen peaches + 1 teaspoon pistachio extract + 1 tablespoon maple syrup (skip the date paste / date). Sprinkle 1 1/2 tablespoons crushed pistachios on top before freezing.

H EA LT H Y LIF E ST Y LE | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

A COUPLE OF TIPS: 1. Even though the bananas are quite ripe and very sweet, adding the dates or liquid sweetener will help the banana not crystalize in the freezer.

2. Adding vanilla really does help with the depth of flavor and I encourage you to keep vanilla extract, powder or beans (scrape out the inside) around for this treat!

3. If you have overripe bananas, but don’t have the time to freeze beforehand, you can blend/process at room temperature and then freeze. I get a better end product blending while frozen and then freezing, but in a pinch and to satisfy that sweet tooth, skipping the initial freeze is not a bad option.

WA NT M O R E PL A NT- BA S E D R E C I PE S ? The Doc and Chef: instagram.com/thedocandchef/ Center for Plant-based Living: instagram.com/plant_based_center/ FB / The Center for Plant-based Living: facebook.com/centerforplantbasedliving

4. Want to hurry up Mother Nature and get those bananas nice and spotted brown (overripe) in a pinch? Throw them in a paper bag with an apple and in a day or two you’ll have soft and sweet bananas.

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I F YO U A R E R E A D I N G T H I S . . . S O I S YO U R B E S T C L I E N T.

2 OUT OF 3 of our readers regularly purchase from our ads.

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The Mindset of Well-Being Erin Joy, consultant and executive coach sets an example for her daughter and future leaders. CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE MINDSET OF WELL-BEING? If there is ever a time to prioritize how you're feeling, how you're doing, your energy, and your health, it's now. I'm convinced that people who get ahead and achieve their goals with intention do so by prioritizing themselves. This mindset of well-being is a competitive advantage. When we prioritize self-care, health, and well-being, we can use those disciplines to drive our personal and business lives forward. The solutions we seek to generating success for ourselves don’t come solely from being a hard worker, putting our heads down, or pulling ourselves up by the bootstraps - though that's certainly part of it. Another big part is treating yourself as a whole person. When I talk about a well-being mindset, I'm not talking about seeing the doctor and doing yoga. Although those

are important things to do. I am talking about prioritizing sleep. I'm talking about having a routine for your day. Add simple things like a warm bath every night (hint: visit Kind Soap in Webster) to decompress from the day and think about the day ahead. Drink more water, add more plants to your plate, and be careful about caffeine consumption related to sleep. As a doctoral candidate researching business psychology, specifically success and well-being among entrepreneurs, I will tell you that based on my own experience, my consulting practice, my coaching practice, and my academic studies, we can achieve our goals better, faster, certainly more enjoyably by focusing on being a whole person. Connect with Erin at erinjoy.com

ARTICLE BY ERIN JOY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN JOY COMPANIES

CAR E E R A DV IC E | L IFE + CULTURE

NEW YEAR, NEW FINANCIAL GOALS. It's a cliché because it's true: The new year is an ideal time to set financial goals and get your finances in order. Below are a few tips to set you up for a financially successful 2023.

Set goals that are specific and measurable If your goals are vague, you are less likely to follow through on them. When you create a goal, think realistically about how it will be possible to achieve. By using real, specific numbers to calculate exactly how much you can put toward your goal, you're much more likely to stick to it.

Track your progress Using Personal Financial Management (PFM) tools can help you view all your accounts, debts and investments in one place. This allows you to track your progress toward your goals, utilize simulators and understand where every dollar is going. Enterprise Bank & Trust accounts include access to PFM tools that allow you to sync accounts held at other institutions so that you get a 360 degree look at your finances, all in one platform. Understanding where your money is going in the short term helps to make sense of your financial habits and strategize for long-term financial success.

Talk to a trusted advisor If you are unsure what your financial priorities should be, talk to a financial advisor that understands your unique situation and acts in your best interest. Whatever goals you set, make sure that they are specific and you have a way to hold yourself accountable to achieving them.

Together, there's no stopping you. Your Enterprise Kirkwood Team Dan Iadevito VP, Business Banker Team Lead diadevito@enterprisebank.com

Visit us in-branch or online

Vanda Riskovsky

1052 S. Kirkwood Road Kirkwood, MO 63122 (314) 626-6241 enterprisebank.com

VP, Branch Manager vriskovsky@enterprisebank.com

Kent Jewelry Downtown Kirkwood

Remarkably Authentic. Refreshingly Local. WHAT DREW YOU TO PURCHASING THE ORIGINAL STORE, IN ROLLA? I’m from Rolla and my wife, Sarah, is from St. Louis being an Ursuline alum. We met at Missouri S&T in Rolla. After graduation, we realized we wanted to diverge from our degrees. My wife wanted to create something with her hands, and I wanted to run a community-focused small business, preferably in a downtown space. Kent Bagnall owned a jewelry store in Rolla. In addition to being

an excellent jeweler, he had a remarkable reputation as a pillar in the community. It was his volunteerism within the community and how he ran his business with a real hands-on approach that inspired me to purchase his business after he retired. Similarly, Jim Durbin [the former Kirkwood jeweler] ran his business the same way. This business really fits our backgrounds and passions with plenty of technical problems to solve. Particularly, changes in software and

A CONVERSATION WITH ZACH WOOLSEY, OWNER OF KENT JEWELRY IN DOWNTOWN KIRKWOOD

ARTICLE BY BETH GLENNON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KENT JEWELRY - DOWNTOWN KIRKWOOD

LOCA L’S CH OICE | LOCA L S E RVI CE S

eCommerce have opened new avenues in addition to better processes for how we make jewelry. We enjoy solving these problems, and Sarah enjoys learning how to handcraft fine jewelry. After purchasing Kent Jewelry, we quickly realized that we had an opportunity to make vast changes to how the business runs. I later brought my friend, Nate, on as a business partner who has been an integral component in these changes. We were childhood friends and went to college together. His background is in mechanical engineering and having worked for a large corporation, he found that lifestyle wasn’t for him. Nate has taken the lead on the higher-end, technically designed pieces. He is now one of the few people in the region who understands the intricacies of goldsmithing and casting on a professional level.

HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO EXPAND TO KIRKWOOD?

England that inspired her to become an engineer. Our client wanted us to make an engagement ring that incorporated the design of that bridge. It was quite a challenge and extremely complicated. Nate designed the gallery of the engagement ring to look precisely like that bridge. The ring turned out better than he envisioned, and our client loved it. He later proposed to his girlfriend on a bridge in St. Louis that she helped design. It was an extremely rewarding project. We embrace the creativity our clients bring to custom pieces and the challenge of creating something so personal.

DO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW ACCESSIBLE CUSTOM JEWELRY IS? They truly don’t. We have spent the past few years trying to make fine jewelry accessible to everyone. When people hear the word ‘custom,’ they often think of something like custom cabinetry which is expensive. You may be able to save money by going with something pre-designed or out of the case, but it’s usually only a 15% savings. When we begin the design process with a client, we make sure to have a conversation about budget. Our staff is trained to educate, not to sell. Typically, custom projects start at a price point of around $1,500 to $2,000. Beyond that, particularly if you want something specific, it’s usually more economical to let us design it.

“We are the only jeweler in Missouri certified to sell Fair-mined gold. This is an issue we are passionate about, and we ensure all our jewelry is made with materials that are ethically and sustainably sourced.”

When the Durbin’s were retiring, we saw it as a fantastic opportunity for us. James Durbin’s business model was similar to Kent’s, and people don’t realize how rare that is. Most jewelry stores look the same, but what goes on behind the scenes is vastly different. When Jim and Martha Durbin allowed us to be part of their retirement sale, we saw the relationships and the sense of community they had been a part of. We immediately knew it was something we wanted to be a part of. Sarah’s family is from the area, so being closer to our kids’ grandparents was a huge factor. Coincidentally, our building in Rolla has a mural, and this building in Kirkwood has a mural which we joke about as being a sign that it was meant to be! We were even able to keep one of Durbin’s jewelers as a part of our new team, so it’s a great mix of wisdom, innovation, and collaboration.

WHAT HAS BEEN A PARTICULARLY MEMORABLE CUSTOM PIECE YOU’VE CREATED? We have a client whose girlfriend is a civil engineer. There is a uniquely designed bridge in

WHAT MAKES KENT JEWELRY DIFFERENT? Quite a bit! We are the only jeweler in Missouri certified to sell Fair-mined gold. Specifically, our gold comes from small, artisanal mines with ethical working practices in Peru, Mongolia, and Columbia. Many gold mines belong to giant corporations that pay their workers less than a living wage and have no regard for their health or safety. This is an issue we are passionate about, and we ensure all our jewelry is made with materials that are ethically and sustainably sourced.

CONTINUED >

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“We embrace the creativity our clients bring to custom pieces and the challenge of creating something so personal.”

More recently, we began encouraging customers to recycle their own gold. Many people have heirloom or vintage jewelry that sits in a drawer. Maybe it doesn’t quite fit their style or is missing stones, but the sentimental value is still there. We can help find a way to bring it back to life. From repairs, alterations, or recycling the components to create a new piece, the possibilities are endless. Recycling a well-loved piece to create something new can help lower

LOCA L’S CH OICE | LOCA L S E RVI CE S

costs and allow the customer to honor the family member who originally wore the piece. We also educate people on lab-grown diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds tend to be controversial in the industry. In fact, many jewelers won’t even sell lab-grown stones. We want to educate our clients on the history and facts of lab-grown diamonds and let them make the decision. We think both lab and mined diamonds have their place in the industry. Lab-grown has

12213 Big Bend Road Kirkwood, MO 63122

Zach Woolsey with his team.

IF YOU HAVE A DREAM HOME,

WE HAVE A MORTGAGE

DREAM TEAM Trust the dedicated Swaleh Team to be the catalyst in making your dream home a reality. We’re staffed with smart, solution-oriented loan officers and structured in a way to ensure someone is always available to talk to you through every step of the mortgage process. So even if you have an unusual situation or the timing seems impossible, we’ll do everything in our power to ensure you have an exceptional home buying experience.

CALL MIKE TODAY TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS OWNING YOUR DREAM HOME.

Mike Swaleh Area Manager CONTINUED >

314.478.3699 SwalehTeam@fairwaymc.com Mike Swaleh & The Swaleh Team | NMLS#739145 JANUARY 2 0 2 3

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been around for decades, but they were far from gem-quality until about the last 20 years. Lab-grown diamonds are still 100% carbon, but carry a price tag 40-50% less than their mined counterparts. From a sustainability standpoint, diamond mining is extremely hard on the earth – the lab-grown don’t require anywhere near the kind of energy to generate. Everything about this industry is about education and conversation.

WHAT’S TRENDING IN JEWELRY? Modern minimalist pieces, particularly in yellow gold, are trending right now. We have a lot of jewelry made of only metal - no stones. As society is becoming increasingly casual, having a collection of understated, everyday pieces is more practical. Layering jewelry is extremely popular, whether with stackable rings or varying chain styles. Our customers also like unique pieces with a hand-finished look or an artistic feel.

LOCA L’S CH OICE | LOCA L S E RVI CE S

THE STORE HAS A NOTICEABLE “COOL” VIBE. When we designed the space, we wanted to stay true to our brand rather than copy the stereotypical jewelry store. We infuse the store with scents that complement the season, feel-good music, plants along the windows, and a water fountain in the background. Too often, fine jewelry stores feel inaccessible, and we want everyone to feel welcome when they walk in. Our staff tries to foster relationships instead of transactions. We have found a perfect balance between professionalism and enjoying what we do. We are fortunate to have young but highly educated staff, combined with a few veterans with decades of experience. Mark [one of the Kirkwood bench jewelers] has been in the industry for over 40 years. We’ll say something totally off the wall and instead of shooting us down, he gives us things to consider while still trying to make it work. It’s a dynamic you don’t often see in most workplaces. Visit Kent Jewelry at 114 W. Jefferson in Downtown Kirkwood or kentjewelry.com

of Saint

Loius

Old Webster Groves 111 W Lockwood Ave 314-395-6094 LeMacaron1StLouis@gmail.com M-Sat 9am-10pm Sun 9am-9pm lemacaronstlouis

Come relax with us. Lots of seating; inside, outside or courtyard. Never a rush at Le Macaron!

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INSPIRED WELLNESS ARTICLE BY CHRISTY WYNNE PHOTOGRAPHY BY INSPIRED WELLNESS

WELLNESS COACH CHRISTY WYNNE IS RAISING TWO KIDS IN GLENDALE WITH HER HUSBAND JEFF.

Christy Wynne Health and Wellness Coach I've had my fair share of health challenges and learned so much. I have had experience with years of stomach issues, skin rashes, food intolerances, and auto-immune disease and in 2019 had to have open heart surgery to repair a leaky valve. Each of these has made me more aware of my body and its needs. In 2003, I lost my Dad to heart disease and became even more passionate about my overall health. In 2008, I broke away from my corporate job and created Inspire Wellness STL. I created the Live Well healthy lifestyle program to make wellness easier for people and their families. It all starts with self-care and making that a priority in life. Self-care is our foundation, and when we take care of ourselves, we feel energized, flourish in our relationships, and are happier. Living a more fulfilling life starts with how we take care of ourselves. In addition to creating private and corporate healthy lifestyle programs and smoothie classes, I host quarterly wellness retreats in a beautiful setting 40 minutes from Kirkwood. It's a chance to detach from technology, enjoy nature, connect with others, and become inspired along your health and wellness journey. Follow Christy on Instagram and Facebook @inspirewellstl

M UST SE E | L IFE + CU LTURE

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STRESS LESS. PLAY MORE. Imagine... Waking up to a day filled with as much friendship and activity as you want—every day. Imagine... Doing what you want to do. Not stressing about your house or future health care costs. At Friendship Village, your wellness is our top priority. That’s why we’ve purpose-built our communities to help sustain independence, foster social engagement, and nurture lasting friendships. After all, it’s your life. We’re just here to help you live the way you want to. Learn how Life Care keeps your health care costs predictable for life!

Chesterfield: (636) 898-8500 Sunset Hills: (314) 270-7700 FriendshipVillageSTL.com A not-for-profit Life Care community by Friendship Village Senior Services.

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Transformational Health Staycations

ARTICLE BY LUCY ROGERS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY PALM HEALTH

INCREDIBLE JOURNEYS BEGIN WITH A GREAT TRAVEL AGENT. HEALTH AND WELLNESS JOURNEYS ARE NO DIFFERENT.

"You don't have to travel far to transform your health, become more resilient and regain vitality," said Stacy Kotis, owner of Choice Travel Agency in Downtown Kirkwood. "PALM Health in St. Louis offers staycation packages that are among the best in the country, and you don't have to pack a suitcase," said Stacy. Lifestyle packages at PALM can include BioMat and Cell Recharge, cryotherapy sessions, lifestyle enrichment classes, and healthy meals from the cafe. "We work directly with men, women, or couples to customize their PALM Health retreat, and we offer the added benefit of including a special gift to every one of our clients to help them on their health and wellness journey," said Stacy. Visit choicetravelagency.com for more health and wellness travel packages.

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | TR AVE L

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| C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / KI R KWO O D

Audi Kirkwood is now Audi Exchange Kirkwood. For over 40 years, the Exchange Auto Group has been synonymous with luxury cars in the Chicagoland area. We are excited to now serve the St. Louis area with our relentless desire to give customers an experience that exceeds their highest expectations. Over the next few months, we will begin the process of building an all new, bigger and better Audi Exchange Kirkwood. Until then, we look forward to serving you and your vehicle where you will see the difference that experience, knowledge and top-level customer service make. Audi Exchange Kirkwood— Expect the Exceptional. COMPLIMENTARY PICK-UP & DELIVERY SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR BOTH SALES AND SERVICE

AudiKirkwood.com 10230 Manchester Road • Kirkwood Sales: 877-769-9391 • Service: 888-378-7637