You’re looking for a team of experienced professionals who stay up-to-date with the latest techniques, trends, and industry advancements, providing clients with exceptional and knowledgeable service. You value a warm and inviting atmosphere where smiling faces, delicious beverages, and friendly conversation await you.
You’re looking for a service provider that is dedicated to prioritizing the needs and preferences of each client, actively listening to their concerns, and customizing services accordingly.
You want to support a female owned business that values a team culture of collaboration, respect, and open communication among its employees.
Welcome to Middleton City Lifestyle
Hello, and welcome to the premiere issue of Middleton City Lifestyle!
My name is Cole Spitler and I'm the owner of this publication. Growing up in Middleton, I’ve been lucky to call this city home for most of my life. I've always known there's something special about it. For that reason, I'm thrilled to introduce Middleton City Lifestyle, a magazine dedicated to showcasing the people and businesses that make our community special.
As you flip through these pages, you’ll be drawn into the stories behind the people and places that call Middleton home. As your publisher, it is my commitment to celebrate our community and provide a platform for voices to be heard and stories to be shared. Middleton City Lifestyle is more than just a magazine—it is a reflection of our city!
From unique restaurants to charming homes; budding start-ups to thriving businesses; or from niche salons to local boutiques, our mission is to share the vibrant stories of everything Middleton has to offer. We focus on what matters most to you, our readers, for whom we craft this magazine. In each of our monthly issues, we'll use a distinct theme to highlight a unique aspect of the community.
I want to express my deep appreciation to my wife, Alexis, and family for their love and support. To the local businesses who share my vision of this magazine: thank you for making this possible.
I encourage you to reach out to me directly if you have ideas or suggestions for future issues - I’d love to hear from you! If you are a business owner or entrepreneur who’d like to work with us, please reach out! I cherish every opportunity to sit down with someone new and learn their story.
HOLMES KOTH REAL ESTATE TEAM B HOLMESKOTHREALESTATE
JASON THOMAS HOMES LLC JASONTHOMASHOMES.COM
JOANNA JANAS REAL ESTATE JOANNAJANAS.BHHSTRUEREALTY.COM
KAIROS CHIROPRACTIC KAIROSCHIRO.COM
KAYSER FORD INC KAYSERFORD.NET
KWIK DRIP DEPOP.COM/KWIKDRIP
MADISON DENTISTRY THEMADISONDENTIST.COM
RENEWAL BY KATE RENEWALBYKATE.COM
ROOTED CULTURE AND COMPANY @ROOTEDCULTUREANDCO
THE NEUTRAL PROJECT THENEUTRALPROJECT.COM
THE PORCH GIRL B THEPORCHGIRL
TQ DIAMONDS TQDIAMONDS.COM
VENTERKNOLL FARMS VENTERKNOLLFARMS.COM
VICTORY HOMES OF WISCONSIN VICTORYHOMESOFWISCONSIN.COM
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1-3: Timothy and Kimberly Quigley from TQ Diamonds at Cycle for Stroke Event 4-7: Soft Launch of Kristi Tanner’s Sober Social, located at 1814 Parmenter Street
PHOTO PROVIDED BY KRISTI TANNER
PHOTO PROVIDED BY KRISTI TANNER
PHOTO PROVIDED BY KRISTI TANNER
PHOTO PROVIDED BY KRISTI TANNER
PHOTO PROVIDED BY KIMBERLY QUIGLEY
PHOTO PROVIDED BY KIMBERLY QUIGLEY
PHOTO PROVIDED BY KIMBERLY QUIGLEY
THE VICTORY DIFFERENCE
THE HEART OF REAL ESTATE
JANAS’S DEDICATION TO COMMUNITY
18 years ago, Joanna Janas moved to Madison for love. One husband, two degrees, and one daughter later, she’s built a business dedicated to helping people through transition.
Born in Poland, Joanna moved to Chicago with her family after High School. In 2006, she met a Madisonian man. After a year, he asked her to marry him and they started their lives in Wisconsin. Joanna transferred to Edgewood College and
PROVIDED BY JOANNA
JOANNA
ARTICLE BY TORI LYNN | PHOTOGRAPHY
JANAS
completed her bachelor's in business management and master's in business administration. After graduating, she worked for the government for a while, but when her daughter was born, she knew it was time for a change.
“I always wanted to own my own business. I waited for the right time. When my daughter was born, that was the right moment to focus on starting my own business.”
Having worked in property management in Chicago, Joanna knew real estate was the right fit for her. “I love anything home-related, but the main focus of my
business is just the people. I help clients going through life transitions, from marriage to divorce, downsizing, and upgrading, at different stages of people's lives. Being part of people's lives through the exciting and the sad moments is very rewarding for me."
Keeping with her focus on people, Joanna has structured her business to anticipate the needs of her clients. Along with all the standard services of a real estate agent, Joanna employs a full-time home stager, works with a professional photographer, and has a long list of home
improvement professionals from general contractors, handymen, electricians, window cleaners, and anything in between.
“We help people with preparing the houses for sale and taking the stress off their hands, so they can continue with their normal routine.”
With a combination of professional stagers and reliable local contractors, Joanna is able to help clients realize the full value of their home while keeping the stress related to selling a home to a minimum.
“The main focus of my business is the people.”
“I honestly care about my clients, that is why they hire me over and over again. Past clients refer me to family and friends. My business became successful because of my past client referrals.”
Once people experience full-service real estate it’s hard to imagine selling a house any other way. The majority of Joanna’s clients are repeats and referrals. Joanna’s loyalty to her clients has led her to different avenues of real estate transactions. Her business is equipped to handle: luxury, residential, vacation-secondary
homes, new construction, commercial, and investment properties. “My clients' needs naturally pulled me into those different areas of real estate. I really enjoy every single part of it.”
When Joanna is not taking care of her clients, you can find her volunteering as a board member of Friends of UW Health, an organization that offers direct support to families and patients going through medical treatment. Joanna first became interested in Friends of UW Health after her mom needed a liver transplant while she was underinsured. “That made me want to get involved and help people who are going through the same struggle as my mom went. We are very privileged that we were able to help her financially. But there's so many families that don't have that chance.”
Through her professional and public life, Joanna’s focus on people has always been a guiding light. And, she has never forgotten the people closest to her. She and her family love to travel, stay active, and just hang out in the Madison area. I love how welcoming and friendly Madison is. There’s always something family-orientated.”
HOW TO MAKE
DIY GOLD LEAF JEWELRY DISHES
These cute and colorful dishes work perfectly to organize and display your jewelry, keys, or you name it! And you know what? They’re so easy to make!
supplies you’ll need:
• Wooden bowls, trays, etc.
• Gold leaf (or metallic gold paint)
• Gentle Gold leaf brush
• Mod podge (or gold leaf adhesive)
• Acrylic paint
• Paint brushes
• Painters tape (optional)
steps to do:
• Grab a wooden bowl, some acrylic paint, and a brush.
• Hand paint some paint on one section of the bowl.
• Let the first coat dry and paint another two to three coats of paint until you’re happy with the result.
• Let the paint fully dry.
• I wanted my gold leaf paper to overlap the paint for a layered look, so I took a paint brush and painted some Mod Podge in an overlapping pattern.
• Once the Mod Podge gets tacky, use your hand to apply the gold leaf and accompanying wax sheet.
• Push the gold leaf onto the tacky glue, then remove the top layer of paper.
• Use your fingers to gently push the gold leaf onto the glue a little further.
• Next, use the gold leaf brush to smooth over the whole area and gently wipe away any excess gold leaf. Pay extra attention to the edges.
• Next, smooth the gold leaf section as much as possible, but don’t worry about any imperfections. The organic look of the gold leaf being imperfect gives the piece character.
• Next, work your way to the outer edge.
• Once the gold leaf is perfected, gently brush over the leaf with some Mod Podge to seal it to the bowl.
• Let it completely dry and enjoy!
ARTICLE BY AUDREY KUETHER
“They’re a great and affordable gift idea for friends.”
FINDING A TOUCH OF GLAM IN EVERYDAY DESIGN
ARTICLE BY ALLISON GIBESON | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
HGTV star shares her secrets to make a home look both beautiful and livable.
Tamara Day, star of HGTV’s Bargain Mansions, describes her style as “laid-back luxe.”
“I am a mom of four, and I like pretty, shiny things,” Tamara says. “The two don’t always mix well. I design with lifestyle and family in mind but with that touch of glam.”
This mixture of practicality and flare can be accomplished throughout the home on a budget, Tamara says.
When it comes to the kitchen, she says replacing the backsplash is one of the most cost-effective ways to refresh the room. Additionally, she says paint is the most inexpensive option to update cabinets, and there is a de-glosser on the market that will reduce the labor involved by helping paint adhere to cabinets.
“You can get a whole new kitchen with some fresh paint,” Tamara says.
In the bathroom, Tamara suggests putting up new light fixtures and wallpaper for a fresh look. She suggests using wallpaper on just one wall to create contrast.
“Wallpaper transforms everything and puts in a hominess factor,” Tamara says.
To give a new feel to the living room, Tamara suggests using decorative pillows as well as displaying design books and layering with a candle or other interesting object to create a sentimental focal point. She also suggests investing in good, quality sofas
and rugs because less expensive options will not typically withstand the amount of wear and tear they receive from a family.
Overall, Tamara says there is a balance between mixing expensive and inexpensive items and materials around the home, all without having it looking cluttered. She says every space needs something that is thrifted.
Tamara finds many people enjoy elements of different types of styles and have a hard time defining their personal style. To help narrow down to a preferred look, she suggests taking a hundred room images and sorting them into piles of likes and dislikes. She says when someone completes this exercise, they typically find a theme to their preferences.
MAKING COLOR, TEXTURE AND PATTERN STAND OUT
Tamara has a natural eye for using great colors and textures in design. What is her approach to making a room look great?
HERE ARE TAMARA’S TOP TIPS:
Find a base color with pops of other colors.
“Every room needs a touch of black and a pop of color,” Tamara says. “The black will anchor it, but the color will give it life.”
If the home is urban, she suggests more bold pops. If it is a traditional home, use a mixture of colors. Additionally, she suggests using one basic color throughout a home with pops of other colors as opposed to having a different color in each room.
Consider wallpaper.
“Wallpaper can be scary for a lot of people, but there are so may wallpapers out there that are removable,” Tamara says.
Tamara says wallpaper adds texture and warmth, and she includes it in most of the homes she designs.
Layer with baskets, blankets and greenery. All three make a room feel cozy and add color and interest to a space.
DIY Your Way To a Bug-Free Summer
Adult- and Kid-Friendly Natural Bug Repellents from A Beautiful Mess
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY A BEAUTIFUL MESS
Adult Blend Kids Blend
(age 15 and over)
MATERIALS:
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
• 10 drops lemongrass essential oil
• 8 drops lavender essential oil
• 8 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 1.5 ounces distilled water (minus 1 teaspoon to make room for the essential oils in the bottle)
• .5 ounce 95% proof grain alcohol*
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a 2-ounce spray bottle, add the grain alcohol (or Solubol) and drop in essential oils. Swirl to combine. Place the cap back on the bottle. Allow the oils to disperse in the alcohol for about 1 hour, then add distilled water, swirling again to combine.
MATERIALS:
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
• 10 drops lemongrass essential oil
• 4 drops lavender essential oil
• 1.5 ounces distilled water (minus 1 teaspoon to make room for the essential oils in the bottle)
• .5 ounce 95% proof grain alcohol*
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a 2-ounce spray bottle, add the grain alcohol (or Solubol) and drop in essential oils. Swirl to combine. Place the cap back on the bottle. Allow the oils to disperse in the alcohol for about 1 hour, then add distilled water, swirling again to combine.
*The grain alcohol is used as a preservative as well as a carrier for the oils, but you can also use a product like this instead of grain alcohol at a 1:4 ratio (1 drop essential oil to 4 drops Solubol) if you’d rather and then just fill the rest with water to fill the 2-ounce spray bottle.
While there can be concern about citrus oils on the skin when exposed to sunlight, lemongrass isn’t a photosensitive oil, and if lemon essential oil is steam-distilled rather than cold-pressed (Oui Fresh essential oils are cold-pressed) it can be used on the skin. So just make sure to note which one your lemon oil is and only spray on clothes if you don’t have a skin-safe lemon oil (which is an application method a lot of people prefer anyway if they are more sensitive to oils).
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
Hosting the Perfect Dinner Party
Your next event, served alfresco
Catering experts Chef Kyle and Hannah Williams, owners of Savor & Swirl culinary company, create an outdoor dinner party with chef-driven perennial dishes served in beautiful seasonal settings. For this alfresco dinner party, Chef Kyle draws on his favorite recipes updated for a modern palate and paired with wine selections to complement the bountiful feast.
Insider Tips for Hosting:
• Build a menu around the season. Start with what produce is available locally based on the season for the most authentic meal experience. For instance, Chef Kyle says “In November, people crave turkey, sage stuffing and cranberry sauce,” but that meal served in the heat of Summer wouldn’t hit the same. In-season fruits and vegetables will always be of highest quality and best taste.
• Always greet guests with a beverage and appetizers. “Offer champagne for wine-lovers or a sparkling drink or signature cocktail. It’s all about serving guests to the highest caliber,” Kyle says.
• Draw inspiration from the season’s colors and temperatures. For Spring and Summer, think flowers, fresh herbs and linens. For Fall, think flannel blankets, wooden tables, fire pits, open grills, string lights and candles to create a really cool environment you haven’t been able to do all summer. For Winter, head indoors to create a cozy environment for guests to connect.
• “You can’t go wrong with fresh flowers,” Hannah says, “but keep bouquets low to not interfere with conversation flowing. For fall, I like richer, jewel-toned florals to mix and match and keep whimsical. I vary glass vases with bur - nished brass for warm fall vibes.”
• An easy but thoughtful detail is to put a simple menu at each place setting, so guests know what to expect. “Add a pen, so guests can jot tasting notes, especially for wine pairings or multiple courses,” Hannah says. “Guests can share comments, then take the menu home as a sweet reminder of the event.”
• Follow the French principle of mise en place or everything in place before your event. “This is actually our company’s name,” Kyle says. “It’s that important to us. Make sure the wines are all open, cocktails are pre-made, place settings are out, candles are lit and music is playing. When guests arrive, it gives that wow-factor and shows you intentionally made them feel special.”
• To build confidence as a host, start small and practice. “Keep the menu and guest list small,” Kyle says. “Choose recipes you already have confidence in. If you make a great Beef Stroganoff, then go with that. People will love it!”
• As fun as it is to dine outside, always have an indoors back-up plan. “We’ve had to bring it indoors before,” Hannah says. “It’s still fun.” Insider Tips for Hosting: “Think flannel blankets, wooden tables, fire pits, open grills, string lights and candles to create a really cool environment you haven’t been able to do all summer.”
1. Preheat oven to 400 °F for convection setting, (425 °F conventional).
2. In mixing bowl, add oil and cut raw Brussels sprouts. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Place seasoned sprouts on baking sheet and bake in oven until done, about 20-40 minutes (soft yet still with good texture and crispy edges with some dark brown color). Remove from oven.
4. Place large sauté pan on medium heat and render bacon. Add a splash of olive oil to get it going, if needed. Cook until bacon is crispy and golden brown, 5-10 minutes.
5. Add onions to pan and cook until soft, 5-8 minutes.
6. Turn heat to high and add garlic and butter and cook for 1 minute.
7. Add roasted Brussels sprouts to pan and toss all together. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
8. For optional garnishes, add fresh chopped parsley.
9. Serve and enjoy!
CHEF NOTES:
• If Brussels sprouts are large, cut in quarters.
• Rendering bacon means extracting the bacon fat which adds a lot of flavor to the dish.
1. Pre-heat oven to 400°F on convection setting (425°F conventional).
2. In mixing bowl, add oil and raw cut vegetables. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Place seasoned vegetables on oiled baking sheet and bake in oven until they are caramelized and tender, about 30-60 minutes. Will be soft yet still with good texture and crispy edges with some lightly charred areas.
4. Remove from oven once finished cooking.
5. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
6. Enjoy.
Cranberry Orange Zest Sauce
Yields 4 cups
• 3 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen
• 1 cup cranberry juice, sweetened
• 1 piece orange peel
• 1 each orange for zesting
• ½ cup orange juice, freshly juiced
• 3 each cinnamon stick
• ¼ teaspoon clove, ground
• ¼ teaspoon allspice, ground
• ½ cup sugar
• Pinch salt
METHOD OF PREPARATION:
1. In medium saucepot on high heat, add everything except orange peel and orange zest. Bring ingredients to boil, then reduce to a simmer with lid.
2. While simmering, stir occasionally with rubber spatula ensuring bottom does not burn. Simmer for 30 minutes or until sauce thickens.
3. Remove lid and add orange peel and season to taste. Can add more sugar or spice if needed.
4. Once sauce is thickened and most liquid has evaporated, remove orange peel and cinnamon sticks and remove pot from heat.
5. With hand-held blender, puree sauce, keeping some texture.
6. Freshly grate in orange zest, stir and season to taste.
7. Transfer sauce to jar and place in refrigerator to cool overnight.
8. Enjoy!
CHEF NOTES:
• Enjoy with all types of poultry and game birds.
• Do not use ground cinnamon.
• Can puree with blender if you do not have hand-held blender.
• Consistency should be thick sauce and not a jelly.
MIXING HEALTH AND FLAVOR
A Delicious Mocktail to Savor Without the Alcohol.
ARTICLE
BY ANGELA BROOCKERD
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
ROSEMARY PEAR MOCKTAIL
INGREDIENTS
ROSEMARY SIMPLE SYRUP
• 1 cup cane sugar
• 1 cup water
• 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary ROSEMARY PEAR MOCKTAIL
• 5 tablespoon pear juice
• 1 tablespoon rosemary simple syrup
• 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice
• sparkling water to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
HOW TO MAKE ROSEMARY SIMPLE SYRUP
Combine sugar and water in a pot and cook over medium heat. Cook until sugar is completely dissolved. Turn off heat and toss in rosemary sprigs. Cool Completely.
HOW TO MAKE ROSEMARY PEAR MOCKTAIL
Pour pear juice, rosemary simple syrup, lemon juice, and sparkling water. Add ice and garnish if desired.
JULY 2024
Let us create your perfect look
Our bespoke tailoring process offers a personalized experience, expert craftsmanship, and meticulous attention to detail. Experience the journey where your unique style and preferences come first. Ready to create your perfect wardrobe?
JULY 6TH
Sober Social
Grand Opening
1814 Parmenter St
Head downtown on the 6th to enjoy the atmosphere and fun of happy hour without any of the alcohol! They have an amazing selection of non-alcoholic beers, wines, mocktails and more for purchase. Check out @sobersocialshop on Instagram to learn more
JULY 18TH-20TH
Shop and Stroll Downtown
Downtown Middleton
From Thursday the 18th through Saturday the 20th, head downtown and interact with your favorite local businesses. Enjoy sidewalk sales, demonstrations, food and drink, and live music!
JULY 19TH
Rock the Ramp 2024
Morey Airport, 8264 Airport Road | 5:00 PM
Rock the Ramp, brought to you by Middleton Flight, is one of the world's largest fly-in air shows! On top of the show, there will also be live music, food and drink, and a 50/50 raffle. All proceeds of the event go to Badger Honor Flight.
JULY 20TH
Shekinah King
Performing at Red and White Wine Bar
Red and White Wine Bar, 331 E Main St, Waunakee, WI | 6:00 PM
Shekinah King, singer and award-winning songwriter will be performing from 6:00-8:00pm. If you haven't caught one of her shows yet or you're a regular attendee, you won't want to miss this one!
JULY 25TH
The Edison Investment LuncheonThe Neutral Project
The Madison Club - 5 E. Wilson Street, Madison, WI | 12:00 PM
Join The Neutral Project at The Madison Club from 12:00-2:00 PM for a luncheon to explore investment opportunities in The Edison, a multifamily development set to be the world's tallest mass timber highrise located in Milwaukee, WI. Scan the QR code on the following page for details.
At ANEU Med Spa, we offer a full array of medical aesthetic treatments and feature an upscale medical-grade skincare boutique, all in a luxurious and warm environment.
Led by our Clinic Director Amie Neumaier, developing trust, firm relationships and working as a team with our patients to help them achieve their skincare dreams is key.
Our clinic’s goal and passion are to assist our clientele in drastically slowing the aging process, restoring skin health, and enhancing natural beauty through a collaborative effort of our medical aesthetic experts.
JULY 29TH
Waunakee Project Brave
Performing at WaunaFest
Centennial Park, Waunakee | 2:00 PM
Catch Waunakee Project Brave's band performance on this Saturday afternoon! They've orchestrated a movement that leverages music, community events, and other resources to break stigmas surrounding mental health, substance abuse, and trauma.
ARTICLE BY COLE SPITLER & ALEXIS VENTER PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEXIS VENTER
A Summer Weekend in Middleton
OUR FAVORITE SPOTS TO SPEND THOSE LONG AWAITED SUMMER DAYS
Breakfast:
Few spots are better for a Saturday morning breakfast than C’s Restaurant & Bakery. With something for everyone on the menu, quick and friendly service, you can’t go wrong. We love the breakfast croissant sandwich and cinnamon roll waffles!
Evening/Sunset Walk:
If you’re looking for a quiet and scenic activity, Pope Farms Conservancy has a number of walking trails and picnic spots where you can enjoy views of Lake Mendota, the Capitol, and Black Earth Creek Valley.
Live Music:
There are few things Alexis enjoys more than live music. Head over to Capital Brewery, where you can enjoy just that in the bier garten, known as Middleton’s backyard!
Outdoor Activities:
We love to spend as much time as we can on or near the water! Marshall Park is a great spot to rent kayaks, canoes, go fishing, or play beach volleyball which is Cole’s favorite summer activity.
Outdoor Dinner:
Enjoy rich history, an intimate atmosphere, and a great dinner menu at 1847 at the Stamm House. Don’t miss the fun cocktail menu!
