Topeka, KS May 2023

Ladies IssueHonoring Moms

I don’t know about you, but I love any opportunity to recognize the women in my life who just make life richer and more beautiful. My mother has been the biggest and best influence on my life. I am proud to call her friend.

We celebrated her 100th birthday last August. Recently, I took her to the doctor for a checkup. The doctor came into the examination room and said, “How’s my favorite centenarian patient?” and she light-heartedly responded, “Baloney, I’m probably your ONLY centenarian patient.” We all had a good laugh. And of course with Mother’s Day this month, all eyes are on moms… But it’s not just the biological mothers but the mother figures in our lives who have made an indelible impact on us. It’s the family members like mother-in-laws, teachers, friends and neighbors doing awesome things in our communities, pouring into our lives, making themselves unforgettable and irreplaceable.

While it’s always important to shop local and support our area businesses, this month is the perfect time to patronize businesses owned by women in our communities. That’s one of my favorite parts of this role, connecting with and championing the best of the best when it comes to our Golden City women.

They are movers and shakers, builders, and makers. They are both seen and unseen. Their silent service blesses those who are under their care. Their attention to detail shows us something about beauty that can’t be seen or understood any other way.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to send a text, make a phone call or get your kids on a video call with the women in your life who deserve recognition. It only takes a minute to brighten someone’s day, let them know what they are worth to you, and remind them how much you love them.

Sincerely,

May 2023

PUBLISHER

Brian Rodehorst | brian.rodehorst@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Kathy Graham | kathy.graham@citylifestyle.com

STAFF WRITERS

Sue Baldani | suebaldani@yahoo.com

Linda Ditch | lindaaditch@gmail.com

Kelsey Huber | khuber2@gmail.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS

Thomas Hall | thomas.hall@eagleaerialworld.com

Kristol Kumar | kristol@kristolkumar.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Janie Jones

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

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Hunter Richie

LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee

KATHY GRAHAM, EDITOR @TOPEKALIFESTYLE

What We Do

Who We Are

At Adoption Services & Law Group, I work with prospective adoptive parents throughout Kansas and from around the country, including matching with expectant mothers My carefully curated team of adoption professionals has over 60 years of experience in all types of adoptions

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

BE INVOLVED TOPEKA - LifeHouse Child Advocacy Center

Helping Kids Be Kids Again. LifeHouse Child Advocacy Center is a nationally accredited, community based, nonprofit agency designed to meet the needs of child victims. LifeHouse implements a team of professionals (Safe Talk Team) that brings together those agencies with the most expertise with issues involving children. For children, knowing there are caring adults who will help, can make all the difference in the world. Learn more at lifehousecac.com .

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Mingus Leather - Open For Business

Mingus Leather Studio & Gifts was created to be your place to find unique, beautiful handcrafted items that are celebrated and shared. It all starts with full-grain leather items made in our studio. Belts, bags, journals, game trays, wallets, briefcases, purses, repairs, restorations, classes, and more. We also partner with woodworkers, jewelers and other artisans creating long-lasting beautiful items that bring smiles while building businesses and families. Located at 929 S Kansas Ave. MingusLeather.com

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Tiffany Carlson - Health and Fitness Coach

Registered nurse and certified coach, helps toddler and school aged Mom's regain their energy, lose the baby weight, while never giving up their favorite foods. When we work together you receive 1:1 coaching, custom nutrition plan based on your specific goals, workouts, meal guides and access to an app for tracking. With science backed strategies you will be able to lose fat and keep it off for good! Learn more at tclifestyleandwellness.com .

The Dark Side of Luxury

Donaldson's Jeweler announces a new line of rings for men.  Elysium Black Diamond is a proprietary technology that now creates a multi-crystal black diamond matrix that resists scratching, lasts forever and maintains an artisan sheen that never fades. Step into the darkness of infinite perfection. Not every finger longs to sparkle. Diamond and darkness converge in a bold new expression of love's lasting promise. Visit donaldsonsjewelersks.com

A Beautiful Summer Glow

ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTOL KUMAR PHOTOGRAPHY

Sunsations helps customers fight aging and radiate beauty

Customers tell owner Kelly Robbins that her business, Sunsations, is the friendliest and most affordable tanning salon in town. But her mission goes far beyond giving her clients’ skin a healthy glow.

“We have a passion to help guests look and feel better with Sun, Spray and Spa services. We help you radiate a more relaxed, confident, beautiful, and youthful you,” she says. “I hire for friendliness. I can train everything else, but I can’t train attitude.”

Along with tanning beds and spray tans, Sunsations now provides Poly red-light therapy. Suitable for all skin types, red-light boosts circulation, bringing more blood and nutrients to the treatment area. It also stimulates the production of collagen (which plumps the skin) and elastin (which firms the skin). It also energizes and repairs damaged cells, giving skin a youthful look without emitting UV rays. It doesn’t tan the skin.

People using red-light therapy have to be patient. It’s not a quick fix. The treatment gradually repairs the skin over time. To see benefits, clients must commit to 15 to 20 minutes, at least three times per week, for the first 1 to 4 weeks. The best results happen in 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the skin type.

“This does help with anti-aging,” Robbins says. She shares her experience with a dark spot on her face that wasn’t responding to topical treatments. In fact, it was getting worse. “My personal testimonial is I had a really bad dark spot, and after using red-light therapy, it’s gone.”

Robbins likes to pair the Poly red-light treatment, which focuses on the face, with the Infrared Cocoon Wellness Pod for the whole body. It provides dry heat, like an infrared sauna, and an invigorating massage. Combined with the red-light treatment, clients can fight wrinkles and aging while also relaxing.

“This can help us at least fight so many of the superficial signs of aging, and it really helps you feel better,” Robbins says. “I’ve had a lot of people use the sauna with the red-light therapy and sleep better at night just because they got to relax just a little bit during the day.”

Of course, Sunsations offers UV tanning with the newest technology in tanning beds so customers can transition from winter-white skin to a summertime glow. Before starting, each person completes a questionnaire to determine their Smart Tan skin type. This method sets time limits for each tanning session to prevent burning, which damages the skin.

Robbins says, with a smile, “Two of my favorite customers are a couple who came in because of COVID. They took to heart the advice from the doctors to get outside, get some sunshine and vitamin D, and exercise. Then winter hit. They missed the sunshine and wondered if tanning felt the same. So, they started coming in and discovered it does feel the same.”

The salon’s newest tanning bed is the Luxe-KBL Hybridsun. It features red and UV light, Mediterranean sounds, aroma therapy, and a cooling mist. For fans of tanning towers, there is the KBL Tower HybridSun. It combines UVA and UVB light for pigment darkening and development. Plus, there is a vibration plate in the base for those who want an invigorating workout while tanning.

Need a quick tan? Sunsations has a staff of expert spray tan artists. Robbins is a Norvell University Educator, she was selected by the #1 Brand in Spray Tanning to be their Brand Specialist for the Kansas and Missouri region. With this level of education available to her team many become Master Certified in the art of Spray Tanning. Many of our customers spray tan weekly to keep their faux glow year-round.

Sunsations offers packages for all their beauty treatment options, from one-time visits to no commitment memberships at affordable prices and skincare products. Visit sunsationsks.com for complete details, or call 785-228-1815.

Meet the Princess of Pop-Up Picnics

ARTICLE BY KELSEY HUBER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LENSES & LACE PHOTOGRAPHY & ARTIS PHOTOGRAPHY

Artis Photography

This is the story of how a Topeka woman took a penchant for planning, a passion for parties, plus a pinch of panache and popularized these post-pandemic posh picnics. Phew!

Is there anything more fun than surprising someone you love? Probably not. At least that’s how Cheryl Clark, CEO of Dare to Dream Event Management in Topeka feels. Born, raised, and educated in Topeka, she is a certificated wedding planner and certified event designer with over 25 years of experience. Over the last few years, one particular type of event she hosts, the pop-up picnic, has really taken off in popularity.

“Pop-up picnics are just what they sound like,” Clark explained. “You pick the place and we pop up!” Backyards, lakes, parks, campfires, pretty much anywhere outdoors can be the perfect place for a picnic. Each picnic is a customized experience. “You can go

simple with sub sandwiches and balloons to posh with charcuterie boards and champagne,” Clark said. Typical picnics include food and drink, music, games, and themed decor, but you can also include photographers, videographers, flowers, painting, and more. “You dare to dream it, and we’ll make it happen!” Clark declared.

There’s really no occasion that can’t be celebrated with a pop-up picnic - romantic dates, kids birthdays, adult birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, wedding showers, gender reveals, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day (last year Clark hosted ten picnics on Father’s Day alone!). “My favorite is surprise wedding proposals,” Clark said.

Believe it or not, pop-up picnics were originally born out of the pandemic. “People were looking for ways to get together and the outdoors was one of the only options,” she explained. “Picnics were

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Lenses & Lace Photography CONTINUED

the perfect answer. Picnics allowed people to gather and socialize in small groups outside.” Clark said 2021 was a very busy year for her pop-up picnic business. “I think I did 50 picnics from May through August of that year,” she laughed.

What’s behind the popularity of pop-up picnics? “I think people want experiences as opposed to material things,” Clark surmised. “And that’s what we create.” Indeed, a 20-year study conducted by Dr. Thomas Gilovich, a psychology professor at Cornell University, concluded that people shouldn’t spend their money on things because the happiness things provide fades quickly. Experiences deliver more lasting happiness because they become a part of our identity. “Our experiences are a bigger part of ourselves than our material goods. You can really like your material stuff, but they remain separate from you. In contrast, your experiences really are part of you. We are the sum total of our experiences,” Dr. Gilovich said.

With Dare to Dream, Clark’s eye for design, attention to detail, and dedication to her clients earned her some much deserved attention. In 2021, the Greater Topeka Partnership named Clark a Woman of Influence and also awarded Dare to Dream Event Management the prestigious Minority-Owned Business of Distinction Award. In 2022, the Kansas Department of Commerce named them the Kansas Minority-Owned Business of the Year Service Industry.

It may surprise you to know that on top of coordinating weddings, events, and pop-up picnics for Dare to Dream, Clark holds a full-time job with the federal government. She is also very active in her church and community. And as if she wasn’t busy enough, she is rolling out an interior design service that includes in-home Christmas decorating. “I’m gonna slow down, but my calendar is booked!” she laughed. She said she gets help from her husband and lots of assistants, but you can hear the excitement in her voice when she talks about Dare to Dream. It’s clear she loves what she does. “I’m passionate about this job,” she said. “I love people and celebrating them!”

To learn more about Dare to Dream or to schedule your own pop-up picnic in the Topeka or Lawrence areas, visit daretodreamevents.com or call Cheryl at (785) 554-1049 and create some memories to cherish forever.

Lenses & Lace Photography

Lenses & Lace Photography

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Healthy Longevity

Dr. Rita Stanley uses functional medicine to promote wellness

ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTOL KUMAR PHOTOGRAHPY

During the 20 years Dr. Rita Stanley worked in her primary care internal medicine practice, she was struck by the number of patients who came to her saying, “Something’s wrong, but nobody can tell me what it is.”  Their lab work would come back normal, or she made a diagnosis and prescribed medicine, only to have the patients come back and say, “The medicine helped but what’s causing this; will I have to stay on medication forever?”

Those patients opened Dr. Stanley’s mind to the world of Functional Medicine, which is a natural, holistic, and patient-centered approach to health care. She describes it as measuring the root cause or imbalances such as hormones, inflammation, GI microbes contributing to a patient’s health problems instead of just diagnosing and treating with medicine.

Eventually, Dr. Stanley closed her internal medicine practice to offer integrative wellness services to patients instead. Today, she has offices in Topeka and Kansas City. People typically reach out to her “out of frustration,” she says. “At the point when they feel they haven’t been heard or the primary doctor has reached the limit of what they can do. But they know something’s wrong.”

Dr. Stanley understands the frustration her patients feel from her own experience. She wanted to have a child, but with no success. After going through all the traditional infertility evaluations, her doctors couldn’t find anything wrong. As a physician, she knew something was off. Eventually, she discovered an elevated prolactin level produced by a tumor in her pituitary gland. High prolactin levels can prevent ovulation.

“That journey really was a big part of me saying, you know, there are a lot of people out here suffering and not getting answers to their ‘dis-ease’,” she says.

A third-generation physician, Dr. Stanley remembers spending summer vacations in Alabama watching her grandfather, Dr. Gordon Rodgers Sr. treat people, either at his pharmacy or at their homes. They often found chickens or eggs on the front porch as payment.

Dr. Stanley’s father was an OBGYN. She remembers family dinners interrupted by patient phone calls and her father taking the time to address their concerns.

“It’s all I ever knew. He and my mother would get dressed to go somewhere, and the phone would ring. She would have to go by herself while he went to deliver a baby,” she says.

At Dr. Stanley’s Integrative Wellness Clinic, the premise is that health begins at the cellular level, and disease begins with the breakdown of cellular health. Patients can enjoy a life of energy and vitality by supporting cellular health.

New patients go through a series of comprehensive lab tests. Then Dr. Stanley discusses with them any health risk indicators found in the lab work and the steps necessary to correct them. She evaluates their health history, genetic makeup, and lifestyle factors to design a personalized treatment plan for every patient.

One treatment offered at the clinic is bio-identical, natural hormone replacement therapy. This might include supplements, changes to diet, exercise, and bioidentical compounded hormones. These hormones are biochemically similar to those made by the human body versus synthetic hormones created in a lab.

The clinic also offers IV Nutrition Therapy. Customized for each patient, vitamins, minerals, and hydration are administered via IV directly into the bloodstream. This provides optimal and faster absorption of nutrients.

“Nobody wants to be sick,” Dr. Stanley says. “All of us are going to age. But there are things we can do now that make us age in a healthy way so, up until our last day, we can be vibrant and sharp in our minds. I want to be part of that movement that helps people have healthy longevity. Somebody who can help you learn how to do the things so when you’re 99 years old, and it’s time for you to go, you’re not leaving here sick.”

To learn more about Dr. Stanley’s practice, visit ritastanleymd.com . Her office is located at 1125 SW Gage Blvd., Suite C. The phone number is (785) 215-8385.

The Gift of Letter Writing

A Lost Art that Needs to be Found

ARTICLE BY LEANN PARKER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

There is a lost art in letter writing that I wish to hold onto. In this speedy world where anything can be done lickity-click, a handwritten letter takes time and shows thoughtfulness. Much like a fingerprint, a person’s handwriting - as elegant or clumsy as it may be - is as much a piece of them as the color of their eyes or the sound of their voice. The handwriting of a loved one that has passed or the writing of a child that time

has aged will forever be treasured because of who they are, not how beautiful the calligraphy.

I invite you to join me in handwriting a letter to someone you care for this month. Mother’s Day is a wonderful reason. It could be as short as a sentence, as practical as a favorite recipe, or as light-hearted as a joke. Whatever is written, write it in your own handwriting as a gift to be treasured by the person you give it to.

WAX SEALS

Since a handwritten letter is a gift then the envelope should be treated like wrapping one. Sealing a letter with a wax stamp is a beautiful way to turn a standard paper letter into the gift that it is.

Supplies needed

1. Wax Sealing Stick

2. Sealing Stamp

3. Match or Lighter

How to apply a wax seal

1. Light the wick and hold the stick parallel to the work surface.

2. Let wax slowly drip into a coin sized circle onto the paper. It’s tempting to angle the stick down to increase the speed of drips but avoid this as pieces of soot will fall into the wax and discolor it.

3. Blow out the flame and set the stick aside.

4. Press the sealing stamp onto the melted wax. Hold for a few seconds before lifting away. If it sticks, gently rock the seal back and forth to release.

WHAT’S BLOOMING?

*Wax seals are able to be sent through the mail but you may consider an additional outer envelope to protect it from potential damage.

SIP 'N SAVOR

The Golden City's Food & Drink Guide

Little Russia’s Chili Recipe is loosely based on a 100-year-old recipe used by the local boy scout troop as a fundraiser. The all beef and bean chili is complemented with fire-roasted tomatoes and onions. The signature spice is a proprietary blend from Moburts. The chili is a very flavorful blend of ingredients. For a touch of heat try adding the house hot sauce. The chili is served in a plastic resealable container making it perfect for dining in, carryout, or delivery.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTOL KUMAR

Make an Impact for Mom

Memorable ways to celebrate the mother figure in your life

The moms and the mother figures in our lives mean everything to us. They deserve the best every day, of course. But at least one day out of the year, we get to shower them with the same love and thoughtfulness they give to us so selflessly.

This year, we hope you’ll consider some memorable ways to make lasting memories with the mom or mother figure in your life. If you haven’t already planned something special, take a look at our list of ideas and circle your favorites. If you have kids, let them join in the fun too!

Whether you decide to spend a day at home or enjoy a day on the town, these innovative celebration ideas will include fun for the whole family and make Mom feel loved. Whatever activity or surprise you land on to show your mom, wife, sister or maternal figure your appreciation for all they do, the most important thing is that you all get to spend some quality time together.

Take a Flower Arranging Class Mother’s Day arrives just as spring is in full bloom. Take advantage of the season by going to a flower arranging class with mom.

Play a Family Board Game

If Mom likes strategizing, challenge her to a friendly board game competition. (And, no, you don’t have to let her win just because it’s Mother’s Day.)

Pick Your Own Fruit

This activity is especially fun if you have a lot of kids who want to get in on the action. Then, when you all get home, you can whip up a treat for Mom with your selections. (Maybe give her a strawberry in a Champagne glass while she waits.)

Book Her a Weekend Away

There’s no day like Mother’s Day to be impulsive! Book a weekend trip for the two of you at a cute B&B in a city Mom has always wanted to visit.

Complete a Jigsaw Puzzle

Find a puzzle with an image you know your mom will love (or make a custom one using a photo of the two of you) and put it together over wine and snacks. You’ll be amazed at how much chatting you can get done while puzzling.

Get Theater Tickets

Go to a play or a musical — lots of towns even host outdoor theater events.

Invite Her To High Tea

Whether you make the brews and treats yourself or head out to an official tea house, Mom will love sipping her beverage out of fancy china and snacking on tea sandwiches.

ARTICLE BY DAWN BURNS | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

CREATING YOUR PERSONAL STYLE

Blair Moore has loved all things fashion from a young age. The Nashville native studied Fashion Merchandising and Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in the fashion capital of the world, New York City. It was inevitable the mother of three would find herself in a career where she would help other women find their confidence through their wardrobe. Blair says, “I love helping women find their true personal style and get them organized in their closet so they feel truly empowered to get dressed each day with ease and confidence!” Blair shares four trends for spring and how to incorporate them into your wardrobe.

BRIGHT AND BOLD COLORS

This season, bright colors such as hot pink and kelly green are trending. I know this can be difficult for my neutral-loving ladies, so I always recommend starting small. Choose a fun, colorful earring or add a bold clutch to brighten up your look. You can also have fun with your shoes by adding a colorful heel or sandal to a dress or denim outfit.

FLORALS

From floral midi dresses to feminine floral blouses, this season is all about flower power. Choose a flowy floral skirt and pair it with your favorite knotted tee and sandals for an effortless look. Tip: If wearing a dress with a large floral print, try adding a denim jacket, light cardigan or woven belt to add texture and break up the print.

TWO-PIECE SETS

From casual jogger sets to feminine tiered skirts and puff-sleeved tops, two-piece sets are everywhere! What I adore about twopiece sets is that you can wear them in multiple ways. Wear it as a set or take the top and pair it with denim, or take the skirt and pair it with a tee and light jacket or blazer. Two pieces, but multiple ways to wear them!

90S-INSPIRED DENIM

Let me be clear — I LOVE a skinny jean and always will! But the 90s denim trend is having a moment and if you want to embrace it, here are a couple of tips: Choose a fit that is high-rise with a more relaxed fit through the leg. You want the jean to fall right above the ankle bone. This is slimming and flattering to the eye. Pair with a strappy heel, sneaker or slide.

StyledByBlair.com

Instagram: @bestyledco_

Declutter Your Closet

edit

Edit down your closet. Ask yourself these three things: Do you still like it? Does it fit within reason? Is it still in good condition? If the answer is no, it’s time to donate or sell that item. Keep a donation basket in your closet to help you stay on track.

new and old

Buy something new, get rid of something old. Each time you buy a new item, get rid of an item in your closet. This manages the chaos of having too many options in your closet. We only wear about 20% of the items in our closet, so make a list before shopping and shop with intention.

organize

When it comes to organization, having a system in place is key. Utilize the entire space for your items. For example, buy closed bins for out of season or travel items and place them on the top shelf. Utilize the back of the door or any blank walls with hooks for hats or a jewelry organizer. Get rid of items that are taking up space in your closet like shoe boxes, sentimental items, and bulky items like luggage. Store them elsewhere if you can. The two best things you can do to save on space and have an organized closet is to invest in all matching slim velvet hangers. This frees up more space in your closet and looks great, too. And finally, add matching labeled baskets for folded items to keep everything nicely organized and in specific categories.