OKIEMAMA // ISSUE3

ISSUE 3 COLORFUL CULTURE v o l .

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CONTRIBUTORS AIMEE TIETZE ADAMS E DI TO R I N C H I E F P H OTO G R A P H E R

CS ADAMS EXECUTIVE EDITOR ART DIRECTOR

Jared Hood MADELINE MCKEEVER Graphic DESIGN Asst.

AMY CARGILL FILM EDITOR

robin chase ANGELA RENEE CHASE carl Zoch WRITERS

CARY ANNE HOLTON jamie alsabrook CANDI COFFMAN robin chase shevaun williams Carl zoch PHOTOGRAPHERS

LACY MCCULLAR STYLE ASSISTANCE

AMY BREWER STERR PROOFING

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LETTER from the EDITOR

I was honored to meet some of the cool people who have helped make this place more colorful in their own special way. From Beth Jansen to the clean lines that frame the projects for Norman builder Brent Switft and the important philosophies or milestones that shaped their way. Our interview series funnels the cutting edge partnerships that are developing a wider presence virtually, with Braid Creative, and the community builders behind Keep It Local OK and the Plaza District. These candid pieces inspire collaboration with a mission of serving the greater good with purpose, integrity and style. A stunning psyche editorial project breathes attention on a topic few would want to discuss in today’s hyped up social media profiles, narcissism and riding the coattails of its seemingly endless social supply. Right upon wrapping the shoot, we saw W Magazine published an editorial titled, Selfie Absorbed, we knew we could trust our vision was on the social and subliminal pulse.

With the spring season approaching, a sneak peek into the perspectives behind the root of self interest and glorification can serve us all by ensuring we are staying mindful of our intentions with one another first and foremost to encourage further authentic and organic growth individualistically and collectively. Sustainability in life design at the anchor of our mission, we give a nod to some simple holistic practices which can curate our thoughts, moments, and work-life balance with a few touchstones from Claire Ragozzino of Vidya. By crafting personal positive self love in our quietude, we can lift the collective conscious vibes which in turn raise the bar of happiness for one and all in This Land. Adventure can often be a unclaimed jewel in our quest for personal success, therefore sharing travel adventures to Scotland with Robin Chase and The San Juan Islands with Carl Zoch broaden our dreamscapes to enjoy more life either vicariously or thru insights in planning our own treks about. Let’s face it, v o l .

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PHOTOGRAPHY: CARL ZOCH

we have a stronghold on a flourishing food culture here, and our Smokey Affair pairing showcases an boldly independent approach to trying new things while curating a tasty vibe with Forward Foods and the Spirit Shop’s top scotch referrals.

A highlight of the year passed was the opportunity to meet iconic photographer Annie Leibovitz in Santa Fe on a sojourn made by myself and 3 other super talent Seers. It seemed like a great opportunity to share Annie’s poignant messages from the vantage points witnessed at the special Pilgrimage lecture. As a wedding photographer, I am stoked to share Carl Zoch’s equinox couple in a magical event that is without comparison, the coolest Oklahoma wedding I have ever seen. Their visual evidence of planning a love gathering with timeless meaning and natural flow is what I believe everyone truly wants but often in planning can get muddled in the pressures of ‘tradition’. Whether you are here or far connected to some part of your life in Oklahoma, we hope these stories inspire you to keep moving forward with positive belief. Serve yourself so you may in turn serve others, and with that ya’ll, we are ALL good.

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CONTENT profiles

features

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EQUINOX MAGIC

a Tulsa wedding perfectly aligned with the solar system

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THE COLORFUL WORLD OF BETH JANSEN talented photographer shares the uniquely colorful style of her interior design

THE PARTNERS

interview with three OKC creative partnerships

TASTEMAKER Megan Naifeh’s take on living OKC so

SEEING ANNIE the journey of four Okie photographers to see Annie Leibovitz lecture in the land of enchantment

art focus

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SUPPLY the elephant in the room photo essay and editorial by Jamie Alsabrook and Aimee Tietze Adams

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sections ADVENTURE SAN JUANS 30 THE a kayak adventure from lopez

WELLNESS YOUR BEING 7 ACTIVATE connecting with your higher purpose, by Claire Ragozzino

island, by Carl Zoch

YUM CITY DESIGN HOME WITH BRENT SWIFT 15 AT with a passion for remodelling homes, Brent Swift opens up his own, and his path

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THE SMOKEY AFFAIR

matchmaking scotch with cheese

by Angela Renee Chase photos by Candi Coffman

LIFESTYLE CONCEIRGE

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DIRECTORY

TRAVEL SCOTLAND 122 CHASING touring guide by globetrotter Robin Chase

PHOTO BY CARL ZOCH v o l .

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INDULGE RADIATE REVIVE THE DAY

LE VISAGE DAY SPA

LOVE YOURSELF 6

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ACTIVATE YOUR BEING v o l .

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“How you do anything is how you do everything...�

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What would your life look like if each decision you made came from a place of conscious intention? Would you spend less time lingering online and more time outdoors? Would you slow down to connect with those around you rather than getting lost in your to-do lists? The choices we make in each moment shapes the course of our lives, and as the saying goes, “How you do anything is how you do everything.” To live mindfully means to become a conscious creator of your life, to elevate the everyday ordinary into something extraordinary.

By aligning our daily intentions and actions with our three layers of being – Body, Mind & Spirit – we activate a more meaningful life and connect with our higher purpose.

BODY It’s no mystery that when our physical body is suffering, so is our mind and spirit. We must first nourish our bodies with fresh air, sunlight, whole foods, and movement each day to create an environment for elevated consciousness to thrive.

Text by Claire Ragozzino Styling credit for ring by BohoGypsy

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Eat The consciousness of our bodies and minds are both the direct cause and result of the diet we eat. Eating, as our most basic and habitual act, defines what happens in our physical and emotional states of being. We can choose to heal our bodies, purify our minds and elevate our lives simply by the foods we consume. In Ayurveda, foods that promote a pure body and mind are called Sattvic foods.

To eat a sattvic diet means to enjoy whole natural fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains that are grown in harmony with nature and prepared with an attitude of love. Avoid canned, boxed, and preserved foods that are lifeless and leave the body always craving more and the mind unsatisfied. Instead opt for local, organically grown foods that are available at your farmer’s markets. These high energy sattvic foods promote longevity, strength, health and happiness in body, mind and spirit.

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Breath The food and water we drink is just as important as the air we breathe. Did you know breathing is actually the second pillar of whole body nutrition? With each breath, our blood is actually cleansing and alkalizing as we inhale oxygen and exhale out carbon dioxide. Take a pause a few times throughout the day to notice your breathing. As you breathe, focus on using your diaphragm to inhale deeply and exhale slowly with control. Long, slow exhales also shift your body out of the cortisol-producing sympathetic nervous system and into the parasympathetic nervous system, where our bodies rest, digest and heal.

Move Conscious movement is the third pillar of holistic nutrition and the key to assimilating all the wonderful nutrients we take in.

Get outside, move your body, breathe, connect with nature, and connect with your physical self!

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MIND We create our lives with every thought, every dream and every intention that comes to mind. Choose your thoughts and words wisely. Through conscious meditation and daily intention crafting, honor your most thrilling and potent dreams to connect with your deeper purpose. Meditation takes us beyond the ego-mind into the silence and stillness of pure consciousness. This does not always look like the silent yogi sitting on a mountainside, eyes closed and deep in trance. Meditation comes in many forms. Running is a form of movement meditation, so is tai chi, and so is yoga. It’s all about where our intentions are at and how we connect in with the moment to find that still place. If you find stillness and reflection while doing the dishes, then make this your time to quiet your mind and step outside of all that mental chatter.

Whether it’s 5 minutes or an hour, take the time you need each day to slow down, reflect, and deeply connect your analytical mind with your deeper intuitive intellect.

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Craft Intentions An intention is a directed impulse of consciousness that contains the seed form of what we seek to create. Like any seed, intentions can’t grow unless we nurture them.

Only when we plant our intentions into the fertile depths of our consciousness, our intuitive intellect, can they grow and flourish. The best time to plant our intentions is right after we meditate, the time when our awareness remains centered in the quiet field of possibilities. Using pen and paper, write your intention down - whether it is to eat nourishing foods, to exercise outside that day, or to land the job of your dreams – the process of focusing your attention on your intention is the first step to fulfilling your true desires.

SPIRIT By nourishing body and mind with pure foods and mindful v o l .

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activities, we in turn nourish our souls. We peel away the layers of external clutter to tap into a deeper place of intuition. Through a daily practice of living the intentions we craft and honoring our work with gratitude, we begin to live a more spirited life.

Practice Gratitude Gratitude is a potent practice. But it’s just that, a practice!

So pick up a new blank notebook, title it “Gratitude Journal”, and keep it by your bedside. Before you go to sleep, take 5 minutes to reflect on your day and write down (don’t just think it!) what you were grateful for. It could be as simple as “I’m grateful for the perfect cup of tea I drank this morning” or “I’m grateful that all the traffic lights were green on my drive to work this morning”. Don’t by shy to explore both the seemingly simple and the deeply profound moments in your day. It’s through this daily gratitude practice that we activate our being and connect with our higher purpose.

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TIPS TO ACTIVATE YOUR NOURISHMENT

Eating is an act of identity. What you put in your body and how you do it becomes a part of who you are. Rather than rushing through a meal or regretting the choices you made afterwards, take the act of eating as a divine opportunity to elevate and activate your higher being.

CRAFT YOUR INTENTION While you prepare your food/drink, consider an outcome you hope to achieve in your life. Create an affirmation 12

around this desired goal, a positive statement beginning with “I am ________�. Repeat this three times or more while making your food with the intention of it becoming a part of your meal, consider it an extra ingredient to draw together the flavors and nutrition your spirit needs.

FIND QUIETUDE Eating is a meditation if you allow it to be. When preparing and enjoying your meals, quiet the external and internal chatter to find complete union in the moment.

Turn off any loud music, tv, heated conversation or any other distraction that pulls you away from being completely present each step of the way.

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CREAT What yo a part o meanin and spi Before I cooke Close y taking y food yo

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TE A RELATIONSHIP ou eat becomes a part of you and you will become of it. By recognizing this union, you can establish a ngfulrelationship - body, mind irit - with each food you choose to consume. eating, quietly repeat to yourself, “I selected you, ed you, I brought you here to become part of me.� your eyes and feel each bite as you chew slowly, your time to honor the experience of the nourishing ou have chosen.

from Claire at www.vidyacleanse.com v o l .

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Jo Meacham / Urban Kitchens Principal, Masters in Architecture & Historic Preservation

Meet Jo Meacham, kitchen designer of OKC’s fine Urban Residences & Historic Homes Uniquely qualified With her Masters in Architecture & Historic Preservation, from the University of Oklahoma, Jo Meacham is OKC’s kitchen designer specializing in masterful kitchens for our city’s fine urban residences and historic homes.

Architecturally appropriate Most importantly, Urban Kitchens are thoughtfully designed to embrace your home’s unique architecture, express your personality and enhance your lifestyle. urbankitchensok.com Call Jo for an appointment at the showroom or for a design consultation in your home. Jo Meacham, 405.702.7747 urban kitchens / 3515 N Classen Blvd. OKC, OK 73118

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AT HOME with

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When not at the helm of one of his many restoration and building projects, Brent can be found doing what most fathers of toddlers would be doing, chasing after his nearly 2-year-old Stone with partner Alisse. A busy Builder and inspired problem solver, Brent wakes each day excited to bring something new to a client’s vision or simply see what will unfold when diving into figuring things out.

Raised in San Diego, Brent resisted the move to Tecumseh, Oklahoma when he was 8. Describing himself as a young guy who was pretty good at sports, but “terrible in school,”

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he searched different outlets, and explored the East Coast upon high school graduation for a few years. When he returned from his Jersey journey, Brent enrolled at OU in Norman, and fell in love with the college experience. A Communications and Business Major, he paid attention and decided to take the leap west coast side in Los Angeles upon completing requirements.

While in Los Angeles, he worked as a Runner for a few television shows and it was there he discovered his mantra— “The most valuable lesson I ever learned in business was on the Disney lot working on a tv show and a Producer asked me to go get something off the lot and I said, “Where is that at”? His reply changed my response to everything in my life.

He said “Figure it out!” I realized at that moment it was up

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to me to make it happen…” Brent worked in LA for a while and not a fan of the inconsistent work contracts, decided to head back to Oklahoma to work for the television stations for a more predictable schedule. It was while driving one night home from the station, he recalls his epiphany to start a construction company. At the time, he was not versed in building practices, but immediately began pulling power from his new mantra and knew he would “figure it out.”

BUILDING With a passion for outdoor living spaces, Deck Works Construction emerged into the market designing and providing creative patio solutions. As Deck Works grew, the opportunity arose to become more involved in more building projects as client’s sought Brent’s insight with design and

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planning other parts of the home, instead of just the outdoor spaces. Several years ago he began working closely with Butzer Gardner Architects out of Oklahoma City and they are his go-to team for inspiration and pulling innovative angles together from tentatively loose plans. He shares, “Hans Butzer and Jeremy Gardner inspire my creativity and they would agree it’s a creative process that we go through. I have never just built to a plan… I always make changes and alterations based on my own thoughts.” With a passion to ignite creativity amongst his team, Brent adds, “Not to say I’m not creative -I am. I love designing and creating new spaces, but creativity is contagious and a group is more creative than one individual. I use this with homeowners as well… often I say ‘What do you think?’ This always starts a brain storm. My carpenters are a creative bunch

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“ I realized at that moment it was up to me to make it happen…”

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of individuals… I have a great team and I rely on them to help me create amazing products. I listen and ask everyone’s opinion before I make the final call on most everything.” Brent’s team with Deck Works also creates many modern custom and built in features with their carpentry talent.

THE BERRY HOUSE The Bussey family were the previous owners of the home from the time it was built in 1957, until Brent purchased the home in 2012. Brent is intrigued to know the Architects and offers “the plans say Day and Bradshaw Designers,” but he has investigated and due to the first name not being provided, he is unaware of further insight which went into designing the home. A friend was under contract to buy the home and invited Brent for a viewing. Upon this visit, he told the potential buyer he would love to purchase the property, the 22

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contract fell through and Brent Stunning features drew his inte and the half acre lot and vast b family with plenty of open spac which are unique to the home points from which to take in th overhang with a thin edge deta plane to the house, and the m fireplace create a great sophis living and den spaces. Aside fr adds, “the floor plan simply live owners completed 2 remodels garage and master suite in the came leaving the footprint inta all the living spaces. He made modernizing all the finishes, wh detail – the statuary marble cu space. The family especially lo suite wing in it’s placement to

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t was ready and next in line. erest – the fireplace, the roofline backyard spoils the young ce. Architectural elements and provide new vantage he space. The 4 foot roof ail creates a great horizontal massing and texture of the sticated separation between rom the modern lines, Brent es well.� While the original s on the home, adding the e 60’s, Brent and his team act but rethought and designed the kitchen twice as large while hile adding and interesting ubed wall in the center of the oves the privacy of the master the main living area.

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“At the end of the day I want my son Stone to be able to say, ‘Hey, my dad did that’… I hope this will give him a sense of pride.”

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INSPIRED + LEGACY Brent’s inspiration seems to follow him these days, he adds a little meditation and a cup of coffee send him on his way. A passion of his, “I’m inspired by the process of renovating older homes and buildings.

I’m continually just having to ‘figure it out’ every day of my life...” He views sustainability as part of the life cycle in his practice affirming “Rehab of any house is a pretty strong nod to sustainability. We enjoy restoring homes and buildings that need help. Pretty sustainable in my mind.” His parent’s continue to inspire Brent, as his Mother works for him as she has for the past 14 years and he has a strong attachment to his fathers wood carvings and art. Grateful for the legacy of creating spaces with purposeful planning and hard work, he hopes to leave a mark which will inspire his Stone. “At the end of the day I want my son Stone to be able to say, ‘Hey, my dad did that’… I hope this will give him a sense of pride.”

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NJUANS a kayak adventure from Lopez island

story and photos by CARL ZOCH v o l .

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I t O i d N f b s n d i I n d

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I was living in Hood River, Oregon at the time and my friend Patrick was visiting from Oklahoma City. We were throwing around ideas of how we could spend our time during the week he would be in the Great Northwest. The decision came pretty easily for us: a detailed visit to all of the local breweries in Hood River, then throw two sea kayaks on the roof of my car and drive north, to the San Juan Islands. Our plans didn’t extend much further then that, which is pretty typical of us and a lifestyle that I’ve adopted over the years. This approach never seems to fail in the good memory department either.

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The San Juan Islands are a small chain of islands located in the most northwestern corner of the United States. They sit between Vancouver BC and the US mainland (Seattle area). With minimal research, we decided to jump on the ferry that would take us from Anacortes, WA to Lopez Island. From there, we would find a local kayak shop and ask for beta on the most bang-for-buck tour that we could get ourselves into with the timeframe that we had, three days. The shop owner pointed us towards a group of tiny islands on the east side of Lopez Island. We were psyched.

Since we were putting in on the west side it guaranteed us a multi-day paddle around Lopez Island. Our partial idea of this trip had now evolved into somewhat of a plan. We packed up the kayaks and went for it. Whatever it was.

Maintaining our distance a few hundred yards from the shore, we paddled north. We stopped along the way to explore places of intrigue and eventually made it to the east size of Lopez Island. From there we could see a group of very small islands. We paddled for a few hours and eventually hit shore. The tiny island that we landed on was filled with trees, cliffs and not a person in sight. We were stoked! We portaged our kayaks above the high-tide line and quickly found the highest point on the island to watch the sunset. I pulled out beans, a hand-grinder and made 34

us some coffee. The sunlight was incredible and we had just scored a remote small island that would be ours for the night. I topped off our coffee with whiskey, raised my mug and made a toast to Island life. The good life!

We slept on the shore that night. Patrick roped up his hammock between a huge stump and an overhanging tree.

We made a fire, polished off the last of the whiskey and watched whales breach right in front of us as they were migrating. This all happened under an incredible blanket of stars and suddenly we didn’t feel so alone on a remote island. It was surreal. I smoothed out a body-sized bed in the sand, threw down my sleeping bag and crawled in.

I drifted off to sleep thinking to myself how insane it was that I was sleeping so close to killer whales that would continue to migrate past us through the night.

I woke up before sunrise to the sound of birds and small waves splashing against a nearby cliffside. The fog was so heavy that the visibility couldn’t have been more than 50 feet. I looked over and Patrick was still bivvied up in his hammock. I jumped out of my bag, grabbed my camera and proceeded to explore the small island. I ran along cliff-sides, bouldered over the sea (always a smart move with camera gear) and eventually made my way back to O K I E M A M A

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camp, where coffee and oatmeal awaited. The weather that morning came as a welcomed surprise and chalked up to be on of my best memories to date. There aren’t many things in my book that compete with exploration at dawn. Especially when in dense fog, amongst massive trees and cliff-sides offering views into oblivion.

After breakfast the fog lifted and we set out north. We didn’t anticipate the massive headwind that would blast us for hours as we inched our way back to Lopez island. It was painfully slow. We had miles to go and pretty quickly into our start I realized that my skeg (acts like a rudder that is mounted on the sternward side of the kayak) was stuck, not allowing me to paddle or navigate with efficiency. I was working twice as hard as I should have been. The joke was on me. The skeg had been acting funky for the past few months but I just ignored it and dealt. There I was, in my own grave paddling for hours while the salted wind pounded us.

Still, it was worth it.

We eventually hit the shore of Lopez island. We were worked.

We ate lunch, passed out for a bit and then continued north to find a spot for the night. The next morning offered similar experiences to the morning before. We finished breakfast and paddled west into the fog. It was silent. The only thing I could hear was my paddle swooping in and out of the water and the little drops that it would throw along the way. The sea was glass and it felt like we were hovering just inches above it. I thought to myself that if I could bottle this experience up, then I’d be pretty stoked. I pulled my camera out of my dry-bag and took a few photographs that would serve as my bottled experience for a later date. We then rounded the island and made our way south, back to where we began our 36

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“There aren’t many things in my book that compete with exploration at dawn.” v o l .

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journey. I smiled and was fulfilled with our decision to keep our plans and expectations for the trip with a loose grip.

I recently asked Patrick what comes to mind when he thinks back on our times in the San Juans. His response was pretty awesome: “It was beautiful. It was challenging, I’ll never be able to drink coffee and whiskey again without thinking about that trip.” v o l .

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For me, there are two types of trips. Ones with detailed itineraries and ones that leave room for life to happen. The kind of life that can’t be plugged into an excel sheet. This trip was a simple yet poignant reminder that in the end it’s all about the journey and the experiences along the way.

From my experience, once you let go of your expectations of whatever destination means to you, you’re able to open up and be present for what the journey has to offer.

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THE SMOKEY AFFAIR v o l .

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oord Hollander, a friendly 4-year-old aged Dutch Gouda, presents an inviting simplicity, in flavor, while carrying-out a fun crossover that manages to capture the joys of more than one familiar cheese types: like the heartiness of aged cheddars and the sweetness of popular aged Goudas. The Hollander delivers, in texture, a nice completed package of tiny crunchy salt crystals scattered throughout. This pasteurized high quality cow‘s milk cheese is coffee’s perfect match and works lovely as a salty addition to dessert layouts; especially chocolate! Besides its beautiful orange flesh highlighting any spread; it also brings a surprising caramel character to the party.

Flavors of coffee and chocolate are known pairing friends to Scotch, this of course lends to the question of “If Scotch and Noord Hollander share the same friends, would they get along?” Yes. Scotch, itself, is a complex spirit and can take a little time to discover the importance in the magical balance between body texture and layers of flavor: from immediately hitting the tongue and dissipating, into the vapors twirling around and escaping the nasal. The intensity of Scotch can hit strong at first and then release into its simple elements of floral, herbal, smoky, malty, spicy. The Hollander eases in to its subtle surprise, allowing for initial satisfying expectations of the cheddary/gouda; then the candy-sweet- caramel surfaces and texture breakdown develops a delayed complexity. The Hollander’s finish leaves without overpowering the palate, just fading back into elemental components. When paired with Glenmorangie’s Quinta Ruban, single malt, this cheese is lifted beyond its own maturity; the sweetness takes a backseat while the specific notes of caramel are burnt further into a smoky finish.

TeaHive cheddar, an American-made specialty by the Beehive Cheese Company located in Utah; displays a unique visual character with pastry-like encrusted rind, rubbed with crushed black tea and laced with pure bergamot orange oil. This Creamy pasteurized Jersey cow’s milk dressed with a floral [suit] gives to unraveling flavor until its finish. While many cheese mongers may like to steer-clear of its potential messiness; it’s well worth the mild patience to handle and cut down into desirable pieces: your company will adore you. Known as a “feel good” cheese, it can rush in the essence of spring to a winter gathering.

Scotch, in the serious tasting world, comes in-hand with cigars and fun fancy cigarettes. But, when those accompanying elements are not part of one’s enjoyment, or lifestyle indulgencies, we can easily turn to the foods that provide that flavor spectrum. TeaHive comes equipped with an earthy aroma, making it interesting to find its complementary friends in spirits. It pairs nicely with fruity and floral wines, plus chocolaty stouts. Sounds like a friend of Scotch. Paired with Glenmorangie’s Nectar 12 Year, Extra Aged Single Malt, TeeHive turns from a dainty [lady] into Scotch’s best smoking buddy. These two bring out the taste of cigar and leather without the smoke. v o l .

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Written by: Angela Renee Chase Photography: Candi Coffman Styling Team: Angela Renee Chase + Dana Joy Scott Food: Forward Foods Scotch: The Spirit Shop v o l .

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Mimolette, commonly enjoyed in France, Germany, Holland, and closely surrounding areas, is always first noted for its bright deep orange flesh. Luckily for this cheese, with its gorgeous crater-like crust, and for [customers] that quickly take to its eye-catching color; it delivers a slight cheddar familiarity but most important, the flavors of nuts!

The more aged, the more nutty; reaching closer to 18 months being its latest primetime. Cutting and slicing Mimolette is much easier when left out to reach room temperature while increasing all its flavors to come forth. Glenmorangie’s Original, Ten Year, paired with the hard cheese of Mimolette: makes for a good smooth texture releasing a woody-smoky flavor. Go ahead and add other accompaniments, especially sweets, to the palate because the cheese is definitely working the savory department. Other cheeses to add to your Scotch pairing: Humbodlt Fog, goat cheese, Grana Padano, cow cheese, Parmesan Reggiano, cow cheese Everyone’s Friend: Johnnie Walker Black. No need to frantically search for a perfect match, Johnnie Walker Black manages to pair well with various types of cheese, nuts, cured meats, chocolate, and coffee… The list seems eminent, and gives ample room to experiment with all that could fit the setting; resulting in many palatable pleasures while stumbling on each personal favorite food pairing.

To me, JW Black is the epitome of blended scotch whisky. What single malts are used in the blend (there are over 40) as well as percentages of said single malts is a closely guarded secret, but i feel like one can deconstruct Black Label to determine at least some of its parts. Fruit from Cardhu and smoke from Lagavulin are the two main components that jump out most readily. The freedom to blend allows Black Label to combine the strengths of multiple single malts from different regions to create a signature flavor and style year after year. The minimum age of 12 years ensures smoothness, the classic blend ensures balance.

Glenmorangie’s ubiquitous 10 year old is, in a way, opposite from black label, but certainly no less compelling. While it’s not a one trick pony, it is definately in a particular camp as far as single malts go. Light and fresh, this highland offers little in the way of peat, but loads of up front fruit, a flowery nose and a delicate body for a whisky with such complex and layered flavors. One of the more versatile scotches on the market, this one pairs well with a variety of foods from vanilla ice cream to dried apricots to a wide range of cheeses. This one is a great introduction for scotch beginners due both to its light and approachable flavor profile as well as its friendly price point.

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BRAID CREATIVE the sisters

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A little history with the brilliant sisters behind international virtual design studio Braid Creative.

As Sisters, did you play together growing up?

If so, what did you play?

Tara: “Kathleen was more of the tomboy, out in the neighborhood stirring up trouble on her skateboard or practicing electric guitar with the boy next door, and I was more the indoor girl, drawing or reading in my room. But I do recall playing office together in our room. We made our brother be the client. We turned our canopy bed into an office with the curtains closed, made him wait for a really long time in the “waiting room” and then some sort of vague paperwork was exchanged, signed and that was the end of the transaction! Ha.”

Are you Native Okies? Whereabouts are you front and how did that place shape you or your current life direction?

Kathleen: “We grew up in Norman, Oklahoma. It was a great place to grow up, being a college town, there were a lot of creatives and it seemed easy to find kids that sort of fit in with whatever you were into, art-geek, band-geek, renaissancefair geek! We may or may not have been involved in all three of those categories, wink, wink.”

The one thing your parents did right?

Kathleen: Our parents have very in-the-box office jobs, but have always fostered this really creative, fun, “say-what-youthink” (Dad) or “lets-make-something-cool-today” (Mom) home life. Our brother is actually a sideshow performer in New York. So when people find out their three kids are in such artistic fields, they always ask “how did your kids end up so creative!?” And they just kinda shrug like, how could it really be any other way?

Tara: I’d say also our Dad never really made any sort of distinguishment between Kathleen and I and our brother. He’s such a feminist it’s a moot point to even discuss it. Our mom is the same way. We never had these discussions about what a girl could do if she just set her mind to it. Because honestly, we were “off to the races” from schooldays on, they probably just didn’t have a chance to even remind us.

Your team is blazing trails for creatives working in the virtual world. What are the biggest challenges you find working with clients virtually?

Tara: Oh man, Skype can be a bit of a pain when it’s wonky!

Video chatting isn’t always without it’s bumps. But really, that’s nothing compared to how cool it is putting pins in our corkboard map each time we get to work for another creative in Boston, Seattle, Miami, Houston, Toronto and most recently Melbourne, Australia! Because other creative entrepreneurs find us online, that’s just the world we live in and how we’re able to connect with them, and ultimately give them meaningful brand and business guidance.

Did your team experience growing pains? If so or not, how can you best relate/advise others on pushing through?

Tara: I would say the most dramatic time was less about growing pains, and more about just that initial launch into entrepreneurship. When you start your own business it can feel a bit like running full speed off the edge of a cliff.

A business coach once told me, “you are like Wiley Coyote chasing the roadrunner in those old cartoons, you have gone off the cliff, and are running in midair, on adrenaline, on possibility, on this goal you’ve decided to go for – just don’t look down. Because the coyote never falls, until he looks down and realizes he can.”

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your clients to gain confidence to stand out?

Kathleen: The best way our creative clients can gain confidence in their dream job, is to keep taking on work that helps craft that dream engagement for them. So if they are a graphic designer, a photographer or a writer, if they can really try to focus in on a special kind of style they can be known for, and a specific kind of dream client, and then practice doing work in that narrow but deep pool, they can really start to feel more like an expert and less like an order-taker.

Because it doesn’t take long for a dream job, to become un-dreamy, even if you created it for yourself.

Kathleen: I’d also say that a lot of times creatives lack the words to really describe, even at a party or in an over-coffee conversation, what it is they do. I sometimes joke that it makes them seem unemployed instead of self-employed when they falter in describing what it is they’re all about and how they make a living. So we love giving them those words - designers, photographer, even writers funny enough, to say “This is what I do, for these kinds of clients, who are really into the style I’m known for.”

where they declare they are going to move away to some big city. And a lot of us do, and are really successful. And some of us stay. I’ve had that moment where I really had to choose. I chose to stay, to be near my family who I hang out with every Saturday without fail, to be able to live in a historical house in a cool affordable neighborhood right in the heart of the city.

And then something really cool has happened in just the last three or five years I’d say, that this creative “tribe” of really amazing people who startied to open businesses, and have a voice in the community. These are the people I’m running into all the time now at new independent local restaurants and shops and street festivals – in all these great districts that have really started to come along at the same time. In fact, the first year of Braid almost all our creative clients came from other cities. Lately so many creatives working for themselves right here in Oklahoma have found us, and they want personal branding, they want guidance on their business vision, and they want to make their dream happen – here.

What has been one big method or learned experience for success you would like to share?

Tara: I’d say the reason we’ve been able to really hone in on our own niche, working with other creatives, and then sustain that in such a quick time, is because we 1. share what we know on our blog, through our emails, and just in conversations all the time... we give away so much, tips, advice, and the behind-the-scenes of our own journey, that our dream customers find us, and want more. 2. we do it as likeable experts, that doesn’t mean all nicey-nice, just that we use a personal voice not a corporate or generic one. There is a lot of overlap between who we are and what we do, and so our website, and our way of describing how to hire us, is the same way. But the biggest takeaway for us, is we always think of ourselves as creative experts. We have a method for getting really great work done for our clients, and if they love it, and love us, then we’re a fit. If not, that’s cool too, we can continue to root for each other, but we don’t have to work together. We always leave room in our workflow, and just in our heads for the right dream customers to come along.

That means saying no a lot. But we always do it nicely! Ha!

Something others dont know about each of you: Tara: Everyone knows everything about us because we share so much, ha! Kathleen can juggle. Tara is obsessed with eighties movies. And our family is the first one you’d turn to if there really were an apocalypse because we grew up watching Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome about a million times as kids. Zombies, radioactivity, global duststorms, whatever – we could very well form a roving chainmailwearing clan within days – especially with our brothers knife throwing and fire breathing skills.

Any candid advice you would give back to the okie culture at large?

Kathleen: Creatives who grew up here in Oklahoma all have this moment, usually around your teen or college years v o l .

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KEEP IT LOCAL the friends

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With some cornerstones in being genuine amigos, these guys put the double dose of love in their community-based business model and share a lot that you didn’t already know about Keep It Local OK.

& other makers who happen to be our neighbors and that care about some of the same things we care about. These folks work really hard behind the scenes to build a successful business and craft a unique experience for people in the community to enjoy.

Can you each talk about the spark to create Keep It Local?

Bryce: One of the biggest challenges we faced was the balancing act of getting businesses to sign up for a membership and selling Keep It Local cards at the same time. Turns out, people don’t want to buy cards unless there are businesses to use them at and businesses don’t want to sign up if there are no cardholders. So we had to rely on early adopters and people who believed in and were willing to invest in the idea. Eventually, there was enough momentum in both card sales and businesses joining and the movement began to pick up the pace.

Chris: We’ve been a two-man operation since we launched in 2010. When we started, all we had was an idea and the willingness to do something with it. We weren’t experts, we didn’t have a lot of resources, we were just two regular guys, so it seemed like a pretty huge task to take on an entire state and convince locals (business owners and consumers) to give our vision a shot. We’re really thankful for all the business owners who believed in our idea during that very first year when we had no track record yet or proof that it would work.

Bryce: I have always been one of those people who prides themselves on finding the new places to eat and shop, so when friends or family would come into town, I put together a list of cool places they need to try out. Having been selfemployed at the time (photography and graphic design) I had a strong interest in how small business works, so when Chris came to me with the idea of starting a shop local program, I was very interested.

Chris: I enjoy traveling and discovering new restaurants, coffee shops and boutiques that are unique to their community. I think it’s fun to experience the local flavor whenever I find myself in a new place. Traveling with my family in the summer of 2009, I became aware of a couple of shop local campaigns in other states and I identified with their mission. After a little encouragement from my wife I talked to Bryce, who had his own photography and graphic design business at the time, and we decided to spread the idea of intentionally supporting local business in Oklahoma.

We wanted to create a movement that people could connect & interact with that would help give them a sense of pride about being from Oklahoma. We also wanted to give people an action step and not just tell them they should shop local, so we decided to figure out a way to reward consumers for choosing to support local business. That’s why we introduced the Keep It Local Card. It seemed like a fun way to help people discover the best local spots.

Where were each of you in your lives?

Bryce: At the time, I had a photography and graphic design business called Squint Studios.

Chris: When we started Keep It Local OK, I was working for a local bank. I spent most of my days researching transactions and crunching numbers - it didn’t provide me with the creative outlet that I really wanted, so I would usually end up doing a lot of daydreaming.

The founding premise/mission you have built Keep It Local on?

Bryce: We want to shine a light on all of the wonderful and unique local restaurants, retailers and services Oklahoma has to offer. We want to bring awareness to the economic benefits of spending money in your own community with local and independently owned providers. We also hope that this creates an outlet for people to express their pride in our great state by supporting local business and investing in their communities.

Chris: It was really formed around the idea of community.

We wanted to help connect people to their city and introduce them to the local business owners, artists, chefs 56

Biggest challenges you faced in moving this project to the public?

We have talked about how you have been approached by people in other states who have viewed your model and wanted to pick your brain? How did you respond to this?

Both: Yes, we get calls and emails from people around the country who either want us to bring Keep It Local to their city, already run a buy local program, or are interested in starting up a program. Since we don’t plan on franchising Keep It Local to other cities (seems weird to franchise a local movement), we don’t see them as competition, so I usually offer them tips and beneficial feedback.

As you have watched Keep It Local grow... what are some things you have noticed with the community while building it?

Bryce: I have seen a real push by the community to “Keep It Local.” It has been great to see the cardholders take such pride in using their cards at local businesses and then promoting it on social media. From a promotional standpoint, that is the best “word of mouth” those businesses and the keep it local movement could get. It is starting to feel like a cultural shift is taking place from, “where is the cheapest place I can spend money?” to “how can I support my friends, neighbors, and community with my dollars?”

Chris: There’s so much energy in Oklahoma and people are really proud to be Okies - it’s awesome because it hasn’t always felt that way. Oklahomans are loyal to each other and we want to see each other succeed. This support from the O K I E M A M A

community gives people permission, in a way, to take an idea they’ve been dreaming about and give it a try because they can see others doing it and they see the way that people in the community cheer them on. We kind of have this “if you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us” mentality.

Would you say Keep It Local is a dream for each of you — come true?

Bryce: Five or six years ago I had no clue that I would be fortunate enough to be involved in operating a program like Keep It Local. It brings together a combination of things I am interested in, has a positive effect on the community, and I now have a couple of hundred new friends. So yes, I would say it has been a dream come true.

Chris: When I was a kid, I dreamed of playing in the NBA like Michael Jordan. Although it hasn’t helped me “Be Like Mike,” Keep It Local OK has given me the opportunity to be involved in something that matters to me and that has the potential to help make a difference in the community. It combines a lot of things that I enjoy like good food, music & art and I’ve been fortunate enough to meet a lot of really great people that I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise.

OK. It really inspires us to dream bigger about what we want to accomplish as a business on a regular basis.

Do each of you have any personal heros?

Bryce: There are characteristics of many men and women that I consider heros that inspire me and that I admire. What inspires me are people who start from nothing and, against all odds, create a product, service, or a movement that goes on to change culture and history for the better. What I admire are people who go about it the right way. People who have integrity, who work hard, who are sacrificial, who persevere, and who don’t have to take advantage of others in order to succeed. Many of my heros are historically famous, but others are people that I have the good fortune of knowing.

Chris: I admire and look up to people who have a dream and put their own blood, sweat & tears into making it a reality. It’s usually harder than it looks.

If so, how has this one dream assisted you in looking down the road into your future careers?

Bryce: It has given me the confidence to chase after ideas and projects that I am interested in. It has also taught me to trust my instincts for what works. Not to mention the relationships I have built with like-minded people, businesses owners, artist, designers, consultants and community leaders over the past few years that I am sure will open doors to future inspiration and opportunities.

Chris: The support we’ve received from like-minded people from across the state and beyond has helped fuel new ideas for projects that we’d like to tackle in the future with Keep It Local OK. I can’t overstate how valuable the support of business owners and local lovers alike has been to the growth of Keep It Local v o l .

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THE STRUBLES the plaza lovers

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The lovely Strubles shape the live vibe with their development talents in the Plaza District.

Where were you in your lives as a family when you decided to take the first step in building out the Plaza District?

When we made our first purchase in the Plaza District in April of 2006, we were living in Shepherd Neighborhood, Our sons were age 11 (Patrick) and 4 (Aden). Aimee was a Realtor and ran the construction company behind the scenes. I was renovating for well over 8 years and had started new construction to fill urban lots since since 2003. We were a young and vibrant family.

Talk about that first project and how the doors began to open in your development.

Our first project was No Regrets/Salvage Room/Paint N Cheers/Plaza Distict office building. This building was in such disrepair sat vacant for many years mostly served as storage, with no roof, no stairs to access the 2nd floor. The owner at that time really convinced us to buy this property and made us an offer we couldn’t refuse. We were in residential development and had never thought about commercial investment.

We did believe the Plaza District was making a shift, though slowing changing, we saw the potential. Susan Hogan, who served as the Plaza Director at that time, invited us to the Urban Pioneer Award Luncheon that year in 2006 and we attended and felt the energy.

We were informed of Lyric theater opening in the near future. We then decided to pursue more property and we could because there were not a lot of buyers.

What were the main challenges you endured in following this pursuit?

The main challenges were securing the right tenants that understood the vision for what the Plaza District could be which needed to be a creative force for the city. We had 17,000 square feet of vacant commercial space and bills to pay! Our one piece of wisdom is you have to go with your gut feeling on who and what you believe in. The creative entrepreneurs starting out do not always have a strong financial assets but do have the desire and creativity to make an area cool.

Can you briefly describe your earliest grassroots version of LIVE on the Plaza?

Earliest Grass Roots consisted of The Bradways (DNA), Lindsey Zudrow (Collected Thread), Estrella Evans (Velvet Monkey), Keith Rinearson (PhotoArt) and Dead Center planning events for Live over pizza and beer in random spaces in the PD. We needed bodies, consumers, people to experience the shops that were open for business and potential business owners that we had great spaces for lease. We handed out 60

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postcards, (social media was not the norm yet) and posters on Western and Paseo. Everyone involved worked hard to get the word out about Live.

Would you say the PLAZA Development project is a dream for each of you — come true?

The Plaza District is more than what we dreamed‌we wanted 1 cool restaurant to place us on the map and now we have 6 eating establishments in a 2 block span with cool art and local shops!

Any details you want to share the dream has taught or built within you?

You have to have a willingness to change your plans along the way, be a chameleon. A lot of the Plaza businesses have had to adapt and change or face extinction! Fake it until you make it! Suit up and show up!

What have you watched change amongst the surrounding community as your buildout progressed?

We have seen the people in the surrounding communities change their perception of the Plaza District. They want to live in the Plaza District and surrounding neighborhoods because of the vibe and they want to be a part of the local, live scene. Watching and hearing people talk and discover the Plaza District is what excites us.

Do you have or have you had in your lives personal heros or ethical practices of people you admired?

Aimee: My mother Delores Struble instilled in me through example that - if you make an appointment with someone, you meet them at that time, you tell someone you are going to do something and you do it!. Jeff has shown me through his example get up, get dressed and get going out that door every morning whether you have somewhere to go or not, you will then discover your path/job/career!

Jeff: Aimee is my moral/ethical compass, she keeps me grounded.

If there is one piece of candid advice you feel would be beneficial to the Oklahoma audience, what would you from your experience want to see change?

Imagine what could be for a community/ neighborhood and start there! v o l .

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A personal errand running service

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Give yourself the gift of time!

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equinox MAGIC T U L S A

PHOTOGRAPHS BY CARL ZOCH ARTICLE INSIGHT: KATE WALLACE Getting married barefoot on Autumn Equinox with a farm to table dinner followed by a light show set into perfect motion with a gypsy jazz soundtrack sounds like magic. Kate and Bryon of Tulsa show future couples how to effortlessly plan a wedding with meaning that everyone will recall in days and years to come. The biggest challenge for future couples who are wanting to mimic the magical undertones, is likely scoring a backyard with a view comparable to theirs. v o l .

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We got engaged on the spring equinox and got married on the fall equinox. We were engaged for exactly 6 months and we used the entirety of that engagement to plan.

Some things were decided within hours of the proposal. For instance, the wedding taking place in my parents amazing backyard was a no brainer. We immediately knew we wanted our yoga teacher, friend and ultimate peace radiator, Tom Tobias, to lead our ceremony (even though it took us 4 months to ask him). On the other hand, my bridesmaids and I were nailing the wooden signs together in our robes the morning of.

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MAKING YOUR OWN MAGIC Consider what you are doing and why. The charm to tradition, but you don’t have to d and arbitrary things that are outdated and to do with you two as a couple. We made together, and made sure it felt like us, not l production. This resulted in a very comforta wedding, and the best party ever.

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ELEMENTAL IMPORTANCE The flow. We wanted the whole evening to be effortless for us and our guests.

No awkward “what now?” moments we’ve all experienced at stuffy traditional weddings. My parent’s yard allowed this flow to happen naturally. From the ceremony in the fruit trees, to happy hour around the pool and feasting under the tent, finally some insane music performances. We didn’t make any announcements, cut the cake, have assigned seating or an official dance. We just wanted people to mingle, explore and feel free to do whatever they wanted.

ere is some do all the strange have nothing every decision like an awkward able and natural

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TRAVEL AS INSPIRATION Last summer we took a trip to Ireland and had the most amazing farm to table dinner in a greenhouse at a cooking school called Ballymaloe. One hundred people sitting at one long table and plate after plate of mouthwatering food and wine being served for hours. That experience definitely was the inspiration for our family style wedding feast. The rest of the night just filled itself in.

Music was a big part of our wedding, but we couldn’t decide what to do when my parents and I walked down the aisle. Finally we came up with bells! We got a small noah bell from India for each guest (250) and when we walked down the aisle it was the most magical and mellow sound. v o l .

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As guests arrived we had the uber talented musicians, Chris Combs and Clay Welch, playing versions of our favorite Radiohead and Bob Marley songs. During happy hour the Mike Cameron Trio played songs like Van Morrison’s Into the Mystic from a balcony above the guests. Clay Welch’s Gypsy Jazz Project played during dinner. Next to the dinner tent was a stage covered in amazing old rugs with lights floating above it.

On the stage after dinner, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey got people dancing. For the party people that stuck around, there was a grand finale of Boomclap with their psychedelic light show projected on a massive tree behind them. Also, we had an artist friend, Chris Mantle, painting abstract portraits of guests for favors. It was a hit, there were people waiting in line for an hour!

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OKIE PROUD k ri s n a t i o n s o k l a h o ma p e n d a n t; $ 4 2 i n th e mi j s h o p

U T I C A S Q U AR E T U L S A

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M O N - S AT / 1 0 - 6

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T A S T E M A K E R okc’s own megan naifeh shares the pallete of influence behind her sophisticated chic + cozy lifestyle

A word to describe your taste or style: Sophi-chic What does having a specific taste mean to you? How was your taste cultivated?

When you spend your weekends growing up with your dad on the golf course, a collar shirt is going to end up being a staple in your wardrobe inevitably. It definitely did not help that my mother does not wear dresses or skirts. She got married in a Calvin Klein pants suit for God’s sake – I was doomed from the start.

Favorite color: Depends on the season and my mood, and the weather…ok I don’t have one, I like them all. v o l .

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Your favorite 5 things at home: I’m really into simple clean photography right now.

The horse- we named him Vigo the Targaryen (part Ghostbusters part Game of Thrones), my three Marfa pics by Gray Malin (Maison Gray Photography) I love coffee table books! They are really the perfect accessory for a home, and always make a great gift.

I have 2 staple candles. One is tomato sent that I burn in the summer and the other is pepper which is for winter time. The ONLY candle smells I like.

How would you describe your personality?

Perhaps – a combination of two characters with whom people could identify...Annie Hall and Lisa Simpson. Always awkward but still a witty, independent girl who focuses on goals and tries to make a fashion statement when possible.

Living in Oklahoma: PROS and CONS for you...

Having lived in Dallas for the past 5 years I see the good and the bad about Oklahoma.

PROS – Traffic (you saw that coming), Community (with a capitol C) and Oklahoma homegrown tomatoes (they just don’t taste the same if they aren’t grown in our red earth).

CONS – Having to fly thru DFW Airport to get almost anywhere, to tornados and having to explain why we don’t want wine in grocery 80

stores. (It will put about 100 local independently owned liquor stores out of business just so you can grab a bottle of Kendall Jackson when you are at Walmart. REALLY?!)

Favorite holiday/vacay: Being in the liquor industry my family has never taken a trip from October-

December. It’s our busiest time of year!

But my favorite vacay is my mom and I’s yearly road trip. Our b-days are in August, so every year she picks me up and we hit the road. We have been all over Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, New Mexico...everywhere!

It’s a fun time. She drives. We don’t stop for potty breaks. And all are welcome!

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A favorite quote you try to live by: “If you always do what interests you, at least one person is pleased.”

Katharine Hepburn What keeps you happy?

Being a female in my industry can be tough (it’s really the last Good ol’ Boys club), so as long as I am v o l .

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passionate about my job, I am happy! Working at Central Liquor Company as a fourth generation member of the family business I am beginning to get involved with the community more. I just got accepted into the LOYAL program with Leadership Oklahoma City and I am truly enjoying the opportunities it

is giving me. Currently, I am working on a project with Ronald McDonald House as well as volunteering as a foster home for the Central Oklahoma Humane Society. I try to make a difference in people’s lives by making sure they know Champagne isn’t just for celebrations, you can drink it all year long! I do….

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engage

I have a fabulous eye for uniqueness which I love and it appears your magazine is!

Welcome new kid on the block I wish you great success! Can’t wait to get my hands on 1 & 2. -Margaretta Mosshart Baez- / reader okieMAMA is one hot MILIF (Mom I Like to get Inspiration From.) The articles are fun, cultured, and relevant to the Okie that wanna be in the know. -Matt Goad- / artist

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western kind of girl v o l .

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the makeup bar spa facial + makeover services

true north living modern furniture for home + office

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on a whim fashion + entertaining essentials

uptown kids designer styles for kids

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FUN INSPIRED ART OF TRAVEL

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THE COLORFUL WORLD OF

BETH JANSEN

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pon meeting Beth in her colorful and welcoming home space, my first question was for those who know me predictable: “When is your birthday?” “I’m a Libra,” Beth declares. “Of course you are, I retort”…If anyone in the virtual world was to stumble upon the name Beth Jansen, they will likely be met with her own unique colorful contrast trademark as a children’s Photographer. She was brilliant enough to know those seeking a similar creative style of portraiture for their childrens special milestones would be wanting something more personal, classic and colorful, often incorporating interiorscapes and details into her portraits. With a natural inclination toward finding beauty in small spaces, when she launched her career as Oklahoma’s Premier Childrens Photographer, she legitimately backed up the hype with her manual shooting and stunning editing skills. Showing a variety of space and vibrant stylescape, she lended a modern approach to what some would find a difficult age to photograph. For those who have followed her over the years have learned her colorful angle in living meshes heavily with the expectations she tries to exceed with her clients and friends. Having delivered style advice and assisted in creative direction with local boutiques in their public image, she has assisted in opening the door of influence to another chapter of creative talent geared towards modern portrait design and imagery. v o l .

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BACKSTORY Beth is more than a wild spirited red headed FashionistaPhotographer from Omaha. As a child she was…”150% into barbies and creating a home and life that was fabulous and dramatic.” She took this a few steps further into interiors and was highly influenced by her Grandmother’s taste which cultivated a unique talent for sorting thru the thrift-store and antique halls. “I endured many hours digging through other peoples’ discarded goods to make our home of interest,” she says. “I would listen to hours and hours of conversation about great finds and super deals at the local second hand store. I would make fun of them then… but like most things I am passionate about it now.” Post college, her husband Jeremiah was lined up to complete his Residency at OU and their life assignments took a collaborative turn, he would spend long hours fulfilling Doctoral requirements while Beth would pursue a new chapter as an Artistpreneur /Photographer, and Mother in Oklahoma City. When we asked what that transition looked like in hindsight, she says, “I was angry quite honestly, but I was in the middle of baby mode…my husband and I were born and raised in Omaha and all of our helpful family and very social friends were all there. While my basic human need is pretty much my ability to travel, at that time in my life I wasn’t quite prepared for the move to Oklahoma.”

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many gratuitous shoots for family and friends and knew when landing in Oklahoma, this was a chance to move her business to the next level. Seeing a niche opportunity to come into her own as OKC’s “Premier” children’s photographer, she would set her own standards and bring her colorful spirit to her artful portraits.

Advising clients to style up their shoots, her influence as a children’s photographer spread quickly, and many were adopting her (and a few other nationally known) contrasty ways, and dreams were opening up. As Jeremiah finished his Residency in Radiology and her two sons, Wesley and Ewan were getting a little older, a vision for a new modern home awaited.

THE JANSEN HOUSE The Jansen’s did not hire an Architect, but instead brought in their talented friend, Builder, Chris Candelaria to collaborate on the project.

Having a passion for modern as well as being gifted at creative building, the Jansens founded their own creative superteam. Beth admits working with friends can often prove challenging, but in the end, a friend who has the client’s interest at best heart will make a project ultimately more special. The home nearly taking two years from breaking ground, Beth wanted a house with beautiful light pouring in at any time of day. The home’s ceilings vary throughout 12ft in some spaces to 20 within the two story 92

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space including Beth’s playful studio and a luxurious guest residence attached. From stepping on to the property, you are greeted with Beth’s signature in the custom designed colorful address ornaments and the mediterranean blue double doors.

Visiting the topic of her source of inspiration, she expresses, “My icons have changed drastically throughout the years but the British tend to be my biggest source of identification. I think as a whole, the sense of humor and eclectic design style inspires me most. They take old spaces and throw modern and contemporary furnishings as well as art and make them oh so curious.” As most Designers begin with constraints present, Beth constructs spaces carefully with her blends of pattern, color, ideas and emotion altogether on one pallette and affirms, “I’m inspired most by Artists, it seems in art there are no real rules, unlike design where it boils down to science and symmetry so often.”

A bold and daring Interior Artist is bound to have a lengthy list of “musts” for the home of her dreams and she offers a little insight to those who aim to follow her lead by recommending you buy those special pieces as you go. Making deliberate purchases allows the homeowner to see the furnishings as a lifestyle investment and making these purchases as you build doesn’t bring a catastrophic “sticker shock” near the end. For Beth, the list began with the TOGO line for her “pit” by Ligne Roset, as the pit was designed around the measurements of these pieces. She adds, It’s the number one selling furniture in the world and if you sat on it with a glass of wine, you’d know why...Insanely comfortable, it sucks you in and never lets you go!” They couple also wanted some “design master” pieces like their Herman Miller lounge chairs, which they chose black and white for a him and her play. Beth is super fond of her 5x8 Slim Aarons’ “Poolside Gossip” photography print which was a musthave on a recent vacation to Palm Springs, and her Arco lamp by Flos.

Her style leans more in the direction to her “favorite things” as she reiterates, “The house is a mix of modern and v o l .

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vintage — I love the mix, not the match.” When touring the home, her creativity is often marked and supplemented with the textures from a variety of vintage wallpaper patterns. “We have vintage wallpaper from the 60s and 70s from Ketch Design and Harlequin (a UK based firm) in a room with modern Italian furniture. I always appreciate and am inspired from designs of the past so I saw no reason not to use them together in my home.”

When up against a building project of this size, the honesty from which Beth addresses their challenges is refreshing. “Challenges to designing my home...well, budget, budget, budget. Like most women I gravitate initially towards the most expensive and alluring.” Having not anticipated (as most building projects have surprises) the “bones of the interior” costing as much as did, she adds, “much of the interiors had to be compromised...

— Lucky i am a pro at thrifting and I think Oklahoma has an amazing antique market. When I can’t have fancy Italian I can find fancy thrift store.”

Admittedly calling her design vibe, “schizophrenic,” and landing on “eclectic,” her aesthetic rides a bold wave which inspires other to be fearless with their implementation and blend of pattern and color. Getting real with Beth on how she would advise others that maybe feel they are less gifted in working artfully with space, she joyfully reminds, “If you like it do it. With everything in life you can always change it – do what feels positive to you now. If you want an orange wall with a fuchsia sofa - hell yes! If you want an all white room, do it until your 2-year-old throws up in it, then buy some Jonathan Adler throw pillows…”

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I don’t try to really be the best at anything and in my lack of motivation for absolute perfection -I find a lot of balance there.�

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A girl who likes to work hard and play hard, I walked away with a load of insight to process in regards to my moments with Beth. As Libra’s balanced scales is to Sagitarius target, she does her best to place family first, be there for her boys and follow her bliss with artful living in its many forms. I was pleasantly surprised to find Beth down to earth and more relaxed in her philosophy of balance,” I don’t try to really be the best at anything and in my lack of motivation for absolute perfection -I find a lot of balance there.” For those who may have had her pegged for a Type-A’er, it looks like this one is simply a girl who wants to have fun. Not wearing any merit badges for Lifestyle Design, she expresses her love for sourcing artfully -”Vague talent, but it’s been with me forever.” v o l .

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THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM OF THE UNIVERSE, THE DISCUSSION OF THE TERM: NARCISSISM. THE WORD IS SO COMMONLY REFERENCED THAT IT DILUTES THE MEANING, AND IT GROWS IN ACCEPTANCE THROUGH ITS INCREASING PRESENCE IN SOCIAL MEDIA. THIS HYPED-UP CULTURE WE HAVE BECOME, DEVOLVED IN OUR SHIFT TOWARDS SELFIES ON THE BURGEONING CUSP OF COLLECTIVE ENTITLEMENT AMONGST THE CELEBRITY CULTURE WE BUY INTO AND UNKNOWINGLY FURTHER SHAPE. OVERSHARING WITH LITTLE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF OUR OFTEN DANGEROUS AND SEEMINGLY UNREQUITED NEED FOR EXTERNAL APPROVAL. NARCISSISM IS THE ROOT OF SELF INTEREST, NOT SELF LOVE-HOWEVER, DISPLACED SHAME, LOOKING FOR A WAY OUT, FOR A TRIBE TO LEAD BLINDLY TO THE CLIFF OF SELF FULFILLING FAME. SUPPLY SERVES AS THE ELUSIVE POWER, THE QUANTIFICATION OF FOLLOWERS, THE EXHAUSTIVE USE OF ANOTHER PERSONS ENERGY, STATUS OR RESOURCE WHICH IS OFTEN HOOKED UPON FOLLOWING IN ONE’S EXPLOITATIVE, RELENTLESS, AND ONGOING PURSUIT TOWARDS WIDESPREAD SOCIAL VISIBILITY. TO A NARCISSIST, SUPPLY IS THE LIFEBLOOD, THE STREAM OF ATTENTION, THE LIKABLE SPOTLIGHT - ONE BY ONE WHICH SERVES AS VIRTUAL OXYGEN, SO THE ADMIRED, WITHOUT MERIT, ON THE AIRS OF ANOTHER MAY CLIMB. AS THE SEEMINGLY INNOCENT VEIL SHADOWS THE MALEVOLENT DISCONNECT OF INTENT, THE MASK CONCEALS THE ORIGIN OF A GREATER MODERN SOCIAL PROBLEM: HUMANITY’S PERSONAL, COMMUNAL AND UNIVERSAL QUEST FOR REAL AND GENUINE CONNECTION.

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Some say love is a burning thing, That it makes a fiery ring. Oh but I know love as a fading thing Just as fickle as a feather in a stream. See, honey, I saw love. You see, it came to me...It put its face up to my face so I could see. Yeah then I saw love disfigure me Into something I am not recognizing. -SONG FOR ZULA BY PHOSPHORESCENT v o l .

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EING ANNIE

BY AIMEE TIETZE ADAMS

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Having been a photographer, or seer since my high school days in the 1990s, there has been no greater inspiration at large to women photographers of this generation than Annie Leibovitz. From backstage with Mick and the Rolling Stones to the iconic portraits of people of our time, she blew up the template. My photography book collection, like many I am sure, began with her ANNIE LEIBOVITZ: PHOTOGRAPHS 1970 -1990 bronzed patina cover now a classic. In a time where self-portraits of photographers were rarer, I relished when I could catch a glimpse of a snapshot of her working or holding her Canon 35mm in her hands. When I was making pipe dream plans to attend the San Francisco Art Institute, I heard a story from a student acquaintance who said he rode in an elevator with her. He recounted that Annie Leibovitz was holding a Canon Rebel. When they first came out, someone in the elevator inquired how she “did it?” The story alleged that she replied, “I just put it on autofocus and go for it.” I wasn’t sure I ever believed the story the way it was told. As anyone who knows her work as we all do, knows you don’t get to be Annie Leibovitz by riding autofocus. Then again after last February, I think I believe the guy, as the lady has the best sense of humor. Nevertheless, I wanted to know all about her, and through her books, editorial work, and commercial campaigns, she rose as an Icon amongst female photographers.

DISCOVERY In January of 2013 I found out Annie Leibovitz would be lecturing at The Lensic Theater onbehalf of the Georgia O’Keefe Museum in Santa Fe near Valentine’s Day. I had been getting practice being in front of the camera with local photography icon Shevaun Williams a few weeks prior.

As we were visiting post-shoot about photography and the new industry, she professed her adoration for the one and only Annie. Excited, I divulged the valentine of an opportunity to hear her lecture, and from there, a road trip to Santa Fe was in the works. Shevaun’s talented assistant, Vanessa Rudloff, Shevaun, and I would make the eight hour plus trek in Shevaun’s trusted and loyal Isuzu Trooper. It was nearing the date to head out when I saw another Oklahoma photographer Cary Anne Holton post by social media that she had tickets as well. I reached out to her with optimistic hopes that this little troupe of Oklahoma seers could grab a cocktail or Santa Fe moment before seeing our icon.

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SANTA FE The idea of a late winter getaway with like-minded crea women was highly appealing, especially to the America Mecca Centrale, Santa Fe. We had made the quick jau intent to explore during the day hours before the evenin and head back the day after the lecture. We perused g in the Plaza, made a visit to a private collector’s gallery edge of town, and ate lunch at The Shed. From the ga reviewed contemporary photographers, new experienti and indulged in having the opportunity to take in a con impressive Edward Curtis collection. Shevaun is a Frida enthusiast and the private art collector’s gallery we atte Edward Weston, Ansel Adams, and Elliott Erwitt (to nam in its archives, one of which was a portrait of Frida Kah

by Erwitt. This was the reason for our special appointm this gallery as well as a Georgie O’Keefe print. The galle were also photographers themselves; the husband tau College of Santa Fe, and she was a large format photo shooting mainly in 4x5. An interesting duo, they had a h photography book collection the Guggenheim would e had also published a couple of books, one of which wa pictorial guided take on the ancient I Ching. When disc with the gallery owners that we were in Santa Fe for the with Annie, the wife mentioned that she had heard Ann terrible lecturer. I have heard much ado about Santa Fe and their uppity critiques, but my super shield was up a having a second of her negatory Leibovitz projections. also told me the collector gal knew a lot in regards to th had devoted much of her life to, but perhaps due to the and Annie were contemporaries in age, there was a co appreciation which was somehow lost. As we had bee the city for the day, in and out of various corners, I reca that there was a substantial number of women this par out and about with hair, stature and glasses which rese of Annie. We shrugged and laughed a bit, as each one attention, whether on a bike, strolling in a hat or enterin the town appeared to have been invaded by Leibovitz l ANNIE We arrived at The Lensic and hit the jackpot of Annie doppelgangers, men and women alike. It was trippy in made you wonder if they just had a hidden Leibovitz l allele or if they were super fans. The fact that there wa than 3 or 4 of them with their different styles of specs another dimension in comparison to say going to a U2 and seeing a tidal wave of Bono gelled hair cyber sha Upon taking our seats, the theater staff immediately a audience no photography or recording of any kind wa I had intended to take a little audio, but despite my re tendencies settled behind the verbal red tape. In the le notes, it informed us that Annie would be lecturing on personal project, her book Pilgrimage. My sister had g the book, and I loved the intimate notes she shared o historical perspectives of the spaces of Eleanor Roose Thoreau, Emily Dickinson, the Yosemite trails where A worked for 50 years, the O’Keefe estate, Louisa May many more. Most of the book was shot on an old dig a point and shoot mainly, not an SLR. Before I knew it standing stage right and my hands were folded in my child anticipating greatness and ready to share the sa collective breath with a personal hero.

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ative an Art unt with the ng lecture galleries near the alleries, we ial media, nsiderably a Kahlo ended held me a few) hlo taken ment with ery owners ught at the ographer, history of envy. They as a photo cussing e lecture nie was a ean artists and not Something he craft she e fact she onnection of en touring all us noting rticular day embled that e caught our ng a cafe, lookalikes.

Leibovitz n that it lookalike as more took me to 2 concert ades. advised the as allowed. ebellious ecture n her own gifted me on her evelt, Henry Ansel Adams Alcott and gital camera, t, she was lap like a ame v o l .

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Seated in the balcony of an intimate downtown theater, we enjoyed our perspective. She began telling stories with slides from Pilgrimage, and opening up with a story from the time she was in Niagara Falls. She had booked a hotel in advance, specifically a hotel with a grand window view of the Falls. Having traveled extensively with her family growing up, she had intentions of creating an epic memory and experience for her children from the time they woke up and looked out the window. She reiterated what happened similarly as told in Pilgrimage: “I’m sorry. At eleven o’clock we ran your credit card and it was rejected. We gave your rooms away,” the Hotel Staff stated. I said, “You did what?” The credit card was to reserve the room. I had brought cash to pay for them. The iconic Annie Leibovitz (non-practicing Jewish) photographer couldn’t get a room in the inn. It was late in the evening, and she settled with finding a room suggested by the previous hotel staff, a room with a view of a brick wall. She spoke about how she felt like a failure, but in the morning the children could not have cared less about the room or the window, and they went on to make memories with the epic Niagara.

The audience was now drawn in as friends having shared in this authentic and intimately vulnerable story. There was something about hearing her talk about it, even though I had read it in the book and when she had completed the story, the audience let out an empathetic collective gasp. She put all her cards on the table and brought us all into the very real obstacle she was facing--financial misfortune. In this moment, we got her. In real time got her. Annie comes from a family inherently interested in history, facts, details, all of it. She visits on.

When the Leibovitz family gathers, it’s a chance for them to delve into historical events and tie in newly discovered information to their overlapping sequence of cause and effect. They exchange new notes related to people of interest, which offers the family a chance to piece together a greater understanding of time while flexing their history muscles. It was through this greater knowing of the Leibovitz backstory that we can lend credence to her quiet, yet poignant quest of the historical figures’ lifestyles and habitats through Pilgrimage.

Before moving on to wow the audience with well-known and lesser known commercial works in slides, she tells a story about Virginia Woolf’s living and working habits.

From Pilgrimage: In his memoirs, Leonard describes Virginia’s room as “not merely untidy but squalid.” As she recalled the details which would substantiate the testimonial from Virginia’s husband on her messy ways, Annie with a passionate tone delivered, “Art is messy…

Life is messy!” It was fitting for all she had shared leading up to this #ANNIETRUTH, and her authenticity was transparent and beautiful. I recalled the art collector’s prediction and wondered who this “lousy” lecturer I was supposed to expect?

In closing, of course she was passionately applauded, and with the previous house rules of no photos or recording, my naivety stood back as I watched people draw nearer to her. In fact, Cary Ann had been on the rows closer to the stage, and I couldn’t miss her striking v o l .

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red curls as she paced the stage with iPhone in hand and a bold and daring anticipation.

Shevaun and I had headed downstairs to catch the vibe when I saw Cary Ann come out of the theater squealing with contagious glee. She had captured a photo with Annie. She was so excited. Her hands were shaking, and she couldn’t quite get the moment out to the social networks. I shared in the minute with her, reveling in the sheer opportunity to be close, when a voice inside said, “What are you waiting for?” So, I headed to the stage (Shevaun had already beat me) and Annie humbly signed our programs and was gracious and genuine to each fan.

While the lecture at The Lensic was held Tuesday, February 12, the Pilgrimage show was opening at the Georgia O’Keefe Museum the next evening. As Shevaun, Vanessa and I were headed back in the morning and day of, Cary Ann Holton had an opportunity to stay and attend the O’Keefe opening. Here is her recount of her special moment with Annie the following day.

I approached her and she remembered me from the night before. I told her how our picture from the night before was blurry. She responded, "What are we going to do about that?" with a smile. I said, (with a red face) —"Turn the flash on.” She asked, "Are you ready now?" and I said “Yes.” I then signaled my friend Deanne who was standing nearby with the iPhone, ready and nervous. After we took the pictures, she looked down at her book in my hands. I wasn't sure if I could push my luck and have her sign my book also. Right then she grabbed the book from my arms and laughed and said how awesome it was that my book was taped together and worn in.

She opened it and asked me how I spelled my name. The fact that she signed it without me having to ask was one thing, and the fact she signed it TO ME was amazing. I told her she was really the only person I ever really wanted to meet. She laughed and said, "Oh, don't say that." I smiled and thanked her. Shortly after that, I went into the O'Keeffe part of the museum to freak out and stare at our photo and my newly autographed book. I thought to myself, I wonder if she will come to this part of the museum away from her exhibit. My aunt who was with me didn’t think she would as no one was coming to that part, and we were sitting alone in the empty room of Georgia's paintings. Sure enough, a couple of minutes later I look up in the doorway and Annie is standing there by herself looking at me. I just sat there for a second, then smiled and waved. She gave me a smile and a wave back and then walked right in front of me to look at the O'Keeffe paintings, which is the last photo here.

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ABOVE PHOTO BY SHEVAUN WILLIAMS COLLAGE AT RIGHT SHOWING VISIT TO COLLECTORS STUDIO, EDWARD CURTIS PRINTS, AND CARY ANNE’S SHINING MOMENT WITH ANNIE 120

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s there a more fashionable way to embrace the chill of winter than with wooly tartans, a hip flask replenished with a smooth and peaty whisky, and a torch in hand to set fire to a Viking boat? Nae. The Scots have achieved perfection in welcoming the bitter winds and highland blizzards with a cheerful indifference. And truly, when you’re right in the thick of it, you don’t mind or feel the bite of cold; in fact, with that wee bit of whisky to warm your belly, you feel downright cozy.

I’ve been twice to Scotland: once in the height of summer and the second time in late December through early January. And while both seasons are exceptionally delightful, the Scottish winter has a special allure. The cities and villages are less crowded with tourists, the festivals are warming and tend to be more communal, and the landscape of the Highlands holds that sweeping and longing appeal of grandeur, desolateness, and romanticism all in one encompassing glance. v o l .

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On a typical adventure to a new country, I try to balance time between city and countryside, and Scotland is no exception. Where cities are concerned, Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh (pronounced Ed-in-burr-ah), has easily attained status of counting itself among my top five favorite cities in the world– and I have trod the well-worn streets of too many cities to count. You don’t find tiresome traffic, smog and outwardly unhappy residents in quaint Edinburgh. The city is lit with old world charm as shopkeepers dress their windows with curiosities that draw you in from the cobblestone streets, Christmas markets and an outdoor ice skating rink that absorbs the East Princes Street Garden, and convivial pubs that invite you to warm your hands around a cup of good cheer and a roaring fire.

The best way to get the full lay of the land is to begin your day with an early morning hike up Arthur’s Seat, a chain of hills which sit in Holyrood Park about a mile east of Edinburgh Castle. There are paved roads to the top and, weather permitting, you can drive a car up as well; however, the best treks are away from the traffic, up the small dirt paths that climb and wind their way through vibrant green moss jutting out from rocks and the yellow-weathered grass that licks the soles of your feet where it’s grown over the path. Upon reaching the escarpment, you will have a panoramic view of the city with the creeping coastline edging up in the far distance. v o l .

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Descending back into the city, tuck in to one of its many traditional restaura for a Full Scottish Breakfast. Similar to the English Breakfast with eggs, bac sausage and baked beans, your plate will also be heaped with Tattie Scone (essentially a flat potato pancake), Black Pudding (congealed pork blood – d think about it – just eat it) and sometimes Haggis (sheep’s ‘pluck’ {don’t ask minced with onions, oats and such).

With a stuffed tummy and energy renewed, there are endless sights to expl throughout the city. A few must-do’s would include the Camera Obscura, Edinburgh Castle, St. Giles’ Cathedral, Calton Hill, Holyrood Palace, and the “Closes” – the small alleys that descend from the Royal Mile to reveal a hidd underworld of medieval housing and storefronts.

The foremost winter attractions of the city, however, are the various diversio the townsfolk put together for Hogmanay, which encompasses events at al all of the above-listed sites. Hogmanay is Scotland’s answer to ringing in th Year. While the official Hogmanay celebrations begin on December 30th, th city hurls itself into celebration weeks before with cèilidhs (traditional songs dances) occurring at alehouses and along neighborhood blocks, a 100 foot Ferris Wheel at the East Princes Street Garden, caroling, storytelling and the 126 126

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By the night of the 30th, all of the clans and kinfolk are brewing with merriment as they make their way to Parliament Square to obtain torches; not five watt flashlights, but rather sizeable sticks alit with fire. Thousands of them. It is nothing short of astounding and spectacular to find yourself swaddled into the folds of this human bonfire and walk the slow procession up to the top of Calton Hill, all to the tune of wailing bagpipes. The procession is lead by a burly troop of Vikings who carry a mammoth longship and set it ablaze with their torches upon reaching the top. As the fire begins to slowly diminish, a cacophony of fireworks and music burst forth from the National Monument to amplify and prolong the revelries. Helpful Tip: dress very warm, but don’t wear anything you wouldn’t want covered in wax. The torch-drip is unavoidable.

New Year’s Eve, of course, continues in this carousel of conviviality with a 100m sprint, candle-lit concerts, a citywide street party and a flurry of fireworks to ring in the final countdown.

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Heading north out of Edinburgh, if you do happen to be there for Hogmanay, a wee stop in Queensferry on New Year’s Day is a must-do. For in Queensferry, you will find last night’s party filing in parade down the main drag to plunge themselves into the icy waters of the Firth of Forth. Not the somber event you would expect from those that are suffering massive hangovers; the Loony Dookers, gaily marching to the river bank in swimsuits and costumes, are cheered with a pageantry of music, furry mascots and unbelieving onlookers. The pretense behind the frosty baptism is that it will cure you from any ailments resulting from too much carousing and tippling on New Year’s Eve. After crossing the Forth River Bridge, a detour east toward St. Andrews has many quintessential seaside villages replete with coastal charm. I stopped in Anstruther for a night and enjoyed my first proper whisky tasting at a local tavern (my favorite was Edradour – a lighter whisky that drinks smoothly and tickles your throat with a finish of honey) and took a ferry the following morning to the Isle of May. This small, enchanting island 132 132

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is a National Nature Reserve that maintains watch over 14 different species of seabirds, the most notable of them being Puffins. You will also find harbor seals, gray seals and, in the summer season, you can occasionally espy whales in the waters around the island.

To truly experience Scotland’s breathtaking nature, however, you must head northeast toward the Trossachs, the Cairngorms and the Isle of Skye. However, traveling up to the Highlands is difficult without a car and in the winter you will also need to maneuver through snow, ice and slush.

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The train network in Scotland is limited, although it will get you to remote spots surrounded by hills and lochs, such as the peaceful estate of Corrour. But if the Skye’s the limit, there are several touring companies that are fully equipped to traverse the winding roads through the countryside and townships. For those seeking adventure and impromptu treks into the wilderness, (with proud Scots who will spin a yarn over a pint and share the legends of epic battles, the Loch Ness Monster or the mysteries of the Callanish Stones) I recommend Haggis Adventures.

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The appeal of the Highlands rests in the snow-capped hills, the dense forests, the sprawling lochs, the ancient castles, and the cozy wayside inns. And not to overlook the wildlife and livestock; my personal favorite of these being the Hairy Coo, a breed of cattle endemic to the Scottish Highlands that have prominent horns and long tresses of hair that cover their bodies and dangle loosely over their eyes as though they’ve been rocking out to some hard jams.

I stayed in a small holiday cottage just southeast of Skye facing Loch Duich; an optimal spot to spend my day munro-bagging, visiting the region’s villages and monuments, and hunting for mussels along the shore of the loch. Munro-bagging is the term used to describe hill trekking up peaks whose summits are at least 3,000 feet. Lesser hills are known as Corbetts (2500 ft).

For winter treks, it is essential to be fully prepared with detailed maps, sturdy shoes, water, woolies, ice axe and crampons. My first hike was admittedly at times quite terrifying: I tackled Am Bathach (a Corbett) and Ciste Dubh (a Munro) through a harsh snowstorm and descended down sheets of pure ice, and was occasionally paralyzed by a touch of vertigo. But the unparalleled scope of the earth far below me, the elegance and grace of the sun rising after the storm over the cloak of snow which cradled the mountainsides, and the monumental attainment of standing at the highest peak and sounding my cries of triumph… well… the arduousness of the trek made these moments all the more joyous. Of course, if trekking is not on your to-do list, the Highlands have many other diversions: from battlefields to skiing, wildlife sanctuaries, castles, whisky distilleries, mountain biking, and an 84-mile round-trip journey on the Jacobite Steam Train, considered to be one of the greatest train rides in the world due to the magnificent scenery it traverses (and now amplified by Harry Potter fame).

I always think it’s a good idea to become versed in a country’s historical, literary and musical history before and during a trip.

Scotland has contributed an astonishing number of prominent figures who have influenced the world in extraordinary ways. If you’re keen to do a bit of research beforehand, an abridged version of my recommended list would include:

John Muir: Naturalist whose writings and work on conservation have not only influenced the manner in which the Scots seek to approach and preserve their abundant nature, but who also advocated the preservation of wildlife in the United States. Many of our National Parks (like Yosemite, Sequoia & Muir Woods) owe their sanctuary status to his efforts. He was also the founder of the Sierra Club.

Adam Smith:

The notable economist who championed free trade.

Robert Burns:

Scotland’s most celebrated poet. Among his most renowned contributions, is the ballad we sing each New Year’s Eve: Auld Lang Syne.

Sir Walter Scott:

Novelist and Poet, most often remembered for Ivanhoe.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle:

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Sherlock Holmes, to life.

John Stuart:

The first European to cross Australia from South to North and establish the Australian Overland Telegraph Line.

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Other recognizable names include: Alexander Graham Bell (the telephone), David Hume (philosopher), John Knox (Protestant reformer), Sir Alexander Fleming (discovered penicillin), James Clerk Maxwell (paved the way for quantum physics), and Robert Louis Stevenson (Treasure Island & Kidnapped novels).

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A few personal Scottish Music preferences include: Belle and Sebastian, The Proclaimers, The Cocteau Twins, Donovan, The Soup Dragons, Mull Historical Society & Camera Obscura.

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Where music and the arts are concerned, Glasgow should be the final stopping point. While Edinburgh’s festivals tend to occur in August and December, you will find celebrations year round in Glasgow showcasing Celtic Roots (in January), Film (February), Music, Comedy & Literature (March), Jazz & Shakespeare (June), Cabaret (July), Bagpiping (August) or Architecture (September).

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Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city and considerably more spread out than Edinburgh. From the center at George Square, you can explore theater row and the arts district to the west, and the shopping districts of Buchanan and Argyle Streets to the South. Glasgow is an ideal spot for a winter visit as there are so many things to enjoy inside. There are numerous museums and galleries for lovers of modern art, impressionism, naturalism, design, transportation, architecture, science, and the art of the bagpipe. If you prefer to catch a show, there are multiple venues for theater, the most prominent being the King’s Theater, Theater Royal Glasgow, the Citizens Theater and The Pavilion. Finally, a visit to the ancient University of Glasgow, northwest of the city center, is a must. Founded in 1451, the school has produced seven Noble Laureates and many renowned writers, philosophers and political figures, including Adam Smith, Sir William Ramsay, and David Hume.

An itinerary such as this, beginning in Edinburgh and ending in Glasgow, is easily accomplished with an open-jaw ticket, as there are several airlines that will fly in and out of both cities. The costs of lodging and transportation can be quite high due to the strength of the Sterling Pound. As a result, it is best to plan your holiday in advance with a tour company, which allows you to pay in US Dollars and will take you to offthe-beaten-path sites, saving your cash for diversions rather than the exorbitant cost of gas.

Of course there are so many other places and hidden gems peppered throughout the country that I have not touched on.

You can easily visit highlights of Scotland within a week, but I would recommend at least two weeks or multiple visits, as I have done, to truly appreciate the charm and people.

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O K I E M A M A

ting, a traditional Scottish Toast:

ay the best you’ve ever seen

Be the worst you’ll ever see; a moose ne’er leave yer girnal Wi’ a teardrop in his e’e.

y ye aye keep hale and hearty

ll ye’re auld enough tae dee,

May ye aye be just as happy As I wish ye aye tae be.

v o l .

3

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LIFESTYLE CONCIERGE

DIRECTORY

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CATERING by CHEEVERS

IDEA COLLECTIVE

Elegant Comfort Fare

Design Ambassadors

www.cheeverscatering.com (405) 208-4444 // OKC

http://theideacollective.org (512) 917-7152 // OKC

JACK EURE ARCHITECT

INNOVATIVE ELECTRIC

Planning + Development

Service Extraordinaires

http://jackeure.com (405) 808-5120 // OKC

www.innovativeelectricco.com (405) 601-7325 // OKC

FIAT OF EDMOND

LE VISAGE

Test Drive the 500L

Day Spa Offerings

www.fiatofedmond.com (405) 507-2100 // EDMOND

www.levisagedayspa.com (405) 321-3223 // NORMAN

FUNNEL DESIGN GROUP

MEAGAN POTTER

Modern Branding

Contemporary Family Photography

www.funneldesigngroup.com (405) 840-7006 // OKC

www.meagansphotoanddesign.com (405) 831-0427 // OKC

HALL OF TATTOOS

NORMAN NERDS

Ink Done Right.

Computer Solutions Brought to You.

www.halloftattoos.com (405) 364-7335 // NORMAN

www.normannerds.com (405) 203-9558 // NORMAN

O K I E M A M A

RED PRIME STEAKHOUSE

Modernism Preservation Community

An Event Experience

http://okcmod.com

http://redprimesteak.com (405) 232-2626 // OKC

ORY ART STUDIO

STUDIO ZEN

Sculpture and Jewelry Design

Event + Everyday Styles

www.oryartstudio.com (405) 923-2815 // NORMAN

www.studiozensalon.com (405) 329-2859 // NORMAN

PERCH’D

THIS POSE YOGA

Retail + Design Consulting

All Levels Welcome

www.perchdmodern.com (405) 494-0419 // OKC

http://thisposeyoga.com (405) 413-2724 // OKC

PLENTY MERCANTILE

URBAN KITCHENS

LIFESTYLE CONCIERGE

OKIE MOD SQUAD

Historic + Modern Design

Lifestyle Retail + Rooftop Rental ™

v o l .

3

http://plentymercantile.com (405)-888-7470 // OKC

www.urbankitchensok.com (405) 702-7747 // OKC

THE RILEY GROUP

WESTERN AVENUE

Concierge More YOU Time!

Shop. Dine. Play.

http://therileygroup.info (972) 754-1381 // OKC

www.visitwesternavenue.com (405) 848-1415 // OKC

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