ELYSIAN Spring 2018

Inspiring Women. Graceful Living.

SPRING 2018

$10.95 READELYSIAN.COM

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Contents FEATURED 09 Meet Me In Miami 19 Trisha Yearwood: Taste of Country ENTERTAINING 23 “Ooh!” La Table GARDENING 27 London Blooms 33 Staying Power FOOD 39 Tiffany’s Blue Box Café HOME 43 The Reserve & Barefoot Ranch FASHION 49 Spring into Summer Fashion

Graceful living. Inspiring women.

HEALTH 94 Optimal Self 96 Organizing For Your Health YOUNG CREATORS 99 Designing Women ART 103 Lanford Monroe: Her Wild Life TRAVEL 109 Oh, To Be In England,

Now That April’s Here.

EQUESTRIAN 115 The Road to Kentucky

PHILANTHROPY 63 Feed America 101 Feed the Children INSPIRING WOMEN 59 Dayle Binder 57 Judyth Nsababera 73 Pam Pryor 79 Rhonda Wilkins BEAUTY 52 Her Nose Knows 85 Beauty Nation 90 Beauty Has No Expiration Date 92 The Power of Color

On the cover:

Mia Rae Cannon of Denver, Colorado was photographed by John Gallant. Hair and makeup by Tiffany Brown.

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ELYSIAN adjective | ely•sian | \i-�li-zhen\ adjective. beautiful or creative; divinely inspired; peaceful and perfect.

p u b l is he r

Karen Floyd e d itor- in - chie f

Meredith Bogardus e xe cu tive d ire ctor of g race f u l l iv in g

Rhonda Wilkins

in s pirin g wom e n

Karen Floyd

A Light exists in Spring Not present on the Year At any other period – When March is scarcely here

Abby Deering

e d itoria l d ire ctor

Rita Allison

a dve rtis in g d ire ctor

Mark West

Emily Dickinson

cre ative d ire ctor

Spring is a time of growth and new beginnings. As Emily Dickinson suggests, spring represents a light that is not present throughout the year. Emblematic of this light and as elegant as is ELYSIAN, we are proud to recognize the new Executive Director of Graceful Living. Rhonda Wilkins represents the style, refinement, and sophistication of the publication. Rhonda’s Inspiring Women interview is both authentic and raw, thus underscoring life’s complexity. Her attention to detail, coupled with world experience, lends itself perfectly to expanding the vision and content of Graceful Living.

d ig ita l d ire ctor

Carmen Thomas

Michael Uhrinek

m e d ia d ire ctor

Rob Springer

chie f d eve lop m e n t of f ice r

Linda Mallis

n ation a l s a l e s s d ire ctor

Ashley Alderman

re g ion a l s a l e s d ire ctors

Inspiring Women.

The honorees in this issue’s Inspiring Women are as diverse as the professions they represent. From Texas rancher to New York diplomat, D.C. public official to Florida businesswoman, each honoree shares her story of struggles and triumphs. Remarkably courageous and strong in the face of what others would consider impossible, these women motivate and encourage through their antidotal life journeys.

Darien Boughrum Paula Bruder Dell Pulliam s a l e s a s s ociate

Veronica Grace Davis com p trol l e r

Kristin Eastwood

To enthuse our younger readers, the Young Creative boasts the exceptional talents of Christina and Krystal Phillips, two designers who just happen to be sisters. Making their way and name in the world of New York fashion, these young women took the “fashion plunge” and launched Marie + Annette. A line of affordable luxury, the collection represents their two distinct styles, creating designs specifically for women in their late 20s and 30s.

dig ita l m e d ia coord in ators

Featured and Focused spotlights Trisha Yearwood, who for the sixth year, is hosting the Southern Kitchen Brunch at South Beach Wine & Food Festival. One of the country’s largest and longest running culinary festivals, it takes place every February in Miami. Trisha talks openly about everything from Southern comfort dishes, the three-and-a-half-year tour spanning more than 400 cities with husband and legendary singer Garth Brooks, and a constant theme of “Living to Give.”

Katherine Birchenough, MD Angie Comer Faith Hope Consolo Amy Zimmer

Graceful Living.

Spring is a time of beauty and is perfectly captured in outdoor Entertaining through our uniquely southern-inspired tablescapes. With a renewed focus on Gardening, The Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show breaks the male-dominated tradition with a record number of women participants in what is heralded as the most exquisite gardening exposition worldwide. In a separate piece, through stunning “teachable photography,” the ELYSIAN reader has glimpses into the world of award-winning journalist and “Queen of Succulents” Debra Lee Baldwin.

Graceful Living also embodies the idea of giving. Our Philanthropic focus is on Hunger in America. Day after day, millions of Americans are without food, including an estimated 13 million American children.

In strident contrast, an estimated forty percent of food is discarded every year, or the equivalent of $165 billion. Our philanthropic arm spotlights outlets for giving in several nationally recognized programs.

Finally, nothing speaks more to Graceful Living than our Equestrian focus on Courtney Cooper’s journey to the Land Rover Kentucky, where her unflappable determination has landed her a place once again in this prestigious competition.

As we welcome Rhonda Wilkins into the ELYSIAN family; we thank you for joining us in this wonderful adventure.

Karen Floyd

Publisher karen@readelysian.com

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m a n ag in g e d itor

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Meredith Bogardus

Editor-in-Chief meredith@readelysian.com

Rhonda Wilkins

Executive Director of Graceful Living rhonda@readelysian.com

s ocia l m e d ia d ire ctor

Taylor Brown

Taylor Brown Jenna Realmuto

a s s is ta n t a rt d ire ctor

Tammy Owens colu m n is ts

s e n ior w rite rs

Michelle Breeze Angela Caraway-Carlton Rebecca Carr Karen Fragala-Smith Katie Weisman con tribu tin g w rite rs

Jason Gilmer Mary Kathryne McConaghy Photog ra phe rs

John Black Chiaki Kato John Gallant Josh Norris Dwain Skinner Jay Vaughn James Woodley Jason Wong cop y e d itors

Diane High Hadley Inabinet Phil Randall s t yl e d ire ctor

Angie Woodard

p rod u ction s t yl is t

Tiffany Brown

ELYSIAN Magazine (Vol. 3, No. 1) is published four times per year by Palladian Publications LLC, 113 W. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29306.

For subscription information, call 888-329-9534; visit subscriptions@elysianservice.com; mailing address: Subscription Service, Elysian Magazine PO Box 2172, Williamsport, PA 17703 All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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Meet me in

Miami

By Angela Caraway-Carlton

While most tourists flock directly to showy South Beach, locals know the real action is on the mainland. Over the last few years, Miami has quickly matured into a nucleus of world-class art, high-end fashion, chef-driven restaurants, and luxury hotels. Here’s a local’s guide to experiencing the sunny city by neighborhood — plus, why February is the best time to be there.

(Hint: it involves brunch with Southern darling Trisha Yearwood.)

[ FEATURED ] the hot list

Aerial view of the spectacular Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club.

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An aerial view of Wynwood Walls Garden as guests wander through the murals. Photo by: Will Graham Roasted cauliflower with creamy goat cheese and a shishito herb vinaigrette served up at Wynwood’s KYU restaurant.

Photo by: Juan Fernando Ayora Frozen desserts at Cielito Artisan Pops can be dipped in chocolate and adorned with endless toppings from torched marshmallows to sprinkles.

WYNWOOD ARTS DISTRICT While the premier art show Art Basel only takes place once a year in Miami, Wynwood is bursting with mind-blowing art all year round. Plus, with some of the best food spots in the city and enough breweries for a day-long craft beer crawl, the neighborhood is worthy of several stops during vacation.

MUST SEE/DO: With 50-city blocks packed with vivid street art and sky-high murals by renowned and emerging artists from around the world, you can spend hours wandering the streets and snapping Instagramworthy photos. Start your tour at the neighborhood’s backbone, Wynwood Walls, a maze of eclectic walls that are always evolving, then peruse art galleries and locally owned shops such as lifestyle boutique Frangipani and funky clothing shop Nomad Tribe. You can also join the massive crowds for Art Walk, a huge block party that happens every second Saturday. wynwoodmiami.com; frangipanimiami.com; nomadtribeshop.com

MUST EAT/DRINK: Fuel your morning with a cold brew at neighborhood institution Panther Coffee, where you’ll sit outside on their shaded patio for endless people watching. A must-stop for lunch or dinner is buzzy Asian-barbeque restaurant KYU (Time magazine recently named it “Best Restaurant in Florida”), where standouts include soft shell crab steamed buns, a head of roasted cauliflower that’s meant to mingle with creamy goat cheese and a shishito herb vinaigrette, and Korean fried chicken that’s fried twice for extra crispiness. panthercoffee.com; kyumiami.com 10

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Miami has joined the nationwide doughnut craze, and Wynwood boasts two tasty contenders. Brave the lines at Salty Donut for artisanal doughnuts in addictive flavors like maple bacon or guava and cream cheese; or pop-in nearby Federal Doughnuts, the first location outside Philly, which shines with hot cinnamon brown sugar doughnuts and a fried chicken sandwich with a strong following. Since it’s always hot in Miami, visit Cielito Artisan Pops for cold treats that can be dipped in Venezuelan chocolate and adorned with anything from torched marshmallows to edible rose petals. saltydonut. com; federaldonuts.com; cielitoartisanpops.com Craft beer lovers can bounce between four different breweries like J. Wakefield Brewing; or for creative cocktails and a bird’s-eye view of the artsy ‘hood, find the private entrance to Wynwood’s first and only rooftop lounge, No. 3 Social. jwakefieldbrewing.com; no3social.com

MIAMI DESIGN DISTRICT Located just a few minutes north of Wynwood — so you can visit both neighborhoods in a day — the Miami Design District is an 18-block creative hub of art, design, architecture, high fashion, and fine dining that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

MUST SEE/DO: Fashionistas will set their credit cards on fire at more than 60 luxury fashion boutiques such as Gucci, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Christian Louboutin, Prada, and perfume house Creed — all of which have unique facades to match the cutting-edge neighborhood. (Don’t miss taking a “selfie” in front of the vivid orange walls of Fendi.)

“Fly’s Eye Dome” by architect Buckminster Fuller is a must-see public installation in the center of Palm Court.

Delicious authentic Cuban bites at Estefan Kitchen.

The bright orange walls of Fendi are one of the most photographed spots in the District. Photo by: Robin Hill A giant mural of birds in a lush forest by artist Robin Hill in Jungle Plaza Mural in Miami Design District’s Jungle.

Visitors can find shelter under “Nuage,” a steel, cloud-like canopy designed by French brothers Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec.

Since the District has attracted the world’s most desirable artists and architects, the neighborhood is dotted with can’t-miss public installations like “Fly’s Eye Dome,” a larger-than-life dome by architect Buckminster Fuller; a bronze sculpture of a skeleton at a “Bus Stop” fashioned by Urs Fischer; and “Nuage,” a steel cloud-like canopy designed by French brothers Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec, who were recently commissioned to modernize the new fountains on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Even parking garages are extraordinary — with real cars that dangle off the wall to a black Japanese manga, French Baroque, and Renaissance-inspired façade, the new Museum Garage will make you stop and stare. miamidesigndistrict.net

To further immerse yourself in grand art, check out the shiny new location of Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) — you can roam their exhibition galleries and sculpture garden for free. Every Friday evening, catch a free outdoor concert in the neighborhood’s centerpiece, Palm Court, produced by music legend Emilio Estefan. icamiami.org

MUST EAT/DRINK: Fill your belly with handmade croquetas and lechón-topped flatbreads at Gloria and Emilio Estefan’s new upscale Cuban restaurant Estefan Kitchen. You’ll be “on your feet” thanks to nightly live music and waiters who belt out tunes. estefankitchen.com For a romantic dinner, reserve a table at Mandolin Aegean Bistro, an intimate 1940’s bungalow that serves Turkish and Greek Isles-inspired cuisine. Sit in the twinkling outdoor courtyard where you’ll dine on plates of kabobs, lamb chops, and grilled octopus while sipping rose-water sangria. mandolinmiami.com Still to come: The food game intensifies in the District later in 2018, with the opening of three concepts by French chef and restaurateur Joël Robuchon, who’s known for his Parisian stand-out L’Atelier; an outpost of New York-favorite ABC Kitchen by Jean-Georges Vongerichten; and a massive food hall concept from New Orleans’ iconic St. Roch Market.

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A night view of Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) which boasts stunning hanging gardens and waterfront vistas. Photo by Angel Valentin Watch sharks circle overhead at Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science.

Photo by Ra-Haus A taste of old Hollywood glamour at El Tucán Nightclub and Cabaret.

Take time to relax at the Mandarin Spa. A trio of assorted dumplings at Komodo restaurant in Brickell.

BRICKELL/DOWNTOWN MIAMI In case the endless number of cranes that dot the downtown horizon doesn’t give it away, the heart of Miami is growing at lightning speed, and there’s so much “new” for the entire family.

MUST SEE/DO: Grab the kids — one of the latest downtown attractions is the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, which houses a 3-D planetarium, an aquarium with touch-tanks, and an impressive 31-footwide oculus lens that offers a view of sharks circling overhead. Move next door to Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), a contemporary art museum with a prime location on the water, where you’ll browse current exhibitions and then hang on their outdoor swings to gaze at the towering hanging gardens and sparkling Biscayne Bay. frostscience.org; pamm.org If shopping and pampering is your vacation style, spend a few hours at the new Brickell City Centre, a mecca of luxury shops (many that are new to the U.S), restaurants, and a dine-in movie theater that’s perfect for those days you need to escape the Miami heat. For ultimate spoiling, checkin for a spa day at the five-star Mandarin Oriental Miami on secluded Brickell Key for a taste of Asian-inspired serenity. brickellcitycentre.com; mandarinoriental.com 12

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MUST EAT/DRINK: The hottest reservation in Brickell is Komodo, a mammoth three-story eatery and lounge where the wellheeled crowd congregates for Southeast Asian cuisine with a Miami twist. Start with the popular lobster dynamite and melt-in-yourmouth Wagyu beef dumplings (or unique salt cod dumplings if you’re daring), and move on to share the Peking duck and garlic king crab lo mein.

For a true “only-in-Miami” experience, make a reservation at El Tucán Nightclub and Cabaret for an energetic dinner-and-a-show with a mix of sexy Burlesque, over-the-top vocal performances, a live Latin band that will transport you to Cuba, and even a contortionist. (Like we said, only in Miami.)

End the night with cocktails at Sugar, the rooftop bar and garden perched on the 40th floor of chic EAST Miami, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic city views and an energetic scene. komodomiami.com; eltucanmiami.com; east.com

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SOUTH BEACH While South Beach always delivers on an epic night out, there’s so much more to do outside of Ocean Drive and partying at the mega-clubs — you just need to know where the locals go.

MUST SEE/DO: Spend a day in South Pointe Park, one of the most scenic, family-friendly spots on Miami Beach. Bake in the sun on the beach (with hundreds of other locals), stroll the South Pointe Pier to watch the cruise ships head in and out of the Port, cruise down winding paths on a bike, or watch the kids roll down the park’s grassy hills and splash around in the interactive water fountains. miamibeachfl.gov For picturesque views of Biscayne Bay and glorious sunsets, head to the waterfront neighborhood, Sunset Harbour. This local’s hotspot is saturated with everything from yoga and cycling spots to juice bars, global restaurants, and trendy boutiques. It’s also a great jumping off point to enjoy Miami’s turquoise water on a kayak or paddleboard with South Beach Kayak. southbeachkayak.com Depending on when you visit, enjoy a magical evening on the spacious lawn of the New World Symphony for a free “WALLCAST” concert, where the musicians are grandly projected on the huge outdoor wall and attendees go all-out with elaborate picnics. nws.edu

MUST EAT/DRINK: Vacations are meant for memorable meals, and a dinner at newcomer Stubborn Seed, situated in the chic South of Fifth neighborhood, will linger in your mind long after you are home. At the restaurant’s helm is Jeremy Ford, winner of Bravo’s 13th season of Top Chef, who’s turning out some of the most artful and delicious plates in Miami. You can order off the menu (the colorful JoJo Tea cured snapper is a must), or splurge on the eight-course tasting menu ($125) with some of Ford’s best dishes, and end the night with gooey Snickerdoodle cookies. stubbornseed.com For a truly local vibe, dine at Macchialina, a cozy NYC-inspired Italian restaurant known for their extensive salumi menu and handmade pastas.

For the best dining deal in pricey South Beach, go on a Thursday night when their award-winning pastas, like the beet mezzaluna or hearty pappardelle bolognese, are only $10. macchialina.com The best drinks, and unpretentious service, are found at laidback Sweet Liberty, which was recognized as #27 on the 2017 World’s Best Bars List. Sip creative cocktails like the Baby Bison with Aperol, apple juice and cinnamon, or book the Bartender’s Table for an hour-long curated experience of learning and sipping. mysweetliberty.com Miami is known for its over-the-top lavishness, and Faena Hotel Miami Beach is your place for a night of fantasy. Catch a cabaret show at the gilded Faena Theater, or soak up the old Hollywood glam of The Living Room while you indulge in live entertainment. Don’t miss the 24-karatgold mammoth that rests in a house of glass in front of the beach. faena.com/miami-beach

An aerial view of the New World Center campus where the New World Symphony performs.

The pier at South Pointe Park is perfect for strolling at sunset to watch the cruise ships leave Port.

JoJo Tea Snapper served up at South Beach’s Stubborn Seed restaurant.

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The Faena Hotel Miami offers luxurious suites with breathtaking views.

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A Maglicocca Co.

Your new construction & re-hab concierge.

2151 Hawkins Street Suite 300 | Charlotte, NC | 980.237.2670 | NewLifeBuildingSupplies.com Kristen & Rick Maglicocca & Miss Dior

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Relive the glitz of Miami’s heyday by traveling back in time at the present-day Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club.

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL AT THE SURF CLUB It’s rare to walk into a hotel and actually “feel” its fabled past, but at Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, it’s easy to recall a glamorous bygone era when dashing crooners like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, movie star Elizabeth Taylor, and even Winston Churchill roamed free — and when over-the-top bashes included circus nights with elephants performing in the ballroom and a Ferris wheel rotating in the courtyard.

The moment you enter the luxury oceanfront hotel, just 20-minutes from the action of South Beach, you’ll stroll down a palm-lined loggia known as “Peacock Alley,” appropriately named for the entrance where a glittering roster of celebs and socialites strutted their stuff after tire mogul Harvey Firestone opened The Surf Club, an exclusive private club, on New Year’s Eve 1930. The swanky club shuttered in 2013, but last year, the idyllic refuge was grandly resurrected by a Miami-based developer partnering with Four Seasons. (It’s one of only three Four Seasons’ properties in the world with a historical component — the others are in Paris and London.)

History doesn’t mean old and stuffy here. Pritzker-prize winning architect Richard Meier designed three, gleaming 12-story towers with a 77-room hotel and private residences around the original Mediterranean Revival-style clubhouse. The result is a marriage of modern and times gone by — with many of the club’s original ceilings, archways, and chandeliers still there.

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A STAY FOR ALL SEASONS Guests spend sun-kissed days bouncing between three pools or draped on beach chairs where eager attendants offer to clean your sunglasses and even wash the sand from your feet. If you’re seeking the ultimate pampering, retreat to the spa where attendants will gift olive oil soap to exfoliate and moisturize your body in the co-ed hammam. While a stress-reducing rubdown is always a vacation staple, facials are a step-above here with customized treatments using the French line Biologique Recherche (known for their cult favorite exfoliating toner, Lotion P50) and a remodeling machine that promises an instant, albeit temporary, facelift.

Start your day with sunrise yoga, or end it with sunset meditation; hop on a complimentary bike to cruise around Surfside, stopping by the area’s “restaurant row” or nearby swanky Bal Harbour shops.

TOAST OF THE TOWN The heart of the hotel is Le Sirenuse Miami Restaurant and Champagne Bar — where many of those epic parties of the club’s gilded past took place. Plates are described as “elegant” portions, meaning they will be small, but each dish is packed with so much thought and flavor. “When you have simple dishes, ingredients have to standout,” says Mermolia. Menu standouts include freezing salads served in a bowl made of ice and topped with sorbet, little purses of pasta stuffed with a beef ragu mozzarella reduction and black truffle, tender New Zealand lamb chops in a raspberry au jus, and gelato made of Italian pistachios. The best spot in the house is the stunning Champagne Bar which is fringed with lush, tropical plants and anchored by a wavy green bar. You’ll feel like royalty as you sip a Duke & Duchess of Windsor cocktail (who visited the old club), or another Italian-inspired drink, and the bar offers the largest selection of Champagne in Miami. Later this year, Thomas Keller, the celebrated chef of Per Se and French Laundry, will open a restaurant in the former courtyard where the Ferris wheel used to turn during circus nights. Can’t you just picture it? fourseasons.com/surfside E

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[ FEATURED ] southern-style brunch

A Taste of Country Need another reason to head South for the winter? We’ve got a delicious one! You can have brunch with superstar Trisha Yearwood at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival.

By Angela Caraway-Carlton

While the intoxicating smell of chicken and waffles and homemade biscuits wafts through the air, mingling with the sounds of guests merrily clinking glasses of bubbly or Bloody Marys — a hush comes over the ballroom of Loews Miami Beach when Grammy award-winning singer Trisha Yearwood takes the stage. The country crooner casually greets her 500 guests as if they’re old friends, and as she belts out familiar songs like “She’s in Love with the Boy,” the crowd sings along, matching her every word.

NEW YEAR, NEW MUSIC

If you’ve followed Yearwood’s career, you know she’s seemingly conquered it all and shows no signs of stopping. She’s fresh off a three-and-a-half-year tour spanning more than 400 cities with husband and legendary singer Garth Brooks, has an Emmy awardwinning cooking show on Food Network, and last summer, teamed up with Williams Sonoma to launch her own collection of mixes, seasonings, and sauces.

“I’m at a place where I have the luxury of saying, ‘No,’ to things that don’t sound fun, and ‘Yes’ to what I enjoy.

I’m very careful about my choices,” says Yearwood who admits that she thrives on being busy but also enjoys easing into her day with a cup of coffee.

It’s what you can expect when Yearwood returns for a sixth year to host the Southern Kitchen Brunch The blistering Hot Fire Chicken at South Beach Wine & Food Festival, one of the country’s largest and longest running culinary During our phone conversation, she can’t stop gushing festivals that takes place every February in Miami. about her recent tour with Brooks, where she said the duo experienced Unlike most stars who breeze in-and-out of hosted gigs, the best-selling something new at every show — from couples becoming engaged to gender cookbook author and star of the Food Network show “Trisha’s Southern reveals and even fans who were there to celebrate the news of being cancerKitchen” is involved in every aspect of the buffet-style brunch, which boasts free. “As an artist, you get caught up in it. It’s like you’re all sharing this a dozen chefs whipping up their best Southern comfort dishes. Yearwood intimate experience,” she explains of the marathon tour. One might think helps to create the event’s menu, even serving the food at her station; spends that after performing hundreds of shows together, singing with Brooks an hour taking pictures with eager fans; and at the end, performs a minimight get old but not for Yearwood. “I’m always excited to sing with him. concert. “During my first conference call with the Festival, there was a He’s a showman, the life of the party, and to be on the stage with his energy, discussion about offering music during the brunch, and they asked if anyone it elevates my game. I sound like a fan, but I am.” had any suggestions of a quartet or trio. I finally said, ‘Could I sing? You know, it’s another job that I have,’” recalls Yearwood with an easy laugh. “I The Monticello, Georgia native admits that her own music has taken a had such a good time that first year, and now I look forward to the brunch backseat over the last few years due to touring, but she’ll start working on a every year. I know the food will be good, and it’s going to be fun.”

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new album this year, which she hopes to release in early 2019. “If you made me pick one thing, I will always pick music. I believe that I was born to do this,” says Yearwood, who was inspired to sing at just 14 years old after hearing her idol Linda Ronstadt. Expect more duets with Brooks on the upcoming album — their last duets were featured on a Christmas album in 2016. “There’s always been a buzz between our voices, they blend so well when we harmonize. Sometimes, when I’m listening to our music, I have to ask him, ‘Is that you or me?’ There’s such a chemistry there.” Chemistry goes beyond the power couple’s voices. The two longtime friends have now been married for 12 years, and Yearwood is quick to point out that despite busy schedules, spending time together is a priority. “When we got married, we made a conscious choice that we weren’t together to be apart. We feel grateful that we have each other, so we treasure and nurture our relationship.”

LIVING TO GIVE

If there’s anyone that Yearwood would aim to model their marriage after, she says it’s former President Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn, who recently celebrated 71 years of marriage. “If there was a hashtag for them, it would be #relationshipgoals,” Yearwood jokes of her mentors. She credits Carter for her longstanding relationship with Habitat for Humanity, the nonprofit organization which helps people build their own homes and pay an affordable mortgage. Yearwood admits that when she and Brooks arrived at their first site build in New Orleans, two years after Hurricane Katrina, they planned to do a quick press conference and pose for a few photos with a hammer. “We ended up staying six hours. It was just incredible,” she says of the experience that’s ultimately led them to 11 years of volunteer service.

“We get our hands dirty. We pour concrete, and I’ve learned to build walls and put up siding and dry wall. Every time we leave a build, Garth always 20

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says he feels guilty because we get more out of it than they (homeowners) do.” Last year, President Carter surprised the couple at concert in Atlanta with an honorary award for their tireless work with Habitat, a humbling moment that Yearwood will forever treasure.

The star is also passionate about raising money to find a cure for breast cancer. Yearwood’s mother, who was an amazing cook and is the force behind many of the author’s cookbook recipes, passed away in 2011 after a long battle with the disease. In the past, Yearwood and her girlfriends have participated in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, a taxing three-day, 60mile walk, and now that the tour has wrapped, it’s something she plans to do again in 2018. Another place that receives Yearwood’s time and support is Stanford Women’s Cancer Center (where her mother was treated), which she believes is always at the forefront of breakthroughs that could improve cancer survival rates. With all that Yearwood has accomplished, she knows there’s still more to do, and ironically — it all comes back to food.

“I learned a lot when my mom was battling the disease. She decided to start a plant-based diet, and I was able to see how food could make her numbers better or worse,” says Yearwood, who also watches what she eats and has even devised Southern-inspired vegan and vegetarian recipes like a tomato bisque with cashew cream, a vegan gravy, and a “chick-less” pot pie. “If there’s something that I still want to do, it would be to figure out a way to prevent cancer through what we eat.” If anyone can do it… E

The Southern Kitchen Brunch hosted by Trisha Yearwood takes places on February 25 at Loews Miami Beach, along with a culinary demonstration at the Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village. For tickets, visit sobewff.org.

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If Unique is what you seek

Amelia’s Home and Garden Furniture • Accessories

135 South Blackstock Road, Spartanburg | 864.707.2725 | facebook.com/AmeliasHomeandGarden

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Design, Rentals & Styling: Ooh! Events Photography: Danielle D. Hulsey Venue: Pineland Club Plantation Floral Design: Out of the Garden Catering: Geist Ussery of Geist & Company

[ ENTERTAINING ] spring tablescaping

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“Ooh!” La Table

A Guide to Southern-inspired Tablescapes for Spring

By Mary Kathryne McConaghy

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When entertaining-whether it be friends, kin, or work comrades-you always want to leave a lasting impression of a beautiful occasion with even more beautiful memories. Lisa Thomas, ELYSIAN entertaining expert and owner of Ooh! Events, a South Carolina-based event company, explains,”Entertaining should be a visual adventure, but it starts with making guests comfortable with the spaces. The setting should invite you to become a part of it and join in!”

A table is always more interesting when it contains a mix of colors and textures.

Using the contrast of the dark wood of the farm tables, the floral element was kept light and full. The farm-grown Queen Anne’s Lace beautifully completed the exotically-grown peonies, ranunculus, and garden roses.

Because of the outdoor setting, the table was kept more relaxed; choosing a denim napkin over a linen fit the “home-grown” aesthetic. Just as it’s fun to bring the outdoors in, we love to bring the indoors out! If you have the means, a fabulous unexpected element adds a great splash of interest. After all, who wouldn’t want to dine under a chandelier-lit Live Oak tree?

When hosting a brunch, you want to achieve an elegant and sophisticated look! After serving coffee and a continental breakfast in a grand raj tent, our guests were treated to a delicious brunch on the water. Pineland Club Plantation has so many perfect spots for entertaining, however, after seeing the sunshine rise over the lake, the dock was the obvious location for brunch.

“I love large scale prints” says Lisa, “they are so hard to find in fabrics and wallpaper. I adore this magnolia flower table cloth! It is the statement piece, and everything else is simple and soft to create the perfect setting.” Pairing a bold linen with extravagant flowers made for quite an impressive look. The garden roses, sweet peas, peonies, and scabiosa emitted a fragrance so delightful you couldn’t help but lean in and inhale the loveliness. The brushed gold cutlery complemented the gold accents in the linen, and the slight pink of the plates picked up the hues of the scabiosa. Sunday morning brunch is always such a fun affair, and we wanted to treat our guests to something truly magical. After all, champagne is best when drank in a fancy setting!

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This dinner was all about our guests and making them feel at home. When it comes to foraging for your table, Lisa shares the following advice: “When you don’t have time for flowers, just walk in the woods, and you can find smilax, leaves, branches, and rocks. Have some fun, and of course don’t forget the candle light! Everything and everybody looks better by candle light.”

Smilax was draped down the center of 24 feet of handmade farm tables, and scallop-edged plates were adorned with hand-embroidered napkins. There was an endless string of white taper candles that lit the table after our dinner outlasted the sun.

It is always important to keep the menu in mind when planning the design of the table. Does the course make sense on the setting? Because this dinner was meant to feel like a good old-fashioned Sunday family meal, chef Geist Ussery of Gesit & Company served a delicious pasta dinner family-style. Accompanied by the freshest salad and flowing wine, it was nothing short of a perfect meal.

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“Colorful! I love this table with just a simple collection of cactus! That was our jumping off point, and then we used an opposite on the color wheel… blue! We then warmed it up with copper and colorful foods. Just plain fun!”

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After some formal and elegant meals, we wanted to switch gears a little bit. We were inspired by the chef ’s choice for lunch-grilled chicken breast with a jalapeno topping and fresh vegetables- so we decided to go a little more casual but still striking. Our South Western-inspired look came together quickly with cacti and place cards made from pieces of terracotta pots, while pops of blue were introduced with the napkins and goblets. The landscape itself could not have been more inspiring.

If you’ve ever been to Charleston, you know that it is practically famous for its sweeping, Spanish moss-laden Live Oak trees. Pineland Club Plantation is blessed with not only one of these Avenues of Oak, but two! It is practically unheard of for a property to boast of a pair of such blessings. We can only imagine the stories those centuries-old trees would tell if they could. E 24

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Britain’s Queen Elizabeth visits the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower in London. RHS / Luke MacGregor COPYRIGHT: RHS / Luke MacGregor CREDIT: Luke MacGregor

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[ GARDENING ] in royal style

q

LONDON BLOOMS “Women garden designers take the stage at the world’s most extraordinary flower show in London this spring”

By Abby Deering

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God’s Own County – A Garden for Yorkshire. Designed by Matthew Wilson.

Sponsored by: Welcome to Yorkshire. © RHS CREDIT: RHS / Neil Hepworth

“This year women have burst through horticulture’s “grass ceiling.”

q

A record number of female green thumbs have won commissions from the Royal Horticulture Society to design at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, the most prestigious flower exposition in the world. Winning an RHS gold medal is the highest accolade sought by garden designers, and 12 of the 26 set-piece gardens selected to compete in 2018 will be designed by women.

Display on the Laurence Hobbs Orchids Ltd stand at the RHS Orchid and Botanical Art Show. © RHS CREDIT: RHS / Sarah Cuttle

Easigrass artificial grass structures. © RHS CREDIT: RHS / Sarah Cuttle

The five-day event in May will feature 10 avant-garde show gardens, 16 smaller gardens, and as ever, the Great Pavilion teaming with over 100 exhibits from the world’s best nurseries, growers, and florists in a space large enough to park 500 London buses.

Each year, garden enthusiasts flock to Chelsea, one of London’s most charming and decidedly posh boroughs, to discover rare flowers and plants, revisit older varietals, and spot emerging trends.

This year’s designs will take inspiration from the grandiose (tradition and romance) to the topical (environmental challenges, eco-cities, and forced migration) to the delightfully niche (the humble pea and Indian cricket).

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Chelsea pensioners attend a photo-call in the 5000 Poppies display at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London. RHS / Luke MacGregor©RHS / Luke MacGregor CREDIT: Luke MacGregor

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[ ENTERTAINING ] graceful living

Inland Homes: Beneath a Mexican Sky. Designed by: Manoj Malde. Sponsored by: Inland Homes Plc. RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2017. Stand no. Fresh Garden 74 © RHS CREDIT: RHS / Sarah Cuttle

Space to Grow is a new addition to the smaller garden category and will offer visitors original ideas and take-home concepts. Artisan gardens, aimed at revitalizing traditional materials and methods with new design approaches, will return to the category this year, as will urban gardens.

Several of the “ones-to-watch” in 2018 include previous female awardwinners, including multi-award winning designer Sarah Price. Price is back after a five-year hiatus with one of the most hotly anticipated garden designs incorporating pomegranate trees to create a Mediterranean oasis.

Also returning is landscape architect Hay Hwang, who will once again show one of her trademark “smart gardens.” This year, Hwang’s design promises solar powered lights and an aquaponics growing system. Four-time gold medalist Kate Gould will also demonstrate the symbiotic interplay between technology and horticulture in the modern age with her take on the gardens and architecture of London’s West End, showcasing environmentally positive technology in a communal garden space.

The Brewin Dolphin Garden – Forever Freefolk. Designed by Rosy Hardy.

Sponsored by: Brewin Dolphin. © RHS CREDIT: RHS / Sarah Cuttle

The Winton Beauty of Mathematics Garden. Designed by Nick Bailey. Sponsored by: Winton. © RHS CREDIT: RHS / Neil Hepworth

Kate Savill and Tamara Bridge are joining forces once again, and this year their sponsor is Warner Edwards, a gin company. Savill and Bridge will be creating a design that reimagines the landscape and planting of the distillery’s home in Northamptonshire, creating an authentic and sociable space.

Sarah Eberle, backed by new sponsor, the British Indian Council, is making a garden inspired by one of India’s greatest cricketers, Sachin Tendulkar. Dr. Catherine McDonald’s contribution will celebrate the glory of the minuscule pea.

Other highlights include a garden sponsored by The Lemon Tree Trust, a charity that supports the development of agriculture for refugees and displaced people. This design will highlight the space-and-water-saving approach that is born out of necessity by people trying to make a home for themselves. And finally, a conceptual garden design will celebrate the beauty of the world’s largest garden found beneath the oceans, highlighting the devastating impact plastic waste has on our underwater ecosystems. E ELYSIAN

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[ GARDENING ] ease of succulents

1 Staying Power

1

Succulents are still the darlings of floral design—just with a new spring attitude.

Angela Carlton-Caraway

Photos by Debra Lee Baldwin

If there were an imaginary popularity contest in the floral world, sleek and easy-going succulents — which continually dominate gardens, homes, eco-chic hotels, and even wedding bouquets — would certainly snag the award for “Most Popular Plants.” But after years of floral fame, can these fleshy jewels continue to withstand time and trends? Debra Lee Baldwin, an award-winning garden photojournalist and author who’s written three best-selling books on succulents, including the recently released Designing with Succulents, sure thinks so — if you’re willing to think outside the proverbial (plant) box this spring.

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“Each time I visit my local succulent specialty nursery, which is several times a month, I’m blown-away by new hybrids that I haven’t seen before,” says Baldwin, widely known as the “Succulent Queen.” She lives in California where the succulent design trend first blossomed and continues to flourish.

When it comes to designing with succulents in gardens, landscapes, and containers, she adds, “Also, the level of sophistication continues to grow.”

If you’re looking for new ways to “succ it up” this spring, try these three plantforward design tips by Baldwin.

Place succulents in simple square pots arranged in a four-box design. Within each container, place rosette succulents in a pleasing pattern, such as a tic-tactoe of Echeverias surrounded by smaller-leaved sedums.

Cacti, Baldwin says, are the “new black.” With their sharp and spiky exteriors, these succulents used to be a hard sell in the design world — but their symmetry and halo-like silhouettes (especially when backlit) are undeniably appealing. Start with a rotund one like Mammillaria bocasana, for a highly textural look perfect for a bright windowsill, and that will offer vibrant pops of floral color in spring.

For the “look” of flowers, combine a stunning arrangement of three types of rosette succulents. Baldwin suggests Echeverias and Graptopetalums with fine-leaved sedums for filler. “Also look for crosses of those genera,” she says, “such as Sedeverias, Graptosedums, and Graptoverias. They’re tough and blush shades of pink, lavender, rose-red, and orange when given adequate sun.”

“These plants like the same living conditions that you do, They like warmth, sunlight, and humidity that’s not so high that you’re dripping.” ~ Debra Baldwin

”Succulents in Squares” by California designer Linda Estrin is a how-to project in “Succulents Simplified” by Debra Lee Baldwin.

Tillandsias (air plants) and dried flowers combine with echeverias in a long-lasting wedding bouquet by Urban Succulents.

Debra Lee Baldwin’s DIY “Cactus Curio Box” is the subject of one of her 200+ YouTube videos.

Plant the Future Before you rush out and buy succulents to adorn your garden and home, understand a few basics about the plants. While succulents are lowmaintenance — meaning they’re hard to kill and don’t require much effort or green-thumb flair — like people, their origin plays an important role in taking care of them. Most succulents come from the desert Southwest, Mexico, South Africa, and Madagascar, arid climates that may go for months without rainfall.

“Succulents, which by definition, store water in fleshy leaves and stems, survive some of the toughest conditions on the planet,” explains Baldwin, who also points out that just because they’re survivors doesn’t mean they can thrive everywhere. “Unless you live in coastal California from the Bay Area south, growing soft-leaved (non-cactus) succulents in the ground is probably not for you.” Instead, your best bet is to artfully show them off in containers that can be moved and sheltered when the weather turns too cold, hot, or wet. “These plants like the same living conditions that you do,” says Baldwin. “They like warmth, sunlight, and humidity that’s not so high that you’re dripping.”

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Southern California designer Megan Boone creates sculptural succulent arrange-ments in repurposed utilitarian objects.

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Clusters of button cactus illustrate the simple elegance of tiny-spined spheres.

Many cacti have accordion-like ribs that shrink or swell depending on the amount of water they receive.

To keep them looking their best, Baldwin suggests placing them where there is good air circulation — and bright light is key. “Set them on or near a windowsill, provided the light isn’t so harsh that the leaves sunburn. Once a week, give them a quarter turn for even light exposure to keep them symmetric.”

Keep in mind that succulents are “low-water plants,” not “no-water plants,” Baldwin adds. Roots should be hydrated, but not sodden, so wait until the soil is nearly dry before watering. Soil moisture “should be comparable to a wrungout sponge.” Lastly, when potting your succulents, make sure everyone plays nice in the container together. “You wouldn’t combine a shade-loving motherin-law tongue (Sansevieria), with a cactus that needs full sun and very dry soil.”

For more tips on growing and designing with succulents, go to debraleebaldwin. com to obtain her books and visit her YouTube channel. E

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Small inset: Tips of an echeveria’s pale celadon leaves blush pink.

Above: Neon flowers contrast with needlelike spines of “red-headed Irishman” cactus.

Below R-L: Venerable cacti in a collection include a red-spined ferocactus and a mammillaria with red fruits.

Snowflake euphorbia looks like a cactus but is native to South Africa. Cacti are indige-nous to the Americas.

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[ FOOD ] dine in style

Among the most affordable, yet quintessentially chic purchases at Tiffany & Co., are the delectable meals at the new Blue Box Café.

By Katie Weisman

To have breakfast at Tiffany & Co., you no longer have to arrive at daybreak in a black satin Givenchy gown and multi-strand pearls with a Danish and a coffee in hand like Audrey Hepburn did in the iconic Breakfast at Tiffany’s film. Today, instead of nibbling on a pastry and admiring Tiffany’s windows from the street, you can eat inside the storied landmark at Tiffany’s new Blue Box Café. However, you will need reservations at least a month in advance.

Tiffany’s eatery opened last November to much fanfare. Lines wrapped around the company’s 57th Street and Fifth Avenue corner flagship store.

Visitors waited up to two hours, not for some hot chef, but for breakfast, lunch, and tea, which feature seasonal and regionally sourced fare for $29, $39, and $49, respectively. The prix-fixe breakfast includes coffee or tea, a croissant with trimmings and fruit salad, and dishes including truffle eggs, or the New York classic bagel with Nova Scotia salmon and cream cheese. The prix-fixe two-course lunch offers light starters such as a mushroom soup with

a sage crisp or a chopped salad, followed by a main course, which could be the club sandwich named for company founder Charles Lewis Tiffany or an olive-oil poached salmon with Osetra caviar and “smashed” potatoes. Tea comes with all the finery of delicate finger sandwiches and indulgent sweets.

No more waiting in line; the wait is limited to the minutes before 9 a.m. when reservations open 30 days in advance on the Resy online application. https://resy.com/cities/1/blue-box-cafe If you guessed that the Blue Box Café’s main color scheme is Tiffany Blue, you guessed right! This robin’s egg hue drenches the space from the upholstery on the chairs and banquettes to tabletop accessories like the white and Tiffany Blue salt-andpepper shakers or the stunning plates, which are dipped in a Tiffany Blue glaze. These are all touches from designer Reed Krakoff who was named Tiffany’s chief artistic officer at the beginning of 2017 and who made this elegant eatery one of his first major projects.

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“THE SPACE IS EXPERIMENTAL & EXPERIENTIAL – A WINDOW INTO THE NEW TIFFANY.” While many of New York’s posh department and specialty stores have thriving boutique restaurants including Tiffany neighbors Bergdorf Goodman with its Kelly Weastler-designed BG, or Barneys New York and its Freds, which has earned a reputation as a major power meal spot, Tiffany had offered nothing.

The cafe’s opening marked the relaunch of Tiffany’s fourth floor, devoted to home accessories and a new collection of luxury “Everyday Objects” under Krakoff’s direction. The newly renovated fourth floor also features a baby boutique and a Tiffany fragrance lab, among other specialty corners. Krakoff, the longtime creative director of Coach, and who launched his own luxury label in 2010 that recently closed, is the first designer to be part of Tiffany’s top executive team.

“Both the café and redesign of the Home & Accessories floor reflect a modern luxury experience,” said Krakoff in a press statement. “The space is experimental and experiential – a window into the new Tiffany.”

The new “Everyday Objects” collection features simple luxury splurges including porcelain “paper” coffee cups in Tiffany Blue with a white rim for $95 or a silver coffee can with a gold vermeil interior for $1,000. There are crazy straws in sterling silver for $250 and gold or rose gold vermeil for $350.

And, if you enjoyed the china, crystal, and silverware at the Blue Box Café, you can shop for them on the same floor right after your meal; the color-block plates in bone china are $70, and the mouth-blown lead crystal tumblers with the Tiffany & Co. seal are $65. E 40

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[ HOME ] texas real estate

Barefoot Ranch & the Reserve These extraordinary ranches are just another example that everything is bigger in Texas.

By Jason Gilmer This isn’t your everyday dude ranch. This supersized space, without the usual herds of cattle and horse-riding country boys in boots and wide-brimmed hats, is a luxurious dream for outdoor enthusiasts.

Other ranches are for work; Barefoot Ranch is for fun, as country music singers, politicians, and other celebrities have discovered. It’s a place to hide away and enjoy privacy without being confined to a hotel.

Located in Athens, Texas, about an hour’s drive from Dallas, the estate covers almost 2,500 acres. Tucked-away you will find a 35,000 square foot timberbeamed lodge, and multiple cabins and cottages.

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“The thing that impacted me the most was the land planning and layout and the use of nature. This is more than a ranch, it’s a resort,” said Bernard Uechtritz, owner of Icon Global that brokered the property. “It’s a place where no matter where you went you felt like you were at a five-star getaway, but it was down home. The combination of the lodge, the golf course, the lake, the hills and terrain, and the landscaping, that was key to making it a one-of-a-kind property. The thing that impacted me the most was the forethought and foresight into the layout — what was built, how it was built, and where it was built.”

The land, which was once held by the Murchison family (who made big money in oil and then founded the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys franchise), was turned into the ranch by hedge fund investor Kyle Bass, founder of Hayman Capital Management LP. While Bass owned the ranch, he hosted The Barefoot Economic Summit, Texas (or BEST) there, which brought together top financial minds and government leaders to discuss economic topics.

While there, luminaries enjoyed the property’s extravagances, such as golfing on the nine-hole PGA-rated course, fishing in the 150-acre lake filled with lunker bass, and sport shooting at the on-site course. There’s also a paintball course, tennis courts, and greenery filled gardens.

Listed at $59 million, Barefoot Ranch was recently sold by the Australianborn Uechtritz, who has a knack for selling big pieces of Texas real estate; last year, he led the sale of the record-breaking $725 million W.T. Waggoner Ranch in Vernon.

Uechtritz, who made a reputation for himself centered around difficult, hard-to-do, improbable deals, has other properties that are of similar size and stature for sale. One is a hunting and sport lodge in Sulphur Bluff, Texas, 44

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Along with its indoor space and high-end amenities, there are plenty of outdoor activities, including world-class waterfowl and upland bird hunting as well as space for fly fishing.

l at the confluence of the North and South Forks of the Sulphur River. The Reserve has a 65,000-square foot European-designed lodge with a full-service spa, 17-acre vineyard that allows for Napa-like views, and a wine vault and cellar that can store 2,800 bottles and has seating for 40 dinner guests. It can be purchased with The Sulphur Bluff Ranch, which has more than 14,000 acres, or separately.

The Reserve, which is listed for $39,950,000, is another “one of one” properties in Texas that Uechtritz is marketing. Inside the lodge is a fivebedroom owner’s suite, a two-bedroom Presidential Suite, and three-bedroom Founder’s Suite. In addition, there is a four-bedroom, four-bathroom lake house that spans 6,000 square feet.

While the lodge at The Reserve has an Old World feel with its limestone exterior and European architecture, the main lodge at Barefoot Ranch has a rustic look from all of the wood planks and stone on the exterior. It’s hidden away (as much as one can hide such a large home) by boulders and groves of pine trees.

Competitors in a game of hide-and-seek would have thousands of options for a “perfect spot,” but the lodge doesn’t feel large as the design lends itself to homeyness.

In the grand living space, there are high ceilings, stuffed trophies from hunting expeditions, walls of windows for views of the lake and forests, and several intimate seating arrangements of comfy chairs and sofas.

“The Reserve is an off-the-grid, completely private place that you get to from your own 2.5 mile driveway,” Uechtritz said. “It sits on top of an incredible promontory, and it looks across an unobstructed view of about 14,500 acres.

You can’t see a power line, rooftop, water tower, anything. It’s really rare in today’s world. If you don’t want neighbors and want complete privacy and anonymity and off the grid, then the Reserve is it.”

Fireplaces spaced throughout the lodge give the home a cozy feel among its vastness. One fireplace is configured to allow the outdoor fire pit experience in the home. Tucked inside two archways of stone, there are seats set inside the walls and a woven iron basket that holds the fire to make the perfect spot to warm up with a mug of cocoa or a slightly burnt marshmallow.

Along with its indoor space and high-end amenities, there are plenty of outdoor activities, including world-class waterfowl and upland bird hunting as well as space for fly fishing.

The wine cellar continues the use of stone with a tucked away spot that can accommodate hundreds of bottles. An iron ladder, hung on dual iron rails, allow even the shortest of drinkers to locate bottles on the top racks.

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After a day of fun, there are 17 leather recliners in a media room where a viewing of a John Wayne classic or “Urban Cowboy” keeps with the Texas feel.

l While cuddling up with a Larry McMurtry novel on a chaise beside the swimming pool would be a great way to spend hours in the Texas sun, there are other ways to spend an afternoon at Barefoot Ranch. The lake has plenty of big fish to catch and enough space to try wakeboarding or water skiing, while the woods offer a chance to hunt deer or ducks that land on the water of the two other lakes on the property.

Nearby Athens, a small community of just more than 12,000 residents, is known as the “Black-Eyed Pea Capital of the World” and home of the hamburger. The sandwich wasn’t invented by Ronald McDonald, but by Uncle Fletcher Davis, who first made the burger at a small downtown cafe in the late 1880s, and then took it to the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis to introduce it to the masses.

After a day of fun, there are 17 leather recliners in a media room where a viewing of a John Wayne classic or “Urban Cowboy” keeps with the Texas feel. If it were fall, classics such as “Friday Night Lights” or “Varsity Blues” may be more appropriate.

“The best detail about Barefoot Ranch was the details,” Uechtritz said. “There was not one thing out of place. Everything was built and designed with thought and practicality. Some of these big houses, and I’ve sold a ton of them from Beverly Hills to Malibu to Texas, there is inevitably wasted space.

There are rooms or corners that weren’t used. That’s not the case with Barefoot Ranch.” E 46

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DRIES VAN NOTEN

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Spring into Summer Fashion

CELINE

COACH 1941

ANDREW GN

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[ FASHION ] spring trends

The season presents a profusion of possibilities

By Katie Weisman Southern snowstorms and caustic cold spells have everyone looking forward to fair weather. Fortunately, the fashions that American and international designers have in stores now will please many palettes. Trends were abundant, and designers on both sides of the Atlantic have explored color, texture, and pattern for a season of exuberance.

While female actors stuck to black at the Golden Globes as a sign of support for the Time’s Up movement, designers are embracing color for this spring-summer season. There are faint pastel shades reminiscent of SweeTarts candy, as well as deeper sorbet shades of raspberry and mango. Bolder, saturated colors such as bright reds and blue to deeper gemstone hues are also omnipresent. Color is being used solidly as a backdrop to floral motifs or as part of checked and plaid patterns -- even in rainbow striping and art prints.

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FLOWER POWER Floral and botanical motifs exploded this season from designers in all the major capitals. Italian label Marni used both bold, graphic florals as well as those one would find on chintz upholstery.

London-based Erdem Moralioglu, who founded his signature label 13 years ago, focused his floral brocades and prints on Queen Elizabeth’s ensemble when she met Duke Ellington in 1958 as well as imagining what America’s famous early 20th century African-American performers would have worn on a visit to Buckingham Palace.

THE BLUES

MICHAEL KORS

MARNI

Denim, the quintessentially American fabric, enjoyed lots of interpretations from global designers. The crisp, bold, and strictly tailored denim suit from Tom Ford is a standout as is the 1970’s New York-themed jean skirt and jacket trimmed with patches and embellishment from Coach 1941 designer Stuart Vevers.

White is a summer staple, and designers didn’t hold back. Michael Kors embraces tailored fluidity for this ensemble, while Marchesa’s evening suit is simple and chic (previous page). The draped goddess dress from J. Mendel is part of the trend for flowing evening gowns in ethereal chiffon, lace, and guipure, or gentle opaque fabrics.

ERDEM

Oscar de la Renta’s slip dress underscores the trend for variations on this underpinning seen in many spring-summer collections. Some designers have a more literal take with vintage-inspired satin and lace-trimmed dresses, while others opt for sheer floor-length slip gowns. Here, the New York label uses sequins to spark up a simple silhouette.

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DEREK LAM

TOM FORD

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…or lilac, mint, or yellow - pastels in all shades splashed the runways. The dress from Los Angeles’ Monique L’Huillier hints at the trend for lavender. While other hues, such as yellow in this gown from New York’s Marc Jacobs, pale blue, and “Millennial Pink” are in ample supply.

TREASURE CHEST

IN THE TRENCHES Originally part of 19th Century military dress, the trench coat for this season got multiple treatments.

From the single-breasted tailoring and yoke detail from Pasis-based Celine to the more fluid, over printed version from Belgium’s Dries Van Noten, the trench continues to evolve from its foreverclassic style.

PRETTY IN PINK…

Sapphire, emerald, and amethyst tones seen in pieces from New York’s Jason Wu, Derek Lam, and Reem Acra, illustrate the wonderful deep hues of this season -- and these gem tones are not just reserved for evening. They stand in stark contrast to bright primary colors of blue, yellow, or red, as in this dress (previous page) from Parisbased Andrew Gn. E

All photos courtesy of the designers.

So this season, plenty of options are for the taking. The power pantsuit with feminine flair is at the ready for day or dressy evenings while dresses run the gamut from simple sundresses to evening gowns perfect for summer soirées. If casual is what you’re after, the designers also dove into denim using both dark, more formal weaves as well as softer, vintage versions.

PETTICOAT JUNCTION

JASON WU

Texture and shine are also big for the season.

Sequins deck out all kinds of pieces from demure slip dresses, an important silhouette for the season, to shorts ensembles harkening back to the days of disco. Fringe factors into the season as well either as trim to a jacket or coat or as allover embellishment for a dress. Shine is also in evidence as designers play with innovative materials, notably plastics.

OSCAR DA LA RENTA

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HER NOSE

KNOWS Anne Flipo helped develop the blockbuster scent La Vie Est Belle by LancĂ´me.

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[ BEAUT Y ] designing scent

THANKS TO HER POWERFUL OLFACTORY PROWESS, ANNE FLIPO, OF INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR AND FRAGRANCES, IS ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER PERFUMERS IN THE INDUSTRY.

By Katie Weisman

F

ragrances for personal use date to Ancient Egypt. Today, the fragrance world is immense, spanning from the old and new luxury classics such as Chanel No. 5 or Angel by Thierry Mugler to more affordable scents from retailers including Victoria’s Secret or Bath and Body Works. Iconic fragrance houses such as Guerlain, along with beauty and skin care brands including Estée Lauder, are major players in the industry. None of these companies, however, can get a fragrance to market without the help of a skilled perfumer, like Anne Flipo.

“We are the person who actually creates the fragrance,” Flipo says. “Our job is to make the best possible fragrance from its origins of a strong idea all the way into a bottle.”

In Flipo’s nearly three decades as a “nez,” or nose, Flipo, 55, and IFF vicepresident, has created well over 100 scents. She either works alone or as part of a group, depending on the complexity of a project. Flipo works with companies of all sizes including boutique brands such as Jo Malone London or beauty giants such as Lancôme.

Photo: Hajime

The creation of a fragrance can take as little as nine months or extend to three to four years. In oversimplified terms, the process starts when a company has an idea for a scent. In the case of a fashion brand, the concept can come from a designer.

Some designers are hands-off in the process but others, like Tom Ford, are deeply involved. He’s known to road-test his scents, wearing and evaluating samples throughout the scent’s development. The idea for a scent, however, can also come from a marketing team for a fashion, lifestyle, fragrance, or beauty company – or really from just about anyone. The Diana Vreeland perfumes were launched in 2014 as a collection of five fragrances named for some of Vreeland’s best quotes by chairman Alexander Vreeland, a grandson of the legendary fashion editor and museum curator. Some companies such as Hermès have in-house perfumers. In most cases, companies are obliged to call upon professionals like Flipo because the brand has to work with scent manufacturers like IFF, Flipo’s employer, because these firms supply the raw materials and technology needed to create perfume.

Raw materials include essential oils or extracts from plants, flowers, and gums; tinctures from animals such as deer musk; turpentines including tea tree oil; and synthetic ingredients like aldehyde.

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WHY DO WE NEED PERFUME?

“THERE ARE SO MANY REASONS!” SAYS FLIPO. “WE DO IT TO TREAT OURSELVES, TO FEEL FRESH, TO SEDUCE. THERE’S AN EMOTIONAL ASPECT TO PERFUME AS WELL. BUT REALLY, IT’S UNBELIEVABLY EMPOWERING.”

In addition to their technical role, perfumers practice diplomacy, just as in any client-supplier relationship. Flipo has to balance the client’s concept of a scent with the constraints of IFF’s technology to produce a wearable, lasting fragrance. Moreover, Flipo has to translate emotions because one person’s notion of what a rose smells like, often derived from memory, can differ from another person’s vision, especially since raw materials to produce that rose fragrance often barely smell like the beloved flower.

“So we create our own interpretation of rose!” Flipo declares emphatically.

Flipo compares her profession to that of a musician or artist who blends notes or colors to create a piece of work that will spark emotion. The key difference a perfumer has with other professions, professional sports women and men excluded, is that they work with a part of their body, the nose. And the nose has to introduce a product that will contribute to a brand’s bottom line.

“We have to produce a perfume that’s unique, that smells good, that’s identifiable, that has a scent that is both diffusive and lasting, that will be a success and provoke re-purchasing,” Flipo continues, underlining the stakes in an industry valued at $48 billion in 2016.

After high school and earning her French Baccalauréat diploma, Flipo entered the industry by enrolling in the prestigious ISIPCA scent school, originally founded by Jean-Jacques Guerlain, a perfumer and member of the legendary Guerlain fragrance family. She says she was aware of fragrances throughout her upbringing, from the plants in her family’s gardens to what was being made in the kitchens of her grandmothers, both outstanding cooks. One of her impactful fragrance memories dates to when she was 13 and visiting a friend for lunch. Upon leaving, she recalls being enveloped by the scent of orange blossom from the trees in the courtyard of her friend’s family’s 17th century mansion. Flipo went to ISIPCA thinking she’d work in the food 54

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industry, but as soon as she was directly exposed to raw materials, she realized that her gift was her nose and switched to the fragrance industry.

Interestingly, Flipo, in hindsight, attributes part of her passion for perfume to something she learned well after being an established perfumer. She remembers during her childhood that she and siblings would describe how things smelled to her mother. In 2012, ten years after her mother’s death, Flipo learned that her mother had an accident in 1949 that likely caused her to lose her sense of smell. Her mother wore French classics including Guerlain’s Shalimar, Chanel No. 5, Guerlain’s Eau Impérial, and Nina Ricci’s L’Air du Temps, all fragrances that were made before 1949.

“She always told us, laughing, that she couldn’t smell,” Flipo remembers. “I’m sure this impacts me everyday as a perfumer.”

Though studying fragrance at school and mastering raw materials is important for becoming a perfumer, Flipo explains that working with mentors is critical for a trade that takes roughly 10 years to master.

“I had the opportunity to work with perfumers who gave me the keys to this trade. They shared their passion, their methodology, their tricks and I’m still learning something new every day,” Flipo says, adding that now she proudly mentors newcomers.

The fragrance industry continues to grow every year. But why on earth do we need perfume?

“There are so many reasons!” says Flipo. “We do it because to treat ourselves, to feel fresh, to seduce. There’s an emotional aspect to perfume as well. But really, it’s unbelievably empowering.” E

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Inspiring Women

Our Distinguished Women have been selected because each has carved out a unique path through life that is recognized by others as exceptional. You will see a commonality in the interviews.

These remarkable women have achieved greatness by following their internal compasses while facing the circumstances they are dealt in life. None had a road map.

U

ForFor video interviews, visit readelysian.com/womenofdistinction video interviews, visit readelysian.com/womenofdistinction Portions of these interviews have been selected to showcase these women’s distinctive lives andand have been edited for for clarity andand brevity.

Portions of these interviews have been selected to showcase these women’s distinctive lives have been edited clarity brevity.

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[ WOMEN ] profiles

DAYLE BINDER

JUDYTH NSABABERA

PAM PRYOR

RHONDA WILKINS

Born: Miami Beach, FL Reside: Southlake, TX

Born: Uganda Resides: New York, NY

Born: Pittsburgh, PA Resides: Washington, DC

Born: Northern Virginia, VA Resides: Palm Beach, FL

Owner of Showtime Farms, a horse farm focusing on hunting, jumping, and equitation training and showing.

Roving Ambassador to Uganda, Founder of Project Hope for Africa, a non-profit youth development organization, and global-level operations project leader.

Senior Adviser on Global Justice Issues at the U.S. Department of State, former top adviser to Sarah Palin, and presidential campaign leader.

Former Senior Executive of Balmar Printing & Graphics, Inc., and wife of former U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands and American businessman, Calvin Howard Wilkins, Jr.

EE

SHOP & EXPLORE SHOP & EXPLORE ELYSIAN

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Dayle Binder Equestrian & Entreprenuer Dayle Binder’s love for horses started at an early age. However, as a little girl in Miami Beach, she wasn’t raised around horses. As fate would have it, today, she owns Showtime Farms, a horse farm located in Southlake, Texas focusing on hunter, jumper, and equitation training and showing.

U Q. You were married at 18?

A. Yes, I was. I came from a different time zone, where you did not live with your boyfriend.

I was in love, and he was older than I was. I was in college in Boston, and he was a record producer. We wanted to spend the summer together, and my father said no. So, he said, “I love you, let’s get married.” I said, “Okay.” And so, we had a big Jewish wedding at the Fontainebleau in Miami Beach.

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Q. A.

And you had a daughter?

Q. A.

How did you react?

Q. A.

You have a son.

Q. A.

Did you know anything about him before the adoption?

Q. A.

You were by yourself when you did that?

Q. A.

When you saw him, did you know he was yours?

Yes, after we were married five years. I was still just 23 and decided to start a family. I had a little girl, Julianne. She died after eight days. That was the first time I experienced tragedy.

I felt and still feel damaged forever. It’s very difficult, still difficult, almost 41 years later. It is hard to lose your child, and I was never able to have children again. She is in Heaven somewhere.

Oh, yes, I do. Michael, Michael Jared. Jared is for Julianne. And sorry, I get emotional about it. Yes, I have an adopted son. I decided that I wanted to have a family again, as a single mother. One day, I wasn’t afraid to do it.

So, I went to Siberia, and I adopted Michael.

No, there was a lot of paperwork leading up to the adoption, but it was okay. It was like a journey that I took steadfastly. I just took one step at a time. When it was all done, the agency said, “Okay. Do you want a boy or a girl?” And I said, “I don’t know. I guess a girl. I’m a single mom. Why?” If I was pregnant, I really would not have a choice. She said, “Well, no one really wants the boys,” because adoption is female driven. They said, “Well, what do you want?” I said, “I’ll take a boy then.” Because I was previously married, and I was so old, I was 49, I didn’t have many choices of countries.

I had Kazakhstan, Guatemala, and Russia. So, I chose Russia. They asked if I wanted to see one child’s picture or many? I said, “Oh, no, I couldn’t pick.

Just one will be fine.” Four days after I finished the paperwork, which took about six months, they sent me a little picture of this boy, my Michael, who, at the time, was eight months old. The picture was of him at four months old. They then sent me a video that was 30 seconds long of him in a crib, you know, staring out into space. There wasn’t much history on him. They said, “You have a couple of weeks to get to Siberia if you would like to meet him.”

So, I did a little research on what information they gave me, and I boarded a plane to Moscow, and then Moscow to Siberia. He was eight months old when I met him.

“Yes, I have an adopted son. I decided that I wanted to have a family again, as a single mother. One day, I wasn’t afraid to do it. So, I went to Siberia, and I adopted Michael.”

U

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It’s crazy. It was like going to the other side of the world. It is such a long journey. I felt like, after living in New York for 20 years, I could do it.

I just put my backpack on and marched around Moscow, and then on to Siberia, and just owned it. I couldn’t wait. I bought things, Russian things, so I would always have things for him, and I went on a journey for him.

You know, families are just made different ways. I saw him. I looked at him. I said, “You are my son.” I just wanted to take him home then, but you can’t because it is a long process. He was in an orphanage, and they did the best they could, but he didn’t have formula. He was tiny, tiny. I think he weighed like 14 pounds. I had never really been a mother, but it was still hard to leave him. I knew instantly, and I told them I wanted to adopt him and wanted to take him home. I also wanted to take four more orphans home with me because all these children need parents. After the visit, I had to go home and leave him there while the process was completed. Once again, I was very lucky, and the process just kept working for me. Four weeks later, I went back on a plane and brought him home.

Q. A.

Do you believe the formative months are critical?

Q. A.

Were you worried about that?

Oh, yes, I do. I don’t know how these children survive without being held when they cry or receive nourishment when they need it. Miraculously, somehow, once they get it, they all catch up. You know, with hugs and love and milk and food, they all kind of grow. I mean, Michael took his first step when he should. He didn’t speak, though, until he was two.

Very. I was calling everyone, but he had nothing to say. The minute he was ready, he spoke in a full sentence at two, and that was it. He is very bright.

He’s in National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society, and he’s in the STEM Academy. He rides horses, and he’s highly competitive. I have been unmarried his whole life, so I’ve devoted myself to being his mother. He’s where I threw all my love and attention, other than my farm. So, it’s kind of been hard to have anybody because anybody I date, they’re like, “Oh, we’re at the bottom of the list because of your child, your job, your animals, and then whatever you have left over.”

Q. A.

The loss of your daughter, did that divide the marriage?

Q. A.

Have you any interaction with him since then?

Q. A.

How did you end up with a ranch in Dallas, Texas?

Yes. It’s a very defining moment of a relationship, of support, particularly if either one feels like they don’t get the support they need. I realized that I was all by myself; I felt that way. I was all alone, and he wasn’t there for me. That’s when I grew up, and I realized I didn’t want to live like that for the rest of my life, with someone that could not feel that pain, help me through that pain. Even though he was probably going through it, I resented him, and we couldn’t survive it together. I was young.

We’re very close actually. It will always be a tie we have. I think he feels it, but I realized I needed somebody with more communication skills, who was more emotionally tied to me, and I was not going to settle.

I had always wanted to learn to ride. As a little girl in Miami Beach, there were no horses. New York City, no horses. But, for some reason, I was always an animal lover, and I wanted to ride. I bought a weekend house in Pennsylvania. I took lessons, Western Pleasure, and I had a little salon that ELYSIAN

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“ So, my first lesson was on an Olympic horse. Evers Forever was his name, and he was my first lesson. And I fell in love with it. ”

U

I worked at half the week. It was called The Face Place. I owned that, and then I would go into the City and do work there. I was a makeup artist for high-end weddings and Hollywood movies. My (now) ex-husband came in one day, and I was giving him a facial. He said that he was a trainer and had just come back from the ‘88 Seoul Olympics. He said, “Do you want to learn how to ride English?” I said, “I just saw a horse show, and they had top hats and everything and, yes, jumping, that sounds great.” So, my first lesson was on an Olympic horse. Evers Forever was his name, and he was my first lesson.

And I fell in love with it. I was in my mid-thirties.

Q. A.

And how long were you in that marriage?

Q.

Q.

15 years ago, you adopted a child and built a successful ranch in Dallas Texas. How did you do that?

You reinvented yourself at this point twice. Then what happened?

A.

I am glad you’re keeping up with them. Laughter. I am. I started riding every day. He and I became best friends. He taught me to ride, and I was loving it. I went to my first horse show with seven-year-old kids, and I didn’t care I was just having the most fun. I worked, rode, worked, and rode. My exhusband was offered a job here in Texas, working at the Equestrian Center in Las Colinas, so I moved here with him, and we weren’t married. It was 1990.

I cried. People asked me, “How did you get here?” I tell people, “A spaceship opened up and dropped me off on the Planet Dallas.” Because if someone had ever told me I would be in Texas, I’d say where’s that? I was very much just an east coast girl. I didn’t know anybody. I had a puppy named Riley. However, Paul and I started a business here.

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And that was almost 28 years ago?

Yes, it was. Twenty-eight years in January.

We got married in 1993, and then in 1999, he left. It was the hardest thing for me because he was my soulmate, and he was my best friend. We spent 24-hours a day together. I guess I was the last to know. I didn’t see it coming. I feel really stupid because his girlfriend was dating my stepson. I thought that it was the stepson that she was interested in. And, as it turned out, no. I didn’t leave my house for three months.

A.

Well, I really didn’t have a great plan, which upset almost everyone. I was not sure how I was going to raise Michael because this place was barely getting back on its feet. I became a horse show secretary, up until the day I went to Russia, to save the farm on my own.

Q. A.

Now, what is that, a horse show secretary? What does that mean?

Q.

You were basically running a series of events to keep this place afloat. Is this position like the event planner of the horse show?

When you go to an equestrian competition, the United States Equestrian Federation has protocols with all the paperwork, points, monies, etc. that are handled. Every horse show manager must report specific things, and every person who goes to a show has to pay bills. There is a massive amount of organizational paperwork that a horse show secretary must submit.

A.

It is exactly that. Some horse shows would have 300 horses. Some

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would have 1500 horses. Horse show managers would hire a team of show secretaries, and eventually, I became like a head show secretary that would run the office of the team of secretaries.

Q.

A.

Let’s talk about your animals. How many horses are here at the barn? Goats?

37 horses and probably about 20 in my goat herd, before they have their babies.

Q. A.

What is Showtime Farms soap?

I am a woman very stimulated by all my senses. I love my goats so much, and they produce this amazing milk, which I drink. One breed that I raise, the Nigerian Dwarfs, have the highest butter fat content. If I put down cow milk, whole milk, and my goat milk, I dare you to compare. You probably would pick the goat milk. It tastes like half & half. It’s really good. I started making cheese with it, but I am not a commercial dairy, so I don’t sell it. I have a girlfriend who I think is a super smart, interesting woman. She owns a dairy called Latte Da. She sells commercially to restaurants in Dallas, farmer’s markets. I let her do all of that. I make it and give it away. I make great cheese, and my friends and my barn family can have all they want. They request it, and I take it to shows. We have fabulous 64

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cocktail hours with the cheese. So, it makes it fun for me too. The soap I started with another friend who’s sort of been a goat mentor. It is something we enjoy doing together. I go to her house, and she lets me make the scent because I love playing with the scent. We mix the oils together, and we try scents. It is really fun. We are just at the tip of the iceberg. We are going to work with color and variations next, and it is just like a little genie lamp right now. I cannot wait to play with it more. Everyone seems to really like it.

Q. A.

What made you do that?

Q. A.

What do you want to be remembered for?

Oh, because I don’t listen. I just have this desire to learn everything on my own, and I chose a lot of hard paths that aren’t necessary. I really tried very hard now not to do that. I assess things, and I really like balance. I don’t want to stress. I don’t want it to be hard. I think I’m a little wiser about not having to experience every single thing because some of them are not fun.

This place – Show Time Farms. A lot of people’s dreams come true here. The fact that, in the middle of suburbia, you can have a place where you can ride your horse and compete at almost every level possible. Everyone is a champion. I think about what this place has done for children. I always tell parents with kids that work in the barn, that their kids will be good kids. They will be honest. They will learn hard work - having to get up in the morning, having to feed, having to care for an animal, to be supportive, to love something other than themselves. They will have a living, breathing entity that will depend on them, and in turn, will change their lives forever.

I feel like keeping this place alive, keeps the dream alive. I hope I will be remembered for that. E

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Judyth Nsababera Ambassador & Peacemaker Raised in Rwanda and later in Uganda, Judyth Nsababera is an ambassador to Uganda with a passion for involving women in work through the United Nations peacekeeping missions. In 2005, she founded Project Hope for Africa, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit youth development organization.

U Q. You are an ambassador to Uganda?

A. I am an ambassador without a portfolio, which is called a roving ambassador.

I currently work in Uganda, and I assist the president in creating policies that reduce bottlenecks in service delivery. I get the title of ambassador from that work. So, if the president is trying to get some kind of policy passed, I am there to make sure there is a smooth transition for the policy, basically.

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Q. How did you obtain this formidable position?

A. Wow. So, I will go back a little bit. I came to the U.S. 17 years ago and studied public health. I then went into organizational psychology.

I have held many jobs, but the origin of what brought me here was when I started a nonprofit that helps kids who are affected with HIV/AIDS. I was traveling through Africa with Project Hope for Africa, and we were creating sustainable public health initiatives. This was a time where HIV/AIDS was such a big issue in Africa and in my country, Uganda. Traveling around for so long helped me really connect to my roots and really understand that there was a need for me to go back home and be able to tell the story of Uganda. When you hear about Africa, there tend to be horror and gloom stories. But we have such amazing stories out there as well to be told. This is how and why I started to do this kind of work.

Q. Soon, you are embarking on a global tour of third world

countries. Can you tell us about what you wish to accomplish?

A. The tour’s purpose is to tell the story about how powerful women’s roles are in conflict resolution, peace building, and creating sustainable peace initiatives. Through the United Nations, every member state gets to send peacekeepers to war-torn areas. Most of the time, we wait to see a newspaper article, like from The New York Times, showing a child being pulled out of the rubble or some kind of tragedy. But this tour is about telling the “behind the scenes” stories of women who are making a difference. The reason I am bringing the story to the public is that we need to engage more women. And how do we get more women involved in peace keeping? Let us show the value. My thinking is that there is no way you can create sustainable peace if you cut out 50 percent of the population. We need to get more women into the peacekeeping missions. When a war breaks out, women, children, and the elderly are the ones most affected. I am not saying that women do a better job necessarily at handling these particular situations, but in times of war, there is a lot of abuse of women. Who is better to talk to, if it’s not another woman? That’s the most important thing. So, the tour is devoted to telling the story and the value of what women bring when they come into peacekeeping in India, Nigeria, Uganda, and Rwanda. Their stories will be told through a documentary where the viewer can see the actual value that women bring and hopefully, this will also inspire other women.

Q. Is there a reason you did not mention any northeast African countries like Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, or Egypt?

A. We

“The tour’s purpose is to tell the story about how powerful women’s roles are in conflict resolution, peace building, and creating sustainable peace initiatives.”

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are only looking at countries that contribute to peacekeeping currently. We would like to inspire other countries that do not have any boots on the ground to send women peace keepers. When you think of North Africa, we definitely need more women who are Muslim, who speak Arabic, to go out there and work in this type of environment. Obviously, there’s a cultural problem in terms of how to engage the women out there.

Hopefully, with this story, once you see what women are doing, it will inspire other women. I will give you an example. My mother was always concerned about me traveling, whether I was going to South Sudan or going to any other war-torn country. I started to make little videos and send her pictures, and slowly, she started to see the value. For families who work in the peacekeeping area, whether it’s a spouse or a parent, once they know what their loved one is doing in the field, and the value they bring to these people who are affected, it’s much easier to let them go, and the work is so much more rewarding. I’m not cutting out North Africa or Yemen, or any other Muslim or Arabic countries. I would love to go there.

Medal Ceremony for Mongolian Peacekeepers Serving in South Sudan. UN Photo/Martine Perret

Q. What defines “peacekeepers”?

A. The peacekeeper has a wide array of definitions. It can be a woman in the military, or police, or a civilian woman working under the United Nations flag, trying to create peace in an environment that’s been affected by war.

Q.

Tell me a little bit about your friendship/relationship with the president of Uganda.

A.

He’s like a father. I went to school with his daughters. My mother was a police officer in the Ugandan Government. She is a big reason why I am doing this work. I saw firsthand the value of having a woman in a leadership position in the police. My mother was the inspiration. When I speak about having more women in peacekeeping, decision making positions, I know because I had my mother as a living example. While I was working at the United Nations, and I was walking through the hallways, the president saw me and recognized me. He is somebody I completely admire. I grew up in Rwanda, and then, I went to Uganda. What he did for Uganda, getting us out of the conflict and progressing as a nation to where we’re at right now, is absolutely amazing. I completely admire and support all he has done to propel women and to give women a chance in Uganda.

Q. A.

Do you have any recollection of the genocide in Uganda?

Yes, I do. I started to have bad dreams, and I would call my mom and ask her, “Hey, did this happen?” And she would reply, “Yes, that happened.”

Today, I really credit my mother for raising us up in an environment like that because she did her best to shelter us. I think those life experiences made me who I am, very strong. I do have some memories of what happened. I think, for me, the strongest memory is watching a town go from no military to full of military and not being able to move freely. Those are the main images that I remember. I was still very young.

Q. There was a great deal of violence against women. I find it remarkable that you were kept safe.

A.

I believe it’s the power of the woman. It’s my mother, my parents, my relatives. Everybody just worked together to make sure that we were safe.

Q. A.

What was her position in the police?

She was a Senior Superintendent of Police. It was one of the highest levels that a woman could achieve at that particular time.

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father was able to support her. She shared a story that they offered to pay her the same amount of money if she went with my father to wherever he was posted. And she said, “No, I want to stay here; I want to work,” which allowed her to maintain her lifestyle, even after my father passed. She was a tough woman, but loving. That is where I get it from.

Q. A.

How do you manage intense travel and personal relationships?

Q.

Is there someone in your life currently causing you to examine next steps?

I don’t know if I manage. I really enjoy what I do. I really love going to new places, listening to stories, and then bringing them back and creating policies that will actually be helpful for the places that I visit.

But I would like to see myself as a mom one day, to be able to pass on what I’ve learned. If you would have asked me this three, four years ago, maybe I would not have answered this way. But I’m in a place where it would be exciting to share some of the stories that I’ve learned and pass the knowledge. My good friend recently had a baby, and I’ve spent a lot of time with him. He is such a joy. It has changed my thoughts.

A.

I see my friends who have had children earlier, and it’s amazing. I wouldn’t change not having a child in my twenties. I would not change that.

I think I’ve acquired more patience, more knowledge, and understanding.

But I come from a culture where I get home, and they ask, “Oh, when are you having the children? When are you having kids? You need to stop traveling. You can’t do this job because you’re not married.”

Q. A.

Where do you see yourself living permanently?

Q. A.

What is your post within the UN?

Q.

Passion often stems from pain. What is a dark memory that molded you to the strong woman you are today?

I love New York. New York is a wonderful place, but I don’t know. It just really depends on where love takes me. I will follow my heart for sure.

A female member of the Ethiopian battalion of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) joins the military observers in a parade after receiving medals in recognition of their contribution to the mission.. UN Photo/Christopher Herwig

“ So, my idea was to simply

show what women are doing in a peacekeeping mission, to inspire women. It is where my passion comes from.”

U

Q. A.

Did your family have any connection with Idi Amin?

Q.

She navigated through a predominantly male dominated career choice but also a violent political landscape. What life lessons did she instill in you?

No, when people ask me about Idi Amin, I have to read about it and hear the stories like anybody else. I wasn’t born. My mother worked during that time, so she knows.

A.

My mother is very strong and very independent. I see myself in her, and I see a lot of the things that I do, come from her. She had seven children.

She was married. She decided she wanted to have a career, even though my 70

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When working with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, they would talk about the need to increase the number of women. It just seemed like a no-brainer. Why was it not easy to just get more women engaged in peacemaking? Woman were having difficulty passing entry exams to be a woman police peacekeeper, which became a deterrent to other women. So, my idea was to simply show what women are doing in a peacekeeping mission, to inspire women. It is where my passion comes from.

A.

I was abused as a child. That was pretty bad, and I have been able to shut that memory out for a very long time. I think it had to be just a few months ago that one of my good friends said tell me something you’ve never told anyone before. I was like, well, I was abused as a child and da, da, da, and I just kept going. He was silent, and then he brought up some other topic. So, we just kept on going, and I felt like a big weight was lifted off. It is a really terrible memory to go to because it shaped who I am.

Q. A.

What do you want to be remembered for?

I would like to be remembered for being a good friend and a good person. I was thinking if I passed, or if I wasn’t here tomorrow, what would I like to hear. I would want to know that my friends thought that I was there for them, and I was supportive. I want to be remembered for really telling the stories of women. E

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Pam Pryor Senior Adviser Pam Pryor is a senior adviser in the Office of Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights under the Trump administration. She began her political career by working for Oklahoma congressman J.C. Watts. Later, she began working alongside Sarah Palin and became her top aide throughout her campaign.

U Q. What is your role at the State Department?

A. I am a senior adviser in something called The J Branch. The exact title is the Office of Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights. Under that, there are nine different bureaus; everything from counterterrorism, trafficking in persons, international religious freedom, global women's initiative, international and narcotics in law enforcement, and global criminal justice, which deals with atrocities. It can be an ugly world, and I thank God for the United States of America. I just spent a week in Geneva for talks regarding migration and immigration. There are tremendous numbers of people without homes, and I am proud that we have a government that cares about other people. I also love the fact that we finally have a president to say it really does need to be America first. You need to put on your oxygen mask before you take care of somebody else. I believe there is a balance needed, and I think we are doing it.

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Q. Tell me about your mother and father.

A. Oh, hard to do without tears. They're both gone. I love when people say, “I'm sorry you lost your parents.” I know exactly where they are right now.

My mother's a saint. My mom is in Heaven. They were funny people, and we laughed a lot. I used to tell people my mother gave me the greatest gifts.

She loved God, and she loved me, and she taught me to love him. My father worked two jobs up until six weeks before he died. He taught me to work.

I will always know what purpose is in my life, and I'll always know how to work. They were both Italian immigrants. I am a second generation American.

My grandparents, all four, came from Italy. There were precious things about growing up in an Italian household still that close to the motherland. Food is important. Faith is important. Family's important. They had feet of clay.

My dad had some challenges, but we grew closer and closer as he got older.

Q.

A.

Congressman J.C. Watts was one of your life cornerstones.

Can you tell us about that journey?

Oh, absolutely. Journey - that's an appropriate word. It's a story that's too long, how I got there, but I'll never forget when he asked me to come to work for him. I had just started at another PR firm here in Washington, and I thought, “Oh, I'm too old to go to the Hill. I don't want to work --” you know, blah, blah, blah.

Q. A.

How old were you?

Q. A.

Is politics worse now than before?

Q.

I have heard the expression that politics, in the 21st century, is tribal in nature. If a member of congress deviates from the party line, then, “your head is handed to you.” Do you think that's true or not?

I think I was 38, but everybody on the Hill was like in their twenties, and this is before millennials. I remember it was about the first of December, and he said, “Would you come to work for me,” and I had all these objections.

Then he just leaned back, and he said, “Well, will you just pray about it?” And I thought, “Oh, that is a kiss of death. Now, I know I'm going to have to do that.” By the end of December, I knew, as sure as I'm sitting here, that it was the right thing to do. It was eight of the hardest and best years of my life.

He is a man of great depth, and he's a person that a lot of people will tend to underestimate because he's kind. I think one of the sins of Washington, D.C. is they sometimes conflate kindness with a weakness. J.C. used to say, “Do not confuse my kindness with weakness.” He's a very strong man, he's a very smart man, and he's a man full of a lot of heart. We, basically, our office, all lived together for eight years, and that was during 9/11.

My grandparents, all four, came from Italy. There were precious things about growing up in an Italian household still that close to the motherland.

Food is important. Faith is important.

Family's important.

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I think -- two things. One, I think it is more talked about now. Before the 24-hour news cycle, there was still this polarization going on. Two, when Republicans were very much in the minority, it was easy to have bipartisanship because, remember, before Newt Gingrich and the Republican Revolution, there was always a 40-seat margin. That was at the low point. I mean it was sometimes a hundred seats difference. They never thought Republicans would get the majority. I will never forget watching, in 1994, before I even knew I was going to work for J.C., Dan Rather sweating, going, “Dear God above, the Republicans have just taken over the House.” He said it as though the world was going to end as we knew it. So, I think the very close margins, the fact that the partisan divide is so close all the time, that does create a more pronounced tension, different from earlier years.

A.

I think sometimes it is true. My thing is how people handle things. With the start of the Obama Administration, there was a lot of fiat by executive order. I know that we are continuing that and somewhere along the line

it got very hard to pass things. Couple that with the 24-hour cycle news media, and you have 21st century politics. I don't want to be that person that castigates the media as the reason for everything. Years ago, we used to time our news releases to come out at a certain time of day to get the best pickup by the evening news and then by the morning paper. Now, there's an update and a refresh on the Internet every 20 minutes. I do think that the microscope has gotten more focused, and I think the lights are shinier now on everything. I think we're all watching a lot more than we used to and are aware of a lot more, which ultimately makes it difficult to veer from traditional party lines.

Q. When did you meet Sarah Palin, Governor Palin?

A. I met her in the bathroom of the McCain campaign. I remember she wore Mary Kay makeup. And, by the way, my dad was my Mary Kay lady.

He thought, if he had four daughters that were all using Mary Kay makeup, he should get us a cut, which I loved about him. He was always looking for a bargain. I remember she was just larger than life, and I was so sad because I did not get to see her in the campaign office. For some reason, we both ended up in the bathroom. We were the only two people. I turned to her and I went, “I wear Mary Kay makeup too.” That is the only thing I said to that woman. I could have said a thousand things, but that was it. Anyway, then of course, we knew her during the campaign.

Q. You eventually worked with her?

A. In 2008, when John McCain lost to President Obama, I really thought I'd never work in this town again. I really did. I mean it was a resounding defeat. But Sarah has "it." There was something about her. I remember going to my friend, John Coale, Greta Van Susteren's husband. He was so taken with her too, and I said, “She needs a PAC. She needs to have a voice still.”

I don't want to overplay the fact though that she is her own person. Sarah Palin is very independent and was probably the most maligned political person we had had up until her time. Now, I believe that Donald Trump is more than her. But, she was very maligned by everybody.

Q. Why? A. I think a couple of things. I think, first of all, pro-life women have a tougher go of it, and she was very pro-life. She was a woman of faith.

Remember, she was a governor that nobody was paying attention to for a lot of time. But I think the fact that she was a woman of faith, a mother, a mother of a special needs child, and pro-life all at the same time, didn't always fit that feminine view of what we should be.

Q.

A.

Wasn’t her demise, ostensibly, because of her lack of experience or incompetence?

Lack of experience, and then we elected a man who had been a community organizer. I will tell you this. J.C. Watts was an incredible communicator. However, I would have never allowed him to spend three unfettered days with anybody in the media. He's his own man. But I'm just saying, as a communications person, I would have never suggested that.

Q. Why did they allow that?

A. I don't know. I remember one of the things they got on her about was what did she read. She stumbled on that. It was like everybody must read The New York Times, or you are a nobody. Please, people. Most of this country, with all due respect, most of these people do not read The New York Times. They went after her on not having a passport, that she just got her passport. Only 30 percent of America has a passport.

Q. Was she maligned because she was a woman, or the fact that

A.

she did not fit a mold?

I think it was not fitting a mold. As much as we talk about independence and wanting everybody to be their own person, we still love to pigeon hole people. We even do it to ourselves. When we try to describe who we are, don't we, in a sense, pigeonhole ourselves? But I think she was such an independent person. She was such a maverick. Remember during the campaign when she was "going rogue," and then that became a phrase because she is an independent? She's a fierce, independent lady.

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Q.

A.

How long did you work on the PAC after the McCain/Palin presidential bid?

Almost seven years, until the PAC started to wind down. If you are not in the news every day, it is hard to keep that political star shining.

As discussions about trying to close the PAC were under way, I did some consulting work for Philanthropy Roundtable, and it just was the two were not going to mesh well. When I finally went directly to work for the campaign, for the Trump campaign, it was not a good lineup of ethics to be there.

Q. When did you first meet Donald Trump?

A. September of 2015. Sarah Palin was here for a rally. I think it was on the Iran deal. It was 115 degrees out, and she is a tiny little thing. She is breathtakingly beautiful in pictures. She's even more so in person. But I will never forget, she sweated through everything. It was that hot. It was one of those days in Washington where the weather changes on September 1; it was horrible. One of the reasons I was there was that I had been asked to help her find Jeff Sessions' hideaway in the Capitol, and those hideaways are hard on the Senate side. So, here I am, and by the way, this is 2015. Now consider how long this has been since the campaign. Mobbed.

Anytime we were with her, it was always like, you look like one of those little weebles. You know, you kind of wobble, but you don't fall down, and it is because the crowd was so heavy. So, we went through the Capitol and into a room where it was Donald Trump, Corey Lewandowski, Jason Recker, Sarah Palin, and me, and that was the first time I met him. He would never remember that, by the way. He and Sarah went over in a corner, and I think that's really where they cemented her support of his candidacy.

Q. Do you love her?

A. Yes. Q. And you love J.C. Watts?

A. Yes. A different kind of love. I was able to know J.C. better than I ever really got to know Sarah Palin because she is very private. I could still call her and share things, but it's a different relationship.

Q. Can women truly have both? A calling, a desire to make world

change, while also leading a traditional life?

A. I think you need to have your North Star. I think you can have it all if it is God's will for your life. I think the women that make that distinction of having it all, I don't even know what that means anymore. Can you be gone from your family all the time and raise children? Probably not. Can you have a career and raise children? Yes, but there will be tradeoffs.

If I could give anything to people, I want to give them the gift of knowing who they are.

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Q. What do you want to be remembered for?

A. I want to be remembered as a woman who was after God's own heart but was also his hands and feet on this Earth. I am a sinner saved by grace.

I am a hypocrite of the highest degree. I yearn to share that peace that passes understanding. I looked for love and satisfaction in so many other things. Whether it was position, or men, or whatever the next new thing was, and I just want people to know that they are okay like they are. If I could give anything to people, I want to give them the gift of knowing who they are. E

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Rhonda Wilkins Executive Director of Graceful Living Rhonda Wilkins worked almost every job at Balmar Printing & Graphics, Inc. before becoming Senior Executive. She learned the value of hard work at an early age from both her parents. Eventually, Wilkins married the love of her life, Calvin Howard Wilkins, Jr., the former U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands under G.W. Bush as well as a highly successful businessman.

U

Q. Tell me about your father.

A.

My father was an entrepreneur, a very hard-working man. We were raised in Northern Virginia. I remember, he and my mother, leaving every morning for work at 6:00 AM. My father worked at the Pentagon at the time. He would come home, and then he would go to a second job. Then, he would come home, and he would work. We had a printing press in the basement of our house. When he would get work orders, he would have his five kids and my mother collate the jobs by hand on a huge billiard table in our basement. After a while, he became so successful in his printing business that he was bought out by a company called Balmar. He eventually became a VP principal there. And so, he was off to the races.

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Q. Was your childhood happy?

A. That is hard to answer. Early on, my parents always tried to have mealtime together. We were all very active. We played a lot of sports. My father would coach my brothers on the baseball and football team and things like that when he could.

Q. What was your favorite sport?

A. Running. I don't run as regularly as I used to. I had a stress fracture in my right hip, and so I just slowed down a little bit after that. However, I competed in high school.

Q. Can you tell me about your mother?

A. My mom died a year ago in July. I did not realize until recently the extent to which our mother gave us the wonderful and unique gifts that we have today. My mom was one of five children herself. She was also the youngest. Her mother lived with us growing up; I was 13 when she died. At the time, my mom worked at the Pentagon as well. When she came home, she did laundry; she did all the housekeeping. She did everything. We did not have any outside help, and she had five kids. Christmas was her favorite holiday, and she would make all five of us sit on the couch and watch her decorate the tree as she perfectly put each little icicle on it, little ornaments, everything. The expensive ones had to be at the top. The ones that you made at school could be on the bottom. Holidays and special days were always made to feel special. Christmas was her favorite holiday and was a big deal to her. Birthdays were big and anniversaries were important. Mother would take us to craft stores and ask her daughters to pick out a board and pick out a scene. We would create what was eventually placed underneath the tree for Christmas decorations. Her creativity and love of beautiful things really planted a seed in me. She taught us how to wrap gifts with such precise detail. You don't take a square and cut around a square. No, that would be wasting paper. You have to cut the paper straight down the line. And, you cannot use much tape either. She was such a perfectionist in everything she did. She just made everything, cooking, whatever, exceptional.

Q. When did you first recognize that she was suffering,

A.

that she was struggling?

I was very young. I was in sixth grade when my mom tried to commit suicide. She attempted suicide and went to a mental institution after that.

We visited her there, obviously.

Q. Your mother suffered from more than mental

Take your time. Be kind to yourself.

Open your eyes. Be very careful who you trust. Find a practice of some sort that makes you feel good and do it. Do not say, “I'm doing it,” but do it. Be true to that because it will help heal some of those wounds.

U

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ELYSIAN ELYSIAN

A.

health challenges?

Yes, a broken heart. Back when she was married to my father, it was a time where you never got divorced. You just stayed together. You worked through it. No matter what. Today, it's very commonplace that people get divorced. So, I think their breakup also broke her heart. My mom was valedictorian of her class and was a very, very smart woman. She married quite young and had five kids by the time she was 24. I think the pressure of raising five children and making sure they were safe and fed, while also being a perfectionist, was just too much. I remember she would make us take everything out of the house in April. Every stitch of furniture, everything was removed from the closets, and we would clean it from top to bottom. “You are going to get rid of this. You are going to get rid of that,” she would say.

Q. Do you think you married later in life because of

A.

those experiences?

You have an inner voice that you should listen to. I was engaged before I was married, and my inner voice said, “You can't do this,” so I didn’t.

Q. Maybe you were more insightful than most people

A.

that marry and then go through a divorce because of what you had previously experienced?

Probably. I never want to settle. I think, once you settle, you have to be quiet.

Q. You worked your way from the bottom to Senior

A.

Executive at Balmar Printing & Graphics.

When my parents finally divorced, I was 19, and my brothers and sisters were all out of the house. My mom had a meltdown of sorts and went off the deep end. She gave me a week to move out of the house. I had nowhere to go. She, quite frankly, didn't care at that point. She had met a man, and she was moving to Florida. A week later, she literally was gone. I spent a couple of nights on a park bench with my cat. I called my father, who I hadn't spoken to in quite a long time, and I asked him if he could please help me. I told him, “I can't do this anymore.” And so, he got me an apartment, and I went to work. He started me in the shipping department, and then I went on to what they call the bindery. Next, I went on to customer service, followed by accounting. From there, I went on to sales, and finally, I became a senior executive. I also was a receptionist at one point.

Q. How did you meet your husband?

A. I was seeing an eye doctor, and he was seeing the same eye doctor in Bethesda, Maryland. She said, “You know, Rhonda, you really need to meet this guy.” And she said, “No, really, you need to meet this guy.” So, I finally said okay. She was telling him the same thing. She and her husband were sitting outside. It was a beautiful August night. I was 20 minutes late. Nothing new, but I have gotten better. Anyway, he was sitting there.

I walked up, and he had these twinkly blue eyes. They just sparkled, and I sat down to his left, and we had dinner. I excused myself later and went to

As you get older, you need less.

You don't need more. What is important is life, love, your faith, and surrounding yourself with lots of girlfriends.

U

the restroom; I came back, and everyone was gone except him. I was a little nervous. A little. I talked with him for a little bit longer, maybe an hour or so. We got up and walked around Bethesda a little bit. He walked me to my car like a gentleman, and he said, “I'm leaving town for a couple of weeks.

I'll call you when I get back.” So, he did exactly that, and we started dating.

At the time, I had such responsibility. I had five people that were working with me, and I had to be loyal to them. He wanted to travel everywhere and anywhere. It sounds really great, but I had this thing called a job and responsibility. Eventually, I said to him, “I can't do this anymore.” He was still dating other women and so on and so forth. He was going to all these charity balls and things, and I went to several, but I didn't go to all of them; he had other dates. We were in Key Biscayne, Florida, and I told one of our houseguests, which just happens to be a dear friend of his, that I had to go home. I can't do this. I would eventually lose my job. So, I called and changed my flight to leave that afternoon. He asked me if I wanted to go to the beach club. I said, “Yes, but I will be leaving early today.” I walked over by myself, and he met me in the parking lot and asked if we could talk. He took me by the hand and said, “Let's go on the beach,” and I said, “Okay.”

Meanwhile, his five kids were in the swimming pool, and my sister-in-laws were all waving to us. He said, “You know, I don't want to lose you. I love you. I'd like to marry you and love you forever. Let's get married.” We both cried. He went on and searched for a ring.

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Q. How did he actually propose to you?

A. He took the ring, and he wrapped it around my chocolate Lab’s neck. My dog Coca was like, “What did I do wrong? This thing's on my neck.” Coca walked over to me, and I opened it up, and he asked me if I would marry him. He said he wanted to be married in a castle. So, we went to Italy and we started looking at castles, settling on a place called Borgo San Felice, which is just outside of Siena. Then, it had 44 rooms, but they've since expanded to 53 as well as a house off-property, which is a Michelin Star and highly rated. I don't think it was a five-star at that time actually, but it is now. We were married in a fourth century church, Hamlet. It was just a fairytale.

Q. You loved him?

A. I loved him from head to toe, and we just laughed. We traveled the world. We made relationships. We made new friends. I mean it was a fairytale. He was strong and kind and generous. One of the things that I asked from him was to write love letters. Those are my treasures today. He talks to me about money. He talks to me about politics. He talks to me about family. He talks to me about love, travel, not being well. Those letters are hard to swallow because he apologizes for being ill. But those are the things that he left me. I look back now, and they give me the courage to go forward.

It is something I honor, really, because he could have bought me anything I wanted, and he wrote me love letters. At the time, I did not really even know how important his letters would actually be. It is the most important gift he could have ever given me. That and the gift of his five kids and nine grandchildren.

Q. When did you concede or recognize that your

husband would not get better?

A.

You know, I have to be honest with you. He died Christmas Eve 2016.

We had just been in the hospital and he had come home that Thursday. They did not send us home with Hospice. They didn't send me home thinking that he was going to pass. While he was in incredibly bad shape, he was still moving, getting up, and he had nurses come in daily. It wasn't an obvious thing for me. It was shocking actually. When he passed, I was in terrible shock. I couldn't even speak.

Q. What lessons have you learned that might help

A.

I loved him from head to toe, and we just laughed. We traveled the world. We made relationships.

We made new friends. I mean it was a fairytale. He was strong and kind and generous.

U

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someone who has lost their best friend, loved one, and husband?

Take your time. Be kind to yourself. Open your eyes. Be very careful who you trust. Find a practice of some sort that makes you feel good and do it. Do not say, “I'm doing it,” but do it. Be true to that because it will help heal some of those wounds. I learned from people, advisers, and lawyers, that it will be better. It just takes time. Friends, of course, help if they have been through it. But what I learned about myself was I am very different than a lot of people in my position. I don't need a lot. I was so happy. I slept on the couch for eight months during that process. We had rented an apartment in West Palm for a housekeeper, and I slept on the couch there. I know it sounds kind of crazy, but that is where I grew inside. I mean, when you go through six moves in eight months, things get real. I was very happy to live there and know where everything was, and it was just simpler. I'm in this big house now, and it's complicated, to be quite honest. Moving forward, I know I like smaller spaces, and I don't need a lot. I didn't know that before, and it is okay. It really is okay because what you own, owns you. As you get older, you need less. You don't need more. What is important is life, love, your faith, and surrounding yourself with lots of girlfriends.

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[ BEAUTY ] shopping guide

Beauty Nation Say hello to 2018, where the consumer is savvier than ever and where digital tactics are redefining the future. Amid the evolvement of retail, the Beauty sector is at the top and thriving because of the ability to keep the customer engaged on the journey with in-store experiences, technology, constant innovation, and experimentation. With a focus on utility and new advances inspiring persistent demand, beauty brands are opening more physical locations.

By Faith Hope Consolo

Blushington Makeup & Beauty Lounge —

Known as the Drybar of beauty salons, Blushington offers convenient and affordable makeovers. The California-based beauty spot is the place for a quickie makeover offering a 45-minute makeup application for a flat fee of $55. With five locations and plans to expand, the one-stop shop for all things beauty has added services for its customers like a makeup class for Dads and Daughters, as well as makeup application on the go, at your home, office, or hotel. Blushington is honing beauty services in the brand’s signature peach setting, elbowing its way into the Benefit Cosmetics market.

Glossier —

The online-only skincare and makeup extension of beloved beauty website Into the Gloss built a successful following around its blog. With minimalistic packaging, potent potions, and millennial pink colors, the cult brand has jumped to the forefront of the beauty sphere.

Using feedback from its 900k Instagram followers, the community-driven brand is able to create products based on personalization.

Headquartered in a showroom in SoHo, Glossier launched pop-up shops in Dallas, Portland, Toronto, and London as an “offline experience.”

The hype continues as the company started shipping to Canada and the U.K. with additional plans to expand overseas.

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Instagram

Cos Bar —

The Denver based chain is the luxury multibrand beauty retailer of excellence. Designed for a sophisticated and discerning audience, Cos Bar has successfully carved out a unique and engaging sales experience focused on the needs of the client. Coupled with a carefully curated array of the world’s best beauty brands (such as Tata Harper and Sisley-Paris), this artful combination of selection and service has led the brand to unprecedented levels of appreciation. With omni-channel distribution and geographic growth on the horizon, Cos Bar will bring this compelling style of retailing to a much greater audience. Marching on.. currently in Aspen, Brentwood, Brookfield Place, Carmel, Charleston, Dallas, Edwards, Edina, Highland Park, La Jolla, Lexington, Montecito, Newport Beach, Oklahoma City, Red Bank, Santa Fe, Scottsdale, Vail, Wailea, and The Woodlands.

Credo —

Credo translates to “I believe” in Latin; the natural beauty mecca represents a mission that knowledge is beautiful, educating people about safe and non-toxic products. The San Franciscobased beauty and skincare boutique harnessed the momentum of the green beauty movement making shopping for clean beauty products simple, chic, and accessible. Natural beauty has become the next “organic food”…I believe this is a beauty brand to watch.

Gee Beauty —

This family-run boutique is a one-stop beauty bar/day spa run by former makeup artist/beauty editor Miriam Gee and her three daughters.

With studios in Miami and Toronto, Gee Beauty offers every specialty beauty product you could ever lust for. They even recently launched a same next-day delivery service, along with a health line co-created with supermodel Elle MacPherson.

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Bluemercury —

The nationwide chain is a high-end beauty store and spa all under one roof. Each location carries different products that are curated. In addition to selling cosmetics, they also offer in-store facials and spa treatments. Macy’s Inc acquired Bluemercury in 2015; since then, they have launched the “X-Bar,” an innovative concept featuring small kiosks that allows shoppers to experience new trends and product launches with fast service from trained experts. The flagship store at the New York Hilton in Midtown is meant to be a technology innovation hub. One of these technology advancements is an artificial intelligence mirror that allows consumers to walk into the store, zap any type of product, and then get all the digital information available, including ingredient listings, market information, reviews, and even video content. The luxury beauty brand has plans to increase its natural beauty footprint across more locations apace.

NYX Professional Makeup —

Nyx, the affordable cult-beauty brand, once only available at mass drug and department stores like CVS and Target, is expanding into branded brick-and-mortar stores. They opened its firstever physical store in California in 2015, and now have 33 stores in the US. The brand has successfully leveraged its huge social following and drive sales with user-generated content

Shawn Birchenough, MD Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Katherine Birchenough, MD Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner

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created in-store. They recently launched virtual beauty tutorials with Samsung in select locations to create three unique makeup tutorials lead by influencers. This highly interactive experience and Nyx’s affordable price point is what engages beauty enthusiasts and continues to be on trend.

Ulta —

This beauty behemoth is known as the closest competitor to Sephora. Its stores feature the familiar orange-and-white palette and prides itself on being a destination for “beauty enthusiasts” selling high-end (think Nars and Urban Decay) and drugstore-brand (think L’Oréal and Maybelline) cosmetics to customers who want prestige brands and salon service. Each Ulta store has a salon that offers haircuts and colors, and the stores also offer facials, manicures, eyelash

extensions, and other services including a Benefit Brow Bar. Ulta’s biggest secret weapon is the Ultamate Rewards program awarding one point for every $1 you spend. By focusing on customer relationships and incentivizing customers to not only join the loyalty program but also to buy more, the program’s 21 million active members now generate more than 90% of Ulta’s overall sales. Shoppers can use the Ulta app to scan any product’s bar code as they browse the store; from there, they can read customer reviews, see similar merchandise, and save items as favorites.

The M.A.C. partnership that began last spring, featuring M.A.C. boutiques inside the stores, was a big deal because M.A.C. has sold mostly in department stores, its own branded shops, and cannot be found in Sephora. Ulta may not be as luxurious looking as Sephora, but it doesn’t want to be; it’s where the average beauty shopper can find everything beauty in the most inclusive way possible – it is a community.

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Sephora —

French cosmetics' retailer Sephora is at the forefront of experiential retail marrying the traditional experience with modern technology.

Using tools like augmented and virtual reality, Sephora allows customers to try on different looks.

Starting with the Beauty TIP (Teach, Inspire, Play) Workshop, which encourages shoppers to play with products before making any purchases, Sephora brings next-level service and education to the clients. Beauty workstations allow customers to come together to learn via group classes with Sephora’s makeup professionals. A service called Color IQ, lets customers scan their skin tone with a device and then displays a list of recommended products for their profile. Sephora even has its own version of Smell-O-Vision, a touch screen that lets visitors smell the scents. The Virtual Artist App uses facial recognition to virtually try on makeup products. Sephora’s newest concept, the Sephora Studio, which rolled out this summer, is a new “boutique” format, which is less than half the typical size of a Sephora store for a more curated experience and specializes in on-demand one-on-one services. The glossy black-and-white chain is paving the future for all on the beauty retail landscape.

Meanwhile, department stores are mimicking tactics applied by these successful beauty stores to draw more traction. Saks introduced its SaksFirst Beauty Reward Program to allow members to test deluxe-size beauty products without having to purchase the full size; Bloomingdales launched Glowhaus into select stores and online, offering Insta-famous products to capture the attention of millennials; Nordstrom is rolling out a Well Beauty initiative this month in 38 of its stores with the hottest indie beauty/wellness brands on the market; Neiman Marcus has Memory Mirrors in select stores, a smart mirror that records your makeup session, guiding you for the best experience. Not to mention, designer brands like Armani Beauty and YSL Beauté have jumped on the bandwagon opening pop-ups with a heavy makeup focus.

Immersive retail models are shaking up the beauty industry. These brands set themselves apart as industry leaders and their first-to-market technological innovations certainly make them Amazon-proof. There is no doubt that the digital and personalized in-store experience in beauty is the next-generation of retail. Happy Shopping! E

ABOUT FAITH HOPE CONSOLO Faith Hope Consolo is chairman of Douglas Elliman’s Retail Group in New York.

Recognized worldwide as the “Queen of Retail,” Consolo is renowned for her expertise as a consultant and retail broker who has been instrumental in revitalizing and sculpting retail corridors across the nation and beyond. Her client base includes top-tier fashion names as Buccellati, Ivanka Trump, Cartier, Versace, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Giorgio Armani, Fendi, and Yves Saint Laurent. She is responsible for the most successful commercial division of New York City’s largest residential real estate brokerage firm.

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BEAUTY HAS NO EXPIRATION DATE

[ BEAUTY ] fresh face for spring

BEAUTY

HAS NO EXPIRATION DATE

S

A fresh glow for spring is your birthright at every age! Toss out the ancient potions in your make-up bag, and opt-in to sun-kissed cheeks, rosy lips, and bright eyes with vibrant new pigments for spring from Blue Michael Cosmetics.

pring is the time for rejuvenation, and all of us, from our teens to our golden years, want to feel fully immersed in the joy of living. Sure, we know that proper nutrition, exercise, and sufficient sleep are the key to living well, particularly as we get older. But then the stresses of life take hold, and familiar adages for optimal living become more aspirational than applicational. But there is something magical available to us all, which is not terribly difficult to tuck into even the busiest schedule. The transformational powers of properly applied cosmetics are nearly as old as human civilization— from the kohl-lined eyes of Cleopatra, and the mulberry-rouged cheeks of the ancient Greeks, to the metallic fingernails of Chinese royals during the Chou dynasty. As the Roman playwright Titus Plautus once wrote, “A woman without paint is like food without salt.”

Of course, make-up has changed a lot since ancient times, and every year, the market is flooded with new products and techniques to help us to highlight what we’ve got, augment what we’d like more of, and camouflage what we would prefer to do without. So, if you’ve been toting the same lipstick and blush in your purse for years on end, it is more than likely that the shade which made you feel chic and glamorous in 2014 is not your best option in 2018. Not only is it important to refresh your make-up palette regularly to compensate for changes in skin tone and to complement your seasonal wardrobe, but it is equally essential to adjust your makeup application as your skin and facial features mature.

To live long and enjoy good health is one of nature’s greatest gifts. But there are certain inevitabilities to contend with as we age. Our epidermal cells produce less collagen, which can cause skin to droop or wrinkle. Undereye circles, which had been transitory evidence of a festive night on the 90

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town in early adulthood (or an all-nighter at the library or with a new baby), become endemic as we age due to a thinning of the skin around the eyes. And no matter how religious you are with your SPF’s, sun spots and hyperpigmentation may still develop due to hormonal changes.

Lest you despair the eventual decline of your skin’s collagen, it is important to consider this powerful but counterintuitive truth about aging: Nothing is more beautiful than a woman with the unassailable confidence that comes from life experience. A fresh new look for spring, with glowing skin, bright eyes, and a dramatic lip, serves as an external manifestation of your inner exuberance. So, regardless of where you find yourself in the cycle of life, rest assured that beauty is your birthright. And if your energy flags or the malaise of winter has cast a dark spell over your countenance, make-up’s magical potions can bring you into the light.

We enlisted the expertise of Blue Michael, a veteran make-up artist from New York City who has worked with women of all ages and ethnicities, to perform makeovers on four models, ranging in age from 16-74. Using products from his own line of natural, hypoallergenic cosmetics, Blue helped our models showcase their assets, contour their features, and camouflage their imperfections. To make it easy to apply our tips and tricks to your own beauty regimen, Blue gave us a detailed run-down of each woman’s make-up application, and our models were brave enough to allow us to photograph them before, during, and after their makeovers.

We think they are all beautiful without a drop of cosmetics, but each woman’s makeover seems to have roused a jaunty confidence that declares, “I’m happy to be me, and ready to take on anything!” E

Rachel is a teen with a busy schedule of classes, sports, and social events. She wants to look polished without looking overdone.

1. PRIME: “BB Cream” (LIGHT) oxidizes naturally upon application to match skin tone.

2. CONCEAL: “Full Coverage Concealer” (LIGHT) and “HD Powder” camouflage blemishes and reduce shine.

3. CONTOUR: SOFT PINK blush and ROSY BROWN bronzer.

4. HIGHLIGHT: Rachael’s exquisite features are accented with “Duo Brow Powder” (MEDIUM), BLUE GRAY eye liner and lip stain in POP CHEERFUL PINK.

RACHEL Katie is a professional dancer in her mid-30s. Her lifestyle demands high-performance pigments with staying power.

1. PRIME: “Blue Michael BB Cream” (LIGHT), an all-in-one foundation, moisturizer, and sunscreen.

2. CONCEAL: “Full Coverage Concealer” (LIGHT) set with “HD Powder” (LIGHT).

3. CONTOUR: “Matte Bronze” brushed along the hollows of the cheeks and across the jawline.

KATIE

4. HIGHLIGHT: Two shades of eye liner (ESPRESSO and BLUE GRAY) are penciled along the upper lash line. For lips, TAUPE liner, GLOW lipstick, and BABYDOLL HYDRA gloss add long-lasting moisture and subtle color.

Angie is in her late 40s, and generally keeps her daily look on the simple side. Blue wanted to showcase her striking blue eyes and high cheekbones.

1. PRIME: “BB cream” (MEDIUM) adds warmth to the skin.

2. CONCEAL: “Full Coverage Concealer” (MEDIUM) softens red undertones.

3. CONTOUR: “GOLDEN BRONZER” accents cheekbones.

4. HIGHLIGHT: BLACK eye liner, PLASTIC RED lip liner, and CHERRY POP lipstick add a flash of boldness.

ANGIE

Rosie is proud to say that she is in her mid-70s. She credits her luminous skin and robust health to yoga and a vegan diet.

1. PRIME: “BB Cream” (MEDIUM) provides moisturizer and SPF. 2. CONCEAL: “Full Coverage Concealer” (LIGHT) softens the look of fine lines.

3. CONTOUR: SOFT PINK on the apple of the cheeks.

ROSIE

4. HIGHLIGHT: GOLD BEIGE eye shadow on the brow bone and APRICOT on the lid; BLUE GREY eye liner; PUSS-PUSS lipstick.

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[ B E AU T Y ] amy zimmer

the POWER of COLOR

By Amy Zimmer

When you think of the color purple, you may reflect back to the movie in which Oprah Winfrey played Celie, an African-American woman living in the South who survives incredible abuse and bigotry not only from her father but also her husband. Fast forward to 2018, and the color purple has a more positive and powerful meaning. Ultra Violet is Pantone’s color of the year. It “communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. With its rich deep hues, purple is a color that defines luxury and royalty. While violet is not as intense as purple, its essence is similar. Both contain the strength of red with the stability of blue. In the meaning of colors, purple and violet represent the future, the imagination, and dreams. Given so many national and global disasters, it seems to be a fitting color choice for the year.

With the award season behind us, the power of color has never been so powerful. At the Golden Globes, actresses wore all black as a form of protest against sexual harassment and gender inequity in Hollywood, issues that dominated headlines in 2017 and giving the simple words “Me Too” a #newmeaning. Black commonly evokes senses of mourning, secrets, magic, violence, evil, and elegance making it an obvious choice in the daily lives of so many.

How do you relate to color and the power it possess? We all have a favorite palette we are drawn to in our homes and in our wardrobes. I have recently found myself adding more color into my wardrobe, and if I must have an all black day, I will throw in a punch of color. I always find it interesting to see how others respond. If I have an all black day, no one compliments me 92

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or has much to say other than “hi.” When I add a splash of blue or pink, the response is almost as impressive as a standing ovation. When I eliminate the black all together, it is as if I am wearing a billboard that says, “Smile and say something nice to me.” I challenge you to select your colors with intention. If you must live in a black box, at least tie a colorful bow on it.

Red is the color of fire and blood, so it is associated with energy, war, danger, strength, power, and determination, as well as passion, desire, and love. Red "is the obvious choice, but pink is more subtle" if you're heading out on a date or have seduction on the brain. A red-purple works too.

Pink signifies romance, love, and friendship. It denotes feminine qualities and passiveness. It is the perfect color for meeting new people.

Yellow is the color of sunshine. Yellow, orange, or other vibrant warm shades are good if you want to feel happier. It's associated with joy, happiness, intellect, and energy.

Dark green, navy, charcoal, aubergine, or chocolate brown are all good color options to command power, whether at a work meeting or trying to convince someone to see your side of the story.

Blue and blue-greens are smart for fighting stress.

White, an inherently positive color, is associated with purity and innocence making it a wonderful neutral.

Igniting a passion for curiosity and learning through play.

Come celebrate the opening of The Children’s Museum of the Upstate - Spartanburg coming Spring 2018.

Supported by: The Balmer Foundation | Barnet Development Corporation Duke Energy | Mary Black Foundation | Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Spartanburg Water | Susu and George Johnson | City of Spartanburg | Contec, Inc. | JM Smith Foundation | Spartanburg School District 7

300 College Street • Greenville, SC 29601 130 Magnolia Sreet • Spartanburg, SC 29306 TCMUpstate.org • 864 233 7755 Proud to be a Smithsonian Affiliate

Get involved now by contacting Jami Wood Emory at 864 553 7920 or JEmory@TCMUpstate.org

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[ HEALTH ] Dr. Birchenough to enhance digestion, defend against potential invaders, inactivate toxins, regulate hormones, and even make B vitamins. They also help keep dangerous bacteria and yeast from taking over and wreaking havoc.

YOUR FIRST DEFENSE — Your intestinal lining acts as a guard for your body. The lining of your intestine has immune cells, hormones, and nerves and monitors everything that comes into the body for potential danger or useful information. A healthy gut correlates directly to a healthy immune system and vice versa. The lining also houses the largest concentration of mood-altering chemicals like serotonin. In fact, the gut has been called “the second brain.”

A FAULTY GUT —

OPTIMAL SELF with Dr. Katherine Birchenough

GOOD HEALTH IT’S ALL IN THE GUT If you’ve opened a magazine, read a news article, or listened to a podcast lately, I’m sure you’ve heard about the “microbiome,” or gut microbes.

But, not many people actually understand how the microbiome influences what happens in your body. The first thing to understand is that all of the systems in the body are interconnected.

When one is a little off, it can trigger a ripple effect, potentially causing problems in what seems like a completely unrelated area. Such is the case with your digestive system.

THE MICROBIOME EXPLAINED — The microbiome is an ecosystem of bacteria, viruses, and protozoa living in your digestive system, a system that is as unique as a fingerprint.

These “good” microbes, that you’ve had since birth, work closely with your body’s own cells 94

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When our belly is not functioning well, we don’t function well. From acid reflux, indigestion, and bloating to constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel disease, and many other intestinal complaints, the gut influences everything. But sometimes these symptoms that started in the gut influence other areas of the body. Headaches, joint pain, acne, mood disorders, rashes, and fatigue are some of the most common. Healthy levels of beneficial bacteria in the gut can reduce anxiety and depression, and even combat the effects of stress.

FRIENDLY BACTERIA ­— Have you ever taken antibiotics and had an overgrowth of yeast? That’s because the antibiotics have killed the good bacteria in your gut as well as the infection that’s plaguing you. Your microbiome can also be damaged by environmental chemicals like pesticides, common medications like steroids, and a diet high in refined carbohydrates, sugar, or processed foods. A healthy diet rich in organic

produce and a daily dose of probiotics, or friendly bacteria, can go a long way in restoring your healthy gut and boost your immunity. In addition to a healthy microbiome, you need healthy digestion.

Age, stress, too much alcohol, and even not taking the time to eat in a relaxed environment can all severely impair digestion and absorption of essential nutrients. Poor digestion can also foster bacterial overgrowth in the gut, contributing to bloating and discomfort, and intolerance to many foods.

THE LEAKY GUT CONNECTION — When the protective barrier of the intestinal wall has been damaged by an imbalanced microbiome, stress, illness, or chemical injury, we call this dysfunction “leaky gut.” Leaky Gut (or “increased intestinal permeability”) has been implicated in immune dysfunction and systemic inflammation, increasing the risk of developing chronic disease. It has also been linked to autoimmune disease, including thyroiditis and arthritis. Any significant stress on the body can trigger leaky gut allowing potentially dangerous bacteria and other substances to enter the circulation. Once your gut has become “leaky,” you are at risk of developing food sensitivities, which can perpetuate the problem.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER — Humans are complicated creatures. But to be healthy, we can’t let things like poor diet, late meals, rushed eating, food sensitivities, and stress all get in the way. To achieve optimal health, it’s important to understand and respect how your digestive system is connected to immunity, energy, mood, and long-term wellness. Think about not only what you’re eating but how you’re eating. Try to pack fresh vegetables, proteins, and healthy fats into your diet rather than alcohol, sugar and refined carbohydrates. Sit down to eat a meal. Your body and your gut will thank you. E

ABOUT DR. BIRCHENOUGH Katherine Birchenough was the fourth MD in the state of South Carolina to be certified through the Institute for Functional Medicine. A South Carolina native, Dr. Birchenough is a University of South Carolina School of Medicine graduate, board-certified in pediatrics and emergency medicine, and has recently devoted herself full-time to her wellness practice. Dr. Birchenough practiced traditional medicine for more than 12 years, diagnosing and treating diseases but not really getting to the root cause. Over the years, she watched as unhealthy environments and poor lifestyle choices affected the health of her peers and her patients, at one point even herself, and knew that something had to give.

She realized the pursuit of health, beyond just the absence of disease, is a specialty in and of itself but wasn’t available to traditional medical students. This realization brought her to a new career path in functional medicine and has fueled her passion to treat the patient, not just the symptoms.

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[ H E A LT H ] angie comer

ORGANIZING for your HEALTH We are all a product of our environment, and believe it or not, the environment that we create can affect our physical, mental, and emotional health in a positive or negative way. The simple act of organizing our physical surroundings can have profound health benefits.

By Angie Comer

A REDUCTION IN ANXIETY The sight of a room filled with clutter or having no plan for the day can induce a stress response. Stress is known to be a major contributing factor to chronic disease.

Our brain seeks order, and when it cannot find it, we feel overwhelmed and anxious. Waking up unprepared for the day, disorganized, finds us searching for misplaced items, chronically running late, stepping over dirty laundry. As a result, we begin our day feeling rushed, unsettled, not a little frustrated. All these feelings naturally trickle down into the rest of our day, week, and our life.

AN IMPROVEMENT IN FOCUS LEVELS Clutter is a distraction and affects our ability to focus on the task at hand.

It can be physical or mental clutter. When our surroundings or our mind are cluttered and disorganized, our brain cannot process information clearly.

Getting up 30 minutes earlier can make a huge difference in our ability to focus. Use the extra time to sit quietly, clear your thoughts, plan your day, and straighten up the house. You will have a sense of accomplishment that allows you to start your day feeling relaxed and calm, ready to focus on whatever the day brings.

IMPROVES QUALITY OF SLEEP It is difficult to fall asleep if your mind is racing over all of the things you 96

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need to do or the things that you haven’t yet done. You find yourself lying in bed making a mental “to-do” list for the next day instead of sleeping. I suggest keeping a journal by your bed. Each night, take 15 minutes to write down your thoughts, feelings, and a “to-do list.” Clear your mind before going to sleep. Dumping your brain onto paper at night relieves your mind of those nagging thoughts. The next morning you wake up rested, with an organized list of the things that you intend to accomplish that day.

IMPROVED EATING HABITS If we are feeling anxiety or stress, we often tend to overeat as a coping mechanism. Procrastinating with a dish of ice cream can momentarily be more enjoyable than folding laundry. However, this creates unhealthy habits.

If you take the time to organize your kitchen and prepare weekly meal plans, you will also be able to fill your refrigerator and cabinets with healthy snacks.

You prevent temptation and have a positive impact on your waistline as well!

We have all heard the saying, “How you do one thing is how you do everything.” Chances are if your house is disorganized, most likely your car and workspace aren’t much different. Your surroundings and environment impact your mood, thoughts, and feelings. An organized environment will produce a peaceful mind, decrease the stress hormones in your body, and result in a healthier you.

AD 24

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It started with a quest for the perfect party dress. — Then Krystal & Christina Phillips launched the clothing line

Marie + Annette and learned that entrepreneurial grit is the most fabulous look of all. —

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[ YOUNG CREATORS ] marie + annette

DESIGNING WOMEN

By Karen Smith

Marie + Annette dresses are not for everybody. If you are reticent to show your arms, or looking for a dress to camouflage a few extra inches on your waistline, then you will not find it here. Marie + Annette, the clothing line founded by sisters and business partners, Christina and Krystal Phillips, makes dresses expressly for the social butterfly who likes to hit the town in an impeccable party dress and isn’t afraid to show a little skin. Nope, not for everybody. But for a growing throng of fashion enthusiasts in New York and around the country via the internet, there is nothing like the sumptuous quality and alluring fit of a Marie + Annette design. The Phillips sisters know their client base well, because essentially, their first clients were themselves.

Five years ago, when Christina and Krystal were twenty-something college grads with million-dollar physiques and hundred-dollar budgets, they grew

frustrated searching for the perfect party dress. Stylish frocks from chain stores would crumble after a few wears, and quality garments from designer boutiques carried price tags in the thousands. They couldn’t seem to find the right combination of style, quality, and fit, and they began to wonder if there were other women like them in the same untapped niche market.

“We had been talking about starting a clothing line since we were kids. It was always a dream of ours,” recalls Krystal. In fact, her admissions essay for the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York detailed her desire to become a fashion designer, but when she attended the school, she majored in product management and merchandising because she felt that the technical skills would make her more viable to potential employers.

Meanwhile, her sister, Christina, studied business and marketing at Clark University in Atlanta. After graduation, Christina and Krystal’s ambitions began to ELYSIAN

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— On the other hand, for two girls shift: their childhood fantasy of starting a fashion line had morphed into a compelling raison d’etre. “We realized that if we didn’t make a plan and work toward it then it would never really happen. So we took the plunge.” says Christina.

They decided to name the label Marie + Annette (their middle names), and set to work creating a business plan, compiling start-up funds (from their own savings plus small contributions from friends and family), and designing their first collection. Starting a new business entails a certain degree of risk, but the young sisters were not without resources for their fledgling fashion label. Christina was working in sales for a housewares manufacturer and had gained a first-hand knowledge of how retail markets work to complement the theoretical understanding of business operations that she had acquired in business school. Krystal was working as a product manager at Macy’s, which was essentially a master’s class in manufacturing, sourcing, quality control, and pricing. After one year of designing, planning, and scrambling, Marie + Annette’s inaugural collection was launched in September of 2015.

Over the past three years, Marie + Annette has built a client base of several thousand women, through e-commerce sales on their website and small presentations during New York Fashion Week. But their most successful sales tactic is still word-of-mouth. It generally consists of a woman in a Marie + Annette dress being asked “who are you wearing,” by a stranger at a party.

The number of dresses they have manufactured and sold has increased each season, and Krystal’s mentor, Betty Paul, a patternmaking professor at FIT who is also the assistant vice president of production at Nicole Miller, has helped the duo navigate the labyrinth of New York’s apparel factories as they ramp up production to meet their clients’ demands.

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who once dreamed of starting a clothing line, and now sit atop a successful fashion start-up, nothing on the horizon is outside the realm of possibility.

— A few large clothing manufacturers have expressed interest in acquiring Marie + Annette, but for now, Krystal and Christina are focused on expanding their client base and defining their aesthetic. Their designs are available at several small boutiques in New York, and they are cautiously examining the costs and benefits of selling their dresses at national department stores, but they adamantly refuse to sacrifice the quality of their clothes to meet standard retail price points. “Fast fashion is the enemy,” says Christina. “We are more interested in creating luxury garments of excellent quality, and we would prefer to grow slowly and organically than to compromise our values.”

In the future, they hope to expand into a comprehensive luxury lifestyle brand, with a portfolio of handbags, perfume, sunglasses, and shoes, but they recognize that this is a goal that sits far out on the horizon. On the other hand, for two girls who once dreamed of starting a clothing line, and now sit atop a successful fashion start-up, nothing on the horizon is outside the realm of possibility.

[ PHILANTHROPY ] making a difference

HUNGER

is...AD

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13 million American kids.*

When they’re hungry, children are more likely to be hospitalized and they face

conditions

higher risks of health

like anemia and asthma. And as they grow up,

kids struggling to get enough to eat are more likely to have problems in school and other social situations.**

Feed the Children exists to end childhood hunger. It’s the cause upon which it was founded in 1979 and the one that they continue to fight for each and every day.

Feed the Children knows it takes the power of many to end childhood hunger for good. They connect donors, experts, partners, leaders and communities to attack the problem from all angles.

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* Coleman-Jensen, A., Rabbitt, M., Gregory, C., & Singh, A. (2017). Household Food Security in the United States in 2016. USDA ERS. ** Kirkpatrick,McIntyre, and Potestio (2010)Child hunger and long-term adverse consequences for health. Archive of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine, 164 (8), 754-762.

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Morning on Siebold's Pond | 24 x 36 | Oil on Board

[ ART ] american painter and sculptor

Lanford Monroe:

Her Wild Life g “It never occurred to me that there was anything special about being an artist since everyone around me painted. I always assumed that I would be one too – it just seemed as natural as breathing.”

g

by Michelle Breeze

Lanford Monroe was born on May 12, 1950 into a family brimming with

artistry. Her father, C.E. Monroe, was already a prominent wildlife artist while her mother, Betty, was an accomplished portrait artist. The community that Lanford grew up in was steeped in artistic talent, and she was always encouraged to do what she wanted to do, not waste time making money, but to do what moved her. Monroe said of her life, “Of course I planned to be an artist. It literally never occurred to me to be anything else.”

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Leyburn Run | 24 x 36 | Oil on Board

A BOUT LEY BUR N RU N

We saw this scene together in England, but she painted the foxes into the big one. This painting expressed her personality in so many ways - with the sun coming up, and the foxes whipping across the land. She always said that her spirit animal was the fox. You can see that affection for them in the painting. ~ Chipper Thompson

Monroe was a child prodigy, selling her first piece of commercial art to a doll company for $250 at the age of six. In 1968, Monroe won the Gold Medal Award for Watercolor as well as the Alabama State Award for Sculpture. She briefly attended the Ringling School of Art and Design but had no interest in pursuing pop art and abstract painting, so she left to pursue her career on her own, painting her way across the country.

On their primitive ranch, just outside Buffalo Gap, South Dakota, her daughter Charlotte was born. Inspired by the scenery, Monroe painted dozens of watercolors, sharing her work at various art shows and exhibitions.

She also painted a Bob White on the cover of the Georgia phonebook, and when Jimmy Carter mentioned it on Barbara Walters, the reproductions sold out immediately.

Her landscapes and wildlife paintings were both evocative and haunting, and it’s easy to see where in the early '70s, she began to incorporate more emotion into her work. “It’s hard to talk about a painting because what you’re trying to put into it, it should be something that’s felt, like music.”

While painting in the Southwest, Monroe met and married Willy (Bill) Burnette, and for several years, she lived a hardscrabble life with no heat, no running water, no money, and not much to eat.

She and Burnette divorced, and she moved back to Alabama. She would later recall those years with humor, but she never had any desire to return to South Dakota.

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Close to her parents once again, Monroe started exhibiting at the Huntsville Museum of Art. It was during that time that she discovered American and French Impressionism, and it changed her art and her life forever. Two of her

A BOUT MERCED SPR ING

This was a really interesting painting because when we arrived at the Merced River, it was actually flooding, and part of Yosemite was closing. It was just luck that we were there. ~ Chipper Thompson

inspirations, Singer-Sargent and William Merritt Chase, influenced major changes in her painting style, lending easier and freer strokes to her work.

While in Alabama, she met and married foxhunter Bob DeNeefe, and as her love for the hunt increased, she added horses to her repertoire of subjects.

For a time, she was an avid hunter, but during her first “blooding,” she lost a taste for the sport entirely. Her marriage was also over shortly thereafter.

Merced Spring | 24 x 36 | Oil on Board

During the years that followed, although she traveled all over the country exhibiting and selling her work, she stayed close to her parents. Her level of professionalism and seriousness about her work increased dramatically during this time, and she gained a reputation as an artist to watch.

This period of prolific painting led Monroe to begin sculpting horses when she needed a break from painting. She sculpted and molded four equine bronzes which caught the attention of the Franklin Mint, who commissioned cold casts of the four horses. They sold exceptionally well and just added one more dimension to Monroe’s artistry.

Spring Flood | 18 x 24 | Oil on Board Central Valley | 24 x 36 | Oil on Board

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Sunrise on Firehole | 36 x 48 | Oil on Board

Monroe often preferred to paint on moody, atmospheric days, so when it was sunny, she would ride through the meadows and visit properties adjacent to her, which is where she met her final husband, Chipper Thompson.

Thompson and Monroe had a heady courtship that resulted in a year of intensive painting all across Yorkshire, England, Normandy and Paris, France, rural Ireland, and Tuscany, Italy. They eventually returned to Alabama, married, then moved to Taos, New Mexico where they purchased a 250-year-old adobe and orchard.

Flooded Road | 24 x 36 | Oil on Board

“In our estimation, there is no one painter today who uses light and dark contrasts with the skill of Lanford Monroe...”

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The artistic scene in Taos was ripe with opportunity for Monroe, and it was during these years that she garnered various awards and accolades that resulted in pieces going to the permanent collections in both the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Wyoming and The Sporting Gallery in Virginia.

Shortly before she died, Monroe was included in a prestigious list of “The Important and Enduring Work of America’s Treasured and Most Compelling Artists.”

One of the editors said of her work, “In our estimation, there is no one painter today who uses light and dark contrasts with the skill of Lanford Monroe. She is a master of mood, who, without fail, is able to capture in her painting exactly the mood she seeks. Monroe’s magical moods will continue to win the hearts of collectors for generations to come.” Monroe died six months later. She was 50. E

Resonate, 50� x 40�

robertlangfordstudio.com 704-650-2978

Gravetye Manor at dawn.

Image courtesy of Gravetye Manor.

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[ T R AV E L ] engilsh countyside

Oh, to be in England, now that April's there. ~ ELYSIAN writer Abby Deering, born and raised in England, shares some of the very best countryside escapes to visit this spring. ~

•

by Abby Deering “Oh, to be in England, Now that April's there.” So starts Robert Browning's poem “Home -Thoughts from Abroad,” an ode to his motherland in springtime, a sylvan wonderland replete with“orchards, dewdrops and blossomed pear trees.”

While London is often considered the crown jewel of the British Isles, something quintessentially English awaits in the surrounding countryside. Within a mere two hours’ drive of the capital city, exquisite manors and charming cottages beckon for a weekend spring retreat.

Traveling to a new place is thrilling, but the thought of getting there can inspire dread. Modern-day travel with its emphasis on expediency — of getting from point A to point B — can all seem frightfully quotidien.

The gardens designed by Vita Sackville-West and her husband, offer a series of whimsical vignettes. © National Trust Images/Andrew Butler

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ithin a mere two hours drive of the city are many exquisite manors and charming cottages beckoning for a weekend retreat. ELYSIAN shares some of the the very best places to stay.

Sissinghurst Castle Farmhouse and Sissinghurst Castle Gardens •

In county Kent, an area known as the “The Garden of England,” lies the world-famous Sissinghurst Castle Gardens. Now maintained by The National Trust, Sissinghurst was previously owned by poet and writer Vita Sackville-West and husband Harold Nicholson, author and diplomat.

Sackville-West and Nicholson undertook designing the garden by creating what would become a prime example of the Arts and Crafts style. The garden is, in essence, a series of rooms formed by high-clipped hedges and pink brick walls. Each has its own theme and character, and through windows — either a ‘cut’ in a wall or a ‘slice’ through a hedge — offers a glimpse into another area.

On Sissinghurst grounds, a handsome Victorian farmhouse was transformed in 2009 into a luxury bed and breakfast. Bedrooms offer sweeping views across the estate and towards the castle’s 16th-century Elizabethan tower. nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle-garden, sissinghurstcastlefar mhouse.com/ 110

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The Rose Garden at Sissinghurst Castle, Kent. © National Trust Images/Andrew Butler

Cliveden •

Cliveden House, a five-star luxury hotel less than 45 minutes drive from London, was originally built in 1666 by the Duke of Birmingham as a symbol of his love for his mistress the Countess of Shrewsbury. The Duke had just emerged victorious from a duel with the Countess’ husband who was wounded and later died. Since that time, Cliveden, a popular haunt for the rich, famous and royal, has remained a place steeped in a fantastically English brand of intrigue and scandal.

Frequent houseguest Queen Victoria was famously “not amused” when the then-owner, the Duke of Westminster, decided to sell Cliveden to American millionaire Waldorf Astor and his wife Lady Nancy Astor (who became the first woman to take a seat in parliament in 1919 until her retirement in 1945). The Astors continued the tradition of hosting illustrious guests including Winston Churchill, President Roosevelt, The Beatles, Charlie Chaplin, and Ghandi.

Today, this stately getaway, surrounded by 376 acres of National Trust gardens and with panoramic views over the Berkshire countryside and the River Thames, plays homage to its predecessors by naming each room after a prominent guest from its past. Cliveden truly is a place where one thinks “if only these walls could talk.” clivedenhouse.co.uk

r

The Astors continued the tradition of hosting illustrious guests including Winston Churchill, President Roosevelt, The Beatles, and Ghandi.

Lavender in Cliveden's Parterre Garden. Image courtesy J Public Relations.

The orchard in April at Sissinghurst Castle gardens in Kent. © National Trust Images/Andrew Butler

Graveyte Manor •

Gravetye Manor, a 16th-century estate turned country hotel, was originally built by Richard Infield for his bride Katharine. The initials “R” and “K” can still be seen carved in the stone over the main entrance. Later, Gravetye was owned by William Robinson, known as the father of the English flower garden. It was at this property that Robinson realized his naturalistic and revolutionary “wild garden” concept spurring a movement that popularized the cottage garden.

Current owner Jeremy Hosking has faithfully maintained Robinson’s vision, restoring the gardens to their former glory after a period of neglect. When not strolling about the grounds, some of the most influential in English history, guests at Gravetye may take part in deer stalking, riding the Bluebell railway, or simply curling up on a leather Chesterfield in front of a roaring fire following a spot of afternoon tea. gravetyemanor.co.uk

The grounds at Gravetye Manor, designed by the father of the English flower garden, William Robinson.

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Helping the upstate grow, one kitchen at a time.

Tracy Spake, Owner/Designer 864-804-7914 2932 Reidville Road, Spartanburg designerkitchensnmore.com

Babington House •

Babington House may well be Britain’s original trendy country house retreat. The small boutique hotel was the first countryside property from the uber-cool Soho House Group. The Group has since added the Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire, which has fast become the destination for London’s jet-set young creatives. However, the scales may tip in favor of Babington House, a grand Georgian home, due to its proximity to Hauser and Wirth Somerset, a contemporary art complex that The Guardian suggests may be “the new Guggenheim.” (Good rule of thumb: if there’s an internationally lauded art institution in an unexpected rural area, go.) To make a day of it, close by is Alchemy, an antique shop housed in a former garage, a favorite among British interior designers. babingtonhouse.co.uk

Babington House, an 18th century Georgian Manor in Somerset.

Image courtesy of Soho House & Co.

Dining on the grounds surrounding Sibton House.

Image courtesy of Wilderness Reserve

Set within 500-acres of stunning English countryside, Luchnam Park is known for it's Equestrian Center. Images courtesy of Luchnam Park

Lucknam Park + The Pig-near Bath •

Virginia Creeper covering the facade of The Swan.

Image courtesy of Cotswold Inns & Hotels

The Swan •

The Swan sits on the banks of the River Coln in Bibury, a picturesque Cotswold village once described by famed English textile designer William Morris as the most beautiful in England. The Cotswolds, officially designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is known worldwide for its historic stone-built villages. The Swan is a creeper-clad, romantic inn with low-beamed rooms, flamboyant prints and wallpapers, and cozy dens.

A walk across an ancient stone bridge brings you to the town of Arlington with its celebrated row of 14th century weaver’s cottages. cotswold-inns-hotels.co.uk/the-swan-hotel/

At the end of a long, tree-lined drive set within a 500-acre estate sits Lucknam Park. The Palladian mansion-turned-hotel, just outside the city of Bath, is perhaps best known for its equestrian center and spa offerings, including a Japanese salt room. The hotel is home to Michelin-starred restaurant The Park, but for a true gastronomic experience stay at The Pig - near Bath. The Pig hotels, often referred to as “restaurants with rooms,” are a new English chain guided by the gardener, forager, and chef at each. lucknampark.co.uk, thepighotel.com/near-bath/

Sibton Park Manor House •

Sibton Park Manor House, a Georgian estate, and The Moat House, a Tudor farmhouse with its very own footbridge, are grand homes available to rent within the Downtown Abbey-esque Wilderness Reserve. These homes are two-and-half hours from London and thus, fall outside the purview of this list, but they are worthy of mention and worth the extra half hour drive,. wildernessreserve.com E ELYSIAN

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For equestrian eventers, winning the Kentucky competition is akin to winning the Kentucky Derby in thoroughbred racing. Courtney Cooper and “Who’s A Star” made their first finish at the Rolex Kentucky in 2016.

All images courtesy Mike McNally

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[ EQUESTRIAN ] going for gold

THE ROA D TO K ENT UCK Y:

One Rider’s Grit & Determination to Make It

By Rebecca Carr

E

ven though Courtney Cooper has broken her neck, back, collarbone, ribs, pelvis, and ankle while training horses, her broken bones haven’t squashed her spirit. She was often back on her mount before being fully healed, determined to reach her goal of competing in the Rolex Kentucky.

Now known as the Land Rover Kentucky, the three-day event is the largest non-racing equestrian event in North America, drawing the world’s top riders to compete in the disciplines of dressage, cross-country jumping, and show jumping.

To reach the 4-star level of competition, the sport’s highest level, both horse and rider endure a grueling pace of training and competitions around the country in hopes of earning enough points to qualify. Of the 12,000 riders competing in North America, less than 2 percent make it to Kentucky in any given year.

Cooper placed 50th in the Kentucky field in 2016 on Who’s a Star, a crossbreed of an Irish Sport Horse and New Zealand Thoroughbred that she bred and foaled in 2003. While Cooper is not listed as a favorite to win Kentucky’s $400,000 purse in 2018, her quest to succeed stands out because she foaled, trained, and campaigned her horse, a rarity in the sport.

“Seldom do you find a horse person who is not only an accomplished rider

and trainer, but also a breeder,” said Rob Burke, CEO of the Virginia-based United States Eventing Association. “All three pursuits are time consuming and require skill and education to achieve. It is more common to find riders who also train their equine partners, but seldom do you find all three in one person.”

The road to Kentucky is a rocky one, fraught with year-long competitions to qualify in a sport that is so intense that it originated from training cavalry horses for war. Eventing requires both horse and rider to be in peak physical and mental shape.

Winning the Kentucky competition is akin to winning the Kentucky Derby in thoroughbred racing.

Kentucky is “certainly the peak of the pyramid in the United States, and the intensity of the competition is so special,” said James C. Wofford, the Olympic rider, trainer, and two-time Rolex Kentucky winner.

Wofford has seen a lot of riders compete, but Cooper stands out in the field, he said, because of her strong work ethic, grit, and determination.

“Courtney thinks about it. She reads about it. She learns about it. Those are the hallmarks of riders who go to a four star and are successful,” he said. “She is an excellent horsewoman. Because Courtney works at it, she has shown a slow, steady improvement in her results. That is what makes her stand out.”

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The making of a top eventing horse Who’s a Star, who goes by the nickname Tag when he is not showing, had a slow start. He was born with one leg back and was very scrawny. “It was a good thing that I didn’t decide whether to go into the breeding business based on Tag because he was one of those gawky 12-year-old boys who are all legs.

You think there is a good athlete in there, but you’re not sure all the pieces will come together,” Cooper said.

Cooper put Tag out to pasture in Virginia at the age of 2 to grow. She started training him at 4. He started to win at age 5, securing 13 top-five finishes in the beginning divisions of eventing.

Tag kept rising through the levels of eventing. Cooper commented, “You never know you have a four-star horse until you are through the finish line of your first four-star competition.” However, so much can go wrong—the horse goes lame, the rider gets injured, or the training is not enough.

Getting to the Rolex is one thing. Finishing it is another. The three days are very daunting. Competitors start with dressage, which tests gaits, suppleness, and obedience of the horse through a series of prescribed movements similar to ballet. In the second phase, riders gallop over four miles of challenging terrain at speeds up to 25 mph, steering over obstacles, water hazards, banks, and ditches.

The final competition is a jumping round which evaluates a horse’s athletic ability, conditioning, and training as they clear fences 4-foot-3 inches high.

After finishing in 2016, Cooper felt confident and had high hopes that she would do even better in 2017. But, a few months after his Kentucky debut, Tag was eliminated from a major horse trial for not jumping. Cooper sensed something was wrong. At this point, Cooper and Tag were so attuned to each other’s cues, that even the smallest change in his attitude was a sign that something was wrong.

Cooper returned to her farm in Pennsylvania and redoubled her training efforts. But even with innovative changes to his training regime, Tag was still not right. She sought help from her vets, trainers, and friends; all symptoms pointed to a stomach issue. They experimented with drugs and did surgery to take a biopsy of his intestinal tract. The surgery uncovered inflammatory bowel disease. However, he was still having issues with colic and needs to be closely monitored.

“Tag is the sun which we all orbit around,” said Cooper, noting that he eats four times a day and has to be bedded on straw because he does not like to urinate on shavings. “It is a lot of sleepless nights. Tears on your pillow.

Worry. Concern. Luckily, we have a great team on our farm and wonderful veterinarians who really understand and want to help Tag.” During one colic episode on her winter farm in Aiken, S.C., Cooper drove in the middle of the night to the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine to get help. There, they diagnosed Tag with allergies, in addition to his inflammatory bowel disease. With a new medicine regime and regular doses of GastroGard, Tag started to make a comeback.

Top: At the Land Rover Kentucky competition (formerly known as Rolex Kentucky),competitors start with dressage, which tests gaits, suppleness, and obedience of the horse through a series of prescribed movements similar to ballet.

Bottom: The third phase of the competition is a jumping round in a stadium which evaluates a horse’s athletic ability, conditioning, and training as they clear fences 4-foot-3 inches high.

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Dan Far nsworth, Jr .

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“He was so sick that when he started to come back, I just remember thinking, I am just so glad to have you back,” Cooper said.

Despite making an attempt to return to Kentucky in 2017, physical issues reared their head again, and Tag struggled for the rest of his 2017 campaign. Recently, Tag has gotten stronger and is now poised to qualify for Kentucky again.

“When you think about horses at this level, they are like Ironman athletes,” said Anne Walker, a Maryland-based trainer and long-time friend of Cooper.

“These horses don’t grow on trees. You are going to go the extra mile for them, and in Courtney’s case, she goes the extra 20 miles. It speaks volumes of her character. Courtney has gotten to where she is by hard work and grit” Walker said. “What makes her such a good horse person is she is not so much after the ribbons; she is after improvement.”

Horse Crazy

Growing up in Wilton, Connecticut, Cooper was a horse-crazy girl. She started riding at age 12 with the New Canaan Mounted Troop and trained under Martha Anne Shires, a member of the 1978 World Championship Canadian Eventing team and Michael Page, a three-time Olympic eventer.

Cooper loved riding, but as the youngest of four girls, her parents made it clear that while they would pay for competitions, she would need to figure out a way to pay for her lessons. In order to earn money, she worked at the barn, cleaned people’s houses, and sold holiday cards.

“I have a singular passion about riding and trying to be the best rider I can be.”

When it came time to go to Rice University, Cooper’s parents said she could not take her horse to Houston for the first semester, hoping she would get sidetracked by other interests. When she returned from winter break, the horse returned too. Under the conditions of the deal she made with her parents, Cooper had to maintain a B-plus average and cover all of her expenses. Ever industrious, Cooper ended up selling Cutco knives to pay for the horse.

There was little time for anything but horses, school, and selling knives during those days, but Cooper did manage to meet the man who would become her husband. Neal Camens grew up outside Atlanta without animals, but after falling in love with Cooper, he quickly became a convert.

After Rice, the pair moved to Atlanta. Cooper, using her sales skills, began working at Northwestern Mutual selling life and disability insurance. Her success in the insurance industry made it possible for her to keep up her training with Lois Lann, a well-known eventing trainer. She also traveled to Pennsylvania to train with the likes of Bruce Davidson, a World Champion and Olympian. When it became financially viable for her to leave insurance to pursue an equestrian career full time, Camens backed her dream. The pair moved from Atlanta to southeastern Pennsylvania in 1996 and started C Square Farm.

Camens, a civil engineer, juggles his day job while overseeing the farm’s breeding program. The couple has 15 foals from the same family line, all first, 118

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Courtney Cooper is a rarity in the eventing competition arena because she bred, raised, trained, and now competes Who’s A Star. “Seldom do you see a horse person who is not only an accomplished rider and trainer, but also a breeder,” said Rob Burke, CEO of the Virginia-based United States Eventing Association.

second, or third generation of Faith, the dam of Tag. Cooper teaches, trains, and sells upwards of 50 sport horses a year.

“I am very proud and honored to be Neal’s wife. I feel lots of emotions when it comes to him and what he has done in his life to support me and my dreams.

He has always been there cheering me on,” Cooper said. “He has gone hook, line, and sinker for the dogs, the horses, and the cats. I am very fortunate for it.”

After 30 years together, Camens is just as smitten as he was when he first met her.

“Before meeting Courtney, I never thought my life would include animals, and definitely not living on a farm. I moved into it gradually. We moved from Georgia to Pennsylvania, kept adding horses, leasing farms with more stalls, getting a dog, buying a farm, and breeding horses.”

In other words, a good life.

Cooper is able to see past the current situation and imagine taking things to the next level, Camens said. She brings that vision to her riding, horse sales business, and training others. “Numerous times I have seen Courtney have faith in the rider’s ability encouraging them to go well beyond what they thought their limits were. From beginners to advanced students and people at the farm trying sales horses, it is common for them to leave the ring smiling and saying that they have never jumped fences that high before,” he said.

Cooper’s goal is to get back to Kentucky in 2018. When asked how she keeps going despite a laundry list of physical injuries from riding, Cooper just laughs.

“Why does Lindsey Vonn keep climbing to the top of the mountain to race down? She would probably think jumping four-foot tables on a cross-country course is nuts, but this is who I am. This is what my passion is,” Cooper said. “I have a singular passion about riding and trying to be the best rider I can be.” E

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[ ICON GLOBAL GROUP ] lists + sells iconic real estate

Icon Global sponsored Olivia Uechtritz (16) carries the ball in US Woman’s Polo Open Handicap Series debut.

Her handicap was raised 2 goals after the tournament.

Photo by: Kaylee Wroe Photography

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