Holl & Lane, Issue 2 Preview

H OL L

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I S S U E T W O | A UGUST/SEPTEMB ER 2 0 1 5

A MOTHER’S DISAPPEARANCE SEARCHING FOR MOM 14 YEARS LATER

BUYING & RENOVATING

10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT RENOVATION

I AM A FORMER BEAUTY QUEEN GO INSIDE THE PAGEANT WORLD

BEAUTY TIPS FROM A FACIALIST LEARN TO PUT YOUR BEST FACE FORWARD

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CONTENT EDITOR’S NOTE TEAM OBSESSIONS ENTERTAINMENT STYLE / BEAUTY INTERIORS BUSINESS FOOD & FITNESS DO IT YOURSELF LIFE STORIES FAMILY TRAVEL CREDITS

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5 6 9 14 21 40 51 72 76 87 104 110

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COVER STORIES 16 BEAUTY TIPS FROM A FACIALIST

34 BUYING & RENOVATING

81 I AM A FORMER BEAUTY QUEEN

84 A MOTHER’S DISAPPEARANCE

Learn to put your best face forward with these tips from a professional facialist

Go behind the scenes of pageant life & discover what the beauty queens are really like

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10 things you need to know before renovating your first home

One woman takes us inside her life searching for her mother

FEATURES

ENTERTAINMENT 10 Book Reviews 12 10 Songs To Get You Focused 13 5 Movies On Personal Evolution STYLE / BEAUTY 15 Drugstore Beauty Buys 16 Beauty Tips From A Facialist 18 3 Girls, One Trend 20 Product Spotlight INTERIORS 22 Kids Room Inspiration 32 Coffee Table Roundup 34 Buying & Renovating 39 #HollAndLaneRooms BUSINESS 41 Small Business: Spruce Rd. 46 Noteworthy 47 Launching A Brand: Jewelry Heist 50 Career Profile: Licensed Psychologist FOOD & FITNESS 52 My Fitness Journey 54 5 Reasons To Get A Massage 56 Workout Spotlight 58 Food Guilt No More 62 Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl 64 Watermelon Avocado Salad 66 Traditions: Macaroni Pie 68 Vegan Cupcakes 70 Chocolate Strawberry Cups DO IT YOURSELF 73 Skyline Doormat 74 Decorative Dishes 75 Burlap Wreath LIFE STORIES 77 The Girl Next Door 78 Living With Misophonia 81 I Am A Former Beauty Queen 84 A Mother’s Disappearance 86 What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?

FAMILY 88 Being a Parent of Multiples 91 Straight From Their Mouths 92 Being a Mom: A Photo Diary 98 Camera Mama 100 Free Family Activities TRAVEL 105 Where Would You Travel?

108 Instagrammable: Harlingen, TX

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H OLL

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I S S U E T W O | A UGUS T/ S E P TE MB E R 2 01 5

Editor In Chief SARAH HARTLEY editor@hollandlanemag.com

Editorial Assistants KIMIKO SASO AIRE PLICHTA

Social Media Coordinators JESS DOWNEY MIA SUTTON EMILY CULLEN

Advertising Executive MEGAN DECKER

If you’re interested in contributing to our next issue, visit www.hollandlanemag.com Interested in advertising with us? Email editor@hollandlanemag.com for our media kit.

For subsciptions, log on to www.hollandlanemag.com

STML 4 Holl & Lane, Issue 2

MY LATEST OBSESSIONS SOLE SOCIETY PRINT TOTE, $60 This bag is so much different than anything I own and it’s perfect for summer.

I love the black and white mixed with the brown accents.

GIRLS IN WHITE DRESSES BY JENNIFER CLOSE, $9 Okay, so this is an older book, but it’s new to me and I’ve loved all of the different plots to follow. It’s kept me interested.

EDITOR’S NOTE It took me a long time to realize who I truly am as a person.

Like a lot of other 20-somethings, I alternated between being who I wanted to be (tentatively), and being who I thought others wanted me to be. I pretended to be the outgoing, friendly girl who was always up for going out. But it turns out, I’m actually an introvert who much prefers to stay in with a very small, very close group of friends. I like quiet and peaceful, I like relaxing.

I don’t think I truly learned who I was until I became a mother.

Once I had someone else to care for and gave up all sembalance of free time, I quickly realized what made me happy and what I wanted to do when I found a few minutes to myself. It also took me becoming a mother to realize that if I wanted my dreams to come true, I’d have to make them come true. I wanted to show my son that you really can do whatever you want if you work hard enough for it.

I now celebrate the personal evolution I went through. I’m glad I had to figure out who I was and feel confident that I’m okay just the way that I am. _________________________________________________ Throughout this issue you’ll see a few new things, including products from companies that make this magazine possible. I hope that you’ll click their links, check out their stores and support them as they’ve supported me in this new venture. And who knows, you may even score a deal or two just because you’re a reader of this magazine.

I’ll see you again in October!

Sarah

EMAIL ME

KATE SPADE METRO WATCH, $195 This watch has been on my wishlist for a long time- I love the color, the simple face, and the classic look.

DOT & BO PLANT PODS, $32 I kill nearly all plants I come into contact with, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting adorable planters like these.

See something you love? Click it to shop!

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obsessions

See something you love? Click it to shop!

NIVEA IN-SHOWER LOTION, $6 I love soft skin and this stuff is amazing. I use it on it’s own to save a little time with my routine or if I’m too lazy to put on lotion. Or sometimes I use it and then still use regular lotion to make my skin extra soft. It’s the best and smells so nice.

Jess, Social Media Coordinator

H&L T O bs e s

We admit it, we get obsessed, t current favorite BARE MINERALS COMPLEXION RESCUE, $27 This stuff is amazing - it’s light weight, super hydrating, and has built in SPF. It gives you a nice dewy glow and is perfect for ladies who just want a touch of coverage.

Kimiko, Editorial Assistant

LEAVE YOUR MARK

BY ALIZA LICHT, $17 Right now I’m totally obsessed with this book!

Aire, Editorial Assistant

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obsessions

SHEAMOISTURE RAW SHEA BUTTER BAR SOAP, $9 It’s made with natural/organic ingredients, smells yummy, leaves my skin nice and smooth and most importantly the brand is cruelty free!

Megan, Advertising Executive

Team si ons

TYME HAIR STRAIGHTENER, $190 It straightens and curls at the same time. I need that in my life. I have naturally curly hair and when I straighten it, it just kind of hangs there. So then I have to go back and try to use my curling iron to give it some wave/body. Ain't nobody got time for that.

Mia, Social Media Coordinator

too. Here’s a roundup of our e obsessions.

GAPBODY PULLOVER BRA, $20 Since moving from the corporate world to working from home, my work attire has changed quite a bit: it went from city-suitable to cute & comfortable. This bra is not only incredibly comfortable (it’s not super tight like a sports bra), it fits well under most t-shirts and tank tops.

Emily, Social Media Coordinator

produced by SARAH HARTLEY

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Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.

- Aristotle

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entertainment

ON OUR BOOKSHELF words by AMY COOK

THE CURRENT: Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll

Ani is the woman we all hope to be. Working for a woman’s magazine in New York, a wardrobe to make an A-list celebrity jealous, and a fiancé with family money and All-American good looks, Ani seems to have it all. She is aloof but seems to have a vulnerability all women can relate to when marrying up and trying to lose those last few pounds for the final wedding gown fitting. The story goes back and forth to shed light into her formative years at an elite high school where she is known as TifAni, a transfer student trying to find where she fits in amongst the cliques. A horrible incident at a party one evening reveals the reason for Ani’s hard exterior and the new identity she has created for herself. When a tragedy takes place at the school, TifAni finds herself at the center of an investigation that proves she may not have been as innocent as originally portrayed. Filled with rich character descriptions and written with a distinct prose, Luckiest Girl Alive will keep you guessing until the very end. Bonus?

Reese Witherspoon’s company has picked it up for production to begin.

Our Rating: 4/5

THE CLASSIC: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

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It seems like authors never get tired of orphaned children and Jane Eyre sets the tone for making the reader sympathetic to the title character before the first chapter comes to a close.

Young Jane Eyre is entrusted to the care of her aunt and uncle upon her parents’ death. The loving uncle dies leaving Jane to fend for herself against a cruel aunt and spiteful cousins whom she cannot seem to measure up to. When it is finally determined that the burden of this niece is too much, she is sent to a school for girls to finish her upbringing. She has many lessons in finishing school but the toughest one comes in the form of her best friend dying due to an illness that sweeps the school. Thus ends part one and the end of her childlike outlook on life.

Part two begins with her teaching at the school and finally looking for a job to be a private governess. When she finds the perfect job caring for a darling young girl entrusted to a father figure, she takes on the job with efficiency and gusto. However, when she meets the master of the house, she quickly establishes a crush which blossoms into much more as every page turns. Love never comes easily and Jane Eyre is no exception. When she learns her betrothed’s secret just moments before they are man and wife she has to make the ultimate decision; honorably leave with her dignity or risk everything in the name of love.

Our Rating: 3.5/5

entertainment

See something you love? Click it to shop!

THE NON-FICTION: On The Outside Looking Indian by Rupinder Gill

Have you ever opened a book and started laughing out loud the moment you turn the first page? That is what happened reading this memoir. Rupinder grew up in Canada to Indian parents who wanted the opportunities Canada offered without indulging their children in any of the rights of passage most children are entitled to. Upon turning 30, she decides she wants to go back in time and get a do-over for all of the activities she never had a chance to experience when she was growing up under the rules (and fears) of her parents. She takes lessons: tennis, tap, and swimming; looks into getting a dog, and plans a trip to Disney World.

Rupinder is forthcoming about her faults and strengths while offering insight into what it is like to be the child of immigrants afraid of this country filled with notions that are a nonfactor in their homeland of India. Absolutely hysterical and full of priceless references all 80’s and 90’s babies will immediately recognize, this book can be enjoyed by anyone who wishes they had a chance to turn back the clock and take the chances they missed during their first childhood.

Our Rating: 5/5

THE CHILDREN’S: Thank You, Grandpa by Lynn Plourde

This book is beautifully written. A young girl takes walks with her grandfather starting as a toddler. When they come across a dead grasshopper the little girl wants to know what they should do. Grandpa shows her the importance of thanking the creature and saying goodbye.

They continue this ritual on their walks throughout the early years of the girl’s life. (You know where this is headed, right?) So one day grandpa is unable to continue on the walks and the girl takes a walk to say her own thank you and goodbye to the man that taught her how to appreciate life in the face of death. With illustrations by Jason Cockcroft created in the impressionistic style made famous by artists like Claude Monet, the photos lead you to an ethereal place that seems destined for saying goodbyes. Bring the tissues. Thank You, Grandpa is an excellent book for explaining the importance of how to say goodbye to a loved one.

Our Rating: 5/5

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entertainment

Ten Songs To GET YOU FO CU SE D

Have a big project to take care of? Micah suggests turning on these tunes and getting down to the task at hand! words by MICAH CHAPLIN

Disappear Gabe Dixon Band

Tenerife Sea Ed Sheeran

City Sara Bareilles

Simple Life Tyrone Wells

Everything Will Be Alright Matt Wertz

Right On Time Tony Lucca

Chamomile and Coffee Nathan Angelo

A Life That’s Good Lennon & Maisy

Gotta Figure This Out Erin McCarley

All We Are Matt Nathanson

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entertainment

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES Evelyn meets Ninny at a time when she needed a friend to help her find her way. Through hearing the stories of Idgie and Ruth’s adventures, Evelyn finds the strength to reclaim her life and become the woman that is deep within her.

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IN HER SHOES After being kicked to the curb by her sister, Maggie, a self-centered party girl, shows up on the doorstep of her long lost grandmother, Ella. Maggie is given an ultimatum to stay while earning her keep or to leave empty handed. Throwing herself into the retirement home community, Maggie learns what is truly important in life and is able to unmask her own insecurities.

CAKE Claire is living with chronic pain due to a personal tragedy. After Nina, a woman in her support group, takes her own life, Claire becomes fascinated with her life. By inserting herself into Nina’s family, Claire begins to open up to the possibility of life without pain.

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Five Movies

ON PERSONAL EVOLUTION

We naturally go through periods of change as we get older. Let these movies keep you company if you’re going through your own journey. words by ERICA MUSYT

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ABOUT A BOY Will is a wealthy, child-free, thirty-something who makes up an imaginary son to pick up women at single parent meetings.

Through one of his dates, Will meets a 12 year old boy, Marcus, who is having a tough go of life. They become friends, and as Will teaches Marcus how to be one of the cool kids, Marcus helps Will to finally grow up.

THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY When an Indian family opens up a new restaurant one hundred feet from Madam Mallory’s celebrated establishment, she is presented with competition for the first time in many years. One young Indian chef expresses interest in being taught by Madame Mallory and she decides to take him under her wing. Through teaching him, Mallory’s eyes are opened to a whole new world of food, life, and love that she never knew existed.

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The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.

- Coco Chanel

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style & beauty

MAYBELLINE COLOR TATTOO EYESHADOW, $7 This extremely pigmented eyeshadow doesn’t crease throughout the day and it’s also great to use as an eyeshadow base!

NYX COSMETICS COLLECTION NOIR LIQUID BLACK LINER, $6 With a very thin brush, application is a breeze with this liner. The liner is long lasting and the color is amazing!

NYC WATERPROOF EYELINER, $4 This eyeliner glides smoothly onto the skin, won’t smudge over time, and lasts all day on the water line.

DRUGSTORE BEAUTY BUYS

There’s no need to spend your whole paycheck on makeup. Simply head to your nearest drugstore for these products that rival the higher end products at a fraction of the price. words by CARA ZAMORSKI

L’OREAL TRUE MATCH CONCEALER, $8 With a wide variety of shades to choose from, this concealer doesn’t sink into fine lines over time like some others.

RIMMEL LONDON FIX & PERFECT PRIMER, $11 The primer that lasts all day without drying out skin also makes makeup application flawless. Plus it perfectly camoflauges imperfections.

See something you love? Click it to shop!

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style & beauty

Skincare Tips From A Facialist

Eva Kerschbaumer is a former Hungarian model and Master Esthetician who came to the USA from Budapest in 1996 and opened ESSpa Kozmetika Organic Skincare in Pittsburgh in 2002. Today she gives us ten tips to have healthier, more beautiful skin. words & images by EVA KERSCHBAUMER

1. Know your skin. We are all different. Because of this, each of our skin is unique and requires unique care. If you do not take the time to know the unique details of your skin (dry, oily, sensitive, reacts to certain foods, breaks out easily, burns easily, thin, bruises easily, heals slowly, ingrown hair, etc. etc) then how can you expect anyone or anything to really provide any real health benefits?

2. Know your ingredients. Look at the label and read the ingredients. Look for sodium hyaluronic acid. Look for peptides. Look for ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), stay away from mineral oils, stay away from PEGs, stay away from sulfates, stay away from “fragrance” and synthetic dyes (FD&C Blue, etc). And understand that essential oils can have benefits but may also cause an allergic reaction for some users.

3. Plan your attack. Pollution, sun, dirt, water, textiles, deodorant, makeup, food - the average woman comes into contact with over 180 different (potentially toxic) chemicals BEFORE they even walk out of the house. Don’t get distracted by the latest new youth cream. Identify your issue(s) and then seek out a licensed professional to assist you in finding a solution to that issue - and don’t stop until that specific issue is solved.

4. What is in your medication? Even one pill can have a huge impact on your body chemistry and has the potential to cause skin issues. If you are aware of what your medicine can do (both prescription and OTC medications) then you can understand the potential impact they 16 Holl & Lane, Issue 2

will have on your outward appearance. The best thing to do is to seek out a licensed professional and ask lots of questions.

5. Use a humidifier. Dry sinuses, itchy skin, dry eyes, chapped lips - humidifiers can help alleviate issues that might be caused by dry indoor air regardless of the season. It is important to constantly clean your humidifier and to keep the humidity level between 35 - 50 percent, since anything above 50% could encourage the growth of mold spores, bacteria, dust mites and more. Another benefit is that a good, clean humidifier can help keep your nasal passages lubricated, which can help speed up the healing process when you are feeling under the weather. And for those with dry skin, in the morning you will notice that your face, hands and lips look and feel more supple.

6. Hot and cold. Hot/cold bathing process (switching quickly from hot to cold) acts as a kind of exercise that helps the skin properly remove toxins and helps the body regulate itself. When the body is subjected to hot temperatures, the flow of circulation goes outward toward the skin. Under cold temperatures, the flow of circulation is directed inward towards the internal organs. Alternating between hot and cold allows the circulation to move in and out like a wave, increasing the rate of detoxification, helping to reduce congestion and helping to move more nutrients to various parts of the body. It is important to always begin with hot and end with cold, increasing the level of heat and cold as much you can tolerate and repeat the procedure seven times.

style & beauty

7. See a professional. There is a reason that every state requires estheticians to go to school and pass a test demonstrating that they have a working knowledge of proper skincare. And the best estheticians engage in constant training in order to understand the always evolving product offerings and new technology. Find an honest, knowledgeable, licensed professional and spend your money smarter.

8. Use protection. The sun is a constant. Even in the winter or on a cloudy day, it is still there showering us in UV radiation. USE A SUNSCREEN all the time, everyday and protect yourself. Remember to check the label for the “active ingredient”. If you see anything other than titanium dioxide or zinc oxide listed as a sunscreen, put that item down and find something else. Another item of note, if the SPF number on the label is greater than 50, it is just a marketing gimmick as the FDA recently changed their rules for sunscreens - which are regulated as a drug in the USA. Reapply often.

9. Exfoliate your whole body. How often do you really get a chance to clean your back? Or in between your toes, or behind your knees, or your behind? With the help of a good exfoliating scrub, you can properly clean these hard-to-reach places. Incorporating a professional massage into your exfoliation treatment can provide additional health benefits. Doing so will allow your skin to breathe easier and will result in you feeling fresher and more invigorated.

10. Diet. What you put in your body eventually is going to show up on your skin. I always begin a professional facial treatment by asking my client what they eat on a regular basis (if your professional doesn’t, find a new one) and have often been able to help people clear up their chronic skin issues by adjusting their diets. Dairy products, processed foods and above all, sugars, can have a dramatically negative impact on the quality and appearance of your skin. If you are really interested in having better looking, healthier skin - stop eating any and all sugar of any kind.

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style & beauty

FALL TREN

This fall, designers have taken a bold approach to fall fashion. Neon, typically reserved for t your local stores. Here, three blogger

words & images by KIMIKO SASO, JA

Kimiko Saso Blogger at Slice of Heaven Neon can be tricky at any size, but using it in a subtle and playful manner, like this skirt, allows you to try a new trend with a piece that you will be able to wear again. Pairing it with shades of black, some studded heels, and a neutral bag, brings everything together so that the neon stands out but isn't too loud.

YOU CAN WEAR NEON, TOO!

$28 ILY Couture

$36 Soludos

$50 Michael Kors

$10 Cejon Accessories

See something you love? Click it to shop!

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ND:NEON

style & beauty

the bright summer months, was popular on runways and will soon be popping up in all of rs show us how they wear the trend.

AYE GIPSON, BERTY MORALES

Jaye Gipson Blogger at Curvatude My style is pretty eclectic and very mood based. So I can go from very classic to really trendy on any given day. I love neon and I chose this dress and bag combo because they are just so fun and perfect for a sunny day.

Berty Morales Blogger at Mad For Fashion For Less Fashion, when you are over the age of 30, can always be hit or miss. I always want to make sure that my looks are age appropriate. The best way to make a statement with this all black look, is by adding a pop of color in my best Neon “leopard� print top!

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style & beauty

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT:

DR. JART+ PREMIUM BEAUTY BALM

Beauty lover Ivy O shares one of her favorite new products for healthy, glowing skin that allows you to hit the snooze button for some extra zzz’s. words & images by IVY O

Beauty standards differ from culture to culture. I say this because as a Canadian-born Asian, the beauty standard of having porcelain white skin is something that I was taught to revere from a young age by my Vietnamese-born mother and grandmother. Having grown up in North America and being exposed to Western standards, though, I also know that summer is just about the time of year that women are thirsting for some extra vitamin D in order to get that coveted golden, glowy, sun-kissed tan.

Whether you like to tan or not (I find myself in the latter camp), one beauty standard I believe all women should work toward having is healthy skin. This can be achieved by a must-have product that I have been using since being first introduced to it when I was living in Hong Kong about three years ago: Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm with SPF 45.

Why do I love it? It’s a ONE-STOP SHOP kind of product.

I am not a fan of foundation, especially when during the hot and humid summer months. coupled with my need for sunscreen, finds me whelmed when having to slap on 2-3 different 20 Holl & Lane, Issue 2

worn This, overprod-

ucts on my face during my morning routine. Not only does Dr. Jart+ Beauty Balm with SPF 45 cut my routine down tremendously, but in one single application with this great, light-weight formula, I’ve got my sunscreen (hello, SPF!), my moisturizer (bye-bye, pesky dry skin), and decent coverage/tint giving me that ever-coveted Western standardised “glow” that is much more safely achieved than having an actual date with the sun.

While I admire the many make-up artists and beauticians’ tutorials and #motd instagrams/tweets that I see featuring contouring tricks (I have yet to figure this out, let alone master it), great primer and pore-minimizing products, I cannot rave enough about Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm with SPF 45 as it really does everything that you need it to do to maintain healthy, moisturized, and protected skin that not only gives you natural-looking coverage, but also allows you to have those extra few minutes of beauty sleep that we all crave in the morning.

Next time you hit your local cosmetics store, head down to the skincare aisle to get your hands on this beauty must-have for your make-up bag. Your skin will thank you for it!

We can change our own life and ultimately change the world.

- Kristi Bowman Holl & Lane, Issue 2

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KIDS ROOM INSPIRATION Are you looking for inspiration for vibrant, engaging and FUN rooms that your children will WANT to spend time in? Look no further than these two rooms Laura Penley designed for her sons. words & images by LAURA PENLEY

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interiors

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interiors

I

am a lover of white, pretty spaces, fashion and photography.

I've always been a very visual person with a passion for design and actually designed office space for my former employers prior to staying home with my kids. When we purchased our condo seven years ago, I was excited to have the opportunity to turn raw space into a dream that I would be able to call home.

When we became pregnant, I couldn't wait to get started on transforming our guest bedroom into a space for a little one to love. And since that first nursery, I've now designed a toddler room and another nursery and get excited when I think about the possibilities for our future home and children's future rooms.

Designing spaces is probably the one thing that I do for me that gets me more excited than anything else, even photography.

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SEBASTIAN’S ROOM

I wanted to re-use the furniture that we purchased for our first child and I'm a big lover of white, so I knew that I wanted something white and bright, but that was about all I knew. I'm a total DIYer and love designing spaces, but this one had me stumped for quite a while.

With my first child, his room was easy. I just designed a space that felt like the baby that I was carrying and I nailed it. It was a nerdy baby room and he came out a little smarty pants who was instantly very drawn to every aspect of his room. I was having trouble connecting with ideas for my youngest though. I spent months combing through websites trying to find inspiration for this nursery and then I found the Minakani Labs Animal wallpaper and had to have it; it spoke to me instantly and I knew at that moment that I was carrying a little adventurer so I wanted that incorporated into the room as well. The only problem was that I couldn't figure out how to get my hands on the wallpaper. At this point, I was seven months pregnant and needed to get this room done. There wasn't time to spend waiting to hear back from the company who was non-responsive to my many messages, so I scaled a picture of the wallpaper to my wall in Photoshop making the repeat and cuts as I wanted them and leaving room at the top for the nail and string lettering. I printed it on 8.5 x 11 paper and went to work chalking the image onto my wall and then finally, painting. All in, the crib wall took

me about 80 hours, including the lettering and I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat!

The wall is certainly my favorite part, but I also put a lot into all of the little details as well. The activity space is a fairly new addition to the room. I had the items for it for a while, with the intention of turning this wall into a fun space, but I was using this white wall with a frame on it to take monthly photos of Sebastian for the first year of his life with his stats chalked onto the chalkboard paint that filled the frame, so after his 12-month photo, I was ready to get started on it. He is just now, at almost 18-months, starting to enjoy and use it but I suspect that his use will continue to increase as he gets older. The behind the door space in many rooms goes unused, but it doesn't have to. I've used that space creatively in both of my little guys' rooms and feel that it helps tie the whole of the room together better. Another thing I have done in both rooms behind the doors is use photo ledges. In Sebastian's it's as a chalk/paint/magnet tray, but I also used them opposite his crib to display books. I am a huge fan of using photo ledges to display books. Children love to see the books and it's a great way to fill the space using book-covers to make collages that add another element of art to a room.

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interiors

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GABRIEL’S ROOM

Gabriel's nursery was actually in the same room as Sebastian's and his current room was formerly our office/guest bedroom. Gabriel is a very sensitive child, so I didn't want to change the room that he had always known, but instead create a new room for him, involving him in the process, and gradually moving some of the larger staple pieces that he loved so much from his nursery into the new room to make it feel just as comfortable. Once the abacus that hung above his crib was moved, he decided that he was ready to give this new space a try. Respecting him and involving him in the process just seemed critical to me. As with Sebastian's space and with Gabriel's nursery before that, I wanted to give him a fun room that felt good to be in. Again, with white furniture and pops of color.

sense to make it stand out as something cool, so I put the chalkboard paint on it, a wall easel and some photo ledges to use as chalk/paint trays. We love that wall and use it all the time. He does math problems there, practices his spelling/writing and creates masterpieces regularly. So I'd encourage others who have a problem spot in a room to think of how to use that to make something fun out of it. As an office/guest bedroom that beam made me cringe, but I love it in this space.

Sebastian's wall was a labor of love, but I have to say, Gabriel's yellow wall was as well. As I said before, I am a DIYer and when I purchased the Inhabit Living wall flats, I was certain that I could do this myself. It took me forever! I didn't keep track of the hours, but it definitely took me longer than Sebastian's wall did.

Glueing the tiles up was a nightmare, and then mudding the seams and sanding the tiny grooves gently so as not to tear up the paper tiles (heavy paper, but paper nonetheless). There were several tears shed while working on this wall, and once I finished the sanding, there was much relief, but I quickly found out that painting it sure wasn't easy either. It was one of those "I'm happy I did it but will never do it again" kind of experiences. I think it's worth the headache of wallpapering, painting a mural or hanging wall flats to give your children an interesting wall in their room.

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This room is a little harder to work with because of the structural support beam that breaks up the south wall so I had to really give the planning of this space some thought. My husband's server resided in this room (our former office) and since we were turning it into a bedroom, there would be no place for his server any longer, so I asked him if we could give it to our then very computer savvy 2-year-old. Since they don't really make desks for kids this size, I had a wall-mount desk made for him to fill the smaller of the two nooks created by the support beam. Instead of painting that beam the same color as the wall, it seemed to make 28 Holl & Lane, Issue 2

interiors

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30 Holl & Lane, Issue 2

interiors

My goal in designing their spaces has been to make their rooms clean yet fun and as colorful as possible while also incorporating their interests and personality into the space. My kiddos love being in their rooms because it’s not just a place to sleep. We all need a little bit of space that is ours, just ours; a space that makes us feel good. Growing up, I wanted to paint Disney characters on all of my walls and thankfully my mom let me. She understood the importance of letting me make the space mine. With my oldest, I have asked for his input on various things in his room and included him in on all of the planning because I want him to feel like he is a big part of the process as well. This is something I will continue to do. Any change I make, I run by him first. When we eventually move, both of my boys will once again be included in the process and consulted with on the design of their spaces.

“We all need a little bit of space that is ours, just ours; a space that makes us feel good.�

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COFFEE TABLE ROUNDUP A coffee table can make or break a space. From the storage options, to the comfort level, picking a coffee table is important. These options, all under $125 will make your living room chic and clutter free. produced by SARAH HARTLEY

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32 Holl & Lane, Issue 2

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10 Things No One Told Me About

BUYING & RENOVATING If you’ve just bought your very own fixer-upper and are planning to renovate, check out these tips first from Adaena Tray who turned her home into the cutest cottage we’ve ever seen! words & images by ADAENA TRAY

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BEFORE

interiors

As a longtime design and architecture nerd, my bucket list has always included “buy and renovate an old house.” So when it came time to purchase a home of our own, my husband Chris and I threw ourselves into the real estate search with gusto. One day while browsing the listings, we found an adorable blue cottage in the city. “I think it might need a little work, “ Chris said.

We bought the century-old, three-bedroom, one-bath abode in early 2012. And work it needed, indeed. Armed with a to-do list that included both necessary repairs and cosmetic upgrades, we set out on a full-house remodel. That we had embarked on such a large-scale

BEFORE

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project with no discernable skill set or experience was terrifying. I’ll never forget the day I stared at our gutted kitchen, crying that we had gotten ourselves in over our heads. We spent ten stressful months completing the work on our Itty Bitty Kitty Cottage, then threw a big housewarming party to celebrate.

Along the way, we learned so much about buying, budgeting, renovating, and working with contractors. Most of our knowledge, unfortunately, was gleaned from our mistakes. If you are a renovation virgin contemplating a fixer-upper, have I got some tips for you!

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BEFORE

AFTER

1. I always thought people who renovated homes were blessed with a boatload of spare cash. Not the case, my friends. There are so many loan products out there to help ease the financial burden. We ended up taking out a 203K loan, which rolls the cost of renovations right into your mortgage over the next 15 or 30 years. Your best bet would be to speak with your broker about lending options that work best for you.

2. Set a realistic budget. I know, I know. You’ve probably heard this a million times before – and that’s because the advice is so pertinent. You’ll want to get a trusted professional contractor (more on that later) to provide an estimate on the cost of the remodel. We had a contractor walk through our house and tell us what needed fixed to meet codes and safety regulations. Then we shared with him our vision for the “pretty” stuff such as new flooring and recessed lighting.

He gave us an overall budget for the remodel. Do not be shocked, as we were, if the price of the renovations exceed the purchase price of the house itself. You’re getting a fully updated, customized home that will likely cost a lot less than finished homes in the area.

3. Establish your priorities and spending limitations. You’ll want to identify ahead of time whether you are a laminate lady or a granite gal. Decide what is most important to you and what is of low significance. Disregard what you see on design shows – this is about your budget and lifestyle. For us, we knew that high-end appliances were a must, but that swanky kitchen cabinetry was not. We were willing to spend a lot on landscaping, but not on lighting fixtures.

4. Keep in mind that once you start modernizing one thing, the thing next to it might look dated and you’ll be tempted to renovate it too. Either resist the temptation or plan for the domino effect ahead of time.

We had intended to only make a few minor changes 36 Holl & Lane, Issue 2

in the bathroom, but once the cast iron tub got refinished in a bright white color, suddenly our toilet and our sink looked dingy. We ended up replacing almost everything.

5. Build at least a 10 to 20 percent cushion for those unexpected repairs. I cannot say this enough.

As the layers of a home are peeled away, more and more issues are apt to be discovered. Our sewage line busted mid-renovation (and true to Murphy’s Law, happened the morning we were departing for vacation). To replace the line, our contractor had to tear up our front porch and dig underground. It was a costly repair, but thankfully we had a contingency set aside for such surprises.

6. As with your budget, you’ll want to give yourself a realistic timeline for completing the work. To get ahead of schedule, go through that Pinterest board for inspiration, select your materials and have your measurements ready to go. No matter how prepared you are though, renovations can be wildly unpredictable.

Unknown issues might crop up, so you’ll want to give yourself a couple weeks or months wiggle room depending on the scope of the project. We thought that our house would be done in time for our May move-in date. The last of the work actually wrapped up a full four months later in September. We lived without a kitchen for a good portion of that time. Thank goodness for Chipotle.

7. Decide if you want to stay in your home or offsite when renovations are being completed. If you live in your home, you will encounter plenty of messes and inconveniences. As for the perks, you will only be paying for, commuting to and maintaining one residence. We chose to rent another dwelling while we renovated. Originally we wanted to move into our new house and do the work little by little. Then a family

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member offered some sage advice: “Do all the renovations up front. If you don’t, you’ll learn to live with the space and the work will never get done.” For us all-ornothing types, this approach made the most sense.

8. You’ll want to make sure you hire the right contractor for the job. Do your homework ahead of time.

Ask around for contractor recommendations, sign up for Angie’s list and check references. While we tackled a lot of the work ourselves, we hired a general contractor for the skilled labor, including roof repairs, replacing old wiring and replumbing the first floor.

We met the contractor through our landlord and he seemed like a cool guy. Except that cool guy walked out on the job! We had to live through one of those contractor horror stories you hear about on TV. Learn from our mistake: do your research. (I should add that the second contractor we hired came highly recommended and did awesome work.)

9. Even if you have all the do-it-yourself spirit in the world, some things are best left to the pros. In many cases, city codes dictate that work must be performed by a licensed contractor. Make a list of what

38 Holl & Lane, Issue 2

you will take care of yourself and what you will farm out to the experts. Embarrassingly, I overestimated my aptitudes one time; I thought I could handle doing a bit of electrical work by following a library book and some You Tube tutorials. We were literally left in the dark for a week after my wiring snafu. Other projects - such as painting and priming, landscaping, deck staining, and carpet-removing, - naturally lent themselves to DIY, though admittedly these were some of the more time-consuming, labor-intensive jobs.

10. Invest some time in documenting the renovations. I wish that I had taken more pictures of our home before we got started. In some rooms, we had the wallpaper half torn down before I remembered to break out my camera. When I did take a photo, it was usually only one or two poorly-lit, faraway shots of each room, rather than several and from varying angles. Now I can barely remember what our home looked like prior to all the changes. Trust me, you’re going to want those photos so you can puff up your chest at the end of a long rehab and say, “We’ve come a long way, baby!”

interiors

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Holl & Lane, Issue 2

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There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.

- Nelson Mandela

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Spruce Rd

A boutique branding business, Spruce Rd. focuses on telling your company story through beautiful graphic design. Here, owner Jamie Starcevich, gives us an inside glimpse into her business. produced by SARAH HARTLEY

Tell us about Spruce Rd. What do you specialize in?

I am the blogger and brand identity designer behind Spruce Rd., an independently run boutique design studio! I love working with small businesses developing their brand into something that is unique to them, and takes them to the next level. Branding is my absolute favorite part of the process, I love starting fresh! I specialize in crafting brand identities that are unique to my client. I love getting to the heart of the brand, and understanding the vision behind the business.

Where did the name Spruce Rd. come from?

The idea behind the name Spruce Rd. is that when collaborating with businesses, we journey together to develop a solution that freshens up their visual identity.

Spruce: Neat, smart, stylish, dapper. To freshen up appearances.

Road: The journey from the old to the new.

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How long have you been running your own business? What was the process like to start it?

I started Spruce Rd. full time in January of 2015, so I’ve been in business for about seven months! The process has been both challenging and very exciting at the same time. A lot of work goes into starting your own business, and the toughest part for me was putting myself out there and trying to attract my ideal clients. I haven’t done anything like that before when I was working as a designer for other businesses, so it definitely pushed me and stretched my limits. I learned that I love dreaming up creative business strategies, and have enjoyed the freedom to pursue them.

What is the trickiest part about being your own boss? What has been your most rewarding moment so far?

The trickiest part has been to not be so harsh on myself. It is tough to drum up business when first starting an endeavor, and I’ve learned to be patient, and think with the long-game in mind. That may mean that the first few months have inconsistent income, but that is okay.

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I’ve learned to be patient in the types of clients + projects I take on. I have had to say “no” to a few potential clients, as I knew they weren’t in line with the vision behind my studio. This was not an easy decision… especially when I JUST started my business! I think it is important to have a clear vision + intention behind my business, so I can dictate the direction I go, rather than allow others to passively influence me.

How do you keep yourself on track and accountable while working from home? Any organizational tips that have helped you?

This has been tough! Honestly, the thing that has helped me the most is to get out of the house, and work from a local coffee shop or library. I get distracted at home too easily, so I make an effort to meet other designers in the area for a coffee shop date! I also have learned that I focus a lot better when listening to instrumental music.

I use Todoist to schedule out my weeks.

This app has helped me stay on track, and set goals + milestones to hit for my blog, client work, and side projects. I love staying organized, so this hasn’t been a barrier for my business yet :).

business

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Where do you gather inspiration? What is your design process like?

As cliche as it sounds, inspiration comes from everywhere! Pinterest, of course, is a great place for inspiration. I find such unique + dynamic color palettes from there. I also love working form inspiring places with amazing interiors + architecture. I have a few local coffee shops that always get me inspired, as well as beautiful libraries. Even when I am not working from my computer, I gain inspiration from pattern designs (especially from Anthropologie!), landscape architecture, or even clever business strategies. Really, the possibilities are endless!

For my branding projects, I always start the project with pencil and paper. I find that list making helps to get the creative juices flowing. I write down any ideas for a design direction, concepts or words that capture the mood I am going for. I keep my sketches pretty loose, and love using semi-transparent paper for rough ideas. It helps me loosen up, and not feel restricted by the permanent nature of a bound sketchbook. I’ve learned that if I start with the computer, I miss out on developing a unique concept for the client. Once I’ve finished sketching, I take it to the computer and always design in black & white to start. I remove all distractions of color, textures and graphics, and focus on the type + mark.

me is that I have a healthy balance of work + personal life. I take breaks. I spend time with my husband + friends. I go outside, even if it is 100 degrees in Texas!

The key to not feeling stuck is to not over-work yourself.

I can’t tell you how many times I have woken up in the morning with a creative idea, or out to dinner, and the concept comes to me. When I relax, and don’t force it, inspiration will come.

If I struggle just sitting down and starting the work, I make myself leave my desk and work from somewhere else.

Sometimes it is just about placing yourself in a different environment to get the creative juices flowing.

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How do you cure designer's block?

Fortunately, I always feel energized + inspired to design!

I am so passionate about this field, that I haven’t really struggled much with designer’s block. I think what helps 44 Holl & Lane, Issue 2

What 3 things do you wish you had known before starting your own business?

1. Embrace new ideas: When I first started my business, I was so focused on a very specific vision for my design studio. Overall, that vision has not changed, it has just expanded and gained new facets. Early on, I realized that it is okay if my business looks differently than others, in fact that is even better! I love brainstorming creative business ideas, and am glad that I have pursued some of them. I wish I knew from the very beginning, even before I launched and was just preparing for the leap, that it is okay to embrace these different ideas. Pursue them, and they will attract readers + clients that are interested in your creative ideas! One of these ideas was my concept for Lunch + Learn, a monthly gathering for creative entrepreneurs to learn tips + tricks in a practical way. I host these webinar workshops, sometimes with

business

ARE YOU ENJOYING THIS PREVIEW? “This is the modern age of business, and you have the freedom to embrace that”

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fellow creatives, to share my secrets in design + entrepreneurship. I have LOVED the community, and am so glad I embraced this different idea!

2. Invest in my blog: I learned within just a few months of launching my business, that I needed to invest in my blog. My blog is how my ideal clients find me, and how I have been able to collaborate with fellow designers. It really has been the best marketing tool for my business, and has also been so fun to work on! Recently, I realized the power of an email newsletter, and strategies of how to capture those emails from your blog readers in a natural way. I wish I had started implementing those concepts from day one! You live and learn.

people to your site that eventually will purchase services, products or resources from you. I’m sharing my tips on typography, color palettes, illustrations for blog posts or info graphics, etc. I can’t wait to see what my students come up with!

This is an exciting next step for Spruce Rd., and something that I love pursuing. I have really enjoyed testing the waters through teaching in my Lunch + Learn live workshops, and can’t wait to enable other bloggers to start getting their blog noticed online.

What advice do you have for others who are looking to start their own business?

I would highly recommend really honing in on your vision behind your brand. Why do you want to start a business?

Be really honest with yourself, and make sure you are up for the challenge. Though blogs and entrepreneurs may make it seem smooth online, it can often be a rocky path to go down. If you don’t have a strong vision behind our brand, and long-term goals in mind, than it might not be worth it.

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3. Breathe… you will be okay: Lastly, I would want to reassure my past self that everything is going to be okay.

Breathe, and take it in. Yes, my monthly income will be sporadic and not consistent, but that is okay. Think with the long-game in mind, and set short-term milestones to help me get to that point.

Where do you see Spruce Rd. in the future?

I ask myself this question frequently! I have a lot of BIG goals for Spruce Rd., that I am excited to share about in the next few years. Right now, I am focusing on teaching an e-course all about creating share-worthy design for your blog, that drives traffic from Pinterest. I am SO passionate about this course, and am excited to launch it in the fall! I will be teaching my step-by-step process to creating a brand style guide for your blog, that attracts

Have fun with the process, and allow yourself to be creative with your business! It doesn’t have to be structured the same way other businesses are. This is the modern age of business, and you have the freedom to embrace that. I love that I get clients from Pinterest… it just tells you that business is different these days, and can be a fun outlet as well!

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Looking for a new notebook to keep track of all of your dreams, wishes, and to-do lists? Look no further than these noteworthy notebooks with snazzy covers that are sure to inspire your next big idea or help you tackle that never ending to-do list.

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Dot and Bo, $15

buiness

LAUNCHING A BRAND

Marianna Palazzolo shares her tips and tricks behind launching a brand and how she created Jewelry Heist to fill a much needed void.

Y

words & images by MARIANNA PALAZZOLO

ou hear it all the time: “Do what you love.” It sounds simple enough and yet how many people can actually visualize doing what they love for a living?

It all seems rather abstract doesn’t it?

How do you even begin to narrow down all the things you love to find a potential career path? Well, as odd as this may sound, I’ve found that the best way to figure out what I LOVED was to listen to the people around me. Is there something that you often receive compliments for? For me, compliments always center around the jewelry I wear. It took longer than it should have to realize that there might just be something there.

Somehow when I put on a piece of jewelry, I gain instant confidence. It doesn’t even matter how expensive the item is. There is likely some psychological reasoning behind this, but as humans have been adorning themselves with jewelry for millennia, I like to think that I’m not the only one that has experienced this phenomenon. Jewelry is often that finishing touch on an outfit and that one little thing about you that others notice. It has always fascinated me.

I created Jewelry Heist (JH) out of a personal need.

I was searching for a website that would show me all the current fashion jewelry trends, from multiple designers, and highlight pieces that actually fit my budget. Not only that, I wanted timely information & advice on everything from purchasing tips, to jewelry care and storage. No such website seemed to exist – so I decided to build it.

Starting from scratch on a project can be both exhilarating and horrifying. There is so much possibility and yet so much potential for error. The first thing to do with any idea is verify that it makes sense. I immediately started running the idea by close friends, colleagues and most importantly – people in other age brackets. Every woman I spoke to seemed to understand the struggle. Too many options and not enough help making that final purchasing decision. I heard the same view over and over “I try to stay current. Wear clothes and accessories that are in fashion. I can figure out the clothes but when it comes to fashion jewelry I just don’t know what’s worth buying.” Talking to these women not only reaffirmed that there was interest in a potential website but also gave me a much better sense of the demographic of women who would most likely use JH. I knew the name of the website was going to be the key to growth. As I wasn’t actually planning to sell any jewelry, but rather steal the best looks from other Brands I wanted the name of the site to reflect that.

That’s when the term “Jewelry Heist” got stuck in my head. It didn’t matter how many other names I brainHoll & Lane, Issue 2

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stormed, this one lodged into my mind. It was intriguing. A bit sexy. What woman hasn’t daydreamt about walking into a jewelry store, sweeping a whole counter full of baubles into her purse and then running off?

The name just fit so I ran with it.

Before I did anything else, I secured the website domain and social media handles. Then it was time to start planning the layout and content of the website.

The old saying “You can have everything you want,

just not all at once” came to mind immediately. I felt myself getting overwhelmed trying to plan too many elements at once. That’s when I realized that the best course of action would be to think in phases. Writing out a launch plan for Phase 1 took no time at all and it gave me the confidence I needed to hit Publish. Jewelry Heist is now live and kicking. With each passing week it seems to improve. There’s still a long way to go before Phase 2 kicks in but I’m confident that I have the support I need to get there.

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MARIANNA’S TIPS FOR DEVELOPING A BRAND 1. Survey the people around you to verify that the product/service you are offering is something people actually want and/or need.

2. Choose a name that resonates with people.

Make sure it’s easy to spell & pronounce. You want people to feel confident talking about your Brand without struggling to say your name out loud.

3. Know who your target audience is. Woman between the ages of 20-40 is not a target audience. Narrow it down. Then narrow it down further.

4. Consider a test run. I was very nervous about launching Jewelry Heist so I decided to do a “soft launch”. I put together a panel of reviewers, set the site to live-mode, only gave the url to my panel and gathered feedback for a whopping 4 weeks.

5. Be consistent: With your product, your messaging and your customer service. Every time you introduce a new element into the mix ask yourself if it’s consistent with your current branding.

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You can check out Jewelry Heist by logging on to http://www.jewelry-heist.com

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NETWORK WE WANT TO TALK TO YOU.

STML

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Career Profile:

business

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST & EPIDEMIOLOGIST Meet Ellen Beckjord, a Clinical Psychologist and Epidemiologist who spends her time promoting programs to educate the population on chronic disease avoidance and management, with a specific focus on cancer prevention.

mobile application that could use machine learning to make real-time predictions about when people would violate health behavior change goals, I was looking for a high-frequency negative health behavior, like smoking. Smoking also continues to be an enormous public health problem; 18 percent of American adults still smoke!

You are the Director of Population Health Program Design and Engagement Optimization at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Health Plan, what exactly does this mean?

The UPMC Health Plan has multiple efforts in place to help individuals live as healthy and well as possible. My work at the Plan is split between both helping the Plan improve existing and develop new programs aimed at either preventing chronic disease or helping people who have a chronic disease, like diabetes, manage it as successfully as possible and encouraging our members to make use of the health promoting programs that we offer.

What type of schooling have you completed?

The skills that I use on a daily basis come from my training in behavioral science (my PhD is in clinical psychology); epidemiology (I have my Masters in Public Health); and consumer health informatics (I did a post-doctoral fellowship in informatics at the National Cancer Institute).

What roles have you held on your way to your current position?

After finishing my training I spent a wonderful three years as a behavioral scientist at RAND Corporation. I loved that job and love RAND, but really wanted to have a specific clinical focus to my work. So I moved to the University of Pittsburgh, where I was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, working at the Hillman Cancer Center. I spent about 20 percent of my time seeing patients as a psychologist and the rest of my time engaged in research. In February 2015 I transitioned to the Health Plan, because the position they were offering was an excellent opportunity to do my work on health behavior change in a more applied setting.

You have a focus on cancer prevention specifically in regards to smoking cessation, why did you choose that focus?

There is a lot of local expertise in Pittsburgh in smoking cessation, and given that this work was focused on building a 50 Holl & Lane, Issue 2

You have previous experience in clinical trials. Can you tell us about those?

The largest clinical trial I worked on was a study looking at two different types of support group interventions for women with breast cancer – one was focused on skill building to manage stress, and the other was focused on emotional expression. Additionally, we enrolled women in these groups either close to their time of diagnosis or around the time their treatment ended. The different approaches had their strengths and weaknesses, but in general, both approaches were helpful.

What do your work days look like?

I’m a morning person so I like to get in an hour or two of work before the day really begins. This is also the best time for me to write, so I try to make progress on writing projects between 5 and 7 am each day. I drive my daughter to school a few days each week so I’m usually in my office by 9 am.

I almost always have a meeting or two during the day, but I really love that my work is rarely done in isolation – I work as a part of many different teams. Most days I finish by about 4:30 pm, and do my best to pick my daughter up from her after school program before 5:30 pm.

What has been the most rewarding part of your career?

Being a part of people’s lives as they navigate a cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment has been an enormous privilege. The courage and grace I’ve been a witness to have been tremendous.

What do you forsee in the future for cancer prevention?

New cancer screening techniques will be introduced that will allow us to detect cancer earlier – we’re seeing this now with lung cancer screening, which was just approved for some current and former smokers by the US Preventive Services Task Force. Hopefully we’ll see the development of screening tests for some of our most deadly cancers, like pancreatic and ovarian. And I imagine that as people end up paying more out of their own pockets for their health care that more people will adopt preventive health behaviors that will lead to better cancer prevention. produced by SARAH HARTLEY

I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch.

You’ve got to go out and kick ass.

- Maya Angelou

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food & fitness

MY FITNESS JOURNEY Getting addicted to a gym routine can feel like a real rush, but hard to keep up. Chelsea Oliver shares her weight loss journey, her tips for losing weight the healthy way, and how it has changed her life - for the better! words & images by CHELSEA OLIVER

T

here is a strange feeling that comes over a person when they are on a weight loss journey. It has nothing to do with how much they have lost, or how different their clothes feel. Very little of this feeling even has to do with the fact that now everyone in their life has noticed what hard work they put in to look this way. The feeling goes something like, "this is great, but how much farther can I go?"

That is where I am right now. To be honest, I did not plan to become addicted to working out or eating healthy. I just planned on going to the gym, doing what I knew and hoping to feel better. But when I walked into the local Snap Fitness and met the trainer, Mike, there was no turning back. There was no doing this halfway. The minute he told me I would be good at lifting, I wanted to know how good I could be, how much I could lift and now, how much more can I lift.

People start losing weight and going to the gym for various reasons. My very truthful answer to why I started is because I felt horrible. I rarely did any exercise 52 Holl & Lane, Issue 2

more than yoga or walking and while I thought I was eating healthy, I was really just eating what we are told is good for us, which isn't always the best option.

I give the credit of losing my first 20 pounds simply to actually eating right and shocking my body by adding lifting to my daily schedule.

If you do not know me personally, then you might not know how confident I have always been. I did not start losing weight for anyone but myself. My health was on the line and I needed to change because of it. Various weight-related health issues run in my family and I started to see their symptoms creeping into my life and knew I needed to change what I was doing so I did not have to be a victim of those symptoms. And for the most part, all of those symptoms have gone away.

If you give your body what it needs, it will reward you.

Everyone's journey is different. Everyone gains and loses weight as their body allows and there is no magic remedy for how you can lose weight. But getting healthy and living a lifestyle that will lengthen your years is what is important. You have to find that balance for yourself and work for the goals you create.

How you want to feel should always be based on goals you create yourself. Do this for you. It's your body and your life, treat it like you love it.

For me, it has been six months since I started and I am down about forty pounds. My well curated closet has been replaced by mostly gym clothes and I only buy other clothes as I need them because every couple weeks I don't fit into them anyway.

But I'm committed. This is now what I want. I want to lift heavier, run faster. There has been an overwhelming support system around me through this journey, but as the world of social media goes, every nice comment has a mean counterpart. But you have to keep pushing through those.

I am doing this for me. My health. And while so many people have told me that I'm full of crap and I just want to look hot, let me tell you…I was hot before I started. Now, I won't lie and tell you that I don't like the added perk of now looking even better too, but I did not start this just to get skinny. My trainer, Mike, who has become my best friend, asked me from the beginning why I wanted to do this and it has always been for health. I remember him staring at me after I said that because he was waiting for me to add to my answer and followed up by telling me that most 20-somethings start because of more vain reasons. But I attribute my success and continued drive to having a realistic goal and that being my motivation from the beginning.

Find that reason for yourself. Find your support system and stick to your goals. This is not an easy journey. It is not something that everyone can do or even begin, but you can if you have realistic expectations. My journey is not complete. I am standing in the place where I need to know how much more I can do. My body wants to run farther and faster than I have let it so far. It wants to do heavier lifts and see how much it can stand. The past six months have been great, but how much farther can I go?

CHELSEA’S REAL TIPS FOR LOSING WEIGHT ACTUALLY EAT RIGHT What we are told is healthy and what is actually good for us are two different things. Learn to read nutrition labels. Don’t assume something is good for you because it’s in the latest diet craze or so and so said it was healthy. Look at the label, know what you are eating. For starters, cut out all unnecessary sugars and do not eat any bread, potatoes and/or pasta.

Knowing what to eat is the hardest part, but it’s the most important and makes all the difference.

LIFT WEIGHTS Seriously, why isn’t everyone lifting weights? Ladies, it will not make you look like a man. You do not have the testosterone in your body that it takes to bulk up like a guy does. Women who look like that, take supplements to do so. Lifting burns calories longer than cardio does, so lift weights. Heavy weights. If you don’t know where to start, ask someone who lifts to help you. People who lift, love lifting and I’m sure would love to give some pointers.

MAKE YOUR CARDIO WORTH IT Spending endless hours on the treadmill or elliptical is getting you nowhere. High intensity interval training is the body’s best friend. Alternate between short, intense cardio and then a short rest period. For example: run as fast as you possibly can for a minute and then walk for a minute and alternate between the two speeds for twenty minutes. This increases your body’s ability to burn fat.

STOP MAKING EXCUSES If you have physical limitations, then sure, you might not be able to do as much, but you can do something.

The biggest excuse is not having time and honestly, that is the biggest lie. Make time for it. If you want results, stop wishing it would happen and go out there and make them happen. Take a moment and think of the most important thing that you have going on in your life. Now, imagine if you used the excuse of “I don’t have time to do that” for one day with that thing. That would be awful, even if it was just for one day. I bet that you would start figuring out where in your day you could fit in that thing as long as it meant that you wouldn’t have to go without it the next day.

That’s how you need to look at exercise. Find a way to make it fit in your schedule.

DO IT FOR YOU No one else is going to reap the benefits of you living a healthy lifestyle. Your partner might like the way you look and your kids will like how you have more energy to play with them, but you are the one it will effect the most. You are the motivator, the deciding factor. If you don’t do it, you’re only hurting yourself.

Be your own motivation and reap those benefits.

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Five Reasons To GET THAT MASSAGE word s by JESSICA CH A RL EN E

Many of us find ourselves living on a budget. That budget may be large or small, but we take into consideration what we earn, subtract our monthly expenses and decide whether to spend or save the rest. When money is tight, we tend to focus on purchases that we deem “necessary,” which is why when many of us pass a sign for our local massage studio, we keep on walking.

But what if you had a really great reason to stop? No, you don’t need a massage to survive. But while massage is a luxury, it is also an amazing tool for improving the health of your body and mind. So before you talk yourself out of that hour-long deep tissue, here are five reasons to invest in your health through a personal pampering session.

1) TO CHILL OUT While many of us say that we take time out of our day to relax, chances are that “relaxation” ends up being the hour we sit down with a glass of wine and repeatedly get interrupted by email alerts or curious toddlers.

And failing to get your “me” time can lead to physical stress symptoms like high levels of irritability, problems digesting, and drastic fluctuations in weight. Massage is proven to help individuals relax, and has been noted to help with both anxiety and depression.

2) TO HEAL Whether you have an active career, consider yourself an athlete, or sometimes underestimate how heavy your groceries will be, massage can help your body heal from injury and even provide natural painkillers. As your therapist works, they are releasing your body’s endorphins, which help fight pain without a single pill.

Massage has also been proven to help heal scar tissue, improve circulation, and fight postoperative swelling.

3) TO FIGHT THAT HEADACHE Spending extended amounts of time staring at our computer, cell phone, tablet, and television screens can really mess with our 54 Holl & Lane, Issue 2

heads, prompting painful headaches that can completely derail us from our productivity. During a massage session, you experience both increased blood flow and improved circulation, which can help relieve your headache and help prevent new ones from hitting you in the future.

5) TO REST EASY Massage can make it easier to fall asleep because it fights some of the common causes of insomnia, including back pain, racing thoughts, and frequent waking.

In turn, a good night’s sleep does more good for your body than even the most delicious superfruit.

4) TO BOOST IMMUNITY If you’re someone who likes to pop Vitamin C when you’re feeling under the weather, you may want to add massage to your preventative care routine. Not only does it reduce stress, which can wear down our body’s immunity, but it boosts the cells needed to fight off infection and bacteria.

If your budget has a bit of wiggle room, remember that by investing in your health, you help present the best version of yourself to family, friends, and co-workers.

Sources: AMTAMassage.org, MassageTherapy.com, Medicinet.com, MassageEnvy.com, Excedrin.com.

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Let’s Get

SPINNING!

Indoor cycling classes are perfect for toning your legs and raising your heart rate. Stationary bikes take you thorugh a vigorous workout that make you feel like you’re on a tough mountain terrain. Hear from Alyssa Burlakoff, 22, about why it’s so powerful. produced by SARAH HARTLEY

What exactly is Spin? How long have you been teaching?

Spin is like outdoor biking, but it's indoors on stationary bikes. It's lead by an instructor who works the class with certain climbs, sprints, and fun music to help motivate the class and put everyone in their spinning zone!

I’ve been teaching for two years.

What made you decide to become a spin instructor?

I became a spin instructor to help others be the best version of themselves. I want to help motivate, inspire, and strengthen others so they can feel confident, strong, and healthy. It takes a lot of courage to get on a spin bike, it's not easy and it takes a lot of work to push through the class, so I want to help them get through it stronger than when they began.

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What was the process like to become an instructor?

The process was an intense 10 hour training to learn how to teach, how to understand the three positions, the resistance, cadence, and more. Once I passed the training and took the exam, I started team teaching and subbing where I work now at Shoreline Fitness in Connecticut so I could start my journey as a fitness instructor. I still do continuing education classes to stay certified and to learn how to grow as an instructor.

What type of workout can someone expect from their first Spin class?

They should expect a high intensity class with a variety of seated and out of the seat climbs, sprints, jumps, endurance training, and interval training. So basically… they should expect to SWEAT!!

food & fitness

What is your favorite thing about being a Spin instructor?

There are so many reasons why I love being a Spin instructor! Spin is my baby, the first thing I ever got certified in. I can't think of JUST one reason, but if I had to pick it would be knowing that I have a job where I can help others step out of their comfort zone and better themselves in the process. That is really what it's all about. Motivating others to push themselves to the best of their abilities.

Aside from Spin, what are three tips that you have for getting and staying in shape?

Three tips would be to change up your workouts as often as you can. A shock to your body brings a ton of change! Eat a variety of healthy fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, but also indulge. Life it too short to put in all that hard work to never enjoy that favorite flavor of ice cream or that favorite pizza we all love so much!

It's all about finding a healthy BALANCE! Last but not least, the third tip would be to keep a positive mindset. Only you can achieve the results that you want, so wake up every morning feeling positive and you will continue to stay in shape and reach your goals.

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Food Mood Girl

In “Food Guilt No More�, author Lindsey Smith wants us all to enjoy our food and eliminate the guilt we feel from some of our most tempting vices. Read her inspiration behind the book, how she achieved her own version of success, and about her secret future as a rap artist! produced by AIRE PLICHTA

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Your given name may be Lindsey Smith, but most people know you as the "Food Mood Girl". Can you tell us about the journey that brought you to this name?

Well, seeing as Lindsey Smith is probably one of the most common names in America (I personally know two other Lindsey Smiths), I wanted to differentiate myself.

Knowing where you started, to what do you attribute to your current success?

I always like to start by saying that “success” is truly a personal term. To me, success is freedom and service. I love helping people and inspiring others so for me, success is having the freedom and flexibility in my business and life to do just that.

With that said, when I decided to become a health coach, I really wanted to brand myself in a unique way that was memorable, fun and fit the things I wanted to talk about, which just so happened to be food and mood.

I think a big part of my success is embracing simplicity. When I first started my business, I was willing to do whatever it took to be able to have that freedom. I downgraded my cable, sold stuff I didn’t need and got rid of extra luxuries at the time. I became a conscious shopper and consumer. This mindfulness helped me with my personal life and also my business life.

I was at a retreat in Costa Rica with over 50 other health coaches and it was then that the name “Food Mood Girl” was born. To me, it really symbolizes everything I am about: health, happiness, self-love, positive attitude, self-respect, kindness and fun.

Simplicity allowed me to expand my creativity and feel true joy in what I am doing rather than the pressure of needing to make money. By relieving the pressure, it actually HELPED me make a great income because I have been in the flow of what I am passionate about.

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ARE YOU ENJOYING THIS PREVIEW?

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FULL ISSUE

In your latest book "Food Guilt No More" you walk readers through the program that worked for you while providing mood-boosting and guilt-free recipes and the space for the reader to reflect on how they feel about food. Why was this so important to you?

Being in the nutrition world, there is a lot of judgment and criticism that comes with it from both outsiders and colleagues. I remember being at a dinner with about 30 health coaches and we had the choice out of a salad or creamy tomato soup for a starter. On that particular day, I wanted soup. I ordered and looked around to see that I was literally the only one that ordered the soup and I got some judgmental looks to boot.

What do you hope people just discovering food guilt for the first time take away from your book?

My goal is that people can find true love, joy and appreciation for food by releasing the guilt and shame once and for all.

Oh, and if they want that cupcake, brownie, pizza, you name the vice, to eat it and feel really damn good about it.

What's your favorite guilt-free recipe either in the book or in general?

My favorite recipe in the book is probably the almond butter tartlets. They are heavenly.

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On the flip side, many times I would visit family, friends or even acquaintances and they find out what I do for a living, they would either feel like I was going to judge them the entire time so they pre-apologize for what they are eating; or they would flip it and judge everything I was eating. I remember I had a cupcake at my sister’s wedding and someone said, “Oh I am surprised you’re eating that.”

I just realized how much dissatisfaction and judgment we have toward food and I really wanted to tackle this issue head-on in a big way because there is some noise about it, but not enough!

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And last but not least, I heard you are known to do raps about healthy eating? Any chances you'll be putting out an album?

This is probably one of my favorite interview questions, ever!

Yes—the infamous raps! Actually, because of popular demand, I think I am going to record and mix a single based on the book and do a proper music video to accompany. Because really, you only live once!

food & fitness

STRAIGHT FROM FOOD MOOD GIRL

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE BITES Enjoy the bites without the guilt. words & images by LINDSEY SMITH

INGREDIENTS: ½ cup of almond butter 1/3 cup of raw or honey or maple syrup 1 cup almond or cashew flour ¼ cup of chocolate chips Makes 12 cookies INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Combine the almond butter and honey or maple syrup. Add the nut flour and mix until a ball of dough forms. Add the chocolate chips.

2. Roll into bite-size balls and freeze for 30 minutes.

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DRAGON FRUIT SMOOTHIE BOWL words & images by ABBEY RODRIGUEZ

SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS: 1 dragon fruit (pitaya) 1/2 cup pineapple 1/2 cup blueberries 2 bananas 1 tbsp lemon water TOPPING INGREDIENTS: 1/2 kiwi, peeled and sliced 1/2 banana, peeled and sliced 1/2 mango, peeled and sliced 1/4 dragon fruit, peeled and sliced 1/4 cup blueberries 1/4 cup granola 1 tbsp shredded coconut

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Cut the dragon fruit in half and scoop out of skin. Place in a blender or food processor with the pineapple, blueberries, bananas and water. Mix well until pureed and smooth. Place in the freezer to chill for 10-15 minutes.

2. While the smoothie puree is chilling, cut up and measure out all the toppings.

3. Pour the dragon fruit smoothie into a bowl. Gently add on the toppings and enjoy!

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ARE YOU ENJOYING THIS PREVIEW?

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WATERMELON & A WE OFFERWITH PRINT ISSUES, SWEET BALSA DIGITAL ISSUES, AND PLENTY OF SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS!

SWEET BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 1 small clove of garlic, minced 2 tbsp of coconut sugar (may substitute with brown sugar)

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words & images by

SALAD INGREDIENTS: Your favourite salad greens Chopped watermelon cubes 1 avocado, chopped into cubes Chopped pecans, or other nuts

food & fitness

ARE YOU ENJOYING THIS PREVIEW?

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AVOCADO SALAD WE OFFER PRINT ISSUES, AMIC VINAIGRETTE

y KELLY AGNEW

DIGITAL ISSUES, AND PLENTY OF SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS!

INSTRUCTIONS FOR VINAIGRETTE: 1. Combine your olive oil, balsamic vinaigrette, garlic and sugar in a sealed container. Shake until it is well mixed.

2. Prepare your salad: Combine your washed salad greens, watermelon and avocado. Top your salad with chopped pecans or your favorite chopped nuts.

3. Drizzle the vinaigrette on your salad mix and enjoy the taste of summer! *For the dressing, it is recommended to only make what you will use. Since this recipe uses fresh garlic, it reduces the lifespan of the dressing and it’s best to use it all right away.

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TRADITIONS MACARONI PIE ARE YOU ENJOYING THIS PREVIEW? words & images by KIMIKO SASO

When I was growing up, every family gathering on my Mum’s side would include gooey Macaroni Pie. If we were having a party, you can bet this dish, among other West Indian favorites like Stewed Chicken, were likely to be served with a healthy dose of Trinidadian love. It is so much better than your typical Mac ‘n’ Cheese and is so simple to make even the most amateur of cooks can pull it off. This can be served as a main dish or as a side, but the most important ingredient is love.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FULL ISSUE

COOK TIME: 45 minutes – 1 hour

INGREDIENTS: 3 cups of dry elbow macaroni 2 eggs 1 can of evaporated milk 3 tbsp of water 1 bag of shredded cheese (choose something flavorful like medium cheddar) 1 tbsp of butter (for the baking dish) Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Preheat your oven to 350*F. Take a 13 x 9 rectangular baking dish and coat in butter so that the noodles will not stick during baking.

2. Boil your elbow macaroni in a large pot of water until firm but cooked. Drain and set aside to cool slightly 3. In the meantime, in a large measuring cup, pour in the can of evaporated milk, two eggs, the water, salt, and pepper. Beat together until the egg is fully incorporated.

4. In your prepared baking dish, alternate layers of noodles and cheese until the dish is about ¾ full. Add extra cheese to the very top layer. Take your milk and egg mixture and pour evenly over the entire dish. You should see the liquid come to about half way up the noodles.

5. Bake your Macaroni Pie in the oven for about 45 minutes OR until cheese is golden and bubbly and a skewer comes out clean 6. Cool for about 5-10 minutes then serve and enjoy!

WE OFFER PRINT ISSUES, DIGITAL ISSUES, AND PLENTY OF SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS!

NOTE: If you find you need a bit more milk mixture, try adding 1 egg to half a can of evaporated milk with salt, pepper, and 1½ tbsp of water. Proportions are important to make this dish bake properly.

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VEGAN CUPCAKE words & images by TATIANA MIKAHLOV

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food & fitness

CUPCAKE INGREDIENTS: 1 cup flour 2 tsp baking powder 1/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil 3/4 cup almond milk 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 1/2 tsp vanilla a pinch of salt

ARE YOU ENJOYING THIS PREVIEW? FROSTING INGREDIENTS: 1 cup raw cashews 1/4 cup almond milk 2 tbsp maple syrup 2 tbsp coconut oil (melted and cooled) 1 tsp vanilla 2 tsp lemon juice 2 tbsp beet juice 1/2 tsp salt

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUPCAKES: 1. Pre-heat oven to 365 degrees.

2. Butter or line a pan with 10 cupcake liners.

3. Mix almond milk and apple cider vinegar in a bowl and let sit for five to ten minutes to allow for it to curdle.

4. Add flour, baking powder, sugar and salt to the bowl of a mixer fitted with a whisk. Mix on low speed to combine. Now add the remaining ingredients and beat on medium speed until the mixture is smooth.

5. Fill the cupcake liners a quarter of the way full with batter and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.

6. Remove cupcakes from pan and allow them to cool completely before frosting.

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR FROSTING: 1. Start out by rinsing the cashews and placing them in a bowl with water. Soak them for at least a half hour or up to two hours. Once you are ready to make the frosting drain and rinse the nuts again.

2. Next wash and peel two beets. Grate both into a bowl. Use your hands or some cheesecloth to strain the liquid from the grated beets.

3. Begin by adding the ingredients, with the exception of the beet juice, to a blender (add all the liquid ingredients first and cashews last).

Start the blender on low and gradually increase the speed. If you’re having trouble getting the mixture to blend you can add a tablespoon or two of almond milk. Blend until very smooth. Once you are happy with the consistency begin adding the beet juice. Use as much or as little as you would like depending on the color that you are looking for.

Allow the frosting to cool in the fridge for a half hour as that will help it become more firm and easier to work with.

4. Frost the cooled cupcakes and top with sprinkles of choice!

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food & fitness

CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY CUPS words & images by SHUANG SHAN

COOK TIME: 15 minutes + 1 hour refrigeration INGREDIENTS: 100g of 70% Dark Chocolate (2 parts) 50g of White Chocolate (1 part) 1/4 cup of cream (1 part) 2 tbsp of coco powder (to thicken if needed) 8 strawberries (can substitute to any berry or fruit of your choice) Makes 4 servings INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Break chocolates in pieces and place in heat resistant bowl with cream.

2. Bring a half filled small pot of water to boil and place bowl of chocolate on top (Make sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the boiling water, or else the chocolate will burn).

3. Stir until melted smoothly, if consistency is not as thick as desired add in tablespoons of coco powder, if chocolate is too thick, add in more cream.

4. Once smooth, turn off heat.

5. Wash and thinly slice strawberries, place half at the bottom of 4 glasses.

6. Spoon in chocolate to cover strawberries.

7. Place other half of sliced strawberries on top of chocolate.

8. Chill for at least one hour in fridge.

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What holds most people back isn’t the quality of their ideas, but their lack of faith in themselves. You have to live your life as if you are already where you want to be.

- Russell Simmons

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DIY

SKYLINE DOORMAT

Show your city pride and welcome your friends into your home with an awesome DIY skyline doormat! With an inexpensive doormat, homemade stencils, and outdoor paint, you can personalize your front door to fit you and your home! words & images by SARAH WISSINGER

YOU WILL NEED: • Plain doormat • Porch paint or outdoor furniture paint • Paintbrush

• • • • •

Cardboard Pencil Box cutter Masking tape Printer/paper (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Create your cardboard stencil. Either draw your design freehand, or print a design you can trace (our skyline was drawn freehand, but the letters were printed and traced.) Cut out the stencil with a box cutter.

2. Line up the stencil on your doormat and secure with masking tape.

3. Lay down a drop cloth or craft paper to catch any drops of paint. Paint around your stencil with your paintbrush. After the first coat has fully dried, add a second coat. Allow the paint to fully dry for 24 hours before using the doormat.

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DIY

DECORATIVE DISHES

Need a place to stash your baubles and bling? Grab your favorite paper and make these easy, yet beautiful, decorative dishes for all your jewelry (and loose end) needs. words & images by JESS DOWNEY

YOU WILL NEED:

• Tissue paper • Ceramic dishes • Mod Podge • Sponge brush • Scissors • High Gloss Sealer

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Using a pencil, trace the shape of your dish on tissue paper. Cut out shape.

2. Apply a layer of Mod Podge to dish.

3. Place paper on Mod Podge. Be careful as it will instantly stick to the Mod Podge and tissue paper rips easily. Smooth out the paper as much as you can with your finger.

4. Apply another layer of Mod Podge over tissue paper and let dry. It will likely look like a big gooey mess, but don’t worry. It doesn’t dry like that.

5. Spray high gloss sealer all over dish and let dry for 24 hours.

NOTE: You can create a fun and different look with different patterns of tissue paper by layering the styles in between layers of Mod Podge.

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DIY

BURLAP WREATH

Looking for a quick, inexpensive, and cute way to update your home each season? Try this easy to customize Burlap Wreath - you’re less than $15 and 20 minutes away from fabulously rustic decor. words & images by KELLY SPINNER

YOU WILL NEED:

• 30 ft (10yd) of burlap* • 12 inch wire wreath form • Embellishments (flowers, leaves, wooden letters, etc.)

• Hot glue gun * For this project, burlap that was 5.5 inches in width was used

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. First, secure the burlap to the wire wreath form. Fold the tip of the burlap into a point and weave it between the wire form, going over one space, and under the next. You can tie it to the inner wire, or just it leave alone.

2. As you continue to weave the burlap over and under, pull up on the “over” pieces to form bubbles with the burlap. Push the “bubbles” together as you make your way around the form.

3. When you have made it all the way around, you can either fold the remaining burlap in the woven motion, or you can tie this end as well.

4. Next, add embellishments. This where you can personalize this wreath to make it your own. Use a wooden letter for your last name. Add flowers for whatever season. Add a bow. For this particular project, a wooden letter was painted with white acrylic paint and then glued on along with the fall flowers.

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If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.

- Nora Roberts 76 Holl & Lane, Issue 2

life stories

THE GIRL NEXT DOOR produced by SARAH HARTLEY

Name and Age: Ashlee Gadd, 29 Occupation: Founder / Managing Editor / Writer for Coffee + Crumbs; photographer What did you want to be when you grew up?

An actress, which is nothing short of hilarious and terrifying now.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I would really love to eat my way through Italy. I’m pretty sure I could survive on pizza, fresh pasta, and gelato for the rest of my life if I had to.

What is your morning routine like?

My baby usually wakes up sometime between 5-6am.

I nurse him and can usually get him back to sleep for another hour or so. By 7:00am, we’ve all set up camp in the living room: baby on the floor with a basket of toys, toddler on the couch with a cup of Cheerios, me sitting right beside him sipping coffee and checking e-mail on my phone while we all watch Curious George. We typically start our day around 8am, once I’ve had a substantial amount of coffee and can properly function.

Do you have any hobbies?

With a toddler and infant under my care, I don’t have a ton of extra time for hobbies right now, but I love yoga, pilates, reading, baking, and binge watching just about anything on Netflix.

Are you a cat or dog person?

Neither; two kids is enough for our house right now!

Do you know how much poop I already have to deal with? Ha. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

It’s probably a tie between pizza and Chipotle burrito bowls.

If you were stranded on an island, what three items would you want with you?

Sunscreen, my Bible, a water-purifying system.

What has been your proudest moment in your life?

When I first launched Coffee + Crumbs, I had pretty low expectations. I thought it would take us a really long time to build a following, and to get our name out there. Three of our posts went viral right away, and we had 2.8 million pageviews in the first eight weeks. I remember going out to dinner with my husband to celebrate, just sitting across from him in awe and excitement. Everything happened so fast and organically; it was surreal!

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life stories

LIVING WITH MISOPHONIA

Every little sound driving you crazy? You may be living with misophonia.

Rachael shares her story and how she copes. words by RACHAEL GARLING

“Oh my god, make her stop typing!”

“Stop shoving popcorn in your mouth!”

“Who is whistling and why are they whistling?”

“Ice is not for chomping!”

“Where are my headphones? I need them NOW!”

T

hese are thoughts that have all entered my mind. In fact, they enter it on a daily basis. Each one is different but they’re all negative responses to the sounds around me. I live with Misophonia and I hate every single minute of it.

What is Misophonia you ask? Well, simply put, it can be described as a neurological disorder for the hatred of sound. Some refer to it as “sound rage.” Someone living with Misophonia hears a certain sound (i.e. trigger) and immediately has an anxious, disgusted or rage filled response. These sounds can be soft, loud, or as common as birds chirping. My brain processes trigger sounds as “danger” and I have an immediate reaction. I either have a fight or flight response. If I fight, I usually tell the offending person to stop making the noise. If I have a flight response I either: leave the room, mimic what the person is doing, listen to headphones for white noise, or cry. More often than not I have a flight response. It’s very rare for me to ask someone to stop what they’re doing. Misophonia 78 Holl & Lane, Issue 2

completely ruined a relationship for me; almost every sound he made became a trigger. He was a very nice guy, just really noisy.

It is said that Misophonia is hereditary; my mom and my grandma both have it. I haven’t always had it but I do remember the first time I was triggered. It was all downhill from there. I was 19 years old and was working in a telecommunications call center. One day all I could hear was the sound of fake nails typing on a keyboard of someone ten feet from me. I couldn’t focus for the rest of the day; I kept listening to her type and got angrier as the minutes went on. It obviously wasn’t her fault for the way I was feeling and I didn’t understand why I was so angry. I do not clearly remember when my other triggers started. Maybe that’s a good thing.

Triggers are different for everyone, what may bother me may not bother others. A few of my triggers are: people typing on keyboards, fake nails on keyboards, chewing popcorn, chomping chips, and chewing ice. I have a laundry list of triggers but these are the ones I encounter the most. I have to wear headphones at work and listen to music because of the constant typing around me. I cannot go to movies for fear that someone will eat their popcorn loudly and it will ruin the movie. I cannot go to Mexican restaurants be-

life stories

cause I will end up glaring at everyone eating their tortilla chips and salsa. If anyone chews ice around me, I immediately get a headache.

If companies create radio or TV ads that use food or drink sounds that trigger me, I will refuse to buy their products. Do you know those Kit Kat commercials?

I hate them. Philips 66 used the sound of someone eating chips and filling up a soda in the same commercial. Not only do I change the radio when I hear it, I also do not stop at a Philips 66. These things seem silly and they are (I cannot deny that) but my reaction is something I cannot control. I have had people tell me to “get over it” but, unfortunately, it’s not that easy.

mock me and not understand. I feel crazy even writing this article but I hope that it opens other’s eyes. This disorder is not made up; it is real and serious. If you haven’t lived with it, it’s hard to understand. It’s even harder to understand when someone in your own house has it. I thought my mom was being rude when I was a teenager as she sternly told me to stop typing on our keyboard. It was just her fight response; she didn’t know any other way to handle it.

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The exact cause of Misophonia is unknown and it cannot be classified in the current Psychology DSM-IV as it does not fit. There are also no known cures available as it is still being researched. There are a limited amount of articles available that discuss treatments but they just lessen the severity. So I have been learning how to cope on my own through white noise and talking about it.

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I cannot truly relax when I am at work or in a social situation because I am anticipating the next trigger.

When it happens I have to find out who is creating it, where it’s coming from and then I question why it’s even happening. I lose all focus on what I’m doing, tune into those sounds and fill with rage. I have tried desensitizing myself to the noise but I ended up crying from all the adrenaline. I’d rather be in seclusion because it’s just easier than dealing with the anticipation.

I feel crazy telling others about it for fear that they will

I learned that a couple of coworkers have Misophonia and it helps to talk to them when I’m being triggered. It makes me feel better because they sympathize. Having a support system (even though it’s small) really helps. One thing to remember is that if you’re living with Misophonia, you are not alone even though it might feel that way. You’re not crazy either, I promise.

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LIFE OF A FORMER

life stories

BEAUTY QUEEN

Beauty pagaents get a bad wrap. And beauty queens? Even worse. Kristin takes us inside the intriguing world and tells us what it’s really like- sustaining on chicken breasts and all.

I

words & images by KRISTIN FORSYTHE

HAVE A CONFESSION TO MAKE. I’m a hasbeen “beauty queen”. I never considered myself one though. After all, beauty queens are tall with flawless skin, legs a mile long, gigantic smiles and perfect speaking skills. I always felt like I had none of those attributes. I’ve even had people act surprised when they find out that I competed in pageants. More than once I’ve heard Kristin winning the the phrase “You compete(ed) in pageants??

You don’t Miss American seem like the type!” I never quite knew how to take Dream title. that exclamation. Were they saying I wasn’t pretty enough, tall enough, thin enough? The list goes on and on. Competing in pageants was never something that I broadcasted to people for that exact reason, it always seemed like they wouldn’t understand. I rarely bring up my pageant days but if someone asks me about them I’m more than happy to talk about my experiences and try to dispel some of the stereotypes that run rampant about the industry. When I began competing I believed many of the stereotypes as well but found out that most of them are untrue or it takes a lot of work to get where one is, for example I always just assumed that pageant girls were naturally fit and tan, with perfect hair and wardrobes. It didn’t take me long to realize that all that comes with plenty of hard work and sacrifice.

contestant in my age division) and I won. So far I had no clue what it took to really be successful in the pageant world. That wake up call came the following year when I entered the Miss Ohio USA pageant.

The Miss Ohio USA pageant is part of the Miss USA system. The winner of the pageant goes on to rep-

The first pageant I competed in was a small fair queen contest in my hometown. I had never really even thought about doing a pageant before that but this one seemed like it could be fun, and I was a senior in high school and wouldn’t be eligible once I graduated.

I thought it would be a one and done kind of thing. I don’t think I even really prepared for the pageant. I wore a dress I had worn for homecoming a few years prior, slapped on very little makeup and was just myself. I had a blast meeting the judges for the private interview and even though I was terrified of doing a short speech onstage the adrenaline rush was addicting. To my complete surprise, I placed second runner up! I was hooked. My first thought after the pageant was “I want to do that again!” I went on to enter another very small pageant (there was only one other Holl & Lane, Issue 2

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resent Ohio in the Miss USA pageant. Pretty serious stuff for pageant girls! I entered that pageant with very little preparation, an interview outfit from the local mall, a dress that could pass for a bridesmaid’s, and very little knowledge of how to style my hair or apply makeup but thinking that I had a shot at the title. How naive I was!

The first time the contestants get to see each other in person is during registration on the first night of pageant weekend. When I walked into registration at the Radisson in Columbus I felt like a fish out of water.

These girls were insanely beautiful with gorgeous outfits tailored to fit perfectly and they were all so sweet!

Registration is a contestant’s first chance to make a great impression on not only pageant staff but other contestants. Competing in pageants is 90% mental. If you walk into a pageant function as a contestant and see other girls that look great, have gorgeous outfits and carry themselves with confidence your own morale drops like a boulder thrown off a cliff. Clueless as to the mental game of pageantry, I came to registration in jeans and a button down. My morale continued to drop throughout the weekend as I discovered that contestants had heavily beaded gowns that cost thousands of dollars, swimsuits made especially for stage competition and coaches to perfect their presentation.

“Coaches??? For a pageant???” I thought the idea was insane. Looking back years later, my biggest regret of my pageant career was not hiring a coach

sooner. I hired a wonderful coach for my last pageant and was amazed at the difference in how I prepared and competed.

Despite realizing that I didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning the Miss Ohio USA title, I had a great time competing, staying up half the night talking to my roommate and learning more about the pageant world. I went on to compete two more times in that pageant and never placed. I had a great time every year, learned more about myself and how to prepare for a pageant, gained valuable interview skills and loved cheering on the Ohio representative while watching Miss USA on television.

One of the most important areas of competition is the private interview with a panel of judges. It’s just you in a chair facing a table of 3-7 judges. They can ask you anything from “If you were a car, what kind of car would you be?” (yes, I’ve been asked that) to questions about foreign policy and current events. They also ask questions from your contestant bio that you submit prior to the pageant. This is where you list your hobbies, career goals and interesting tidbits about yourself. It can be terrifying. In the beginning, I thought I had to be someone I’m not, or give the judges answers they would want to hear. Once I hired a pageant coach that all changed. My coach had been a previous Mrs. Ohio America and was a genius at really picking your brain to find things that are interesting about you that you might otherwise overlook. For example, I love photog-

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raphy and one of my favorite subjects is old forgotten cemeteries. There’s no way I would’ve put that on my bio but my coach convinced me to do otherwise.

It paid off because it was something different, and it helped me stand out from other contestants.

Physical fitness is also a huge part of pageant competition. I took for granted that the contestants were just naturally tall, in great shape, tan, and knew how to walk and pose to show off how fabulous they were.

Nope. There’s a hell of a lot of work that goes into those few short minutes on stage. As I said before, pageants are 90% mental. It takes discipline to drag your ass out of bed at 4 or 5 a.m. to get a workout in before work or school. Then come home after a long day and do it again. Some girls work out twice a day as the pageant gets closer to try to “lean out” as much as possible. And pageant girls naturally have 6 pack abs? Ha. Those babies were built in the kitchen. Egg whites, grilled chicken breast, tons of veggies and gallons of water built those washboard abs. Taking your own food to social functions and saying no to alcohol and Doritos built those abs. Running and weight lifting were my go to workouts before a pageant. Alternat-

ing three days of running and three days of weights helped me build the best body I’ve ever had. All that hard work paid off when I won the fitness award at my last pageant. That would not have happened without mental and physical discipline and a coach that showed me that if you pose a certain way your shoulders look wider which in turn makes your waist look smaller. It’s all about smoke and mirrors! Not tall like a glamazon model? There’s 5 inch platform heels for that! Pale from all that time spent in the gym? Spray tans are your friend. Some girls even have makeup artists paint abs on them for the swimsuit competition.

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Seventeen years and more than twelve pageants later (having lost way more crowns than I won) I wouldn’t change my experiences for anything. My fellow pageant girls are an amazing group of fun-loving, driven, goal oriented go-getters that make the world a better place. Some people think that pageant contestants are shallow airheads and catty bitches. I’ve never ran across either one in my pageant career but even the best of us can get a little crabby when we’ve been eating chicken breasts and working out six days a week for months.

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A MOTHER’S DISAPPEARANCE

Fourteen years ago, her mother disappeared without a trace. She still doesn’t have answers. words by ANONYMOUS

* Names have been removed from this story as it is still an open case.

When I was fifteen, my life changed completely. My whole world was turned upside down. I remember this day like it happened yesterday. It’s funny, because most times I can’t even remember what I wore the day before. This day, however, is so fresh in my mind. I think about it quite often. May 25, 2001, my mother was taken from me. Lets start at the beginning.

May 25, 2001 was the last day of my sophomore year of high school. I lived in a small town where everyone knew everyone else. On this day, we got out of school early and my mom picked me up instead of having me take the bus home. A friend of mine also rode home with us. After dropping my friend off at home, we stopped by the grocery store (which was located in town, whereas our house was about twenty minutes outside of town). After grabbing her groceries, my mom went to the checkout line. While in line, I noticed my mom’s ex-boyfriend walked in the store. This was odd for a couple of reasons: He didn’t live in the same town as us and also my mom had been having troubles with him not leaving her alone.

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I mentioned to her that he was in the store. She finished paying and grabbed the grocery bags.

When we got outside, I noticed that his car was parked directly across from ours. I knew he did this purposely.

While my mom was loading the groceries into our car, he came out of the store and began talking to her. My car was originally a gift from him and was still registered in his name. He asked her if she wanted to go to the auto shop to check on my car with him. She agreed, but told him that she had to take me and the groceries home first. He left and headed out of town toward our house. We were on our way to our house ten minutes later.

We arrived at our house, but her ex-boyfriend wasn’t there. I remember thinking that was weird, because he left in plenty of time to get there before we did. We unloaded the groceries and I went to my room. A while later, my mom came in to my room and told me that they were leaving. I told her I loved her. That was the last time I ever saw her.

life stories

An hour later, a friend of mine came to our house for a sleepover. Shortly before she arrived, my mom’s ex-boyfriend called asking if my mom was there. I told him no, that I thought she was with him. He explained that he had dropped her off at the end of our driveway about an hour earlier. He then said he had just made it into town and noticed that my mom had forgotten her purse in his car. These things threw up red flags to me immediately. I knew something was wrong. It did not take an hour to get from our house to town and my mom would never forget her purse anywhere!

answer most of them. I was too scared. I couldn’t remember what she was wearing. I didn’t know where they went after the auto shop. I didn’t have any answers for them.

The next week seemed so surreal to me. We put “Missing” posters up around town. I never in my life thought I would be putting up missing posters for someone I knew, especially not my own mom. That part was probably that most heartbreaking part. Knowing that this was all that I had left…a poster saying she was missing.

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It’s been fourteen years since I last saw my mom. Fourteen years since she disappeard.

We don’t have answers.

We don’t know what happened to her. But, we are fairly confident that her ex-boyfriend had something to do with her disappearance. After she disappeared, my family and I found out that he had been abusing her and that he had previously raped her. We also found out that he had told people (after their breakup) that if he couldn’t have her, no one could.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FULL ISSUE I asked him why it had taken him so long to get into town after dropping her off. He told me there was a car accident. When my friend arrived for the sleepover, I asked her if there was an accident (as they would’ve driven the same roads) and she said no. Another red flag.

I believe, with my whole heart, that he killed her. I don’t think he wanted to live without her, so he took her from everyone. The one thing, the only thing, that I want is to know what happened to her. I want closure. I want peace. The hardest part is not knowing what happened to my mom. Also, knowing that he is out there in this world walking around a free man scares me every single day. I really hope we get answers someday.

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At this point, I notified my boyfriend’s mother that my mom was missing. I said it as a joke, but I knew deep down that something had happened to her. My boyfriend’s mom told me to call her first thing in the morning if my mom hadn’t come home by then.

Early the next morning, I woke up hoping that my mom had come home late the night before. But, she hadn’t.

She wasn’t in the house. I called my boyfriend’s mom and let her know and she immediately called the police. I remember when the police arrived, it was just my friend and I at home. I was fifteen and terrified. They started asking me questions and I honestly couldn’t

This situation has made me an advocate against domestic violence. Had I known my mother was being abused and raped prior to her disappearance, I would have urged her to seek help. I really want to help other people in these situations so no other families have to go through what my family is going through.

As of 2013, there were 133,539 missing persons ages 21 and older. 52,342 of these are women.* *Source: FBI National Crime Information Center Holl & Lane, Issue 2

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What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?

It always gets better so stop dwelling on the negativeso many more positive things are in the future!

Danielle J. Speak up, take over, don’t let anyone control your life. Be happy and let your children be your whole world.

Donna R. Travel, see & live other cultures, be a friend and a mentor.

Audrey M. Make self-care and fitness a priority!

Mia S. Figure out how to have my beautiful girls and not live the life of a woman of the 50's.

Kay S. It’s okay to be a little selfish and do stuff that makes you happy every once in a while.

Kris B.

Chill out. It's not the end of the world.

Kirsty B. Be kind. Popularity stops at high school and the oddballs are the most interesting people you will ever meet.

Amy C. It all works out in the end.

Rachel P. Your mom is right. No, don't date that boy. Drink more water. Love yourself more.

Helen P. Don't take out student loans! Find another way to pay for college.

Stephanie L. Save money... Start a savings account and retirement plan as soon as you get a job.

Marie G. produced by SARAH HARTLEY

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If we all did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves.

- Thomas Edison Holl & Lane, Issue 2

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BEING A PARENT OF

M U L TIP LES word s & imag es by H EATH ER WIL SON

Being a parent is hard enough. But when the doctor tells you there is more than one baby in your belly?

That’s a recipe for exponential chaos.

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E

very mom knows that her little indulgences come at a price. How many times have you taken your time in the shower only to discover a disaster when you came out of the bathroom? I’m sure you’ve seen the YouTube video of the kids who covered the entire living room in flour while their mother used the bathroom. Kids seem to wait for the right moment to strike. Well, one morning, I was indulging in my own little escape to Storybook, thanks to Hulu.

I heard laughter and assumed all was well. Noise is good; it’s the silent moments that lead us to fearfully wonder what is going on in the other room. But as the story unfolded on screen, once upon a time, another story was developing in the bathroom down the hall, and the laughter was getting louder… exponentially louder.

Everything about my life during the past four years could be perfectly described as exponential. When I was first pregnant with the boys, I was exponentially exhausted. My midsection expanded so quickly, I looked full term at just 26 weeks. I can’t even tell you how many times I would hear, “any day now?” followed by their shocked and pitied expression when I told them when I was due. There were more ultrasounds, more frequent checkups, bigger aches and pains, higher numbers on the scale, and much larger maternity clothes hanging in my closet. Near the end of my pregnancy with the twins, I remember sitting in my OB’s office and talking over labor and delivery. He asked me if I had any help arranged for after the babies were born. “Not much,” I replied. He looked at

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me, concerned, and said, “You do realize, having two babies will not just be double the work; it will be exponential.” Most people do assume that twins are double the work, but my doctor was right. Twins are nothing short of exponentially more of everything!

October 11th was the day our lives changed forever. I was induced on a Monday morning after spending the whole weekend walking around, hoping to go into labor naturally. I was 39 weeks pregnant exactly, which surprised everyone since the average twin pregnancy lasts about 35 weeks. I delivered in the O.R. just in case we needed to do a cesarean. As it turns out, I was able to deliver both of them vaginally. James was born first and Luke was born just 21 minutes after.

They were so tiny! They weighed 6 lbs 7 oz and 5 lbs 11oz, respectively. James sounded like a little baby goat when he first cried!

Life with newborn twins was so exhausting. I felt like I was going crazy! The sleep deprivation caused more than one mishap. One night, one of the boys was crying, so I scooped him up and nursed him in bed. He fell back asleep so I put him back in the co-sleeper next to his brother. About 20 minutes later, in a fog, I heard crying again. So I blindly scooped up a baby and latched him on. About 20 minutes after putting him back in the co-sleeper, I heard more crying. Out of exasperation I cried, “didn’t I already feed you?” Then it dawned on me, I had just nursed the same baby twice, and it was the hungry one that was now crying.

It’s a miracle we made it through those nights.

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Sometimes I wonder how I ever got through that first year. Most days, I just didn’t think about it; I was on auto-pilot. With three under three, I didn’t have time to think about how hard it was, I just did it. It’s only in retrospect that I can really grasp how challenging it was. There were times when the crying really got to me, to the point where I would startle in the middle of the night, thinking I heard a crying baby, but they were both asleep. Oh the crying! I often described it to friends as a cacophony of sound! One time, my two-year-old Grace declared, “I can’t talk! It’s too loud in here.” We were all a little overwhelmed. To cope, I would often just throw them all in the van and drive around endlessly, because it was the only escape.

post-nap cuddles are my favorite quiet moments with the boys. I love the stillness, the sleepy hugs and time to reflect and appreciate all that they are. They fill my arms at night while I sing their favorite bedtime song, Twinkle Twinkle, which they affectionately refer to as “mommy star” because they want me to sing it to them.

And as overwhelming as the crying might be, hearing all the laughter is equally heartwarming, healing my weariness. When they laugh together, it is impossibly cute, and they can get each other laughing harder than anyone else can. Watching them play together nicely or show compassion to each other when one is hurting is enough to make me forget the bickering and tantrums, at least momentarily.

One thing is for sure, I could not have survived the first year without the help of my husband. He took over the cooking, cleaning, laundry and everything in between.

He took care of Grace during the night when I was constantly tending to the boys. I wish I could say that we had a lot of other regular help, but it was hard to come by. It’s also hard to ask for when you know how much work it will be.

Which brings me back to my story: as I made my way towards the laughter coming from the bathroom, I truly wanted to believe it was that healing kind of laughter, completely innocent and non-destructive. I could hear splashing as I walked around the corner into the bathroom. My two beautiful boys had armfuls of towels, shirts and at least a few pairs of underwear, completely soaked in toilet water. They were carrying these sopping piles of wet, disgusting clothing and plopping them into the bathtub, only to return them back to the toilet, and into the bathtub again. All the while, they were laughing hysterically and creating a huge puddle of toilet water on the floor. What a mess!

I’m sure it won’t be the last. As I look toward the future with these silly boys, I try to imagine what it will be like to teach two teenagers how to drive, send two of my children off to college the same year, or suddenly find myself an empty nester as they become adults and start their own families. It’s hard to picture, but one thing I know, even when my arms are no longer full, my heart will remain overflowing… and I’ll be able to watch my favorite show without worrying about a bathroom disaster.

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The second year of the twins’ life was the hardest. As the boys got older, it became even harder to find help.

Any interest people had in helping while they were sweet little infants seemed to wane as the boys entered toddlerhood and their independence and needs grew. We also moved out of our small 2 bedroom home into an old farm house in town that needed a ton of work. All the while, the kids kept getting sick, passing various illnesses back and forth, and landing us in the hospital twice in a five month period.

In the midst of all the difficulty, however, there was grace, and there still is. As exponential as the hard parts of raising twins are, so are the good parts. A twin mama is never lacking hugs and kisses. Morning and 90 Holl & Lane, Issue 2

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When our oldest daughter was 3, we were getting ready to go to bed and part of her routine is going potty before bed. She was on the toilet and said to my husband and I, 'I don't have a tail, Mommy. Daddy does but I don't.

- Andrea N.

When driving past our local quarry (that stinks all the time), my daughter said it stunk like a boy toot toot (fart)!

I have no idea where she pulled that from! - Jennifer L. My 4 year old will tell people she got her red, curly hair from the milkman!!

- Amelia B.

I said to my son, "I love you to the moon and back." He then said, "I love you to Target and back." - Lauren S.

When my son was 3 his preschool teacher said his 'Incredibles' underwear were cool during a class trip to the restroom. He replied "they aren't incredible, they're just okay".

- Heather S.

STRAIGHT FROM THEIR MOUTHS What is the funniest thing your kid has said?

Join the fun by telling us on Twitter : @HollAndLaneMag The other day we were in the car and with the most sincere voice my son says, "Mama when I get bigger I am not going to sing Jesus songs. I like Jesus songs, but I really want to sing Rock and Roll. Okay?"

- Crystal H.

In the same day Gwen has said "it's going to be a nice day with no bad guys!" and then when asked what she thought was in a jar of jelly (she is 4 and knows what jelly is) she replied "blood."

- Sarah R.

"Mom look it's the President!" as a tall black man in a suit walks out of the elevator...

- Heather R. I like to use my belly button as a purse to hold peanuts.

- Lisa K.

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BEING A MOM: A PHOTO DIARY The ordinary, everyday moments of motherhood can become repetitive and mundane. But Sarah takes out her camera to capture these moments and honor the details of her life with her husband and four sons. words & images by SARAH HART

I

wasn't even sure I wanted children. Now, at the age of 35, I'm a mother to four boys ages six and under and all I can think about is adding another sweet babe to our family. Funny how that happens, huh? It turns out I love everything about motherhood, even the not so glamorous parts. I love the overwhelming feeling of love when a newborn is placed on your chest for the first time. I love their little grunts while nursing in the middle of the night. I love watching them take their first steps. I love watching them develop relationships with each other that will last a lifetime. This whole motherhood gig is pretty intoxicating.

About two years ago, when my third son was still a baby, I panicked because I realized I was starting to forget little things about our daily life like the way my second son used to carry the entire contents of his room around the house with him or the way my first son used to fall asleep in the hallway while boycotting 92 Holl & Lane, Issue 2

nap time. As silly as those things may sound, those are the important things to me. Real life. So I made it my mission to document our day to day happenings so that I could have a photo journal to look back on. I've never been a fan of posed pictures because I'm more interested in seeing what happened before and after you made them stop and say "cheese!". I like to act as a fly on the wall and just observe them being, snapping away as they play outside or eat their breakfast.

These are the things I want to remember.

Like the day Henry, 3 years old, woke up and decided Cheerios were the best breakfast ever. He now asks for them every morning, then immediately asks for whatever everyone else is having as well. It’s also not every morning that my husband is able to enjoy breakfast with everyone, so this was a special moment in that regard as well. Father and son, just enjoying some cereal. I like to imagine what this scene will look like twenty years down the road.

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Gideon, 15 months, is such a nature lover. He runs to the door anytime he hears it open and tries to sneak outside.

Lately, he's been making a beeline to the swing at the back of the yard. He loves digging in the dirt, putting rocks in his mouth and pushing the wagon around the yard. The multiple mosquito bites all over this chubby thighs are a testament to just how sweet this boy is.

Silas, 4 years old, has always been the most interested in music out of all the boys. Each night after dinner we have dance parties to shake out all the sillies. If he’s not DJ-ing on the computer (“You Make My Dreams” by Hall & Oates is his favorite right now because they sang it in school), he’s busting a move and shaking his booty, making everyone else join in on the fun. He certainly dances like no one is watching, and I love that about him.

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This is Jackson, 6 years old, the day after his last day of kindergarten. Being the emotional boy that he is, he cried when I picked him up on that last day because he already missed his teacher and friends. But on this day, it seemed as though he was getting used to the idea of not going to school everyday.

We spent the morning on the patio just chatting and making plans for the summer. It’s mind-blowing when you begin to have more adultlike conversations with your children.

As often as the boys may bicker and fight over toys, they also love each other to the moon and back.

Splashing in the bathtub together is always fun, but I’m afraid we might need a bigger tub so that all four of them can fit at the same time.

The look of joy on Jackson’s face while talking to Gideon in this picture makes my heart melt. I really do believe they will forever be best buds and have each other’s backs. All of them.

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It’s rare to have one-on-one time with any of the boys, but I’m trying to carve that time out because I know how important it is for them. On this particular day Henry woke up early from his nap, so we went outside to blow bubbles and play with sidewalk chalk while Jackson was at school and the other two boys were still snoozing.

The sound he made when he tried to blow a bubble was priceless - more of a “fffffffffffff” than actual blowing - but he succeeded every so often, exclaiming “I did it! I did it! Yook, Mommy! I did it!”

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The boys always seem to end up half dressed by the end of the day, running around the backyard or house pants-less or shirtless. On this night I decided to treat them to some ice cream cones after dinner to celebrate summer. And boy did they celebrate, covering themselves from head to toe in stickiness from dripping ice cream. Let ‘s just say that baths were not skipped.

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family

Speaking of summer, our backyard in the summer is pretty magical for us.

It’s lush and green, and we recently strung some lights to add a soft glow to our evenings spent outside. I hope the boys will forever hold fond memories of these summer nights spent exploring, relaxing, making s’mores and just enjoying each other. I’m waiting for the lightning bugs to make their appearance so we can collect a few in mason jars.

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Not only is Gideon a nature lover, but he has reached the stage where he wants to get into everything he’s not supposed to. He realized he can climb on things, especially the couch, and he’s constantly making my heart skip a beat by almost falling off things. Official Danger Baby Stage. I’ll take him off the couch, but he immediately climbs right back up to run across it and flop down, giggling the entire time.

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family

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CLICK HERE TO GET THE FULL ISSUE This was my attempt at a posed picture. I tried to get all four of them to sit on the bench, but those "cheese!" shots I took didn't turn out nearly as well as this one that really shows them in all their glory. The side conversation between Henry and Gideon, Silas running off and Jackson being silly. These perfectly imperfect moments are the ones I want to hold on to. My boys just being boys. They're my heart, my whole world and my reason for being. I love them to the moon and back.

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CAMERA MAMA

From Instagram to an entire online community, Rebecca Franson, AKA Camera Mama, shares how she inspired a community of mothers to share tips and tricks on photographing their children. produced by SARAH HARTLEY

instagram images courtesy of: @callred25 (left), @samscrazylife (right)

Name and Age: Rebecca Malouf Franson, 37 You recently started an Instagram account and website called Camera Mama. Tell us what it is all about.

My @camera_mama Instagram account is where I share photos that inspire me and tips that other users share by tagging their photos with #cameramama15 or #cammama15 One of my followers @bellakeel said it best: "The perfect combination of beautiful images & wonderful little tips."

Why did you start the site?

I started this site as a place to share tips and ideas about photographing our own children with other parents no matter how simple their camera may be. The quality of photos you can capture these days with a cell phone are amazing! I also started this site to help me take more pictures of my own kids...as I got busier 98 Holl & Lane, Issue 2

with my photography business (Merrakai.com) I realized I was taking less photos of my own children which is at the heart of why I love photography in the first place!

Why do you think it’s important to capture these moments?

I think capturing snippets of my childrens' childhood helps me to find more joy in motherhood. It helps me focus on the good things.

What are your hopes for Camera Mama in the future?

I have started a website (CamMama.com) to go along with the Instagram account and in the future I plan to add more content on a regular basis that summarizes what is happening over on the Instagram account. I have also launched the #GetIn52 Challenge where people are challenged to take at least one photo a week with them in it!

family

What are the 5 best tips you’ve learned from the community so far?

1. Attitude: Put the memories and the moments first, not the pictures. The genuine moments really shine through!

2. Apps: There are some great apps out there to help make our pictures shine! VSCO, Snapseed, Mextures, nSquares, & Diana App are some that have popped up in our Instagram discussions!

3. Gadgets: I have now purchased a remote trigger for my big camera, an underwater case for my iphone, and an octopus tripod for my iphone thanks to tips from the Camera Mama community!

4. Community: There are some really, really awesome and nice women all over this globe who love to share their beautiful photos and photo tips. I have loved making friends on Instagram through this community!

5. Perspective: Get down low, get up high, hang back and wait, run up ahead, and hop in the picture yourself!

instagram image courtesy of: @3littlechiefs

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FREE FAMILY ACTIVITIES

Have you run out of ideas for fun things to do with your kids for the rest of the summer? Give these free family activities a try. words & images by MEGAN LOEKS

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AIRPORT LOOKOUT

PLAYGROUND

HIKING

LIBRARY

Many airports have lookout areas for families to sit and watch airplanes come and go. Enjoy a beautiful summer sunrise and/or sunset while watching the planes take off.

Hiking is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy all the beauty that mother nature has to offer. Pack some drinks and light snacks before heading out on a nearby trail.

Most towns have playgrounds for children to enjoy.

Some even offer a splash pad for those hot summer days. It’s also a great place for children to interact with one another.

With the summer season comes rainy days. The public library is a perfect place to visit when the weather turns. Many libraries have children’s areas filled with sensory bins and other learning activities.

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BEACH

The beach is a summer given and definite hot spot.

Not only is it a great place to simply go for a swim, but a perfect place to build sand castles or fly a kite.

SIDEWALK CHALK ART PROJECT

Sometimes the best summer activities are right around your home. Get out the chalk and have your children trace themselves, draw race car tracks to race their cars on or play hopscotch.

BIKE RIDE

Family bike rides can be a wonderful family activity in the summer. Take a bike ride around the neighborhood or maybe even a local bike trail.

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SCAVENGER HUNT

Creating a list of things to search for outside can be an educational way to get children engaged. Your scavenger hunt list could consist of finding things such as different types of leaves, pinecones, flowers, and so forth.

PICNIC

Plan a picnic! Pack a basket full of food and drinks and head to a local park or even your backyard. Sit under the shade of a tree with your family and enjoy a meal outside.

CAR WASH

Have a family car wash on a sunny, summer day. This is a win-win for both parents and children because the cars get cleaned and the kids get to play with the hose.

family

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It doesn’t matter who you are, or where you came from. The ability to triumph begins with you. Always.

- Oprah Winfrey

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YOU TELL US:

IF YOU COULD TRAVEL ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD IT BE?

Your Top Five Ideal Destinations 1. Italy 2. Ireland 3. Greece 4. Spain 5. Scotland

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One of many murals in the downtown Harlingen area. Harlingen is a small town. It is part of what people know in South Texas as "The Rio Grande Valley ." Major Surrounding areas include; McAllen, San Benito and Brownsville and of course South Padre Island.

The Most

Instagrammable

Places Near HARLINGEN, TEXAS 106 Holl & Lane, Issue 2

travel Famous Jackson Street in the downtown area. Every first Saturday of the month they close these streets down for what they call "market days" - small businesses around the area set up shop to sell their items and there is food, music and fun for the whole family!

words & images by ZAIDA ORTEGA

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The view from the top of the Port Isabel lighthouse.

This is the famous light house in Port Isabel, TX. This is a popular place to visit and a must stop on the way to or from the beach.

You get a beautiful view of the island from the top.

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One of the popular camping grounds on South Padre Island - KOA camping grounds.

Beautiful treasures found on South Padre Island.

Every Friday night during the summer on South Padre Island they put on a fireworks show!

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n i u o y e e S ! r e b Octo

CONTRIBUTORS

These ladies are the talent behind these pages and the magazine would be nothing without their stories.

Amy Cook https://www.facebook.com/amysusancook

Ivy O http://findingtheglitter.blogspot.ca/

Micah Chaplin http://unabashedly--me.blogspot.com/

Laura Penley https://instagram.com/lauraslensonlife/

Erica Musyt http://www.lookingtothestars.com/

Adaena Tray

Cara Zamorski http://fashionswain.com/ Eva Kerschbaumer http://www.esspa.com/ Jaye Gipson http://www.curvatude.com/ Kimiko Saso http://sliceofheavenloft.blogspot.com/ Berty Morales https://www.facebook.com/MadForFashionForLess

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Jamie Starcevich http://www.sprucerd.com/ Marianna Palazzolo http://www.jewelry-heist.com/ Ellen Beckjord http://www.twitter.com/ebeckjord Chelsea Oliver http://chelsandthecity.blogspot.com/ Jessica Brown http://www.jcharlenecopywriting.co/ Alyssa Burlakoff https://twitter.com/AlyssaBurlakoff

Photo Credits Page 8, Eddie Stigson Page 9, Death to Stock Page 10, Anna Hamilton Page 12, Stelios Kazazias Page 14, Demetrius Washington Page 21, T. Cud Page 33, Brittney Borowski Page 40, Thomas Richter Page 49, Das Sasha Page 51, Jonathan Niederhoffer Page 72, Death to Stock Page 76, Ananda Escudero Gomes Page 78, Maria Victoria Heredia Reyes Page 80, Nathan Boadle Page 84, Thomas Brault Page 87, Nicole Eliason Page 91, Danielle MacInnes Page 104, Ricky Paulus Page 110, Death to Stock Back Cover, Ananda Escudero Gomes

Lindsey Smith http://foodmoodgirl.com/

Ashlee Gadd http://www.coffeeandcrumbs.net/

Abbey Rodriguez http://www.thebutterhalf.com/

Rachael Garling http://simplychic.me/

Kelly Agnew http://www.knowingkelly.com/

Kristin Forsythe https://instagram.com/kristinforsythe/

Tatiana Mikhailovna http://flora-and-fauna-blog.blogspot.com/

Heather Wilson https://instagram.com/twinshenanigans

Shaung Shan www.theteleporta.com

Sarah Hart https://instagram.com/sarah.hart3

Sarah Wissinger http://www.thesurznickcommonroom.com/

Rebecca Franson https://instagram.com/camera_mama/

Jessica Downey http://www.chaoticandcollected.com/

Megan Loeks https://www.facebook.com/megloeksphotography

Kelly Spinner https://www.pinterest.com/kspinner424/

Zaida Ortega https://instagram.com/mamawithacamera

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