Skirt January 2015

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A new year brings a fresh start, a blank slate, a beginning, a chance to write your beautiful story all over again. Out with the old, in with the new. Throw out the resolutions and count the blessings instead. Wish for more. More love, more light, more harmony, more peace. This is the year to stop saying “maybe” and say “yes” to all the potential good the world sends your way. Choose your own theme for the year: Peace. Love.Wonder. Miracles. Choose a new motto: Right now is more important than later. Choose a new mantra. C’est à moi! (It’s my turn!) Look forward instead of back. Stop focusing on failures and love the life lessons they give us. Ring out the losses, the setbacks, the obstacles, the stumbles and the falls. Ring in the the wins, the happy moments, the adoration, the fortune, the charmed life. Reserve judgment. Make positivity go viral. Hand out compliments like you’re getting paid to do it. Receive them graciously. Buy that pricey pair of heels you’ve had your eye on forever, call them your happy shoes, and wear them until they go from broken in to broken down. There’s another pair waiting right around the corner. Kick up those heels like you don’t have a care in the world and toast to a carefree 2015!

“And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.” Rainer Maria Rilke

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www.skirt.com   january/february

2015  3

2015

january

The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” Walt Disney

Founder

Nikki Hardin

The Kick Start Issue

Creative Director Caitilin McPhillips caitilin.mcphillips@skirt.com Market Manager Kate Cooper Metts kate.metts@skirt.com Contributing Editor Gracie Shepherd gracie.shepherd@gmail.com Sales Director

Lisa Dorn lisa.dorn@skirt.com

Features

Sales Executives

Doressa Hawes doressa.hawes@skirt.com

Spinsters Rock Jeanette Bouchie ................................8

Lisa Taylor lisa.taylor@morris.com

Write Now Dean Lofton..........................................9

Maidi McMurtrie Thompson maidi.thompson@morris.com Mary Porter Vann mary.vann@morris.com

The Reluctant Cook Ananya Bhattacharyya..................... 18

Circulation

Jessica Seigler jessica.seigler@morris.com Photography

Sara Caldwell Advertising

Sales: 706.823.3702 Fax: 706.823.6061 1.800.622.6358

SKIRT! THIS M O N T H

In Every Issue Letter from the Editor......................4

I’ve found this time of year can be overwhelming with potential, or just plain overwhelming. If I’m feeling positive, the next 365 days all in a long, uninterrupted stretch

He’s So Original................................25

are thrilling and inspiring. If I’m not, it just reminds me that another year has arrived and I still don’t feel like a pro at life. The women in this issue have a comforting skirt! is published monthly and distributed free throughout the greater Augusta, Aiken & Evans area. skirt! reserves the right to refuse to sell space for any advertisement the staff deems inappropriate for the publication. All content of this magazine, including without limitation the design, advertisements, art, photos and editorial content, as well as the selection, coordination and arrangement thereof, is Copyright © 2014, Morris Publishing Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this magazine may be copied or reprinted without the express written permission of the publisher. SKIRT!® is a registered trademark of Morris Publishing Group, LLC.

message for those of us who have goals, but don’t quite know how to proceed. Liz Flodstrom started her PrettySweetLife blog even though she didn’t “know how.” Alison Smith took a leap and opened her own retail store. Lisa Hill picked up and moved across the country to start a new business closer to family.The end results they have today are because they took that first beginning step. As this year presents itself, let’s focus on the positive ways we can chip away at our own goals, no matter how small the steps may seem.

Gracie Shepherd gracie.shepherd@gmail.com

Cover Art: If you’re an artist and would like to submit your work, please send a link or low res artwork to submissions@skirt.com.

Like to see your ad in skirt! Magazine? 706.823.3702 4  january/february

Skirt of the Month............................29

2015 www.skirt.com

Product................................................13 Meet.....................................................26

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Photo by J.M. Sullivan

january

Liz Flodstrom | Pretty Sweet Life Through her blog PrettySweetLife, Liz shares her sense of style and zest for living with her readers.Whether it’s modeling a fun outfit or reviewing beauty products, her blog is like that cool friend who doesn’t mind you asking where she got that coat or what moisturizer she swears by. “It’s my girly outlet,” she says. Liz started the blog about five years ago, just as a creative outlet for herself. “I didn’t really know what to do with it when I first started, it was just for fun.” Her readership steadily grew, and now she works with brands and artists to review items and host giveaways. As she’s learned the ropes, connecting with fellow bloggers through the Southern Blog Society has encouraged her to venture farther out of her comfort zone. If there’s anything Liz could tell herself five years ago or other aspiring bloggers, it’s pretty simple. “Have confidence in yourself and just go for it.”

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Healthy Me! Our new favorite tech-savvy way to change up our workouts: The Jump Rope Workout app is like a pedometer for jumping rope. It attaches to thigh, waist, or arm and accurately measures rope jumps (with or without rope!).You can share results on social media (or not), but it’s fun to keep track of your progress either way. Free for iOS in the iTunes store.

Over-The-Calf Peddies socks Equine Divine 126 Laurens Street SW Aiken 803.642.9772

S’Well water bottle SOHO 435 Highland Avenue Augusta 706.738-6884 Curry in a Hurry trail mix Watanut 1118 Jones Street Augusta 855.928.2688

www.skirt.com   january/february

2015  13

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14  january/february

2015  www.skirt.com

UFO!QFPQMF!! UP!TBMVUF-! BENJSF-! BQMBVEF-! IPOPS-!! SFTQFDU-! UPBTU-!BOE!! SFNFNCFS; Emma Watson—for her speech advocating for gender equality at UN headquarters. Roger Federer—for holding the #2 spot in men’s tennis worldwide and still modeling for Rolex...and us. Diem Brown—for allowing her courageous cancer battle into the public eye. Robin Williams—for too many roles to list here that we’ll never forget. Goodnight, Genie. Joan Rivers—for giving us laugh after laugh.

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Maya Anjelou—for her legacy of wisdom and fight for civil rights. Jamie Anderson—for snowboarding her way to a gold medal at the Sochi Olympics. Sheryl Sandburg—for being the face of gender equality in the workplace. Zoe Sugg—at 24, on track to becoming the most successful British writer since J.K. Rowling. Diana Nyad—for swimming the 110-mile distance from Cuba to Florida at age 64, her fifth attempt.

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www.skirt.com   january/february

2015  15

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Letting go of old old andand inviting thethe new. Letting go the of the inviting new.

A month freefree of mandatory socialization. A month of mandatory socialization.

Poor memories andand clear consciences. Poor memories clear consciences.

A brand newnew dayday planner (we(we stillstill lovelove handwritten lists). A brand planner handwritten lists).

TheThe NY Times NY Times Sunday Style section. Sunday Style section.

Breakfast in bed. Breakfast for for dinner. Breakfast in bed. Breakfast dinner. Breakfast. Breakfast.

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NotNot waiting for for sleep to dream. waiting sleep to dream.

Tomorrow being a blank page. Tomorrow being a blank page.

Finding things we we thought we’d lost.lost. Finding things thought we’d

16  january/february

2015  www.skirt.com

42-647-111!! 42-647-111!! TFDPOET!! TFDPOET!! ÖUJMM!3127/ ÖUJMM!3127/ MFUT!IBWF! MFUT!IBWF! B!CBMM" B!CBMM"

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www.skirt.com   january/february

2015  17

The Reluctant Cook The Reluctant Cook Ananya Bhattacharyya Ananya Bhattacharyya

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My husband taught me how to make a few dishes, and I

My husband taught me how to make a few dishes, and I rotated them through the week, cooking every other day. Indian rotated them through the week, cooking every other day. Indian cooking is labor-intensive—one must chop onions, fry spices, cooking is labor-intensive—one must chop onions, fry spices, and simmer curries—which requires involvement and passion. and simmer curries—which requires involvement and passion. For me, doing the same thing over and over again, week after For me, the same thing over And and over again, week after week, was doing like Chinese water torture. any experimentation was like Chinese water torture. And experimentation orweek, adventure I ever undertook in order to any make the process interesting was unacceptable to him. I couldn’t have or adventure I ever undertook in order to make thegotten process away with cooking pasta, for instance. interesting was unacceptable to him. I couldn’t have gotten t is to be expected perhaps that when someone away with cooking pasta, instance. doesn’t enjoy an for activity and feels coerced, the result will great. And the fact thatwhen my husband t is tonot be be expected perhaps that someone didn’t believe in positive reinforcement made things doesn’t enjoy an activity and feels coerced, the reworse. Sometimes he would cook huge meals over sult will not so be that great.he And the fact husband the weekend could eat that goodmy food every once in adidn’t while,believe he said. When people came over, I would in positive reinforcement made things hen people come over for a get everything readySometimes for him, and would heat up pans worse. he he would cook huge mealsand over meal, I often catch myself apologizing preemptively for the throw ingredients together with flourish. As guests ate and food I’m about to serve. If and when guests praise the food the weekend so acknowledge that he couldthat eat he good evpraised the food, he would hadfood made on their own, I find it hard to believe they aren’t simply being ery onceThe in aguests while,would he said. When people over, Ia would the meal. call me lucky, forcame marrying rare polite. My cousin once told me that behaving in a henI should people stop come over for entity: an Indian ready guy who attempted to try think get everything for cooked. him, andI he would heat upto pans and this strange manner. Why not handle the situation with calm meal, I often catch myself apologizing preemptively for the the same thing, but there was one obstacle: food wasn’t the grace, her expression implied. throw ingredients together with flourish. As guests ate and center of my existence. food I’m to about to serve. If and when guests thevisa, food I came the United States from India on apraise spouse praised the passion food, he would that he had and made While my was in theacknowledge intellectual realm—books on we theirate own, I find it hard to believe they aren’t simply being and Subway sandwiches for dinner the first night. films—my husband’s family was all about food. When my in the meal. The guests would call me lucky, for marrying a rare Then, once were done the next day,stop I realized thein polite. Mygroceries cousin once told me that I should behaving laws visited, trips would be made to the Bangladeshi entity: an Indian guy who cooked. I attempted to try to think man I had married expected me to start cooking. this strange manner. Why not handle the situation with calm store to buy frozen Hilsa fish, which would then This was a role I had somehow failed to envithe same thing,bebut there wascleaned, one obstacle: food wasn’t the elaborately scales flying in every grace, expression implied. sion for her myself. I remember making chococenter of my existence. direction. Tiger prawns were brought from late fudge theStates recipe on the I camebytofollowing the United from India on a spouse visa, Costco simmered in coconut curry. While my passion was inand the intellectual realm—books and label of the Nestle condensed milk can and we ate Subway sandwiches for dinner the first night. Ducks’ eggs would come from the Asian very exactingly as a teenager, but that films—my husband’s family was all about food. When my in store, to be boiled, then made into a groceries done the next day, I realized the is Then, as faronce as my actual were cooking expelaws visited, trips would be madeand to the Bangladeshi curry with tomato onion. As one man Iwent. had married me to start cooking. riences Prior toexpected my marriage, meal was being consumed, plans store to buy frozen Hilsa fish, which would for then I worked journalist in Mumbai, ...I realized This wasasaarole I had somehow failed to envithe next meal were being carefully be elaborately cleaned, scales flying in every where I ate meals cooked by men the man I had married sion for myself. I remember making chocoplotted. Since I was the non-insider, from Kerala at the working women’s expected me to start cooking. direction. Tiger prawns were brought from they insisted on regaling me with late fudge the recipe on the hostel I lived by in, following or else at restaurants This was a role storiesand about restaurants they curry. had Costco simmered in coconut offering cheap South I had somehow failed label ofwholesome the Nestle yet condensed milk can been toeggs and would meals come they from had cooked, Ducks’ the Asian Indian meals. to envision for myself.” very exactingly as a teenager, but that again and again. I felt overwhelmed The privileges of Indian middle store, to be boiled, then made into a but kept my feelings to myself. is asexistence—where far as my actualcooks cooking class andexpemaids currynwith tomatoitand onion. Aswe one retrospect, is clear that are affordable, and tofood is relatively riences went. Prior my marriage, were a terrible match.plans While meal was being consumed, for cheap—combined with my that I was I worked as a journalist inbelief Mumbai, ours wasn’t an arranged mara feminist (and the one feminist act I had underthe next meal were being carefully riage, the culture of arranged where I ate meals cooked by men taken was to not change my last name upon marrying), plotted. Since I we washad the grown non-insider, marriages up from that Kerala at the working women’s meant household tasks held no appeal for me. Simoin allowed us to think it was they insisted on regaling me with nehostel de Beauvoir says: “Few tasks are more like the torture I lived in, or else at restaurants a good idea to marrystories without reallyrestaurants assessing our comabout they had of Sisyphus than housework, with its endless repetition: offering wholesome yet cheap South patibility. Phone calls, emails, and letters were the foundation the clean becomes soiled, the soiled is made clean, over been atolife-long and meals they had cooked, on which we expected to build relationship. While Indian and over,meals. day after day.” And that feeling fully resonated again and again. I felt overwhelmed I knew others who had made similar hasty decisions and had with The me. privileges of Indian middle ended up lucky, we certainly but hadn’t. kept my feelings to myself. t bothered me that the man I had married didn’t class existence—where cooks and maids We were together for seven years before our marriage endunderstand that being thrust into the role of n retrospect, it is clear that we ed. It ended because of other reasons. Yet, when I think about are affordable, and food is lived relatively housewife—after having a carefree, indepenwere a terrible match. While the marriage, what I remember most is cooking unhappily, for cheap—combined witha my beliefforthat was dent life—was struggle me. IHe too must have a man who complained about my ours cooking, even though by marno wasn’t an arranged resented meone forfeminist not being his mother, a feminist (and the actmore I hadlike undermeans was I cooking all the time;riage, I went to graduate school the culture of arranged who seemed to enjoy what I couldn’t: cooking, taken was to not change my last name upon marrying), and began to work part-time. feeding her family, and eating. This is not to say our marmarriages After we separated, I continued to cook.we By had then grown I was aup meant that household tasks because held noofappeal formust me. have Simoriage broke down immediately this. We in allowed to think itnor was mother. Eating out all the time was neitherus affordable, had or two, after which realized since ne an de argument Beauvoir says: “Few tasks are Imore like that the torture healthy. aSo I’d idea create creations, balancing good to spartan marry without really assessingall ourfood comI couldn’t work because of my visa situation, it was only of Sisyphus than housework, with its endless repetition: groups; a typical meal might be: brown rice, sauteed black logical for me to be doing the housework. So I did it. But I patibility. Phone calls, emails, and letters were the foundation beans, steamed broccoli and eggs. Little wonder our once-athe clean becomes soiled, the soiled is made clean, over didn’t enjoy it, and resentment, all the more potent for being on which expected a life-long relationship. While week trip towe Chipotle wastosobuild exciting. and over, day after day.” And unexpressed, simmered within me.that feeling fully resonated

II

...I realized the man I had married expected me to start cooking. This was a role I had somehow failed to envision for myself.”

I

I with me.

t bothered me that the man I had married didn’t understand that being thrust into the role of housewife—after having lived a carefree, independent life—was a struggle for me. He too must have resented me for not being more like his mother, who seemed to enjoy what I couldn’t: cooking, feeding her family, and eating. This is not to say our marriage broke down immediately because of this. We must have had an argument or two, after which I realized that since I couldn’t work because of my visa situation, it was only logical for me to be doing the housework. So I did it. But I didn’t enjoy it, and resentment, all the more potent for being unexpressed, simmered within me.

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2015  www.skirt.com

I

I

I knew others who had made similar hasty decisions and had ended up lucky, we certainly hadn’t. We were together for seven years before our marriage ended. It ended because of other reasons. Yet, when I think about the marriage, what I remember most is cooking unhappily, for a man who complained about my cooking, even though by no means was I cooking all the time; I went to graduate school and began to work part-time. After we separated, I continued to cook. By then I was a mother. Eating out all the time was neither affordable, nor healthy. So I’d create spartan creations, balancing all food groups; a typical meal might be: brown rice, sauteed black beans, steamed broccoli and eggs. Little wonder our once-aweek trip to Chipotle was so exciting.

...when I think about the marriage, what I remember most is cooking unhappily, for a man who complained about my cooking.”

“ Ignorance is surely bliss, I thought, smiling.”

A

nd then, about a year ago, I heard my son refer to me in passing as a good cook. I stopped what I was doing. I made him repeat himself. Apparently he hadn’t suddenly transformed into a sarcastic nine-year-old. He was being earnest. He actually believed I was a fine cook. Ignorance is surely bliss, I thought, smiling. However, as I contemplated his words, I came to realize that, indeed, a shift had taken place. First, after spending 14 years in the United States, I have come to appreciate the fact that housework is a necessary evil. America is egalitarian in some important ways. I came to realize that what had allowed me the sort of existence I had in India was systemic poverty and inequity. And my own attitude toward housework had been that of an entitled person’s. Second, I have started experimenting in the kitchen. While the skillet shepherd’s pie, for instance, was a disaster (the meat at the bottom was burned, the potato slices at the top were uncooked), there have been other successful dishes: quinoa with peas and cashews, simmered in coconut milk; grilled salmon marinated in tequila lime seasoning; pasta with Gruyère and walnuts. I have a repertoire of eclectic dishes that taste pretty okay! ne of my son’s friends came over for a playdate the other day, and I made Thai-style fried rice for lunch. The little boy asked for a second helping. As I served him, he said, “This is so good. I can eat this 24/7.” I laughed. And in that moment it felt as though his over-the-top praise had yanked me out of the stew of culinary self-doubt, for good.

O

Ananya Bhattacharyya (@AnanyaBhatt) is an

Her articles have

assignment editor at

appeared in

the Washington Indepen-

The Guardian, The

dent Review of Books.

New York Times, The Baltimore Sun, The Washingtonian, and Northeast Review.

www.skirt.com   january/february

2015  19

Efbs!! Qjoufsftu;! XF!MPWF! ZPV!CVU-! PVS!DVQ! SVOOFUI! PWFS!BOE! UIFTF!BSF! UIF!UIJOHT! XF!XJMM! OPU!CF!! EPJOH!UIJT! ZFBS;

We will not be making homemade foot cream. We will not be making slow cooker hot chocolate. We will not be taking

We won’t be making our own

the 1000 squats in 20 days

ironic cardboard mounted deer

challenge...Nor will be doing

head, painting it, or hanging it on

the 3 moves that give our

our wall. We will not be learning

ta-tas more va-va-voom.

how to cut our own bangs at home. We did it in high school

We will not make time to

and it did not turn out well.

watch the the 25 super cute hair tutorials and we would never dream of making bacon cheeseburger soup. We will skip the make your own bar cart instructions and the tutorials for the 32 things you must have for your child’s bedroom. We just want them to go to bed on time.

dearqjoufsftu

We’re not doing family meal

20  january january/february 2015  www.skirt.com 12015 skirt!magazine 48

“projects” that involve more than three ingredients.

We love the inspiration that we get from Pinterest and our boards are full of “to-dos,” but this year we’re giving ourselves a little break from being perfect at everything.

When you stop fighting things and just live, breathe and try your best to treat people right, life just flows. It’s that simple.” Dau Voire

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Leonardo da Vinci

“We’re fantastic just as we are.”

www.skirt.com   january/february

2015  21

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3

22  january/february

2015  www.skirt.com

2015

Photo by J.M. Sullivan

janurary

Lisa Hill | South Beach to North Augusta She’s massaged athletes and celebrities in Miami’s South Beach and Laguna Niguel, California, but when Lisa found out she was going to be a grandmother she picked up and moved to North Augusta. “I’m a baby groupie,” she says. A licensed massage therapist since 2001, Lisa was drawn to the practice by curiosity initially but quickly found it to be something that fit her nurturing personality and that she was good at. “I became a full-fledged believer in massage therapy,” she says. She opened North Augusta Massage Studio in 2013 with her daughter, best friend and business partner, Brenna McEowen, who has a background in spa management and administration. Their space on West Avenue exudes tranquility and both women’s genuine care for their clients. Over the time the studio has been open, Lisa has built quite the list of loyal local customers. “We just need to get them in here once and they’re hooked,” she says. “I think people can tell when someone really enjoys and is passionate about what they do.”

www.skirt.com   january/february

2015  23

Photo by J.M. Sullivan

2015

janurary

Alison Smith | A Family Affair Alison grew up working in her family’s business, Ladybugs Flowers and Gifts, and now her daughters are helping her. She and her husband opened Crickets Dry Goods in October, featuring clothing and gift items from local and regional artists and makers. “Retail is in my blood,” she says. Whether it’s a crowd favorite like Bird Dog Bay bowties or hand-forged jewelry by Beaufort artist Juli Mills, Alison has curated an impressive array that includes something for everyone. “I just really want to support local, creative people,” she says. In the three months Crickets has been open, Alison says she’s been blown away with the support she and her family have received from family, friends and perfect strangers. For an idea that only started about a year ago, Crickets has flourished at a whirlwind pace. “It’s scary, but it’s mine,” Alison says with a smile.

24  january/february

2015  www.skirt.com

2015

Photo by J.M. Sullivan

january

He’s So Original | Matt Franklin | Makes History Come Alive Whether it’s dressing up like a hippie for Decades Day, showing his students music from each era they study or teaching by storytelling instead of textbook reading, 4th grade social studies teacher Matt Franklin makes certain there’s never a dull moment for his students at Belvedere Elementary School in North Augusta. “That’s how the kids really remember,” he says. Matt hails from Pittsburgh, but moved to North Augusta more than 20 years ago and has taught at Belvedere Elementary since 1991. Before teaching, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps and credits that training with preparing him to roll with to whatever the school day brings. “In education, you have to be willing to adapt,” he says. “You just never know what’s going to come out of a kid’s mouth.” In a community the size of North Augusta, Matt gets to see former students from time to time and it makes his day when they tell him that his class had an effect on them, from choosing a career path or just an increased love of history. “You never know what kind of an impact you’re having on a kid after they walk out of these doors,” he says.

www.skirt.com   january/february

2015  25

january

20

15 six words That Describe Me:

Jessica Hayes Morris Deputy Chief of Staff for U.S. Congressman Jody Hice

six of my Favorite Things:

1. Performer

1. Hanging with my girls

2. Sweets Addict

2. Exploring new restaurants

3. Reader

3. Sleeping in

4. Friend

4. Washington, D.C. & NYC

5. Writer

5. Piña coladas at the beach

6. Multi-Tasker

6. A brand new book

Photo by J.M. Sullivan

Freely give, forget about the Joneses (why keep up with them anyway?), love without limits and never stop learning.

26  january/february

2015  www.skirt.com

www.skirt.com   january/february

2015  27

Illustration by Monkey Mind Design. monkeymindesign.etsy.com

I dreamed I packed my skirt and my bikini and headed to Miami for my much earned 76 degree day on the beach.

Caroline’s Boutique 151 Laurens Street SW Aiken 803.644.5606

WHERE Will Your Skirt take you

next?

www.skirt.com   january/february

2015  29

2015

january

30  january/february

2015  www.skirt.com

8_62_AROUNDTOWN_JAN2015.indd 63

12/12/14 3:55:23

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