SPLURGE!316 January 2025

SPLURGEMAG.COM

JANUARY 2025

U.S. Figure Skaters

Madison Chock & Evan Bates IN THIS ISSUE: Downtown Living Resolutions That Stick Sober-Curious?

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Behind the Scenes

Raising the Curtain on Our Central Cast How long have you been working with SPLURGE? I started shooting fashion images for the magazine in 2007–2008 while managing Heroes Sports Bar. I returned around 2016 after running into Jody at a birthday party.

What’s a favorite subject or person you’ve photographed for the magazine?

I’ve honestly loved capturing everyone over the years, but if I were to pinpoint my favorite shoot it would have to be the helicopter cover.

Phet, a model for Models & Images, was posing next to a light grey Porsche with a red helicopter hovering in the background. I needed to manage all three to balance an image with the proper harmony for a great magazine cover.

Darrin Hackney, Photographer

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Surprisingly a chef, but I was never a great cook so I’m not sure where that came from.

What’s a hard lesson you’ve had to learn?

That alcohol doesn’t solve my problems. I’ve been sober for almost 5 years, and I’m not afraid to share my story in hopes of helping someone else out there.

Dog or cat person?

I am definitely a dog person. Anyone who follows me on my socials knows how passionate I am about my dogs. I’ve had three different beagles over the years, starting from my college days at Emporia State.

Do you have any collections?

I still have my martini shaker collection, which I started when I helped open Mort’s Martini and Cigar Bar in June 1996.

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12828 E. 13th N., Wichita, KS 67230 316.267.3678 Publishing Company

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Accounting

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Dr. Terry and Jody Klein Dr. Dennis and Ann Ross Steve Ruud

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Publisher and President

Jody Klein - jody@splurgemag.com

Contributing Writers

Firm of Esther M. Mollhagen, CPA Mitch Gee Julie Underwood Burton, Alexis Evans, Paige Feikert, John Huthmacher, Julie Hying, Dawn Tucker

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Kelsey Ralston - kelsey@splurgemag.com

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Karen Long - proofing@splurgemag.com

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Jessika Mayer - splurgeoffice@gmail.com

Fashion Photography

Darrin Hackney

Kim Azaria - kim@splurgemag.com Debi Devor-Mullins - debi@splurgemag.com Dawn Tucker - dawn@splurgemag.com Julie Hying - hyingj@usd385.org

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Michael Carroll Jr.

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*2025 SPLURGE! is published by Inspired Koncepts, Inc. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any means, in whole or in part, without the express prior written permission of the publisher. All images produced by Inspired Koncepts, Inc. are the exclusive property of Inspired Koncepts, Inc. Every effort was made to ensure accuracy of the information in this publication as of press time. The publisher assumes no responsibility to any part for the content of any advertisement in this publication, including any errors and omissions there in. Inspired Koncepts, Inc. makes no endorsement, representation or warranty regarding any goods or services advertised or listed in this publication. Listings and advertisements are provided by the subject companies, Inspired Koncepts, Inc. shall not be responsible or liable for any inaccuracy, omission or infringement of any third party’s rights therein, or for personal injury or any other damage or injury whatsoever. By placing an order for an advertisement, the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher against any claims relating to the advertisement.

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FEATURES

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

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The backflips of Ilia Malinin and the chemistry of ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates are just the beginning when it comes to the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

For Tori Provencio, trying on a sober lifestyle while running a marathon became a permanent change.

More Wichitans are discovering the physical and mental health benefits of drinking less.

At Advanced Weight Loss in Derby, owner Jamie Hall believes in a personalized, wholebody approach to health and wellness, including GLP-1 medications and HRT.

Art, music, parks, walkability, shopping local, and sipping a latte with your favorite canine are just a few perks drawing thousands to live downtown, where driving is optional.

Whether you want to be healthier in the new year, read more or learn a new skill, setting reasonable intentions and taking bite-sized measures to reach them is a timetested strategy.

Cutting a Fine Figure on the Ice

Sober-Curious?

Finding the Root of Weight Gain

Beating a Path to Old Town

Resolutions That Stick

ON THE COVER Athleticism and Artistry U.S. Figure Skating Championships Photography Melanie Heaney U.S. Figure Skating

HIGHLIGHTS 16 - Human Trafficking Prevention Month 37 - Warmth and Style in Winter Fashion 62 - Wichita Winter Fun

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Breaking New Ice for Figure Skating and Wichita Written by Paige Feikert

U.S. Figure Skating Championships Ilia Malinin is transforming the sport of figure skating. The 20-yearold skater enters 2025 as the current World Champion in the sport, and a fan favorite for completing never-before-seen skills.

“I think it kind of has to do with being a daredevil — I really like to challenge myself and push my own limits to see where I can take it,” Malinin said. “It’s also good to push where the sport can go, because I think doing these things can up the viewership and popularity of figure skating, and that’s what my goal is.”

Malinin will perform at Intrust Bank Arena during the U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the end of the month.

Malinin became the first figure skater to successfully land a quadruple axel in competition at the age of 17. The skill requires four full spins in the air plus an extra half rotation and is widely recognized as the hardest jump in the sport. At the World Championships in October, Malinin added a back flip to his program — a skill that had been banned for more than 45 years and was only reinstated last year.

His remarkable skills and success have been noted online — with his nickname “Quadg0d,” Malinin has 196,000 followers on Instagram.

Videos on YouTube from Malinin’s Grand Prix Final performance just last month show fans waving signs splashed with “Quad God” and cheering after Malinin completed his sweep of major events in 2024.

“I’ve really noticed a lot of new viewers and people who have talked to me, and some of them have said, ‘I never knew figure skating was a thing,’ or ‘I used to watch figure skating when I was younger but now it’s become more exciting,’ and that makes me happy that I can push the sport to get new viewers, or viewers that are coming back,” Malinin said.

Malinin earned gold in all seven events he competed in during 2024 — including U.S. National Championships, World Championships and the Grand Prix series. He has finished in the top three in every event since the 2022 World Championships, and he’s a favorite for the 2026 Olympic team. Although he’s never been to Wichita, Malinin says he’s excited to see what the city has to offer when he visits in January.

“I’m excited to see how different it is from the rest of the country and really looking forward to being able to compete in front of a crowd and meeting up with all of my friends from Team USA,” Malinin said.

Malinin is also excited to engage with fans through his “Quad God” merchandise that he plans on selling at the event.

Midwestern Hospitality Malinin is one of many top figure skaters across the country set to compete in downtown Wichita January 20–26, including Amber Glenn, who also earned gold at last month’s Grand Prix Final. Wichita won the bid for the event after hosting several U.S. Figure Skating events over the last six years, including the Midwestern Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships as recently as 2024.

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Ilia Malinin | Photo: Melanie Heaney, U.S. Figure Skating

“Anytime you can host an event of this magnitude where you’re going to bring in the best figure skaters in the country — a handful of them who you’ll see competing in the Olympics — it’s obviously huge for our city,” said Josh Howell, vice president of sports development at Visit Wichita.

The 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships will be the first hosted in the state of Kansas. Howell says Wichita’s central location, updated airport and hospitality are a few key selling points for major national events to come to Wichita.

“Wichita’s a much bigger city than most people think, but we also have that small town feel,” Howell said. “The local support is great, the midwestern hospitality — we’ve heard many times from people who have brought their events to Wichita how friendly everyone was and how helpful they were — it’s another reason why Wichita is a great place to host these kinds of events.”

Wichita is also unique, in that the city has three sheets of ice less than a mile from one another — two sheets of ice at the Wichita Ice

JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

Center where the skaters will practice while they’re in town, and one sheet of ice at Intrust Bank Arena where the skaters will compete.

“They’re so close that on a nice day you could walk between the two locations,” said Jolene Taylor, president of the Wichita Figure Skating Club.

The locations of the Wichita Ice Center and Intrust Bank Arena will also likely keep skaters and fans traveling to Wichita for the event downtown, exploring local bars, restaurants and hotels, plus discovering nearby attractions.

“Hopefully they’ll be checking out our aviation history, walking the river, discovering the Keeper of the Plains. Even though they’re here to watch some of the best figure skaters compete, hopefully they’ll check out Wichita,” Howell said.

While the city is expecting an influx of out-of-town travelers downtown, event organizers are also hoping to draw Wichitans, and Taylor says you don’t have to be a year-round fan of the sport to enjoy the event.

“To see the athleticism and the artistry of the sport — the two are intertwined, which you don’t always see in sport, but you do see it in figure skating, which is hard to do, but amazing when you see it done really well,” Taylor said.

Taylor adds that watching figure skating in person is vastly different from watching it on television — live figure skating gives the viewer a better sense of the speed and magnitude of the performances.

“To hear the sound when they land a jump and the stroking on the ice, everything about watching in person is fun,” Taylor said, recalling the first time she watched live professional skating and was enamored by the skaters whizzing past at impressive speeds.

“Wichita’s a much bigger city than most people think, but we also have that small town feel.

The local support is great.”

– Josh Howell, Vice President of Sports Development Visit Wichita

Young Skaters to See Role Models up Close Attendance from local fans will also ensure events of this magnitude will return to Wichita.

“Wichita has done a really great job of supporting these events when they come to town, and it’s like a domino effect where we start to support sporting events and they get bigger and bigger and people around the country notice this,” Howell said.

While no local skaters are competing in the event, Taylor says skaters with the Wichita Figure Skating Club will still be heavily involved. Most of the younger skaters in the club will act as sweepers, the skaters who collect all of the flowers and plush toys thrown onto the ice after a performance. Many of the skaters age 15 and up will help with the award presentations by holding the medals alongside the ice before they are presented to the athletes.

The Wichita Figure Skating Club JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

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The Wichita Figure Skating Club skaters who are volunteering as sweepers and presenters will wear custom figure skating dresses with a nod to Wichita included. “[The skaters in the Wichita Figure Skating Club] are allowed to be a part of this competition in those two ways and they’ll get to see their role models up close,” Taylor said. “They’re super excited to see their role models in the sport.”

While the sport of figure skating is growing in popularity in Wichita, both Taylor and Howell remark on the importance of the Wichita Ice Center, not only to help Wichita remain an attractive location for top figure skating events, but also as a centerpiece to the Wichita community.

“The Wichita Ice Center exists for quality of life, and it does bring a lot to Wichita. It has allowed us to bring these big events to the city that make a lot of money for the community,” Taylor said. “That’s how the Ice Center benefits everyone — by being able to have these events, and these events support the city. The Ice Center is for everybody, skating is for everybody.”

Find tickets and a complete event schedule online at intrustbankarena.com/skating. Passes are available for the entire week, the weekend alone, or a single session.

Rink-Side Spotlight Madison Chock and Evan Bates: Grace in Motion

Madison Chock and Evan Bates are two of the brightest stars in ice dancing. Representing the U.S., this dynamic duo has been captivating audiences with their innovative routines and undeniable chemistry since teaming up in 2011.

Career Highlights World Champions (2023) — Their breathtaking performance to “Souffrance” showcased their unparalleled artistry and technical prowess.

Four-Time Grand Prix Final Medalists — Known for their consistency under pressure, they’ve medaled on the world’s most competitive stages.

Two-Time Olympians — Whether inspiring at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games or dazzling in Beijing 2022, they represent the pinnacle of athletic excellence.

What Sets Them Apart?

Unmatched Creativity — From futuristic themes to deeply emotional pieces, their programs redefine storytelling on ice.

Dynamic Partnership — Off the ice, their close bond enhances their on-ice synchronization, making every performance an emotional journey.

Pioneers of Style — From bold costume choices to unique lifts, they’re always pushing the boundaries of the sport.

Did You Know?

• Chock is a talented artist off the ice, often sharing her work on social media.

• Bates, the team captain for Team USA at Beijing 2022, is celebrated for his leadership both on and off the rink.

What’s Next?

Fresh off their world championship win, Chock and Bates are preparing for the upcoming competition season, with new programs that promise to thrill fans worldwide.

Follow the Magic: Come see Madison Chock and Evan Bates in Wichita!

Purchase your tickets to the U.S. Figure Skating Championship and watch this dynamic duo in person this month! Find tickets and a complete event schedule online at intrustbankarena.com/skating. Passes are available for the entire week, the weekend alone, or a single session.

Madison Chock and Evan Bates

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JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

Happy New You Written by Julie Hying

Step Into a New Year of Gratitude Life can be full of challenges and heartbreak and still embody hope and joy. For some, a search for happiness may feel foreign and elusive. Yet we all yearn for it lifelong. In the memoir, “Tuesdays with Morrie,” novelist and sports writer Mitch Albom shares the wisdom of his old professor and mentor Morrie Schwartz. “You have to find what’s good and true and beautiful in your life as it is now.” Seeking that truth and living a life filled with gratitude may be the very key to shifting our perspective and finding the many blessings that a lifetime holds.

Cultivating gratitude begins with simplicity, recognizing and embracing simple pleasures all around us. Although those differ from one person to the next, they arise in similar ways: through connection, acts of service and acts of love as well as in the many sensory details that fill our days and nights. Inspiration for gratitude envelops our lives if we open ourselves to the idea. One writer speaks of these treasures that we find in our midst through gratitude: “Your diamonds are not in far distant mountains or in yonder seas; they are in your own backyard, if you but dig for them,” said Russell H. Conwell.

What might begin as intentionally calling to mind something or someone we’re thankful for each morning when we wake and each evening as we drift off to sleep, can easily spark a heightened awareness and an increased sense of thanksgiving.

The more we look for things to be thankful for, the more we will find. Consider a good cup of coffee, an early walk, a moment of sacred, pre-dawn silence or a genuine morning greeting. All of these simple aspects foster positivity and propel a person forward into a new day and into the waiting world. Extremely simple, yet each provides something foundational, essential.

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Similarly, when we spend time with others, connecting with family, friends, co-workers, colleagues, there are many moments that inspire gratitude; laughing together, great conversation, an exchange of ideas, sharing a delicious meal, playing or watching a favorite sport or game all allow us to share our lives. Reflecting on time spent in good company highlights a fundamental truth of life, one we can be deeply grateful for.

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.”

— Melody Beattie

Understanding our connection to others, our interdependence, serves as a reminder of how we rely on others and how thankful we are that our collective skills are many. Just as a car mechanic is sometimes in need of a surgeon or a medical specialist, so too, is that doctor relying on the skills and expertise of the auto technician. A financial advisor might guide an educator in the ways of investing his or her earnings. And that teacher can help that finance professional’s children acquire knowledge and enrich their understanding of specific skill areas so they may flourish and grow.

With reflection and a more focused understanding of how thankfulness, an appreciation for simple pleasures and positivity impacts our daily lives, we can take great comfort and become inspired by the power of gratitude. “ … It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

— Melody Beattie

JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

Happy

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Human Trafficking in Our Community Is Real Written by Julie Underwood Burton

Kansas Identified as ‘Originating State’ Generating profits over $236 billion per year, as reported by the International Labor Organization of the United Nations, human trafficking is one of the largest criminal industries worldwide.

Kansas has been identified by our state attorney general as an “originating state,” and Wichita is a major exchange point for these crimes because it is centrally located, is a hub of mid-western commerce and is a short distance from where two major federal highways, I-35 and I-70, intersect. Sadly, statistics from the Exploited and Missing Child Unit also show that recovered children who were found in locations nationwide came from Wichita.

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and the theme for 2025 is “Connecting the Dots. Strengthening Communities. Preventing Trafficking.” The Blue Campaign, a national initiative, encourages wearing the color blue or a blue ribbon to encourage the public, law enforcement and other industry partners to recognize the indicators of human trafficking.

A few signs to watch out for include a person not being in control of their own ID or travel documents or being coached on what to say and not permitted to communicate for themselves. They may live in substandard housing and not be allowed freedom of movement. If they’re a child or teenager they may have stopped attending school.

Our goal is to educate Wichitans about the seriousness of these types of crimes happening within our own community.

Here’s your introduction to a wealth of Wichita organizations expressly dedicated to preventing human trafficking and assisting survivors.

One of the key benefits of donating to nonprofits is that they give us a chance to assist by funding the efforts and the expertise of those who are in a position to help. From fundraising and volunteer opportunities to sharing the facts with your community, there are so many ways for you to help end child sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

Together, we can help build a world where every person is safer.

You Truly Can Make a Difference. Here’s How.

Resources

Give Monthly • Fundraise • Attend an Event • Volunteer • Learn about the mission and vision of each of these local organizations

National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Child Advocacy Center cacsckansas.org Children’s Home/Garver House wch.org Hope Ranch for Women hoperanchforwomen.com ICT SOS ictsos.org Institute for Transformative Emancipation combatinghumantrafficking.org Raise My Head Foundation raisemyhead.org

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Many Ways to Give

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is January 11. Wearing blue on this day is a visual reminder of our collective commitment to combat this injustice. state.gov/national-human-trafficking-preventionmonth The Blue Campaign Indicators of Human Trafficking www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/indicators-humantrafficking For Confidential Help 24/7 National Human Trafficking Hotline 1.888.373.7888 Text: 233733 humantraffickinghotline.org Online chat available in English and Spanish In Case of Emergency Call 911 immediately, or contact the Sedgwick County Protection from Abuse office at 316.660.5290.

JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

With

Brenda Davis

Senior Director of Nursing Catholic Care Center

Q. How did you get into nursing?

A. From a young age, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career that would allow me to help people. As I learned more about the field of nursing, I knew it would be a financially stable career path that would also allow me to be of service to others. This has been such a rewarding journey for me, I highly recommend nursing to young people who want to support themselves and their communities.

Q. How have you retained current staff while hiring new nurses during this nationwide nursing shortage?

A. We have a very welcoming and inclusive culture

at Catholic Care Center. Our ministry values the contributions of our staff at every level, and we are always engaging with them, seeking their insights and working together to find new and better ways to serve. We are also fortunate to work in a truly beautiful community, our campus is amazing and we provide great care to our residents. There are so many good things happening here each day, and that has helped us recruit and retain staff because we have such a respect for one another and people are drawn to that type of work environment.

Q. What could you tell the readers about yourself that no one else may know?

A. While I’ve spent a lot of my career in geriatric nursing,

I am also involved with the Kansas Infant Death & SIDS Network (KIDS) which serves this area by promoting safe sleep techniques and also hosting baby showers for expectant mothers who may not have access to prenatal education and resources. The first baby shower was hosted in my basement over 20 years ago. I also like to ice skate; not a lot of people know that!

Brenda Davis and her family at a ribbon cutting ceremony last year for the memorial honoring her father, Chester Lewis, and his contributions to the civil rights movement in Kansas.

Q. What steps would someone take to learn more about Catholic Care?

A. I highly encourage people to check out our website at catholiccarecenter.org.

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Sober-Curious?

Written by Paige Feikert

The Non-Alcoholic Movement Flourishes in Wichita Mocktail menus, non-alcoholic beer and other replacement drinks — like probiotic sodas and sparkling water — are growing in popularity, even at bars and restaurants in Wichita. The non-alcoholic movement has surged in popularity over the last few years, sparking new drink options for those who are sober or sober-curious.

“You’re starting to see [the non-alcoholic movement] on reality shows, pop culture, celebrities, and you see them drinking non-alcoholic beer and it makes you feel like you’re not the only one,” said Tori Provencio, the creator of Sober Peeps ICT, a support group for sober and sober-curious people in Wichita.

The non-alcoholic movement has grown in recent years, with trends supporting the movement like Dry January and dozens of non-alcoholic beers, wines and spirits on the market. A national survey found that 41 percent of Americans plan on drinking less alcohol in 2024, with younger generations spearheading the movement as 61 percent of Gen Z Americans surveyed plan on drinking less this year.

“I see the shift in movement, I’ve seen a lot of statistics on Millennials and Gen Z, so I think it’s the younger kids who are starting to question it. Maybe it’s not quitting drinking at all, but being more mindful of it,” Provencio said. “I think we could learn a lot from our youth.”

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Provencio started Sober Peeps ICT in 2022 after her own journey into a sober lifestyle. Provencio says she selfidentifies as having a drinking problem and realized in 2021 that she wanted to give a sober lifestyle a try. It started as an experiment while she trained for a marathon, but after the race she noticed improvements in her physical health, mental health and relationships, and continued to embrace sobriety.

“It just kind of hit me that I hold myself to a standard and I wasn’t achieving that at the moment, so I thought if I eliminate this — let’s see how it goes,” Provencio said. “I didn’t feel like I was the best mom, coach, sister, girlfriend. I just was not my best self.”

‘I really like that I’m bringing my daughter up in a society and community where she can have options.’

— Tori Provencio, founder of Sober Peeps ICT

JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

Bars and restaurants in Wichita are catching on — offering non-alcoholic options including mocktail menus at Botanic at GROW, Larcher’s Market, Mort’s Martini and Cigar Bar, Georges French Bistro, Public at the Brickyard and more. Many local restaurants and breweries offer non-alcoholic beer like the brand Athletic Brewing Co., including Hopping Gnome, Tor Brewing, Central Standard Brewing, FioRito, Kirby’s Beer Store and more, and you can find nonalcoholic beers at most local liquor stores.

Coffee and kombucha are also popular non-alcoholic options.

“It’s normalized and refreshing to see there are options other than something with alcohol, and it makes me think of Wichita as, Okay, you’re listening and looking for improvements on the restaurant and bar scene, because that’s a lot of the things to do in town,” Provencio said. “I can socialize in Wichita and feel okay, and that’s pretty cool.”

Sober Peeps ICT is not affiliated with a twelve-step program, but Provencio calls the group a laid-back support system. You don’t have to be sober to attend a meet-up, and Provencio says you can reach out to her any time for support, no matter what your relationship with alcohol might be.

“I will never pressure anyone to come, just know the door is always open,” Provencio said. “I think even talking about it will help, and if someone’s not ready, that’s fine we’ll always be here.”

For Provencio, the non-alcoholic movement has become a new lifestyle, something she feels passionately about, not only for herself, but for others, and for the next generation.

“I really like that my daughter can see that, too, and she’s brought up in a society and community where she can have options,” Provencio said. “That’s a big part of why I did this, why I do anything, is for my daughter and trying to bring her up in an environment that is nurturing and inspiring her that she has options, but never pushing her, just giving her information in a healthy environment.”

You can follow Sober Peeps ICT and reach Provencio through the group’s Instagram account @soberpeepsict

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Converting Wishes Into Lasting Memories

Suzanne Turner

Written by John Huthmacher

Want to get away from it all? Travel consultant Suzanne Turner thinks you owe it to yourself to make it happen.

“People can do their own thing,” Turner said. “We set up everything: the flights, transfers, hotels and excursions.”

As the owner of home-based Z Travel in Wichita, Turner is in the business of making dreams come true, from planning romantic trips for couples to family or group adventures by air or sea. If it involves travel, she and her staff are ready to help convert wishes into lasting memories.

Information on available group travel opportunities can be found on Z Travel’s homepage at ztravelconsultant.com. Frequent email updates keep travelers informed on multiple points of interest, including weather forecasts, hotel offerings and can’t-miss attractions.

“We’re a full-service travel agency, so we can do pretty much everything,” Turner said. “We specialize in cruises, because we love to cruise ourselves. We also enjoy taking group trips on cruises or land tours and traveling with other people.

“There are no surprises,” Turner said. “We have the resources, working with vendors, suppliers and companies, to give you all the information you need — probably way more than people would look into if they were doing it on their own.”

“You deserve a vacation; you really do. There’s always something going on, and you never know what life is going to bring. It’s important to take time for yourself.”

“You never know what life is going to bring. It’s important to take time for yourself.”

— Suzanne Turner, owner, Z Travel

Leaving a brick-and-mortar storefront job has enabled Turner to spend more time traveling alongside her well-traveled family and travel agent friends. Her passion for travel has helped spawn exquisite group cruises to Alaska, Italy and the Greek Isles. A group trip to Alaska to experience the Northern Lights is in the works for 2026. Exclusive scuba diving excursions and river cruises are also in the mix.

Because vendors pay commissions on bookings, there is no charge to customers for services offered on preplanned packages. From handling month-long trips to England and Scotland to shorter jaunts to such popular destination locations as Disneyland and Universal Studios, having seasoned travel agents handling arrangements can be the difference between seeing it all and missing the boat.

“Why use a travel agent? Because people are busy,” Turner said.

“They don’t have time to do research or compare costs. That’s the main reason they come to us. It’s really a convenience.”

The safety and camaraderie of group trips makes them especially attractive to individuals who feel uncomfortable traveling alone.

Single women on Z Travel trips have expressed a sense of security from being surrounded by familiar faces. Enjoying that creature comfort in no way restricts them from pursuing other options that may interest them, however.

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JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

Where to Find Them

ztravelconsultant.com facebook.com/ztravelconsultant Instagram: @ztravelconsultant

Z Travel

Your Travel Consultants! www.ztravelconsultant.com (316) 285-0737 | @ztravelconsultant

Crafting Your Perfect Vacation! At Z Travel, we specialize in creating personalized travel experiences. Whether you crave the serenity of a beach or the excitement of a city, our curated packages are designed to fulfill your every wish. Discover the world with us and make memories that last a lifetime.

Looking to Buy?

In a shifting market, knowledge and experience matter.

At Z Travel, we don't just book trips, we craft memories.

Amelia Sumerell

316-393-6161 amelia@plazare.com

Deb Gardner

316-734-2511 dgardner@plazare.com

©2021 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

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Tremendous Teens

Written by Julie Hying

Engineering His Future: Aiden Kirchert, Crafting Visionary Many students follow a traditional, typical path in their educational journeys relying heavily on brick-and-mortar structures and the expertise of instructors to guide them on their way. And while this works beautifully for some, others may seek out other learning opportunities. Sixteen-year-old Aiden Kirchert, with the assistance and support of his family, has carved out a different path to acquire knowledge and work toward his life goals.

Previously, Aiden took part in homeschooling along with learning at Wichita State’s Shocker Academy in conjunction with Butler County Community College (BCCC). Currently he is studying full time with the Early College Academy at BCCC in Andover and has been accepted into their Engineering Studies Pathway. In another year and a half, he will graduate from that college with an Associates Degree in Engineering.

His mother, Kristi Kirchert, feels that Aiden’s gifts are propelling him through his studies and will serve him well when he chooses a career path one day.

“Aiden is clever and is constantly thinking of new ways to solve problems. Even if no problems exist, his desire to make things more efficient or work better keeps him seeking innovative solutions.

Also, he soaks up facts and data like a sponge, easily accessing and processing information. He’s extremely determined and motivated to action, a combination that will help him in whatever he chooses to do.”

For fun and socialization, Aiden spends time working at both the east and west locations of Exotic Pets (sometimes helping out at Aquatic Pets as well). When he was younger, he and his dad Aaron purchased a bearded dragon and that is where his love for reptiles grew. In his position at work, he uses his knowledge to confidently help patrons in their pet selections as well as assist them in understanding the care required for their animals.

With his dad, mom and brother Bryce, Aiden enjoys camping, fishing and other outdoor activities. He also appreciates time with friends and family barbecuing and going to the range. Aside from his passion for design, Aiden’s love of coffee leads him to carefully select coffee beans and flavors, and with his espresso machine, brew lattes and other coffee creations for his family members to enjoy.

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Aiden’s deep affinity for mechanical engineering and design show themselves in a number of ways. At home, he utilizes his 3D printers in order to create all sorts of things. He’s a crafting visionary and inventive designer, often building prototypes to see how his creations can work and be tinkered with. In class, he uses AutoCad to consider and manipulate auto designs. At home, Aiden prefers to create and design with Onshape CAD software.

Additionally, he is learning the art of welding.

With his knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit, he wants to create and design car engines and improve the mechanics of automobiles.

He also hopes to one day start his own business to have the freedom for his innovation to flourish.

JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

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Finding the Root of Weight Gain Written by Paige Feikert

Start Fresh in 2025 With Advanced Weight Loss As we welcome the new year, many people make healthrelated resolutions, from hitting the gym more frequently to adopting healthier diets and shedding extra pounds. These resolutions are a long-standing tradition, and Advanced Weight Loss in Derby is here to offer support.

Jamie Hall, APRN, the owner of Advanced Weight Loss, understands that many individuals set ambitious goals to lose weight, often struggling to achieve them on their own. She believes that a personalized, whole-body approach to health and wellness can be the key to success.

“A lot of people are going to make their New Year’s resolution to go to the gym, lose thirty pounds, but they’re going to struggle with that, and I can help them out with another tool in the toolbox,” she said.

According to a 2024 survey by Pew Research Center, nearly 80 percent of individuals surveyed said their resolutions are related to health, exercise or diet. Many are aiming to shed the weight gained over the holidays or throughout the previous year. Hall encourages people with weight loss goals to start early in the year to see real results, especially before “bikini season” arrives.

“We want to address the root cause of this and get you healthy throughout the journey here, not just throw weight loss medications at you.”

– Jamie Hall, APRN, owner, Advanced Weight Loss

In addition to weight loss services, Advanced Weight Loss offers effective solutions like GLP-1 medications (including the well-known Ozempic) and hormone replacement therapy. Hall highlights that hormones can play a significant role in weight gain, low energy and decreased libido. For some clients, addressing hormone imbalances through testosterone replacement therapy has helped them regain muscle mass and improve their overall health.

Beyond weight management, Advanced Weight Loss also provides other treatments to enhance overall well-being and achieve complete health and wellness. These include IV therapy, which can help with immunity, aid in recovery from illnesses like Covid, and even alleviate hangovers after New Year’s Eve celebrations. “IV therapy is great for hangovers, it’s great for pre-treating if you’re going to go spend time with loved ones, or if you’re feeling down,” Hall shared.

For those looking for aesthetic enhancements, Advanced Weight Loss also offers services like Botox, fillers, and microneedling. “It’s really about being the best you that you can be. We are a family at Advanced and we want to make sure our patients know they are part of our family!” Hall says.

To learn more or schedule a consultation, you can visit Advanced Weight Loss online at advancedweightlossderby.com or call them at 316.352.7006.

Hall emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach, beginning with lab work during a free consultation with one of their experienced staff. “We like to start with labs to determine your baseline,” she said. “We want to address the root cause of this and get you healthy throughout the journey here, not just throw weight loss medications at you.”

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JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

Where to Find Them

Advanced Weight Loss 320 North Rock Road, Ste. 200 Derby, KS 67037 316.352.7006 advancedweightlossderby.com

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320 N. Rock Rd Suite 200 Derby, Ks. 67037 RSVP: 316-352-7006 JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

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©2021 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

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EnhancedWellnessDerby.com JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

316.358.9780 31

Written by John Huthmacher

Losing Everything Opens Eyes of Long-Time Drug Addict After 20 Years of Drug Use, Wichita Dad Turns Life Around For Wichita native Daniel Espinoza, adulthood came early.

At age 11, he became the man of the house when his single mother was seriously injured in a workplace accident. Unprepared and unequipped to handle the pressures of his new reality, he labored tirelessly to keep his family together.

“I had to grow up real fast,” he said. “I woke up extra early to get my younger two brothers up and ready for school, and helped my mom change her bandages and ice her knees. I’d walk my brothers to school and then walk back to catch the bus so I could go to middle school.”

At age 14, he was hit by a car while picking up his little brother from school. The medication he received that initially eased the pain became a crutch that spiraled into addition. In no time he was hooked on opioids.

“I had a lot of problems with my back and my knees,” he said. “They ended up putting me on pain medication. I can vividly remember the first time that I took a pain pill. Opioids were my addiction, and I was instantly hooked on the very first one.”

For the next 20 years, he spiraled into an ongoing cycle of abusing drugs and alcohol, getting clean, then relapsing again. Confronted at age 36 with the overdose deaths of his younger brother and cousin, he was awakened to just how serious his addiction had become. Getting clean was no longer something to ponder; it became his only option for survival.

“My fiancée and I went through a bunch of stuff,” he said. “I was drinking every day. I started doing fentanyl, and was using cocaine on the regular. I was going to bars every night, partying, smoking meth ... I didn’t care about anything.”

Espinoza’s decline was rapid. After losing his job and house, he found himself in trouble with law enforcement and ended up on probation. With nowhere to go but up, he decided it was time to make a change. It was then he turned to Center for Change for intervention.

“I finally was just like, ‘I can’t do this no more,’ ” he said. “I was tired of being sick from withdrawals. I couldn’t move, couldn’t function, couldn’t do anything until I got my fix so that I could just move for a couple hours. I prayed to the Lord and said, ‘Hey, if you can help me get back into the clinic, I’m done trying to act like I know what’s best. Everything that Center for Change asks me to do, I’ll do it to the 100-percent best of my abilities.’ ”

Daniel Espinoza

“It is possible to lose everything, but if you put in the effort, hang on to your faith, and stay 100-percent honest with yourself, you can get everything back,” he said. “I went from sleeping in the corner of a basement in my brother’s house and walking everywhere to where I am today. I’ve got my own place, am paying bills, have a car and two good jobs. And my relationship with my kids has gotten better.”

None of it would have been possible without the help of Center for Change director Dr. Greg Lakin and his team, Espinoza said.

“I couldn’t say enough good things about the program. The people there really helped me get through the worst part of my life,” he said. “Going through their program and being honest with yourself is the key to it. Just do the program the way they designed it, and it will do wonders for you.”

Through counseling and the Center’s suboxone maintenance program, he was finally able to take sobriety seriously. Now three years sober, he has put together a life he can be proud of. The transformation has left him grateful for a new beginning.

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JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

For more information: Center for Change 316.201.1234 centerforchangeks.com

JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

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Beating a Path to Old Town Written by Paige Feikert

Vibrant and Easy Modern Living in the ’Ta It’s a cool Saturday morning in October, and soft music is trickling up to Anne Smith’s balcony in Old Town. Smith starts the day with coffee and a sunrise on her 1,000-square-footbalcony alongside her Labrador, but now the pair is headed to their favorite stand at the Old Town Farm & Art Market for dog treats, just steps away from their front door.

It’s a morning Smith has curated before from her downtown Wichita loft, along with walks to nearby Cocoa Dolce for coffee, happy hours at Lottē and short walks to Naftzger Park for local events. Living downtown has become part of Smith’s personality, but mid-January that chapter will start to close when Smith puts her 4,000-square-foot loft on the market.

“I think this loft, in a lot of ways, has been a cornerstone of my life here in Wichita,” Smith said.

It’s a poignant goodbye for Smith, who is moving to Houston, Texas for her job as a vice president of a renewable energy company. In fact, her work has taken her to major cities across the country and brought people from across the country to Wichita. Both Smith and her colleagues agree there’s no place quite like downtown Wichita.

“There’s a lot of versatility that makes it feel like there’s no city where you could have a space quite as cool as this, and also be able to enjoy it,” Smith said.

The building itself was built in 1923 as a warehouse for the 34

Grant-Billingsley Fruit Company. It’s one of four downtown buildings that the wholesale fruit distributor built and occupied in the early 20th century, as the company and its founders played a key role in developing Wichita’s retail and wholesale scene. The exposed brick, wide-plank wood floors and industrial beams of the apartment are a nod to the authenticity and history of the building.

“I love the idea of blending unique finds from our incredible local shops with standout designer pieces from more wellknown national brands,” Smith said. “Bringing them together in one space creates such a distinct look that feels both curated and effortless.”

Smith’s loft is located in the heart of Oldtown above Jajo just off of Rock Island. It’s near one of Smith’s favorite restaurants, Public at the Brickyard, and on the other side a popular gathering space in front of the Museum of World Treasures. The loft has three bedrooms and four bathrooms, a private garage with five spaces, a balcony with a covered kitchen and an unsuspected additional entryway from the alleyway that runs next to her building.

“I will have girlfriends over for coffee in the morning and we’ll have a rooftop conversation here, and I’ve also hosted parties for up to 100 people and it allows for both of those,” Smith said.

JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

“On a nice fall evening it’s easy to start on one side of Old Town and walk or bar hop to the other side.”

— Alex Thomas, owner Lucky’s Everyday

City Canines The loft and location are also incredibly dog friendly, with an astroturf run for nighttime bathroom breaks, local restaurants nearby that welcome dogs, and even that charming dog treat stand at the farmer’s market: Happy Tails Pet Bakery.

“To be able to take the dog with me and go sit on a patio in downtown Wichita is one of my favorite things to do,” Smith said. “It’s absolutely ideal in terms of downtown living.”

The loft itself is full of history with a modern twist, and the location is extremely convenient. Smith says she can leave her loft and get to the other side of TSA at Eisenhower Airport in about 12 minutes. She can walk to restaurants, bars, coffee shops, local events and attractions with ease. In fact, Smith says she only fills up her car with gas once every six weeks since she walks almost everywhere.

“It’s like you’ve got that fun in the air and there’s so much connection with downtown; it’s so cool,” Smith said. “It’s hard for me to stop when I start thinking about all of the places that are special and unique in downtown.”

Next door to Smith’s building on Mead Street is Tobie Andrews Photography, a location that owner Tobie Andrews enjoys both because of the community and the aesthetic.

“You can get so many different textures in one shot and the juxtaposition of a very tailored modern building next to an allbrick building from the 1900s — you can get a lot of different looks in one space,” Andrews said.

The City of Wichita and private investors have poured $1.7 billion into developing downtown Wichita since 2010, with more than 100 projects completed, including the revitalization of Naftzger Park, Riverfront Stadium, the Kansas Leadership Center, and the new Biomedical Campus currently in progress.

The area has grown tremendously for residents of downtown, with a projection of 5,300 residential units in downtown Wichita over the next five to seven years, according to Project Downtown 2035. Over the last decade, beautification efforts, improved parking, additional bike lanes, walkability improvements, increased police patrols and other improvements to downtown safety have made the area an attractive living and working destination.

Thriving Ground for Unique Local Businesses Adelitas Coffee Co., formerly known as Las Adelitas, opened in 2023 in the Lux building at First and Market streets, appealing to people living in the Lux apartments, those attending an event at the nearby Orpheum, or people who commute downtown for work.

“We do have a lot of regulars — we’ve built what we call an extended family,” said Oscar Pineda, the co-owner of the coffee shop. “There’s a lot of warm relationships between our customers and it makes us feel good, and I think we make them feel good, too. We make sure our customers feel at home.”

The coffee shop draws in customers with a unique offering of Latin-inspired coffee drinks and pastries.

“We want to show our culture through coffee, create different drinks, create memories through coffee with our specialty Latin drinks,” Pineda said. “But we also have the other side, the specialty coffee side, where we want to teach and help our customers learn about coffee — where does it come from, what’s behind the coffee, what are the flavors you see on the coffee bags.”

It’s one of many unique local businesses thriving in downtown Wichita. Left on Read, a bookstore focused on showcasing work from Black artists and authors, authors of color and independent authors, opened its doors in late

JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

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November. The bookstore is located in Gallery Alley, across Douglas from Naftzger Park. The owner, Dr. Latasha Eley Kelly, says the community support has been unwavering, especially that of neighboring businesses.

“The other business owners in the area have been super supportive — my neighbors in the building have reached out and have been super helpful. That’s just the vibe I get from the downtown area,” Kelly said.

Many downtown Wichita business owners credit downtown residents for helping their businesses grow. Adelitas Coffee Company has regular customers who live in the same building, many of the first customers through the doors at Left on Read were people curiously walking by. The accessibility is another major benefit for downtown living, particularly with the Old Town area being home to much of the city’s popular nightlife.

“On a nice fall evening it’s easy to start on one side of Old Town and walk or bar hop to the other side,” said Alex Thomas, owner of Lucky’s Everyday, a bar located just east of Douglas and Washington. “It’s a tremendous opportunity to go have dinner and see a live band or a baseball game.”

Thomas says that in his ten years as a downtown Wichita business owner, he has seen the allure of downtown grow tremendously.

“I think it’s frequented by people who want more of a city feeling to where they live instead of the suburbs, and downtown lends itself to that,” Thomas said. “Downtown 36

is getting more pedestrian and bicycle friendly, there’s programming downtown, so all of those things are good signs for a strong community downtown. People want to see art, want to hear music, like to shop local, and that’s where they’re going to find it.”

As for Smith, while she looks ahead to her next opportunity, saying goodbye to downtown Wichita will not be easy.

“Leaving here is going to be so bittersweet — this is a place where I’ve really been able to navigate challenges and celebrate life,” Smith said. “There’s just a community here that not only I have built, but a lot of people have put energy into making it special. You can just enjoy downtown.”

JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

Dawn Tucker is a design consultant and owner of DTConsulting LLC in Wichita.

Reach her at dawn@splurgemag.com.

Distinctly by Dawn Written by Dawn Tucker

WINTER WARMTH AND STYLE Winter can bring a mix of emotions. While some people enjoy the brisk air and snowy landscapes, others prefer the warmth of the sun and wearing sandals. Let’s explore how this season can combine both warmth and style.

Accessories You can elevate any outfit by adding accessories such as scarves, gloves, hats and even chic earmuffs.

Cozy Outerwear A great coat is essential. Whether it’s a classic wool coat, a trendy puffer jacket, a stylish fur or a warm parka, everyone should have this key statement piece in their closet.

Faux fur coat at LBD

Faux fur scarf at Aspen Boutique Three-way cashmere gloves at Aspen Boutique

Footwear Three essential types of winter footwear are waterproof boots (for rain or snow), stylish ankle boots (suitable for both day and night) and a versatile pair of sneakers that can be paired with almost anything.

Dolce Vita everyday sneaker at LBD

Handbags I’m a fan of a fabulous handbag that also makes a statement. There are many amazing bags available in various sizes, styles and price ranges locally.

By focusing on these elements, you can enjoy both warmth and style during the winter season! I wanted to share a few of my personal favorites from some local boutiques with you, my friends. Additionally, as you update your closet, please remember to donate any extra items. I always encourage finding a local shelter where you can donate your gently used clothing.

Wishing you a warm and stylish season!

JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

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THE LBD, ETC. 316.440.0772

Location - Downtown residence of Anne Smith Photography - Darrin Hackney Photography Models - M&I and SPLURGE! Styled by - Jody Klein

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JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

THE LBD, ETC. 316.440.0772

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ASPEN BOUTIQUE 316.682.6784

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JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

ASPEN BOUTIQUE 316.682.6784

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CHRISTOPHER & BANKS 316.669.9808

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CHRISTOPHER & BANKS 316.669.9808 JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

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THE VIOLET CLOSET 316.612.6988

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• Hawthorne • 5 Bedrooms • 3 Bathrooms • 3,451 sq. ft.

• Remodeled Kitchen • Covered Deck • 3 Car Tandem Garage

316.612.6988 517 N. Lorraine TheVioletCloset.com ©2021 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

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JEWEL ANGELS 314.779.6600

JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

47

Home Maintenance Made Easy Written by Julie Hying

Clean, Happy and Stress-Free in 2025 Marla Cilley is known as The FlyLady because she loves to teach others how to fly fish, but her passion for her hobby pales in comparison to what she has offered millions in the way of home order, cleaning and space maintenance. “Chaos to Clean in 31 Easy Baby Steps” is her book based on the premise that everyone deserves a happy, clean, stress-free home environment. The FlyLady offers many tips and ideas for how to approach home maintenance.

Whether someone comes in to clean the home or it’s done by one individual or a team of family members, establishing and returning home areas to order is what has inspired her to share her home maintenance approaches.

Cilley advocates in her writing to, initially, establish small routines and work up to include more as one feels ready. “Don’t try to do a full-blown routine the first day. Flylady’s routines are just an example to help you to develop your own. Pick three things for the morning and three things for the evening.” Three simple steps as the day begins include making the bed, returning items to bathroom cabinets and drawers after use and wiping down the counter surface and faucet with a Clorox wipe. A nighttime routine option includes a gratitude journal: What went well throughout the day? What am I grateful for? It might also include making a short list of things to attend to the following day. A third evening must is ensuring that the kitchen is “morning ready.” This means counters are clear and the dishwasher is loaded and set to run.

“All I ask is 15 minutes a day. Set a timer and just do a little every day. You will see a difference in a week’s time.”

— Marla Cilley “The FlyLady” Another approach is supported by the adage, many hands make light work. Create a time twice a day for kids to do a “five minute chore.” This could be picking up a living area, hanging up jackets and backpacks, putting away laundry, unloading a dishwasher, gathering trash, sweeping the floor of one room or countless other small tasks. Whoever lives in a home is on the team of maintaining it daily and contributes to the efficiency of the home as well as how well it functions for those who live there.

Making this effort a joyful or fun-filled approach is the key to its longevity and success. One way to do that is to rely on great music, something that makes us move and inspires drive and energy.

Whether the timer is set for five minutes or for fifteen, fun and upbeat songs will make our tasks more enjoyable and go by more quickly. This little trick will help us stay inspired to veer away from chaos and clutter and move toward homes that are organized, inviting and a pleasure to call home.

Routines don’t happen instantly, so we must be intentional about establishing them. Over time and with consistency, routines serve us well. One of these is through the use of a timer and a designated stint of time each day. That idea is shared at FlyLady.net. “All I ask is 15 minutes a day. Set a timer and just do a little every day. You will see a difference in a week’s time. In a month you will start to notice a trend in your home. You can do this. It didn’t get dirty in a day, and it is not going to get clean overnight. It is going to take a few months of decluttering and then detailed cleaning to make your home the place of peace you want.”

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JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

New Year Special All over color Haircut Facial Pedicure

All for $85

Happy New Year from all of us @ Crave Beauty Academy

Color remix rates will apply.

Must be booked by January 31st, 2025

Call the academy to set up an appointment today!

Complimentary consultations are always available.

3804 W Douglas Ave · Wichita, KS 67203 · 316.943.5516 · CraveBeautyAcademy.com All services performed under the direct supervision of licensed instructors. For Consumer Information of median debt and other consumer facts, please visit www.cravebeautyacademy.com

JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

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HOLIDAY SIP ’N SHOP OPEN HOUSE Marketplace 67010, Augusta

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Shane and Tonya Scott – owners

Crystal Hervey, Jody Klein and Patricia Thompson

Deb Messer – Four Sisters Farm Lavender

Larissa Freeman and Cristy Goodwin

Mel and Pam Adams

Cali Anderson, Tonya Scott and Heidi Skaer

Tonya Scott and Tricia Brown

Molly and Nora Lusby, Stella and Tiffany Slade

Shannon Roberts and Aurora Kelly

Tinsley and Lindsey Bevans

Tonya Scott and Holly Wilson

Paula Templin and Rebecca Corum

JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

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JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

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CUSTOMER APPRECIATION EVENT Aspen Boutique

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Beverly and Garrell Dombaugh

Ella Bahr and Emily Armbrust

Kandi Longenecker, Stephanie Garcia and Gigi Tsontos

Kyle and Jenny Calvin with Bruce Rowley

Lisa Mayfield, Trang Nguyen and Anh Pham

Lori Carelowey, Gina Kohn and Kim Adams

Mae Smith, Allison Baker and Richelle Knotts

Sally Andrews, Janice Van Sickle and Sonia Greteman

Tera Johnson, Emily Ibarra, Allison Baker, Amy Markel, Jennifer Barber and Trish King – staff

Tod and Linda Ernst, Holly and Ray Friend

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JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

4737 E Douglas Ave (Douglas & Oliver) Wichita, KS 67218 (316) 351-3580

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JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

Chase life, Sip tequila Thursday, January 23rd at 6:30 pm · $65 per person

• Includes tasting 4 tequilas from the Maestro Dobel Lineup • Tapas to pair with your tequilas • Guest speakers to discuss the Maestro Dobel story and learn more about tequila as a whole.

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JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

55

Soup Season Written by Julie Hying

Winter warmth and wonder call us out of the cold, colorless landscape and frigid temperatures and into our cozy kitchens to create something soothing and soul nourishing. Family recipes passed from one generation to the next as well as new creations simmer on the stove, bringing together bountiful ingredients to produce stock pots full of delicious comfort food for family members to savor and enjoy. Modern twists on classics and preference adaptations can provide personal touches to culinary creations, ultimately making each prepared pot of soup unique and special.

d ur in ol ive oi l an In a stock pot, po d ad en Th one m inute. cook ga rl ic for e, uc sa o at m ste, to water, tomato pa in g ha lf-and-ha lf. Br d an m ea cr y heav . at he m over med iu to a rolli ng boil g inutes, whisk in m 15 r Si m mer fo d add an , er m m si w lo a of ten. Reduce to for er m m er to ta ste. Si su ga r and pepp al du vi di in in es. Place 10 more m inut ith pa rmesan. w p to d an bowls

ue Pomodoro Bisq paste

ca n tomato ⅔ la rge (15 oz.) oregano, ato sauce w ith m 1 smal l ca n to ba si l and ga rl ic 4 cups water ea m 2 cups heav y cr lf ha d1 cup ha lf-an ced ga rl ic in m h es fr 3 cloves 6 Tbsp. su ga r 1 tsp. ol ive oi l rmesan ½ cup grated pa

Creamy Chicken Soup

4 slices bacon, diced 2 Tbsp. butter 1 small yel low onion, shredd ed 3 cloves garlic, minced 6 cups low-sod ium chicken broth 1/2 tsp. garlic powder Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste 4 cups cooked shredded chi cken 1 (8 oz. package) sof tened cream cheese 1 cup shredded chedda r che ese 3–4 cups baby spi nach min ced in a food processor 1/2 cup heavy cream Chopped sca llions (optional toppin g) Cook diced bacon until cris py in a Dutch Oven or soup pot. Remove bacon from the pot with a slot ted spoon, leav ing bacon gre ase in the pot. Set bacon aside on a pla te lined with a paper towel.

Add butter to the pot and melt over mediu m-h igh heat. Stir in onions and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in spi nach and cook for another 2 minutes.

Stir in garlic and cook for 20 seconds.

Add chicken broth and scr ape up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Sea son with gar lic powder, chives, salt and pepper. Stir in shredded chicken; cook for 15 minutes. Add cream che ese and wh isk in until completely melted and combined. Stir in shredd ed cheese; wh isk until melted and tho rou ghly combined. Stir in heavy cream and cook for 1 minute. Taste for sea son ings (sa lt and pepper ) and adjust accord ing ly. Remove soup from heat. Top with sca llio ns and previously prepared bacon. Ser ve.

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JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

Roasted Vege table Chowde r 8 cu

ps vegetables : zucchi ni, squa ca rrots, butter sh, sweet pota nut squa sh, ½ to, a red on ion, ga vegg ies you lo rl ic (a ny ve) 1–2 Tbsp. avoc ado or ol ive oi l 4 cups vegeta ble or ch icken stock ½ cup heav y cr ea m ½ tsp. sa lt 1 tsp. pepper 1 tsp. ga rl ic po wder 1 tsp. dr ied ch ives or herb of choice 2 Tbsp. K ite H ill Ch ive crea m cheese or re crea m cheese gu la r

Preheat the ov en to 400ºF. In a stock pot, po and heat to m ur in ha lf the ed iu m heat. Pl broth ace pa rchmen ba ki ng sheet. t paper on a ri Peel any vegg m med ies that requ ir out if usin g fr e peel in g. Scoo esh butter nut p seeds squa sh (f resh option). Chop chopped is an root vegetabl OK es to si m ila r si squa sh and zu zes, cuttin g ye cchi ni sl ig htly llow la rger and cu of ga rl ic in ha ttin g a whole lf if roasti ng it clove w ith the vegg or ol ive oi l ov ies. Drizzle av er vegetables ocado , and toss them ha nds. Add th w ith clea n or e oi l, and toss gloved the vegg ies in lig htly. the oi l, coatin g them R oa st in the ov en for 30–40 m inutes. Add a blender. Be the roasted ve ca refu l as they gg ies to are very hot. broth and blen Add ha lf the ve d unti l smooth getable . Pour the blen stock and stir ded contents for severa l m into the inutes. Add th Ch ive crea m e spices and K cheese. Blend ite H ill unti l smooth. additional crea Optional: Serv m cheese to st e w ith ir in.

No-Stress Ch ic

ken N

oodle 8 cups water 1 cup ha lf-an d-ha lf 1 pa ckage Hel muth Homem ade Fi ne Egg 1 pa ckage Hel Noodles muth Ch icken Season in g Blen 1–1 ½ lbs Boar d (use ¾ of pa ’s Hea d EverR ckage) oa st ch icken, 1 ca n crea m of cut into di nner ch icken soup sl ices 1 ba g sh redded ca rrots 2 Tbsp. butter ½ cup finely sh redded chedda r or marble ch toppin g ea ch eese, and mor bowl e for K inder’s A ll Pu rpose Meat & Ve ½ tsp. pepper gg ie Rub Club crackers — optional topp in g R inse and drai n ca rrots, and place on a la rg to desi red size e cuttin g boar , and place in d. Chopped a m icrowave oi l and K inde sa fe dish. Spri r’s rub and st nk le w ith ol iv ir. M icrowave m inutes), and e unti l fu lly cook leave in m icro ed (a round 12 .

Stack sl ices of ch icken on a cu ttin g board. M as vertical ly ake si x cuts ac th roug h al l th e sl ices to crea ross as wel l aside. In a med te smal l cube iu m or la rge st s of ch icken. Se ock pot, stir to ¾ of the season t gether 8 cups in g pa cket an of water and d br in g to a bo desi red tender il. Add nood le ness, approx im s and cook to ately 8–10 m in ch icken and co utes. Once cook oked ca rrots.

Add cheese an ed, stir in m inutes. Then d stir. A llow to add ha lf-andheat for a few ha lf, butter an soup to heat th d pepper. Stir roug h agai n (a wel l and al low t least 10 m in chedda r and Cl utes). Serve w ub Crackers to ith sh redded ppin g options.

JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

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SAY GRACE THANKSGIVING DAY 5K GraceMed Helen Galloway Clinic

Alaina Bellesine, Davis Miltner, Curtis and Larry Rink

Christopher and Harrison Leonard, Yashica Palshikan, David Livergood and Lily Lai

Karina Martinez, Nancy Rose, Sarah Kueser and Karlee Rose – Run Wichita

Kelyn, Emma and Dixie Kiser

Lily Loibl, Sadie Mullen, Ashlyn Cobb and Dr. Julie Elder

Nathan Wickoren, Andrea Schale, Shelby Hern and Wallis Mead

Say Grace 5k – event staff and volunteers

The Castetter family

The Hull family

The James family

The Reyes, Krichati and Garcia families

The Russell and Coleman families

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JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

EAGLE SCOUTS IN ACTION Eagle Scout Aaron Breitenbach

From his earliest days in Scouting, Breitenbach remembers sharing bonding moments with his stepfather, John Miller, and mother, Gale Miller, who tag-teamed as den leaders during his Cub Scout years. Among his fondest memories were building pinewood derby cars, camping, participating in skits and earning merit badges.

Written by John Huthmacher

“I built a lot of really good door stops,” he mused.

For Wichita resident Aaron Breitenbach, earning his swimming merit badge was a high-water mark in his quest to achieve Eagle Scout status.

His ascent to Eagle Scout was driven largely by friendships forged with fellow troop members. Though small in numbers, five members from his troop emerged as Eagle Scouts.

The anticipation of creating memories with them gave him something to look forward to each week.

It was powering through his fear of water to achieve his goal that made the experience so special, having battled through juvenile arthritis as a youngster.

Class of 1992

But, as rewarding as it was for him to earn the badge, it was the camaraderie and support shown by fellow Scouts that left an indelible mark on his achievement, one he says typifies the universal bond shared by those who wear the uniform. Now serving as deputy district attorney for Sedgwick County, the 48-year-old husband and father of two continues to provide leadership and guidance to Scouts and troop leaders alike though his roles as district committee chair for the White Buffalo District and committee member of Troop 520 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

“I will never forget how my fellow Scouts came to support me in that final swim, realizing what Scouting does to build team spirit,” he said. “I remember thinking how proud I was when my son, Gabe (also an Eagle Scout) earned his swimming badge and how they cheered for him. It’s beautiful to see the Scouting program presenting opportunities where youth recognize the inherent goodness of supporting someone else who is facing a challenge and sharing in that success on a daily basis. That’s why I always want to do what I can to help Scouting survive and thrive.”

“We had a good series of friendships and support that made everything fun,” he said. “All the other stuff was just gravy on top.

“I was spending time with friends and being challenged in ways I wouldn’t have otherwise been challenged. I liked the fellowship and leadership opportunities it provided. I learned how to get things done.”

Quivira Council and Paul Attwater, Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley, are proud to bring you Eagle Scouts in Action, a monthly showcase of community leaders who are banding together to make a difference in our community!

If you are interested in joining Scouting or have an Eagle Scout in Action you think deserves honoring, call us at 316.264.3386.

CRC 6539471 04/24

JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

facebook.com/QuiviraCouncil

quivira_council198

www.quivira.org

59

TRINITY ACADEMY BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER Trinity Academy

Alexia Nelson, Jules Deutsch, Brooke Baker, Madeline Bond, Mae Bauserman and Lainey Bond

Barb and Jon Wenger, Jon and Tammy Ramsdell

Chris Cakes - pancake crew

Darren, Jennifer and Marek, Harper, Jorie, Gibson, Jeff and Stacie

Event Volunteers and staff

Jen Boyet, Jeff Eberle, Maggie M. and Olivia C.

Jewel, Noah, Moses and Nick Martineau

Jody Klein, Mitch and Teri Gee, Jessika Mayer

Kaiya and Eli Womack

K.K. and Roauri Deutsch, Pari Coyle

Lori Gibbs, Cindy Janssen and Courtney Salome

Mike, Giovanna and Lisa Haist

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JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

Police Chief Atteberry with Officers Trumbull, Lopez and Gibson

Solame Pham, Landon and Jillian Hale

The Akin and Teter families

The Anderson family

The Buhler family

The Buttgenbach family

The McCurdy and Davis families

The Netherton family

The Scripsick family

The Tucker family

The Wilson and Senn families

The Yoders family and friends

JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

61

Wichita Winter Written by Alexis Evans

Your Guide to Chilly-Weather Activities The post-holiday slump can make life feel a bit stale, especially coupled with shorter, colder days. However, there are still plenty of local attractions and activities to keep you occupied until the sun comes back!

Ice Skating

Wichita has not one, but two options for ice skating. The Wichita Ice Center is available for public ice skating all week long, with prices starting at $2 for Two Dollar T’Days and an additional $5 for skate rental. For those just starting out, the center also offers lessons for ages 3 and up. Visit wichitaicecenter.com for more information about lessons, scheduling and admissions.

Wichita favorite, Chicken N’ Pickle, also offers a full holiday experience, including the popular ice-skating rink. This is a buzzy spot for a mid-winter holiday party, and with the amazing selection of food and drink options, perfect for a date or a fun night out!

Sledding

It doesn’t happen often, but when it snows in Wichita, it storms.

Wichita is located right in the middle of the plains, which means that good sledding hills are a little difficult to come by. However, there are a few worth visiting once the city gets the rare snow day. Get everyone’s snow gear ready to hit the hills as soon as that snow falls!

• Sedgwick County Park Sledding Hill (park gates close at 10 p.m.)

• College Hill Park • “Cracker Barrel Hill” on West Kellogg and Ridge Road • Mid-American All-Indian Museum (just north of the parking lot)

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JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

Fun Coffee

There’s never a bad time to grab a drink with a friend, whether it’s coffee or a cocktail. There’s no shortage of good coffee shops in Wichita, from the popular westside Aroma Coffeehouse to the newly renovated jewel of Normandie Center, Il Primo Espresso Caffè.

Or if you’re feeling something a little more spicy check out the vibey Grow Plant Bar, a unique take on a bar/coffee shop. Sometimes just the simple act of getting out of the house has a profound effect on battling those winter blues.

Museums Wichita is steeped in history of all kinds. With cowtown roots and Native American, architectural and environmental history, there’s a museum for everyone. Along the Arkansas River you will find seven museums and attractions located within five miles of each other: • Botanica, The Wichita Gardens • Exploration Place • Keeper of the Plains • Mid-America All-Indian Museum • Old Cowtown Museum • Wichita Art Museum • Wichita Baseball Museum

Other museums not far away in downtown and Old Town: • The Kansas African American Museum • Great Plains Transportation Museum • Museum of World Treasures

Winter is the perfect time for seasonal outdoor and cozy indoor pursuits. Next time you’re looking for Wichita winter fun, take your pick of these easy-access activities!

JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

63

2025

Resolutions That Last Written by Alexis Evans

Secrets to Sticking With Your Resolutions The road to February is paved with abandoned New Year’s resolutions. A helpful reframing is to set intentions, not resolutions. Resolutions feel absolute. If you don’t achieve the goal in one day the resolution feels dead, and you’re left with a sense of failure. But placing a mindset of intention on your goal allows you to stay on track if you missed your walk, drank soda instead of water or didn’t get your daily chapter read.

Improving Health Often, when people start their fitness goals, they either start too strong or they don’t create an attainable plan. One way to combat this is by making small but easily accomplished goals, then adding a new level each week. As an example, challenge yourself to take a ten minute walk each day during your lunch break. Or instead of reaching for a cup of coffee as an afternoon pick-me-up, choose tea or water instead. Change doesn’t happen all at once but in small, yet conceivable, improvements to your daily life.

Learning a New Skill If you don’t find joy in what you’re doing, then success is less likely. If you don’t first have an interest or a passion for the new skill on your list of resolutions, then it’s easier to quit. So if you don’t find yourself to be musically inclined it’s not likely your sudden impulse to learn to play guitar will go very far. Or if you want to learn how to knit or crochet but find you’re the type of person who gets bored sitting in one position for long periods of time, then this skill may not be the best one to pursue. Give yourself permission to accept something may not be for you if you find you’re not excited about it. The point of resolutions is to open yourself up to the possibility that you can try something new or learn a new skill, and if you get to a point where you say, “This isn’t for me,” that’s OK! Many have tricky relationships with New Year’s resolutions. Instead of self-criticism, focus on creating realistic goals that inspire or bring you joy. Then your intentions become a resolution with a smaller effort.

Becoming Well Read If you’re looking to become more well read in 2025, a simple way to start is to first pick out the book you want to read.

This means finding a book that you know you’ll be immersed in. You won’t get far if you’re reading just for the act of it. But if you want to read because you love it, find a book on a topic you know you will enjoy. This can be historical fiction, dragon fantasy, non-fiction about civil war history — whatever topic you know will make your brain want to know more! Once you’ve identified your book topic of choice, make easy daily goals you know you can and will want to accomplish. Whether it’s one page or one chapter per day, creating bite-sized measures for your goals is a great way to get that sense of accomplishment in achieving something new.

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JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

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65

Timeless Cocktails With a Twist Written by Julie Hying

Many cocktails are a throwback to earlier times. Special drinks rose to popularity in certain eras: daiquiris, mai tais and the French 75 in the 1940s; Tom Collins, piña coladas and French martinis in the 1950s. In the 1960s, some favorites to make or order included the Sidecar, the Moscow mule or a Manhattan. Time to add a contemporary twist to some timeless classics.

The Classic French 75 Gin (2 oz.) — The heart of the French 75, gin, provides the cocktail with its signature botanical notes. Opt for a quality gin with a balanced flavor profile to ensure a well-rounded drink.

Champagne (2 oz.) — Sparkling wine won’t do the trick. We need those ferocious French bubbles.

Lemon Juice (1 tsp.) — Freshly squeezed lemon juice cuts through the richness of the gin and lifts the champagne. It’s a crucial element for achieving balance.

Simple Syrup (1 tsp.) — While I personally don’t find simple syrup essential (particularly with the right gin and champagne), a touch of sweetness helps to round out more acidic, botanical notes.

Brandy (2 oz) — Choose a high-quality brandy with a rich flavor.

Brandy serves as the base of the cocktail and adds depth and richness to the overall taste.

Orange Liquor (1 oz.) — Cointreau or Grand Marnier are both excellent choices that bring a bold orange flavor, a subtle sweetness and a flavor balance to the drink.

Lemon juice (1 oz.) — Freshly squeezed lemon juice is a must for the Sidecar, providing its signature tartness and bringing a bright, zesty element that complements the other ingredients to create cocktail perfection.

Tropical 75 2 oz. coconut-infused rum .75 oz. pineapple juice 1 tsp. fresh lime juice 1 tsp. simple syrup 2 oz. champagne Pineapple wedges for garnish Shake coconut-infused rum, pineapple juice, fresh lime juice and simple syrup with ice. Strain into flute and top with champagne.

Garnish with a pineapple wedge.

In a shaker, combine brandy or Cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice in a shaker with ice for 20 seconds. Strain the mixture into the sugar-rimmed glass, letting the flavors blend and the sugar provide a hint of sweetness. Top off your Sidecar with a twist of lemon peel to give it elegance and a citrus aroma.

Añejo Sidecar 2 oz. añejo Tequila (añejo Tequila is aged 1–3 years) 1 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 oz. Cointreau or Grand Marnier .5 oz. agave syrup Fine white sugar Lemon twists for serving Ice (crushed or Sonic ice)

The Smoky 75 2 oz. mezcal .75 oz. agave syrup .75 oz. fresh lime juice 2 oz. champagne Lime wheel for garnish Shake mezcal, agave syrup and lime juice with ice. Strain into a flute and top with champagne. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Notes • A standard shot glass is 1 ½ oz. So .75 oz. is half a shot glass.

• Gliding a wedge of citrus fruit around the rim of the glass and twisting the glass onto a plate of fine white sugar lends a decorative and delish touch to a drink.

• A peeler can be used to make a twist of lemon, lime or orange.

• A glass jar with a lid is a great substitute for a drink shaker.

66

The Classic Sidecar

Vigorously shake the tequila, lemon juice, Cointreau, ice and agave for 20 seconds. This will create little shards of ice throughout the cocktail and make it very cold. Pour contents into a sugar-rimmed glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Empress Sidecar 1 ½ oz. Empress Gin (lavender in color) ¾ oz. Cointreau ¾ oz. fresh lemon juice Fine white sugar for the rim Add the Empress Gin, Cointreau, lemon juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker. Fill it with ice until well chilled. Strain into a rimmed coupe or martini glass. Garnish and enjoy.

JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

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©2021 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

Same Family, Same Location!

Photo Courtesy of Lies Bugner Homes, a Valued Customer

Family owned and operated since 1950. Harry Street Carpet now has fourth generation family members who work in the business.

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Carpet, Tile, LVP, Vinyl, Laminate, Granite/Quartz, Cabinets.

We offer installation on all products we sell!

211 W. Harry · Wichita, KS 67213 · 316-262-7715 JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

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35 years in business

Call for a FREE Winter Special estimate! Mention this ad and receive 10% off!

NEW CARPET MADE EASY

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JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

SoldOnAmelia.com

316-393-6161 er s v do ool n A ch S

14605 E. Killarney Cir. • $400,000 • St. Ives Patio Home • 4 Bedrooms • 3 Bathrooms • Wood Floors • Remodeled Kitchen • Finished Basement • 3,594 Sq. Ft. • Pergola Covered Deck ©2021 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

Imagine the possibilities Full Service Interior Design & Furniture Store

In-stock, special order, and custom furniture · Accessories · Large rug selection · Bedding ·

Art · Custom window treatment · Kitchen & bath renovations · Fireplace installation/resurfacing · Flooring · Wall Treatment · Basement remodeling · Lighting · and More!

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JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

Imagine your home organized in style in this new year Shop with us!

Open to all Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm selection of unique in-stock & custom pieces

discover that perfect item to add to your home’s design Artwork, rugs, lamps, candles, furniture & more • delivery & arrangement services available •

Curious about our personalized design experience?

Reach out to find out more about working with a designer.

Home Furnishings Store & Design Showroom

Design Source Interiors 736 N. Andover Rd.

Our compassionate, kind, talented designer Nahid would love to work with you this new year.

Call 316.733.7080 or send us a message on socials.

by Nahid Holmes JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

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JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

SHOCKER BASKETBALL IS IN

FULL SWING PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS NOW! GOSHOCKERS.COM/TICKETS | 316-978-FANS

JANUARY 2025 · splurgemag.com

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Thanks Wichita for Making SPARKLE your Favorite Jewelry Store

2022

2023

2024

Nestled in our community, Sparkle Jewelry shines as a beacon of fine craftsmanship and devotion. A multi-award-winning establishment, Sparkle Jewelry has cultivated a legacy of trust, quality, and artistry. We recognize that your jewelry and timepieces hold immense sentimental and monetary worth. Harnessing our passion for the craft along with an unwavering commitment to perfection, we are experts in revitalizing your cherished possessions.

Jewelry Store | Ring Sizing | Rolex Repair | Watch Batteries Book Now!

Sparkle is by appointment only.

540 S Rock Rd. · Eastgate Shopping Center, Kellogg & Rock · 316.305.2233 · Sparkle316.com