verite.mag FALL 2013 |1|
|2|
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
| CONTENTS |
editor’s page | 4 conquering the fall
meet the team | 6
find out who is behind this thing anyway
dig it | 10
a glimpse at our fall faves
accent on chic | 14
we’re all-in on the moto trend for the season. get ready to rock it
at home | 60
fresh kitchen ideas from liz bachman; knitting gets a lift
garden | 58
rain barrels make it easy
eats & entertaining | 54
a few ideas for a “twisted” turkey day
our bodies | 38
78 | doing it
meet maryann bekkedahl, founder and president of keep.com
82 | give it up
it’s back-to-school time, and what better way to kick it off than giving back to our schools
34 | beauty & the beast
check out our team product picks and learn how to perfect the ballerina bun
72 | relax
discover eaton’s ranch and check in on a couple good reads, tunes, and a movie to watch out for
81 | what a joke
a few laughs from our pinterest board
86 | mary schueneman
a tabloid dishing gal from the southside of chicago
experience one woman’s “iron” journey from the comfort of your chair; and learn how to be your own best health advocate
verite.mag FALL 2013 |3|
| EDITOR’S PAGE |
Fall rocks! Conquer it. I don’t know about you, but this is my absolute favorite time of year. So instead of diving into some introspective, motivational, thought provoking discourse, let’s just talk fashion. It’s fall for cryin’ out loud! (Are there more important things going on in the world – especially given the current events of the past few weeks? Absolutely. But I’m assuming you have plenty to read on those heavier matters, so we’re going for broke on fall style and what that means for you.) Here’s the rub – you have many places to turn when it comes to answering those burning questions we find ourselves asking when we look into our closets at the beginning of a season – “what do I really need to add to my wardrobe to step it up a notch?”; “I’ve seen some cool pieces, but isn’t that a bit of a stretch por moi?; “My wardrobe budget is zilch-o, how can I do this on a dime OR if I’m going to really invest in something, what should that something be?’ And the list goes on… (p.s. response to the last question is something leather.) The answers will be different for each and everyone of us. Why? Because, at it’s best, fashion – moreover, style – is so individual. You know your body type, your own sense of style, what you feel you can pull off and what you know you can’t. And at the end of it all, you look in the mirror and know what makes you feel like a rockstar – that outfit you put together that makes you feel like you can step outside your front door and just, plain, CONQUER. In the pages that follow, we will offer up ideas that we love, and that hopefully provide you with some inspiration for your fall wardrobe, among other things. But at the end of the day, it’s about taking what you see and making it your own. Your style is your own. Work it. Cheers,
leather is the new denim
plaid
FUR
minimalist
military
moto
animal print kki Janna, Stacey, me, Brea, and Ni team for this issue’s A quick shout-out to our killer for working your magic. photo shoot – THANK YOU verite.mag FALL 2013 |5|
| OUR TEAM |
| OUR CONTRIBUTORS |
tracy gardner beno contributor
|6|
stacey callan
abby feinknopf
libby held
health contributor
contributor
giving back contributor
katie holden
shelleen mchale
amy mcintire
travel contributor
MOMents contributor
garden contributor
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
SEE IT? kelly holden allen founder/editor kelly@veritemag.com jennifer cain creative director/assistant editor jennifer@veritemag.com stacey palmer features director stacey@veritemag.com
chel kissler graphic designer ryan scott web designer abby feinknopf illustrator
advertising georgia kontos advertise@veritemag.com
LOVE IT? WANT IT? What is one of our favorite features about vĂŠritĂŠ? You can purchase products, or contribute to a cause, or learn more about an item simply by clicking on the link. How do you know if a link exists? Hover over the magazine with your cursor and the links are identified by a blue box or shaded background.
SUBSCRIBE www.veritemag.com FOLLOW US
Instant. Gratification. verite.mag FALL 2013 |7|
Behind the Scenes The Photographer: The oh-so-awesome Janna Coumoundouros
Hair and Make-up: Brea Parizon and Stacey Manuel
The Bike (and some “support� modeling): Courtesy of the most generous Nikki Caggi
|8|
The Location: Rochester Hills, MI
The Model: The stunning Julie Frazier Cox
verite.mag FALL 2013 |9|
| DIG IT |
| FA L L F
|10|
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
FAV E S |
verite.mag FALL 2013 |11|
Bik Ba
H&M Biker Jacket | $49.95
Story by
Let your inner-r so many to cho we’d pick a few price points; fau Phillip Lim Cross Front Biker Vest | $1095
Dolce Vita Taylor Wedge | $54.99 Michael Kors Quilted Leather Jacket | ÂŁ430
Marti Jackie Jacket | $690
|12|
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
ker abe
Isabel Marant Kady Leather Jacket | $1210
KELLY HOLDEN ALLEN
rocker shine! With oose from, we figured w of our faves - at all ux and not-faux.
Mia Spring Wedge | $59
Tory Burch Thandie | $60
American Eagle Vegan Moto Jacket | $99
Alexander McQueen Peplum Biker Jacket | $881
Zara Faux Leather Biker Jacket | $119
verite.mag FALL 2013 |13|
| ACCENT ON CHIC |
I T ’S M O T O- M at i c Story by KELLY HOLDEN ALLEN Photography by JANNA COUMOUNDOUROS, LILACPOP STUDIO Hair stylist BREA PARIZON Make-up by STACEY MANUEL Location: ROCHESTER HILLS, MI
F
or real. Leather is HUGE this fall, and the moto-look - while around last year as well - is back with vengence.
If you are looking for one piece to update your wardrobe, make it a leather one (or faux, works just as well). It can be a jacket, vest, pants, skirt, biker gloves, it doesn’t matter - make it happen. Coated denim works great too, giving you that leather look but with all the benefits of denim. A word to the wise? A little goes a long way. Usually, one leather piece is plenty. Mix it with a boxy sweater, an oversized, tailored shirt, something furry, or a fun plaid or animal print number. Have fun with it and don’t for even one single second think you’re too old to pull this off. You. Are. Not.
|14|
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
verite.mag FALL 2013 |15|
Trina Turk Double Breasted Officer’s Coat | $545 Paige Denim | $244 Michael Kors Laser Cut Booties | $195
|16|
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
verite.mag FALL 2013 |17|
Current Elliott Jacket | $348 MiH Boyfriend Jean | $250 Michael Kors Laser Cut Booties | $195 Honey Rose & K Necklaces | $58 and up Bracelets: Honey Rose & K Fur | $88 Metal Studded | $160 Brown & ivory Cuff | $195 Gold Link | $175
|18|
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
verite.mag FALL 2013 |19|
|20|
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
Current Elliott Jacket | $348 MiH Boyfriend Jean | $250 Michael Kors Laser Cut Booties | $195 Honey Rose & K Necklaces | $58 and up Bracelets: Honey Rose & K Fur | $88 Metal Studded | $160 Brown & Ivory Cuff | $195 Gold Link | $175
verite.mag FALL 2013 |21|
|22|
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
Equipment Bomber Jacket | $298 Haute Hippie Cargo Onesie | $495 Rowen Valentine Heel | $178 Bracelets: Metal Studded | $160 Brown & Ivory Cuff | $195 Gold Link | $175 verite.mag FALL 2013 |23|
Haute Hippie Cardigan | $398 Equipment Blouse | $218 Honey Rose & K Necklaces | $58 and up |24|
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
verite.mag FALL 2013 |25|
|26|
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
Haute Hippie Cardigan | $398 Equipment Blouse | $218 Paige Denim | $244 Michael Kors Laser Cut Booties | $195 verite.mag FALL 2013 |27|
|28|
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
Tibi Wool Turtleneck Sweater | $348 Tibi Italian Pointe Yoked Skirt | $268 Eden Studded Bag | $575 Loeffler Randall Booties $450 verite.mag FALL |2013 |29|
|30|
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
| TRENDS DECODED |
HOW TO WEAR THREE OF FALL’S TOP TRENDS story by MIRANDA BOYLE
1. THE MOTO JACKET I am currently in love with the moto jacket from Current/Elliott done in a waxed cotton. The zipper details are placed just right and the length is perfection. A moto jacket it is done best when it falls at the smallest point on your waist - an instant slimmer. The waxed cotton fabric makes this versatile year round – wear it out on cool summer nights or crisp fall evenings. I love this jacket layered over a graphic tee with boyfriend jeans and booties… essential for weekend wear.
2. FUR Fur (faux or real) is done so creatively for fall. It can be worn in so many ways - as a simple scarf or as an opulent full length coat. I like it the best for this season in a vest. Again, it is a great layering option as you can wear it over your moto jacket and paired back with jeans for a night out or throw it over a black sweater with leggings and tall boots and you are ready to conquer any errands around town.
3. LEATHER Leather, leather and more leather is the fall motto for almost every designer this season. Where I love it is in a track pant which can seem intimidating but it is more understated and flattering than a straight leather legging. It gives you that sophistication of a silk pant but with the edge of leather. I absolutely go crazy for it paired with an oversized sweater tucked in ever so slightly in the front. Throw on a great pair of Dorsey heels or flats and it is an ensemble you can wear over and over again. V
verite.mag FALL 2013 |31|
TheOutnet.com Updated on a regular basis with covetable runway looks, handbags, shoes, accessories, and swimwear. All at amazing prices too! Designers like Marni, Alexander Wang, and Tory Burch are just a few of my favorites.
Yoox.com A shopping experience filled with big name designers like Stella McCartney and DVF at deep discount prices up to 70% off. And...sample sales will bring you an additional 90% . Holy cow.
sit
Swirl.com
Some of our favorite s
My new shopping addiction...with the Swirl app on your smartphone, you can literally have your own personal shopper at your side every time you shop. Get in-store recommendations and offers with participating retailers as well. Hello, new fall wardrobe!
story by STAC images courtesy of GO
RankandStyle.com A new platform that simplifies how you shop via unbiased, datadriven top ten lists of fashion and beauty products based on research from the magazines, reviews, blogs and stores you trust. I found my new favorite mascara using this site. Totally cool. |32|
Sw
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
weet
tes
Keep.com And you thought Pinterest was totally addicting? Here is an idea of what Keep does...the staff went through all 716 pages of September’s issue of Instyle Magazine and made every single page shoppable. One word: wow.
sites for gals on the go!
CEY PALMER OOGLE AND TUMBLR
Jewelmint.com Right from the get-go, you get to build your own style profile, which is is just plain fun. Then a showroom is built for you around your personal preferences so you’re not wasting time looking at pieces you would only receive as a gift from a long, lost uncle. The crazy one.
verite.mag FALL 2013 |33|
TAKE A SEAT
story by JENNIFER CAIN photos by CHARLOTTE CAIN
I just threw away powder eyeliner that was 10 years old. That’s a little embarrassing to admit, but it’s the truth. What prompted this purge was a very long overdue trip...not only the makeup counter at Nordstrom...but an actual seat in the chair. I did something this summer that should be a requirement for ALL women, like an annual mammogram. I had my makeup done. And all I
| BEAUTY AND THE BEAST |
can ask myself now is “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” For the last ten years, whenever I was out of my eyeshadow, I would go to the Mac counter and buy the same Brule shadow. I used the same Stila powder eyeliner for ten years. (I don’t even know how that’s physically possible.) I can always find a good lip gloss and I found tinted moisturizer on my own, but other than that, my makeup routine was from the turn of the millennium. And as a result, I was walking around EVERY DAY with outdated, improperly applied makeup. The problem is, with makeup, it’s too easy to get into a rut. Our style may change, trends change, and let’s not forget, our faces change! So make the decision to shake things up and prepare to be dazzled. 1. Go to the department store with no makeup on, preferably during a slow part of the day or week. 2. Pick a brand…one you either already love, or one you identify with (I went to Bobbi Brown).
3. Tell the consultant whether you’re looking for an every day look, or a dramatic, evening look. 4. Relax.
A few tips-
• Don’t tell her what to do. If you’re anything like me, you’re instincts are all wrong! • Pay attention to exactly how she applied your makeup and ask questions! Should I put eyeliner on the bottom of my eye? What brushes do I need to pull this off? • Don’t feel like you have to buy anything! If it makes you feel more comfortable, set the stage when you sit down…say “I haven’t bought new makeup in a long time and I’m wanting to see what you would suggest. I’m not sure if I’m ready to buy anything yet.” • When you’re done, pick and choose what elements (brushes, mascara etc.) you want to buy at the department store and what you can get elsewhere for a better value. V
Swedish Dream Seaweed Soap | $6.50 Heavenly scent with seaweed nutrients that moisturizes and leaves skin feeling so soft. Now if only the laundry could smell this good!
Bobbi Brown Navy & Nude Eye Palette | $60 Go for the nude look or the smokey. Here is a beautiful palette that will complement most skin tones. Laura Mercier Angled Eye Liner Brush | $20 Great for many things, but especially good at creating that perfect line your gel eye liner. Kerastase Nectar Thermique | $33 Do you fry your hair regularly? Then you and this product need to talk. ASAP.
TEAM PICKS
YSL Rebel Nudes Glossy Stain | $34 New favorite lip stain that’s a little pricey but totally worth it. A hint of color + the long lasting effect and perfect applicator = happy girl. Repetto, The Perfume | ¤59 Light and fruity/floral, but not too sweet and feminine. Heavenly. |36|
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
Always Chic story by JENNIFER CAIN photos by CHARLOTTE CAIN
N
othing says chic like a bun… and so many versions are popular these days. Here we give you the step by step details on making a clean and simple “ballerina bun.”
a. “donut” hair accessory b. ponytail holder c. bobby pins
How to make it happen: • Put your hair in a ponytail. • Put the donut around the ponytail, with the hair coming thru the middle. • Look down and spread the hair from your ponytail evenly around the donut. • Take a clear elastic and put it around the donut one time – it doesn’t have to be tight. • At this point, you’ll have a perfect bun, with hair sticking out all around. • Sweep the hair around the base of the bun, securing with bobby pins as you go. Play with it: • Experiment with how high or low you want it – it’s all good! • Accessorize with a flower, broach or hair pin on the left or right side. • If you have layers in the front, a thin, simple headband will help you get that clean, sophistocated look.
What you’ll need:
d. clear poly elastic e. 2.5 inch hairpins – if your hair is extra hard to tame
a| |b
e|
|d |c
verite.mag FALL 2013 |37|
IRON WILL Story by
|38|
Stacey Callan
| OUR BODIES |
Euphoria [noun]… A feeling of well-being, relaxation and happiness.
T
hat is what crossing the Ironman finish line felt like for me. Exactly like I was in a dream, a reoccurring dream I had been having for over 20 years…only this time it was real.
It all began in my early 20’s when I witnessed my first IRONMAN World Championship on TV. This is the race of all races. Created in 1977 as a way to challenge athletes in three intensive, endurance events, the Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon is by far one of the toughest competitions around. Nearly 1,800 athletes combine a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run (140.6 mile journey) all over the tranquil shores and barren lava fields of Kona, Hawaii. The entire broadcast took my breath away but it was one particular story that captured my heart. The broadcast was not only about the amazing athletes, but it also detailed incredible stories of participants achieving the unachievable. Rick Hoyt, who was born a quadriplegic suffering from cerebral palsy, was one of those stories that will remain with me forever. Rick’s father, Dick, used to push his son in a wheelchair as a way to stimulate Rick and allow him to feel the fresh air. In the beginning, it was just for fun and that soon turned into 5k races and before they knew it they were competing in multiple Ironman races. Dick knew the only way his son did not feel handicapped was when they were training and competing, so the two set out on a journey that would truly change lives. In a triathlon race, Dick would pull Rick in a boat with a bungee cord attached to a vest around his waist and to the front of the boat for the swimming stage. For the biking stage, Rick would ride a special two-seater bicycle, and then Dick would push Rick in his custom made running chair. Now in its 35th year, the IRONMAN World Championship continues to center on the dedication and courage exhibited by participants, like Rick and his father, who demonstrate the IRONMAN mantra that “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. ®”
verite.mag FALL 2013 |39|
photo courtesy of www.shutterstock.com
I guess you could say it began as a simple bucket list for me, not something that I ever thought would come to fruition, but a dream that I would hold up on a pedestal in hopes that one day I could do it. Fast forward 22 years, I’m now living in The Woodlands, TX and the city announces they have signed a 5-year contract with the World Triathlon Corporation to host an Ironman. Was this my sign that it was time for me to step out of my comfort zone and reach for the stars? Damn right it was! Knowing that this would demand a tremendous amount of dedication and commitment, countless hours away from my family and enormous fatigue on my body, I decided to take the leap of faith and sign up. How will you ever know if you don’t try, right? Knowing I couldn’t do this on my own, I hired an Ironman coach. I
|40|
needed someone to, not only hold my hand through this process, but to write my workouts, assist in the education of mind and body training, proper nutrition, and most importantly, strengthening my mental toughness. Ana Lemus was my girl. She was a multiple IM competitor herself, a dear friend and someone I knew would take me all the way. Fast forward another 10 months – brand new bike was purchased, 100’s of miles clocked on the road, multiple pairs of running shoes worn and tan lines burned into my skin from hours in the pool – was I ready?
May 18, 2013 - A day that will be etched in my mind as pure perfection. Not as a first place finish or a gold medal, but a seamless day filled with complete joy.
4:15 AM - My alarm rang and the butterflies were immediately awakened. As I was told many times throughout the past year, keep the same routine the morning of the race. Eat the same food, nothing new‌coffee, banana, Ezekiel muffin with peanut butter and water. All bags were packed, bike was dropped off the night before and now it was just up to me to get to the starting line. My husband drove with me in silence, the only noise was the pounding of the Black-Eyed Peas and Pitbull blaring on my iPod. The skies were dark and the streets were empty as we left our neighborhood but within 5 miles of the race site, the chaos unfolded. So after we parked our car, my husband and I held hands and made our journey in silence once again, weeding through hundreds of individuals all racing
the clock to get where they needed to be. Knowing the temperatures would be exceeding 100 degrees, I continued to consume more and more water. Nerves were at an all-time high as everyone gathered around the swim start. Lines were 75 people deep waiting to use the bathrooms, family members helping apply sunscreen, last minute pep talks and of course, lots of tears.
6:50 AM - Mike Ryan, the legendary voice behind the Ironman races, announced for all swimmers to enter the water. Hugs from my family and friends began along with last minute adjustments to wetsuits and goggles. As I entered the dark, murky lake water, my heart rate shot up through the roof to the point where I couldn’t even feel the cool water around my neck. Waiting for 1,800 swimmers to enter the water verite.mag FALL 2013 |41|
felt like hours, but soon enough we heard the final 30 second count down. This type of start, where all the swimmers begin the race at the same time is called a ‘mass start’ and even someone like me who has been a competitive swimmer my whole life, was terrified. As I heard the last 10 second count down, the crowd began to scream. I cleared my goggles one last time, took a deep breath and sent out one last little prayer for safety and strength.
7:00 AM - “BANG” the gun sounded and just like a tidal wave, you could feel the rush of the energy begin to take you away. Focus, focus focus…that’s all I could say to myself. My strategy for the swim was nothing other than finding open water and moving forward. With so many swimmers all beginning at once, it took a bit of time for the stronger swimmers to gain distance, which meant there was a good portion of time where you were literally swimming on top of other people. I lifted up my head every 6 or 7 strokes to make sure I was still headed in the right direction. There were buoys all down the lake which marked the course and my goal was to keep the buoys to my left and stay as straight as I could. As I rounded the first turn, I actually gave a little scream of joy underwater because I knew I was halfway. I was really doing this – I found the open water space I needed and I was progressing. I soon made the second turn into the canal, which would eventually take me to my bike transition. As I stepped out of the water, I could hear the screams from all the spectators and it was tremendous. I was a 1/3 of the way done…hot damn!
8:10 AM - I grabbed my first transition bag which was filled with all the clothing and nutrition I needed for the next leg of my journey, the 112 mile bike. As I began to exit the enormous bike transition area, I saw my son, Quinn on the shoulders of my brother yelling, “You can do it Mommy” – that was when I knew no matter what my day handed me, I was going to cross that finish line. This was no longer just a bucket list for me; this was a day I would show my son the true |42|
meaning of perseverance. I wiped away more tears, hopped onto my bike seat and away I went. This was my weakest leg of the race, cycling was a sport I had never excelled in, but I had put in the long training hours so now it was up to me to prove what I was made of. One of the best things about competing in a race that is located in your hometown is that you are able to train on the actual course. I had ridden this 112 mile route numerous times so I knew what to expect. I knew the hills and the turns, however, what I would soon realize is how hard the open, vast country roads would really challenge my mental toughness. My coach had always explained that there would be peaks and valleys, highs and lows during the race especially because you will be racing the majority of the day alone. Training rides always included companionship, friends, conversation, breaks…but today, I was on my own.
12:30 PM - The sun reared its ugly head and the heat began to melt our skin and test our bodies. Nutrition is one of the most important components in getting you across the finish line and unfortunately, dehydration can very easily take that away from you. Having a plan, practicing that plan and sticking to that plan was how I had trained, however, sometimes Mother Nature has a different plan in mind. Due to the extreme heat, my stomach was not allowing me to digest the food I had brought along on my ride, so I was forced to drink all my nutrition instead. Fortunately, I had prepared for an alternative plan, so my body was feeling okay. But what about my mind? I had now officially entered my valley, mile 70 was the low point I was hoping I would never reach, and I was tired and very lonely. I knew it wasn’t enough to make me stop, but I must admit, it hurt. It was then I heard someone in the distance yell my name. My head lifted up and my spirits soared through my chest. It was my friend Jamey and his wife April, they had found me on the bike course and were there to cheer me on. They began to follow me in their car, making sure I was safe, updating my family on my location and keeping me company. I was back!
verite.mag FALL 2013 |43|
3:00 PM - I did it…that’s all I kept saying to myself as I quickly approached the end of the bike drop off. No flat tires, no mechanical issues, and no crashes. I was safe and I was now 2/3 of the way done. With a clean shirt, fresh socks, dry running shoes and a quick bathroom break, I was on my way again. By this time, as you can imagine, it was becoming more of a mental game. I needed to keep my mind free from all negative thoughts. Instead of thinking I had a full marathon ahead of me; I broke it down into just 3 loops. Ultimately, that’s all it was, 3 loops around the downtown waterway, in my own shoes surrounded by hundreds of cheering spectators…I could do this, I could really do this! My new strategy for the run had two components – the first was to walk through all the water & food stations in order to properly digest my nutrition and the second was to wrap my arms around everyone I knew and thank them for all their support. It truly takes an army in order to achieve this type of goal and I was going to make sure every one of my troops knew how grateful I was. My first loop was exciting, seeing all the spectators, hearing the music, the cheers and just taking in the moment. However, as I made my way into my second go-around, I began to realize the magnitude that this race could take on a person’s body. The aid stations were beginning to fill up with athletes dehydrating, uncontrolled vomiting, and just flat out fatigue. We all knew the sun’s potential for heat exhaustion, but none of us realized the magnitude of its effects. I continued to eat through all the food stations (or mini buffets as I liked to call them). The goal was to consume as much salt as possible so I grabbed cups of cold chicken broth, potato chips, pretzels, oranges, even pickle juice along the way. We were all sweating so much that our bodies were craving salt, salt and more salt. I was even swallowing salt tablets every hour on the dot because I knew the minute I stopped; I would be on one of those medic stretchers.
4:45 PM - I dreaded the second loop because there was still one more to follow so I tried to have as much fun as I could. I danced with all my Lululemon friends at their incredible cheering station, hugged, laughed and just embraced the moment again trying to remain positive. It was then that I finally spotted my family. They had missed me on my first loop because the traffic was so hectic, but they finally found me. First it was my husband who wrapped his arms around me and lifted me off my feet. He then led me to my biggest fan of all, my son. I couldn’t stop the tears, he jumped into my arms and I felt like a brand new woman. That was exactly what I needed. They were my strength!
|44|
verite.mag FALL 2013 |45|
6:30 PM - With one lap to go, the sun was finally settling down which presented all the runners with a glorious gift…shade! Onward I pushed. At the mile 22 aid station, I took some extra time, knowing in the back of my mind I could make it, but was feeling the fatigue really settling in. It was then I felt a big ‘smack’ on my rear end from a fellow training partner and first time Ironman as well. Mindy grabbed my hand and said, “Let’s finish this together!” She was the final push I needed to get me to my end result. As we approached the turnoff for all the finishers, I grabbed her hand and we both started to cry. Only a 1/4 of a mile to go and we were done, she smiled because she understood. In the distance I could see my best friends and family and so there my sprint began. Goose bumps covered my arms and legs, uncontrollable tears filled my eyes and a smile from ear to ear was beaming from my face. This pipedream, this unachievable goal was only feet away. And then I heard those words, those words that every Ironman athlete only dreams of hearing. The most recognizable voice of Mike Ryan announced over the microphone, “Stacey Callan, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!”
8:19 PM - At this point my mind and body were not really communicating very well together. My body wasn’t sure what had just happened over the past 13 hours and 19 minutes and my mind had pretty much drawn a blank. Still in a bit of shock, I felt a nice volunteer clutch my arm and walk with me to ensure I could still stand upright. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my husband again and it took everything in me to run and fall into his arms. That’s when all my emotions from the past year completely overtook my body and the flood gates opened. All I could say to him was, “I did it, I really did it!” I, honestly, needed to hear myself say it because it was all still too good to be true.
9:30 PM - We slowly gathered up the rest of my family, piled up in the car and headed for home. Not only was I in desperate need to change out of my sweat drenched clothing, I was absolutely craving a nice, long, hot shower. Walking up the stairs that night to take my little boy to bed was a bit of a struggle as my body was completely aware of what I had just put it through. But, ironically enough, I was not in severe pain. Yes, I was extremely fatigued, but after conditioning myself for almost a year, I was pleasantly surprised at how well my body had adjusted to such a grueling day. I slowly knelt down on the floor next to my angel’s bed, we said our nightly prayers and then he said something to me that I will never forget…”Mommy, I’m so proud of you!” Euphoria – total euphoria! V
“Stacey Callan, YOU |46|
U ARE AN IRONMAN!” verite.mag FALL 2013 |47|
you
Taking Care of
Story by
|48|
Tracy Gardner Beno, RN
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
I
t’s that time of year: The evenings are cooler, holiday trimmings begin appearing in stores, and school busses lumber down the streets once again. Whether it’s the extra hours freed up as we send our kids and grandkids back to school, or the reminder that another year will soon be coming to a close, autumn seems to be the time when thoughts turn to finally taking care of those health issues we’ve attempted to put on hold or dragged our feet taking care of. Even when we are diligent and see the doctor regularly, many women notice that, as we age, it becomes more and more difficult to get all of our concerns addressed. Just as it would be impossible to cover every single health complaint we have in one single appointment, it would take forever and a day to make one visit for each complaint. The key to taking care of our health becomes knowledge and prioritization. Most physicians do not mind patients utilizing books and the internet (wisely) as a resource to gain information and insight into our bodies. What they do mind is when we attempt to self-diagnose. Walking into your doctor appointment armed with questions based on reputable information for a diagnosis your doctor has already confirmed is just smart. Attempting to handle on your own the new shooting pain down your leg or a painful lump in your neck is not. Issues that are affecting your daily living, that have a new onset, or are simply worrying you should be discussed and treated by your doctor.
verite.mag FALL 2013 |49|
photo courtesy of healthwise-everythinghealth.blogspot.com
photo courtesy of gettyimages.com
photo courtesy of oprah.com
photo courtesy of oprah.com
These tips are effective for making the most of time spent in the doctor’s office: • When calling to make the appointment, inform the receptionist of the primary concern. Then let her know there are a few other issues you’d like to discuss with the doctor while you are there. Ask for a little extra time to be scheduled if needed. • • Never assume that a bothersome symptom is simply part of the aging process. While it’s true that our bodies change physiologically as we get older, many symptoms we experience have easy remedies or are clues to treatable conditions that we are unaware of.
|50|
show that we absorb and comprehend limited details after being given surprising or disturbing news. If you expect to receive any significant information--test results, prognosis, treatment plan for a new condition--having another set of ears in the exam room is an excellent idea. Bring all prescription bottles (this not only aids the doctor in terms of specific doses, schedule and who prescribed what, but provides valuable information as to what refills are needed), as well as a detailed list of all over the counter medications including vitamins and herbal supplements.
• In the days before the appointment, compile a list of important concerns needing attention.
• Bring a list of other physicians and specialists you have seen within the last year.
• Consider enlisting a friend or family member to accompany you, someone whom you will be comfortable speaking candidly in front of. Studies
• Be honest about your habits. Most doctors have seen and heard it all. This is the best way to help your doctor help you.
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
photo courtesy of oprah.com
• Discuss concerns, addressing the most important or worrisome ones first. • When describing symptoms, be sure to cover: when the problem started, when and how often it happens, anything that makes it better or worse, and any other recent changes that seem to accompany the problem. • At the end of the appointment, take a moment and briefly review your list to be certain you addressed each issue and understand the information provided. • After the appointment, make recommended specialist appointments as soon as possible. • REMEMBER! You are your own best advocate. If you find you forgot to ask something, or don’t understand a portion of the instructions discussed, call and ask to speak to a nurse. The nurse has
access to your chart and the problems discussed while you were there, and can relay questions to the doctor. • Lastly, it’s vital for every woman to be aware of recommended screening guidelines. Discuss with your doctor what is appropriate for your age range. More information can be found here: www.womenshealth.gov www.cdc.gov By taking measures to provide our physicians with a comprehensive view of our overall health and wellness, and making sure we fully understand our plan of treatment, we become effective advocates for our future. It’s hard to imagine a better way to safe guard our most valuable commodity: our health. V
verite.mag FALL 2013 |51|
| EATS & ENTERTAINING |
Photo courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens |52|
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
THANKSGIVING with a
story by STACEY PALMER
twist
Thanksgiving is one of the holidays where tradition and ritual take precedence over innovation. But this year, why not mix it up a bit with a few new dishes? When you gather with family and friends this year, offer the dishes they love but surprise them with your clever makings in the kitchen. Here are some traditional recipes with a twist plus a gravy that is to die for...enjoy.
verite.mag FALL 2013 |53|
|54|
Photo by: Lori Lange of www.recipegirl.com
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
Pumpkin Scalloped Potatoes Ingredients:
1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream ½ cup unsweetened pumpkin puree 1 sprig fresh thyme 2 garlic cloves, smashed ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated is best!) 2 pounds Yukon Gold white potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch slices 2 pounds yams or sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/8inch slices kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 4 ounces Fontina, Havarti or Swiss cheese, shredded ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Cranberry Brown Butter 4 pounds brussels sprouts, halved lengthwise 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil kosher salt and freshly ground pepper ½ pound fresh or thawed frozen cranberries 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger 1½ teaspoons finely grated orange zest 2 sticks (1/2 pound) unsalted butter 1 large shallot, minced 1 teaspoon chopped thyme
Directions: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 2 quart casserole dish with nonstick spray. In a medium saucepan, combine the cream, pumpkin, thyme, garlic and nutmeg and heat over medium-low heat. While the cream sauce is warming, prepare the potatoes. Create three rows of potatoes along the bottom of the dish, overlapping slightly and alternating the two types of potatoes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Remove the cream from heat (fishing out the thyme and garlic and discarding those) and spoon 1/3 of the cream sauce over the potatoes. Combine the two cheeses in a medium bowl. Sprinkle 1/3 of the cheeses over the potatoes too. Create a second layer of potatoes, sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle with 1/3 more of the sauce and 1/3 more of the cheese. Create a third layer of potatoes, sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle with the remainder of the sauce. Bake the potatoes, uncovered, for 50 minutes. Sprinkle the remainder of the cheese on top, and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is slightly browned and bubbly.
Preheat the oven to 400°. On 2 large rimmed baking sheets, toss the brussels sprouts with the oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for about 40 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the sprouts are tender and browned in spots. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, maple syrup, ginger and orange zest. Cook over moderately low heat, stirring, until the cranberries break down and thicken, about 10 minutes. In a medium skillet, cook the butter over moderately high heat until deep golden, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the shallot and thyme and stir into the cranberry sauce. Transfer the butter to a bowl, add the brussels sprouts and toss. Season with salt and serve. Make ahead: The cranberry brown butter can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Gently reheat the butter before tossing with the brussels sprouts.
Recipe courtesy of www.RecipeGirl.com (adapted loosely from this recipe by Tyler Florence)
Recipe courtesy of www.foodandwine.com from Dean Fearing’s Dallas Thanksgiving. Photo by: John Kernick via foodandwine.com. verite.mag FALL 2013 |55|
high heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil, and cook without stirring until edges begin to turn deep golden, about 6 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes. Stir in pecans, vanilla, and salt. Pour filling evenly into cooled tart crust; do not spread it. Let stand at room temperature until cooled and firm, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. (Tart can be wrapped in plastic and stored at room temperature for up to 3 days.) Unmold tart, and serve.
Pecan Praline Tart
Recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart Living, November 2007. photo courtesy of Anna Williams at marthastewart.com
All-purpose flour, for dusting ½ recipe Flaky Pie Dough 2 cups packed light-brown sugar 1 cup heavy cream ½ stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter 2 tablespoons light corn syrup 2 cups coarsely chopped pecans, toasted 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract ½ teaspoon coarse salt
On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 disk of dough to a rectangle about 1/8 inch thick. Fit into a 12by-4 ½-inch rectangular cake ring set on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Trim edges flush with rim. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prick bottom of crust all over with a fork. Freeze 15 minutes. Cut a 17-by-8inch piece of parchment, and place on top of chilled crust. Fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until edges are golden and bottom is firm, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes with weights intact. Remove weights and parchment. Let cool completely. Heat sugar, cream, butter, and corn syrup in a saucepan over medium|56|
Rich Turkey Gravy This recipe makes a generous amount of gravy — we find you can never have enough. Makes about 8 cups. Roasting pan with pan juices from a roast turkey (about 14 lb) Unsalted butter (less than 1 stick), melted, if turkey drippings yield less than ½ cup fat 9 cups hot brown turkey stock 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
Pour pan juices through a fine-mesh sieve into a 2-quart glass measur (do not clean roasting pan), then skim off fat and reserve. (If using a fat separator, pour pan juices
through sieve into separator and let stand until fat rises to top, 1 to 2 minutes. Carefully pour pan juices from separator into a 2-quart measuring cup, and reserve fat left in separator.) If there is less than 1/2 cup reserved fat, add melted butter. Add enough turkey stock to pan juices to total 8 cups liquid (2 quarts). Straddle roasting pan across 2 burners, then add 1 cup of remaining stock and deglaze pan by boiling over high heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits, about 1 minute. Pour through fine-mesh sieve into glass measure with stock. Whisk together reserved fat and flour in a 4-quart heavy saucepan and cook roux over moderately low heat, whisking, 5 minutes. Add hot stock with pan juices in a stream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps, then bring to a boil, whisking. Stir in any turkey juices accumulated on platter and simmer gravy 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Cooks’ note: Gravy can be thickened using cornstarch instead of a roux. Discard fat from pan juices. Cool 1 cup of stock (uncovered) or bring to room temperature. Stir the 1 cup stock into 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon cornstarch in a bowl until cornstarch is dissolved. Pour 8 cups stock with pan juices (see recipe, above) plus deglazed pan drippings into a 4-quart heavy saucepan and heat over high heat until hot. Stir cornstarch mixture, then add to hot stock in a stream, whisking constantly. Bring gravy to a boil, whisking constantly, then stir in any turkey juices from platter and boil gravy, whisking, 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Recipe courtesy of www.epicurious.com recipe by: James Peterson jimcooks.com; photo by Romulo Yanes via epicurious.com
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
Picture courtesy of Ten June Blog
| TABLE DECOR | Glass hurricanes with small pumpkins make for a fun centerpiece if you have multiple tables to set. For the centerpiece, use an oblong wood bowl to hold persimmon branches, dusty miller, bittersweet, whole persimmons, brunia, orange dahlias, and ranunculus.
Photo courtesy of Santa Barbara Chic
|2
| INVITES | 1 | Charming Checks $14/10 cards by Studio Basics at www.tinyprints.com� 2 | Thanksgiving Feast $22/10 invitations by Dwell Studio at www.tinyprints.com
|1
verite.mag FALL 2013 |57|
| HOME |
|58|
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
A BARREL OF EASE Story by AMY MCINTIRE
M
y thoughts to you this season come via mobile-ville. We have entered a time in our lives where we can type an article into our phone to meet a deadline and we can step away from our gardens because nothing is going to stop those squash and tomatoes from ripening now. We have entered the glory days in a gardener’s growing cycle - the dog days of summer where it might be too hot for weeds to grow and we look to the skies for that late summer storm to give our crops a drink! While I am typing this on a tiny 4 inch screen from a swing in Sleeping Bear National Forest, I am not worrying about my babies (the tomatoes) because my rain barrels are up and set to drip. If you haven’t enjoyed the benefits of rain barrels yet, you need to! They catch free water from the sky and hold it until it’s needed. They also help you save a bundle on your water bill and nourish your garden as Mother Nature intended. You can make rain barrels yourself, (just make certain you have a good grade barrel), or you can buy them. Many catalogues have them in all different styles, colors, and drip systems. At seasons end, unhook them, empty, and tuck away for next year. Every gutter on our house is a source for catching rain water. So if you are adventurous, here is a link to make your own. If you aren’t up to the task, that is totally okay - you can find some real beauties at www. rainbarrelsource.com. So next summer when you want to get away to recharge your batteries, you can… you and your rain barrels will make quite a team! V
verite.mag FALL 2013 |59|
HOME-SPIRATION with Liz Bachman
i create.
Messes huge and small, art from time-to-time, places to live and relax, desserts that taste amazing and desserts that taste like dirt. I style homes by day and blog by night. And if you’re like me, you’re searching for a daily dose of style inspiration, or you’re bored. Those both bored and looking for inspiration are welcome. No judgment here. Find me at www. greyandscout.com; on instagram and pinterest.
|60|
photo courtesy of Grace Combs Photography for Glitter Guide
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
Wood island with marble counter top: beautiful way to add a pop of unique interest using material versus color
photo courtesy of southernexposure1.squarespace.com
photo courtesy of breadandolives.tumblr.com
I
’ve had the kitchen on the brain lately. And this rare cool, foggy Denver morning (I forgot what humidity was like) has me thinking about fall, which of course makes me stupid excited to hole up in the kitchen and bake away! Yes, yes, I’m one of those ridiculous people who is always yearning for the next season six minutes after being in the current one. It’s a legit problem. Anyway, a future project may present the possibility of designing a kitchen, so I’m storin’ up some ideas! I’m thinkin’ clean, bright, sophisticated with some out-of-thebox details like the ones in these beautiful kitchens . . .
Antique mirror over oven: pretty much genius and gorgeous wrapped into one
verite.mag FALL 2013 |61|
Vintage wood table, doubles as island and dining table, also combo of old wood and sleek marble top; love it when opposites attract
|62|
photo courtesy of www.houseandhome.com
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
Space saver: not enough room for a kitchen table? Sawhorse legs (I believe these are from IKEA - I made my desk using these - $10) and wood top (from local lumber yard, stain/seal it, so simple)
Open shelves: love the look and convenience of open shelving, especially this since it adds a great pop of interest because of its unexpected location in the middle of the row of cabinets, also, really diggin’ the minimalist hardware
photo courtesy of www.designsponge.com
MAGNIFICENT SPACE FILLED TO THE BRIM WITH GORGEOUS VIEWS! FIVE THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT THIS
photo courtesy of www.homesadore.com verite.mag FALL 2013 |63|
photo courtesy of www.jutehome.com
Function: buffet and cabinets in one, this one is simple and sophisticated, my fave look (I’ve been really drawn to the slate, wood, white and stainless combo lately . . . )
|64|
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
SOME PRETTY LIL’ THINGS THAT CAUGHT MY EYE whirlwind jute rug | ‘do what matters’ gold foil print | blue oblong abbesses serving plates | ‘just a little note’ set | brass satellite chandelier | hand spun stripe throw | gold leaf bar cart | vintage brass bud vase | ‘live free’ oatmeal hand soap | striped stoneware mixing bowls verite.mag FALL 2013 |65|
GRANDMA’S KNITTING KEEPS GETTING SEXIER!
story by ABBY FEINKNOPF
photo courtesy of Elena Rosenberg Cowl Scarf |66| See something
you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
photo courtesy of www.yorklibraries.org
A
dmit it! At some point in your life you were probably the recipient of a fuzzy scarf or sweater vest, lovingly knitted by your Grandma. Those were the days, pre-computer, when daily distractions only included the telephone and a chatty neighbor, therefore granting Grandma plenty of time to knit gifts for the family, using the standard tools of her day: simple plastic knitting needles and acrylic yarn in drab, primary colors. Well look out because Grandma’s knitting just keeps getting sexier! With The Craft Yarn Council’s 2013 survey showing 50 million people knitting today, a lot has changed in this needle art since Grandma’s era. Consistent changes in today’s yarn offerings are the most significant improvements. Hand-dyed yarns now allow endless color options in today’s marketplace, while computerized-dyeing allows for the creation of specialty yarns that are “self-striping” for example, thus making a colored, repeating pattern within the knitted piece. Yarn’s fiber sources are also changing and expanding to include animal fibers far beyond that of Grandma’s sheep! Today’s yarn choices include the fibers from alpaca, bison and musk ox (known as Qiviut) as well as sustainable and
verite.mag FALL 2013 |67|
photo courtesy of www.allaboutyou.com
eco-friendly plant-based fibers such as soy, hemp and bamboo…even seaweed! Blended yarns are also a growing trend, with endless combinations evolving, like that of alpaca, cotton and linen, rendering Grandma’s itchy acrylic yarn rather passé`! TNNA, The National NeedleArts Association, based in Zanesville, Ohio, works to further the needle arts through national chapters and annual conventions. The summer TNNA convention, this year held in Columbus, Ohio, sets the stage for introducing the fall collections and latest in knitting yarns, wools and fibers, as well as accessories. Running simultaneously to the marketplace/show floor, where buyers are perusing and choosing for their shops, there are ongoing educational segments occurring onsite as well. Several
|68|
photo courtesy of urban-knits.blogspot.com
days of educational forums share the latest trends while updating shop owners, buyers, distributors, designers, teachers and general enthusiasts on the “must know” topics and “how-to’s” for the year. While new pattern books and stitch guides continue to be published, social media is of course the driving force behind knitting’s comeback and it’s mass appeal. “How to” videos have emerged, thanks to Youtube, which assist the beginning knitter in learning how to cast on and off as well as providing a visual guide of finishing techniques. While Facebook and Pinterest provide a virtual show & tell and the ultimate displays of knitting eye candy, online sites like Etsy, further sales of knitted items. Twitter of course furthers the dialogue, while popular blogs,
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
photo courtesy of meridianarial.blogspot.com
like Ravelry, bring tried and true advice, tips and visual comradery to the passionate knitter! In addition to the online unification of knitters, offline knitting communities are growing throughout the country. Knitting-themed events, like “Sip and Stitch” are now bringing knitters together over their shared needle art and cocktails! (And to think, sadly Grandma only had the creaking of her rocking chair and a glass of sweet tea for company!) So what’s sexy in knitting now? What knitting trends came out of TNNA’s 2013 summer convention? First, there has been a definite shift in popularity from scarves to garments like jackets, sweaters, vests and wraps. Equally hot is the trend of accessorizing with
novelty yarns and stitching with unique needles. Square needles can now be found in metal as well as wood, and hexagonal needles are becoming popular, while the most unique are the glass needles, with their beautiful designs! So you want to start knitting? Check out your local yarn shops for classes and comradery! To stay on top of trends in knitting, consider a membership to TNNA; The Craft Yarn Council and/or the Knitting Guild of America! References: The National NeedleArts Association; The Yarn Shop, Columbus, Ohio V
verite.mag FALL 2013 |69|
CURRENT BOOK
| R E A D LO O
Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld From an early age, Kate and her identical twin sister, Violet, knew that they were unlike everyone else. Kate and Vi were born with peculiar “senses”, innate psychic abilities concerning future events and other people’s secrets. Though Vi embraced her visions, Kate did her best to hide them. Funny, haunting, and thought-provoking.
CLASSIC BOOK
Sounder by William H. Armstrong Don’t laugh. Yes, preteens read it for school. Yes, it’s sad. But we guarantee, Sounder takes on a whole new meaning as an adult. It may be the most powerful 100 pages you’ll ever read. |70|
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
OK LISTEN|
The Civil Wars The Civil Wars This album is the work of two people who still care for each other yet are no longer together. It’s also quite good, making The Civil Wars’ breakup a total drag.
American Hustle Starring Bradley Cooper, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence The next great thing from director David O. Russell, who brought us Silver Linings Playbook, is the story of a con artist and his partner in crime. Both are forced to work with a federal agent to turn the tables on other cons, mobsters, and politicians - namely the volatile Mayor of impoverished Camden, New Jersey. Get your hustle on this December.
Luke Bryan Crash My Party Super hunky + a dynamite voice = Luke Bryan’s new album is hitting #1 on the country charts all across the U.S.
verite.mag FALL 2013 |71|
EATON’S R
a place lik
|72|
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
RANCH
ke no other
story by KATIE HOLDEN
O
k, let’s get serious for a second. This place is one of my all-time favorites. For real. And it’s the real deal. My family has been coming here for years – Eatons Ranch in Wolf, WY. Even if you don’t think you are into horseback riding,
My Favorite part: hair whipping back, galloping through a mountain valley My least: leaving In one word: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
verite.mag FALL 2013 |73|
Inside Scoop - The skinny
you should check this place out. The ranch abuts the Big Horn National Forest, so, in all, you have access to about 7,000 acres of gorgeous country. Mountains, hills, rivers, valleys, plains ….all kinds of terrain. It’s breathtaking. The cabins are rustic, comfortable and unplugged. No TVs and no cell phone reception (that will probably slowly change). There are plenty of games, puzzles and books available. You will find you become truly disconnected. Relaxed yet? • All meals are included and it’s ranch style eatin’…bring your appetite! Once you hear that bell ring (no joke), you’ll head on up to the Dining Hall where you’ll eat family style. Hearty breakfasts with eggs, potatoes, thick cut bacon, and all the fixins – including the “Gold Coast Toast” which is a must; lunches are pretty standard and tasty – sandwiches, fruit/salad, chips, and if you’re lucky, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies; and dinner is solid – meat, potatoes, salads, (they do now offer vegetarian options) and even a steak cookout once a week. • This is not fancy-schmancy. If you’re looking for The Ritz, make a reservation at The Ritz. If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway surrounded by nature, great people (think real cowboys/cowgirls), a casual, laid-back atmosphere, the perfect place for kids to take off and explore without having to worry, and let’s not forget, some of the best horses you’ll ever find, then this is a place I guarantee you will end up visiting more than once. • Eaton’s is the perfect place for a family reunion, a girls getaway, or just your immediate family needing some “unplugged” quality time. |74|
Must See/Do “Touristy”
(fyi, there is nothing really ‘touristy’ about this place)
• You have to go riding….even if you are a novice. They have a couple hundred head of fantastic horses that fit all shapes/sizes/skill levels. You can have a wrangler accompany you for the ride, or not. The ‘or not’ is one of the many reasons this place is so special – most dude ranches will force you to have someone ride with you for liability reasons. Eatons doesn’t roll that way (something about being grandfathered in, I think). A slice of the true west for us city slickers. • Sheridan is about a 40 minute drive from the ranch. It hosts an amazing, historic bar called The Mint and has some western shops and restaurants. It’s worth a stroll to check out some cowboy boots and then you can sidle up to the bar for a cold one. verite.mag FALL 2013 |75|
Must See/Do “Local Flavor” • If you really want to see how the locals unwind, take a trip to Dayton about 10 miles north of the ranch to the Mountain Inn Bar. Country dancing, pool tables, pickled eggs, boxed wine….it’s great. Or maybe you’d prefer the Crazy Woman Saloon, another classic. (and if the smell of cigarette smoke offends you, you might want to steer clear of the latter) • Usually in July there is a rodeo in Sheridan. I highly recommend buying a ticket as you will see a real rodeo in action. It’s a ton of fun and great for the whole family.
|76|
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
Tips • Think about the time of year you’d like to visit. Spring (early June) will bring high rivers, wildflowers and fresh, lively horses. Summer brings the heat, longer days and a larger social calendar. Fall is quieter, offers crisp mornings and plenty of chances to see wild game – moose, antelope, and pronghorns, to name a few. • Ask about all-day or overnight rides. If you go on an all-day, you will get a sack lunch to take. If you go on an overnight, a pack horse and wrangler will join and you will be treated to the best dinner and breakfast ever, high up in the mountains. Hard to beat. • If you’re a horseman/woman – ask one of the wrangler’s about joining the morning wrangle. You. Will. Love. It. • Not to miss: for a first ride, Chocolate Drop is hard to beat. South Red and Mile High are also a must. And The Cave is a good trip for those of you who don’t mind a short, up-hill hike off horse. • Lastly, try not to be too much of a “dude”. Leave any uptight tendencies at home. This place is chill.
V
verite.mag FALL 2013 |77|
MaryAnn Bekkedahl and her team
A TOTAL KEEP-ER story by KELLY HOLDEN ALLEN
|78|
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
Do you have a Keep It button yet? If not, it may be the first thing you do after reading this. Keep.com is like Pinterest – but way more interactive and ten times as productive. Nothing against Pinterest – most of us know and love it - but how many times do you find that one killer handbag that someone pinned, only to have no idea where it came from, let alone, where to purchase it? This is where Keep.com rocks. Enter MaryAnn Bekkedahl. MaryAnn is the President and Founder of Keep.com, based in NYC. After spending more than fifteen years in the likes of traditional media, including being named Publisher of the Year in 2009, MaryAnn saw a shift in how people not only wanted to consume content, but also how they preferred to shop. She was excited at the prospect of trying to meet that demand but in a new way. The idea of letting the “community be the merchants”, as Bekkedahl puts
it, was the impetus behind Keep. That, and the fact that “as business people, we recognized that 7% of commerce was taking place online, but that number grew to 35% around the holidays.” Knowing that people knew how to shop online was a given, trying to provide a unique, engaging, and both visually and user friendly platform was the challenge. In a few words, they pretty much nailed it. Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, founder of ApartmentTherapy.com said Keep.com was “like having an army of personal shoppers”. He couldn’t be more right. At first blush, it’s clean design, easy to navigate site, and beautiful imagery had me at hello. Beyond that, it’s fun. As Bekkedahl puts it, “I want to shop stuff that other people that have better taste than me like… verite.mag FALL 2013 |79|
MaryAnn’s preferences: beer or wine - wine, for sure! dog or cats - nope sweet or sour - SWEET! favorite vacation destination - what’s a vacation? favorite past time - working. really. ask my husband.
favorite cocktail - (see above, wine!) biggest pet peeve - poorly written grammar and misspellings. It’s not that hard, people!
then I automatically know it’s cool.” You can follow others whose style you admire – giving you as a user a more tailored, custom feed - and watch what they “keep” (or like). And the best part? If you love it, it’s only a click or two away before it’s yours. Who doesn’t like instant gratification? And if you prefer the collecting end of it vs. trolling for products to buy (although it’s hard to resist), you can easily create your own profile, and “keep” what catches your eye. Similar to Pinterest, you can drag a “keep it” button to your tool bar, and as you navigate the web, use the button to post items to your boards. But where Keep shines, is that both the item and the price are automatically posted, along with a link to the product itself. It really is an “uber-aggregator of all products”, says Bekkedahl. When it comes to maintaining some type of work/family balance (yes, I realize it’s becoming cliché to always ask women about how they juggle, but I’m always curious and looking for ideas), Bekkedahl and her husband made some specific choices. Moving outside of the city to a suburb so she can walk her boys to school in the morning was one of them. She also makes it a priority to involve her kids in the business – letting them know what’s going on; what’s new and exciting. If Keep has a record day, they will know about it. She loves “having them feel like they are a part of the team… they are invested and are rooting and pulling for us.” What’s in store for Keep? Later this fall, look for their app. I dare you not to get hooked. V
|80|
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
what a joke story by KELLY HOLDEN ALLEN images shared via PINTEREST
We thought we’d shake things up a bit. While we receive great feedback from you when we post inspirational quotes to our Pinterest board and Facebook page, we figured we’d go for a little humor this time around. If you have any favorites, please share them with us at chat@veritemag.com and we’ll include what we can in our Holiday issue and on our “What a Joke” board on Pinterest. For more gems, follow us by clicking on any of the icons to the left.
verite.mag FALL 2013 |81|
Founder, Charles Best, with students
Ingenuity at Work Teachers get creative to fund special projects Story by LIBBY HELD Photos courtesy of DONORSCHOOSE.ORG
|82|
It’s a marketing push that rivals holiday shopping. It begins way too soon, for some, straight after the 4th of July celebration. Yet, teachers welcome the back-to-school sales and promotions. With school budgets across the nation being cut and consolidated, teachers are left with dwindling funds to stock their classrooms. They must use old fashioned ingenuity to make things happen.
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
| GIVE IT UP | As a teacher, myself, I know first hand the out-of-pocket money I spent to stock my classroom. Twelve years ago when I started teaching, I received $150 a year from my district to buy supplies. At that time as a high school teacher, I had 10 classes per year and approximately 150 students per year. Today, I receive $75 a year to buy supplies. I teach 12 classes and have approximately 300 students. The math does not equate to properly funding a classroom. Needless to say, the supply budget only covers daily necessities: pencils, pens, sticky notes, highlighters, markers, scissors, erasers, etc. Yet, what about the meat and potatoes that are needed for truly enriching educational experiences: engaging books, new technology, and field trips? The budgets for these materials are just as scarce. I know a fellow teacher who uses her credit card reward points to buy young adult literature books, much to her husband’s distaste. With all of the budget deficits, it isn’t a surprise that teachers are turning to a relatively new website for help. www.DonorsChoose is a website where teachers can post a proposal for funding for a project. Anyone can then log onto DonorsChoose, search for meaningful projects teacher’s have proposed, and donate to their educational plans. English teacher, Cameron Holden, from Natomas United School District in Sacramento, California found huge success when she posted a need for supplemental materials for her eighth grade Holocaust unit. Given the district textbook offered only one play about Anne Frank, Holden yearned to provide her students with a more substantial learning experience. As Holden states, “One perspective is not enough to study the Holocaust.”
WITH ALL OF THE BUDGET DEFICITS, IT ISN’T A SURPRISE THAT TEACHERS ARE TURNING TO A RELATIVELY NEW WEBSITE FOR HELP. DONORSCHOOSE IS A WEBSITE WHERE TEACHERS CAN POST A PROPOSAL FOR FUNDING FOR A PROJECT.
Holden’s proposal asked for donors to fund a young adult fiction and non-fiction library for her students to utilize in researching the Holocaust. After reading these texts, students would then pick an individual from the Holocaust and trace their life story and create a presentation for the class. After reaching her goal of $400, Holden was able to purchase 120 books for her students. With titles ranging from the popular novel The Book Thief to graphic novels like Maus to real life accounts of In My Hands: Memories of an Holocaust Rescuer, Holden was able to provide her students with an enriched perspective of the Holocaust, a means to see the complexity of the time period.
verite.mag FALL 2013 |83|
“If kids can’t relate with the main character, they check out,” shares Holden, “These books gave my students a buy-in.” A six-year teaching veteran, Holden found her students were begging for better resources. “They were excited about it,” adds Holden, “I had some students read five to six books through out the unit.” Holden’s project was funded quickly, within one week. With the ability to advertise projects on social media like Facebook, Holden found the experience easy to market. Yet, most of Holden’s donors were complete strangers. In Natomas Middle School, where 75% of the students receive free or reduced lunch, this success was more than just an enriching learning experience. It provided them with a sense of hope for humanity. Holden shares, “It was cool for these kids to think that random people would help them.” In addition, DonorsChoose often has major organizations offer matching donations. With this, Holden was able to pay it forward, so to speak. She received a gift card where she could then pick projects from other teachers to fund. The experience, overall, was more rewarding than Holden could imagine. “Teachers complain that they’re |84|
powerless,” says Holden, “Yet, I’m advocating on their [students] behalf. They do not have to be the victim of budget cuts.” Holden continues to explain how this experience renewed her own spirit in the how our society values education. Recently, Holden has been transferred to teach at the district high school. Once established in her new role, she plans to empower her students again by proposing another project. Currently, moms all over the nation are taking snapshots of their excited and anxious kids with their backpacks strapped and smiles, or maybe, frowns on their first day of school. After you take a deep exhale, and maybe mix a cocktail, to celebrate that your kids are back in school, take a minute to look at the projects on DonorChoose. You, too, will be paying it forward by providing students with more than just necessary supplies. You will be providing them with an authentic learning experience that they will remember for a lifetime. V
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
WANT MORE? JOIN US DAILY ON
verite.mag FALL 2013 |85|
Meet the Gal Behind
“So Says, Southside Mary” Story by STACEY PALMER
|86|
S
o, I met Mary Schueneman about 5 years ago while on vacation. My first impression of her: pretty, blond, tall, fab clothes and funny. She is a friend of a friend who I immediately hit it off with...one of the kind of girls that you know right away that you could tell anything (especially when we both realized we have an immense infatuation with anything related to the Royal family). Mary has incredible wit when it comes to discussing movie stars and the tabloids. So we told her “why not take advantage of the World Wide Web and start your own blog tabloiding about the tabloids?” Here is a little something about Southside Mary:
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
s.com of mercurynew sy te ur co o ot ph
What was your inspiration for SSM?
I am a happily married, mother of three living in the Chicago suburb, Naperville. I am an Irish/Italian Southwest side of Chicago city girl at heart. On the Southwest side, where sarcasm is a way of life, I sharpened my tongue into its current razor-like state and my deep-seated love of the “F word?” You’ll have to forgive my profanity...I can’t help it...it’s in my blood. I so enjoy reading about the lives, lies, looks and lusts of celebrities – B-List and A-List; it doesn’t matter. It’s all about the story. For years, my friends have been telling me that my tabloid commentary is funny. So when you, Jen, and Kris said I should write it all down after a couple of beers in South Haven, I came home and started. It’s really hard to get followers without advertisers on blogspot.com so I just made my own Facebook page and off I went. It was my intention in the beginning to kind of poke fun at the magazines themselves - they have to be making some of this stuff up, right?
photo courtesy of ju
stjared.com
Which celebrities do you love to dish about and why?
When I first started, I thought “I’m not even going to talk about reality TV “stars”, their only talent is kicking up drama for the camera, but the Kardashians are such low hanging fruit, that it’s hard not to rip on them! I’m also tiring of the celebrities we see in the tabloids week after week. The Lindsay’s, the Jennifer’s, The Real Housewives of Whoreville…they are all starting to bore me. There’s only so long you can stare at an accident on the side of the road before you realize you’re going to be late for work, you know? That’s how I feel about those over exposed types. Enough is enough! Give me a big fat helping of Jesse James cheated on Sandra Bullock with a porn star any day of the week. Give me a big ol’ Arnold had a baby with his nanny sandwich. I love digging into a good old-fashioned Hollywood scandal. Am I right? Put it on the cover, let’s hear about it! verite.mag FALL 2013 |87|
photo court esy
gar.com photo courtesy of popsu
If you could be Barbara Walters for a day, which celebrities would you choose to interview?
Prince Harry for obvious reasons. I would probably seem like a lecherous old man to him, but so what? Will & Jada Smith because I feel like my gay-dar would confirm my suspicions that they are each other’s beard. Beyonce and JayZ. She has this squeaky clean reputation yet she marries a trash talkin’, pot smokin’ thug. It doesn’t add up. One of them is a very good actor. Remember when Whitney Houston married Bobby Brown and we were all like “*gasp* huh?” That’s because they had us believing she was an angel the whole time. Turns out, she was a hot mess, just like him!
|88|
Who is on your best and worst dressed list?
I’ll give you three of each…Best- Cameron Diaz, Kate Blanchet and Salma Hayek. They always look great. Always. Worst- Anyone named Jessica – Biel, Simpson, Alba. If you were stranded on an island, what 3 things would you need?
Chapstick SPF 45, I get nasty sun blisters without it. A weekly delivery of any tabloid a la ‘message in a bottle’ style. And send along a bottle of wine, too. I do my best work after a couple of cocktails. Putting a glass of wine in me is like putting a quarter in the jukebox. The hits just keep on comin’.
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links
of
Finish these sentences… Sometimes I forget that…my children can read and are at a tender age where they are easily embarrassed by their foulmouthed mom. Coffee goes well with…my computer. Coffee, the computer, a tabloid. I’m set. If I were a TV character, it would have to be…Edith Bunker. For sure. My voice is kind of nasally, I yell at my family the way she yelled at Archie and Gloria, but was always the voice of reason. justjared.c om
.com tonpost g n ffi u of h ourtesy photo c
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Oh gosh, well I’m already starting to feel irrelevant because I don’t even know who half of these little starlets are! In ten years no one will give a sh*t about Brad and Angelina, they won’t remember when he was married to Jen. So I guess I better start watching shows like Pretty Little Liars. Any predictions for this fall’s tabloids?
I almost hate to say this, but I don’t think the Kim Kardashian/Kanye West thing is going to end well. He seems a little bit too unstable for me. You and I totally called the “North” thing back in March so my gut feelings on these two might be valid. I don’t think Brad and Angelina will ever get married. I don’t care if Jennifer Aniston ever does. It will come out that LeAnn Rimes is unable to have babies, someone will die an untimely death, and someone else will be busted cheating…blahblahblah. The stories are always the same, the characters just change. It just depends on who the character is that validates the $4.00 investment in the magazine, right? Oh…and what’s up with Bruce Jenner… he’s going to be photographed walking around Malibu with no pants on soon enough…mark my words! V
rom f e y mor See Mar e d i hs ay Sout olid H r her in ou n o or . issue page k o ebo fac
verite.mag FALL 2013 |89|
want more? Subscribe.
|90|
See something you love? Hover over the page for clickable links