` SUMMER 2014
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| CONTENTS | 4 | meet the team
find out who is behind this thing anyway
8 | editor’s note 14 | dig it 16 | accent on chic pursuit of passion
40 | our bodies staying motivated
70 | eats & entertaining food for comfort
80 | at home
the modern mudroom
96 | give it up songs for sound
106 | sweet sites
veritemag.com summer 2014 |3|
| OUR TEAM |
kelly holden allen founder | editor
jennifer cain creative director | asst. editor
chel kissler graphic designer
stacey palmer features director
georgia kontos advertising director
Let’s face it: I want it all-just like you and everybody else. It may not be in the cards, but the prospect is so dazzling that I have to try.
- Lauren Bacall
AUTHENTIC A |4|
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| OUR CONTRIBUTORS |
tracy gardner beno contributor
janna coumoundouros photographer
abby feinknopf contributor
shonnery pettit health contributor
miranda boyle style contributor
cameron holden travel contributor
southside mary contributor
AT ANY AGE veritemag.com summer 2014 |5|
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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
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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.
Instant. Gratification. veritemag.com summer 2014 |7|
| EDITOR’S PAGE |
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t’s official, fall is in full swing. I’m not sure where the time goes as it truly feels like yesterday was June. But I probably say that every year - or month. We’re so excited to finally bring you our November issue - chock full of great tips, and featuring some even greater women! You may notice that in every issue we highlight one of us forty+ gals pursuing a passion; well, I’m happy to tell you that in this issue we bring you several! Two of whom are Angela Meleca and Miranda Boyle - a couple of absolute dynamos from Columbus, OH, who scream inspiration and exude energy in spades. And you’ll also get to meet a few women who make staying healthy a priority, while striving to juggle (or balance, depending on you look at it) everything else. Speaking of juggling, as the next months pass, you’ll notice some changes with vérité as well. We’ve been exploring options to bring you more relevant content more frequently and easily, so be on the look out for a new website that focuses on our goal of delivering those things we know women forty and up are looking and asking for. As always, we’d love to hear from you, so please don’t be shy - we value your input. Tell us what you think at chat@veritemag.com. Cheers,
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Behind the Scenes Photographer JANNA COUMOUNDOUROS Make-up TIM MAURER, MUKHA SPA AND CUSTOM COSMETICS
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man-up Whether it’s your fave boyfriend jeans, trousers, or a killer dress, add a pair of snappy loafers and you’re good to go!
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1| Dolce Vita Pallas Studded Oxfords | $179
Bond No. 9 New Candle 2| Eastland Bucksport York Oxford | | $98
$55
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3| Vince Milo Loafer | $129
ns & N o 4| Angela Scott Spectator | $495 e Pantone N wn t bi Bro Ultra Viole BobUniverse in 5| Sperry Ashbury Oxford $90 glo|ssby Lippaint Valspar | $98 6| Tom’s Grey Wool Brogues | $32/gallon
7| Prada Spazzolato Cap Toe Lace Up | $790
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8| BedStu Lita Oxford | $165 9| Attilio Giusti Brogue Oxford | $380 | 11
Manolo 10| Hinge Leggett Oxford Blahnik | $79 Tayler Suede d’Orsay 11| Frye Anna Leather Oxford Pump || $735
$228
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BAG
A smattering of our fave fall handbags. Key words to rememb
| 1 | Lily Mini Backpack by Tory Burch $395 | 2 | Slouchy Zip Front Hobo Bag by Top Sh | 4 | Medium Paraty Satchel by Chloe $1950 | 5 | Zipped Bucket Bag by Zara $80 | 6 | Small | 8 | Haircalf Medium Popoche Zip Pouch by Jerome Dreyfuss $330 | 9 |14|
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G IT
ber? Oversized, black, metallic, or backpack. Or all of the above.
hop $65 | 3 | Diego – Rhodium Metallic Lambskin Bucket Bag by Alexander Wang $950 l Falabella Metallic Tote by Stella McCartney $1265 | 7 | Pilot Back Pack by Rag & Bone $725 | Work Tote by Loeffler Randall $650 | 10 | Collins Tote by Milly $465 veritemag.com summer 2014 |15|
ON TREND
feathers and animal print!
Angela | left clothing by Rowe Boutique Miranda | right clothing by Thread |16|
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PURSUING Story by KELLY HOLDEN ALLEN Photography by JANNA COUMOUNDOUROS, LILACPOP STUDIO Wardrobe provided by THREAD AND ROWE BOUTIQUE Make-up by TIM MAURER/MUKHA SPA AND CUSTOM COSMETICS Location ANGELA MELECA GALLERY
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o you ever find yourself running into a woman - a complete stranger, mind you - and within moments, you’re talking to her as though you’ve known her all your life? All the while wondering how you can bottle some of her energy, enthusiasm, passion, and overall joie de vivre and make it your own? This is how it felt, and still feels, every time I find myself engaging with either of these women. Meet Angela Meleca, owner of Angela Meleca Gallery, and Miranda Boyle, owner of Thread. Two Columbus-based women who have been able to turn what they love into their career. And who were not only willing to answer some questions around just how they did that, but also graciously agreed to model for us some of fall’s best looks. veritemag.com summer 2014 |17|
Clothes | Shoes | Jewelry Thread Opposite Page On Left, clothing available at Thread On right, clothing available at Rowe |18|
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ON TREND
over-the-knee boots, oversized dutch, leather leggings; drop pendant necklace veritemag.com summer 2014 |19|
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ON TREND
Fur (faux or legit); and not so trend, a classic white blouse
Clothing available at Rowe veritemag.com summer 2014 |21|
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ON TREND
military and distressed denim
Clothing, Shoes and Handbag available at Thread
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It’s a
wrap
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Angela | DOING IT |
M E L E C A story by KELLY HOLDEN ALLEN
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o know her is to love her. She is warm, generous, down to earth, and has impeccable taste to boot. And she finds herself a year into a lifelong dream as the owner of an art gallery bearing her name. If you aren’t a lover of the arts to begin with, I guarantee you will be after spending a few minutes talking to Angela. It is clear she has a passion for her work and for the art and artists she represents. And almost equal to the passion she exudes is a profound sense of gratitude at being able to be where she is today. VM: How did you arrive professionally at where you are today? Did you always have a sense this was what you wanted to do? AM: It’s difficult for me to give a short answer to this question because I never dreamed in a thousand years of owning an art gallery! Many personal circumstances led me to where I am today professionally. Eight years ago I quit working in media and public relations to stay home and take care of our children. The recession hit my husband’s architecture business hard, so I went back to work full-time. When his business recovered, I had more flexibility in choosing whether or not I continue full-time or part-time employment. I wanted to continue to work outside the home mainly so I could afford veritemag.com summer 2014 |29|
to buy art again! It was my husband who suggested I find employment within the arts community. And that led me to the idea of supporting artists through opening a gallery.
VM: Many of us struggle with trying to determine how to turn our passion(s) into something we can actually pursue as a career. When did you realize there was a means to do this, and how |30|
did you begin? AM: For many years I felt at a loss, struggling to find my purpose professionally. I really enjoy various aspects of community, media and public relations, business development and philanthropy. But with all of this, I never found a position that incorporated my interests in a way that both excited and challenged me. My moment of realization came when I
VM: Who were some of your biggest supporters? AM: My husband has been my number one supporter. Without him, none of this would have been possible. I am also fortunate to have a number of people in the art community who have encouraged and supported my endeavor. VM: What was the toughest obstacle you faced and how did you handle it? AM: I think the toughest obstacle was actually making the final decision to open the gallery. Once I decided to go for it, I haven’t looked back.
VM: Any regrets? If you had a chance to do anything differently, what would it be? AM: No regrets. I’m a big believer in “things happen for a reason”. I try and look at every day as a life lesson.
VM: What type of advice would you give women when debating whether or took a closer look at how an art gallery not to take the leap in trying to turn a is simply a platform for promoting passion into some type of career? artists and their work. It finally hit me AM: Find a way to use what you’re good that I could channel my experience in at to enhance what you are passionate communications, marketing and PR, about. Everyone is good at something toward my personal passion for art and – the challenge is in knowing how to supporting artists through promoting take what you’re good at and channel it them in a gallery setting. And doing toward what you’re passionate about. this also enables me to be active in the And find a support group who is able to community. offer advice honestly. veritemag.com summer 2014 |31|
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VM: How do you try to strike a balance between work and home – and also carve time out for yourself? AM: I’m not sure how good I am at balancing work and home life. Most times I feel if I’m not talking about contemporary art then I’m looking at art or thinking about art. I am fortunate that we live on the second floor of the building where the gallery is located. This helps so much when I have to be in the gallery late at night installing work, or meeting clients by appointment after-hours, and for evening opening receptions. My family is so much a part of the gallery and that makes all the difference in the world. And a few months ago I was able to hire a gallery assistant. Having her here has been a tremendous asset which allows me to broaden my reach outside of the gallery through community involvement, as well as being able to carve a little time for myself.
VM: What’s next on the horizon? Where would you like to be in 5 years? AM: I hope to continue to strengthen the reputation of the gallery both through the artists I work with as well as the client base I am building. In 5 years I plan on still being here, doing what I am doing today. Focusing on promoting and supporting cutting edge, thought provoking and experimental contemporary fine art. V
WINE OR COCKTAIL? Wine BEACH OR SKI VACATION? Beach MOVIE OR MUSICAL? Movie FAVORITE COLOR? Green FAVORITE QUOTE? “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” Mother Theresa HUGH JACKMAN OR DANIEL CRAIG? David Meleca! HEELS OR FLATS? Depends on the day. DOGS OR CATS? Dog FAVORITE WORD? Thankful BEST MEMORY? Meeting my husband for the first time. IF I COULD MEET ANY FAMOUS PERSON IT WOULD BE... Amedeo Modiglian he was the first artist I recall whose work I was drawn to. veritemag.com summer 2014 |33|
Miranda B O Y L E
story by KELLY HOLDEN ALLEN
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eet Miranda Boyle, owner and curator of Thread - which just happens to be one of the cooler boutiques you will ever find yourself in. Especially their new flagship store in Columbus - replete with a coffee and drink bar on top of some of the most fabulous clothes (men’s and women’s), handbags, baubles, shoes, and home accessories you can imagine. VM: How did you arrive professionally at where you are today? Did you always have a sense this was what you wanted to do? MB: I absolutely chose retail as a profession and it is what I chose to do for my first “real Job” after Ohio State University. I knew it immediately - it was like a big crush. I couldn’t get enough and after working for larger corporations and smaller independent shops, I knew it was something for which I had a passion.
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WINE OR COCKTAIL? Dirty Martini BEACH OR SKI VACATION? BEACH BEACH BEACH MOVIE OR MUSICAL? ohh hard one….Movie FAVORITE COLOR? Sea mist blue FAVORITE QUOTE? Wake up and Sparkle HUGH JACKMAN OR DANIEL CRAIG? Hugh HEELS OR FLATS? Heels DOGS OR CATS? Dog FAVORITE WORD? Bling BEST MEMORY? Living in Hawaii as a child
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VM: Many of us struggle with trying to determine how to turn our passion(s) into something we can actually pursue as a career. When did you realize there was a means to do this, and how did you begin? MB: I stayed home for 10 years after my oldest daughter was born and then had two more daughters in that time period - I really never thought about going back to a career. Then I was on family vacation and talking to my sister about how a friend of my started a boutique and how I wished I would have done it. She encouraged me and became a founding co-owner in THREAD. She has gone onto a career in the financial sector since then but I would have never had the courage to do it without her. She made all the unknowns feel a lot less scary. VM: Who were some of your biggest supporters? MB: First my husband and my children because they are generous with their time and the sacrifices they make for THREAD everyday. My parents are big believers and my siblings have been so supportive as well. My husband’s family has been instrumental. And last but not least I have the friendship of two best girlfriends. We share everything and they have been an amazing support system. It truly has been a village. VM: What was the toughest obstacle you faced and how did you handle it? MB: Opening with so little capital. My sister and I each put $10,000.00 in our initial investment and THREAD did well over a million dollars in revenue our first year so we were literally putting back in the the business every dollar we earned. When you start with such little capital it makes it tough to veritemag.com summer 2014 |37|
manage the strong months and the slower On a serious note though, this is what I struggle with the most there are months. tremendous pressures on mom’s and VM: Any regrets? If you had a chance families today and I think the balance is to do anything differently, what would the hardest thing to manage. I just try to remember that my children are young and it be? MB: Nothing. My belief is on the other side have the smallest voices but you cannot of every obstacle in work you always come forget to listen and make sure you don’t let them have the smallest voices. When out on the better side of things once you are through it no matter how tough it is to business gets crazy it gets easy to throw yourself into that because financially you go through. have a lot to lose, but really that’s nothing if you don’t have your children and VM: What type of advice would you give women when debating whether or family.
not to take the leap in trying to turn a passion into some type of career? MB: DO IT. Better to try than to always wish you had.
VM: What’s next on the horizon? Where would you like to be in 5 years? MB: My big venture and huge challenge
will be moving into private label. I think VM: How do you try to strike a balance as a company we are ready and really between work and home – and also have an opportunity to grow the the carve time out for yourself? THREAD brand and hopefully in 5 years MB: Time for myself? Is that supposed to THREAD can be a brand with National happen? distribution. Bringing a little THREAD to all parts of the country would be an incredible accomplishment. V |38|
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| OUR BODIES |
photo courtesy of fitsugar.com
still searching? story by SHONNERY PETTIT
It’s easy to be motivated to workout and eat healthy at the beginning of every new year. It’s easy to be motivated when you are preparing for a big life event like a wedding, a reunion or a beach vacation. But how do women stay motivated for decades to stay healthy and maintain an active lifestyle? Meet three inspirational women who have found the secret to staying motivated throughout the years while juggling kids/grandkids, jobs and to-do lists.
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DR. TRACY HENSON-MCBEE 43 yrs old | Married with two boys (14 & 10) What defines Tracy? Driven Small Town Girl What motivates Tracy? Trying the Best to be Her Best
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racy is a mom of two very active little boys. She has an extremely busy life, starting every morning at 4:45 a.m. with bed time at 11 p.m. She just recently opened her own private dental practice in Lubbock, Texas and she’s been a dentist for over 16 years. In her spare time, she’s published a cookbook entitled Spurs and Smiles, serves as the bookkeeper for her husband’s cattle operation and is a Team Beachbody Coach. Growing up, Tracy was an active girl. She played basketball, ran track, was a cheerleader and played golf. Her weight has remained pretty consistent throughout her life except for a brief time when activity took a back burner between the years she started dental school until she got pregnant with her first child in 1994. During this time, her weight went up to about 140 lbs due to what she calls “stress” eating. She was studying all the time and getting only about 4 hours of sleep in total. She says she got her weight back under control by getting back to the basics of watching what she ate and running. She will tell you it depends on the day whether or not she ENJOYS working out. Most of the time, it feels like she is getting a jump start on her day because she gets it in at 5 a.m. No matter how tired she is, she just gets up and does it. It has become her routine. Starting her day this way, makes her feel like she has no excuses. She schedules it in just like an appointment, every morning. Her workouts are done 90% of the time to dvds at home, like P90x, Insanity, and most recently Piyo. veritemag.com summer 2014 |43|
There are moments during her workout that she calls upon mantras she learned when she was playing basketball. She will say to herself: “Winners never quit and quitters never win!” In 2012, Toni had to have surgery to correct a bunion on her right foot. This surgery was quite painful but she recovered and went on to accomplish a goal she never dreamed of achieving….running the Las Vegas Rock-n-Roll Half marathon (13.1 miles) before this goal the furthest she had ever run was 3.2 miles (5K). Tracy hated running in junior high and high school. But decided she wanted to push herself outside of her comfort zone. So, she printed a free online training schedule off the internet and ran every training mile by herself on dark country roads before the sun came up. Running in the dark became her quiet time, a time to pray and reflect on her life. Soon, she found that she actually loved running… just her, God and her feet hitting the street. She chose the Rock-n-Roll half in Las Vegas because it was in the dark, the time she found most comforting. On November 17, 2013 with 20,000 people (a few more then what she is used to on her quiet country roads) she accomplished her goal and ran 13.1 miles around the Las Vegas strip at night. So, what motivates someone like Tracy? She says in general she is one of the most competitive people she knows. She attributes it to growing up with a fraternal twin sister who is also quite accomplished. She focuses on words like desire, drive, dedication, determination and perseverance. People have always asked her how she can be so dedicated and disciplined, but he doesn’t have an answer to that question. She is, however, grateful and feels blessed that she was given these gifts. |44|
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HOW DOES TRACY
- Establish a routine. - Schedule early morning workouts to at-home dvds. - Find joy and peace in the quiet moments of her running workouts. - Give herself time to recover from injuries before going back to training. - Uses Social Media to find fitness minded friends and keeps up with the latest fitness trends. - Continually look for ways to better herself.
Y MAKE IT HAPPEN? veritemag.com summer 2014 |47|
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TONI M. BINGHAM 59 yrs old | Married for 35 years with two boys What defines Toni? Strives to take full advantage of the unique gifts God bestowed upon her. What motivates Toni? Being the “best” she can be in all aspects of her life mother, wife, teacher, business professional and fitness advocate. Making a difference in the lives of her family and the people she touches in daily life.
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oni comes from a very athletic family where sports were a big part of their lives. Her father was a professional baseball player (in the old Negro League), and he ran track and played sports in college. All of his children seemed to inherit his athleticism. As an adolescent and teenager, she participated in a variety of school sports including: softball, track, volleyball, dance and was a cheerleader from junior high through college. Her love of athletics and sports led her to obtaining a BS degree in Health and Physical Education. She has been the leader in her family, encouraging them to live an active lifestyle including things like working in the yard, walking/jogging, biking, exercising at the gym and participating in various exercise classes. Toni has always been active and physically fit, but has always been characterized as “big-boned” and felt like she has had to watch her weight over the years. She feels her ideal weight is between 155-165 lbs. After the birth of her second child her weight increased to over 200 lbs. and she had a tough time shedding the extra weight. Through regular exercise and watching her diet, she is back to her ideal weight. veritemag.com summer 2014 |49|
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Toni has a very busy life, she is up in the morning by 4:30 am and usually gets to bed around 10pm. She owns and operates Toni’s Fun Learning Program, a licensed childcare center. She also participates in church activities, manages her household, attends professional training and meetings, and socializes with friends. Exercise is a top priority in her life, so she schedules her exercise sessions first thing in the morning. That way she gets her exercise in before other life events get in the way. On the mornings that she can’t make it to the gym, she rolls out of bed and performs 10-15 minute pushup/sit-up/stretch routine. Initially, she didn’t think she would like working out with free weights or strength machines because she had the impression that they cause women to look too masculine. Now, she has found working with weights can be an ideal way to enhance the feminine shape and form. Toni says she loves working out. She says “Exercise is my “drug” of choice because of the way it makes me feel as a woman, and for the effects it has on my body.” She says a good workout gives her the energy she needs to tackle twelve rumbustious pre-schoolers during a 10-hour workday, and still have a smile on her face at the end of the day for her husband. Her family is her biggest inspiration. She wants to keep looking great for her husband. She also wants to maintain good health so she can fully enjoy activities with her sons. Someday when the time is right, she wants to be an active Grandma who can get down on the floor and play with her grandkids. One of the greatest lessons she has learned is “We each have to define our own measures of success and happiness.” She says we shouldn’t delegate that job to someone else. veritemag.com summer 2014 |51|
HOW DOES TONI M
- Long walks with her husband; it gives them the chance to talk and reconnect as they exercise. - Lots of dance! Danceinfused exercises such as Zumba, Dance Jam or Kickboxing are her favorites. - Hit the gym and be social at the same time. She gets to get a good workout and has met many fitness-minded friends. - She says that for many things in life, just “showing up” is half the battle…
MAKE IT HAPPEN? veritemag.com summer 2014 |53|
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SUSAN “COOKIE” CHAMBERS 68 yrs old | Married for 44 years with two children and 4 grandchildren What defines Cookie? Not a good “relaxer”...always active, focused on doing good, embraces her health and lives life to it’s fullest potential. What motivates Cookie? Continually increasing her goals, really utilizing her good health as she ages and raising money for good causes while challenging herself physically.
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orn in Lexington, Kentucky, Cookie is the oldest of 2 brothers and a sister. Growing up, she swam in high school and played tennis. She never considered herself to be an outstanding athlete and says she had to work hard at her athletic endeavors. There weren’t many opportunities for girls to play sports in her town; so, when her Dad started coaching her brother’s baseball teams, she’d go to practice and play with them. One thing she knew for sure, she hated running. She married her husband Tommy in December 1970. They met on a blind date while he was attending the Air Force Academy. They had 2 children; Kellie, then a year later, came Tyler. When the kids were little, she remained active by playing coed softball, intramural volleyball, and waterskiing. Even with all these activities, she always felt like she had trouble controlling her weight. Her weight never went to extremes, it was just enough to require getting it back under control. Through the years, while her husband was on active duty with the Air Force, she worked in various hospitals. She went on to be a school nurse for 23 years moving into a nurse supervisor position for the last 5 years of her career. During these years, she earned her Masters degree at the University of Houston, was honored to be named Nurse of the Year and was voted Outstanding School Nurse for the Region. She retired in 2003.
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After retiring, she realized it had been 20 years since she’d really challenged herself physically. Now, she had quite a bit of free time on her hands, so, she started thinking about setting athletic goals and spending more time doing charitable work. She started spending more time volunteering at her church, at local food banks and Meals on Wheels. She would be moved to tears and inspired by reading stories of people doing amazing things like losing over 100 pounds or people living healthy lifestyles after overcoming cancer. It made her think, “Wow, if they can do it, why can’t I? I haven’t had any of their struggles, I have no excuse.” In fact, it occurred to her she was blessed to be healthy. She asked “Why am I not utilizing my health? I need to show I’m grateful for this wonderful gift and use it while I can!” She joined a gym and started attending classes regularly: step, spin, and weightlifting. It became such a routine she hated if she missed a class. Even though she still didn’t like running it made her feel accomplished; so, she does that too. Her first big athletic achievement happened in 2003 when she was 57. She wanted something that challenged her and she also wanted to combine that with a charity that mattered to her. She knew many people with Multiple Sclerosis and decided that she wanted to to do the BP MS 150 which is a twoday fundraising bike ride with 13,000 riders riding from Houston to Austin with total mileage between approximately 160-180 miles. She went out and bought a big, heavy, hybrid bike (most people use lightweight road bikes which makes the ride veritemag.com summer 2014 |57|
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easier) and started training. She finished the race and felt such a sense of accomplishment, she did it again in 2004. She soon learned the dividends of completing these physical events was not just the feeling of accomplishment, but the pride that comes from helping others. Most all of the sporting events have some worthy cause benefiting from them; so she saw it as a win-win. At age 64, Cookie ran her very first marathon in Houston. For a girl who always hated running, she felt like this was the ultimate “I can do anything I set my mind to do�. She ran the marathon for her friend, Brandon Adame, who is completely blind and participates in Triathlons. She raised money for C-Different, an organization that supports blind athletes in competing in athletic events. The Wounded Warrior half marathon means a lot to her because she is passionate about helping and supporting our Veterans. Her father was a Lt. Col. in the army and landed on the beach at Normandy, her husband was a pilot in the Air Force flying F111’s and retired as a Lt. Col. Her son has had 7 tours of Iraq and Afghanistan flying C130s and is presently in the Air National Guard and promoted to Lt. Col. After tackling the idea of a marathon, Cookie began doing triathlons (swim, bike, run races) and after 2 years, she decided she would go for a full Ironman. An Ironman Triathlon is race consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and a marathon 26.2-mile run, raced in that order and without a break. It is widely considered one of the most difficult one-day sporting events in the world. Cookie did this without a formal coach, without any fancy gadgets like heart rate monitors, etc, and still riding her hybrid bike. She was even afraid to clip-in to her bike fully, so she left one foot out so she could dismount easier. Her goal was not to break any speed records, she wanted to finish and she did finish in 16 hours (a full hour before the cut off time). In most of her races now, she tends to place in the top 3 finishers in her age group (65-69). veritemag.com summer 2014 |59|
HOW DOES COOKIE |60|
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- Even if you think you don’t like it, give running a try. - Cookie got through her runs by using intervals, running 3 minutes then walking 1 minute. - Join a run club and celebrate each of your friend’s accomplishments. - Starting out with smaller distances then moving up to longer distances helps to keep motivation up. - Feeling the accomplishment and pride in continuing to improve athletically while raising money for charitable organizations. V
E MAKE IT HAPPEN? veritemag.com summer 2014 |61|
| CHECK IT |
EASY, BREEZY, NEWS. No - this is not an ad... we’re just that in love with the Skimm. We mentioned this fabulous rag in our summer issue, but thought for those of you too stubborn to try, we’d mention it again. Subscribe at www.theskimm.com - it’s free and you’ll get hooked on the 5 minute nonpartisan news download to start your day. Goes well with coffee.
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SHOP RAG AND BONE FRAME DENIM VINCE RAQUEL ALLEGRA TIMO WEILAND THE LADY AND THE SAILOR L I Z Z I E F O RT U N AT O NLST MARA HOFFMAN FIGUE
SHOPTHREADONLINE.COM
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| DOING IT |
CONSIDER
Cotton!
Story by ABBY FEINKNOPF
W
hile temperatures around us bring fall’s chill to the air, causing us to reach for our wool sweaters, one woman challenges us to reconsider cotton as she strives for true sustainability. While some see sustainability as a popular buzzword, or an ambitious goal, it is a critical consideration. We all cherish our comfy T-shirts and cotton blouses, but how many of us have stopped to consider how we truly come by them? Thankfully one Designer is painstakingly pondering that process. World-renowned Designer Natalie Chanin, was born and raised in Florence, Alabama, learning to sew at the feet of her grandmothers, mother and aunts. Since the county inhabiting her hometown is one of Alabama’s top ten cotton producers, most, if not all of the residents are connected to cotton, whether through the back-breaking labor of producing and picking it; their employment in the textile mills spinning or dyeing it; or by their skills in handstitching it into garments.
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After graduating with a degree in Environmental Design, Natalie left her southern community and worked abroad as a stylist and costume designer for more than a decade. Returning in 2000, she produced a documentary called Stitch, surrounding traditional quilt-making in the south, and highlighting the personal tales and experiences of those southern women, previously seamstresses or textile workers, who were now left unemployed by the mills’ closure. Upon learning that her hometown was formerly known as “T-Shirt Capital of the World”, Natalie was inspired to gather these former textile employees she had documented and create 200, one-of-a-kind T-shirts, as Project Alabama. The growing demand for these handmade garments, eventually forced production to be moved overseas and subsequent closure of the project. Undaunted, Natalie Chanin launched her next project, Alabama Chanin, a company whose mission is to preserve the culture of community and those American skills and traditions that are fostered within. Lecturing on design, craft, sustainability, collaboration and community, Natalie and her staff also host workshops in the “living arts” or craft traditions that would be lost, if not passed down to future generations. |66|
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Alabama Chanin is committed to a “madein-America” production model. Grown in Texas, the organic cotton used is then sent to the Carolinas for spinning, knitting and dying, then returned to Alabama for the assembly and hand sewing, by local seamstresses, into striking, one-of-a-kind garments for both men and women. This level of sustainability is still not enough for Chanin however, as they are challenged by the growing statistics surrounding cotton. More than any other crop, conventionally grown cotton accounts for 16 percent of the world’s insecticide use and 83 percent of America’s conventional cotton is grown from genetically modified seed, which inhibits insect problems but also biodiversity. Chanin, acutely aware of these statistics, as well as the resources required to transport cotton through her own company’s production cycle, is further frustrated that the entire production cycle was historically accomplished in Florence, Alabama. As a result, Chanin has teamed up with fellow fashion company Billy Reid, and are raising a test plot of organic cotton in Florence, Alabama. She is eager to see if it is viable to add farming of her own organic cotton, to complete Alabama Chanin’s production cycle and reach higher sustainability! So as cold winds move in and you reach for the merino and cashmere, keep an eye out for Natalie Chanin’s process and consider organic cotton! V veritemag.com summer 2014 |69|
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| EATS & ENTERTAINING |
Hearty
FALL FOODS story by STACEY PALMER
With the crisp days of Autumn comes a longing for some good ‘ol warm, hearty, comfort food. We’ve combed through some of the best recipes out there and encourage you to try something new!
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LAGER STEW SERVES 4 Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil 1 (14 ounce) package beef smoked sausage, cut into bite-size slices 1 1/2 onion, sliced into thin semi-circles 1/2 head small cabbage, halved again, cored and thinly sliced 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground caraway seeds Pinch salt 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 cup German-style lager beer (Oktoberfest variety) 2 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed to bite-size pieces 2 1/2 cups hot chicken stock 1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Directions: Place a medium-large pot over medium-high heat, and add the olive oil; once the oil is hot, add in the sliced beef smoked sausage, and allow the slices to caramelize and brown in the oil, for about 4-5 minutes; once the sausage is browned, add in the sliced onions, stir, and allow the onions to caramelize with the sausage for another few minutes, until golden-brown and softened; once onions are caramelized, add in the sliced cabbage, stir to combine, and allow the cabbage to soften and take on the flavors of the sausage and onions for few minutes; once the cabbage is softened and golden, add in the black pepper, ground caraway seeds and the pinch of salt, and stir to combine; next, stir in the garlic, and once it becomes aromatic, add in the cup of lager, and stir the mixture to combine; allow the beer to slightly reduce for about 3 minutes or so; next, add in the cubed potatoes and the hot chicken stock, stir, and allow the mixture to come to the boil; once it comes to the boil, place a lid on (slightly askew to allow just a little steam to escape), and reduce the heat to low to gently simmer the stew for about 40 minutes; after the 40 minutes, turn the heat off, and finish the stew by stirring in the apple cider vinegar and the chopped parsley (add more salt if necessary, too). Serve in large bowls with some hearty, rye bread or rustic rolls with butter or cream cheese. Source: ??? Photo by: ???
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IMPOSSIBLY EASY FALL PIE SERVES 6 Ingredients:
1/2 lb. fully cooked bratwurst (about 3), cut into 3/4-inch pieces 1 1/3 cups drained sauerkraut (from 14-oz can) 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese (4 oz) 3/4 cup Original Bisquick™ mix 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup regular or nonalcoholic beer 2 eggs
Directions: Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray. Sprinkle bratwurst, sauerkraut and cheese in pie plate. In small bowl, stir remaining ingredients until blended. Pour into pie plate. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Source: ??? Photo by: ??? |74|
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‘KARTOFFELSALAT’ OR BAVARIAN-STYLE POTATO SALAD Ingredients: 2
1/4 1 2 2 1/2 2 1/2 1 1/2
pounds small yellow-fleshed potatoes (about 2 inches in diameter), washed well pound Schaller & Weber Double-smoked Baconor Kocher’s Double-Smoked Bacon, diced medium onion, chopped German pickles, diced tablespoons German mustard teaspoon sugar tablespoons mild vinegar cup beef broth, or your favorite broth flavor tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves plus extra for garnish
Directions: In a large saucepan combine potatoes with salted water to cover by 1 inch and simmer until just tender, about 20 minutes. While potatoes are cooking, in a medium heavy skillet sauté bacon over moderate heat, stirring,
until browned and crisp and transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Add the chopped onions to the bacon drippings in the skillet. Sauté over moderately high heat, stirring, until translucent (about 3 minutes). To the skillet add sugar, 1 tablespoon vinegar, pickles, mustard and broth and simmer 2 minutes. Add onion mixture to warm potatoes with parsley and remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar, tossing gently, and season with salt and pepper. Drain potatoes and let stand until cool enough to handle. Peel and slice potatoes. Add the still-warm potatoes to the liquid in the skillet along with the reserved bacon and the chopped parsley. Toss gently. Season with salt and pepper. Serve potato salad warm or at room temperature, garnished with parsley. Source: ??? veritemag.com summer 2014 |75|
| HOMEMADE PRETZELS | Ingredients: 4 tsp yeast 1 tsp sugar 1 1/2 c warm water 5 cups flour 1/2 cup white sugar 1 1/2 tsp salt
1
tablespoon olive oil cup baking soda 2 cup hot water kosher salt 1-2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4
Directions: In a small bowl, mix yeast and 1 tsp sugar with warm water. Allow to stand for 5-10 minutes until mixture becomes foamy. In a large bowl, mix together flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Add in oil and make a well in the center. Add in yeast mixture and use a mixer to thoroughly mix dough together. Add in an extra 1-2 T water if dough is too dry to work with. Knead for about 5 minutes (7 minutes by hand). Form into a ball and lightly oil ball. Place in large bowl and place a towel over top. Place in a warm area and allow to double in size. In a medium bowl, mix baking soda and hot water together. Preheat oven to 450F. Once dough has doubled in size, form into a log shape. Cut into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and twist into a pretzel shape. Dip pretzels in the baking soda/water mixture and place on greased baking sheet (6 pretzels per sheet). Sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake in oven for 8 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from oven and brush with melted butter. Source: ???
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| APPLE STRUDEL | Ingredients:
1/4 cup bourbon or apple juice 1/2 cup golden raisins 2 to 3 Granny Smith apples (about 1 pound), peeled, cored, halved, and thinly sliced 1/2 lemon, juiced 1 tablespoon lemon zest, finely chopped 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for sprinkling 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed 1/2 cup crushed shortbread cookies 1/4 cup chopped pecans 2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces 5 sheets phyllo dough from 1 pound package of frozen dough 2 tablespoons butter, melted, for brushing phyllo sheets, plus more if needed 1 tablespoon granulated sugar Confectioners’ sugar Caramel sauce, purchased Glaze: 2 cups confectioners’ sugar 3 1/2 tablespoons milk
Directions for the Strudel: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, pour the bourbon or apple juice over the raisins and microwave on high for 45 seconds. Let sit for 15 minutes. Combine the raisins, apples, lemon juice, lemon zest, cinnamon, brown sugar, cookie crumbs, pecans, and butter in a large bowl. Remove the phyllo dough from the box, unfold, and cover with a damp towel. Place 1 sheet of phyllo on the work surface and brush lightly with melted butter. Repeat with the remaining sheets, brushing each with melted butter, stacking when done, being sure to keep the unbuttered phyllo covered. Place the apple mixture on the nearest third of the phyllo stack, being sure to leave a 2-inch border. Gently lift the bottom edge of the phyllo stack to cover the filling and fold the side edges over. Continue to roll the stack away from you until the filling is completely sealed in and the seam is on the bottom. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the top with melted butter and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake for 30 minutes, until golden brown. Pour over the glaze and sprinkle with cinnamon and confectioners’ sugar. Pass warm caramel sauce, to drizzle over the strudel. For the Glaze: Mix ingredients thoroughly. *Cook’s Note: If too thick add a little bit of milk. If too thin add a little bit of confectioners’ sugar. Source: ??? Photo by: ??? veritemag.com summer 2014 |79|
| AT HOME |
Photo courtesy of haydenregina.com
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MUDROOM
Madness story by ANGELA BONFANTE
The mudroom has become one of the most requested rooms for design and remodeling. Sending the kids back to school certainly leaves many moms wishing they had one if they don’t already. The backpacks, shoes, and sporting equipment in the kitchen, foyer, on floors and in dining rooms can make anyone a little crazy day in and day out. So many families find themselves in need of an organizational solution to keeping these items in order and clutter out of the way. The mudroom was once found in snowy, northern climates where there was a need for a place to shed heavy clothing and wet shoes. But today the mudroom can be found in any climate. It is the place to stow hats and gloves, boots, sporting gear and umbrellas. These rooms can bring the most order to the home regardless of their size. The room design is defined by those who use it the most. If children are young hooks placed lower on the wall are a must so they can hang their own jackets and lockers are wonderful for backpacks and sporting gear-so no one else has to see the mess. If it is a professional couple, there might be briefcase storage, a charging station and a closet for coats and jackets.
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Where should the mudroom be located? It may be off of the garage, part of a laundry room or located by the back door if that is where family members enter most often. Keep in mind it needs to be located by the most frequently used entrance. Ease of use is the single most important consideration. The mudroom that is close to the front door should welcome company as well has stand up to cleats. This type of mudroom needs to look a little more formal so it may contain free standing furniture instead of lockers. By the kitchen we would want to blend the cabinetry and countertops so that it makes the space look larger and feel cohesive. A mudroom can be completely utilitarian directly off of the garage and simply have metal shelving and hooks on the wall. No matter if your mudroom is casual or dressed up there are four key components to making it durable and functional. FLOORING Because the floor will need to stand up to constant tracking in from the weather outside it needs veritemag.com summer 2014 |83|
to be durable and it needs to slipresistant for safety. Vinyl flooring and concrete tend to become slick when wet. Natural stone is beautiful and can work when honed but should be sealed yearly if it is getting wet on a regular basis. A wood floor requires maintenance over time to remain nice looking so one of the best options is tile. Tile offers a tremendous amount of durability and comes in many styles and colors. There are porcelain tiles that look like wood or natural stone and the ability to create a unique pattern offers interest. Selecting a darker color for the floor will help camouflage dirt. It is a good idea to have a rubber mat outside the door to knock off dirt and snow and an absorbent mat inside the door for water.
SEATING Having a place to sit down to take shoes on and off is a good idea. A sturdy bench or chairs offer the best option. The bench or window seat can also function as storage to keep clutter under wraps. A hinging top or drawers work for bench seating. When you are putting away we shoes it is a good idea to have the drawers or bottom of the bench made of metal or plastic due to water resistance. The seating should be located off to the side of the room that is away from the entrance into the home so as not to create a bottleneck. A bench seat with lockers sitting on top of it is a great solution for busy children.
STORAGE Storage needs are determined by who WALLS is using the room. Kids need easy The walls are going to need a treatment access and a place for each item. The that is durable and washable. Choose after school madness can be kept in a paint that is washable and keep some check with lockers for backpacks, extra for touch up over the years. shoe storage, and hooks low enough Wainscoting and bead board are more on the wall they can easily hang their durable options and are great looking jackets. Adults may want a charging to the design of the room. The height station for phones and IPADS, and a of the wainscoting can vary from 36� place to put briefcases and pursesup to the entire wall. The final option possibly on a shelf out of reach of small is a durable wall paper that can be hands. Clothing storage changes from washed over time. season to season and can require an |84|
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array of solutions such as baskets or bins for gloves and hats, hooks or hangers in a closet for jackets and coats. By the door a mat that protects the floor and prevents slipping for wet shoes in the winter, and a metal grate on top of a tray to allow the shoes to dry will help keep the water off the floor. Keep in mind that winter clothing takes much more space than summer clothing so allowing for additional storage is important. A key rack is a logical item for the mud room so that keys never get misplaced and a cork board/chalk board combination would keep papers and schedule information in order. Pet leashes can be hung on hooks and bins can be used for storing small sporting equipment items such as mitts and balls. Taller items such as hockey sticks, golf clubs, and tennis rackets can be stored in a locker or closet. Peg board in the garage by the door to the mud room can offer a great solution for hanging larger items before getting inside the house. V
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Wallpaper
story by STACEY PALMER
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As a child, my mom was always so good about decorating my room perfectly and just how I wanted it. We would spend hours perusing the wallpaper books at the local hardware store until we found 5 or 6 giant books to bring home to ‘hang’ and see if we found just the right one. I grew up loving the fact that one day I would be able to do the same for my home and my children. When we bought our first house all of the walls were covered in paper dating back to the 60’s and it all came down. But this was the 90’s, and the trends were all about faux finishes, sponging, and glazing when paint came into style. The only room we ended up wallpapering was the nursery, and at that, we only used a border (yes, another 90’s trend) to decorate the baby’s room. These days wallpaper has come back with a bang. If Martha says so, then you know it must be true. Wallpaper can rejuvenate a room, becoming the element that ties it all together. Paint and wainscoting are certainly one way to go, but if you check out new |90|
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wallpaper designs, you’ll see that they aren’t the tired and dated looks of years gone by and with the modern wallpaper, you can add personality, sophistication, interest, even an industrial feel to your home. In fact, just about anything your heart desires…the results can be incredible! V
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| R E A D LO O
Food-A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan “What are my qualifications to write this book? None really. So why should you read it? Here’s why: I’m a little fat. If a thin guy were to write about a love of food and eating I’d highly recommend that you do not read his book.” –Jim Gaffigan
“Gone Girl” Out Oct. 3
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes A must read. What you read will stay with you for a very long time.
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Ben Affleck Rosamund Pike Based upon the global bestseller by Gillian Flynn – so many twists and turns.
“My Old Lady” Out Sept. 10 Kevin Kline Kristin Scott Thomas Maggie Smith A New Yorker inherits his father’s flat in Paris and comes to find it also comes with an old British woman and her daughter.
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OK LISTEN|
Bebel Gilberto ‘Tudo’ Looking for new music? Try this New York born Brazilian with a soft, breezy voice.
“The Judge” Out Oct. 10 Robert Downey Jr. Robert Duvall A lawyer who heads home when his father, a judge, is implicated as a murder suspect in this comedy-drama. RDJ…sold.
Jessie Ware ‘Tough Love’ Jessie’s soft sultry voice will finally be unveiled again with her highly anticipated second album due out this fall.
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| GIVE BACK |
Sound SONGS FOR
story by JAIME VERNON (AKA LEXI’S MOM)
Songs for Sound began with a little girl named, Lexi. Her misfortune was quickly turned into a future of change in the world of hearing healthcare. This is her story. Lexi was not given a newborn hearing test, she was born six months before the law was passed in Tennessee. At 10 weeks, we were seen at Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center where one ear “passed” and the other was not as convincing and we were advised to follow up around eight months. We left feeling great...as if it were routine. Time flew and Lexi developed like any other child....until her first birthday when my husband had been noticing she wasn’t responding to loud noises and she wasn’t event attempting a first-word. Lexi is a second child, so first-words should certainly come rapidly due to her chatty brother. We also began to hear that “deaf” sound in her voice. That’s when it started to settle in.... something wasn’t right.
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I took Lexi in for an extra look with her pediatrician. Now, you should know this office is not in rural America, rather quite the opposite. The pediatrician’s office is in a very prominent zip code. However, here are the responses I received when I shared our findings and requested a referral back to Vanderbilt for more hearing tests. “She just heard the noise in the hallway.” “Some children don’t talk until they are 18 months of age.” Really? No, I wasn’t having it. I pushed and expressed my concerns with the lack of urgency on the matter and finally received a reluctant referral. (Side note: later I found out it only costs the insurance companies approximately $250-$300 max. for a hearing test). One month later, at Vanderbilt, Lexi was found severe-profoundly deaf. |98|
That means this, if she were standing in a loud rock concert, she MIGHT pick up the softest whisper. But, by the time she had surgery, she was profound in both ears and couldn’t detect any sound. It still hurts to think of it. As I sat and watched Lexi “not” respond in the booth during her hearing test, I hoped for fluid, or something that had a quick fix. Deep down, however, I knew we were headed somewhere dark. “Your child is deaf.” Those words are still tough. As I sat and stared at Lexi, hearing those fateful words, I remember seeing a picture in my head. It was a black and white picture of a school that I couldn’t reach. The trees were bare, no leaves, there were no flowers, a cool brisk wind in the air, and no sound of any kind. Now, looking back, I realize that image represented
isolation that I thought Lexi would have Lexi for mainstreaming through the for the rest of her life. following: Then suddenly, in the very next breath, our angel of an audiologist, Cathrine Hayes, gave us hope. She told us of something we’d never heard of nor could we have dreamed of. A cochlear implant. “A what?” I asked. She went on to tell us of a device that can restore sound to the deaf! I sat in disbelief at what I was hearing. Not only can we restore sound to the deaf, but my little girl could possibly benefit?! MIRACLE. Plain and simple. We met our hearing healer and mearacle maker, Dr. David Haynes. Four months later, Lexi had her bilateral cochlear implant surgery (two cochlear implants). Three weeks after her surgery, she was “activated”. After her activation day, we prepped
- part-time oral deaf program at The Mama Lere Hearing School at Vanderbilt (teaching Lexi to talk through what she hears and not what she sees) also a mix of typically hearing kids and children with hearing loss and/ or amplification. - the other days were spent at a mainstream preschool with very chatty normal hearing kids. - intense speech therapy with Ginger Jones of Jones Therapy Services and Emily Lund (now at TCU in Texas) - regular follow up appointments with our audiologist. - we also put Lexi in every ‘mainstream’ program possible such as gymnastics, play groups, her brother’s veritemag.com summer 2014 |99|
practices and more!
OUR PRIMARY FOCUS
Our primary focus is to receive She is now 6 years old, has been sponsorship underwriting for a moblile fully mainstreamed since she was 4 hearing health bus, tour the US, partner years old, plays softball, basketball with major retailers, military bases, and does gymnastics. She is reading, festivals, concerts and more. We has amazingly clear speech and is want to take this unit NATIONWIDE, completely oral. diagnosing, preventing, treating and supporting those with hearing loss We are beyond blessed that Lexi lives a or other ear diseases. We currently very typical life! have interest from the country music industry to incorporate mega-artists to OUR GOAL the model, but it requires sponsorship Our goal began and still is reaching the underwriting. However, over a million unreached. Making sure NO child is left impressions are included in the behind. sponsorship fulfillment with just a 12week deployment - not to mention * 50% of children diagnosed with a long list of amazing sponsor perks hearing loss at birth in rural areas do to grow their brands/audiences and not return for services. * 1.5 million veterans have hearing loss steward clients and customers. * the #1 and #2 war wounds are We have made “expansion� changes. tinnitus (ringing of the ear/hearing loss) We are expanding our outreach to not and hearing loss only reach those who need cochlear * 95% of children with hearing loss implants, but also those who would are born to hearing parents making benefit from a hearing aid. We are spoken language a vital communication also adding a division called Songs method for Soldiers. One tenth of our military We use music and reach those in rural communities through this amazing universal language---as well as some incredible radio stations who have made it all possible and placed PSAs on the air as well as ads for us---DONATED!
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return from overseas with hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing of the ear), making it the #1 & #2 disabilities returning. Our arms will reach more rural regions as well as we are launching a massive outreach health tour to infiltrate these communities, provide direct access to
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care, strengthen physicians knowledge of hearing loss, create referral relationships and do all of it through music.
OUR GREATEST SUCCESSES We have reached over ten cities, hosted 25 awareness events, donated nearly $100k in grants to cochlear implant programs and recently returned from a hearing mission in a rural community in Eden, Jamaica in the mountains where we tested 52 children and 6 adults. We found (2) children had normal hearing (something else going on), fit nearly 50 children with hearing aids, began exams in order to return with ENTs, Dr. George Wanna of Vanderbilt & Dr. Matthew Bush of Univ. of Kentucky. We will not only move towards cochlear implants and more care for those who need surgeries, but also begin to find a way to train an audiologist to serve Montego Bay and beyond...as well as plan for building a clinic and training doctors to provide long-term care. MY MOTTO: FIX THE ROOT, FIX THE FRUIT.
OUR GREATEST CHELLENGE It always has been and always will be FUNDING. We need corporate support/sponsors & grant support. We need grants to support our operations so I can actually hire someone to help. (I currently manage SFS on my own with only a part-time/10 hr per |102|
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50% OF CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH HEARING LOSS AT BIRTH IN RURAL AREAS DO NOT RETURN FOR SERVICES. 1.5 MILLION VETERANS HAVE HEARING LOSS |104|
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week coordinator). I could use regular operations support. We donate back 75% of net proceeds from our events over the course of a year after the event to the programs we support. It is so difficult to operate on 25% of net in a difficult economy.
OUR BIGGEST SURPRISE Can I be honest? All of it! Ha! The highs and lows. The incredible generosity of all who have supported us. One other area I’ve been surprised is a recent meeting with a wonderful man, Steve, who manages an incredible country music artist, Jerrod Niemann. Steve & Jerrod Niemann have fallen in love with SFS as well as our mission and kids. They are so wonderful to us as well as the ACM Lifting Lives organization. They had us fly out to the ACM Awards, put our cochlear implant kids on stage with Jerrod at the Party for a Cause...in front of 10,000 fans. I’m blown away. Most importantly, I don’t know why I continue to be surprised at what God can do. Every day is a miracle in our house.
HOW CAN PEOPLE HELP? If you’re wondering how you can help, we’d LOVE for anyone to give anything. www.songsforsound.com V
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Sword & Plough Military gear recycled and repurposed with a fashionable touch.
Sw
sit
story by STAC
STITCH FIX Shopping made simple. Have clothes handpicked and sent to based on your style profile - and send back what you don’t like.
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rennes Very simple, very cool women’s wear and accessories with a European feel.
weet
tes
Pepperplate Simplify, manage and organize your recipes, meals, and culinary planning.
CEY PALMER
Spiritual America Cool. New York. Clothes.
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SHOOT FOR THE MOON
In honor of shooting for the moon, here are a few favorites from our Pinterest board...
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