age: height: weight: body fat - HERLIFE Magazine

Adrienne 

Helvey 

OCTOBER 2012 

Let’s hear it for the girls: 

One Woman’s Survival Story 

It’s HERLIFE’s Birthday! 

(Invitation Inside)

2 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 3




My spring f l ing is a red Camaro. 

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content 

OCTOBER 2012 

herlife | content 

42 

welcome 16 

Favorites 20 

health 22 

spotlight 26 

Fitness 30 

Fitness CHALLENGE 32 

beauty 40 

inspirATions 42 

cravings 48 

culinary 52 

recipes 56 

wine 58 

Adrienne Helvey: Putting Party Hats on Her Twins 

They’re some of the scariest words any woman can hear in her lifetime—you have breast cancer. But our 

Cover Girl, Adrienne Helvey, took the news in stride. She underwent a double mastectomy and breast 

augmentation, and then showed off her new “girls” on the runway in a fancy Art Bra designed for their 

very public inauguration. 

110 

spotlight 60 

book club 64 

scene and be seen 68 

spotlight 78 

mother’s perspective 82 

green living 86 

fine things 90 

spotlight 94 

90 

renting a vACAtion home 

If you’re looking for a unique vacation experience 

that includes many of the comforts of home minus 

the impersonal atmosphere of a hotel, renting 

a vacation home could be the perfect solution. 

Whether you’re looking for an urban apartment, 

mountain cabin or beach condo, you can find many 

rental options if you know where to look. 

WEBSITES FOR HOME DECORAting 

With all the professional decorating TV shows, 

books, magazines and design star reality shows, we 

are swimming in home design hoopla. But where 

does a very busy, faintly frightened and novice 

home decorator go for easy yet stylish household 

ideas Not much further than your morning cup of 

java and your laptop. 

trendsetter 98 

Working WOmen 106 

Finance 108 

Home 110 

spotlight 114 

Real eSTATe 118 

travel 122 

pets for people 124 

Just Sayin’ 126 

tie the knot 128 

calendar 136 

star journeys 140 



herlife | welcome 

Transformations 

T 

his month is truly a month of transformations! The kids 

transform into their favorite superhero, animal or princess on 

Halloween, and we have four lucky women who are working 

to transform their lives through the HERLIFE fitness challenge. The 

photo by heather morrow 

fitness challenge kicked off on September 1st and ends on November 

19th. These women have each been assigned to a personal trainer 

who is not only working them hard in the gym, but also teaching them 

about nutrition and what and how to eat. I am so excited to see these 

transformations, and the woman who loses the most body fat (as a 

percentage) will be our January 2013 cover girl! To follow their stories, 

please turn to page 32 and follow it with us on Facebook and Twitter! 

While the fitness women are working towards a lifestyle transformation—most 

of the country will be transforming into a special 

something on October 31st! Is it sad that I am 31 years old and Halloween 

is still my favorite holiday Actually, I think it is even more fun 

the older that Peyton and Griffin get! They started planning what they 

wanted to be months ago! Peyton has kept consistent with a black cat 

but Griffin is all over the board! I think he’s finally settled on being 

Spiderman. It’s a little bittersweet that Peyton now wants to go “trick 

or treating” with her friends too, instead of just boring old Mom and 

Dad. But she does want me to dress up as a black cat with her! (Poor 

thing doesn’t know that will never happen!) Maybe for her school 

party I will put on ears to be festive! 

Finally, WOW! I can’t believe it’s been five years of promoting 

local, inspirational and amazing women in Kansas City! We have been 

showcasing the best that Kansas City has to offer for five years. 

HERLIFE will be celebrating our birthday on October 11th at 77 

South in Leawood and would love to have you join us! Please see 

details on the next page! 

Lindsay Aydelotte 



® 

Staff and Contacts 

Publisher 

Lindsay Aydelotte 

lindsay@herlifemagazine.com 

913-402-6994 

Associate Publisher 

Kellie Paxton 

913-402-6994 

Executive Account Manager 

Brandy Barrish 

brandy@herlifemagazine.com 

816-223-9395 

Account Executive 

Michelle Carder 

michelle@herlifemagazine.com 

816-516-9888 

Account Executive 

Kat McMahon 

kat@herlifemagazine.com 

816-830-2213 

Editor 

Candi Smith 

913-402-6994 

Creative Director 

Ashleigh Thomson 

ashleigh@herlifemagazine.com 

913-402-6994 

Design and Production 

Todd Grantham 

todd@herlifemagazine.com 

913-402-6994 

Art Director 

Elana Bell 

elana@herlifemagazine.com 

913-402-6994 

Contributing Authors 

Lisa Allen, Chandra Blackwell, 

Ann E. Butenas, Lisa Taranto Butler, 

Kristen Doyle, SeÁnan Forbes, 

Carl E. Johnston, Kathleen M. Krueger, 

Natasha Logan, Jenny Matthews, 

Kelly Jo McDonnell, Charity Ohlund, 

Linda R. Price, John Sandbach, Candi Smith, 

Catie Watson 

Contributing Photographers 

Ron Berg Photography, Ryan Brown Photography, 

Kristen Doyle, Jenny Frazee Photography, 

Adrienne Maples, Heather Morrow, Kellie Paxton, 

Studio Chyree, Tracy Routh Photography, 

Brooke Vandever 

To contact HERLIFE ® Magazine: 

7275 West 162nd Street, Suite #107 

Overland Park, KS 66085 

Phone: 913-402-6994 / Fax: 1-866-827-6851 

For Advertising call 913-402-6994 

© 2012 by HERLIFE ® Magazine. All rights reserved. Although 

some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, 

we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. 

HERLIFE ® Magazine is owned HERLIFE Magazine, LLC 

and is a free publication distributed locally and is supported 

by our advertisers. It is available in selected specialty stores, 

doctor and dental offices, medical spas, hair and nail salons, 

tanning salons, public libraries and numerous other high traffic 

locations. Please call for a location near you or if you would 

like copies placed at your business. 

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the 

articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the 

products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, 

articles and feedback. 

18 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 

SUBSCRIPTIONS 

Subscriptions are available for $20 (for 12 issues). Please go 

to www.herlifemagazine.com or mail a check made out to 

HERLIFE ® Magazine, to the above address.


herlife | favorites 

Staff Picks 

They say that Halloween can be one of the scariest nights of the year because it’s when things go bump in the 

night, and something wicked this way comes. But for the staff at HERLIFE, it’s all about cute kiddos getting to play 

dress-up, pumpkin carving, decorating for trick-or-treaters and, of course, candy! We shared some of our favorite things 

about Halloween. 

Decorating our yard and house for Halloween. The kids 

always get so excited when they see me get all of the Halloween 

decorations out. They know we will be getting our costumes 

ready and making jack o’ lanterns soon! 

- Michelle Carder, 


I love sweets! Seeing all the miniature 

candies gets me excited for Halloween. 

- Brandy Barrish, 


Watching my nephews make a mess of the pumpkins! 

- Elana Bell, 

Art Director 

Going Halloween shopping with the kids. 

They always think they are turning into whoever 

they are wearing, and it’s so sweet to watch! 

It’s a highly anticipated event in our household. My oldest, now 

three, LOVES dressing up and has a major sweet tooth! 

- Ashleigh Thomson, 

Creative Director 

- Lindsay Aydelotte, 

Publisher 



herlife | health 

Taming 

The Hungry 

Tiger 

by linda r. price 

You hear them at the worst possible times, and you feel 

them after your evening dinner—hunger growls and groans 

blaring from your belly. Why are you always so hungry, so 

often 

Are you truly ravenous, or could other things be happening that 

make you feel like you need to make a beeline for the bakery and buy 

all of the buttercream frosting The truth is, we may be getting morethan-adequate 

nutrition, but feel famished due to our lifestyle, mindset 

and habits. Here are just a few tactics to tame the hungry tiger, and eat 

food for energy and not for other reasons. 

HYDRATE 

Don’t down that doughnut. Gulp some water instead. Many times 

we think we are hungry, but we just need to hydrate. Drink an 8-ounce 

glass of water at the first sign of hunger, and then wait 15 minutes. If 

you still feel hungry, then nosh on a healthy snack. 

Also, check your urine throughout the day. Urine should be 

slightly yellow to almost clear if you are adequately hydrated. A dark 

yellow color warns that you need water. 

exercise intensity 

You do the right thing by exercising regularly, but why does it 

seem like after a run on the treadmill, you want to run to the fridge 

The problem could be in your workout. We often think we are burning 

more calories than we eat, but our regular routine just isn’t cutting 

it. Make sure to get your heart rate up by incorporating intervals into 

your workout. Intervals are short bursts of high-intensity activity that 

allow you to burn more calories in the same amount of workout time. 

Invigorating exercise can give you a natural energy boost, while the 

adrenaline you produce will keep your appetite in check. 

ENTITLEMENT 

So you have gotten a powerful workout in for the day and you’re 

ready to reap the rewards and chow down. Not so fast. Just because 

you got your “sweat on” doesn’t mean you can saddle up the feedbag. 

Don’t sabotage your workout by overeating afterward. Plan ahead and 

know what you will munch on throughout the day. Aim for a nutritious 

snack or small meal made of whole foods and produce. And keep portion 

sizes to a minimum. Just because you are eating healthy doesn’t 

mean you can overdo the good stuff. 

EAT BREAKFAST 

Mom was right. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. 

Eating a hearty but nutritious breakfast reduces levels of the hunger 

hormone ghrelin which helps keep you feeling full and satisfied so 

the rest of your eating day is not disrupted by unhealthy food choices. 

Be mindful of your first meal, though. If you are a cereal eater, make 

sure to eat a lean protein like yogurt or egg whites with your bowl of 

Cheerios. The protein takes longer to digest, diverting you from those 

vending machine munchies. 



Ten Things to Do Besides Eat! 

1. Fiddle your fingers to give yourself something 

to do with your hands. Knit, crochet, play a board 

game or play the piano (even if you play it poorly). 

2 .Take a walk. The urge to purge can disappear 

with a simple ten-minute stroll in the fresh air. 

3. Make a to-do list. Skip the ho-hum stuff and bring 

out the big guns. Make a list of new healthy foods to 

try, conquer that kickboxing class or scribble your 

goals for the New Year. 

4. Read something, but forgo the magazines with 

pictures of food! 

5. Concoct a craft with your kids. 

6. Call someone who makes you feel good and 

make them feel good, too. 

7. Clean out a closet. 

8. Research a new charity. 

9. Practice a breathing technique. 

10. Have sex. It sure does cure cravings and burns 

calories too! 

SNOOZE TO LOSE 

Disrupting sleep disrupts hormones, which causes us to eat 

more. Our body doesn’t metabolize as well after a restless night. 

Also, the more we are awake, the more we eat! Get some rest and 

see your doctor if sleepless nights persist. 

TAME YOur emotions 

Boredom, stress and loneliness can trigger overeating. Recognize 

your high-risk times and know how to interpret physical food 

needs from just feeling funky. Break out of the emotional eating 

pattern by deciphering why you are reaching for food when you 

are not hungry. 

BE FINISHED WITH FAMISHED! 

Although hunger can feel fierce, we often can control our 

animal-like cravings by simply changing our ways. By utilizing a 

full force of healthy tactics, we can tame the hungry tiger and get 

our bodies and minds back to life. ■ 

Information for this article was found at acefitness.org and 

weightwatchers.com. 



herlife | spotlight 

H 

A 

W 

T 

H 

O 

R 

H 

O 

U 

S 

E 

N 

E 

by kathleen m. krueger 

photography by jenny frazee 

Having the option of a 

traditional church wedding 

or an outdoor wedding, 

plus your reception all in 

one location, is a big part 

of what attracts couples 

to schedule their wedding 

with the Hawthorne House. 

You'll not find any Bridezillas at 

a Hawthorne House wedding. 

That's because it is the stress of 

trying to make sure everything is perfect 

that brings out the wild beast in an otherwise 

beautiful bride. Providing the most 

stress-free wedding day available is one of 

the many attractions at Hawthorne House. 

However, this is a benefit most couples 

don't fully appreciate until after the wedding 

is over, and they have experienced the 

perfect day they had hoped and planned 

for. 

It is the gorgeous park-like setting where 

Hawthorne House sits among a canopy of 

trees and luscious green lawns that first attracts 

bridal couples. The 11-acre estate of 

Hawthorne House provides a private retreat 

for the entire wedding party to enjoy exclusively. 

Outdoor weddings centered around 

the gazebo are a favorite choice. Of course, 

the unpredictability of the weather always 

requires a second option for an outdoor wedding. 

But with a beautiful chapel right on the 

grounds that can seat up to 250 guests, even 

the concerns about the weather are removed 

for a wedding day booked with Hawthorne 

House. 

When you book your wedding at 

Hawthorne House, you've booked the entire 

grounds and amenities. There are never two 

events scheduled for the same day. The bride 

and groom, and their guests, will not have to 

share the grounds with another group during 


their special day. Several couples have even 

made the last-minute change from having the 

ceremony inside the chapel to an outdoor 

ceremony the day before the wedding. The 

Hawthorne House staff has no trouble accommodating 

this last-minute change of setting. 

After all, it’s all about what the bride wants for 

her special day. 

Irene Sparks purchased the property 

where Hawthorne House is located in the 

middle of Parkville, Missouri in 1997. She 

had been searching for just the right piece 

of real estate to create an event setting 

that could fully captivate the luxury estate 

feeling she had envisioned for Hawthorne 

House. The historic home, located on 11 

pristine acres, perfectly fits the picture she 

had in mind. 

The idyllic setting you now find 

at Hawthorne House, which includes a 

traditionally-styled chapel complete with 

stained glass windows, pews and a steeple, a 

banquet hall that seats 300, separate dressing 

quarters for the bride and groom and 

their attendants, and a commercial chef's 

kitchen, has all developed over time. 

In the early days of Hawthorne House, 

Irene was a one-person show: chef, wedding 

coordinator, office manager—she did it all. 

Today, she is still very hands-on and has 

personally trained her staff to carry on from 

that successful beginning to what Hawthorne 

House has become today—a multiaward 

winning wedding and event venue. 

Having the option of a traditional 

church wedding or an outdoor wedding, 

plus your reception all in one location, is a 

big part of what attracts couples to schedule 

their wedding with the Hawthorne House. 

But it is the personalized service that has 

always made this event center stand out 

above the rest, even before the addition of 

the chapel and the banquet hall. 

Irene and the Hawthorne House staff 

have fulfilled requests that included serving 

'Grandma's special recipe' to serving 

an authentic African wedding dinner with 

traditional African foods such as goat meat 

for the main course. “It's the bride's special 

day. If she wants it, we will always do our 

best to provide it.” 


The staff at Hawthorne House includes professional wedding 

coordinators that attend to every detail of the wedding ceremony 

and reception to ensure that everything goes smoothly. The wedding 

coordinator can take the pressure off the bride during the 

planning stage by presenting options and addressing situations as a 

matter of 'etiquette' rather than one of personal choice by the bride 

alone. The sensitive guidance of an experienced wedding coordinator 

who has been personally trained by Irene Sparks means that 

family members of bride and groom can relax and enjoy the wedding 

along with the new couple. They won't need to be concerned 

with who will be filling the champagne glasses or giving directions 

to the guests. Their assigned wedding coordinator and the staff at 

Hawthorne House will be taking care of those details. 

At Hawthorne House, the bridal couple and their attendants 

can arrive early in the day to shower and prepare on the premises. 

Beauty shop chairs are part of the bride’s preparation area, along 

with plenty of mirrors and room for her girls to gather and primp. 

There’s no need to leave for the photo shoot, ceremony or the 

reception for the bridal party or their guests, and the couple gets 

to enjoy a beautiful, stress-free wedding, all in one wonderful location. 

■ 

Hawthorne House is located at 6008 NW Bell Road in Parkville, 

Missouri. For more information, visit them online at 

thehawthornehouse.com, call them at 816-505-1224, or email 

info@thehawthornehouse.com. 



herlife | fitness 

T - Push Up 

photography by kellie paxton 

Step 1: 

Get in the standard push-up position (with or 

without dumbbells) with your eyes focused on 

a point on the ground two to three inches 

above your head. 

Step 2: 

Lower yourself so your chest is barely off the 

ground, keeping your back straight and your 

eyes focused on the same point. 

Step 3: 

Push yourself back up, lift your left hand and 

rotate the left side of your body up as you raise 

the dumbbell straight over your shoulder until 

your body forms a T. Repeat on the other side. 

David Gaston is an owner and trainer at Experience Fitness LLC. He’s a multi-state champion swimmer, 

collegiate athlete, and former football and swim coach. He’s also a practitioner in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 

and Judo. Coaching in all forms is his passion and he enjoys helping people reach beyond their own 

goals and discover their true potential. For more information about Experience Fitness LLC, visit them 

at 14469 Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park, Kansas, call them at 913-681-1622 or visit them online at 

experiencefitnessllc.com. 

30 30 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM


photography by heather morrow of hocus focus

TRAINER: Justin Hough, Impact Fitness 

Justin is the co-owner of Impact Fitness in the 

Northland, and has been a certified personal 

trainer for 12 years. After ten years of 

running his own personal training business, 

Justin became a gym owner, which allows him 

to help change the lives of more people than 

he could alone. Combining elements of 

short-term goal setting, intensity and balance 

has been a great key to success for his clients 

and the fitness facilities. 

JACKIE 

REYNOLDS 

STATS: 

AGE: 

HEIGHT: 

WEIGHT: 

BODY FAT: 

BMI: 

26 

5'5" 

149.80 lbs 

32.10% 

24.9 

The Fitness Challenge 

will give me the 

motivation I need to 

make a lifestyle change 

and stress the 

importance of exercise 

& healthy eating. 


herlife | fitness challenge 

HADLEY 

WRIGHT 

TRAINER: Justin Howell, Infinite Fitness 

Justin Howell attended Kansas State University where 

he studied Kinesiology with a focus in Athletic Training 

and Strength Coaching. After training in Manhattan 

independently, he returned to Kansas City where he 

acquired his National Certification through the 

National Strength Coaching Association, and a 

Master’s Certification through the Professional Fitness 

Institute. He currently resides in Leawood where 

he owns and operates Infinite Fitness and Massage 

Therapy with his beautiful wife, Janessa. 

STATS: 

AGE: 

HEIGHT: 

WEIGHT: 

BODY FAT: 

BMI: 

26 

5'9" 

227.20 lbs 

45.60% 

33.1 

Coming out of the 

challenge I want to 

have a different 

approach to food. 

This isn’t just a 

'challenge' for 

me, it’s a lifestyle 

change. 



When I talk to my 

clients on the phone (I’m 

an insurance agent) I’m 

sure they don’t see me 

as overweight. I have it 

together, personally and 

professionally. I want my 

outer self to reflect my 

inner self. 

KRISTY 

MOCHEL 

STATS: 

AGE: 

HEIGHT: 

WEIGHT: 

BODY FAT: 

BMI: 

43 

5'8" 

226.40 lbs 

48.10% 

34.4 

TRAINER: 

Jason Schlabach, Strength Time 

As a certified personal trainer at 

StrengthTime in Lenexa, Jason is 

excited to have the opportunity to help 

his clients transform themselves to feel 

younger, healthier and stronger in less 

than 30 minutes, twice a week. He’s 

honored to offer the best equipment in 

the industry, and to be able to provide an 

individually customized one-on-one safe, 

effective and efficient workout for each 

of his clients.

herlife | fitness challenge 

JODIE 

SMITH 

TRAINER: Cindi Smith, Total Body Fitness 

Cindi and her husband, Bobby (the brains behind the 

scenes), are co-owners of Total Body Fitness. Cindi has been 

in the fitness industry since 2005. Their fitness philosophy 

at Total Body Fitness is the tripod formation: Nutrition, 

Strength Training and Cardio! They believe in and preach 

proper body alignment, range of motion and body 

mechanics. In other words, “Isolation, not annihilation.” 

Nutrition is a very important part of their program. A 

workout without proper nutrition is a waste of time. “You 

can’t out-train a bad diet” is another favorite saying at 

Total Body Fitness! 

STATS: 

AGE: 

HEIGHT: 

WEIGHT: 

BODY FAT: 

BMI: 

44 

5'8" 

217.80 lbs 

45.40% 

33.1 

I want to lose weight 

because I've focused 

on everyone else the 

last 15 years of my life 

and I'm ready to focus 

on me...that starts with 

my weight! 


herlife | beauty 

Easy, Elegant 

EYEBROWS 

by ann e. butenas 

I 

am a make-up junkie! I have a drawer full of supplies that promise 

me a new look, improved features, and diminished lines and wrinkles. 

By all accounts, I should look like a super model. However, it 

seems I continue to miss the mark and then realized one simple aspect 

of my regimen that I rarely observe—the eyebrow. 

I have been 

fortunate that 

with time and 

age, my eyebrows 

have remained 

consistently the 

same. No flyaway 

hairs. No unibrow 

look. No gray 

hairs. I once had 

them waxed but 

vowed I would 

never do that 

again. Yes, I am a 

wimp. In my arsenal 

of make-up 

supplies, I have 

one lone eyebrow 

pencil that has 

seen better days. I 

occasionally fill in 

my eyebrows with a deepened brown color and then rub it in. It looks 

natural but does not really make an overall difference in my appearance. 

By addressing the eyebrows, however, we can create a stylish 

difference in our features. 

In order to figure out how to get those stylish looks that seem so 

effortless to Hollywood celebrities and fashion models, it is important 

to first determine the shape of your face. There are essentially four 

types of faces: round, oval, heart-shaped and long. 

If you have a round face, your face is nearly as wide as it is long, 

with your cheeks being the widest part of your face. With an oval face, 

the cheekbones are defined and your forehead is wider than your chin. 

If you have a wider forehead but a less outstanding chin, then you have 

a heart-shaped 

face. Finally, 

if your cheekbones, 

forehead 

and jaw are the 

same width and 

your chin is 

defined, this is 

recognized as a 

long face. 

For round 

faces, it is best 

to tone down 

the fullness of 

it by creating a 

high arch in the 

brow. By doing 

this, you draw 

the eye up and 

down, making 

your face appear 

longer. For oval faces, a soft, angled style works best on the brows. 

If you have a heart-shaped face, styling the perfect brow can minimize 

the sharp angles of your face. If you have a long face, you will 

want to style your eyebrows to make the face appear shorter. This is 

achieved by flattening the shape of the eyebrow, as a horizontal shape 

tends to keep the eye moving across, and not up and down. 

Before heading to the mirror, determine the natural arch of your 


ows. Then, you will need a couple pairs of 

tweezers: a slant-tipped pair for thicker hairs 

and a needle-nose-tipped pair that can readily 

grab those pesky, shorter hairs that are difficult 

to reach. Before tweezing, it is recommended 

that you brush the brow hairs straight up. Before 

you begin plucking, use a white eyeliner 

pencil as a guide to draw the desired shape of 

your brows. 

Next, you have to pick your eyebrow 

pencils wisely. (I won’t mention the time I got 

ready in dim lighting and accidentally used 

my black eyeliner pencil on my brows.) If you 

are blonde, it is best to match your darkest 

brow hairs to the pencil color for definition. 

If you are a redhead, use sable. Brunettes 

are advised to pick a color that is one shade 

lighter than their hair color to soften the look. 

For those heading into the afternoon of life 

and finding grayer hairs in their brows, taupe 

works best to reduce dull tones. 

Now that you have filled in your brows 

with the right color, it’s time to add definition 

and shine! And there’s no need to purchase 

expensive products to do this. Use a dab of 

Vaseline for added shine. For a fuller look 

(think Brooke Shields, not Eugene Levy!), 

brush the thickest part of your brows, near the 

inside corner, straight up and apply the gel. If 

it is extra color you desire, use tinted brow gel. 

To maintain the look of your eyebrows, 

regular maintenance with a professional shaping 

every few months works. For fine brows, 

tweezing does wonders for controlling the 

hairs. For medium brows, waxing is a great 

option to remove more hair at one time as 

opposed to the tedious and painful procedure 

of plucking individual hairs. If your brows are 

on the heavier side, threading is a wonderful 

option that removes thick and thin hairs at the 

same time. 

The important things you need to know 

to create perfect brows are the shape of your 

face, the color of your hair and the density 

of your brows. The rest is simple! With your 

fabulous new look, you’ll be showing off your 

elegant eyebrows in no time! ■ 

Sources for this article are shape.com and 

marieclaire.com. 


herlife | inspirations 

herlife | inspirations

adrienne 

helvey 

by chandra blackwell 

photography by tracy routh photography 

hair by morgan ellis of double take salon and spa 

makeup by melissa evans 

shot on location at: the university of kansas cancer center 

cake (cover) provided by: 3 women and an oven 

dress provided by: two chic blvd 

F 

or most of us (Victoria’s Secret models 

notwithstanding), it’s a woman’s worst 

nightmare: appearing before a huge 

crowd clad in underwear. For others, though, 

that experience is a moment of triumph in the 

midst of weeks, months or even years of fear, pain, 

exhaustion and anxiety mixed with determination, 

hope…and the stalwart sense of humor that 

comes with being a breast cancer survivor. 

Adrienne Helvey is one of the coolest survivors 

you’ll meet—and all you have to do is ask if you 

want to see her bra. As she proudly showed a 

photo of the bra she designed, made and modeled 

for the inaugural Art Bra KC event in 2011, 

she waxed nostalgic about her experience. “The 

energy in the room was amazing, not just for the 

models, but also for their friends and families, 

who were witnessing a newfound confidence in 

the women on that stage.” 

Art Bra KC is a fun and unique celebration of 

triumph over breast cancer. One-of-a-kind art bras 

are designed and created by local artists, celebrities 

and volunteers. Breast cancer survivors then step to 

the runway to model these works of art which are 

sold via silent and live auctions to benefit breast 

cancer patients who are still on the journey, but 

do not have insurance for their pre- and post-op 

surgical supplies, prosthetics, wigs, etc. “Patients 

without insurance are more stressed about facing 

the disease without money than they are about the 

disease itself,” says Judy Newell, manager of Missy’s 

Boutique at the University of Kansas Hospital Cancer 

Center, which is where Art Bra KC’s Patients 

In Need Fund is available. 


world of patients with bilateral breast desmoids,” said Adrienne. “If 

not for the expert staff at KU Med, my condition could easily have 

been misdiagnosed as aggressive breast cancer.” 

Because of its rarity, Adrienne’s case was presented to the KU 

Med Tumor Board to decide how to proceed. The night before her 

30th birthday, Adrienne received word that the Tumor Board was 

recommending a double mastectomy. At that point, she felt a small 

sense of relief. “The scary part was not knowing what it was. Once 

I got a diagnosis and a plan of action, I just thought, ‘Okay, if this is 

what needs to be done, I can do it,’” she recalled, adding with a sly 

grin that she did find a silver lining: “New boobs!” 

finding a new normal 

With survival mode fully engaged, Adrienne grabbed the bull 

by the horns…and somehow managed to tickle him under his chin 

at the same time. With the date for the mastectomy set, she gathered 

her best friends for a Bye-Bye Booby party, complete with appropriately-themed 

cake and t-shirts. The night before her surgery, though, 

her mood became a little more pensive. “Because of my previous 

experience with anesthesia,” recalled Adrienne, “I was really scared 

about going under this time.” Unsure about what might happen, 

she sat down that night and wrote letters to her husband, Chris, and 

each of her two young boys, Carter and Blake, ages four and two at 

the time. She said, “I cried so much writing those letters that the 

nurse had trouble getting the IV in the next day because I was so 

dehydrated.” Nonetheless, she came through the surgery just fine, 

and immediately set about getting accustomed to her “new normal.” 

the making of a survivor 

Adrienne’s journey began in 2009 when she detected a lump in 

her right breast during a routine self-exam. She met with a midwife 

at her OB/GYN’s office who’d just undergone chemotherapy herself. 

“I’ll never forget the look of fear on her face when she felt the lump,” 

Adrienne remembered. “She sent me straight to KU Med where I had 

a mammogram, two needle biopsies and an MRI within two days.” 

At that point, doctors were convinced that she had aggressive breast 

cancer; however, the biopsies proved inconclusive, so she underwent a 

surgical biopsy which turned out to be a harrowing experience. “When 

I awoke, I felt like I was drowning and couldn’t take a breath. It turned 

out that I had pulmonary edema. It cleared up after several hours, but I 

still get anxious anytime I know I’m undergoing anesthesia.” 

A week later, Adrienne was diagnosed with bilateral breast desmoid 

tumors. Although they are locally aggressive and can destroy tissue 

and bones, desmoid tumors are not known to metastasize throughout 

the body. Some doctors, therefore, consider them to be benign. 

They’re also extremely rare. “I have found fewer than four cases in the 

focusing on family 

A key part of that process for Adrienne has been her family— 

her husband, her parents and particularly her boys, now ages seven 

and five. “They’ve been a good distraction,” she said, with an ear-to-ear 

grin. “They can always make me smile.” She has made it a point to 

maintain as little disruption in their lives as possible. Adrienne shared, 

“I’ve shown up to their football games still conspicuously bandaged 

from surgery because it’s important to me to be there for them.” 

Eventually, she left her full-time job as an International Compliance 

Specialist in order to become a stay-at-home mom. “It has allowed 

me to take better care of myself and reduce stress,” she said. Though 

some would hardly consider caring for young children a stress-reducer, 

Adrienne is grateful to have more time with them, and definitely has 

clear priorities where motherhood is concerned. “I don’t think you win 

the Mother of the Year Award by having a spotless house,” she said, “so 

I spend a lot of time just playing with them in the yard. I love getting to 

experience things with them.” 

And although she may not have an actual trophy on her mantel, 

her boys make it clear that she’s the best mom they could ask for. “She 

tucks us in at night,” said Blake, when asked what he loves most about 

his mom. Meanwhile Carter, with searing second-grade wisdom, 

declared, “She takes good care of us.” Then, after a brief moment of 


contemplation, he added, “And she’s funny. That’s important.” 

joining the celebration 

Another part of Adrienne’s “new normal” adjustment process 

has been her participation in Art Bra KC. Encouraged to participate 

by both her oncologist and reconstructive plastic surgeon, Adrienne 

wasn’t quite sure what she was getting into when she signed on to 

model for the first event in 2011. “It was the first time an event like this 

had taken place in Kansas City,” she said. Art Bra KC founder Sharon 

Butler Payne brought the idea from Austin, Texas, where her daughterin-law 

had participated in a similar event. Although the Austin event 

was successful, Adrienne said, “Nobody was sure how Kansas City 

would react.” 

In addition, she was initially nervous about how she’d fit in with 

the other models. Since desmoid tumors are often considered benign, 

she worried. “Some might say I didn’t actually have breast cancer.” At 

the first meeting, however, when introductions were being made and 

survivor stories told, Adrienne garnered instant acceptance from the 

group. She recalled, “As soon as they heard my story, everyone said,

‘Are you kidding You’ve had both boobs removed—of course you 

belong here!’” 

Just as Adrienne was embraced by her fellow models, Art Bra 

has been embraced by Kansas City. The first event, which took place 

at Studio Dan Meiners, was such a huge success that it surpassed all 

fundraising expectations. “Our goal that year was to raise $25,000,” 

said Adrienne, “and we raised almost $100,000!” In order to accommodate 

its popularity, the second Art Bra KC event will be moved to 

a larger Kansas City venue. “We’re looking for a venue that has the 

intimate feel of Studio Dan Meiners, with a little more space,” said 

Adrienne. “As Art Bra KC is quickly becoming a part of the city’s fabric, 

we’re excited about finding the ideal place where it can continue 

to grow.” 

carrying the torch 

Adrienne is so passionate about Art Bra KC that she has stayed 

involved with the event ever since. For the 2012 event, she volunteered 

to recruit sponsoring restaurants, and for the 2013 event, she is serving 

as Co-Chair. “Having been a model previously, I feel like I have a real 

sense of Sharon [Butler Payne]’s vision,” she said. And it is a somewhat 

unique vision, because each Art Bra event focuses as much on the 

models as it does on the fundraising. “Our models are survivors, so 

one purpose of this event is to remind them of their strength, and help 

them feel confident in their skin,” she emphasized. To that end, each 

model is given the royal treatment—hair and make-up stylists, and 

wardrobe consultants to help coordinate an outfit with each bra. 

And because family constitutes a crucial support system for a 

breast cancer survivor (and for Adrienne herself), the 2013 event will 

focus on family. Each model will be escorted to and from the stage by 

a member of her family (of origin or by choice), while the rest of her 

supporters stand and cheer. Adrienne shared, “At least 60 percent of 

our audience consists of models’ friends and family, and if this event is 

about celebrating survival, how can we not honor people who are such 

a big part of it” 

One thing’s for sure—there’s no better person to lead a celebration 

of survival than Adrienne Helvey. With a clear focus on the things 

that matter most, an incredible capacity for empathy and a knack for 

throwing one heck of a party, she shepherds survivors and supporters 

alike through the nightmare of cancer into a reality of hope, love and 

fun. ■ 

For more information on Art Bra KC, visit ArtBraKC.com. 



herlife | cravings 


W 

hen my husband and I transplanted from Chicago to 

Kansas City six years ago, we were treated to several 

raised eyebrows and whispered comments from our city friends as we 

loaded up the moving van. “It’s all telephone poles and Burger Kings. 

What will you do” said one particularly dumbfounded neighbor. (She 

hadn’t been here, but that’s what she heard. Naturally.) 

I had some KC exposure from my days at KU, but my husband 

was taking a totally blind leap. He didn’t come right out and say so, but 

I know he was worried that the culinary scene would be nothing but 

chicken fingers dipped in ranch dressing. 

We both just hoped our new city would offer a sliver of the thing 

we loved most about Chicago—unique neighborhoods to explore, 

each with its own eclectic mix of shops, art, people watching and food. 

Always food. 

Needless to say, Kansas City has not disappointed. From the 

preppy vibe of Prairie Village and the hipster grunge of the Crossroads 

to the reclaimed renaissance of the West Bottoms, we’ve explored our 

way through them all. And by explored, I mean eaten. 

But for me, no stretch of pavement captures Kansas City better 

than the hilltop intersection of 17th and Summit. Sandwiched by a 

mix of old row houses and sparkly, modern homes, and overlooking 

the gorgeous humpback of the Kauffman Center, 17th and Summit is 

home to all things uniquely KC. My favorite spot The Westside Local. 

Named after the Scottish and Irish tradition of a “local house” 

(i.e., neighborhood watering hole), customers interpreted the name to 

mean that the food was local. “When we opened in 2009, we quickly 

realized that our diners were really asking for local food,” said general 

manager and partner Brandon Strick. “So that’s what we did.” 

And they have done it deliciously well. In the past three years, 

The Westside Local has established strong relationships with local 

farmers and purveyors–Windhaven Farm for eggs, burger from Alex 

Pope’s Local Pig charcuterie, even figs grown in the city by an old 

Sicilian couple, to name a few–and built a loyal customer base as 

eclectic as the neighborhood. 

At any given moment you can find “ladies who lunch” noshing 

on the Kale Salad, a tattooed 20-something drinking Boulevard in the 

beer garden or a regular couple on a much-needed night away from 

the kids creating a build-your-own Locality Plate. 

“Our regulars love the Locality Plate,” said Brandon. “They get to 

choose their own cured meats, cheeses, breads, olives and fruits, and it 

creates a different experience each time they come in.” 

Personally, I cannot live without The Westside Local’s deviled 

eggs. These are not the “after church potluck” deviled eggs of your 

childhood. Like the entire menu, they change seasonally. On my most 

recent visit, they were served with a chili basil aioli and an orange 

citrus vinaigrette. 

My husband, the chef, simply stopped all conversation and turned 

into a finger-licking moaner when his Pale Ale Pulled Pork sandwich 

arrived on another recent visit. Pulled pork slowly braised in Boulevard 


Pale Ale is served on a farm-to-market pretzel bun with cinnamon 

sweet pickle ribbons, pink peppercorn sweet red onions and white 

cheddar cheese. I know something is really good when I ask for just a 

little bite, and he rolls his eyes and sighs before handing it over. 

As I enjoyed my own entrée of 17th Street Mussels with Mexican 

chorizo, lime, cilantro, tomatoes, jalapenos and grilled baguette, I 

thought of my old Chicago neighborhood and how much The Westside 

Local reminds me of all those little places we used to tuck into 

for a plate of something amazing. And then I remembered that I also 

spent more on a parking space every month than I did on my car payment. 

Shudder. Yes, we can now truly call Kansas City home, and The 

Westside Local is our spot. ■ 

For more information, visit The Westside Local at 1663 Summit 

Street in Kansas City, MO, call them at 816-997-9089 or visit them 

online at thewestsidelocal.com. Their hours are Tuesday–Thursday: 

11:00am–9:00pm; Friday–Saturday: 11:00am–10:00pm; Sunday 

Brunch 11:00am–3:00pm; Sunday Dinner: 3:00pm–9:00pm. Closed on 

Monday. 

A self-professed foodie whose kitchen essentials include bacon, blue cheese, a French press and Sriracha, 

Charity Ohlund can be found eating her way through Kansas City's culinary scene with her chef 

husband. Her food and restaurant writing has been published in Reader's Digest and KC Magazine, and 

on FrothyGirlz.com and Yahoo.com. After graduating from the University of Kansas with a journalism degree, 

Charity worked for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in Scottsdale and Chicago before moving to Kansas 

City in 2006. When she isn't cooking, eating or chasing after her two young sons, Charity is busy running 

Maddy Nash, the personalized clutch purse company she founded last year. Maddy Nash bags can 

be found at Clique Boutique, TallulahBelle's and at MaddyNash.com. 

photo provided by heather morrow of hocus focus photography 


(Not So) 

Heavy Metal 

Simple, Seasonal 

Indoor-Outdoor Style 

by Terri Schuver, 

South Dakota 

Fall Into 

Healthy 

Eating 

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8" Star, $28 

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Offer good on our Signature Optimal Meal Plan. See online for details. 

RBG-HL-Oct2012.indd 1 

9/10/12 7:12:22 PM

herlife | recipes 

Shrimp and Pesto Pizza with Goat Cheese 

recipes and photography by kristen doyle 

Ingredients: 

4 (6-inch) round pizza crusts or 

flatbreads 

2 heaping Tablespoons pesto spread 

20 small-medium shrimp, peeled and 

deveined 

1 ½ Tablespoons olive oil 

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 

2 ounces crumbled goat cheese 

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 

salt and pepper 

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 400° F. 

2. Place your crusts on nonstick baking sheets. Evenly distribute and spread 

the pesto over each crust; set aside. 

3. Coat the shrimp with the olive oil and then sprinkle with the garlic and 

some salt and pepper. In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, sear the 

shrimp for about 1 minute, flip and cook for another 30 seconds. 

4. Place 5 shrimp on each pizza, then sprinkle with the mozzarella and goat 

cheeses. Bake for 20 minutes until the cheese starts to brown on the edges. Let 

cool for just a minute or so and serve. ■ 


Halloween Candy Corn Pretzel Bark 

Ingredients: 

24 ounces white chocolate baking 

squares, chopped 

2 cups thin, salted pretzel sticks, broken 

into pieces 

2 cups candy corn 

Instructions: 

1. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper or parchment paper. 

2. Place white chocolate in a large microwavable bowl and melt in the 

microwave for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 15-second intervals, stirring 

until smooth. 

3. Stir in pretzel sticks and candy corn. (Press in additional pretzel sticks and 

candy corn for added color, if desired.) 

4. Spread out on the lined baking sheet. Chill in the freezer for 15-20 minutes 

until set. Break into pieces. Refrigerate in an airtight container. ■ 


herlife | wine 

THE 

Pleasures 

OF 

Pomerol 

by seánan forbes | photography courtesy chateau la conseillante 

Parents say many things, some of them over and over again. One 

familiar reminder is “Good things come in small packages.” 

When you grow up, you realize that some little things do 

anything but disappoint: airline tickets, a string of pearls, and a pair of 

diamond studs. In Bordeaux, beautiful wines come from small houses 

in a small region – small packages within a small package, as it were. 

This little package is Pomerol. 

To put “little” in context, St. Emilion’s vineyards cover more than 

12,355 acres; Pomerol's are fewer than 1,976. 

You know how flavors are concentrated when fruit’s made into 

jam. It’s not fair to say that wine’s tastes are denser because they’re 

packed into a small region of land, but it almost seems that way. Put 

simply, wine is pretty in Pomerol. 

Simplicity is key. As winemaking regions go, Pomerol is democratic. 

There’s no formal system of classification, dividing wines into 

tiered growths or classes. This is not an area for powerhouse conglomerates. 

Everywhere you look, you’ll find châteaux surrounded by vines 

and those vines are working. In Pomerol, wine is very much a family 

business. 

That’s not to say that the houses are producing moonshine. On 

the contrary, Pomerol produces some of the densest, richest, most 

luxuriant wines in Bordeaux. Part of that’s due to tending. When wines 

are made in such small quantities, care can be given. At every stage, 

including a secondary fermentation in individual barrels, wines are 

tended by hand, given direct human attention. 

The wine is red; the vista is smooth and green. Set aside images 

Simplicity is key. As winemaking 

regions go, Pomerol is democratic. 

There’s no formal system of 

classification, dividing wines into 

tiered growths or classes. 

of vineyards as dizzying verticals. Pomerol is fairly flat. The soil is a 

blend of gravel, clay, and sand, with one element dominating here and 

another there. 

Find the most clay-rich soil, and you’ll discover highly respected 

names, including Clos l’Eglise, Château Beauregard, Ch. La Fleur- 

Pétrus, L’Evangile, La Conseillante, Hosanna, Petrus, La Croix de 

Gay, and Latour à Pomerol. There are labels enough to fill a cellar and 

some of them are working with only a few acres of vineyard. 

Clay likes Merlot, and that’s the dominant grape here. That news 

is immediately rewarding. While Cabernet-Sauvignon needs ageing, 

Merlot matures relatively fast – between five and twenty years. Good 

Pomerols are deep red, smooth and supple, with a nose rich enough 

to be perfume and a sumptuous flavor. The wine pairs well with food: 

cheese (of course; this is a French wine), game, veal, rabbit, even desserts 

(say, poached pears). But Pomerol is pure pleasure on its own. 

A beautiful evening, the right company – perhaps your own – and 

a glass of beauty from an old-fashioned château in Bordeaux. Our 

parents were right, after all, it’s the little things. ■ 




Premier 

Plastic Surgery 

of 

Kansas City 

by kelly jo mcdonnell 

photography by adrienne maples 

Dr. John Moore is a Renaissance man, and darn proud of 

it. The Southern Illinois School of Medicine graduate 

began his practice 30 years ago, and now Premier Plastic 

Surgery of Kansas City is a booming practice known for excellence, 

dedication and personalized care. 

Dr. Moore explains that most surgeons tend to focus on a 

specialty, like cosmetic surgery, and don’t continue the broad 

education focus. But at Premier, all three surgeons (Dr. Moore, Dr. 

Federico Gonzalez and Dr. Brad Storm) see the bigger picture. “I 

think that is one of the things my two partners and I are proud of— 

we’re always described as Renaissance plastic surgeons. It means we 

were trained in all the different areas of plastic surgery, and we’ve 

continued to practice all the various forms.” 

Of those forms, Cosmetic Surgery is at the forefront of the 

practice. All three doctors perform a full range of cosmetic procedures, 

from breast augmentation, tummy tucks and liposuction, to 

face lifts and eyelid lifts, as well as Botox® and injectable fillers, 

and laser rejuvenation procedures. Because of their experience 

and education in the full spectrum of cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical 

care, they provide a complete resource for their patients in 

a supportive and private environment. 

While all three doctors are specialists in cosmetic surgery, 

each has his own special interest. Dr. Moore particularly has inter- 


ests in breast augmentation, blepharoplasty, 

rhinoplasty and facial skin rejuvenation. Serving 

as the director of Premier Skin Care Center 

gives him the opportunity to give his facial 

patients options from non-invasive to invasive 

treatments. “Let’s face it—back in the day, 

we put on baby oil with iodine and thought 

we were doing something good. And now 

we’re seeing the damage the sun has done in 

our youth,” said Dr. Moore. He stressed that 

everyone should be on prescription-strength 

skincare products, and that most are the same 

amount of money as the products you buy 

over the counter. “We don’t use mojo magic 

with ingredients taken from a flower in northern 

India. These products have been scientifically 

proven, and actually work in a strength 

that is effective.” Dr. Moore shared. 

Dr. Storm’s particular expertise is in cosmetic 

and reconstructive surgery of the breast 

and body. His extensive experience with 

breast reconstruction has paid dividends in his 

results of his cosmetic surgeries of the breast 

and body. He is 1 of 50 plastic surgeons in the 

United States granted entry into the FDA trial 

of the Allergan 410 cohesive gel implant. This 

specific implant has allowed Dr. Storm to 

help over 90 women on their road to recovery 

after breast cancer. 

Dr. Gonzalez is one of the world’s leading 

experts in genital cosmetic surgery which 

includes labiaplasty, vaginoplasty and clitoral 

unhooding, and he’s spent the past 15 years 

perfecting his specific technique. “Some 

women are born with these issues, or it happens 

after pregnancy, but changes happen in 

the labia. The surgery is very safe and has a 

very easy recovery,” said Dr. Moore. 

All three of Premier’s surgeons have their 

fellowships in hand surgery, a procedure that 

not many people consider. Hand/reconstructive 

surgery is one of the most complicated 

surgeries, and Premier Plastic Surgery has the 

largest group of board-certified hand surgeons 

in the Kansas City area. The three surgeons 

have over 80 combined years of complex 

hand reconstruction experience. And it’s 

“We’re always described 

as Renaissance plastic 

surgeons. It means we 

were trained in all the 

different areas of plastic 

surgery, and we’ve 

continued to practice all 

the various forms.”

eally not a surprise that a surgery on the hand is one of the most 

complex types of surgery. “The hand is the most complicated mechanism 

in the body,” said Dr. Moore. “It’s the biggest challenge of any 

surgeon because it’s so complicated and so important. You earn your 

living with your hands.” 

Another specialized procedure offered by Premier is migraine 

surgery. “Two billion dollars a year is lost from workers who miss work 

because of migraines,” said Dr. Moore. “Everybody knows someone 

who has migraine headaches. It basically puts their lives on hold.” 

Dr. Moore is one of only a handful of surgeons in the United 

States who perform Botox® injections as a diagnostic tool to determine 

migraine trigger points. He explained, “The muscle sits on top 

of the nerve, and we take the pressure off that nerve. The migraine is 

being triggered by the cranial nerve. Because of that, it releases pain 

chemicals directly into the brain and it sets the brain off, causing 

the migraine headache. What we’re doing is cutting the fuse to the 

bomb.” 

The doctors at Premier Plastic Surgery understand that every 

patient is unique. “We truly go the extra mile for our patients,” added 

Dr. Moore. “We want to make people happy, and we’ll do what it 

takes.” ■ 

For more information about Premier Plastic Surgery of Kansas 

City, located at 20375 W. 151st Street, Suite 370 in Olathe, Kansas, 

call them at 913-782-0707 or visit them online at ppskc.com. 


herlife | book club 

Shanghai 

Gir ls 

by Lisa See 

review by catie watson 

Occasionally we come across a book that changes the way 

we think by providing new insight into lives that are 

very different from our own. Shanghai Girls is one of 

those books for me. This tale of two Chinese sisters that begins in 

glamorous Shanghai just before World War II, and ends in California 

20 years later, provides a powerful depiction of the violent 

history of modern China and the hardships endured by Chinese 

immigrants who seek a better life in mid-century America. 

Novelist Lisa See, whose mother is American author Carolyn 

See, was profoundly influenced by the Chinese heritage of her father’s 

family. She has spoken in interviews about spending some of the 

happiest days of her childhood in her grandparents’ antique store in 

Los Angeles’ Chinatown. See has written several best-selling historical 

novels that center on the lives of women in China, including Snow 

Flower and the Secret Fan and Peony in Love. In Shanghai Girls, her 

sixth novel, she examines the lives of Chinese women caught between 

the traditions of their homeland and the choices they must make to 

survive in America. 

The story begins in Shanghai in 1937 where sisters Pearl and May 

Chin enjoy a privileged life filled with friends, parties and shopping. 

The story is told from the point of view of Pearl, the older and more 

practical sister. Her relationship with May is complex. Like many 

sisters, the girls alternate between devotion to each other and bitter 

rivalry for their parents’ affection. 

Pearl and May earn pocket money by posing as models for 

“Beautiful Girl” paintings that appear in calendars and advertisements. 

They think of themselves as modern young women, different from 

their traditional mother who is hobbled by her bound feet. Their world 

comes crashing down and their illusions are shattered when their 

father informs them that gambling debt has forced him to sell them 

into arranged marriages with “Golden Mountain men”—two Chinese 

American brothers who have come from America seeking Chinese 

brides. They barely get a chance to meet their young husbands before 

the double wedding takes place. The young men then return to 

America where Pearl and May will join them, but within days Japanese 

planes begin to bomb Shanghai. 

The sisters escape Shanghai, though not before experiencing tragedy, 

and set off on a ship bound for America. Their problems don’t end 

when they land in San Francisco. They are imprisoned for months in 

crowded barracks on Angel Island as U.S. authorities attempt to build a 

case for sending them home. Because they have paperwork that proves 

they are married to Americans, they are finally able to journey to their 

new home in Los Angeles. They bring with them Joy, a daughter May 

has given birth to on Angel Island. Joy is the key to a secret that will 

unite the sisters forever, despite continuing rivalry that threatens to tear 

them apart. 

In Los Angeles, Pearl and May encounter prejudice, discrimination 

and stereotypical thinking. They live with their husbands and 

in-laws in a cramped apartment near China City, a tourist destination 

constructed from old movie sets. Pearl toils in the family restaurant 

while May and Joy find more glamorous work at the movie studios. 

Both sisters are pressured by their in-laws to provide their husbands 

with sons. Desperately unhappy, Pearl and May initially plan to save 

money and run away from their domineering father-in-law. As the years 

pass, they realize that they are part of a new family and America is their 

new home. 

The dramatic events in the lives of these two girls from Shanghai 

form the framework for the novel, but the soul of the book lies in the 

historical settings and events that provide a backdrop for the plot. The 

lost cosmopolitan city that was pre-war Shanghai, the deprivations of 


The dramatic events in the lives of 

these two girls from Shanghai form 

the framework for the novel, but the 

soul of the book lies in the historical 

settings and events that provide a 

backdrop for the plot. 

Angel Island and the make-believe facades of China City are depicted 

with fascinating realism. We see Chinese culture through the eyes of 

Pearl and May, gaining some understanding of the comfort traditions 

from home can provide when you start life over in a new country. See’s 

skillful storytelling takes us through two decades of tragedy, loss and 

the discovery of love while revealing a hidden chapter in American 

history. Through the voice of Pearl, we experience the racism encountered 

by Asian immigrants and gain a better understanding of how 

they survived, thrived and made important contributions to their new 

homeland. 

Shanghai Girls ends with a cliffhanger. Pearl and May are 

forced to confront resentment and hurt feelings they have buried 

for years while Joy, now a young woman, begins a journey that 

will open old wounds for both sisters. Dreams of Joy, the sequel to 

Shanghai Girls, follows these extraordinary women as they conquer 

ghosts from the past and move into their future. ■ 



herlife | scene and be seen 

Beach Bash at Pizza Bar 

photography by nightlifekc.com 

Pizza Bar isn’t just good for food and drinks. They work hard to bring a great experience 

whether it’s Karaoke on Tuesdays or themed parties on the weekends. Friday’s theme was 

The End of Summer Beach Bash where beach balls abounded, there were hula hoops 

contests and even a dunk tank was brought in. Live Music was provided by Big Deuce & DJ E. 

View this entire album by scanning the QR code with 

your smart phone. Get a free scanner app at 

www.getneoreader.com 

18th Anniversary Weekend at The Landing 


The Landing celebrated their 18th Anniversary over Labor Day weekend with The Bob 

Harvey Band kicking off the festivities Friday night. Later that weekend, they also gave 

away free t-shirts and cozies, and wrapped up the whole party with a fish fry, inflatable 

fun zone and car show. Congratulations to The Landing and here’s to another 18 years! 

View this entire album by scanning the QR code with 

your smart phone. Get a free scanner app at 





Inspire By Tiffany Second Year Anniversary 


Inspire by Tiffany Boutique celebrated their second year anniversary for their Olathe store on 

September 1st and 2nd. Festivities included a sidewalk sale with huge discounts, door prizes, gift cards 

given out from Aestheticare Medical Spa, sweet treats for customers, and of course, great new fall 

merchandise. Inspire by Tiffany Boutique is a women’s clothing and accessory store dedicated to making 

women feel and look fabulous, all at affordable prices that will not break the bank. Visit them at their Olathe 

location at 14933 W. 119th Street, or find them online at inspirebytiffany.com or Facebook at 

facebook.com/inspirebytiffanyboutique. 

View this entire album by scanning the QR 

code with your smart phone. Get a free 

scanner app at www.getneoreader.com 




Refresh Fifty Shades of Grey Party 


Refresh Medical Day Spa and 

Hormonal Health brought 

together women of the area 

for their “50 Shades of Grey 

Ladies’ Night.” The event focused on spa 

treatments such as leg vein injections, 

non-surgical face lifts, Latisse® and medical 

grade skincare, as well as complimentary 

chair massages and special guest Toni 

Opella with Pure Romance. Check out 

refreshhealthspa.com for other upcoming 

events and promotions. 







Garment House Grand Opening 


Garment House had its grand 

opening Labor Day weekend to a 

huge crowd. It is a members-only 

lounge where members enjoy a premium 

open bar. Sign up for free membership at 

garmenthousekc.com. Open on Friday and 

Saturday nights, and located at 10th and 

Broadway. 







Grapes & Paints Girls' Wine Night 


Grapes and Paints is the newest hot spot to hit Overland Park! They’ll provide 

everything you need for a fun night out: professional artist instruction, apron, paint, 

16 x 20 canvas, brushes, corkscrews, water and wine glasses. You just need bring your 

beverage of choice (and snack if preferred) and your creativity. Book your painting event today 

at 913-314-2650 or check them out online at grapesandpaints.com. 

View this entire album by scanning the QR code 

with your smart phone. Get a free scanner app at 


Dirty Bass at Mosaic 


Pizza Bar isn’t just good for food and drinks. They work hard to bring a great 

experience whether it’s Karaoke on Tuesdays or themed parties on the weekends. 

Friday’s theme was The End of Summer Beach Bash where beach balls abounded, 

there were hula hoops contests and even a dunk tank was brought in. Live Music was 

provided by Big Deuce & DJ E. 

View this entire album by scanning the QR code 

with your smart phone. Get a free scanner app at 





Collaborative Divorce 

I 

s collaborative divorce right for you Attorney 

Hugh O’Donnell III believes, “The 

process allows couples or parents to end 

their marriage in a manner which preserves 

the family and reduces the financial and emotional 

costs for both of them. For parents, it 

enables them to better communicate and work 

together in raising their children.” Hugh is a 

member of Collaborative Divorce Kansas City. 

This association is made up of family law attorneys 

who are licensed in Missouri and Kansas, 

mental health professionals and financial 

specialists. Their practices are independent, 

but these professionals work together out of 

mutual respect for each other, and a firm belief 

in the collaborative process as a constructive 

and humane method for the dissolution of 

marriage and post-divorce planning. 

Divorce is often a highly-charged atmosphere 

where fear, hurt feelings and anger 

hinder the legal separation of a marriage. In 

collaborative divorce, each client is represented 

by an attorney who agrees to participate in a 

non-adversarial process. 

The collaborative attorneys are experienced 

in family law and have training in the 

collaborative process. Each client retains an 

attorney who helps the client reach an agreement 

with their spouse based on the “parties’ 

goals” and interests going forward, and those of 

their family. The collaborative attorney must 

withdraw from the representation if either party 

decides to terminate the collaborative process 

and proceed with litigation. Collaborative 

attorneys manage the collaborative process by 

keeping their clients focused on their needs, 

establishing an open communication with the 

opposing spouse, creating settlement options 

beneficial to the whole family, meeting and 

consulting with other professionals as needed, 

and finalizing the legal matters in the court 

system. The collaborative process affords the 

parties an opportunity to pursue options and 

methods that might not be available through 

the traditional litigation model. The parties 


Kansas City 

by linda r. price | photography by adrienne maples 

have control over how issues are addressed and 

the timeline for finalizing an agreement. 

Mental health coaches, such as a psychologist 

or social worker, are present to help each 

client deal with the emotional components 

and stress present during the divorce process, 

and to facilitate the meetings involving the 

parties and their lawyers. They are specifically 

retained to enhance their client’s listening and 

communicative skills throughout the collaborative 

process. During the negotiation process, 

the mental health coach helps the client verbalize 

their feelings and identify their primary 

goals. Where children are present, the mental 

health coaches can help parents improve their 

parenting skills and develop a parenting plan 

for post-divorce. 

A financial specialist is a neutral, licensed 

professional who specializes in family or divorce 

planning. The specialist works by gathering 

information, preparing current and future 

budgets, educating clients about their financial 

reality, developing spreadsheets and projections, 

assisting with tax issues, and working 

with other experts such as real estate appraisers 

and business evaluators. With complete and 

neutral disclosure of assets, couples are able to 

divide their assets in an equitable fashion. 

The child specialist is a neutral, licensed 

mental health professional who meets directly 

with the child or children. The child specialist 

provides children with a neutral, nonjudgmental 

voice in the process and gives parents 

useful information to guide their future plans 

concerning the children. By keeping the 

children out of the controversy, parents are 

able to focus on their children’s needs without 

traumatizing the children by their decision to 

dissolve their marriage. The child specialist 

assesses the needs of the children, and helps 


oth the parents and other team professionals understand them. Joint 

decisions about children’s education, health and welfare are woven 

into the parenting plan and are based on the children’s developmental 

levels. 

Step The advantages Right of collaborative Up: divorce are many. The collaborative 

process can reduce costs even though it might seem that a team 

approach Convenient would be more costly. A Walk-in 

financial specialist reduces costs by 

gathering and organizing financial data. Mental health coaches can 

Screenings at Menorah 

make meetings more productive in achieving overall goals for their 

clients Medical in a way that reduces Center 

the overall time. The child specialist can 

help resolve issues concerning children’s future needs and desires. In 

general, these professionals charge lower fees than an attorney, thus 

helping to keep costs of the process contained. 

Another advantage of the collaborative process is the emotional 

benefit of stressing cooperation over confrontation and resolution over 

revenge. Clients, not attorneys or judges, determine their future by creating 

a settlement unique to their specific circumstances and desires. 

Couples are afforded greater privacy in the collaborative process 

than in the adversarial process where court pleadings and discovery 

become public record. Only the final documents necessary to reach 

the dissolution of the marriage are filed in court once the settlement is 

reached.■ 

For more information about Collaborative Divorce Kansas City 

(CDKC), visit their website at collaborativedivorcekansascity.net or call 

them at 913-730-9401. 



herlife | mother’s perspective 

Recognizing 

Treating 

Infant 

Skin Problems 

by lisa allen 

The fact that the phrase ‘smooth as a baby’s bottom’ is considered 

a compliment implies that a baby’s skin is the epitome of 

what we all yearn for: clear, vibrant and beautiful. Those of us 

who have had children, though, know that a baby’s first year is rarely 

without some type of skin issue that gives us pause. 

Most commonly lumped into the general category of ‘rash,’ infant 

skin issues range from uncomfortable and annoying to medically 

worrisome. The reason 

babies are more likely 

to experience a rash or 

skin ailment is because 

it takes approximately 

a year after a baby is 

born for the epidermis 

to fully develop into 

the protective barrier 

necessary to prevent 

harm. A baby’s skin is thinner, less pigmented, and does not regulate 

temperature as well as more mature skin. 

The most common skin issue that affects infants is diaper rash. 

The environment created by constant diaper wear--moist, warm and 

shaded--breaks down the skin in that area. When the elements of poo 

and pee are added, the elements are even more ripe for irritation. 

Keeping the skin as dry as possible, cleaning with gentle products, 

using skin protectants like petroleum jelly or a zinc oxide cream, and 

allowing the bottom to air dry as often as possible are ways to alleviate 

this recurrent skin issue. 

Another common rash is called intertrigo. A rash typically found 

in skin folds, especially in the neck, it most often affects chubby 

babies younger than six 

months old. Depending 

on the amount of 

friction in the affected 

area, the baby may or 

may not notice any 

discomfort but you will 

likely see a red, raw 

and weepy rash that 

looks worse inside skin 

creases. This condition is exacerbated by excessive moisture that collects 

in skin creases; a combination of drool or spit up and a lack of air 

circulation is to blame. Doctors advice washing the folds of skin with 

water and applying a zinc oxide cream or petroleum jelly to prevent 

irritation. 

The reason babies are more likely to 

experience a rash or skin ailment is because it 

takes approximately a year after a baby is born 

for the epidermis to fully develop into the 

protective barrier necessary to prevent harm. 


Miliaria, more commonly known as prickly heat, is a rash that occurs 

on the face, neck, back or bottom and looks like a mass of tiny red 

bumps. This rash arises from a baby’s inability to regulate heat well, 

and is a reaction to anything that might overheat the child. Prickly 

heat does not occur just during the summer months, but might result 

Prickly heat does not occur just 

during the summer months, but 

might result from over-bundling in 

tight clothing or being strapped into 

a car seat. 

from over-bundling in tight clothing or being strapped into a car seat. 

Thankfully the rash usually recedes in about 30 minutes, once you are 

able to regulate the temperature of the baby’s environment and dress 

in loose, cool clothing. 

Cradle cap is another skin issue that is very common in infants. 

Technically termed seborrhea, it is a rash that can appear not only on 

the scalp and eyebrows but also behind the ears, on the neck, cheeks 

and chest. It is most common in babies under 6 months old. The cause 

of seborrhea is not known. 

The rash will look different depending on which part of the body 


it appears. On the scalp and eyebrows it often looks like dandruff but 

sometimes can look more like yellow, thick or crusty scales. It also 

looks scaly and cracked when it presents behind the ears, but on the 

chest and neck it might appear pimply. When it appears on the cheeks 

it is usually red and bumpy. Regardless of location it is an unsightly 

rash, but is unlikely to cause discomfort or bother a baby. 

A small amount of anti-dandruff shampoo can be used to wash 

behind the ears, on the scalp or on any other areas that are affected. 

Many parents rub a bit of olive or baby oil onto the scalp to loosen the 

scales and then gently brush them off. 

Eczema is a rash that affects approximately 20 percent of babies. 

This itchy rash can appear anywhere on a baby’s body starting at about 

3 or 4 months, though the diaper area is typically not affected. Babies 

can inherit a genetic predisposition to eczema, especially if there is a 

family history of allergies, but extreme weather conditions, soaps and 

clothing can also instigate the dry, patchy areas that are typical of a 

mild form of eczema. 

In a more extreme rash the skin can appear wind-burned and 

the baby might suffer from redness, oozing and pus that eventually 

crusts over. Medical professionals advise washing the skin with a gentle 

fragrance-free cleanser and applying moisturizer on damp skin twice a 

day. More extreme cases may require a steroid treatment to 

reduce inflammation. ■ 

Information for this article was taken from parenting.com. 


PhotoStudios 

adrienne maples 

Studio in Historic Overland Park 913-549-3335 

*now* scheduling for fall 

portraits | weddings | babies & families | editorial 

amaples .com 

Now Booking FALL sessions, get on our calendar now for holiday photos :) 

* Ask about our Baby Collections & Specials for Newborns! 


herlife | green living 

Decorating Your Home for the 

Holidays Using 

Natural Items 

by lisa allen 

The holidays are a magical time for a myriad of reasons. The 

good will we show to friends and strangers, the gifts we exchange 

to convey affection or appreciation and the songs we 

save for only a month or two of the year all collide to create a unique 

and celebratory atmosphere that not only ushers in a new year but 

encourages us to savor the comfort of family, home and tradition. 

While traditions abound for this magical time of year, the ways 

in which we choose to decorate our homes change in accordance 

with popular culture, trends and loyalty to age-old favorites. Perhaps 

the most personal way to express individual tastes, holiday decorations 

range from gold and gilded, to bright and whimsical, and stores are 

stocked with shiny baubles and thick garlands, making the choice 

of how to decorate sometimes challenging. Considerations such as 

budget and space often dictate decisions, as does our desire to be 

environmentally responsible. 

Choosing to use natural items to decorate our homes for the 

holidays might at first sound a bit drab and limited. Thoughts of 

pinecones and walnuts conjure up a sea of brown, 

not exactly the glittery displays we have 

become accustomed to. With a bit 

of imagination, however, natural 

elements can be not only 

envi- 

ronmentally responsible but breathtaking and unique as well. 

Obvious choices for natural elements might include bright red 

cranberries used to anchor candles in a unique, recycled, safe cylinder 

as a beautiful table centerpiece, strung together as a tree or banister 

garland or floating with a handful of fresh herb sprigs and votive 

candles. Like other fruits, cranberries can be brushed with egg whites 

and tossed in white sugar for a sparkly finish when dry. 

Pinecones add not only an organic but a richly textural element 

to holiday decorations. Strung together to create pinecone wreaths, 

Obvious choices for natural 

elements might include bright red 

cranberries used to anchor candles 

in a unique, recycled, safe cylinder 

as a beautiful table centerpiece, 

strung together as a tree or banister 

garland or floating with a handful of 

fresh herb sprigs and votive candles. 

they offer a sturdy and masculine alternative to the traditional green 

door wreath we’ve become so accustomed to. Painted, they add a pop 

of color to a mantel, table or counter decoration and, used individually, 

provide a unique placeholder for a holiday table. 

Of course, perhaps the most natural statement one can 

make is opting for a fresh Christmas tree. With countless 

choices in all sizes, shapes and sometimes color, a fresh tree 

presents both pros and cons in terms of price, care and aesthetics 

as opposed to a synthetic, reusable tree. The website realchristmastree.org 

is a resource that educates about the differences in 


tree species, selection tips and proper care. Knowing the size you need 

before you head to the lot is an obvious prerequisite, but a quick visit to 

the website will help you understand which trees are available in your 

area and any special considerations for the type you choose. 

Opting for fresh garland, rather than synthetic from the store, is 

another way to green your holiday decorations. Used to adorn mantels, 

banisters and doors, pine and fir and their scents instantly evoke memories 

of holidays past and lend a rustic, homey feel to any location. 

As with natural Christmas trees, fresh garland must be kept well 

hydrated to keep its beautiful appearance and reduce safety hazards. 

While trees should be kept in an adequate water reservoir, garlands 

and wreaths should be misted with water several times each day to 

maintain proper hydration levels. The tree stand of your natural tree 

should never be allowed to empty; the sap that forms on the trunk of a 

dry tree will create a barrier that prevents the tree from absorbing water 

when the receptacle is replenished. 

Basic safety tips are important to remember and include using 

smaller, cooler lights, unplugging any lights whenever you leave your 

home or go to bed, and keeping the trees and garland away from open 

flames. Before using any type of decoration you should fully investigate 

all safety precautions and make sure your family understands the 

special considerations involved in going green for the holidays. ■ 

Additional information about safety, choosing a natural Christmas 

tree and more can be found at christmastree.org and homesafetycouncil.org. 

Changing the way 

we care for you by 

changing the way we look at 

your life. 

Life is change. Change that happens 

whether you’re just living in the moment 

or planning for what comes next. And 

no matter what change comes your 

way, we’re doing all we can to help 

you be ready for it by looking at all the 

pieces that make up your life and, more 

importantly, how they affect your health. 

More than health care … life care. 

now open 

Learn more at 

www.MyMosaicLifeCare.org 




herlife | fine things 

Renting a Vacation Home 

by catie watson 

If you’re looking for a unique vacation experience that includes many 

of the comforts of home minus the impersonal atmosphere of a hotel, 

renting a vacation home could be the perfect solution. Whether 

you’re looking for an urban apartment, mountain cabin or beach condo, 

you can find many rental options if you know where to look. 

A wide range of vacation rental websites have sprung up in the 

past few years, and an increasing number of vacationers are using them 

to find the perfect vacation rental home. To avoid wasting time searching 

for a rental, it pays to know which sites are the most useful. Look 

for sites that allow you to search rental listings by price, location, available 

dates and other features. It’s also important to be able to see rental 

photos, and read reviews and ratings from previous renters. 

With more than 300,000 rental property listings around the world, 

HomeAway.com is the leading online vacation rental. It’s useful for 

renters who are looking for a traditional vacation rental home. If you’re 

on a strict budget and are feeling adventurous, Airbnb.com includes 

rentals in owner-occupied homes. You’ll find everything from private 

homes and apartments to spare rooms to a pull-out sofa in someone’s 

living room. TripAdvisor.com/VacationRentals is another useful place 

to search for vacation rentals. TripAdvisor is best known as a travel review 

site, but since 2009 has coordinated with rental sites like FlipKey. 

com to offer more than 200,000 rental listings in the U.S., Britain and 

Europe. Because TripAdvisor also publishes reviews of restaurants and 

attractions, it can be your one-stop location for vacation planning. 

According to CNN Money, vacation rentals make the most sense 

when you plan to stay in one location for more than three nights. Extended 

stays in vacation rentals can mean significant savings compared 

to hotels, especially if you’re traveling with family or a group of friends. 

In general, the more bedrooms you need, the more money you’ll save 

with a rental. When comparing the total cost of a rental, remember to 


factor in the cost of eating out compared to 

money saved by preparing some meals in the 

rental kitchen. 

If you’re interesting in a vacation rental, 

it’s important to know that there are two main 

types: professionally managed and managed 

by owner. A professional property manager 

will typically provide on-site assistance and 

may include professional hospitality services 

in the rental price. When you rent directly 

from a property owner, you will often benefit 

from the owner’s personal knowledge of the 

rental property and its location. A property 

As you begin searching 

online for rentals, 

create a list of possible 

rentals. This will allow 

you to compare prices 

and to decide if the 

dates you’ve chosen 

will provide you the 

best rental options. As 

you narrow down your 

choices, compile a list 

of questions to ask the 

property owner or 

manager. 

owner may also offer more flexibility in terms 

of available dates and rates. If you are looking 

for a vacation rental in a small town, chances 

are good that your only option will be renting 

from a property owner. 

Before you begin searching for a vacation 

rental, it helps to decide the general location 

and time of year that you want to travel. USA 

Today Travel recommends that you use Frommers.com 

to check on the best time of year to 

travel to your chosen destination. The website 

provides information about when prices are 

at their highest as well as information about 


seasonal weather that you’ll want to avoid. 

As you begin searching online for rentals, create a list of possible 

rentals. This will allow you to compare prices and to decide if the dates 

you’ve chosen will provide you the best rental options. As you narrow 

down your choices, compile a list of questions to ask the property 

owner or manager. One of the pitfalls of vacation rentals compared 

to hotels is that the level of amenities and service can vary widely. Ask 

about air conditioning and heating, towels and linens, laundry, kitchen 

equipment and, if necessary, whether children and pets are allowed. 

Find out how to make a deposit and obtain a key. You’ll also want to 

find out how noisy the area is, and the distance to supermarkets, restaurants, 

a medical facility and popular local attractions. Ask to see recent 

photos of all the rooms included in the rental. 

When you’ve decided on a rental property, it’s a good idea to contact 

the owner or property manager by phone to confirm your reservation 

dates and payment details. Ask for a written rental agreement and 

verify that you can pay by credit card rather than cash or check. This is 

always a good idea when paying for lodging so that you can dispute the 

charge if you experience any problems. 

One final piece of advice about vacation rentals comes from 

Alexis de Belloy, a vice president at HomeAway.com. Don’t wait until 

the last minute to search for a vacation rental since many of the best 

properties are booked at least 90 days in advance. ■ 

Sources for this article are USA Today Travel, CNN Money and 

The New York Times Travel. 




Preferred Physical Therapy 

by ann e. butenas | photography by adrienne maples 

As we celebrate National Physical 

Therapy Month, we recognize 

the important role that physical 

therapists play in helping people stay fit, active 

and independent. The trusted experts at 

Preferred Physical Therapy, with convenient 

locations in Lenexa, Lansing, Gladstone and 

Lee's Summit, have one main philosophy: 

to provide the best in overall health for each 

client by treating them with excellent physical 

therapy services. Their mission is to provide 

the best care so patients reach their goals and 

function at their optimum level as quickly as 

possible. 

From accidents to injuries to general 

aches and pains, the therapists at Preferred 

Physical Therapy have your good health in 

mind and continually endeavor to deliver. 

This is the place where the best in the industry 

provide proven results and unparalleled 

customer service in a warm and welcoming 

environment. 

Preferred Physical Therapy has an 

excellent reputation for treating a wide 

variety of diagnoses. Their therapists are 

experts in orthopedic issues, auto accident 

injuries, hand injuries, sports injuries and 

post-operative care. In recent years, the 

therapists at Preferred Physical Therapy have 

further increased their standard of excellence 

to include many advanced specialties 

such as: certified manual therapy, ASTYM, 

Kinesio Taping method, vestibular rehabilitation, 

women’s health therapy, certified hand 

therapy and pediatric therapy. 

Sandy Karcher, a licensed physical therapist 

at the Lenexa location, has spent nearly 

30 years in the industry and has vast experience 

in outpatient orthopedics. Her passion 

for what she does is undeniable. “I am always 

fascinated by the body and how it works,” she 

emphasized. 

Therapists from left to right: Kirstin Carpenter, Tina Borchers, Larissa Nixon 


Although their largest patient population continues to be outpatient 

orthopedics, Sandy talked about how they recently found a niche 

in women’s health and pediatric therapies. Preferred Physical Therapy 

has three women’s health physical therapists: Larissa Nixon, Tina 

Borchers and Kirstin Carpenter, who are all trained in pelvic floor 

rehabilitation. 

In recent years, the therapists at 

Preferred Physical Therapy have 

further increased their standard of 

excellence to include many 

advanced specialties such as: 

certified manual therapy, ASTYM, 

Kinesio Taping method, 

vestibular rehabilitation, women’s 

health therapy, certified hand 

therapy and pediatric therapy. 

“Sometimes a woman will experience pelvic pain, incontinence, 

low back pain, hip pain or thigh pain, but still have normal X-ray and 

MRI findings,” explained Sandy. “The pain may, in fact, be attributed 

to trigger points in the pelvic floor muscles, and that is what we work to 

resolve.” 

Larissa of the Lansing location stated, “I work with women who 

are suffering from chronic pelvic pain, organ prolapse, pain during 

or after pregnancy, urinary incontinence and pain resulting from C- 

sections or large episiotomies. I guess you could say I am the OB/GYN 

of the physical therapy world.” 

A women’s health therapist does a thorough assessment to determine 

the patient’s source of pain or incontinence. “As women, we 

need to feel comfortable talking about these issues with our healthcare 

providers,” Larissa notes. “I love to help my patients get back to what 

they enjoy in life,” she smiled, noting the clinic’s steadfast commitment 

to providing complete, convenient care in a quality healthcare facility. 

On top of treating women’s health conditions, Sandy and her 

team frequently receive referrals for children who have been diagnosed 

with torticollis (a con-dition where a muscle spasm causes the head to 

tilt to one side), as well as referrals for children who have a propensity 

to walk on their toes, or whose feet turn in. There are many pediatric 

issues for which some doctors don’t know where to refer the child and 

parents. That is where Preferred Physical Therapy is opening doors to 

an improved quality of life, not just for the child, but for the family as 

a whole. 

What excites Sandy is their partnership with occupational therapists 

(OTs) who work with pediatric patients’ sensory and body aware-

ness issues. “We have situations where parents come to us who 

are at their wits’ end and have nowhere to turn in terms of getting 

help for their child. Perhaps their primary doctor does not know 

where to send them and perhaps their symptoms are not advanced 

enough to require help,” Sandy expressed. “My heart goes out to 

them and that is why I am excited to work with Elizabeth Newby, 

an exceptional OT, who is specially trained to provide sensory 

integration therapy and not just treat the symptoms.” 

No matter what the issue at hand is, the real reward for Sandy 

rests in watching people’s lives being transformed, as they discover 

ways to control their pain and not let the pain control them. 

Preferred Physical Therapy is filling the void in the Kansas 

City metro by offering quality outpatient orthopedic physical 

therapy services while specializing in women’s health and pediatric 

physical therapy. If you truly desire the best in care provided by the 

most compassionate physical therapy experts who work to bring 

you the results you want, then the place to go is Preferred Physical 

Therapy in Lenexa, Lansing, Gladstone or Lee’s Summit. ■ 

For more information about the specialty services mentioned in 

this article, visit Preferred Physical Therapy at 8550 Marshall Drive 

in Lenexa, 913-492-0333, or at 712 1st Terrace in Lansing, 913-727- 

2022, or go online at preferredptkc.com. 



herlife | trendsetter

Two Chic Blvd 

16070 metcalf avenue 

overland park, ks 66085 

(913) 239-9356 

www.twochicblvd.com 

photography by tracy routh photography 

model tiffany jules of exposure, inc. 

hair by manda sanders of envy salon 

makeup by melissa evans 

shot on location at: 

longview mansion 

120 0 southwest longview park drive 

lee's summit, mo 64081 








herlife | working women 

Deciding 

Which Tablet is 

Right for 

by catie watson 

Blending the best elements of a smartphone and a laptop, the tablet has 

become an indispensable mobile gadget for many early adopters. 

E 

ver since Apple introduced the iPad tablet in 2010, other 

computer makers have scrambled to introduce their own 

version of the tablet computer. Blending the best elements of 

a smartphone and a laptop, the tablet has become an indispensable 

mobile gadget for many early adopters. You can watch videos, take and 

share pictures, use video chat, read e-books, play games and browse 

the Internet anytime and anywhere, all without having to lug around a 

heavy laptop or squint at a tiny smartphone screen. 

The iPad’s hefty price tag (the latest version starts at $499) has 

caused many consumers to hold off on purchasing a tablet. It has also 

caused some people to question the usefulness of this next-generation 

gadget. Although a tablet can be used as a digital portfolio by decorators, 

designers, artists and other professionals who make heavy use of 

graphic images and photographs, the lack of a fully functioning keyboard 

means that a tablet is not a laptop replacement when it comes to 

professional applications. The vast majority of people who buy a tablet 

are looking for a fun way to enjoy online multimedia. 

If you’ve decided that you want a tablet, gaining a basic understanding 

of the technology will help you find the tablet that’s right for 

you. Apple has retained control of the tablet market for the past two 

years, but now there are a growing number of alternatives. If you’re 

looking for specific features at the lowest price, it pays to do a little 

research before you start shopping. 

The majority of tablets currently use one of two operating 

systems: iOS or Android. The operating system (OS) is what keeps 

everything running on a computer, smartphone or tablet. The OS also 

controls the look and feel of the on-screen interface. Each OS has a 

different look and feel, and a different set of strengths. Here’s a quick 

summary: 

Apple’s iOS runs on the iPhone and iPod Touch as well as the 

iPad. If you use one of these other gadgets, then you’ll already be 

familiar with the iOS interface. Many people believe that Apple has 

cornered the market on usability, and that iOS offers the optimal look 

and feel. Another advantage of iOS is the availability of hundreds of 

thousands of apps that can be downloaded from Apple’s App Store. 

The main disadvantage of iOS is that it’s only available on the iPad so 

there’s no price competition.Google’s Android, which is available on 

millions of smartphones, is also offered on a variety of tablets. Android 


is considered the leader in multitasking. 

This means you can easily perform several 

activities at the same time, such as watching 

a video while surfing the Web and reading 

email. Android also offers seamless integration 

with popular Google applications like Google 

Maps, Gmail and Google Talk for video chat. 

While the iPad is only available with a 9.7 

inch display, Android tablets come in a variety 

of sizes. Android’s biggest shortcoming is far 

fewer apps when compared to Apple’s iOS. 

To get a feel for these two different OS 

flavors, try out some demo tablets at your 

local electronics store. If you decide on the 

Apple iOS, your shopping is over and you 

can buy an iPad. If you’re more interested in 

Android, you’ll need to narrow down your 

choices from a growing field of tablets. 

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly 

tablet and plan to do a lot of e-book reading, 

you may want to consider Amazon’s Kindle 

Fire. Although the first generation Kindle 

was marketed primarily as an e-book reader, 

the second generation Fire supports web 

browsing, email and gaming. The Kindle 

Fire’s seven-inch screen makes it easier to 

tote than a full-size tablet. It doesn’t have a 

camera or Bluetooth support (useful if you 

want to stream video to an HDTV), but at 

$199, it’s half the price of the iPad. The 

Kindle provides access to more than 100,000 

movies and TV shows to rent or buy on Amazon.com, 

as well as free streaming for more 

than 10,000 titles. The Apple Store also 

offers tens of thousands of movies and shows 

for sale but has no free streaming program. 

If you’re looking for an Android tablet 

that more closely resembles an iPad, some 

of the top models currently available are the 

Samsung Galaxy Tab, the Asus Transformer 

Pad, the Toshiba Thrive and the Sony Tablet 

S. These tablets come in a variety of sizes 

and range in price from $345 to $545. They 

include many of the features available on the 

iPad as well as some additional features like 

detachable keyboards on some models. You 

can find complete reviews and price comparisons 

for these Android tablets and more on 

leading tech websites like PCMag.com and 

CNET.com (which were used as sources for 

this article). ■ 


herlife | finance 

Is It Still 

Possible to 

Retire Early 

by lisa allen 

It seems as though some things just keep increasing: the national 

debt, credit card rates and the age of retirement are just a few. 

According to analysis of Census Bureau data by the Center 

for Retirement Research at Boston College, the average retirement 

age has risen from 60 to 62 for women and 62 to 64 for men since the 

mid-1990s. A combination of factors, including declines in traditional 

pensions and retiree health benefits, changes in how Social Security 

benefits are administered, better health, continuing education and 

less strenuous job options have factored into the increasing probability 

of a later retirement age. 

Early retirement was a common occurrence after World War II. 

The phenomenon was attributed to the availability of Social Security 

benefits, the expansion of employer-provided pension plans and the 

introduction of Medicare. That trend stopped in the mid-1980s and 

the average age of retirement has steadily increased since then. 

Of the factors that contribute to a person’s ability to retire, the 

Social Security system has been cited as a major factor. The formula 

used to determine benefits has changed to make a longer work history 

more advantageous, and the earnings test, which temporarily withholds 

Social Security payments for people who earn more than set limits, 

was removed for workers who exceed full retirement age. Most people 

reach full retirement age when they turn 66 or 67, but there is also 

now a delayed retirement credit that increases benefits each year one 

delays claims between full retirement age and the age of 70. 

Another important factor is the decrease of workplace benefits 

available to employees. The shift from pensions to 401(k) plans made 

retirement inherently more risky because 401(k) plans leave management 

of assets and control of spending to individuals. That fact, combined 

with the decline of employer-provided retiree health insurance 

plans, incites employees to remain in the workforce until they qualify 

for Medicare at the age of 65. 

Of course, most people live longer these days than in the past. 

This translates to a greater number of retirement years that must be 

financed. Continuing to work later than generations past gives some 

the ability to save, and shortens the amount of time they must rely 

on savings in order to survive. Because many people in their 60s are 


healthy and able-bodied, and because many more people now hold 

advanced degrees, many knowledge-based occupations are conducive 

to advanced retirement ages. 

The question of retiring early is as personal as any other milestone 

question, and is determined by a range of factors that extend 

According to a 2011 study by 

the Employee Benefit Research 

Institute, only 42 percent of U.S. 

workers have tried to determine 

how much money they will need to 

save for a comfortable retirement. 

past money and budgets, including issues like personal preferences 

and family circumstance. 

The number one question most people ask first is how much of 

a nest egg they need to retire comfortably. A general rule of thumb 

is that it takes 70 percent of your pre-retirement yearly salary to live 

comfortably in retirement. Factors like whether or not you still carry 

a mortgage, if you plan to build a dream house or travel the world 

might mean that you will need the entirety of your current annual 

income, or more, to be able to cross those things off your bucket list. 

Creating a realistic list of both needs and desires for retirement 

will help you determine your financial needs. Estimates are 

important to determine how much saving needs to be done long 

before retirement is an option. The easiest way to start is to analyze 

your current budget, both in terms of income and expenses. Projecting 

how those expenses will change is important; for example, you 

may pay off your mortgage before retirement, but it might be safe to 

assume that your health care costs will increase. Every person’s situation 

will be different. 

According to a 2011 study by the Employee Benefit Research 

Institute, only 42 percent of U.S. workers have tried to determine 

how much money they will need to save for a comfortable retirement. 

Enlisting the help of a trusted expert who understands not only 

the intricacies of financial planning but your desires in terms of how 

you wish to spend your retirement years, and what you wish to leave 

as a legacy, is a vital first step in determining when you can retire. 

Many planners have websites with a variety of calculators that will 

let you analyze information on your own, without an appointment or 

consultation for their services. Keeping a strict budget, and monitoring 

any circumstances that change, will help you plan realistically for 

your perfect retirement age. ■ 

Sources for this article are money.usnews.com and ccjoneslp.com 

(which includes online calculators). 


herlife | home 

Great Websites for 

HomeDecorating 

by lisa taranto butler 

The words “home decorating” can either inspire the do-ityourselfer 

within, or motivate us to save the dining room 

re-do until next year. Designing our own digs can foster 

our creative side, or foster fear of fumbling our feng shui furniture 

choices. 

With all the professional decorating TV shows, books, magazines 

and design star reality shows, we are swimming in home design hoopla. 

But where does a very busy, faintly frightened and novice home decorator 

go for easy yet stylish household ideas Not much further than 

your morning cup of java and your laptop. 

Websites, blogs and online home stores offer a myriad of reliable 

residence decorating ideas. A few years ago, we scoured magazines and 

books, tearing out photos that inspired our inner designer. These days, 

we can view online video streams demonstrating how to install a dimmer 

switch or stencil stars on a nursery wall. 

So, don’t budget for that professional interior designer just yet. 

Check out some of these online resources and afford even your most 

gregarious DIY desires on a dime. 

with the world. Redecorate your bathroom or dining room by saving 

patterns, colors and themes that catch your eye. 

By connecting people all over the world with mutual interests, 

Pinterest’s mission is to build a common link between two people, 

whether they are from Chicago or China. 

homegoods 

Touting themselves not only as a retail outlet for home decorating 

HOUZZ 

Called “A digital look book for interior-decorating ideas” by The 

Wall Street Journal and “The Flickr of design idea sites” by The Washington 

Post, Houzz.com has been inspiring both professional decorators 

and home hobbyists since 2009. Browse by style, room or metro 

area to snag savvy home renovation suggestions. Create an online 

“ideabook” for your next remodeling project, and choose from more 

than 500,000 photos to save your dreamiest decorating ideas. 

Tweet your customizable ideabook with friends, family and interior 

professionals, or share on other online social networks like Facebook. 

Now Houzz offers an iPhone and iPad app, so that you can take your 

home ideas on the road when choosing anything from paint color to 

drawer pulls. 

pinterest 

Everyone is pining for Pinterest.com! Not just for home decorating, 

over the past two years, Pinterest’s popular pinboards have helped 

visitors organize and share everything from wedding plans to recipes. 

Browse pinboards created by others, or share your inspirational ideas 

According to CNN Money 2010 



Touting themselves not only as a 

retail outlet for home decorating 

products, but for décor advice and 

ideas as well, Homegoods.com is 

a multi-tasker's decorating dream. 

If you love the feeling of finding 

something spectacular at a discount, 

then HomeGoods is for you. 

products, but for décor advice and ideas as well, Homegoods.com is 

a multi-tasker’s decorating dream. If you love the feeling of finding 

something spectacular at a discount, then HomeGoods is for you. 

HomeGoods stores describe this feeling as “HomeGoods Happy”— 

finding what you love at a price your wallet likes, too. Catering to 

savvy shoppers of every style, the HomeGoods site offers a daily blog, 

budget-friendly ideas and distinctive home fashions at deep discounts. 

Website visitors can also share their projects by clicking on the “customer 

finds” tab. Here, customers can upload photos of their favorite 

HomeGoods find and show the world how they used it to adorn their 

home. 

Also, check out the “Mom Cave” section. That’s right. Women 

now have a sacred place to call their own. Whether your cave is filled 

with scrapbooking supplies or power tools, mom caves are becoming 

more popular for the ladies of the house. 

apartment therapy 

Not just for homeowners, Apartmenttherapy.com caters to the 

renter’s wants and wishes when it comes to walls, windows and rooms. 

With such site attractions as the One-Minute Tip, Daily Find and 

featured Apartment Tours, web lookers can scan the screen for sensational 

decorating ideas geared toward folks who rent their residence. 

Since space can be an issue for apartment dwellers, the site 

regularly features articles on making the most of small spaces, budget 

living and going green with décor. 

If you need a little help organizing all of those ingenious home 

ideas running through your head, don’t dial the decorator. Instead, 

work wonders on the web. Rather than ripping pages from a magazine 

or photocopying chapters from a design book, organize your favorite 

home décor projects using trouble-free technology. Just type in some 

of the online sources listed above and your decorating dreams might 

be realized faster than you think. ■ 

Sources for this article are frontdoor.com and HGTV.com. 




Oliver's 

HAIR SALON 

"This tenacious desire to always remain on the 

leading edge of practices, standards and 

products is what keeps Oliver’s Hair Salon fresh, 

exciting and continually at the forefront in the 

beauty industry. As such, national trends often make 

their Midwestern debut at this 

progressive salon." 

by ann e. butenas 

photography by adrienne maples 

Y 

ou know that feeling you get when you come upon a business 

that just makes you feel wonderful and special, as if 

they are truly catering to you and your needs That’s how 

you’ll feel when you become a guest of Oliver’s Hair Salon. Owned by 

the talented and dynamic husband and wife team of Oliver and Wendy 

Steinnagel, this top-notch full-service salon, which opened in the 

spring of 1990, does many things well, but chief among their talents is 

their unwavering commitment to the best in customer service. 

A third-generation stylist, Oliver comes by his trade naturally, 

having honed his skills working in his German-born father’s salon early 

in his career. He also has a penchant for teaching and is nationally recognized 

for contributing his time and talents to various advisory boards 

and national committees. 

Both Oliver and Wendy also travel internationally each year, 

attending hair shows. This tenacious desire to always remain on the 

leading edge of practices, standards and products is what keeps Oliver’s 

Hair Salon fresh, exciting and continually at the forefront in the beauty 

industry. As such, national trends often make their Midwestern debut 

at this progressive salon. 

Equally driven, Wendy came to this business via a more circuitous 

route. “This is actually a second career for me,” Wendy noted. “I 

have a degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Kansas, 

and was very involved in that field for 16 years before transitioning to 

work in the salon.” When the Steinnagels opened the salon, Wendy 

enthusiastically took to the task and began overseeing the management 

operations of the salon and has been at this ever since. 

As a guest of Oliver’s Hair Salon, expecting the best is not unreasonable. 

They provide the latest and greatest in techniques, products 

and services, but what remains pivotal to their ambitions is their commitment 

to continuing education, a requirement of all of their team 

members. And as Wendy happily shared, “Our team members are a 

vital part of everything we do!” 

While the experts at Oliver’s Hair Salon give of their talents 

to their guests, their generous and compassionate hearts extend far 


eyond the four walls of the salon. “We have really stepped up our 

involvement in charitable foundations,” noted Wendy, who coordinates 

this aspect of the salon. Where there is a need in the community, Oliver’s 

Hair Salon enthusiastically reaches out and makes a difference. 

For example, they participated in Earth Month for Aveda this past 

April, raising $7,200. While nearly 50 percent of those proceeds remain 

in our local community, the rest of the funds raised are donated 

to the national Audubon Association for its global clean water efforts. 

Additionally, some of the funds benefited Global Green Grants and 

the Little Lighthouse Children’s Center in Uganda. 

“We sold various products in the salon that month such as candles 

and jewelry fashioned out of paper beads made by children in a Ugandan 

orphanage, and the money raised benefited these organizations,” 

said Wendy, who anticipates the highly desired beads will be offered 

once again at the salon in November and December. 

The salon also participated in Cuts for a Cause at the Just for Her 

Expo in June, proceeds of which benefited the Susan G. Komen organization. 

“Seventy-five percent of the money stays local,” stated Wendy, 

who noted that in four hours they raised $950. “We also team up with 

Menorah Hospital’s Breast Cancer Center and have donated over 

$16,000 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation in the past six years. 

We offer pink hair extensions at the salon in September and October 

for a $10 donation per extension. We will also offer new and creative 

service options in September and October for this endeavor.” 

Continuing their giving, Oliver’s Hair Salon provides weekly 

donations of hair to Locks of Love that are used to create hair pieces 

for disabled kids with diseases who are otherwise unable to afford them. 

Additionally, several team members at the salon are a part of the “Look 

Good, Feel Better” program which provides active cancer patients with 

their hair and make-up needs, and is absolutely free for anyone currently 

undergoing cancer treatment. 

Oliver’s Hair Salon is equally excited about this year’s “Back in 

the Swing” cookbook, for sale in October at the salon. “We have participated 

in this exciting fundraiser since its inception,” said Wendy. 

And it’s not just people who benefit from the efforts of Oliver’s 

Hair Salon; the environment is a top beneficiary, as well. “We make 

environmentally-friendly choices to reduce our carbon footprint,” said 

Wendy, noting such daily measures as replacing paper towels for towels, 

recycling and adjusting their thermostat. “We also take recyclable 

products to the Blue Valley Recycling Center several times a week.” 

Even though you know you will be treated with the best service in 

town when you enter Oliver’s Hair Salon, what is just as impressive is 

their steadfast commitment to extend that impressive attitude of service 

into their community and beyond. ■ 

For more information, visit Oliver’s Hair Salon at 7590 West 119th 

Street in Overland Park, Kansas, call them at 913-338-2266 or go online 

at oliverssalon.com. 


Serving lunch to 250 people can take a moment. 

But, it’s a good moment. 

Last year Cross-Lines volunteers served over 80,000 meals to hungry Kansas Citians. 

And hot meals are just part of the Cross-Lines reservoir of hope. Fresh produce, hot 

showers, food for the home-bound, prom dresses, a thrift store, job counseling and 

utilities assistance are all included … and Cross-Lines volunteers are at the heart of it all. 

There are many ways to volunteer. In fact, almost 75% of our budget comes 

from voluntary contributions. 

CROSS-LINES 

Why not join us Contributing online takes a moment. 

But, it’s a good moment. 

www.cross-lines.org | 913.281.3388 

COMMUNITY 

OUTREACH, INC. 

Cross-Lines – a HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM place of hope since 1963. 117

herlife | real estate 

The Hidden Costs of Home 

Ownership 

by kathleen m. krueger 

There are many homeowners who have purchased older homes at low 

prices only to find that the lack of insulation, combined with an inefficient 

furnace or A/C system, lands them with heating and cooling bills that are 

higher than their monthly mortgage payment. 

If your mortgage payment is less than you would pay for rent, you’ll 

save money, right Unfortunately, applying that simplistic formula 

to housing costs has been followed by a very rude awakening for 

many new homeowners. With home ownership comes many new 

financial responsibilities that a renter would not be expected to pay. 

Some of these unforeseen expenses are ongoing, and others are unpredictable 

expenses for which it’s more difficult to budget. 

GROUND maintenanCE 

With a rental property, maintenance of the grounds generally falls 

under the landlord’s or property manager’s responsibilities. When you 

own your own private home, lawn care, landscaping, pool maintenance 

and snow removal all become part of your responsibility. Hiring 

someone to perform these services can add up quickly, especially when 

the lawn requires more frequent mowing than expected, or snowfall 

exceeds the average amount during a winter period. Even if you have 

the time and inclination to maintain these areas of your property yourself, 

there are still expenses involved which are above and beyond your 

mortgage, such as lawn mowers, weed whips, snow blowers and various 

hand tools required, which can add up quite quickly. In addition, there 

will be fuel needed each time you use the equipment, occasional 

repairs, and, if you have a pool, there are plenty of chemicals required 

to maintain that beautiful, clear, blue water. Pools and lawn irrigation 

systems also require electricity and water to operate, which can 

increase your summertime utility costs considerably. 

If you’ve purchased a condominium or another form of housing 

which includes association fees to cover outdoor maintenance 

items, then you will know what these additional costs are going to be 

before you purchase. However, even in that situation, those association 

maintenance fees can be adjusted periodically to cover rising costs of 

maintenance, and cannot be counted on to remain static. 


HOME MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS-- THEY NEVER STOP 

When an individual or couple is shopping for their first home, 

maintenance and repair costs that may be required after purchase often 

don’t come to mind. And if they do, their lack of experience with those 

items may cause them to underestimate the costs involved. 

Some of the most expensive maintenance items that need to 

be considered are siding, window and deck painting or staining, and 

roofing replacement. These items can require thousands of dollars to 

accomplish. 

Inside the house, flooring may need to be replaced. All of those 

wonderful appliances included with the home purchase or purchased 

prior to move-in will eventually need repairs, or more likely, replacement, 

each costing hundreds of dollars apiece. Furnace, air conditioning 

and plumbing fixtures require regular maintenance and repairs to 

keep them operating efficiently, and may need replacement if they’re 

older. If these critical pieces of equipment fail, you can count on 

the furnace going out on the coldest night of the winter and the air 

conditioning failing on the hottest day of the year when all the service 

companies are too busy to fit you into their schedule. 

There isn’t a property manager or landlord to call when your 

toilet overflows or the A/C isn’t cooling properly once you become a 

homeowner. Not only do you have to pay for the expense yourself, you 

need to spend time finding a repairperson, and may also need to take 

time away from work to be home when they find time in their schedule 

to visit your home. 


utilities, insurance and taxes, oh, my! 

The costs associated with heating, cooling and even the operation 

of electrical and gas appliances may come as a shock to some new 

homeowners. There are many homeowners who have purchased older 

homes at low prices only to find that the lack of insulation, combined 

with an inefficient furnace or A/C system, lands them with heating and 

cooling bills that are higher than their monthly mortgage payment. 

Asking for copies of the previous year’s utility bills should be a must-see 

on your pre-purchase checklist. 

Home insurance and taxes are two ongoing expenses that often 

experience perpetual growth the longer you own your home. A general 

guide for budgeting for these expenses is one to two percent of your 

home’s value for annual property taxes, and $25 to $55 per month per 

$100,000 of home value for insurance costs. 

Knowing you have home insurance to cover your home in the 

event of damage is reassuring for every homeowner. However, a $500 

or $1,000 deductible can be another unexpected expense in the event 

that damage does occur. Knowing the excluded items on your homeowner 

policy is also important. Flood insurance, for instance, must be 

purchased separately. 

Homeownership remains an important part of The American 

Dream. However, as the high rate of foreclosures tells us, it is important 

to count all the costs before making such a huge purchase. ■ 

Source for this article is myspendingplan.com. 


herlife | travel 

Spa Retreats for 

the Not 

So Rich and 

Famous 

There are reasons to be glad you’re not a celebrity. Among 

them are the low possibility of being accosted by paparazzi 

every time you emerge from yoga class, and the fact that 

you can date, marry, split up and trim your toenails with some 

modicum of privacy. But now there’s another reason: you no 

longer have to be among the rich and famous to treat yourself to 

a spa vacation. At the more famous resorts, such as Golden Door 

and Canyon Ranch, prices often start at $4,000 for a week (not 

including airfare)—and they only go up from there. The spas listed 

below, however, provide the very same well-planned meals, fitness 

classes and overarching sense of serenity at a mere fraction of the 

price. 

by by chandra blackwell 

PAMPER YOURSELF 

Ixtapan Resort Hotel and Spa (800-IXTAPAN or spamexico.com) 

Although this luxury spa limits guests to 1,100 calories a day, 

you’ll hardly miss those other calories with the wealth of other relaxing 

distractions. Ixtapan Resort’s all-inclusive spa program includes daily 

morning walks, aquatic exercise, steam baths, massages, facials and 

gymnastics. Included in the price are less frequent but equally satisfying 

mudwraps, loofah baths, manicures, pedicures, yoga and massages. 

Avandaro Golf and Spa Resort (800-SPATIME or greatspas.com) 

This mountain resort takes a more relaxed approach to health, 

favoring rest over exercise (though it offers tennis, swimming, golf, 

sailing and horseback riding), and massage over treadmills. Accommodations 

at Avandaro include working fireplaces in each room. Try the 

weeklong “Spa Sampler” which includes accommodations, all meals, 

seven spa admissions, three massages and a variety of spa treatments. 

Get a Make-Your-Ex-Regret-It Physique 

Tennessee Fitness Spa (800-235-8365 or tfspa.com) 

For a mere fraction of the cost of other health programs, Tennessee 

Fitness Spa will get you beach-ready with a full day of exercise 

sessions, water aerobics and fast-striding hikes through the western Tennessee 

woods. It provides the same endorphin-laced exhaustion that 

will cost you $2,000 to $3,000 per week at a ritzier spa—all at under 

$1,000 per person. 

Deerfield Spa (800-852-4494 or deerfieldspa.com) 

This sprawling country home on 12 acres of Pocono forest offers 

carefully prepared meals averaging 1,000 calories daily, a dedicated 

staff of physical therapists, and a full-scale exercise program that includes 

hiking, swimming and yoga. Deerfield Spa has book, music and 

video libraries for evening relaxation and the wind-down to dreamland. 

get YOUR glam on 

The Oaks at Ojai (800-753-OAKS or oaksspa.com) 

The Oaks at Ojai is an impressive country inn that offers a 

remarkable program of daily exercise classes and lectures. Gourmet- 


quality meals are free from salt, white sugar or white flour, and contain 

1,000 calories per day. Weekly packages include two spa treatments per 

person. 

Vdara Hotel & Spa (866-745-5654 or vdara.com) 

This Vegas jackpot boasts not only a state-of-the-art fitness center, 

but a full-service spa where you can reward yourself for that hour on 

the elliptical with your choice of massages, body treatments and skincare 

services. Vdara Hotel & Spa lets you take your five-star treatment 

to the next level in one of six specially-designated poolside spa cabanas 

where you can indulge in spa treatments poolside. That’s the life. 

CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE 

Red Mountain Resort (877-246-4453 or redmountainspa.com) 

Guests at this retreat, nestled in red sandstone canyons, work out 

on high-end sports equipment, swim in a heated indoor pool, enjoy 

hikes and rock climbing, choose from numerous exercise classes daily, 

and feast on meals designed to cut fat and cholesterol. Red Mountain 

Resort takes a serious approach to nutrition that can result in permanent 

weight loss, and is considered the best fitness resort for the money. 

Regency Health Resort and Spa (800-454-0003 or 

regencyhealthspa.com) 

This South Florida retreat features a strict vegan-vegetarian menu 

and educates guests in healthy living. An ideal program for anyone 

looking for long-term lifestyle changes, Regency Health Resort features 

a rigorous schedule of aerobics and health lectures. Workout programs 

range from basic training boot camp to evening dance classes to yoga 

and meditation, and your stay includes three meals daily, all lectures 

and activities, and two spa services. 

find YOUR om 

The Spa at Grand Lake (800-THE-SPA1 or thespaatgrandlake.com) 

Though its nutrition and exercise programs can be designed for 

weight loss, this retreat is no longer strictly geared toward diet and 

fitness. With 75 acres of rolling countryside, a package that includes a 

nightly massage and dinners served by candlelight, The Spa at Grand 

Lake is the perfect place to simply relax and kick stress to the curb. 

Rio Caliente (800-200-2927 or riocaliente.com) 

Rio Caliente is Mexico’s premier holistic-health-inclined, yogaoriented, 

New Age-style spa and mineral hot springs where guests 

alternate between meditation, yoga, tai-chi, aquatic and non-impact 

aerobics, and hiking. Set in the midst of over 30 acres of gorgeous 

terrain, the spa offers a low-salt, low-fat vegetarian diet, and enough 

stress-free peacefulness to achieve a significant sense of well-being. ■ 

Sources for this article are budgettravel.com, spavelous.com and 

spas.about.com. 


herlife | pets 

Making a Home for a Hermit Crab 

by natasha logan 

O 

wning a pet is virtually a rite of passage for a child. And 

while dogs are delightful and cats are cool, at some 

point, your kiddo may ask for something a little more 

unique like a lizard, snake or…hermit crab. Believe it or not, hermit 

crabs can be a lot of fun to have as pets, particularly when you 

can go to the mall and shop for new shells! 

Hermit crabs are cute and can be a novelty, but like any living 

thing in captivity, they need proper care, feeding and watering. So 

knowing the basics about your new pet is necessary. 

First, it’s worth noting that when a hermit crab is born, he doesn’t 

have a shell. He literally has to scrounge on the beach to find a discarded 

one. Talk about your hard-knock life! And since the hermit crab’s natural 

habitat is tropical, he needs to live in a controlled environment that’s at 

least 70 degrees Fahrenheit with 70 percent humidity. He’s sociable so 

he’ll want some buddies to hang out with, but since he’s nocturnal, he’ll 

be burning the midnight oil while he’s having his fun. 

Before you go out to buy your hermit crabs, be sure to set up 

their new home first. A good environment starts with a 10-gallon sized 

glass aquarium, which is ample to house 2 crabs. Buy a larger size if 

you’re adding a third crab to the mix. Then, add three inches of sand 

or gravel, or preferably, add a substrate called forest bedding. Since 

your crab likes to burrow and dig tunnels, forest bedding (made up of 

coconut fibers) stays moist longer without getting too wet. Also, add a 

salt water bathing area that’s about one inch deep where the crabs can 

easily crawl in and out. Hermit crabs need to bathe themselves so it’s 

an important element in their digs. Using a scalloped-shaped seashell 

works well as a bathing area. Heat the aquarium with an undertank 

heater, which will provide both the heat and moisture crabs need to 

survive. Although hermit crabs live on land, they breathe through gills, 

and in order for these gills to work they must remain moist. Ensure that 

you always have a natural sponge which is kept moist in their habitat. 

All of these items must be in place and functioning properly before you 

put your crabs into the aquarium. 

Hermit crabs like to be entertained, and will keep you entertained 

if you give them stuff to dig in, things to climb on and places 

to explore. So trick out their crib with some funky rocks, pieces of 

driftwood and any other items that would amuse but not harm them. 

But the most important things to keep available for your crabs is a variety 

of sizes of shells. As a crab grows, he’ll start the search for a larger 

“home,” so to speak. Without a shell, he won’t survive. 

When it comes to food, hermit crabs can be fed a commercial 

crab mixture found in pet stores. It contains certain supplements vital 


for their well-being, such as carotene and calcium, together with a 

good variety of nutritious “human” food such as meat, fish, vegetables 

and fruit. You can also sneak them some peanut butter in moderation. 

Their drinking water should be clean and chlorine-free (you can buy 

drops or tablets at the pet store to remove chlorine from tap water) 

Hermit crabs go through a natural process called molting, which 

is where they shed their outer skeleton. Your pet is at their most 

vulnerable during this time until their new armor hardens, and this 

process can take up to a month. When a hermit crab is ready to molt, 

it becomes very sluggish, and will try to hide himself where he can 

be kept moist. During this time, it is a matter of life or death that you 

keep your pet moist. Ensure that their natural sponge is kept hydrated 

at all times. You might even consider separating the molting crab from 

other crabs during this time, and limiting the family’s handling. Some 

people have been known to accidentally throw away their pet, thinking 

it’s died, when it’s merely repairing its missing claws or completing its 

molt. 

Learning how to handle your hermit crab is essential. While you 

might want to take him out of his tank and hold him, understand that 

he might pinch you, and it might hurt. If you find that your crab continually 

pinches when you handle him, chalk it up to the fact that he 

might be nervous, angry or hungry, and return him to the tank. However, 

if he isn’t pinching, then he probably enjoys your handling! ■ 

Sources for this article are hermitcrabcenter.com, hermit--crabs.com 

and seashells.com. 


herlife | just sayin’ 

Just Sayin’ 

by jenny matthews 

photography by ward parkway center and ron berg photography 

Icouldn’t believe it. There she was, just toddling around her 

playroom, looking as adorable as ever with her pigtails and 

rosy cheeks. My sweet little almost-two-year old Julianne Faith 

was playing with her baby doll, pretending to change her diaper. 

She must’ve decided that it was bottle time. I watched her look 

through the drawer where she keeps the bottles and other baby 

necessities. She pushed things around, looked side to side, fished 

through the contents of the drawer…no bottle. 

So, what did my little sweet pea do She stood up, glanced 

around the room with hands on her hips and said the dreaded ‘S- 

Word’! She didn’t just say it—she REALLY emphasized the ‘Sh’ 

part of the word! Then she proceeded to say it about three more 

times! My jaw hit the floor and as much as I wanted to burst out 

laughing (because, I’ll be honest, it was hilarious) I knew that I 

couldn’t even so much as crack a smile or she would think that it 

was an acceptable word to say! 

Okay, there was a brief moment of pride…I mean, she DID 

use it in the right context. But, it was immediately followed by 

mortification! Where did she pick up on THAT Where did 

she hear it Did I say it DO I say it My husband and I don’t 

really use a lot of bad language around the house. At least I don’t 

think we do! Did I stub my toe and accidentally say it She only 

watches Yo Gabba Gabba and Dora. Surely, DJ Lance didn’t say 

it. Surely Dora thinks that word is ‘no bueno.’ All I knew was that 

I needed to let her know it was NOT okay to go around saying it! 

I’d have to wait for it to happen again. 

Well, sure enough, a few days later, she dropped a book she 

was carrying and out it came…this time a more pronounced, 

‘awwwww S-Word.’ Yikes. This was clearly her new way of 

expressing frustration. I turned around and laughed to myself 

(couldn’t help it). Then looked right at her and told her that she 

wasn’t allowed to say that anymore, that it’s a bad word and she’d 

go to time-out if she said it again. She seemed to understand 

because she hasn’t said it since! Good grief, I hope that’s the end 

of THAT! 

Lesson to this mommy (and daddy, too!)—we REALLY need 

to watch every single thing we say and do because our baby girl 

is watching and learning and repeating. I already knew that, but 

the ‘S-Word’ incidents definitely brought that message home! ■ 

Jenny Matthews is Mix 93.3’s radio darling! She 

is the host of The Jenny Matthews Show and 

has been happily married for 7 years to 

caller number 9 (... ask her about that sometime!) 



herlife | tie the knot 

rachel 

alex karwas 

TIED THE KNOT JUNE 2, 2012 

by candi smith | photography by studio chyree

R 

achel (Smith) Karwas is 27 years old, 

and she grew up outside of Dallas, 

Texas. She earned a Bachelor’s 

degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas 

(KU) in 2008, and is an Events Coordinator for KU 

Libraries. In her free time, Rachel enjoys running, 

reading, decorating and competing in pageants. 

Alex Karwas is 27 years old, and grew up 

outside St. Louis, Missouri. He is currently earning 

a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering at KU. He earned 

a Bachelor’s degree in the same subject, also from 

KU, in 2010. While he completes his studies, he 

is employed as graduate research assistant working 

for Kansas University School of Engineering on a 

NASA-funded research project. Alex enjoys playing 

hockey, watching sports and cooking. The newlyweds 

live in Lawrence, Kansas. 

The newlyweds casually met through a mutual 

group of friends while living in the dorms as freshmen 

at KU in 2003. It wasn’t until 2006 that they 

were formally introduced at a friend’s party and 

they’ve been together ever since. 


LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT 

SHARED IN THE LOVE 

Bridal gown: 

Altar Bridal 

Bridesmaids’ gowns: 

Anthropologie, ASOS, 

TopShop, Urban Outfitters 

GROOM'S SUIT: 

Banana Republic, L.L. Bean, 

Macy’s, The Tie Bar 

GROOMSMEN'S SUITS: 

Banana Republic, L.L. Bean, 

The Tie Bar 

Hair Styling: 

Lada Salon & Spa 

Photography: 

Studio Chyree Photography 

Florist: 

Daydream Design 

by Micky McKillip 

DJ: 

Scott Karpen 

CATERER: 

Peace & Carrots Catering 

cake/pies: 

Boxer Lady Bakery 

VENUE: 

Historic Taylor Barn 

JEWELER: 

Shane Company 

MAKEUP: 

Lisa Proctor 

Because they met at KU, where Rachel 

works and Alex is earning his doctorate, it’s a 

very special place to the couple. One afternoon 

in July 2011, Alex took Rachel up to campus to 

the outlook between Spencer Research Library 

and The Campanile, and they stood looking out 

at the beautiful view north of town. Then, out 

of nowhere, he pulled a ring out of his pocket 

and proposed! They spent the night at the Hotel 

Raphael and went to their favorite restaurant on 

The Plaza to celebrate, where all of their friends 

surprised Rachel by showing up to celebrate 

with them. It was a wonderful day she will never 

forget! 

The happy couple tied the knot on June 

2, 2012. Rachel had four attendants (one Maid 

of Honor and three bridesmaids). Her Maid 

of Honor was her sister, Sarah Smith, and her 

three other bridesmaids were her long-time 

friend, Lauren Van Curen, and two of her best 

friends from KU, Jessica Dickson and Jennifer 

Mohwinkle. Alex had four attendants (one Best 

Man and three groomsmen). His Best Man was 

his best friend, Scott Dickson, and his three 

other groomsmen were his close childhood 

friends Steve Scott and Matt Hurst, and his 

good friend from KU, Matt Damlich. 

Since Rachel and Alex are a laid-back and 

fun-loving couple, they wanted their wedding 

to reflect that fact. They chose to go with a very 

casual, shabby chic, vintage wedding at a rustic 

and romantic location. Each of Rachel’s bridesmaids 

wore different, coordinating dresses and 

Alex’s groomsmen wore khakis, bowties, boat 

shoes and simple button-up shirts. Alex didn’t 

want to wear a suit, so he opted to add a blazer 

to the same outfit the groomsmen were wearing. 

They also decided to forgo the traditional cake 

and had a candy, cupcake and pie bar instead. 

The couple created most of the decorations 

themselves, and went to great lengths to make 

sure their wedding was an accurate representation 

of who they are—fun-loving and unique 

people who love Kansas, each other, and their 

families and friends. 

For their honeymoon, the newlyweds went 

to Charleston, South Carolina, to experience 

history, Southern hospitality and enjoy what 

many people told them would be great dining 

and shopping. They stayed at a plantation north 

of town for the first three nights so they could 

unwind and truly enjoy each other’s company. 

They then went to stay at a hotel in the historic 

French Quarter, right on the water, in downtown 

Charleston. Doing that allowed them to 

experience what the city had to offer after they’d 

had a chance to recharge. ■ 


We are the region’s most experienced in helping infertile couples become parents. 

For over 23 years we have been the leading innovator offering a full range of 

treatment options ranging from minimal therapies to high-tech procedures. 

We invite you to learn all about us by visiting rrc.com where 

you will find valuable information and other helpful sites and links, 

like our Blog, Facebook and Newsfeeds. 

If you wish to start a family or grow your existing family, 

call us at (913) 894-2323 today. 

Celeste Brabec, M.D.• Ryan Riggs, M.D. 


herlife | tie the knot 

Kristin 

Mat 


Kristin was starting to get a little suspicious because there are signs 

that clearly state, “Last tour starts at 4:15” and it was well 

after 5:00, but she thought they were there on a special day. She 

was right because it turns out that Matt arranged to have the 

tower stay open late just so he could propose to her at the top! 

TIED THE KNOT JULY 28, 2012 

by candi smith | photography by ryan brown photography 

K 

ristin (Howard) Herndon is 27 

years old and grew up in Plano, 

Texas. She moved to Kansas 

to attend University of Kansas and holds a 

degree in Marketing from the KU School of 

Business. She currently works for Young & 

Rubicam. 

Matthew Herndon is 33 years old, and is 

from Oakton, Virginia. He attended Auburn 

University where he received a degree 

in Business Administration, Management 

Information Systems. He currently works 

for CenturyLink. Matt and Kristin recently 

built a house in Leawood, Kansas, where they 

reside with their two dogs, Sydney and Gus. 

In 2009, the newlyweds both moved 

to Kansas City, where they met at Shawnee 

Mission Dog Park. For several months, they 

would look forward to seeing each other and 

walking the trails together at the park. Matt 

eventually asked Kristin out for their first date 

and they’ve been together ever since. 

Matt and Kristen were heading to dinner 

downtown when he asked if she would like 

to stop by Liberty Memorial to take a photo. 

Kristen agreed because they are trying to take 

photos at all of the fountains in Kansas City 

(it’s the “City of Fountains”) and they hadn't 

taken any photos with the one at Liberty Memorial. 

They got out of the car and started to 

walk up to the observation deck to check out 

the great view of Kansas City. As they were 

walking by the tower, Kristen noticed that the 

door to the tower was open, and Matt asked 

the elevator operator, Dennis, if they could go 

to the top. Dennis answered, “Sure,” and up 

they went! Kristen was starting to get a little 

suspicious because there are signs that clearly 

state, “Last tour starts at 4:15” and it was well 

after 5:00, but she thought they were there on 

a special day. She was right because it turns 

out that Matt arranged to have the tower stay

open late just so he could propose to her at the top! 

The happy couple tied the knot on July 28, 2012. They had four bridesmaids and four 

groomsmen, and their flower girl is the daughter of their Best Man. None of the groomsmen or 

the Maid of Honor live in Kansas City. They live in Nevada, Alabama, Wisconsin, Massachusetts 

and New York. They had guests from 21 states, including Hawaii, attend their wedding. 

Because they had so many out-of-town guests (including both sets of parents of the couple), 

they really wanted to showcase Kansas City. Their tables were all named after Kansas City landmarks, 

and the table cards were pinned on a map with each person’s name placed in the state 

from which they traveled. They also had shakers at their wedding, which is an Auburn tradition 

for the guests to shake as they walked down the aisle after the ceremony. Their wedding colors 

were teal and orchard green, the groom’s cake was an edible version of Matt’s favorite argyle 

Auburn hat, and sangria and Jack Daniels and Cherry Coke were their signature drinks. 

The newlyweds honeymooned in St. Lucia. Kristen’s only request for the honeymoon was 

that she could use her passport! ■ 

LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT 

SHARED IN THE LOVE 

Bridal gown: 

Belle Vogue Bridals 

BRIDESMAIDS' GOWNS: 

Dillard’s 

GROOM'S TUXEDO: 

Pinstripes 

groomsmen's tuxedos: 

Pinstripes 

HAIR STYLING: 

Salon Kismet 

photography: 

Ryan Brown Photography 

FLORIST: 

Blue Bouquet 

DJ: 

Danny Goyer with 

Encore Elite Entertainment 

CAKES: 

Sweet Pea Cakes 

venue: 

Californos 

Wedding COORDINATOR: 

Hannah Klamann 

musicians: 

Fontana 



herlife | in the city 

Calendar of Events 

NOTE: All calendar events must be received by October 5th for the November issue and adhere to our 

guidelines. E-mail kellie@herlifemagazine.com for guidelines to submit entries. 

OCTOBER 2 

Menorah Medical Center’s 

Breast Cancer Awareness 

Kick-Off Party 

Time: 4:00pm–6:00pm 

Location: The Menorah campus and Entry 

B, located at 119th and Nall, Overland Park, 

KS 

Details: Menorah will be bathed in pink 

to bring awareness to early detection, and to 

honor those courageous women battling the 

disease and survivors. Women will spend the 

evening being pampered with massages, nail 

art, free bra fittings, hair extensions and more. 

Pink ribbons will be given to every attendee, 

and the afternoon will conclude with a 

5:45pm balloon release in Menorah’s garden 

to remember those affected by breast cancer. 

For more information, call 913-498-7406 or 

visit MenorahMedicalCenter.com. 

OCTOBER 4 

The Kansas City Rose Society 

“Wine & Roses” Event 


Location: Rose Garden at Jacob L. Loose 

Memorial Park, 5200 Pennsylvania Ave., 

Kansas City, MO 

Details: A Garden Party to benefit The 

Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden. 

Honorary Chairperson: Beverly Bradley. 

Hors d’oeuvres provided by The Bristol Seafood 

Grill. Live jazz performed by The Mike 

White Quartet. Sponsors: Sprint, Spaces, 

Portfolio Kitchen & Home, Studio Chyree 

Photography and Shana Vaughn Designs. 

Tickets are $75 and must be purchased in 

advance. Please visit kansascityrosesociety.org 

to purchase tickets. 

Dense Breast Tissue: What 

Can You Do About It 

Date: October 4 

Time: 12:00pm–1:00pm 

Location: KU MedWest Community 

Room, 7405 Renner Road, Shawnee, KS 

Details: Marc Inciardi, MD, whose specialties 

include radiology and diagnostic radiology, 

will lead this free Be Well! program from The 

University of Kansas Hospital. To make the 

required reservation or obtain more information 

about this and other wellness programs 

offered by The University of Kansas Hospital, 

please call 913-588-1227 or visit 

kumed.com/bewell. 

Move into Fall with Richard 

Simmons 



Location: The View at Briarcliff located 

in the Courtyard by Marriott (a new hotel 

in Briarcliff Village), 4000 Mulberry Drive, 


Details: Presented by North Kansas City 

Hospital’s Northland Women’s Center, 

Richard Simmons uses his trademark humor 

to make exercise energetic, fun and motivating. 

Enjoy a meet and greet with Richard, 

personal consultations with healthcare professionals, 

free gifts, delicious, healthy food and 

more. Cost is $45 per person. For reservations, 

please call 816-691-1688 or visit nkch.org. 

OCTOBER 6 

Fourth Annual Bow Ties for 

Babies Gala 

Time: 6:00pm 

Location: Carriage Club, 5301 State Line 

Road, Kansas City, MO 

Details: Hosted by Friends of Alexandra’s 

House to benefit the perinatal hospice work of 

Alexandra’s House. Silent auction and dinner. 

Formal or business dress required. $150 per 

person. For more information, please call 

816-931-2539 or visit bowtiesforbabies.com for 

details and to make reservations. You can also 

learn more about the mission of Alexandra’s 

House at alexandrashouse.com. 

OCTOBER 7 

Fourth Annual Pink 

Laundry 5K Run/Walk & 

Kids’ Race 

Time: 8:00am start time 

Location: Historic downtown Lee’s 

Summit, Missouri 

Details: Please join us for the Fourth Annual 

Pink Laundry 5K Run/Walk and Kids’ 

Race. The Pink Laundry 5K was voted the 

best mid-size course in the metro by the 

Kansas City Sports Commission. This event is 

the flagship fundraiser for The Stephanie Vest 

Foundation, and 100 percent of proceeds will 

benefit local families dealing with a cancer 

crisis. To learn more or to register, please visit 

pinklaundry.org. 

OCTOBER 13 

The American Girl Fashion 

Show 

DateS: October 13 - October 14 

TimeS: October 13: 3:00pm, 7:00pm 

October 14: 1:00pm, 4:00pm 

Location: Polsky Theatre, 12345 College 

Blvd., Overland Park, KS 

Details: The American Girl Fashion Show 

is a fun-filled event for girls and their families, 



friends, and favorite dolls. Celebrate the 

experience of being a girl, whether yesterday 

or today, through a colorful presentation of 

historical and contemporary fashions. Hosted 

by the Junior League of Wyandotte and 

Johnson Counties to benefit Local Children 

Served by Catholic Charities of NE Kansas 

Emergency Assistance Centers. For more 

information, visit www.jlwjc.org. 

OCTOBER 18 

Holiday Mart 2012 

Dates: October 18–October 21 

Times: October 18: 9:00am–12:00pm - Preferential 

Shopping (requires special ticket); 

12:00pm–9:00pm - General Admission 

October 19: 10:00am–10:00pm - General 

Admission; 5:00pm–10:00pm - Ladies’ Night 

Out (open to the public, Special Ladies’ 

Night Out VIP Bundle) 

October 20: 10:00am–6:00pm - General Admission; 

1:00pm–3:00pm 25th Anniversary 

Silver Soirée 

October 21: 10:00am–4:00pm - General 

Admission 

Location: Bartle Hall, 301 W. 13th Street, 


Details: Don’t miss Kansas City’s favorite 

shopping tradition, the Junior League of 

Kansas City, Missouri’s 25th Annual Holiday 

Mart! Grab your girlfriends for an exciting 

weekend of shopping, events and entertainment 

in the heart of downtown Kansas City. 

For Special Ladies’ Night Out VIP Bundle, 

visit holidaymartkc.org. You can also purchase 

general admission ticket at the website 

or your local Hen House. 

OCTOBER 20 

The University of Kansas 

Hospital: Free Drive-Thru 

Flu Shots 

Time: 8:00am–1:00pm while supplies last 

138 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 

Location: Corner of Rainbow Boulevard 

and Adams Street, Kansas City, KS 

Details: Persons 8 years and older are eligible 

for The University of Kansas Hospital’s 

18th annual free drive-thru flu shot event. 

Parental consent is needed for children 

ages 8 to 17. Shots will be given on a firstcome, 

first-served basis, while supplies last. 

Although the flu shots are free, the hospital 

will accept donations and nonperishable 

food items for Harvesters, the Community 

Food Network. Each person receiving a flu 

shot needs to complete and sign a consent 

form, available at the event or online at 

kumed.com/flu. For more information about 

the flu shot event, please call 913-588-1227 

or visit kumed.com/flu. 

Spofford Butterfly Gala: 

ONE Night, ONE Hope, 

ONE Child at a Time! 


Time: 6:00pm–10:00pm 

Location: DoubleTree Hotel, 10100 

College Boulevard, Overland Park, KS 

Details: Join Spofford for its 13th annual 

Butterfly Gala & Auction and help vulnerable 

children in our community. The evening 

includes a reception, silent and live auctions 

and dinner. Proceeds benefit the services 

Spofford provides to children suffering emotional 

and behavioral disorders due to abuse, 

neglect and childhood mental illness. For 

more information, please call 816-508-3400 

or visit facebook.com/spoffordhome. 

OCTOBER 25 

Premier Plastic Surgery 

Patient Appreciation Event 



Location: 20375 W. 151st Street, Suite 

370, Olathe, KS 

Details: Live demos, raffles for products 

and treatments, professional bra fittings, 

make-up tips, food and drinks, and more! 

RSVP by calling or emailing Sami Johnson 

at 913-951-2024 or sjohnson@ppskc.com. 

OCTOBER 27 

Boo Ball 

Time: 7:00pm–11:00pm 

Location: Emaline Ballroom, 616 SW 3rd 

Street, Lee’s Summit, MO 

Details: Join us for this spooktacular affair 

supporting the new Appearance Renewal 

Center at Saint Luke’s East Hospital in Lee’s 

Summit. The center will provide products, 

services and resources for patients battling 

the effects of cancer therapy. NBC Action 

News anchor and cancer survivor Cynthia 

Newsome will host the evening’s activities, 

which will feature Mrs. Kansas International 

2012 as she shares her own story as a breast 

cancer survivor. The evening will feature costume 

contests, local artists crafting imaginative 

interpretations of renewal in the face of 

adversity, as well as a live and silent auction. 

Live music and dancing will complement 

a sumptuous buffet presentation of devilish 

delights and a cash bar. Sponsored by Saint 

Luke’s Foundation and Saint Luke’s East 

Hospital. Cost is $75 for individual tickets; 

sponsorships start at $500. For more information, 

visit boo-ball.org to purchase tickets or 

call 816-347-4929. 

American Cancer Society 

Making Strides Against 

Breast Cancer 5K 

Fundraising Walk 


Time: 8:00am - Registration opens; 8:30am - 

Program begins; 9:00am - Walk begins 

Location: Liberty Memorial, 100 W. 26th 

Street, Kansas City, MO 

Details: Registration is free and can be 

done online at makingstrideskansascity.org or 

the day of the event.


herlife | horoscope 

Star Journeys 

by john sandbach 

October is an extremely busy month for all of us. It’s kind of like a storm—very active, lots of energy and the potential for 

turbulence. The best thing for all of us to do is to do what sailors do at this time—don’t go out onto the water. Of course we 

all have things we need to accomplish, but there is so much we needn’t get hooked into. Storms are natural occurrences. If you 

stay focused on what you want to do, and find your center of inner peace, you can enjoy the power of the weather without letting it blow 

you off course. This is a month for saying, “This is not me, and this is.” Each one of us needs now to find our own element, which is the 

one we’re comfortable in, for therein lie our passion and our joy. 

Scorpio 

(October 23-November 21): 

Are you fighting the current Even if you think you’re 

not, there are ways you can move with it even more 

effectively. This is a month for smoothing out your life, 

for using diplomacy, for being aware of other people’s 

needs, and yes, how to manipulate them to get what 

you want, but in a positive way that ends up making 

both parties happy. Work it, and you’ll find that it 

works. 

Aquarius 

(January 21-February 18): 

You have to really think about what is truly important 

now, and it may not be the things that seem important—especially 

to others. Even if someone thinks that 

what you’re doing is trivial, if you’re having fun doing 

it, then keep on. Tune out the agendas of the world 

when they don’t fit your agenda. Simply having time to 

play can be so rejuvenating to you now. 

Taurus 

(April 20-May 20): 

Information is coming your way—good and usable 

information. Something you have been cut off from 

is returning to you now to offer some support that 

you need. It may be totally unexpected, and it can 

help you to feel more complete. Maybe you get 

closure on some things that you’ve always wondered 

about, or which you felt were holding you back. Accept 

the gift with open arms. 

Leo 

(July 23-August 22): 

Being lavish can be so much fun—if you spend lots of 

time and money on something you can make it very 

special. But make sure it’s something you really want 

that really touches your heart. Doubts and fears have a 

tendency to be just so much wasted energy right now, 

so go ahead and think big. If that produces inconveniences, 

well, they’re probably worth it. 

Sagittarius 

(November 22-December 21): 

Be gentle, but hold your ground and be firm. If you get 

too intense or aggressive, you’ll scare people off. Use 

a mildly persistent assertiveness as you hold your line. 

Find new ways of dealing with situations in which you 

feel you lack power. Any new methods you try that are 

soft but confident will tend to get you what you want. 

When the old ways aren’t working, let inspiration 

guide you. 

Pisces 

(February 19-March 20): 

Keep it all free and open as possible. You need lots of 

space at this time—space in which to move. You don’t 

need a map now to get where you’re going. You just 

need to allow your own impulses and passions to carry 

you. And whatever you do, stay away from situations 

that seem stagnating or claustrophobic. Get out in the 

open air, both the air that’s outside, and the air of your 

mind. Little boxes are not meant to be places to live in. 

Gemini 

(May 21-June 21): 

You can move forward at a nice pace now. Something 

is ending in your life, and that ending wants to carry 

you forth to something new. You may not know quite 

where you’re going, but in a way it doesn’t matter 

because you will know when you get there. You have 

the potential now of feeling good and exhilarated even 

in the midst of difficult situations. What a blessing! 

Focus on it. 

Virgo 

(August 23-September 22): 

This is your month, for you can do a lot of wonderful 

organizing and discarding what you don’t need. The 

trick is recognizing that how you thought things should 

be organized in the past may not be how it’s best to 

organize them now, so be open and creative in your 

rearranging. Rethink your needs so you can streamline 

your whole life. 

Capricorn 

(December 22-January 19): 

When it’s time for something to end, there’s no use 

struggling against it. Cycles are coming to a close in 

your life now, and the more you just let them do this 

without trying to hold on, the easier everything will be 

for you. If you want freshness, don’t try to refresh what 

you already have when it wants to die. Find some new 

freshness instead. Plant new seeds. 

Aries 

(March 21-April 19): 

Things want so much now to fall into place for you. 

All you have to do is get out of the way and let this 

happen. Often when wonderful opportunities come to 

us, we aren’t even aware of them. But if you keep your 

ears perked up, you’ll be able to hear opportunity, and 

when you do, open the door wide. 

Cancer 

(June 22-July 22): 

You have strong impulses now to move around and 

explore, and if you let yourself do this it will be very 

freeing and can carry you to some interesting places. 

Try to let go of making such an effort to do things, for 

life can be easier now than you might expect if you will 

let it be. Don’t waste time over-preparing for things. 

Just go on and go—that’s all you need. 

Libra 

(September 23-October 22): 

You can make things better by thinking carefully about 

what you did in the past and how it went. Your own 

personal history can really talk to you this month, and 

provide you with some highly valuable lessons and 

information. This is a time of gaining perspective on 

things and based on that, modifying what you’re doing 

now so that it will lead you to even more success.

age: height: weight: body fat - HERLIFE Magazine

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