Twila Spring 2013 by Twila & Co.

wedding photographer

SPRING 2013 SPRING 2013

letter from the

creative editor

Happy Spring!

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for warm weather, a change in seasons, and more than anything, to bloom! Yes, bloom. A little cheesy? Perhaps. True? Completely. The past few months have been a bit crazy as I have been trying to figure out my life. My plan for the last 8 months had been to move to San Francisco. To me, it represented freedom and creativity, which was something that I had been severely lacking. It was so refreshing to rediscover that part of me on my trip there last May. It was that trip that inspired me to start this magazine. It motivated me to move my life in the direction in which the universe has been pushing me. For months, I ate, drank, and slept that idea of freedom and creativity. I yearned to go back and potentially stay there. But after visiting again, I realized I just wasn’t ready for that, personally or professionally. To plan and move towards something for so long just to realize it’s not the right time can be devastating. What else was I supposed to do with my life if I wasn’t going to San Francisco? The universe has a funny way of making your dreams come true in one way or another. For example, you’ve dreamed of having a horse or pony your ENTIRE life. And when you grow up, you still don’t have one, but what you do get is a Ford Mustang. Silly metaphor, I know, but hopefully you get the picture. We all have dreams. And even though we think they are going to look one way, they may end looking completely different...but the essence is still there. I was looking for freedom and creativity, and just because I’m not going to San Francisco, didn’t mean I had to give up on the essence of it. And I’ve found it! Right in my home town. It has been an anxious, nerve-racking and hard journey to get here, but it is so exciting to announce that I am going full-time with my own business, Artketing. Yes, I said it: FULL TIME. I couldn’t be more excited. This also means much more time on Twila! It’s been a long process. And maybe one day I will still get the chance to live in San Francisco. But for now, I am happy right where I am with all the creativity and freedom I could ask for.

I couldn’t help but share these photos of beautiful puppy Lilly taken by Jeri Hetrick

So yes, I’m ready to bloom; ready a new season as I have finished cleaning out and getting to the bare bones of my life this past winter. This issue of Twila is all about rebalancing and revitalizing your life in whatever way works for you: health, fashion, balance, career. Ciao,

Johnna Hetrick

r u team

meet o donna hetrick

alyson banks

Alyson Banks is a recent graduate of James Madison University where she studied Communication Studies, concentrating in Public Relations and minoring in Writing Rhetoric and Technical Communication. The 22 year old enjoys blogging, going to concerts, discovering unknown artists and pouring over a good book. When she’s not working, you can find most likely find her at her local Starbucks enjoying a peppermint mocha.

Donna Hetrick, is a certified clinical nutritionist, personal trainer & sales rep with Wildtree. She owns Lifestyle Fitness Nutrition providing nutritional counseling, blood chemistry analysis and personal training in Fredericksburg, VA. She has raised three amazing children, is still wildly in love with her husband of 30 years and is on this planet to teach others how to reclaim their health by nourishing their bodies with whole foods.

chelsea islin

Chelsea is a twenty-three year old living in Arlington, VA. She graduated from Christopher Newport University with a Communication Studies major in 2011 and is currently an Account Executive at DISYS. She’s a big fan of shopping, trying new wines and exploring DC with her friends. She started her blog for a college course and though that ended she’s continued posting!

emily richards

Emily York Richards, founder and CEO of Sade Wellness, a corporate wellness solutions firm, oversees business development, directs creative initiatives and formulates the strategy for Sade’s client base. A fitness guru, marathon runner and self-proclaimed health fanatic, Emily embraces the importance of a life balance in body, mind and spirit which also drives the passion behind her business.

contributors

david covucci writer arlington, va

katelyn james

leigh menditto richmond, va

SPRING 2013

photographer richmond, va

anna menditto graduate student arlington, va

lindsay van cleave jewelry designer new york, new york

valerie paquete foodie richmond, va

ashlyn williams blogger washington, dc

SPRING ISSUE

What You’ll Find... THE ESSENTIALS 9 11 12 13 76

Spring Living Calendar Book Club Spring Training Workout Playlist Messages: A Short Story

FOOD & RECIPES 17 Guilt Free Recipes 80 Pursuit of Sweetness 84 Melon Mint Sangria

82 HEALTH & BALANCE 14 20 32 34

18 58 61 62 72 86 4

FASHION & BEAUTY

Four Spring Fashion Staples Make Up Favorites Classy Chic & Chardonnay Spring Jewelry Layering You’re Invited

A Fresh Look The Battle of the Bulge The Reality Is... Go, Going, Gone.

THE FEATURE Katelyn James is a true inspiration. since starting her photography out of her dorm room in college, this busy photographer has grown into one of the most wanted photographers on the east coast. Already booked for the 2013 calendar year, she talks about how she keeps herself organized and on top, all with the help of her cute little family.

Katelyn James

We need you! Want to advertise? Contribute a story? Start a column? We are looking for writers and advertisers! For subjects or ideas, please e-mail us at johnna@designartketing.com.

Photos Courtesy of: Alicia Jayne Anna Menditto Ashlyn Williams

SPRING 2013

Chelsea Islin Katelyn James Lindsay Fauver

Protein Bakery stock.xchng Valerie Paquette

CATCH UP ON THE LATEST AT THE ARTKETING BLOG IN BETWEEN ISSUES

JOHNNAHETRICK.COM

INVITATIONS, BRANDING, AND GRAPHICS

BOOK CLUB

FASHION & BEAUTY FAVORITES

DAILY CHATS

SPRING 2013

BRANDING & LOGO DESIGN

MUSIC MONDAYS

DESIGN ARTKETING a styling studio INVITATIONS & events LOGOS, BRANDING & identity

PAINTING & graphics 540-840-0312 DESIGNARTKETING.COM JOHNNA@DESIGNARTKETING.COM @DESIGNARTKETING FACEBOOK.COM/ARTKETING 8

SPRING 2013 MARCH

PEANUT BUTTER DAY

I WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY DAY

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS

SHAMROCK FEST

SAINT PATRICK’S DAY

WASHINGTON DC CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL BEGINS

FIRST DAY OF SPRING

PASSOVER WAFFLE DAY

CAROLINA CUP, NC

EASTER

APRIL

APRIL FOOL’S DAY

PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY DAY

NO HOUSEWORK DAY

STRESS AWARENESS DAY

GARLIC [LOVERS] DAY

EARTH DAY

MONUMENT 10K RICHMOND, VA

TAX DAY

FOX FIELDS, VA

HONESTY DAY

MAY

MAY DAY

KENTUCKY DERBY DC101 CHILI COOK-OFF GOLD CUP, VA

MOTHER’S DAY

SPRING 2013

PREAKNESS, MD

CINCO DE MAYO

HAVE A COKE DAY

EAT WHAT YOU WANT DAY

MARINE CORPS HALF MARATHON FREDERICKSBURG, VA

ALEXANDRIA, VA RUNNING FESTIVAL

MEMORIAL DAY

FIND BALANCE.

body, mind and spirit.

A Wellness Solutions Firm that helps individuals achieve a life balance in

SadeClarity.com | 703.850.1785 info@sadeclarity.com

book club Gone Girl

We had our first Book Club Meeting this month and it was AMAZING. We had chosen the book Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, which is a MUST-READ. It was amazing, captivating, intriguing, and left so much to be discussed. The book was extremely well written, as it went back and forth between the past, present, and the two main character perspectives. But even with the differing perspectives, the quality of writing and consistent detail made it easy to follow. Since it is a mystery, it intrigued you and made you think along the way, but never left you confused. It was fantastic. I couldn’t put it down! I was DYING to talk about it at our meeting. While we were able to jump right in with our thoughts and comments about the book at the meeting, I also brought some discussion questions I found online. The questions provided some really thoughtprovoking questions and definitely made us dig a little more into the book. I loved hearing everyone’s thoughts and opinions. I have to say, my favorite part was discussing who we thought would be perfect for each character if the book were made into a movie.

Silver Linings Playbook

Going into this book I really wasn’t sure what to expect. I had seen a few previews and mostly wanted to see the movie because I love Jennifer Lawrence. But once I started the book, I finished it in less than 3 days and was completely surprised.

The book is about Pat, a guy just getting out of a mental hospital and how he tries to find the Silver Linings in everything (a good lesson for us all). Pat’s main goal is are union with his ex-wife, but It focuses a lot on rebuilding old relationships with his family and building new ones. Once I finished the book, I HAD to go see the movie. Both fortunately and unfortunately, they are VERY different. The movie is also fantastic, and the acting was incredible (obviously, Jennifer won an Oscar). Once you get over the differences, you can truly enjoy the movie. The movie still has the same basis of Pat getting out of the hospital, but the relationships in the movie are very different and therefore create a varying story.

SPRING 2013

Spring

TRAINING

It’s almost time for spring and that means it’s time to get back outside. I’m gearing up to start running again and hopefully train for some races. Here are some tips to help make training a little more fun! GET THE RIGHT GEAR

MAKE A TRAINING SCHEDULE

What better excuse to get some new workout gear than to train for and run in a race? Shoes are probably one of the more important aspects of running as you want to be comfortable during your race. And make sure to break in your shoes BEFORE the race.

Do a little research to find a training schedule that works best for you and fits into your time. But most importantly, SCHEDULE IT IN. Make it a priority and block out the time you need to complete your training for the day.

I prefer the Nike Free Run 3 Women’s Running Shoe. It’s light, comfortable, and flexible for any running situation. You can even customize your own at store.nike.com.

If you find the need to be accountable for your training, join a club! Many areas have running clubs where you can meet and run with others who area also training.

TRACK YOUR TIME

HAVE A MOTIVATING PLAYLIST

I have an iPhone and one of the best apps I ever downloaded was the Nike+ App. It tracks all of my runs, times, and calories. It gives you information about your best mile, your worst mile, and everything in between. You can even share it with your friends or on social media.

For me, listening to music is a huge help and motivator while I’m running. Upbeat songs and motivation lyrics can definitely make or break how far I feel like going. If I’ve got a good playlist, I could go for what feels like hours. Check out my latest playlist on page 13.

SIGN UP Find a race near you! While doing longer races is fun, make sure you choose a race that is right for you. For half marathons in your area, visit halfmarathons.net. 12

by johnna hetrick

how to:

MAKE A WORKOUT PLAYLIST I’m always looking for new songs to boost my energy and change up my workout. The key to building a great workout mix is always changing it up. I get so used to my playlist from running and working out, that I have to make sure I am always adding in new songs.

comes to working out, I need something more upbeat.

it PUMPS you up

top 40 songs are great because they have fast beats. Rock music is great for strength training because it has a little more power in the music. And while sometimes you have to dig for the oldies, I always enjoy putting some unexpected throwbacks in my mixes. Artists like Stevie Wonder, Led Zeppelin and AC/DC have some great songs to work out to.

It makeS you smile

I like to include songs that make me smile or make me feel good. If I’m happy and smiling while working out, it makes me forget about So, what makes a great workout playlist song? all the energy I’m exerting. I especially love IT MAKES YOU DANCE these songs when I’m strength training and on If you find yourself bobbing your head to a song a harder set. or you can’t help but dance and move along FIND MORE SONGS with the tune, it’s a fantastic workout song. You I dig in a few places for my workout songs: top want music that is going to keep you moving. 40, classic rock/oldies, and rock. A lot of the You know that song that you always play before a big event or going out with your friends? ADD IT. We all have ‘Power Songs,’ for when we really need that extra push. My power song is Stronger by Kanye West. it keepS you awake During the day, I typically listen to mellow, lowkey music, which is great for work. But when it

Check out this list of some of my favorite workout songs. You can find this play list (and many more) on Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/user/johnnahet44/playlist/7z26VarBlSBYSr41uUUHFj dekompressors—On The Run WALE AND LADY GAGA—Chillin FOSTER THE PEOPLE—Houdini PINK—Raise Your Glass MONA—Shooting the Moon TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB—Undercover Martyn RIHANNA—Shut Up and Drive SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA—Don’t You Worry Child THE PRETTY WRECKLESS—Hit Me Like A Man Randy Rogers Band—In My Arms Instead SPRING 2013

CHILDISH GAMBINO—Sunrise STRANGE TALK—Climbing Walls KELLY CLARKSON—Catch My Breath BEYONCE—Love On Top SANTIGOLD—Disparate Youth LED ZEPPELIN —Immigrant Song THE BLACK KEYS—Howlin’ For You Britney Spears—I Wanna Go Walk the Moon—Tightrope

a fresh look

SMALL CHANGES CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

by donna hetrick

puree for a portion of the sugar called for in a recipe. Adding dried fruit also works well in certain recipes. Using fruit purees can also enable you to reduce the amount of fat used in the recipe as well.

I see clients on a regular basis that are expecting to have to completely revamp the way they eat and are quite surprised when they learn INCREASE THE FIBER! that all they need to do is make small changes One of the downsides of eating cookies, cakes, but although small—they are ones that will muffins and breads is that most are loaded with dramatically impact their health. high glycemic flours and sugars which spike So where can you make the biggest impact in blood sugar levels and put your body into fat your overall health? storage mode. One way to have your cake and eat it too, is by adding additional fiber to cut the sugar! the recipe. Great sources of fiber are ground A U.S. Department of Agriculture report flaxseed—you can grind these yourself or published in 2012 revealed the average purchase already ground flaxseed, oat bran or American consumes 156 pounds of sugar a coconut flour which is four times higher in fiber year! That is over 31 five pound bags annually! than oat bran and three times higher than fiber • Rule of thumb: by and large, you can than ground flaxseed. TIP: if adding coconut automatically reduce the amount of sugar in a flour to a recipe that calls for wheat/white flour/ recipe by 1/3 and never notice the difference. gluten free flours increase the amount of eggs • Instead of using all white sugar—experiment for binding. with a mix of sugar and stevia, an all-natural INCREASE THE PROTEIN! sweetener that comes from a plant. Better Baked goods are traditionally high in starchy yet leave the white sugar out altogether and carbs and low in protein. One of the easiest use a mixture of locally grown honey or maple ways to add additional protein to a pancake, syrup or sucanat, unrefined, dehydrated muffin, cookie or cake is by increasing the eggs whole cane sugar and stevia. Some people or by adding a scoop of vanilla or plain whey find stevia to have an aftertaste if too much is protein powder to the recipe or mix. This is a added, so go easy with it to start. technique that you can use even when using a • Substitute fruits like apple sauce and prune boxed mix.

Achieve Healthy Balance in an Unbalanced World!

Nutritional Counseling Blood Chemistry Analysis Cardiovascular & Strength Training Workouts & Weight Loss LifestyleFitnessNutrition.com dphetrick@verizon.net Fredericksburg, VA 22408 Phone: 540-898-5219 | Fax: 540-891-4050 SPRING 2013

What is Wildtree? An Organic Pantry Foods company with nearly 200 products that do not contain MSG, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Hydrogenated Oils, Artificial food dyes/flavorings, irradiated or GMO ingredients. That’s right—NO GMO’s! ALL WILDTREE PRODUCTS ARE MADE IN A PEANUT-FREE FACILITY Our Product Line Includes: Herb & Spice Blends Soup Mixes Bread Mixes BBQ Sauces Marinades & Salad Dressings

Give Wildtree a Test Drive Find a complete nutritional analysis on every product at www.wildtree.com

Place an order! mywildtree.com/donnah Find out more about hosting or attending a tasting or a freezer meal workshop or look into great career opportunity in organic foods e-mail Donna Hetrick at dphetrick@verizon.net.

Donna Hetrick 540-898-1272 www.mywildtree.com/donnah http://wildtreedonna.blogspot.com/ 16

afresh look

CUT THE STARCHY CARBS!

• Try ricing cauliflower—cook the cauliflower al dente’ so that it’s still a little firm. Let cool. Most people love pasta…what’s not to Then using a hand held grater—grate the like? The truth is that it’s extremely difficult cauliflower. Added to a stir fry instead of for most people to maintain or lose weight rice—you can hardly tell the difference. It’s when consuming pasta and rice on a regular also amazing with curried chicken on top. basis. There is an average of 40 grams of carbohydrates in a cup of pasta and about • Use cucumber cups instead of crackers for 50 grams in a cup of rice. Looking for ways to chicken or tuna salad. Simply cut a cucumber reduce your consumption of starchy carbs? into ¾” slices. Carve out a middle leaving ¼” inch of cucumber on the bottom & fill with • Try finely shredded cabbage in the place of chicken or tuna salad. noodles…don’t knock it before you’ve tried it!

• Use cucumbers, apple slices and red pepper strips instead of crackers or chips.

GUILT FREE Recipes Blueberry Coconut Muffins Ingredients

Instructions

• ¼ cup coconut flour—most stores carry Bob’s Red Mill brand • 3 tablespoons coconut oil or butter, melted • 3 eggs • 3 tablespoons honey or a combination of honey and stevia • ¼ teaspoon salt • ¼ teaspoon vanilla • ⅛ teaspoon almond extract • ¼ teaspoon baking powder • ½ cup fresh blueberries

1. Blend together eggs, butter, honey, salt and vanilla.

SPRING 2013

2. Combine coconut flour with baking powder and thoroughly mix into batter until there are no lumps. 3. Fold blueberries into batter. Blueberries should be dry. If rinsed, dry them off before adding to batter. 4. Pour batter into greased muffin tin.

afresh look Easy Baked Apple Oatmeal *Look how we’ve added protein powder, eggs and low-glycemic sweeteners to regular old oatmeal to make a breakfast that is high in protein, high in fiber and low in sugar. Serves 6-8 Ingredients • 3 eggs • 1 scoop whey vanilla protein powder • 1/8 teaspoon salt • 2 teaspoons cinnamon • 1/8 cup honey or maple syrup & stevia to taste • 4 cups unsweetened Almond milk • 2 cups Bob’s Red Mill Oat Bran • 1 large apples grated (if you are using organic—leave the skin on—if not, peel before grating) • 1 tsp. vanilla extract Instructions 1. In medium-large mixing bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Stir in salt, cinnamon, sweetener, almond milk, whey protein powder, oat bran & grated apples.

2. Pour mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until hot, bubbly, and mostly set in the middle. Serve warm in bowls with almond milk on top for a delicious breakfast. For added protein serve with turkey bacon or turkey sausage.

Paleo Rice Recipe from www.elanaspantry.com Serves 4-6 Ingredients • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 1 cup white onion, diced • 2 celery stalks, chopped • 1 cup green pepper, diced • 1 cup red pepper, diced • 1 bunch scallions, chopped • 3 cups cauliflower, riced with your food processor or box grated • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme • 1 bay leaf • ½ teaspoon celtic sea salt • ½ teaspoon pepper • ¼ teaspoon chili powder • ½ teaspoon cumin • 2 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock (thanks Mary) Instructions: 1. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. 2. Add garlic, onion, celery, peppers and scallions; saute until soft. 3. Stir in riced cauliflower, adding thyme, bay leaf, salt, pepper, chili and cumin. 4. Add in the chicken stock (or vegetable stock). 5. Allow to simmer over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, for 30 minutes or so or until liquid is cooked down.

SPRING 2013

This is my ‘holy crap I can’t believe I was that big’ picture.

THE BATTLE OF

the Bulge by anna menditto

My name is Anna and I am 25 years old. For the first time, in a long time, I am very happy with my physical appearance. I have many, many people to thank for my weight loss progress this year but I also have to give myself credit. I hope in some way, shape, or form, you can learn something from me and my story. So, here goes me, Anna, being 100% completely honest with you... The official start of my weight loss journey was December 25th, 2010. I had struggled with my weight for WAYYYYY too long. I had hit absolute rock bottom. SPRING 2013

the battle of the bulge Roller Coaster Growing up, I never considered myself overweight until I went to college. I stopped exercising and started drinking, heavily. College was an amazing but detrimental 4 years to my body. I didn’t seem to take notice to the pounds I was packing on when I was eating pizza for most meals and working out once or twice a week. I went from being really active and healthy to being quasi-active and healthy. My eating habits turned to convenience over health. Entering college, I weighed 145 pounds in August 2005. Leaving college, I weighed 185 pounds in May 2009. I had gained 40 pounds in 4 years at college. HOLY CRAP. The year after college, I tried every diet under the sun. I bought tons of books and every diet drug advertised on TV (take it from meEVERY SINGLE ONE IS A SCAM and DO NOT waste your money) I would lose 5 or 10 pounds here before and there but before I knew it, I was right back to where I started. I needed a new word besides frustrated to describe what I was feeling. Every single one of my best friends is beautiful and skinny. All of them went to college. All of them drank. All of them ate pizza, burgers, etc and not one gained weight like I did. God bless each and every one of them because not one has EVER made me feel self conscious about my weight gain.

Christmas of 2010, I stepped on the scale and almost passed out when I saw the number staring back at me. 198 pounds. (believe me when I say I judged myself WAY more than you are ever going to). I now weighed more than half of the Philadelphia Eagles Football team. All of these questions started coming to mind. How did I let myself get this big? Why didn’t someone tell me I was the size of a whale? Why can’t I lose weight? What is different about my body than everyone else who eats like I do? This was the absolutely lowest point in my life and it was time to do something drastic. I vowed to my closest girlfriends that I was going to lose weight in 2011. Spring of 2011, I lost 15 pounds. I felt much better and my confidence was starting to come back. By taking dairy out, I had gotten rid of headaches, heart burn and indigestion. Even though I had lost 15 pounds, I was after still severely over weight. I started adding dairy back in slowly and like clockwork my symptoms came back. Facing the Facts

After years of trying to lose weight on my own, I realized, I needed help. I felt defeated, frustrated, tired, stressed, and overwhelmed. That’s a lot of emotions at age 24. I blame the grey hairs I currently have on my stress from my weight. Clearly, my plan of eating healthy and working out during the week coupled Fall of 2010, when I moved to Arlington, I joined with going out and eating Jimmy John’s on Gold’s and started working out 4-5 times the weekends wasn’t working out. Seriously, I a week and didn’t lose even ONE pound!! would eat healthy during the week and then 22

before: august 2011 one carbo loaded meal later I would watch the number on the scale jump up 3 pounds. Don’t get me wrong, I still eat Jimmy Johns, I just get an “unwich” now without the bread! I started doing research and had some blood work done to find out if I had a thyroid problem, food intolerance etc. Turns out—my body has a HUGE food intolerance for dairy, whey, casein, and wheat. I bought the book Dairy Free for SPRING 2013

after: june 2012 Dummies and read it cover to cover in a day. I also made the best decision I could have ever made and went to a nutritionist Dr. Christopher Ogilvie. He was so bluntly honest with me it was refreshing. I don’t have height on my side, I’m not Snooki short but I’m pretty close to it. Not only was I overweight, my weight and BMI were considered obese for my 5’2 frame. My nutritionist asked 23

the battle of the bulge

top of the page: anna and her boyfriend in 2012 above: anna and family in 2009

about my normal day, what I eat, when I eat, workout routines etc. and he came to the conclusion that based on what I was working out I should be a lot smaller than my current weight (which is what I thought for years) so that clearly meant it was all about what I was eating. He asked what I ate for breakfast and when I told him, “scrambled eggs with veggies and pineapple salsa” he responded with, “oh I like to put a cup of sugar on my eggs too!” For the first time, I had someone tell me that I only get one metabolism and one set of genes. Unfortunately, my carbo cravings genes were keeping me from fitting into any of my jeans. If I wanted to keep eating subs, pizza, sandwiches and pasta, that’s fine. I was headed straight towards Diabetes...and fast. He gave me a good list that consisted of protein, veggies, and very limited fruits (low glycemic index ones). I, again, took a picture of the list and had it on my phone so anytime I was out and about I had my list so I wouldn’t cheat. It took about a week for me to have this list memorized. The first

month- the weight just fell off. I had shocked my system so much that I lost almost as much weight in a month as I had the entire year so far. Basically, my body was spending all of it’s energy digesting all of the carbs (which turn into sugar) that it didn’t have any energy left over to work on breaking down the fat which is why I could never lose any weight. As soon as I took the carbs out, my body could focus on breaking down the fat which is why I lost so much weight in the first month. He asked my biggest concern about starting the program and anything I saw standing in my way of weight loss. My answer: my lifestyle. I live in Arlington. I can walk to a ridiculous amount of bars and restaurants. Most of my best friends either live with me or within walking distance meaning we frequent happy hours. I’m the party planner and I love being the party planner.

Once I lost another 10 pounds, that was reward enough in itself. I took 3 bags of clothes to donate to Goodwill that didn’t fit. (If it was too big, it got tossed, NO GOING BACK FOR THIS GIRL). 5 Decades of Weight Loss When I started this journey, I was in the 190’s. Gradually I have seen my weight fall through the 180’s, 170’s, 160’s and finally in the 150’s and LESS THAN 10 POUNDS away from my goal! I never thought this day would come.

I ran into a girlfriend this weekend that I hadn’t seen since the summer and she literally saidyou look like a different person. Until I look at pictures, I really don’t see a huge difference because I look in the mirror every day and see myself. However, where I am noticing my weight loss is my clothes. I pretty much had to get an entire new wardrobe (which is not a problem for me). I have always had a shopping His answer: You don’t have to stop having fun problem but before I would get frustrated to lose weight. because nothing fit or I didn’t feel comfortable or I was too embarrassed to actually purchase I just had to cut back and tweak my habits. the size that did fit. Now: EVERYTHING fits! Then came the big question: was I willing to cut EVERYTHING feels comfortable! And I want to out alcohol and I said yes! I was at the point buy EVERYTHING! where I was willing to do anything and if cutting I went shopping this past weekend with my out drinking was going to be key to my success best friend and out of habit I went to the L and then it was happening. Throughout the fall, I XL racks and was picking up shirts. She walked picked certain days that I was going to drink over with shirts that were smalls and mediums (best friend’s engagement party, birthday’s, and a dress that was a size 6. I looked at her holiday’s, etc.) and I stuck to them. On those like she was crazy but because she was so days, I ate tons of protein and still stayed away persistent I tried them all on and they ALL fit. from the beer. My weekends became much Just a little comparison—my prom dress senior more productive and I was actually working year of HIGH SCHOOL was a size 6. out on the weekends instead of laying on the couch watching an SVU marathons all day. The stress I was having about getting dressed As the weight started falling off, I didn’t want to eat sandwiches and pasta. I have always loved salads, so taking out the bread wasn’t a huge shock to me diet wise but it was weight wise. I started eating good protein at EVERY meal and wasn’t hungry in between meals. I didn’t need my afternoon coffee. I didn’t feel like laying my head down on my desk for a nap. My energy level was through the roof. SPRING 2013

has disappeared and now I have so many outfits I want to do wardrobe changes halfway through the night. The feeling of standing in front of my closet and having so many options to wear is overwhelming, amazing, and ridiculously validating to my life style change. My ultimate goal is 50 pounds! I lost 35 pounds in 2011 and another 7 pounds in 2012. I maintained 42 pounds of weightloss 25

the battle of the bulge

throughout 2012 but am ready to kick it into up (40 pounds lost) then comes the nit picky, specifics (last 10 lbs). high gear for 2013. Every time I go to my nutritionist, he always asks: I made the mistake of relaxing when I hit my 40 pound mark. I was so happy and proud of myself “what would I rate my motivation out of 10?” that I started adding everything back in that I My answer is a 15. had taken out, but in moderation of course. I was acting like I was in the maintenance stage I am 7 pounds away from my goal. I don’t know instead of losing the last couple lbs stage. why the last 10 pounds are the hardest. When I had 40 pounds to lose, the piece of bread I ate This past year I survived three semesters of or the glass of wine I drank didn’t make a huge graduate school but not without the stress that difference; however, now that I’m in the home came along with it. I have maintained the stretch, every single calorie counts. same weight for the past year but now I am ready to kick it into high gear and get these last My doctor compared it to building a house. 8 lbs off so I can FINALLY be at my goal weight Once you get the foundation and walls put of 150 pounds. 26

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Fundraising

july 2009

I’ve signed up for the Inaugural Nike Women’s Half Marathon in DC on April 28, 2013. I will be running alongside my best friend and we will be fund-raising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). We have both pledged to raise $1800 in order to join the DC training team in their fight against blood cancer! Our training runs will be Saturday mornings through Arlington and DC. Saturday, February 2nd, was our Team in Training Kickoff. We heard several people speak who each have their own story about how blood cancer has impacted their lives. We heard from survivors, widowers, and family and friends of survivors. I will be running in honor of Matthew Lee Barton, a best friend of mine who was taken from this earth way too early in life. He passed away in 1998 after only a short 4 month battle with cancer. I was blessed to have spent several years with him during my tom-boy days playing hockey, kickball, and rollerblading. One year for Christmas, I even gave him a shark tooth necklace and he gave me a hockey stick. He was such a sweet friend and I will always remember many things about our friendship but I will never forget his contagious laugh.

april 2011

april 2012

I didn’t think I would be running another half marathon after the first one! This half-marathon means so much more to me than just a race. Now that I know I am capable of finishing 13.1 miles, knowing that I am dedicating this race to a wonderful family is going to keep my legs moving on those cold Saturday morning training runs and keep me moving forward until I cross that finish line! To donate to Anna’s race, please visit her site: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nca/ nikewhlf13/amenditto#home To read more about Anna’s journey, her tips on eating healthy, workout routines, and healthy recipes, visit her blog: http:// beatthebattleofthebulge.blogspot.com/ SPRING 2013

the battle of the bulge

A Family Affair

Anna’s mom, Leigh Menditto, has also struggled with dieting and weight loss. Over the past few years, they have supported each other in their journey to a healthier and more active lifestyle. As a little child, I bought candy from another Like my daughter Anna, I have casein and student and hid it in my desk to eat during gluten intolerances. I found about 15 years class. ago that dairy products give me a lot of joint pain and muscle Warning: not a good aches. And just last sign!!!! summer, I wanted to I have struggled with be sure about gluten. dieting most of my Sure enough, after life. The many diets or I stopped eating programs I have followed all wheat products, have been successful; my gastrointestinal it’s the maintenance symptoms went away part that is my down and I was able to drop fall. It feels terrific to slim the weight more easily. down, be more active, As many food allergies have more energy, are hereditary, Anna and wear fun clothes. has this knowledge My recent weight loss and it has enabled was 28 pounds before her to adopt a much Christmas. I told myself healthier eating that this was it; no more pattern. We have a back and forth. But 3 A recent photo of Anna (left) and Leigh (right) strong history of breast months later, I have put cancer in our family 8 pounds back on. It is and dietary vigilence is one of the primary much easier to get off the wagon, and not put ways of prevention, not to mention heart the effort into a healthy plan of eating. And I disease and brain disease. do mean PLAN. A little more about food allergies or intolerances. Dietary habits are definitely a lifestyle. It’s Its the inflammation that they cause in our about making choices: healthy choices for my bodies on a cellular level. I believe this is a physical health but most importantly for my fact that most people don’t understand. There mental health. As we age, it is much harder to doesn’t have to be an obvious immediate lose the extra pounds. They get lost somewhere result. Casein and gluten are two of the top in our bodies. Not just women, but men also, allergens causing inflammatory response in have hormonal changes that are not within our the body. How can the body lose weight and control and thus create extra cravings and fat maintain when there is so much inflammation storage. That’s why it’s important to balance going on inside? When Macy, our beloved lab, the diminishing hormones and watch the extra started limping (probably due to arthritis) I put calories we put in our bodies. her on a gluten free diet and she immediately had more spunk in her walk, and stated running 28

again. She stayed on that food for about 4 years before she died. My latest weight loss program included Medi Weight Loss Clinics to get a jump start. While weight loss programs may work for a while,it is unrealistic to stay with a program forever. It is expensive and unnatural to use dietary aids for maintenence. What these programs do provide is support and accountability. I am trying to have that accountability to myself, after all, I am the one that matters, right? This is why adapting a good healthy “whole foods” diet, portion control, exercise, and positive energy is the ticket to keeping weight off and feeling strong and healthy.

leigh with her husband brian, christmas 2010

All the sugars, dyes, and preservatives are slowly killing us and creating more organic disease, especially in our brains. When I am not eating any processed foods, I feel much clearer in thought. These foods are so addictive and the more we eat , the more we want. I experience this over and over again in my own body.So why would I eat them? (lazy, weak, down days, and what about those comfort foods?) It saddens me to know that many of our kids are being fed these types of foods on a daily basis. I try really hard not to “beat myself up” when I fall off the healthy choices wagon. I try to remember how good I feel when I am eating healthy and then spend the extra time and thought to get back into good foods. This way I feel the best that can. It takes a little more time and effort to plan ahead and stick with my plan. It is more expensive. However, it evens out if I average out the number of junk food products I cut out. After all , what better way to show my love for myself and my family than to take care of myself. I am worth it.

july 2012 SPRING 2013

november 2012 29

the battle of the bulge

Anna’s Words of

Wisdom

If you are serious about weight loss, here are a few of my tips: 1. Have a STRONG support system. I am blessed with an amazing family, bestfriends, and boyfriend. You are going to need them for encouragement, motivation, suggestions, and reinforcement. 2. Let everyone around you know what’s going on. Let them know what you are and aren’t eating. This way, they won’t offer you pizza or a cupcake. 3. Get a food journal. IF YOU EAT IT-WRITE IT DOWN. 4. Get a scale. I know exactly what I weigh down to the ounce and I will know that for the rest of my life. Once I get in the maintenance phase, if I see my weight go up, I will know I need to add more protein in my diet or do a little extra cardio that day. 5. Cook in bulk. Make a ton of chicken, turkey burgers, hard-boiled eggs etc on Sunday and have them handy throughout the week so when you are scrambling for lunch you can reach for your already made lunch instead of running through the Wendy’s drive thru for nuggets (my weakness). 6. BE REALISTIC. There are certain things I will never give up. For instance, Chipotle and Starbucks are non-negotiable. They will always be in my diet. Now, instead of a burrito and Caramel Latte, I get a chicken salad with lettuce, tomatoes, and guacamole (no cheese or sour cream) and a Soy Latte. 7. Have a workout buddy. I am very fortunate to have several gym buddies and it makes a huge difference. It’s very hard to get out of my comfy bed at 5:45am but if I know I have to meet my girlfriends at the gym it’s more motivation for me. 8. Get a hobby. I have found that the busier I am, the less I snack. I used to eat when I was bored and when I wasn’t hungry. Now, I ask myself my Snack Attack questions and usually I’m fine with drinking water and eating some almonds.

SPRING Lovin’

It’s starting to get warmer outside which means barbeque and bikini season are right around the corner. For once in my life, I am actually excited about bathing suit season and can’t wait to soak up as much sun as possible this summer. However, with the warmer weather comes more opportunities to binge eat and drink. Here are few tips that I will be living by this summer to maintain my weight loss while having a great summer with my friends.

Tip #1 | Bring it to the party!

calories but you are also staying away from the food.

Instead of being tempted with bags of potato chips and dips bring a green salad, fruit tray, or Tip #5 | Watch out for Mindless Munching veggie tray! Thanks to Pinterest, I’ve got plenty of cute ways to display fruit and veggies this A handful of any kind of snack won’t do much harm, but eat too much and it can sabotage summer. Here’s a couple of examples: your diet. Each ounce of potato chips or cheese puffs is roughly 160 calories and 10 Tip #2 | Moderation, Moderation, grams of fat. Cheese nachos will set you Moderation! back 692 calories (plus 38 g fat and 1,632 mg Fact: When you eat in moderation, there’s sodium); and a 10-cup box of movie theater really NOTHING you can’t have. Just don’t popcorn has 550 calories, 31 g fat, and 972 mg over do it! sodium. Try snacking on fruits, veggies with light dip, or small portions of fat-free popcorn. Fixing a plate instead of grazing is a good strategy. When you graze, you think you are Tip #6 | Alcohol Schmalcohol. eating less but overall you are eating more because there’s no limit to how many scoops Welp, there’s no way around the empty of dip or how many handfuls of chips you eat calories consumed when drinking. If you are serious about losing weight or watching your every time you walk by the table. weight, this is where the empty calories are Tip #3 | Go Lean! going to stack up. My advice is to pick and choose when and what you are going to be Make sure you choose the leanest meat drinking. Pay attention to how much you are possible. Skip the sausage, hot dogs, and eating in relation to what you are drinking. If burgers and go for grilled fish, shrimp, turkey you are going to be drinking, make sure you burgers, or chicken. Also, grilled veggies are are eating protein and not empty calorie my favorite go to! If you haven’t grilled veggies snacks. before-- TRY IT! You won’t regret it! Plan a delicious and refreshing drink to make Tip #4 | Stay Active! filled with fruit and stay away from the beer. For Anna’s recipe on the Melon Mint Sangria, Join in a volley ball game, throw a frisbee, go see page 60. for a walk, play in the pool or play cornhole. If you are being active not only are you burning

SPRING 2013

by emily york richards

the reality is... My computer crashed. My flipping computer crashed. Don’t you know this is the wrong time for my computer to CRASH? (Not that there is an IDEAL time for a computer to EVER crash). I have been on the phone for hours with Apple, Norton, HP, Microsoft and I should also put a call into my therapist-- only I don’t have one-- she is down on my list of ‘to do’s’. So where does one go when amid chaos and no time for therapy? Facebook. Yep, I can’t wait to post a doozie of a post about this one. Maybe I’ll get copious amount of ‘like’ therapy. Or, a good comment or two of ‘I know how you feel’. Better yet: ‘Want me to bring a bottle of wine over?’. But this post isn’t about my computer crashing. It’s about Facebook (or enter social medium of preference). Someone recently told me that Facebook creates this horrific comparison-of individuals posting what is BEST about their lives as you compare it to the reality of yours. Makes you feel pretty crummy some of the time when you log on, seeing everyone smiling with a beautiful spay tan and airbrushed makeup for their wedding day, or babies being born, or family wine and scrabble night. Not that those things don’t exist, but what these stories and posts don’t show is the bridezilla coming out when the catering accidentally replaced the sorbet inbetween courses with ice cream, or the baby that won’t.quit.screaming at night. Or the knock down drag out dysfunction of a family that, well, occurs on the regular. But we don’t get to see the ugly side, now do we? That would open up a vulnerability and perspective on our lives that we don’t particularly care to share. Not only that, but for those who do care to ‘share it all’ to everyone, 32

they don’t leave much for imagination-- there was a personal line that we haven’t invited for them to cross- but they have just stepped right over it anyway.

But taken a step further, I have also found that it has caused me to care more about what other people think. Not that caring what other people think is wrong, but I for one believe, so long as I am not hurting the feelings of In recent years, all too often, I have thought others, to put my opinion before others. of things to post [on Facebook] as I was Why? We know each of ourselves better than participating in a particular event or activity. anyone else. Not that their way is wrong, but Did I wear that dress already? Or I don’t want one should have their own grounded values, to be disruptive in making this (enter in the foundation, moral code and beliefs apart from blank _______) personal, religious or political the influence of others. Facebook blurs our statement. Nor do I share, for instance, that perspective and consequently can actually in-between gift unwrapping at Christmas this blur our reality. I am challenging myself to step year my siblings and I had a rancid squabble back. Be less connected. Be more present. Be (one is NEVER too old for good old sibling in a mind frame that is not easily influenced warfare.) Or that I was so exhausted the or persuaded by others. To thine own self be other night that I feel asleep in my seat while true. I challenge you to do the same. watching Jon Bon Jovi. LIVE. Now, back to my Microsoft call on hold. 27:28 minutes and counting.....

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go, going, gone.

by alyson banks

The Balance Between Having a Career and Having a Life

In college, I would have definitely described myself as a go-getter, who preferred to get her work done weeks ahead of time, yet was prepared to stay up late if necessary to accomplish any goal. I prided myself in going above and beyond as much as I could. Especially within classes pertaining to my major, public relations. I loved to write and I loved every aspect of networking that was associated with the field, so couldn’t wait to graduate and become fully engrained in it. I had dreams of working in the big city. With visions of myself walking down the streets of New York decked out in my tailored Calvin Klein suit, Starbucks in one hand and briefcase in the other, I would have it all together. The glamour and prestige associated with being a PR girl had be completely enamored. However, I lacked a real concrete vision of 34

what “real life PR” really entailed. Boy did I soon find out. Right after graduation, I landed a job as a Marketing and Public Relations Associate at a premiere telecommunications association in Arlington, Va. Overjoyed that I had worked my butt off and succeeded in getting hired, all the while even having options to choose from, I was so proud of myself. Finally narrowing it down to the company I thought was the best option for me, I couldn’t wait to begin work. I felt powerful and valued at the thought of using the skills I had been trained for over the last four years and putting them to good use. Getting the logistics together for how I was going to actually get to my job proved to be a headache in and of itself.

Plan A: At first, my initial thought was, “I’ll just commute into work everyday. Lots of people do it. It can’t be that bad.” Wrong. My parents quickly squelched that idea. Informing me that with traffic, getting home would mean I probably wouldn’t be able to get home until after 9 every night, if I was lucky.

obviously embodying Carrie and Samantha’s fashion and life-choices.)

The first few weeks were awesome. I quickly learned what was expected of me within my new role and was thrilled because I loved it. My boss was awesome. She had been in the industry for over 20 years and encouraged me Plan B meant researching van, car, and bus each and every day. Even better, she was pools that could take me into the city. But super flexible with my awful commute. She the problem again was two-fold. One, my made sure to let me go at exactly 4:00 pm in house is out in the middle of nowhere, Virginia, order to catch the metro and make my train so I would still have to drive 30 minutes into home. But I should’ve known, the honeymoon Fredericksburg to catch a ride with anyone. period wouldn’t last forever. Two, Arlington was harder to organize a As time went on and I became more submerged ride to because it wasn’t directly in the city. in the position and overall company, the time Awesome. I needed to spend in the office was obviously So then came Plan C: The Train—specifically more and more demanding. Some nights VRE or Virginia Railway Express aka the bane I stayed until 6:00 pm, making me later to of my existence. While it did truthfully provide a catch the train and getting home around 9 or means for me to get to work, it also came with 9:30 pm. By then, it was time for me to go to about every bump in the road you can imagine. bed. Further, train problems started popping First of all, the time I ended up hopping on the up more and more consistently. The first day train was at 5:40 am every morning. Meaning of my job there was a suspicious package at that I had to wake up at 4:00 am to get to L’enfant plaza, leaving me stranded at Crystal the train station. Not ideal for a non-morning City for two hours until the police concluded person. (I still feel bad for anyone who came their investigation. Scenarios like this kept in contact with me…I was a literal definition happening intermixed with delays due to CSX of a “zombie”.) Anyways, after navigating my trains and with that, the amount of control I route, I concluded the best stop for me to get had on my travel time began dwindling more off on in order to arrive to work by 7:30 am, was and more. It began driving my stress level to Crystal City. Once there, I immediately power- insane proportions. No matter how early I got walked to the metro station. (Which by the to the metro or train station, something could way, is about a football field’s walk through and most likely would happen to delay my a winding, never-ending mall. Praise the Lord commute. It became a huge unknown that for flats!) Upon reaching the metro, I then had lurked over me like a dark cloud every day. to go four stops and book it the remaining 3 Combined with my lack of social life and not blocks to my office. Phew, a total of 2 and a to mention sleep, I was slowly falling down a half hours each way, and I was finally there. very dark hole. I missed my friends. I missed Let’s just say, by the time I had been working free time. I missed college. for just a week, I had begun to loathe anyone Despite my frustrations, I assured myself this who did not appreciate the value of poweris what every first job was like—especially in walking. the fast-paced field of Public Relations. I had My lovely commute in tow, I had arrived in the several close friends who were in the same corporate world. Both excited and anxious boat I was and a few specifically who worked to dive in, I wanted to prove to myself and in New York City aka even more taxing than to others, that I could do what everyone else my job in DC. All of them reported the same does. I was just as capable of accomplishing feeling of dread and essentially selling their soul and climbing up the ladder of success as to their companies, so I figured it was normal. I Samantha or Miranda on Sex and the City. (But just had to “pay my dues” long enough to get SPRING 2013

to the point where I didn’t feel like I wanted to strangle myself with my Starbuck’s straw every time my iPhone email alert went off. (Which by the way, was about 100 times aka emails a day.) But I assured myself I would get used to this soon, right?

After a few weeks, things just got worse... once I called her, I was in shock. She had been fired over the weekend.

joke.” I had freshly graduated college and had barely been with the company for three months, let alone the working world. I guess on one hand, it was a huge compliment that the President considered me capable of taking over a Vice President role by myself as well as my own position, but on the other hand, it was much less glamorous. In addition to having my workload increase fourfold as well as my job responsibilities and my time, I would remain at the same salary. This seemed pretty unfair to me, but again, I equated it to “paying your dues”. I tried to suck it up for as long as I could and take it day by day.

Soon, I became extremely burnt out. Long hours in the office equaled getting home at ridiculously late times and even less sleep. I kept having nightmares about missing deadlines or being in the President (my new boss’s) office and leaving in tears. My parents Wrong. After a few weeks, things just got worse. even got concerned to see me come home On the way into the office one morning, I got crying every day. To say the least, the situation a text from my boss at 6:00 am asking me to was less than ideal. call her when I got into the office. This was It was amazing to be making my own money typical if we needed to send something out in and even more satisfying to feel as if I was a timely manner, so I didn’t think anything of it. using the skills I learned in college and being However, once I called her, I was in shock. She able to see a tangible result from them. But at had been fired over the weekend. what cost? I felt like I had no life and no way “Budgeting” which might as well be a four to even enjoy the money that I was earning. letter word within the business world had My relationships with my friends had dwindled called for an intricate review of all company and I found myself at one of my best friend’s deficit. Unfortunately for my boss, that meant weddings feeling absolutely drained instead of her position was deemed necessary to go. This being able to enjoy and treasure the moment was devastating to me. Not only had I gotten with her. close to my supervisor on a professional level, One night after coming home again physically but she had also become a mentor for me. and emotionally drained, my parents And the next question was, what were they confronted me. They told me they were going to do with her position and what would worried because I had lost weight from stress that mean for mine? (being a PR girl meant eating at your desk Well, I found out that I was to take over the every day and sometimes not eating at all if entire department, aka her job and my own. you were on deadline) and could see that I My first reaction was “this has got to be a was miserable. At this moment, I felt like it was

“In retrospect, I’m trying to view my experience as one of learning. Now I know what warning signs to look for and what I value within a company.” 36

finally okay to let it all out. With that came a flood of tears from pure exhaustion, but also relief. I felt like I finally had permission to admit how unhappy I was. That week I put in my two weeks notice. I came to the decision to resign over several nights of debating whether I should just move to the city and maybe eliminate some of the stress from commuting, but quickly realized that would mean I would be spending even later hours in the office and become even more married to my job. That wasn’t how I wanted to live at all. I had evaluated my priorities and my quality of life came first. Thankfully, I was blessed to have no real costs of living at this point I needed to pay off—no college loans or bills, so all of the money I had been earning had directly been going into my pocket. So in reality, quitting would just mean no more income but wouldn’t necessarily become a personal detriment.

Order Today!

In retrospect, I’m trying to view my experience as one of learning. Now I know what warning signs to look for and what I value within a company. Even more importantly, I know that I can handle a tough workload, it’s just a matter of how much I want to. I’m also finding that I am not alone. Our generation is apparently apt to go through 2 or 3 within the first few years after college before settling on one that is long-term. Whatever the future has for me, I just know that I want to be happy. Maybe I’m strange for thinking this way, but my quality of life is much more important to me than how much money I’m making.

www.jeritpb.blogspot.com/

At first, I was worried I would regret my decision and at times I will admit, I wonder what would have happened if I had stuck it out. But now I am seeing that my company was in essence a sinking ship. They were actually in a larger deficit than they ever revealed (which I found out from a coworker in later months). Ultimately, I came to see that coming home in tears on a daily basis was in fact, not normal. I could choose to be happy. And that’s exactly what I did.

SPRING 2013

by johnna hetrick

katelyn james

wedding photographer

katelyn james is a true inspiration. since starting her CAREER out of her dorm room in college, this busy photographer has grown into one of the most wanted photographers on the east coast. she HAS always had that style: The style you see in all of her photos, in the essence in which she carries herself, and the way she inspires all of those ARound her. Already booked for the 2013 calendar year, she talks about how she keeps herself organized with the help of her cute little family. with an office to die for and the cutest little pup (you won’t believe he’s real!), katelyn’s got it together and continues to grow in her business and as a person.

photography by katelyn james SPRING 2013

Let’s start with the basic. You’re living and working out of richmond, building a new house, have the cutest family...What else? I know, it’s been crazy. I also traveled a lot! 25% of my weddings were destinations. That’s a lot. But obviously you love It! Why did you choose photography? It all started with graphic design. I interned at Ferguson and realized I really didn’t like having a boss. I happened to jump into working with another photographer at a wedding, which lead to shooting a wedding by myself, and from that one wedding, I booked 6 more. crazy! 6 weddings from just one wedding? How did you do it from there? I started in my college dorm, the summer before my junior year. After the first 6 weddings, I booked 21 the next year. I had to be organized from the beginning! Since I was still in college, a lot of the brides were my age and a lot of them were my friends, so I knew I had to stay affordable. 40

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You’ve really worked to get where you are today. What’s the biggest thing you’ve done to bring yourself further in your career? Investment! I invested into my business. One of the ways I invested was attending workshops. I’ve been to some great presentations from people who are making their dreams HAPPEN and I wanted to run a business like that. I wanted a business that was thriving, not barely survivng. I tell my workshop attendees all the time that they are one step ahead of their competition because they took a huge step to INVEST in their business. Fantastic Investing in yourself has also lead to investing in your brand, which is not only beautiful, but it really represents you. While it has developed, it’s maintained the same essence and feel. Do you have any insight and tips on branding a business? You’ve got to start branding and be organized from the beginning, and have an understanding of your design or what you want. As my business has grown, I’ve developed my brand to appeal to my clients. These days I have a high end clientele, so I have made my brand more high end. Do clients typically bring ideas to you or do they leave it up to you? I love to see ideas, things like Pinterest boards. Those are definitely helpful, but I don’t like to work from a shot list. I get more creative as I go and

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as I work within the environment I’m in; finding unique things. Do you have a favorite or memorable wedding or photo shoot? Bobby and Jill had an EPIC wedding. It was April of 2011. Most weddings usually have a really great wedding or really great reception, but every part of this day was absolutely amazing. The photos just kept getting better. You know the wedding was great when you’re still using photos from it almost 2 years later! That sounds incredible. i’m sure part of it was the comfort they felt around you and those at the wedding. but Sometimes people have a hard time opening up, no matter what. How do you make people feel more comfortable during a shoot? Engagement photos are a great trial run. I get to know the couple and they get to know me, so on the wedding day, things go much smoother. Guys are definitely the hard ones. 44

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What do coaching sessions entail?

businesses. I’ve had some photographers that have been in business for 17 years and some The coaching sessions include a little bit of life, that haven’t even opened their doors yet! business, and technical coaching. I did one, The sessions have come in all shapes and sizes and it went so well, I started offering them this year! more. I also do workshops for groups. It also pushes ME to become a better Coaching sessions are awesome because photographer because I want to offer them we get to talk about the photographer’s information and knowledge that isn’t stale and specific struggles and where they are in their boring. I really think it’s important to continue 48

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to learn and grow, even when you feel like you’ve already got your ducks in a row. certainly between coaching, workshops, and 36 weddings, You were crazy busy. Last year! this year, you are already booked solid. your husband, Michael, started working as your YOUR BUSINESS partner. How is that going? It’s going good! It is a small house, and sometimes it can get tight; Michael’s office is on my office floor! But with the new house, we’ll each have our own office. It was a hard change when my business started booming, and I’m so thankful but what that meant was that I was gone. Our first year of marriage, I spent over 25 weekends away from my husband; that’s half a year! Between that and Michael’s full-time job, it got to the point that we had to cut something out in order to just survive. While we were trying to figure out what Michael’s next step was going to be, I was having mini meltdowns because I needed to hire someone. I needed someone who loved to serve people, who enjoyed second shooting, someone who would love to travel with me on the weekends and someone who believed in my dreams for this crazy business. I needed an office manager, an organizer and 50

someone that would help me accomplish BIG goals. This person needed to have a flexible schedule, to understand that my business is also my ministry and be permanent. We realized, I needed HIM. We’re excited to spend weekends TOGETHER and to take this business to the next level. And being able to outsource some of the work to him is a HUGE help. Michael was working as a youth pastor. He loves to serve, equip leaders and manage things behind the scenes, so he loves to help with the business. Things like email: that would take me all day to do! This allows me to focus on the design and do what I do best: work with photos. it sounds like it just really worked out. with michael’s help and On top of EVERY else you do, you are able to keep up with Social Media. You have a healthy, active social medium profiles. How are you able to do it? It became second nature. Do something, then share on Facebook/Twitter. I have a schedule with new photos I put up by putting up 4 photos at 4 points during the day. This helps me appear on their newsfeed 4 times a day. I have over 12,000 followers, so it’s like free ads every time I post. I have realized that I am not just marketing my business, SPRING 2013

but myself too. People want to know me and be on the inside so I post both personal and professional things. But I have to stay organized, or it won’t work. Michael does help out a lot with Social Media too. I’m sure you get asked this a lot, but after recently dealing with an awful photographer who wouldn’t let me use any of his photos on Facebook or social media to share with my family, I truly realized just how amazing it is that you share all of your photos free of watermarking. WhAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO SHARE THEM LIKE THAT? It used to be that when you hired a photographer, you paid a sitting fee and then a small fortune in prints. Photography was a product based business and handing over digital files was unheard of. Then, the digital revolution, as I like to call it, took place. Facebook became a main form of online communication. Today, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest are household names. Everyone is using them. and so

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naturally, my business should use them as well. I I SAW ON YOUR BLOG THAT AT THE END OF EACH do the majority of my marketing on social media YEAR YOU DO A WHAT WORKED AND WHAT and it’s working. DIDN’T. TELL ME ABOUT THAT. I want my SHARING to yield new fans and more The tradition started last year. It’s a tradition that I bookings. I want my clients to market FOR me both LOVE and hate at the same time. I made of and they do that when I make sharing EASY. list of everything that went WELL mainly because I was feeling a little defeated like I do every year 54

around this time. I feel like there is still so much to do and so much to learn and so little time to do it all. So I made a list of what I did WELL because it was a HUGE encouragement to see everything I had accomplished written down in front of me. But then I had to do the not-so-fun list: it was the list of “What Didn’t Go So Well.” There’s nothing fancy about this, it’s just a handwritten list on a piece of computer paper. SPRING 2013

But that one list CHANGED my business this past year! I went through ALL of my problem areas and came up with solutions. Being HONEST about what worked and what didn’t is truly the BEST thing you can do for your business. Being easy on yourself is really just killing your business slowly and painfully. I know I have been so inspired by you and your photography, but my big question is, what inspires you? Oh, I don’t know! This is such a tough question. I love the design aspect of it all. I love getting the J.Crew Magazine because I get really excited about the images when I think of the design. I shoot photos with the wedding album in mind; how I’m going to put the photos together and how they will fit. I’ve definitely trained myself for albums. Is there anything else you’d like to add? My job seems fun, and it definitely is, but it’s also a lot of work. You have to love the business like you love your craft. I know I could never work in an office or for a boss again. 56

You can find more information about Katelyn James at her website at www.KatelynJames.com.

Classy Chic & Chardonnay

restaurants | travel | wine | fashion http://cchicc3.wordpress.com/

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beautiful LET IT BE

Let me help you preffity your blog or business!

DAILY BLOG

BLOG MAKEOVERS

LOGO DESIGN

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www.libbdesigns.com www.letitbebeautiful.com ashlyn@letitbebeautiful.com SPRING 2013

(571) 344-3637 alicia@aliciajayneflorals.com www.aliciajayneflorals.com

Make-UpFAVORITES

Have you ever had your make-up done by a professional? Or even just someone who knew what they were doing? Until recently, I never had; I had just done it myself. Well, let me tell you: itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so worth it. And the even better part? It was free! I happened to be at Sephora on a lazy afternoon. Since there werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t many people around, I found a girl who had amazing makeup and asked her for help finding new products. Since I was purchasing some products, she was happy to do my make-up for FREE and I got a ton of samples. She also showed me how to put everything on with different brushes and how to clean my brushes. I ended up spending a little bit of cash, but it was TOTALLY worth every penny and my make-up has never looked better. Here are a few of the products she suggested as well as a few of my favorites too! 1. Almay Clear Complexion 2. Tarte Smooth Operator Finishing Powder 3. NARS Blush Bronzer Duo in Orgasm/Laguna 4. Mac Haute and Naughty Mascara 5. Mac Eye Shadow 6. Stila Lip Glaze

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by chelsea islin

CLASSY CHIC &

chardonnay

VERSATILE vest

So although I’m super excited about this new military/ camo trend to hit the stores I also have a little bit of a “I’ve had this safari vest for years now!” mindset... But then again maybe I should look at it as a relief since sometimes when I wear it dressed up (visit my blog- I recently paired the vest with a pencil skirt) I get some very interesting looks. I bought this vest from Old Navy (I swear- it’s my secret spot!) and it quickly became a style staple throughout all the seasons. In the summer I wore it over a maxi dress, in the fall I paired it over tanks to add an extra layer, in the winter I wore it

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with sweaters and turtlenecks and now I’ll be sure to wear it tons this spring! This vest was exactly what this outfit needed. I know that chambray with jeans might be deemed a “canadian cowboy” look, but the only trick to not making it look ridiculous is adding some color. Pair a chambray shirt and jeans with a statement necklace, a neon belt, feminine shoes or go out and buy a safari vest!

Jeans, J.Crew / Chambray Shirt, via Marshall’s / Vest, Old Navy / Pumps, Nine West (they’re glitter!) / Earrings, J.Crew / Bracelet, Stella&Dot / Watch, Coachz

LIVING IN

Color

You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have spring fashion without pastel colors and florals and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m so excited to reintroduce those to my wardrobe! However, what makes this spring even better is that a) colored jeans are still in style and b) peplums are popping up everywhere! In the fall for Twila I featured my first peplum purchase and since then my collection has grown! I have long sleeve, short sleeve, sleeveless in all different colors and materials. When I spotted this peplum I was shopping in Georgetown with my boyfriend on a very sunny but very cold day! It was just about love at first sight. I found my size, carried it around and told myself this was going to be my last purchase of the day since I had already declared that twice before. Well he was taking so long trying on clothes that I talked myself out of it... which lasted two full days. I was so happy to finally add this pretty peplum to my closet and know that I will put it to very good use this spring! Peplum, Tank / Jeans, via Marshalls / Necklace, Anthropologie / Shoes, J.Crew / Clutch, Hobo

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NEON,

Neon

You know those weekends when you want to look cute running errands... what?! Yes I’ve said it out loud, even when you’re just running errands on the weekend sometimes you don’t want to look like a complete slob... I mean you never know who you’re going to run into or better yet meet! I struggle with these types of outfits every weekend since those leggings and over-sized sweater are always easier to grab. But if you take 2 seconds... maybe 1 second to think “hey what do I have in my dresser” you’ll think of some super cute outfits! This was the last outfit I had my sister sneak into our photo shoot day and it wasn’t even planned! I just bought these pants from H&M the same day I

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purchased my favorite new peplum and loved the color and pattern of them. I was planning on visiting a couple of stores with my sister and since it was flurrying I grabbed a striped T-shirt and this sweater and my new neon cross body that I got as a Valentine’s day present. My sister insisted that we capture this look as well since it played so well on another trend that has stayed through the winter months...neon! Pants, H&M / T-shirt, Forever21 / Sweater, Madewell / Flats. Loehmans / Cross body, J.Crew / Earrings, Kate Spade/ Sunglasses, Target

Faux

LEATHER

I work a 9-5 job every Monday through Friday. It’s a pretty conservative company where everyday I’m meeting with internal and external customers so that means I have to keep my outfits a little more tame than I would like. For instance, I am obsessed with this faux leather peplum that sits in my closet since I can’t really incorporate it into my work wardrobe. I love trying new restaurants and going out on the weekends but I hate that I don’t think to use those occasions as an excuse to dress up. Well that is going to be another belated New Years resolution to add to the list! Life is too short to wear boring clothes right! Tweed Jacket, J.Crew / Faux Leather Peplum, Charlotte Russe / Skirt, J.Crew / T-strap Heels, Carlos by Carlos Santanna / Purse, Coach / Watch, Michael Kors

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by lindsay van cleave

Spring Jewelry LAYERING

Even though there is still a chill in most places of the country, spring is right around the corner. After a long winter, I love the sense of refreshment that spring brings to your state of mind and your wardrobe. The best part of dressing during spring time, for me, is being able to break out fun jewelry and brighten up even a plain t-shirt. I love that you can just throw on your favorite t-shirt, jeans, cute flats and still look like a fashionista simply by adding great jewelry. Weekend errands just got a lot more chic! The spring season is all about gorgeous color. When layering your jewelry, don’t be afraid to add that splash of color to your wardrobe. The great thing about jewelry is that it’s a minimal investment that can completely change your look. Whether you stack up your chunky pieces, mix and match chunky and thin pieces or just layer together your favorite thin chains; it all adds dimension to your look to create something fresh. Don’t worry if you don’t know where to start, you don’t have to be a stylist to create this look. If you need a little inspiration, here are my tips and a few looks I put together to show you how you can style your own jewelry against just a simple t-shirt.

Look #1: Stacking Your Necklaces 1. Keep your jewelry proportional. If you are wearing layers of chunky necklaces, stick with a simple earring like these small crystal drops. 2. Stack colors together that complement each other. 3. Start off with a thinner necklace and build from there. If you start to feeling overwhelmed, just take a piece off! 4. Mix all stone necklaces with chain and crystal necklaces to create even more dimension. 5. Have fun and style your look to what makes you comfortable. Remember, it’s your look!

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Look #2: Creating Arm Parties 1. Mix together large beaded bracelets in colors you love to make an easy statement on your wrist. 2. Take down the chunkiness of the arm party by mixing in thinner chain bracelets. 3. Compliment your arm party with sparkly chandelier earrings to balance the look. 4. There is no limit to the arm party; you can wear as little or as many bracelets as you feel works for you. 5. Once again, just have fun! Jewelry shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be stressful. 74

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Messages

by david covucci

A SHORT STORY

Tessa sat with her back eased into the soft cushion of her chair, impatiently tapping the heel of her ballet flat into the thin carpet of her firm’s conference room. She didn’t have a reason to be impatient, or rather, she shouldn’t be impatient, because the meeting just started, and just like every one of these weekly sessions, it would last at least 90 minutes. Everyone—most everyone in her office—was in attendance. Her company liked to hold its weekly debriefs on Friday, not Monday, which was when basically every other place she’d heard of had theirs. It was one of those quirks she thought she would like when she joined Matteson-Turner, but it quickly felt fallacious, like everyone acting out a corporate culture in lieu of actually having one.

Robeson—Pam to them—had to say. Only on her third month there, Tessa had yet to look at her phone in one of these sessions. They were excruciatingly boring, but she needed to be attentive in case Mrs. Robeson called on her. She liked that Tessa was always on point, and Tessa didn’t want to give her any occasion to think that she wasn’t.

The money was nice, she thought, as Mrs. Robeson detailed the open rates of the company’s mass emails the past week: 14%. 17.2%. Twenty-two for a notice about a new discount on renewal rates. It was Tessa’s job to send these after Mrs. Robeson approved them, and to compile these charts. This was her presentation, but she never got to present it. Mrs. Robeson got the details this morning Her boss, Mrs. Robeson, was first on the when she got in—Tessa was always certain agenda. Everyone in her office called her to be in before her on Fridays—and was now Pamela, but on Tessa’s first day, after the regurgitating verbatim what Tessa had told interview, the much older lady, who dyed her her. grey hairs (it was so obvious), insisted Tessa Her phone was tucked under her leg, peeking call her Mrs. Robeson. It felt demeaningly slightly when she began to feel its vibrations, maternal, but as Tessa had been flitting about rippling softly on the flabby part of her the past two years, chasing unhappiness hamstring. It was a short buzz, which meant with nothing to show on her resume, she was it was a text. Hopefully from Marcus. It was thankful someone hired her, especially during definitely Marcus. the dredges of this recession. Her father was He was going to say something to her last night, livid when she told him she wasn’t going to three drinks deep as she was walking him to enter the workforce, but after things ended her door. Normally he would have stayed over. with Therrien, two days before graduation, she She was expecting him to. He’d slept over four couldn’t see herself settling in behind a desk times. Those had all been on the weekend. and being content with happy hours. So she But last night was Thursday and she’d cooked waited tables in San Diego. Went up North and dinner for him, poaching salmon, just like the tried mushrooms once in San Francisco. She recipe said, with plenty of dill. He enjoyed it, only stayed there three months, unhappy with finishing up the portion on his plate and taking the dreariness and how everyone pretended another half of one of the extra thick, pink to be happy despite it. You should never be rectangles she’d made. happy in spite of something, Tessa thought, as she watched her coworkers slowly pull out their The bottle of cheap Pinot Grigio was gone, phones, all already bored with everything Mrs. and she asked if he’d like a beer, or maybe 76

a vodka on the rocks, like he liked to order in the bars after midnight. That’s when he told her he should probably get going. He wanted to get to the office early, since he was leaving early as well, beating traffic to go skiing with his friends. That’s why Tessa was hoping he’d sleep over. They weren’t going to see each other until Monday, and although they’d spent longer times apart since they’d met, this was the longest they were about to go since they’d been this together.

they held hands. Tessa didn’t date anyone in high school. When she graduated, she left two things behind: college and the only thing she’d ever known.

Which was why she was slightly uneasy with how things were with Marcus. Everything was fine with Marcus, but she wanted to date him, and she wasn’t. They were in that nebulous space between starting to date and dating. There’d never been that period with Therrien. He asked her to be his girlfriend two weeks after They were almost completely together, and the movie. Of course she said yes. She would that’s what she thought he was going to say have said yes if he’d asked in the stairwell. at the door. That he wanted her to be his She was trying to be patient. To embrace the girlfriend before she left. His mouth opened, ambiguity and applaud herself for doing the like the thought had already been formulated smart thing by waiting. But six weeks was long and released from his brain, when something enough. rapidly recalled it. They’d been dating almost six week and Tessa was ready. It’s had been Mrs. Robeson continued to drone, moving on two years, not near to the date, but close to numbers about their website traffic. The enough to round up, since Therrien broke up whole table had their phones out, giving her with her, several hours before her parents were boss only half an ear and half an eye. Tessa supposed to arrive. They were going to all get slowly brought her hand to her crotch and from memory swiped the pattern to unlock her dinner together. screen. She smiled a little when she saw it was Tessa and Therrien dated all of college. He was indeed from Marcus. the seventh person she’d met her freshman year, living on the floor above. Tessa was in the It said “I love you.” stairwell, coming back from some orientation Tessa had only glanced at her phone, trying session when he came barreling down the to keep her head forward to seem like she steps, bounding in leaps, almost colliding with was giving Mrs. Robeson her full attention. So her. There was a cigarette tucked behind his she hadn’t like, totally seen the screen and ear, although she almost didn’t notice it. The thought to herself that maybe she’d misread bleached blond hair on his head came down his message. She held her breath and after to his earlobes, covering his ears, although making eye contact with her boss, and seeing the white, pale flesh peeked through in spots. Mrs. Robeson look back to the Power Point As well as the brown filter tip of his smoke. He presentation, grabbed her phone. apologized skittishly, stuttering over his short Every part of her body seemed to be operating sentence. at the moment. There was tingling in her toes, She said it was okay. blood pulsing through the veins in her thighs. “Alright, then,” he said, in a twang Tessa would A stomach that was churning. She never ate later learn was Quebecoise, and continued breakfast, and all that was in there this morning energetically down the stairs, four more flights was Diet Coke and whatever remained from until he could smoke his cigarette. A week later all the glasses of wine she drank after Marcus Therrien asked her to go see Batman Begins, left, while she was waiting for him to text and which was finally out at the dollar theater say what is was that was on his mind at her eleven blocks from their dorm. They walked doorway. When her phone finally did chirp, there and though Therrien stayed near her it was only to thank her for dinner. He called there was always distance. On the way back it fantastic. When she thanked him back, he SPRING 2013

told her he was going to miss her. Maybe that’s what he wanted to say at the door. Yes, Tessa thought, he was nervous to say it in front of her. By the time she was drunk enough to fall asleep, not because she was fretting but because she usually got drunk before she went to bed, she had convinced herself that was all Marcus wanted to say.

remember. About a half hour in, as they came to one of the six or so vistas along the way up, he turned to her. “I love you.”

It hadn’t crossed her mind to say in the preceding months. This was her first time and she was learning her lessons as she went. She said it right back and then they said it all But it wasn’t. It was what was on her phone, the time, all the time until he said he didn’t which was what she saw when finally got a want to be with her anymore, wanting, his good look. Despite its digital form, it felt so words, to enter the world unencumbered and visceral. She could hear Marcus’s voice saying uninvolved. it to her. As she pictured him there, looking ever so slightly down on her because he was Tessa knew that to mean he was tired of about three inches taller, her screen began watching his friends screw each other in the to shake. It was her hand, jiggling with nerves incestuous existence that only occurs on and adrenaline. She wanted to put the phone college campuses. She saw it, saw the greed down and look away, continue following and lust and the way he revered their exploits the meeting like she was doing earlier, but with high fives and by clinking plastic pint couldn’t. No, her eyes were enraptured by the glasses. faint grey word bubble beneath the glass with You’re too late, she remembered thinking, the three words in it. angry with him. It’s a whole different place

out there. She had no idea how many people he’d slept with since they broke up, just that When Therrien first said this to Tessa, it was he decided to move to New York City almost spring. She’d known him since late August right away, so he’d probably slept with a and when the thick layers of snow, after a decent number of girls and maybe said I love particularly brutal season, finally melted during you one or two more times. the first week of April, he took her hiking. He’d been talking about this one trail the entire Tessa had only slept with one other person winter. A few seniors he’d met took him there since Therrien and that was Marcus. It was in late October, as the elm trees held on to right after their fifth date, when she invited him their last few dry auburn and orange leaves. back to her studio. She only hugged him after Therrien didn’t invite her and she understood their first date, and was worried that, because why. But when he told her how beautiful it he’d spent $55 and she didn’t make out with was, she started to care. Became upset, so him, he wouldn’t ask her out again. But he did he promised to take her the very next week. and their second date was long and fun. They But a storm hit, and it lasted three days. From went to two different bars and she didn’t even Wednesday to Friday rain saturated the think about kissing him after. No, she just kissed ground. By the time the weekend after that him without thinking. came, it was already too cold, the trails frozen But she was adamant she wouldn’t let him go and icy. Plus, it wouldn’t look as pretty, he told any further. Not that he tried, which she liked. her. Spring, if she could just wait, with flowers He seemed very content making out with her erupting along the paths, would be so much on the next date and the date after that. But better. she knew what he wanted when he asked to I love you.

They shared his twin bed for most of the winter, and when spring did come, Therrien kept his promise. She thought about asking all the time, but more wanted to see if he would 78

take her out Friday night. She agreed because she wanted to too. He was attractive and kind and she knew he liked her a lot and a woman, any woman, could only go so many

years without having the feel of a man before they thought something was wrong with themselves. Tessa didn’t feel that way yet, and had no desire to. In her studio, they sat on her couch, which was pushed up against her bed to form a living room. She didn’t like vodka but had gone after work on Thursday to buy a bottle of Stolichnaya. That’s what the guy at the store recommended when she said she couldn’t remember his favorite brand. She offered him a glass of it as soon as they got in the door. In the kitchen she put two ice cubes in his cup and added a shot-and-a-half. Tessa poured herself the same drink, even though she wanted to have something else. It seemed to make more sense to her if they were drinking the same thing.

pump her right leg up and down, as fast as she could, to distract the rest of her body. But as she could tell Mrs. Robeson was coming to the end of a sentence, she stood up. Everyone could see the awful pallor of her skin and had to know she was about to throw up. “I’m sorry,” she said, her words coming out curt as she tried to keep her throat open as little as possible. “I need to excuse myself.”

Outside of the room and away from everyone’s view, she picked up her stride. Tessa turned the angled, stainless steel handle of the bathroom door and, seeing no one was in there, didn’t head to a toilet. Instead she walked up to the first sink and placed her hands on the marble around it and began to breathe. Deep breaths. In and out. For a moment she felt the sensation pass, a lull in her stomach, She had to stop him it hurt so bad and was but almost right away it returned, violently, as worried she’d ruined things when she started everything came out. The wine and the bile to cry. It wasn’t from the pain, but from the and the saliva up her throat and through her embarrassment and the vodka, which she mouth and into the sink. never drank. There she was, naked in her own After she vomited, Tessa pulled out a few of the bed, apologizing between fits of sobs, trying to rough brown paper towels from the dispenser explain that it was only because it had been and tried to sop up the mess around her lips. awhile, and that she wasn’t crying because it She looked at herself in the mirror, twisting and had been awhile and she wasn’t ready, but turning to see if any had gotten on her pink because it had been awhile and her body blouse and grey blazer, which she had even wasn’t ready. had time to take off. They had sex seven times after that and Tessa Satisfied she was clean, she patted her butt relished each one, clenching her fingers into pocket, feeling for her phone, wanting to look the meat of his shoulders, each time getting at Marcus’s text once again, only to remember better than the next. She hadn’t realized how she’d left it on her chair in the meeting that much she’d missed it. had 60 minutes still to go. But she didn’t know why he just texted her that. And she couldn’t stop looking at it. As she saw it for real and felt what it meant, David Covucci is a writer living and working in she sensed the white wine, the acid of it, the Washington D.C. Area. slosh in her stomach. Tessa tried to listen as Mrs. Robeson spoke, anything to ignore the queasiness inside her, but she couldn’t as her body temperature rose. Little beads of sweat started populating her hairline, with two or three rolling down. She could feel the pressure build in her stomach, panic forcing all the acidic liquid right up against her esophagus. Saliva began to seep into her mouth, large amounts of it, all thick and sour. Tessa tried to SPRING 2013

by valerie paquette

PURSUIT OF

Sweetness

Have you ever tried a pudding cookie? If not, you’re in for a real treat. Adding pudding mix to dough guarantees an irresistible batch of soft and chewy cookies. Of course, these aren’t your typical pudding cookies: there’s pecans…specifically, bourbon pecans. While I don’t love the taste of straight bourbon, I’ll gladly eat anything cooked or baked with it! These bourbon-glazed pecans are sticky and sweet (dare I say “intoxicating”?), and when

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baked into the cookies, they caramelize. Bourbon is also in the dough, which further increases the subtle bourbon flavor and lends itself to the cookie’s pillow-like consistency. These cookies are the perfect addition to a horse racing tailgate, Sunday brunch dessert spread, or simply an after-dinner treat. And, much like banana bread, the flavor intensifies over time, so these are even better the day after you make them!

BOURBON PECAN PUDDING

Servings: About 2 dozen Bourbon Pecans 3 cups pecans, roughly chopped 2/3 cup butter 1 cup light brown sugar 3/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon 2 tablespoons bourbon Cookies 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 1/4 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup light brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 eggs, room temperature 1 (3 ounce) packet of instant vanilla pudding mix 2 1/4 cup flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 3 tablespoons bourbon 3 cups bourbon pecans

Roast pecans in oven preheated to 350 degrees for 5-7 minutes, or until flagrant. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add nuts, sugar, salt, and cinnamon to skillet and stir well. Continue to cook and stir for 8-10 minutes, until mixture begins to thicken and become glaze-like. While cooking, prepare a baking sheet by lining it with a non-stick baking sheet (Silpat) or tin foil.

pudding mix, followed by the eggs, vanilla, and bourbon. Stir in flour mixture until just combined. Lastly, fold in the bourbon pecans.

Drop dough on prepared sheet (I used my medium cookie dough scoop) and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are brown and center looks only slightly underdone. Allow to cool on baking sheet for about 5 minutes; then transfer to a cooling rack to finish cooling. Store Add in bourbon to skillet and cook for another in an airtight container at room temperature 2 minutes. Pour mixture onto the prepared for up to 5 days. baking sheet; allow to cool for about 30 minutes. Break apart pecans into chunks. Valerie is a gal with a passion for food... Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a particularly sweet food. This is part of her baking sheet with a non-stick baking sheet collection of favorite recipes and food-related or spray. In a medium bowl, combine flour stories, photos, and adventures. You can read and baking soda; set aside. In the bowl of a about more her recent eats at standing mixer, cream together butter and www.pursuitofsweetness.com. sugars for about 3 minutes. Next, beat in

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by anna menditto

Melon Mint SANGRIA

Ingredients • 1 ½ cups diced watermelon • 1 ½ cups diced cantaloupe • 1 ½ cups diced honeydew melon • 2 cups ice • 10 mint leaves • Juice from ¼ lime • 2 bottles spumonte or other sparkling wine dIRECTIONs 1. Pour all of the diced melons in a large glass pitcher. Top with ice. 2. Gently muddle mint leaves with the lemon juice. Add to pitcher. 3. Pour wine last into the glass and stir with a wooden spoon.

Capturing Your Love Story... Wedding | Engagement Natural Light Photography |Everyday Family Portraits | Maternity | Senior Pictures

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www.lindsayfauverphotography.com

You Are INVITED

Branding isn’t just for businesses anymore. It has spread like wildfire to events and celebrations. I love it because it brings two of my favorites things together: a great party and some good design. What could be better? Wedding invitation designs have kept me busy over the past few months and it’s easy to see why so many people invest a bit more into making a cohesive brand for their events: it sets a tone.

To keep it consistent, many planners are using designers to brand these events. Branding is a great way to add a little extra ‘something’ without spending a whole lot of extra money. It can be infused in your save the dates, RSVP cards, invitations, table settings, food cards, and more.

Is branding expensive? Certainly there are aspects that can get pricey, but if you get a good designer, they can help you with or provide Setting a tone prepares and excites guests for the the designs for you to print, decreasing costs. It’s event from the moment they receive the first Save great for ‘do-it-yourself’ brides. the Date or Invitation to their arrival at the event Interested in labels, invitations, save the dates, programs, itself. Keeping a consistent tone throughout the or more? Packages available. Contact Design Artketing today: johnna@designartketing.com. anticipation and event helps guests know what to expect.

by johnna hetrick

pinch me, i think

I’M IN LOVE

Ashley Hinkle & Chris Jones

May 18, 2012 | BERKELEY PLANTATION, RICHMOND, VA Ashley and Chris

ARE GETTING MARRIED...

THIS

Claws

FOR CELEBRATION

May 18, 2012

Berkley Plantation

RSVP ON OUR WEDDING WEBSITE WWW.WEDDINGWIRE.COM/HINKLEANDJONES BY APRIL 1, 2013

Adults Only, Please

SAVE THE DATE Ashley & Chris MAY THE EIGHTEENTH | TWO THOUSAND THIRTEEN WWW.WEDDINGWIRE.COM/HINKLEANDJONES

12602 HARRISON LANDING ROAD CHARLES CITY, VIRGINIA 23030

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until next time...