OUR WRITERS

are the voice of Area Woman Magazine. They bring to life the Fargo-Moorhead area and the incredible stories of the women we feature.

These are the talented writers showcased in this issue, including some new faces we're excited to spotlight. Learn more about these and our other contributors at areawomanmagazine.com

LINDSAY TRUAX »

Lindsay is the editor of the website Pink and Navy Stripes, a lifestyle and fashion blog. She loves to help others take the latest fashions trends and make them wearable. Lindsay and her husband have two little girls.

« REBECCA MEIDINGER

Rebecca is a speaker, Bible teacher, writer, blogger and stay-at-home mom to four wild kids in south Fargo and wife to her awesome husband Paul. As a speaker and Bible teacher, it is Rebecca’s joy to bring messages of hope, joy and freedom in Christ to groups of teens and adult women. As a blogger, Rebecca shares the real-life challenges of marriage and motherhood. Rebecca loves a hot cup of coffee, a cool morning run, and warm sunshine on her face. Learn more about Rebecca at rebeccameidinger.com.

« WASIFA AHMAD HASAN

Wasifa is a dentistry graduate, full time blogger and makeup artist. She blogs and makes videos about beauty, makeup, fashion and lifestyle on her blog sifascorner.com.

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Siri co-hosts the Froggy Morning Splash on Today's Froggy 99.9! Outside of radio, her passion is heart healthy living. Find healthy recipes on her Instagram and Facebook page.

MARIAH PRUSSIA »

Mariah is the Owner of MPX Fitness, founder of the NOW Project (501C3), professional MMA fighter, Coordinator of Fitness at MSUM, motivational speaker, corporate wellness coach and single mother. Find her online at mpxfitness.com.

AMANDA

Susan graduated from North Dakota State University with a major in English education and a minor in speech/communication. She is a former teacher who served on the Northern Cass School Board, the North Dakota State Board of Education, and the North Dakota State Board for Career and Technical Education. Susan and her husband, Bill, live on their farm near Hunter, North Dakota. They have one grown daughter, Emily.

Amanda Peterson is an award-winning writer who loves to tell people’s stories. In addition to authoring three children’s non-fiction books, her work has appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers. Amanda previously worked as a writer and online editor for Concordia College, as well as a reporter for a Minnesota daily newspaper. She lives in Moorhead with her husband, Jason, and two children.

Ashley is a local health, fitness and life coach with a passion for inspiring and motivating others to live their best life. She started her own business, BUFF Inc., teaches group fitness classes at the YMCA in Fargo, is a health and fitness writer, has appeared on local TV as a fitness expert, and share her life and expertise candidly on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. To work with Sornsin for nutrition, fitness and life coaching, contact her at ashleysornsin@gmail.com or eatlivebebuff.com.

Kristy grew up in Buhl, Minnesota and graduated from Moorhead State University. She spent 16 years in the banking industry. After moving to her husband Kevin’s family farm, she has had the privilege to be a stay-at-home mom, a title she is proud to wear. It has given her time to pursue a career in writing. With two sons, Nick and Tyler, the family keeps busy attending their activities. Their family spends time golfing, snow skiing and mowing a large yard!

Livin’ the dream as mom of four and wife to a smarty pants teacher. She can’t live without selfdeprecating humor and coffee! Fortunately, her day job is her dream job on the radio. Big 98.7 9am-2pm weekdays.

Thank you for supporting us for a century—here’s to celebrating 100 years of change, innovation and client service.

Fusion Boutique is a unique women’s store where fashion and lifestyle come together. It is located at 3202 13th Ave. S. in Fargo. That’s right, this beautiful specialty shop is located inside Scheels Home and Hardware. It is designed to fuse lifestyle and clothing for the discerning woman who doesn’t want to look like everyone else.

A Unique Fashion Experience

Scheels Home and Hardware moved from South University to its current location on 13th Avenue in 2006. The move involved an expanded selection of home décor and furniture and the addition of a women’s clothing boutique.

“A year after we opened, we knew we needed a unique name to fit the boutique. Talking over dinner one night with Julie Alin, design consultant at Scheels Home and Hardware, the name Fusion was born,” says Mary Gessele, shop manager for clothing.

The store includes women’s clothing, shoes and accessories. “We can dress you for a party, for work, for a night out, or for a Bison game,” says Mickie Nakonechny, shop manager for shoes and accessories.

Both Gessele and Nakonechny are proud of Fusion Boutique’s vision and the loyal customers who have made it a success. They go to markets to find high quality, unique items. “We built our customer base on our honesty. We want women to feel good and look good in their clothes. We want them to find exactly what they are looking for and have a good experience,” says Gessele.

Scheels has long been known for their experts. Scheels experts are dedicated to helping customers find the products they need to succeed. Here at Fusion Boutique, Gessele and Nakonechny are the fashion experts.

They are very selective when it comes to the items they carry. Some current clothing brands are: Comfy, Nic & Zoe, Jag and Liverpool Jeans.

They stock shoes that are good-looking, trendy and comfortable. Some current lines include: Rieker, Taos, Vionic and Fitflop.

“After all,” says Nakonechny, “life is too long to wear bad shoes.”

“And,” Gessele continues, “life is also too short to wear boring clothes.”

Both Gessele and Nakonechny agree that fashion and accessories have become really personal. They try not to hone in on just one trend but, instead, find styles for all body types, all ages and all personalities.

“We want more new customers to find us,” Gessele says. “We truly have something for everyone.” And, in the spirit of disclosure, this writer did find something. It was hard to leave the boutique without doing a little shopping.

COME IN and experience for yourself what the fashion experts have to offer you at Fusion Boutique.