FALL 2019
GOOD-FOR-YOU COSMETICS
Influencer Lindsay Adkinson shares her journey of healing and hope
A Metamorphosis LEAVES OUT, BOOKS OUT:
7 MUST-READS FOR FALL YOU’RE INVITED TO A
Foodie Adventure! Eat your way through Texas with these recommendations
6 Tips TO MAKE YOUR ENTRYWAY LEAVE A STUNNING FIRST IMPRESSION
INTIMATES THAT ACTUALLY FIT
CONTENTS
/ The Simple Things
In this issue: 16
6 12
In Every Issue
Live
Dream
5
6
15
HELLO GORGEOUS
Angie’s LETTER
RELATIONSHIPS
Long-Distance Love
BEAUTY
Good-For-You Cosmetics
Having a Great Career and a Great Love Life at the Same Time
Beauty products with natural ingredients that your skin will love
8
16
HEALTH & FITNESS
“Mental Illness” to “Mental Health” Defining mental illness and discussing ways to cope with it
12
FOOD
Beat the heat: Refreshing end-of -summer eats
13
GRATITUDE
Things that make Hope readers grateful
STYLE
Intimates That Actually Fit Find the perfect mix of pretty and comfortable bras
19
HOME
Where Home Greets You at the Front Door Tips to make your entryway leave a stunning first impression
FALL 2019 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM 1
CONTENTS
/ The Simple Things
28
21 22
Inspire
21
MONEY
Dear Fall…Don’t Miss Me Brilliant budgeting to make your fall inexpensive but enjoyable
22
EDUCATION
Defining Education Hope’s interns share what education means to them
26
TRAVEL
You’re Invited to a Foodie Adventure Unique and delicious restaurant options in Texas
30
WATCH
Flicks to Watch This Fall! Movies and TV shows that celebrate women this fall
32
READ
FEATURE
Leaves Out, Books Out: 7 MustReads for This Fall
24
Seven exciting reads for chilly fall evenings
Becoming Proud: A Metamorphosis Podcaster Lindsay Adkinson shares her journey of healing and hope 2 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM FALL 2019
Photo by Sarah Dorweiler on Unsplash
SIMPLICITY MAKES ME HAPPY ALICIA KEYS
SECTION HEAD
/ Section subject
HOPE FOR WOMEN Q3 (Fall 2019) THE SIMPLE THINGS VOL. 12 NO. 17
PUBLISHER & FOUNDER ANGELIA L. WHITE - STONE CFO & BUSINESS COORDINATOR SHERRELL JENKINS COO & HUMAN RESOURCE COORDINATOR VETTA CASH ART DIRECTOR/CREATIVE ASHLEY GEROU COPY EDITORS ERICA BAKER, BELLA MCGILL, BRIANA ROOKE CONTRIBUTORS VETTA CASH, SYNDI ELLIS, KYLIE KAISER, JAMIE LAPEYROLERIE, BRIANA ROOKE, TAMIKA STEMBRIDGE, ESQ., KARIANN WOOD GUEST CONTRIBUTORS DR. JACQUELINE F. ABATE, A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AT THE SANDRA ESKENAZI MENTAL HEALTH CENTER
HOPE FOR WOMEN MAGAZINE LLC P.O. Box 3241, Muncie, Indiana 47307 www.hopeforwomenmag.com HOPE FOR WOMEN IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OWNED BY HOPE FOR WOMEN LLC COPYRIGHT 2019 4 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM FALL 2019
Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash
INTERNS MADELINE FALLS, SHELBI FOURMAN, KYLIE KAISER, BRIANA ROOKE, NATALIE SINCLAIR
EDITOR’S PAGE
/ LIVE. DREAM. INSPIRE.
The Simple Things There’s something so inexplicably refreshing about autumn! Nothing can compare to the fresh opportunity to see the leaves turn from greens to vibrant reds and yellows and oranges, the crispness in the air, the tantalizing scents that fill our homes, and the overall togetherness that we begin to feel with our loved ones around us.
comfortable bras (pg. 17), tips to make your entryway leave a stunning first impression (pg. 19), and unique and delicious restaurant options in Texas (page 28). Or, turn to page 13, and you’ll find skincare items, haircare products, and makeup that your skin will absolutely love—and that are free of harsh chemicals!
It doesn’t take much to excite me--I’ve always been content with just a little. You might say it’s because of my humble Midwestern upbringing, or my desire to be able to appreciate the small things in life; regardless, I’m filled will joy at the thought of the transition into a new chapter and at recognizing the changes I’ve experienced throughout the previous seasons.
To inspire you to keep moving forward despite the obstacles that fill your path, we caught up with YouTuber and influencer Lindsay Adkinson, who shares her past struggles and her journey of metamorphosis and healing on page 24. And another thing—our aspiring Hope interns share their personal stories to help you decide if higher education is the best path for you (pg. 22)!
Not only is fall a wonderful time to reset priorities and plans, but for me, it’s also a time to reflect back over the past year and acknowledge my personal and professional growth. It’s easy to think about all that has gone wrong up until this point, but as I take a look in the rearview mirror of Hope, I can see how amazing my life has been and how much I’ve grown. And as I focus forward, I am excited about the progress that is yet to be experienced in this amazing life!
Regardless of where you are in your life right now, may this new season be one filled with hope and love and joy. We’re rooting for you, sis!
That’s what this issue is all about: simple living. In these pages, you can find the perfect mix of pretty and
Angelia White Hope for Women, CEO
FALL 2019 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM 5
Long-Distance Love • Mental Health • End-of-Summer Treats •
6 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM FALL 2019
Photo by Candice Picard on Unsplash
liVE
YOUR LIFE
/ Long-Distance Love
LONG-DISTANCE
Love There is a popular adage that says, “You can have it all, but not at the same time.” In other words, successminded women must make choices about where they focus their time and attention. They must also accept the fact that without proper focus, areas of their lives can and will go unmaintained. One of these areas is romantic relationships. Many professional women admit that balancing their professional and romantic lives can be difficult, and they often feel the need to choose between the two.
Photo by Matheus Ferrero on Unsplash
Balance can be difficult but not impossible. Without a plan, a relationship with a spouse of fifteen years, or a fiancé who lives twenty miles from you, or a boyfriend who lives two states away can all feel like a long-distance love. However, with the right approach and technique, women can have great romantic relationships and great careers at the same time. MAKE A CHOICE What is most important to you: your relationship (and all it brings), or your career (and all it brings)? This may be a hard and uncomfortable question to ponder, but an honest answer will put you on the path to making room in your life for both. Picking one does not remove the importance of the other, it simply identifies what deserves the priority (not the whole) of your time and attention. An inability to choose will cause harm to both, so you must choose. Only you can answer the question because only you (and God) can determine what you really want in life and who you’re designed to be. You can consult with others, but the ultimate choice is yours and yours alone. Again, what’s most important to you?
Learn to balance your love and career in a healthy way BY: VETTA CASH
IDENTIFY NEEDED CHANGES Look at your calendar, bank statements, and electronic device activities (texts, emails, social media activity, etc.). Do they reflect what you’ve identified as your priority, or do they suggest something else? Is there a third or fourth priority that is consuming the resources that should be reserved for your relationship or your career? What changes do you need to make with your time, spending, and communication habits to align them with your true priority? Develop a plan to implement needed changes, so that you can focus your resources on your top priority while also having ample resources for other things. COMMUNICATE YOUR CHOICE AND YOUR CHANGES Now that you’ve identified your priority and a plan for any needed change, you’re ready to sit down with the love of your life and communicate your intentions. Talk about your goals, both for the relationship and your professional life, and listen intently to theirs. Be transparent and be vulnerable. Be honest and be clear. Be authentic and be sincere. Your goal is to start a conversation that will result in a mutually-agreeable plan for nurturing a healthy, longlasting relationship. You also want to create an environment that encourages both of you to fulfill your personal goals and ambitions. You can have real love and a great career at the same time when you know what you want and know how to communicate it to the right person. Vetta Cash is a born-again believer who is living out the will of God in her life. She is the director of women’s affairs at Flow Church, the founder and CEO of the Breathe Conference, a conference speaker, national columnist, pastor’s wife, and mother of two. FALL 2019 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM 7
YOUR HEALTH
/ Mental Health
FROM “MENTAL ILLNESS” TO
“Mental Health”
FIND HELP FOR YOURSELF OR LOVED ONES WHO MAY BE STRUGGLING MENTALLY BY: DR. JACQUELINE F. ABATE
A staggering amount of people experience difficulties with their mental health. This number is usually much higher than one may think, as one cannot always tell what someone is going through just by meeting or looking at them. Fortunately, awareness of mental health is growing, as there are increasingly more representations of mental health in the media and mentions of this topic in various outlets. Yet, there remains a fair amount of stigma in our society regarding the implications of mental illness. This article will share some common signs of emotional distress and emerging mental illness to look out for, suggestions on how to handle these situations when they may affect you or a loved one, and possibilities for life beyond mental illness. First, it is important to know and be able to recognize early signs of emotional distress. Symptoms of serious mental illness tend to surface between the ages of midteens to mid-thirties, though this can vary from person to person. Some changes to keep in mind include personality 8 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM FALL 2019
or mood differences, behavior that is out of character, isolation from friends and family, a decline in personal hygiene, or not feeling like oneself for a period of time. These patterns may clue you in that you or a loved one are beginning to experience common struggles with mental health and would likely benefit from additional support.
YOUR HEALTH
/ Mental Health
Recognize early signs of emotional distress, including changes in personality or mood, behavior that is out of character, isolation from friends and family, a decline in personal hygiene, or not feeling like oneself for a period of time.
So, what can you do when you start to notice these warning signs? There are a number of ways to offer support when someone confides in you. As a friend, listen. Lend an ear to the potentially painful or confusing experiences that are troubling someone. Be curious, ask questions, and try to understand their experiences. Provide support. Be empathic and attentive. Ask them what they need. People are usually looking for a trusted individual to share their experiences with and to feel heard. Symptoms of mental illness are often viewed as extreme versions of common human experiences, so no matter what someone is going through, you can try to relate in some way. In terms of professional help, there are a range of different ways to address mental health struggles, including therapy, medication, and peer support. Various options for treatment exist in settings such as hospitals, community mental health centers, college counseling centers, and private practices, as do various options for billing, including health insurance, self-pay, and even flexible sliding fee scales. Outside of formal treatment centers, individuals can also seek support from calling crisis line numbers or exploring local organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Mental Health America (MHA), which provide valuable resources to individuals and families affected by mental illness. Often individuals are hesitant to seek treatment due to the existing stigma surrounding mental health difficulties and therapy in general. It is a common misconception that participating in therapy means that there is “something wrong with you,” but people seek therapy for many different reasons. Talk therapy can be beneficial in addressing a specific issue, as well as gaining a better understanding of oneself, processing difficult feelings, and even obtaining an alternative or objective
perspective. Studies have found better rates of recovery in individuals who have positive relationships with their treatment providers, so it is okay to take time to search for someone who you can trust and who feels like a good fit. Additionally, treatment approaches are now increasingly more person-centered, which means that providers do not simply treat a set of symptoms, but aim to consider who you are outside of your symptoms, what might work best for you as a unique individual in your unique circumstances, and how your difficulties fit within the context of your life. It is for this reason that treatment is referred to as “mental health care,” as opposed to “mental illness care.” Despite long-standing beliefs about the chronicity of mental illness, there is a rich body of evidence that supports the belief that people with mental health difficulties can and do recover. Recovery has shifted from becoming an exception to an expectation in mental health care, and this process is as unique and individualized as the people presenting for services. Recovery may look like symptom remission; that is, no longer feeling depressed, anxious, using substances, hearing voices, etc. Or, it may include living a meaningful life and pursuing your personal goals despite mental health difficulties. Experiencing aspects of a mental health disorder or being diagnosed with a mental illness can feel overwhelming. Some people may start to identify with the label, whether they are glad to have an explanation for FALL 2019 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM 9
YOUR HEALTH
/ Mental Health
their experiences, or they are consumed by the possibility that their life is forever changed. While a diagnosis may be a new aspect of your life, it does not define you, and it does not take away your worth. There are so many other parts of you as well—friend, student, son, daughter, mother, father, dancer, teacher, comedian, artist (to name a few examples)—and these parts do not get lost with the addition of a mental health diagnosis. It is connecting with all these different parts of oneself that helps people move toward recovery. Even though there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding mental illness, and stigma remains a
problem, having mental health problems is nothing to be ashamed of. Many of us could be diagnosed at some point in our lives, but it is important to remember that lots of treatment options exist, and that you can obtain support while finding what works for you. People get better, whether recovery means that your symptoms fully dissipate, or you learn to live in a way in which you are less distressed by them. Mental illness does not have to interfere with your ability to live the life you desire. Dr. Jacqueline F. Abate is a clinical psychologist at the Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.
FIVE
Self-Care Tips BY: BRIANA ROOKE
TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH 1. Take a cold shower or a warm bath. A cold shower can shock you momentarily out of a pattern of negative thinking, while a warm bath can be used to let down your guard and soak at the end of the day. 2. Walk outside while paying attention to the tiny details around you. Notice the texture of the leaves on the trees; feel each foot-fall; concentrate on the blue of the sky. These details will help ground you in the moment. 3. Pet a soft animal. There's nothing quite as comforting and grounding as running your hand through soft fur and receiving tiny wet kisses from an animal who's happy to see you. 4. Practice positive self-talk. Instead of letting mantras like "I'm a failure" or "I'm worthless" run through your head, replace them with positive, fact-based truths: "I make mistakes, but I'm growing," "My life has value, and I influence the people in my life daily." 5. Take deep breaths, inhaling deeply through your nose and exhaling slowly through your mouth. This can help ground and calm you in the midst of anxieties.
10 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM FALL 2019
“The Hope Harbor series is a testament to the power of faith, hope, and love.” —Booklist Booklist on Pelican Point Jeannette Mason swore off relationships of any kind when she moved to Hope Harbor to start a new life—but a single dad with a grieving little girl and an unruly pup may test that resolve.
Come home to Hope Harbor— where hearts heal . . .
and love blooms.
IreneHannon.com
n
Available wherever books and ebooks are sold.
YOUR FOOD
/ Refreshing End-of-Summer Eats
BEAT THE HEAT
Refreshing end-ofsummer eats BY: KYLIE KAISER
Fresh berries, salads…We have all your end-of-summer favorites packed into one barbecue!
Cool down with these fresh and simple warm-weather recipes. Each one is so delicious you can hardly tell they’re heart-healthy and rich with vitamins and minerals!
INGREDIENTS:
• • • • • • • • • • •
2 tbsp. sesame seeds 1 tbsp. poppy seeds 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup olive oil 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar (or balsamic vinegar) 1/4 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tbsp. minced (or pureed) onion 10 ounces fresh spinach--rinsed, dried, and torn 1 quart strawberries--cleaned, hulled, and sliced 1/4 cup almonds, blanched and slivered
DIRECTIONS
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, olive oil, vinegar, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and onion. Cover and chill for 1 hour. 2. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries, and almonds. Pour (chilled) dressing over salad, and toss. Refrigerate 10-15 minutes before serving.
12 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM FALL 2019
STRAWBERRY RHUBARB LEMONADE Makes about 4 servings/cups INGREDIENTS:
• • • • • • •
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice 4 cups water 2 cups frozen rhubarb 1 cup quartered strawberries 6 tbsp. sugar Grated lemon zest (as desired) Ice
DIRECTIONS
1. Start with fresh lemon juice in a pitcher. Place water, rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, and grated lemon zest in a saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and let simmer 5 minutes. 2. Place in freezer for 30 minutes. Press mixture through a mesh strainer into the pitcher with lemon juice; discard solids. 3. Stir to combine, and serve over ice.
Photo Credit: Rebecca Welch
STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD Prep time: 10 Minutes Ready in: 1 hr 10 min Makes 4 servings
GRATITUDE
/ Simple Ways to Express Thankfulness
SIMPLE WAYS TO
Express Gratitude HOPE’S FOLLOWERS SHARE HOW THEY EXPRESS THANKFULNESS
LATOYA GAY
CANDACE VAUGHT ROBINSON
FELICIA JOHNSON-MCGEE
“I simply say ‘thank you’ or ‘I appreciate you’ to those who have impacted my life, and I verbally let someone know how special they are to me and how grateful I am that they are in my life. Also, I enjoy treating someone to lunch/ breakfast/brunch.”
“The ability to express ‘gratitude’ is a gift that we all take for granted. Try saying thank you, reserving hugs for special acts of kindness, publicly thanking someone for a quiet deed, writing a note or sending a card, or reciprocating a favor.”
“I’ve found it easy to express gratitude through simple gestures like flashing a warm smile or offering a sincere compliment. When we practice being grateful, our experience with the present moment is wonderfully enhanced.”
DAVA HOLDEN
KIMBERLY WASHINGTON
STEPHANIE M. KIRKLAND
“I practice gratitude daily by writing in my grateful journal. My ‘Hello Happy Creative Arts Program’ spreads love and kindness to others in my community, and I share daily inspiring messages with my Chic Girl #QOTD on social media platforms. A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles.”
“Others enrich my life, so gifting them and giving from my heart allows me to put a ray of sunshine in their days. Giving back to my community with acts of kindness fills their needs and overflows my cup as I make a difference.”
“Gratitude, for me, is learning to recognize the lessons in my now moments. The lessons, regardless of the circumstances that created them, bring value into my life, and I become grateful for growth and for the fact that I get to decide how life will impact me. I show gratitude by changing.” FALL 2019 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM 13
Good-For-You Cosmetics • Intimates that Actually Fit • Inviting Entryways •
Photo by terricks noah on Unsplash
drEAM
DREAM
/ Beauty
Good-For-You Cosmetics
E
BEAUTY PRODUCTS WITH NATURAL INGREDIENTS THAT YOUR SKIN WILL LOVE BY: SYDNI ELLIS
Sugarcane extract, licorice root, and red raspberry seed oil – No, we aren’t talking about ingredients in a crazy-good dessert. These are actually some of the key components in crazy-good-for-you cosmetics that we love! Take a break from skin care, hair products, and makeup that are harsh on your body, and replace them with products filled with natural ingredients. You will look as beautiful as ever, and your skin will be so happy!
A
A. PREP YOUR SKIN OATMEAL HONEY COLLECTION Target - $7.99-$9.99 Bright pink packaging, delicious scents, and pure ingredients make the PREP Your Skin Oatmeal Honey collection at Target your new favorite bath products. Choose from lotion, body wash, body scrub, or bath salts – all of which are sulfate-, paraben-, phthalate- and crueltyfree – and treat yourself every day. These sweet-smelling products will instantly relax you, smooth your skin, and leave you with a lingering fragrance all day long.
B. HERBIVORE EMERALD CBD + ADAPTOGENS DEEP MOISTURE GLOW OIL Sephora - $58 Harness the healing power of CBD oil (which is legal in Indiana, as it contains less than 0.3 percent THC!) with this HERBIVORE face oil. This light oil utilizes full-spectrum CBD, hemp seed oil, and herbs to naturally hydrate, refresh, and calm your face. Simply massage a few drops into your skin in the morning and evening, and you’ll be set! C. TIMEWISE REPLENISHING SERUM+C Mary Kay - $56 With more ingredients than a fruit smoothie, the TimeWise Replenshing Serum+C is designed to make your skin look firmer and more lifted. It is formulated with Vitamin C-rich ingredients, including pomegranate extract, Kakadu plum, Camu Camu extract, Acerola cherry, black currant berry, and nourishing Argan seed extract.
C
D. KOSAS TINTED FACE OIL FOUNDATION Sephora - $42 Heavy foundation has no place in the summer heat! Instead, use this amazing tinted face oil foundation from Kosas, which comes in 10 different shades to match 30 diverse skin tones. This ultra-feathery foundation oil is made with Jojoba seed oil, avocado oil, and red raspberry seed oil to soothe, hydrate, and moisturize your skin, while gently covering imperfections with a tint that makes it look like you #WokeUpLikeThis. E. KORA ORGANICS NONI LIP TINT Sephora - $24 Even if you smeared actual red berries across your lips, you still wouldn’t get a lip tint as berry-licious as this Kora Organics Noni Lip Tint! The naturally tinted concoction is made with cocoa seed butter, licorice root, and Cupuacu butter – yum! Not only does it look pretty, but also this tint helps nourish dry lips, protects them from free radical damage, and keeps your pout perfectly plump.
B
D
Sydni Ellis grew up in the great state of Texas, where the iced tea can never be too sweet and everyone does their makeup before going to the grocery store. She has her master’s degree in journalism from the University of North Texas, and she loves talking about her passions: writing, shopping, and reading murder mysteries. Follow her on Twitter @sydnimellis to see her latest stories on fashion, entertainment, travel, lifestyle, and local events—and to see 500+ pictures of her two blonde babies. FALL 2019 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM 15
/ Intimates That Actually Fit
Photo Credit: Rebecca Welch
YOUR STYLE
16 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM FALL 2019
YOUR STYLE
/ Intimates That Actually Fit
Intimates THAT ACTUALLY FIT Find the perfect mix of pretty and comfortable bras BY: SYDNI ELLIS
Lacy, silky, tiny, and frilly bras are nice to look at, but not necessarily nice to wear. Women come in all shapes and sizes, so why don’t bras? Intimates have a long history of being uncomfortable—remember corsets?—but that is finally beginning to change. (Insert hand-raising emoji here). A recent Forbes article showed that Victoria’s Secret has shown declining sales since 2016. Lesser-known retailers, boutiques, and online brands are rising up to challenge this former powerhouse, and women are loving it! These new selections come in all different sizes, fits, and styles, in addition to pretty designs and luxuriously soft fabrics. Imagine, a bra you don’t want to take off the second you get home! Supportive, breathable, widesize-ranged, beautiful—that’s a bra I would love to wear! DISCOVER YOUR SIZE Using a tape measure to determine your bra size works to an extent, but it doesn’t take into account the unique shape of your bust. But thanks to new technology at Soma, finding the right bra is easy! Head into any Soma boutique to try the SOMAINNOFIT Bra (it’s also available online for $59), which looks like a sports bra. Pair this stateof-the-art technology with an app, and it will give you precise measurements and bra recommendations. CHOOSE YOUR FIT Your preferences, situations, and style can help determine what type of bra you need, from full-coverage to wire-free. Different bras work for different occasions—comfortable for work, or light and airy for spending time outside.
FALL 2019 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM 17
YOUR STYLE
/ Intimates That Actually Fit
Soma has so many different options that it’s hard to narrow down the best. Here, you can find bras in sizes 3244, A-G, in several different styles, including sports and nursing bras. We love the Vanishing Back Full Coverage Lace Trim Bra ($58), made with part nylon, part spandex for a soft, stretchy feeling. It features a three-zone panel band to help it retain its shape and give your back and sides a smooth look under your shirts. The subtle lace trim on the cups add a sprinkle of femininity. After all, supportive doesn’t have to be boring! For ultimate comfort, go with Soma’s Enbliss Wireless Bralette ($46-$48). These come in fourteen different colors, including a range of skin colors and pretty pastel neutrals. Unlike other bralettes (you know, the skimpy kind that only seem appropriate in the bedroom), these are designed with wide straps, super soft material, and no wires or hooks, for a cozy feeling that you will enjoy all day long. You can also find bras that women actually want to wear at Lane Bryant. Their Cacique Intimates collection offers bras in sizes 32-50, A-K. The Front-Close Cotton Lightly Lined T-Shirt Bra ($46.95-$56.95) will be your new favorite, as it is made with a cool cotton-blend and clasps in the front for ease in getting dressed. The white lace crisscross straps in the back also make this bra perfect for wearing under tank tops in the summer. SHOP ONLINE Getting halfway undressed in a fitting room, trying on bra after bra, talking to salesladies—we get it. Shopping online is sometimes much easier. Thankfully, a new crop of online lingerie retailers are here, providing even more options without ever leaving home. True & Co. was founded with the goal of “empowering women to understand what flatters her specific shape best,” according to its website. You can browse four main collections. True Body Bras, like the True Body Lift Scoop Neck Bra ($58), offer a strong lift, with a butter-like soft material that you will want to live in. The True Everyday collection is made for daily comfort. And you’ll love the True Everyday Strapless Convertible Bra ($48) that has a latex-free silicone band to keep the girls up with a snug band and cups that will change the way you think about strapless bras for the better. Other choices include the True Weekend line, made for lounging, and the True Lingerie, made to make you feel as sexy as you look. 18 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM FALL 2019
Finally, ThirdLove is the perfect choice for style, exact fit, and helping women in need. These bras were produced with actual breasts in mind: millions of measurements from women were used to come up with the right design. After a 60-second quiz, you can find your size—even halfcup sizes are available! If that isn’t enough reason to shop, ThirdLove is socially conscious as well. They partner with the “I Support the Girls” organization, and in 2018 alone, donated ten million dollars in bras to women in need. One of the top-rated bras available is the 24/7 Perfect Coverage Bra ($68), made with hybrid memory foam that forms to your shape and feels like you are wearing clouds! Women wear bras every day; it shouldn’t be something we dread. With these choices, “slipping into something a little more comfortable” takes on an entirely new meaning. Sydni Ellis grew up in the great state of Texas, where the iced tea can never be too sweet and everyone does their makeup before going to the grocery store. She has her master’s degree in journalism from the University of North Texas, and she loves talking about her passions: writing, shopping, and reading murder mysteries. Follow her on Twitter @sydnimellis to see her latest stories on fashion, entertainment, travel, lifestyle, and local events—and to see 500+ pictures of her two blonde babies.
YOUR HOME
/ Entryways
WHERE HOME GREETS YOU AT THE
Front Door Create a beautiful, organized, inviting entrance to your home BY: KARIANNE WOOD
Your entryway is the place where first impressions start: sometimes good, sometimes not so much. Here are a few tips and ideas to create a warm and welcoming space that reflects your personality and your decorating style. INTRODUCE YOUR STYLE: If a home is a book, and its style is written on the pages of its rooms, then the entryway is the introduction. Allow guests to glimpse your personal decorating style from the first step through the front door. If coastal is your style, add a driftwood mirror. If you like traditional, layer in an antique rug. It doesn’t have to be an overwhelming statement piece – just a hint of the decorating personality that’s right around the corner. LIGHT IT UP: Create a welcoming entry with a little light. Place a small bookshelf or hutch in the entryway and add a lamp. Spotlight a piece of art on the wall. Or, add sconces to either side of the front door to warm up the entrance. In addition, adding a dimmer to your lighting helps change the mood depending on the time of day. LOOK DOWN: Placing a rug in the entryway immediately warms up the room. Area rugs provide a cushion and introduce pattern and color into the small space. TIP: The entryway is a high-traffic area. You’ll want to make sure to select a durable stain-resistant rug for the floor. PROVIDE A SURFACE FOR STUFF: There’s nothing like an entryway to attract all kinds of stuff! I walk in with mail, keys, a purse, and the occasional umbrella. Think through all that stuff, and give it a place to land. A small console or table is the perfect piece for an entryway, especially if it has drawer. You might also want to add baskets to the tabletop to keep everything organized.
EXTRA SEATING: If your space allows, add a small chair with a little personality in the entryway. This is a great way to introduce some style! For example, if your style is contemporary, choose a bright, geometric pattern to add a pop of color to the space. If transitional is more your look, add a pillow to the chair with one of your favorite quotes. FAUX YOUR ENTRYWAY: It’s important to remember that not every house has an entryway. No worries! If you don’t have an extra room by the front door, just faux it. Create the look of an entry with furniture and accessories. Add a hutch or bookcase by the front door with extra lighting and small bins for keys. Or, try placing a smaller rug just inside the door to define your entry space. In addition, add an umbrella stand or oversized baskets by the entry for storage. Taken from: The DIY STYLE FINDER: DISCOVER YOUR UNIQUE STLE AND DECORATE IT YOUR SELF. Copyright © 2019 by KariAnne Wood. Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon. Used by Permission.
FALL 2019 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM 19
Budgeting Tips • College Life • Foodie Adventure • Leaves Out, Books Out • Flicks to Watch This Fall •
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
inSPIRE
YOUR MONEY
/ Budgeting Tips
Dear Fall. . DON’T MISS ME TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR DOLLARS STRETCH THE EXTRA MILE THIS FALL BY: TAMIKA STEMBRIDGE, ESQ.
For me, last fall was all about staycations, selling stuff, and saving the proceeds. While these things are still very appropriate as one makes their way to financial wellness, I’m looking forward to being much more active this year. But don’t get me wrong, I’m just as committed to stretching my coins as I am about stretching my social calendar, so here goes…Tamika’s Tips for a memorable fall while managing your money!
Photo by Fabian Blank on Unsplash
LESS IS MORE The temperatures are dropping, so it takes a lot more to do the most when it comes to fashion and style. With the fall social scene heating up, it can be very easy to click and ship, snag and swipe, and grab and go every time you get ready to head out. Believe me, this way of life is a one-way trip to seasonal sadness for your bank account. Give your wallet a break and your closet some room to breathe. Pick your fave pieces and style around them. “POOL” YOUR RESOURCES Literally. I love a good afternoon at the pool, but tolls, parking, admission, private memberships, cabana fees, towel rentals, etc. can add up. I made it a point this year to be strategic about my water-wandering ways. My friends and I have agreed to never go at it alone. We always invite at least a plus one when we visit the pool club, and we carpool if we’re headed “down the shore.” Also, the super friends that have pool access with their apartment, condo, or community have already agreed to be the designated hosts for gatherings. We bring the food and other amenities in exchange!
WHAT’S COOKIN’? Or, should I say, “Who’s cookin’?” If you’re anything like me, you lovvvvve a good meal, especially one that someone else is serving, preferably on a rooftop deck, an umbrella’d patio, or in a cozy, heated oasis. But let’s face it, one too many mornings, afternoons, or nights on the town can wreak havoc on your wallet. As a first line of defense, scope out all of the restaurant weeks, happy hour discounts, and holiday specials you can find. Check your budget, mark your calendar, and make your way. Should the deals run dry, there’s nothing like a good ole gathering of friends at someone’s home. Prep or purchase a dish, prep your favorite playlist, and make a party out of potluck! STAY ON TRACK I wouldn’t be Queen dFree® if I didn’t help you keep your coins moving in the right direction while you’re being a gal about town. Visit www.billiondollarpaydown.com and join my “Tamika Talks” group to set and keep track of your debt reduction and savings goals this fall! Or you can join the Tamika Talks Facebook community for exclusive content, regular catch-ups, and to get your life goodies dipped in dFree® sauce. Tamika Stembridge, Esq. is the executive director of dFree® Global Foundation, an organization dedicated to the financial wellness of the African American community.
Speaking of food… FALL 2019 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM 21
YOUR EDUCATION
/ College Life
DEFINING
Education PERSONAL STORIES TO HELP YOU DECIDE IF EDUCATION IS FOR YOU BY: BRIANA ROOKE
How does having an education impact one’s life? Is college worth the price? We asked the interns at Hope for Women who are currently experiencing “college life” to define what education means to them and to share how it has impacted their lives. Check out their answers to see if higher education might be something you’re interested in!
KYLIE KAISER
Graduation Year: 2020 Major: Magazine Journalism Minors: Sociology, Interpersonal Relations, Women’s & Gender Studies Q: What does education mean to you? A: Education means so much to me. Teachers have so much influence over how students think and feel about themselves and about the world. The power of an educator should never be taken lightly. I also believe education comes in many forms. The phrase “knowledge is power” never loses its truth, and knowledge can be obtained anywhere — not just in the classroom. Q: How did you choose your major? A: I didn’t even consider journalism as a viable career option for myself until the end of my senior year of high school. We had a community college professor who would come to our school to teach us college-level English and speech, and she essentially told me I was doing myself a disservice by choosing not to write professionally. She gave me the wake-up call and the confidence boost I needed to realize my potential. I’ll never forget that professor or the impact she had on my life. 22 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM FALL 2019
Q: Would you recommend a college education to others? A: I recognize that college is not for everybody. Everyone is different, and education doesn’t have to be a measure of intellect. Some people are completely brilliant but can’t take a test to save their life. Even if college is your thing, you may experience moments of doubt. It just comes down to who you are and what you want to do. Sometimes all you need is mad skill, the right connections, and to be in the right place at the right time. So, if there’s a part of you that wonders whether college might be for you, try it out. It never hurts to try, and if it’s not your thing, at least you’ll never have to wonder.
Q: How did you choose your major? A: My father is a businessman in sales and management. He was able to incorporate his childhood hobby of racing into his career today, and he works for a company in the motorsports industry while still providing for his family. After researching, I decided marketing interested me because I enjoy the business aspects of things I have learned throughout the years from my father. My second major, advertising, I picked up in my second year of college after I learned how creative it is; I figured it would balance out marketing-one side is very calculated and strategic, while the other is more open and creative!
MADELINE FALLS
SHELBI FOURMAN
Q: What does education mean to you? A: Education means ‘opportunity’ to me. I knew that by attending college, the degree would allow me to be able to choose where I wanted to live in the United States after school, while having opportunities to travel and a stable income.
Q: What does education mean to you? A: Education is expanding your knowledge and being recognized for your value and efforts. While there is always value in knowledge, you can take pride and value in yourself without higher education.
Graduation Year: 2021 Majors: Marketing and Advertising
Graduation Year: 2019 Major: Marketing Minor: Graphic Arts Technology.
YOUR EDUCATION
/ College Life
Q: Why did you decide to go to college? A: Growing up with four other siblings (five kids total!), I saw that my parents never got the chance to complete their higher education after having us. I wanted to make my family proud and to be able to provide for myself and my future family. Q: Would you recommend a college education to others? A: College is not meant for everyone. If you are able to expand your education through apprenticeships, your own research, or trade schools, I highly recommend considering those options first.
NATALIE SINCLAIR Graduation Year: 2019 Major: Public Relations
Q: What does education mean to you? A: After high school, I thought it was important to have a degree so that I could live independently. Now, I realize that having a degree helps me with preparing for, finding, and keeping a job. To me, having a degree means that I can do more than what is expected of me; I can go above and beyond in any job that is suited for me. To me, education means more open doors.
Q: Would you recommend a college education to others? A: I think it depends on the person. I personally needed college to help mold me into the writer that I want to be. However, many of the best, most intelligent people I know haven’t gone to college and don’t plan to! One friend is making her dreams come true through the military; another is the smartest person I know and is working in the IT field. In other words, college education isn’t needed in order to gain experience and achieve your dreams! Each of our Hope interns has had a vastly different experience with college, proving that college won’t look one way for everyone. For some people, college is the key to unlocking potential job opportunities or living situations. For others, college is only a hindrance on the path to achieving their goals. We hope that these ladies have given you something to think about through sharing the experiences they’ve encountered with college education. No matter what a person’s educational career may look like, we at Hope encourage everyone to run after their dreams with their hands outstretched and hearts wide open! Briana Rooke realizes the impact that media have on their audiences, particularly people in the audiences who find themselves underrepresented in society, and she seeks to analyze media in a way that lets those voices be heard. When she’s not interning at Hope for Women or scrutinizing media, Briana enjoys reading classic books like Les Miserables, drinking blueberry tea, and cuddling with her black cat, Selina. She believes that someday stories will truly save the world.
Q: Would you recommend a college education to others? A: Yes, I believe that college is important to have under your belt. It gives you life-changing experiences and helps you meet friends that you will know for life. Also, it helps you to prepare for the future and to realize what you want to do in life. It’s a great learning experience!
BRIANA ROOKE
Graduation Year: 2020 Major: English Studies Minors: Film/Screenwriting and Theatre Q: What does education mean to you? A: To me, education means experience. It offers the opportunities to grow, learn, and think, and it does so through valuable experiences. Q: Why did you decide to go to college? A: I love to learn, and hoped that college would provide an avenue of higher learning that would help grow and expand me. Little did I know that I would end up attending three different colleges due to health problems, and that it would take me seven years to complete my bachelor’s degree! Just goes to show that college can look different for everyone. FALL 2019 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM 23
BECOMING PROUD:
A Metamorphosis
Influencer Lindsay Adkinson shares her journey of healing & hope BY: KYLIE KAISER
24 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM FALL 2019
COVER STORY
/Lindsay Adkinson
or someone living in the public eye, it can feel daunting or “off limits” to show vulnerability. Lindsay Adkinson is among a new wave of social media influencers defying these standards by sharing their experiences and advocating for mental health. In her podcast, She’d be Proud, she shares deep details of her life, including her strained relationship with her mother and topics like sexual assault, self-harm, bullying, and suicide. While Adkinson, now 26, believes ample awareness and change can arise via social media, she understands it can also be a dark place. As a teenager, reading anonymous comments and messages telling her to kill herself made her want to do it. She couldn’t see the teens snickering behind the computer with little idea of the weight their words carried— Adkinson could only see the boldfaced abuse glaring back at her. “I am grateful to be able to take a stand through social media, and I’m always so proud when I see someone else speaking up,” she says. A [C]HARMED LIFE After years of family and life struggles, Adkinson felt weighted down by blame and low self-worth. She had hit rock bottom and was committed to changing her life. While working two jobs and trying to complete her photography program, she heard about a contest. The winner would be given a free year in a fully furnished apartment with $70,000 in cash, gift cards, and prizes. The apartments were part of an outdoor mall with restaurants, fitness centers, coffee shops, movie theaters—a new “work, play, live” community.
“I finally had the sense of acceptance I never had growing up,” said Adkinson. She adds that she experienced “imposter syndrome,” or the inability to believe one’s success is achieved through their own effort or skills: “I felt I didn’t really deserve it, so I needed to play along to keep it up.” Her attempts at being likable and making herself seem “perfect,” however, just put her more at odds with herself. As Adkinson got older, the more recognition she received, the worse she felt. She would find herself screaming, crying, sleeping all day, and drinking in order to socialize. She was putting on younger makeup and clothes to create an online presence she thought would succeed. One day, she nearly snapped, realizing her achievements meant nothing to her. “I was fighting so hard to protect who I wanted to be that I didn’t know who I really was,” she shares. Adkinson was finally ready to be honest with her audience. She was prepared to figure out who she was and to do what it would take to be healthy and happy—and to encourage others in doing the same.
“I was fighting so hard to protect who I wanted to be that I didn’t know who I really was.”
Adkinson won, and she knew this could be her only chance. She now had the time and resources to launch a successful YouTube career and, for a while, that was enough for her. She spent several years as a full-time YouTube creator, putting on a happy front—posting clothing reviews, beauty hacks, and fitness tips.
SHE’D BE PROUD Adkinson felt inspired to share her story after years of being ashamed. As other women started coming forward through the #metoo movement, she felt motivated to follow suit.
She didn’t ever want to let her new life go. As she lost herself in the autographs, fan photos, and free merchandise, she was convinced the only way to keep it was to pretend her past never happened.
She adds that the feedback she receives from people with similar stories empowers her to continue speaking out about her past. It serves as an active reminder that there are others who need to hear her message. FALL 2019 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM 25
COVER STORY
/Lindsay Adkinson
Adkinson says the key to pushing through the hard details of her story is remembering not to rush it—it’s hers to tell, and she’s taking it at her own pace. In her podcast, she describes instances of victim-blaming from peers, teachers, counselors, and law enforcement: ridiculing and slut-shaming; refusal to believe her claims; accusations of lying or seeking attention. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), about 75 percent of sexual assaults go unreported. Among college-age females, only 20 percent will report a sexual assault, and 99.5 percent of perpetrators will walk free after committing sexual assault. This is why Adkinson speaks up. She feels the ultimate way to address these issues is to stand up for oneself and for one another. Every time someone opens up about their trauma, more people are encouraged to join the conversation. RELEASE AND RENEW Adkinson finally recognized all the obstacles she had overcome were conquests to be proud of—not to try and hide. She shares that, in her experience, the first step was admitting her mental health needed tending to. She felt as though she was constantly putting on different masks, none of them ever reflecting her true state. She was handed a new life and identity to hide behind. Adkinson says forgiveness played a crucial part in her journey. To first forgive herself, she had to unlearn everything she thought defined her. When she finally sought counsel from a therapist, key questions were raised about the love she received growing up, the abandonment she felt, and her rape. This led her to question where the negative views she held of herself came from. “We’re all sponges filled with water from everyone around us. We soak up other people’s ideas and opinions for so long. We have to learn to completely wring ourselves out and refill with our own,” she says. 26 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM FALL 2019
Adkinson explains that it’s all about accepting that we do the best we can: “I did the best I could with what I had. Even if I look back and get annoyed with how I once acted, in that moment, it’s all I had.” This made her realize it’s only fair to give that same consideration to others—in this case, her mother. Adkinson knows her mom has a lot of regrets deep down; however, she also knows her mother battles her own demons and isn’t sure how to turn things around. She adds that, although her mom caused her a lot of pain, she loves her. “I forgive her because she was doing her best, even in the moments she hurt me most.” When it comes to her sexual abuser, the forgiveness hasn’t come as easily. However, Adkinson does it for herself. She forgives her rapist not for him but for her own peace of mind. “He got to take something from me for a long time. He doesn’t deserve anything else, including my serenity and mental space.” HEALING, LOVING, OVERCOMING Now, Adkinson and her husband have moved to Los Angeles with their two dogs. She has been focusing more on herself, her photography, and her writing. As she begins writing her tell-all novel, she can’t help but feel proud. What once kept her a mental-emotional hostage, she can now use to empower others and raise awareness. Kylie Kaiser is a Ball State University senior who studies journalism, sociology, interpersonal relations, and women’s studies. She is an editorial intern at Hope for Women magazine. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and attending concerts and festivals.
Ball State MBA Delivers for Business Executive — and She Tells Why ADVANCING YOUR EDUCATION DOESN’T MEAN SACRIFICING YOUR CAREER. READ HOW IT ACTUALLY HELPED BOOST CAROLYN’S CAREER TO A NEW LEVEL.
When Carolyn Van Sickle ventured into Ball State’s online master of business administration program, she hadn’t sat through a college course in more than 15 years. During that interim, she had become a business executive working in software delivery and sales management and today is a senior director for process and programs for GE Digital.
Confident of professors and online support staff who were readily accessible via email, Van Sickle made the transition from boardroom to classroom with hardly a hitch. She especially liked the “synchronous” classes, which webcast lectures conducted on campus and allows online students to participate in the discussions. Most Ball State MBA courses are synchronous webcasts and can be viewed again at students’ convenience. Students also have the option of pursuing the degree on campus or a blend of online and on campus classes. MBA LIFTS HER TO THE NEXT LEVEL Leading large Internet of Things (loT) transformation programs for customers globally with a premier software company of the Industrial Internet, she manages a team of delivery and development contributors that includes data scientists, architects, engineers, project managers, and customer success managers. Even with her credentials, the Ball State MBA alum took her sales career “to the next level,” in Van Sickle’s words. “I was able to secure a position as a sales executive while in the program,” she says. “Prior to joining the program, sales managers were hesitant to hire me because I didn’t have any direct sales experience.” CLASSES HAD DIVERSITY OF REAL WORLD With sales management classes, she could immediately apply what she was learning in class to the daily activities in her role. Management classes were insightful, she says, because “they taught me to better understand the
work environment as a whole, especially what motivates managers and customers.” Van Sickle also saw the value of a diverse student enrollment profile—in terms of age, work experience, and academic background. “It was more like the real-world work environment than most business programs,” she says. “I have many friends who went to other top business schools, but they were in class with only people like themselves—late 20’s with minimal work experience. I also have friends who went the Executive MBA route—again, all students with the same level of experience and all around the same age. They didn’t learn to work with other generations.” Although her résumé includes Fortune 500 companies and nearly 20 years of experience managing and implementing digital solutions and services, Van Sickle believes her MBA provides yet another level of career security. “With corporate America always in a state of change, my MBA gives me options that weren’t open before. In addition to going back into territory sales, I’m qualified for more roles and could even launch and run my own company.”
Ball State Online can help you achieve your goals a little quicker than simply going it alone. Visit bsu.edu/online/hope to learn more about our online degrees, certificates, and licenses.
FALL 2019 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM 27
YOUR TRAVEL
/ Foodie Adventure
YOU’RE INVITED TO A
Foodie Adventure Unique and delicious restaurant options in Texas BY: SYDNI ELLIS
The four basic food groups for a Texan: spicy salsa, chopped brisket, hot chili, and ice-cold, coma-inducing sweet iced tea. I would know – I was born and raised in this delicious state. But it’s not all meat, heat, and sweet around here; Texas has a wide range of culinary delights in upscale and cozy casual spots. Interested? Visit the Lone Star State this fall and go on a foodie adventure! Keep reading for your roadmap on some of the coolest (and some of my absolute favorite) restaurants around! Bon appétit, y’all!
Waiting in line is usually reserved for amusement parks and new iPhones, but in Texas, we will line up for some smokin’ good barbecue. If you want to visit Mike Anderson’s BBQ House in Dallas, you have to get there early – they are only open from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., and it’s not unusual to see a line wrapped around the building. Everyone wants Mike Anderson’s because of the friendly Texan atmosphere and the BBQ made from triedand-true family recipes and staff creations. I would be lying if I said my mouth doesn’t start watering when I think about their beef brisket sandwich, BBQ Baked Bean Potato (stuffed with all the fixin’s and a generous helping of baked beans), or their supersweet Cherry-Pineapple Cobbler.
28 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM FALL 2019
BREAKFAST
Feed your stomach and your spirit at The Breakfast Klub in Houston (yes, the “K” is intentional), known for its soulful atmosphere and principles of “faith, family, community, and empowerment.” In addition to the absolutely lovely dining experience, guests are treated to top-rated cuisine as well. Their signature plates are the seasoned Katfish & Grits, served with potatoes, eggs, and a biscuit; and Wings & Waffle, where a golden Belgian waffle is topped with six wings and covered in powdered sugar and a fresh strawberry on the side.
BURGERS
Sure, anyone can grill some beef, slap it on a bun, and call it a hamburger. But no one does burgers like Kenny’s Burger Joint in Plano, where each patty is cooked to perfection on the hickory wood-burning grill, topped with fresh veggies, tasty extras, and locally-baked bread. The Chile Cheese is a southern favorite, as this burger is topped with cheddar cheese, onion, jalapeno, mustard, and melt-in-your-mouth chili. Don’t forget a side of the Truffle Parmesan Fries – a greasy, heavenly experience you have to taste to understand. And wash it down with the chilly Grey Goose vodka, on tap at 28 degrees!
Photo by: Eaters Collective on Unsplash
BBQ
YOUR TRAVEL
/ Foodie Adventure
ITALIAN
Creamy pasta, flavorful pizza, and other authentic Italian fare can be found at Patrizi’s in Austin, a familyrun Italian restaurant that has been serving up original recipes for more than 50 years. The fresh pasta is pulled to order and made with local eggs, semolina flour, salt, and nutmeg. (In order to make sure it goes directly from the kitchen to your mouth, the restaurant doesn’t even allow call-in orders!) The homemade sauces and interesting mix of ingredients on each plate makes for a unique dining experience. Try the Cacio e Pepe, topped with grana paano cheese, pepper, and olive oil, and ask for the special, seasonally-harvested Patrizi Honey to be served with it.
MEXICAN
Tex-Mex is a staple when you visit Texas. Think of it as a merging of two amazing cultures on one plate! Mattito’s, with two locations in Dallas and one in Irving, is one of the best. In addition to the classics (tacos, burritos, fajitas), you will love their house specialties, like the Chile Relleno – a lightly breaded Anaheim pepper with your choice of filling and sauce, sprinkled with raisins and Texas pecans, and served with rice and refried beans. Insider tip: ask for the Bob Armstrong Dip – a gooey queso loaded with seasoned taco meat, guacamole, sour cream, and pico de gallo. Later, warm up with dinner at Meso Maya, with locations in Addison, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Plano. This flavorful place, under the direction of Chef Nico Sanchez, serves food from Central and Southern Mexico. Each plate looks like a work of art! For example, the savory Cochinita Pibil is a Yucatan-style braised pork, served with tangy red-orange achiote sauce, white rice, black beans, bright pink pickled onions, and green cilantro. From the Pescado Tacos (covered in veggies, salsa, and queso fresco!) to the Avocado Cocktail (made with muddled avocado and freshly squeezed pineapple and lime juice), dining here will be a colorful, tasty experience!
SEAFOOD/STEAK
End your foodie adventure with a meal at Taste of Texas in Houston, one of the finest steak and seafood joints in the state. This upscale dining experience offers premium meat, addicting homemade bread and cinnamon honey butter, irresistible desserts, and over 350 fine wines. Go out back and let the butcher know what type of steak and cut you want, order the cold-water lobster tails, or skip straight to the sweets – the apple dumplings are made from scratch and served with caramel sauce, pecans, and delicious cinnamon ice cream. After your meal, tour the Texas History Museum inside the restaurant, filled with historical Texas artifacts and historical documents curated by restaurant owners Nina and Edd Hendee. After you’ve eaten at some of the best restaurants in Texas (meeting friendly faces and getting countless refills of sweet tea along the way), you’ll be three pounds heavier and six times happier. Just throw on a cowboy hat, practice your “Howdy, ma’am!”, and call yourself an honorary Texan! Sydni Ellis grew up in the great state of Texas, where the iced tea can never be too sweet and everyone does their makeup before going to the grocery store. She has her master’s degree in journalism from the University of North Texas, and she loves talking about her passions: writing, shopping, and reading murder mysteries. Follow her on Twitter @sydnimellis to see her latest stories on fashion, entertainment, travel, lifestyle, and local events— and to see 500+ pictures of her two blonde babies. FALL 2019 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM 29
YOUR ENTERTAINMENT
/ Flicks to Watch This Fall
Flicks
TO WATCH THIS FALL Movies and TV shows that celebrate women this fall BY: BRIANA ROOKE
As the days get shorter and the weather gets chillier, you might find yourself spending evenings inside, cozied up and watching a TV show, or venturing out into the crisp fall air to see what’s playing in the warmth of your local theater. And you might find yourself facing that difficult choice: What should I watch? Good thing you asked; Hope has some suggestions for you! This fall, there are countless good movies and TV shows coming out, but Hope is especially excited for the ones that uplift women and portray realistic, diverse female characters! Take a look at our top picks for this fall’s entertainment:
TV SHOWS: Batwoman Batwoman is premiering on The CW in October, telling the story of a Gotham City bereft of Batman, who has been missing for several years. Enter Kate Kane, the daughter of vigilantehating security mogul Jacob Kane. She sees the danger posed to her city and her family by Gotham’s resident villains, and she decides to step in and save the day. We at Hope are pumped to see another female hero as the lead of a DC show, particularly one played by the magnificent Ruby Rose! Wonder Woman and Supergirl have made incredible impacts in the past few years, especially to little girls who long for superheroes that look more like them, and it’s exciting to see this new wave of female superheroes rising! Let’s keep this trend going, CW! Nancy Drew Nancy Drew has long been a trailblazing woman, challenging gender norms and proving the intelligence and capability of women. From the 1930s until now, each iteration of Nancy Drew displays her crime-solving capabilities in a different way, and The CW will be presenting a new version of Nancy in October in Nancy Drew, a new TV series. Reportedly, this show will tell the story of Horseshoe Bay, a town embroiled in a murder mystery in which Nancy and her friends are the key suspects; however, Nancy has previously given up solving crimes due to the tragic death of her mother. Will Nancy be able to overcome her fear of crime-solving and prove herself and her friends innocent? We can’t wait to find out! 30 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM FALL 2019
MOVIES: Harriet Harriet, a biopic about the life of Harriet Tubman, is set to be released this November, and Hope could not be more excited to see this movie! Not only is this movie directed by Kasi Lemmons, a powerful female director of color, but the movie also stars talented actors such as Cynthia Erivo, Janelle Monáe, and Leslie Odom Jr. The film tells the story of Tubman’s escape from slavery and her journey to becoming a prominent leader of the Underground Railroad. Tubman is one of the most influential women in our nation’s history, and her story is not shared as often as it should be. So, we at Hope cannot wait to watch this movie about Tubman and her beautifully powerful life, directed by a woman of color and portrayed by powerful actors. We hope to see more movies like this, and we will definitely be supporting this movie!
ENTERTAINMENT
/ Flicks to Watch This Fall
Charlie’s Angels Explosions, espionage, and exquisite fashion: these elements have long been the hallmarks of Charlie’s Angels, and we can expect this November’s reboot of Charlie’s Angels to be no different! We can’t wait to see a return of Earth’s mightiest female team; except in this film, there are multiple teams of women all over the world seeking to stop evil from taking over. This movie will focus on one team, played by Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, and Ella Balinska, and the team must work together to take down a dangerous technology that threatens the world’s safety. The film will be directed and produced by Elizabeth Banks, who will also be acting in it! The result? An action-packed, fun-filled adventure created and led by powerful women! We at Hope can’t wait to see strong women leading viewers on a romp full of espionage and explosions! Judy When you hear the name Judy Garland, your mind might conjure up images of a young girl with twin braids singing about rainbows. But who was Judy Garland really, and what was she up against? Throughout Garland’s career, she struggled constantly against the executives and producers that sought to control her and force her into a certain image, leading many people to wonder if those struggles drove her to an untimely death. In September’s upcoming film entitled Judy, Renée Zellweger takes on the role of Judy Garland, showing her triumphs and struggles in the months leading up to her death. While this movie will most definitely be a tear-jerker, it will be an important one to watch, as Garland was a woman in the acting and musical industry at a time when it was very hard to be a woman in those arenas. Judy Garland truly was a trailblazer, and we at Hope anticipate that this movie will honor her memory and celebrate her life for the beautiful creation it was. Briana Rooke realizes the impact that media have on their audiences, particularly people in the audiences who find themselves underrepresented in society, and she seeks to analyze media in a way that lets those voices be heard. When she’s not interning at Hope for Women or scrutinizing media, Briana enjoys reading classic books like Les Miserables, drinking blueberry tea, and cuddling with her black cat, Selina. She believes that someday stories will truly save the world.
Uniquely designed jewelry made with genuine sea glass from Hawaii’s coasts
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(From left) Hand carved sterling silver waves and bezel bracelets; hand carved double sterling silver waves surround this brilliant lavender neodymium sea glass (changes to blue when under florescent light) necklace; hand carved sterling silver wave necklace with deep teal sea glass; 14k gold necklace has splashing waves that surround this stunning white marble genuine sea glass; coiled turquoise sea glass dangle from these urchin patterned earrings; various hand carved and bezel sterling silver rings.
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* Custom orders with our/your sea glass welcome. We occasionally use sea glass from around the world for colors that aren’t found in Hawaii. All jewelry madeHOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM with sterling silver and 14k gold. FALL 2019 31
ENTERTAINMENT
/ Fall Reads
LEAVES OUT, BOOKS OUT:
Must Reads
FOR THIS FALL BY: JAMIE LAPEYROLERIE
There’s something to fall and reading lists. Even though my days of getting
a fall break have long been over, I can’t resist finding the perfect fall read! Here’s a list of seven books that are great for a chilly evening, a cozy coffee shop corner, or if you’re lucky and can read in the car, a camping trip companion.
The Saturday Night Supper Club Carla Laureano
Food and romance? You know I’m in!
The Printed Letter Bookshop Katherine Reay
Katherine is one of those authors of whom I will read every book she releases. Her books are keepers, and her latest might be my favorite yet! It’s not only a story that will keep you hooked, but also an ode to why we love books so deeply. The Last Year of the War Susan Meissner
I love all of her books. All of them! The Last Year of the War is her latest, and you won’t be disappointed. As a bonus recommendation, if you want to travel to Italy someday, check out A Girl in the Glass. Florence, art, the Medicis...the subject matter makes it impossible to put down! 32 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM FALL 2019
A couple of New York Times Best Sellers are now in paperback and are perfect for the historical fan: I Was Anastasia Ariel Lawhon
A story told through two timelines, one featuring Princess Anastasia, and the other following the woman who claimed to be her for decades, Anna Anderson. A fantastic read. Before We Were Yours Lisa Wingate
This book is based on the notorious true story of Georgia Tann, the director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, who kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop.
And Then There Were None Agatha Christie
I wanted to make sure I included some mysteries on this list. While Agatha’s novels have been around for decades, she remains one of my favorites, and this is one of her best. This book was also chosen for The Great American Read (PBS’ top 100 most-loved books in America). Rebecca Daphne du Maurier
Another phenomenal classic, and guess what? There is a movie in the making, so read it now, and you’ll be all set when the movie comes out! This book is also on The Great American Read list. JAMIE LAPEYROLERIE works in publishing and is based in Colorado. Along with a love for books and stories (including a deep love for all things J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis), you can find her writing travel adventures and all things bookish on a regular basis. Follow her at www.musingsofjamie.com and @musingsofjamie.