Women's Inc. March 2013

WOMEN’S INC.

W W W . W O M E N S I N C . N E T

M A R C H

2 0 1 3

By Women, For Women, About Women of Central Arkansas

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 3

WOMEN’S INC. Editor Lori Quinn Creative Director Stewart Cole Contributing Writers Rachel Parker Dickerson Angie Howard Dr. Patricia Knott Andrea Lennon Jill McCollum Susan O’Keefe Jennifer Stanley Chief Photographer Brandy Strain Contributing Photographers Sara Black Laura Derden Courtney Spradlin Gerald Washington Lindsey Faith Watson Retail Advertising Sales Manager Rhonda Overbey Advertising Coordinators Jackie Black Leah Brown Advertising Sales Sarah Allen Tara Mallett Jesica Talbert Betsey Willbanks Advertising Artists Jay Prince Kellie McAnulty Editorial Advisory Board Nicolle Fletcher Haley Crafton Fowler Beverly Freiley Mary Harlan Becky Harris Nancy Jackson Helen Lockhart Velda Lueders Candace Meeks Misty Morse Carol Patty Lori Ross Mary Margaret Satterfield Traci Kennedy Smith Katherine Thomason Stefanie Holt Vann Jessica Zimmerman Women’s Inc. is published by the Log Cabin Democrat.

Questions or Comments?

Call (501) 327-6621, e-mail: womensinc@womensinc.net or write to P.O. Box 969, Conway, AR, 72033 www.womensinc.net 4 WOMEN’S INC. / MARCH 2013

All dressed up

I

t’s that time of year: weddings, prom and parties. We want to give you THE guide for all things bridal, party and prom. From skin care, dresses, food, flowers, this month’s issue has it all.

Conway is fortunate to have three stores specializing in formal wear. The Royal We in Downtown Conway, offers formal wear, including cocktail, wedding, prom and bridesmaid dresses. Owner Laine Berry also offers custom fittings, interview and pageant coaching and photo shoots.

Viki’s at the Village, owned by Viki Teague, offers a great selection of bridal, bridesmaid, prom and flower girl dresses ... and even tux rental for the men. Conveniently located in the Village Center on Oak Street, Viki’s at the Village is sure to have just what you need.

Renee Stone, owner of Emerge at the Conway Town Center, says customer service is very important. Her store offers day wear, casual, dressy and special occasion dresses including prom, bridal, formal and pageant. Emerge offers custom spray tans, shoes and makeup.

Flowers always add that finishing touch to any party or event. Tipton Hurst of Conway helps their customers with everything from large events and weddings to the perfect arrangement for that special person. Barbara Welcher, store manager, said that, “every bride is completely different from the next. They are trying to step out of the box and be different.” There are several new trends for brides including bouquets that look natural or organic.

Stop by Tipton Hurst and let them help make that special day perfect!

Chef Jill McCollum, CC gives tips for planning the perfect tea party including these delicious recipes: banana nut muffins with icing, blueberry scones and ham and bacon quiche. Check out these great tips on page 36.

Finally, our featured events include DBS Charity Ball, Conway Regional Women’s Council Membership Madness and Bethlehem House Valentine’s Gala.

Until Next Month,

ON THE COVER Red dress Amanda Glover Miss Petit Jean Valley’s Outstanding Teen 2012

Wedding Dress Haley Pontius Miss Arkansas Merry Christmas Super Model 2012

Black Dress Kaylee Atherton Model for Integrity Models All clothing by Emerge and floral bouquet by Tipton Hurst.

contents

22 features

columns

6 Cover Story

12 Spirituality Returning to God

Formal Frenzy.

14 Flower season Everything’s in full bloom at Tipton Hurst.

18 Shopping The gifts, the cake, the flowers, the rings.

by Andrea Lennon

17 Music The art of rhythm

by Preston Palmer

20 Fashionmista Gentlemen, suit up!

by Derrick Barnhart

23 2013 Bridal Guide

22 Health Keep the sting out of spring

30 Homes

by Dr. Patricia Knott

Woodruff-Johnson home.

34 Design The Designer Look

36 Food

by Helen Lockhart

Planning a tea party.

46 Community Third annual Jeans and Bling.

events 40 DBS Charity Ball 41 Conway Regional Women’s Council

Membership Madness

42 Bethlehem House Valentine’s Gala

39 Forever Young Result now. Results forever.

by Anna Giles

44 Life A living tragedy

by Fran Scroggins

45 Book Review “The Kitchen House” by Kathleen Grissom review by Susan O’Keefe WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 5

COVER STORY

All fashion show photos from Emerge’s February 7 event at The Brick Room.

6 WOMEN’S INC. / MARCH 2013

FORMAL FRENZY

By Jennifer Stanley Photos by Brandy Strain Spring is in the air, which means it is time to invest in formalwear for upcoming events! Prom, weddings, and other formal occasions provide opportunities to be festive, and it pays to know the trends. We spoke with three local formalwear retailers to find out what is trending for spring and how to look your best for any special occasion.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 7

8 WOMEN’S INC. / MARCH 2013

E M E R G E FA S H I O N S H O W

THE ROYAL WE Tell us what you offer at The Royal We. We offer a whole line of formalwear, including anything from after five, wedding wear, prom, bridesmaid, and exclusive, high-end pageant wear. We also have a full line of accessories and shoes. We do custom fittings by appointment, interview and walk coaching for pageants, and photo shoots.

What is new at your store?

We have a wider selection of nicer day dresses at several price points.

What trends have you observed for spring?

We are seeing tons of high/low dresses. Exceptionally bright colors are also big. There is a big neon trend in daywear, and it is moving over into formalwear. There is still a lot of empire cut, which was huge for the last two years. We also still see a lot of feathers, and I am a huge feather fan. They make for an extra little bit of fun!

over-the-top, super fixed prom look. The hair is a little more soft and flowy. It is more of that fresh-offthe-beach, all-American look as opposed to the more styled hair.

Since The Royal We specializes in pageant, is this a busy time?

This is a huge time for pageant. If girls don’t order gowns now for Miss Arkansas, which is in July, they won’t be here in time. Custom pageant gowns take 12-16 weeks to produce. In fact, we just had Tony Bowls in the store for two days doing custom work for girls for the upcoming Miss Arkansas, Miss Ohio, and Miss Texas pageants. The girls came in to do

custom pageant evening gown planning.

Did you help any of this year’s Miss America contestants?

Yes, I helped three – Miss Ohio, Miss Missouri, and Miss Arkansas.

Any more advice?

Yes! Though this may feel a little early to shop for prom, don’t wait until the last minute. You could miss out on the very best things. If a girl comes in three weeks before prom with a picture of a dress, I guarantee I will have had it and sold it. Shopping early is really the best idea!

How about accessories?

It depends on the dress. If the dress is on the casual side, we are seeing more of a red carpet look with the layering of different metallics or different stones. Whereas you would typically always do an exclusively rhinestone look with an evening gown, we are now seeing some natural stones. For example, if you have a solid gold, yellow, or white gown, you might use turquoise stones as opposed to rhinestones. In general, everyone is thinking a little more red carpet, Oscar-ready fashion rather than just the traditional, expected looks.

What about hair?

The hair and makeup are now very runwayinspired. It is not as much the old-fashioned,

Laine Berry, owner of The Royal We, with Tony Bowls.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 9

E M E R G E FA S H I O N S H O W

VIKI’S AT THE VILLAGE What items and services does Viki’s at the Village offer its clients?

Viki’s offers prom, pageant, and homecoming dresses. We also have tuxedo rental, wedding gowns, bridesmaid, and flower girl dresses.

What’s new at Viki’s?

We have added some great new lines along with the tuxedo rental. We’ve got to take care of the boys

lows are still popular. One of our favorite materials this season is the jersey knit, which stretches over the body to fit perfectly and is by far the most comfortable dress you can put on.

too!

Going into prom season, what do you feel will be the biggest trends?

What we are seeing right now is lots of beading, jewel tone, and metallic colors. The most popular dress colors for us are nude and emerald green; we can’t keep them in the store! We also see more fitted dresses that form to girls’ figures. Of course high/

How busy is Viki’s in the spring?

Spring is prom season, which goes until May. Our dressing rooms are always backed up because so many girls come in to find that perfect dress. Then we go directly into wedding season.

Speaking of wedding season, what do you offer for brides and what are the current trends?

We offer bridal, bridesmaid, flower girls and tuxes. Right now lace is very big along with muted underlay colors.

Many brides come in looking for vintage looks. We are glad to help any brides with all of their big-day needs.

What advice do you have for any formal occasion, as far as shopping and trends? Any accessory-specific advice?

My advice is to the find the dress you feel pretty in. Don’t let friends or family talk you into something that you are not in love with. Any dress can be made into “the dress” with the right accessories.

Just adding some big earrings and a big ring can add volume to the dress. At the end of the day you want to look back at your pictures and say, “I loved my dress!”

Viki Hawks who recently joined Viki’s at the Village and Viki Teague, owner of Viki’s at the Village (inset).

10 WOMEN’S INC. / MARCH 2013

Any other information?

We carry a variety of different lines in many different price ranges. Many girls come in with a vision of what they want, so we just try and fit those needs the best we can. Every girl wants that perfect dress that makes her feel beautiful, and we believe every girl deserves that, so our goal is to make it happen!

EMERGE What items and services does Emerge offers its clients?

We are commonly referred to as the official onestop-shop; we can meet all your needs including daywear, casual, dressy, special occasion, cocktail, long formal, prom, pageant, wedding, shoes, makeup and more. We provide custom spray tans. We also specialize in monthly pageant consulting and lessons.

What is new in your bridal offerings?

This is our busy season in bridal; we not only specialize in wedding gowns but also in bridesmaid and mother-of-the-bride. We offer private appointments for brides to come in at a convenient time. This year we have a new bridesmaid and mother-of-the-bride line that is trendy, fashion-forward and something they will want to wear again. We also provide custom veils for brides.

What advice do you have for any formal occasion, as far as shopping and trends?

I encourage clients when shopping to have an open mind. Don’t judge a book by its cover; try the attire on and try something outside your typical comfort zone and style.

Anything else readers should know?

Customer service is very important to us at Emerge. We strive to give all our clients the best service by far. When you leave the store we want you to feel like part of the family.

Please tell us what’s new at Emerge?

We now provide tuxedo rental for all special occasions. A few lines that we offer for rental are the exclusive Tony Bowls, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren. We also offer several new designer formal brands that are exclusive to Emerge. We have new, trendy daywear pieces at fabulous price points.

We are entering the busy season for prom. What are some trends you are seeing for this year?

Over the past six years, I have seen a progression in the designers’ styles and product quality. The gowns this year have completely exceeded my expectations as a business owner. Major prom designers have gone above and beyond to make the 2013 prom season better than ever. This year you will see bold and alluring colors and extravagant lace in numerous collections - from all over lace to scattered throughout the dress. Adding a web-like overlay to your formal frock, lace transforms a lovely dress into that desired show-stopping look.

Renee Stone, owner of Emerge (center), with models at a recent fashion show that the store hosted.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 11

SPIRITUALITY

Returning to God

By Andrea Lennon

I

n the Old Testament, many important events took place. From Genesis to Malachi, we read about God’s supernatural work in the hearts and lives of His chosen people.

In the book of 1 Chronicles, we read about an important event that took place during the reign of King David, Israel’s most successful king. This event occurred when David attempted to move the ark of God from an obscure village in Kiriath Jearim to the capital city of Jerusalem. The ark was important because it was a physical box that represented the presence of God. The fact that the ark was located in an obscure village speaks volumes about the spiritual condition of God’s people during this time.

Let me cut to the chase. The event of moving the ark did not go well. In fact, it was a complete failure. 1 Chronicles chapter 13 tells the story. In this chapter we discover seven crucial mistakes that David made during the process of moving the ark to Jerusalem.

Mistake 1: David consulted others before he consulted God. The Bible says that David went to his commanders as well as the people around him seeking advice. David said to them, “If it seems good to you...” This approach to living was detrimental to David because it placed the opinion of others above the clear direction of God. Mistake 2: David moved the ark for the wrong reason. Scripture states that David moved the ark because King Saul, David’s predecessor, did not move it. Certainly moving the ark to Jerusalem was the right thing to do. The symbol of God’s presence should have been in the capital city. David’s misstep was that he did the right thing for the wrong reason. David’s motive was wrong; but he was able to convince himself and others that he was right.

Mistake 3: David moved the ark in the wrong way. In the Law, God clearly stated that the ark was to be moved in a specific way. God choose certain people to carry the ark and he told them how to carry it. It should not surprise you that David did not follow the Law. He ignored God’s instruction and moved the Ark according to his preferences.

Mistake 4: David displayed a superficial form of worship. As the ark was moved, David danced with all his might in what

appeared to be genuine worship to God. The rest of the story lets us know that David’s worship was not genuine. Although David danced, clapped, and lifted his hands in worship to God, David had no intention of changing the way he lived. David was focused on himself.

Mistake 5: David became comfortable by forgetting the fear of God. Since the ark was not moved in the proper way, a chance existed for it to fall to the ground. David wrongly put the ark on a cart and hooked the cart to an oxen. During transit, the oxen stumbled.

A man reached out his hand to steady the ark. God struck the man dead. This happened because the Law clearly stated that the ark was not to be touched. David and the people forgot to fear God by showing proper respect.

They learned the hard way that disobedience always leads to consequences.

Mistake 6: David resented God’s discipline. David was angry over the consequences of his own sin. This anger revealed the pride in David’s heart. God sent the consequences in order to get David’s attention. Proverbs 1:23 states, “If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you.”

(New International Version) David had the chance to turn from his sin. Turning from his sin would have led David to a deeper, more intimate walk with God. Mistake 7: David eliminated the things of God from his life. David decided that he could not bring the ark to reside with him in Jerusalem. Bottom-line--- David thought that the ark was the problem so he removed it from his life. David did not realize that the ark was not the problem. His own heart was the problem. Because of the sin in his life, David was not able to see that the very thing that should stay (the ark) was the very first thing to go.

These seven mistakes are easy to make. I know I have committed every one of them at some point in my life. The solution to each mistake is simple. Do the opposite.

Certainly David learned from his mistakes. 1 Chronicles 15 tells that story. David confessed his sin and returned to God. The ark was brought to Jerusalem in the right way and for the right reason. Today, you can confess your sin and return to God. Isn’t it good to know that it’s not too late? Right now, open your heart to God, admit your mistakes, and begin living for Him.

Andrea Lennon lives in Conway, Arkansas, with her husband, Jay, and sons, Jake and Andrew. Andrea ministers to the women of Arkansas through a speaking and writing ministry called True Vine Ministry. To learn more about this ministry, access Andrea’s website at www.andrealennon.net.

12 WOMEN’S INC. / MARCH 2013

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 13

F E AT U R E S T O R Y

Barbara Welcher, manager at Tipton Hurst in Conway.

Flower season in full bloom

Tipton Hurst on hand to supply decorations for weddings, prom, Mother’s Day and more

By Rachel Parker Dickerson Photos by Brandy Strain Business never slows down much at Tipton Hurst of Conway, but demand does tend to spike at certain times, according to manager Barbara Welcher.

Valentine’s Day is the busiest time of year, followed by Mother’s Day. Prom season starts earlier every year, she said, with proms happening in early February. Weddings are year-round in Conway, she said.

“For Valentine’s Day, traditionally the roses — a dozen, two dozen red, because that means love, and that’s what most people go for,” Welcher said.

“Proms have changed a lot. It’s more of a big deal to wear the flowers. It’s not just the guy coming in to order the flowers. It’s the girl and the mom, bringing the dress, matching the ribbon, getting the keepsake bracelet.”

She brought out a display of keepsake bracelets — stretchy bracelets in every color of bead, sequin, rhinestones or pearls — that the corsage can be attached to and worn later solo. Welcher said girls tend to go with miniature roses or occasionally orchids for their corsages, but a myriad of options for accessorizing the flowers have become available. Be14 WOMEN’S INC. / MARCH 2013

sides the multitude of ribbon choices, Tipton Hurst employees can add in rhinestones, pearls, peacock feathers and “bling,” like metal flowers or butterflies, to create just the right look.

As for weddings, she said, Tipton Hurst will do anything from the simplest of weddings with just a bouquet and boutonniere to the largest of weddings that require setup and take down.

“Every bride is completely different from the next.

They’re trying to step out of the box and be different,” she said. “In spring, a lot of times the bouquets are really natural, like succulents and wildflower mixes. Textures are really in — the succulents, berries, hydrangeas, the different dimensions between color and texture.”

She said many brides are seeking out a look that is natural, wild or organic. A bouquet called Organic Garden uses herbs, grasses and succulents to create a fresh look, she said. Another one, called A Natural Hand Picked, includes all assorted in-season wildflowers. White is always popular for bridal bouquets, she said. Using lush or delicate flowers with a hint of green or pink, the Classic White bouquet is sure to be a winner.

She added, “Bridal bouquets are usually accented with textiles and accessories like burlap, twine, jew-

els and ribbon, depending on the design. The natural fibers and textures are back. The classic clutch has been the main style for a while.

For Mother’s Day, customers select anything from fresh cut flowers to potted plants, she said.

“People don’t forget their mothers. Most of the time, people are going to do something. Whether it’s a plant, fresh flowers or a card. It’s our next-tobusiest time of year.”

A variety of potted plants were on display at the

store, containing hyacinths, calla lilies, tulips, azaleas, miniature roses, etc. Welcher said some people prefer to give them as gifts because they last longer than fresh flowers.

Welcher has managed the Conway store for more than five years. She has been gathering experience in weddings, events, catering and design for the past 11 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in interior design from the University of Central Arkansas in 2005.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 15

16 WOMEN’S INC. / MARCH 2013

MUSIC

We got the beat: the art of rhythm

By Preston Palmer

A

s we’ve talked about in previous articles, music is a universal language that crosses every kind of border you can imagine — technological, geographic, socioeconomic, linguistic, cultural — the list goes on! There isn’t a culture in the world that doesn’t have a musical tradition of some sort, from the epic symphonies of Europe to the rhythmic chants of African tribes and everything in between. Music is a vehicle by which people communicate ideas, values, emotions and stories of the human experience. If you’re a musician, or just a fan of music in general, you know this to be true.

Music is made up of a number of elements, but we’re focusing on rhythm for this discussion because it can be both the easiest and the most difficult aspect of music to master. We all feel rhythm to varying degrees; indeed, our bodies operate by means of it.

Merriam-Webster defines rhythm as, “an ordered recurrent alternation of strong and weak elements in the flow of sound and silence in speech.” What does that mean in English, you might ask? Essentially, it’s a pattern of accented and unaccented sounds repeating for a certain amount of time. Think of your footsteps: your foot hits the ground, makes a noise, and then there’s a brief interlude before your other foot does the same. You may remember when you were a kid, beating on a pile of pots and pans in the kitchen or maybe thumping the side of a glass bottle. Lather, rinse, repeat — you have a rhythm! The same applies to musical instruments: you play a note, there’s a silence, then you play another note, and this continues at a particular speed for however long.

When you first start learning to play an instrument, being able to play a song “in time” is one of the most challenging (that’s a nice grown-up word for frustrating) aspects of musical education. Sometimes, you just want to throw the darn thing out the window! Not to worry though, we have a suggestion that might help.

As many of you know, we teach drum lessons at the Studio. No great surprise there, we are a music school, after all! And maybe you’ve already decided that drums just aren’t for you, for whatever reason.

And you very well may be right. But consider this: the drums (or other percussion) are often what drives a song, and they definitely keep the timing of the song where it needs to be.

Show us a drummer who can’t keep time, and we’ll show him the ambient synthesizer, because he’ll be better suited to it. Just kidding. But because percussion often doesn’t have audibly distinguishable notes — as opposed to melodic instruments like the guitar or piano — the rhythm is the main focus in playing it.

Because of this, it’s often great training for those whose main instrument is something melodic to spend some time learning the basics of a percussion instrument. There are countless singer-songwriter types, strumming away on guitars or plinking away on keyboards who never would have been able to construct their tunes without the valuable experience

that comes from spending a few hours behind a drum kit. If nothing else, it will certainly help you develop your ear to pick out the nuances of the rhythm section!

We have two great drum teachers on staff at PPS who would be more than happy to spend a few (or many!) sessions showing you the ropes of tempo and timing. We think it would be time well spent. And at the very worst, you’ll have spent a few hours having fun hitting stuff with sticks.

Preston Palmer Studios is a music school and full-service instrument repair shop in Conway.

For more information, please visit our website at prestonpalmerstudios.com, give us a call at (501)5139459, or shoot an e-mail to info@prestonpalmerstudios. com. You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 17

SHOPPING

THE GIFTS

Men’s comfort fit wedding band w/alternating brushed and high polished finish, available in 14K white or yellow gold or platinum. 2.00CTS round brilliant cut center diamond w/0.85CT total weight in brilliant cut diamonds on the sides in 14K white gold-$15,000. 0.75CT oval shaped natural canary yellow center diamond w/0.68CT total weight in round brilliant cut diamonds pave set on the sides, in 14K yellow and white gold-$5,500. Available at Fletcher Smith’s.

Black and orange bird framed art-$29.99; large orange leaf pitcher-$94.99; square-footed cutting block-$85.99; split P Vermilion place mat-$9.99 and napkin-$5.99; wooden bead napkin ring-$5.99; large wicker charger w/ handles-$12.99; braided round charger-$9.99; Fiesta Sunflower dinnerware in assorted colors-$11-13. Available at The Kitchen Store.

THE CAKE

Three tiered cake with roses (price available upon request). Available at Patticakes.

18 WOMEN’S INC. / MARCH 2013

THE FLOWERS

THE RINGS

Men’s sterling silver and 10K white gold wedding band$337. 1CT diamond engagement ring-$3,300 w/0.25CT diamond wedding band $1,125. Available at Dayer Jewelers.

Floral arrangement/centerpiece in glass bowl. Available at Tipton Hurst.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 19

FA S H I O N M I S TA

Gentlemen, suit up!

By Derrick Barnhart Photo by Brandy Strain Some say that every man should own at least one nice suit. You might find you need one for formal occasions, such as wedding and funerals. Or maybe you work a job that requires business attire and you will need several suits to rotate in your wardrobe.

Tips on Buying A Suit Buying a suit for the first time can be daunting, especially if you have little experience with the topic.

The whole process is made much easier and more enjoyable if you find a friendly and knowledgeable salesperson to assist you. If you want a suit that looks good and fits comfortably, be prepared to spend a good deal of time with your salesperson, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or speak up when something feels odd or uncomfortable. If you aren’t working well with a particular salesperson, don’t hesitate to try another store or find someone else to assist you.

It will be worthwhile to find a person who will really take an interest in helping you. A good way to find a knowledgeable salesperson is to ask a well-dressed friend or relative where they purchased their suit.

POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING When shopping for a suit, consider fabric, style and cut, color and proper fit. You should also consider the accessories you’ll need with a suit, such as a dress

20 WOMEN’S INC. / MARCH 2013

shirt, a tie, a belt and a good pair of shoes. Keep those items in mind and mention them to your salesperson when considering your budget.

FABRIC It is highly recommended that your first suit be made of 100% wool. Wool is a natural fiber that breathes, which means you’ll be more comfortable and you’ll sweat less than in a suit made of man-made materials. Wool is also durable and travels well.

STYLE For a first suit, it is generally safe to stick with a basic single-breasted style — where the jacket buttons in front in a single row of buttons, rather than a double-breasted suit — where the materials folds over itself with two rows of buttons. Single-breasted jackets come in a variety of styles, including the classic two-button and modern three- and four-button styles. Always leave the bottom button on a singlebreasted jacket undone.

CUT The cut of a suit refers to how the suit sits or hangs on your body. Suits can be broken down into three basic cuts: The American Cut First introduced by Brooks Brothers, it features a boxy silhouette, straight hanging lines, natural shoulders, flap pockets and a single center vent in the jacket. The American Cut is a classic cut that is a fine

choice for a first suit.

The British Cut This cut has more shape than the American suit, with a slightly pinched waist, double vents, higher armholes, padded shoulders and flap pockets.

The European Cut (Italian) This suit is sleek and modern with padded shoulders, no vents, flapless pockets and tapered waist on the jacket. The important thing to consider when buying a suit is finding one that fits and flatters your particular body type and one that is “classic” enough that it won’t go out of style next season. Ask your salesperson to help you find a good, basic cut and style that you will wear on many occasions.

COLOR For your first suit, it is advisable to stick with dark, solid colors, such a charcoal gray, black or navy blue. If you are buying an additional suit or suits beyond your basic solid colors, subtle patterns such as pinstripes or herringbone may be considered. Try to choose colors and patterns that will stand the test of time and be appropriate for the settings in which you will wear the suit. fitting the suit properly When you are shopping for a suit, you should expect the salesperson to take all of your measurements: neck, shoulders, sleeves, chest, waist and inseam.

Have them measure you first, before you begin look-

ing at suits. If there is any part of the suit that doesn’t fit exactly right it should be tailored by the shop. In some stores, tailoring is free, but in other shops you will pay a fee. how the suit should look The jacket The jacket should lie smoothly over your shoulders and across your back, and should look proportional to your physique. The length of the jacket should cover your entire backside (your butt). The back of the jacket should end where your butt meets your leg. Jacket sleeves should end at the point where your hands meet your wrists and show 1/2 inch of your

shirt cuff. Higher armholes may help your suit drape better on your body, but they should never feel tight or binding. Make sure you have free movement of your arms. As a test, bring your arms straight out in front of you. The collar should hug the back of the neck without buckling or pulling. One-half inch of your shirt collar should show from under the suit’s collar.

The pants The waistline should be comfortable; make sure you can stick two fingers into the waist while you’re wearing them. Suit pants tend to be worn a bit higher than jeans, which are usually worn on the

hip. Usually the waist of suit pants will be below the navel.

The shirt It is best to have a 100% cotton dress shirt to wear with your suit (like wool, cotton breathes). Colored or plain white, point collar shirts are OK with all styles of suits and on all occasions. There are numerous variations in shirt collars — you should choose a collar that is both classic and flattering to your face. For example, if you have a narrow face, you might want to consider a spread collar; if you have a round face, consider a straight point collar. As a rule, never wear a button-down collar shirt with a double-breasted suit. Your shirt should be smooth around the neck and allow for an index finger of breathing room in the collar. You should never feel choked by your collar.

Most men who feel choked when wearing a suit and tie often are wearing shirts with an ill-fitting collar.

Make sure you get measured to fit your shirt and collar properly.

Belt, shoes and socks Your belt should be the same color as your shoes, and both belt and shoes should preferably be made of leather. Black is usually a safe choice for both shoes and belt. Wingtips or other traditional lace-up shoes are recommended. Socks should be dress socks and should match your pants. The metal of your belt buckle should match the metal of your watch, if you wear one. The tie you choose should have subtle patterns and background colors to match the suit. One hundred percent silk ties tend to make the best knots.

If you feel choked when wearing a tie, make sure that the collar of your shirt is not too tight.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 21

H E A LT H

Keep the sting out of spring

By Dr. Patricia Knott

I

t is that time of year when we are looking forward to digging out from under the covers, the snow and the heavy clothing. We aren’t the only ones. Other things come out at this time of year as well. At a time when we are looking forward to weddings, track meets and other sporting events, we also have to look out for critters that have been awaiting the return of warmer weather — spiders, snakes, wasps and the pesky and sneaky BEES! I don’t suppose anyone cares to deal with any of these, but bees leave us with rather ambivalent feelings. They are so cute and tiny, and they provide us with useful things such as pollination so we can have beautiful flowers. We should thank them also for the tasty honey they provide which can be put to medicinal use as well as contributing to some culinary delights. But bees can also cause discomfort and sometimes death from their stings.

Reactions to bee stings range from minor ones such as temporary pain to anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction). Most reactions are minor and include sharp burning pain at the site where the sting occurs, a red welt at the site and a small amount of swelling surrounding the area. You might notice a white spot where the stinger went into the skin. These symptoms generally go away in a few hours. If a larger local reaction occurs (in about 10 percent of people), you may have swelling that grows larger over the next couple of days and have a much greater degree of redness. These symptoms generally resolve in five to 10 days.

Anaphylaxis can lead to death if not treated immediately. About three percent of the population develops this type of severe reaction which may exhibit the following signs and symptoms: • Hives and itching in other parts of the body • Flushed or pale skin • Shortness of breath • Swelling of the tongue (can block respiratory passageway)

22 WOMEN’S INC. / MARCH 2013

• Swelling of the throat (can block respiratory passageway) • A fast but weak pulse and dizziness (from a drop in blood pressure) • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea • Chest pain • Unconsciousness Just because you had one reaction when stung by a bee does not mean you will experience the same reaction if stung again, but people who experience severe reactions have a 30-60 percent chance of experiencing the same reaction.

The cause of reactions to bee stings is the venom injected by the insect which affects the immune system. The immune system recognizes the venom as a foreign substance and mounts a reaction against it.

If you have a bee sting allergy it causes a more serious reaction. Adults have more severe reactions than kids and are more likely to die from severe reactions. Also medications such as beta-blockers (i.e. Lopressor or Metoprolol) may cause a more severe reaction.

Besides anaphylaxis, another dangerous reaction occurs if you are stung by multiple bees. The venom can reach toxic levels and lead to complications such as kidney failure, muscle tissue damage and heart problems. This can happen in children with fewer stings because of smaller body mass contributing to faster onset of toxic levels of venom. Beware! When a bee stings, it releases a chemical that attracts other bees!

Symptoms of a toxic reaction can include headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, dizziness, fainting, or convulsions. Emergency treatment should be sought since many of these symptoms are the same for anaphylactic reactions.

The good news is that most bee stings can be treated at home. For minor and local reactions: remove the stinger as soon as possible by scraping the stinger with a fingernail or edge of a credit card — or use tweezers without squeezing the venom sac. Wash the area with soap and water (infection is possible at the sting site). Apply cold compresses to help with swelling and pain. Use hydrocortisone cream to help

relieve itching, redness or swelling. If symptoms are severe enough, take an antihistamine such as Benadryl by mouth. Do not scratch the area, as this may cause worsening symptoms and increase risk of infection.

If a severe reaction occurs, call 911. This person may require CPR If they stop breathing or their heart stops beating. Emergency personnel will probably use Epinephrine to decrease the allergic reaction.

They may also use oxygen and give antihistamine and steroids through the vein, and use other medicines to help with breathing. If you have a known allergy to bees, your physician will probably give you an Epinephrine pen that you should carry with you at all times. Make sure your closest friends and family know how to use it. An alert bracelet can alert strangers and medical personnel to your allergy in an emergency situation.

If you have a possible allergic reaction to bee stings your physician may wish to send you to an allergy specialist for skin tests or blood tests to determine if you do indeed have an allergy to bee venom. If you have had a serious reaction, your allergist may give allergy shots over a period of time to reduce or eradicate your allergy to the venom.

Some simple ways to prevent bee stings include: avoid eating sweet foods outside, wear long sleeves outside, cover food containers and trash outside and clear away garbage. Mowing lawns or trimming bushes add increase risk of bee stings.

As warmer weather approaches, keep these facts in mind as you plan your outdoor activities. They can help minimize any unwarranted events as you enjoy this season along with the rest of God’s ‘beeutiful’ creatures.

Patricia Knott is a graduate of LSU Medical School in New Orleans and is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

She serves as the Medical Director for Conway Regional Rehabilitation Hospital.

WEDDINGS 2 0 1 3

B R I D A L

G U I D E

weddings 2013 | entertainment

Are You Ready to Party?

A Look at Five Trends in Bachelorette Parties

B

achelorette parties are not the same as they used to be. Gone are the days of heading to the maid of honor’s house for drinks and party games.

Modern brides are looking for more sophisticated ways to celebrate before their weddings.

Here is a look at some of the hottest trends in bachelorette parties.

The Weekend Getaway

More and more women are opting for a weekend out of town for their bachelorette parties. A trip to an exciting location like Las Vegas or New York means that the bride-to-be can have more than one night out on the town.

The party can go shopping and sightseeing together during the daytime, and enjoy dinner and drinks in the evenings. This is a great option for a bride who is inviting guests from different parts of the country.

Everyone can meet in a central location, and no one guest will have to spend more than the rest on hotel rooms and car rental.

The Champagne Brunch

Older brides and women celebrating

a second marriage are opting for the less raucous champagne brunch. It is a more sophisticated and elegant way of celebrating an upcoming wedding.

This should not be confused with

a wedding shower; it is meant for the bride’s closest friends and not her entire family.

Typically, this party takes place at an upscale restaurant, and all of the guests dress for a semi-formal event.

A Day at the Spa

Many modern brides see a day at the spa as a great way to celebrate and unwind just before the wedding.

The entire bridal party can get their nails done together, so everyone has a uniform look for the big day. Many upscale salons offer drinks and light snacks, creating an atmosphere that is perfect for a relaxing day for the bride and her party.

Brides should steer clear of facials, chemical peels, or any new treatments immediately before the wedding to avoid any irritation that might affect wedding photos.

The Party Bus

Pub-crawls are not new for bach24 WOMEN’S INC. / MARCH 2013

elorette parties, but many brides are opting for a bus, trolley, or stretch SUV to carry the party from one location to the next.

Drinks can be served on board the party bus, meaning that the party doesn’t have to stop just because everyone has left the first bar.

It is also a responsible way to have fun, as no one in the party has to worry about driving.

Combined Parties Some couples are opting to combine their bachelor and bachelorette parties.

Instead of separating the guys and the girls, everyone enjoys a pre-wedding celebration together.

This is ideal when the bride or groom has opposite-sex friends who would otherwise not be able to attend.

Couples who choose this option should make sure that they are in absolute agreement before planning this party to avoid any resentment or regrets later.

weddings 2013 | recording memories

Choosing the Photographer

C

ongratulations! You are getting married. Just as you want your special day to be perfect, you will also want the pictures of the occasion to be perfect as well.

Choosing the wrong photographer may not altogether ruin your wedding day, but it can definitely spoil the memory as you look back on less-than-par photographs.

Here are a few tips for choosing the right photographer:

BE QUICK

Don’t wait to the last minute. When planning your wedding, choosing a photographer is one of the first things on the list.

Good photographers are often booked a year or more in advance, so the photographer needs to be one of the first people you call after the engagement is announced.

GET REFERENCES

Personal references from others who have used the photographer in question are always a good idea.

Inquire not only about the finished product, but also about their experience with them. Was it pleasant and hassle-free? Would they use them again?

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Review previous work. And

don’t just rely on a few good wedding shots posted on a website. Look through your would-be photographer’s portfolio.

Is the lighting good? How about the colors?

Also make sure you are reviewing the work of the actual photographer that will be taking your pictures.

Larger studios may have several photographers that represent them.

KNOW THEIR PLANS

Ask about backup equipment. Not only should your wedding photographer have an assistant to help them, but they should also bring extra equipment in case the originals fail.

Multiple lenses, flash cards and batteries are a must.

SIGN A CONTRACT

Most photographers are very professional, but this step will ensure that they don’t suddenly change the pricing or back out at the last minute.

Negotiate price, packages, proofs and other particulars, and then get it in writing. Don’t sign anything until you have had the time to review the contract.

You want to have a good understanding of the products and services you will be receiving before you enter into the contract agreement. Because great pictures are the cornerstone of your wedding memorabilia, it’s important to choose a trustworthy and competent photographer. Having uniquely preserved wedding memories is a one-shot deal. Do your homework and employ these tips when choosing the photographer for your wedding.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 25

weddings 2013 | advice

Tips for Delivering a Speech

S

peeches are among the highlights of a wedding reception, so it’s important to get them right.

The key speeches are usually delivered by the groom, best man and the bride’s father, and each has a slightly different function. Speeches are usually a mixture of humor, sentiment, compliments and messages of thanks.

Getting the balance right is essential and can make or break a wedding speech.

RELAX

It’s natural to be nervous before delivering a wedding speech, and even those used to public speaking will experience anxiety.

Keeping things simple is one of the key tips for delivering a wedding speech. Take deep breaths to calm your nerves, and speak loudly and clearly so that all the guests can hear you.

If using a microphone, make sure you know how to operate it before standing to deliver your speech. Any comedy moments should be intentional, with guests laughing with you and not at you!

PREPARE

Writing a wedding speech can be daunting. Research, preparation and planning are the keys to success.

Begin preparing the speech weeks

26 WOMEN’S INC. / MARCH 2013

before the wedding day, and don’t get caught out at the last moment. Every speaker should have several stories and anecdotes to share, so begin researching these well in advance.

Always consider the audience you will be speaking to, and make sure all material is relevant and of interest. Never set out to embarrass or offend anyone.

TIME IT

Once you have some stories to share, write them out and time how long it takes to read them. If you are a confident speaker, 10 minutes is a good time aim for to deliver the whole speech.

If you want to be brief, three to five minutes is acceptable. One of the worst mistakes is to speak for too long, and lose the interest of your audience.

CONSIDER PROPS

Props can bring additional interest to a wedding speech. A slideshow of photographs can be highly entertaining.

For example, showing photographs of the bride and groom as babies and children is always very well received.

Remember the boundaries of good taste, and do not show photographs which may offend.

STAY FOCUSED

Keeping a clear head is essential when delivering a wedding speech.

Weddings generally involve alcohol, and it’s important not to partake too early.

Drinking before delivering a speech is one of the worst mistakes you can

make, and it’s something that will be remembered for years to come.

Delivering a wedding speech is actually an honor, and it’s something you should look forward to doing. If you follow these tips, you should be confident in delivering an entertaining speech to be proud of.

weddings 2013 | manners

G

Etiquette: The Basics

etting married is as American as apple pie, but many Americans aren’t schooled on what’s proper and what’s not when it comes to weddings.

Wedding etiquette is important — and any faux pas can be remembered for years to come — but it doesn’t have to be complicated or stuffy. Here are a few of the basic rules: Dress up Unless otherwise stated, weddings are formal affairs. Women should adorn themselves in non-white dresses, and men should wear suits. These styles of clothing help commemorate the importance of the occasion. They also look good in pictures that can seal the memory for many years in the future.

Arrive early Plan to be at the wedding venue at least 30 minutes early. You need time to greet other guests and be seated. In addition, you don’t want to miss a portion of the wedding because the ceremony has already begun and you have to wait to enter the room.

Be cordial Do you have a grudge against a relative who is also attending the wedding? Wedding etiquette dictates that you — at least temporarily — bury the hatchet. Refusing to acknowledge another guest or starting a fight is a no-no.

As a result, be polite to everyone regardless of how you feel.

Reserve judgment Despite what you think about the accommodations or food, keep your opinions to yourself. Your duty as a guest is mainly to support the bride and groom. As long as they are happy, you should be, too.

Say good-bye

Before you leave the wedding, say good-bye to the bride and groom. Thank them for inviting you. In addition, congratulate the pair on their new union.

Wedding etiquette isn’t difficult to master. Employ these basic tips and you won’t embarrass yourself or be the butt of a few unwelcome jokes.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 27

weddings 2013 | style

I

Shopping for the Dress

f you’re like most brides-to-be, you’ve probably spent countless hours combing bridal magazines and websites looking for your perfect wedding dress.

Whether you’re mulling over necklines, beading detail, or train length, wedding dress shopping can be one of the most exciting and overwhelming parts to the wedding planning process.

Here a few tips to help you scout your perfect dress:

Bring pictures Before your dress shopping appointment, look through bridal magazines and bridal websites to get an idea of what dress styles and designers you’d like to try on. Bring these pictures to your appointment so your dress consultant will has a good grasp of how you want to look on your wedding day.

Start fresh Before you leave to try on wedding

28 WOMEN’S INC. / MARCH 2013

dresses, be sure you’re face is makeupA good rule of thumb is to bring free and your body is free of self-tanning three or four individuals who you feel lotions or sprays. will have your best wedding dress interBridal shop owners work hard to ests at heart. keep their sample dresses as clean as possible for their clients, so it’s imporBring your tant for all brides to do their part in keeping the gowns stain-free. accessories If you’ve already purchased your bridal shoes, bring them to your apMinimize the pointment. Otherwise, bring a pair of Audience pumps that are the same heel height One of the biggest mistakes a bride you anticipate buying. can make is bringing too many friends Having the right shoes on will help and family members to her dress apyou visualize where and how the dress’s pointment. hemline will fall.

The bigger your audience is, the bigIf you expect to wear any shape wear ger the chance of encountering clashing pieces under your dress, bring those as opinions – which can ultimately skew well so you can see how smoothly the your own thoughts on the dress you dress will lie against you. choose.

Keep an open mind It’s important to understand that wedding dresses are sewn and structured differently than any other type of dress you’ve worn in the past. So, it’s a good idea to try on as many styles as possible.

If you think a certain dress style hasn’t flattered your body type before, that doesn’t mean that same style won’t look stunning on you in wedding dress form.

There’s no mistaking that the wedding gown is one of the most significant pieces a bride will buy for her wedding.

When it’s time to shop for your wedding dress, remember that the only person you need to please is yourself.

If you feel comfortable, beautiful, and like the star of the day, your wedding will fill you with many happy memories for years to come.

weddings 2013 | coverage

Do You Need Wedding Insurance?

W

hen you are planning your wedding day, the last thing that you want to think about is the possibility of something going wrong.

What could possibly go wrong on your big day that wedding insurance can help you with? Here are five potential disasters that insurance can cover:

The Weather

No matter how much planning you do, the one thing you can’t plan on your wedding day is the weather.

If there is a freak storm or snow shower, at least your finances can be protected with some wedding policies.

A Guest is Injured

If someone slips on the dance floor while getting a bit enthusiastic, you could be sued as a result.

In fact, any accident that occurs at your wedding, including any damage caused to the property where you are holding your party, could end up costing you a small fortune.

As a result, liability coverage is a must to prevent your wedding bill doubling or tripling due to an accident.

Bride or Groom Illness If you wake up on the morning of your wedding feeling absolutely awful, it could just be the nerves kicking in.

However, if you are really unlucky, you might have come down with an illness and have to cancel the wedding.

Despite your disappointment, and the fact that all of the planning and preparation could go to waste, at least if you have wedding insurance you won’t lose your investment.

This will allow you to plan your wedding for another day without losing out financially.

Wedding Gifts are Damaged

It’s great to look at the table piled high with wedding gifts and imagine getting back home to go through them all. However, it would be a disaster if something were to go wrong and the presents were to get damaged or stolen.

If you have the right type of insurance then you may be covered for your gifts up to a certain level, so this is certainly worth considering.

The Photographs Are Awful

Even if you hire a professional photographer, accidents can still happen with your photographs. What if all of the photographs are over exposed or they are lost before you get to see them?

With wedding insurance, at least you

can cover the cost of these photos. Your insurance may even pay for you to have the photographs retaken with important members of the wedding party.

Wedding Venue Goes Bankrupt

If your chosen wedding venue announces a few weeks prior to your big day that it has gone bankrupt, not only will your wedding day be ruined but you may not even receive a refund.

Wedding insurance will protect your investment so that you can book another venue without losing out financially.

No one likes to think about things going wrong on their wedding day.

However, by purchasing insurance you will be able to enjoy the planning and preparation with greater peace of mind knowing that you are financially covered should something go wrong.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 29

HOMES

30 WOMEN’S INC. / MARCH 2013

WOODRUFF-JOHNSON HOME

LaTresha Woodruff-Johnson and husband Ricco.

GET WHAT YOU WANT EARTH TONES HIGHLIGHT FEATURES IN CUSTOM HOME

By Rachel Parker Dickerson Photos by Courtney Spradlin Starting a new career and settling in Conway came with a bonus for LaTresha Wodruff-Johnson — she finally got to build the house she wanted.

Woodruff-Johnson had grown accustomed to moving periodically after 16 years as a news reporter, but she left her job at FOX News in 2010 to take a job as public information officer with the Conway Police Department in early 2011. She and husband, Ricco, spent their first night in their new home at Centennial Valley in October 2012.

“The times we’ve moved, we always bought a new house, but because I was a news reporter, I never decorated, never put pictures on the wall, so this was frightening to me,” she said.

“I did not want my house to look like a different house in every room. I could not grasp the concept of how it would all come together.”

Her 14-year-old nephew, Austin, is a budding architect, she said.

“We kind of had it all drawn out when we went to see the folks at Quality Designs,” she said. “We told my nephew what we wanted, and he drew it all out.”

She noted he even found something in the plans he thought they would like to change.

“I sent it to him, and he said, ‘I think it’s beautiful, but tell them to change the door to the bedroom. It should not open into the breakfast nook.’ He came to stay a few weeks and make sure they were doing everything right. He felt so accomplished that he was a part of it.”

Visitors are drawn to the kitchen’s shiny countertops and raised bar, done in natural granite in a shade of cream with contrasting black and flecks of brown, bronze and gold. Burnt orange barstools from IO Metro in Little Rock bring a structured yet comfortable look to the seating area.

“Orange is my go-to color,” Woodruff-Johnson said. “Everything else is beige and brown and bronze. I’m an earth tone WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 31

DIRECTORY OF SERVICES

32 WOMEN’S INC. / MARCH 2013

kind of girl. Everything you see here is earth tones with a splash of orange. My dining room, which is serving as a sitting room, is orange, so I thought; why not pull the orange into here?”

Kerr Cabinets in Guy built the kitchen’s custom cabinetry, which has a distressed finish. A friend, Jan Mallett, painted the front panels on the bar and the range hood in a bronzy color. The tile backsplash is from Interiors Only in Conway, and the crown molding was done by Scott Moix in Conway.

A lot of thought went into designing the kitchen, Woodruff-Johnson said.

“We wanted a really open area, because he does all the cooking, and he likes to talk and to be able to see the TV. We don’t have any young children in our house. We have people over a lot. We wanted to be able to see and talk to each other and the people who are here. I like the idea of having the raised bar, and we definitely had to have the wet bar. He wanted a gas stove with a double oven. That’s all he talked about.”

Galvanized metal pendant lights in the kitchen bring another touch of interest to the room.

“I love these (light fixtures),” she said. “I may act a little dainty, but I love rustic. I think it shows both a man’s taste and a woman’s taste.”

The powder room adjacent to the kitchen has a faux finish painted by Jan Mallett and a vessel sink in Woodruff-Johnson’s signature color.

In the room where Austin stays when he comes to visit, the carpet is from Interiors Only. A painting in Austin’s room by Katie Wilson depicts downtown Conway during Toad Suck Daze.

Woodruff-Johnson said although the building phase was stressful, her new home turned out better than she hoped.

“I was relieved. It works. We finally started putting pictures on the walls in the last few weeks.”

LaTresha’s nephew, Austin, a 14-year-old budding architect, played a big part in the design of the home.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 33

DESIGN

The Designer Look

Great design is easy to accomplish if you know the right place to look. Every month we will take a look at a room popular on social media and show you how you can get the look right here in Central Arkansas.

Intrigue Display China A.R.T. Furniture Red Chaise Designs $ 1,999 Viv Big Red Wine Glass Crateandbarrel. com $4.95 per stem

Paula’s Dining Table Paula Deen Home Red Chaise Designs $1,195

34 WOMEN’S INC. / MARCH 2013

The Kitchen Store Several Available Manufacturers $70 - $120/ place setting Fairlane Mats Red Chaise Designs $50 for a set of 6

Garbo Dining Arm Chair Jessica Charles Hambuchen Furniture Available in Adell Spa fabric $1,250

Paint color: Benjamin Moore Ice Cube Silver 2121-50

Round Mirabelle Pendant Cyan Designs Hambuchen Lighting $1,526

Helen Lockhart is the owner of Red Chaise Designs, a full service interior design firm.

Red Chaise Designs is located in Conway, where she lives with her husband, Paul, and two children. You can reach her at: helen@redchaise.com.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 35

Tea party FOOD

Planning a

By Chef Jill McCollum, CC Photos by Lindsey Faith Watson

Hosting a mother-daughter tea party is a good way to get to know your daughter’s closest friends and their mothers. Whether your daughter is very young or older, a tea party will give her a memory she will never forget. With a little advance planning, you can put together an elegant tea party that is perfect for the mothers and daughters on your guest list.

Tips for planning a tea party • Set a date for your tea party and send invitations. Choose invitations that are shaped like a tea pot or a tea cup.

• Decide where you want to have the tea party. You could choose your dining room or you could opt to set up a table outside in a flower garden.

• Place a tablecloth or runner on your tea party table that coordinates with the rest of your decoration. Place porcelain or fine china plates on the table. If you don’t have access to that type of china, choose mismatched vintage plates from a local thrift shop.

Add tea cups and saucers to each place setting.

Place flowers in a large vase and set it in the center of the table. Make place cards and add one to each table setting.

• Place a tea set with a tray on the table and add all sorts of teas, such as chamomile, Earl Grey and green tea.

The daughters and mothers can each choose their own tea. If you are hosting the party for very young girls, have juice or something else for them to drink if they don’t care for the tea.

• Place food on tiered trays. Add them to the table so your guests can munch on foods while they sip their tea.

• Give each girl a small tea cup and a few packages of tea placed inside it when they leave.

This is a great way to teach your daughter about being a good hostess and friend, so encourage her to keep everyone involved and not to leave anyone out. Always make sure to check for any food allergies among the guests before offering snacks.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 37

Blueberry Scones 2 cups all purpose flour ¼ cup packed brown sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ cup butter, chilled 1 cup fresh blueberries ¾ cup half and half cream 1 egg Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut butter into mixture of flour, baking powder and salt. Add blueberries and toss to mix. In separate bowl beat together cream and egg, and slowly pour into dry ingredients, stirring with rubber scraper until dough forms. Knead just until it comes together, 3 or 4 times. Don’t over-handle.

Divide dough in half. On lightly floured board, shape each half into a 6 inch round. Cut into 6 wedges. Bake on ungreased sheet about 20 minutes at 375 degrees. Serve warm.

Banana Nut Muffins ½ cup butter 1 ½ cups granulated sugar 2 eggs 1 ½ cups all purpose flour, sifted ½ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon soda in ½ cup buttermilk 1 cup mashed bananas ½ cup chopped nuts In a bowl, cream butter and sugar.

Add eggs, flour and salt. Mix. Add buttermilk mixture and beat. Mix in bananas and nuts. Pour into a greased muffin pan or use muffin liners. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until done.

Icing 1 eight ounce cream cheese, softened 1 stick butter or margarine 1 box confectioners sugar Dash of salt Dash of vanilla Sliced Fresh Kiwi Whip all above ingredients together until smooth Let muffins cool completely, spread icing over the top of muffins and garnish with a sliced kiwi.

Chef Jill McCollum, CC is the Caterer and Food Service Director for Central Baptist College. Jill is the owner of Jill McCollum Catering in Conway. She can be reached at jmccollum@cbc.edu or (501) 730-4422

Ham or Bacon Quiche 6 to 10 slices cooked bacon Or 6 ounces sliced ham 1 small chopped onion ½ bell pepper, chopped 1 cup Swiss cheese Fill pie shell.

38 WOMEN’S INC. / MARCH 2013

Custard ½ cup buttermilk 1 cup heavy cream 5 eggs Blend together and pour over filling. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes.

FOREVER YOUNG

By Anna Giles

F

Results now. Results forever.

or almost two decades, researchers and medical professionals have been exploring and perfecting the use of broadband light technology to treat a wide range of skin conditions caused by photoaging and intrinsic aging. The result has been the development of a cost-efficient, effective, non-invasive procedure that utilizes the power of pulsed light to deliver amazing phototherapy results.

Sciton’s Forever Young BBLTM treatment has been used to successfully turn back the clock for damaged skin by correcting sunspots, fine lines and wrinkles, rosacea, melasma, acne and various other blemishes found on the face, neck, chest and hands.

Sciton’s BBL treatment is the most popular choice for facial and non-facial skin rejuvenation because it’s a safe, fast, effective procedure with minimal patient discomfort and requiring no downtime. Patients normally schedule 3-5 treatments, spaced three weeks apart, and can expect to start seeing results in as little as two weeks (depending on the type and severity of the condition being treated).

The BBL treatment works by delivering light energy that gently heats the upper layers of the skin. The heat absorbed by the targeted areas coagulates tissue to variable depth and stimulates the growth of new collagen. This process helps restore the skin to a natural, more youthful looking state. In addition, the photothermal energy targets and eliminates many of the fine vessels that cause redness and the unwanted melanin responsible for pigmented lesions. Patients treated with BBL can expect to see a reduction in signs of aging and an increase in clearer, more youthful looking skin.

If the immediate transformative effects of BBL treatments on patients aren’t impressive enough, recent scientific studies suggest that treatments using Sciton’s Forever Young BBL™ can functionally rejuvenate skin at the molecular level. Researchers Anne Chang and her colleagues at Standford University examined the effects of BBL treatment on human subjects, and found that after treatment, a number of genes linked to the aging process closely resembled genes found in youthful skin. In other words, treated skin was actually transformed

to look and behave like young skin!

A second study conducted by Dr.’s Patrick J. Bitter Jr. and Jason Pozner demonstrated that patients who maintain a regular regimen of BBL treatments annually can reduce and delay the long term signs of skin aging in a way that looks very natural. The groundbreaking results from these studies suggest that BBL treatments can fully rejuvenate skin now, and slow down the skin’s aging clock over time.

Anna Giles is a 2012 Hendrix College graduate & daughter of Dr. A. Sharon Meador, owner and operator of Conway CosMEDIC. She and her staff are highly trained, highly qualified and have multiple certifications to perform Botox injections, dermal fillers and all other aesthetic treatments and laser procedures.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 39

DBS CHARITY BALL

Senior girls and their dates

Bailey McKee and Nick Walker

Macy Stone and Tyler Crosson

Javan Massey and Reggie Gavin

Chance Townsell and Summar Roachell

Sophomores and their dates

Molly Shipp, Ashton Hawk, Sydnie Ross, Katie Hicks, Gabby Zambrono, Macy Stone, Madison Cole, Anna Standridge 40 WOMEN’S INC. / MARCH 2013

Cade Jones and Camryn Crain

Harrison Pew and Alexa Rhea

CONWAY REGIONAL WOMEN’S COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP MADNESS

Kim Williams and Teresa Thompson

Marsha Spears, Christy Ruby, Tiffany Childers, Candace Meeks

Amy Reed, Stefanie Vann

Marla Hambuchen, Dot Welch

Renee Freeman, Becky Benedetti

D’Lisa Haas, Susan Little

Stacia Adams, Shelia Whitmore

Janie Childress, Beth Fahr, Donna Evans

Carol Patty, Michelle Phillips

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 41

Bethlehem House Valentine’s Gala

Bobby and Angela Conrad

William Love, Woodland Heights Baptist Church, Conway

42 WOMEN’S INC. / MARCH 2013

Don and Angela Greenland

Faulkner County Sheriff Andy Shock and Kim Shock

George and Ellen Roberts, Stacia and Lizzy Adams

Steve and Marla Baker

Live auctioneer, Channel 11’s Craig O’Neill

Crystal and Mike Kemp

Judge David Reynolds and Mitzi Reynolds

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 43

LIFE

T

A living tragedy

he time since my last article has seen numerous events which register at all levels on a scale. There has been news about events at the legislature in Arkansas, numerous newspapers and television articles about what is or is not going on in Washington D.C., birthdays, deaths, illnesses, school activities and countless others. There is one which I think probably affected more of the Women’s Inc. readers than anything else. That sole event was the accident which caused the fatal injuries to Officer Will McGary of the Conway Police Department.

That sad evening. I had seen several prayer requests posted on Facebook for someone with law enforcement. It was not until about 2 the next morning after officers I knew had gone to the hospital told me about who was injured and the extent of the injuries as they knew them. That Thursday night was a long night for a number of our officers but also for his family. Words cannot express what I feel for his family knowing that he is younger than both of my children and that his life was given in the service of our community.

The next day about 5 p.m., I learned that Officer McGary had died in the service of our community.

His love for his fellow man, for his God and the people he served have been described to me by people I know. I regret that I never had the opportunity to meet this fine you man and great officer as he was described by Chief A. J. Gary. At lunch today, I spoke to two officers I have known for years and told them how sorry I was for their loss. One sadly shook his head and said, “It was a tragedy.”

Through his death, we have learned so much about Officer McGary, and I believe his family. He was taught the true meaning of right and wrong by his parents and was brought up knowing the importance of God’s love and service to God and Man. He was an organ donor, and through his passing he enabled others to live when he could not. His death brought to the forefront the need for more organ

44 WOMEN’S INC. / MARCH 2013

donors to extend the lives of others. Many people die each year when there are not usable organs for donation, and many are buried or cremated whose organs could have saved the lives of those people.

Officer McGary also taught us how fleeting life is. None of us is guaranteed life, and we should treasure it beyond all other things. We need to have our affairs in order regardless of our age and health as we do not know the length of our lives. We need to cherish our families and our children and make sure they know how much we love them. We need to make certain we care for our parents and make certain our last memory of our loved ones will be on a happy note, not something in anger.

We should also glean the lesson that there are numerous officers all across our country who go to work each day and risk their lives for us. Providing for our needs is their job, but we should nonetheless appreciate the sacrifices which they must make in providing for our safety and welfare. Their families also make sacrifices that we should appreciate. Instead of being angry or hostile to law enforcement, we should tell them when we see them that we appreciate all that they do for us.

The lesson extends to other public servants as well. Our firefighters, EMS workers and our soldiers are in harm’s way on an almost daily basis, and we need to let them know how much we appreciate what they have done.

Many of the freedoms we have, the possessions we own, our lives themselves can be attributable to these public servants who have helped us in a time when we needed their assistance.

We should remember to protect them when we see them in public, directing traffic, sitting on the side of the road, driving to get to a fire or accident scene or other activity. Pull over and wait on them to pass before we try to proceed. We are not in enough of a hurry for someone to have to lose their life.

Another lesson we can learn is about true loyalty

to each other, which was shown to us by the officers of the Conway Police Department and others following the death. Officer McGary and his family had officers constantly by their side until he was buried.

Officers from other agencies took care of their area and the entire force was at the funeral. Very infrequently do we see the love for each other that the officers showed to each other and to their fallen brother and his family. Can you imagine how much less hate would be in this world if more of us treated each other this way?

There is another lesson which is a living tragedy in the death of Officer McGary. How many times have we cautioned and told our children or others not to drive after drinking, take medications or other substances? I have no doubt that the other party in this incident likely did not want this to occur. However, it did occur.

There is no amount of words or saying, “I am sorry,” which will bring Officer McGary back to life.

His family must live without him throughout their lives. The individual who hit him and his family must also live with the pain and agony which their son must live through as his case progresses through the courts. Hopefully, we will all use this opportunity to teach this lesson to others so that driving while intoxicated or under the influence will be issues which will not be having to be dealt with in the future.

Thank you to those who have called and said kind words about the articles. If you have ideas about future articles, please feel free to contact me. Have a wonderful month!

Fran Scroggins is a graduate of the Bowen School of Law at UALR. She has been practicing law in Conway since 1996.Voted Best Attorney in Faulkner County by readers of the Log Cabin Democrat, Fran resides in Conway with her husband of nearly 35 years.They have two children and three grandchildren.

BOOK REVIEW

‘The Kitchen House’ by Kathleen Grissom

Reviewed by Susan O’Keefe

C

onsider the depth of despair to which slavery reached.

Certainly, it tainted the life of the slave. Owners seemed all too eager to dictate and bark orders to a people they begrudged and belittled. And while a white man would not dine with a person of darker skin, he was all too eager to force himself upon her sexually.

For most of our readers, the slave issue has been one involving blacks and whites.

This novel, however, opens readers’ eyes to the slave trade involving other nationalities.

Lavinia is a seven-year old girl from Norway. When she arrives on a Virginia tobacco plantation, she will not speak, suffers horrible nightmares and is distraught that her family has died crossing the Atlantic. She neither fits in with the slave folks or the master’s folks. Readers know this because both sets of folks make it crystal clear that she is “not one of us.”

Time passes, and eventually Lavinia finds her place in the kitchen house.

Thus, the name of the book authored by Kathleen Grissom. With age comes a deep desire to unite the two worlds which Lavinia straddles. As a giddy girl, she rides to Sunday church services in a wagon with her black friends. But because of her skin, the farm hand invites her to sit up front. Constantly, there are confusing double standards.

Under the maternal care of Belle, the master’s illegitimate daughter, Lavinia learns the ways and woes of the kitchen house, slave quarters, farm hands and a secret world of survival.

When the master, Captain Pyke, is home from his business trips, Belle asks for her freedom papers.

Peculiarly, there is always an obstacle.

The Captain’s opium addicted wife battles depression as she buries more than one child. Her only living son battles bitterness and anger and suffers abuse at the hands of a supposedly esteemed

tutor. Conflict is written on every page, but most of it is swept under the rug as all well-bred Southern families are taught to do. It is the unwritten rules of plantation society that count.

Given the opportunity to leave the plantation and enroll in a proper school, Lavinia is torn. With the prodding of Belle and her slave friends, however, the teenaged orphan leaves the country for the city.

Unofficially adopted into Belle’s family, Lavinia once again faces isolation. Her voice tells the story

of suppressed fears and misunderstandings.

Belle alternates as narrator and the two provide a fast moving tale of the arduous life on a tobacco plantation.

As fate would have it, Lavinia is reunited with the Captain’s son in Williamsburg. A strapping young man with a nasty temper, he somehow manages to court, woo and even save Lavinia from marrying a man twice her age. Lavinia sees the insolent Marshall as her ticket to improve life on the plantation for so many slaves who had been mistreated over the years. Lavinia would right all the wrongs.

She would be their salvation. Reality clouds her judgment.

As soon as the honeymoon ended, Marshall quickly made it known that he was boss. Lavinia’s world began to collapse and history nearly repeats itself. Children die. Sexual advances are made. Children are born. And amidst it all, miraculously, there is love. It is a love that crosses racial barriers. It is a love that allows freedom. It is a love that is forbidden.

With such realistic characters, the novel is a page turner. Several characters are developed deeply, which gives readers an aching sense to know them more, to share in their sorrows and celebrations, to continue knowing about life in the kitchen house. Readers mourned and cheered along with the ebb and flow of plantation life.

“The Kitchen House” peeks into a corner of our country’s history and delivers a truthful account of a somewhat obscure scene.

It’s a truth resonating through the Old South, and a story that deserves to be read.

Susan O’Keefe is a wife to Jack, mother to four children, and eager to face the crazy, awesome, fun things God delivers daily. She and her family recently moved to Oxford, Mississippi, where Susan will continue to read and review, instruct fitness classes, and embark on this next adventure in life.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 45

COMMUNITY

2012 United Way Jeans and Bling Committee

Third annual Jeans and Bling to take place at Back Achers Ranch

By Rachel Parker Dickerson The third annual Jeans and Bling fundraiser for the United Way of Central Arkansas will be 6:30 to 11 p.m., March 8 at Back Achers Ranch in Conway.

Maret Cahill, resource development director for the United Way of Central Arkansas, said the third annual event gives people a reason to dress up and go out without being too dressy.

“We’re going to be in a barn this year, so we’re really hoping people won’t wear a pair of heels, but go ahead and wear your cowboy boots. Wear a blingy dress if you want, and wear your cowboy boots. You will see some (people) in dresses, a glitzy skirt ... you can also see them in jeans and a glitzy shirt. Dress up your jeans a little bit. It’s not as dressy as some of these events have been. It’s a little more casual, but it still gives you a reason to dress up and go out.”

She said those who attend can expect a tru46 WOMEN’S INC. / MARCH 2013

ly Southern-style meal, with barbecue brisket and chicken, green beans and macaroni and cheese. Live entertainment for the evening will be by Highway 124. The event will also feature live and silent auctions. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door, not including the price of alcohol. Tables of 10 may be reserved for $1,000 by calling the United Way of Central Arkansas office.

Cahill said, “United Way helps 18 agencies in Faulkner County and Perry County, including little agencies that wouldn’t get any help if it wasn’t for United Way. “We also hold those agencies accountable.

They report to us quarterly. They apply for the help, our board goes in, volunteers from the community go in and evaluate them to be sure they’re doing their job correctly — to be sure your investment is protected. You’re investing in your community when you’re investing in United Way. “United Way is a much-needed agency because we help all these other agencies, but

we don’t just throw the money at them. They have to meet a certain criteria, like education or nutrition or helping underinsured people.

Then we fund the programs that meet those criteria.”

Leading up to Jeans and Bling, an event at EM Jeans in downtown Conway will be Feb. 21. Cahill said “Art and Fashion ... Artists in Action” will be an art show at EM Jeans.

Tickets to Jeans and Bling will be for sale, and local artist Steve Griffith will create a painting during the event that he will donate for auction at the event. Patrons are invited for drinks and light appetizers and to shop for their outfits for Jeans and Bling, Cahill said.

She added EM Jeans will donate 10 percent of proceeds on regular-priced clothing during the art show to United Way. Other art work also will be on display and for sale, she said.

For tickets to Jeans and Bling, or to become a sponsor, go to www.unitedwaycentralark.org or call the United Way of Central Arkansas at 501-327-5087.