Inspired Living Omaha July-August 2016 by Omaha World-Herald

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1314 Douglas St., Suite 700 Omaha, NE 68102 402-444-1094 Inspired Living Omaha (ISSN 23795948) is a publication of the Omaha World-Herald. ©2016, Omaha World-Herald, a Berkshire Hathaway Company. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the specific written permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed by those interviewed are their own. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information, no responsibility can be accepted by the publisher for content, opinions or practices, or how the information herein is used. All materials submitted, including but not limited to images, logos and text that appear, are assumed to be the original work of the provider, and the publisher is not responsible for unintentional copyright infringement.

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EDITOR'S NOTE

a redo of my own A kitchen contractor wanted to know, “Are you looking for a divorce?” My extended family, gathered here in

Chris christen editor-in-chief

FUN FACT Chris loves the snap of roots as she weeds her garden. It sounds like victory.

May, exclaimed in unison, “Are you crazy?” Apparently so on both accounts. What’s all the fuss? An idea to paint our kitchen cabinets and stain our natural maple hardwood floors. Yes, it’s going to be a mess and a whopping inconvenience for four to six

Stay connected between issues. Get sneak peeks of styled shoots, bonus photos from current issues, recipe links and more. facebook.com/InspiredLivingOmaha

weeks. But as long as updates are due, I’m lobbying for a timeless look I love – darker underfoot, lighter overhead – for our casual traditional home.

Be inspired by people, places and things that we  . Food, fashion & décor top the list. instagram.com/inspiredomaha

Argue the point? OK. Our cabinets currently are cherrystained birch (the rage a decade ago to get the look of cherry or mahogany wood). The kitchen area is dark and constricted

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(despite an open floor plan) and out of sync with the alabaster doors and trim running throughout the house. Regular readers of this magazine will recall our “Color Issue" earlier this year. In it,

Have a story idea, question or comment? Send us an email. inspired@owh.com

I found some cabinet inspiration of my own in a kitchen redo by Kris Patton of Interiors Joan & Associates. (January-February 2016, "Bold Strokes," page 17.) As for our floors, I know that staining is tricky business and that maple's dense grain only adds to the challenge. Three different flooring pros have collectively talked me out of ebony (“It’s trendy, but it will show every scratch

8 JULY/AUGUST 2016

and speck of dust and typically fades to green within three years”). So now we’re eyeing midtones like “Chestnut” and “English Leather.” I just hope we don’t put the stain contractor through 64 samples before landing on the perfect hue. (That really happened, with an interior designer reportedly being the guilty offender.) For purists like my sister-in-law, a paintand-stain specialist with a log home, painting any interior lumber is sacrilegious. It goes against the grain of the natural beauty of the wood, she argues. I can respect that. So … maybe call me crazy. But bring on the sanders, the dust mops and the take-out meals. If anything, this update will make for an interesting before-and-after story when all is said and done. That is, if I’m not struck down by lightning before the first drop of stain hits those maple planks. *** Last issue, I mentioned that John Cameron had emailed us about his recent kitchen remodel. We found more to love than just that room. Take your own tour, beginning on page 20. Eco-friendly features (including vinyl wrapped cabinets) star in our Design Done Right home, page 14. Until next time – Happy redecorating, no matter how foreboding your project may seem!

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CONTRIBUTORS

Heidi THORSON

KIM CARPENTER

Tam webb

FUN FACT Heidi is a firm believer that shoe clips are the most underrated accessory.

FUN FACT Kim is growing tomatoes for the first time this summer and is curious to see if any actually make it.

FUN FACT Tam is our go-to host when the team decides it's time for a party. Makes a splendid dry martini.

CATHY VANHAUER

assistant editor

Gay Liddell

potluck host

Emily Martin

advertising account executive

FUN FACT Cathy always enlists her sons’ help in bringing out the yard art and enjoys watching her garden come to life.

FUN FACT Gay plans to update her front entry, which includes a new door and adding a transom window.

FUN FACT Emily enjoys summer family vacations to the beach in Hilton Head, South Carolina, a tradition upheld since she was little.

Jeffrey Bebee

KURT A. KEELER

HOWARD K. MARCUS

FUN FACT Jeffrey finally got “real" glasses after years of inexpensive "reader" glasses. He's found amusement in responses to his new look.

FUN FACT Kurt's next getaway will be a visit to Swiss relatives and a big side-trip for a first-time tour of Rome.

FUN FACT Howard is learning about gas grill maintenance and looking forward to late summer cookouts.

photographer

12 JULY/AUGUST 2016

copy editor

Photos: Heidi THorson, Kurt A. Keeler, Heather & Jameson, Jeffrey Bebee, Lane Hickenbottom, Dev hanumara, With Love & Embers

creative director + designer

Heather + Jameson

Jessica Luna

Kali Rahder

FUN FACT Heather and Jameson have two cats with pretentious French names - AmĂŠlie & Isabelle.

FUN FACT Jessica says lake house living, gas station sunglasses, frappuccinos and bike rides are her summer staples.

FUN FACT Kali's favorite summer activities include fishing with her grandpa and attending baseball games.

CHad LEbo

Murphy Benoit

HEATHER WINKEL

FUN FACT Chad is looking forward to a season of cooking in the backyard over an open wood fire and not a stainless steel grill.

FUN FACT Murphy has a new puppy named Wrigley. Training him is challenging, but she's enjoying the heck out of the little guy!

FUN FACT Heather recently implemented Fajita Fridays to simplify her summer entertaining.

fashion photographers

food columnist

fashion stylist

imaging specialist

hair & makeup stylist

writer + food stylist

The Hursts & Co.

Jeff Barnes

Michelle Bazis

FUN FACT Krista & Mike's favorite summer activity is playing at the park or pool with their two pups, Cannoli and Clementine.

FUN FACT Jeff is a history buff and a published author. His current release is "Extra Innings: The Story of Modisett Ball Park."

FUN FACT Michelle once moved to another state with nothing but three suitcases, and has lived in three states within one six-month period.

photographers

writer

travel writer + photographer

inspiredlivingomaha.comâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 13

DESIGN DONE RIGHT

Modern ranch stays true to forms Story CHRIS CHRISTEN Photography JEFFREY BEBEE

Louis and Deanna Moisset broke ground on their home in July 2013. Move-in came nearly two years later, in March 2015. They were their own contractors, juggling the building project between his job as an account manager and designer with ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings in La Vista and hers with Omaha Public Schools.

The modern European design features lightly stained wood siding on the three-car garage and painted siding and stone for the front elevation.

14â&#x20AC;&#x192; JULY/AUGUST 2016

It’s not every day that a house of Styrofoam and concrete springs up in your neighborhood. “It’s better than a speed bump,” Louis Moisset quips about the double takes his eco-friendly modern ranch gets from passing motorists. The gawking started the day the hole was dug in the summer of 2013. Word spread quickly – not always accurately – that a “concrete house” was going up in Northern Hills Estates, a relatively new northern Douglas County subdivision with mostly conventional homes. Nervous neighbors initially wanted to know, “So, what’s the outside going to look like?” The homeowner, for the most part, alleviated fears of a Flintstones’ cave or a lunar module. He and his wife, Deanna, were building a modern-style ranch of his design using green materials, Insulated Concrete Forms, and geothermal heating and cooling technology. To conform to neighborhood covenants, the concrete exterior would be finished with earth-tone paint, cedar planks, lap siding and stone. “I’m a conservative guy,” says Louis, who served as his own general contractor. “I wanted to build as green as possible without being a tree-hugger. I’m a ‘sensible green,’ not a ‘political green.’ If I can have the same or better outcome with less in a sensible way, you have my attention.”

Though he found “excellent options” in alternative materials for his 2,400-square-foot home, “some did not fit my build or fell too short of my requirements for cost, energy efficiency and sustainability,” he says. Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) technology snagged high marks on those three points. The construction method – a system of interlocking Styrofoam blocks filled with concrete – is strong, energy efficient, airtight and sound dampening. Key among the geothermal unit’s selling points: service now is available from most HVAC contractors, the in-ground system relies on constant and predictable groundwater (in this case, pumped from a pair of 200-foot-deep wells on the property), and OPPD estimates that the system could pay for itself within seven years. A bonus, Louis says, was a 30 percent tax credit that brought the geothermal cost to within $1,100 of a conventional heating and cooling system. Planning the house on paper was one thing. Executing the build was another. The project took nearly 22 months to complete. “We are in the Midwest. We have many great contractors but only a very few are willing to step outside the box,” Louis explains. “My floor plan was basically two intersecting rectangles. Yet, since I wasn’t using typical materials and the house looked different from most projects, it took time to find the right contractors.”

(continued on page 19)

inspiredlivingomaha.com 15

Draperies running the full height of the windows soften the hard angles of the ceiling and walls in the great room. The panels, made by Deanna’s mom, Lil Chatfield, hang from gas pipes as rods. To save money, Deanna and her mother painted the entire interior.

A loft room serves as a kids’ hideaway and nifty overlook. For Deanna Moisset, the loft kindles fond childhood memories of playing at a friend’s house. “You always wanted to go to Brook’s house because of the loft.” The Moissets’ version is only accessible by ladder.

A recessed wall pockets a 70-inch television for a home theater experience.

TRENDING VIEW MORE ONLINE FIND BONUS PHOTOS FROM THIS HOME AT inspiredlivingomaha.com

16 JULY/AUGUST 2016

Meals on the run are eaten at the kitchen island; family meals are shared around a stone-topped dining room table that actually is two tables pushed together. The industrial look is softened with a pair of upholstered wingback chairs. The centerpiece is a hollow tree limb that the homeowner cleaned and varnished.

inspiredlivingomaha.comâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 17

The master bathroom features a zero-entry shower with 3-D waterproof wave tile and radiant heat flooring.

The Moissetsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; two children have a Jack-and-Jill bathroom with private sinks and a shared toilet and shower. The cabinetry is vinyl-wrapped here, as well as throughout the home. The master bedroom is 12 feet by 17 feet with a 20foot ceiling. Reclaimed wood attached to a wall shared with the bathroom gives the illusion of a headboard.

18â&#x20AC;&#x192; JULY/AUGUST 2016

(continued from page 15)

The Moissets did a lot themselves. “Way too much, with full-time jobs and family life,” Louis says. “But it all turned out great in the end.” The home embraces modern European design inside and out. That’s not surprising, since Louis is a native of France. Industrial modern elements such as exposed ductwork and raw particleboard ceilings provide architectural interest and economy for a building project on a super-tight budget. For the ceilings, Louis handpicked the boards to avoid any hint of unsightly manufacturer’s stamps. He smiles, sharing that visitors frequently ask, “When are you going to finish the ceiling?” In the great room, tall windows face east and south to maximize solar heat and capitalize on views of trees and rolling countryside. The open ranch floor plan is a departure from the multistory home the couple originally thought they would build on a narrow urban lot purchased about eight years ago. When Northern Hills Estates sprang up just east of the North Omaha Airport, an acre lot in a quiet neighborhood sounded more practical. “You’re in your 40s; do a ranch,” Louis rationalized. The floor plan is not completely zero step-entry. But it could be, if the need arises. “You gotta plan for aging,” Louis says, pointing to “mini” steps in a hallway that could be modified into ramps, and door frames, hallways and walkways wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair or walker. “She’s my ‘break,’” Louis says of Deanna’s way of critiquing proposals with a raised eyebrow and a playful admonishment, “Really? Did you think that through?” Case in point: In an early interior rendering, the kitchen was in the middle of the house, where the living room now stands. The couple decided better placement would be along the south wall of the open space. The kitchen is a home chef’s dream, with stainless steel appliances, extra-deep work surfaces, a walk-in pantry with sliding door and a center island with seating. “The cooks can cook and guests can visit,” Louis says of the island. A conversation piece in itself is its stainless steel tabletop in the shape of Nevada, manufactured by Hempel Sheet Metal Works in Omaha. Other countertops are Cambria quartz – sans backsplash. “It killed Lou when I said that I didn’t want them,” Deanna remembers. What’s next? “Retaining walls,” Louis says. “I’ve got to have an outdoor summer project, right?” If you’re in the neighborhood, look for the ranch with the angled roof. “We’re that house,” the homeowner says with a wide, eco-friendly smile.

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Before + AFter

EXTERIOR When the Camerons decided to build, John says the first goal was to keep the construction affordable. “We did it so one roof covers as much of the house as possible and is over numerous rooms. We didn’t want plywood, and cedar was too expensive, so we went with redwood."

Loveland home keeps pace with its trees, thanks to architect owner Story kim carpenter Photography jeffrey Bebee

It started with a tree. Make that a vacant lot with several trees. When Laura and John Cameron purchased their wooded property in Omaha’s Loveland neighborhood in 1979, it was an opportunity for them to build the perfect home. “We like established neighborhoods. We were living in an apartment and tried to buy in Happy Hollow for years,” recalls John, a retired architect and design principal with HDR whose projects included the Durham Science Center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the John Gottschalk Freedom Center for the Omaha World-Herald and numerous hospitals worldwide. “We looked and looked and looked and kept looking for the perfect

house. The price range (for existing homes) got up to where I thought we could build. But we needed to get a lot.” They found it, thanks to John’s eagle eyes. While driving to work one day, he spied a “Lot for Sale” sign on a corner. He swiped the sign and called the owner to inquire. John and Laura ended up snagging one of the few remaining half-acre lots in the area. Not wanting to cut down the tall maple and oak trees that dotted the property, John designed around them. “We had to obtain a waiver,” he says of the home’s unusual positioning. “There was no way to put up a house without cutting down some trees, so I designed it at a 45-degree angle and slid it in between.”

(continued on page 23)

20 JULY/AUGUST 2016

The ceiling is actually Morning Star Bamboo flooring in Pearl City stain from Lumber Liquidators. “No one in Nebraska is putting in white flooring, so it was inexpensive,” says John.

For the 2015 renovation, John designed a sleek, contemporary kitchen with glossy cabinetry and minimal hardware. He used 2-centimeter Piracema white granite for the countertops and 3-centimeter granite for the 4-by-12-foot oval kitchen island, which keeps the kitchen’s lines soft. “I’m big on the thinner countertops. It’s simpler and cleaner.”

White Miele appliances include a built-in refrigerator that disappears with the cabinetry, an induction stove and a convection oven. Custom cabinetry by Eurowood opens with a touch.

The blue dinosaur cookie jar was a favorite of the Camerons’ children. It holds treats for their dog, Zoe.

The couple found this sculpture at a gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona. “It’s been a real conversation piece,” says Laura.

Get the look

Backsplash: Glass panels painted by Elite Glass Services with Sherwin-Williams Raindrop SW 6485 Walls: Sherwin-Williams Tradewind SW 6218 Bar stools: “Montclare” by Baxton Studio, allmodern.com Pendant lights: BEGA, from JNB Services, La Vista

inspiredlivingomaha.com 21

An original M’s Pub poster dating to the late 1970s hangs next to the window. “I gave it as our first wedding anniversary (gift), which is paper. I think I bought it for 20-some dollars,” says Laura.

22 JULY/AUGUST 2016

(continued from page 20)

The primary silver maple on the property was about 18 inches in diameter when they purchased the lot. Today it’s well over 40. And as that tree grew, so did the Camerons’ family – which now includes three adult children – and the house. Over the past 37 years, their home has gone from a modest 1,700 square feet to a more spacious 3,500, including an addition in 1995 for a room that houses John’s extensive vinyl collection. The architect kept the original specifications simple. He liked the Craftsman style and designed a home with high ceilings and plenty of light. “No matter where you stand, you can always see out two different directions,” he says. Although the couple didn’t need it when they first built, John had to design a home with three bedrooms, because the bank refused to give the couple a loan to build a contemporary residence with fewer bedrooms. “They said this house would never sell unless it had three bedrooms, so we called the office a ‘banker’s bedroom’ just to satisfy them,” Laura says. Paintings, prints, posters, objects collected during trips, family photographs and a blend of modern and antique furniture comprise the décor. It’s an eclectic blend, one that has been built up over the years and speaks to the couple’s wide-ranging interests. One of them, particularly for Laura, is cooking. “My wife is an excellent cook, and we entertain a lot, so we needed room to do both – although that never stopped us,” says John of the decision to expand the original kitchen from a mere 130 square feet to a whopping 400 in 2015. “Everybody said, ‘Why are you doing the renovation? Your dinners are already great!” Laura laughs. “I said, ‘Oh, no!’” Now she has more than enough room to pursue her hobby – and the equipment to do it. The kitchen boasts four ovens, two dishwashers and all the cabinet and counter space required to whip up meals for a crowd. “It’s just amazing at Thanksgiving!” says Laura. “I can make the turkey, casserole and rolls with no waiting. It just works out great!” “This was one of the things we put off forever due to the expense,” John says of the major overhaul. “But we said, ‘let’s do it – and let’s do it the way we’ve always wanted.’”

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DINING ROOM “We like volume and big space,” says John of the 25-foot vaulted ceilings, which give the residence a lofty, airy feel. The couple made the most of an expansive wall space by hanging a painting of their home by artist Carol Pettit, a mirror that belonged to Laura’s grandmother and enlargements of cherished family photos. Two leaded-glass windows came from a now-defunct architectural salvage business in north Omaha. The large sculpture was discovered at Hot Shops Art Center, and the hanging bells are by Paolo Soleri, an Italian architect. “They’re not the bronze ones he’s known for, but I liked the shapes of the clay. They don’t sound that great – they ‘thunk,’” says John.

inspiredlivingomaha.com 23

John made the most use of the home’s soaring wall space by installing a built-in bookcase above the living-room windows.

John designed the glass-top end tables that flank the living room’s main sofa. “We wanted to keep it light,” he says. “They’re curved and provide a softer way of coming into the room. If they were square, you would have had to move all the furniture. You use curves when you have limited space. It flows better.”

24 JULY/AUGUST 2016

“Big Blue,” an 8-foot-tall painting by Robert Weaver, dominates the wall. A huge train buff, John acquired the painting when a friend found it was too large for his Washington, D.C., apartment. Vintage Omaha Symphony posters by Omaha artist Allan Tubach.

A framed Cambodian temple rubbing found on one of John's numerous business trips picks up on the warm tones of the table's base.

A red leather roadster chair from Room & Board positioned next to a glass-top Eileen Gray side table adds visual punch. “The space cannot be filled up with heavy furniture,” says John. “Things you can look through and see through keep the space light.”

A curved glass block wall delineates the front entry. “It’s not too high and lets the light in," John says.

inspiredlivingomaha.com 25

HOMESPIRATION

Christina Narwicz and her dog, Duck. Photo: Bryce Bridges

26â&#x20AC;&#x192; JULY/AUGUST 2016

Story kim carpenter Photography jeffrey Bebee

Artist’s South Omaha abode has it all

When Christina Narwicz rolls out of bed in the morning, she only has to travel about 8 feet to get to work. The next room is stocked with brushes, paint tubes and canvases – everything the artist needs to create one of her nature-themed works. She loves her commute – and its close proximity to downtown. Her 1,800-square-foot South Omaha live-work space, which was built in 1927 and originally housed a barbershop on one side and Rotella’s Italian Bakery on the other, is nestled on an industrial stretch of road less than a mile from the Old Market. Passersby would never suspect it contains an airy painting studio, stylish home and secluded garden, all of which Christina shares with an irrepressible rat terrier named Duck, who lets her know with great enthusiasm when the mail arrives. She purchased the property sight unseen, won over by the opportunity to cultivate an urban garden. “I’d always loved this building. It was cute as a button,” she recalls. “It’s a nice, little anomaly that’s in the city and has land.” Land was the determining factor. Christina is an avid gardener, and nature inspires and informs every facet of her dynamic, ethereal paintings. “I’m obsessed,” she says. “I wanted to duplicate a European-style building with a fenced-in courtyard that nobody could see from the street so I could have my garden.” The artist didn’t mind discovering that major renovations would be required to transform the space, which in intervening years had become a storage facility for antique furniture. “I couldn’t just move in,” she says. “It had lots of problems, but I always wanted to redo a building.” She got her chance. Joists were rotten, the roof leaked, and interior walls were painted a dull, dismal gray. “We

had to gut a lot.” “We” included Tim Ernst of Botanicum Design, who came up with the renovation plans, and master carpenter and fellow artist Sean Ward, who specializes in restoration. They tackled the building by sectioning one half as a studio and the other half as a main living area, making sure the two spaces had a seamless flow. “I wanted to create a place I would never have to leave, so I could concentrate on my work. I don’t treat my painting practice as separate from the other practices I have in my life. My home had to accommodate all of it.” That meant incorporating two sleek new bathrooms and a gourmet kitchen into the existing footprint. It also involved staining the pine floors a darker hue and painting white the exposed brick walls and original tin ceiling in the studio to give Christina’s workspace a light, airy feel. In contrast, the artist stuck to darker colors in the rest of the home, creating a warm, cozy effect that demarcates where she lives from where she works. Christina tackled the outdoors with relish, creating three distinct garden areas that include space to entertain, meditate and enjoy the solitude of nature in the heart of downtown. “It’s the whole idea of being in a condensed urban environment in the midst of everything but having a garden reprieve from that.” The artist says her work-live space offers everything she needs. “I have to have my studio space where I live. I can’t have a separate studio, because my work is so tied to my life, otherwise the integrity of the work would be compromised. All I really want to do is to paint and garden and be with my dog and family, and I can do all of that right here.”

The 500-square-foot main living space features a kitchen, dining area and sitting area. The marble countertop was salvaged from the kitchen of Rose Blumkin, “Mrs. B.” of Nebraska Furniture Mart fame. Hans Wegner wishbone chairs and a custom built-in bench comprise the seating around the contemporary dining table. “The cabinets were meant to be hung vertically,” says Christina,” but we installed them horizontally.” The pendant lights are from a collection by Murray Feiss called “Beso” – Spanish for “kiss.” Christina found the dandelion and birch tree digital wallcoverings on eBay.

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“One of my obsessions is bowls,” Christina says. “I just love the form, their utilitarian nature and their symbolism of holding things that are good for us.” An extra-tall Summit refrigerator saves space in a small kitchen and takes advantage of soaring ceilings.

A quiet nook features a still-life painting by Christina’s mother. “She made it the year I was born.” The art prints of children in Danish costumes and the porcupine quills in the ceramic vase were gifts from friends. “I’m not a tchotchke person, but these are all items that mean a lot to me,” says the homeowner. A window provides a view to the artist’s garden. A whimsical mobile by Nebraska artist Larry Sosso depicts sardines fleeing a sardine tin. Vintage nozzles line the upper shelf.

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A wrought-iron gate leads from the driveway into a “secret garden” courtyard invisible from the street.

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“I call my gardens living spaces or rooms,” Christina says of the three distinct areas of her courtyard. A small table is perfect for intimate dinners, and the wicker furniture under the trellis provides a quiet area for conversation or a break from the studio. Christina planted birch trees as a reminder of where she grew up in New York. “They have a lot of importance for me,” the artist says. “This has turned into my secret shade garden. It’s where I do my morning meditation.”

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The bedroom features a sewing nook. Two watercolor paintings by Christina’s mother, Loretta, hang over the sewing machine. The antique prayer rug is from an outdoor market in Istanbul. The artist’s studio is on the opposite side of the wall. The small windows permit light and air to circulate between the spaces.

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A curio cabinet houses sentimental objects, including small sculptures, fanciful boxes and jars of shells gathered while living on a yacht in the Caribbean. “This hasn’t been updated lately, but these are all objects I love,” she says. An Eames chair with a small black pillow pulls the space together and balances the expanse of the flat screen television.

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A simple wooden table provides room for the artist to sketch and work on small paintings. Tim Ernst of Botanicum Design created the vertical storage system for canvases.

Canvases await the artist’s finishing touches while Duck, rescued from a local shelter, snoozes on the settee. Christina loves the 13½-foot ceilings and patterned tin ceiling tiles. “Painted white, they remind me of wedding cake,” she says.

A white table on casters allows the artist to change the studio to suit her needs. “Most everything’s on wheels, so the space can be reconfigured quickly.”

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AU COURANT Heidi Riha fused glass Petal Pushers, also available in hummingbird designs. bluepom.com

Select accent pieces of varied sizes and heights, and work in a little repetition. Keep scale in mind – a large yard can handle a large sculpture or fountain, for example. A small yard will require a more demure approach to accessorizing.

Getting the most out of your garden accessories Story CHRIS CHRISTEN Photography HEIDI THORSON Location Backyard gardens of Sondra and Jason gerber

A few calculated moves and your yard art will be sitting pretty. Here, Omaha artist and garden enthusiast Sondra Gerber shares tried-and-true tips for plotting perennials, annuals and accents for maximum enjoyment.

Pick a color theme for consistency in your accents. Opt for a hue that highlights rather than matches your garden palette. Sondra likes teal – a color not commonly seen in flowers, and white. Avoid green. For obvious reasons. Featured: Mosaic planter by Katherine Krug, The Dove Studio.

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Let your foliage be your guide in choosing and placing garden art and other yard decorations. Aim for contrast and depth. Place lightcolored objects against dark backgrounds and dark-colored objects against light backgrounds. Featured: Sondra Gerber garden poke. bluepom.com

Reserve small accents like flower pokes for pots and other small containers on tabletops, steps and patios. Larger pokes can go directly in the ground. Featured: Fused glass flower poke by Kristi Thorndike Kent. bluepom.com

Trees are natural spots for garden art. Suspend whimsical sun catchers and spinners from sturdy branches. Create a fairy garden in a hollow tree stump. Tack small sculptures to a trunk. Caution: Check with your County Extension Office on the latter to confirm that your tree species can handle a nail in the trunk. Some trees are not self-healing.

Line a garden path with something low to the ground for interest as you walk. Here, fused glass mushrooms by Jeremy Neff provide a pop of color against dark mulch.

Paint your pots for a decorator look in a matter of hours. Porous surfaces like terracotta require gentle sanding and priming for paint to hold. For plastic pots, Sondra’s go-to product is Valspar Outdoor Plastic Spray Paint.

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Go colorful or shiny when you want something in the distance to be seen. Featured: Stainless steel dove by Weiss Studios. carlweissart.com

Scan your yard for a fence, gate or deck – even the side of a house, shed or barn – that might accept an accent like a ceramic face or a metal sculpture. When hanging, put a bead of silicone on the tip of your nail before hammering it into wood or siding to keep water out. Featured: Clay planter by Don Williams.

Create unexpected seating areas and secret gardens that beckon you to sit a spell and simply enjoy what you have created. Here, a vintage glider with a fresh coat of paint anchors a vignette in Sondra's yard.

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HOST

Strawberry cheesecake cupcakes. Recipe, page 41

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compiled by kim carpenter Photography jeffrey bebee

When summer get-togethers roll around, most of us bring side dishes, salads or main dishes. Ditch the traditional covered dish and instead wow a crowd with a cocktail, appetizer or dessert from the Inspired Living team’s party playbook. The result? Invitations to plenty more potlucks.

MOSCOW MULE

FROZEN MARGARITA

Concocted with high-quality vodka, lime juice and spicy ginger beer, this lively cocktail is traditionally served in a copper mug. Recipe: Tam Webb

Fresh lime juice makes this quintessential summer cocktail doubly refreshing. Recipe: Carrie Kentch

1. Squeeze the juice of ½ lime into a copper mug or cocktail glass, then drop in lime slice. 2. Add 1 or 2 large ice cubes. 3. Pour in 1½-2 ounces vodka and top with 4-6 ounces cold ginger beer. 4. Serve with a stirring rod.

juice and ¼ cup sugar in a blender full of ice until fully blended. 2. Divide into frosted margarita glasses. Tip: Enhance the presentation by pouring a thin layer of Cointreau over the top of each glass.

1. Pulse 2/3 cup Tequila, 1/3 cup triple sec, ½ cup fresh lime

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CEVICHE A LO GRINGO (SHRIMP CEVICHE) A dish popular in the coastal regions of Peru, ceviche involves “cooking” raw fish in citrus juices for several hours. This version involves a quick parboil before marinating to speed the process. Recipe: Adapted from Whole Foods; prepared by Cristina Byrne

1. Parboil ¾ pound (about 30 medium) peeled-anddeveined shrimp in boiling water until cooked through and pink, about 2-3 minutes. 2. Cut shrimp in half and combine in a bowl with ½ cup finely chopped white onion, 6 tablespoons lime juice, ¼ cup roughly chopped cilantro, 1 large peeled, pitted and chopped mango, 1 seeded and chopped tomato, 1 seeded and finely diced jalapeño pepper (optional) and ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt. Toss well. 3. Cover and marinate overnight. 4. Serve in a bowl or over a bed of lettuce with tortilla chips or bread.

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AVOCADO DIP Go beyond guacamole with a dip that stands out for the sweet crunchiness of corn paired with fragrant oregano. Recipe: Carrie Kentch

1. Combine in a bowl: 1 can black beans (rinsed well), cooked kernels from 2-3 ears of sweet corn (or 1 can sweet corn, drained), 2-3 diced avocados, 4 small seeded and diced heirloom tomatoes, 2 thin slices diced red onion, juice from 1-2 limes, 1-2 pressed cloves garlic, salt and pepper plus freshly chopped oregano, parsley and cilantro to taste. 2. Chill for 1-2 hours. 3. Serve with tortilla chips, crackers or slices of French bread.

STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE CUPCAKES These sweet treats are as beautiful as they are delicious. Recipe: Christina Ihnken

1. Preheat oven to 325 F. 2. Combine 1 cup Biscoff European cookie crumbs (or any ginger snap cookies), ¾ cup sugar and 3 tablespoons melted butter; press into bottoms of cupcake liners. 3. Beat 3 8-ounce packages cream cheese and 1 teaspoon vanilla with mixer until blended. Add 3 eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed until blended. Spoon mixture over crust ingredients in cupcake liners. 4. Bake for 25 minutes or until centers are almost set. Cool completely and refrigerate for 2 hours. 5. Cut strawberries with small heart-shaped cookie cutter and then arrange hearts on cupcakes.

SOUTHERN ROASTED PECAN ICE CREAM BALLS Sweet, salty and a little crunchy, this ice cream treat reminds us of a candy bar. Recipe: Emily Martin

1. Roast 1 cup lightly salted pecans in a 375-degree oven for 10 minutes. Cool, then finely chop. 2. Form vanilla ice cream into ice cream scoop-size balls. Mold roasted pecans over them and freeze overnight. 3. Prior to serving, drizzle with caramel sauce (Monin Gourmet Caramel Sauce preferred).

RICE KRISPIE BARS The butterscotch and chocolate topping makes for an elegant take on a beloved kids’ classic. Recipe: Heidi Thorson

1. Melt 1 stick butter and 1 heaping spoonful peanut butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Once melted, stir to combine. 2. Add 1 bag marshmallows and microwave on high, about 2 minutes (or until slightly melted), then stir to mix together with melted butter and peanut butter. 3. Add 1 jar jet-puffed marshmallow cream and microwave on high, about 1 minute (or until slightly melted). Stir together. Tip: Use a warm spoon to scoop out marshmallow cream. 4. Add 1 large box puffed rice cereal (we prefer Rice Krispies) and stir until cereal is wellcoated with marshmallow mixture. Transfer to a 9-by-13inch pan and, using a buttered spoon, spread evenly. 5. In a small, microwave-safe bowl, melt 1 cup chocolate chips and 1 cup butterscotch chips. Stir to combine and then pour over cereal mixture in pan. Use a spoon or spatula to spread the chocolate frosting evenly. Let set at least 3 hours before cutting and serving.

inspiredlivingomaha.com 41

HOST

Stay cool with this easy tea perfect for a hot summer evening RECIPE GEORGIA NEEFE STYLING HEATHER WINKEL Photography THE HURSTS & CO.

HOW TO MAKE IT: 1. Boil 4 cups water and remove from heat. 2. Add 2 tea bags and 1 bunch fresh mint to water and allow to steep for 1 hour. 3. Strain into pitcher. 4. Fill rest of pitcher with cold water and optional sugar to taste. 5. Chill until serving 6. Pour into tall glasses and garnish with mint

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THE HIDDEN PANTRY

Grow your grilling repertoire Recipes + PhOTOgraphy Chad lebo

I am not a manly griller. There, I’ve said it. I am not exactly a milquetoast, either. I have scaled 20,000-foot peaks on two continents, crossed mountains in Madagascar with my motorcycle and dog, broken and dislocated enough bones to earn a junior Evel Knievel badge and spent 12 years fighting fires. And for goodness’ sake, I sell smoked and cured meats for a living. But still, I am not a manly griller. The recipes here will lead you through some different techniques and ingredients to get more out of your grill than just burgers and ribs. Serve the dishes individually or serve them together, complete with a cheese-andfruit course of honey-glazed stuffed dates. But first, a few basics. A grill is pretty much an open flame with a grate on top. Put your food on a stick, and you don’t even need the grate for your grill. Great grilling is about technique, not equipment. Most of the food photographed here was cooked over a small clay flowerpot with a wood fire in it (no charcoal). The tacos were made over our fancy grill – a grate over an old charcoal chimney starter, so invest in ingredients and education first, equipment second. One of the best advantages of grilling is the added touch of wood smoke, so if possible, grill over a wood fire. Hardwood lump

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charcoal also works. Charcoal briquettes should be the last choice unless you are just using the coals to burn and maintain your wood fire. Gas grills are unquestionably more convenient and popular. Gas doesn’t mean you have to skip the smoke. Wood chips or sawdust in an old soup can, wrapped in heavy-duty foil or placed in a smoke box, will still make plenty of smoke when placed over a burner. Added flavor also can come from placing something between your food and the heat. Salmon cooked on a cedar plank is the most famous example, but the possibilities are practically limitless. The chicken and shrimp in my satay recipe are grilled over a bed of garlic chive flower stems and skewered on grape vines. Spread out some scallions, thin slices of ginger, herb stalks or even fruit tree leaves. Create. Have fun. For ingredients, chicken thighs and legs handle grilling better than white meat, the marbling of heritage breed pork is indispensible, and duck and lamb are incredible if kept rare to medium-rare. Almost all beef can be grilled if done properly for the cut. Tough cuts of beef and pork will come out tender if cooked rare to medium-rare and cut thinly across the grain (yes, pork can be served pink and is just as good as rare steak). Oilier fish and seafood like salmon, shrimp and tuna are preferred.

Crucial Grilling techniques

• Use a thermometer. • Use high direct heat for searing and indirect heat (away from flames) to come up to the right temperatures. • Searing works just as well if done first or last; just make sure the surface of the meat is dry. • For the most succulent, seasoned and evenly cooked meats, salt at least an hour before grilling and flip meat frequently. • Mix up your grilled fare. Think appetizers, desserts, vegetables, fruits, nuts and even cheeses.

Tuscan Tacos (Makes 8 small tacos) Simple Tuscan-flavored steak and grilled peppers served taqueria-style. Works with chicken, too, but beef really is the best flavor with the peppers and ricotta cheese.

1. Lightly season with salt 1 pound steak of your choice (no more than Â˝-inch thick). Cheaper, tougher cuts work well for this recipe, as the meat is cooked medium-rare and cut very thinly against the grain. Allow meat to warm to room temperature just prior to grilling. 2. Finely mince 1 clove garlic and mix well with 1 cup ricotta. 3. Remove caps and seeds from 1 pound sweet mini-bell peppers and grill over direct high heat until soft and slightly blackened. 4. Lightly coat steak with olive oil and rub with minced fresh garlic and rosemary to taste. 5. Over very high heat, grill steak until caramelized on the outside, then finish with indirect heat until medium-rare, 132135 degrees internal temperature. 6. Remove from heat and let steak rest for 5 minutes on plate. Reserve any juices. 7. Grill 2 corn tortillas per taco or 1 white flour taco. Keep warm. 8. Cut steak very thinly against the grain. Mix with reserved juices and a little olive oil. 9. Build each taco with a little beef, a lot of peppers and a good smear of the garlic ricotta cheese. Garnish with cilantro and a squeeze of lime or lemon.

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Chicken and Shrimp Satay with Grilled Peach Salsa (Serves 6 as an appetizer, 4 as main course) This sweet and tart salsa is good with about anything, but works very well with seared meats like chicken and shrimp satay, which simply means grilled meat on a stick. Complete this dinner with rice.

Grilled Peach Salsa

1. Cut 1 large peach into quarters and ½ red onion into thin rings. Grill peach and onion on direct medium-high heat until softened and lightly browned. 2. Finely mince 1 clove fresh garlic and mix with 1 tablespoon light brown sugar and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar. 3. While still warm from grill, finely mince the peach and onion and mix with all other ingredients. Add salt and cilantro to taste.

Chicken and Shrimp Satay

1. Cut 2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs into 8 to 12 half-inch-thick strips. Peel 8 medium shrimp. Salt and coat with 1 tablespoon salsa, 1 teaspoon vegetable oil and a dusting of light brown sugar. Let rest for 5 minutes. 2. Skewer chicken or shrimp individually. For extra flavor use fruitwood twigs or grapevines as skewers. 3. Grill over direct high heat until browned. For an extra touch, grill over a bed of chives or scallions – not enough to block all the heat and flames, but to smolder, char and add some nice flavor. 4. Serve warm and covered with Grilled Peach Salsa.

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GRILLED STRAWBERRIES WITH SWEET BALSAMIC SAUCE (Serves 4) Sweet and smoky grilled strawberries are great with vanilla ice cream, Greek yogurt or sponge cake. Sweet balsamic sauce is incredible as a steak sauce.

1. Mix ¼ cup balsamic vinegar and ¼ cup light brown sugar. Heat on medium until just simmering. Remove from heat and stir. 2. Depending on how you plan on using the strawberries, remove the caps or leave intact. 3. Lightly coat strawberries with sweet balsamic sauce and grill on medium heat until just softened and slightly caramelized. 4. Remove from heat and coat again with sauce. 5. Serve immediately for best flavor or refrigerate for later. Drizzle remaining sweet balsamic sauce as desired.

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Honey-Glazed Grilled Stuffed Dates (Serves 4) Easy and elegant. Stuff with Spanish chorizo for a spicy and savory appetizer (pepperoni works in a pinch). For a simple after-dinner cheese-and-fruit course, stuff with a flavorful dry cheese like Asiago or Manchego. Wrap with bacon for extra touch.

1. Cut cheese or chorizo into 8 lardon-sized pieces (about ¼-inch square and 1-inch long). 2. Stuff pieces into 8 pitted dates. 3. Cook on grill over low-medium heat until warmed through, about 10 minutes. 4. Just before serving, brush or drizzle with honey and sear over high heat for just a minute to caramelize outside, but not long enough to dry out the sausage or melt the cheese. 5. For an appetizer with chorizo, pair with an ale or IPA beer. For after-dinner with cheese, indulge in a hearty red wine or fine whiskey.

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PROFILE

Story Kim carpenter Photography jeffrey Bebee + Heidi Thorson

Fort Calhoun's Stick & Stone Bakery brings a little Paris to Nebraska

50â&#x20AC;&#x192; JULY/AUGUST 2016

It’s a love story about an oven. And a couple. And great artisan bread. David Bryan had always been what his wife, Sarah, describes as an avid “hobby baker.” He baked at his grandmother’s elbow and made the desserts – pies, cheesecakes and cream rolls – that starred at the couple’s wedding reception in 2004. It’s no wonder he wasn’t cut out for a day job in insurance sales. Even though Sarah had left her job with the University of Nebraska Medical Center to be a stayat-home mom in 2010, she encouraged David to follow his passion. “He was just not in love with his job. We had a lot of discussions, and I said, ‘We don’t really have anything to lose. Why don’t you go to culinary school?’” David enrolled in Metropolitan Community College’s culinary arts program that year and excelled, winning recognition for his attention to detail and of course, desserts. In March 2012, he traveled to France with a group of students and professors to observe the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie. Sarah describes it as “the Olympics of the baking world in Paris.” For David, it was more than that. It was a revelation. “The Paris trip was eye-opening. Just seeing the breads they were producing – I had never seen anything like that here. In Paris, there are bakeries on every other street corner. They all have these fantastic pastries and elaborately decorated desserts – and of course, bread!” David particularly fell in love with bread from the Boulangerie Poilâne, the bakery where Lionel Poilâne began producing his world-renowned sourdough during the 1970s. The artisan baker was famed for using a woodfired oven and for doing much of the work by hand. Nearly 15 years after his death in a helicopter crash, his bread continues to have a devoted, almost cult-like following. When David returned from his trip, he told Sarah he wanted to create that kind of bread in Nebraska. “He came home and said, ‘Omaha needs something like this! We should do this someday!’ I said, ‘Yeah, someday, we should do it.’ ” One month later, David received $500 from MCC’s Blue Sky Fund, an award for students with promising business models. “All of a sudden, someday became today,” recalls Sarah. David spent the money on bricks and began the meticulous process of building his oven that spring. He

knew that if he wanted to emulate the bread he had tasted in Paris, he needed the proper oven. “It’s a different baking environment. You get a crisper crust and more intense flavors and colors,” he says. “The radiated heat makes for a perfect convection oven with a much more all-around, even bake.” Building the oven was a labor of love. “I didn’t know anything about masonry,” says David. Using a book on brick ovens and YouTube videos as guides, he started the barrel-vaulted oven that summer. “By the fall, I was probably up to about the hearth level,” David says. Freezing weather put the project on hold until spring. Even though the oven wasn’t completely enclosed, the couple still was ready to sell bread by August. They christened their business Stick & Stone Brick Oven Bakery, a name Sarah says is loaded with symbolism: “stick” for the wood in the oven, the shape of baguettes and David’s slender frame, and “stone” for the bricks that comprise the oven, round loaves and, Sarah jokes, her “round shape.” Though the Bryans had fretted over whether they would be able to make a financial go of the bakery, their concerns were allayed at their first outdoor market at the Harrison County Welcome Center in Missouri Valley, Iowa. “They have a system where you don’t sell until the bell rings,” Sarah says. “We had a line of about 30 people just waiting to buy bread. We sold out in something like 15 or 20 minutes. I said, ‘I’m really sorry. We’ll make more next week!’”

(continued on page 52)

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Make more they did, and the next weekend they sold out again. Sarah was relieved. There was definitely a demand for the bread her husband was baking. “I told David, ‘I think we’ll be just fine!’” The bakery’s current offerings include 20 to 25 kinds of bread plus pizza dough, pastries and cookies. The lineup regularly features loaves like Nebraska 9-Grain, cinnamon raisin, blue peppercorn, brioche, baguettes, challah, sunflower, raisin walnut, onion dill, applejack and Bohemian rye, as well as pain au levain, a hearty French bread akin to traditional sourdough. The latter is the bakery’s indisputable star. Similar to the one that made Poilâne famous, David’s pain au levain, which he, too, forms by hand to make sure the dough isn’t overworked, is distinctive for its crunchy crust and chewy, dense center, both products of the brick oven. “It caramelizes the crust,” explains Sarah. “You get a sweetness and a crispness you don’t get in a conventional oven.” While a lot of the intense flavor literally comes from the oven, which can bake up to 200 loaves a day, it’s also thanks to the natural leavening David uses, along with the sparest of pure ingredients, which include salt, water and unbleached, unbromated flour. He made his starter in his artisan bread class five years ago, and Sarah jests that they should have a birthday party for it. “We have all kinds of corny jokes about it,” she says. “It either goes on vacation with us or when we went overseas, we had someone babysitting it and taking care of it.” Thanks to the natural leavening, a process that “eats” gluten, the Bryans say their bread is “gluten safe.” “It makes it healthier for everybody and more nutrientdense,” says David. “It’s healthier bread, and it’s easier for you to eat.” Sarah can attest to this. She has Celiac disease and can eat David’s bread without becoming ill. “I’m always the guinea pig,” she says. “When I can tolerate a product that we’ve made using the natural fermentation, it’s huge for people with this issue. We hear from customer after customer after customer: ‘I tried it. I waited to be sick, and nothing happened! It’s amazing!’ ” That’s why Sarah and David don’t mind when people show up at the bakery wanting a glimpse of the oven. “We feel very fortunate,” Sarah says of Stick & Stone’s success. “It’s exciting to be part of a movement. We love the attention and the enthusiasm of it.” Stick & Stone Brick Oven Bakery sells bread and other bakery items each Saturday at the Village Pointe Farmers Market and on alternating Saturdays at the Benson and Bellevue Farmers Markets. Its goods are also available at numerous area pickup locations. Learn more at stickandstonebakery.com

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find yo u r inspiration .

inspiredlivingomaha . com

Freshly Organized

Live Simply & See the Difference. Restore order to your home & learn to work more efficiently. Make an appointment today with Omaha's professional organizing team. 402-670-3271 freshlyorganized.com

Lauritzen Gardens Gift Shop

Ehly’s Interiors

A distinctive selection of nature-inspired gifts, home and garden décor, books, tools, stationery, jewelry & more. Bring the pleasures of the garden home.

Mention this ad and get $2 off per yard of fabric. Call for details. Family owned and operated for 39 years.

100 Bancroft St. 402-346-4002, ext. 250 lauritzengardens.org

2312 Bob Boozer Dr. 402-330-6557 ehlysinteriors.com

Paige denim…combining spirit and chic sensibility to every design.The perfect pair of jeans that you’ll wear from morning to night.

20% off a pair of Paige jeans through July 30th

Interiors Joan & Associates Blue Pomegranate Gallery 50+ years of award-winning interior design. Shop our showrooms. Tap our expertise. Love the results.

13130 W. Dodge Rd. 402-330-0685 interiorsbyjoan.com

American handmade fine art, fine crafts, gifts and jewelry at Village Pointe. Come see us today!

17305 Davenport St., Ste #103 402-502-9901 bluepom.com

Omaha’s newest boutique offers designer fashion & accessories from contemporary to classic.

GET NOTICED PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS IN INSPIRED Living OMAHA; 402-444-1209

SHOPS OF LEGACY 169th & West Center 402.991.7776 - hushlaboutique.com inspiredlivingomaha.com 53

THREADS

(Symieon) Faherty shirt, $148 James Perse hoodie, $195 Billy Reid shorts, $125 Leather flask, $105 GRAE graeclothing.com

Stone necklace, $84 CHRISTEL’S

christelsclothing.com

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These beach buddies go together like sun and sand photography Heather and jameson · Art Direction Heidi THorson · Merchandise styling Jessica luna Hair & Makeup Kali Rahder, Victor Victoria Salon & Spa · MODELS Jojo & Symieon, Develop Model Management Location Lake manawa state park, Council Bluffs

(Jojo) Papillion tunic, $74 NJ & CO. njandcompany.com

BB Dakota duster, $105 HUSH LA BOUTIQUE hushlaboutique.com

Pedro Garcia wedge, $498 Nakamol braided bracelet, $78 Multistrand bead bracelet, $180 Hammered gold bangle, $24 CHRISTEL’S christelsclothing.com

Beaded wrap necklace, $68 GARMENT DISTRICT garmentdistrictomaha.com

Dreamtime Roundie beach towel, $110 THE BEACH PEOPLE thebeachpeople.com

TRENDING VIEW MORE ONLINE FIND A BEHIND-THESCENES VIDEO AT inspiredlivingomaha.com

inspiredlivingomaha.com 55

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(Symieon) Billy Reid polo, $95 Mason’s pants, $225 Vince slip-on, $250 GRAE graeclothing.com

(Jojo) Blue Pacific scarf (as duster), $57 White + Warren shorts, $90 Beaded bracelets, $12 each FABULOUS FASHIONS BOUTIQUE fabulousfashionsomaha.com

RVCA cap, $30 AMiGAZ bracelet, $10 VON MAUR vonmaur.com

Terry cloth tank, $108 CHRISTEL’S christelsclothing.com

Zenzii earrings, $16.99 HUSH LA BOUTIQUE hushlaboutique.com

inspiredlivingomaha.com 57

(Jojo, opposite page) Skinn cropped tunic, $280 A+L fossil necklace, $200 Stone necklace, $84 Pedro Garcia sandal, $570 CHRISTEL’S christelsclothing.com Koral mesh tank, $70 Koral leggings, $84 LOTUS HOUSE OF YOGA lotushouseofyoga.com

(Symieon, opposite page) All-Day shorts, $98 Baldwin shirt, $165 Hudson slip-on, $165 GRAE graeclothing.com Titanium Marketing Inc. watch, $24 AMiGAZ cuff, $16 VON MAUR vonmaur.com

Marble earrings, $30 GARMENT DISTRICT garmentdistrictomaha.com Tag-Along Tote, $38 Ellene McClay BraveNouvelle, etsy.com

(Jojo, this page) Parker Tiki top, $198 Dolce Vita Javier sandal, $105 GARMENT DISTRICT garmentdistrictomaha.com

Koral Alliance bra top, $122 LOTUS HOUSE OF YOGA lotushouseofyoga.com

Skagen Trisse tote, $245 Cappelli hat, $21 VON MAUR vonmaur.com

Majorelle Roundie beach towel, $110 THE BEACH PEOPLE thebeachpeople.com

Michael Stars shorts, $120 CHRISTEL’S christelsclothing.com

Gold cuff, $187 HUSH LA BOUTIQUE hushlaboutique.com

Ring, $24 NJ & CO.

njandcompany.com

inspiredlivingomaha.com 59

(Jojo) Elan crop top, $54 HUSH LA BOUTIQUE hushlaboutique.com

Transit parachute skirt, $170 A&L quartz necklace, $250 CHRISTEL’S christelsclothing.com

Spiritual Gangster hat, $34 LOTUS HOUSE OF YOGA lotushouseofyoga.com

Frances Valentine Metallic tote, $525 VON MAUR vonmaur.com

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(Symieon) Travis Mathew trunks, $74.95 Mollusk graphic tee, $34 Wilgéns trilby hat, $59.50 Randolph sunglasses, $229 GRAE graeclothing.com

(Jojo) Lilla P stretch maxi, $172 GARMENT DISTRICT

garmentdistrictomaha.com

Skull cashmere sweater, $310 CHRISTEL’S christelsclothing.com

Ettika necklace, $68 FABULOUS FASHIONS BOUTIQUE

fabulousfashionsomaha.com

Crystal bangles, $23 each Fantas sunglasses, $8 VON MAUR vonmaur.com

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DESTINATION

10 glorious days of sun, sand and sanity in Costa Rica Story + Photography Michelle Bazis

I grew up a conservative Midwestern girl, afraid of taking risks and making changes. Traveling to dance competitions with my teammates was as adventurous as I got. Five years ago, everything changed. I moved to Florida, lived on my own, fell in love, got married and learned to embrace adventure stateside and abroad. Yearning for some “Vitamin Sea,” my husband and I were excited to discover that our goto airline had begun service to Central America. Having heard wonderful things about the “Pura Vida” on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, we cashed in our miles and added another stamp to our passports. “Pura Vida” – Spanish for “pure life” – is a popular expression among Ticos (Costa Ricans). I was looking forward to experiencing it as soon as we landed in San José, but this metropolis of chain stores, fast-food franchises and rush-hour traffic was not the place to start. For the real deal, we would have to venture beyond the comforts of Costa Rica’s commercialized cities and cozy resorts and into its vibrant-yet-primitive countryside. We made our way to the port town of Puntarenas on the Nicoya Peninsula. Here, we boarded a ferry bound

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for Tambor. While no luxury yacht, we still enjoyed views of lush islands, village fishermen, sea turtles and a coastline framed by tropical mountains and sapphire skies. This, we decided, was a taste of “Pura Vida,” so we put down our cameras and simply soaked in the hot sun and the salty air. From Tambor, we took a shuttle bus over the mountains, through rolling farmland and into Santa Teresa, a beach town untainted by modern culture. No McDonald’s or Starbucks, traffic lights or sidewalks here. Your feet get dirty, sunscreen replaces makeup, and beach waves come from the ocean instead of a bottle. Transportation has one requirement – to get you from Point A to Point B. Fishermen and students walk from town to town, families pile onto four-wheelers and friends double-up on dirt bikes. Television plays second fiddle to good conversation, the fanciest threads come from a local surf shop, and captivating sunsets never lose their luster. Here, you can look beyond titles, trends and toys, and meditate on the reality of how little you truly need to feel happy, healthy and fulfilled. This is the essence of “Pura Vida,” and we lived it for 10 glorious days.

WHERE WE VENTURED • Mal Pais Canopy Mal Pais Del Pacifico • Cabuya Reserva Natural Cabo Blanco • Montezuma Montezuma Falls • Playa Santa Teresa Surfing • Playa Hermosa Tide pools HOW WE GOT THERE

THE SHOPS OF LEGACY 16939 Wright Plaza 402.557.6100 garmentdistrictomaha.com

Montezuma Express A door-to-door shuttle service; customized itineraries available. 10 ESSENTIALS 1. Backpack 2. Waterproof hiking shoes (1) 3. Rain jacket (1) 4. Sandals (1) 5. Swimsuit (3) 6. Shirts or tops (4) 7. Shorts (2) 8. Cover-ups (2) 9. Toiletries 10. Phone + charger WHERE WE STAYED Casa Marbella This accommodation arranges ATV rentals, which is the best way to get around Santa Teresa and nearby Montezuma.

GOOD EATS, PROVISIONS • Mal Pais The Bakery for breakfast • Santa Teresa Brisas Del Mar for dinner, Banana Beach for sunset cocktails • Groceries & Water Super Fresco

PHOTO-WORTHY LOCALS Look for: Iguanas, howler and spider monkeys, whitefaced capuchins, coati, sloths, parrots, jaguars, humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins

COUNTRYSIDE VILLAGE 8711 Countryside Plaza 402.934.2111 gramercyomaha.com

Michelle Bazis is a freelance writer and photographer living in Omaha. Find out where she's off to next at freelymi.com

inspiredlivingomaha.com 63

PHoto: HEIDI THORSON

END NOTE

HOW VERY "SEUSSICAL."

Find more whimsical yard art at inspiredlivingomaha.com.

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