february
Greenville, SC
free!
skirt!is
www.skirt.com
When Eve took her first bite of the Apple, she immediately had a foretaste of things to come. That it would be impossible to pack fewer than 5 pairs of shoes for any trip. That women would have to give up comfortable fig leaves for bustles, underwire bras and Spandex body shapers. That they would be punished for their sins by something called “Monday Night Football.” That girls just want to have fun, but they would have to cook dinner, do the dishes,
Help With Homework and pick up the babysitter first. That when you’re the First Woman to try something new—whether it’s sin or the Senate—some guy is always going to blame you for lowering the standards. That The Tree of Knowledge would yield Viagra, but not a male birth control pill.
She should’ve had a V8 instead. Cover copy by Nikki Hardin, Art by Daria Jabenko
“I am good, but not an angel. I do sin, but I am not the devil. I am just a small girl in a big world trying to find someone to love.” Marilyn Monroe
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National Art Director
Caitilin McPhillips caitilin.mcphillips@skirt.com National Editor
Margaret Pilarski margaret.pilarski@skirt.com Greenville Editor
Sheril Bennett Turner sheril.turner@skirt.com Director of Sales
Angela Filler angela.filler@skirt.com Sales Executive
Kathryn Barmore kathryn.barmore@skirt.com Graphic Designers
Shelli H. Rutland Shearer Wludyka Photographers
John Fowler 864.380.9332 promoimaging.com Sheril Bennett Turner
Sales: 864.357.3667 FAX: 864.751.2815
skirt! is all about women...
February
Publisher
Nikki Hardin editor@skirt.com
their work, play, families, creativity, style, health and wealth, bodies and souls. skirt! is an attitude...spirited, independent, outspoken, serious, playful and irreverent,
sinful issue
sometimes controversial, always passionate. Calendar Submissions Send information or mail to sheril.turner@skirt.com, or mail to skirt! Greenville, 1708-C Augusta St. #335 Greenville, SC 29605.
Letters to the Editor
Essays and Profiles
Profile: Shunta Grant
Well Heeled ................................................................................. 20 Profile: Courtney Hughey
All letters must include the writer’s name and city/state.
Attracted to Attire. .................................................................. 22
Writers & Artists
Profile: Emily Franda
Our guidelines are available online at skirt.com. Submit artwork or essays via e-mail to submissions@skirt.com.
Passionate about PJs ................................................................ 24 Tell the Girls
Jen Rognerud................................................................................. 28 skirt! is published monthly and distributed free throughout the greater Greenville area. skirt! reserves the right to refuse to sell space for any advertisement the staff deems inappropriate for the publication. Unsolicited manuscripts must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Letters to the editor are welcome, but may be edited due to space limitations. Press releases must be received by the 1st of the month for the following month’s issue. All content of this magazine, including without limitation the design, advertisements, art, photos and editorial content, as well as the selection, coordination and arrangement thereof, is Copyright © 2010, Morris Publishing Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this magazine may be copied or reprinted without the express written permission of the publisher. SKIRT!® is a registered trademark of Morris Publishing Group, LLC.
Vice Versus Women make more than 85% of all purchasing decisions.
Stephanie Hunt .......................................................................... 30
Features
From the Publisher/Editor and Letters.............................6 Women spend almost 2 of every 3 healthcare dollars.
Skirt of the Month........................................................................ 9 Calendar.............................................................................................. 8
Women control 2/3 of the nation’s disposable income.
Mod Squad..................................................................................... 13 Don’t Miss ......................................................................................15
Women influence 80% of all car sales.
He’s So Original with Hawk N’ Tom................................16 Say I Do............................................................................................ 18 skirt! Loves................................................................................... 26 Feel Good....................................................................................... 27 Meet...Tanya Leigh Thompson............................................. 32 Browse............................................................................................... 33 Planet Nikki..................................................................................... 34
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F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 1
Sin
f
ul
e h T
Issue
Put on
your fig leaf, let down your hair, and whatever happens, blame it on the snake. .
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Just wanted to touch base with you—don’t know if you guys realize what that article did for my career, but I wanted to say thank you so much. I’m well on my way to completing a lot those things on my to-do list, and I’ve gotten to work in conjunction with several people through having that article out there in skirt! Greenville.
Cover Artist Daria Jabenko was born in Moscow, Russia, in 1984. She moved to Canada years later and studied illustration and advertising—which makes for a perfect combination. She works on a wide variety of projects ranging from book cover designs, packaging, advertising and magazine fashion illustrations. Illustration gives her an ability to express her feelings and touch people’s hearts and souls. She’s an artist who finds beauty in the every day. She loves a warm cup of tea on a crisp autumn morning and drawing in her art journal. Since becoming a freelance illustrator eight years ago, she continues to seek new ways to express herself through her art, and look for new sources of inspiration to bring beauty to someone’s day. She pours her heart, soul, and creative talent into her work and her audience can’t help but be inspired and moved. dariadesignca.com o
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❉
skir t. c
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❉ skirt .
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❉ skirt .
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Letters
From the Publisher
thesinful issue I wish I had more opportunity to sin than I do, but my real life is duller
Wendy Owens Via Voicemail Asheville, NC
than a butter knife. It’s in my imagination that I’m wild and unrestrained,
[Ed. Note: Wendy was featured as one of our August 2009 “My Life List” profiles. She is a music P/R sound designer and a lucid flight instructor who “dances like a robotic chicken in the blender on frappe.”]
and daydreams. I suspect that ever since Eve got kicked out of Eden and
I wanted to give you and skirt! Greenville a big thank you for “loving” me in your December issue. I was thrilled to be included. I read skirt! every month and cannot wait until it comes to the newsstands. Please keep up the good work and best of 2011 to you and your staff!
from home with the Blouse Man from A Walk on the Moon? Or get my
Laura K. Aiken mosaic + art + jewelry Greenville, SC
but in the meantime, I’ll keep living an alternate life in my fantasies. You
Your “Amazing Issue” [January] really was amazing! I’m consistently impressed with the local women you uncover for each issue. It’s so empowering to know we’re surrounded by brilliant and creative women in this city, and we’re lucky to have a magazine to show them off. Hats off to you again, skirt!
sing “If I Could Turn Back Time” to the neighbors.
Stephanie Tanner-Erickson Memphis, TN
Girl, lacy panties, expensive skin products, froyo, The Bachelor, an afternoon nap, sales at WHBM,
and even then I feel guilty about the things I do and think in my fantasies had to start wearing the equivalent of Earth Shoes, pretending like she really, really loved natural childbirth, and generally dressing like a sisterfriend from a polygamous compound, women have been longing to bust a move. To flaunt what we’ve got like Cher in a transparent body stocking singing to thousands of sailors on an aircraft carrier. Or am I the only one who has ever wanted to just say “no” to responsibility and run away nipple pierced? Or throw the recycling in the trash? Or stop wearing any kind of underwear (what’s the point, anyway)? In other words, to be as hedonistic, hell-raising and guilt-free as possible. To be the scandalous woman everyone gossips about but deep-down envies a little bit. I had my share of sinful adventures when I was younger, but I wish I had enjoyed the simmering and smoldering more instead of spending so much time and energy squirming and stewing with guilt. Maybe it’s not too late, know—like the one in which I take the recycling out stark naked while I
Nikki
publisher@skirt.com
From the Editor When I want to know what skirt! girls are really thinking, I give a shout out on our Twitter page, @skirtgreenville. For our Sinful Issue, I posed this question to our bold readers: “What are some of your guilty pleasures?” Here are just a few of their delicious transgressions. (Note: The names have been omitted to protect the guilty, but you know who you are!) Crappy teen dramas like Gossip Starbucks mochas, Glee, dinner out, baked goods, wine, ’80s music, sorority life, Facebook games, chick lit (especially the Shopaholic series), fast food, Laffy Taffy... Read on to find out what our three blissseeking profiles divulged as their guilty pleasures, “Meet” a gal who has a real gusto for the delights of life, plus none other than Greenville’s own favorite radio personalities—Hawk N’ Tom—make a special devilishly delightful appearance. As for me, don’t wait up. I’ll be indulging in my own guilty pleasures…
Sheril Wicked
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sheril.turner@skirt.com
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Skirt by Etcetera Labels 1922 Augusta St., Greenville 864.631.1919
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Traci Daberko is an illustrator and graphic designer in Seattle, WA. See her work at daberkodesign.com.
Feb 5
The South’s grooviest disco party is back! Catch Retro Fest, providing the best of music and stellar costumes— all to benefit the Piedmont Chapter of the American Red Cross! piedmont.redcross.org
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The Spirit of Big Love celebrates Upstate Visual Arts and Interim HeathCare Hospice by opening the creative spirit. Enjoy plenty of great music, food and a unique silent auction. upstatevisualarts.org
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Make plans to take a trip down the aisle at the annual Bridesmaids Ball—featuring the Bridesmaid’s Dress from Hell Contest—to raise money for the Upstate Homeless Coalition of SC. upstatehomeless.com
Get Artsy Check out Sundays@2, a free weekly series of events at the Greenville County Museum of Art. greenville museum.org
It’s a Mystery 10-26. The most famous detective is hired once again in Sherlock Holmes, The Final Adventure: A mystery by Steven Dietz. centrestage.org
Cooking with Love 3. Discover the secret to making the most enticing baked goodies at Baking Basics with local celebrity Chef Cynthia Williams. thecooksstation.com
Love Stories 12-13. Give your valentine the gift of beautiful music with these works from the world of ballet. greenvillesymphony.org
Year of the Rabbit 4. Celebrate Chinese New Year by making Chinese lanterns with your kids, ages 5 and under. tcmupstate.org
Romance 14. Nationally renowned pianist Emile Pandolfi presents a very special Valentine’s Day Concert. greenville littletheatre.org
Delightful! 4-13. Discover a magical friendship between a child and a giant in The BFG (Big Friendly Giant) presented by the SC Children’s Theatre. scchildrenstheatre.org
Helping Kids 22. Former Clemson superstar C.J. Spiller will be the guest speaker at this Coaches 4 Character program and reception. potential youthfoundation.com
Sensual Scents 5. Sign up for The Fragrant Valentine’s Gift, an aromatherapy workshop where you’ll learn how to use essential oils to enhance romance. itsyogastudio.com
Weekday Workout Every Tuesday and Thursday, catch a Zumba class at the YWCA brought to you by Studio SI.ywcagreenville. org
Wedding Plans 5. You’ve never been to a wedding event like this before! Don’t miss the Carolina First Winter Wedding Festival. weddingfestivals.com
I Do! 26. You’ve got the ring, now get the wedding of your dreams. Meet local vendors in an intimate setting at the Greer Station Bridal Expo at Greer City Hall. greerstation.com
Bake for Family Fun Month • Boost Self-Esteem Month • Sweet Potato Month • American Heart Month • Laugh-Friendly Month • Mend a Broken Heart Month
National Cherry Month • Time Management Month • Black History Month • Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month • Spunky Old Broads Month skirt.com
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The
Sinful
Issue
Your shadow contains
hidden hurts and hidden powers, unconscious shame and untapped potential. Shed some light on your dark side.
skirt.com
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The
Don’t wait
for company to have a sinfully delicious meal or a special occasion to wear sinfully expensive shoes.
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Sinful
Issue
Alessandro Mendini’s Parrot Corkscrew alessi-shop.com
Mod Squad
Scherer Funky Wall Clock
Contemporary Rugs Rug & Home, Inc.
Christopher Park Gallery
4 Factory Shops Blvd., Gaffney 864.488.2383
Zuo Modern Chair
608-A S. Main St., Greenville
Bogari
864.232.6744
1010 Woods Crossing Rd., Greenville 864.254.0770
skirt.com
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The
Sinful
Issue
Less guilt,
more good times. Fewer Scarlet Letters, more Scarlett O’Haras. No regrets, only red-lipstick days.
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“Grab your friends for an evening of unforgettable fun, fashion, food, and drinks...
miss
don’t
Feb ruary 10 Fashion with a Passion A Benefit for Safe Harbor Grab your friends for an evening of unforgettable fun, fashion, food, and drinks to benefit Safe Harbor, Thursday, February 10 at 6pm at the Commerce Club. The evening features the latest fashion trends on a runway; plus fabulous items including vacation, golf and spa packages up for grabs at a silent auction. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at fashionwithapassionsc.org (or at Monkee’s on the West End or Studio One) and include food and drinks. Safe Harbor helps victims of domestic violence, providing safe emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and community outreach and education. Contact them today at 864.467.1177 or at their 24/7 Crisis Line at 1.800.291.2139. safeharborsc.org
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He’s So Original
Hawk N’ Tom are Naughty in the Morning. Sure, Hawk Harrison might be guilty of taking down a lady on a ski slope, and Tom Steele of driving blindfolded on I-385, but behind their devilish deeds this disc jockey duo from B93.7 are a pair of angels with hearts of gold. Known for their community work on and off the clock, Hawk and Tom are especially dedicated to children’s causes like the GHS Children’s Hospital, the Children’s Miracle Network, and the Laugh for a Child program. Hawk and Tom, admittedly, are no strangers to the wearing of the skirt. “I would move to Scotland if there was a good radio job there so I could wear a kilt,” admits Tom. “I like to imagine that when I’m wearing a skirt, women are always trying to get a peek.” What do you love about skirt! magazine? “Its unpredictability.” (Hawk) How do you feel wearing a skirt? “There is something very racy about always having to be careful that your goodies aren’t showing…and I like it.” (Tom) Photo by John Fowler
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2011
Jeep Grand Cherokee Starting at $27,990
Sales Office: 9 am - 8 pm Service Department: 8 am - 6 pm Closed Sundays www.mckinneyauto.com S102580
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uPstAte weDDing & event seRviCes
CARolinA PARty PRofessionAls
sAige Consignment
skylight ChAPel & events
muse shoe stuDio
Rtm PhotogRAPhy
I Do adore white tablecloths and candlelight, frosting roses and catching the bouquet,
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SAY
fRilly bloomeRs
skinkARe
we Do! weDDings & events
Awesome Designs & weDDings
lAbels DesigneR Consignments
elev8 stuDio
events At the DAvenPoRt
bubbles
I DO
and
black
City of gReeR events ComPlex
kim DeloACh PhotogRAPhy
tie,
limos
and
lace.
RSVP
to
hope
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and
happiness.
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My 5 Guilty Pleasures
Shunta Grant | Well Heeled Shunta was the quiet one…until she participated in high school mock trial. “Mock trial gave me the confidence to compete in school and to become an attorney. Essentially, I get to be an advocate and argue that my side is right. I’ve been doing that since I was five!” This legal eagle is also active in her church, where she started the teen program “Girls Gone Wise.” 1. The Real Housewives of Atlanta…and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills…and… 2. Ben & Jerry’s Dulce Delish. 3. Shoes! Shoes! ...And more shoes! 4. Flamin’ Hot Cheetos . 5. Going to Macy’s One Day Sale—on both days. (There’s always a preview day!) Photo by John Fowler
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Growing Families ...
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Also providing Biohormone Replacement Therapy for your hormonal issues. skirt.com
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My 5 Guilty Pleasures
Courtney Hughey | Attracted to Attire As a career developer for Virginia College Greenville, Courtney helps recent grads obtain jobs in their field of study right here in the Upstate. Known for being 100% open and honest, this sassy single girl tells it like it is. “Don’t ask my opinion if you don’t want to hear it. I don’t believe in filters.” 1. Driving long distances; I enjoy the time alone to think…and sing. 2. Getting tattoos. 3. Jager, ice cream, and Havarti cheese! 4. Back-to-back episodes of really trashy reality shows like Rock of Love, and Bad Girls Club. 5. Men in uniform. Really, any uniform—military, law enforcement, fire and rescue, construction, UPS…it doesn’t matter. Photo by John Fowler
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Quilt & Sew
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Ready To Love Your Life?
Let 2011 be the year you love the life you live! Special offer for skirt! Readers
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joytanksley@gmail.com Februaryw2011greenville
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My 5 Guilty Pleasures
Emily Franda | Passionate about PJs When Emily was in the 8th grade, she decided that she wanted to teach history. With a BA in hand and a Master’s degree in the works, this Furman girl is now ready to fulfill that dream. In the midst of job searching, Emily fills her time with swing dancing, photography, theatre, and vocal performance, or relaxing with wine, chocolate and a good chick flick with her girlfriends. 1. Eating all the cashews out of a bowl of mixed nuts. 2. Watching The Mentalist. 3. Singing loudly. 4. Pillows. 5. Wearing pajamas all day long. Photo by John Fowler
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“Advertising in skirt! works for my business!” -Bentley DeGarmo owner Labels Designer Consignments
When Bentley DeGarmo opened Labels, her upscale ladies consignment store on Augusta Street in Greenville, Skirt! was not in her original marketing plan. But, after running a couple of ads, she was sold! Now, she doesn’t miss an issue! “Every week customers come in and say they found out about Labels through my ad in skirt! I’m so happy with the response that I receive from my ads. And, the skirt! sales and design departments make it incredibly easy to get a fabulous new ad every month.”
Skirt! magazine attracts loyal readers AND loyal advertisers. Call or email us today to find out how we can help YOUR business!
864.357.3669 angela.filler@skirt.com skirt.com
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With Love Red Wine, Swanson Vineyards swansonvineyards.com
WeLove!
Lolita Lempicka Parfum
Owl Bank shoplimeblue.com
Margaret National skirt! Editor
Frederic Sage Earrings JB Lacher Jewelers 123 College St. Greenville 864.232.7385
Angela Director of Sales
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Perfumania Prime Outlets of Gaffney 864.489.5771
Sheril Editor
feelgoodfive
1 RealAge.com reports that people who came to work sick at least six times within the previous year were 50 percent more likely to need extended sick leave later on—as much as two or more weeks off within the next 18 months. Just say no to presenteeism.
2
Sleepless nights can make your life a misery. The I CAN’T SLEEP journal is full of provocative quotes and writing prompts to help give you some glorious rest. uncommongoods.com
3 4 5 Devotees of Wonderbar soap swear it fights eczema, acne and psoriasis as well as lightening pigmentation, firming skin and putting a glow on your face. All thanks to a special mud or clay called MOOR. Read the testimonials and how it works at wonderbarusa.com.
Learning to hula hoop can decrease the inches in your waist while it increases
Shameless: How I Ditched the Diet, Got Naked, Found True Pleasure..and Somehow Got Home in Time to Cook Dinner by Pamela Madsen tells the story of her search for sexual, personal and spiritual wholeness. Funny and frank, but definitely not for the faint-hearted. Hint: spanking involved!
the neurons in your brains. Practice while you watch TV to recapture some of the brain cells reality shows are destroying.
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TEL L THE
We are so unnecessarily hard on ourselves.
F
Jen Rognerud
or someone raised with little religious influence, I have a very strong moral code. You might say that my sense of right and wrong is exaggerated—that I’m too moralistic, that I’m burdened by my shoulds and should nots. It started young. I remember a beach ball flying over the backyard wall from the next door neighbors’ house. They had four teenage sons and on that day, they were having a pool party. I was eight or nine. I took the ball and developed some sort of lonely game in which I would see how many times I could bounce it without error. See? Even in my play, I was evaluating my worth. But dropping the ball wasn’t my biggest concern. After all, I was playing with stolen property. In the week or two after the pool party, the older boys asked for their ball. I told them I didn’t have it. They told me they’d heard me bouncing it every day after school. I told them that they were mistaken, that the sound had come from my own personal ball. Then I wrote my last name on the thing in permanent ink, over the remains of their fading last name— not-so-permanent ink.
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Tell the Girls
THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF THE UPSTATE
Obviously, I really loved this ball, but the guilt was almost unbearable. It kept me up at night. The song “Careless Whisper” by Wham was popular at the time, and ridiculously, I cringed whenever it came on. The story of a cheating, lying lover echoed the shame I felt at coveting a toy that had sailed into my life by chance. Eventually, I hid the ball in the back of my closet, in a bag, under some blankets. If George Michael was “never gonna dance again,” I’d never bounce that ball again. I was a liar and a thief. A sinner. A few years later, the old moral code served me well at a slumber party. Our girl group wrote a nasty note to a friend who hadn’t been invited. In the morning, we left it on her doorstep, rang the bell, and ran off. Although I laughed and squealed and helped write the damn thing, I couldn’t help picturing myself in her place. I felt horrible. Later that day, I rode my bike to her house to apologize. I was the only one. Although she was devastated, I could see that my visit gave her hope—at least one person knew that it was cruel. In high school, I followed the old standard anorexic diet. Then, the fun really began. A certain weight was good, but one pound less was better. Existing on one bagel with cream cheese per day was admirable, but why not bring it down to half a cup of Jell-O? Or just a banana now and then to keep from passing out? Or nothing, plus an hour on the Stairmaster? In my twenties, it was all about boys. My self-worth depended on being pretty enough, smart enough, funny enough, sexy enough. Would the right one call back? Had I said the wrong thing? Did I sleep with him too soon? And was I any good? Of course, I’ve had my share of therapy. My doctor and I have a little inside joke. He likes to tell me, “You shouldn’t say should so much.” And I reply, “Great. Another thing to beat myself up over.” Then we laugh—so modern, so aware. Tearing myself down continues to be my number one obstacle in life. I spin my inability to do it all into just the opposite—complete and total inertia. I wonder if I write enough, exercise enough, whether I clean the toilet enough. Am I doing right by my children when I’m real rather than doting? Do I honor my husband’s hopes and dreams? Do I have the courage to honor my own? Sadly, I’m not the only one prone to self-scrutiny. I am surrounded by women who make mountains out of molehills, who see themselves in terms of flaws. The mother who calls herself “rotten” for turning on a cartoon. The neighbor who claims she “practically cheated” because she looked up an old flame on Facebook. A friend who grabs a cookie or pours a tall glass of wine while shaking her head and saying, “I shouldn’t.” As women, we love to talk about how much we eat, how much we spend, how much we gossip, how much we actually have sex. We’re old when we go grey, ugly when we pop a pimple, fat compared to everyone else. We shouldn’t drink so much, swear so much, shouldn’t want a break from our kids. We’re selfish for working outside the home and we’re worthless if we don’t. We are so unnecessarily hard on ourselves. Intellectually, I understand that I feel unreasonably guilty about things I probably shouldn’t feel guilty about at all. In theory, I know that guilt is useless and that if something truly merits change, I should work on changing it rather than dwelling on inadequacies. Getting there emotionally is a different story, but I’m trying. I no longer let myself fret over the scale. I try not to freak out about supposed bad mommy moments or hours spent watching, of all things, The Bachelor. Oh, do you detect judgment in my tone? Damn it, I’m still that little girl with a beach ball in the back of her closet, guilt burning a hole in her gut and weighing heavily on her heart. And yes, for the record, I still have a hard time sitting through “Careless Whisper.” At any rate, this year, I’m looking at what actually merits change—namely, my tendency to see myself as a sinner rather than a winner. I’m planning on complimenting myself more than punishing myself. I want to stop putting the word “guilty” before the word “pleasure.” I will look forward before I look back. I will quickly count my accomplishments and attributes every time I’m tempted to list my failures. And, I’m going to encourage the girls in my life to do the same. I’m going to tell the girls that I find them flawlessly flawed, natural, authentic, brilliant, resilient, and bright. I’m going to ask them not to apologize for being angry, messy, distracted, or emotional. You should never have to apologize for what is truly, uniquely you. Because girls, you are good. You matter. And if a stupid old beach ball flies into your backyard, maybe you should just call it “finders keepers.” I won’t tell.
THANK
YOU!
“The Museum’s pricing and extended hours this month reflect how grateful we are for the incredible support of the community in our first year. We look forward to continuing to grow with the region and being a premier leisure time option for families and an informal learning resource for schools.” ~Mary Sellers, CEO
FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY:
Special Pricing: Adults $10 Children $9 age 2 and up Senior/Military $9.50
Special Hours: Thursday 9am-7pm Sunday 11am-5pm Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat 9am-5pm
300 College Street / Downtown Greenville 864.233.7755 / TCMUpstate.org
In recent years, Jen Rognerud has beaten herself up over her silly little Target addiction. Sick of dwelling and supposing that maybe the situation merits change, she has decided to give up the super store for at least one year. Read about it at yearwithout.net. skirt.com
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As this slim slip of a month blurs by, May 21 will be here before we know it, which means one of two things: 1) it’s almost bathing suit season, or 2) not much time to get right with God. It’s not pretty either way.
Stephanie Hunt
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Vice Versus
February is a ruse. It feels like a 28-day sprint, and a cold one at that. February is hardly a month at all, just a cruel teaser of a calendar slot—an excuse for credit card companies to slip in a late fee when you’re not paying attention. And it feels especially cruel this February 1, given that the end of the world is barreling down in 109 days. Yes folks, the Rapture folks claim the clock’s a tickin. As this slim slip of a month blurs by, May 21 will be here before we know it, which means one of two things: 1) it’s almost bathing suit season, or 2) not much time to get right with God. It’s not pretty either way. In light of the impending final days, I’ve been pondering sin, redemption and things eternal, and realize that the classic big seven—wrath, envy, lust, pride, greed, gluttony and sloth—are so old school. Despite living in the era of Wikileaks and GPS, we still cling to dusty versions of vice and virtue. Dante and Virgil toured the dismal circles of hell, schlepping around the realms of hypocrites and usurers, but that was so 13th century. Here we are in a shiny new millennium, complete with high def TV and 4G iPads—“wrath” seems so yesterday when we’ve got Fox News. “Lust” is downright quaint in the age of sexting, and “gluttony,” well, that’s simply a value meal at the drivethru. Surely in these modern end times, there’s an app for who’s in and who’s out, and what to pack for the Rapt. While the church still cleaves to medieval jargon, entrepreneurial Christians are launching websites (youvebeenleftbehind.com) that for a reasonable fee ($14.95) let you preload 100MB of encrypted emails to be delivered to friends, family and creditors who missed the heavenly boat. And don’t fret about Fido; for $110 the Rapture-bound can hire atheist animal activists via the Web (think Noah in reverse) to rescue pets after the faithful fly off. If the post-Rapture world benefits from such forward thinking, perhaps it’s also time to revisit evaluation criteria for these next 109 days, and counting…to download an updated Judgment Day guide, to make sure our modern sins are accounted for. Not that the foibles of human character have changed much since Dante and Beatrice exchanged smitten glances, or that good ol’ Envy and Greed are no longer no-no’s, but I do believe in this day and age there are other transgressions that may be equally hazardous to eternal health. So to cover the bases, I humbly offer my revised list of the biggies: “Vice Versus 2.0.” Ignorance: I don’t mean “lack of knowledge,” but Merriam-Webster’s sense of “lack of awareness.” There are high school dropouts who are engaged and well-informed and plenty of PhDs and congressmen (Joe Wilson ring any bells?) who are blatantly and terrifyingly ignorant. In the uber Information Age, there’s no excuse for not knowing better. Speed: “Sloth” suggests sluggishness, however today’s drug, and danger, is just the opposite. We demand the world at our fingertips now, cheap goods from Chinese factories in a day, and food cooked in a microwaved blink. Speed kills our attention span, our appreciation for quality and beauty and ultimately, our planet. We’re dizzyingly fast at melting glaciers but drag our feet at giving a damn. Which brings us to… Apathy: The passionless, the “sorry souls who lived without disgrace and without praise,” are the first whom Dante meets in Hell. They led a “blind life,” abject and disengaged, having made the “great refusal.” Today we play video games while Haiti crumbles; we hobble on crutches of cynicism rather than crawl toward action. Fear: The only thing to fear is fear itself, especially when paraded as political gunpowder and used to undermine the United States Constitution. See also revised sin No. 1. Certainty: While I’m not positive, I have a strong suspicion (which I’m happy to reconsider in open, civil discourse) that being downright dogmatic is downright dangerous. I find it wholly, and holy, ironic, that people of “faith” are often those driven by “certainty” to ignore fact in proposing ludicrous policies. Drill, baby, drill, down to reasonable, responsible doubt. Tweeting: If the meek shall inherit the Earth, then the Tweet have something else coming. Broadcasting that you had sushi for lunch is the contemporary corollary to Pride and Greed, with a little backwards Envy tossed in. Ingratitude: If one vice will sink us, or rather, if one virtue could save us—our souls or the planet—I’d vote for gratitude. To be grateful is to be humble and aware, to be wide-eyed, slowed-down and attentive enough to acknowledge small miracles and immense blessing, whether wild violets or the World Wide Web. To be grateful is to be enraptured, here and now, in all our goofed-up, glorious earthliness. To be grateful and gracious is to be full of grace, which may come in handy on May 21, and even on May 22, regardless of where you find yourself.
Let us take care of your precious smiles!
Mary W. Crockett, D.M.D Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
102 South Venture Drive Greenville, SC 29615 (near intersection of Pelham Road & Patewood Drive)
864-234-9800 www.crockettpediatricdentistry.com
Stephanie Hunt is a Mt. Pleasant, SC, freelance writer, whose work appears in a number of regional and online publications, including skirt!, Literary Mama, and the blog, A Life Still. Contact her at stephaniehuntwrites.com. skirt.com
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Meet Shoes I Covet: Old Gringos
Tanya Leigh Thompson, She’s known as Instigator #14.5 amongst Swagclubbers, and in her spare time you might find her racing at the BMW Performance Center. “I just left a 15-year-career in risk management in the life insurance industry to stir up passionate conversations with people.”
Where I Get My Coffee: Liquid Highway
My Pet: @Oliver_Snell, my bad ass Westie
My Lucky Charm: Davidoff Special “R” Cigars
Favorite Restaurant: Bohemian
On My Desk: Buckyballs My Guilty Pleasure: Nutella Where You’ll Find Me On Friday Nights: Downtown Greenville with my plumber Ken Flournoy My Workout: Avoidance Favorite Label: I.N.C. My Gadget: DroidX Red, White or Beer? Brown, Woodford Reserve Right Now I’m
Photo by John Fowler
Reading: Liar’s Poker My Muses: Kamran Popkin (Swagclub) & Russ Davis (Sandler Training) My Handbag: Coach or Hobo My Watch: My Phone
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February
Make Rebecca and Patricia Floyd, a mother-daughter team in Richmond, Virginia, opened a revolutionary art studio for children and now offer their Schoodio art-studio-in-a-bag for kids who aren’t lucky enough to live nearby. Each one is packed with art/craft supplies and inspiration. schoodio.com
Listen Charles Pate, the creative director of Garnet Hill, has been creating mixed tapes from his extensive and quirky vinyl collection for years. Now hundreds of hours of his music are available for
Books we are enjoying
free streaming on patestapes.com. Just click and play. One of our favorites: the “Sensual World” playlist under Global Mixes.
Watch We love The Sartorialist at skirt! and only wish we were
The Confident Creative Cat Bennett Nikki Hardin Publisher, skirt!
camera-worthy. Is this a shallow goal? Of course! But we can’t help ourselves. Everyone he photographs is bathed in instant fleeting stardom, but the duct-tape boots are instant classics. Search “Intel Visual Life - The Sartorialist” on YouTube and get a glimpse of the way he works.
Snap Download the Photo Booth Classic Plus app to your phone to create a strip of pics that look like they came from an
Femme Fatale: Cinema’s Most Unforgettable Lethal Ladies Dominique Mainon & James Ursini Sheril Bennett Turner Editor
old-school photo booth. itunes.com
Track The TeuxDeux app was created by Tina Roth Eisenberg of
Playlist
SwissMiss.com to give users a better visual interface for their to-do lists. Set it to be your home page so that you always see it at a glance. teuxdeux.com
Blogfiles
❤❤❤❤❤ Need You Now
Lady Antebellum My Funny Valentine
Big Muff
Who Loves You
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
kellyoxford.tumblr.com
37Days.com
v-grrrl.com
“Ashton Kutcher said
“Worrying about the com-
“Sometimes middle age just
he’s preparing to ‘protect
petition does very little to
kicks my ass. It’s imagined
his family’ when the
help your career. I know it’s
as an age of stability but
‘system collapses.’ Dude,
hard sometimes to ignore
it often feels like an age of
you’re Kelso and those
what other people are do-
unraveling. We are losing
kids’ Dad is DIE HARD.”
ing (we all think that others
the older generation and
are doing better than us),
the younger generation
but every one of us is on
too. We bear both sets of
a different life path. We are
burdens, are pulled in many
all here to accomplish
directions, and try desper-
different things...”
ately not to fall apart.”
Two of Us
The Beatles Our Love is Easy
Melody Gardot
From Secrets of the Self-Employed.
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planetnikki [ a visual journal ]
How often do we have the chance to slip out of our own lives and try on new ones? I’ve made that happen, and it feels like being in a fairy tale, the kind that has transformation as its theme.
Frogs into princes,
beasts into beauty’s dream, sooty maidservants into dazzling royalty. If I had a fairy godmother, I would wish that the journey I’m on will end in finding
my true self,
discovering where I belong, becoming at home in my own life. I’d ask for bravery to send me out the door every day on a new adventure. For confidence that I deserve it. For a magic potion
to help me see
that it’s possible to spin gold out of chaff
every single day.
This sensuous book on textiles from Ikea makes me want to redo my house in all new colors and textures. My setting has become static and I haven’t even noticed til now.
Everywhere I look in London, I find something my iPhone wants to capture. The simplest things, like a row of arches, or crisp black house numbers, seem magical.
It’s only a tiny kite that comes in a postcard, but it’s big enough to take flight— and my imagination, dreams, memories and regrets along with it.
www.ikea.com The Oyster transit card is my magic ticket to roam London by bus or tube. I can feel like a native for a few weeks and make up an alter life to go with it.
Shadow Catchers, an exhibit on camera-less photography at the Victoria and Albert opened the doors of perception for me. The astounding work of Floris Neusüss made me realize that I’ve limited myself by seeing only what I expect to see.
Nikki Hardin is the founder and publisher of skirt! magazine. She blogs at fridaville.com. 34
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Consignment Chic
Smart fashionistas know how to save money and still look fabulous!
Augusta Roads Newest Home Consignment Store Accepting antiques and “like-new� furniture.
We Buy Estates 2118 Augusta St., Greenville
Consign & Design (next to McDonald’s)
864-236-5570
Mon.-Fri. 10-6: Saturday 10-4
www.ConsignonAugusta.com
Winter Sale 30%-75% off! Prom and Pageant gowns galore Now Accepting Spring Fashions, Funky Furniture & Home Decor
Home Couture Market Finds & Consign Unique pieces made by local artists! HOURS Tues-Sat 10-6
(BSMJOHUPO 3PBE r (SFFOWJMMF r (Behind CVS on Roper Mtn.)
Everything For Your Home Furniture Lamps Rugs & Art Mirrors Home DĂŠcor
Celebrating 7+ Years in Business!
6QTDBMF $POTJHONFOU 'VSOJUVSF www.homeatlastinc.com Furniture Online & Updated Daily
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Gently Used Furniture & Household DÊcor Can’t find that ONE special object to pull your design puzzle into place? Come to Hobo’s and let us help you pull it all together... at a price you won’t believe! / .BJO 4U (SFFS r
New Hours on Monday
GO GREEN! Reuse, Recycle, Refurnish.
.PO 'SJ 4BU r 5VFT 8FE 5IVST 4 #BUFTWJMMF 3E r /FBS 1FMIBN r
Interested in advertising your Consignment/Resale Business on this page? Call Angela Filler at
864.357.3669
or email angela.filler@skirt.com
skirt.com
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Don’t buy cheap clothes. Buy good clothes, cheap.
Greenville’s designer consignment boutique.
now carrying maternity and plus size clothing
Located in McDaniel Village with Panera Bread and Coplon’s
1922 Augusta Street | 864.631.1919 | M-F 10-6, Sat. 10-5 | www.labelsonaugusta.com