Skirt magazine February 2019 by skirt.com

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EXECUTIVE EDITOR Shelley Hill Young shelley@skirt.com ART DIRECTOR Laura Staiano laura@skirt.com INTEGRATED ACCOUNT MANAGER Susan Norfleet susan@skirt.com Whitney Brenkus whitney@skirt.com PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ILLUSTRATORS Callie Cranford, Pale Girl Photography, Sarah Reed, Daniel Velasco, Libby Williams CONTRIBUTORS Raija Haughn, Lorna Hollifield, Helen Mitternight, Angie Mizzell, Aly Murphy, Margaret Pilarski, Brigitte Surette, Allyson Sutton EDITORIAL INTERN Savannah Crocker savannah@skirt.com BUSINESS MANAGER Cassaundra Tebben cass@skirt.com DISTRIBUTION C&R Marketing, Tina Tartaglia ADVERTISING sales: 843.958.0028 sales@skirt.com EDITORIAL AND SALES OFFICES P.O. Box 579, Charleston, South Carolina 29402 843.958.0028 sales@skirt.com, skirt.com PRESIDENT, PUBLISHER Thomas J. Giovanniello, Jr. thomas@holycitypublishing.com

Skirt is published monthly and distributed free throughout the greater Charleston area. Subscriptions are available through www.skirt.com. Subscription rates are $19.95 for 12 issues. Back issues may be obtained by contacting the Skirt offices. Back issues are $5.99. All contents 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© Holy City Publishing, LLC. All rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Postage paid at Charleston, S.C., and additional mailing offices. Skirt is a registered trademark of Holy City Publishing, LLC. Skirt and skirt.com are licensed under the authority of Morris Media Network. Printed in the United States. Vol. 25 Issue 2 ISSN 2637-3815 (Print) ISSN 2637-3831(Online)

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FEBRUARY | 2019

8 12

contents

42 IN EVERY ISSUE

F E AT U R E S 8

Forward! You’ve Got a Friend By Margaret Pilarski

Let’s Talk About Sex

Finding Her By Angie Mizzell

Slay All Day by Raija Haughn

The Game Changer by Angie Mizzell

Men in Skirts: Mike Quinn

Skirt Books with the Bookish Blonde

Skirt Community: High Flying

Skirt Wellness: Katie Shields

Skirt Table: Lauren Mitterer

Skirt Calendar

Take it to Heart

Your Day to Be a Head-Turner

Big Day Beauty

How to Stay Mindful While Planning a Wedding by Aly Murphy

skirt.

What’s In A Name by Helen Mitternight

Don’t Skirt the Issue

CH HA AR RL LE ES ST TO ON N ’’ S S FF II R R SS T T W WO OM ME EN N ’’ SS M MA AG GA A Z N EE C AZ Z III N NE

FREE

on the cover

FEBRUARY | 2019

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PALE GIRL PHOTOGRAPHY We invited local bloggers who recently got engaged to be models for our wedding issue. Petaloso owner Lori DeNicola created bold floral headpieces for head-turning bridal looks. Can’t Help Falling in Love With You Head-turning looks for your big day

Styled by Andrea Serrano; Floral headpieces by Petaloso; Model Hilary Rose Elrod; Hair and makeup by UpDos for I Dos; Shot on location at Runnymede Plantation Write Your Own Happily Ever After

On Hilary: Sottero and Midgley gown, Verita, $2,790; Earrings, Rhodes Boutique, $25

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editor’s letter Dear Readers, I recently celebrated by ninth wedding anniversary. Despite all the planning and hand-wringing that goes into planning your big day, it’s all the days that come after you say “I do” and how you and your partner approach them together that are far more important to your life together than your actual wedding day. That being said (and despite the cliche), my wedding day was definitely one of the most joyful days of my life. Sure, looking back, there are some things I might change: There’s one detail I let my mom win on, where I wish I had stood my ground. There’s another detail that I fought for and, well, she was probably right, though I have never told her until now. But when I look back at the photos of the day – the moment between my dad and me right before I walked down the aisle, and the quiet moment with Kenley right after the ceremony – what I see are the huge smiles on everyone’s faces. What I see is pure joy. What I learned from my wedding is that Kenley and I can throw one heck of a party and that we are surrounded by lots of friends and family who love and support us. Without their love and support over the past nine years, we wouldn’t have made it this far. Surround yourself with love. When it comes to wedding planning, here’s my advice: Set a budget early and try to stick to it. Even more importantly, set your priorities so you know where you want to spend most of your budget. Talk with your parents, if they’re involved in the planning, and see whether you agree on what’s important. Offer to contribute as much as you can afford to the cost because, even if you’re trying to keep it small and simple, wedding expenses just seem to pile up. Involve your partner in the planning. Make sure the day reflects your personalities and meets your expectations, not anyone else’s. Hire experts to help you! Make sure your guests know how much you appreciate them being there. In our February issue, we celebrate love and marriage, but we also recognize the need to stay true to yourself, to be in control of your own destiny, to take charge of your physical health and to maintain friendships with girlfriends who can lend support when things are not going as planned. In this issue, we introduce our new Skirt Book column with the Bookish Blonde Lorna Hollifield. Lorna will introduce us to women in literature who will inspire us to love and grow and be better people in our real lives. We’re also hosting our first Skirt Book Club presented by Buxton Books on Feb. 6. We hope all book lovers will join us! This month, we also support the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign to raise awareness for heart disease, which is the No. 1 killer of women. We gather Feb. 7-9 for Women Rising! to embrace our feminine qualities and use them to help bring about change. Join us for the Wine, Women & Shoes fundraiser Feb. 21 at the Hotel Bennett, where we’ll shop, sip and kick up our shoes to raise money for Florence Crittenton programs, which provide a home for young, at-risk pregnant women. Finally, you’re invited to Skirt Night Out on Feb. 28 at Bourbon N’ Bubbles on King Street. Hope your February is full of love!

Shelley Hill Young

skirt . | february 2019

TAKE IT TO HEART Go Red for Women Campaign Encourages you to Take Charge of Your Health By Shelley Hill Young Photography by Libby Williams IN FEBRUARY, THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION encourages you to Go Red for Women to raise awareness of heart disease and stroke and to raise money to fund research, create education programs, lobby for health laws and train people in CPR. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States. The American Heart Association provides $6.5 million for research in South Carolina. “The goal of the Go Red for Women campaign is to encourage women to take charge of their health, especially since every day 16 women in South Carolina don’t come home to their families because of heart disease and stroke,” says Jennifer Waites, the marketing director for the Lowcountry chapter of the American Heart Association. We talked with three women who are serving as ambassadors for the American Heart Association: a heart transplant survivor, a stroke survivor and a mother who is caring for a young baby with heart disease. Visit goredforwomen.org to learn more and to donate.

A GOOD HEART Vernelle Dickerson was at a Tiger Woods Foundation fundraiser in Maryland when she heard what she describes as a sonic boom. It was her heart. She’d had a defibrillator implanted six years earlier because of the congestive heart failure she had as a result of the chemotherapy treatments that knocked out her leukemia. “That was the most horrifying experience I’ve ever had,” she says. “I could hear it but nobody else could.” Once she got to the ER and was hooked up to a heart monitor, nurses could prepare her for when the next boom would come.

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“I have never been so afraid in my life,” she says. After the heart attack, Vernelle was put on the top of the priority list for a new heart. But she had to wait because patients must be cancer-free for at least five years before doctors will do a heart transplant. She got the call that a heart was available and had a transplant in 2011. Now, Vernelle, 66, goes to the gym three times a week, eats lots of vegetables and avoids stress. Worrying? “I don’t do any of that,” she says. Vernelle says she wants others who are dealing with heart disease to know: “There is life. You don’t just give up or give in. You just keep pushing. You live life.”

She says her faith in God gets her through each day. Doctors “gave me up a few times, but God didn’t give me up,” she says. “I have a lot of peace in me,” she adds later. “I’m a very spiritual person. As long as you have hope and goals, you’ll do well.”

HOPE FOR HAMPTON

‘I’M A WARRIOR’

Jessica McDevitt found out her son, Hampton, had only half a heart when she was 18 months pregnant. It’s a rare condition called hypoplastic right heart syndrome. Hampton had his first open heart surgery when he was four days old. He was scheduled to have another surgery four months later, but doctors found that he had a complicating condition called pulmonary vein stenosis, which is a progressively fatal disease. They determined that follow-up procedures would not be successful, and Jessica and her husband made the decision to put Hampton in hospice care. Then Cameran Eubanks Wimberly from the “Southern Charm” reality show posted Hampton’s story on Instagram. (Cameran is a client of Hampton’s dad, who is a personal trainer.) A mother in California saw the post and reached out to Jessica, urging her to look into Boston Children’s Hospital. She had a child with the same diagnosis who had treatment that had been successful so far. Jessica, her husband, and their older son, Miller, celebrated Hampton’s first birthday in August. A month later, they visited Boston Children’s Hospital. Doctors told Jessica they had never had a patient with Hampton’s anatomy survive, but they agreed to perform a heart catheter procedure and were able to reopen one of his closed veins, which Jessica says is “huge.” Hampton returned to Boston in December and is on a regime of medication to help his body accept the stent that was implanted in September. Now, they wait again. Jessica tries not to be discouraged by the uncertainty of it all. She’s learned that doctors just don’t know what to tell their family. “They’re like, ‘We’ve never seen this before,’” she says. Jennifer of the American Heart Association says Hampton’s treatment is paving the way for other babies with his condition so doctors can increase survival rates. And, she says, Jessica’s story highlights how important caretakers are in providing support for people with heart disease. Jessica says each time it seems there’s nothing else they can do for their little boy, another door opens, so they wait and hope. She takes life day by day and relies on her faith for comfort and strength. “If I didn’t have that hope of heaven and complete healing, I don’t know what I’d do,” she says.

Laurie Bailey credits CrossFit for saving her life. She was in the middle of a workout when she started to “feel a little funny.” She thought she was dehydrated and reached for her bottle of water, but she couldn’t move her arm. A nurse who happened to be in her class looked at Laurie and knew immediately she had had a stroke. “You’re thinking, ‘Oh, my God, people die from this.’ You’re thinking, ‘I’m healthy.’” Laurie says, recalling what was going through her head as she was rushed to the hospital. Laurie had suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, which means a blood vessel ruptured and is bleeding inside the brain. The odds of survival are not good, and those who do survive usually have a disability. Laurie walked out of the intensive care unit two days later. Doctors have not been able to determine what exactly led to her stoke, but she’s certain why she survived. “The only reason I am alive today is because I was already so fit and healthy,” she says. “My healthy lifestyle saved my life. CrossFit saved my life.” Two years later at age 50, Laurie continues her

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‘ The goal of the Go Red for Women campaign is to encourage women to take charge of their health, especially since every day 16 women in South Carolina don’t come home to their families because of heart disease and stroke.’ health regime: She still does CrossFit, and also sees a holistic health practitioner and a nutritionist. She says 90 percent of what she eats, she prepares in her kitchen. “I don’t look at it like I’m a survivor,” Laurie says. “I’m a warrior.” At first, Laurie says, she was hesitant to talk about what happened, but she says she learned, “the more you talk, the more people you help, and then they help you, too.” Laurie says those dealing with heart disease need to remember why you’re told to put on the oxygen mask first in the airplane—that you need to save your own life before you can help others. “You have to come first when it comes to your health,” she says. “It doesn’t take that much time. You’ve got to invest in yourself.”

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Let’s Talk About Sex Female doctors give us a lowdown on how to take charge of your sexual health By Brigitte Surette We’ve gotten the message that self-care is important. Taking care of our sexual health should be part of that self-care. Sexual health is defined by the American Sexual Health Association as the ability to embrace and enjoy our sexuality throughout our lives. Yet some women still report “putting up” with issues and learning to live with them because they are too embarrassed

to discuss them with their health care providers. A key factor in achieving sexual health is communicating your fears and concerns to your partner and to your health care providers.

Writer Brigitte Surette sat down with Dr. M. Susan Jones of Mount Pleas-

ant Internal Medicine and Dr. Amy Warner of Lowcountry OB-GYN for an open discussion about sexual transmitted diseases, mammograms, contraceptives, libido and menopause.

We women are gloriously complicated creatures. Taking control of our

sexual health throughout our lives is empowering. Go ahead, start a vagina dialogue with your doctor with no fear or embarrassment.

man papillomavirus, Gardasil, is for both sexes. The best age is 10, 11, 12 … the younger the better. It prevents cervical cancer in women and throat cancer in men. Your overall health affects your sexual and reproductive health, as well as body image, how you feel. As an internist, I take that into account for my patients, and how often I see them depends on any issues they may have. Once you hit menopause, you need annual pelvic exams, not necessarily pap smears unless you have a history of abnormal pap smears. As far as checking for STDs, that’s also dependent upon your history and, of course, if you have symptoms. Pap smears check for the HPV virus. AMY: (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) recommends a pelvic exam every year to check the uterus, ovaries, the vulvar skin ... which doesn’t necessarily mean an annual pap smear. That’s dependent on the individual. As far as mammograms, there are different schools of thought.

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It depends on the body of evidence you look at, but most of us agree that after 40, (women should have) yearly mammograms. Regarding the HPV vaccination, the cutoff age was 27, but they’ve upped the age to 47. If you’re

the implantation from happening. …If there’s a fertilized egg, it won’t be able to attach itself to the uterine lining.

Is decreased libido common after childbirth? What about during and after perimenopause and menopause? AMY: Decreased libido is very com-

mon. There’s a number of things that affect female libido … stress, anxiety, depression, which are very common in sleep-deprived new mothers. It can take up to three years for some women to feel they’re back to their baseline. It’s not abnormal. Stress is so impactful. SUSAN: Regarding menopause, there’s been numerous studies regarding libido…part of the problem with menopause is vaginal dryness and vulvar changes, painful sex. Painful sex is also psychological because both you and

ucts. …Soy itself has estrogen-like effects and some women will take these internally, but you don’t see these doing anything for vaginal issues that we discussed. AMY: I’ve had some patients report some improvement (with black cohosh) over menopausal issues such as hot flashes but not vaginal dryness. To some extent, all women will experience these issues. It bothers some more than others. …Some women are very symptomatic with the changes and there’s a myriad of ways to treat it. Women don’t have to suffer. SUSAN: Yes, vaginal suppositories, estrogen cream. For vaginal dryness and atrophy, estrogen treatment is necessary. Some of my patients have had vaginal laser treatments and been helped immensely by the procedure. It modifies the vaginal mucosa and stimulates mucus production. AMY: There’s also a steroid suppository,

‘Try different things. ...It’s always nice to hear from patients that they have adapted to these changes and their level of intimacy is stronger than ever.’ not in a monogamous relationship and you’re sexually active in your 40s, it’s a discussion to have with your doctor. Talk about contraceptives and the morning-after pill. AMY: The [birth control] pill is a good

choice, dependent upon health and the ability to take it, to be consistent. It’s safe up to age 50 if you’re not a smoker, hypertensive and you don’t have other issues … you can take the pill for that long. IUDs are very popular because it’s not something a woman has to remember every day. The morning-after pill is fairly safe; it’s high-dose progestin, and you take it within the first 72 hours of having sexual intercourse and

your partner are thinking about it and it affects libido enormously. AMY: It blunts your sexual response. SUSAN: Yes, it’s generally a little more complicated to have sex when you’re older. …Arousal is an issue and then there’s these physical barriers. So all require you and your partner to be very patient with each other. Try different things. …It’s always nice to hear from patients that they have adapted to these changes and their level of intimacy is stronger than ever. What’s out there to help alleviate peri- and menopausal issues? Any holistic products? SUSAN: Black cohosh and soy prod-

Intrarosa, that is converted to estrogen in the vaginal tissue. …Osphena, an oral medication, is an estrogen receptor modulator. Breast cancer patients have benefitted from laser treatments. SUSAN: What fell out of favor was hormone replacement therapy. ...Those who can’t sleep, have night sweats, hot flashes, mood changes…you can, safely…and if you don’t have a history of breast cancer in your family, do (hormone replacement therapy). It’s a lifesaver for some women. Brigitte is a full-time writer. She blogs at brigittebanter.com and maintains her portfolio of writing at brigittesurette. com. She lives with her husband and two kids with paws near Charleston.

ISTOCK

Women get conflicting information about what’s necessary. How often should women get pap smears, mammograms, STD tests and vaccinations? SUSAN: The vaccination for the hu-

(it is) 70 to 90 percent effective.

SUSAN: (The morning after pill) keeps

ISTOCK

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SLAY all DAY

Changing the Narrative to Put Women in Charge of Their Own Stories By Raija Haughn Art by Lauren Chapman

y early childhood years can be summed up in one word: princesses. I played and replayed old VHS tapes of “Sleeping Beauty” and “The Little Mermaid,” acted out their stories with my friends, took trips to Disney World decked out in Belle’s golden gown from “Beauty and The Beast.” I was enchanted by the narrative – a young, beautiful girl whose life has been turned upside down by an evil older woman jealous of her beauty and whose only hope is the love of her Prince Charming. I accepted this narrative and the happily-ever-afters without reservation. It was not until I was much older that I began to realize the insidious undertones of these tales. Despite their roles as protagonists in these stories, the women rarely possess any sense of agency. Their virtue is wrapped up in their physical attractiveness and their fates decided by the heroism of their men. What are we teaching young girls when we sell them this narrative? Is it possible to flip the script on these harmful stereotypes and gender roles? It wasn’t until last summer when I met artist Lauren Chapman that I realized just how possible it is. I first met Lauren at the artist talk for her exhibit “Tigress and the Silver Sea” at the Jones-Carter Gallery in Lake City. Her work, whimsical and lively, illustrates a very different kind of fairy tale. The women in her paintings are powerful, confident and fully in charge of their own stories. They have depth, defined not by their appeal to the male gaze, but by their own strength in exercising their free will. Put simply, Lauren’s work captures something that I had often tried to articulate: Women are so much more than the narratives men assign us.

Lauren had created a world in which little girls slay their own dragons and Eve’s first act of defiance is a blessing rather than a curse. I listened in awe as she described her inspiration, the intense misogyny of our society and the ways in which our stories have influenced this culture. Her experiences with self-image and the dark side of the male gaze are common among women, but Lauren has the unique ability to channel that pain and inequality into empowering works of art. The first thing I told Lauren when I approached

her after the talk was that her paintings reminded me of those Lisa Frank binders we were all obsessed with in elementary school. Lucky for me, she took that as the compliment it was. We talked about feminism and how the stories we grow up with impact our perceptions of the world. As the friendship bloomed, I began writing short poems inspired by the themes in her paintings. We have discussed the possibility of writing a book of illustrated fairy tales together, the goal being to show young children that women are the

‘We can slay our own dragons and eat all the apples we please. We will not be defined by superficial beauty or the wants and whims of men in power.’

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protagonists of their own stories. We can slay our own dragons and eat all the apples we please. We will not be defined by superficial beauty or the wants and whims of men in power. Working with Lauren has given me tremendous insight into the things women are capable of when we combine our talents to change the narrative. When our storybooks tell us that other women are vessels of deceit and jealousy, our society’s culture is bound to reflect that. When our childhood role models are swept off their feet by the Prince Charmings of their worlds, we are bound to expect the same. Pitting women against each other in the name of getting male attention is a powerful tool the patriarchy has wielded since the beginning of time. If they can convince us that our misfortunes are the fault of evil stepmothers and self-righteous witches, they can distract us from the real enemy.

The reality is that we have been spellbound by men whose power would be threatened if women everywhere were to figure out their game. In the wake of #MeToo, Time’s Up, and the protests surrounding Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court, it is clear that we are not only awake but furious. Many American women are done with passivity. From the collective battle cry of peaceful protests to the transformative power of artistic collaboration, there is no longer room for man-made myths binding women to a power structure that treats us as pawns. The revolution has been a long time coming. Our heroines are warriors, not princesses: Anita Hill, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Roxane Gay, the list goes on and on. We are, each of us, the heroes of our own stories. Our collective voice will change the narrative of our world, no matter the opposition we face. As I work with Lauren to transform the way that young girls see themselves and their peers, I am constantly reminded of the amazing things women can accomplish when we come together in the name of creating a more equitable world. Raija Haughn is a junior at College of Charleston, where she is majoring in communication and minoring in women’s and gender studies. She is the managing editor of Cistern Yard News.

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You’ve Got a Friend Friendships offer a space to grow, refuel and fight back By Margaret Pilarski

t first it was slow—an invitation here, a question there. Facebook notifications and emails, texts and coffee dates. The 2016 election had suddenly galvanized swaths of slack-jawed citizens who were tired of staring at CNN and wanted to get to work. I was one of those women who was added to every list of potential pantsuit-wearing marchers. As much as we slander the overuse of technology, the pings I was getting allowed me to reconnect with progressive friends across the country and across town. The notifications continued. Join this group—it’s secret! Read this article—it has the answer! Attend this meeting—we’ll make a plan! Fast and furious, groups formed and conversations kicked off with well-meaning but cloudy missions. People were waking up to reality but the new world was just beginning to come into focus. As an invitee to many Facebook groups, email chains and anxious happy hours, I happily stand at an intersection of good people who want to get to work. I get it. I am them. I, too, want to fight for equity and justice. I’ve learned that it’s not another digital petition that moves the needle, but

same city, but in this group chat, we’re just around the corner from one another. It’s where we share recipes that work for vegetarians and crockpots. We interpret behavior by mothers and husbands, share techniques we learned from therapists and YouTube, take votes on whether this dress is good for a small fall wedding with a chance of rain, and whether this face cream is an internet scam (but I’m probably going to buy it anyway). In college, all of us probably defined “feminism” a little differently. Today we might still describe it differently. But it was this group that let me scream (or type) into the void during the Kavanaugh Supreme Court nomination hearings. It’s here where we talk about raising toddlers with age-appropriate understandings of consent. It’s here where we think of ways to fight back against sexual harassment online. (Hey Joseph, we sent those screenshots to your mom!) I’ve never needed to label the way I talked with friends as “feminist,” but the truth is that the friendships I have that are unapologetically feminist are the ones that make me stronger and shine light on the way forward. If I could offer a way forward to others while we grapple with the realities of our world, it would be to find feminist spaces that build you up and to center yourself. Seek and craft a space where you can be brilliant, bossy, challenged, vulnerable, helpful, humorous, angry, tired and most of all—open. When I witnessed that rumble in late 2016, all those notifications and invitations, part of my takeaway was that we weren’t already talking enough – that an election felt like the floor was dropping out from under too many of us. Margaret is a graduate of the College of Charleston and a past chair of the Women’s and Gender Studies Community Advisory Board. She is a co-mentor in the College’s Martin Scholars program and a longtime co-host of the annual Yes! I’m a Feminist party that takes place on campus. In a past life, she was the editor of Skirt, and today she works at Outline as director of brand strategy and content. You can find her on social media using @hellomadge.

rather a lot of conversations with friends, family and strangers. I’m privileged to be able to know so many people for whom discussions of inequity and activism are everyday occurrences. Despite us not having solved the world before 2016—or since then—I’ve felt lucky to have cultivated feminist families to whom I can turn in those moments when the world seems like it’s falling off its axis. It’s the grounding of these groups that keeps me fighting in the face of #metoo traumas and abject horror at the current state of affairs most days. There’s one group in particular: We’re college friends who fell quiet after graduation, but thanks to technology, we’ve reconnected. No one lives in the

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ALICE KEENEY

‘I’ve learned that it’s not another digital petition that moves the needle, but rather a lot of conversations with friends, family and strangers.’

If threats to civil liberties or the ignorance of our representatives give you pause, I’m with you. There are a lot of us with you. If you don’t yet have a gal gang group text in your phone, you can start looking for hope, humor, conversation and feminism in a few other places:

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SOCIAL MEDIA

I check in on Twitter and Instagram daily and look for new accounts to follow for a different point of view. There’s no pressure to talk back, but it’s a great way to explore concepts that you’re not familiar with. @feministabulous Liz Plank is a quippy writer who commentates on the news and produces bite-sized sketches that incorporate recent headlines. Perfect for a beginner feminist. She’s on Twitter and Instagram with the same handle. @ErynnBrook She’s known for long, ranting threads (in a good way!) on Twitter. Erynn also started nicewhiteladies.com, a place to begin learning about racial justice. @rachel.cargle Rachel is critical of feminism that isn’t intersectional, and she calls out privi-

lege and white-centered feminism quickly. On her Instagram profile, she has a link syllabus with suggested reading for a better understanding of white supremacy, patriarchy and productive allyship. #wokecharlotte an Instagram hashtag started by the account @everytoutfitonsatc wherein Charlotte’s lines from “Sex and the City” are rewritten to call out appropriation, misogyny and shaming. It’s perfect for the generation that binged SATC. MESSAGING APPS

If your smartphone’s group texts are getting unwieldy, choose another platform to keep everyone in touch and talking. GroupMe My brilliant book club uses GroupMe for updates and invitations beyond monthly meetings. If someone doesn’t

download the app, it still uses their regular SMS. Ideal for coordinating what you’re wearing to the next protest. WhatsApp Similar to GroupMe, WhatsApp is a chatting app that serves people using different phones and in different countries. Slack A group of likeminded women I know use Slack, a chat app for both phone and computer where you can subdivide topics like Netflix recs and urgent calls for email proofreading. You follow and contribute to group “channels” or send direct messages to other members. It’s ideal for groups you want to grow that will discuss a variety of things. HERE IN CHARLESTON

Get involved in the community here to make friends IRL. There

are too many small groups to list, but this is where I’d start to channel your strengths and find new ideas. College of Charleston The students here are our future citizens. If we invest in them with mentorships and opportunities, we enrich their lives outside the classroom. Women’s and Gender Studies at CofC I joined the College’s Women’s Gender Studies Community Advisory Board as a student because I saw great potential for the campus and the community to join together. See what the Women’s and Gender Studies program is up to at blogs.cofc.edu/wgsconnect. Skirt This magazine always features women-centered events, which are great ways to meet new friends, or find an outlet for your passions.

skirt . | february 2019 15

To Be a Head Turner We asked local influencers who recently got engaged to be models for our wedding issue. Petaloso owner Lori DeNicola created bold floral headpieces for head-turning bridal looks. PHOTOGRAPHY Pale Girl Photography STYLED Andrea Serrano FLORAL HEADPIECES Petalosoa HAIR AND MAKEUP UpDos for I Dos SHOT ON LOCATION AT Runnymede Plantation

Ireana Nathan

Rebecca Schoneveld dress, Southern Protocol, $2,458 Allure Brides cape, Vertia, $475 Earrings, Tres Carmen, $20

Hilary Rose Elrod

Yumi Kim Maribella maxi dress, ModelBride, $348; Margerite & Motte necklace, Rhodes Boutique, $175; Julie Vos earrings, Tres Carmen, $125

Beauty BIG DAY

Whether you are prepping for your wedding day, a date night or a girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; night out, Ashley Riddle, owner of Updos for I Dos, shares some hair and makeup tips to help compliment your inner glow.

Hilary Rose Elrod

Dress up your hair quickly when running from the gym to happy hour or date night by creating a side part and pulling hair over the shoulder. Create a messy braid or fishtail and pull a few face framing strands loose.

If your hair is oily or sweaty, spray DryBarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Detox Dry Shampoo on to roots.

For makeup, add a soft powder to define brows and pair with a berry lipstick. This is a quick way to look put together.

Photography by Pale Girl Photography Floral headpieces by Petaloso Hair and makeup by Kara Hebert, Lauren Hall and Ashley Riddle for UpDos for I Dos

Ireana Nathan

Prep skin using MAC Studio Fix Correct and Conceal Palette. Add a little highlighter to the cheek and eyelid to brighten up your skin without looking too overdone. We love RMS for highlighters. Layer bronzy warm blushes for warmth.

For the eyes, use MAC Cosmetics Indianwood Paint Pot eye shadow on the lid with a deep warm brown through the crease.

Polish the look off with a bolder lip stain.

Hilary

For a care-free, bohemian look, use a one-inch barrel iron and wrap the hair in a downward motion. Start from the back and work your way towards the front and top sections. After the hair has some texture, toss your fingers through it and flip your head upside down to loosen and relax the waves. To keep the look classic and smooth, have the curls move away from your face. Spritz Kenraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dry Oil Control Spray to tame flyaways and frizz.

Jazz up your makeup for the evening by using a darker eye shadow shade on your entire eyelid.

Swap lipstick for a gloss. Try local brand. Holy City Lip Gloss, available at holycitylipgloss.com.

How to Stay Mindful While Planning a Wedding Hint: It might require breaking a few wedding ettiquette rules By Aly Murphy

ne of the ways I teach mindfulness in my classroom is by lighting a candle and passing it around the circle, instructing my students to take a deep breath in and slowly blow onto the flame, but being mindful not to blow the flame out. We want to make the candle dance, but not lose its light. Planning my wedding over the past seven months has felt a little like I am both the flame trying to keep my balance and the breath trying to maintain its control. As a bridesmaid in almost a dozen weddings, I was already well aware of the ups and downs of wedding planning. I’ve had a front seat to the drama that can come from the guest list or mounting expenses. It’s almost enough to make you consider eloping until you remember the tears you helped your best friend conceal after her father’s first look at her in her wedding dress or goosebumps you got while two soulmates recited their own vows. In order to make all our wedding dreams come true, but not burn the fuel in both our fires, my fiancé and I have had to come up with a few guidelines to help us be more mindful of

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our own and of each other’s expectations. The first thing we did was increase exercise in our routines. This has little to do with vanity and more to do with maintaining the heightened emotions and stress that come along with planning a wedding. As Elle Woods said in “Legally Blonde,” “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just

wedding that felt fair. Since not every mother and daughter will agree on a sit-down meal versus stations or the font size for the pamphlets, the choice to financially contribute also feels like the freedom to have more say in a day that sometimes can end up being about everything and everyone except the bride and groom. We also wanted to be mindful of our guests

‘ It feels a bit paradoxical that while trying to follow the rules of civility, mindfulness (being intentionally aware of the present moment without judgment) can sadly become marginalized.’ don’t kill their husbands. They just don’t.” The next thing we did was decide on a budget. We both felt it to be a little archaic to expect the bride’s parents to foot the entire bill, so we agreed upon a financial contribution to the

and their needs. For us, that means no more than two showers, and for me, no bachelorette party. Yes, it’s true. In my 20s I was excited to cram 10 or 15 girls into a house and act like I could afford bottle service or it wasn’t mortify-

ing to watch a waiter try to split dinner 12 ways, but in your 30s something shifts. Bottle service is cut early by a bridesmaid’s need to pump and dump, and until I can personally foot the bill for dinner and drinks for 12 people, I don’t feel comfortable asking anyone to spend much more than that on a weekend of drinking and eating around someone else’s schedule. As someone who teaches manners and mindfulness in the public arena, I’ve spent some time worrying about whether our wedding will be critiqued by people who expect it to adhere to their opinions of proper wedding etiquette. Will it offend someone if I ask for RSVPs online or include a few experiences on the registry? Thanks to

Meghan Markle and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” I think my desire to give a speech at the wedding will be more accepted, but what about the two of us having a first look before I walk down the aisle? It feels a bit paradoxical that while trying to follow the rules of civility, mindfulness (being intentionally aware of the present moment without judgment) can sadly become marginalized. What I’ve learned from wedding planning so far is that there are going to be hundreds of decisions to make and not every choice is going to please everyone. It becomes crucial to set boundaries and expectations early on so that when the candle gets to you, you have the control to make it dance.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

I have always been a Mitternight and I’ve always liked the name’s edge of danger (“Mitternacht” is midnight). There are few of us Mitternights, so I always knew the name could die out unless a whole lot of boy-children came along. I kept the name through two marriages, despite one Southern uncle (not a Mitternight, it should be noted), who questioned my then-husband’s masculinity for “letting” me keep my own name. Lest you think that my uncle was an outlier, a gender studies scholar at the University of Indiana Bloomington

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says that, in couples where the woman kept her name, the man was thought to be less dominant. Fortunately, both times, I married men secure in their masculinity. They took it better than I did when relatives would stubbornly address cards to “Mr. and Mrs. (Husband’s First Name) (Husband’s Last Name).” My first husband, however, did feel strongly that he wanted our child to have his last name. And after years of ribbing from my relatives, I felt like I had to at least give him this one. So our daughter’s name is a compromise: Her dad’s last name and Mitternight as a middle name. It bothered me a little that my child had a different surname, but with her big brown eyes, there was no denying she was mine. When I married again, still a Mitternight, and was trying to teach my young daughter phone manners, the poor kid had to answer the phone with this mouthful: “Kaplan Mitternight Skidmore residence. Emily speaking.” I know I’m a sadistic mama, but it still makes me laugh. My daughter’s whole compromise name—first, middle and last—was her. The combination of those names

By Helen Mitternight

are the whole of my beautiful daughter. Emily is getting married this year. And she has informed me that she’s taking his last name. As one who advocated her whole life for choice, I am stunned by my own reaction to my daughter’s decision. I find myself mourning the impending name change. Is it because she becomes “his” if she takes his name and no longer “mine”? Is it because their children will

bly consent to some kind of hyphenated creation. But then Emily’s children would have even more of a mouthful to contend with than she did. And the point is moot, because Emily wants to take his name. She sees it as part of her larger commitment to him, and never mind my arguments that he should be equally committed and take her name. She also points out that her name is the least of her and that she will still essentially be Emily.

‘As one who advocated her whole life for choice, I am stunned by my own reaction to my daughter’s decision. I find myself mourning the impending name change.’ have no nominal relationship to me? Or is it because of a general backsliding from the rights my generation fought so hard for? Emily has pointed out to me that she has already taken a man’s name—her father’s —and that, in fact, even the name I am so smitten with is a man’s name—my own father’s. Certainly her fiancé is a progressive young man and, if she wanted, would proba-

Just a little less “my” Emily. And I’m left to figure out whether it’s the marriage— or the name. Helen Mitternight is a Charleston freelance writer and podcast producer/host. She also writes the Skirt Table and Community columns. Helen has one child, an adult daughter, who complains that Helen is “inappropriately intense” in her dedication to that child.

skirt . | february 2019 23

essay

The Turning Point

How Staying True to Yourself Can Strengthen Your Relationship

y husband and I met in college. We graduated with matching degrees in broadcast journalism and got married in our mid-20s, just as our careers were taking flight. We worked at the same television stations and were on the same path. Everything was in sync. But eventually, the physical, emotional and mental demands of anchoring and reporting for the local news started to weigh on me. I no longer wanted to cover scandals and crime and move to a new city every few years. This newfound awareness was sparked—at least in part—by a guy I’d recently watched on “Oprah.” He talked about living an authentic life, and it was like I’d heard the words for the first time. Until then, it didn’t occur to me that I wasn’t living an authentic life. But suddenly, I knew. Something felt “off,” and I’d been denying it for quite some time. I’d masked the feeling by staying forward-focused; my mind preoccupied with moving up and moving on. But I couldn’t deny it any longer. I wanted to discover more joy and happiness in the here and now. One night at dinner, my husband and I were describing what we wanted out of our lives and our careers, and it was clear: Our vision was no longer the same. Without giving myself a chance to consider the implications, I said, “It sounds like we want different things.” He replied, “I think we do.” I paused, the truth punctuating the moment. And it was strange, how calm I felt. Finally I said, “What do you want to do about that?”

With the same sense of calm, he answered, “I want to stay married to you.” That was 17 years ago. We still look back on that moment and see it as a turning point, because it was when we really started to understand what it takes to build a life together. It’s nearly impossible without compromise. Of course the conversation could have gone in a completely different direction. We could’ve decided that it wasn’t going to work. But what would’ve happened if I’d continued to pretend that I wasn’t feeling the way I felt? What if we’d chosen not to tell the truth about what we wanted? In the past 17 years, I’ve had a lot of time to consider what it means to live an authentic life. I don’t always get it right. In fact, quite often, I get it all wrong. I open my mouth and speak words that are better left unsaid. I sometimes show up as the persona instead of the person—self-protection and the desire to be accepted are two big reasons for that. There are also many other days when I remember to calm down, breathe and remove the mask. Letting myself be seen is the scariest, riskiest and most important thing I’ve done to improve the quality of my relationships. Some relationships have grown and others have fallen away, but that sort of pruning is necessary. Over the years, the relationship with myself is the one that has flourished the most. To discover what I was seeking—more joy in the here and now—I had to find her first. Angie Mizzell is a contributing writer for Skirt. She’s also the co-founder of Charleston Storytellers, which directs and produces the “Listen To Your Mother” show. A former television news anchor and a mom of three, Angie writes a personal blog about creating a life that feels like home. Connect with her at angiemizzell.com.

‘We still look back on that moment and see it as a turning point, because it was when we really started to understand what it takes to build a life together.’

skirt . | february 2019

CALLIE CRANFORD

By Angie Mizzell

CALLIE CRANFORD

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men

Gotta Have That Funk Saxophonist Mike Quinn Brings Passion to the Stage By Savannah Crocker Photography by Libby Williams MIKE QUINN LIVES AND BREATHES FOR THE SAXOPHONE.

He did not plan for a life in the music scene. After attending the College of Charleston and majoring in English, Mike found himself playing the saxophone with a group of his friends at his house as a hobby. When he and his friends realized they could play in local bars, his mindset shifted from his English studies to hope of a career of playing music. “I realized I could make a living doing it, and it kind of just took off,” Mike says. Mike grew up listening to artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Huey Lewis and Joshua Redman to name a few. The musicians he listened to represent all genres and a mixture of vocalists and instrumentalists. He says his parents introduced him to the sounds of rock and roll and the blues. Mike says they supported his love of music, but never pressured him to make a career out of it. “I don’t know too many parents that want their kid to become a full-time musician,” Mike says. “It’s not the healthiest lifestyle, and certainly doesn’t come with the financial security CATCH MIKE EACH of accounting or banking.” WEEK BEGINNING Mike played different instruments throughout his FEBRUARY 17: childhood after taking music classes for eight years, Pour House including the keyboards, guitar, and drums, but he 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays says he lives for the saxophone. Bar Mash Mike can’t pinpoint any one reason as to why he 9:30 p.m. Mondays lives for the saxophone; he says he simply has always Prohibition had an affinity for it. 9 p.m. Tuesdays “It can have such a vocal quality to it, so alive, so organic, like the human voice itself. It can sound achGraft Wine Shop 8 to 11 p.m. Wednesdays ingly beautiful, frightening, or sorrowful,” Mike says. “In the end, I’d say the saxophone chose me.” Palace Hotel 10 p.m. Thursdays Today, Mike plays with well-known local bands such as the Emerald Empire Band, which plays weddings; Doom Flamingo, an ‘80s-inspired band led by vocalist Kanika Moore; Shimmy Ghøster, a improvisational trio; and Motown Throwdown, which brings the soul and funk. You can find Mike playing with a different band and at a different venue almost every night. While Mike started his career playing locally, he has hit the road and is playing in Cuba for the first half of February and later this month at the Brooklyn Bowl in New York City. “I want to enjoy playing music as much as I can, play to my own interests as a performer and artist, and in each moment, I want to bring joy to the audience” he says. Mike is known for playing with a great deal of passion, soul and funk. He says the music inspires and emotionally affects him. He truly believes in

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a deeply passionate performer-and-audience relationship. There’s no way you can sit still while you listen to him. “I’m really concerned with the quality of every moment. Energy is one of the most relatable and transferable parts of art,” Mike says. “The power that energy has is what keeps me engaged and keeps me in the game.”

MIKE’S TOP 10 SONGS OF ALL TIME: 1. “Heart of Rock and Roll” by Huey Lewis and The News 2. “I Want a New Drug” by Huey Lewis and The News 3. “Walkin on a Thin Line” by Huey Lewis and The News 4. “Funkifize” by Tower of Power 5. “The Wind Cries Mary” by Jimi Hendrix 6. “Birdland” by Weather Report 7. “Skylark” by Hoagy Carmichael 8. “Nearness of You” by Hoagy Carmichael 9. “Turn Your Lights Down Low” by Bob Marley 10. “Man in The Mirror” by Michael Jackson

What he’s listening to now: “Blow” by Donny McCaslin “Thanks For Listening” by Chris Thile “Gumbo” by PJ Morton “Drunk” by Thundercat “Oxnard” by Anderson Paak

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;If a temporar

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skirt . | february 2019â&#x20AC;&#x192; 27

books

The Power of Love An ill-fated relationship set against the backdrop of one of the worst massacres in Caribbean history calls readers to celebrate the power of love BY LORNA HOLLIFIELD

had regret at first for choosing “The Farming of Bones” by Edwidge Danticat. It wasn’t because the book wasn’t incredible. It was almost too powerful. I initially chose the book for February because it highlights an intense romance between two people during a very unsettling period in 1930s Hispaniola. Moreover, it is written by an amazing Haitian-American, an award-winning, female author who is so deserving of celebration during any month, let alone Black History Month. Sounds great, right? So why the regret? Honestly, I thought that maybe I’d failed you readers by not bringing a more bubble-gum, sweet-and-easyto-chew romance for the month of love. I was scared that maybe you deserved something more along the makings of a Hallmark movie than a doomed love set against the backdrop of one of the worst massacres in Caribbean history. But then I stopped thinking so much about the kind of love people (including myself) want to hear about and started looking at the kind of love that has existed throughout time, across every culture—raw love, the illogical, unstoppable kind we are born with.

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To not appreciate love during the darkest times would be a horrible disservice to the emotion that is the very thing that gets us through those times. Without giving too much away about the novel, I realized that though the romance featured was indeed a tragic one, it was one without rue, without stipulations, and without an end. It was the thing that made the ugliness good and brought the flicker of humanity to the most broken place. It made the setting sacred. It gave meaning to life when there was none. How dare I try to negate that power in exchange for candy hearts, meet-cutes, and first-world obstacles like a high-paying job offer in Paris? How dare I not tell the love story of the weak and voiceless? A passage from the novel reads, “Famous men never truly die. It is only those nameless and faceless who vanish like smoke into the early morning air.” I for one am determined not to let that happen this time. As I read about these hard times in midcentury Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with so much death, hard work and racial division, I started thinking about my own city. Charleston, so rich with

history and beauty, has been subject to such things itself. For instance, 40 to 60 percent of the enslaved Africans in North America were brought into the port of Charleston, to the same waters we jog alongside and take our lazy Sunday shore cruises upon. But even through those wretched times, babies were born, people were married and love somehow endured. Somewhere two enslaved

people would meet in a field to rendezvous, or a husband and wife ripped apart by the trade would survive simply by the memory of one another. There were imperfect, ugly, bloodsoaked love stories all over the land we walk across so hurriedly every day. Do those stories deserve to be told any less because they’re sometimes hard to hear? I say, “Hell no.” They deserve it more because they man-

aged to exist at all in such volatile times. Now we often have the luxuries of planning to marry after we’ve completed school, landed a job and purchased that starter home in the suburbs. Reading “The Farming of Bones” reminded me that there have been times that finding love meant finding it wherever you damn well could—perhaps like Sebastien and Amabelle did, machete-scarred, behind a waterfall, dodging snakes and ill-advised soldiers in the dark of the night, taking the fleeting moments and sprinkling love atop of the hate. How very brave of them, how very brave of the real-life people whose names we do not know but will celebrate.

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‘ To not appreciate love during the darkest times would be a horrible disservice to the emotion that is the very thing that gets us through those times. Without giving too much away about the novel, I realized that though the romance featured was indeed a tragic one, it was one without rue, without stipulations, and without an end.’ Now I have no regrets about this book, and more than that, am certain I somehow chose perfectly. I’m glad I didn’t know what I was getting into, or I would have gone for something a little lighter on the heart. But I think sometimes to know the past, to know the struggles of others, and to experience love a little less

easily is what some of us might need. It reminds us to appreciate what we have, put down the selfie stick and lip gloss for a minute, and just bask in the joy of the greatest human emotion. Time has shown us that it cannot, will not be extinguished. Love never fails. Read more of Lorna’s reviews at the-bookish-

blonde.com. “The Farming of Bones” is available whereever you buy books. I encourage you pick up a copy and discover how Amabelle’s short-lived romance sustained her for a lifetime. Also read about the 1937 Massacre of Haitians in the Dominican Republic. It’s a history worth knowing and never ever repeating.

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community

HIGH FLYING What It Takes to Train Birds of Prey

The center identifies and addresses environmental issues through education, avian medicine, research and response. The birds at the center either have been bred into captivity or have been injured and are unable to be released again into the wild. Audrey has a degree in biology from College of Charleston, and after a start as a volunteer at the center in 2008, has been on staff since 2010.

Along with the other staff members, Audrey works with the birds – hawks, falcons, vultures, owls and others – using positive reinforcement to train the birds. “It’s a delicate balance,” Audrey says. “We ask them to do mostly natural behaviors, other than being around people, which is the biggest unnatural thing. We are a large predator, so a lot of our training is getting them to be comfortable

‘ First you ask them to trust you and then you ask them to do something they are capable of doing. But you have to be careful. They are wild animals.’ around us. And then the rest is natural behaviors, getting them to fly from point A to point B, to soar or to chase a rabbit lure. First you ask them to trust you and then you ask them to do something they are capable of doing. But you have to be careful. They are wild animals.” Sometimes, Audrey says, the wild birds react to stressful situations such as the SEWE crowds of 10,000 or more, by taking what she calls “unauthorized field trips,” refusing to come down. One temptation to get them to return is the aforementioned dead animals. The center buys rats, mice, quail, chicks and even fish from a professional company three times a year and stores them in a big walk-in freezer. Volunteers back at the shelter defrost daily portions for the birds of prey, even filleting the rodents because they know the birds won’t eat the innards, and no one wants to clean that stuff up later. And while you or I may hesitate to handle a dead mouse, the birds consider it a tasty enough treat to lure them back to their handlers. But sometimes even the treat is insufficient to convince them to return to Audrey’s outstretched arm. The birds are equipped with radio transmitters and many wear bells to help handlers keep track of them. Audrey says they haven’t lost one at SEWE yet. “Might take us a few hours, but we’ve recovered all the birds,” she says. And, while seeing large, predatory birds

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COURTESY OF BIRDS OF PREY

e’ve all heard of the canary in the coal mine—the sad little bird whose death warned miners to get the heck out and away from fatal fumes. Large raptors play a similar role in our environment as a whole, something that Audrey Poplin Ray finds fascinating. As husbandry coordinator and educator, Audrey oversees the care and management of the 120 resident birds at The Center for Birds of Prey in Awendaw, works with volunteers and trains the birds for their free flights such as the kind you’ll see this month at Marion Square during the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition. It takes more than a strong arm to send these magnificent birds aloft—it takes training and patience and a willingness to handle small dead things.

By Helen Mitternight

swooping above your head may be discomfiting, Audrey says humans pose a greater threat to birds than the birds do to humans. “We are doing all sorts of things that cause problems for birds,” she says. “We started out as a hospital and most of the injuries we saw were human-related: birds getting tangled in fishing line, getting shot, getting hit by cars.” Despite human threats to the birds of prey, they continue to provide an important service

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to humans, besides being just spectacular to look at. Back to the canary in the coal mine. Audrey says that these birds are so sensitive to changes in our environment that they can be the first indicators of a problem. That’s what happened back in the 1950s when the pesticide DDT was sprayed as a matter of course. The birds’ population began to decline when they started laying eggs with shells so thin that the birds would crush the eggs trying to incubate them. It wasn’t long before someone realized that DDT probably wasn’t good for humans, either. Early warning aside, these birds are simply magnificent in their own right. “Their eyes are so intense,” Audrey says. “It seems like they are staring right into your soul.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP • Slow down and take notice. If you see large birds at the side of the road, slow down so you don’t hit them. • Collect your broken fishing line and don’t litter. Litter is likely to attract roadside critters who get hit by cars and the roadkill in turn attracts birds of prey who also get struck by cars. • Don’t use rat poison. Audrey says owls that eat poisoned rats can be poisoned themselves. • Visit the Center for Birds of Prey website to donate, learn about events or volunteer. For more information, visit thecenterforbirdsofprey.org.

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Natural WOMAN

How Katie Shields strives to make non-toxic nail salons the new normal

our next tropical vacation is waiting where you’d least expect it – tucked in the corner of a Mount Pleasant shopping center. Stepping into Mylkbar Eco Nails + Beauty feels like a quick escape to Playa del Carmen or Palm Beach; the swinging rattan chairs, lush wallpaper and beach-inspired artwork striking the perfect balance between energy and ease. This pink and green paradise is about more than looks, though. As one of the first non-toxic nail and beauty franchise systems in America, Mylkbar is on a mission to make clean beauty the new normal. It’s the brainchild of Katie Shields, who, after over a decade working in medical device and health care software sales, began searching for a career alternative. “I was in D.C. every week and traveling to Baltimore, New York and California a ton,” she told me as we sat sipping kombuchas in a local cafe. “Once I got married and knew that I wanted to start a family, I knew it wasn’t a lifestyle I’d be able to maintain.” Katie began exploring franchise fitness and food concepts, but none inspired her to make the entrepreneurial jump. “I knew that if I wanted to do something, I wanted it to be so unique and such a success that I could walk away from my corporate job,” she says. “I knew it would be a risk, so it had to be a risk worth taking.” No matter the path, Katie knew she wanted a venture that would reflect her long-held passion for non-toxic, eco-conscious living. Growing up on a small organic farm in Georgia, Katie developed

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an appreciation for the environment and natural remedies at an early age. While working at Oracle, she started selling BeautyCounter, a side hobby that sparked a broader interest in clean skin care. That’s when she began crafting the concept for Mylkbar. During her corporate travels, Katie regularly visited non-toxic nail salons in other cities, yet no such option existed back home in Charleston. After becoming pregnant with her first child, she grew more concerned with the health implications of standard nail salons and frustrated that a safer alternative wasn’t available. In April 2017, after nearly eight months of planning, branding and build-out (all while her daughter, Pace, was an infant!), Katie opened her first Charleston location, a fume-free studio committed to using polishes free from harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde and camphor. In addition to nails, Mylkbar offers natural skin-care treatments, including express facials and Celluma LED light therapy. For Katie, alternative and non-toxic aren’t just standards for Mylkbar’s products and services— these ideals are the driving force behind every business decision. “We’re different and that’s a really good thing,” she says. “We’re committed to fair wage practices, the environment and a higher standard of self-care that’s been lacking for so long in the nail and beauty industry.” From day one, Katie sought to create a non-toxic work environ-

ment for her team, steering away from the often sub-par employment practices many of them experienced at traditional nail salons. All of her manicurists and estheticians are fully licensed and offered partial benefits when they join her crew. “I’ve got an amazing team and I really respect what they do,” she says. “They deserve the same income level as people in the rest of this industry.” Beyond the day-to-day operations, she and her team focus a lot of their energy on educating the community about clean beauty and gathering feedback from customers. “We want this business to be open and transparent on both sides,” she says. “And we want our customers to value and enjoy what we offer. They don’t have to be environmentalists, but they do

ANDREA KINNEAR PHOTOGRAPHY

By Allyson Sutton

‘I knew that if I wanted to do something, I wanted it to be so unique and such a success that I could walk away from my corporate job,’ Katie says. ‘I knew it would be a risk, so it had to be a risk worth taking.’ value our team and the fact that we use a higher caliber product.” Later this year, Katie is exploring opportunities to extend her social impact, including participating in the 1% For The Planet campaign or pursuing B Corporation status. This alternative approach to business and beauty is working. In less than two years, the concept has already grown into new avenues— and new cities. Last year, Katie launched Mylk Market, an e-commerce site where customers can order the same natural and organic skincare brands used in the studio, products like Leahlani (whose Mermaid Mask Katie describes as “by far one of my favorite products”), Maya Chia and their own Mylkbar Sugar Scrub. And with the help of a new franchise develop-

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ment partner, the Mylkbar concept is expanding beyond their Mount Pleasant flagship. Her first franchisee, a connection from her career in medical sales, just signed a lease for Mylkbar Nashville, the first of up to seven locations in and around Music City. Before the end of the year, Katie also anticipates opening a second location in Charleston and is eyeing expansion into Greenville. “We have people that reach out every day saying they need a Mylkbar in their city,” Katie says of the growth. “Franchising is really exciting because we’ll be able to really normalize non-toxic beauty and self-care in other cities. Knowing that I can make a sweeping impact in more markets, that really keeps me going every day.” Mylkbar turns two in April, the same month Katie is due with her second child.

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table

Icing on the Cake

here is nothing worse than a sweaty wedding cake. Lauren Mitterer, owner of WildFlour Pastry, says sarcastically that creating a wedding cake in Charleston’s heat and humidity is “fun,” but she’s learned that making the cake as close to the wedding day as possible helps. “I don’t do cream cheese frosting on the outside of anything tiered because of the humidity,” she says. “It’s just a matter of timing it. We are a bakery that’s constantly in motion, so we’re always baking. Some places have a baking time and then

Johns Island, and 167 Raw, as well as coffee shops like Kudu and Muddy Waters. Lauren has seen the definition of what a wedding cake is expand. “Now, it’s like any cake is a wedding cake, so we do red velvet, or carrot, or hummingbird, or if they’re wanting to stick to something traditional, an almond cake with raspberry filling.” A big trend she’s noticed is “skimmed cake.” Unlike a “naked cake,” which is free of frosting on the sides, a skimmed cake has frosting as sheer as a crumb coat. “People tell me they don’t like frosting, or they don’t want something too sweet, and this is what they’re ordering,” she says. The fact that Lauren is on top of wedding cake trends is not what she envisioned growing up. Lauren was supposed to be cutting through the water with her crew, not working with a crew to cut dough. As Lauren tells it, she was supposed to be following her passion for rowing, not in Charleston. She’d never been farther south than Virginia, where she was on the University of Virginia’s rowing team and had plans to coach when her body could no longer take the punishment. When a college friend who knew she’d gone to the Culinary Institute of America urged her to come to Charleston to be Red Drum’s pastry chef, she refused. Red Drum owner Ben

‘Now, it’s like any cake is a wedding cake, so we do red velvet, or carrot, or hummingbird, or if they’re wanting to stick to something traditional, an almond cake with raspberry filling.’ the baking shuts down and it’s decorating time. They’ll freeze the cakes. But I think freezing cakes complicates the humidity issue. I’ve been to places where the cake is just dripping sweat.” Lauren’s shops do about a third of their business with weddings. The other thirds are retail and wholesale to restaurants like Mount Pleasant’s Red Drum, Fat Hen on

skirt . | february 2019

Berryhill called her back. “He told me there was lots of rowing in Charleston,” she says. “It wasn’t rowing. It was kayaking. Big difference.” Still, she stayed. Four years later, she opened WildFlour on Spring Street at a time when neighbors stumbled

into the bakery in their pajamas, mugs in hand for fresh coffee. Redevelopment has changed the neighborhood and now the Airbnb crowds looking for some genuine Southern sweets mingle with the regulars. “I swore I’d never put key lime pie on my menu, but it’s become the most popular item there now,” she says, citing tourists who insist on this Southern treat whether or not it’s native to Charleston. In 2016, Lauren opened the West Ashley WildFlour and went into labor there a couple of months later when her daughter, Keira, chose to make her debut. Four days later, Lauren was back at work, her daughter a constant presence in the bakery. Keira, now almost 3, takes Lauren’s pastries for granted, demanding a croissant (“‘sant”) at school pickup. “If we give her a little bit, it satisfies (the craving) versus if you hold it back she only wants it more,” she says. Next up is finding that kind of balance as owner of two thriving bakeries. Now that she’s supervised the openings and Keira is older, Lauren may even dip her oar back into the kitchen. “I am really enjoying getting back into getting my hands dirty and getting back into touching the ingredients,” she says.

LEFT: FERRIS KAPLAN; COURTESY OF WILD FLOUR BAKERY

BY HELEN MITTERNIGHT

table

NEWS OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS

A little more on Jackrabbit Filly, the space opening soon from the duo behind the popular Short Grain food truck, partnering with Stems & Skins: The menu is going to be local, inspired by Japanese cuisine, but drawing on Chinese heritage. The restaurant is slated to open this summer. Another former food truck, Herd Provisions, is opening a butcher shop/restaurant at 106 Grove St. All the meat—and that includes goat, rabbit and goose as well as the usual beef, lamb, chicken and turkey—was raised on owner Alec Bradford’s Virginia farm. The opening is slated for this month. The Ordinary’s former chef de cuisine, Carlton “Vandy” Vanderwarker and bartender Will Love are taking over the former Pancito & Lefty at 708 King St. to bring a cozy French bistro. The opening is slated for late winter or early spring.

at the new year. Nothing dramatic, just slow business, they say. The Royal Tern is open and serving seafood on Johns Island at 3005 Maybank Highway.

EVENTS

NICO is hosting several events this month: -Every Monday is an oyster class, including some history and shucking techniques. -On Feb. 21, NICO hosts a happy hour with the S.C. Aquarium Water Keepers to benefit the Turtle Survival Alliance. -On Feb. 28, fight winter with the Alsatian Choucroute Garnie, a hearty dressed cabbage and pork dish. The dinner will include wine pairings.

ANDREW CEBULKA

The South Seas Oasis, the Tiki bar tucked away in the alley off of Ann Street, is leaving Charleston for a city to be named soon. Kudzu Bakery and Market is slated to open this month—assuming the cooperation of the powers that be in the paperwork bureaucracy —at 1100 Bowman Road in Mount Pleasant. Smoke BBQ has closed its Mount Pleasant outpost. The Granary in Mount Pleasant closed quietly

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ANNE AND LIZZY

Swig & Swine is hosting its Trophy Lakes Oyster Roast on Feb. 24, rescheduled from earlier due to bad weather. Want to know a bit more—or a lot more—about wine? Edmund’s Oast Exchange and certified sommelier Sarah O’Kelley is offering Saturday Somm Schools through the month from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Tickets on the restaurant websiteedmundsoast.com/exchange. Tickets are on sale for the Charleston Winter Wine Festival at Memminger Auditorium on Feb. 9 from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $50 online or $60 at the door. Not feeling the love? The Cocktail Club will have its annual Jilted Lover’s Party on Valentine’s Day from open to close (5 p.m. to 2 a.m.). Jilted lovers’ stories can be submitted throughout the night, and the best (worst) story will win a prize announced at the end of the evening. Look for special cocktails and black balloons that you can pop, just like your illusions. But if you aren’t soured on Valentine’s Day, Mercantile and Mash is hosting an “In the Kitchen: Sweets for Your Sweetie” event with their pastry chef duo, Anne and Lizzy, on Feb. 10 from 2 to 4 p.m. Guests get hands on with heart-shaped, chocolate-dipped caramels. Bubbly and charcuterie will be served, and guests will receive a few take away items to help them continue making candies at home. Tickets are on sale through Mercantile’s Facebook page.

COCKTAIL CLUB

MENU AND VENUE CHANGES

Chef Jorge Soto of Meeting at Market has added some new flavor to the menu: beer cheese fries with a Yuengling Lager base; a bowl of street corn; barbacoa tacos inspired by the dish made by the chef’s mom; an openfaced take on a gyro sandwich. The bar is located at the Shops at Belmond Charleston Place.

KUDOS

The laid-back vibe at King Street’s Graft Wine Shop & Bar has won it a place on the list of “10 Best Wine Shops Nationwide” and the top Southeastern choice for VinePair’s list.

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calendar

events FEBRUARY

Let the Good Times Roll! Work up a sweat, discuss a book, embrace your feminine qualities, savor chocolate, show off your shoes and enjoy bubbly at events happening this month.

“Three Tall Women”

“Three Tall Women” presented by South Broadway Theatre follows a 90-year-old woman who, nearing the end of her life, contemplates the choices she made and reflects on the events that shaped her life. Tickets are $30. Times vary, 1080 E. Montague Ave. Visit southofbroadway.com.

02.02 Champagne Society SWEAT

5K. Races begin at 8:30 a.m., Folly Beach Pier, 101 East Arctic Ave. Visit ccprc.com.

02.02 Lucy Dacus

After a newly dropped album, Historian, Lucy is on a national tour with the Iluminatti Hotties. If you haven’t heard of her yet, you will soon. Tickets are $15. The show begins at 9 p.m., The Pour House, 1977 Maybank Highway. Visit charlestonpourhouse.com.

02.07-09 Women Rising! Gathering

Women Rising! is a three-day event to encourage women and men to embrace feminine qualities and use them to help change society. Women Rising! is presented by The Sophia Institute and features keynote speaker Pat Mitchell, co-curator of TEDWomen and former CEO of PBS, as well as other inspiring women leaders. Ticket prices vary. Lance Hall, 150 Meeting Street, Charleston. Visit thesophiainstitute.org.

02.09-10

Start your Saturday on the right foot with a dance class from Peace, Love and Hip Hop founder Angel Roberts and then settle in for a conversation and bubbles with Angel and mindset coach Gervase Kolmos. Tickets are $45. 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Peace Love Hip Hop, 115 Pierview St., Daniel Island. Visit shinyhappyhuman.com.

Valentine’s Chocolate Walk

Get into the Valentine’s Day spirit with a walk through America’s oldest romantic gardens. Enjoy live music and sweet treats to guide you through stations that give you a taste of different countries. The event is free with garden admission, which is $20 for adults and $10 for children 6-12. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, 3550 Ashley River Road. Visit magnoliaplantation.com.

02.11

02.06 Skirt Book Club THREE TALL WOMEN

02.02 Save the Light Half Marathon & 5K

The half marathon and 5K begin and end near the Folly Beach pier, which allows participants to enjoy ocean views during the run. Save the Light benefits the preservation of the Morris Island Lighthouse from being lost to the sea. The half marathon is for runners only, but the 5K welcomes runners and walkers. Tickets are $60 for the half marathon, $36 for the

skirt . | february 2019

ed events, including the Birds of a Feather brunch and the new Fashion for Feathers fashion show. Exhibits vary by location. A three-day general admission ticket is $50. Daily tickets also are available. Children 10 and under are free. Visit sewe.com.

Join Skirt magazine executive editor Shelley Young and author Signe Pike for Skirt’s first book club presented by Buxton Books. We’ll discuss “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens, which is also a Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine book club selection and a New York Times Bestseller. Also enjoy sips and light bites. Free. 5:30 - 7 p.m., Buxton Books, 2 Cumberland St.

League of Women Voters Charleston Area CONNECTS

Join the League of Women Voters and learn about the city of Charleston’s Commission on Women from committee chair Jennet Robinson Alterman and vice chair Carol Jackson, 6 p.m., Charleston Public Library, 68 Calhoun St.

02.15-19 Southeastern Wildlife Expo

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition invites all lovers of wildlife and nature to explore fine art and conservation education. Don’t miss the fine art gallery as well as popular demonstrations by the DockDogs, Birds of Prey and local chefs. The weekend also includes special ticket-

VALENTINE’S CHOCOLATE WALK

02.16 Bacon and Bourbon

This event features every foodie’s dream, unlimited samples of bacon dishes and bourbon. Outside of the food and drink, many fun activities will take place such as laser skeet shooting, bull riding championship, live music and many more. Tickets are $75. 7:30 to 11 p.m., Charleston Area Convention Center, 5000 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston. Visit www.baconandbourbonsc.com.

02.16 Women & Zeppelin: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin

Featuring a diverse lineup of women singers ranging from age 18 - 63 years old, these women will take the stage for two sets to perform the hits of Led Zeppelin. Tickets are $17 at the door. 7 p.m. Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. Visit charlestonmusichall.

02.17 Charleston Wedding Festivals

LEFT TO RIGHT: COURTESY OF THREE TALL WOMEN, CHARLESTON MUSIC HALL AND MAGNOLIA PLANTATION

02.01-03

WOMEN AND ZEPPELIN

Are you planning your big day? Charleston Wedding Festivals include wedding workshops that feature expert advice, fashion presentations and a variety of vendors that will help make your day memorable. Ticket prices vary. 12 - 4 p.m., Charleston Area Convention Center, 5000 Coliseum Drive. Visit weddingfestivals.com.

02.19 Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella

The Tony Award-winning production of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” features an immaculate set and stunning orchestra. Ticket prices vary. 7 p.m. Charleston Gaillard Center, 95 Calhoun St. Visit gaillardcenter.org.

02.21 COURTESY OF BOURBON & BUBBLES

Wine, Women & Shoes

Skirt is proud to sponsor the marketplace at Wine, Women & Shoes. The fundraiser for Florence Crittenton Programs features a fashion show, shopping, a shoe contest, live and silent auctions and of course, wine tastings! Tickets start at $125. 6 to 9:30 p.m., Hotel Bennett, 404 King St., Visit winewomenandshoes.com.

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02.23 Folly Gras

Celebrate Mardi Gras in style at Folly Beach! With lots of fun activities for kids, themed crafts and street performers, the whole family will have something to enjoy. To begin the day of festivities, there will be a parade into the island. Free. Parade and festival kickoff is at 11 a.m., Folly Beach. Visit visitfolly.com.

02.23 Soul of the Lowcountry Oyster Roast

Enjoy the beautiful landscape of John’s Island while benefiting Lowcountry Land Trust, an organization dedicated to supporting the conservation of the Lowcountry. With oysters, chili and live music galore, this oyster roast is family friendly. Tickets are $40. 1 to 4 p.m., Sunlean, 3211 Eenjy Lane, Johns Island. Visit lowcountrylandtrust.org.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert

Experience the magic of the third installment of J.K. Rowling’s beloved series, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

02.28 Skirt Night Out Grab your girlfriends and join us for a night out at Bourbon & Bubbles. Enjoy happy hour specials. Do we need to say much more? 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Bourbon & Bubbles, 520 King St.

A live orchestra accompanies the show for a new spin on the saga. Tickets are $40. 7:30 p.m., North Charleston Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive. Visit northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com.

02.25 Cinerruption Live— Clueless

Do you miss everything ‘90s? As if! Come watch your favorite teen movie at the Charleston Music Hall. Don’t worry, nobody will be mad at you if you want to

XXX

quote the whole movie! Tickets are $10. 7 p.m., Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St., Visit charlestonmusichall.com.

02.26 Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Enjoy the beauty of modern dance with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Performances include culturally rich movements and unique styles. Ticket prices start at $27. 7:30 p.m., Gaillard Center, 95 Calhoun St. Visit gaillardcenter.org.

skirt . | february 2019 37

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Wedding Guide

I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y D O D E L I N E D E S I G N

Attention to Detail

Champagne Toast

M AC & B . E V E N TS

BOURBON N' BUBBLES

Mac & B. Events is an award-winning wedding and special event planning company located in the heart of Charleston. Founded in 2012, Mac & B. Events has planned and designed exceptional weddings and corporate events for clients such as The James Beard Foundation, The Knot, The American College of the Building Arts and The Alzheimer's Association. From small intimate gatherings to large formal affairs, the same care and attention to detail is infused into every event.

Bourbon n’ Bubbles is Charleston’s newest luxury restaurant and bar. Located at the corner of King and Spring Streets, enjoy our offerings of small plates and select entrees coupled with a premier selection of Champagne, bourbon and hand-crafted cocktails. available for private receptions and parties.

843.608-9437 | info@macandbevents.com macandb macandbevents.com |

843.847.9058 | Info@bourbonnbubbles.com bourbonnbubbles bourbonnbubbles.com |

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Follow Your Passion T H E P E TA L R E P O R T

Endless Possibilities DODELINE DESIGN

Your wedding will undoubtedly be one of the most special days of your life, but designing and planning a wedding can be quite stressful. At The Petal Report, we consider weddings to be more than just a job, it’s our passion! With more than eight years of planning and over 200 weddings under our belt, you can rest assured that your wedding will be all that you have dreamt of and more.

Dodeline Design has been creating beautiful save the dates, invitations and day-of paper goods since 2009. We offer a range of printing types to suit most budgets. Founded by designer Sarah Reed, we create our own artwork, so the possibilities are endless! Custom maps, timeless designs. Drop us an email call, or make an appointment to visit our studio in Mount Pleasant to discuss your big day. We can’t wait!

937.241.5117 | hello@thepetalreport.com thepetalreport.com | thepetalreport

843.860.8308 | info@dodelinedesign.com dodelinedesign.com | dodelinedesign

From the First Kiss to the Last Dance

Not Just a Bridal Boutique, An Engagement Experience

UPDOS FOR I DOS

S O U T H E R N P R OTO CO L B R I DA L

UpDos For I Dos is an award-winning hair and makeup company providing on-site services for brides and their bridal parties. Specializing in bridal hairstyling, makeup and airbrush applications as well as temporary eyelashes, their team of experts focuses on the latest trends in weddings. UpDos for I Dos ensures each bride looks her best by creating a customized style and application fit to last from the first kiss to the last dance.

At Southern Protocol Bridal, we welcome you as a friend and want you to leave as family. Each appointment is a party where we encourage you to relax, learn and enjoy your experience. Dream big. Ask questions. Get creative. Most importantly, have fun! Upon our hangers you’ll find classic styles of quality construction from leading designers with the contemporary touches to reflect the wonder that is you.

443.300.UPDO | info@updosforidos.com updosforidos.com | updosforidos

843.211.5160 | Michelle@SouthernProtocol.com SouthernProtocolBridal.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Calling All FEY-ONCES D I VA D A N C E PA R T I E S C H A R L E S T O N As seen in People, InStyle, USA Today, Refinery 29 and PopSugar! Turn your maids into a squad with our epic dance party experience! You'll get in formation as you learn fun, all-levels choreography to your choice of songs from Bey to Britney to Biebs! Mention this ad and we'll upgrade you from our basic party to a sip and slay!

803.260.6180 | Baker@DivaDanceCompany.com divadancecompany.com/charleston-sc/

Your Wedding, Lowcountry Style L O W C O U N T R Y PA R K V E N U E S Say “I Do” at one of Lowcountry Park Venues’ unique sites. From the Cooper River Room and Sweetgrass Pavilion positioned on the banks of the Cooper River in Mount Pleasant to the beautifully renovated circa 1846 Parsonage at St. Johannes in historic downtown Charleston, our venues are the perfect setting for your special day. 843.849.8091 | info@lowcountryparkvenues.com lowcountryparkvenues lowcountryparkvenues.com |

Unforgetable Experience

Are You Ready to Glow?

THE CAROLINA GIRL

C H A R L E STO N G LOW

The Carolina Girl is the only exclusive high-end special events yacht in Charleston. She delivers the perfect pairing of a posh setting with unparalleled views of Charleston Harbor, the historic district, bridges and marina. Enjoy three levels on this 106-foot yacht while giving your guests the most unique and unforgettable experience. Contact our in-house event coordinator to begin planning your dream wedding or rehearsal dinner!

Charleston Glow blushpro studio is an all-natural spray tanning company located in Mount Pleasant and is the premiere studio to offer healthy, natural-looking results for every skin tone. Our spray tans are formulated with health in mind using naturally derived ingredients to provide a guilt-free glow our clients can feel good about. Ask about discounted mobile and studio appointments for you and your bridal party. Ready to glow?

843.818.2495 | info@carolinagirlevents.com carolinagirlevents.com CarolinaGirlYacht | Carolina Girl Events

843.843.277.0924 | charlestonglow@blushtan.com charlestonglow.com charlestonglow | charlestonglowsc

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Business Functions and More

Florals Cakes Wine & Cheese Customized Menus

Platters

Floral Design

WHOLE FOODS MARKET

Schedule a consultation with our catering team today to learn about all our menu options. We can customize a menu just for you—local specialities, family-style or even late-night food fruck-style.

Please schedule a consultation with one of our floral professionals at the Mount Pleasant location to discuss floral design for your special day. Consultations usually last around one hour. Our services include bridal bouquets, bridesmaid bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages and centerpieces.

923 Houston Northcutt Blvd | Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843.971.7240 | Wholefoodsmarket.com

and More

Speak to our Catering Specialist for details. 843.971.7240

923 Houston Northcutt Blvd | Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843.971.7240 | Wholefoodsmarket.com

We Deliver. shop.wfm.com

923 Houston Northcutt Blvd | Mt Pleasant

Preserve Your Memories S A N DY ' S D R Y C L E A N E R S

Love Your Body, Embrace Your Beauty

Sandy’s Cleaners is a locally owned dry cleaning business with seven locations serving the Lowcountry. We have been providing professional dry cleaning and alteration services since 1998. Having a tangible memory from your special day is important to you and you shouldn’t trust just anybody to clean your wedding gown. We take extra care with wedding gowns and use our knowledgeable pretreating and cleaning techniques to gently but effectively remove odors and stains from sequins and lace.

We get how vulnerable you feel, how beautiful and accepting of yourself that you want to feel. How the little voices inside or out tell you that you are not enough or are too much. Forget that! Through photography, we celebrate and empower women to showcase their freedom and strength so they can feel and experience their own version of beautiful.

843.797.8411 | Sandys.Cleaners@yahoo.com sandsycleaners.com | SandysCleaners

843.767.6888 | info@mellbella.com mellbella.com | mellbella | mellbellaboudoir

M E L L B E L L A P H OTO G R A P H Y

the issue

don’t

LOVE

Love is not fancy. It does not seek attention. But it is powerful. Love is in the small, everyday moments. Love shows kindness, gratitude and respect. Love values communication, honesty and compromise. Love reaches out. Love offers hope. Love is acceptance; Love is understanding; Love conquers fear and hate. Love can change the world. Let love in. And surround yourself with love. —Shelley Hill Young

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@D.VELASCO

Love topples walls and barriers. Love lifts up everyone. Love can change your life.