Twenty Something December 2013
CONTRIBUTO Elizabeth Diefenderfer Food Feature Writer
Taylor Andersen Restaurant Feature Writer
Cayla Lewis Plaza District Feature Writer
Nathan Poppe Music Feature Writer and Photographer
Kealey McIntire Feature Writer
Laura Sabolich Street Style Feature Writer
Jacob Peregrin Men’s Fashion Feature Writer
Brittney Melton Feature Writer Plenty Mercantile
Jeanne Young Copy Editor
Tonya Zunigha Feature Writer ThundergUrls.com
Sarah McCubbin Feature Writer ThundergUrls.com
ORS
Bethany Young Editor-in-Chief Co-Creative Director Photographer
Kelsey Self Fashion Director Co-Creative Director Stylist
Sarah Ethridge Music Feature Writer
Michaela Webb Lyric Theatre Feature Writer
Meagan Owen Fashion Feature Writer
Videography & Photography
Jeff Ragan Health Feature Writer
Lacey Rosenwald Fashion Stylist
Whitney Lynn Fashion Feature Writer
Emily Davis Decor Feature Writer
Chad & Melissa Cosper
DCMGMT Creative, Inc.
Fashion
Photography: Bethany Young Model: Lauren Young Clothing and Accessories: Target
Feature
The Social Club
Photography: Bethany Young
We have fallen in love with a new business in Norman called The Social Club. Friends Dana Scott and Erica Smith are the masterminds behind this boutique, salon and event design company. Tell us about yourself Dana! Born in Michigan, I moved to Oklahoma when I was in kindergarten. I attended OU and graduated with a degree in Public Relations. I moved to the city of New York after graduation, worked in the PR industry during the week and in a lovely boutique on the side. After working there, I knew I wanted to have my own shop one day. I moved back from New York in 2007 and worked various jobs while starting my own jewelry line Pistachio.
but surely it became apparent that I was going to need more space for retail. When the shop next door became available, we scooped it up and combined the spaces. Since then we have been so, so lucky to get to expand again to the location we are in now. It feels crazy that I am living my dream and have my own shop. E: I opened the salon because I wanted to create a space where I would feel creative. Atmosphere is really important to me. This comes from my mother and her sisters; they are all designers. I wanted to have a fun, yet comfortable space to do hair. I love hair because when our hair looks and feels amazing, it lifts our spirits. This is at the heart of what I do; I love to make people feel their best.
What sets The Social Club apart from other businesses? D: The Social Club is a creative space where a full shop and full-service salon come together as one...well, I think that in itself makes us different from your typical shop or salon. Other than that, I would say we Your turn Erica! stand out because we work very hard to I was born and raised in Oklahoma. Gradu- make sure every part of The Social Club ated from OU in 2006 with a political represents us, something we love, or somescience degree. After graduation, I knew thing we are passionate about. I wanted to do something different, so I decided to go to hair school! This was a huge E: I feel our salon is a beautiful space that shift from where I was headed, but I knew I has heart and creativity. I want to push wanted to be creative, be my own boss and I the envelope. I have high hopes for where love talking with people…so I just went for this salon and our team can go. I am a big it. dreamer and I want to create an elite saWhy did you want to open The Social Club? D: Right around the time Erica decided to open her own one-chair salon, I decided I wanted to work out of a studio of some sort. We knew we didn’t want to go to work alone every day so we started looking for a space to fit both of our needs. When we did, it happened to have a storefront so I decided to dabble in a little retail. Slowly
lon. I want people to come to our salon for what’s next, for what’s now, and for classic beauty. Education is really important to me, so we do a lot of classes for our stylists. What made you want to combine the store and salone? D: Erica and I were both wanting to do our own thing and the idea of going to work with your friend every day was extremely
appealing. So we came up with a concept where we felt we were bringing something truly unique and different to Norman. E: We combined the two shops because we are friends and we both want to work in a creative atmosphere. So we decided to do it together! We wanted to have something cool and unique, right here in Oklahoma. How do you decide what to carry in the store and salon? D: My favorite items to carry are those that are handmade. I intentionally seek out makers that are working hard to be innovative and unique, in turn bringing something special to those buying their goods. I love throwing a good party so we carry a lot of items focused on social gatherings or gift giving and, for some reason, I can NOT pass up vintage glassware or home goods. I love finding items that were obviously loved in a past life and knowing they get to start over with you or the customer that purchases them. The shop is what I like to think of as a beautiful collection of treasures, new and old, to inspire everyday life. E: I carry Paul Mitchell and Kevin Murphy products in my salon. I chose both of these lines because they are companies with heart; they give back in HUGE ways around the world. They are both cruelty-free companies, which means they do not test on animals. They both deliver such amazing results with hair and I love their values.
Visit The Social Club at 209 E Main Street Norman, OK 73069 www.wearethesocialclub.com
Fashion
Fashionable Giver
The attitude of giving is very noticeable around this time of year. You, as a fashionista, have a chance to be a part of this giving attitude. Being a fashionable giver this season is a great way to partake in doing something nice for others. If you are wondering what you could give, look no further than your own closet! You might have clothes in your closet that you simply may not wear anymore, have only worn once, or haven’t worn at all. Whether it be clothes or accessories, your items have the potential to make a great gift to someone else! A great source to donate your clothes to is a local Salvation Army or a similar organization that accepts clothes. Whether it be a store or a drop-off location, your donations help provide items for those in need. If you choose to donate your clothes, someone in need can receive them at no charge. Considering what time of the year it is, some great items to donate are coats, jackets, gloves, and scarves. Wondering what you are going to do with a worn (but still in decent shape) coat? You could donate it to someone who is in need of a coat. Looking to clear out space in your closet? Your donation of a few jackets can give someone a variety of jackets to choose from instead of just wearing the same one. As a fashionista, you also have the option to sell items to a consignment shop. Depending on the condition and style of the item, you have the opportunity to get money back. The consignment shop buys your items and then resells them. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that you won’t get too much back. With that being said, the items that you sell could still help out someone who is on a budget. That Coach bag that you are not carrying anymore? Sell it to a consignment shop and let another fashionista enjoy it. Need to figure out what to do with a worn pair of flats? Sell them and someone else might style them up! Even though it isn’t exactly giving, selling your items to a consignment shop still provides the opportunity of enjoyment for someone else! If you want to be a fashionable giver, you can find your own way to give items to people in need. If you know someone who needs a particular clothing item, you could try to give them the item in a more personal way. If there is some wear to your items, take the next step by repairing whatever needs to be fixed. Whether it be dry cleaning or polishing or evening adding something to your items, try to make your gifts as decent as possible. After you are done, you can then wrap or sack your item and then deliver it personally to the person in need. Whatever way you decide to distribute your items, just know that it has the potential to provide someone else with enjoyment!
Written by Whitney Lynn
Feature
The holidays are quickly approaching, which means so is gift shopping. The Plaza District is the perfect place to help prepare you for the holidays. Holiday Cards First things first. The best gift (and the gift that keeps on giving) is the Keep it Local card. Several of our retailers carry the card and offer really great discounts with it. This is a must for all OKers. Once you’ve got everyone on your list one of those… you’re going to want something to put them in. Collected Thread has some of the cutest cards, and a lot of holiday themed ones as well. DNA Galleries and The Salvage Room also have a fun and quirky selection. Max from Bomb Shelter has made some really cool alternative post cards that are on sale at Dig It currently. Several options to choose from! Decor There’s nothing more exciting after Thanksgiving than beginning to decorate your home for the holidays. I’m totally feeling anything gold and white this year and I can find plenty of that all over the district. RetrOKC and Bad Granny’s have already brought out all of their holiday and winter themed dinnerware and decorations. I especially love the Santa lamp featured in the gift guide - so quirky and unique! Innovative Spaces always has the best ideas for decor, I love to walk in there and get inspiration. A lot of the businesses are featuring local and handmade ornaments to give your tree that extra special touch. Not to mention, The Salvage Room is the leader in creepy-cool, if you’re into that sort of thing. Parties and Events The district is especially good for all of your dinner and holiday parties. It’s uncouth to arrive to a party empty handed and Urban Wineworks makes it easy for that to never happen. You can pick up a locally-made Plaza Red or White any day of the week, including Sunday! The Salvage Room has also started carrying some delicious (and super-cute!) chocolates from Chocolate Editions, which make a great gift as well. If you’re needing some fancy dress-up attire for events, I’d try The Ruff Life Lingerie and Vintage first. They always have a really beautiful selection of undergarments, vintage dresses, shoes, and purses. I’ve seen a lot of great vintage at The Salvage Room and Bad Granny’s as well, especially gold! If you’re into themed parties, then you’ll definitely want to stop in to Bad Granny’s or Dig It for all your “Tacky Christmas Sweaters” with lots of appliqués of Santas and polar bears. I’ve seen some pretty sweet vests and turtlenecks around too. If you’re looking to plan a party, I’d try to book a private event at Paint N Cheers! The classes are fun and the owners are awesome as well. Looking for a private party space? Try The Parish or PhotoArt Studios - both have beautiful spaces that are very easy to work with. Gifts Now here’s the important part! Gifts! Seriously, one of the best things about the Plaza District is that it’s filled with only local businesses, which means unique gifts you’ll only find in this state, and sometimes only in this city. A lot of the businesses offer a large selection of handmade items as well. DNA Galleries is now selling soaps from a very hardworking 9-year old whose business is, “Little Bubbles.” All of her soaps are unique, great smelling, natural, and just darn cute. You can also find some other smelly-good items at Collected Thread with Sydney Hale candles. Collected Thread and Paint N Cheers also sell those miracle working hair ties (you know the ones that don’t leave a crease?!) in different colors and patterns. Great, easy, gift for the ladies. Both stores offer wonderful jewelry selections. Two things you can’t go wrong with here in the Plaza are OK-themed t-shirts (there’s no shortage of them either!) and Lyric Theatre tickets. Lyric is currently showing, A Christmas Carol and I can’t wait to see it!
Article by Cayla Lewis
Fashion
WINTER WEAR
Photography: Melissa Cosper Styling: Lacey Rosenwald Makeup & Hair: Michael Brandon Harris Clothing: 200 Park for Her & Pearl Junkie Models: Adrianna S, Claire C and Ariana L of Brink Model Management
Decor
Decorating for Two
So often I hear from couples that are trying to furnish their homes that they cannot agree on anything! Homes should always reflect the people who live there. But often, that is hard to do if the people who live there disagree. Here are my best tips for couples stuck in a difference-of-opinion decorating rut. Choose Neutral Colors for the Big Items For your upholstery pieces and paint color, stick to neutrals. Whites, grays, creams, etc. Building a neutral base will provide a gender neutral jumping off point, and will make a lot more sense than trying to get a pink couch with gold legs to work with a hunter green plaid chair (or something like that). Bring accent colors in through accessories that can be easily changed. Use Texture Instead of Color Can’t even agree on accent colors? That’s fine too. In place of color, use texture! Mix nubby linens, silks, wools and wovens to create an interesting space. Neutral doesn’t have to mean boring! Bring in Items that Reflect Your Story Together Buy art/accessories on a trip you take together, frame or display your family memorabilia, start a collection of items from your favorite city or place. The options for fun and personal accessories are absolutely endless. Displaying your most treasured pieces as a couple will give your home meaning and provide a daily reminder of what makes you happy! Give and Take Does he want to put his antlers on the wall? That’s fine! It just means you get to have the girly side table you have always wanted. The art of mixing and matching is what makes spaces unique, interesting, and not like everyone else’s home. Since relationships are all about compromise, why should decorating be any different? Article by Emily Davis Emily Davis Interiors www.mainstreetchic.blogspot.com
Photos: Inthralld, HomeBunch.com, Space for Inspiration Blog
Theatre
Lift Your Spirits this Winter at Lyric’s Plaza Theatre
Bring on the fun! Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma will be serving up joy and laughter during the holiday season and long after with LYRIC’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL presented by Devon Energy, now through December 28, and THE ODD COUPLE, January 29 through February 15, at the Plaza Theatre. Who better suited to entertain you during the year’s coldest months than Charles Dickens and Neil Simon? No one, that’s right, no one. The word on the street is true—there’s a new Scrooge in town! Lyric is proud to welcome, direct from Washington, D.C.’s Ford’s Theatre’s production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, nationally-acclaimed actor Chris Bloch in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge. Boasting an impressive resume, Bloch is best known for his work as Bob Cratchit and Ebenezer Scrooge, as well as in LES MISERABLES, 1776, TV’s “The West Wing” and much more. Bloch will not be the only new addition to the cast this year—Jennifer Teel will take on the role of The Ghost of Christmas Past. Returning, outstanding cast members include: Tom Huston Orr as Bob Cratchit, Matthew Alvin Brown as Fred/Young Scrooge, Mandy Jiran as The Ghost of Christmas Present, Tommy Cunningham as Jacob Marley/Mr. Fezziwig, Susan Riley as Mrs. Cratchit, Mat Govich as the Solicitor/Undertaker, Lexi Windsor as Mrs. Fred, Melissa Griffith as Belle, Brenda Williams as Mrs. Dilber, Charlie Monnot as Topper and two casts of talented local children, many of who attend Lyric’s Thelma Gaylord Academy. In a special appearance, Vince Leseney will take over the role of Bob Cratchit December 26 through 28. The production features all of the magic you can imagine including flying ghosts, flashbacks, disappearing tombstones and you may even get snowed on! OK, we lied — you’re guaranteed to be snowed on. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the holidays with family and friends of all ages.
After a brief New Year’s nap, the lights will be back up at the theatre to kick off Lyric’s 2014 Season with the hilarity of Neil Simon’s THE ODD COUPLE. The curmudgeon Oscar Madison will be played by local favorite Jonathan Beck Reed and Felix Unger will be played by Martin Burke, a Texas-based actor who is new to the Lyric stage. THE ODD COUPLE first premiered on Broadway in 1965 and the storyline of the misfit roommates, Oscar and Felix, has been dazzling audiences ever since.
THE ODD COUPLE will be the beginning of an incredible season featuring shows such as TRIANGLE: A NEW MUSICAL, LES MISERABLES, THE LITTLE MERMAID and MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT. Tickets for LYRIC’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL are now on sale and single tickets for the 2014 Season go on sale January 6. To purchase, call (405) 524-9312, visit www.LyricTheatreOKC.com or stop by Lyric’s box office at 1727 NW 16th Street. Written by Michaela Webb
Music
What We’re Li Artist : Lana Del Rey
Some artists (good and bad) just blossom over night and suddenly everyone who doesn’t live in a closet knows their name. You know, people like Rebecca Black, Jillian Edwards, and of course, Lana Del Rey. Y’all need to know about this girl. She’s been around since 2009, but only recently, within the last two months, has she become legitimately famous. Her singles “Blue Jeans” and “Video Games” were released digitally October 11 of this year and got to the top five on the iTunes Albums Chart within hours. The chick is basically a digital phenomenon. She already has countless remixes done of her two singles and already has bands like Kasabian covering her work. They say imitation is the best form of flattery and for Lana Del Ray, I would say that’s definitely true. She’s good at making music simple, yet genius, thus, making her work so appealing to listeners as well as other artists. Her voice reminds me of Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s. She’s not pretentious, but has been called a “self-proclaimed gangster Nancy Sinatra” by one of my favorite bloggers. Oh, and hey, guess what? She’s only 24. When is she going to come out with more music?!
istening To... Song: “Don’t Move” by Phantogram
I had never heard of Phantogram before I heard them on my radio and instantly fell in love with their song, “Don’t Move.” It’s a good reflection of the recent blend of hip-hop and independent music that seems to be going on for whatever reason. Phantogram consists of Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter, friends from Saratoga Springs, New York. They’ve been making electronic rock music together since 2007 and have toured with bands like Zero 7, Beach House, Metric, The xx, Yeasayer and Caribou to name a few. “Don’t Move” will catch you off guard and make even the most ADD radio-listeners like me hold on a second to check it out.
Written by Sarah Ethridge
Music
Kyle Reid’s saucy New Orleans-tinged live act is as unmissable as a Thunder player in a Chuck E. Cheese ball pit. The Norman-based singer/songwriter has been showcasing his impressive tunes during much of the year and his backing band, known as the Low Swingin’ Chariots, sound like they could call Bourbon Street home. Be on the lookout in early 2014 for several new recordings and another excuse to be proud of Oklahoma music. Photo & Article by Nathan Poppe
Feature Hey gUrls!
Thunder gUrls
been two $20,000 half court shots made so far this season. We (the A lot of things have happened in Thunder gUrls) don’t like to menthe Thunder world recently and tion statistics, but if we did, we we, the Thunder gUrls, are here to would prove to you how our fans’ keep you in the loop! We promise half court shooting is better than to be brief (no stats!), mostly ac- lots of professional players’ so far curate, and totally relevant. Please this season. We’ve been practicing feel free to continue filing your our own half court shots recently nails as you carefully skim the because DO YOU KNOW HOW following review of the Thunder’s MANY LULULEMON LEGrecent Highlights, Lowlights, and GINGS WE COULD BUY WITH All Over Color! $20,000???? Highlights We keep winning and stuff. The big question this year was how well our “bench” (or our “B team”) could support our starting five. They are doing pretty well, including our favorite new kid on the block, Steven Adams.
Jay and Bey. Jay-Z and Beyoncé came to OKC to watch us play the Clippers! We MidFirst Bank is running out of loved that they came and we hope money. Blue Ivy somehow heard the lulOkay, not really, BUT there have labies we were singing to her that
night! Two things we don’t understand, but will embrace because Jay and Bey: 1) Bey’s roots!? ROCKED THEM. 2) Jay’s coat, only buttoned on the top half?! IDK??? BUT WE LOVE IT! Lowlights Kevin Durant Is Fat. Or at least he thinks he is. We haven’t identified with an NBA player this much since we saw Joakim Noah’s top knot for the first time. After one of the pre-season games, Kevin felt a little sluggish and told reporters “I feel fat… I feel like I’ve got a big butt.” Technically he did gain five pounds since last season, but when he wears the white jersey you can hardly tell!
this decision, but who knows how far he will go….infinity scarves? arm warmers? Join us in praying for a Christmas miracle to #stopthesleeve! All Over Color Coming to America. Nick Collison threw himself a costume birthday party and Serge Ibaka and his girlfriend Keri Hilson won our (unofficial) contest with their caricatures of the leads from the movie “Coming to America.”
Lots of Lux. My hair gUrl found the perfect color for Thunder season! It’s called “Lots of Lux” by Essie! This would make a perfect stocking Christmas is ruined. stuffer for all the gUrls in your Rumors have been confirmed that life! all the teams playing on Christmas will be wearing the sleeved jerseys pictured above, which is such a shame. We don’t know who the grinch is that made
www.ThundergUrls.com
Food
Sweet Dreams
I’ve found at this time of year that it’s easy to get stuck in a slump with fewer hours of daylight and winter’s chill beckoning me under a cozy blanket. My initial impulse is to hibernate throughout the winter months until Punxsutawney Phil pokes his little head out (Groundhog Day reference). But as this particular winter is upon us, it seems only fitting to take you on a little journey into the world I have the privilege of being a part of every day; partly because I love this time of year and partly because, somehow, several thousands cupcakes and vanilla lattes later, my family and I have arrived at the five year anniversary of our shop. And only by God’s grace has that dream become a reality. A couple of Twenty Something issues ago I said, “a subject for another day” when referencing what I get to do for a living and I’ve decided that today is that day. I promise this is not a plug but an opportunity to share with you the joy I have from following a dream and my hope is, perhaps, to inspire you along the way. For as long as I can remember my mom has wanted to open a dessert shop and if anyone was equipped to do so, it was this incredible woman. She and the kitchen are kindred spirits, the best of friends. Both knowing just how to cheer the other up on a gloomy day or the perfect way to celebrate the simplest or grandest of occasions. After years of observation and attempting to glean any wisdom I could from my mother and her trusty sidekick, I, along with the rest of my family, caught this vision of creating an environment where community happens around the table. We planned and dreamed and hoped that perhaps this crazy, whimsical idea could someday come to fruition. Never did we dream it would come true as soon as it did (or at all for that matter) but an unexpected layoff from my job was just the push we needed to jump into action. And leap was more like it. Opening day was a nightmare! It was days before Christmas and few systems were actually in place but we needed to open so the rest would have to fall into place; at least that was our hope. Minutes before we opened, the shelf in our vintage display case decided to plummet to the bottom, destroying any confections in its way. Customers were gracious and shared their excitement that we were in the neighborhood; “You’ll laugh about this someday,” they said. Five years in I can finally find this story somewhat amusing but I do hope never to relive it. That was the first of a few catastrophic events to take place that day but we lived to tell the story. As is true with the rest of our lives, we could not have survived that day or really the first year in general without the incredible
Photography by Bethany Young
people surrounding us. Dear friends and family graciously volunteered their time simply because they love us and perhaps didn’t mind being paid in cupcakes. I’ll never forget how wiped out we were that first Christmas, half asleep opening presents and if anyone were to stumble across us they might assume we suffered from a mild case of narcolepsy. It has been quite the journey these past five years and we wouldn’t trade a day of it. We are so grateful for the sweet opportunity to be in our customers’ lives and vice versa. Okay, enough of the sappiness. Needless to say, this winter my family and I are in celebration mode; translation: eating well. The evening of this Twenty Something meal was a bone chilling one; the first snow of the season took place earlier in the day. My precious family joined forces for this feast and created the most perfect meal and atmosphere for welcoming the winter. I wanted the meal to be celebratory and with my most favorite people in the world around the table. We had decided that Boeuf Bourguignon was a must for the menu and our mother was the woman for the job. If you have never tasted Boeuf (as my family affectionately refers to it; pronounced “boof ”), you have not lived. It is essentially a beef stew on steroids. So many flavors melding together to create this perfect, flavorful masterpiece that somehow finds a way to give you a hug with each bite. We were not going to let the freezing climate get the last laugh. Coziness, comfort food, and delicious conversation warmed us on this chilly night. I’ve shared the milestone our family is celebrating but winter is already such a festive time of year. Besides the Christmas season which is one of my favorite times of year and New Year’s (which is usually overrated), I encourage you to make the most of this winter; invite friends over for a full day of eating and games if you get snowed in, throw a hot chocolate/ cider party in January when life has slowed down a bit after the holidays, learn a new hobby, make a list of things you want to do or try and start checking them off! Opening a dessert cafe was on MY list the year that we opened and checking it off has given me indescribable joy. Bundle up and happy winter! On the menu: -Boeuf Bourguignon -Bread ring (the orange in the middle was our tribute to Little Women) -Arugula salad with pomegranate seeds, persimmon, shallot, and toasted walnuts and a homemade blood orange/pomegranate/balsamic vinaigrette -Cranberry Pecan Frangipane tart Elizabeth Diefenderfer Owner/Baker Cuppies & Joe
Food
Syrup.
Syrup, the loveliest breakfast/lunch spot in downtown Norman, began as a conversation on the other side of the world and quickly became the reality of a group of friends with big dreams and even bigger hearts.
And coffee provided a whole other arena. The Kennedy’s are from Portland where coffee selection is just as significant as selecting a bottle of wine. Stumptown coffee was the only choice for Syrup, a favorite distributor from Portland.
Jason and Ashley Kennedy, the owners of Syrup, along with Arian Perry and Torree McDowell took a trip to South Africa to scout out church planting opportunities and it was there that the idea for Syrup was born.
“There was no question when it came to coffee,” said Perry. “They are the very best people we could work with and we have learned so much from them and can’t imagine partnering with anybody else.”
Everything from the name of the restaurant all the way down to the yellow cushions and rustic wooden tables that came to life over the next year were ideas that were specifically discussed at that dinner table in South Africa.
“We have the best neighbors here in downtown Norman as well as the best customers,” said McDowell. “Our regulars have become family and we’re making new friends all the time; we had a woman come in the other day who said that she had a rough morning and needed to feel better and she always feels good when she steps inside our doors.”
Everything about Syrup echoes the team’s “We gathered around the table having made original desire to develop relationships. The breakfast for dinner, it was easy to make idea of a breakfast boutique was considand we just got to talking and dreaming ered first because the best conversations are about what ifs,” said McDowell. “Jason and born over a cup of coffee. In turn, Syrup has Ashley are real visionaries and it went from cultivated relationships in exponential ways being not ‘if ’ but ‘when.” that the team could never have imagined.
“We were literally Skyping friends while overseas to scout out locations,” said Perry. “It was kind of a whirl wind but when something is placed on your heart, you don’t question it, you just do it.” The process of building a business from scratch proved to be an endeavor that was not without difficulties. The group had to change venues several times before beginning renovations, developing a working kitchen and a menu.
Not only do they strive for relationships outside their walls by supporting local projects, missions and organizations around the world, they are a family on the inside as well and will continue to do more as their business grows.
“This has been the craziest three years of our lives,” said McDowell. “We could not have survived without our team—owners, “It was comical, all of the test runs in my managers, kitchen staff, baristas—everyone; kitchen,” said Perry. “There were days where even our coffee and food providers, without I just couldn’t eat any more syrup.” them it would be impossible.”
Photography by Bethany Young
On top of wonderful service and gorgeous atmosphere, we guarantee you won’t be disappointed with the menu. They have developed a menu that elevates brunch to a whole new level. Here were some of my favorites: The French press is out of this world, but if a latte is what you’re craving, you won’t be disappointed. The Morning Glory is a savory waffle dish that is the South African cornerstone to the delicious menu. If you have a bit of a sweet tooth, the Cinnamon Roll Pancakes are a must-eat. Some other options that I couldn’t stop eating were the Eggs Benedict and Cornflake French Toast. They also have many lunch options and my personal favorite was their take on the grilled cheese and tomato soup; It’s actually a turkey sandwich on toast with cream cheese and caramelized onions that is paired with a roasted pepper soup that will change your life. We loved our time at Syrup and will be stopping in for brunch again soon, we suggest you do the same! www.SyrupBreakfast.com
Written by Taylor Andersen
Lifestyle
2Life Philosophies
Do you have a list of philosophies that guide how you live? If not, you should. We are all philosophers and our life speaks to the philosophies we abide by whether we recognize it or not. The #1 question for all great philosophers is – “what is the best way to live?” Pose this question to yourself. Think of what values and actions would give you your best life possible. “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for everything”. These guide how you live your life so you don’t fall for everything. They take the grey out of things by making everything black or white, yes or no, whether you lived according to your list or not. Life is much simpler that way and living simply in a complex world is true genius. Facing certain decisions, even difficult ones, become much easier as you can always refer back to your list to lead you down the right path. Having philosophies or rules to live by is proven successful. They have helped mold some of the most remarkable lives in history. WWGWD – No, not what would George W. Bush do (although that would be a very interesting way to live your life and if anybody cares to live by that lone rule I’d love to hear how it goes), but George Washington. Our country’s first president and key figure to independence lived his life by a list of 110 rules, called “Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation.” Washington lived a life we still discuss today hundreds of years after his death by following rules to live by. You can be remembered for doing great things as well by following philosophies. Even if being remembered is not important to you, it will greatly enhance your life experience. Start by answering these questions: • What’s the best way to live my life? • What are my values? • What are my actions? • What characteristics do I want people to describe me having? • What was I doing in the best moments of my life? What caused those?
You can be specific or vague, serious or humorous, but they need to be what’s personally important to you. Referencing others is a great resource for building your list. Find people who you admire and want to be like and see what characteristics or values make them so special. People of history, those still discussed years after their lives ended, are a great example as they all seem to be guided by or share certain universal truths or principles of success. Have a higher standard. Weak philosophies will lead to a weak life. Be strong, set big! Align with your ideal self. Sure, you won’t always follow them perfectly. However, by having a list you’ll recognize when you aren’t living by your established standard and be able to correct more quickly. Before you know it you’ll be living them perfectly without realizing it! Continue to evolve your list over time as you gain more life experience and get a better understanding of yourself and who you want to be. Ex: what I thought important and appropriate at 18 or 21 differs from now at 27. Once you have them, print them out and put your list in a place where you’ll see it daily. Check frequently to see how your current life stacks up. For help determining your beliefs or becoming the best version of yourself contact me – jeff@kizeconcepts.com – for assistance to your awesomeness.
Find us online Twenty Something Magazine
20SomethingMag
TwentySomethingMagazine.com
Advertise in Twenty Something Magazine! We want to help you stand out and reach your target audience. What better way to do that then to be in the fastest growing Oklahoma magazine! We have several options to cater to your specific business needs, so contact us today to find out how you can be in Twenty Something Magazine. contact@twentysomethingmagazine.com