Twenty Something March 2013
Chad Cosper Videography DCMGMT Creative, Inc.
Angela Hamilton Hair Designer Elevation Salon 405.659.5212
Kealey McIntire Feature Writer
Laura Sabolich Street Style Writer
Samantha Lamb Feature Writer
Jessica Bohne OneHealthyBod Monthly Workout
Alex Mendez-Kelly Makeup Artist Feature Writer
Steve Clausen OneHealthyBod Monthly Workout
CONT
Bethany Young Editor-in-Chief Co-Creative Director Photographer
Kelsey Self Fashion Director Co-Creative Director Stylist
Sarah Ethridge Music Writer
Denver Duncan Feature Writer
Meagan Owen Feature Writer
Melissa Cosper Photographer DCMGMT Creative, Inc.
Jeff Ragan Health Writer
Jeanne Young Copy Editor
Whitney Lynn Feature Writer
Emily Davis Decor Writer
TRIBUTORS
Fashion
the IT girl with the IT shoes
Kelsey’s Must Must Haves: Haves: Kelsey’s Charlotte Olympia Olympia Charlotte
Fashion
Article & Photography: Laura Sabolich
Fashion
New York Fashi
What a whirlwind Fashion Week always seems to be! As if New York City doesn’t move quickly enough already, add the fashion scene and time flies by even faster! Oh, and did I mention that it occurred in the middle of a blizzard! Fast moving and snow covering aside, we were able to squeeze into some amazing shows to report straight from the runway to all our favorite people… YOU! Let’s break down our three favorite shows:
Rebecca Minkoff Trend Inspiration: Boyfriend Chic Our first show to attend this year was the beautiful Rebecca Minkoff. You probably know her best by her handbags and shoes (which are sublime, by the way.) But for this show, we got to see more of her clothes. Like Marissa Webb, mentioned earlier in this issue. Minkoff takes some inspiration from breaking into your boyfriend’s closet and developing wardrobe ideas from there. In this particular show, she mixed her beautiful frocks with more masculine and casual pieces like purposefully ripped denim along with some pizzazz on the color front. She used oversized beanies and oversized cozy sweaters to showcase a more broken-in, boyfriend feel. We are particularly fond of this oversized knit sweater.
ion Week Faves
Diane Von Furstenberg Trend Inspiration: Glam Rock First of all, Diane, for the most part, can do no wrong and her show was flawless. It was not exactly a cohesive collection but when everything in it is as fabulous as she is, no one really cares. The theme of the show was Glam Rock and glamour and rockin’ it was! Inspiration pulled from throughout the 60s and 70s, the bottom of the walking lists reads, “Her energy is contagious. SHE IS THE ROCK STAR AND MUSE OF HER OWN LIFE.” Thirty-seven looks of turquoise, brazen plums, prints on prints, metallic, velvets and furs and she nailed them all! The cutest moment we did catch after the final walk, Diane danced down the catwalk hugging close friends and shaking hands. What a glamour rock queen. Lela Rose Trend Inspiration: Romantic We were introduced to the Lela Rose show in 2012 (where we met Brad Goreski post show!). We fell in love with her romantic playfulness on her designs and are just as crazy about it in 2013. A complete stunner, she wowed us with magentas, mustards, unique patterns and lace. A true testament that romantic never goes out of style. She was even sweet enough to “like” our instagrams and favorite some of our images from her show.
Written by Meagan Owen
Fashion
New York Fashion Week : Marissa Webb
I have to say, of all of Fashion Week, all the couture, and all the glamour, my favorite presentation was Marissa Webb. She being former Head of Women’s Design at J. Crew, I have been a J. Crew lover and avid wearer, as I am sure you have too, of some of Marissa’s former designs. I was more than on board with her first fall presentation. She is fairly new in the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week as her own line but she is absolutely no stranger or newbie to fashion and incredible design theory. It wasn’t about the flare here; it was truly about the fabric, the lines and the wearability. I found myself envying most the pieces in this collection because I already had in mind where I want to wear them all!
Article & Photography by Meagan Owen
Fashion
New York Fashion Week : Alice & Olivia
Step back through time, wandering the streets of Western Europe in this fantasy of Stacey Bendet’s fall collection for Alice and Olivia. Enveloping the highest level of sophistication in her silhouettes while mixing cool and chic patterns to create an element of whimsy! Furs, trims, plaids and brocade floral patterns are all the rage here while mixing a feminine “business and pleasure” look.
A rose crown and black lace make us want to head to Spain and say, “Ole’!”
Our personal favorite from the collection, feather peplums make any LBD fabulous! Sophisticated print matching in all black with a bold maroon lip, so chic.
Personality all the way down to the shoes!
Bendet upped the ante of the plain, white blouse with these amazing lace cutouts! Pairing it on top of this cobalt blue makes it a knockout!
Taking a step back to punk rock‌ but in baroque? Loving it either way!
Almost matadoresque, we can’t keep our eyes off this red and black ensemble!
Written by Meagan Owen Photography: Meagan Owen & Laura Cochran Nay
Fashion
On Display
Window-shopping is usually a way to casually look at clothes through the window of a certain store or shop. When someone is window-shopping, while they may or may not be looking to buy, they get a glimpse of something they might find interesting. Window-shopping is a common thing in fashion, but some stores take window-shopping to another level. If you have ever thought about being in a fantasy fashion world, the window displays in New York City can do just that! Elaborate window displays are not only common, but they are a popular attraction in the city. Bergdorf Goodman is one of the most respected department stores in New York City. Synonymous with luxurious Upper East Side style, Bergdorf Goodman is a great store to get designer fashion. Along with being one of the most luxurious stores in New York City, Bergdorf Goodman is widely known for its dazzling window displays. They have done window themes ranging from Sex and the City to the 1920s era. For the Sex and the City theme, they constructed a display depicting Carrie Bradshaw in her apartment! The company has even collaborated with an artist that had his art displayed next to designer clothing. If you can think of the most elaborate or fantasy-like creation to put in a window display, Bergdorf Goodman could probably find a way to make it happen! Barneys New York is also a well-respected fashion department store in New York City. Like Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys is known for their elaborate window displays. Barneys takes pride in being a fashion department store with some of the best windows in the city. Recently, Barneys partnered up with Disney for a holiday collaboration. Imagine Minnie Mouse in the window of a fashion department store. This is exactly what Barneys did, and this is why they are one of the top department stores for window displays. While both Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys New York are in New York City, you can still see some fabulous window displays here in Oklahoma. Forever 21 is a popular store among fashionistas here in Oklahoma. Along with their affordable merchandise, Forever 21 features some very interesting displays. The outfits on display are both fashion-forward and edgy. If you want to see some fashion-forward window displays here in Oklahoma, check out a Forever 21 near you! While some stores like Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys go very elaborate, other mall stores like J. Crew and JcPenney are less elaborate but still have window appeal. So what’s the big deal about window displays and what does it have to do with anything? Window displays can be your first interaction with a store. If a window displays a chic garment, it is going to attract customers into the store. Companies realize the importance of having a successful window in order to attract customers into the store. It is also important to have fun in the fashion industry and whimsical window displays can do just that!
Written by Whitney Lynn Photo by Bethany Young
Fashion
Spring Fashion... With a Corporate Twist
Spring is one of my favorite times of the year, second only to summer. The weather starts warming up and so does the fashion! This year, I have stepped into corporate America… a bit of a change from my previous position at a television station where pushing the fashion limits was encouraged. While the atmosphere is politically correct and conservative, I refuse to believe that the dress code has to be the same. I will not be just another person in a cardigan and khaki’s. I’ve come to understand that some new spring trends just won’t do at the office. Tops and dresses with large cutouts will be reserved for weekends or nights. However, some spring looks can see the fluorescent light of day at work. I will dare to rock some new spring looks, while maintaining my corporate status. After some careful consideration and research, here are a few looks I’m ready to put to the test! Black & White The February issue of TwentySomething highlighted this look. The beauty of this is it is a timeless color scheme. Last I checked, chic and elegant never go out of style. A corporate woman (or man) can pull this trendy look off in many appropriate, yet fashionable ways. My fav just might be the skinny black pants with the belted tank. Monochrome So this look is back… I guess. I was just getting used to color blocking, but whatever. At least with my pairs of blue, orange, yellow and red jeans, I’m halfway there… I just have to find tops that are the same colors. I probably shouldn’t wear my orange jeans to the office, but I could definitely pull off orange slacks with a jacket and shirt combo in the same hue. Bermuda… Here I Come! This look is a classy compromise. It gives you that I’m-ready-for-the-office look, while allowing you to stay cool – literally and figuratively – when the temperature starts to rise. Paired with a refined tank or short-sleeved jacket you’ll be stylish and sexy. Far East Movement This fashion fury takes on a trip to Asia. The key to pulling this one off at work will be what I like to call K.I.S.S (Keep It Simple, Stupid!) Wear the jacket with skinny slacks or pair the pants with a sensible top. You can still have fun with shoes and accessories, but overall, this gives it a more toned-down, office-appropriate look. Those are the items I can’t wait to get my hands on. Let’s just hope my boldness doesn’t land me in corporate HR!
Written by Kealey McIntire
Beauty
Spring
Spring has Sprung! I am so excited! I want to see green! I am hoping that with some of the wetness of this past season and the promise of rainy showers in April, we can look forward to an amazing green season in our lawns and not just in our clothes and eye shadow! Emerald is King, y’know! This month I want to tell you about a couple of things that have transformed my life. Yes, transformed. Spring to me is about trying new things, turning a new leaf so to speak and boy have I ever. Those of you that know me know that I don’t do much in way of hair. I have great hair that will stay styled, curled, coifed, and pinned wherever it is styled. What do I do with this amazing gift? Nothing. Not a damn thing. I stopped coloring my hair and I haven’t had a haircut in, seriously, too embarrassed to say. So, a really long time. Now with this 411 in your back pocket about my lack of hair dressing desires, be prepared to be amazed. Well that might have be an over reach, but still, I’m pretty pumped. I finally broke down and bought a $170.00 hairbrush from Mason Pearson. I am also a little embarrassed to say that I have sold these wonderful brushes for 12 years but just now thought I would get one for myself. Oh I have bought them for my little Angel, and I have recommended them passionately for years. But this new indulgence I have awarded myself has created a monster! I relish in brushing my hair now. Knots be gone with you, I say! That Rastafarian rat’s nest thing in the back of my neck is no more. I have at times even worn it down. Next step is to add some soft tendrils (thanks KTO). Baby Feet. Yes they are adorable, but I am talking about the new product hitting the market, called Baby Feet. It took me weeks to build the courage to use this product, so I am not expecting everyone to be knocking down my door until I tell you what it really does do. I thought this product was going to be one of those “as seen on TV things”, where the promise is way bigger than the delivery and then you want to return it because it WAS a bunch of hogwash, to only discover that they went out of business. <<sigh>> BUT! This revolutionary new product is here just in time for Spring Break and sandal season. It is all prepared for you in little booties; all you have to do is slip it on for an hour. Which, granted, was the hardest part for me, because it is kinda squishy. You take the booties off, rinse your feet thoroughly and wait for five days. When you least expect it, BOOM! All this dead skin starts to come off in sheets. I know this sounds really gross, but if you like peeling a sunburn, you will LOVE this! I was blown away with how well this product delivered exactly what it said it would do. Soft feet are possible without going to get a pedi every week!! And as a bonus you use less lotion trying to make them softer! I hope this inspires you in some weird way to try something new! Happy Spring!
Written by Alex Mendez-Kelley Owner of The MakeUp Bar
Decor
Easy {and inexpensive} Room Updates
Decorating your home can be an overwhelming task for many people. And oftentimes, being overwhelmed leads to indecision and many times - no decisions! If you’ve been stuck in a decorating rut, or if it’s just time for you to give your home a new look, here are my top tips for updating your space on the cheap. Paint I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, paint is the easiest way to give any space a new feel. It’s not just for walls - you can also paint dated furniture! But no matter what you paint, be sure to get a sample first
Photo credits: House Beautiful, Aesthetic Oiseau, Sally Wheat Interiors, House of Fifty
Fabric Fabric can bring pattern, texture and color to your room. There are no limits to what you can do with fabric: re-cover a simple ottoman or chair seat, get some new throw pillows, cover a lampshade, new curtains… the list goes on!
Rearrange It’s so easy to have your furniture laid out one way and just leave it. Move things around - you will feel like you completely redecorated!
Accessories It’s not realistic to get new furniture over and over again. But accessories are an inexpensive way to bring new pieces to a room. And even small accessories can change the way an entire room feels!
If you are looking for more home décor help, be sure to stop by Main Street Chic www.mainstreetchic.blogspot.com
xoxo, Emily
Flower
Fashion
rChild
Photography:Melissa Cosper Hair & Makeup: The MakeUp Bar Styling: Lacey Rosenwald Clothing and Accessories: Isabella Model: Noel Delano
Feature
Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma is currently celebrating their 50th anniversary! You can celebrate with them by seeing The Glass Menagerie at the Plaza Theatre, March 27 through April 13. We sat down with three of the cast members to find out more about the show and what you can expect.
and commitment to bringing the best to its audiences makes me eager to join you! What is your most memorable performance experience over the years? Oh, dear. Just one? There have been some doozies, from Shaw, to Shakespeare, to Albee to Wilde. But the most memorable one will always be the title role in PIAF. To live the rollercoaster life of this astonishing woman, plus sing those songs (en francais) wiped me out every time. And I couldn’t wait to get back to do it again the following night!
Tell us about your preparation for The Glass Menagerie and a little bit about your role in the show. To be honest, I always just thought of it as a play I’d studied in school. I don’t have a big Dream Role list I keep. Then Michael Baron, with whom I worked at Signature Theatre, called and offered me the role. For Michael, no question; “Yes”! Then I read Helen Hedman : Amanda Wingfield the play again and was hopelessly captivated The Glass Menagerie is part of by the poetic genius of Tennessee Williams. Remember the scene in “Field of Dreams” the 50th anniversary season of Lyric Theatre. How does it feel where Burt Lancaster makes the decision to to be a part of such a monumen- step over the foul line onto the world of the field? That’s what it felt like. I’m reading tal celebration for Lyric? the biography, “Tom: the Unknown TennesIt is indeed an honor to make my maiden see Williams” as well as some of his letters voyage at Lyric during its 50th. The tradition and celebration of theatre across Amer- and interviews. I’ve found some great information about William’s mother Edwina ica has always been of special interest to that has been very helpful. But there’s a me. Reading about Lyric’s history, growth
point where Edwina ends and the character of Amanda begins. My job is to create Amanda. She was brought up in a world of cotillions, debuts, picnics and gentleman callers. Now it’s the Depression, the salesman she fell in love with and married has abandoned the family and she tries to make the best of it in a tenement in St. Louis with her two grown children. This might sound noble, but her devotion to Tom and Laura is definitely flawed. It’s a complicated love that is shared in the small Wingfield home. That’s all I want to say. See the play!
How does it feel to be a part of such a monumental celebration for Lyric? I am very honored to be part of this season. I grew up primarily in Oklahoma City so Lyric was the hub of local theatre in my mind. While I’ve never had the privilege to work with Lyric before now, I am thrilled that my first project with them falls on their 50th anniversary.
What is your most memorable performance experience over the years? What can patrons expect when In Spring of 2012, I was part of a play called they come to see the show? ‘They Promised Her The Moon.’ It was put It is an absolutely beautiful way to tell a up as part of OU’s Faith Broome Playwright small family’s story. Tom, acting as both the In Residence program. The playwright narrator and a character, calls it “a memory Laurel Ollstein was brought in with her play play” and therefore it will have a beguiling based on the life of Oklahoman Jerrie Cobb unrealistic quality about it. I think people and her fight to be the first woman in outer of different ages will have personal experispace. I had the privilege of taking a playences with parts of Amanda, Tom, Laura or writing course from Laurel while I was in Jim O’ Connor, the Gentleman Caller, with rehearsal for the play; hearing her discuss whom they can relate. There is such grace difficulties she was having and new ideas in the ache of this memory. she was entertaining and even being able to weigh in on them occasionally. The end product that was put up was Jerrie’s story told through Laurel’s lenses with an infusion of ideas from the cast and director Dr. Judith Pender. It was a collaborative process with the end result being a living and continuously evolving piece of art that educated as well as entertained our audiences.
Lindsay Pittman : Laura Wingfield
Tell us about your preparation for The Glass Menagerie and a little bit about your role in the show. I’m playing Laura Wingfield. Oddly enough, a lot of my preparation has ended up coinciding with schoolwork this semester. Many of the textbooks I’m using in classes this year are using ‘Menagerie’ as a primary example. In addition to a bit of obsessive note taking that has resulted from that, I’ve focused a lot on the physicality
Laura. Laura’s shyness is really magnified through her consciousness of her physical limitations that she believes are the only thing people can see when they look at her. Laura, in contrast to Amanda and Tom, has a quiet tenderness, especially toward her glass collection. When Jim arrives, the warm and charming side of Laura comes out, not as prominently as Amanda would like perhaps, but in her own slightly different way. What do you think patrons can expect when they come to see the show? Tennessee Williams has written this play in such a beautiful way that audiences can easily be moved by the words alone. Dealing with memory and dreams and reality, ‘Menagerie’ shapes the past as a thing that is both delicate and fierce. While audiences may come to be entertained or have a great night at the theatre, I can’t imagine them leaving without being warmed and moved by this beautifully crafted work.
Alex J Enterline : Tom Wingfield
How does it feel to be a part of such a monumental celebration for Lyric? I am ecstatic and completely honored. I watched Lyric OKC shows as I was growing up, and last year I had the privilege of being in my first production with them, Spring Awakening. But this year is a special one, and I cannot wait to be part of the 50th anniversary season. Lyric is a prime spot to see amazing theatre in Oklahoma, and to be included in their 50th season makes me thrilled! Here’s to 50 more! What is your most memorable performance experience over the years? I would have to say this past summer at Lyric was one of the most fun, exhausting, and challenging performance opportunities I’ve had. But the hard work was paired with fun times with the amazing and talented people I was surrounded by. And not to mention being in a show with fabulous Beth Leavel! It was a summer to remember! Tell us about your preparation for this show. The preparation even before we start rehearsal is one of the hardest, yet fulfilling parts of the experience. With an iconic play, from an iconic playwright, there is a very daunting task ahead for the actors in the show, the task of honoring the playwright and his work with honesty and truth. The characters in THE GLASS MENAGERIE are based on characters in Tennessee Williams’ life, so the preparation before rehearsal is research; researching the life, the atmosphere, the economics and other crucial aspects of the time period. Without this first step nothing can really happen in the rehearsal space besides speaking with no actual understanding of the piece. I want to know what I’m talking about! I’m playing the role of Tom, the son of Amanda, and the brother of Laura with whom he
is confounded to a tiny apartment. This tiny apartment is the limbo where he is dreaming about getting out, but also being guilted into staying to support his mother and sister. He has to choose to do right for himself or for his sister Laura, unfortunately trapped by a disability, whom he loves unconditionally. What can patrons expect when they come to see the show? Well, the reason why this individual play is so well known is because it is so relatable. Family is such an intimate issue, but to open up a home and place it on stage for all to see pulls people in and offers them a world to escape to. There are only four people in this cast, so the intimacy on stage is as strong as the issues in the writing. You will see Williamsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; play directed beautifully and hopefully acted with a sense of truth that will let you escape from the world for an evening.
To purchase tickets to see The Glass Menagerie visit www.lyrictheatreokc.com
Lyric T 50th Anniver
www.LyricTheatreOKC.com
Theatre rsary Season
Music
What We’re Li Album of the Month: M B V by My Bloody Valentine
It’s been almost 22 years since My Bloody Valentine has put forth new work for us to enjoy. That’s almost a lot of twentysomething’s lifetime if you think about it. My Bloody Valentine, a Dublin-based band created in 1983, is kind of a big deal. Everyone’s freaking out that they came out with new material because their past creations have been genius. Kevin Shields, the innovator of MBV, has still been working in his downtime on projects like producing and remixing, but also contributed various tracks to the Lost in Translation soundtrack. Typically recognized with down-tempo alt-rock, My Bloody Valentine is immediately recognizable in a spacey, dreamy sort of way. Blurred guitars, light vocals and romantic lyrics give this band an edgy sweetness that is balanced out by their two female members. The Europeans always seem to get it right with music and this time M B V does not disappoint. It was released February 2 on the band’s facebook page. This is an album we’ve had to hear virally, not on iTunes or Spotify. The traffic was so intense on the band’s page that it crashed their website. It’s available to hear online, with tracks like “Only Tomorrow” and “New You” being the standout recordings. With some of the newest compilation having been recorded in 1997 before the band went on hiatus, My Bloody Valentine has given us a blend of the past and present, making it the perfect timeless album.
istening To... Artist of the Month: Kimbra
You’ve all heard her, I swear. Even though her name might not ring a bell, she was featured in “Somebody That I Used to Know” with Gotye and blew it up at the Grammy’s. She’s from New Zealand and has accomplished quite a bit for a 22 year-old. Her album Vows was released in August 2011 and boosted her career at a rapid pace with songs like “Settle Down” and “Warrior,” the latter being a stellar collaboration with Mark Foster of Foster the People. Vibrant, eccentric and catchy are just a few words to describe the Pop/Alternative artist who is making a big name for her self. Other songs like “Cameo Lover” give us a glimpse to a light-hearted electronic compilation just like that of Little Dragon or Santigold. All of these ladies are worthy of your time because they’re brilliant and way more different than what you hear on the radio every day.
Song of the Month: High School Lover by Cayucas These newcomers from California bring the warmth and reminiscence we all could use at any time of the year. Giving us that vintage ‘60s pop vibe that The Beach Boys initiated but are still mimicked by that of Beck and Vampire Weekend, Cayucas emanates that dreamy sound that never really goes out of style. They came from California and call themselves “Cayucas” because of a town in the sunshine state that never seemed to grow up past the 1950s. Cayucas has kept that appreciation of the past with its innocence and nostalgia, thus writing songs about their actual high school lovers. Zach Yudin, the lead vocalist, is referring to a high school crush, Elizabeth, who wrote him love letters but never received reciprocation, even though he apparently liked her back. I mean, we’ve all been there, right? Relatable, sweet, and fun, this new band of five is refreshing and cool to say the least. They deserve a listen from anyone who appreciates reliving the past from time to time. Written by Sarah Ethridge
Fashion
Luck can come in all colors, but take it from the Irish this time and embrace the seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shades of green.
Photography:Melissa Cosper Hair & Makeup: The MakeUp Bar Styling: Kelsey Self Clothing: Bad Grannyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s; Special thanks to The Junk Fairy Booth Model: Paige C of Tabb Models
Twenty Something Girl
Photography: Rachel Black
Meet our March Twenty Something Girl, Abigail Smith. Many of you may know her work as a photographer [which we love!], but we want to share with you her personal story as she battles against cancer. Tell us about yourself! My name is Abigail Smith. Thanks to my parents making travel an important part of my life, I’ve been blessed to have seen most of the U.S. and several other countries as well. I live in my hometown of Duncan, Oklahoma and grew up in the country with my four brothers and wonderful parents. I am so thankful to have such a close relationship with my family—they have helped shape me into the person I am today. How did you first become interested in photography? My parents encouraged me to pursue the talents and interests I had and they taught me the important lesson of hard work and customer relations. A great place I learned a lot about the techniques of photography was from online photography forums. A mentor and friend of mine is Sarah Barlow, a destination fashion, wedding and music photographer. She taught me that in order to be in charge of my business, I needed to take charge of learning how to make it work for me. I also attended a photography workshop called “Spread The Love” which was very helpful to me in learning about the business behind the photography. Friends and family spread the word about my work and my business started growing. My main focus was wedding photography until October 2011 when I decided to focus exclusively on high school senior, fashion and family photography. I am where I am today because of countless hours of research, practicing and finding ways to use my camera at every opportunity. However, without God putting friends and photographers in my life, I would be nothing special. I have had the pleasure of
capturing significant times in many lives. My goal has and always will be to give all the glory to God for the talent that He has given me. What kind of photography is your favorite to shoot? High school seniors are my favorite to photograph because I love to draw out the beauty and uniqueness of each person. They may not even recognize the beauty that they have until I show them the beauty I see. Over and over again, I’ve seen it change a young woman’s whole perception of herself. That’s what I absolutely LOVE about photography. I want each and every person who steps in front of my camera to have a relaxed and wonderful time being themselves. Where do you get your ideas or find inspiration? I find inspiration in nature and from the people I meet as well as design/fashion blogs. Tell us about your journey with cancer. The storms of 2012-2013 have been unlike any I’ve experienced before and I couldn’t have gotten through it without Jesus right by my side the entire journey. Honestly, I have come to know God’s faithfulness in a deeper way than ever before. When life happens—financial struggles, health problems, tragedies, loss of a loved one, the list is limitless—just knowing that God is always there with love, peace, courage and grace to walk you through it is so encouraging! There is no doubt in my mind that God gave me the grace and strength needed for every moment that I didn’t think I could get through. He gave me favor and led me
each step of the way. From my first interactions with Doctors (never knew how much I appreciate them until now) and finding out I had Synovial Cell Sarcoma, to finding out my surgery would be done by one of the top Doctors in the U.S. who “just happened” to be in Oklahoma, and on through 37 radiation treatments, physical therapy, and diet changes. Despite not having medical insurance last year God has been faithful to provide. Morgan Collier just recently threw a fundraiser for me in my community that raised $15,500 and when I found out, I couldn’t help but cry. There is nothing like being overwhelmed (in a good way) with love and support. I am blessed beyond anything I ever imagined! In the middle of December 2012 we found that the cancer had spread to my lungs. The doctor said that chemotherapy would only have a 30-50% chance of slowing the cancer down, not curing it. Going through that ordeal would not have been a healing environment for me. These reasons helped me decide not to take chemo at this time. More than anything, I wanted to make a decision that would be the best for building up my body and not tearing it down. My decision that has brought peace is to keep as normal of a healthy lifestyle as possible for my sake and my family. The main thing is prayer and asking Jesus for complete healing. The other things I’m doing is cutting out all processed sugar, flours and processed foods along with doing some other natural things that build up my body’s natural defenses. Tell us about your recent trip to Ireland! Ever since I was a little girl I’ve wanted to go to Ireland because it just seemed like it would be a gorgeous place to visit. When I finished my radiation treatments, my three brothers helped me to fulfill my dream
of traveling to Ireland. Our goal was to celebrate LIFE and the fact that we are so blessed to have each other and to get to see more of the world. It was so inspiring to see such a beautiful country and meet some awesome people! We rented a car the first week and had some of the very best times (slightly scary at times because you drive on the left side of the road and it’s so narrow) visiting Cork, Dingle, Galway, Connemara and Dublin. Since being diagnosed a second time, how have you been able to cope with that and the changes it has brought? God is helping me to live in the present and not borrow worry from the future. To say it hasn’t been hard would be a lie; emotions are extremely volatile. But Jesus Christ is my rock in the midst of this hurricane. If you’ve ever been through a tragedy or crisis, you know what I’m talking about. When I start feeling overwhelmed by anything, big or small, I remember all that God has already brought me through and know that no matter what the future holds, His grace will be sufficient. This second time around I’ve had even more opportunities to share my story about God’s faithfulness and love, and to encourage other people in their lives. Are you still pursuing photography? Yes, I am still doing photography and feel an even deeper satisfaction in being able to continue doing what I love. I’ve also had a few photo sessions out of state, which has been so fun! At the same time, I’m trying not to get too busy to enjoy life and take time for relationships. What gets you through the challenge you are facing? Keeping a close relationship with Jesus is the number one thing that gets me through each day, besides having super supportive
family and friends. Finding my meaning and purpose in Him has given me a sense of peace that is amazing. Sometimes deadlines are great reminders of how short our time here on earth is anyway. However, I firmly believe that God is all about postponing “deadlines” too! As long as He gives me breath, I want to be shining brightly for Him and helping those who are hurting to experience the love He has for them. Going through this has made me realize more about who I am. This is the one life I get to live. The only thing that matters more than anything else is how I live it to glorify my Creator and Savior Jesus Christ. What advice would you give others who are experiencing the same thing? If I could go back and tell myself what the hardest struggle was, it wouldn’t be cancer. It would be myself because I almost made it out to be even worse than it was. I was constantly having to deal with feelings of anxiety, fear and worry. I am learning to take life’s challenges minute by minute and put my complete trust in Christ. Because of my situation, people really listen when I ask them, “If you only had ONE year to live, is there anything you would change or do differently?” All I can say is make choices that matter!
You can check out Abigail’s photography by visiting
www.abigailsmithphotography.com
Health
Feed Your “Ideal Self
Imagine the classic scenario of good or “angel” version of you on one shoulder vs. bad or “devil” version of you on the other. Both are making their strong cases for how you should live your life. One is telling you “dream big, believe in yourself, work hard, do the right thing and you can have any life you want!” The other is saying “nonsense! You can’t do that, it’s not worth trying, you aren’t capable of achieving that” among other non-beneficial statements.
Which one are you going to listen to? Which one are you going to allow consume your thoughts and lead to the subsequent actions or inaction that ultimately define your life? Are you going to listen to the one inspired by the ultimate positive emotion – Love – or the ultimate negative emotion -- Fear? Which will you allow to win the battle for your life and which one dies? Whichever one you feed. What you feed grows. Grow a great you by constantly feeding love and positivity by making a list of positive characteristic statements of who you want to become with our “I AM” statements. How to do “I AM” statements – how do you envision your ideal self? What characteristics describe you? List characteristics you want to describe your ideal self following “I AM”.
f” & Starve Your Fears
Examples: I AM FEARLESS I AM LOVING I AM FORGIVING I AM HARD WORKING I AM PURE I AM JOYFUL Don’t worry if you aren’t there yet. What’s important is you identify what your best “acting and feeling” you is like, and bring it to the present to help guide your thoughts and actions. Once identified write them all down, post somewhere visible, and review 2x daily. By doing this we know and reinforce how you ideally want to behave. You bring awareness in the “now” moment so you are more likely to display that characteristic and behave how you ideally want to. Lastly, when reviewing, read or speak with conviction and belief and let the transformation begin!
Written by Jeff Ragan Founder of Kize Concepts Inc. www.KizeConcepts.com
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