The Breakout Issue
The Breakout Issue
South Shore Woman is a year older...Do we look any different? We feel different! Better than ever! Join us for this Breakout Issue where we boldly go where we have not gone before!
You'll find the navigation of our site more user-friendly, our sections straight forward, and our archives easily accessible. Of course, our stories remain informative and entertaining!
Local Spotlight features the savvy entrepreneurs who energize the South Shore. They are the faces behind the places this side of Beantown! This month we shine the spotlight on Sheela Calhoun, a wellness coach who teaches a new approach to healthy living. (And crazy fad diets don't factor into the equation!)
We have updated events, interesting facts, our sought-after AppeTeasers from Chef Perrin, and, yes, we still highlight the cool and eclectic items and travel spots that We Love! and we know you'll love too!
In addition, our Wink South webzine continues to profile the phenomenal women in our midst. This month it's Sue Littlefield, a Duxbury native who is what we like to call a "responsible free spirit". She's livin' the dream in the U.S. Virgin Islands, sailing, hiking, and snorkeling with her "Honey" while maintaining a successful business. (We want to be just like her!) Plus, we have our usual Wink lineup of fashion, inspiration, slice-of-life, Jenna (talkin' to the 'tweens), and, of course, Jay...our Muse.
If you missed any of our previous issues, simply click on the date in the archives to bring it all back. In addition, we invite you to join our blog community. We're introducing our new '40 Winks' blog in this issue. And it's easier than ever for you to author your own blog too! Just log-in to become a South Shore Woman member (no fees apply), and start blog-in.
Click, Connect, and Catch the Conversation!
AppeTeasers,
Scrumptious Scallops
Ingredients:
-Orange liqueur (Triple sec, Cointreau or Grand Marnier)
(Orange juice will work if you are opposed to alcohol)
-Heavy or light cream (I prefer heavy)
-Butter or olive oil
-Fresh tarragon (substitute basil or cilantro, if you prefer)
-12 scallops
-4 artichoke hearts
-1 lemon
-Salt and fresh ground pepper
Directions:
In a hot sauté pan brown scallops with about an ounce of your orange liqueur or orange juice and a table spoon of butter or oil.
Liquid should almost totally cook off just leaving the browned scallops.
In a clean sauté pan add:
2 oz. of liqueur
4 oz. cream
Chopped table spoon of the herb of choice
Squeeze of lemon juice
Pinch of salt
Add your browned scallops
Add artichokes halved
Cook over medium heat until sauce is reduced and thickened
Serve topped with fresh ground pepper
Try this with shrimp or make the sauce for a baked fish of your choice
--Jan Perrin, The Fieldston
We Love!,
Fall Getaways
As anyone living on the South Shore knows, one of the best perks of the area is the beaches. Tourists travel to Massachusetts to enjoy the miles of serene coastline every year. But, sometimes, every woman needs a little more than a beach chair and a good book to get away.
As fall approaches and the beach days wane, it's the perfect time to escape the norm and explore a new place. Here are several autumn travel ideas (no fall foliage here!) that only require a long weekend and not a lot of cash. You'll be surprised just how much it will refresh you.
Newport, RI:
Live like a Vanderbilt ... at least for a few hours. Tour the Newport Mansions in fall and get a sense of amazing wealth and history. Touring schedules vary by home, but some of the best ones to visit include The Breakers, Marble House, Rosecliff and The Elms. Even though Newport is known for its beaches, fall is still a perfect time to explore the grounds of these mansions, which overlook the Atlantic. Be sure to stroll the 3.5-mile Cliff Walk.
New York City:
Theater lovers should head to New York City in the fall as September signals a new Broadway season. Fall is also a good time to score great hotel deals, since many have vacancies before the holiday season ramps up in November and December.
Orlando:If you're bringing the family along, fall is one of the best times to venture to Orlando. The summer heat has subsided and the crowds are significantly lighter at theme parks. You'll spend less time in lines, which means a three- or four-day getaway won't feel so rushed.
Las Vegas: And of course, there's always Las Vegas. There's never really a bad time to visit 'The Strip', but travelers have enjoyed especially low rates at hotels and other perks because of the economic downturn. If you're planning on heading to Vegas, do your research. It's likely you'll find amazing deals at top-notch hotels with a bunch of extras, like room upgrades and activity credits, thrown in.
Spa Vacations:
Since hotels and resorts have been feeling the pinch this year, many have been offering free nights and spa treatments. Now is the time to grab the girls and get pampered, especially before the hectic holiday season. You don't have to go far to recharge. Hop in the car and head to Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Mass. The resort/spa is all-inclusive, which means meals, room and other things are part of one price. Or, if you really want to get away, book a flight to the West Coast. One of my personal favorites is La Rancho Las Palmas in Palm Springs, Calif. The recently-renovated resort has three pools and a lazy river, as well as great spa treatments all surrounded by the California desert. Talk about a change of scenery.
As the air turns crisp and the days get shorter, consider fall the best time to vacation. It gives you something to look forward to and makes this otherwise busy season a bit more relaxing.
About Us,
Let SSW Promote Your Business!
SouthShoreWoman.com writes about the local people who follow their passion and build new economic opportunities in our communities. But, whether you have started a popular jewelry line, have an established retail store or restaurant, or offer a unique service, you will always need to reach new customers.
SSW, an online magazine, serves as the perfect venue for businesses that want to go a bit beyond their town borders. Let us help you get your message to the masses by being your vehicle into the larger world of social media.
Our affordable promotional packages give you an advertisement on SSW, plus a presence on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. In addition to getting directly in front of our audience (there are over a thousand South Shore readers-- that we know of), your business will also be exposed to many of the 750 million Facebook users, 100 million Twitter users, and over 100 million LinkedIn members.
Let's put it this way: Print advertising is dead. Social media is the surest way to gain new customers in this Internet age. Yes, we know, you are running a business! You don't have time to tweet and post all day....
We want you to continue to grow and become social media savvy. Let us help!
We offer three packages that appeal to your needs and budget:
Packages: |
Premium |
Standard |
Basic |
*Advertisement |
Leaderboard graphic (728x90 pixels) OR video (**including link to your website) |
Sidebar 1 (300 pixels wide) graphic OR video (**including link to your website) |
Either the Sidebar 2 (120 pixels wide) or the Footer (728x90 pixels) graphic (**including link to your website) |
Sponsor e-mail |
A dedicated e-mail blast to SSW subscribers (about 1,000 members) |
A dedicated e-mail blast to SSW subscribers (about 1,000 members) |
N/A |
|
|
-Creation of a Twitter handle for your business-Multiple Tweets/day from your business handle and @SoShoWo-Community building through “follows” and “lists” |
Multiple Tweets/ week about your business from @SoShoWo |
One Tweet/week about your business from @SoShoWo |
|
|
-Creation of a FB page for your business-Multiple posts/day on your page and outreach to community to ‘Like’ your page-Multiple mentions and links to your fan page and website on SoShoWo FB page |
One mention/week about your business on the SSW FB page |
A couple of mentions/month of your business on the SSW FB page |
|
|
Weekly mention of your business within groups that target your customers |
Multiple mentions/month of your business within groups that target your customers |
One mention of your business within a group that targets your customers |
SSW story |
If SSW has already done a story on your business, we will update it (text or embed video) and put it on the SSW home page as well as link to it on Facebook and Twitter |
If SSW has already done a story on your business, we will link to the archived article on our Facebook page and Twitter, and write a short update to tell our audience what you are up to now |
If SSW has already done a story on your business, we will link to the archived article on our Facebook page and Twitter |
Reporting
PRICE |
At the end of the month you will receive a report on all SM activity and results$750/month |
At the end of the month you will receive a report on all SM activity and results$500/month |
At the end of the month you will receive a report on all SM activity and results$250/month |
**Don't have a website? We can build one for you. Contact us for more information.
*And, if you don't have an advertisement ready to go, we'd be happy to create one for you! (Monthly prices do not include $100 fee for ads created by SSW.)
For more information contact:
Tracy Coyne at dtcoyne@comcast.net (781) 413-6508
or,
Stephanie Neil at stephanieneil@comcast.net (781) 378-1652
We Love!,
Mama Was a Roaring Stone
Are you sick of those Southern Living parties where you walk away with an apple peeler and a pie plate that you'll tuck away when you get home and probably never use? Listen up ladies, its time to Party with the Rock Stars. This new 'Girls Night In' concept created by Casey Kerr, founder of Roaring Stones healing crystal jewelry, brings tarot and angel card readers, massage therapists, acupressure and Reiki specialists to the table instead.
It's the mind, body, spirit balance we all need nowadays!
Here's how it goes: You're stretched out on the massage table in the den getting that much needed body balance through an acupressure treatment, while your best friend is in your home office getting her cards read. Meanwhile, your neighbor just walked in and she's getting an update on each of her chakras. Are they open, or completely closed for business and in need of a re-awakening with a healing stone or two. Feeling a little lackluster these days? You may need to tune into a Tiger Eye stone which supports physical vitality and energy. Or, perhaps your sacral chakra is all closed up and blocking your ability to maintain a good relationship. You may just need a little rose quartz crystal, my friend. Casey's unique jewelry brings the healing crystal best suited for you in a playful--and may we say, beautiful--way!
All of the healers on hand are positive practitioners--some masters of their field. And all you have to do to book a party is call Casey. She'll coordinate the rest (other than the food and drink...which, may we recommend The Front Street Gourmet in Scituate, a one-stop-party-shop that We Love! Terri Martini rocks too!)
It's only a phone call and an Evite away! Honestly, what better way to party with the girls? Who needs an apple peeler anyway?
Contact Casey Kerr at:
O: 781-261-9695
C: 617-548-5745
casey@findyourroar.com
Wink webzine,
Wink's Woman of the Month
A typical day for Susan Littlefield starts just like yours: She wakes up early, checks her Blackberry for messages, and then logs onto the computer to surf the web and read the latest news. But that's where the similarities end, because as you are jumping into your car and turning into Dunkin' Donuts to grab a coffee for your hour commute into Boston, she is jumping off of her 45-foot sailboat and rowing a few yards to shore so that she can start her work--and play--day on the Caribbean island of St. John.
In fact, work and play are one in the same for this Duxbury native who now spends much of her time on 'Shakti', the name of the Norseman 447 sailboat she and Dan, her 'Honey' of four years, call home. Shakti has sailed around the world, but for now it mostly sails the tropical waters, and rests within a cozy bay nestled against the southeast end of this U.S. Virgin Island.
On a hillside, on that same side of the island, sits two cottages that Sue purchased in 2002. The houses-- Horizons Cottage and Captain's Cabin--are rented out to vacationers throughout the winter season, keeping Sue busy managing the bookings and the properties. But that's just part of her day. The other part is spent hiking, swimming, snorkeling, sailing, and just enjoying life in general.
It's a dream come true, Sue admits. But she didn't just happen into this lifestyle. She created it.
"As far as I'm concerned, life is short and you have to enjoy what you're doing and where you're doing it," Sue says. Yet, she admits that packing up and moving from Duxbury to St. John was not a spontaneous decision. "It took me quite awhile to figure out what it was I wanted to do, and how I could make money doing it. It takes some serious soul-searching and a lot of research."
That soul-searching started for Sue in 1998-the worst year of her life. It was the year she found out she had colon cancer, and the year she divorced her husband of over 20 years.
It was the cancer, she says, that opened her eyes. Thankfully, the doctors caught it early. "But before that point I figured I had so much time that I didn't put urgency on anything," she says. "But, you never know what will happen, or when it will."
Soon thereafter, Sue began 'drafting her new profession', she recalls. She first went to the Virgin Islands when she was in college, and, as the consummate "summer girl" who loves the sun, ocean, and outdoors, she thought how nice it would be to live there. But, she also remembers thinking, "I can't".
"It was a self-imposed 'can't'," Sue says. Now, the word 'can't' isn't even in her vocabulary. "With age you realize you can do anything you want if you put your mind to it."
Back to the Islands
She went back to visit the islands in 2001 with some friends, and made her decision at that time to buy some property. A year later, she purchased the two houses that overlook John's Folly Bay, and started renting them out. Sue, however, returned to Duxbury where she had lived for 25 years raising her three children, teaching swim lessons, coaching the girls' high school swim team, as well as boarding horses on her five acre farm. For five years she managed the cottages from her home on the South Shore. But when her youngest child graduated college, she put the Duxbury house up for sale. (And, because the realtor told her the indoor pool and five acre non-dividable lot with barn was worth nothing, she put an advertisement in the local paper, the Duxbury Clipper, and sold the house herself within two weeks-for $100,000 more than what the realtor suggested she put it on the market for...Another reason to dismiss the word 'can't').
That's when Sue and Dan (who is a commercial fisherman and savvy transatlantic sailor) bought Shatki. Shakti, by the way, is a Sanskrit word that means "cosmic energy" and implies power, ability, and strength. The previous owner sailed Shakti around the world. Dan and Sue have taken it back and forth between New England and Trinidad--where it stays during the month of September, which is the time each year that the couple returns to New England to visit family and friends.
Many of these same family and friends thought Sue was making a big mistake when she sold everything and sailed to St. John. But Sue is an adventurer and a go-getter, not a risk-taker. She soothed other's fears by ensuring she could live out her dream and still make a living. "Most people need to have some kind of income. I was lucky enough to figure out what I wanted to do, and make money at it," she said.
As for island life: Yes, in some respects its 'back to basics'. The water supplied to the cottages, for example, comes from collected rain water that is fitered for use, and they 'make' drinking water on the boat using a reverse osmosis process. At the same time, the houses have comfortable beds and cable TV. And, there is internet access all of the time in the cottages and on the boat, so everyone remains very connected to the mainland.
Sue calls St. John home, yet considers herself a New Englander at heart. Her son lives in Boston and her two daughters are still on the South Shore, just three of the many reasons she loves to come back each September. And, of course, her family and friends love to visit her when winters get a bit too long and cold around here!
She is one of the few people who followed her dream. "A lot of people talk about doing things. Few actually do it," she notes. For Sue, sailing off into the sunset was not a rejection of her roots, but, rather, a continuation of her life journey.
For more information on Horizons Cottage or Captain's Cabin, go to: www.horizonscottage.com
Sue and Dan also book Shakti for day cruises through the islands. Contact them for more information at: www.sailshakti.com
Sue Littlefield's Tips for Livin' Your Dream:
-Ask yourself what is important in life.
-Figure out what it is you are looking for: Is it climate, lifestyle, something else? And then do your research.
-Dream responsibly: Be honest with yourself as to whether it's feasible to do what you want to do and still have an income to live on.
-Be true to yourself. Many people will try to discourage you in an attempt to 'protect' you. But these people are probably comfortable in their own zone. Listen and think it through, but make your own decision about what's right for you.
-'Can't' is a bad word. Say, "I'll try!"
- Talking gets you nowhere. Be one of the few who 'do'.
Local Spotlight,
Healthy Options
Picture this: You're at work, on a deadline, stressed out, and unable to concentrate. Suddenly, you find yourself at the candy machine fishing for a Snickers Bar. Or, perhaps, you're sprawled out on the couch watching Monday night football and your hand robotically moves from the Doritos bag to your mouth without much acknowledgement of what you're munching.
If either of these scenarios sounds familiar, and you are struggling with your weight, then you need to meet Sheela Calhoun, a certified wellness coach and personal trainer who offers 'weight management and lifestyle coaching', a program that integrates dietary habits, fitness habits, and an individual's emotional relationship with food. If you're eating when you are not hungry, chances are something in your environment is triggering the behavior, notes Sheela, who has a background in nursing, nutrition and a master's degree in counseling psychology.
Her business, Healthy Options Coaching, teaches 'mindful weight management' either through individual coaching or the eight-week "Am I Hungry?®" workshops at her office in Hanover and other locations. The goal is to stop the yo-yo dieting cycle that contributes to weight gain and establish a more positive relationship with food and eating.
It may sound overwhelming at first, but the good news is it means ditching the diet! (Best thing we've heard in a long time!) Of course, calories do count (calories in vs. calories out is weight management). But fad diets, like the ones that cut carbohydrates--the main source of glucose, or fuel for our brain--can lead to an imbalance that is unhealthy for our mind and body.
"Diets don't work," Sheela says. "People cannot sustain restrictive eating for a long time. And when they fall off the diet, all bets are off." Instead, Sheela retrains people to become 'instinctive eaters' again.
For example, a baby cries when he's hungry and spits the food out when he's full. Adults, on the other hand, associate food with socializing (grazing on all of the appetizers at a party). Or, they turn to food for comfort. When eating is done for reasons other than to satisfy nutritional needs, it often leads to some extra layers of fat. "It's about paying attention to eating when you are hungry and stopping when you are satisfied," Sheela says.
It is also about not eating when you are not hungry. (Why am I making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at midnight, anyway?)
Chances are you just need to break old habits. But sometimes a client is under doctor supervision for a medical condition, or even an eating disorder, in which case Sheela's professional and personal background turns her into a trusted advisor.
Sheela understands the pain associated with eating disorders because she spent much of her teenage and young adult years battling with bouts of anorexia and bulimia. "I started my first diet when I was 12 or 13," she remembers. "I went from being a chronic dieter to struggling with eating disorders. Then, in my early-to-mid 20s, I decided I had enough of the craziness and just wanted to get healthy."
Now, she wants to help others who are seeking to improve their health and wellness. To that end, she also offers Mila, a FDA classified whole raw food which is gluten-free, has no trans-fats, no sugar, and is high in omega-3's, fiber and protein. In fact, this miracle seed was used by the ancient Aztecs as their 'running food'. They would put it in a pouch before heading out on hunting expeditions, using the whole grain natural seed to sustain their dietary needs for days. Mila is an easy way to increase your omega-3's and balance the body by providing the nutrients it needs. Sheela offers Mila as a healthy option to her counseling services. Ultimately, what she wants to do is teach her clients how to take back control -- to empower them.
"I've made health and lifestyle coaching my career because I came from a place of 'dis-ease'. I struggled for years with poor eating habits and a poor body image, and I overcame that," Sheela says. "I want to help people improve their health, feel good, and overcome their own personal struggles with weight, eating, and food-related issues. I'm passionate about it, because I believe change is possible."
For more information on Healthy Options Coaching, the 'Am I Hungry?' workshops, or Mila, go to: www.healthyoptionscoaching.com
Or, contact Sheela directly at: 781-740-4552,
info@healthyoptionscoaching.com
About Us,
SSW in the Air-CLICK HERE TO HEAR
Tracy Coyne and Stephanie Neil, co-founders of SouthShoreWoman.com, were recently guests on Teri Sica's talk show "Discovering Authenticity". The two talk about friendship, starting a business, and what SSW can do for you. Take a listen!
Here's the link: http://www.959watd.com/discoveringauthenticity/DiscoveringAuthenticityShow29.mp3
More WATD/SSW interviews:
11/20/2010: Jay Cole, owner of Riva restaurant recently sat down with Teri to talk about starting a business and being SSW's Male Muse. Tune in here: http://www.959watd.com/discoveringauthenticity/DiscoveringAuthenticityShow34.mp3
And, to read Jay's Male Muse columns, click here! http://southshorewoman.com/author/jay-cole
12/4/2010: Stephanie Neil talks with Teri about turning challenges into opportunities and the life lessons along the way. http://www.959watd.com/discoveringauthenticity/DiscoveringAuthenticityShow36.mp3
Members,
B2B
SSW Business Members
(Click on the company name to read their stories here on SSW, then visit their websites to learn more about these local companies.)
FOOD (Restaurant, Catering, and Personal Chef Services)
Beach Fire Restaurant, Hull
http://www.beachfirehull.com/
Riva Restaurant, Scituate
www.rivarestaurant.net
Jay Cole, Owner
The Fieldston Restaurant, Marshfield
http://www.thefieldston.com/
Jan Perrin, Owner
JennaCAKES
Jenna.perette@yahoo.com
Jenna Perette, Owner
Scarlet Oak Tavern, Hingham
www.scarletoaktavern.com
Jed and Josh Webber, Owners
Aoyama, Marshfield
781-837-6990
The Chef’s Table
http://www.thechefstableonline.com/index.html
Mark and Julie Ellis, Owners
Fruit Center Marketplace
http://www.fruitcentermarketplace.com/
Oro Restaurant, Scituate
www.ororestaurant.com
Jill and Robin King, Owners
Orta Restaurant, Pembroke
www.ortarestaurant.com
Jimmy Burke and Joanie Wilson, Owners
Beach Plum Baking Company
http://www.beachplumbaking.com
Jennifer Love, Owner
Barker Tavern, Scituate
www.barkertavern.com
Savor: A Personal Chef Service
www.savorathome.com
Meghan Haney, Personal Chef & Owner
Darlene Calcagno, Personal Chef & Owner
781-878-9700
Joanie Wilson, Owner
SPECIALTY SHOPS
Harborlight Toy Company
146 Front Street (Welch Company Bldg), Scituate
781-544-5487, website coming soon!
Jerry & Kelly Burke, Owners
Almar Building and Remodeling
Allison Quinn Guido, General Manager
781-826-2577
Hingham Sewing School
Alexis Kletjian
617-549-6755
APPAREL/ACCESSORIES
Sealore Designs
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sealoredesigns?page=1
Michelle Murphy, Owner
Roaring Stones
http://www.roaringstones.com/
Casey Kerr, Owner
SpitDudes
http://spitpermit.com/
Andy White, Owner
Crystals n Pearls
http://www.crystalsnpearls.com/
Carolyn Cattaneo, Owner
Boot Chic
www.bootchic.com
Kim O’Connor, Owner
Babushka Style
http://www.babushkastyle.com/
Rebecca Pimentel, Owner
Ring by Ring Designs
Bev Carlson, Jewelry Designer
FASHION/STYLE
Ready Set Style
Eva Gaiardelli, Owner/Fashion Stylist
eva@readysetstyle.com; 617-433-8295
Tracey Leahy, Owner
Charlotte & Company, Hairstylists & Makup Artists
Charlotte Phinney, Owner
Mary Kay
Shakira Perry, Independent Beauty Consultant
617-653-6796
FUN
East Coast Hui
http://www.eastcoasthui.com/Home.html
Bobby Fenton
HEALTH/FITNESS/SPA
Stacey Shipman, Feel Good Living
http://staceyshipman.com/
Stacey Shipman, Owner
A Healthy Balance
http://www.ahealthybalancenutrition.com/home.html
Nikki Tierney, Owner
Mariposa Body Massage and Therapy
http://www.mariposabody.com/
Cindy Doody, Owner
Healthy Options
http://www.healthyoptionscoaching.com/
Sheela Calhoun, Owner
Perpetual Motion
Jennifer McGilvray, owner
Dolce Med Spa & Boutique
www.DolceMed.com
Tracey Lively, President/Owner
781-792-0919
Spa-tique Day Spa
781-837-1850
South Shore Healing Center
Martha Tassinari, PT/CST
781-934-0100



ART/DESIGN
Cut River Gallery
www.cutrivergallery.com
Chris Lewis, Owner
Hawkmoon Studio
www.hawkmoonstudio.com
Michael Coyne, Owner
Everything Emily
www.everythingemily.com
Emily Loverin, Owner
Interiors by Daryce
http://www.interiorsbydaryce.com/home.html
Daryce Morris, Owner
SERVICES/Personal & Business
JKC Design
www.jkcdesign.com
Jada Coyne, Owner
Errands Etcetera
http://www.errandsetcetera.biz/
Stacy Mafera, Owner
South Shore Skin Center
www.southshoreskincenter.com
Fastteks
We travel to home or business for all computer services.
www.fastteks.com
Concierge Service
Gennie Litchfield Murphy & Chrissy Sladen McCormack, Owners
www.adminsanderrands.com
Columns,
Help for a Happy Halloween
Halloween is just around the corner, and if you're like me you are almost as excited as your kids. I love decorating the house and dreaming up cool costume ideas for each of them. However, in the final weeks (or days!) trying to pin your kids down as far as what they want to be can be a taxing affair. "Ok, but once you decide that's what you want to be we have to stick with....." Two days later it's something completely different. Aggravation and fear that they will be disappointed slowly starts to mount. Sound familiar??
Out of nowhere time's running out if you want any chance of finding the costume they want AND in their size. Not to mention at a price you can swallow! Anyone can come up with something great if you're willing to run all over creation and throw out a ton of money, but that would NOT be me. I have three busy kids and I'm generally cheap when it comes to the 'they're only going to wear it once' situations. So whether you're desperate at the last minute, or you have a yearning to finally make them a homemade (or semi-homemade) costume, I've come up with a few ideas and tips to get you to dust off those creative juices and make this Halloween special and less stressful.
The Lion, Monkey, and the Kitty Cat: Painting faces goes a long way. A pink lipstick nose and some black eyeliner whiskers can instantly transform your little one into about fifteen different animals. Change the nose to brown, and you've just broadened your range to half the zoo.
So with that pink nose and whiskers, throw on her black leotard and tights from ballet, stuff a black knee-high with just about anything, knot the end of it and pin it to her behind. There's your tail. Add a headband with two felt (you can use construction paper, too) triangles glued to it and you have the purrrfect cat!
That Little Devil: Received a gift from a friend or relative that you seriously would never consider putting on them in the light of day? Well thank goodness they trick or treat at night! A couple years ago my daughter was the recipient of a sparkly red top edged at the neckline and wrist with a red feathery boa material. Yeah, not going to happen.... On the flipside, with about one yard of red metallic fabric cut jaggedly and sewn to the bottom edge of the shirt, silver glittered tights, the leg of an old pair of red tights that didn't fit her anymore (again stuffed and pinned in place), a store bought kit of a pitchfork and a red horned headband, and I had the cutest little devil in town. Cost: less than $15.
All Bones: Have a black sweatshirt and pants that you're little guy is about to outgrow? You can have your own creepy skeleton in about an hour. If the sweatshirt has graphics on it, turn it inside out. With white craft paint, get to work on your bones. Two on each arm and leg and a rib cage on the chest. You're not an artist? Break it down: A bone is merely a straight line with two little circles at each end. And the ribcage is five or six half circles with a break in the middle. Cover your child's whole face with white makeup. Use black around his eyes, under his cheek bones and smudge the edges into the white for a more realistic look. If you really want to wow 'em replace the white paint with glow in the dark paint, same price and located in the same section of the craft store. He will be in heaven!
Angels and Demons: Alter last year's costume. You can easily turn an angel into a ghost or ghost into angel. Take the dress, sheet, tunic or whatever your angel costume consisted of. Remove the wings and any other pretty embellishments. Attach strips of gauze or cheese cloth in random jagged lengths all over the old costume. The more the better. I found a quick hand stitch on each strip works great, but fabric glue or safety pins would also do the trick. Paint your child's face in the same manner as you would your skeleton and voila instant ghost.
Going in the other direction.... an angel from a ghost ensemble is just as easy. If you're starting with more than just a basic white sheet, especially something on the creepier side, glitter hairspray (widely available this time of year) applied over the entire costume can turn ghoulish into ethereal in no time. Don't forget to add it to her hair also. Dig up some wings, perhaps from the butterfly of two years ago and pin them to her back. A halo made out of gold pipe cleaners or a bent metal hanger from the dry cleaners attached to a headband will pretty much complete the look.
Character Creations: Dig through the dress up box. Spiderman, Batman, princesses and a gladiator live in mine. Why not? They love to be them and it's already paid for. Feeling a bit guilty regarding the lack of imagination and originality in one of these costumes? Look at it this way, now you just might have time to make those spooky cookies with the kids or read them that extra Halloween story they've been begging for. And that's half the magic.
The idea is to use what you've got and make or buy a few accessories to complete the outfit. The great thing about this once a year event is that what you make only has to last one night and maybe a Halloween party or two. So if the whole costume is held together with spit and a prayer, relax, it doesn't have to be washed and remember a safety pin and some fabric glue can fix almost anything.
As for me, I'll be sneaking one more piece of the candy stash and enjoying this Halloween with a clear conscious. I just recycled!
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Wink webzine,
Bittersweet September
Quietly pushing our way through the bread aisle of the grocery store last month, we were suddenly accosted by another group opposite our own. The mom was barking orders as one child ran down the aisle. Another child sprinted in a different direction with no apparent goal. Both children were publicly disciplined, and, as the mother rushed past us, she turned and said with a laugh, "Is it back to school time, yet?!"
I smiled, looking down at my cart where my three children sat, gleefully passing around a bag of marshmallows. (The squabbling didn't begin until the dairy aisle where there was a heated debate over who got the honor of eating the last one.) Yes, I thought, it is almost back to school time, and I find that very sad.
If this same event had occurred in, let's say, June, when we had enough rain that building an ark seemed like a plausible way to pass the time, I would have suggested the other mom and I abandon our children in the ice cream aisle for an hour and take a break in the book section. At that point in our long awaited summer vacation, I had had about enough. I had run out of entertaining indoor activities, and was seriously contemplating going back to work full-time just to get away.
But then our northeastern region dried up and the sun came out. Back to the playgrounds, beaches and smiles! Back to "Oh, it's 10:30 and you haven't had breakfast yet? Let's have brunch today!" Back to putting off the chores for one more game of Chinese Checkers. Back to taking the time to say yes to the frequent demand of one more book at bedtime.
I mourn the end of these days.
There was a time, back about eight years ago, when September couldn't get here fast enough: A small window in my life in which I was Mrs. Gracia, elementary teacher extraordinaire. Then, I became Alex's mom.
I couldn't wait to get back into that classroom, sort through my ever-growing collection of stuff, and set up for a new year. I yearned for the sound of that first school bus pulling in and delivering a whole new crop of children to mold and inspire. A big part of me will always be excited for a new school year. I am of the lucky few who has found something I love to do, and a way to make money doing it.
But, ever since that first August, seven years ago, when I had to face parting with my baby boy and deal with the fact that Someone Else was going to feed him lunch while I cared for Someone Else's children, I find this time of year heartbreaking. I knew, all those years ago, that my definition of myself had evolved.
My January has always been September. Once those busses start rolling by, I know another year has ended; another year during which my children grew tremendously and sometimes silently right beneath my eyes. This year, Alex developed a maturity and a vocabulary fit for an old man. Sam learned to express himself so completely that we are never left wondering exactly how he feels about anything. And Emma, she has grown into this empathetic, nurturing little person who adores shoes.
I mourn this season's end. I will not be doing secret cheerleading routines in my head while seeing my children off for another school year. I will be wiping the tears from the corners of my eyes when I drop my youngest off at day care, knowing her transition is getting used to school without her big brother by her side. I will be pulling the tissues out of my pockets when I turn to wave goodbye to Sam as he hops away to his new friends at pre-school. And I will try to bravely hide those same tears as my oldest walks down the hallway to his new second grade classroom, and I greet my new crop of first graders with a smile.
As I often do, I will remind myself that it may be the end of one time, but it is the beginning of a new one. And in that, I will find the inspiration to start yet another year.
Wink webzine,
What To Wear This Fall
Color is out in full force this fall. The bolder the better and the brighter the more beautiful. Unlike other trends, this fall there is something for everyone. In my preview a few months back, I wrote about the importance of purple-- and all its shades-- in this season's fashions. The proof is now showing up on the store shelves. It is accompanied by red, orange, yellow, blue, green, and fuchsia. Don't be afraid! Reds, purples and blues look good on everyone and with so many emerging shades of each there is no excuse not to participate. Yellows, like sunshine and lemonade, are happy colors. Who wouldn't want to take part? Continuously important are black, brown and grey. These neutral colors work for just about anyone and play an important role to mix with your new colorful and vibrant pieces.
Things to think about:
*Don't forget other varying shades; blues include marine, midnight, cobalt and electric. Greens are teal, hunter, apple, forest, spinach and olive. Purples include, but not limited to, violet, lilac, eggplant, and wine. Reds will have a tendency to pull blue or yellow/orange. See which looks best with your skin tone.
*Don't wear bright everyday. Just like any other trend, it is not good to over-do it. These colors are strong and should pop, not overpower.
*Narrow it down to a few new vivid colors...Don't try to add them all. (Resembling a box of Crayolas is not the look we are going for.)
*Don't stray too far if you are used to light colors. Remember that we all have a comfort zone, and while it is good to step out a bit, you won't wear your clothes if they make you uncomfortable.
*Don't be afraid to mix n' match your brights. Possible combos are teal with red, royal blue with yellow or bright purple, brown with green and blue. My personal new favorite is lavender with brown. Bold patterns are great to mix in too. An orange sweater would look great with a zebra or tiger skirt.
*Wear bright colors near your best asset because they draw attention. Think about a bright red belt on a black dress to highlight a tiny waistline. Or try a teal green skirt to show your dancer's legs.
*Don't worry too much about what colors you should or shouldn't wear because of your hair and eyes. Many of us have altered our natural colors in some way or another.
*Think about refreshing an older outfit with one piece of a new, hot color. Colorful accessories can help do the trick. This is a perfect way to update on a budget.
Easy ways to add color...a hot pink tank under a grey suit, a lemon yellow handbag against your neutral outfit, bright orange beads with your classic black dress, jewel tone tights with a plaid skirt and any color bright shoe with one of your many, many pairs of black pants.
Stop to take a look around you, there are colorful examples everywhere in nature. Keep bold and bright colors in mind on your next shopping trip and treat yourself to something new. Color is an easy and inexpensive way to add fun to your fashion... and who couldn't use a little of that?
Wink webzine,
Mangled Angel
Early Christianity saw the concept of angels shift from beings as messengers of God (Gabriel, Michael, Raphael and Uriel) to manifestations of God himself. Then, within little more than two centuries (from the third to the fifth), the image of angels took on definitive characteristics both in theology and in art. By the late fourth century, theologians agreed that there were different categories of angels with individual missions. Mostly, angels are represented throughout the Christian Bible as a body of spiritual beings intermediate between God and humanity.
Do these ideas hold true today? To many people, they do. To many people, they do not. And still more people believe in angels but have personal depictions of them in their minds with varying capabilities. Some imagine angels to be like "Clarence" in the timeless classic, "It's a Wonderful Life." Everytime a bell rings, an angel gets its wings. Some imagine angels like the cast of "Touched by an Angel," complete with golden glows. If you do envision an angel in what is your metaphysical world; and if it brings you comfort, joy, or in some cases a miracle . . . the angel is real, no matter how its presence surfaces.
I have an angel. I have no idea what he or she looks like, however. For that matter, I don't even know if my angel is a he or a she. Genderless, perhaps. I do not know if my angel has wings or if it glows. I do know that my angel has not - via an awe inspiring, supernatural means -- delivered my children and me from the burdens we bear . . . yet, that is. But, I do know my angel has boundless strength and endurance and has taught me the same. A physical symbol of this truth hangs above my bed.
I have stood challenged many times in my life as we all have. On one particular morning, however; I stood nearly paralyzed with fear before going to the first of several court hearings regarding a very difficult divorce. The outcome would effect my three children who were (and are) the three reasons I wake each morning. I walked begrudgingly toward my car, opened the door, and, to my surprise, there it was: My best friend had left on the seat a delicately crafted, pewter angel that would become my symbol of perserverence.
Though I immediately treasured it, I did not know in that minute what truth this angel would behold forever. I picked it up and ran my fingers along her outsretched arms and wings. Engraved, it offered the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, "You must do the thing that you fear the most." I exhaled, sat in my car, and turned on the ignition. As the angel beckoned, I forged on.
After I parked my car in the parking lot of the court house, I grabbed my brief case stuffed with a myriad of legal documents that I barely understood. (I did not have an attorney due to financial limitations; I represented myself, and it has been said by many that I do not represent myself well.) Also in my brief case was my angel, though after I made my entrance into the court house, I realized it had fallen out. I dashed back out to the parking lot to see it lying on the ground, and within an instant, I saw a car back out of a parking space and over my angel.
The outstretched arms and wings were no longer outstretched. One arm was bent backwards, and one wing was bent forwards. Both feet were flattened beyond recognition. I was devastated as I picked up my mangled angel to re-enter the court house. Could this be a foreshadowing of what was to come? Well, yes . . .
But, instead of my angel becoming a symbol of battles lost and hopes for my children dashed, it became a symbol of the tenacity to move forward despite the bumps and bruises my children and I had sustained over the years. Again, my angel was a symbol of boundless strength and endurance. It had a broken arm, a broken wing, and flattened feet; but, after the court hearing, it felt no less sturdy in my trembling hand than it had before.
So, a nearly dismembered angel hangs above my bed to remind me not of hurt and loss, but of the blows that we can sustain while holding on to fortitude. I still do not know what my true angel looks like . . . perhaps Rocky Balboa after a few rounds . . . But my tangible symbol quiets my fears in the night, saying not just, "You must do the things that you fear the most," but "you can do the thing that you fear the most, even if you feel depleted of strength".
Columns,
JennaRation
Q: I'm 13 and I have a boyfriend, but I can't tell my parents because they say I'm too young to be dating. Do I keep it a secret from them?
Jenna: Hmmm. Tough topic. I guess the first thing I would ask you to do is think about this boy that you are 'dating'. First of all, how old is he? (I'm going to assume he is 13 also!) Are you actually secretly going out alone with him to the movies or the mall? Or, is it a group of teens hanging out, allowing you and your guy to spend time together? If it's a group thing, you're not going against your parents wishes that you "don't date".
And, I'd probably agree with your parents on this one. Save the dates for the junior and senior prom and spend your tween years building those strong friendships. Chances are, this boyfriend is actually just that-a 'boy' friend, at least at this stage of your life. (If in fact he is older-- like high school-- then I would say his motives are much different than yours, and you should probably stay away from him all together.)
Otherwise, hang out, go to dances with the group, friend him on Facebook, IM him, and tell your parents the truth!!!
TTYL,
Jenna
Columns,
Wink's Male Muse
We certainly have seen it all this past year. From the economy to the never ending winter to the unemployment line to the rainfall totals in June to the dry heat of late July-- its all just plum crazy if you ask me! Really far out.
But a part of me just loves the craziness of it all because it makes the conversation at the bar and throughout the restaurant that much more interesting. The talk isn't solely about the Red Sox or the Patriots this year, but rather it's a mixed conversation of worried souls and deflated egos coupled with the occasional optimist or renegade dressed like Johnny Cash.
All the while, however, people love good food, good drink and good company. I believe it to be even more so these days because I believe that in tough, trying times, people migrate to those things that give them comfort. There's been a lot of talk about good food and good wine at a lot of different restaurants lately! Even though people might not be going out to eat as much these days, they seem to be holding onto the comfort of the experience just a little longer.
For example, someone might take an extra second to savor the taste of the littleneck or the lobster claw because maybe they don't know when they're going to have that again. Or, maybe someone will look closer at the kind of wine they're drinking, maybe they'll ask that extra question about the vintage... because, let's face it, times are pretty tough out there and I have found that people are trying to savor every last drop of every last experience.
And maybe in the long run this isn't such a bad thing? Maybe its just people recognizing the simple beauty of things that we've so long taken for granted? Maybe it's all cyclical- the natural ebb and flow of people and the times. Who knows?
These are the sorts of conversations that have been taking place at the bar, and quite frankly, there is a level of excitement for me- my imagination has been fired up on more than one occasion. I'm sensing that people are recognizing that so many of us around the world have fallen down, but now, now, we're getting ready to pick ourselves back up again with a greater fortitude than ever. With more piss and vinegar than ever! And with a couple more drinks, everyone is on top of the world by midnight!! A toast goes out, a round gets bought, a thanks goes out, a hug ensues, laughter erupts, and before we all know it, we're once again simple people enjoying the simple company of our friends and townspeople. Once again we all feel a little bit better about a lot of different things.
Maybe these conversations and these sorts of cheers after midnight won't solve anything! Some might consider it foolish; "Save your money!" some might say. But I say, 'thank you', to all those around me who have the courage to stand up again and wipe the dirt off their knees. Thanks to all the great friends and strangers who have kept me up late behind the bar because the conversation is just so moving and heart pounding. It's all amazing if you ask me. Truly amazing it is to listen and watch. May I dare say that it's been a while since any conversation about the Sox or the Pats has been more stimulating!