skirt! magazine October 2017 The Unplugged Issue

TA K E O N E

OCTOBER

CHARLESTON, SC

ESCAPE THE ORDINARY

Power down your phone, your tablet, your laptop. Find a quiet place to lie down and gently close your eyes. Get comfortable and be still. Calm your body and your mind. If a thought pops up, acknowledge it and let it go. Begin to focus on your breath. Take a long, slow, deep breath through your nose and exhale. Notice your breath as you breathe in and out. With each breath, release the tension in your body. In and out. You’re starting to feel more relaxed.

Bring your attention to your forehead.

Relax and feel all the tension melt away.

Feel your eyelids get heavy. Relax all the little muscles around your eyes. Feel all the worry lines around your eyes and across your forehead begin to fade and disappear. Breathe in and out. Relax your cheeks, your jaw and all the muscles around your mouth. Rest your tongue behind your front upper teeth. Feel your lower jaw become comfortably relaxed.

Your mind releases. Your body releases.

Feel yourself drift deeper into relaxation.

Let go of the tension in your neck. Allow your shoulders to sink and drop away from your ears. Let your arms, your hands, your fingers relax and fall loose and limp. Your breath is becoming more rhythmic. Let go of the tension in your back, your chest and your stomach. Now, relax your thighs, your knees, your shins and your calves. Let the tension melt down past your feet into the ground. Feel the soles of your feet and your toes relax.

Your heartbeat slows. Your breathing is slow and comfortable. Your body is free of tension. Feel the sensation of peace and well-being flow through your body.

Be grateful. You are unplugged.

Cover Art: Ali Douglass

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes. Including you. ” Anne Lamott

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octoberw2017 skirt!magazine

October |

2017

THE UNPLUGGED ISSUE

Dear skirt! readers, I’m writing this letter days after Hurricane Irma sideswiped our city. Preparing for the approaching storm, ensuring our families and our homes were protected and then cleaning up and helping those who need it has forced us all to unplug from our daily routines. It’s not exactly what we had in mind when we envisioned October as the Unplugged issue. Whether it’s by choice or because of an act of Mother Nature, unplugging from the daily grind has a way of bringing what’s really important in our lives into sharp focus.

While I grew up in South Carolina, it’s my first hurricane season living in Charleston.Talk of one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the Atlantic had me thinking about what items in my home I would stuff into our car as we evacuated, what I would move upstairs or put in tubs and hope it survived.

Unplugging strips us down to the essentials, to our core. It makes us focus inward for a while and reset our priorities and intentions.

In this issue, we highlight several positive ways you can step away and unplug from an overscheduled, stressful life. We challenge you to limit the use of your devices and social networks so you can free your time as well as your mind and better connect with people up close and personal.

Unplug by challenging your brain to think creatively, to learn a new skill, to develop a hobby, to do something with your hands. Unplug by pampering yourself with one of the many relaxing spa treatments available to nurture your soul, to restore balance and to strengthen your mindbody connection. Unplug by doing things the old-fashioned way. Put down your tablet and crack open a book. Step away from your keypad, put pen to paper and compose a personal note to a friend or family member. Relinquish your phone and read a copy of skirt! Magazine!

We’re also excited about the fall season. Our design director, Sarah, shares her secrets for throwing a spooktacular party. And if you’re a pumpkin lover, like we are, you won’t want to miss our great pumpkin guide.

October is National Breast Cancer Month, and we’re honored to have Ashley Towns share her moving survival story with us. We hope you’ll join us Oct. 21 at the Komen Foundation’s Lowcountry Race for a Cure to support Ashley and other survivors and raise money for breast cancer research. October also is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. We talked with My Sister’s House executive director Tosha Connors about the importance of being an advocate for abused women and how you can help if a friend or family member is being abused.

As always, we love to hear from you. As Charleston’s only women’s magazine, we strive to highlight our city’s amazing women and the issues that are important to them. Please share your feedback and story suggestions on our social accounts or send me an email at shelley. young@morris.com.

Peace, love and skirt!

Shelley Hill Young 6

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F E AT U R E S How to Unplug ...................................................12 Unplug: Get Schooled ..............................14 Profiles ............................................................16,41 Unplug: Treat Yourself .................................19 Unplug: Games ............................................ 24-25 Unplug: Open a Book...................................26 Unplug: Write a Letter ...............................29 He’s So Original .............................................32 Everything Pumpkin .......................................34 Halloween Entertaining.......................36-37 Halloween Style .................................................38

E S S AY S The Business of Making Friends..............................................22 Verna Kale Learning to Fly ..............................................31 Carrie Coleman

IN THIS ISSUE Theme ...................................................................11 skirt! Community.............................................20 Calendar ...............................................................43 Beauty, Health & Fitness ..............................46

magazine and Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure

thank you!

magazine and Charmed Beauty & Gifts

invited you to sip, socialize and register for the race and you did just that! Our Sept. 28 event was a huge success!

Thank you to our sponsors and for all who supported the cause. Miss the event? There’s still time to register! Go to komensouthcarolina.org and sign up today!

mark your calendars!

Lowcountry Race for the CureÂŽ is Oct 21.

Special thanks to our sponsors.

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PUBLISHER Thomas J. Giovanniello, Jr. thomas.giovanniello@morris.com EDITOR Shelley Hill Young shelley.young@morris.com ART DIRECTOR Sarah Kravchuk sarah.kravchuk@morris.com SALES DIRECTOR Stephanie Allen stephanie.allen@morris.com CIRCULATION, MARKETING & EVENT MANAGER Susan Norfleet susan.norfleet@morris.com PHOTOGRAPHY Jenn Cady ADVERTISING sales: 843.958.0028 sales@skirt.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MORRIS MEDIA NETWORK Tina Battock

COVER ARTIST Ali Douglass Ali studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and then transferred to Kansas City Art Institute in Kansas City, Mo., to major in illustration.

For more than 17 years, Ali has illustrated magazines, newspapers, greeting cards, advertisements and more than 30 books. She has served as the vice president of the San Francisco Society of Illustrators, and her work has been recognized by American Illustration, Step Inside Design and the L.A. Society of Illustrators.

In 2016 she got married and moved to Alexandria, Va. Prints of her artwork are sold in stores in Alexandria as well as in her Etsy shop.

Ali’s illustrated books for American Girl have been winners of the 2008 Children’s Choice Award, International Reading Association and Children’s Book Council, and winner of the 2007 Excellence in Financial Literacy Award, Institute for Financial Literacy. alidouglass.etsy.com | www.instagram.com/ali_douglass

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skirt! is published monthly and distributed free throughout the greater Charleston area. skirt! reserves the right to refuse to sell space for any advertisement the staff deems inappropriate for the publication. All content of this magazine, including without limitation the design, advertisements, art, photos and editorial content, as well as the selection, coordination and arrangement thereof, is Copyright© 2017.

Morris Media Network. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this magazine may be copied or reprinted without the express written permission of the publisher. skirt!® is a registered trademark of Morris Media Network.

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Wander where the

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HOW TO

Why we desperately need to unplug and how to do it.

TAKE THE CHALLENGE!

by Shelley HIll Young

I’ve been looking forward to this month’s Unplugged issue. I need the Unplugged issue. I’m guessing many of you do, too.

I’m a wife, a mother of two young children, and I have a demanding but fulfilling job. I often find myself wishing I had more time — more time to work, more time to play with my kids, more time to talk with my husband, more time to sleep, more time to reach out to my friends, more time for myself.

Yet though I know it’s not good for me or for my relationships, I still spend more precious minutes than I know checking my email and scrolling through my Facebook and Instagram feeds. My iPhone is the first thing I reach for when I wake up. I have sworn not to have it in the room when I’m with my kids, but somehow my almost-4-year-old knows how to navigate to watch videos and play the games on the “Sesame Street” app.

He knows Siri by name. My 17-month-old holds the phone to her ear and babbles. And they’re smart. They know when my husband and I are stealing glances at our phones. I wonder what effect all these devices will have on our children.

It’s unrealistic for many of us to completely unplug from our social networks. They do help us stay connected to friends and family who live far away. It’s a medium that, if used judiciously, can help us learn more about the world we live in.

I know I’m not the only woman who struggles with the challenges of having multiple, often competing demands, the unusually strong pull of social media. So I’m making a pledge to set boundaries. Let’s challenge ourselves to limit one of the distractions in our lives. Here are the steps I’m going to take to find more time, restore my sanity and better manage my use of technology. Join me!

STEP ONE | Limit the information you receive • Unfollow toxic and chronically negative “friends.” Unfollow media and business accounts that are no longer relevant. Unsubscribe from newsletters that aren’t essential to your job or your passion. Delete push notifications that interrupt and distract. Feeling relieved?

STEP TWO | Set boundaries and limit when you receive information • Activate the “do not disturb” setting on your phone so you can limit when you receive calls, messages and notifications. Mine is set from my children’s bedtime until 8 a.m. The setting will allow for phone calls from favorites to get through if you’re worried about missing an emergency call from your mother.

• Don’t check your email or your social media feeds first thing in the morning. Don’t feel obligated to answer early-morning text messages from family or co-workers. Have a cup of coffee. Eat some breakfast. Set your intentions for the day before they are hijacked by someone else’s demands for your time. You can respond once you get to work or drop your children off at school or get back from your morning workout. Whatever it is, it most likely can wait.

• Set specific times to check and respond to emails. Turn off those annoying notifications that pop up every time you get a new message in your inbox. Change your status to “busy” or “do not disturb” on your messaging app until you complete your top priorities for the day.

Not everything has to be urgent.

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STEP THREE | Limit access to your phone • Charge your phone in another room at night.

Don’t depend on your phone for your clock or alarm so you don’t have a reason to have it in your bedroom and scroll your feed first thing in the morning.

• Do not rest your phone on the table during meals, whether you’re having a family dinner at your home, on a date or having brunch with your girlfriends. You’ll have more meaningful conversations and maybe even find a little more to laugh at if you don’t feel the need to document what you ate and with whom you ate it.

• When you’re spending time with friends or family, leave your phone in another room. If you want your phone nearby so you can take photos, limit yourself to that use and don’t check your feeds. Unless you’re paid to manage a social media account for your job, it’s not necessary to post photos during a gathering or event.

STEP FOUR | Manage what information and images you post • I like the meme that has made its rounds on social media: Think before you post.

Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it inspiring? It is kind? You can add: Would you say what you’re posting to someone face to face?

• Keep photos tasteful, and if you really must post a selfie or a photo of your dinner, limit it to special occasions..

• Keep it real. We all know nobody’s life is perfect.

If you’re going to post on social media, also post when things don’t happen according to plan.

• Social media seems to be at its best when it connects people who need help with those who are able to help. Help facilitate those connections when you can.

STEP FIVE | Respect other people • Follow the instructions on the signs at businesses and retailers and put away your phone when you’re in line or at the counter.

• Do not, whatever you do, continue a conversation or answer the phone when you’re in the bathroom.

• Do not post photos of other people without their permission.

•

Do not be a bully or a troll.

•

Give priority to the people you are with.

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get schooled

Unplugging doesn’t have to mean going off the grid. All it takes is stepping away from your devices

and engaging your mind in a different way. Try taking one of the many classes and workshops offered by local businesses and organizations. Learn a new skill. Meet new people. Get out and experience your community. But please resist the urge to post a photo to your Instagram feed. We feel enlightened already.

FOR GREEN THUMBS

FOR FOODIES Zero George Cooking Classes Multiple dates Watch executive chef Vinson Petrillo and sous chef Tyler Chavis prepare a multicourse meal, and enjoy tasting the dishes with wine pairings. Take notes and ask questions while the chef prepares your meal. Classes are held in Zero George’s professional display kitchen in the circa 1804 kitchen. 0 George St., $150 per person.

Register at zerogeorge.com.

D.I.Y.

In the Kitchen with Chef Bob Waggoner Multiple dates Prepare a seasonal tasting menu inspired by the Lowcountry at chef Bob Waggoner’s showroom kitchen of off King Street. You’ll learn tips and techniques to help build your confidence in the kitchen. This cooking experience in chef Bob’s showcase kitchen sells out quickly, so plan ahead. 164 Market St., $140 per person.

Visit chefbobwaggoner.com to sign up.

Les Dames Culinary Academy Nov. 11 The Culinary Institute of Charleston holds a daylong holiday entertaining class at the institute’s Palmer campus. Nathalie Dupree teachers you how to pull off a holiday dinner without stress. Other topics include holiday baking, setting the table, and gifts from the kitchen. The day ends with a cocktail party featuring holiday drinks and wines. 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Culinary Institute of Charleston, 66 Columbus St. $175 per person. For more information and tickets, visit ldeicharleston.org.

FOR TAILGATERS

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D.I.Y.

Up Close and Personal: Private Gardens of Charleston Oct. 11 While the Preservation Society of Charleston’s Fall Home and Garden tours offered this month may not be a traditional class, you are sure to go home with a wealth of knowledge. We like the private gardens of Charleston tour on Oct. 11. Landscape architect Glen Gardner and fall tours manager and horticulturist Susan McLeod Epstein lead you on a tour of private gardens while discussing Charleston’s rich horticultural heritage as well as the latest gardening trends. The tour concludes with a light wine reception in a private garden rarely open to the public.

There’s also a photography walkabout tour on Oct. 13. Visit www.preservationsociety.org for the full schedule of tours and to buy tickets.

Tiger Lily’s Fall Design for Charity Class Oct. 24 Learn how to design your own floral creation and support a local nonprofit. Start the evening with wine and sweets from Christophe Artisan chocolates and mini cupcakes from Sugar Bakery. Choose from two price points: Beautiful at $75 or Stunning at $125.Twenty percent of the proceeds go to Meals on Wheels. Class is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Tiger Lily Florist, 131 Spring St. Register for classes at tigerlilyflorist.com; space is limited to 14 people per class.

D.I.Y.

Tailgating with Bourbon Cocktail Class Oct. 14 Learn how to make three unique bourbon cocktails for your next game day celebration. Small bites will be provided. 12 p.m. at The Cocktail Club, 479 King St. $25. For more information, visit facebook.com/TheCocktailClubCharleston.

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Floral Pumpkin Centerpiece Oct. 5 Fetes de Fleurs offers fun floral arranging classes from flower crowns to fall wreaths. Our favorite for the month of October is the floral pumpkin centerpiece class. Choose from a variety of beautiful fall florals and greenery to make your pumpkin centerpiece with. 7 to 9 p.m., 9 Porters Court. $58.58. For more information, visit www.fetesdefleurs.com.

FOR SHUTTERBUGS Intro to Photography in the Parks Oct. 7 Although you have to use your digital camera, we still say learning how to shoot strong photos with a camera (and not your phone) counts as an unplugged activity. Photographer and skirt! blogger Libby Williams leads a three-hour class on the basics of photography in Charleston’s parks. You’ll spend a few hours in the classroom and then go outside for hands-on instruction. 9 a.m. to noon at the Charleston Parks Conservancy office, 720 Magnolia Road, Suite 25, in West Ashley. $40.Visit charlestonparksconservancy.org to sign up.

D

HOW TO

D.I.Y.

FOR DIY EXPERTS The World is Your Oyster Oct. 5 Make an oyster shell map canvas and a wine glass with the Coastal Kelder at West Elm. You’ll learn how to decoupage, paint shells and apply vinyl. 6 to 8 p.m. West Elm, 484 King St. Tickets are $37. For more information, visit eventbrite.com.

Sweetgrass Shadowbox Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26 We’re excited to visit Custom Frames of Charleston, which offers step-by-step instructions to frame your favorite photographs yourself! The store also offers other workshops such as the Sweetgrass Shadowbox on Thursdays in October.

Learn how to professionally mount a handmade sweetgrass rose in a customized shadowbox. $45. Custom Frames of Charleston, 52 Wentworth St.Visit customframesofcharleston. com.

D.I.Y.

Maker Break with Oysters All Around Oct. 11 Candlefish is known for its scented-candle-making workshops throughout the month. But we like their “Maker Break” workshops, when the store invites a local maker to teach you how to create one of their signature pieces. In October, the featured maker is Oysters All Around. You paint an oyster shell and add a tassel to create an oyster shell tassel keychain.

6 p.m. at Candlefish, 71 Wentworth St. Class is $50. Visit www.candlefish.com for more information.

AR Workshop Multiple dates This creative studio space in Mount Pleasant, which is part of a national chain, exists to host workshops, including wood sign classes, framed sign classes, pallet sign painting, pillow painting and centerpiece boxes. Browse the list of suggestions and book a private class for friends, or sign up for one of the many classes it offers. 280 W. Coleman Blvd. For more information, visit www.arworkshop.com/mtpleasant.

Redux Contemporary Art Center Multiple dates Redux offers regular Sunday figure drawing, painting and photography classes, but we also love that you can schedule private jewelry making lessons with Rebecca McMenemy. She can teach you the basics, such as stringing beaded jewelry or more advanced metalsmithing, including soldering or bezel setting. $60 an hour for non-members. Email megan@ reduxstudios.org for more information.

Want more? Visit us at www.skirt.com

FOR ART HISTORY LOVERS Pattern Play: Cassava Root Resist with Indigo Oct. 14 and Oct. 21 The Gibbes Museum of Art offers multiple art classes each month. In October, you can learn a dyeing technique using cassava root paste and natural indigo. Cassava root is used in West Africa as a paste to paint fabric in different patterns.

When it dries, it creates a plasticlike feel that will not allow dye to penetrate the fabric. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Gibbes Museum of Art, 135 Meeting St., $145 for non-members.

All materials are included. Register at gibbesmuseum.org.

Indigo at McLeod Plantation Historic Site Oct. 14 Learn to make dye from manufactured indigo or directly from the plant. Dye your own T-shirt or material while talking about indigo's fascinating history in South Carolina. Take an indigo plant or seeds home with you. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. $20. Register at ccprc.com.

FOR BEER & WINE LOVERS Wine Blending By Kessler Multiple dates Learn how to blend your perfect glass of wine at the Wine Blending by Kessler class at the Grand Bohemian Hotel. Taste different wine varietals and create a custom blend of your own.

As a perfect finish, the team will create a customized label for your bottle using any pictures or artwork that you like. Grand Bohemian Hotel, 55 Wentworth St. $95. Visit classesbykessler. com to sign up.

Smoked Beer Classes Oct. 14 Explore the history and origins of smoke in beer, including the different ways that it can be added to a beer’s flavor profile at the new Edmund’s Oast Exchange. You’ll also learn classic styles and producers. 3 to 4 p.m. Edmund’s Oast Exchange, 1081 B Morrison Drive. $30 per person. To learn more, visit edmundsoast.com/exchange/events.

D.I.Y.

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PROFILE

ELIZABETH BRIDWELL O W N E R , B R E AT H E P I L AT E S S T U D I O & S PA

After having her first daughter, Elizabeth Bridwell was feeling isolated living on five acres in Huger, nor thwest of Charleston, and longing for a place where she could pamper herself and feel like a woman again. Filling that need for other women became her concept for Breathe Pilates Studio & Spa, a zen-like escape where women can take a break and take care of themselves, if only for an hour or two.

“I’ve had moms come to the front desk crying, saying, ‘I was reminded that I need to take time for myself,’ ” Elizabeth says.

Elizabeth is a business owner, the mother of four girls and wife of Band of Horses singer Ben Bridwell, who at the time was about to return after being on the road for five weeks. She knows something about leading a busy, sometimes stressful life. Picking up her iPhone that’s sitting beside her on the bench in her studio lobby, Elizabeth says, “It’s nice to have these, but they tempt us to put a lot more on our plates than we should.”

Elizabeth confesses that she loves to sleep and that time management is not one of her strengths. She says, as a studio owner, she sees that women often double-book themselves. She’s happy when they choose to spend their time at Breathe. A woman recently told Elizabeth that Breathe is her “happy place.” Elizabeth says that makes the hard work of running a business wor thwhile. “It makes me a better mom, a better wife,” Elizabeth says. “It’s my happy place, too.”

She says she likes that her girls see that she is happy to go to work and that she’s passionate about what she does. She prides herself on savoring her time with her children and being really present when she’s with them. At night, after the girls go to sleep and she gets some time to herself to unwind, Elizabeth likes to take a warm bath with her favorite bath bomb.

“I definitely try to practice what I preach, or try to — breathe.”

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RELAX AND LISTEN

Listening to music definitely has a way of helping chill us out and boost our mood. So we just couldn’t do an unplugged issue without mentioning some of our favorite powerhouse female performers who are known for their acoustic unplugged performances.

And then we learned that MTV recently relaunched its acclaimed TV show . The show, which debuted in 1989, showcases top artists stripped down and playing acoustic instruments. The new show’s lineup includes Miley Cyrus, Florence and the Machine and Rita Ora.

Want more? Visit us at www.skirt.com

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A N D T R E AT YO U R S E L F

Sometimes a spa treatment is not about enhancing your appearance.

Sometimes it’s about releasing tension, relieving stress and reducing anxiety.

Sometimes it’s about the soul. Here’s a roundup of some of the most relaxing treatments and classes we could find, sure to help you restore some muchneeded balance to your life.

S O U N D B AT H Still Soul Studio (opening in its new location on King Street in mid-October) Sound meditations are designed to target the energy centers within your body to promote healing. Lay down on comfortable cushions and blankets, and let yourself be bathed in sounds created by local musician Ian Morris, creator of Listening to Smile. Since your body is mostly water, you become the conductor of the vibrations. $18 for a drop-in class or $80 for a fivesession package.

F L O AT TA N K GlowSpa, Mount Pleasant Float in a saltwater solution the same temperature as your body in a specially designed tank that looks like a large, enclosed bathtub. The tank is designed to block out distractions such as sight, sound and gravity. Relaxing for one hour in the tank is said to be equal to four hours of sleep. $69 for 60 minutes.

THAI MASSAGE Earthling Day Spa Thai massage integrates passive stretching and gentle compression to improve flexibility, relieve low-back pain and enhance well-being. It is performed on a floor mat. 60 minutes for $110.

THE SHIRODHARA Woodhouse Day Spa, Mount Pleasant This technique begins with warm, nutritive oil flowing onto the center of your forehead from a beautiful copper vessel. As the soothing oil flows from the forehead and over the scalp, you should feel your mental tension floating away. A soothing scalp and neck massage follows, encouraging a feeling of intense healing and emotional well-being. 50 minutes for $100.

Want more? Visit us at www.skirt.com

D E T O X A R O M A T O U C H T R E AT M E N T The Restoration Amethyst Spa The detox aroma touch treatment is designed to encourage the body’s natural state of balance. The treatment eliminates stress, toxins and inflammation through the topical application of pure grade essential oils.The therapist uses lymphatic movements and reflexology to improve feelings of overall health and well-being. 50 minutes for $155.

E X E C U T I V E R E N E WA L M A S S A G E The Sanctuary Spa, Kiawah The upper-body aches and pains that come from too many days of travel and too many hours at the computer are eased with penetrating heat, healing arnica and deep tissue techniques focused on your neck, shoulders, back, arms and hands. 60 minutes for $185 Sunday-Thursday.

ANXIETY RELIEF MASSAGE Urban Nirvana, West Ashley The Anxiety Relief Massage incorporates a unique blend of geranium, bergamot and lavender essentials oils to relax the body and mind. 60 minutes for $98.

S I G N AT U R E M A S S A G E The Dewberry Spa This signature treatment was designed exclusively for The Dewberry Spa and combines massage techniques with a signature blend of botanical extracts.

The antioxidant massage helps create a sensation of relaxation and wellness.

90 minutes for $215.

S I G N AT U R E M A S S A G E Breathe Pilates Studio and Spa, Mount Pleasant Therapists use lighter pressure, with a focus on breathing, to relax the muscles and joints. Chilled, lavender-infused eye compresses and the organic line of Zents massage products soothe and calm the mind and body. 60 minutes for $89.

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community outreach

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

BE AN ADVOCATE

HELP ELIMINATE THE STIGMA OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

A woman recently contacted the crisis line at My Sister’s House and said her husband had punched her while she held their child. “Is that domestic abuse,” she wondered.

A high school student said her boyfriend slammed her against her locker.

It’s how he shows he likes her, she said.

As the executive director of My Sister's House, the only shelter for abused women in the tricounty area, Tosha Connors hears a lot of devastating stories from women who are being abused by their partners.

“A lot of people don’t know what a healthy relationship is,” she says.

South Carolina was the fifth most deadly state for women killed by men according to theViolence Policy Center’s study released last year. Previously, the state had been ranked first in the country for the number of women killed at the hands of men. Domestic violence is pervasive problem and touches women of all ages, races socioeconomic backgrounds and relationship statuses.

There’s still a damaging perception in some communities that domestic violence is a family matter and that no outside intervention is necessary, Connors says. She says suburban women might have more resources to hide the abuse than women in rural communities, but she says both groups of women are just as trapped and their lives are just as endangered.

She says the most important thing advocates can do is stand up and speak out to help eliminate the stigma associated with domestic violence, to help teach people that controlling behavior and violence in a relationship are not acceptable.

“We have to find ways to talk about it so it’s not taboo,” Connors says.

Do you think you might be in an abusive relationship? Do you know someone who is? Here are some warning signs to look for and some ways you can help.

WARNING SIGNS THAT YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE IS IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP

If a friend or family member comes forward to share that she is being abused, the first thing you should do is believe her, listen to her story.

Do not say, “I would leave, if I were you.” Sometimes, the first step is for the woman to share her story with someone else. She might not be ready to leave the relationship.

You should say, “There are resources available. Are you interested in pursuing those? Is that something you would like me to help you find?”

You should say, “You are wonderful. I love you. I’m here for you. When you are ready, I’m here.”

“It’s really about asking that person what they are able to do at this moment,” Connors says.

In the meantime, she says, provide daily reaffirmations to your friend that she is worthy and strong.

RESOURCES AVAILABLE AT MY SISTER’S HOUSE My Sister’s House serves Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties.

The crisis hotline is 843-744-3242 or 800- 273-4673.

Find information about how to develop a safety plan at mysistershouse.org/domestic-violence/safety-plans.

My Sister’s House offers a shelter for women and their children who are abused. The shelter houses about 400 women and children a year.

Representatives from My Sister’s House can pick up women who are abused from a safe location, including a police station or a hospital.

Case managers help women identify their goals, such as finding housing or employment, and help identify resources to help them meet those goals.

Court advocates are available to help women navigate legal proceedings.

Your partner checks on you and your whereabouts multiple times a day in an effort to control your movement and interactions.

Support groups meet regularly.

Your partner restricts your access to bank accounts and cash.

WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES

Your partner is verbally abusive, denigrating you as a person, lowering your self-esteem so you don’t feel you have the power or strength to seek help.

Oct. 7 Men slip on stilettos (or flip-flops) and join women to walk a mile in her shoes to raise awareness about domestic violence and abuse and help support My Sister’s House in its mission to provide resources for women and children survivors. 9 to 11 a.m., Gahagan Park, 184 W. Boundary St., Summerville. $20.

To register, visit mysistershouse.org.

Your partner finds ways to separate you from your family and friends, insisting that he is the only person you can rely on.

Your partner harms or kills your pet.

Your partner shoves, hits, punches you and/or sexually abuses you.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO IF A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER IS IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP

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Oct. 14 9 to 11 a.m. Park Circle, North Charleston. $20. To register, visit mysistershouse.org.

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BEADS TRUNK SHOW Oriental Crest Beads from Houston

Friday Oct 27, 12-6 Saturday Oct 28, 10-6 Gazillions of precious, semiprecious beads & pearls ready to design with. Wholesale prices to the public.

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Start your Christmas Gift Making Early this year!

Want more? Visit us at www.skirt.com

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THE BUSINESS OF MAKING FRIENDS

BY VERNA KALE There’s no pressure to buy anything, the invitation always promises.

It’s just a fun ladies’ night with drinks and snacks. Sometimes the drinks and snacks are virtual, the “party” a series of games designed to thwart whatever algorithm Facebook is employing this week to keep users from actually viewing content they’ve “liked.” I get invited to a lot of these pop up parties, and often these invitations are a prickly reminder of how hard it is to make friends as a grown-up.

Now, I’m not going to complain that internet friends can’t be real friends. I’ve been making friends online since Mark Zuckerberg was in high school. I was an active member of several message boards in the early aughts, one devoted to travel and the other to trivia, and both inspired meetups in real life long before such a thing was socially acceptable. (One of those friends even came to my wedding.)

I cultivate my online relationships and I enjoy the daily banter that takes place via PM’s, DM’s, comments, emojis, and memes. I’m in a moms’ Facebook group and I really depend on this village: from advice about that suspicious rash to a long running joke about pineapples and 1970s-era key parties (don’t ask), they offer support in a crisis or a much-needed laugh when I’m stuck waiting in line at the DMV. However, living in a relatively new exurb full of transplants like myself and commuting 100 miles round trip each workday, I’m finding that making friends locally is a real challenge.

It’s not because I never take my eyes of the screen either. As my young children’s worlds are expanding — my daughter is in third grade and my son in Kindergarten — I’ve been interacting with people I wouldn’t otherwise meet. And, y’all, I’m trying so hard. I’ve joined moms’ groups that meet weekly at a local church (never mind that I’m not even religious), I volunteer my editorial services to a nonprofit raising awareness for a diagnosis that my son’s pediatrician has since ruled out, and I’m a card-carrying member of the PTA. I go to birthday parties the way people in their early 20s go to clubs: looking ferosh (or, at least, wearing makeup) and hoping to get numbers.

morning out brunches, movie dates, concerts, camping (ugh, OK, I’m actually pretty fine with not going camping).You get the picture. And so do I. Lots of pictures, actually, streaming across my feed, making me feel left out.

But that’s not really the problem — or, it’s my problem, not yours.

People like who they like, and you don’t have to want to be my friend.

Except. I do get invited to multi-level-marketing parties. I’m not going to hate on these pop-ups. They’re a real source of income for many work-at-home moms. I happen to love comfy leggings with whimsical prints. I might be interested in treating my headaches with essential oils. Statement jewelry and monogrammed bags make great gifts for that hard-to-buy-for mother-in-law. And, most importantly, I do like drinks and snacks!

I’d love to come, actually.

But if the only time you invite me to join the squad is for a MLM party, that feels worse than not being invited to anything at all. Because then I have to grapple with the (increasingly humiliating) desire of still wanting to belong but suspecting, deep down, that I’ve been invited for the host points my courtesy purchase will bring (because, yes, guests really should buy something). Who knows, it might be fun, or it might be an evening of paying $25 plus tax for the privilege of trying to follow a conversation about that hilarious thing that happened at the last get together — the one without a catalog that I wasn’t invited to.

So, to you lucky moms out there who have been blessed with a crew of BFFs, please, before you invite your B-list to drink sangria and watch wax melt, make sure you’ve reached out to those people in other ways first: playdates, Zumba, paint night — whatever. Who knows, There might be room in your squad for a few more folks — and I’m sure I can make room in my closet for a tunic to go with all those leggings.

At the playground or in the bleachers I’ve reached out, hoping these promising acquaintances won’t think I’m some creeper. I click “Add Friend” with the same trepidation you might have felt back in the day when scoping the cafeteria on the first day at a new school.

People usually accept the add, but so far I’ve struggled to grow these relationships into something more meaningful.

As friendly as my interactions with other local moms on social media and in the kids’ extracurriculars have been, I find myself staring in from the outside as “squads” form among my general acquaintance.

Of course, social media also lets me in on everything I miss: mothers’ 22

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VERNA KALE is a documentary editor and the author of a biography of Ernest Hemingway, and she has contributed articles about the joys, frustrations, and sorrows of parenting to River Teeth, Richmond Family Magazine, and Out of Sequence.

EDITOR’S NOTE: skirt! magazine publishes selected essay submissions each month as part of our mission to amplify women’s voices and issues women care about.

Improving access in our community.

Please help us welcome

Lori Ezman, M.D. OB/GYN Welcoming new patients.

Dr. Ezman completed her undergraduate degree at Adrian College, and is a graduate of the Ohio State College of Medicine. She completed her residency at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Portsmouth Virginia. After completing ten years of active duty, she separated from the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant Commander, and has enjoyed practicing obstetrics and gynecology in the Charleston area for the last nineteen years. Dr. Ezman provides comprehensive ob/gyn care, and her special areas of interest are adolescent gynecology, menopausal management, preventative health maintenance and weight management.

Call 843-884-5133 or visit EastCooperDocs.com to schedule an appointment today.

851 Leonard Fulghum Blvd, Suite 201, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 10 A FarmďŹ eld Ave., Charleston, SC 29407

UNPLUGGED FUN Put down your stylus and pick up a pencil... or crayon

GOTHIC, GHOSTS & MYTHS

ACROSS

DOWN

C R O S S WO R D

1. The Wizard’s home 3. Valley of ______ 7. Symbol of the God of War 9. Recently deceased film school drop out who directed Poltergeist 10. ______ Stoker who wrote Dracula 12. Pasture 13. Modes of expression i.e. “raining cats and dogs” 15. 6 point score 16. What costume accessory you need to be Audrey.

17. Short for not playing with a full deck or away from their desk...

18. Author of “Fall of the House of Usher” 22. Vampires’ lifespan 23. Mrs. 24. Long-standing American family general interest magazine 26. Portenders of death 30. Hitler’s genocidal branch 31. Biz talk for due by 33. Man-eating giants 34. Author of the first gothic story, The Castle of Otranto 37. A small mischievous spirit 38. Hunger 41. Short for don’t worry about it 42. The same ____ ______ 43. A drink or a game 45. Old Italian money 46. A place to shop but not this month, we’re unplugging 48. Norse Goddess of Mercy 49. Hair colors 50. Sound of failure

1. What satellites do 2. Italian 1960s screenwriter who wrote The Trojan War in which John Drew Barrymore starred as Odysseus 3.1982 Spielberg movie in which the young Barrymore played Gertie 4. What you need with this puzzle?

5. Get away drivers 6. Irvine’s _______ horseman 8. Latin term used by Virgil in referring to the Pleiades 11. Game of Thrones prison guard 14. Enchantresses- Morgan Le Fay for one 17. Short for what things look like...

19. Shape of 7 across’ symbol 20. ______ Charles, unplug a little with his Georgia.

21. Family of Italian Dukes 24. Fixed a door 25. Oompa loompa______doo.

27. In text talk, the middle finger 28. Wyatt_____without the “a” 29. Capital of South Korea 32. SOP for events like Irma 35. Acronym for a place to unplug which is affiliated with alma mater of two skirt! staffers!

36. ______ Trinket of the Hunger Games 39. Mysteriously strange 40. Gimli, from The Hobbit 44. Realtime info on gainers or losers 47. In Celtic mythology, the lost city of Dahut

S UD UKO

T IC- TAC TOE

Created by skirt!’s own sales director, Stephanie Allen

Need a hint? Go to skirt.com for the answers.

Share your beautiful artwork with us on Instagram by tagging @skirtcharleston

HOW TO

Open a Book Curling up with a good book and a cup of tea might be one of the original ways to unplug. No Kindles allowed this month.

Skip ordering a new book online. Instead, browse a local bookstore or library. Savor the sound of cracking open a new book and the touch and smell of the paper fiber. We’re inspired to make more time to read and add these page-turners to our nightstands.

BOOKS TO READ BEFORE YOU SEE THE MOVIE Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie With a new movie starring Kenneth Branagh, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Penelope Cruz and Judi Dench coming to theaters near you in November, it’s time to reread Agatha Christie’s murder mystery on a train.

The Mountains Between Us by Charles Martin The movie with the rock star cast of Idris Elba and Kate Winslet opens on Oct. 6, so you better start reading this part love story, part survival story about two strangers who are stranded on a remote snow-covered mountain after a plane crash soon.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio Julia Roberts and Owen Williams star in the touching story of a 10year boy with a medical condition that affects his appearance who starts fifth grade at a mainstream elementary school. The debut children’s book by R. J. Palacio was a New York Times best-seller.

The movie opens in November.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J. K. Rowling Whether you’re reading it for the first time or rereading it for the second or third time, seize on the 20th anniversary and related celebrations of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” to experience the magic of the School of Hogwarts.

THE BOOK TO READ BEFORE YOU TAKE THE TOUR Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd Sue Monk Kidd’s 2015 best-seller set in Charleston tells the story of Hetty Grimke, an urban slave, who serves as the handmaid to the Grimke’s daughter Sarah and the girls’ complex relationship as they grow up. The book is inspired by the historical figure of Sarah Grimke. Learn more about Grimke and tour the landmarks in the book during the Preservation Society’s Invention of Wings Walking Tour.

THE BOOK TO READ BEFORE YOU ATTEND THE BOOK SIGNING Real American by Julie Lythcott Haims In her powerful memoir Lythcott-Haims, the only child of an African-American father and a white British mother, describes her battle with the low self-esteem that American racism inflicts on people of color and the healing power of community in overcoming the isolation of “the other.” Meet Lythcott-Haims at 4 p.m. Oct. 8 at Blue Bicycle Books.

THE NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLER BASED ON REAL-LIFE EVENTS Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate A South Carolina lawyer researching her family’s past learns about a Tennessee orphanage that kidnapped children and placed them for adoption with wealthy people. The book is based on the life of Georgia Tann, the director of an adoption organization that sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country.

THE PULITZER WINNER The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead The book follows the journey of a young female slave as she tries seeks freedom on a literal underground railroad. Her escape becomes more perilous after she kills a young white boy who tries to capture her.

WOMEN’S LITERATURE ABOUT THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN OUR LIVES My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella This novel is a witty critique of the false judgments we make in a social-media-obsessed world. Katie’s is a daily struggle — from her dismal rental to the tense office politics she’s trying to negotiate.

No wonder she takes refuge in not-quite-true Instagram posts.

THE BOOK THE CRITICS ARE TALKING ABOUT Sing Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward A Southern odyssey that follows the journey of a drug-addicted mother who takes her son and toddler daughter on a journey across Mississippi to pick up their white father after he is released from prison. This epic novel deals with race, addiction and family.

NONFICTION BY FEMALE ICONS Coming to My Senses by Alice Waters The Chez Panisse chef and cultural icon pens her memoir, telling of her evolution from rebellious but impressionable follower to a respected activist who strives to change the world through food.

The Origin of Others by Toni Morrison Morrison explores her own memories as well as history, politics and literature (Beecher Stowe, Hemingway, Faulkner, O’Connor) as she tries to answer questions about identity, race, the desire for belonging and what motivates humans to construct “others,” and why does the presence of “others” make us so afraid.

What Happened by Hillary Clinton The first female to run for president as the candidate for a major political party examines what happened during the campaign that many people thought she would win.

Go to skirt.com for more book recommendations

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Want more? Visit us at www.skirt.com

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AND WRITE A LETTER

Sending a quick text or email might be easy, but there’s nothing like sending a

handwritten note to show your thoughtfulness and

“thank you,” “get well soon,” I “ love you” or simply, “Hey, how are you?” appreciation. Next time you need to say

find a beautifully designed note card and put pen to paper.

Aly Murphy, a skirt! blogger and founder of Murphy’s Manners, shares some of her tips for composing a thoughtful handwritten thank-you note:

Handwritten notes can be used for more than thanking someone for a gift. You can also send a note to show appreciation for the intangibles such as thoughtfulness, generosity, time or trouble one went through to give the gift.

Find stationery you love.

Start with a digital draft so that you don’t waste any of your good stationery with mistakes. Then, write your note by hand.

Write the way you talk and add a personal touch so that the message sounds personal and not scripted.

Never start with, ‘”Thank you for...” Instead try something like: “Mom, I can’t believe you went through all the trouble to find the perfect...”

Be sure to describe how you’ll use the gift.

End the note by mentioning the future and a time you hope to get together.

Our favorite places to find note cards that make a statement LILY CHARLESTON | 196 King St., lilycharleston.com

MAC & MURPHY | 74.5 Cannon St., www.macandmurphy.com SAS-E INK PAPER AND PRESS | 219 Calhoun Street, saseink.com THE SCRATCH PAD | 409 Mill St., Mt. Pleasant, thescratchpad.com INK MEETS PAPER | inkmeetspaper.com TEXTURE DESIGN CO. | texturedesignco.com EMILY MCCARTHY TRUNK SHOW Noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 8 at The Skinny Dip Emily McCarthy, a lifestyle designer who lives in Savannah, Ga., visits The Skinny Dip Charleston.

Emily’s note cards, invitations, guest towels, cocktail napkins and other lifestyle products are designed for gift-givers, party-throwers, thank-you-note writers and, most importantly, treasurers of a life worth celebrating.

Wi -Fi free zone

Need a quiet place to read or write without being tempted by technology?

KUDU COFFEE at 708 King St. doesn’t have Wi-Fi, but it does have a lovely courtyard.

Want more? Visit us at www.skirt.com

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L E A R N I N G T O F LY

BY CARRIE COLEMAN

I went unplugged for six weeks in the spring of 2016, but I didn’t go about it in the most orthodox of ways. And it wasn’t at all by choice.

I was 41 years old, balancing a killer new sales job with the usual challenges that come with marriage and being a mother of two. I was at the top of my game.

And I was an alcoholic.

I was standing in my bedroom moments after an intervention with less than 45 minutes to pack my bags before heading off to a treatment facility.

This wasn’t the first time the word rehab had been mentioned to me. Years before, my husband brought it up in one of his many conversations with me about “my problem.” I believe his direct quote was, “I hope I don’t ever have to look our children in the eye and tell them that we can’t afford to send them to college because we spent that money to send Mommy to rehab.”

That comment didn’t exactly inspire immediate sobriety. It did, however, spawn behavior that would spiral for years. Instead of quitting, I became determined to prove him wrong. Because I was fine, thank you very much.

My life became an obsession with pacing myself, making sure I drank slowly enough and ate frequently enough that intoxication wouldn’t creep up on me. What did creep up on me was a little voice inside my head that kept whispering, “He’s right.”

I blocked that voice out for a long time. Usually by taking another drink or with another night of getting away with my charade. But the “better” I got at it, the more invincible I thought I was, and the louder that whisper got. Eventually the whisper became a deafening scream that literally began to hold me hostage. I felt like a bird in a cage, and I wanted so badly to fly away -- to be able to live life without constantly looking over my shoulder to see if I was getting away with it. I just wanted to be free.

Eventually trying to stay happy in my little cage became too difficult, and I jumped at any chance I got to spread my wings. I thought I was doing something that would make things better at home. If my husband didn’t want to go anywhere with me, I would just go out with other friends for the night, have my fun and then we’d all be happy. I longed so much for life outside of the cage that when I finally found opportunities to soar, I literally forgot how to fly. I just didn’t know when to stop, which turned into friends and family members having to take care of me every time I drank -- and witnessing unbearable behavior that I don’t even remember.

But that’s the thing -- somehow there was always someone there to take care of me. Always someone to pick me up when I was too drunk to walk. Always someone to drive me home because I was too drunk to drive. Always someone to help me justify my behavior because they understood that trying to survive in that cage was slowly killing me.

Want more? Visit us at www.skirt.com

All of this created a woman who went from being a social drinker to someone who couldn’t get through the day without drinking a whole bottle of wine. But I kept justifying all of it because I’d never hit rock bottom, right?

Wrong. There were so many moments that should have been rock bottom for me, but they weren’t, because I didn’t get arrested or thrown in jail or wrap my car around a telephone pole. Every single one of those things should have happened to me. Multiple times. But they didn’t. So a bad night out could make me feel really bad the next day (in more ways than one), but since I wasn’t dead or incarcerated I didn’t consider it to be a problem.

Then my husband staged the intervention, and by the grace of God I agreed to get help. I got to the treatment facility, and after signing all the paperwork and going through interviews with nurses and doctors and CT techs, I was given a handful of pills and put in a detox room.

Then I curled up in the bed and cried myself to sleep.

I didn’t wake up until almost lunchtime the next day. I was exhausted but alert enough to open my eyes and realize it hadn’t been a dream. I heard voices outside my window and opened the curtain to peek out.

There were so many reasons I’d fought going to rehab. I didn’t have six weeks of my life to give up for treatment. I had a job and children and things to do, for Pete’s sake! But more than anything, I’m ashamed to say that I fought it because of the stigma. I had this vision in my head of what people who went to rehab looked like.You probably have it, too.

People who wind up in rehab are losers, right? They look like losers.

They act like losers. They ARE losers. And dammit, that wasn’t me.

But there I was. Staring out the window from behind a white curtain in the detox ward of an addiction treatment facility. And I couldn’t believe what I saw. A group of about eight women, just sitting around, relaxing and enjoying life. They were laughing. They were joking. They were smiling. They seemed so … free.

And they looked just like me.

Right at that moment, a bird flew in front of my window. It looked me in the eye, almost like it wanted to say something, and then it flew away.

All of a sudden it occurred to me — I’d hit rock bottom. And I’d hit it in the most beautiful way possible. Somehow, in the midst of my shame and fear and feeling of defeat, I knew that I was free. And I was about to fly.

Carrie Coleman lives in Spartanburg, S.C., with husband Mark and their two children. When she isn't mommying she teaches Pilates at Converse College and Pure Barre Spartanburg. She recently celebrated her 17th month of sobriety.

EDITOR’S NOTE: skirt! magazine publishes selected essay submissions each month as part of our mission to amplify women’s voices and issues women care about.

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HE’S SO ORIGINAL

DR. JEFF RANDALL A S S I S TA N T P R O F E S S O R , M U S C Dr. Jeff Randall knew he wanted to be a clinical psychologist since he was 8 years old. Maybe it had to do with growing up in Manning, S.C., as the youngest in an extended family of 10 children. Maybe it had to do with his grandfather being a Methodist minister. Maybe it had to do with watching his mother, who was in a wheelchair because of debilitating arthritis, employ all the resources available to her to raise her children.

Years later, Jeff still speaks with conviction and passion on just about any topic that comes up. His tiny office is stacked with books, and he clearly loves the act of learning, whether it’s the latest education theory or South Carolina’s state dance, the shag. (He can tell you the best shoes for shagging and the best modern songs with a 4/4 beat for dancing to.) Jeff was specializing in anxiety in adolescents at the University of Pittsburgh, when he received a phone call from a former professor who asked, “What are you doing for poor underserved children?” Jeff recalled the part of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream Speech,” in which he asks African-Americans to go back to the South, “knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.”

So Jeff accepted a position at the Medical University of South Carolina, where he researches and practices multisystemic therapy, a treatment approach that addresses chronic juvenile justice issues — including truancy, addiction and violence — by examining the five systems that affect behavior: the individual, the parents, the school, the community and the peers.

“This was my way of giving back,” he says. “And I can also relate. If a client offers me a drink in a mayonnaise jar because that is all they have, that doesn’t faze me because I grew up in a house like that.”

Instead of parents or caregivers dropping their child off at a therapist’s office, the multisystemic therapy approach calls for therapists to visit the child’s house to help identify the practical needs that can help families better provide for their children and help children make positive choices.

“We try to help families put together a structure,” Jeff says.

These days, Jeff works with other therapists to develop programs across the country based on the multisystemic approach.

“We’re trying to make the world a better place,” he says. “Our real mission is to restore families.”

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Call us basic if you want, but we here at skirt! still look forward to pumpkin season every year. We rounded up our favorite places around town offering pumpkin goodies and listed just a few of our other favorite pumpkin treats. OK, perhaps we got a little carried away.

THE LOCAL LOVES

THE BIG BRANDS

T H E PA N T RY P L E A S E R S

Bakehouse Bakery Pumpkin s’mores bars Pumpkin cheesecake

Starbucks Pumpkin bread Pumpkin Spice Latté

Brown’s Court Bakery Pumpkin pie

Dunkin’ Donuts New pumpkin cream cheese spread in addition to its pumpkin donuts and muffins

Spiced Pecan Pumpkin Quick Bread, Williams Sonoma Spiced Pecan Pumpkin Pancake & Waffle Mix, Williams Sonoma Georgetown Cupcake Pumpkin Spice Cupcake Mix, Williams Sonoma Pumpkin and Sage Farro Pilaf, Whole Foods

Glazed Gourmet Doughnuts Pumpkin doughnut Pumpkin s’mores doughnut Pumpkin spice latte Grace and Grit Dish featuring pumpkin grits Hominy Grill Housemade pumpkin ginger bread, available at breakfast and brunch Jack of Cups, Folly Beach Pumpkin curry soup Joey Bag a Donuts Pumpkin doughnut Mercantile & Mash, (available in late October) Pumpkin spice cream filled donut Pumpkin Rice Krispie treats Pumpkin spice caramel corn Pumpkin pie cinnamon rolls Sugar Bakeshop Pumpkin tart Pumpkin ginger cakes and cupcakes, made to order Pumpkin pie, made to order The Harbinger Cafe Housemade pumpkin spice nut milk Pumpkin granola bar Pumpkin bread WildFlour Pastry Pumpkin pecan cream cheese muffin

Krispy Kreme Pumpkin spice cake doughnut THE NEWBIES Edy’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Cream Nestle Toll House Pumpkin Flavored Morsels Pumpkin Marble Mousse Bar, Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Caramel Danish Kringle, Trader Joe’s T H E F R I D G E ’ S F AV S Pumpkin Rolls with Pumpkin Spice Icing, Trader Joe’s Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli, Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Noosa Yogurt THE FREEZER’S FINEST Pumpkin Cheesecake, Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Frozen Waffles, Trader Joe’s 365 Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream Sandwiches, Whole Foods Talenti Pumpkin Pie Gelato Ben & Jerry’s Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream T H E B A R I S TA S ’ B E S T Pumpkin Punch Cocktail Mix, Williams Sonoma Southern Tier Warlock Hi-Wire Sour Pumpkin Ale Ballast Point Pumpkin Down Samuel Adams 20 Pounds of Pumpkin Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Wheat Harpoon Pumpkin Cider

Have a good recipe to share? Submit your recipes to submissions@skirt.com 34

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T H E S W E E T A N D S AV O RY Sweets Bark Thins Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Snacking Chocolates Pepperidge Farm Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies Pumpkin roll cake, Publix Bakery Pumpkin Chai Spice Loaf, Trader Joe’s Two-Bite Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes, Harris Teeter Crackers Pita Crisps with Cranberries and Pumpkin Seeds, Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps, Trader Joe’s Cereal and Oatmeal Kellogg’s Frosted Pumpkin Mini Wheats Barbara’s Puffins Cereal Pecan Pumpkin Instant Oatmeal, Trader Joe’s Energy Bars Pumpkin Pie Lara Bars RX Bar Pumpkin Spice Protein Bar Kashi Pumpkin Spice Flax Crunchy Granola Bars Pumpkin Butter Pumpkin butter, available in a variety of flavors, including caramel and chocolate, Williams Sonoma

COMING IN NOVEMBER

THE

flavor ISSUE

PLUS

What gifts to give the men in your life & Your guide to small business Saturday shopping

Want more? Visit us at www.skirt.com

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EAT, DRINK AND BE SCARY H A U N T E D H O U S E PA RT Y H AC K S Hosting a Halloween party doesn’t need to be a nightmare. Our art director, Sarah, came up with some simple ideas to help you throw a monster of a bash.

THE NO BRAINER W H AT Y O U N E E D Plastic skulls Potted plants X-acto knife DIRECTIONS Cut a hole in the top of a plastic skull.

Place potted plan inside. You can fill the skull with other items, including utensils, drinking straws or faux flowers

MUMMY'S WINE W H AT Y O U N E E D Bottles of wine Wine glasses Sharpie Medical gauze DIRECTIONS Draw two eyes on the bottle and glasses about 2-3 inches from the top. Carefully, wrap the bottle and glass with the gauze, securing with a knot. Make sure to leave an opening, revealing the eyes.

GORGEOUS GOURDS W H AT Y O U N E E D Plastic gourds Black lace fabric Scissors Rubber bands Black ribbon DIRECTIONS Cut a piece of fabric to cover the entire gourd. Place grourd onto fabric and pull tight and gather. Secure with a rubber band.

Wrap the stem with black ribbon.

A W R E AT H - A F R A N K E N - S T E I N W H AT Y O U N E E D Black feather wreath White feathers Embellished buttons or faux jewels Faux flowers in dark colors White tulle Glue gun Floral wire DIRECTIONS Using floral wire, secure the white feathers to the wreath on each side, to resemble Frankenstein’s bride’s white hair streaks. Attach buttons or jewels with glue gun. Attach faux flowers with floral wire, or glue gun. Finally wrap a piece of white tulle around wreath, leaving the ends loose to blow in the wind.

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PUMPKINHEAD'S FINGERS W H AT Y O U N E E D 1 small pumpkin Olive oil Sea salt & pepper Baking sheet DIRECTIONS Peel and slice small pumpkin into 1/8 of an inch slices. Drizzle with olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper.

Bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 17 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Serve with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce.

PA R A N O R M A L P I Z Z A W H AT Y O U N E E D Frozen pizza of your choice Sliced mozarella cheese Sliced black olives Ghost cookie cutter

FLAMIN' PUMPKIN W H AT Y O U N E E D Your favorite green salad recipe 1 small pumpkin Olive oil Sea salt & pepper A grill

DIRECTIONS Cut out ghost shapes from the cheese, using a cookie cutter and place on the pizza. Add slices of olives for the mouths and small pieces of olives for the eyes. Bake per directions on box.

DIRECTIONS After making your favorite salad, peel and slice small pumpkin into 1/4 of an inch slices.

Drizzle with olive oil and place on a grill for 3 minutes on each side. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper. Add to top your salad.

H E A LT H Y H O R R O R S W H AT Y O U N E E D Red apple slices Raisins or blackberries Peanut butter Grapes Mini marshmallows Tangerines Bananas Celery Mini chocolate chips Yogurt DIRECTIONS Spread peanut butter on two apple slices and sandwich mini marshmallow in between.

Cut bananas into half. Press mini chocolate chips into banana for eyes and a raisin for a ghostly mouth. For grape eyeballs, add a drop of cream cheese to the top of the grape and place a mini chocolate chip on top. Peel tangerines, adding a small celery stick at top, for a mini citrus pumpkin. Serve all with spider berry infested yogurt.

N OT YO U R G R A H A M - M A’ S HOUSE W H AT Y O U N E E D Graham Crackers Frosting in various colors Halloween candies DIRECTIONS Cut graham crackers into a square, a long rectangle, a small rectangle, and a triangle to make the haunted house shapes. Attach crackers with a thin layer of frosting. Decorate house with colored frostings and candies.

S P O O KY S I P S W H AT Y O U N E E D Plastic spiders Gum ball eyeballs Small Dracula teeth Black drinking straws Chocolate or strawberry syrup Plastic skewer DIRECTIONS Add scary accents to any tasty potion. Drizzle chocolate or strawberry syrup around rim of glass. Remember to keep small items away from small children.

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ONE DRESS

THREE SIMPLE COSTUMES

It's all about the accessories baby!

T H E B L A C K S WA N WHAT YOU NEED: Black feathered mask Black gloves Black ballet slippers or flats 3 to 5 safety pins or broaches Black ribbon HOW TO CREATE: Before you put on your long, black gloves and ballet slippers, pin up your dress using safety pins or broaches, to shorten the hem, transforming it into a tutu. Keep your hair sleek, pulled back in a bun, to let your fierce feather mask steal the show! Attach black ribbon to the back of your heel, and criss-cross up your leg, tying in a bow.

THE AUDREY WHAT YOU NEED: Faux diamond tiara Long black gloves Pearl necklace Large black sunglasses Elegant scarf HOW TO CREATE: Keep it classy. Tie your hair up in a bun, and wrap a scarf around your head and tie at neck. Adorn your neck with your finest pearls, and slip on your fancy, long silk gloves.

Remember to wear large black sunglasses eveywhere you go.

THE PRETTY KITTY WHAT YOU NEED: Fur wrap or cape Cat ear headband Fur booties Black eyeliner pencil HOW TO CREATE: Start by drawing a small triangle on the tip of your nose, with the eyeliner, add a few whiskers on your cheeks. Cat eyes and faux lashes will be the purrfect detail to complete the look. Slip on some faux fur booties, or back leggings and a fur wrap or animal print scarf. Finish with some freshly painted jet black claws!

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Ready to enjoy outdoor living at its finest?

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Learn the basics of beekeeping, composting and container gardening. Explore further and design your own specialty garden or train in outdoor survival techniques, hunting and fishing.

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Guests and their pets are invited to Dogtoberfest, an annual event to benefit local pet rescue groups. Enjoy live music, wine, and beer throughout the event. Guests can browse booths of local pet vendors, visit adoptable pets and enter the pet costume contest!

Admission is free and tickets for beer, wine, and food can be purchased.

843.768.6491 www.freshfieldsvillage.com

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PROFILE

BAILEY LINDERMAN C LU B E V E N T S M A N AG E R , R I L E Y PA R K C LU B Bailey Linderman used to attend RiverDogs games because it was a fun way to spend time with friends. “I’d be one of those people who didn’t really care that the game was going on,” she confesses. And, she admits, she “knew zero about baseball” when the season started. “I’m really glad that wasn’t part of the interview,” she jokes. But this past season she has attended 70 home games as the club events manager of the Riley Park Club at the RiverDogs’ baseball park.

The stunning 6,000-square-foot venue above the first-base line opened in March and boasts expansive views of the baseball field on one side and the Ashley River marsh on the other. Fans can buy season tickets or individual game tickets that grant access to the venue, which features leather club seating, a bar and food from Mercantile & Mash. On Bailey’s first day on the job, her boss asked her to plan a hard-hat tour of the venue, which was still under construction. The event was scheduled to take place in two weeks.

No problem. In the next three months, Bailey would pull off that and other hard-hat tours as well as the grand opening of the venue. Her schedule never slowed down. You could find her at the park from 8 a.m. until after the final out. When the team went on a road trip, Bailey still reported to the park to help manage non-baseball events in the space.

“I basically live here,” she jokes.

So when her boss gives her a day off during the middle of the week, “you better believe I’m going to the beach,” says Bailey, who recently purchased a home about 10 minutes from Folly. Bailey comes across as more laid-back than Type A. While her job requires long hours, the work is just fun.

“I’ve always just liked the party,” she says. “I just want to have a good time.”

And Bailey has become a true baseball fan. After we talked, she was heading to a playoff game against the Greenville Drive for the RiverDogs’ second consecutive postseason appearance.

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AND WE’LL RISE UP RISE LIKE THE WAVES WE’LL RISE UP IN SPITE OF THE ACHE WE’LL RISE UP AND WE’LL DO IT A THOUSANDS TIMES AGAIN FOR YOU.

BY C ASSANDRA MONIQUE B ATIE, JENNIFER DECILVEO

RISE with us and support these national relief funds: American Red Cross | www.redcross.org Americares | www.americares.org Hand in Hand | handinhand2017.com One American Appeal |www.oneamericaappeal.org United Way | www.unitedway.org

ALY MURPHY

BLOGGERQ&A

Murphysmanners.com

Why did you start blogging?

I started my first blog in 2012 when I was going through a quarter-life crisis. It was called highlifeinthelowcountry.com and was about the adventures and opportunities of growing up in Charleston. It lasted until I moved to NYC for an internship at The Etiquette School of New York.

The articles I write now are focused on my current occupation as an etiquette consultant. I’ve never felt that because I have the certifications to teach social etiquette, corporate protocol and advanced behavior analysis, I’ve been warranted to claim the title of ‘expert.’ I’ve learned the most about this industry by challenging myself to research and write new articles, which leads to teaching more diverse seminars. This type of learning experience has taught me more than any class could offer.

Tell us about the etiquette and manners classes you offer.

I am currently offering three different types of etiquette and manners curriculum. The first program is designed for Pre-K-5th graders that focuses on basic manners and mindfulness activities offered during after-school enrichment hours. The second program is a six-week series for middle schoolers that introduces adolescence to the psychology of civility, focusing on self-presentation skills, communication, empathy, emotional intelligence, dining and gratitude. The third program is a professional development seminar that I have available for university and corporate groups.

What's the most important manners tip?

I can’t claim this one, but I think Emily Post said it best: “Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.”

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Why do you think it's important for children to learn manners?

I read about a group of students who were asked to draw self-portraits and after five days of a course in drawing by Betty Edwards, they were asked to draw them again. While the before pictures resembled amateur stick-like figure sketches, the after pictures could have passed for university level portraits. To me, the before images parallel with the adolescent understanding of civility. Edwards says that the classes aren't designed to teach drawing skills, but seeing skills. She teaches the ability to perceive edges, spaces, relationships, lights and shadows. Just as learning to draw requires attention to these components, I believe understanding the art of civility should begin with the individual's mindful awareness of social and moral boundaries.

Are there any etiquette rules that we should break?

Absolutely! The first one that comes to mind is not wearing white after Labor Day. The rule first came about in the late 1800s, when wealthy, high-society women established a series of arbitrary fashion dictates to weed out the new money from the old money. Money or no money, I’ve found white to be a year-round treat. Another outdated rule is that the man should always pay the bill when at a restaurant. The new guideline is that the host pays for the bill, regardless of the gender. Rules of etiquette will continue to change and evolve over time. It’s the principles, such as kindness and compassion, and our need for acceptance and belonging that will remain timeless.

How do you unplug?

I have three roommates so I try to unplug by cooking dinner and catching up with them or taking the dog for a walk without my phone.

I also got rid of my TV and internet in my bedroom so try to start the mornings with a meditation or mindfulness activity rather than Instagram.

Editor’s note: skirt! magazine occasionally spotlights the inspiring women who contribute to the skirt! blog. Read their posts at skirt.com/blog.

october

calendar of events

From festivals to family activities, this month is full of fantastic events to keep you unplugged.

THROUGH OCT. 31

BOONE HALL PUMPKIN PATCH

Pick out your pumpkin, get lost in a corn maze and go on a hayride at this family-friendly fall festival. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Boone Hall Plantation, use the Highway 17 North entrance. $10 for ages 3 and up. For more information, visit boonehallpumpkinpatch.com.

OCT. 15

‘SPICE WORLD’ 20TH ANNIVERSARY FILM SCREENING Dress up as your favorite Spice Girl and sing along as the Charleston Music Hall presents an anniversary screening of “Spice World.” 6:30 p.m., 37 John St. For tickets, visit charlestonmusichall.com.

OCT. 15 OCT. 5-OCT. 29

THE FALL TOURS: HOMES, HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE Tour private homes and gardens while learning more about the city’s history and architecture during The Preservation Society of Charleston fall walking tours. See the tour schedule and buy tickets at www.preservationsociety.org.

LATIN AMERICAN FESTIVAL Celebrate the Latin American culture with live salsa and merengue music, authentic crafts and food. Noon to 6 p.m., Wannamaker County Park, 8888 University Blvd. $10 for adults. Free for children 12 and under. For more information, visit ccprc.com.

OCT. 21 OCT. 6

WOMEN & COOKE CONCERT SERIES Some of Charleston’s best female vocalists pay tribute to the king of soul, Sam Cooke. 7 p.m., Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. $17. For more information, visit charlestonmusichall.com.

KOMEN LOWCOUNTRY RACE FOR THE CURE Walk or run in support of the Komen Foundation and breast cancer research. 8 a.m., Volvo Car Stadium, 161 Seven Farms Dr., Daniel Island. $35. For more information, visit komensouthcarolina.org.

OCT. 21 OCT. 11-15

DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS ‘FROZEN’ Let it go and sing along as Mickey and Minnie Mouse take you on the journey up the North Mountains with Anna, Kristoff and Sven. Favorite characters from “Toy Story,” “Finding Nemo” and “The Lion King” make special appearances. Visit northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com for showtimes and tickets.

THIRD EYE BLIND AT VOLVO CAR STADIUM Nineties rock band Third Eye Blind performs at the Volvo Car Stadium. $2 for every ticket sold will be donated to the Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure happening earlier that day at the Volvo Car Stadium.

7:30 p.m., 161 Seven Farms Dr., Daniel Island. For tickets, visit volvocarstadiumconcerts.com.

OCT. 22 OCT. 18-NOV. 5

‘TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD’ Charleston Stage presents Harper Lee’s classic Southern Gothic story at the Dock Street Theatre. 135 Church St. Visit charlestonstage.com for showtimes and tickets.

OCT. 15

CHILDREN’S DAY FESTIVAL The Town of Mount Pleasant hosts a Children’s Day Festival. Children can enjoy carnival rides, giant inflatable slides, live entertainment, wall climbing and face painting. Park West Recreation Complex, 1251 Park West Blvd. Admission is free. For more information, visit experiencemountpleasant.com.

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DARIUS RUCKER AT VOLVO CAR STADIUM Hometown favorite Darius Rucker will fill the Volvo Car Stadium two days after the release of his fifth studio album, “When was the Last Time.” 7 p.m., 161 Seven Farms Dr., Daniel Island. For tickets, visit volvocarstadiumconcerts.com.

OCT. 28-29

HARRY POTTER FILM CONCERT SERIES The Charleston Symphony Orchestra will perform John Williams’ score from “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” as you watch the film on a giant screen at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive. For showtimes and tickets, visit northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com.

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It’s Your

CHOICE 70% of women eligible for breast reconstruction are not told they have options. (ASPS) Dr. Hahm has specialized training and offers ALL types of breast reconstruction. Let us help you in your journey to well-being and looking fabulous.

Remember, the Choice is Yours!

Thomas Hahm, M.D.

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Fellowship T rained at the Renowned Johns Hopkins University, offers Natural Breast Reconstruction including DIEP, SGAP, and TUG as well as implant based reconstruction.”

www.CarolinaCosmeticSurgery.com 180 WINGO WAY • SUITE 205 • MOUNT PLEASANT

For a consultation, call

(843) 884-1400

National Breast Cancer Month

A survivor shares h

er story.

Written by Ashley Towns, Survivor

Life is busy, and as women we often put everything and everyone before our own well-being. The order slip for my routine mammogram had been in my wallet for six months. I had already missed one mammogram so I was well overdue. My mammogram indicated a suspicious area that needed a biopsy, but I did not give it any further thought. My breast tissue had always been fibrous and dense.

I had four drains coming out of the side of my body for three weeks, but once I healed, I could proceed to the PET scan. Of all the tests and scans, this was the one that would tell me if the cancer had spread to other organs in my body. I denied that could even be reality and was so blessed that the test indicated it had not spread. I remained a newly diagnosed, stage three, cancer patient.

As a realtor for ChuckTown Homes my phone rings frequently, but that next call would change the course of my life forever. I remember the call clearer than I remember the last year of my life. The radiologist indicated the biopsy showed I had aggressive breast cancer in my right breast.The quicker I could get an appointment with a general surgeon and have additional testing the better. Quite frankly, I could not breathe, which turned into ugly-cry, face sobbing. I left the office and drove aimlessly. My mind was spinning out of control.

The oncologist determined the best course of action for me was 16 rounds of chemotherapy and 28 rounds of radiation. One round of chemo marched in and robbed me of what felt like the rest of my womanhood: my hair, my eyebrows and my eyelashes. It had only been two months since my diagnosis and my reflection disgusted me; I looked so sick. I found comfort buying a wide array of wigs and hats. My favorite is what I called, “hat hair.” Hat hair was a ball cap with gorgeous, long, silky hair attached and it fooled everyone.

When I put this hat on, I felt some sense of normalcy.

Who should I call? Am I going to die? Will my parents be burying me soon?

Will I get to see my niece and nephew grow up? Who will love my animals as much as I do? I have insurance, but how much will it cover? Will I need to sell my house to pay my bills? I have too much I still want to experience, why have I put it off? Why has my mind always told me IF or WHEN or ONE DAY? Suddenly, I knew where I was driving.

A trip to a local pharmacy also would have a profound impact on my life.

Shannen Doherty’s battle with breast cancer was displayed on the cover of a magazine, and somehow this prompted a conversation with the cashier.

She was a brain cancer survivor and uploaded pictures of her bald head on Facebook. A few of her family members shamed her for her appearance and said she should take them down. My heart hurt for her and my hat hair came off for the first time in public. My “hat hair” was my disguise, it was my crutch. My new life was hidden under that hat and what it had been would never return.

I needed a Margarona and there was no question about that! Two dear friends met me and that night was probably the first time the three of us sat in front of a basket of chips and did not touch one.

Apparently breast cancer is not simple, and I spent the next year of my life in and out of a hospital. I needed more testing to determine my journey.

The BRCA1 and BRCA2 test indicated I did not carry the genetic mutation for cancer. The HER2 test was negative for a protein which promotes the growth of cancer cells. The ER PR test was positive, which meant my tumor was mostly fed by hormones. In addition to this testing, the size of my tumor was measured and I received my diagnosis: Stage three cancer. No warning, no sickness, no pains. JUST LIKE THAT! I chose a double mastectomy, and this surgery also would test to see if my cancer had spread to my lymph nodes. I woke up from the seven-hour surgery surrounded by my loved ones. The surgeon came in to let me know she removed 14 lymph nodes, and most of them were cancerous.

I lost it, I just repeated over and over: “I am going to die, I am going to die.”

My father grabbed my hand and without hesitation said, “Well, I know you will go to heaven and be in a better place.” What an amazing calmness, peace and strength he had at that moment. I, on the other hand, was not quite there and a little happier when the surgeon said, “Not today.”

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What I realized is, my bald head told a story, and everyone should know that story — the story of being human. We are ALL susceptible to our lives changing in a millisecond. We all have battles whether small or of epic proportions. We are here to learn from each other, love each other and help each other through our struggles. When we embrace the things we can’t change we have a sense of peace that is priceless.

The past year has not been easy, but I would not change a thing. I was given the gift of learning how to be grateful for every moment and open my eyes to the immense amount of love surrounding me. Embracing the things I can’t change gives me a sense of peace that is priceless.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my caregivers for their devotion to improving lives. Dr. Tracy Cordray, Dr. Megan Baker, Dr. Gene Saylors, my chemo nurse Dorothy, one of my best friends Heather Wilks APRN, FNP-C, and the entire staff of The Roper Oncology Department. Mom, you are an angel on earth. My tribe of girlfriends, your love is a gift.

ChuckTown Homes, I am immensely grateful for your support. I encourage everyone to check out www.boonproject.org to discover how you can help or be helped. Many thanks to Callie Cranford with Kuszmaul Design and PR for the photo shoot.

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LOOK. FEEL. BE. BEAUTY HEALTH DETOX YOUR SKIN CARE LINE Organic skin care products from Be Well Company are made in Mount Pleasant without the chemicals found in many products. The company’s products are made with organic, plant-derived ingredients and no preservatives, alcohol, dyes, manmade fragrance or parabens. We tried the luscious (and relaxing) rose and lavender whipped body butter and the jasmine and myrrh nourishing face cream. We can’t wait to get our hands on the latest launch, sugar lip scrubs, made from organic cold pressed juices, such as beet, carrot and kale. Available at bewellcompany.com.

ON OUR RADAR: COLUR STUDIOS We’re looking forward to visiting Colur Studios on King Street, a new beauty boutique where you can get makeup artistry services, find natural and organic beauty products and enjoy beauty treatments, including facials, LED light therapy and brow shaping. 562 King St. For more information, visit www.colurstudios.com.

HEALTH SUPPORT THE POWER OF SHE Athleta has developed the Empower sports bra for women who have had mastectomies. The bra will feature a front zip, adjustable shoulder straps and comfortable material designed for sensitive scar tissue. The athleisure brand also is selling a limited-edition pink Power of She bra with the empowering slogan written across the back band. A percentage of sales from both bras is being donated to Recovery On Water, an organization that supports and empowers breast cancer patients and survivors. Available at www.athleta.com.

WARNING SIGNS OF BREAST CANCER Except for skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the U.S.The Susan G. Komen Foundation advises women with average risk to have a mammogram every year starting at age 40. Here are some warning signs that indicate you should schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider: Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast Change in the size or shape of the breast Dimpling or puckering of the skin Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple Pulling in of the nipple or other parts of the breast Nipple discharge that starts suddenly New pain in one spot that doesn't go away To learn more about the warning signs, screenings, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, visit ww5.komen.org.

BEAUTY HEALTH FITNESS DETOX YOUR YOGA SESSION Yoloha natural cork yoga mats are handmade right here in Charleston using sustainable cork and recycled rubber. The mats are naturally antimicrobial and contain no PVCs or harmful chemicals. Yogis love them because of their non-slip surface.

Check out the beautiful designs at yolohayoga.com.

UNPLUGGED YOGA Practice yoga poses as the sun sets, and as you breathe in the salty air and listen to acoustic tunes when the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission hosts Unplugged Yoga on Folly Beach and Isle of Palms. $8 per class. Visit ccprc. com for a schedule and to register.

UNWIND THE WEEK YOGA CLASS This 75-minute Friday evening class takes place on the ground and is designed to relieve stress and tension through yoga, myofascial release and breathing techniques. 6:30 p.m. Fridays at Reverb Yoga Studio, 1503 King St. $15 for a drop-in class.

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ing What's Possible

ing What's Possible

ing What's Possible

Changing What's Possible Innovation is at the core of everything we do. Hundreds of scientists here are discovering solutions that are often the first of their kind in the world. We are teaching the next generation of nurses, doctors, therapists, technicians and health care leaders who will provide advanced health care for years to come – and develop the information systems and sustainable business models that tackle population health and health disparities. We are committed to delivering access to the best medicine available through MUSC Health, the state’s only NCI-designated cancer center, and a nationally recognized children’s hospital. MUSC also serves patients through its more than 100 outreach sites – community-based health centers, a robust telehealth network and partnerships with other health systems.

That’s how you change what’s possible.

musc.edu/cwp