Local Services

Balloontiful Things Make Life's Occasions More Beautiful

Evoking Cheer, Joy, Freedom Through Event Decorations Article by Julie Brown Patton Little did former nurse Maria Widaman know she'd become a balloon artisan. However, during May 2023, she made it a whole new business, based from Dardenne Prairie, Missouri.  "For as far as I can remember, I've always wanted to use my creative side in a way that would bring joy to others. Sometimes when I had downtime as a NICU nurse, I'd decorate the rooms of premature babies who would be hospitalized...

Life + Culture

For I Know The Plans...

From A Life Sentence To A Life Transformed Article by Robin Seaton Jefferson “Imagine losing everything you love in a single day: your home, your children, your freedom. The pain drops you to your knees. But as the tears dry, you face a choice: Stay broken, or stand up and rebuild. My name is Judy Henderson. In 1982, at 32 years old, I was sent to prison for life. The crime? A murder I didn’t commit. It took 36 years for the truth to come out. I was 68 when I was finally freed and pardoned. By...

Arts + Culture

Let's Stick Together

St. Louis Mom Fosters A Local Community Article by Mel Boban | Photography by Kelly Laramore St. Louis Mom is more than a local website destination; it's a community. When founder Rebekah Coste was living abroad and experiencing motherhood for the first time, she says she looked for a local resource for women like her, but she couldn't find it. Fast forward to Rebekah's return to her hometown St. Louis, and she came across the opportunity to curate this very 'online' place she was dreaming of...

Life + Culture

Magical Memories For Mama

Considerate And Creative Presents To Surprise Mom For Mother's Day Article by Chelsea Haynes Still missing the mark on Mother’s Day gifts? Lean into trendy, timeless classics that will leave every matriarch feeling like the most magical woman in the world.  Fabulous Florals:  Unique bouquets with peonies, anemones and tulips symbolize honor, wealth and unconditional love. Celebrate mom with an arrangement that offers purpose behind the petals.  Stunning Stationary:  Monogrammed stationery is...

Food + Beverage

Health-Enthusiast Culinarian Plants Seeds For Whole Food Diets

STL Veg Girl Founded Nation's First Plant-Based, Nutrition Education Center Article by Julie Brown Patton Caryn D​​​​​ugan loves to eat. In fact, in high school, she says one of her friends called her the human garbage disposal. Her then-faves included Velveeta cheese and fried bologna. But her brush with cancer in 2008 prompted a pilgrimage into the healthiest of eating. So much so, she built a business based on "meals that heal," all through plant-based diets, and became known as the 'STL...

Education

As Good As Gold

Celebrating The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center's 25th Anniversary And The World Champion Who Made It Happen Article by Robin Seaton Jefferson | Photography by Carol Green Photography “There is gold in all of us.” It’s the first thing one sees when visiting the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation website. The motto is fitting, as its founder is known as one of the most gracious, impressive and positive people. Considered one of the “50 Great Athletes of All Time” by ESPN, and named by Sports...

Health + Wellness

ensuring Optimal Healthcare as you Age

In a recent article form the AARP Bulletin, they answer the question, “Where Have All The Doctors Gone?” The article discusses why we have so few physicians. The first is not enough people are going into healthcare. The second is many physicians are leaving the field of healthcare. Several factors are contributing to qualified providers choosing to leave the profession including: decreased reimbursement, high workload, and more paperwork.It goes on to point out that not only will there be a huge...

Health + Wellness

Reverse Foot Pain

Foot Solutions Team Provides Patients With Relief, Correct Alignment, Custom Orthotics, Improved Balanced Article by Julie Brown Patton | Photography by Courtesy of Foot Solutions Foot wellness experts at Foot Solutions in Chesterfield craft custom-prescribed orthotics and supply supportive, recommended footwear for all ages of patients, spanning young athletes to active seniors. "No matter your age or stage of life, proper foot care creates the foundation to optimize your health and...

Arts + Culture

Living Well, Leading With G.R.I.T.

International Best-Selling Author Jennifer Bardot: “When Someone Lives Their Passion, Sparks Fly." Article by Julie Brown Patton St. Louis author Jennifer Bardot’s anthology six-book series, called G.R.I.T., hit No. 1 International Best-Selling status. Standing for growth, resilience, intention and tenacity, the books are part of a series she references as the Deconstruction G.R.I.T. Collection. “Grit encourages hope, which allows us to step into our power," she explains.  In 2021, spurred...

Health + Wellness

Transform Scars Into Superpowers

Sisi Siham Helps Women Rise Beyond Adversities Article by Robin Seaton Jefferson Sisi is so much more than her adversity. And she wants other women to understand that they are, too. Siham “Sisi” Surgant is a mom. She speaks five languages and holds three degrees. She has traveled the world. She is a transformation coach, a designer and now a medalist in bikini bodybuilding. But it’s her story of struggle that fuels her passion. The Cottleville woman was severely burned on her chin...