Life + Culture

Gitzell Fair Trade:

Zellipah Githui Presents Style With Substance, Woven By Hand And Driven By Purpose Article by Kristi Sellers In a world where so much of what is bought feels disconnected from its origin, Zellipah Githui is building something intentional and rooted in pure tradition. As the founder of Gitzell Fair Trade, she has transformed a deeply personal journey into a global movement, one that begins with a single thread and stretches across the world. Zellipah’s story starts in Kenya, where she learned...

Fitness

Be Feral. Play Roller Derby.

St. Chux Derby Crew Team Competes From St. Charles Article by Julie Brown Patton | Photography by Provided Roller derby skaters can excel at the sport regardless of body shape or size, declares Deb Janik, president of St. Chux Derby Crew. "You can come with no skating skills, and with practice, become a great player." She says team members are committed to authenticity on and off the track. "If we had to pick between winning or having fun at every game, we'd pick fun." Being part of a roller...

Arts + Culture

The Dollhouse Project

A Community Movement Redefining Financial Safety, Power And Legacy For Women Article by Mel Boban | Photography by Empowering Portraits and provided After two decades in the nonprofit trenches, Tracie Hulbert is building something different to make a positive impact in the St. Louis community. She uprooted her own modern financial services firm that puts family protection, financial literacy and real results at the center of everything it does. Tracie, founder of The Dollhouse Project, hit...

Health + Wellness

Wellness Within Reach

SUPERWELL: Small Daily Shifts To Move Out Of Survival Mode Into Sustainable Wellbeing Article by Stacey Dixson | Photography by Jeff Huser In a culture that often rewards exhaustion, Lauren Pronger advances a different paradigm: wellness as a deliberate and sustainable practice. The founder of SUPERWELL and author of the international bestselling book SUPERWELL: Your Blueprint for Wellness & Wellbeing , published in September 2025, Lauren has developed a framework intended to help individuals...

Real Estate

What Is a "Lock and Leave" Lifestyle?

Did you know that homeowners in the U.S. spend an average of 42 hours per month on home maintenance? One of the many benefits of life at Viva Bene St. Peters is the freedom that comes with our lock-and-leave lifestyle. Whether you're planning to travel, visit family, or simply want less to worry about, our community is designed to make it easy.Here’s what lock-and-leave living looks like at Viva Bene:Landscaping, exterior upkeep, and repairs are fully managed for you so you can spend more time...

Real Estate

Making Friends After 55 Is Not Easy

Making friends after 55 can be harder than people expect.Not because you don’t want connection but because it doesn’t happen as naturally as it once did. Work routines change. Neighbors move away. Everyone gets busy in their own world. And suddenly, building new friendships takes more effort than it used to.That’s one of the things that makes Viva Bene St. Peters so special. For residents who choose to be active in the lifestyle program, they have a built-in social life waiting for them.We...

Real Estate

Introduction to Our Team

At Viva Bene, a lot of what we do comes back to helping people “live the good life”. It’s also about creating a place where life stays active, connected, and where people feel like they belong from the start.For many residents, Donna (pictured far left) and Mathilda (pictured far right) from our sales team, are the first people they meet. They take their time getting to know each person and what they’re really looking for, because finding the right home here isn’t just about floor plans, it’s...

Entertainment

St. Louis Hosts International Barbershop Convention

World-Renowned Harmony STL Says Event Could Bring Millions In Revenue To The City That Has 'Music In Its DNA' Article by Robin Seaton Jefferson Some 6,000 visitors are expected to descend on St. Louis from June 28 through July 5, 2026, for the Barbershop Harmony Society’s 2026 International Convention.  “That level of attendance could translate to between $3.8 million and $7.8 million in direct visitor spending, with additional ripple effects potentially bringing total business sales into the...

Style + Beauty

Where Style Meets Dividends

Strategic Wardrobe Investments Create Confidence, Versatility And Polished Presence In Every Setting Article by Audra Harrold Beth Gunter Partner and Chief Experience Officer, Spry Digital For Beth Gunter, her investment piece is a black leather jacket, a staple that anchors her wardrobe with intention and edge. Her clothing choices fall into clear buckets: how it feels, its versatility, and whether it works for both work and play. In leadership, first impressions matter, so what she wears...

Home Services

When Everyday Life Demands Extra Support

How Mom’s Extra Hands is Helping St. Louis Families Thrive Article by Kristi Sellers In the heart of the Midwest, where family ties run deep and everyday schedules can feel overwhelming, many parents are seeking more than just a break. They crave support that feels personal and genuinely helpful. Enter Mom’s Extra Hands, an organizing and concierge service that’s quietly becoming a go-to resource for households.  Extra Hands Owner Emily Dyall says, “I like to say Mom’s Extra Hands is an...