Life + Culture

The Natalie M. Mission

Making clients feel like the best version of themselves Article by Linda Ditch | Photography by Victoria Moore and Lisa Carson On September 7th, Natalie M Studio will host the Fashion Alfresco show. Thirty-eight young women from around the Kansas City Metro will walk the runway in dresses and gowns perfect for homecoming. This free event will take place in front of Natalie M's shop at the Town Center Plaza in Leawood, starting at 11 a.m. This show will be the first public event for the...

Style + Beauty

Style That Reflects YOU

Color analyst Beth King helps women take the stress out of building the right wardrobe Article by Victoria Moore | Photography by Corey Brown Photo, Becca Spears The busier life gets, maintaining your style can naturally slip through the cracks. Rushing out the door every day can place a burden on the idea of wearing the right outfit. Lead Through Style founder and owner Beth King started her color analysis business in hopes to make that process more simple. As a working mom, she understands...

Style + Beauty

Where Function and Aesthetics Meet

Sara Svehla Interior Designs builds beauty on the foundation of livability Article by Victoria Moore | Photography by Dani Clark, Adri Guyer, Craig Keene, Becca Spears Sara Svehla Interior Design’s Main Street Studio is a harmonious display of natural talent and materials.  Her space is full of an intentional mixture of textures. Warm wood tones, mossy green fabrics and strategically placed houseplants scattered along the base of each window create a sense of peace. There is a feeling of...

Food + Beverage

BBQ Chicken and Rice Bowls

Indulge in one last taste of summer Article and Photography by Bev Weidner 5-6 chicken thighs (excess fat trimmed) 1/2 cup bbq sauce 1 cup basmati or jasmine rice 2 cups chicken stock 1-2 cups shredded purple cabbage 1 lime 1/2 cup chopped cilantro Coarse salt Hamburger pickles Ranch dressing Extra bbq sauce Combine the chicken and bbq sauce in a bowl, along with a pinch of salt. Toss to coat and let it sit as long as you want. An hour up to overnight. Cook the rice...

Life + Culture

The Vinca Way

A Kansas City family business crafts beautiful jewelry that is accessible to all Article by Victoria Moore | Photography by Emmalee Rathsam Every jeweler has a process. The sourcing, the crafting, the customer service–it all tells a story of what they value.  From the moment its doors opened on the County Club Plaza in 1987, Vinca Jewelry set a standard of excellence that has been followed for almost 40 years. Founders Simon and Elizabeth Zouein believed jewelry should be personal and...

Arts + Culture

A Conversation with Emmalee Rathsam

Style is foundational in fine art and fashion photography Article and Photography by Emmalee Rathsam From a photographer's perspective, define "style"?  Style is what makes a photograph. Whether it's the subject’s personal style, the styling that a photographer adds to an image to give it life, or the photographer’s shooting style, "style" plays a large role in photography.    What drew you to fashion photography?   As a teenager, I was drawn to fashion photography when I flipped...

Health + Wellness

Forever Smiles

A foundation that helps children with cleft palate and craniofacial issues here and abroad Article by Linda Ditch | Photography by Provided A child born with a cleft palate or other craniofacial difference faces a tough road forward. Correcting the problem typically requires five to seven surgeries, as well as oral dental treatments for years to repair the condition. Add in the stigma that follows anyone who looks "different," and it is easy to see how hard life can be, both for the kids and...

Food + Beverage

Easy Homemade Pizza Rolls

Grab the kids to help prepare this fun snack Article and Photography by Bev Weidner Ingredients: • 2 large tortillas • 1/2 cup of favorite pizza sauce • Cheese of choice • Dried thyme Directions:  Slice the tortillas into even strips. Evenly and lightly spread some pizza sauce along each strip. Top with cheese of choice and sprinkle with thyme. Roll up! Pop in the toaster oven, seam-side down for about 5 minutes. Maybe 7. Just keep an eye on them until they’re browned on top and...

Health + Wellness

Arosa Care

Article and Photography by Life has a way of throwing curveballs. The mental stress and physical toll of a health diagnosis or the emotional road to recovery can leave individuals and families with burdens too heavy to carry alone.  Arosa Kansas City recognizes the impact these changes can have on a household, especially when they come out of left field. From patients to their pets, Arosa’s team of caregivers meets clients in their circumstances and are happy to share the load.  “In any life...

Life + Culture

Canines and Couture

Bejeweled pups modeling Vinca Jewelry collections Article by Victoria Moore | Photography by Emmalee Rathsam Poodle in Pearls, Standard Poodle Dasher is wearing Vinca's White Baroque Pearl Necklace, Tahitian Circle Pearl Strand and Peach Baroque Pearl Strand. Muffin , Long-haired Chihuahua Muffin is wearing Vinca's 27.5 Carat Trillion Cut Morganite Necklace in 18 Karat Rose Gold Beside her are Jade and Moonstone rings and Jade Bangles in velvet boxes Lola , French Bulldog Lola is...