Twenty SomethingOctober 2012

Sherree ChamberlainFeature Writer

Angela HamiltonHair Designer

Elevation Salon405.659.5212

Samantha LambFeature Writer

Luke StephensFeature Writer

Steve ClausenOneHealthyBod

Monthly Workout

Kealey McIntireFeature Writer

Alex Mendez-KellyMakeup ArtistFeature Writer

Jamy GreenHair Artist

Duncan Brothers Salon405.550.0690

CONTRIBUTORSIntern: Christopher Turner

Kelsey SelfFashion Director

Co-Creative DirectorStylist

Bethany YoungEditor-in-Chief

Co-Creative DirectorPhotographer

Sherree ChamberlainFeature Writer

Sarah EthridgeMusic Writer

Meagan OwenFeature Writer

Chad CosperVideography

DCMGMT Creative, Inc.

Whitney LynnFeature Writer

Emily DavisDecor Writer

Jeff RaganHealth Writer

Amber FikeMakeup Artist405.473.9145

Denver DuncanFeature Writer

CONTRIBUTORS

ALL AGES WELCOMELIVE MUSIC ALL DAY LONG

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DANCE & PERFORMANCE

Fashion

Fall is almost here! With the change of seasons, maybe you are also thinking about a change in your wardrobe. When it comes to fall fashion, it is all about layers, layers, and layers! One of the most essential fall pieces, however, has to be able to go over those layers of clothes. For Fall 2012, designers all around the globe showed the fashion industry their interpreta-tion of the coat. With every different shape, size, fabric, and color, the coat proved to be a wardrobe staple for the fall season. If you love fall fashion, investing in a stylish and wearable coat is a great way to add a little something to your wardrobe!

Menswear inspired clothing has been a favor-ite in women’s fashion for decades. Thanks to Mr. Yves Saint Laurent, menswear-inspired looks are often seen on the runways. Mens-wear inspired coats made their way to the Fall 2012 runways. If you like the idea of a tailored look to your wardrobe, think about investing in this type of coat. The menswear coat has the same sleek tailoring of a men’s coat but with a feminine silhouette. The great thing about a menswear coat is that it gives you the tailored and sleek look of a professional. Designers like Donna Karan and Isabel Marant showed Fall 2012 collections with very masculine inspired coats. The structured look of a menswear coat also provides a sense of tailoring that is unique compared to other coats. If you are uncomfort-able about investing in the menswear coat, opt for a lightweight menswear blazer until you feel comfortable enough to wear an actual mens-wear coat.

With the days getting colder, you may be thinking about getting a coat that is big enough to fit over all those layers of clothes! You are in for a treat, because oversized coats are trending for the fall season. Having been seen in various runway shows across the industry, the over-sized coat is the new “essential” coat for the fall. The great thing about the oversized coat is

Coatsthat it plays with proportion. If you want to try a new shape this season, you can invest in the oversized coat. You might be thinking that the oversized coat is going to make you look big-ger. Does investing in an oversized coat mean that you should buy a coat two sizes your size? No. Buy your size when you come across an oversized coat. It is all about proportion, so if you wear the oversized coat, make sure you wear a slimmer pant to balance out your sil-houette. If you ask me, this style of coat is one of the most exciting trends to try this season!

The statement makers of the fall season are the brocade and embellished coats. Brocade and embellishments were seen on some of the most well known runways like Dolce & Gabbana and Balmain. The brocade and embellished coat are huge for the fall season because they dress up any simple outfit in your wardrobe. Bro-cade coats are constructed with a sturdy fabric that has some sort of design on it. Embellished coats have an embellishment like jewels or beads within the design of the coat. If making a fashion statement is your thing, opt for the brocade and embellished coat. If you decide to go with a brocade or embellished coat, make sure that you pair it with simple pieces. Your brocade or embellished coat should not com-pete with a flashy pair of pants, so make sure you keep it simple!

Overall, have fun with any type of coat you invest in. Keep it fun and keep it you!

Written by Whitney Lynn

Fashion

Burberry Fall 2012

BB CreamsOh , it’s that time of year we all love as Oklahomans and only wish we could have more than just a few weeks a year: FALL! I love the fashions, makeup and colors that mean Fall. Last month we talked about makeup and the col-ors that will be gracing our eyes, lips and cheeks, now we must talk about how much we need to take care of that foundation so all those new cosmetics look tip top. We have been hearing a lot about BB creams. What are they and what do they really do you ask? BB first made an appearance in Germany as “Blemish” or “Beauty” balm. BB cream was designed to be a “more is more“ concept, (which we all love). When it comes to BB’s, think of the kitchen sink. It’s a primer, SPF, line filler, pore smoother outer, anti-oxidant free radical fighter, touch of color and of course moisture. Many companies make several colors. I don’t know how important that really is unless you are part of either extreme light or dark tones. Personally I think there are many products out there in-cluding many of the tinted moisturizers already on the market that provide much of what is in a BB, but now that everyone calls it a BB it must be new. Marketing!! Am I right?? With all that said, naturally I have a favorite. (For good reason too!) The BB cream from B. Kamins is the Baby Bear of Goldie Locks, being “just right” as far as moisture content. Not too heavy and not too dry, just right!! PLUS it has crushed diamonds in it so you look absolutely luminous with it on! How can this not be your fav too?? It can be a lot of hype, but if you are looking for something that is time saving and all in one, then look no further than your nearest BB. Also, we all need to remember to hydrate appropriately everywhere, as well as exfoliate. So next month we will dig in deep and I will walk you through all you ever wanted to know about serums, lotions, creams, scrubs and micro-dermabration!! Until then, take a walk, eat outside, and smile at your neigh-bor, Fall will be gone before you know it!!

Written by Alex Mendez-KelleyOwner of The MakeUp Bar

Beauty

How to Choose a Rug

Rugs can sometimes be an overwhelming and intim-idating purchase. But they don’t have to be! Choos-

ing a rug can be a fun and (dare I say it?) an easy thing to do – just consider the following!

1. The most important consideration (I think) when purchasing a rug is use of the rug. Is it an indoor or outdoor space? Is it a high or low traffic area? Will it be in a place that it

can get dirty easily? Do you want to be able to sit on it at all? All of these questions are im-portant to consider. In a high traffic space (like an entryway), go with a rug that is easy to clean, repels stains and is low-pile. In a lower traffic space (like a bedroom), a higher-pile

rug can work.

xoxo,Emily

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xoxo,Emily

2. Size! One of the most common rug is-sues is getting a rug that is too small for

the space. Play around with different sizes and spacing in your room. Tape out various rug dimensions using blue painters tape to really see how a rug will fit into a space. I

read somewhere that a bigger rug is always better so it doesn’t look like your furniture

is holding on for dear life… I really like that illustration!

3. The fun part! Consider what kind of color/pattern/texture you

want in your rug. Rugs can be a great spot to bring an added punch to any room. A darker

rug can make a room feel cozier, while a lighter rug can make a space feel more airy and open.

Texture is important to consider as well, as you definitely don’t

want something that is too rough in an area where you might be

walking with bare feet or sitting on the ground.

4. Consider layering. I love the look of a natural fiber rug layered with a super colorful or patterned rug. The effect is

great - the natural fiber rug brings in tex-ture, the other one either color/pattern or both! Natural fiber rugs are a great option if you need a rug for a large space as they

can be much less expensive. Then, you can play around with placement of the top rug

based on your space.

Photo Credits: Lonny Magazine, Rue Magazine, Southern Living

Feature

Meet one of our new favorite ladies,

Rachel Shingleton, the creative mastermind behind Pencil Shavings

Studio.

Tell us about yourself!Sure! I’m a graphic designer in Oklahoma City, where I was born and raised. I went to college in California and then at OU where I studied graphic design. I’ve been design-ing now for more years than I can keep track of and blogging for almost five years.

How did you first become inter-ested in design?Probably as a freshman in college at Pep-perdine. I took a class on web design and the textbooks were books on the why’s of design. Why do things work the way they do and how can we design them to work better? I was totally intrigued by the sub-ject and found myself trying to learn more, even outside of class. Then I began blog-ging about my life in California, although that was way before anybody called it that. At OU, my design classes fit me to a t and I loved the community that was there.

Tell us about Pencil Shavings and how it came to be.After working for a small apparel company after college, I started my own freelance stu-dio when I got married. When I designed my studio website, I had a photo of colored pencils featured on the main page, and it occurred to me that I should call the blog “Pencil Shavings” in reference to that photo. It just kind of stuck, and so then, as the blog became its own entity, it was only natural that I rebrand everything Pencil Shavings Studio.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?I am first and foremost a huge color lover! I’ve never met a color I didn’t absolutely adore and I’m always on the hunt for new and exciting color combinations. Beyond that, typography plays a big role in my design, as well as current trends in fashion. Vintage advertising continues to be one of my favorite facets of graphic design, along with books upon books of textile and jew-elry design.

What kind of items do you sell?Originally I got started with custom invita-tions, which is definitely my first love. But then I started stumbling on manufacturers for other products like the iPhone cases. With each product, I’ve had a gut instinct that they could be really stellar. It’s kind of like a graphic designer’s dream job - get-ting to design fantastic and fun products. I’m thrilled to pieces that people have re-sponded so much to my colorful and whim-sical items! Demand for iPhone cases, iPad cases, and lucite trays have become enough that I’ve had to shelve the custom paper side of my business for the time being, but I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to find a way to include them again in the near future. I’m a paper lover, first and foremost.

Where can readers go to see your products and purchase them?!Pencil Shavings Studio is available online at my Etsy shop, pencilshavingsstudio.etsy.com, as well as at Nordstrom online. I also have a collabora-tion with The Limited; they have a selection of four iPhone cases in all Limited stores across the country. Locally, you can also view a few pieces at Chirps & Cheers in Edmond.

Pencil Shavings Studio

Photos by Bethany Young

Pencil Shavings Studio

Feature

Dia de los Muertos

Photography: Bethany YoungMakeup: The MakeUp BarHair: Angela Hamilton and The MakeUp BarStyling: Kelsey SelfModels: Paige Carr of Tabb Models and Kelsey Self

Feature

Junk Gypsy

Junk Gypsy

It wasn’t even something you said,” Jolie ex-plained when we asked if they always knew they wanted to go into junking.

Amie and Janie began making pillows, and set up to sell them at a flea market in Can-ton, Texas. But, to their dismay, they didn’t sell a single one. They did however, find a few old pieces of furniture and decided to make them their projects – something they had done their whole lives both at home and in the pizza restaurant. They gave the furni-ture a face-lift, and before they knew it they had customers. “Everything was very un-planned. Unfortunately there was no manual for the journey we’ve had,” Jolie reflected.

That can also be said of the Junk Gypsy’s clothing and accessories line. On a whim, Amie decided to make a souvenir t-shirt for a flea market they were working, and they couldn’t even get them off of the truck be-cause they sold so fast. “We even sold the sweaty ones off of our bodies,” Jolie told us with a laugh. “And that’s when we learned there was something to this t-shirt thing.” Something indeed! Celebrities like Miranda Lambert are often seen wearing Junk Gypsy threads, even while performing on the stage. The pieces feature everything from leather to lace, and truly do make a statement with any outfit – sometimes literally. Tag lines like, “Not all who wander are lost” and “Well behaved women rarely make history” are just a few examples.

The “gypsy” part of the company name came in to play as the ladies’ business started to pick up. “When you’re doing as many shows as we were doing, you really felt like you were traveling around like gypsies. We’ve always loved Willie Nelson’s song ‘On the Road Again’ because of the words: ‘Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway.’ And that’s how we felt. We were traveling to so many shows and constantly hitting the road, so we said, ‘alright, we’re junk gyp-sies!’”

“Country roads, take me home to the place I belong,” isn’t just a line from a John Denver song, it’s a way of life for the ladies behind Junk Gypsy.

If you’re not a die-hard HGTV fan [like we are], or an avid Miranda Lambert lover [guilty again] then you may be wondering, “What is Junk Gypsy?” Well sit right down and let us enlighten you - but we must warn that you are likely to develop new plans for Saturday nights and pick up a habit for plan-ning road trips to Round Top, Texas.

Janie, Amie and Jolie Sikes are the ladies behind Junk Gypsy – a family-run creative business that specializes in finding old piec-es of “junk” and giving them new life. But before this family had their own show on HGTV (which airs on Saturday evenings), they lived in small town America running a pizza restaurant. “The pizza restaurant laid the foundation for everything else, that’s where it all began,” Jolie told us. The head of the family, Mr. Sikes, grew up swimming in the river and farming in Arkansas before he chased Janie to Texas, where they opened a pizza restaurant. “The restaurant business is not for the faint of heart,” Jolie went on to tell us. “You learn about customer service and hard work. Everything our parents did in the restaurant was recycled, and that was before you bragged about it or said it was cool. That’s just the way they did it. That in-stilled the love of junk, the love of hard work and the love of self employment.”

Fast forward a few years and we find Amie and Jolie in college on pre-law and pre-med tracks. While the ladies excelled at what they were pursuing, it just didn’t feel right, so after spending some time in the corporate world they packed their bags and headed down those country roads, not knowing what the future had for them. “We grew up garage selling, and everything we wore was from thrift stores. That was a way of life to us; it wasn’t like something on your resume.

If you watch Junk Gypsy on HGTV, then you think of these ladies as interior design-ers, but that was never part of the original vision. “When we started shooting the show we were like, ‘ok, so we’ve never decorated anyone’s home before.’ It had never been our business - what we would do was deco-rate our tent [where they sold their junk gypsy finds], and our tent would look like a room in your home. So when this TV show started it was funny because that’s what we didn’t do, but it went hand in hand with our business,” Jolie explained.

While they may have never put their touches on other people’s homes before the TV show, they had left their mark by decorating backstage lounges, ACL, Big State and, of course, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton’s wedding. So how did these gypsies grow from a flea market tent, to decorating a celebrity wedding, to having their own TV show? We think it’s the way they personalize every single project, and Jolie agreed. “They cut it out of most of the episodes, but at every single room reveal we ball like babies. Every one. We try to make it so personal – we really get to know every-one we work with and then marry the Junk Gypsy style with their personality.”

Because this trio is so good at matching their clients’ personalities to their spaces, they are never given any guidelines – even when it comes to Miranda Lambert. “That’s how Miranda always is with us. The first decorating job we did for her was her tour bus, and she wanted to be surprised. With the wedding we kept asking her questions and she wouldn’t tell us anything. She’d just say, ‘I trust y’all, just do your thing.’ It was unreal.”

Junk-o-Rama Prom is another Junk Gypsy trademark creation that we had to ask Jolie about. “We were at Antiques Week in Round Top, Texas and our friend was sell-ing all of these old prom dresses. It really

made us sad – we were lamenting these old prom dresses because they had been so beautiful and now they were just trash. So we had this idea to dress-up one night and serve sangria - no big deal, just a lot of fun. We wanted to pay homage to the old prom dresses. Since that year it has kept growing and now thousands of people show up to attend. The beautiful thing about it is there’s no judgment. A lot of people may have negative memories from their proms, but at Junk-o-Rama prom everybody is some-body.”

Luckily, Junk-o-Rama prom is happening this month! On October 4th you can at-tend the prom of your dreams by visiting Zapp Hall in Warrenton, Texas. The Junk Gypsy ladies will be stationed there through October 6th with a tent full of goodies for you to come check out and buy. So grab your road map, roll the windows down and find your inner gypsy by heading south for an adventure. If you can’t make it to the lone star state, then mark your calendar for October 5th at 7:00pm as the ladies will be hosting Endless Yard Sale on HGTV. We are also thrilled to announce the opening of the Junky Gypsy World Headquarters in Round Top, Texas this November! In the meantime, you can visit their website (www.Gypsyville.com) to follow their journeys and shop till your fingers run out of energy.

At this point it’s clear that these ladies are not just creative, because there are millions of people in this world who fall into that category. The Junk Gypsies are genuine, hardworking women who pursue what they love like there’s no tomorrow, and let it lead them down the road of life... but preferably a dirt road in the country, with Janis Joplin playing in the background.

Written by Bethany Young

Cobblestone RiversI am writing this lovely story from a view where I can see the top of the clouds…. A cloud floor if you would like to call it that. Yes, I am on a plane, and I am returning from a lovely trip to Oregon. While I was in the land of Roses and Orchards, I had the opportunity to adventure out into nature. Some people asked, “Sam Lamb, why would you take your vacation in nature when you already live in nature?” Well, of course I would, because when I finally gave myself over to nature I find myself never wanting to adventure anywhere else. The opportu-nity to help friends harvest their orchards, spend a whole day learning how to make various herb goudas with cold smoke, and dipping my toes in cold and clear cobble-stone rivers only makes me appreciate the holistic idea of agriculture even more. I gave myself over to places of peace.The first adventure I took was into the for-ests of Oregon. The height of the trees and the fragrant earth were calling my name. A constant theme in my life is, the trees will talk. I found it to me savvy there in the early fall of the North East. My goal for the whole of the trip was to be as holistic as possible, and by holistic I mean the opportunity to seam together the seams of my agrarian life. I savor the opportunity to appreciate nature and it was not hard while camping in a na-tional forest and making just-roasted coffee upon an open fire. The heat and the crisp cold of the morn were weaving together like the wayfaring curls and braid in my hair. Then, as if Diana of the hunt, I saw a doe and her young fawn bounding through the trees and I decided to follow them as far as I could before coming across a river I de-cided not to cross. I took pause at its shore and watched the mother and child eat grass

and lounge into a bit of meadow grass.

Essential for the spirit and body.

Next, a few days later, I found myself having a picnic upon an outcropping of rock that was lovingly positioned in the spot they call “Big Eddy”. I am a huge fan of picnics and this adventure was maybe the pinnacle picnic. Every fixin’ you could imagine was taken from our bags (even chocolate!!) and we used the riverside to keep our drinks cold. Before me and to the side of me, large rapids tumbled into and out of a large swirl of cobblestone pool. I could have stared at that sparkle and flow until there was no light at all. It never seemed the same…not one second. It felt like a perpetual gift of a day with music from above me and below me… one of the clear river and one of the swaying trees. I even found a furry caterpil-lar. Black and yellow like a bumblebee with white soft hairs sporadically placed all over its length. I was one happy peach.

What I ask of you on this lovely day is to pursue the adventures that will further you in life. As sure as the day, I cannot tell you what the adventures might be. It might be one within the heights of the trees or it might be one of the hearts. It certainly could be one within Cobblestone Rivers or maybe you will give yourself over to some tumbling hill of the creative brain. Just, I say to you now, go forth in a holistic and whole-hearted way. The Trees will talk if you listen… Grow!!

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Photos and Article by Samantha Lambwww.SamanthaLambPhotography.myshopify.com

Photos and Article by Samantha Lambwww.SamanthaLambPhotography.myshopify.com

Fashion

Photography: Bethany YoungMakeup: Amber FikeHair: Jamy GreenStyling: Kelsey SelfClothing: Blue 7 and IsabellaModel: Lyndsay A. of Anthony David Agency

Welcome fall by putting on one of the season’s biggest

trends, printed denim. Pair it with your favorite

boots, sweaters, hats, blazers and scarves.

Take advantage of the cool weather in style.

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Photography by Bethany Young

Meet Sara Kate, of Sara Kate Studios.

This Oklahoma native has found her niche as a vintage scout

and stylist who will be sharing her finds and adventures in the launch of her new online store

www.SaraKateStudiosStore.com You have seen her work in some

of our previous photo shoots (Remember the Mad Men shoot?

That was so realistic, thanks to Sara Kate’s vintage pieces!)

and are sure to see more from her throughout the city!

Tell us a bit about yourself!After being trained in commercial interiors, and in a panic over working out of a cubicle, I ventured off to refine what it is I truly love. After letting things happen organically, I became dubbed as a vintage scout and stylist. I hunt down pieces for people looking for something specific, but also sell pieces that I adore and want to help find a great home. I style homes, photo-shoots, and parties. I adore ar-ranging and creating.

How did you first become interested in design and decor?I’ve always been fascinated with personal expres-sion... the way in which we adorn ourselves and our surroundings. I think things really took off when I went to college and was allowed to com-pletely create my own interior. I started collecting pieces for myself, and friends started buying things off of me. Things just took off from there.

Tell us about the launch of your new online store!I’ve always wanted to have my own store. ALWAYS. When I had a panic over working in a cubicle my mother really encouraged me to figure out how to make my dream come true. I always had imagined that owning my own store would be just that - a dream. I spent a lot of time wrestling with it, and finally realized, “Why can’t I actually do it?” Now here I am today, taking steps in that direction and chipping away at making my childhood dream come to fruition.

The online store is the next step, and is a great way for me to connect to some of my kindred spirits online. I love finding new homes for pieces, and the thought of them going across the country is so fun for me. It’s like I’m living vicariously think-ing of an old botanical chart from Leipzig going to California.

What do you look for when you’re searching for pieces?I adore pieces that have a story and being able to see it on a piece. In addition to that I adore details. I think that has really helped when adding mod-ern pieces to my roster, too. There is something so wonderful about having a special thing that you go to every day. I have these vintage style pens that are made in Germany and they are adorable. They matched with these to-do lists made in Seoul, and I’m just smitten. Beautiful and unique pieces that you can interact with on a daily basis seem to make my world go round.

If you had to describe your aesthet-ic, what would you say?I would say that my aesthetic is certainly collected. I adore a healthy mix of modern and vintage. I have a Laurel mushroom floor lamp paired with an art deco leather chair. There is something about a mix and creating contrast that I adore. As for color? Oh, how I adore color. Blues and pinks seem to dominate my world these days.

How can our readers connect with you?I’m incredibly active on instagram (SaraKateStu-dios) because I’m such an image junky. I also plan on blogging once the site has launched (this month!), and will be sharing my current loves, stories of finds, and tales of my monthly road trips as I scout for new pieces.

Visit www.SaraKateStudiosStore.com

to follow this scout on her journeys, and claim your unique

pieces!

Theatre

This month we can’t wait to head over to the Plaza District to see

Lyric Theatre’s production of The Mystery of Irma Vep!

We sat down with the two leads (and only cast members) to find

out more about the show.

Monte Riegel Wheeler, playing Lady Enid, et al

Tell us about yourself!I was raised in Augusta, Kansas, and after graduat-ing high school, studied theatre at Wichita State University. I started performing professionally in Wichita theatre in the mid-90’s. I moved to New

York in 2000 and performed in 2 Off-Broadway shows & the NYC Fringe Festival. I returned to Wichita in 2005 to manage The Cabaret Oldtown Theatre, where I now serve as Resident Designer. How did you become involved in the-atre?The Augusta Public Library started a theatre troupe called “The Book-End Kids”. A group of child ac-tors performed dramatized versions of children’s books for child audiences in an effort to encour-age children to read. I joined the troupe at age 8, and discovered my calling. I was hooked! I’ve been performing ever since! What is it about the theatre that in-spires you?Theatre inspires me in so many ways! I love the collaborative process with directors and other actors, the chance to bring the text to life, and to create memorable characters and tell memorable stories. And most of all, I am inspired and humbled by the opportunity to entertain houses full of audi-ence members. Whether the point of the play is to help the audience escape reality, or to bring them to it, it’s an honor to serve in a way that can enrich the lives of everyone involved. Of all the experiences you have had in the theatre world, what has been the one to outshine the rest?There isn’t just one. I loved opening night of “The IT Girl” at The York Theatre, my first Off-Broadway Show, and was thrilled to be in the studio, record-ing the original cast album for that same show. One moment that really shines for me was my entrance as Frank-N-Furter in Lyric’s 2008 production of

“The Rocky Horror Show”. I flew in on a zipline from the balcony at the back of the house, over the audience’s heads, and landed onstage! It was a tre-mendous effect, and an extra special accomplish-ment for me, since I’m terrified of heights! Tell us about your involvement with Lyric.I have many close friends who have been involved with Lyric Theatre. In 2008, my friend Nick Dem-os, the former Artistic Director of Lyric, asked me to play Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Show”. My friend Barb Schoenhofer, a familiar face to Lyric audiences, introduced me to Michael Baron, Lyric’s current Artistic Director. I had a great time auditioning, and was cast in Lyric’s pro-ductions of “Oliver”, “Hairspray”, “Bye Bye Birdie” & now, “Irma Vep”. It’s been an absolute joy! What should patrons expect out of The Mystery of Irma Vep?“Irma Vep” is filled with thrills, chills, horror, high drama, and outrageous comedy! Audiences can expect colorful characters, excitement, intrigue, a lot of laughs and some fun surprises! What are you most excited about when it comes to starring in this show?I have loved the rehearsal process with my dear friends Michael & Jeffrey, and I’m looking forward to bringing these crazy characters to life each night. “Irma Vep” is filled with delightful, hysterical chal-lenges, like lightning-quick costume changes. With so many variables, each performance will be differ-ent. And that’s VERY exciting!

Jeffrey Meek, playing Lord Edgar, et al

Tell us about yourself!I grew up in Texas. Always interested in theatre, I went to college on an acting scholarship. While in school, I found I had a strong interest in costumes. I eventually changed my major to costume design and moved to Oklahoma City to pursue a Masters Degree from Oklahoma City University. After col-lege, I designed costumes around the country until 2000, when I became the resident costume design-er for Lyric Theatre. When Lyric produced Pageant in 2003, then Artistic Director Nick Demos con-vinced me to join the cast. I still continue working as a Costume Designer for various theatres around the Southwest.

How did you become involved in the-atre?My interest in theatre began in high school. I spent the summer at theatre camps learning different aspects of technical theatre and performance. The interest advanced when I went to college and spent the summers working in summer stock theatres in Texas.

What is it about the theatre that in-spires you?I love the collaborative aspect of theatre. Directors, designers, actors and technicians all come together to create one collective piece of art.

Tell us about your involvement with Lyric.I began working with Lyric in 1993 as a dresser for their summer season. After grad school, I came back to work as their Costume Designer. In the past 13 seasons, I have costumed over 65 produc-tions with Lyric.

What do you think patrons should expect out of Irma Vep?Irma Vep is going to be one crazy ride. The perfect Halloween treat, it starts off spooky and quickly takes the audience on a fast-paced, out-of-control night of old-school fun. It is not the Victorian hor-ror stories you read in school.

What are you most excited about when it comes to starring in Irma Vep? I am excited to share the fun. Michael Baron, the director, has packed the show full of non-stop laughs that I know the audience is going to love!

For tickets and more visitwww.LyricTheatreOkc.com

What We’re Listening To...Album of the Month: Grizzly Bear, Shields

Once again, we need to be aware of Grizzly Bear and their music with their fourth studio album, Shields, that was released September 18, 2012. After their star album Veckatimest, the band toured extensively and most definitely gained a newfound presence amongst the public. After such an exhausting time, the band took a six-month hiatus and regained their composure only to rest up to produce another work of art. Shields is a true representation of the band’s collaboration and chemistry. Camping out in two locations including Marfa, Texas and Cape Cod, Grizzly Bear truly meditated to produce their best work possible. They have not lost their luster and one can hear how seclusion paid off for this band of four with their continual originality and harmonious familiarity. Researching and listening to bands like Fleet Foxes and The Na-tional, I’m realizing how this psychedelic-slash-folk rock is creatively becom-ing their own sort of genre. It’s nice for those who appreciate acoustic without the coffee shop guitar sound, and harmonies and are always spot-on and not overused. The singles “Sleeping Ute” and “Yet Again” are the call-outs that will assure you this album is worthwhile.

Music

What We’re Listening To...Artist of the Month: Cat Power

I am continually amused by the names some of these artists decide to call themselves. Maybe two years ago, my sister asked me if I had ever listened to Cat Power and I laughed. Her music, however, is far from the silly regardless of what I thought of her choice of title. Sounding a bit like Fiona Apple to me with a raspy voice and an alternative style, this girl otherwise known as Chan Marshall in-deed is rough around the edges. Her past included much difficulty because of drugs, alcohol and very personal deaths, but of course like most great artists, enabled her to create some really great music. Her albums The Greatest and Sun are her most well-known and accredited albums amongst the nine she has recorded. The Greatest is prob-ably the fan favorite, recorded in 2006. Songs like “Cherokee,” “Ruin,” and “The Greatest” are my personal favorites.

Song of the Month: “Keep You” by Wild BelleJust another twenty-something like the rest of us, Natalie Bergman was among the other artists in Brooklyn, New York getting lost in the crowd. When things weren’t going her way, she decided to move back home to Chi-cago and start recording with her brother, Elliot Bergman, who happens to be a multi-instrumentalist. They made a few jams, and one of the many just happened to strike gold. “Keep You” is a gem they created and incred-ibly appealing with its laid back Jamaican vibe. They were a part of the set-list for last year’s ACL festival, which led to a record deal with Columbia Records. Their debut album’s expected release is early 2013 and thankfully we can hear more of this fresh take on vin-tage, reggae, African-inspired rock.

Written by Sarah Ethridge

Music

Photography: Bethany Young

Lower 40

Lower 40 describe themselves as perfec-tionists. Their admission sounds genuine enough. Honestly, it’s tough to get any more genuine than a 5-piece country band from Oklahoma, but still, talk is cheap. Beer30 cheap. But these gents were in luck. They actually just confirmed what I already be-lieved. Before lead singer Kyle Earhart said a word, Lower 40 had me convinced. How? I’d already listened to their music.

Let’s not get hasty. Being a perfection-ist does not necessarily yield perfection. Acoustic guitarist Zach Felts may have put it best, saying the band’s songwriting process “looks like a big notepad and a big eraser with a bunch of crumpled up papers by a trashcan.” Still, the pursuit of perfec-tion often creates a certain attention to song craft, which becomes readily apparent when listening to a performance of “Southern Boys.” Michael Hines’ meandering bass and Zach’s steady acoustic guitar weave into a broad, pliable sheet. Pile on Sherman Haynes’ drums and Kyle’s southern croon. So when Nick Work pulls the sheet taut with a hearty electric guitar solo, the entire band springs to life. It’s not quite Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive,” but the energy is there. The cohesiveness is there.

Like Nick’s guitar solos, the band comes across as measured, confident, but never showy. Most weeks they’re playing four or five shows – many of these at Whiskey Chicks in downtown Oklahoma City. In Nashville they’d play 4-hour long sets. No breaks. Despite their playing experience, they still revere the album making process. Zach, sincere as can be, said, “You really only get one shot at your opening chance, your first impression on everybody.”

Instead of a band shamelessly plugging sin-gle after single, they plug their friends – fel-low Land Run Record mates Kylie Morgan, Kalamity Jane, and Nicnos. And despite the

fullness of Kyle’s voice and sizeable stage presence (I’d guess he’s 6’2”, probably taller) he shares vocal duties with the rest of his band, who at times help him create three or even four-part harmonies.

But what’s the point of all this modesty, especially when you have clear reasons not to be modest?

Lower 40 has made it on CMA’s list of “Who New to Watch 2012.” They’ve got 22 original songs under their belt. Grammy Award winning producer Jack Joseph Puig has their back (John Mayer, Beck and Counting Crows are just a few of the big names Puig has worked with). Clearly Lower 40 can walk the walk. So what’s with all the humble pie?

Maybe there’s something to be said about playing at all those bars – the drunken energy of the crowd, the salt of the Earth exchanging stories on barstools, the pun-gent scent of old whiskey permeating from beer-swollen wooden floors.

Maybe it’s where they come from – two from Yukon, the rest from Guthrie, Moore, and Woodward. There’s a slice of southwest Americana in all these places and you can taste it with lyrics like, “growing up in the bed of a pick-up truck” or “I drink my Jack and I smoke my Reds, if you find me with my boots off you’ve found me dead.”

Or maybe they just get it. These boys adhere to the oft-overlooked idea that if you sur-round yourself with the best, trust them, work hard, and be patient, good things will come. What a concept. I think I’ll drink to that.

Written by Christopher Turner

Photos by Travis Clancy Photography

Music

Laura Leighe

We caught up with local musician Laura Stockton,

of Laura Leighe, to find out about her latest music project.

For our readers who have yet to meet you, tell us a little about yourself!I grew up in Duncan, Oklahoma, a town of about 22,000 people, and loved it. It was great to grow up in such a tight knit community with lots of oppor-tunities to grow and shine. I was involved in tons of sports and activities growing up, tennis, bas-ketball, golf, cheer, dance, pom, piano, voice, and show choir. Needless to say, my amazing mom and her mini-van drove me many-a-miles to lessons!

I received a vocal music scholarship to the Uni-versity of Oklahoma where I studied Vocal Music Education, and was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, as well as a singer at Journey Church of Norman. OU has a wonderful music program, and even though music school was in-credibly hard, I learned so much that made me into the musician and songwriter I am today. I met my husband at the end of college. He was a Public Relations major, and does more behind the scenes work than I can even give him credit for. He uses a lot of what he learned during his four years at MTV in LA and New York. His time with MTV also led me to live in Santa Monica for about a year, after releasing my first album under my maiden name “Laura Gossett” entitled ‘Unreal.’ It was there that I really found who I was as an artist and performer. Shortly after marriage, we decided Oklahoma was a better fit for us both financially and for our goals. This move back to Oklahoma also provided us with the opportunity to meet Zach Dumbleton, who helped start this current drums and keys project “Laura Leighe.” How did you first know you wanted to pursue music? At age eleven, I began taking voice lessons be-cause my friends were taking and competing in a competition called American Kids that looked like so much fun! Aside from singing at church and events all over town, American Kids was the reason I improved so fast since. It gave me incen-

tive to practice every day and see honest critiques frequently. At age fourteen, I won the vocal over-all grand champion award at the nationals round in Branson, MO. That was the point I knew that if I wanted to pursue music as a career, maybe I’d have a chance. Regardless, blessing people through music was what my heart was burning to do, and I knew God would lead the rest. I wrote my first song at age seventeen, and have been growing as an artist ever since.

What kinds of music inspired you growing up?I have always loved all kinds of music. As a kid I definitely wore out Whitney Houston’s “The Body-guard” soundtrack, every Mariah Carey cassette, and I remember my very first “CD” bought was “Boys 2 Men II.” I also loved Shania Twain, Garth Brooks, lots of country. In junior high I started learning and understanding harmony, and remem-ber sitting on my floor in my room struggling to do math homework, while intently listening to and practicing harmonizing with oldies radio. On the other hand, practicing the piano did not evoke the same kind of enthusiasm. However, when I got my hands on Contemporary Christian artists Nichole Nordeman and Cindy Morgan’s sheet music, it was over. The simple, yet amazingly perfect gospel and soul-influenced chords were so beautiful and I was able to accompany myself while singing for the first time. So inspiring. You spent some time out in LA - tell us about your experience in the music world there. My time in L.A. was awesome! I am one of the biggest beach bums you will ever meet, so living in Santa Monica, eight blocks away from the ocean, was one of the most amazing experiences ever. The weather was beautiful, I had no allergies, so many things I miss! I loved it mostly though because of the people I met, being in such a community of creativity. It’s refreshing to be around a lot of motivated people, driven to succeed in the enter-tainment business. Everything feels very at your fingertips, as you never know whom you might meet next.

For this reason, I worked at the desk of a swanky health club called The Sports Club LA, and gave out my solo album “Unreal” to as many people as I could. One day my friend called and said he want-ed to put me in touch with a producer who also happened to be an A&R rep for Atlantic Records. I went to his studio, and had a great audition. He

later showed me a track he’d been working on that he wanted me to write melody and lyrics to. We ended up with the first of many solid songs to be included on our upcoming EP. This experience helped to create a successful team we have contin-ued to work with, without actually living in LA. If you had to describe your music in words, how would you put it? Our music is colorful pop that’s heavily influenced with 50’s and 60’s vibes. It’s fun, and upbeat, mix-ing my love of classic harmonies, and yummy chromatic melodies, with Zach’s (my drummer) retro-punk playing style and irresistibly danceable rhythms.

Playing live is a blast. The beauty of our drums and keys duo in a live setting is we can be as intimate, or as in your face as we need to be. From cof-fee shops to clubs, we are extremely versatile and proud of it.

Tell us about your upcoming single and EP!Our first single “Find Me” is a new take on the 1954 Chordettes classic “Mister Sandman.” We stayed true to what makes the song a classic, but we’ve also made it our own with new lyrics and a fun beat. We hope to be releasing this simultane-ously with the new “Laura Leighe EP” sometime in late November. We have a video in the works and everything, it’s gonna be the real deal! So much fun, I can’t wait. You also recently released a song with Privaledge - what was that ex-perience like?Working with someone like Privaledge is always an exciting experience. He is the kind of artist who possesses so much drive and talent that you know a collaboration like this is just going to work. After meeting through a mutual friend, Privaledge later sent me a track to start working with and feeling out ideas for a chorus. This was my first time to enter into the hip-hop genre, so I was excited but also a little nervous. I wanted to make sure I didn’t mess up my chance to appeal to a whole new audi-ence who may not normally search out the latest Laura Leighe album. Privaledge wanted something powerful yet poppy, while still keeping everything true to my style. Thankfully it did after I came up with a simple little hook sung over a haunting melody. The chorus ended up fitting perfectly with the direction Privaledge wanted to take the song. The finished single is called “All I Know” on his

“JoeWorld” mixtape, and I am truly proud of how it turned out. It’s just about the joys and struggles of being an artist and the time sacrifices you some-times have to make with friends and family. Yet it is still encouraging for everyone to keep going and do what they believe they are called to do. How can our readers connect with you?!You can find us on: http://LauraLeigheMusic.comhttp://Facebook.com/LauraLeigheMusichttp://Youtube.com/LauraLeigheMusichttp://twitter.com/Laura_Leighe

You can find our single “All I Know” on Pri-valedge’s mix-tape, “Joe World” here:

http://www.datpiff.com/Privaledge-Joe-World-mixtape.387837.html

Additionally, you can find my first solo album on iTunes and Amazon under my maiden name, Laura Gossett, entitled “Unreal.”

Feature

Photography: Bethany YoungHair and Makeup: Lil DoescherStyling: Kelsey Self

Audrey Case

Tell us about yourself!I have been dancing my entire life and I absolutely could never ever have expected it would take me to the amazing place I’m in today. I started to dance when I was three and, ever since I can remember, it is all I’ve ever really wanted to do. I liter-ally wanted to live at the dance studio. The first time I actually thought, “Wow, I could make a career out of this!” was around 8th and 9th grade when I started to compete at dance competitions with solo pieces. I really started to believe in myself after I got the privilege to assist Adrenaline dance conven-tion. People started to really support me and encouraged me to dance professionally someday.

You are a top ten finalist for this season’s So You Think You Can Dance! Take us through the process of making it that far.Well, the process you have to go through to get to the “Top Ten” on So You Think You Can Dance is insanely long and jam-packed with stress. It all started back in January when I first auditioned for the show in At-

lanta. When you arrive at that theatre, you stand in line for hours in the cold. Then, when you finally get inside, everyone is so intimidating. After going through a few rounds of ‘improv’ and then the solo round, you earn your ticket to Vegas. Holding that ticket was the BEST feeling! Then a few months later, you arrive for Vegas Week, which was literally the toughest audition I could ever have imagined. There were days I would get maybe four hours of sleep; my feet were bloody and torn up; it was physi-cally and emotionally exhausting. If you make it to the end of Vegas Week, you fly out to L.A. a month later so they can tape the Green Mile Show. That’s when you find out if you made Top Twenty or not. The process of being on the show, including the audition process, has taken almost an entire year!

Describe the moment when you first danced in front of the live audience on episode one.When I first danced in front of the live au-dience on the first episode of SYTYCD, they were just introducing us (Tiffany and Me) to the world. We were doing a Sonya Tayeh routine, titled SAIL, and it was, still to this day, the most physically challenging dance I have ever done. I was more nervous than I could ever have thought possible. When I was actually on stage, the adrenaline you get from the audience is the BEST feeling. It was thrilling! Hearing the crowd screaming for you and supporting you, it’s absolutely unreal. As soon as it was over, I just wanted to get back out there again. I was addicted!

What was your favorite moment on the show?My favorite moment on the show was after my first performance with my partner Mat-thew, when we stood up and saw the judges on the panel standing up for us. It was incredible to know that from the first week

Meet our October Twenty Something Girl,

Audrey Case.Many of you watched her on

the latest season of So You Think You

Can Dance, and now you can see her on

their national tour. We sat down with this

sweet lady to find out who the person is behind the

breathtaking moves.

they thoroughly enjoyed seeing us dance. All that worry and hard work had paid off.

What was your favorite dance to perform on the show? My favorite dance would have to be the Travis Wall piece that Matthew and I per-formed on week one. It has always been my dream to work with Travis. To get him as a choreographer on week one was literally a dream come true! That dance was my favor-ite of all time.

How did you feel when you found out you were eliminated.Going into any elimination you have to prepare for the worst. When the judges said I was the one they were letting go, I was up-set obviously because I wanted to continue to grow and do different styles, but I really was just grateful for what the show gave me. After I was eliminated, I kept getting tons of nasty tweets saying “how horrible the show is,” but the truth is that show is incred-ible. Without it I would never have gotten so many supporters and opportunities that I have now. I am extremely grateful and thankful for what it’s done for me!

You got to go back for the show’s finale, how was that?The finale was so fun! I got to reunite with all my friends. The contestants are so nice and I absolutely love being with all of them. And of course getting back on that stage felt great. I was so ready to get back to dancing everyday. Then when we all found out that Sonya Tayeh and Chris Scott were doing a routine together, we all flipped out because we knew what they created would be amaz-ing. Plus, working with the All-Stars for the NAPPYTABS “Lion King” piece, I can’t express to you how star-struck I was being on stage with all of them!

What was the thing that sur-prised you the most about being on the show?I was surprised that every person was so kind; everyone there has such a beautiful heart. You know that they really care for you and we all have become such a family. I’ve learned so much from the experience and came away with so much more knowl-edge.

What’s next for you?Well the SYTYCD Season Nine tour be-gins in San Diego on October 23rd; we will be traveling the country for six weeks performing in tons of different cities. I’ll come home in December for the holidays, and then I am planning to move to L.A. in January. From then on all I want to do is dance; it will be my career and hopefully opportunities will come from the wonderful connections I’ve made. And who knows, maybe I’ll even get to do some acting!

Closet CleanoutMost people do their cleaning in bulk in the spring (which I also do) but a constant clean that I feel like I am always doing is cleaning out the closet. If you are like me (a clothes hoarder), you probably don’t so much clean it out as you just re-arrange it. But let’s do it together. I will get rid of things I have had since high school if you will toss all your flats that almost have holes in them. I will donate my mismatched socks to the cleaning bucket if you go through all your purses and toss the contents of various purse swaps inside. Ok, good. So then it’s settled, but where to start… 1. If you haven’t worn it in two seasons, toss or donate it.

I have such a bad habit of this. Holding on to sweaters that I haven’t worn for two winters but I just MIGHT wear it this time? No, you wont. In fact, in the “re-organizing” process, it will get shoved to the back for you to only say the same thing next winter. I always think, “I remembered how much I paid for this” or “I remembered how cute this was 10 pounds ago.” But if nothing has motivated you to wear it in those past seasons, it’s time to go. 2. If it’s ill fitting and the tailoring bill would be more than the shirt, toss or donate it. Another bad habit, the “I bought it on sale but didn’t want to try it on; it actually fits terrible but I can’t take it back.” Raising my hand here, because I have done it. Luckily, if it is still new and in good shape, you might be able to utilize a resale or con-signment option here. 3. Consolidate the things you already have. No need for six black, long-sleeved shirts? Keep your two best looking ones and clear out the rest. Also take a mental note of the things you have plenty of and jot it down in your phone so you will steer clear of this same purchase next time. 4. Faded black (anything), flats that have lost their structure or clothes with perma-stains, toss them. Especially if you are in a professional posi-tion, if you keep these items in your closet- it

Written by Meagan Owen

Feature

only tempts you to pick them up one time and wear them to work. Flats that have lost their struc-ture and look sloppy, faded black looks dingy and the perma-stains speak for themselves. 5. Organize At this point we can finally organize. It is so much easier for me to see what I have, what I can get rid of, and where I want to spend my money if it is all displayed in a way I can “read” it. Take useful stor-age containers for anything else and use them for your benefit!

-Take a shoe organizer and hang it on the back of your door, not for shoes but for scarves and belts.

The see-through pouches display your goods tangle free.

-Use a cupcake holder to hold jewelry. Maybe use the smallest tier for rings, the middle for bracelets

and the bottom for other accessories. A three-tiered bobbles catch-all!

-Take plain, clear storage totes and spray paint a chalkboard square on them. Note the item in the

bucket and now it is display ready!

-Make a pile for things that need to be fixed - and fix them! Missing buttons, undone hems, dry

cleaning, etc. Basically it might take a few hours to complete, but I have a feeling you will walk into your closet with a new appreciation for the items that you have and an easier time choosing fabulous selections because you have eliminated the clutter. The great thing about a good closet clean out is it gives you the opportunity to be generous without being out of pocket any money. Think of younger family mem-bers and friends who love your style and offer up first dibs to them! Other options might be a Bat-tered Women’s Shelter, Goodwill, Salvation Army and that is just a miniscule list to the good you can do! ‘Upcycle’ what you can, sell what you must and give the rest away - whatever you do, get to clean-ing!

Fall Food Feature: The PumpkinThis month we are going to pay special tribute to one of my favor-ite seasonal food friends: the pumpkin. Ah yes, the pumpkin – ne-glected the majority of the year but falls into favor come October. Commonly known and closely linked with Halloween, pumpkins are generally put on porches with a fresh facial carving or as a standalone piece. As fun as this is, we aren’t even scratching the surface on our squash-family friend’s potential. Like a Hollywood actor or actress who gets cast in the same role every time, the pumpkin is thankful for the opportunity and recognition but frus-trated and determined to show that there’s so much more to it!

Don’t be deceived by the primary food usage of pumpkin pie. Pumpkins are actually a powerful health food that provides a plentiful amount of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals. A laundry list of health benefits include helping reduce blood cholesterol levels, improving your immune system and brain functioning, protecting against free radical damage, and helping decrease the likelihood of serious issues such as arthritis, high blood pressure, and even cancer to name a few.

As great as the health benefits are, the real excitement comes in the endless amount of delicious eating options. You can use both the flesh and seeds in a variety of ways including boiling, bak-ing, cooking, mixing, or mashing. Regardless of your preferences, there is a plethora of awesome pumpkin prep methods or combi-nations to enjoy.

To easily get you started including pumpkin in your diet, try this simple oatmeal recipe:

Health

Fall Food Feature: The Pumpkin

Written by Jeff RaganFounder of Kize Concepts Inc.

www.KizeConcepts.com

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal• 2cupsquickorold-fashionedoats• 3cupsfat-freemilk• 1/2cupcannedpumpkin• 1/4cuppumpkinseeds• 1/4tsppumpkinpiespice• 1/8tspcinnamon• 1tbspraisins

Mix oatmeal and milk (can do w/o if prefer thicker) in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes. Remove and stir in pumpkin puree, spice and cinnamon. Heat for 30-60 seconds, or until at preferred temp. Add raisins and pumpkin seeds and enjoy!

For additional ideas, check out the list below for other fun, tasty, and healthy ways to incorporate pumpkin. Find which ones appeal to you, grab a friend, google some recipes and get to experiment-ing, experiencing, and enjoying this mighty orange fall favorite year round!

Pumpkin RavioliPumpkin Pie CakePumpkin PancakesPumpkin Pie PuddingPumpkin-Orange CakeChocolate Chip Pumpkin BreadPumpkin MuffinsPumpkin DipPumpkin Waffles Pumpkin Yogurt

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