Author Archives: vbadmin

  1. Eclektica – The Salon at Briarcliff

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    Hair is the only accessory you wear every day. It’s one of the first things people notice about you, and it’s worthy of your care and love.

    Fortunately, truly personalized hair care is available just around the corner. Eclektica Salon is nestled in The Village at Briarcliff, just minutes from downtown Kansas City. Owner and master stylist Carolina Coleman and her team of stylists are dedicated to making Kansas Citians look and feel beautiful.

    “’Eclektica’ means to bring together the best from a variety of sources,” says Carolina. “To serve our clientele’s diverse tastes and hair types, we bring you the best styling techniques and product lines available, and constantly challenge ourselves to offer you something new.”

    The Eclektica team focuses on customer service and ongoing education. Stylists are always learning the latest techniques – and providing old-fashioned, one-on-one service.

    “Our consultations are the key to our clients’ happiness,” says Carolina. “They’re the basis of a sincere and empowering long-term relationship.”

    Carolina and her team offer haircuts for men, women, and children. Their offerings also include special event styling, texture control, brow shaping, and a full array of hair color services. But it’s not just about the hair.

    “We love the interaction of the staff and clients,” says Carolina. “It becomes about more than just hair, and brings us outside The Village and into the world.”

    With summer coming to an end, many Eclektica clients are starting to grow their hair out again. “It’s time to add contrast or depth with Balayage, a French hair-painting technique, or add length and volume with our premiere line of easy-to-wear extensions,” says Carolina.

    No matter what look you’re going for, the stylists at Eclektica will work with you.

    “Bring in some examples of your preferences in a magazine or your tablet,” says Carolina. “Know yourself and your obstacles and victories. Ask your stylist about techniques and products, and take advantage of your consultation time to really express yourself.”

    Learn more about Eclektica at http://www.eclekticasalon.com/index.html. You can also visit the salon on Facebook.

  2. What about the 11th day of school?

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    School started, whether we were ready or not! Although it felt like a rush to get supplies purchased and new schedules figured out, there’s a painful truth about the school year.

    It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

    If you’re a kid who is pretty sure second grade is going to feel like seven years, that’s bad news. But for teachers and parents, it means we have plenty of time to get it right. If things weren’t perfect on the first day, it doesn’t matter. Every day is an opportunity.

    So, to the mom who threw together a sack lunch PB&J on slightly stale bread? No worries. And to the teacher whose summer disappeared without touching that to-do list? We’ve got you covered. Here are ways to make the most of your entire school year – not just the glamorous first day.

    Sleep it off. Kids, parents, and teachers alike all need rest. Make a good night’s sleep a priority and you’ll reap benefits like better concentration, improved memory, and more energy. Sticking to a scheduled bedtime can help make the transition to the school year easier for everyone.

    Hit the ground running. It’s hard to be productive when your feet hurt. Many kids get new shoes for the new school year, and it’s a great time for adults to up their footwear game as well. Well-made shoes that are professionally fitted can make your daily routine feel like a dream. Visit the specialists at The Foot Spot to find footwear that’s perfect for you.

    Dine like royalty. Mom was right: good nutrition really is important. Whether you’re packing a lunch or preparing a sit-down feast for the whole tribe, fresh ingredients make all the difference. Be on the lookout for healthier versions of old favorites. GreenAcres Market is an amazing resource for local and natural food. They also offer recipes and cooking classes if you’re in a rut.

    Take a breather. Kids can’t study all the time, and adults need breaks, too. Schedule time off, especially during this hectic time of year. While taking “me time” might feel counterproductive, it will end up making you more efficient. You’ll be emotionally rested and better able to face the challenges at hand. Plus, rest is part of work: firefighters waiting at the station are still working, right?

    Even if your school year got off to a bumpy start, there’s hope. Take care of yourself and your family to ensure a great year.

  3. Fall in love with your décor

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    Autumn is really happening! As we transition into the season of sweaters and pumpkin spice everything, it’s also time to transition our décor. The bright colors that seemed so fresh in June now seem almost garish. It’s time to mellow out.

    Decorating for the season doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking. You can give your home a cozy, autumnal feel without switching out every towel and tchotchke. Get the feeling of fall by focusing on three areas of your abode:

    • Front porch
    • Mantle
    • Dining room table

    Autumnal touches in these areas will give your entire home a fall vibe without draining your energy or pocketbook.

    Here are some low-key, low-stress options for creating your perfect fall décor:

    Show off a collection. It’s harvest time. No matter how citified you are, there’s still something about fall that’s a time of plenty. That makes it the perfect season to share a lot of something. A collection of green glassware or crisp white milk glass can be a fresh way to showcase the plants of autumn.

    Be unexpected. Hidden treasures abound. Be on the lookout for creative ways to repurpose items around the house. That earth-tone pottery in the back of the cabinet might be an ideal centerpiece starter. And don’t be afraid of a little whimsy. We love the owl and squirrel figures that Mary Carol and the team at Nell Hill’s incorporated into their autumn tablescapes.

    Consider color. Autumn has so many different tones – you aren’t stuck with just pumpkin orange. White pumpkins on a rustic burlap runner can make a surprising – and stunning – statement. You can create pops of color with bowls of apples. And any front stoop can be transformed by a collection of mums in bright hues.

    Get earthy. Pretty much any fall decorating idea incorporates plants – and with good reason. You’ll find a variety of options that highlight your style and the best of the season. Gourds, pumpkins, kale, and grasses can provide unexpected color and texture while still being traditional autumn décor. Use what speaks to you – even if it’s pinning a colorful fallen leaf to your message board.

    The right fall accents can carry you through the season to Thanksgiving. Enliven your space, and embrace all autumn has to offer.

  4. The Foot Spot – Stylish Comfort

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    Stylish Comfort

    Finding the right shoes isn’t easy. And there’s nothing worse than buying shoes and discovering later that they hurt your feet.

    “In this day and age, your feet don’t have to hurt,” says Ryan Richard, owner of The Foot Spot. “Most people don’t understand that you don’t have to have foot pain.”

    Ryan knows what he’s talking about. He’s a certified pedorthist – a professional specially trained in the conditions that affect the feet and lower limbs. Pedorthists assess lower-limb anatomy and biomechanics. Then, they can suggest footwear, including corrective devices and shoe modification.

    These services sound like a luxury, but they’re available to everyone who walks in the door of The Foot Spot.

    “We’re not just a place that sells shoes,” Ryan says. “We help people find what’s the right thing for their foot, what’s most comfortable. And, we do that with style and fashion.

    “Our service and expertise are unique. We’re a full-service place. We’ll sit down with you and listen to your needs. We’ll help you select what’s best for you needs. We work with all kinds of different feet, whether it’s people who are hard-to-fit or folks who are just looking for the best in comfort.”

    The Foot Spot isn’t just for people with medical conditions. This family-owned and –operated store caters to everyone who wants comfortable shoes. Ryan and his staff take the time to listen to customers and carefully measure their feet.

    The team’s hard work is constantly rewarded. “We have strong relationships with our customers,” says Ryan. “We’re on a first-name basis. It’s a personable, warm experience working with us.”

    Customers aren’t the only ones taking notice. “Footwear Insight” magazine recently named The Foot Spot one of the top 10 footwear stores in America.

    The Foot Spot works hard to earn this designation. In September and October, the store is featuring trunk shows with brands including Naot, Finn Comfort, and Taos. They’re opening an online store. And the store is hosting a contest to benefit teachers in our community. Educators are invited to submit proposals for classroom projects. The Foot Spot will provide a $500 grant – and a pair of Cobb Hill shoes – to three winning teachers.

    “We get to do the right thing every day,” says Ryan. “We get to help people make a difference in their lives.”

    Learn more about The Foot Spot and the shop’s upcoming events at www.thefootspot.com. You can also visit them on Facebook.

     

  5. Easy Summer Salads

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    It’s the most wonderful time of the year – tomato time! If you’re fortunate enough to have a garden, you probably have tomatoes coming out of your ears. But if not, a wide variety of tomatoes are available at groceries and farmers markets. Tomatoes are at their peak, and it’s time to take advantage.

    A great way to enjoy fresh tomatoes is panzanella. This traditional Tuscan salad uses tomato and bread as a base, and has been a favorite in Italy for centuries. Modern panzanella usually includes olive oil, salt, and pepper. However, other ingredients are often added. You’ll see lettuce, olives, mozzarella, capers, celery, red wine, onion, cucumber, parsley, bell peppers, garlic, and basil in different versions of this fresh and easy salad.

    Ease is the key with panzanella – it’s the ideal salad for sticky summer days when produce is plentiful but it’s too hot to cook. You can make it as fancy as you like – see Ina Garten’s recipe for a more formal version of the salad – or you can just throw it together with what you have on hand. We tend more toward the latter option.

    Here’s a good, basic panzanella recipe that won’t do you wrong. Feel free to improvise based on what tastes good and what’s in season.

    Briarcliff Panzanella

    2 large tomatoes, cubed

    2 cups cubed ciabatta bread (or any crusty bread)

    2 stalks celery, thinly sliced

    ½ large cucumber, quartered lengthwise and thinly sliced

    1/3 cup fresh basil, finely chopped

    Extra virgin olive oil

    Red wine vinegar

    Balsamic vinegar

    Salt and pepper

    Combine bread and veggies and mix thoroughly. Splash with remaining ingredients to taste. Serve immediately.

    This version of panzanella is also great with chopped chicken breast, red pepper, or spinach. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

    And if you just can’t face the kitchen but you want a taste of Tuscany? Head over to Trezo Mare. This intimate restaurant offers fresh, house-made Italian cuisine.

  6. Delicious Phillies in KC

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    The right food can help you travel without leaving home. Kansas Citians can easily head to Philadelphia, thanks to mouth-watering sandwiches from PhillyTime.

    This casual restaurant nestled in The Village at Briarcliff offers Philly cheese steaks and Philly-style subs. And these aren’t your average sandwiches – PhillyTime uses only the freshest ingredients, the best cuts of ribeye steak, and freshly chopped veggies.

    “We really pride ourselves on quality food,” says PhillyTime owner John Matthews. That’s why his team uses only Boar’s Head meats and cheese. Then, there are the rolls.

    Any Philadelphian will tell you that a true Philly cheese steak is all about the roll. If the sandwich isn’t served on an Amoroso roll, it’s not a real Philly. PhillyTime imports rolls from the Amoroso Bakery in Philadelphia, so its customers experience fresh, authentic Phillies.

    The PhillyTime experience is about more than the incredible food.

    “I try to make it a fun work atmosphere,” says John. “The employees have a good time, so the customers have a good time.”

    The customers enjoy the PhillyTime experience so much that they keep coming back.

    “We have a lot of regular customers,” John says. “It’s nice to see the same people – that’s a lot of what I enjoy about the restaurant.”

    In addition to being a favorite lunchtime destination, PhillyTime also offers a variety of catering options. You can get cheese steaks, subs, or wraps. Box lunches and meat and cheese trays are also available. You can also get chips, cookies, and drinks, and the restaurant provides necessities like ranch dressing, steak sauce, and napkins. Pick-up is available for groups of 10 or more, and PhillyTime is happy to deliver to groups of 20 or more. It’s a delicious and easy way to feed a crowd.

    If your hungry crowd is made up of family members who want to know what’s for dinner, PhillyTime has a great solution. Monday through Friday after 4 p.m., buy three sandwiches and the fourth one is free. Swing by PhillyTime on your way home and dinner is served.

    Learn about monthly specials, see a complete menu, and order catering at www.phillytimekc.com.

  7. Summer Fun – and Summer Fashion

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    We’ve reached that part of summer when it seems like it’s going to be hot forever. We’re all trying to cram events in before we’re back to school and back to reality. It’s a perfect storm of warm temps and busy calendars.

    But in the hubbub of vacations and barbecues and getting kids ready for school, don’t forget to have fun – with your look!

    Fashion can go out the window when it’s hot outside. However, there are easy, cool ways to look fresh even when the weather is oppressive. The right accessories can make all the difference.

    Lighten up. Trade in your roomy satchel for a lightweight cross-body bag. You’ll carry less weight, and avoid that icky underarm my-purse-is-an-oven feeling. We like the colorful array of Vera Bradley crossbodies at Finishings for Her.

    Put a hat on. Let’s face it: straw hats add instant glamour to any ensemble. Plus, they can help you stay cool by shading your face and shoulders. Don a hat with an open weave and you’ll get a nice breeze as well.

    Privatize your eyes. Sunglasses are a summer staple that no one should go without. Opt for lightweight shades that protect without feeling heavy. Sunglasses are also the perfect way to update your look with just one accessory.

    Keep your jewelry light. Summer isn’t the time for heavy statement necklaces. Stay cool and on-trend with delicate bracelets and necklaces. We’re big fans of the Kendra Scott baubles at Design in the City. They’re a lightweight way to refresh your look.

    Wear a scarf. Adding another layer in this heat sounds ridiculous. However, a lightweight scarf can be a real skin-saver. Throw it over your head or shoulders if you’re getting too much sun. You’ll create instant shade – cooling you off and preventing sunburn.

    No matter what’s on your calendar, face this summer looking your best.

  8. Savor an All-American Sandwich

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    Chances are, your Fourth of July menu featured hot dogs, hamburgers, and maybe some potato salad that was left out in the sun a bit too long. It’s the all-American menu, right?

    Except … it isn’t. If you truly want food that was invented in the United States, you need to look to the meeting place of our Founding Fathers: Philadelphia. Philly is home to the U.S. Marine Corps, the first library, the first medical school, and, of course, the Philly cheese steak.

    According to lore, brothers Harry and Pat Olivieri sold hot dogs and sandwiches in Philly in the 1930s. Tired of eating hot dogs, they picked up some beef one day. They sliced it thin and grilled it up with onions. They piled the meat on rolls and were about to enjoy their meal when a cab driver came in and was impressed with the aroma. He requested the same sandwich, and the rest is history.

    This Philly steak remained beloved and unchanged until the 1960s, when Cheez Whiz was added as an optional topping. Now, Philadelphians approve of provolone and American cheese as legitimate toppings as well.

    It used to be that you had to travel to The City of Brotherly Love to taste this authentically American sandwich. But no more!

    Whether you call it a Philly, a Philly steak, or a Philly cheese steak, recipes abound on the Internet. You can experiment with the sandwich yourself in the comfort of your own kitchen. And if you’re looking for a slightly healthier take on the same taste, you can try the same ingredients baked into a green pepper instead of served on a roll. Get local beef and organic onions at GreenAcres Market.

    If you’re less of a whiz in the kitchen and more of a Cheez Whiz connoisseur, you have great options in Kansas City. We’re fortunate to have PhillyTime, which serves up authentic Philly steaks. This casual restaurant even imports Amoroso rolls from Philadelphia. These rolls have long been considered a must-have for any authentic Philly.

    Enjoy your hot dogs and slightly scary potato salad. But remember the Philly steak and its proud, patriotic heritage!

  9. Beautiful Design in the City

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    Are you looking for ways to infuse a little more beauty into your world? Perhaps you need a wardrobe pick-me-up. Or maybe you’re in search of the perfect gift.

    No matter what you’re looking for, look no further than Design in the City. This shop at The Village at Briarcliff offers unique clothing, accessories, and home décor.

    “We travel to seven or more markets a year,” says Mindy Diaz, owner of Design in the City. “I’m always trying to find the next best thing. We try to be the first to have new items in the city.”

    The shop is known for its jewelry. “A lot of people come to us to buy pieces for themselves or as gifts,” says Mindy. “We have lines that the big stores carry, but we have them first!”

    Whether it’s jewelry, clothing, or home accessories, Design in the City offers items that are on-trend and in-style.

    “We really try to find lines that are not in every single store,” says Mindy. “When people come in, they’re constantly saying, ‘Oh, I’ve never seen this before.’ It’s more about the love of fashion, not what’s popular at the time.”

    Good customer service never goes out of style, and it’s something that Mindy has embraced.

    “I have very few employees,” she says. “When you come in, sometimes it’s my husband, or my father, or my mother, or my 17-year-old son helping you.”

    Design in the City also has great employees and a shop dog. Stella, a 75-pound yellow lab, is often around to greet shoppers.

    “We have a really good clientele,” says Mindy. “I always enjoy coming to work every day and being around my customers.”

    Customers can always look forward to something new at Design in the City. Mindy and her crew receive new boxes of merchandise every day.

    “My background is in design, so we always like decorating the store,” she says. “With new items coming in every day, we’re always moving things around and making room. It’s always fun.

    “That’s what I love about my store – I just like coming here and being surrounded by beautiful things and lovely people. What’s not to love about that?”

    Design in the City’s loyal clientele certainly won’t argue. The shop is celebrating its 10th anniversary in October. Follow Design in the City on Facebook and Instagram for design inspiration and details on the anniversary bash.

  10. Beat the Heat

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    Summer is warming up – and it’s easy to feel wilted.

    Don’t let the high temperatures get you down. There are simple ways to keep cool without blasting the A/C or moving to the Arctic Circle. Here are some quick fixes that can have a big impact on your summer comfort.

    Start up the grill. If you don’t turn on your oven, you’ll avoid creating additional heat in your home. Instead of using your stove, opt for grilling outside. It feels like summer, and will help keep your house cool. And if you can’t stand the heat from the grill? Take advantage of all the fresh produce available right now. Enjoy a cool salad and leave the cooking for another day.

    Adjust your fans. Ceiling fans need to be adjusted seasonally – who knew? In the summer, set your ceiling fan to run counter-clockwise at a higher speed. The airflow will create a breeze effect and help you feel cooler.

    Keep ‘em closed. Not your eyes – your blinds. The right window coverings can make a vast difference in the temperature of your home – and the size of your utility bill. Consider UV-blocking shades to keep your living space comfortable. Budget Blinds offers many options that are both stylish and practical.

    Keep ‘em open. If you sense cool evening breezes, take advantage! Strategically open windows to create a wind tunnel across your home. This cross breeze can cool your space, give your air conditioning a rest, and help air out a stuffy room. Just remember to close windows and blinds in the morning before the heat sets in.

    Change out your bedding. A seasonal refresh is a fun way to update your style. As an added bonus, certain fabrics and even pillows can make your bed more comfortable in the summer months. Stick with cotton for breathable bedding. And consider buckwheat pillows. Since buckwheat hulls have air space between them, they don’t hold heat like traditional pillows.

    Stay comfortable to make the most of this summer. And if all else fails, think of how fondly we’ll look back on these sweltering days next winter.