Make a mental map of summer.
Mark it with an off-the-grid cabin at the
end of a gravel road. A towel on a beach
without Wi-Fi. The spiral of a labyrinth on
a spiritual journey for one. A souk filled
with spices and silks in a strange city.
M AYAugusta, Aiken & Columbia
Cover copy by Nikki Hardin, art by Ashley Barron
Big black sunglasses
and strappy sandals on the Isle of Capri.
Hiking boots or horseback into the wild.
Sleeping in a tepee under a full moon.
A zip line into a mountain lake or a
cruise line to the Greek Islands. Retail
safaris and urban camping in a hotel with
24-hour room service. The back of beyond
at Burning Man in the Black Rock Desert.
A windows-down, radio-up roadtrip.
Dare it or dream it,
but let your mind wAnder.
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”
Henry miller
skirt!isfree!www.skirt.com
Columbia/Augusta/Aiken
2850 Devine St, Columbia South Carolina 803.254.5051 www.shoppout.com
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CHANTECAILLE NARS TARTE FRESH MOLTON BROWN ART OF SHAVING
STILA MARIO BADESCU NATURA BISSE GUINOT FREDERIC FEKKAI LAUNDRESS
4 may 2012 www.skirt.com
skirt.comskirt! is published monthly and
distributed free throughout the greater Augusta/Aiken/
Columbia area. skirt! reserves the right to refuse to sell space for any advertisement the staff
deems inappropriate for the publication. Unsolicited manuscripts
must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Letters to the editor are welcome, but may be edited due to space limitations. Press releases must
be received by the 1st of the month for the following month’s
issue. All content of this magazine, including without limitation the
design, advertisements, art, photos and editorial content, as well as the selection, coordination and
arrangement thereof, is Copyright © 2010, Morris Publishing Group,
LLC. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this magazine may be copied or reprinted without the
express written permission of the publisher. SKIRT!® is a registered
trademark of Morris Publishing Group, LLC.
skirt! is all about women...
their work, play, families,
creativity, style, health and
wealth, bodies and souls.
skirt! is an attitude...spirited,
independent, outspoken,
serious, playful and irreverent,
sometimes controversial,
always passionate.
sheMAILskirt! 127-A 7th Street Augusta, GA 30901 Sales: 706.823.3373Sales Toll-Free: 800.622.6358FAX: 706.823.6083
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about skirt!Publisher
Nikki Hardin [email protected]
National Art Director Caitilin McPhillips
National EditorMargaret Pilarski
Market Manager
(Augusta/Aiken/Columbia)
Kate Cooper Metts
Contributing Editor Columbia
Jenny Maxwell
Contributing Editor Augusta/Aiken
Gracie Shepherd
Sales Executives Libby Salvador
Graphic Designer
Cher WheelerMeaghan Pafford
PhotographyMolly HarrellChris Thelen
Essays
Double Decker Dreams
Stacy Appel .................................................................................. 11
The In-Between
Cynthia Briggs ............................................................................... 13
Talking Stock
Julie Hammonds.......................................................................... 14
Features
Letter from the Publisher ......................................................... 6
Letter from the Editor ............................................................... 6
Feel Good ...................................................................................... 19
He’s So Original .......................................................................... 24
Skirt of the Month..................................................................... 29
F-Word ............................................................................................. 32
Meet ................................................................................................... 26
Planet Nikki .................................................................................... 34
Women make more than 80% of all purchasing
decisions.
Women control 2/3
of the nation’s disposable income.
Women influence 80%of all car sales.
MA
YThe To-Go Issue
Women spend almost 2 of every 3
healthcare dollars.
M AYIll
ustr
atio
n by
Ber
inM
ade
Illus
trat
ed P
aper
Goo
ds. berinmade.com
www.skirt.com may 2012 5
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Jenny [email protected]
FROM THE EDITOR
When friends call me a jetsetter, I have to laugh. True, in the last few months, I’ve gone on safari in
Kenya, squinted up at the world’s tallest building in Dubai, dodged kidnappers in Bogota, and tripped
along the cobbled streets of Florence, Venice and Montreal. Not bad for the girl who grew up on a
dirt road in North Carolina. But rolling my beat-up bag and wedged into cheap seats, jetschlepper is
more like it. Still, I agree with Laura Kissel, one of the jetsetters we pro� le this month. “Not everyone
gets to do this,” she said when we talked about her travel to make a documentary. “When I was in
China, I realized that these factory workers will never come to America. And the farmers I met in
South Carolina will probably never get to go to China. It’s a humbling thing, really. It’s a privilege.” It
is a privilege, a thrill, and sometimes a test of patience, courage, and will. There’s a lot to learn from
traveling the world—including how great we’ve got it at home.
Nikki [email protected]
1STCLASS
THE UNITED SKIRTS OF AMERICA
The United Skirts of
America was founded
on the blood, sweat
and estrogen of our
foremothers, who
won us the freedom
to choose...to break
The Rules, to wear
combat boots or high
heels, to run for of� ce
or run a marathon,
to form our own
rock groups instead
of being groupies, to
shatter Glass Ceilings
and Glass Slippers, to
shoot hoops instead
of settling for hoop
skirts. The ones who
came before us made
it possible for our
daughters to dream
bigger, to have the
chance to grow up to
be President and turn
the Oval Of� ce into
the Ovary Of� ce. In
the United Skirts of
America, every day is
Independence Day!
COVER ARTIST
Ashley Barron
Ashley is a big fan of paper.
She � nds it, paints it, prints
on it, punches it, cuts it out,
arranges it and pastes it down
to compose everything from
pigeons to postal carriers.
Originally from Whitby,
Ontario, Ashley now lives
in Toronto. She graduated
from OCAD in 2007 with a
Bachelor of Design and has
been working as a freelance
illustrator ever since.
ashleybarron.com
VISIT US ON SKIRT.COM
Last month, I had the chance to hear Billie Jean King talk about her journey to
empower women while she was in Charleston for the Family Circle Cup tennis
tournament. I’m the same age as King, and I was just discovering feminism when
she defeated Bobby Riggs in one of the greatest moments in sports history—
the Battle of the Sexes in 1973. It’s hard to overstate what that moment meant
to women then. Ms. Magazine had been launched the year before, and it was
a stirring, optimistic time to be a woman simply because change was in the
air. All of the restrictive assumptions I grew up with about a woman’s role
were being blown apart, and my personal journey was simply a microcosm
of the historic one taking place on the national stage. As inspiring as it was
to celebrate the journey of the women who revolutionized women’s tennis, I
doubt I was the only woman to consider the irony of learning that same week
that Augusta National Golf Club had not awarded membership to Virginia
Rometty, the � rst female CEO of IBM, as was customary for the corporate
sponsor of the Masters Tournament. Four of Ms. Rometty’s predecessors had
been admitted during their tenure with the company, but it was her XX DNA
that barred the door this time. Although Billy Payne, chairman of Augusta
National, insists that because the club is private, their membership is not open
to outside discussion, it was a reminder that although we’ve come a long way,
baby, the journey is far from complete. In Congress, women hold less than 17
percent of the seats—73 of 435 in the House and 17 of 100 in the Senate—and
only a tiny percentage of major American corporations have women CEOs. In
the future, it will be up to our brave daughters and granddaughters to take a
swing at outmoded, exclusionary traditions that are designed to put us back
in our place—a place we left behind decades ago.
The To-Go Issue
6 may 2012 www.skirt.com
For Taylor, breathing out of the left side of her nose was
all she could remember. Years of using Afrin, snoring,
and sinus infections were just a part of life and gradually
getting worse. All that changed after her rhinoplasty.
“I finally decided to do something about It,” says Taylor.
“The main thing I wanted was to be able to sleep better
but I also had a small hump that I inherited from my dad
that I also wanted fixed.”
In 2011, over 125,000 people had rhinoplasty in the
United States and it is the 2nd most common cosmetic
surgical procedure for men. Although rhinoplasty is
often thought of as a cosmetic procedure, there are
many times in which insurance will cover some or even
all of the procedure if medically necessary, such as those
people with previous fractures or trauma to the nose.
“A rhinoplasty is a procedure that requires an artistic eye
and experienced hands to achieve a great result,” says Dr.
Randy Smith, a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who has
performed hundreds of rhinoplasties over the years.
“Wow, I can breathe again,”or, “I haven’t slept this good in years,”
are frequent responses fromreturning patients.
Taylor was one of those success stories. Her only regret
was that she hadn’t done something sooner. “I feel more
alert because my quality of sleep has improved and
although the hump was not my main concern, I feel more
confident as well. Side photos…no worries,” says Taylor.
Q&A...with Augusta Plastic Surgery
So youwant anose job?
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www.augplastic.comAugusta Plastic Surgery • 1348 Walton Way, Suite 6300 • University Hospital Women’s Center • Augusta, GA 30901
Call 706.724.5611 today toschedule a quick, convenient appointment or
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The Swank Co.351 Highland AveAugusta706.364.3421
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CORPORATE COACHCorporate Coaching involvesdevelopmental services to align staffwith the overall vision, mission, andculture of the Organization.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE:• Customized Seminars• Team and Organizational Assessments• Team Building• Leadership DevelopmentLIFE STRATEGISTLife Strategists assist individuals inobtaining their goals and partners withclients to design attainable strategiesthat create balance and ease as theywork through transition.
Next Event:“Imperative Endings”Putting an end to what hasn’t worked for a long timeMay 12, 2012 – 4-7pmTicket price $40 (can purchase tickets via my website or viahttp://imperativeendings.eventbrite.com)Augusta Hilton1065 Stevens Creek Road, Augusta, GAVisit the website for detail information orcall 888-458-7995 ext 207
EXECUTIVE COACHAn Executive coach focuses on increasingwork performance, self-managementskills, and the ability to effectivelymanage other people.
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More Information:Phone: 888-458-7995Fax: [email protected]
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Surrey Center
443 Highland Avenue • Augusta, GA • 738-8386www.sweetbrierfair.com
Monday - Friday10:00am - 5:30pm
Saturday10:00am - 5:00pm
Happiness..simply statedDesigns are inspired by the celebration of life.
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Choose from Designer Fabrics,Exclusive Furniture & Accessories
Exclusive dealer of Highland House Furniture
320 Baston Road Augusta, GA 30907 | 706.868.5757www.CurtainCallFabrics.com
Your life Your style Your home868.5757
Augusta’s Showcase Dealer
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409 Hayne Avenue (at Pendleton) Aiken, SC803.642.9524 [email protected]
A Garden Party!
5 1 6 0 Wo o d s i d e E x e c u t i v e C t . • A i k e n , S C8 0 3 - 6 4 2 - 9 3 6 0 • c a t t f o o d @ b e l l s o u t h . n e t
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to help you.803-240-8247CALL/TEXT ME TODAY!email: [email protected]
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Find a Home inGreater Columbia and Lake Murray, SC.
MIDLANDS REALTY
345 HAYNE AVE. SW | AIKEN, SC | 803.644.0990MON-FRI 11-5 , SAT 11-3
WWW. B A R B A R A S U E B R O D I E . C O M
Come in during themonth of May and diveinto our discontinued,limited availability, orsingle skein yarnwading pool for
savings of up to 60%.
The sun is out and the “pool” is open!
18 may 2012 www.skirt.com
“I have been advertising with skirt! since October 2009. Skirt! hasreally helped me tap into my niche market (intelligent women who are in-terested in taking very good care of themselves). Skirt! speaks to womenabout real issues. It is educational without being boring; often cuttingedge, always exciting and fashionable. It is a beautiful publication.
When I see my ad in skirt! I am always delighted because it’s an adthat I would pay attention to. It’s pretty, informative and I
know it gets my message across.”
Cynthia Catts, Owner
Advertising in
an investment that works.
5160Woodside Executive Ct. • Aiken, SC803.522.3907 • [email protected]
To see how skirt! can work for you contact Libby SalvadorA/E-August/Aiken/Columbia803.522.3907
FE
EL
GO
OD
MAY
Feel Good and Bee Healthy.
Active Manuka Honey from New Zealand
is known as “healing honey” and is believed to be one of nature’s wonder drugs
by its fans (including Dr. Oz), who cite its antibiotic and antiseptic properties.
Enthusiasts claim that it can effectively treat peptic ulcers and be used topically and
internally on wounds and skin problems like acne to speed the healing process.
To be considered beneficial for its antibacterial properties, Active Manuka Honey must
have a UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) rating of at least 10 or higher.
As a bonus, the taste has been described as smooth, creamy and caramel-like. Yum!
Manuka honey is available through Whole Foods, Amazon and various health food stores,
but make sure you’re getting the real deal by checking
the UMF rating of the brand you buy.
UMF 15
www.skirt.com may 2012 19
“Nothing makes a woman more beautiful, than the belief that she is beautiful.”
We are dedicated to providing quality services to
women worldwide who suffer from mild to severe
hair loss. At Mirror Image we offer the most in-
novative advancements in hair replacement. We
can make you back to a better you, with our dis-
creet purchases for your hair care needs.
We realize that there are many
medical diseases that are common factors
contributed to hair loss: Age, Allergies, Alopecia,
Chemotherapy, Chemical Burns, Thyroid Disease,
Female Pattern Baldness and Medications.
“Lace Wigs”, “Cranial Hair Prosthetic”, or “Hair
System “, are hair extensions that create the
illusion that hair is growing out of one’s scalp,
and therefore is one of the most natural looking
extensions on the market.
A fine lace material is used as the base where
individual hairs are meticulously hand tied through
the lace. Two types for lace; Swiss- Lace is very
fine and delicate and is the most undetectable
choice. Though French lace is not as undetectable
(but is also a suitable choice), the advantage is
that it is more durable over time.
We also offer Frontals or Closures for those with
hair thinning or mild hair loss. The Lace Wigs
are the best hair replacement solution because
they create a hairline, making a more natural hair
line allowing you to wear styles such as: up dos,
ponytails and other styles that expose one’s nape
areas. Traditional wigs usually preclude these
styling options.
Hair textures we also use are:
• Chinese Remy (virgin hair)
• Indian Remy (virgin hair)
• Russian Remy (virgin hair)
• Malaysian Remy (virgin hair)
• European Remy (virgin hair)
Our goal at Mirror Image Hair Replacement and
Transformation is to offer solutions to a perfect
you and to look your best at every age! We are
a trained staff, energetic and educated on the
services that we provide.
Mirror ImageHair Replacement and Transformation, LLC
Please contact Wanda James to schedule your Consultation at
(843) 206-8606 or email at [email protected]
www.wjmirrorimage.com
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www.skirt.com may 2012 21
GIFT REGISTRY
CalaisioPickard • Skyros Designs • Julia Knight
Le Cadeaux • Anna WeatherleyMatch Pewter • Michael Aram • Spode
Simon Pearce
141 Laurens Street, SW | Aiken, SC 803.648.7592Natural elegance, extraordinary durability
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• BARRE
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1 1 8 L a u r e n s S t r e e t SW | A i k e n , S C
GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE!
STYLING | COLOR BAR | HAIR SPA
1202 Town Park Lane | Suite 103 | Evans, GA 30809
706.922.HAIR (4247) tanglesofevans.com
Our goal is to provide a superior experience for every client;with brilliant color services, distinguished cutting techniques,
stunning styling results, and luxurious hair treatments.[ ]
Book yourappointments
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Hardwood Floors & More2 Locations:
(706) 868-7030 | 4696 Washington Road | Evans
(803) 642-3232 | 550 Silver Bluff Road | Aiken
Skirt of the MonthVinya’s
118 Laurens St. SWAiken
803.642.9684
Illus
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by M
onke
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150 Davis Road(LOOK FOR THE GREEN AND WHITE TENT!)
Augusta, GA 30907 • 706-550-0227Mon-Sat 8 to 8 • Sun 10 to 8
Spring Plants • Hanging BasketsTropical Plants • Annuals • Fresh Produce
Don’t forget Mom thisMother’s Day!Ladies Apparel
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Located in HistoricSummerville
1502 Monte Sano Ave.Augusta, GA
706.738.4888
Mon–Fri 10–5:30
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SPRING2012 Luii
30 may 2012 www.skirt.com
www.skirt.com may 2012 31
SKIRT! SAYS: It doesn’t matter if you wade in or
jump in as long as you get your feet wet. Try something new.
f-word[ Feminism Free-For-All ]
Federal Crime
Ashley Fiolek, profoundly deaf since birth, has overcome great ob-
stacles to become a three-time winner and youngest (22) Women’s
Motocross Association (WMA) champion in history. She is also
the first-ever female factory winner for Red Bull Racing. Weigh-
ing less than half of the 200-pound plus bike she rides, Fiolek is a
daredevil on the track, setting new standards in the sport.
“When you educate a girl in Africa, everything changes. She’ll be three times less likely to get HIV/AIDS, earn 25 percent more income and have a smaller, healthier family.” Since 1993, CAMFED has provided scholarships for 47,810 girls to go to high school, trained 4,878 teacher mentors and helped 1,027 young women go to college. Donate at camfed.org.
Fiolek
“Once again, for some reason in this 112th Congress, there has been a preoccupation with putting women in their place,” Representative Gwen Moore, D-Wis., on opposition in Congress to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
Fund Her
Recently, a pregnant South Carolina woman who had two
prior cesarean surgeries wished to give birth naturally rath-
er than having a scheduled cesarean surgery. However, the
mother’s doctors—physicians working in a public hospital—
forced her to schedule a C-section, called her “stupid” for
wanting to do otherwise, and threatened to withhold medi-
cal care if she refused the surgery and went into labor natu-
rally. As a result of ACLU intervention, the doctors cancelled
the scheduled cesarean and respected the mother’s wish to
go into labor spontaneously. She labored naturally and ulti-
mately gave birth to a healthy baby girl. In a national survey,
a quarter of women who underwent cesarean surgeries said
they had felt pressured to do so.
Finances The Daily Beast reported that
a study of census data revealed
that more than half of older
women in America are unable
to pay for their basic needs. A
study of census data showed
that the majority of older
women in America are unable
to cover their basic living
expenses, and the percentage of
those in distress is 50 per-
cent higher than that of men.
“Three out of five women over
65 have incomes that won’t
cover their most basic daily
needs, whereas among men
it’s 40 percent,” said Donna
Addkison, president and CEO
of Wider Opportunities for
Women. “Older women are at
much greater risk of economic
insecurity than older men.”
32 may 2012 www.skirt.com
Nikki Hardin is the founder and publisher of skirt! magazine. She blogs at fridaville.com.
planetnikki[ a v i s u a l j o u r n a l ]
I found this reproduction Buddha head on a weekendtrip to Beaufort, SC. It was one of those love-at-� rst-sight purchases, the kind I never regret.
I love our skirt! luggage tags and the little design our Art Director, Caitilin McPhillips, came up with for them. We’re giving them away at events—be on the lookout.
My Skirt the Rules bracelet from Kate Spade reminds me not to become too middle-of-the-road.
that many of the items on my wish list
while I dig into my well-worn pedestrian path
for the future are things I could do right now.
I realized recently
There’s always a leak in the roof,
day after day after day.
I need to pack a bag, lock the door behind me
Instead, I postpone, proscrastinate and put off pleasure
like the usually sensible Mole in my favorite book,
a bill to pay, a reason to be cautious.
and set off into into the unknown,
Wind in the Willows.
My Skirt the Rules bracelet from Kate Spade reminds
I didn’t notice that the detail on the side
of my new Prada sunglasses matches my tattoo until someone pointed it out. Now I love hiding
behind them even more.
On Constant Replay:I’ve been watching
Let’s Get Lost, the Bruce Weber � lm about Chet Baker, in
sections on YouTube and his jazz masterpiece just won’t
let me go.
Nikki Hardin is the founder and publisher of skirt! magazine. She blogs at fridaville.com.
planetnikki[ a v i s u a l j o u r n a l ]
I found this reproduction Buddha head on a weekendtrip to Beaufort, SC. It was one of those love-at-� rst-sight purchases, the kind I never regret.
I love our skirt! luggage tags and the little design our Art Director, Caitilin McPhillips, came up with for them. We’re giving them away at events—be on the lookout.
My Skirt the Rules bracelet from Kate Spade reminds me not to become too middle-of-the-road.
that many of the items on my wish list
while I dig into my well-worn pedestrian path
for the future are things I could do right now.
I realized recently
There’s always a leak in the roof,
day after day after day.
I need to pack a bag, lock the door behind me
Instead, I postpone, proscrastinate and put off pleasure
like the usually sensible Mole in my favorite book,
a bill to pay, a reason to be cautious.
and set off into into the unknown,
Wind in the Willows.
My Skirt the Rules bracelet from Kate Spade reminds
I didn’t notice that the detail on the side
of my new Prada sunglasses matches my tattoo until someone pointed it out. Now I love hiding
behind them even more.
On Constant Replay:I’ve been watching
Let’s Get Lost, the Bruce Weber � lm about Chet Baker, in
sections on YouTube and his jazz masterpiece just won’t
let me go.
34 may 2012 www.skirt.com
Loeffler Randall Waverly Grey Belle by Sigerson Morrison Theodosia Jewelry
Envi Dannijo Jewelry Tucker Vince Helmut Lang Tory Burch
Milly Rag & Bone Hunter Dixon Tibi 3.1 Phillip Lim
White + Warren Notte by Marchesa J Brand Rebecca Taylor
2734 Devine Street, Columbia, South Carolina 803.252.4339 www.shopvanjean.com
MA
Y2
01
2
SPRING HAS SPRUNG
VISIT US ONFACEBOOK
FOLLOW US@SHOPVANJEAN
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