Sometimes, I feel a bit guilty that I never became a better cook. It’s not that I don’t think I have the capacity. In fact, I can follow a recipe as well as anyone, but I’ve never had a passion for it. It has always felt more like a chore than a pleasure. But, I have the fondest memories surrounding food. My grandma was an amazing cook and had some signature dishes that I truly miss. My grandma could serve up any dish in a way that truly showed her love. It was not unusual for my grandma Read more [...]

Fluffy and pink, you pop them into the microwave for one minute, slip them on your feet and instantly a wave of relaxation comes over you. I’m speaking, of course, of microwavable slippers. What? You don’t have a pair? Run. Don’t walk, to the store to buy some. They are heaven. They were also a Christmas gift from my better half. Chronic cold feet is a real problem for me and apparently when Matt saw a commercial for slippers that could fix that, he rushed to the store to buy them. Read more [...]

I’m aware this issue of our magazine is themed around “matters of the heart” but let’s face it, if we’re being honest shouldn’t it be “matters of the brain?” Who decided long ago that the heart would be the symbolic source of human emotions? What ancient philosopher or more accurate, mortician saw a heart for the first time and reasoned that all emotions, specifically of love, emanate from that organ? I believe more than a philosopher or mortician, he (or she) was probably in marketing. Read more [...]

This is my year of decade celebrations — 40th birthday and 10th anniversary of marriage. Neither have been walks in the park, but I have no regret either. With the years or experience I have collected in each, I agree wholeheartedly with Pat Benatar — love really is a battlefield. With the benefit of hindsight, admittedly there may have been better ways to navigate the tricky business of being in a relationship. Whether it’s a marriage, a sibling, a child, a co-worker or a neighbor — sometimes Read more [...]

The first time I attended a yoga class I was young, unmarried and pregnant. A failure at proper life planning, I was determined to be a champion fetus incubator by eating nutritious foods and exercising. During the session, I stretched with other yogis for an hour and ended the class on my back in a mediation that quickly became a drooling, power nap. I headed home afterward not completely sure why yoga was such a big deal. Six years later, I joined the Lansing Derby Vixens. After weeks of Read more [...]

World-famous soprano, Renee Fleming makes her way to the Wharton Center on Wednesday, Feb. 27. CAWLM caught up with the music maven to discuss her musical beginnings, her many performances for famous audiences, her advice to aspiring performers and more. Here’s what she had to say. Q. How did you first become interested in singing? A. Both of my parents were singing teachers and performers themselves, so music was like air in our household.     Q. When did you realize this Read more [...]

During the month of February, love is in the air as we celebrate Valentine's Day with heart candy, chocolates, flowers and special valentines! I love to decorate for every holiday. This year for Valentine’s Day I needed something for our kitchen table so I decided to create a centerpiece utilizing sticks and branches from around the yard and our favorite —conversation hearts. Sticks Spray paint (red, pink and white) Styrofoam balls Candy conversation hearts Valentine-themed ribbon Vase Hot Read more [...]

No one can go back and make a new beginning, but anyone can start from now and make a happy ending. Maybe you thought that you would be a millionaire by now, or at least successful, but for some reason that future you wanted hasn’t materialized … just yet. In my experience perseverance has always lead to dreams becoming a reality. I started acting as a kid and I landed my first national commercial at age 16. It was for the PSAT test or pre-scholastic achievement test. I knew I was bitten by Read more [...]

We’re excited to announce the launch of the first Capital Area Women’s LifeStyle Magazine Las Vegas Weekend Getaway hosted by Lansing media maven Tiffany Dowling. I’m inviting you and your pals to join me, Dowling and up to 30 other Capital Area women for a three-night deluxe stay March 7 to 11 at the luxurious Paris Las Vegas Resort & Casino. “Las Vegas offers so many new activities and places to see that we don’t try to dictate a formal itinerary,” Dowling said. “The whole Read more [...]

I’m beginning to think we’re living a life of extremes. Do you know what I mean? There were so many acts of unbelievable tragedy and evil last year. Some days I didn’t want to turn the television on or listen to the news at all because I knew that I was going to be bombarded with extremely heart-wrenching details of devastation. We all ask why and unfortunately most of the time — even if we get a “why” it doesn’t make much sense to us. We are surrounded by it. In fact, the headlines Read more [...]

Bio Name: Kristin Beltzer College and Degree: Michigan State University, Degree in Public Relations and a Masters from Western Michigan University in Public Administration Current Employer: Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Current Position: Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs Although it’s not the sportscasting career of her childhood dreams, Kristin Beltzer has found a career that impacts both the community and her life in a positive way. As a big sports Read more [...]

A new business in Okemos will make quite a splash in the New Year. Goldfish Swim School, a year-round program for children from 4 months to 12 years of age, offers instruction like none other in the area. Located just off of Marsh Road, Goldfish hosted its first swim classes on Dec. 5 with more than 70 children registered. The facility is state of the art. The pool is tailored for the comfort of the children. The water temperature is kept at 90 degrees, and instead of harsh chlorine, it’s Read more [...]