Our December Issue Is Out!

Make this a December to remember with party inspirations you will love:

• How to host a memorable party.
• What to wear to be festively ready.
• Cookie decorating and recipes to treasure!

Plus, our Perfect Endings supplement will help you end the year perfectly!

Ideas for a Beautiful December

I am planning on going to see at least one musical event this month. What are you planning as we are heading into December? Here are some things we are excited about around the web:

• This will get you into the spirit. 


• Make these yummy gifts


• The Nutcracker and murder? 


• Hit the Highlands for some shopping


• Celebrate holidays around the world.


• Shop here for your little science or math geek.


• I think I want to make one of these.


• This seems magical...and delicious

Let us know some things you are planning on attending locally.

Three Great Food Gifts You Can Make

by Paige Rhodes

With just a few pantry ingredients, you can wow your friends and family with these delicious, easy homemade treats this holiday season.

She's Reading, Watching, Listening to…

By Megan M. Seckman

Erin Carson is young, in-tune and plugged in. After earning a master’s degree in journalism from Syracuse University, she settled in East Louisville to write for the CBS Interactive site TechRepublic, where she covers all things technology. “Though I used to write mostly about music, these days I’m a technology reporter — multimedia editor, if we’re going to be fancy about it,” she says. “Writing has always been my favorite pursuit. At some point I realized it was the only thing I could stomach doing every single day. So, here I am. Writing about tech is fun and a little weird. My main beat is virtual reality, so if you need to know anything about head-mounted displays and immersive environments, I’m your gal.”

So what wires this 26-year-old techie? Click to see what she’s reading, watching, and listening to...

We Are Grateful for You! Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from Today's Woman to you!

Here's some things we are thankful for:

Warm Drinks

Coffee Crossing's Caramel Apple Cider

Beautiful Families

Watchel family (photo taken by Natalie Bishop, ChocolateBox Photography)

A Crackling Fire

Angela Burton's fire — she also holds other people's feet to the fire. Read her story here.

Write and tell us something you are thankful for.

Seven Ways to Reduce Stress Today

By Bob Mueller

Years ago I had the opportunity to hear Mother Teresa speak at Bellarmine College in Louisville. Someone in the audience asked Mother Teresa how she could keep such a busy schedule. He said, “You crisscross the country and the world. How do you do it? Aren’t you exhausted? Your schedule would drive me crazy!”

In a sincere voice that calmed the entire audience, Mother Teresa responded quietly...

What To Wear to a Winter Wedding

By Alissa Hicks

Dress, $77, and jacket, $69, both available at Chartreuse, 1301 Herr Ln, 502.409.7082

While we mostly think of spring and summer as the start of wedding season, more and more couples are planning winter weddings. The holiday cheer, the charm, and the sparkle of the snow can make for one romantic setting. But wait, it’s winter…it’s cold, it’s snowy...what do you wear?

How She Started Her Social Media Business

by Marie Bradby

Nicole Pullen started her social media marketing firm, Harper Alliance, in April 2015 — less than a year ago. And from the get-go, she says business has been amazing. She feels she’s finally found...

Diet and Exercise: I finally figured out the solution for me

By Jillian LeMaster

Find out how Jillian got into such great shape.

When I was young, my mom said I would eat anything. This still rings true today. My relationship with exercise started much later in life. In my early 20s, I decided I wanted to get fit and joined the YMCA. I started working out regularly and started to feel really good. But then...

We Found Something Delicious

By Melissa Donald

Front Crepe: The Jiggy Piggy; Middle Crepe: Quite Di Lemon and Back Crepe: The Asian Chicken

For Goodness Crepes started during a girls’ weekend to Cincinnati. After eating in a crepe restaurant there, Louisvillians Carrie Ramsey and Abby Peak were inspired to open a crepe restaurant in Louisville. After two years of planning with help from the Louisville Business Development Center and Score, a business mentor and counseling service, For Goodness Crepes opened its doors earlier this year.

Getting Between Your Dog’s Teeth

By Alissa Hicks

How concerned should we be about our dog’s teeth? We checked in with Dr. David Hagan of Dr. John’s Pet Care Clinic.

Gift Yourself: Win a $100 Gift Certificate to Antiques at Distillery Commons!

Looking for something unique to add to your home decor this holiday season? For this Gift Yourself giveaway, you can win a $100 gift certificate to Antiques at Distillery Commons! Find carefully selected and beautifully restored antiques from 30 independent merchants in a bright, open display space. 
See Official Rules for details.

The lucky winner is Cathy Morris!

What's the Big Deal About Contouring?

By Alissa Hicks

It might seem like a weird concept to shade your face with colors that don’t match your skintone perfectly. But the practice of contouring has been making a huge wave in the makeup industry for a reason: It can accentuate the best features of your face. To see how it’s done, we went to a professional. Denise Cardwell of Blades Salon and Spa shows us how to easily get the look.

Is it Time to Diagnose a Fitness Flat?

By Brigid Morrissey

I’m sitting in the waiting room at Big O Tires waiting for my car to get fixed. Lately, my tires aren’t the only things feeling a little flat. But just like my tires, my problem can be fixed, and now I also know a body mechanic.

Marching Into a Different Life

by Lucy M. Pritchett

Amy Acklin is associate director of  bands and director of the Cardinal Marching Band at the University of Louisville.

When you hear the call to march to the beat of your own drummer, you might want to take heed. It could just be a turning point in your life.

She Is Kicking It!

By Anna Patterson

In January of 2005, life was perfect for ShaVonda Williams. She and her husband, Bryan, had just bought a big, beautiful house on the east side of Louisville. But in June of that year, tragedy struck.

Find An Affordable Vacation

by Torie Temple

Generations Riviera Maya

Luxury resorts, mountain views, the gentle mist of the ocean’s spray from waves crashing at your feet, views so breathtaking they are rarely seen outside the glossy pages of a travel magazine — this is the type of serenity we all want to escape to, but...

Don’t miss these 2 comedy events this month

By Gioia Patton

The Arts Insider has two top events you don’t want to miss this month. Keep reading to see which female comedian is coming to Horseshoe Casino and who’s in the group of five comedy legends coming to the Yum! Center.

Gift Yourself: Win a pair of Tory Burch sunglasses from Gaddie Eye Centers!

'Tis the season for gift giving, but in all the holiday hoopla, don't forget to take time to Gift Yourself! We'll be giving away a beautiful pair of Tory Burch sunglasses from Gaddie Eye Centers to one lucky winner.
 See Official Rules for details.

The lucky winner is Lynn Everson!

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Win a Shopping Spree at Sassy Fox Consignments!

Add a little flare to your holiday style this season by picking up a few new pieces at Sassy Fox Upscale Consignments! Enter now for your chance to win a $100 gift certificate.

See Official Rules for details.

The lucky winner is Ashley Olson!

Her Health Battle: Celiac & Hypothyroidism

by Mary Ellen Bianco

Imagine receiving a medical diagnosis that calls for completely changing your diet and lifestyle. Pattie Moore was diagnosed with Celiac disease, a genetic autoimmune disorder, in 2007. Here's her story and what she has found to help her along the way, including some great food...

A Fashion Guru’s Inside Tips

By Tiffany White

Danielle Rudy Davis keeps an eye on Louisville area style and is intensely curious about everything and everyone around her. Find out who she’s writing about and her latest fashion obsession.

How’d She Get to be President?

by Marie Bradby

Diane Kelton (right) makes sure that the front desk experience sets the tone for customers at Baptist Health/Milestone Wellness Center.

Diane Kelton, Louisville’s doyenne of wellness centers, is living the life of her dreams as president of Baptist Health/Milestone Wellness Center. But to get to the top at the city’s most luxurious gym/spa/rehabilitation facility, she had to turn two of her biggest liabilities into gold medals.

Painting the Town

By Brigid Morrissey

When I crossed the threshold into her retail store in downtown Jeffersonville at 249 Spring Street, I was immediately drawn to…

How Art Works in Her Home

By Anna Patterson

Ingrid Hernandez's home is filled with artwork. She takes advantage of all her wall space.

When I first stepped into Ingrid Hernandez’s home, I thought I had mistakenly walked into an art gallery. Paintings, pastels, and prints covered nearly every inch of the home’s purple and gold walls. Each piece stood out individually yet they all flowed together to create a vibrant ambiance. As I stood in the entrance and took it all in, I could hardly wait to see the rest of her home.

Gift Yourself: Win this stimulating facial experience from Serenity Spa!

It’s our second Gift Yourself giveaway! You can win a Synergie Ultimate Facial from Serenity Spa. Enjoy the relaxing and stimulating experience of the traditional facial including cleansing, massage of the face, shoulders, neck, hands and arms along with the anti-aging benefits of Vacuum-Assisted Massage and Microdermabrasion in one fabulous treatment!
See Official Rules for details.

The lucky winner is Susan Cuneo!

Just Ask Joyce: Building Trust After Cheating

By Joyce Oglesby

Q: “Three years ago I had an affair with my wife’s best friend. It was stupid; I admit it. It was a mistake and only lasted eight months. I know I messed up, but now my wife won’t stop badgering me. She reminds me of it every day. She never would have known except

Win an Overnight Stay at this Bourbon-Themed Bed & Breakfast!

Looking for a little getaway time before the rush of the holidays sets in? We’ve got you covered! You could win an overnight stay at the Bourbon Manor Bed & Breakfast in beautiful Bardstown, Ky. (Dates subject to availability.)

This historic bed and breakfast offers spirit-themed guest rooms, the one-of-a-kind Bunghole Bourbon Bar & Lounge, an award-winning bourbon-themed breakfast, and the Bourbon Spa, where you can further immerse yourself in the indulging atmosphere.
See Official Rules for details.

The lucky winner is Betty Stengel!

Arts Insider Pick of the Week: Come on Down!

By Gioia Patton

You can win prizes, play games, and “Come on Down!” at this November show. Our Arts Insider shows you how to get into the action...

A Fun Way To Relieve Stress

By Carrie Vittitoe 

Amethyst Ramsey knows she can always rely on dancing to keep her calm and focused every day.

I seem to recall being carefree at age 20, feeling ebullient and airy. The sky was always blue and cloudless.

Well, shoot. I’m wearing my rose-colored memory glasses. OK, that’s better.

College exams and papers, part-time retail job hours and schedule changes, dating fretfulness, and wondering what I was going to do with the whole entire adult life that lay before me. Being 20 years old is so very…

Why Her Work Wardrobe Includes 4-Inch Heels

By Tiffany White 

First impressions matter, and Delesha Thomas makes each one count in her job at New Albany’s Carnegie Center for Art & History — starting with...

Her Secret Ingredient

By Lucy M. Pritchett

Deborah Dykes Wathen, 38, glows with good health. She makes sure to take care of mind, body, and spirit every day. As owner of Union With Health, a personal health mentoring service, she offers clients customized private yoga lessons, Thai massage, and natural food and skin care consultations. She is also a yoga instructor at Yoga East and a massage therapist and aesthetician with Joseph's Salon & Spa. She doesn’t mind sharing three things that work for her. Maybe we can capture some of her radiance.

I Decided To Help

By Megan S. Willman

These girls all decided to help at the Center for Women and Families.

I’ve been fortunate in my life, and most of the time I remember to be grateful for that. I’ve even dedicated a good bit of time volunteering to help others, but in the spring of this year, I felt a true compulsion to give back to our community more directly. But where? I’ve always considered myself an educator, although I left the classroom years ago. I’m a feminist, and more than that, a humanist, and I had heard great things about The Center for Women and Families, which provides services for victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault.

Let me tell you a little about what I found…