Snapshots of Missoula

Hello k Fall 2013

Welcome sTo our f i rst issue of Snapshots of Missoula. This onl ine magazine comes from our wish to provide you with some news from our businesses but without i t coming in the form of a newsletter that you may think is try ing to get you to jump into buying something.

We are a group of business women in downtown Missoula who also happen to be fr iends and supporters of each other 's businesses. We hope to provide you with ideas of how you can use our services or products in your home, inspire your creativ i ty and give you ideas for projects. We hope to give you a new way to see an outf i t , a family photograph or a new bit of color in your home for the hol idays. Plus a few t idbits on how to minimize the stress that this busy t ime of year br ings.

We hope you enjoy our f i rst issue. We hope to br ing this to you each quarter . Any ideas or feedback is welcome email us at snapshotsmissoula@gmail .com

Enjoy your fal l ! Contributors:Crackle Photography Laurel CreekNoteworthy Paper and Press ClawsSwag Interirors Alchemy Mineral BlendsLambert Family Chiropractic LA Design

As business owners we believe it's our responsibility to help others both within our own community and worldwide. Help us help others. This fall we are supporting Ending Polio and closer to home we are raising funds for a local favorite attraction the Missoula Carousel.

Jimmy Jimmy Skinny Jeans are offered at Laurel Creek and ohhhh so comfy!!

Wear during the day and easily dress up with a few accessories for an elegant but casual statement and head on out for an evening in downtown Missoula.

Here are a few pointers and ideas of bags for day wear and evening. Shirts and sweaters, shoes and boots, and some bling to finish up your evening look.

5 Tips to improve your photographsFrom Crackle

Tip 1: Capture the story - no more saying cheese!You are interested in the moment, what your kiddo is doing. Detail shots help set the scene. Quiet unobserved moments tell stories.Stopping the action, making people aware of the camera loses the moment. Plus have you noticed when we say cheese our noses scrunch up and are eyes go squinty!! Take pictures when you child is engrossed in what they are doing - tell the moment - Thanksgiving is such a great holiday and brings together families and friends Cap-ture your holiday - tell the story of the day in images. The series at the top shows the story of my friend's beach stop on their way to visit us in Wanaka - you get it without them even being in a single image - and yes the dog, Toby is the ruler of the house!

Tip 2: Blur the Background.By losing the distraction of the background, your eye will focus more closely on your subject. You may only have your point and shoot, but by moving in close to your subject the distraction of the background is lost into a more blurred focus.

Tip 3: Turn off Digital zoom.Many digital cameras come with the ability to zoom in and out. Go to your camera settings and pick Optical Zoom over Digital Zoom for better quaility images.

Tip 4: Turn off the Built In FlashMany a red eye photo, weird shadows, odd skin colors have been caused by the innocent pop up flash on many cameras. To get kinder more realistic images you can either buy a filter to help redirect your falsh or soften its impact or turn the flash off altogether. Adjust your ISO - raise it up - so that you will not need the fill of flash. Also make sure your subject is turned towards a light source.

Tip 5: Maximize ColorTo make sure your colors pop check your camera settings. If you color space is not set to AdobeRGB change it!! You will be surprised to see more color in your next set of images, this simple tweak in your camera settings can give you up to 15% more diversity in your image colors.

The Art of the Hostess Gift

The holidays have become an increasingly busy time of year for us all, but in our rush to buy, wrap, cook, host and attend, we should always make our best efforts to remem-ber our manners. As with thank you notes, the art of the hostess gift has become an oft overlooked gesture. The saying “it’s the thought that counts” does not apply! There’s nothing more gracious or considerate than a well-thought-out hostess gift presented upon arrival.

Here are some easy guidelines to put-ting your best foot forward:

1. The hostess gift does not have to be expensive! Yes, everyone loves a good bottle of wine, but can’t you do better than a stop at the convenience store? In general, a budget of $10-$30 is an appropriate reflection of the appreciation you should bestow upon your hosts for their efforts.

Fine bottles of wine, locally distilled spirits or even craft beer are great gifts for the right occasion, but proceed with caution. Be sure to consider the tastes of the hosts and whether its a dry household, and be sure to choose something a little beyond the norm.

3. Match the gift to the occasion. Just as you wouldn’t want to bring a bouquet of flowers to your buddy’s barbecue, you probably shouldn’t bring a six pack of beer to your co-worker’s holiday bash. Match the gift as best you can to the occasion and the individual. Etiquette dic-tates that dinner parties, weekend visits, and extended stays are musts for hostess gifts. Cocktail parties and open houses don’t require gifting, but what could it hurt? It’s only a reflec-tion of your thanks and your manners, and how could that be a bad thing?

2. The hostess gift should not make more work for the host (ie: flowers in cello wrap require the hostess to stop what she’s doing, unwrap, trim and find a vase for the new ar-rangement). Additionally, it should not it be something you expect the host to incorporate into the evening’s menu. The gift should be intended for the enjoyment of the hosts at a later date.

4. Avoid overly personal gifts. No perfume, clothing, or jewelry… and skip the house plants unless you know the host is a true green thumb. Some unique gift ideas include: gour-met coffee, candles, fine chocolate, fancy coasters, stationery or tea towels.

5. Present your gift in style. No brown paper bags allowed! If you don’t have time to wrap the gift, include a bow, ribbon or twine, a nice gift bag or a gift tag with a personal note. And for goodness sake, don’t forget to remove the price tag!

Tired of Playing the Political Health Game?Regardless of whom you voted for in the presidential election, and despite all of the disagreements on political policies, one thing every American can agree upon is that our health care sys-tem is broken. If it weren’t, our nation would be a lot healthier. But the chore of fixing health care does not rest solely on the shoulders of politicians; health care really begins with you and the health choices you make for your life. After all, the way you treat your body today will affect how healthy and happy you are in years to come.

It’s time for each of us to begin taking proactive measures that will improve our health with the goal of never setting foot in a hospital due to illness. We can be healthier. We can feel better. We can have more energy.

So what can we do as individuals to extend our life expectancy and live healthier? Decide to raise your own health standard to number one. Start by avoiding processed, packaged foods and Trans fats. Instead, choose to eat healthier whole foods and smaller portions. Exercise daily. Get enough sleep at night. Last but not least, take measures to main-tain and even maximize your health with mind quieting exercises.

Take the game of health into your own hands; make a decision to be proactive and work towards a healthy way of living. After all, you only have one body and one life to live.

Dr. Anthony LambertLambert Family Chiropracticwww.lambertfc.com

A glimpse into our time in Wanaka, New Zealand

Not to bore you but for the record!!

As many people know the Bingham clan ducked out of Missoula's grey winter in January 2013 and went back to New Zealand for six months. We are back and happy to be so - just to dispel all rumors that Crackle is gone forever!

We spent a majority of our time living on the South Island, in a town called Wanaka - honestly as one friend who visited said "you have found Whitefish, New Zealand!" We were right on the 45 parallel southern hemisphere! You can therefore understand this was home from home! This is the view of the lake from Mount Roy, where we hiked up one day with friends.

The boys went to school here, we ran, hiked, fished, biked and caught up with friends. Everyone learnt a lot about themselves and we returned back to Montana, refreshed, reinvigorated and extremely grateful for our friends, schools and life here in Montana.

A glimpse into our time in Wanaka, New Zealand

Not to bore you but for the record!!

As many people know the Bingham clan ducked out of Missoula's grey winter in January 2013 and went back to New Zealand for six months. We are back and happy to be so - just to dispel all rumors that Crackle is gone forever!

We spent a majority of our time living on the South Island, in a town called Wanaka - honestly as one friend who visited said "you have found Whitefish, New Zealand!" We were right on the 45 parallel southern hemisphere! You can therefore understand this was home from home! This is the view of the lake from Mount Roy, where we hiked up one day with friends.

The boys went to school here, we ran, hiked, fished, biked and caught up with friends. Everyone learnt a lot about themselves and we returned back to Montana, refreshed, reinvigorated and extremely grateful for our friends, schools and life here in Montana.

At Christmas I practically have glitter shooting out of my eye sockets. I’ve been called Martha Stewart, claimed to have the‘Baby Shower Mafia’ but best of all, my lovely and tenacious girlfriends have given me with the nickname ‘Peggy Planner’.

My name is Laney Hensel and I am an Interior Designer. My whole life revolves around aesthetics and the tiny details. When I’m not organizing a closet, running around after my two boys, teaching cycling classes or hanging out with my husband I’m finding reasons to plan parties. It’s my thing. I get some sick satisfaction out of making a diaper cake for a baby shower or Halloween decorations out of things I already have. I love parties and I love holidays.

I can go through my husband’s garage and the recycle bin and make something out of the things I find. That’s exactly what I did one Christmas when chal-lenged to completely decorate a tree in a “building theme” cre-atively and on an almost impos-sible budget. Here are some tips on how to think outside the box:

• Find an interesting material to wrap gifts in. I took full size floor plans from the recycling bin at my office to use as gift wrap. I finished them off with some jute or ribbon and hand stamped gift tags.

This is Laney with her new son Kason who was born in October.

With fall upon us it is a great time to give the interior of your home the attention it deserves after a carefree summer. Suddenly the outdoors is not our all day play ground, football is in full swing and the TV habits are back! A quck fix to glorify your living space and create a different look for your living space is to add a frame to your plasma T.V.

This makes a bold statement and helps blend modern technology into your home.

Metallics are trending right now as well as heavy textured woods. Individualize your technology by giving it personality and style. With options starting as little as $400, you will be sure to love your electronic investment more than ever before.

Get Glamorous This Holiday Season

Fall is wrapping up and the holidays and Jack Frost are just around the corner. Keep your skin hydrated and sparkling for all those holi-day social events. Here are our Skincare tips for you this winter season.

Exfoliate.The summer sun can leave your skin damaged and the cold fall and winter weather can cause dry flaking skin and dull color. This winter, exfoliate with a resurfacing scrub or a chemical peel. This can help in reducing fine lines, acne and dehydrated skin. For an easy at home remedy try Image Skincare’s resurfacing masque twice a week.

Cleanse.Another way to battle the onset of dry skin is by using a light facial cleanser. Image’s Ormedic Balancing Cleanser contains green tea and chammomile and is great for sensitive skin. The Vital C facial cleanser from Image Skincare adds a bit more hydration and can be a perfect shaving cream for the men coming out of “no shave November.”

Moisturize.Keep yourself moisturized with a hydrating lotion applied in the eve-ning and be sure to continue to wear sunprotection. Just because the summer sun isn’t shining doesn’t mean those rays aren’t get-ting to your skin. Protect yourself from sundamage year round. The snow reflects up to 80% of the suns UV rays. It is important to stay protected all season long.

Glow.Feeling a little pale during these cold months? An airbrush spray tan is the perfect way to add a little spice to your day. Lasting an aver-age of 7-10 days this organic spray tan solution gives you the per-fect sunkissed glow without leaving you streaky, orange, or sundam-aged. Vani-T spray solution is your perfect remedy to dull skin.We can’t wait to help you bring out your natural beauty, naturally.

Holiday Makeup Tips:

Brows.Ladies, big brows are in and they aren’t going anywhere soon. That doesn’t mean let them go crazy, it means stopping in and letting us keep them groomed with a wax and trim but still full. Want to fake the look a little. Fill in those brows with Alchemy Mineral Blends Glenwood or Walnut loose brow powder.

Lips.Pump up those puckers with a beautiful matte berry lipstick. Keep your eyes simple and let your lips tell the story.

Eyes.This winter polar opposites are com-ing to play. A nude eye and a color-ful lip is a fun way to go, or add some drama this season with a dark purple smokey eye and a soft nude lip. Ei-ther way is a definate glam statement. You can get either of these fun eye palletts from Alchemy Mineral Blends.

Cheeks.A soft pink will give you the perfect color pop during the dull days of winter.

Lashes:Want a simple everyday eyecatching look? Lash extensions are a must have for yourself or are great as a glamorous gift. Lash ex-tensions add fullness and length to your eyes for an instant lucious look. It is your quick trick to looking fabulous all day long.

BEFORE AFTER

Contact Jacqueline with Alchemy Studios at Claws Salon for all your skincare, waxing, makeup, airbrush spray tan, and eyelash extension needs.

And wondering what to gift someone who doesn't like to spoil themselves? Guess what we offer Gift Certificates!

Whats New at

Beauty Sessions

Some days its just nice to feel special. To spoil yourself. To revisit who you were prior to kids, work, other priorities. When I went back to New Zealand I was really ready to revitalize both myself and Crackle Photography. I took time out, and I invested in my-self. Toward the end of our stay I spoilt myself and a friend to a glamor session, and I learnt we can all look fantastic - yes it may not be our every day self, but I felt energized, renewed and excited to see myself in a new way. Long term I am allowing myself a few more girly things in my life - like painted nails for the first time ever, but more importantly I saw beyond the every day me in the mirror. And the best thing I shared the day with a dear friend, and we have glamorous photos to remember it by!! Plus we got to go out and celebrate -my longest lunch ever 11 hours!!!

So I am now excited to introduce beauty sessions at Crackle Photography. Come with a girlfriend, your mom, your sisters, your bridal party - whatever you want. We will give you a mini makeover - well Jacqueline from Alchemy Mineral Blends will. You will look fantastic! We then stylize your session to be how you want it.

Great clothing options available from Laurel Creek, custom cards to celebrate you at Noteworthy and a treasure box of images from me at Crackle Photography.

Its a day to celebrate YOU!. When we are done you're dressed and ready to take on the town so plan a fun evening too!

I think its fair to say if you live in Missoula at some point you have ridden or taken friends to ride the Carousel in Caras Park. So please help support this iconic part of Missoula and donate to their fundraising night on November 20, 2013. I (Crackle Bingham) will be there riding until I am giddy - donations in my name before sound wonderful!! There are only so many turns I can take on the fastest Carousel in the west before the spinning takes over the system!

This is the Carousel's first ever Ride-A-Thon! With celebrity riders, prizes, and special guests, it will be a whole lot of fun for everyone! Whether you are willing to step up and be one of our riders, or donate to one of your favorites, please join us (on-line or in person) for this special event. The link to donate is below (you can choose your rider when donating - please pick me Crackle!!!!).

Link to donate: http://carouselformissoula.com/shop/ride-thon-donation/