Life has thrown a few surprises at Ashley Ayala. The 36-year-old Dubuque native grew up in a what many would describe as a traditional Midwestern household backed by strong family bonds, despite losing its patriarch in 2003. That loss would lead Ashley to discovering a passion for the practice of yoga, eventually tapping into the...
There is an Irish proverb that says, “A good friend is like a four-leaf clover — hard to find and lucky to have.” We all have friends through the stages of our lives. The grade school friends, the middle school friends, the high school friends, the college friends, the work friends. Our lives change as...
Josh White wants to make friends. He moved to Dubuque in September from the small tourist town of Lake Lure, N.C., with his wife, Amy, and their three children. But Josh, 39, is challenged by the adjustment. “Even though there are a lot of people here, I don’t have the greatest social skills, I guess,”...
“Be the one who nurtures and builds. Be the one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart, one who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them.” — Marvin J. Ashton Healthy relationships with family, friends and other loves ones can be a significant source of comfort, support and...
Did you know that 25% of the 805,000 heart attacks per year in the U.S. are recurrent? The American Heart Association reports that once you’ve experienced a heart attack, your chances of having another one is higher. In fact, nearly one in five patients who’ve had a heart attack will have another cardiovascular event, such...
As someone who has seen her fair share of brides, weddings and beyond, I want to share industry tips (for the professional and bride-to-be) that will help make artistry experiences the best. Bridal artistry has come a long way since my early days of being a business owner. Often when I connect with brides, they...
For many people, the bedroom is a key room, one in which much of the day is spent. From a design standpoint, it’s a place into which you might want to invest in elevating your decor. How do you make a bedroom your favorite room in the house? Create a mood To help springboard your...
W ell-meaning adults would tell Anana Johari Harris Parris when she was a young girl that she needed to take better care of herself. “I was like, ‘How?’ I felt everybody else had it figured out and I didn’t,” Parris said. But years later, she would be forced to take a big step toward self-care....
Valentine’s Day is no longer just for the happy couples. Whether you’re married, dating or content being single, there are ways for everyone to celebrate love of all kinds, including romance in 2022, regardless of relationship status. 1. Custom cards. SmashUps, from American Greetings, can help prioritize love and romance any day of the year....
At lunch with my colleagues recently, the conversation turned to a morning news feature about a group of 13 women who contributed $3,000 apiece to time-share a diamond necklace, each having the use of it for a given period each year. The rules are flexible: Anyone celebrating a special occasion could take temporary custody, as...
As we settle into another year living with the COVID-19 pandemic, Valentine’s Day is next up. And showing love and gratitude can feel more important than ever. Perhaps during a regular year, you and your dearest might have gone out for a romantic dinner, or somewhere special like the theater, a concert, a horse-drawn carriage...
Casseroles have long been a favorite for family meals and gatherings because one-pan dishes are easy to make, a dream to portion and can feed a crowd. Lasagna is a particular favorite because who doesn’t love the magical marriage of cheese, pasta and tomatoes? Add that it can be composed ahead of time, taking some...
