Erica Brewer has endured heartbreaking loss, and many trials and tribulations to get to where she is today. But the 42-year-old’s philosophy can be summed up in the very words that adorn the walls of her downtown Dubuque boutique: “The power of a great outfit is impossible to overstate.” “The way we look can inspire...

When Ann Butzier first opened her shop, Namaste, in 2015, you couldn’t find the word “athleisure” in the dictionary. “It was a word I’d heard, but it wasn’t common,” she said. “I remember using it in a conversation with a customer, and she said, ‘Oh, that’s a cool word.’” But in the past several years...

There’s no question as to what menu item is the most ordered at Friday fish fries during Lent. Across the region, in dining halls both large and small, Midwesterners love their fish, whether it’s fried, battered, baked, broiled, tossed in fettuccine or stuffed into a taco shell. But for a fair number of fish fry...

The spring is upon us. Let the celebrations begin. And what’s the most important part of a celebration? Responsibly enjoying a tasty libation, of course. Whether that libation is a beer- or wine-flavored alcohol or something softer (sarsaparilla, perhaps), we’ve got a few tips for how to hack that drink. Just remember, moderation is next...

Have Easter guests jumping for joy by planning a celebration that is not only memorable and joyful, but affordable, too, with ideas for activities, recipes and basket essentials that are convenient and budget-friendly. Hoppin’ activities While the egg hunt is a classic Easter hit, consider activities before the hunt to keep guests entertained and in...

While Mother Nature might still have a few chilly surprises in store — it’s the Midwest, after all — it’s almost April, and the signs of spring are in the air, from warmer temperatures to blossoming bushes and longer days. For Lori Portner, owner of Murphy’s Gardens in Galena, Ill., it’s a particularly joyful, if...

Soon leaves will return to trees and brown lawns will become green again. Welcome spring! With spring comes the opportunity to refresh, renew and reinvigorate one’s interior and home décor. Looking for ways to refresh your décor this season? Here are some top tips: Use color “drenching” techniques. Color drenching is a design technique in...

With flowers blooming and birds chirping, you might be in a spring-cleaning mindset. As you spruce up your home, you can also channel that energy into getting your finances in tip-top shape. According to certified financial planning professionals, here’s how to clear away the cobwebs in your budget: Sort expenditures If you’ve ever sorted your...

PMS (premenstrual syndrome) is something most women have experienced at some point — mood swings, bloating, fatigue, cravings or just feeling “off” in the days leading up to your period. But while it’s common, it’s not something we should just accept as normal and push through. PMS is a sign that something in your body...

Tessa Anderson wasn’t sure she wanted to become a mom. “I had always been one of those people who dug her heels in and said, ‘Nope. I’m not having kids,’ especially when I was younger,” said the 30-year-old, of Dubuque. “People would say to me, ‘You’ll probably feel differently about it when you’re older. But...

New parents have a lot to think about. From setting up the nursery, to picking out a name, there are so many details to consider, both small and large. Here are some tips: Prepare your household Doctors suggest exposing pets to the smells and sounds of babies in advance of your child’s arrival. Playing a...

Baby, it’s a brand new year. And when it comes to creating the perfect sleep space for little ones, there are more fun options than ever. Styles range from haute to homespun, vintage to vanguard. A look at some of the best: Blurring the lines Traditional parameters like gender-specific motifs and colors, and room-specific furnishings,...

Any parent who’s gone through a “I don’t like that” phase knows that kids can be notoriously picky eaters, often because they’re more sensitive to smells, texture and taste. Children also can be afraid to try unfamiliar foods, which is why many experts advise teaching kids about where food comes from and how it’s prepared...

Choosing healthy beverages for children and adolescents is just as important as choosing healthy foods, as it impacts everything from oral health to chronic disease risk. That’s why leading health and nutrition organizations developed new healthy beverage recommendations for families with children ages 5-18. These evidence-based recommendations were created as part of a collaboration by...

Women’s bodies are beautifully complex, guided by natural rhythms and cycles that are deeply influenced by hormonal health. Hormones play a vital role in regulating mood, energy, sleep and reproductive health, making their balance essential for overall well-being. Nutrition is a powerful tool in maintaining this balance, offering the nutrients and energy needed to support...

Your child has a stuffy nose, cough and fever. Is it the flu? COVID? A common cold? Or are they symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus? Or another virus known to cause the common cold? There seem to be so many, especially in young children who can have several colds per year. Viruses can keep your...

Much as MTV and Saturday morning cartoons stood in as de facto parents for our generation, Tik Tok and Instagram are serving in loco parentis for the next generation of tech-obsessed youth. But there is another way. A better way. A hacking way. In hackis parentis, if you will allow a bit of Latin in...

What are TikTok’s privacy settings? Can parents control what advertising their children see on Facebook? How do parents limit the amount of time their children spend on Instagram? A new parent tool, the Glossary of Digital Media Platforms, offers the answers and will be handy for parents of children trying out new phones or other...

When Nat Finley relocated to Dubuque from Muscatine, Iowa, in 2020, she felt a bit of a disconnect. “I wanted to meet more people,” said the photographer, entrepreneur and owner of Nat Finley Photography. Specifically, she wanted to connect with other women who, like her, wanted to explore what the community had to offer, particularly...

February is one of those months that has an image problem. Sure, it’s the month of love — after all, Valentine’s Day calls it home. But, it’s also wrapped tightly in the embrace of winter’s coldest depths. And nothing kills the mood quite like icicles hanging from body hair. Or, the frigid gust of a...

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...

If you’re like 80% of people, your New Year’s resolution has failed by now. Many of us find ourselves asking, “Why?” Why do we set goals year after year and rarely seem to see them come to fruition? It often comes down to where our motivation for the goal originates and how well it aligns...

Few things are more comforting than a big pot of soup simmering away on the stove. Every spoonful feels like a warm hug, and knowing it can all come together quickly and easily, with ingredients you’re likely to have on hand, makes it even more satisfying. If you live in the North Country, soup can...

Chicken soup famously warms your soul in all kinds of weather, but when the thermometer dips into the 20s, it’s time to pull out the big guns and get serious with a bowl that’s as sustaining as it is comforting. Winter is when stick-to-your-ribs dishes come calling, after all. Winter activities such as shoveling snow,...

Libraries and dens are popular, especially for those who dwell in larger homes. Typically, these rooms are dark and cavernous with little light and sometimes no windows. The key to making these often-smaller spaces shine lies not only in proper space planning, but also in the creative use of color and light. Looking for ways...

Does anyone else make the mistake of writing last year down on paper when you have to write the date? Like the new year just hasn’t kicked in yet, and 2024 is hanging around like a toxic ex. I mean, it is the month of love, isn’t it? Where is the new romance, the new...

Lindsey Einsweiler and Chelsea Vollmer have a similar philosophy when it comes to new year’s resolutions. “We wish that people wouldn’t wait or see becoming healthier and making wellness a priority as a luxury,” Einsweiler said. “It’s important to take the time for yourself and to focus on not only your physical health, but your...

Looking to improve your health in 2025 and beyond? Check out these recommendations from the American Medical Association: Make nutritional tweaks Reduce your intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and processed foods, especially those with added sodium and sugar. Drinking sugary beverages, even 100% fruit juices, is associated with a higher mortality risk, according to a study...

W inter is upon us — and not just in a “Game of Thrones” meme that circulated the internet circa 2015. It’s easy to imagine that the book’s author, George R. R. Martin, who taught at Clarke University in the late 1970s, drew from the Dubuque’s winters while penning his series. While we might now...

Here’s a way to keep boneless, skinless chicken breasts moist. Saute the chicken, then cover the skillet and finish the cooking in the oven. So the chicken has a nice crust and the steam from the skillet keeps the inside moist. The sweet chili sauce with walnuts adds texture and a sweet tang. The side...

I find these winter days call for a thick, comforting soup. This Black Bean Soup is the answer. It’s a vegetarian meal that’s easy and quick to make. The soup has its roots in Latin America and the Caribbean, where it is made with dried black beans. I’ve shortened the time by using canned black...

Curly endive, or frisee, is my go-to salad green through winter. The frizzy emerald leaves and creamy interior are lightly bitter and sturdy, and add oomph to rich, hearty cold-weather dishes. Best known for its role in the French bistro salad Lyonnaise, made of tossed frisee, lardons of bacon and topped with a poached egg,...

Beets are divisive. To some, their earthy depth and sly sweetness are irresistible; to others, the root vegetable tastes like dirt. “The beet is the most intense of vegetables,” Tom Robbins writes in “Jitterbug Perfume.” “The radish, admittedly, is more feverish, but the fire of the radish is a cold fire, the fire of discontent,...

The days of punishing our bodies into submission for weight loss or improved health finally are coming to an end. Throughout the years, women have learned the hard way that trying to force their bodies to lose weight or fit into a certain mold has led them down a path of disease, frustration and disconnection....

When parent-teacher conference season approaches, many parents are excited to hear about their child’s progress. However, for those with children facing challenges in school, these meetings can be overwhelming. If your child is struggling, clinic-based occupational, speech/language and physical therapies can provide valuable support, helping to enhance their success both in and out of the...

January is a time for setting goals, new habits and fresh starts. Here are five financial New Year’s resolutions you can set for yourself, along with how a financial professional can help you achieve them: Boost your financial IQ Financial literacy is critical to building wealth. It will help you break bad habits and make...

This time of the year, I always look forward to the announcement of the Pantone Color of the Year. Last year, it was Peach Fuzz, and the year before, it was Viva Magenta. I’ve always liked to try to join in and pick out flowers, to show that we are part of the team, a...

It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the busyness of the holiday season — from perfecting your home décor to searching for gifts for everyone on your list to creating a delicious holiday menu. To help simplify the holidays, here are a few easy tips, so you can spend more time enjoying the most...

Travel can be stressful in the best of times. Now add in the high-level anxiety that seems to be baked into every holiday season and it’s clear that travelers could use some help calming frazzled nerves. Travel pros say there is plenty you can do ahead of time to make for a happier and less-stressful...

In the era of social media, online dating and Netflix and chill there are few pleasures as tactile and satisfying as entertaining. Whether it’s a couple of friends and a bottle of wine or a couple dozen and a homemade antipasto bar, there is a world of face-to-face fun out there just waiting to get...

Pie crust looks like it should be the easy part of making a homemade pie. All you need to create a flaky foundation for your favorite filling is a handful of basic ingredients most home cooks already have on hand: All-purpose flour, a bit of fat to give it texture, salt and a little liquid...

Whet the appetites of your holiday party guests with this grand antipasti platter. The assembly directions and recipes come from San Francisco food stylist Bebe Black Carminito and her new cookbook, “The Curated Board: Inspired Platters & Spreads for Any Occasion” (Abrams, $25). This board curates a selection of antipasti — it means “before the...

Brunch has a special seat at the table: It bridges savory and sweet and breakfast and lunch, and appeases both early birds and late risers. It’s a meal with very few rules, which is especially welcome to cooks as we head into a season filled with tradition and culinary expectations. Want to serve pancakes alongside...

Every new year, as the clock strikes midnight, we make resolutions to change our habits, eat better and lose weight. We often turn to the latest diet trends, hoping that, this time, we’ll find the answer. But what if, instead of searching for the next diet, we focused on something deeper? What if we gave...

There’s something about this time of year that just calls out for a great, big, steaming bowl of chili. And it’s not just because it’s beginning to get cold outside, though it’s true we start to crave warm, comforting dishes when the weather forecast calls for pulling on a jacket instead of shorts. Rather, I...

On a quaint piece of land just hugging the edge of downtown Platteville, Wis., sits a small yellow workshop, converted from a garage. This time of year, Tiffany Vance can be found inside, weaving together twigs and greenery to form holiday wreaths, occasionally taking a break to throw another log into the wood-burning fireplace or...

Upcoming events throughout the tri-state will lift holiday spirits and put attendees in the mood for the season ahead. Here is a sampling of local events featuring Santa, ballet dancers, Christmas trees, holiday treats, carols and more. Reflections in the Park Times/dates: 5-10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 28-Sunday, Jan. 5. Site: Louis Murphy Park, Dubuque. Cost:...

In more ways than one, Maddie Poppe has come full circle. The 26-year-old singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist hailing from humble Clarksville, Iowa, might be best known for taking the win on season 16 of ABC’s “American Idol.” But prior to that, she was simply a sweet, small-town girl, singing songs in the company of her...

As the seasons change, so do our homes. But seasonal styling can be simple and doesn’t always mean buying new things. It’s about making thoughtful adjustments that bring the warmth and coziness of fall and winter into your living spaces. Let’s walk through some of the ways we are refreshing this season: Cozy up your...

Add a burst of fresh color to the fall landscape with mums. This traditional fall flower is a favorite of many. These fall beauties come in a wide range of colors and provide weeks of floral beauty. Mums are great in containers, the garden and cut flower bouquets. Fall just wouldn’t be the same without...

Here’s an easy weeknight meal. Just assemble the ingredients and let the oven do the rest. I cut the pork tenderloin into small streaks and placed them on a sheet pan with baby kale and butternut squash. It all bakes for 10 minutes. A big help is that you can buy butternut squash cubes ready...

Some Midwestern falls are better than others. Some are more colorful, crisp and cool, while others are just cold. Then, there are those “second summers” that creep deep into fall, only to be replaced by, well, winter. This year feels like the latter, but even if the frost hasn’t covered the pumpkins yet, I’m going...

Did you ever go on a trip and eat something so amazing that you became obsessed? That’s me with those utterly delicious maple leaf-shaped cookies stuffed with maple cream and sold in Canada. Known for their delicate shape and sweet maple flavor, these whimsical cookies can be found just about everywhere once you cross the...

One of the hardest, most fraught parts of the holidays is that age-old tradition of gift giving. Few things stress in quite the same way as nervously shuffling through a store on Dec. 23 looking for a present that’s not going to look like you bought it nervously on Dec. 23. That’s why Her Hacks...

The holiday season might be warm, merry and bright, but it’s also a time when it’s all too easy to spend more than you plan to and rack up debt you can’t manage. According to Certified Financial Planner professionals, here’s how to celebrate the season in style while positioning yourself for a financially healthy 2025:...

The temperature has dropped. The leaves have fallen. And seasonal depression is creeping in. Holidays can be difficult when you’ve lost people who won’t be walking through the door on Thanksgiving. Holidays are even more difficult to write about when you want to share the good things that bring holiday cheer, but you aren’t feeling...

This time of year can stir up a range of emotions around food, particularly feelings of anxiety. When working with clients during the holiday season, I often notice the stress and planning they feel they need to engage in for get-togethers. My advice? Relax and practice mindfulness. This suggestion can be challenging to accept. No...

The holiday season is a joyous time of year, but it also can throw your wellness routines out of alignment. Doctors advise prioritizing healthy choices during this period, so you can start 2025 on the right foot. “Everyone’s holiday wish is to be happy, health and safe, but the season is often a time for...

A book can inspire joy and stir the imagination, and even better this holiday season is the gift of sharing that book with your child. “Turning the pages of a high-quality, print book filled with colorful pictures and rich, expressive language is best,” said Dipesh Navsaria, a pediatrician. “While touchscreens and other electronic devices may...

Pam Jochum didn’t initially feel called to politics. “It was a journey that started when I was maybe about 20 years old,” she said. “It wasn’t until Tom Jochum and I started going to caucus. The next thing you know, Tom is elected and we’re going to conventions. I just found that I was so...

A new month, new energy, new business. As we highlight women in business this month and salute those women who strive for success, I must salute myself as well. I love to share my life with those who continue to follow my work along this path I’ve found myself on. In September, just five months...

For many women, nutrition often is seen primarily as a means to alter body size or appearance. But imagine if we could shift our focus from simply changing how we look to using food and nutrition as tools to enhance our life’s purpose and mission. By prioritizing the nutrients that fuel our bodies, we can...

Dawn Lueken had always been a voracious reader. “I still am to this day,” said the 49-year-old. “Nobody loves books more than I do. I just want to get my hands on everything.” So, it came as a surprise when the Wahlert Catholic High School and Coe College grad with aspirations of becoming an English...

Alycia Willenbring discovered a passion for the environment as early as her grade school science classes, opening her awareness to a new world. However, she never anticipated it would lead her in the direction it has. The 33-year-old is a resource conservationist for the National Resource Conservation Service, serving Dubuque, Delaware, Jackson and Jones counties....

Ivonne Simmonds-Fals sees the community as fertile soil — an environment she has been able to plant roots, grow and continue to thrive in a plethora of creative ways. “Dubuque is a small community, but it’s one where you can make an impact,” said the 36-year-old. “You can see the things that you do, and...

For Paige Putnam, a healthy lifestyle always has been top of mind. The 19-year-old Dubuque native practices a what she describes as a plant-based diet — refraining from eating food items containing animal product in favor of whole fruit and veggies, greens, grains and other alternatives. “My family practiced a plant-based diet,” Putnam said. “But...

Here are a few of my favorite plant-based recipes. I included breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and appetizers, and dessert. Some recipes are from my cookbook, some are from my collaboration with Plant-Based Putnams, and some are just a few I’ve compiled that I love. Breakfast Almond Oat Bake This vegan almond oat bake is a...

Life can be crazy. With hectic schedules trying to strike a work-life balance, while ensuring we are properly taking care of ourselves can be difficult. To help manage it all, it’s helpful to lean on the expertise of those who specialize in health and wellness. Within our community are many nutrition and health professionals, including...

For many women, food can feel like an uncontrollable force. With years of emphasis placed on food and body size, it’s easy to become preoccupied with eating. Common phrases like, “I can’t resist the treats in the break room” or “food is all I think about” reflect this struggle. It makes sense, given that many...

Embarking on a wine tasting journey can be exciting and intimidating. With so many aspects to explore, from tasting techniques to selecting the right pour, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. Fortunately, expert advice can simplify the process and enhance the experience. EJ Droessler, owner of EJ’s Wine Shop in Dubuque’s Historic Millwork District,...

W hether you live in tight quarters or, like many Americans, have a smaller, secondary kitchen in your home, there are strategies for making the most of compact cooking areas, none of which involve compromising style or functionality. Use smart storage Sneak in extra storage in unexpected places without contributing to kitchen clutter. Install pull-out...

Cooks and gardeners poke fun at zucchini all season long, but the summer squash deserves respect. Few fruits and vegetables are able to move between sweet and savory genres with such ease. Need a quick side? Slice it or dice it, drizzle with olive oil, breadcrumbs and Parmesan and pop it in the air fryer...

Come midsummer, you’ll find sweet corn on my dinner table almost every night of the week. And one of my favorite ways to serve it is in a bowl of soup. You don’t have to do much to get a decent bowl of corn soup at the peak of corn season. Each kernel is packed...

As a lover of food, I do not have the best relationship with it. Frankly, this is the first time, writing about it, that I am being honest with myself about it. I share a lot about my life in my writing, and I pride myself on being honest and transparent with readers. As I...

Corn and tomatoes, tomatoes and corn — peak summer eating is splendidly simple. Such pristine flavors need no more than a drizzle of great olive oil, a sprinkle of coarse salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Toss in crisp cucumbers and you’ve got a speedy side dish; add a hunk of rustic bread...

This time of year is special for Abigail Nauman. It marks a new beginning, as the energy shifts from one season to the next, and children prepare their annual return to the classroom. As an educator with a lifelong passion for molding young minds, it’s an energy she finds exhilarating. “I always wanted to teach,”...

Ah, school days. Whether you’re heading in for that first year or a returning veteran of the be-lockered hallways, the return to school is an exciting, sometimes stressful time. If there’s one thing that’s especially difficult to get back into the swing of, it’s studying. Good study habits are the work of an entire academic...

College tuition might be costly, but outfitting your collegiate student with dorm decor, apparel and everything to support a great academic year doesn’t have to be. With care, college students and their parents can make back to school preparations a wallet-friendly experience. Discount experts are offering helpful advice for saving on all your dorm room...

A new school year brings with it fresh opportunity, excitement and, sometimes, anxiety for parents and students. Medical experts say that addressing health-related issues can help make for a stress-free back-to-school season. “Opening the lines of communication with your child and their physician to talk about nutrition, physical activity, and the steps you can take...

The excitement of a new school year unfolds each year when families flood the superstore aisles to buy classroom supplies, tape afterschool schedules on the fridge and organize carpools with friends. Common to each family is a desire for children to remain healthy, active and ready to learn. To prepare children and teens to be...

With school just around the corner, a healthy and quick breakfast can significantly reduce stress and set a positive tone for the rest of the day for you and your children. While all meals should be healthy and balanced, breakfast is particularly important. A well-balanced breakfast can provide the energy needed for the day, improve...

No one enjoys summer more than Midwesterners. Whether that means trips to the cabin or evenings on the deck, we know we have to savor the moment. One of the things worth savoring the most is summer produce. Tomatoes, cucumbers, raspberries, zucchini and melons are all coming into their prime, but at my house corn...

online www.apartmenttherapy.com www.dwellstudio.com www.youtube.com/user/ChristianeLemieux/featured For teenagers heading off to college, it’s both a design dream and a challenge: What to do with a small, nondescript dorm room — a space you might have to share? A space that might include furniture you can neither remove nor alter? Do-it-yourself projects are a great, low-cost way to...

Is it that time of year again? Back to school season, but not for me. As a recent college graduate, I must say, it has been fun. Hectic, of course, but fun, nonetheless. This time does have me wondering, however, about what I’d like to do next. Aside from expanding my creative career, how will...

Sarah Knabel has never been one to turn down a good cup of coffee. As an Iowa State University student, she fell in love with the atmosphere of the campus coffee house that provided respite from her busy class schedule as a marketing and public relations major. That enthusiasm followed the Dubuque native when she...

Holiday get-togethers tend to draw lots of people, especially when they’re held outside. That’s why at a July 4 cookout you’ll often find multiple side dishes alongside the burgers, hot dogs and barbecued chicken on the hosts’ picnic table. Whether you’re preparing them yourself or a guest is the contributor, salads and other cold sides...

Age: 38. Business & location: The Story Space (formerly Fig Leaf), Dubuque. Founded: 2024. Female you look up to: My mama and my sister. My mom is now retired, but she was a trailblazer in her prime — a true pioneer for making the way for young entrepreneurship. She saw her vision and jumped. My...

Whether you’re day tripping with family, taking a week-long vacation with gal pals, or doing a cross-country solo drive, summer road trips of all kinds can be long and exhausting. The good news? There are plenty of ways to improve the experience. Here are a few: Great snacks Road trip snacks are non-negotiable. They make...

Age: 51. Business & location: Gordon’s Tuxedos and Suits, Dubuque. Founded: 1952. Female you look up to: Bethany Frankel. What inspired you to launch your business: The business was presented to me by the former owner (Dina Kempthorne) in February 2021, and I saw the opportunity to continue with this longstanding Dubuque business. Biggest thing...

Age: 53. Business & location: Wicked Dame Wine & Bar, Dubuque. Founded: 2018. Female you look up to: Any woman that breaks from the expected norm, whether famous or the hard-working mom next door. We are all “Wicked Dames.” What inspired you to launch your business: The desire to have a female friendly establishment, where...

Whether you’re a novice jogger embarking on a couch-to-5K program or a marathoner serious about racking up finishers’ medals, it’s critical you take great care of your feet. “Running is an amazing form of cardiovascular exercise, but because it’s a high-impact sport that involves repeated trauma to the feet, everyone from long-distance runners to casual...

As peak summer approaches in Sicily, Anna Fiannaca prefers the peppers, eggplants and zucchini her brothers grow over the packaged food in the supermarket. The 89-year-old cooks everything from scratch and eats mostly vegetarian. But she attributes much of her continued good health to adjusting her diet to what is most available throughout the year....

Age: 39. Business & location: Soul Revolution Yoga + Cycling, Dubuque. Founded: 2018. Female you look up to: Maureen Mondanaro, my original yoga teacher and trainer. What inspired you to launch your business: I found yoga while in college a few years after my dad passed away. I was a little lost, unsure and unconnected...

Age: 43. Business & location: City Girl Farming + Prepared Meals, Dubuque; and Sinsinawa, Wis. Founded: 2019. Female you look up to: I look up to my late grandmother, who was fearless, funny and spirited in the most magical way. What inspired you to launch your business: Ultimately, the more I learned about our food...

Fresh, clean and eco-friendly. There are numerous ways to create an environment that is chemical free while also providing cleanliness and freshness. Eco-friendly ways to infuse scents in your space Consider herbs. From sage to lavender, these herbs can provide a fragrant and appealing scent. Incorporate oils. Pure essential oils are the most powerful. Add...

It’s July, and we’re halfway through 2024. This month, Her magazine features young women entrepreneurs. Ironically, July happens to be my three-year anniversary (36 articles) of writing specifically for Her in roughly 25,000 words. This blows my mind. I suppose, as a self-proclaimed entrepreneur, we do what it takes to relay our message and share...

Age: 34. Business & location: The Midwest Girl, Dubuque. Founded: 2015. Female you look up to: My sister and Sara Blakely. What inspired you to launch your business: My sister and our bond is what inspired the launch of The Midwest Girl. Being born and raised in Wisconsin, our love and deep appreciation for our...

Coming in hot and blunt this month, women weren’t just put on this earth to have babies — certainly not in this political and economic climate, where men are policing our bodies and formula cost $50 per can. Rent is high. Everything is high. So who can afford another mouth to feed? Another body to...

Age: 39. Business & location: Centrally Rooted, Dubuque. Founded: 2021. Female you look up to: Pema Chodron, Dr. Becky and Brandi Carlile. What inspired you to launch your business: Witnessing how our lack of self-acceptance and love can lead to severe brain health issues. I’m inspired to use the creative mind as a tool to...

Age: 36. Business & location: The Health Spa by Vive + Select Balance Supplements + The Healthy Practitioner Podcast, Peosta and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Founded: 2016. Female you look up to: Dr. Nasha Winters (author of “Metabolic Approach to Cancer”) is someone I have loved having as a mentor and friend. She is making big...