Here's a sampling of what Kansas City nightlife has to offer.
It takes a whole lot of fabulous to keep J Space going, so every month we feature guest stars for you to meet and learn about. Our July guest is Lisa Houser, an Overland Park good witch who knows how to be bad.
Bad Witch
Oh the draw of $1 flip-flops.
You would have thought Old Navy was giving gasoline away Saturday morning. By the time I arrived with five eager nieces and nephews in tow, the Olathe store had been open only 15 minutes, and already moms were leaving the store as if it was on fire, kids and Old Navy plastic bags in hand.
Lauryn & Clef were once "just friends"
I firmly believe that friendship has little to do with gender. Some of the best friendships can exist between a man and a woman.
But there are times, when the term "just friends" is used between two people who are more than that. Maybe they have a mutual understanding, maybe they just aren't ready or maybe they're the whole anti-label types.
The thing is, I have had these types of friendships. I'm sure most people who have been in the dating world have. No, I'm not talking about friends with benefits. I'm talking about friendships. Someone you go on dates with, tell your secrets to and laugh about nothing with. But recently, I have begin to wonder about it all.
I pulled out a classic album, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill." It's widely believed that most of the heartache seeping through the songs is about her "friendship" with Wyclef Jean.
Some say, how could one be so hurt over a friend choosing to be with someone else. But the more I think about it, the more logical it becomes.
When you are building with someone, nurturing a friendship that is evolving and you aren't seeing anyone else - you are indeed in a relationship. You aren't emotionally available to anyone else, you are completely driving towards a bigger commitment.
Until one person does something hurtful. Then, they get a free pass. They pull out the "friend" card. There is no accountability. But shouldn't there be? If it is a real friendship, you should think about how your words, ways and actions effect the other person. Right? Maybe I am wrong.
But for years, I have wondered how Lauryn Hill could have been so hurt by Wyclef. None of us will ever know the real story between the two, but I bet there was a time when they couldn't imagine life without calling one another friend. Now, it's all gone. Sounds like a relationship gone wrong to me. I mean, isn't that what friendship is- the foundation to a deeper relationship?
What do you think about being "just friends"? Is it just a relationship in disguise?
Every Tuesday and Saturday my lifestyle column runs in The Kansas City Star, and you can find the most recent ones below. For previous columns, click here.
Two years ago April Lacher was a stay-at-home mom and wife. That alone was hard work _ taking care of her son, paying bills, cleaning house, running the day-to-day errands. Still, she wanted more.
She'd discovered she had an artsy side when she was planning her wedding. To save money, she took on the task of decorating the facility, designed the floral arrangements and helped create the invitations.
"I realized I loved creating beautiful things that other people could appreciate," says April, 32.
So when a family member couldn't use a lip balm because of an allergy to almond oil, April figured she could make some.
I just don’t understand why there has to be so much T’n’A. It’s everywhere. Just take a look at our new entertainment district.
I mean, the Power & Light is sexy enough with Mosaic, the chic lounge with Miami flair.
The indoor-outdoor living room with potent martinis is the gem of the Cordish Co.’s mall of bars that have taken over downtown.
But it isn’t enough to have sultry décor and a hot staff. The P&L wants its waitresses to look as if they’re auditioning for a spot in the Pussycat Dolls.
Seriously, the servers at Angel’s Rock Bar look like extras in that old Christina Aguilera video — “Dirrty.” And pretty much every bar in the district serves up a wait staff with thighs exposed and/or breasts spilling out of their tops.
