All photos courtesy the bakery
Feeling Sweet
Dig In
All photos courtesy the caterer unless otherwise marked
Love in Bloom
All photos courtesy the florist unless otherwise marked
A Dash of Sparkle
Maria Elena Headpieces photos by Madison Aycotch; Diamond Cellar photos courtesy Diamond Cellar. All item prices upon request.
Honeymooning Havens
Marseille
It’s been said that if you go to France and don’t visit Marseille, then you haven’t really seen France. The city is the country’s second largest, a wonderful souffle of European and African cultures overlaid with a deep sense that all is well, bon enfant. This translates into a Mediterranean port city long on charm, great restaurants and clever distractions.
One of those diversions is Le Panier, the old quarter. Hilly, narrow cobblestone streets carry addresses for local artisans, boutique shops and colorful bistros reflective of the many centuries of those who came before. Couples might be inclined to stroll the waterfront Corniche Kennedy Boulevard, known for its two miles of restaurants, terrific views and photographers.
There are beaches (you’re on the French Riviera after all) and the art, both indoors and streetside, is par excellence.
Stay at Sofitel Marseille Vieux Port near the water – complete with two restaurants, spa, gym, rooftop bar and panoramic views of Marseille’s exquisite Old Port.
Kiawah Island
Kiawah (key-wuh) Island is a ten-mile sliver of land running parallel to the coast of South Carolina, 21 miles from historic downtown Charleston. It’s named after the Kiawah Indians, the people who greeted the English in 1670.
The island now is filled with private homes and villas, tennis courts, pristine beaches and the star of the show: golf. The five championship golf courses at Kiawah Island Golf Resort include the Ocean Course, one of just four U.S. courses to have hosted every major PGA event.
Frolic with dolphins and explore the wildlife of the barrier island via kayak or paddle board on guided nature tours. Power boat excursions are available, and there are also folks who will teach you how to surf.
The beachfront Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island Golf Resort features guest rooms with handcrafted armoires, desks and beds. Schedule a personalized spa treatment after chasing birdies.
Shetland
Way above the Scottish mainland, past Orkney on a tack toward Norway, lie the Shetland Islands; wide open spaces and hundreds of miles of beautiful coastline accented by luscious greenery. Fans of the BBC drama series Shetland will recognize the heather-clad hills.
On the southern tip of the Shetland mainland, you’ll see puffins, fulmars and razorbills around historic Sumburgh Head Lighthouse. From nearby 300-foot cliffs, on calm days, look for minke whales, harbor porpoises and white-beaked dolphins. Across the islands, the celebrated ponies now number about a thousand.
Small museums here and there, such as the Shetland Museum in Lerwick, give visitors insights into how the Shetlands were settled by the Picts, the Vikings and the Scots. Shoppers will love the sweaters made of Shetland wool and Celtic jewelry handcrafted on the islands.
Fort Charlotte Guest House offers luxury accommodations in a 130-year-old native stone B&B overlooking the harbor in the heart of Lerwick.
Christchurch
Wedged between the Southern Alps and the Pacific Ocean, the city named after a college in Oxford sits on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island.
Following the awful earthquakes of 2011, Christchurch bounced back in funky fashion with colorful murals, boundary pushing architecture and natural urban landscapes. Imagine lazy Sunday afternoons, punting down the Avon River past the roses of Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
There’s a growing arts scene in central Christchurch and wine-making is making a comeback north of town. Book a table for two on board the old-timey Christchurch Tramway Restaurant and be sure to ride the gondola for dramatic views of the Canterbury Plains and the Alps.
At the International Antarctic Centre, experience simulated winter storms, take a field trip on a Hägglunds all-terrain amphibious vehicle and get nose-to-nose with the center’s little blue penguins. Christchurch is the world’s primary entry point into the Antarctic.
Stay at the Observatory Hotel Christchurch – Victorian architecture, down comforters and a 24-hour fitness center.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City in the south of Vietnam drives that nation’s economic engine with a dizzying whirlwind of youthful entrepreneurial exuberance. Formerly known as Saigon, the city neatly balances Vietnamese tradition with modern verve on elegant tree-lined thoroughfares, where age-old pagodas share the street with gleaming skyscrapers.
Two themes permeate HCMC’s culture: 60 years of French rule (ending in 1954) and the Vietnam War. The French influence is obvious in the city’s architecture, its cuisine and in the French Quarter with its relaxed pace and sidewalk cafes. The war is remembered in some detail at the War Remnants Museum and more than 20,000 documents, films and artifacts. Visitors can enter actual Cu Chi tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the war.
The Ben Thanh Market is Vietnam’s largest with 1,500 vendors trading in textiles, cosmetics, food and souvenirs. Leave time for a river cruise on the Mekong Delta.
At the end of the day, pamper yourselves at the Reverie Saigon, an uber-chic hotel occupying the top floors of downtown’s gleaming Times Square Tower.
Make An Impression
Guests
Bridesmaids
All photos courtesy the designer
The Christmas Capital of the Country
Many would panic at the thought of planning for the holidays in the spring or early summer … but for the organizers behind some of Oklahoma’s most beloved Christmas traditions, that idea is a reality.
Annual events like Guthrie’s Territorial Christmas, OKC’s Downtown in December and Tulsa’s Winterfest attract thousands of visitors annually from far and wide. For 2023, organizers offer a variety of events to create and spread holiday cheer.
Guthrie’s Territorial Christmas
Over 35 years ago, Guthrie’s merchants wanted to find a way to boost local business during the holiday season, all while paying homage to the city’s unique history and architecture. Settled in 1889, Guthrie was Oklahoma’s original state capital and is home to many late-Victorian era buildings.
“We want anyone who visits [Guthrie’s Territorial Christmas] to see what Guthrie was like in the late 1800s and early 1900s and be transported back in time,” says Shawnda Rooney, the economic development director for the City of Guthrie and the secretary for Guthrie’s Territorial Christmas Foundation.
Guthrie’s Territorial Christmas celebrates the city’s Victorian-era architecture.
Photo courtesy Guthrie’s Territorial Christmas
Territorial Christmas has since evolved from a small-scale event to include a line-up of festivities beginning in November. To pull it off, the foundation and its board plan year-round.
“We’re basically like Santa’s Elves – we never really take a break from Christmas,” says Rooney.
Territorial Christmas kicked off the holiday season with a Lighted Christmas Parade and Territorial Governor Race. On Dec. 2, the Guthrie Territorial Christmas Foundation puts on its Distinctive Home Tour. Ticketholders can get an exclusive look inside of Guthrie’s historic homes and buildings, all decorated for the holiday season.
On Dec. 2 and Dec. 9, visitors can don their best 19th-century-inspired attire for Guthrie’s Victorian Night Walks. Each evening, the city streets are buzz with musical performances, a live nativity scene, food trucks, shopping and light shows. In the past, the Victorian Night Walks have drawn up to 5,000 people – most of whom are dressed in costume.
“I love seeing the streets of downtown filled,” says Rooney. “We really want visitors to know that Guthrie is the Christmas capital of Oklahoma.”
To learn more about the Victorian-inspired festivities, go to guthriesterritorialchristmas.com.
Downtown in December
Photo courtesy Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership
Presented by Devon Energy and organized by the Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership (DOKC), Downtown in December returns to the metro for its 22nd year in 2023. A plethora of activities and attractions take place throughout the month and into the new year, including light displays, holiday pop-up shops, ice skating and photo-ops with Santa.
“So many people have told us over the years that they recall seeing old photos of Main Street decked out in holiday décor and busy with shoppers,” says Jennifer Nakayama, president and CEO at DOKC. “[Downtown in December] began as a way to bring the magic of the holidays to Downtown Oklahoma City.”
As you’d expect, planning for the event begins months in advance.
“Springtime becomes the holidays for us,” says Nakayama. “It’s not just about the Downtown OKC Partnership or our focused initiatives; it’s about bringing our community together and promoting all the wonderful holiday programming for our businesses, theaters, restaurants and retailers.”
Downtown in December began its extravaganza with a Tree Lighting Festival in November. On select dates throughout this month, visitors can participate in the 5K Saint Santa’s Run, peruse Christmas gifts under a stunning light display during Lights on Broadway, and enjoy live performances of Lyric’s A Christmas Carol and the Oklahoma City Ballet’s rendition of The Nutcracker.
To facilitate greater turnout, the Oklahoma City Streetcar offers free fare rides into downtown on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
“The City of Oklahoma City and Embark have been great partners to provide transportation and help with traffic bottlenecks,” says Nakayama, who relocated to Oklahoma from Hawaii earlier this year. She hopes that the event will help advance the quality of life and sense of for all who attend the event.
“I’ve heard and read so much about this signature event,” she says. “My family and I are really excited to take it all in and be a part of it.”
To stay up to date, Nakayama recommends checking out FAQs and a calendar of activities at downtownindecember.com.
Tulsa Winterfest
In 2008, downtown Tulsa opened the BOK Center, marking a turning point for tourism and nightlife throughout the city. Critical to the venue’s success is drawing people downtown. To sustain activity during the holiday season, the BOK Center wanted to create a unique experience: an outdoor ice skating rink.
“We wanted to involve the community, partner with sponsors and connect with all the different groups in Tulsa by bringing a fun holiday festival for all ages to enjoy: skating beneath the skyline and creating a sense of camaraderie,” says Victoria Pittman, BOK Center’s special events manager.
Photo courtesy Winterfest
Now going into its 16th year, Tulsa Winterfest runs through Jan. 2, offering a variety of seasonally inspired activities, from canned food and clothing drives to special giveaways, a holiday market and train rides. Pittman expects a turnout of around 200,000 people, and says scaling and creating new activities, along with building the ice rink, takes months of planning.
“We start getting the permits ready and planning the activities in July,” she says. “October is when we start closing down the street to build the rink.”
To add to the ambiance, the BOK Center made the decision to create a rink out of real ice instead of synthetic materials – a time-intensive but worthwhile effort, notes Pittman.
Kiddos wanting to ask Saint Nick for a gift can come out for free photos on Sundays. The BOK Center also offers Breakfast with Santa at the Cox Convention Center on Dec. 16.
“There’s a full breakfast buffet and you get to enjoy an hour and half with Santa,” says Pittman. Tickets are required.
Winterfest offers discounted skate tickets to event-goers who bring canned goods on Mondays and gently used clothing on Wednesdays. All donations benefit Iron Gate and the Eastern Food Bank of Oklahoma. Check out a full list of activities and attractions at tulsawinterfest.com.
“Winterfest has definitely continued to grow each year,” says Pittman. “It’s always great to see all the kids’ smiling faces and everyone enjoying the hard work that went into the event.”
The Season of Giving (Back)
The holiday season is in full swing. For many of us, it’s a time to get together with friends and family to celebrate a good year. For some, however, it’s just another very cold month without the proper amenities. There are plenty of organizations here in Oklahoma that work hard to help those in need during the holidays and year-round, and most of them are looking for volunteers as often as they can get them.
“Meals on Wheels of Norman is a great place to volunteer during the holiday season,” says Summer McGuire, the organization’s associate director of fundraising and donor development. “Volunteers can help deliver shelf-stable holiday meals to clients in the Norman community.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters – which has Oklahoma locations in Bartlesville, Norman, OKC, Shawnee, Stillwater and Tulsa – also needs help this time of year.
“We have approximately 350 children enrolled in our program waiting to be matched with their Big Brother or Big Sister,” says Cat Miller, the organization’s director of marketing and communications. “The most important factor for a child to develop resiliency is having at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive adult. Mentorship is the best gift you can give a child this holiday season. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma needs volunteer mentors to help ignite the potential in vulnerable Oklahoma youth.”
Besides your time, places like these frequently need donations. Money is, of course, appreciated, but there are often other types of donations people can provide.
For example, OU Health needs “patient experience items and clothing,” says Jonie Welle, director of volunteer services at the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital. Things like crossword puzzles, coloring books, colored pencils, sweatpants, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap and combs are all great items to donate.
“Books have to be new,” she says. “Due to infection control, we cannot use books that have been circulated.”
Meanwhile, Meals on Wheels can always use blankets and holiday cards.
“Our clients also love handmade pictures from kids,” says McGuire.
Spreading cheer during the winter months is a top priority for these organizations. For some, the joy of the holidays is often unseen due to financial, family, or other circumstances out of their control.
“Call Meals on Wheels of Norman to volunteer,” says McGuire. “It’s easy and a fun way to give back to our often forgotten portion of the community.”
Contact Deana Nelson at 405-321-7272 for opportunities.
The younger and less fortunate population in Oklahoma always needs a helping hand. To apply as a BBBSOK volunteer, go to bigoklahoma.org.
As for the Children’s Hospital, having blankets for everyone right before Christmas is always the goal, which is why the blanket drive is a major priority.
“This has made such an impact on our patients in the past; our volunteer department wants to keep this an annual event,” says Welle. “We have many patients from the vulnerable population, and a warm blanket to take home may be the only Christmas cheer they have.”
Whimsical Getaways
For those ready to unwind, or are just passing through but hankering for something outside the regular lodging experience, Oklahoma has unique opportunities available for one-night, weekend, or vacation stays in the form of classic motels and inns.
Desert Hills Motel
Tulsa
Tulsa’s Desert Hills Motel is still kickin’ it old school with its slice of Route 66 life. Using a unique architectural design, the motel was cobbled at an angle to allow for more spacious rooms on a small piece of land. Desert Hills has been welcoming guests on the Mother Road since 1953, and the inn’s retro, neon cactus sign beckons to those who yearn for a retro experience … all with fully remodeled units.
This mom-and-pop motor court offers budget prices, and special rates for guests who stay more than one night. Free HBO is available, and some of the rooms have kitchenettes.
“Our classic neon sign makes our business visually unique,” says owner Jack Patel. “We offer travelers classic, comfortable rooms with parking in front of the door, but without sacrificing today’s comforts. We also have wall-to-wall carpeted rooms and classic, tiled bathrooms with a tub and shower combination. Rooms are also equipped with refrigerators, televisions and Wi-Fi. And we have a guest laundry room on site.”
Classen Inn
OKC
For a colorful array of a stay, pop on over to Oklahoma City’s Classen Inn, which showcases itself with positive slogans like “Stay lively,” and “Where elevated design meets a good time.”
The Classen Inn – which was featured on the Paramount+ show Tulsa King – has its very own convenience store, called the Superette, with hyper-funky charm in every nook and cranny. The inn’s guests, or passersby, may purchase goodies including beer, wine and snacks.
There’s nothing dull about the rooms, which are retro, boho, eclectic and entertaining all rolled into one. Kid and bike friendly, with complimentary Wi-Fi and dogs allowed on the patio, the inn has a shared lounge space, free private parking and a terrace. Some rooms even have private balconies.
A Themed Escape
Tulsa
Then there’s a truly different take on an overnight stay, billed as the “Unique Themed Tulsa Escape,” which is a one-of-a-kind, free-standing, 1,270-square-foot vacation rental that takes eclectic, retro and hyper-pastel to new heights. Even the exterior is painted pastel pink, and guests enter through a turquoise front door underneath a red and white striped awning.
Overlooking Route 66 near Tulsa’s Utica Square Shopping Center, the location has two bedrooms, and sleeps six (if you count the double sofa sleeper in the living room), plus room for three cars in the driveway and street parking.
With 1.5 baths, this stylish getaway offers a fully modern, sleek and well equipped kitchen, and an ample dining table. Included are multiple living areas, plus a sunroom.
Plus, there’s keyless entry, smart TVs, free Wi-Fi, and a washer and dryer. You’ll find this one on the VRBO website – just search for “Unique Themed Tulsa Escape.”
Image cutline: The Classen Inn, located in OKC, offers the Superette with snacks and drinks. Photo courtesy the Classen Inn
One Outfit at a Time
Dress for Success is more than just a nonprofit; it’s a catalyst for change, a support system and a symbol of hope for women striving to overcome adversity and achieve their dreams.
At the heart of the organization’s Oklahoma affiliate is Alisa Trang Green, who empowers women to write their own success stories, one outfit at a time.
“I always had a passion and calling for helping women,” she says. “I know that we were created for something beautiful, and our contribution goes further than just bearing children. I wanted to be behind an organization that believes that. Dress for Success Oklahoma City has been around for eight years, and we have seen women flourish into entrepreneurs and college graduates and strong mothers. I think only when women see that they are worthy of love and valued members of the community do we all thrive.”
Green’s background informs and drives her passion for helping others. She was born in a refugee camp in Malaysia, and her parents immigrated to the U.S. when she was only ten months old.
“Growing up in Oklahoma City was a beautiful treasure for me,” she says. “We had a lot of hard trials, but we were on the receiving end of a lot of good. Churches, charities and people were so kind to us as refugees, and now that I have the resources to do so, I want to give back to the same community that welcomed us.”
Trang, who was the former Miss Asian UCO and 4th runner-up in national Miss Vietnam USA, believes her pageantry experience has played a significant role in how she operates the organization and carries herself daily. She says participating in pageants is how she learned to be poised, dress appropriately, speak confidently and value the platforms she stood for.
At the heart of Dress for Success is its commitment to helping women break the cycle of poverty and achieve their career aspirations. The organization provides professional attire to women in need, ensuring they look and feel their bests during job interviews and as they enter the workforce. The clothing, Dress for Success believes, boosts their self-confidence and sends a powerful message to potential employers.
However, the nonprofit goes beyond just providing clothing. The organization offers a range of programs and services, including scholarships, mentorship opportunities and a professional women’s group where clients learn about financial literacy, healthy relationships and how to ask for a raise or job promotion. These resources equip women with the skills and knowledge they need to excel personally and professionally.
Green says the organization recognizes that success is not a one-time event, but a journey. Therefore, they provide ongoing support to women as they navigate their careers and personal lives. This commitment to long-term empowerment has helped countless women overcome barriers and achieve goals.
“We are so proud to be a part of the growth of our clients and see quality women go out in the community and pass on the torch to another,” she says. “We want women to be financially free, but the end goal is to have our clients thrive in all aspects of their life.”
Photo credit: Trang Green participated in pageants before her career at Dress for Success; she says her time spent on the circuit helped her to thrive in other professional environments. Photo by Tony Li
