Karen Santorum Opens Up And Shares Her Heart On The Joy Of Raising a Special Needs Child Written by Monica C. Fink Growing up in Pittsburgh the tenth of 12 children, Karen Santorum has always known the joys of living in a large family. She recognizes firsthand that the love and support of family have a profound impact on how we move and live in the world. At the age of 30, Karen was ready to start her own family when she married Rick Santorum, two-time Republican Party presidential nominee.   After having seven children, Karen and Rick were still ready for more. But when another pregnancy eluded them, they trusted that this was part of...

Region Magazine presents Just ‘ASK’ with Shelly K :: Shelly K Talks About The Importance of Having Reputable Business Partners. Shelly K on Partnerships… In this edition of Just ASK, I want to spotlight some amazing people I am blessed to have business partnerships with.  This is critical to my success as often times with real estate – there are many stages of the transaction.  Let’s say my client needs a mortgage, an insurance policy or maybe some repairs to their home.  Being the service oriented person that I am, I immediately want to help. So when I give one of my business partner’s information to...

This weekend, London architect Johnny Holland is available to talk about the challenges of striking a balance between the historic and the modern in his renovation of a London townhouse. He’s on call for the next 48 hours to answer any and all questions. Ask away! After an extensive three-year search, Holland’s client found his perfect house in an Italian Victorian semi-detached villa in London’s Notting Hill, replete with awkward circulation and small, boxy rooms. Requiring a rethink for what was to be his “forever” house, he entrusted the entire project—from architecture to interior furnishings—to Hackett Holland, a member...

You know why breakfast is the best meal of the day? Because of the possibilities. The mystery. The day has just begun, and, despite your plans for it, no one knows what lies ahead. Maybe you’ll find a $100 bill. Maybe you’ll fall in love. Maybe a piano will fall on your head. There’s no telling! Breakfast is a meal to be excited about! And to drink coffee with! Don’t forget the coffee!! [takes a deep breath, steadies nerves] Just remember: we’re not talking that portmanteau meal, brunch. Breakfast is for closers; brunch is for bums.  So rise and shine, cupcake! These are our favorite places to start the day. Kozy Kitchen’s...

Photography Shot on Location in Greece ::   Tenia Patereskou Has an Up Close Q & A with The Men Behind Spiti360 – a Company Born Out of a Crisis. Earlier this year, Tenia Patereskou of Region Magazine had the opportunity to spend some time with two of Greece’s most interesting men – Michalis Charalampakis (age 29) and Dimitris Martselos (age 32). These are the two men behind a new company called Spiti360, which was birthed during a time of great economic crisis in their country, but one that is changing the way people view real estate and properties around the world. Read more about their vision, mindset and story in...

Photography by Chesser Street Studio – Australia  ::   Sonia Genevieve-Sherri Says “The view is spectacular because you no longer need to fit in.” One of my significant, most formative wounds happened when I was in the fourth grade. I was part of a click of peers, four besties who played together every lunch, went home together after school and told each other our life secrets about love and life. We all lived within walking distance and it presented in my little world an example of healthy relationships.  Until one day when everything changed.  As I reached the top of the street, my friends where not there waiting...

Most of us are curious about our family lineage. For Vanessa Williams, who recently took part in the show “Who Do You Think You Are” and explored her family’s history, the task was both surprising and informative. Here, she talks about what she learned and how she plans to use that information. Question: How did you become interested in finding out about your lineage?Vanessa: I’ve always been interested, but I was introduced to Ancestry.com [one of the websites that help people research their family backgrounds] before I even did a show called “Who Do You Think You Are,” so I signed up as a member to document my own family tree,...

Region Magazine presents a new series entitled –  Just ‘ASK’  –   with Shelly K :: Shelly K Talks About Two-Way Relationships, the Highs and Lows of Entrepreneurship, and Dating. Shelly K on Two-Way Relationships… Question: How do you know if you are in a two-way relationship? Shelly K: Recognizing a two-way relationship can be a difficult thing to do if you have never experienced one before. Finally, at 41 years of age, for the first time in my life, I have been surrounded by healthy, happy relationships of give and take.  In the past I have always been the giver! I would always reason it by telling...

Paradise is Awaiting… So Why Delay? Start Planning Your Perfect Vacation Getaway Today! San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, located off the coast of Belize, is a tropical paradise resting on the sparkling shore of the Caribbean Sea, where welcoming white sand and a balmy ocean breeze create a perfect backdrop for romance and relaxation. There are seemingly endless options for excitement and exploration on this island paradise where transportation is limited to walking, biking, or driving a golf cart down a combination of paved or white sand streets. From bird watching to shopping, fine dining to karaoke, there is something for everyone....

Mark Cuban Funding NBA Flopping Study at SMU… The league’s anti-flopping policy that was put into place this season hasn’t exactly done a whole lot to curb the embarrassing effort of some players to exaggerate or invent contact to try to garner a favorable (if incorrect) foul call from the officials. David Stern said as much in addressing the media before the start of the NBA Finals, while also mentioning that fines or other penalties might have to be increased for them to truly act as a deterrent to this particular type of conduct exhibited by a percentage of the players. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is taking it a step...

Photography by Visual Culture | Region Houston :: Houston Has a New Industry – Gift Baskets, Thanks to Sandy Monroe! Welcome to Dai Cor Baskets and More.We specialize in creating beautiful gift baskets that are both unique and appropriate. We create gifts for many occasions including New Baby Gift Baskets, Birthday Gift Baskets, Thinking of You Gift Baskets, Wedding Gift Baskets, Spa Gift Baskets, Sport Gift Baskets and much more. My name is Sandy Monroe and after researching the gift basket industry, I realized that this was something that would be enjoyable, so I took the ‘leap of faith’ and started Dai Cor Baskets and More in...

Excerpts From Her Forthcoming Book Entitled: A Cut Above Brokenness  ::   Sonia Genevieve-Sherri Says “Heaven Didn’t Make a Mistake When It Made Us…” I distinctly remember strolling down the streets of my childhood neighborhood staring up at the pale limestone imperial buildings towering over me, their shadows protecting me from the hot Mediterranean sun. I remember all the wonderful things most kids remember, like the jingle of the ice cream truck from far off and all of us scrambling to find some coins to get our favorite flavor. I recall long, endless summer nights dressing up and playing in the piazza, the...

Photography By Rutger Geerling  ::  Carnival comes but once a year across the Caribbean – but not in Aruba, where this extravaganza of colorful costumes, dancing, music and local culture explodes every week.  While this Dutch Caribbean island also stages a major annual carnival celebration – this year culminating on February 12 – it also offers a weekly appetizer in the form of a Caribbean Festival, staged every Thursday in its second city of San Nicolas. Running from 6pm to 10pm, this family-friendly festival showcases the multi-cultural charms of Aruba’s ‘Sunrise City’. Launched in 2011 and...

Keeping pace with trends, Jaeger-LeCoultre dresses its Grande Reverso Lady Ultra Thin with a double-tour strap by Valextra in new season’s colors. A red “ribes”, green “muschio” or beige “cannetè” strap will accentuate the Reverso’s unique and elegant look, turning it into a trendy accessory. Three new color bracelets will be available at Jaeger-LeCoultre boutiques around the world starting from St. Valentine’s day in February 2013. The Grande Reverso Lady Ultra Thin, a model paying homage to women’s dreams, remains faithful to the very essence of the timeless classic Reverso watch, embodying an ideal blend of Art Deco...

By JD Lee | Region Chicago :: When it Comes to Vision, Desire, Faith and Hair Care, June Hollingsworth Has The Answers! In a bustling suburb of Chicago, June Hollingsworth is setting a new trend with her flagship J. Alison Salon and Day Spa. Located in Naperville, Illinois and launched in 2009, the 2800 square foot salon and spa is one of the most beautiful establishments in the region. Born and raised in Aurora, Illinois, Ms. Hollingsworth talks about the struggles of life and the journey that led her to launch out on her own and establish a new business with nothing more than a vision, a great deal of desire, and a measure of faith.  JD...

Chef Stephan Pyles salutes the art of fine cooking and fine dining. In November 2005, the pioneer of New American Cuisine and a legendary founding father of Southwestern cuisine, launched the first restaurant to bear his name. The 160‐seat Stephan Pyles restaurant is located within the Dallas Arts District on Ross Avenue at St. Paul Street in Southwest Plaza, which was designed by noted architect George Dahl and originally built in 1963. Located one block from the Dallas Museum of Art and a few blocks from the acclaimed Nasher Sculpture Center and Meyerson Symphony Center, the venue also houses the Fashion Industry Gallery (FIG), a...