Feminine Muses
Madison aims to turn the controversial history that is women in theater on its head, as these fabulously feminist playhouses make room for a new kind of female lead.
Art
Selling Magic
When her kindergarten teacher asked the class what they wanted to be when they grew up, Jane Wilcoxson had a ready answer: she wanted to be an artist.
Rebecca Brown at Work and Play
Rebecca Brown, whose novel “Flying at Night” was published in April, finds untold inspiration in everyday life. She lives with her husband, three boys (ages 16, 12 and 10), and two rescue dogs in her renovated 100-year-old home on Monroe Street.
Beauty + Style + Fashion
Bigger, Brighter, Better
Catering to women in every shape and size is officially en vogue as mainstream labels along with couture designers took a BIG fashion step forward by recently expanding their lines to include “plus” cut garments.
Sassy Locks in the Later Years
Being 50+ doesn’t mean one’s sense of style has to fade. Be Inspired Salon lead stylist Jes Marvin encourages women to not let age hold them back from dramatically altering their hair.
About the Model: Jennifer DeMain
Get to know one of our May 2018 models – Jennifer DeMain. When she’s not striking a pose for BRAVA, Jennifer is a lead instructor at Cyc Fitness, a trainer at Kamps Fit and an instructor at Canvas Club Boxing.
Brava Events
THRIVE Career Workshops | 2019
Join BRAVA for this action-oriented professional development workshop series in 2019. Gain immediate skills and outcome strategies that will create more fulfillment, effectiveness and success in your career–and your life.
Upcoming BRAVA Night Out Events
BRAVA Magazine invites you to join us for our monthly Brava Night Out events at local businesses! View details and registration information for our upcoming Brava Night Out events here.
THRIVE Career Workshops | 2018
JOIN BRAVA FOR THIS ACTION-ORIENTED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP SERIES Gain immediate skills and outcome strategies that will create more fulfillment, effectiveness and success in…
Brava Promotion
BRAVA Magazine’s 2017 Raves & Faves Survey
What are your favorite eats, drinks, shopping spots, businesses and services in Madison? BRAVA Magazine wants to know! We look forward to sharing your…
NICK BUTLER
By Kate Bast Nick Butler is an unassuming fellow, the friendly kind of guy you’d like to play a game of ball with, then…
Dwell
Vibrant Tile for a Powerful Powder Room
Longing to give your kitchen or bathroom a face-lift? Several chic tile trends have surfaced this year, featuring bright, contemporary colors and bold patterns.
Maximizing Condo Style In Your Smaller Space
Decorating a condo can be daunting, especially if you’ve just downsized from a larger home. But this homeowner has found a way to make a practical space without skimping on personality.
Shiny Happy Places: Forging A New Design
A small powder room got a bright update when interior designer Rochelle Lee and her client went with a mixed metal-inspired design. The pieces, including bronze sconce lighting and a bright gold sunburst mirror, added ample texture.
Eats + Drinks
Curtis & Cake’s Best of Both Worlds Pie Crust
With so many delicious pie filling options available right now, the trickiest part is often creating the perfect pie crust to complement them.
Culinary Mementos
What began as “just a hobby” completely exploded within a year to over 4,000 Instagram followers for Epicurean Chronicles and a Madison foodie sensation.
Feast of The Field
Three years ago, Troy Community Gardens, the only CSA fully grown and operated within Madison city limits, decided to launch one more service for its members and its northeast neighborhood—wood-fired pizzas.
Engaging Community
Filling a Need…and a Backpack
Sistah 2 Sistah has created events to support single mother families—a PreMother’s Day Brunch, SPIRIT Group, Dinner with Soul Santa and the Back 2 Skool Bash.
Reckoning with History: The Health Impacts of Racism
Lisa Peyton-Caire, a 2014 BRAVA Woman to Watch, founded the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness and Black Women’s Wellness Day to transform the poor health of the women she saw around her.
UW Health’s Long-Term Strategies To Reduce Black Infant Mortality
To tackle the infant mortality problem, UW Health has made supporting black mothers to help prevent low birth rate and infant mortality a top priority.
Features
Teller of Tales
Throughout her life, Jen Rubin was greatly influenced by close family and friends for all their community building in whatever form—including storytelling.
Musical Mentoring
Artists and arts consumers alike are drawn to Madison to live, work and play. Among the list of worldclass performers to find her foothold here is Gail Becker.
Real-Life Reels
When Carrie Highman is behind the lens—or in the director’s chair—she sets about crafting a visual portal into the lives of others.
Finance + Career
Turning a Vocation into a Career
Successfully turning your talent into a prosperous career can be tricky. Salon owner Kati Whitledge shares the story of her own professional progression.
Teen Money Talks
Teens aren’t known for always making the best choices. When money is involved, “It’s good to do that in a safety net,” says Amy Crowe, a financial education specialist at Summit Credit Union.
Boss-Up Leaders
It’s time to “BOSS UP,” leaders! But first, we must learn the core essence of what leadership is—service. Leadership isn’t about being bossy or giving orders; it is about serving people. Successful leaders lead by example.
Health + Wellbeing
Inclusive Breast Cancer Treatment
The minute after a breast cancer diagnosis, “normal” doesn’t exist. In the midst of swirling emotions, women have to make quick decisions with long-lasting implications.
Stress Less
How do successful female entrepreneurs handle the entrepreneurial stress? First and foremost: get help.
Straight Talk on Shingles
They say things get better with age. A fine cheddar, or perhaps an artisanal wine. The varicella zoster virus though, not so much.
Jaunt
Spice It Up
As the days grow shorter and the air turns delightfully crisp, Wisconsinites gear up for a festive fall season.
Vino Voyage
Whether you’re in the mood for a cherry wine or a dark Zinfandel, Door County has it, and it’s easy to choose your own winery adventure.
Gorgeous Views, Small-Town Charm…and Cheese!
Only a 40-minute drive northwest of Madison, the Ferry Bluff State Natural Area is a great way to explore the Wisconsin River by water or land.
Local Women
Everybody Has It In Them
Written by Andrea Debbink and illustrated by Emily Balsley, “Spark” emphasizes the importance of creativity as a skill that can be learned and developed, rather than a talent innate to some and not others.
Dr. Jasmine Zapata’s Work with Girls, Teens and Women
Dr. Jasmine Zapata is deeply passionate about improving health care for communities of color because as a black woman she has experienced the issue from both sides.
Empowering Mothers and Saving Babies
Today, local doulas, along with physicians, medical professionals and community advocates—many of whom are African-American women—are part of an emerging grassroots movement in Madison to turn the black infant mortality rate around.
Shops + Services
Party Puffs
It may have been Sugarsmith Madison creator Jo Mahnke’s destiny to launch a vintage-themed cotton candy cart business.
Shop ‘N Swap
Madison Night Market is one of several pop ups around town. Such markets are becoming increasingly popular for the unique shopping experience they provide.
Fill’er Up
A stop at Trixie’s Growlers to go-go on East Washington should be on the radar of any craft beer enthusiast. A liquor store since 1968, Colleen and Chris Welch opened Trixie’s about seven years ago, and the tavern room more recently.
Sponsored Content
THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE YET
On October 15th, Design for a Difference made history by completing the largest charity design makeover in the country!
DISCOVER AGRACE’S SERVICES
Helping a loved one face a serious illness is never easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you need someone to guide you, ask for Agrace.
CANCER SURVIVORS & THRIVERS ICE CREAM SOCIAL
A party like no other, Turville Bay invites the community to join cancer survivors, those living with cancer, their families, friends and caregivers as well as healthcare providers, at their 7th Annual Cancer Survivors & Thrivers Ice Cream Social on Sunday, June 4 from 1-3 PM.
Web Exclusive
Meet 2018 Fall Fashion Model
Meet our October fashion model, Jeanne Pluemer, a meeting, convention and event management professional. She was delighted to model clothing from designers who have embraced the fuller figure.
Process Makes Perfect
No artist plays “second fiddle“ within First Act Theatre. Founder Susan Nanning-Sorenson’s intent behind starting the org was firmly rooted in a desire to provide a comprehensive view for children of the theatrical arts.
Where Fashion Meets Philanthropy
Each year the Attic Angels Association organizes a Classic Clothing Sale, featuring an assortment of new and gently used clothing and accessories, with all of the funds raised going toward a worthy cause.
