For Brittany of Sandra’s Curvy Couture, helping others has been a driving force behind all that she does. Whether it was working in mental health or empowering other women through fashion, Brittany’s desire to help is a constant through line.

It may come as surprise, but Brittany wasn’t a girly girl growing up. She was not a fan of the kinds of things her mom would pick out for her; she wanted to look cool, not girly. It wasn’t until Brittany got older that she wanted to wear the kinds of clothes she saw girls wear on TV. However, she never wanted to blend in or replicate someone else’s style; she was determined to stand out and develop a style of her own.

Prior to starting Sandra’s Curvy Couture, Brittany was a mental health worker. On the side, she followed in her mother’s footsteps. Her mom was a cosmetologist and Brittany learned many things growing up watching her. In seventh grade, Brittany was able to style hair like her mother did and even made some money doing so. In addition to styling hair, Brittany also did eyelashes and eyebrows. She enjoyed helping other women look their best and empowering them. Brittany’s mom had often encouraged her to open her own boutique. Having seen Brittany develop and refine her own style, her mother believed she could make a living sharing it with others. Unfortunately, her mother passed away nearly a year ago. In honor of her mom, Sandra, Brittany opened Sandra’s Curvy Couture.

In her boutique, Brittany is very selective of the garments and accessories she stocks. Her carefully curated inventory includes clothing from small to 4X, styles ranging from active to formal wear, and array of accessories, such as sunglasses, earrings, handbags, and belts. Color and versatility are very important to Brittany; every item she sells is as colorful as her personality and can be worn in a variety of ways and settings. When selecting garments and accessories for her inventory, Brittany strives to find unique items unlike anything found anywhere else. Her selection currently consists of bright, summery colors and tie-dyes. Before she stocks up for fall, Sandra’s Curvy Couture will have an end of summer sale just ahead of Labor Day weekend. To see more of what Brittany has in stock at Sandra’s Curvy Couture, check out her Instagram at @sandrascurvycouture.

Prior to starting Sandra’s Curvy Couture, Brittany was a mental health worker. On the side, she followed in her mother’s footsteps. Her mom was a cosmetologist and Brittany learned many things growing up watching her. In seventh grade, Brittany was able to style hair like her mother did and even made some money doing so. In addition to styling hair, Brittany also did eyelashes and eyebrows. She enjoyed helping other women look their best and empowering them. Brittany’s mom had often encouraged her to open her own boutique. Having seen Brittany develop and refine her own style, her mother believed she could make a living sharing it with others. Unfortunately, her mother passed away nearly a year ago. In honor of her mom, Sandra, Brittany opened Sandra’s Curvy Couture.

In her boutique, Brittany is very selective of the garments and accessories she stocks. Her carefully curated inventory includes clothing from small to 4X, styles ranging from active to formal wear, and array of accessories, such as sunglasses, earrings, handbags, and belts. Color and versatility are very important to Brittany; every item she sells is as colorful as her personality and can be worn in a variety of ways and settings. When selecting garments and accessories for her inventory, Brittany strives to find unique items unlike anything found anywhere else. Her selection currently consists of bright, summery colors and tie-dyes. Before she stocks up for fall, Sandra’s Curvy Couture will have an end of summer sale just ahead of Labor Day weekend. To see more of what Brittany has in stock at Sandra’s Curvy Couture, check out her Instagram at @sandrascurvycouture.

Perhaps you’ve seen their sign as you drive down Mellwood Avenue, or maybe you’ve walked our halls and saw a set of stairs leading down with “Antiques” painted on the wall. If you haven’t made a trip to the mammoth space that is Mellwood Antiques and Interiors, it’s well past time to rectify that. Whether you talk to Peggy, the store’s manager, or Phil, an antiques dealer, you’ll hear the same thing: there’s something here for everyone.

Peggy’s first foray into the world of antiques was at the Louisville Antique Mall, where she started as a part-time cashier and never ventured on to the floor. A year later, she was full-time and started working the floor, where she gained an appreciation for the craftsmanship each antique had, especially when measured against comparable items manufactured today. Peggy eventually worked her way up the ladder and managed aspects of the Louisville Antique Mall until it closed during the recession in 2008. Peggy took a ten-year break from antiques.

Before the Louisville Antique Mall closed, Phil was an antiques dealer with a space at the mall. He got his start in antiques in 1970, when he opened his own shop. When the antique mall opened, Phil took on a space there as well. During the recession, Phil closed his shop and rented the building out to someone else. When the Louisville Antique Mall closed, just as Peggy had done, Phil left the antique world for ten years.

In 2014, the antique mall on Goss Avenue moved into their current space here at Mellwood. In 2018, after recommendations from various antiques dealers selling from Mellwood, Peggy was approached about managing Mellwood Antiques and Interiors; she accepted the offer. After assuming leadership, Peggy made it a priority to increase the number of dealers. One of the first dealers she reached out to was Phil. When he heard from Peggy and learned she was now the manager, Phil eagerly joined.

While most antique malls have an array of different dealers and can claim to have a little something for everyone, Mellwood Antiques and Interiors has more than a little. With 127 dealers, each having their own niche and style, rarely does a shopper leave empty-handed. Those that do usually return within a few days to snap up something that caught their eye before someone else does. Whether you’re looking to furnish or redecorate your home, or are a collector of any stripe, odds are Mellwood Antiques and Interiors has something for you.

If you’d like to learn more about Mellwood Antiques and Interiors, check out their site at mellwoodantiques.com. You can also find them on Facebook at @mellwoodantiques or Instagram at @mellwoodantique.

While most antique malls have an array of different dealers and can claim to have a little something for everyone, Mellwood Antiques and Interiors has more than a little. With 127 dealers, each having their own niche and style, rarely does a shopper leave empty-handed. Those that do usually return within a few days to snap up something that caught their eye before someone else does. Whether you’re looking to furnish or redecorate your home, or are a collector of any stripe, odds are Mellwood Antiques and Interiors has something for you.

If you’d like to learn more about Mellwood Antiques and Interiors, check out their site at mellwoodantiques.com. You can also find them on Facebook at @mellwoodantiques or Instagram at @mellwoodantique.

They say that if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. What they don’t tell you is, sometimes, you still need something outside of work you enjoy doing. For photographer/photo editor William Mercer, he opted to start his own line of fine art apparel.

Growing up in La Fontaine, IN, William was always interested in art, but it wasn’t until his teenage years that he gained a wider exposure to the art world. Through the internet, particularly through sites like Tumblr and MySpace, William saw works by artists around from the world. At 16, he got his first camera, which allowed him to create his own art. As he progressed in his photography, he developed an abstract style when approaching landscapes and travel photography.

William moved to Louisville and went through Ivy Tech’s Visual Communications program, which not only helped enhance his photography skills, but also exposed him to graphic design and the Adobe Creative Suite. When William left college, he moved out west, first to Los Angeles and then to Washington state. But it was while he was in LA that he sparked a friendship with a screen printer. Interested in learning the process, William’s friend collaborated with him, taught him how to screen print, and even had him do some work for him before William decided he wanted to strike out on his own and start his own line of apparel, Head Change. When the pandemic started, William decided it was time to move back to Louisville.

In starting Head Change, William wanted to do something outside of photography which combined his interest in fine art, particularly human abstract, with his interests in graphic design and screen printing. He collaborates with artists from Paris, Brooklyn, and LA in creating apparel. He takes designs he receives from artists and uses Adobe programs to break them down and turn them into graphic designs for shirts and hoodies.

To see more of his work, be sure to check out his Instagram at @head__change. If you’re interested in making a purchase, visit headchange.co.

William moved to Louisville and went through Ivy Tech’s Visual Communications program, which not only helped enhance his photography skills, but also exposed him to graphic design and the Adobe Creative Suite. When William left college, he moved out west, first to Los Angeles and then to Washington state. But it was while he was in LA that he sparked a friendship with a screen printer. Interested in learning the process, William’s friend collaborated with him, taught him how to screen print, and even had him do some work for him before William decided he wanted to strike out on his own and start his own line of apparel, Head Change. When the pandemic started, William decided it was time to move back to Louisville.

In starting Head Change, William wanted to do something outside of photography which combined his interest in fine art, particularly human abstract, with his interests in graphic design and screen printing. He collaborates with artists from Paris, Brooklyn, and LA in creating apparel. He takes designs he receives from artists and uses Adobe programs to break them down and turn them into graphic designs for shirts and hoodies.

To see more of his work, be sure to check out his Instagram at @head__change. If you’re interested in making a purchase, visit headchange.co.

It could be argued that the key to success is adaptability. Sometimes we set out to do something and see it’s not a good fit. Other times we’re forced to change plans by external forces. And occasionally circumstances changes such that something we had initially given up on can now be pursued. For Nathan from Fusion Photography, this has been his journey as a photographer.

Nathan was always more artsy. Growing up, he excelled more in art classes. His father was an amateur photographer and his sister, nine years his senior, was a world-traveling photojournalist. With their influence and his inclination towards the creative, Nathan opted to explore his sister’s footsteps.

Nathan enrolled at WKU, double majoring in photojournalism and graphic design. During his studies, Nathan realized photojournalism in the newspaper realm wasn’t a perfect fit for him. However, he stuck with the program, as the skills he gained there were transferrable to other kinds of photography.

With degree in hand, Nathan attempted to break into commercial art photography. Unfortunately, it’s a niche line of work with few openings. Ultimately, Nathan went into studio portraiture. He worked for various studios, doing some wedding photography on the side, until 2008. The owner of the last studio he worked at issued an ultimatum: stop doing side work or leave. With some financial help from his then father-in-law, Nathan left to start Fusion Photography and has operated a full-service studio ever since.

Much of Nathan’s work has been “documenting the stories” in wedding photography and portraiture, including children, families, high school seniors, and engagements. But between the pandemic, importance of family time, and evolving world of digital photography and smartphone cameras, Nathan is focusing and moving towards more corporate work, which includes professional headshots, editorial, as well as product/commercial and event photography. If you’ve seen pictures of Four Gate Whiskey or Pinch Spice Markets products, you’ve likely seen his work.

If you’d like to see more of his photography, be sure to check out his site at fusionphotopro.com. You can also find him on Facebook at @fusionphotopro and Instagram at @fusionphotographyky.

Much of Nathan’s work has been “documenting the stories” in wedding photography and portraiture, including children, families, high school seniors, and engagements. But between the pandemic, importance of family time, and evolving world of digital photography and smartphone cameras, Nathan is focusing and moving towards more corporate work, which includes professional headshots, editorial, as well as product/commercial and event photography. If you’ve seen pictures of Four Gate Whiskey or Pinch Spice Markets products, you’ve likely seen his work.

If you’d like to see more of his photography, be sure to check out his site at fusionphotopro.com. You can also find him on Facebook at @fusionphotopro and Instagram at @fusionphotographyky.

For some people, there are moments that completely alters the trajectory of their life. A moment which, when looking back, makes everything after seem inevitable. For Cheyenne of Alchemy Massage Therapy, had two such pivotal moments.

As an 8th grader, Cheyenne was involved in a car accident which left her with chronic migraines. Finding no help for her weekly migraines, she was resigned to this new normal. Fastforward ten years, Cheyenne was gearing up for her first weightlifting competition. A month ahead of the meet, she decided to visit a chiropractor and “get cracked.”

During this visit, the chiropractor informed her that he may be able to help with her migraines. Through a combination of massage and realignments, the frequency and severity of Cheyenne’s migraines were greatly reduced. Her experience here combined with her lifelong interest in the human body, led Cheyenne to pursue a career in massage therapy.

As someone who has lived with chronic pain for years, Cheyenne’s main goal is to help others feel and move better. Given her specialization in deep tissue and sports massage, Cheyenne typically works with athletes and focuses on workout and injury recovery. Because most of her massage work is deep tissue, they’re not for the faint of heart. “They’re not fun to go through. They’re nowhere near a spa. They’re nowhere near relaxing, though I do have some masochists who come in here who fall asleep.”

If you would like to learn more about Alchemy Massage Therapy or book a deep tissue massage, check out alchemymassagetherapy.com. You can also find Alchemy Massage on Facebook and Instagram.

During this visit, the chiropractor informed her that he may be able to help with her migraines. Through a combination of massage and realignments, the frequency and severity of Cheyenne’s migraines were greatly reduced. Her experience here combined with her lifelong interest in the human body, led Cheyenne to pursue a career in massage therapy.

As someone who has lived with chronic pain for years, Cheyenne’s main goal is to help others feel and move better. Given her specialization in deep tissue and sports massage, Cheyenne typically works with athletes and focuses on workout and injury recovery. Because most of her massage work is deep tissue, they’re not for the faint of heart. “They’re not fun to go through. They’re nowhere near a spa. They’re nowhere near relaxing, though I do have some masochists who come in here who fall asleep.”

If you would like to learn more about Alchemy Massage Therapy or book a deep tissue massage, check out alchemymassagetherapy.com. You can also find Alchemy Massage on Facebook and Instagram.

For musicians and music lovers of all stripes, music is deeply tied to the core of who they are. Michael Logsdon is no exception. “Music is what I am.” Michael’s musical journey spans decades and he’s done a bit of everything.

Michael grew up in Bullitt County. As a teenager, he wrote music articles for a small local paper. It wasn’t long until he dove into the music scene running a mobile DJ service, Classic Soundwave, which provided music for private events. Michael would eventually end his DJ business and start playing in bands. Performing locally and regionally, Michael has been in many bands over the years and is still actively playing several. Because of this, he developed a passion for and interest in local and regional music which he maintains to this day.

In 2013, Michael and a partner opened Lettersong Studio, a fulltime calligraphy studio, art gallery, music venue, and event space. As a music venue, Lettersong provided local and touring regional musicians a place to showcase their music. It was during this time that Michael started two annual music events: “Lady Sings the Blues” and “Prine Time.” He was also recruited by WCHQ Crescent Hill Radio to host radio shows on Friday and Saturday afternoons. Unfortunately, 2019 saw the close of Crescent Hill Radio and 2020 the close of Lettersong. Michael hasn’t sat idly by, even amidst the pandemic. To counter these setbacks to the local music scene, Michael decided to launch a podcast.

Borrowing from his time at Crescent Hill Radio, Michael’s new weekly podcast, “In Deep and Live,” will feature interviews and live performances by local and regional artists. Currently, his podcasts are prerecorded audio only. Michael’s goal is to progress to live streaming and incorporating video, eventually becoming an internet radio station, essentially resurrecting Crescent Hill Radio. You can find “In Deep and Live” on Anchor/Spotify. Additionally, you can catch snippets and links to whole shows on the In Deep and Live” Facebook page.

To conclude his spotlight, it’s only fitting to end it with Michael’s sign off: “Friends, folks, family life is fleeting. Enjoy the music, see you next week.”