Social Manor

 One of the best shops around town, The Social Manor located downtown at Douglas and Washington.

Bronze Local: Spray Sunless Boutique

Check out a Special Offer from Spray Sunless Boutique at the end of this post!

It's October which means here in Wichita it is officially the most wonderful time of the year; fall. 

We do fall right here in Wichita. The weather reaches the perfect temperature for outdoor activities and the leaves just turn all shades of awesome orange and yellow. Yep, no reason not to love a Wichita fall.

Except maybe... are you loosing that nice summer tan? Sure, you didn't overdo it. Always wore your sunscreen. But you still had a nice summer glow. Now it's fall, and maybe you're feeling a little washed out? I mean... not me... I'm a man. Men don't think about such things... But if I did, I would make a trip to Spray Sunless Boutique at 8338 E. 21st, suite 311.

Prepare Local: Not Just a Cop Shop

Are you aware that September is National Preparedness Month? No? How could you forget? I guess I won't be expecting a Happy National Preparedness Month greeting card from you...

Just to cover all my bases, I should probably inform you that it is also National Yoga Month, but since we already did this post, we'll be focusing on "preparedness" today.

To honor this month of preparedness, I took a little trip to Not Just a Cop Shop at 2817 East Central Avenue. Here they can help you make sure you are prepared for whatever comes your way. Whether it be self defense, home security, your next camping trip or a zombie attack, they've got you covered.

Not Just a Cop Shop is a husband and wife owned business right here in Wichita, KS. They offer "a wide selection of self-protection products and emergency gear for the private citizen." 

Shop Local: Earth & Shawn of Rock Star Boxer

When I stopped off at Starbucks the other day I learned three things...

The first, always compliment the barista on his red suspenders. Second, Starbucks baristas who wear red suspenders know all the coolest places in town. And finally, Rock Star Boxer Vintage Thrift is one of those places.

Yes, when the local Starbucks employee recommended that I stop by Rock Star Boxer Vintage Thrift I wasn't sure what to expect. What I found was a local shop owned by two sisters, brimming with unique vintage finds, in an atmosphere more likely to be found on the eclectic streets of New York City's West Village than the Kansas plains.

Sweat Local: Nickki Head of Firefly Yoga Studio

When it comes to fitness, it seems people can't get enough of the "yoga glow" that comes after a Hot Yoga Class. That's 45 minutes, 75 minutes or 90 minutes of yoga in a 99 degree room. 

Leading that Hot Yoga charge here in Wichita is Nickki Head, yoga instructor and owner of Firelfy Yoga Studio, located in the Shops at Tallgrass on the northeast corner of 21st and Rock Road.

Nickki's booming business and the swarms of sweaty women and men leaving Firefly Yoga Studio hourly is a testament to one fact; Wichitans like their yoga hot. 

Shop Local / Eat Local: Farmers' Markets

Kansas may be known for the wheat fields, but in Wichita there seems to be quite a market for fresh, locally grown produce of all kinds.

Enter our weekly parade of Farmers' Markets. They're the perfect way to spend a sunny Saturday morning, get a break from the evening commute with a stop and sample of a fresh peach, or just to people watch. 

But let's be honest, if you come just to people watch, you know you're leaving with a loaf of fresh bread and maybe some preserves to go with it.

TUESDAY

On Tuesdays, you may not have to go any farther than the Green Acres Market parking lot to get your fresh produce and local goods fix.