Fleur

One of my favorite ways to treat myself is to buy myself flowers. It’s a classically romantic gesture that seems to have been lost throughout the years, but flowers make a perfect gift for any occasion (even if the occasion is to celebrate yourself!). Luckily, Springfield’s local floral experts at Fleur Floral Studio offer customers a variety of blooms to suit every taste and brighten your day.

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Guide to Planning the Perfect Birthday Party

Have a birthday coming up that you want to be special but have no idea what to do for it? Or maybe have some plans but have no clue what to wear or how to decorate? This guide is for you! Let’s face it, you are special and there’s no reason you shouldn’t be the center of attention on your special day. If you’re looking to celebrate your birthday in style, follow the guide below to plan the perfect party that is bound to impress.

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Moxie Cinema Feature

Whether you’re looking for something to lighten up a hard week or a story to make you think more about the world around you, seeing a movie at an indie theater is a great option. Luckily, Springfield has one that engages a wide variety of audiences: Moxie Cinema. Since 2005, the Moxie has operated as a non-profit, independent theater providing the community with unique and local movie showings.

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The Influence of Wes Anderson

Anyone familiar with pop culture and film knows the name Wes Anderson. His reputation for aesthetically-pleasing, perfectly-hued, symmetrical cinematography goes far beyond that of most directors. But what exactly makes up his directing style, and how do his movies look so pleasing to the eye? We’ve put a spin on our favorite film covers to showcase what makes a Wes Anderson a Wes Anderson.

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Prairie Pie celebrates its one year anniversary as a storefront

It’s National Pie Day, but Springfield’s local pie experts at Prairie Pie have their own special reason to celebrate— the business is celebrating its one year anniversary as a brick and mortar store. Owner Eleanor Taylor spent years baking wholesale pies for pre-order, but now, anyone can stop by the shop, housed on Jefferson in what used to be Vito’s Kitchen, to try out their wide variety of sweet and savory pies.

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Green House Coffee + Affogato Bar opens with goal to create an inclusive space

Downtown Springfield welcomes a new, bright and airy coffee shop, Green House Coffee + Affogato Bar. Located at 431 S. Jefferson Ave. Suite 172, Green House specializes in affogato. The Italian coffee-based dessert is made with a scoop of ice cream or gelato, topped with a pour of espresso or strong brewed coffee.

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Pagination BookShop: Not just a bookstore

Nestled amongst the other cozy homes lining historic Walnut Street, Pagination Bookshop serves as a warm and welcoming space for book lovers of all kinds. Visitors of the indie bookstore are invited to experience what co-owner and MSU English professor Jennifer Murvin calls the “magic of the browse” by exploring the shelves of carefully curated stories inside the historic home.

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Cultivating Community: Springfield's Drag Scene

The first time I ever saw the Emmy award-winning show, “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” I knew I wanted to be a part of the culture. The glamour, humor, performing, and extravagance was so enticing I couldn’t resist the overwhelming need to be a drag queen. When season twelve of the show was airing, I saw a queen by the name of Crystal Methyd on the show, and she just so happened to be from Springfield, MO. I was planning on going to Missouri State University in Springfield the same year to pursue a higher education, so I knew that was my queue to get in the drag scene as soon as I could.

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Romance Novels for the Fanfiction Fanatic

Remember back in middle school when you’d stay up late under the covers, face lit up by the dim light of your phone screen as you scrolled through the latest One Direction fanfiction? Or maybe you remember substituting the public library for AO3 where you read Harry Potter AUs? Maybe you still do. No judgment.

For many of us, reading for pleasure seems like ancient history, and the only book you actually remember liking wasn’t even a book, but a story conjured up by a 14 year-old Directioner typing away in their bedroom. Now that you’re older, you might be wondering how to get yourself to read an actual book, and to that I say, look to the past for inspiration. There are plenty of books out there full of romance and drama reminiscent of your favorite works of fanfiction. If you want to ease back into reading with quick, easy to digest stories that are still well-written and engaging, here is a list for every taste.

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A History of Queer Fashion: How the LGBTQ+ Community Uses Fashion as a Signal


All throughout history, fashion has been used to communicate people’s identities to the world. Because being LGBTQ+ has historically been unaccepted by mainstream society, participating in these fashion identifiers usually happened in secret. The community would use certain accessories or styles of dress to communicate to one another their sexuality without the rest of the world knowing the code. Using fashion identifiers that only the in-crowd understood has been an important part of queer fashion history, with many examples.

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The Pumpkin Spice Phenomenon

Around this time of year, every year, there’s one thing that gets people all excited and in the mood for fall. No, it’s not fluffy scarves, Ugg boots, or flannels; it’s a little something called pumpkin spice. This fall phenomenon comes in the forms of candles, baked goods, air fresheners, and even drinks. The sweet and spice-full scent or flavor of pumpkin is sure to fill up your senses this fall, so why not learn of its origins, ways to consume it, and how to incorporate it into your fall routine?

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How to Create a Fulfilling and Productive Morning Routine

They say that the early bird gets the worm, but how exactly does the bird manage to do that? Mornings can be tough for anyone, and in the hustle and bustle of school, being intentional and productive in the morning can seem like an impossible task. However, by creating a routine that suits your needs, you can start your day in a way that gets you ready for anything that might come your way.

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Self Care: Past, present, and future

Social media has always been rife with self-care tactics that promote an ideal of luxury — “treating yourself” to a fresh set of nails or splurging on a haul of the season’s hottest trends. But self-care isn’t just an item you check off in your bullet journal to get you one step closer to being “that girl.” The origins of self-care find their roots in activism — particularly in work done by the Black Panthers throughout the Civil Rights Movement.

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The Tea on the New MRC: Missouri State’s Multicultural Resource Center carves out space for the queer community

This summer Missouri State University Multicultural Services quite literally broke down barriers while renovating a new multicultural student space. The Mary Jean Price Walls Multicultural Resource Center was named in honor of Ms. Mary Jean Price Walls, who received the first honorary undergraduate degree ever given by Missouri State University. In 1950, she was the school’s first African-American applicant, and was initially denied admission.

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The Local Bevy: A Local Art Lover’s Dream

Andrea Petersburg, owner of The Local Bevy, established her business in the Rountree neighborhood one year ago this month. Petersburg explained that since all of the Art Shows were cancelled due to COVID-19, she thought this might be the year she opened a storefront. Originally just a three-month pop-up shop, The Bevy has become a successful platform for local creatives, and is here to stay.

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Bees Knees Roller Skating Shop: Building a sense of fun and community

Bright colors and lively patterns welcome customers who visit Bees Knees Roller Skating Shop, a new addition to the Commercial Street Historic District. The shop, located at 301 E. Commercial St., retails roller skates and roller skate accessories. Springfield native Kelsey Baker, owner of Ink Ink Tattoo & Piercing Studio across the street and 3ninetyeight Hand Dyed Yarn in Branson, opened the roller skate shop this August.

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