Eva Anderson owns Eden in the East Village. (Photo: Anna Jones) |
To prevent or detox holiday stress, head to Eden |
|
|
By Libby Nichols
Sure, the holiday season can be magical, but it can also be overwhelming. Between shopping, hosting and endless to-do lists, finding time to recharge is essential.
Eden has always been a go-to spot in Des Moines for natural beauty products and began offering luxury spa services last year. This season, Eden is starting another new chapter with a new owner, Eva Anderson, who is blending the shop’s trusted favorites with new items and ideas.
She took over Eden after Hannah Krause relocated to New York. Previously, Anderson owned Le Dress, a boutique in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. When the opportunity to purchase Eden came along, she knew the time was right to jump back into the world of small business.
“We are keeping the products everyone loves while expanding into more lifestyle and gift offerings,” Anderson said. “I want Eden to be a place where anyone can walk in and find a gift for someone in their life, and something for themselves.” To help you unwind this season, Anderson recommended some of her favorite Eden essentials:
Saranoni Waffle Knit Robe: This robe is the definition of cozy luxury. Made with soft, breathable waffle-knit fabric, it is perfect for lounging on a slow morning or wrapping up after a long day. It’s a gift that feels indulgent yet practical, something you’ll want to reach for every single day.
House of Basalt Stillness Tea: A calming tea blend designed to quiet the mind and restore balance. Brew a cup in the evening, pair it with a good book or a few minutes of meditation, and let the soothing aroma help melt away holiday stress. It is a small ritual that makes a big difference.
Osea Body Treatment: Available at Eden’s spa, this indulgent treatment uses nutrient-rich oils to nourish skin and calm the senses. Anna Dewey, Eden’s spa director, said it helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s “rest and digest” response. The 90-minute session is more than pampering; it's a full-body reset that leaves you feeling grounded and restored.
Osea Vagus Nerve Oil: This product is used during the Osea Body Treatment, but it’s also available in the shop for at-home DIY rituals. The luxurious oil is formulated to support relaxation and nervous system balance. Massage a few drops onto your neck and shoulders before bed or during stressful moments during the day to create a sense of calm wherever you are.
Whether you’re shopping for gifts or carving out time for yourself, Eden is the place to go to make the season calm and bright. Stop by the store to explore Anderson’s curated picks or book a spa appointment with Dewey for the ultimate holiday escape.
Libby Nichols is the creator and founder of Meet DSM. She also writes about local businesses and events for dsm magazine. |
|
|
WEEKEND SECTION PRESENTED BY CATCH DES MOINES |
|
|
Christkindlmarket Des Moines opens Thursday outside Principal Park. (Photo: Christkindlmarket Des Moines)
|
Please don't shop till you drop. Pace yourself, OK? |
|
|
Apparently, Iowa doesn’t have an official state dance. May we suggest the Slow Shuffle? We guarantee you already know the moves if you’ve ever visited a farmers market or the state fair. Just walk, browse, chat — and repeat.
This weekend you can shuffle it up at several local shopping events. Just take your pick:
Christkindlmarket, Thursday through Sunday and Dec. 11-14, Principal Park. This year’s holiday market expands to two weekends, with Old World goodies, handicrafts and traditional music.
First Friday, 5-8 p.m. Friday, Mainframe Studios. For this month’s event includes live music from Iowa Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Heath Alan, artwork by the After School Arts Program and a multimedia exhibition called “Dualities,” which highlights all kinds of opposite ideas and materials.
Val Air Holiday Fair, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Val Air Ballroom. Postponed due to last weekend’s snowstorm, this new event brings together 70 local arts-and-crafts vendors, food and — hey, why not? — a 9-foot Disco Santa.
Grown-Up Book Fair, noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Central Library. Remember the book fairs your school hosted when you were a kid? Relive those memories by visiting 18 vendors, including reps from local nonprofits, book stores and other retailers.
Market on Mulberry, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Surety Hotel. The gathering in the grand old hotel’s solarium and ballroom features more than 30 vendors, festive cocktails and music from Nola Jazz. |
|
|
The Animal Show, 5-8 p.m. Thursday and 4-7 p.m. Friday, Olson-Larsen Galleries. Creatures with feathers, furs or fins star in the next group exhibition, which opens with two receptions this week and runs through Jan. 31.
“The Earth Talks,” 5-8 p.m. Friday, Moberg Gallery. Swing by the striking geometric paintings inspired by nature by local artist Scott Charles Ross, whose show runs through Jan. 3.
New York Voices, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Staplin Performing Arts Center at Valley High School. The Civic Music Association hosts the Big Apple quartet known for rich harmonies and inventive arrangements.
“A Christmas Carol,” 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Stoner Theater. Iowa Stage Theatre revives the beloved Dickens fable through Dec. 20.
Disney’s “Frozen,” 7 p.m. Friday and 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Des Moines Playhouse. The famous fairy tale about two magic sisters — and the magic of sisterhood — takes the stage in a local production of the full-length Broadway musical.
Family Christmas, noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Living History Farms. Bundle up for an 1870s Christmas at Walnut Hill, where you can hop on a horse-drawn wagon with honest-to-goodness jingle bells, make Victorian decorations and visit old St. Nick.
Holly & Ivy, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Salisbury House & Gardens. Tour the 100-year-old mansion, where local designers, florists, home stagers and other creative types have decked the halls with holiday splendor. |
|
|
|
Nap time: Drake's beloved live mascot will soon retire. Griff II, an English Bulldog who has served as Drake's live mascot for the past six years, is retiring at the end of the spring semester in May, according to an announcement from the university. Drake also announced Griff II "has already identified his successor," and the new Griff will be revealed Thursday. |
|
|
“Home” on the road: Macaulay Culkin, whom the world will always remember as young Kevin McCallister, plans to attend a special screening of “Home Alone” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee. If you buy tickets for the kids, remember to take them.
New Pilates studio: BODYBAR, a Pilates studio franchise, will open its first Iowa location in Ankeny at 1630 S. Ankeny Blvd, Suite 116 on Dec. 8. You can already sign up for classes online.
dsm Home Design Awards finalists: On Tuesday we announced the finalists in seven specific categories for home interiors: Bath, Bedroom, Focus Space, Indoor Entertainment, Indoor Living Space, Kitchen & Dining and Utility Zone. Congratulations to all 21 finalists: Caliber Homes, Casee Burgason Interior Design, Design2Build/K&V Homes, Dwell Home Furnishings & Interior Design, Dynasty Homes, Embarq Signature Homes, Jeid Studio, Johnson Construction, Hartman Spiller/Oakwood Builders Group, Kimberley Development, MainBuilt Custom Homes, Meghan Blum Interiors/Oakwood Builders, Serenity Homes/Green Door Home Staging, Silent Rivers, South Of Grand Studio, Teal Creek Homes and Woodhouse. Check out their projects online, and join us at our awards ceremony on Feb. 26, when we’ll reveal the winners.
|
|
|
The Des Moines Gay Men's Chorus opens its 25th season this weekend at St. John's Lutheran Church. (Photo: Sweet Story Photography) |
Community voices: Meet six singers in local choirs |
|
|
This round-up originally published Monday in the monthly newsletter from Bravo Greater Des Moines, which supports arts, cultural and heritage organizations across Central Iowa. We're sharing it here with permission.
Community choirs play a significant role in Greater Des Moines’ cultural community, bringing neighbors together and filling our shared spaces with harmony. As the holiday season arrives, their impact becomes even more meaningful. For many, these choirs are woven into beloved traditions: the familiar carols, the joyful performances, and the annual chance to gather in celebration.
This month, we asked the longest-tenured singers from some of these choirs why they sing. Read on to learn about how they help make our region vibrant, connected and full of song. |
|
|
| Sue Breen-Held
43 years with the Des Moines Choral Society
Next concert: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 downtown at St. Ambrose Cathedral
What part do you sing?
I currently sing the low alto part, but over the years I’ve sung every voice part except baritone/bass. I’ll sing whatever part Dr. (James) Rodde asks me to sing. Why do you sing?
It feeds my soul. I sing because it satisfies so many needs. Singing in a choir is an emotional experience, and the preparation is intellectually challenging. There is satisfaction and joy when all the work gels into music, not just notes. I love being part of a group of people who all care about getting it right and creating beauty. And sharing that emotional experience with an audience adds an extra emotional punch at the end of the process.
What are your favorite genres to sing?
My favorite genre to sing is classical. Every voice part gets interesting lines to sing or emotions to carry, and all of us are challenged. |
|
|
| Anita Campbell
25 years with the Ankeny Community Chorus
Next concert: summer 2026 in the Ankeny Bandshell What part do you sing?
I have always been a soprano, although now, as I am aging (80 next year), my voice has become a second soprano. Why do you sing?
I sing because I am a joyful person and this is my way of sharing that. I'm never in the car without singing along with the radio. What are you looking forward to this season with the chorus?
Next year is our 25th anniversary, so we are planning several ways of celebrating. The best is a new song being composed by Dr. (Christopher) Ellis, head of the music department at Faith Baptist Bible College. We plan to invite all past presidents, accompanists and members. All the music we are singing this season will be from our own library. We are really looking forward to the anniversary. |
|
|
| John Champion
53 years with the Harmony Delegation
Next concert: 2 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in Johnston What part do you sing?
Tenor. Why do you sing?
Because I love to sing and harmonize with others. I was born into a singing family.
What was one of your favorite performances and why?
In our district contest in 1977, my quartet, the Midlanders, scored No. 1 in the preliminary competition and scored No. 2 in the final competition. The barbershop audience was clearly in our favor. It was a big thrill! |
|
|
| Keith Meendering
25 years with the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus
Next concerts: 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday downtown at St. John’s Lutheran Church What part do you sing?
Tenor 2. Why do you sing?
I joined DMGMC because I was interested in finding a community of gay men who also enjoyed music as much as I did. To my delight, I found that community and so much more. As our membership continues to grow and diversify, I’ve also found strength and joy in performing meaningful music with so many like-minded queer, lifelong friends. We can and do change hearts and minds every day just by standing up, being proud and singing.
What are you looking forward to this season with the chorus?
I’m so excited to be celebrating our 25th anniversary Silver Season. We’ll look back to honor the past achievements of the chorus and look toward the future, continuing to show our audiences that music really can make a difference in our crazy world. Music really does matter. |
|
|
| Gloria Thielking
34 years with the Des Moines Vocal Arts Ensemble
Next concert: 4 p.m. Dec. 14 at Westminster Presbyterian Church What part do you sing? Alto 2.
Why do you sing? I sing for that amazing sound that is formed when everyone is in sync with a beautiful a cappella tone. It is sometimes elusive, but it’s magical when it happens. What was one of your favorite performances and why?
One of my favorite performances was summer 2015, when we were a featured choir for the Summer Symposium of the Iowa Choral Directors Association. We put together an amazing collection of difficult a cappella pieces done perfectly for an audience who appreciated what we had just accomplished. It was palpable and memorable — and, yes, magical. |
|
|
| Susan Yinger
54 years with the Harmony Central Chorus
Next concert: 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church in Johnston What part do you sing?
Baritone. Why do you sing?
To express joy. To make a joyful sound with others. What is the biggest chorus lesson you’ve learned that you’ve applied to the rest of your life?
To do anything well requires practice, practice and more practice. Take the advice of experts. Enjoy the experience of doing something well and doing it with others. |
|
|
Kick off the new year with dsm |
- Jan. 13: Unveiling party. Start the new year with a copy of the next edition of dsm magazine, which we'll release at Soma Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetics in Clive.
|
|
|
|
