Health + Wellness

Wellness, Reimagined: Helping Women Feel Their Best From the Inside Out

Zoi Well/Noa Sutherland shares a thoughtful approach to restoring balance in busy lives Article by Jill King An Interview with Noa Sutherland of Zoi Well 1. Many women today are juggling careers, family, and personal responsibilities. What are the most common wellness challenges you see women facing, and how does Zoi Well help address them?   The most common challenge is a general state of exhaustion and/or hormonal dysregulation—not feeling well and not knowing why. We begin by ensuring...

Health + Wellness

Creating a Beautiful Smile

Connecting Wellness and Oral Health Article by Ashley Brown | Photography by Iris Castro Buda Dental Professionals has been a trusted part of the community for 44 years, and Ashley Strickland has been part of that story since 2007. Fresh out of dental school, pregnant, and raising a one-year-old, she joined the practice and embraced the opportunity to carry on the legacy of its founder—her mentor—right on Main Street. Over the years, she’s cared for generations of patients, many of whom have...

Entertainment

Martinique Simmons: Practicing Balance

Committed to Embracing Her Unique Multifaceted Identity Article by Ashley Brown | Photography by Iris Castro Martinique Simmons, Kyle native and owner of The Simmons Group Insurance Services, exudes a lovely fusion of confidence and humbleness, strength and vulnerability. Her genuine warmth and friendliness are contagious…a refreshing trait when it comes to counting on someone to help with insurance, a word that most don’t get too excited about. On any given morning, Martinique might be...

Arts + Culture

Painting a Woman's Voice

Conversation with Ashley Dalton - A Multi-Disciplinary Artist Article by Jill King | Photography by Emily Stadler and Sharon Brown I come from a long line of strong, spirited women on both my mom’s and dad’s sides—women who were (and are) resilient, spicy, and refuse to be quieted. Their stories are filled with courage, grit, and determination— despite the limitations placed on them as women. My mom, my grandmothers, and the women before them, led with both grit and grace—overcoming obstacles...

Life + Culture

Behind the May Cover

A closer look at the vision, styling, and entrepreneurs behind this month’s cover Article by Jill King | Photography by Iris Castro There’s a specific kind of magic that happens when you pair Texas Hill Country views with the brilliance of women business owners. To celebrate the entrepreneurs who power our community, we gathered at Driftwood Estate Winery for a night defined by fine wine, charcuterie, and even finer connections. Perched on a scenic bluff at 4001 Elder Hill Road, the winery...

Arts + Culture

The Right First Step

Five Things Every Parent Should Consider Before Choosing a Dance Studio Article by Jill King | Photography by Iris Castro 1. Culture Shapes Confidence: Your child’s self-image is influenced by the rooms they grow in. Choose a studio that intentionally builds leadership, resilience, and confidence alongside strong performance ability. 2. Training Should Be Progressive and Purposeful: Strong technique requires thoughtful structure and long-term vision. Ask how classes build from year to year...

Food + Beverage

FLAMING HEARTS

CHAMPAGNE SUPPER CLUB AT MELROSE RIVER CLUB Article by Jill King | Photography by Iris Castro The Melrose River Club recently set the stage for romance with an intimate Valentine’s Supper Club featuring Chef Kelyn Egbuka. Each thoughtfully crafted course was paired with a distinct Champagne selection from Perrier-Jouët, creating a sensory experience that unfolded beautifully throughout the evening. Guests dined beneath the Hill Country sky before strolling the scenic grounds and making their...

Home + Design

Building Your Nest Egg: Real Estate Wealth 101

A Path to Financial Independence With Mortgage Broker Erica Billé Article by Ashley Brown | Photography by Iris Castro Blending her educator’s heart with an investor’s mindset, Erica Billé—a former high school math teacher and volleyball coach at Hays High School—is enthusiastically working to instill in clients the notion that real estate isn’t just about buying a home: it’s a path to financial independence. Erica loved teaching, but she began to wonder how she could accrue wealth beyond her...

Home + Design

The Hill Country Reset

A Season of Perspective in a Market That’s Evolving Article by Ashley Brown | Photography by Iris Castro If you’ve noticed “For Sale” signs sitting steady in properties around Hays County, you’re not imagining things. After a couple of years of skyrocketing home prices and bidding wars, the local market has shifted in favor of buyers. “Technically, we’re in a neutral market, but it feels like a buyer’s market because we were spoiled during COVID,” explains Allison Pflaum, a veteran realtor...

Home Services

1626 Construction

Building with Integrity Article by Ashley Brown | Photography by Iris Castro For homeowners nationwide, the stories of experiences with contractors gone awry are all too familiar. But luckily, here in the Hill Country where friendly relationships with neighbors and community abound, trust matters and word travels fast — making it easier to find the right person for the job. Based in Buda, family-owned and operated 1626 Construction has earned the trust of countless clients; in fact, about 90...