Style + Beauty

Confidence Looks Good on You

More than lashes, it's about feeling like the best version of yourself. Article by Alexis Jacobs Sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest difference. For many women, beautifully customized lashes or brows mean spending less time getting ready each morning and feeling more confident every day. That philosophy is what inspired Carla Bravo to become a Lash Lounge franchise owner. Long before owning a salon, Carla was a loyal client at The Lash Lounge's very first location in Colleyville...

Home + Design

Where Beautiful Living Begins

Timeless materials, layered detail, and a deeply personal approach to livable luxury. Article by Alexis Jacobs | Photography by Bess McKinney Photography Since founding Burress Design Group in 2020, Principal Designer Christina Burress has built an award-winning luxury interior design firm that creates timeless, sophisticated residential and commercial spaces. Based in McKinney, Texas, the boutique studio approaches every project as an opportunity to create a home with depth: refined enough...

Style + Beauty

Colorful On-Trend Designs Inspire Confident Style Every Day

Cynthia Elliot Boutique celebrates your individuality through curated designer collections, artistic styling, exceptional service, and joyful shopping experiences. Article by Alexis Jacobs | Photography by Elliot VanLandingham Walking into Cynthia Elliot Boutique on McKinney's Historic Downtown Square is unlike stepping into a typical clothing store. Every display is thoughtfully arranged by color, creating an immersive shopping experience where vibrant hues, bold patterns and artistic details...

Arts + Culture

Junior League Inspires Lasting Community Leadership

Junior League of Collin County empowers women through leadership, volunteer service, and partnerships that create lasting, meaningful community impact. Article by Alexis Jacobs | Photography by Forevermore Photography Founded in 1976, the Junior League of Collin County (JLCC) has spent nearly five decades equipping women to become leaders while creating lasting change throughout the community. What began as the Plano Service League has grown into one of Collin County's most respected volunteer...

Home Services

Balancing School and Life

Academics Plus Offers Support for Helping Students Manage Academics, Activities, and Personal Time Successfully Article by Alexis Jacobs | Photography by Stephanie Talley As the school year begins, students often find themselves pulled in many directions at once. Between full class schedules, homework, sports practices, club meetings, part-time jobs, volunteer commitments, family responsibilities, and social activities, it can quickly become difficult to manage everything well. While...

Fitness

Building Confidence Through Martial Arts

Kung Fu Academy of North Texas Teaches Valuable Life Skills Article by Alexis Jacobs | Photography by Mallory Gilbert As a new school year approaches, many parents are looking for ways to help their children build confidence, improve focus, and navigate life's challenges. At Kung Fu Academy of North Texas, martial arts training goes beyond self-defense, helping students develop skills that support personal growth both on and off the mat. At the heart of the academy are co-owners and...

Life + Culture

Opening Doors for Collin County’s Future Leaders

Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County Empowers Youth Through Mentorship, Education, Opportunity, and Support Article by Alexis Jacobs As Collin County continues to grow at a remarkable pace, ensuring that every child has access to opportunity remains one of the community's greatest responsibilities. For Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County (BGCCC), that mission is at the heart of everything they do. Founded on the belief that every young person deserves the chance to succeed, BGCCC provides a...

Life + Culture

A Fresh Picnic Favorite

Chef Donna Collins Shares Bright Lemon Potato Salad Bringing Lighter Flavor to Summer Gatherings Article by Alexis Jacobs | Photography by Donna Collins For Donna Collins, Founder and CEO of The Jelly Queens, good recipes are all about adding your own personality. Her Lemon Potato Salad does exactly that, bringing a fresh, lighter spin to the traditional picnic favorite. Inspired by a conversation with her friend Paula, who was searching for a healthier potato salad option for a family...

Life + Culture

Serving McKinney and Prosper Through Connection

Exploring Volunteer Opportunities Across McKinney and Collin County Communities Article by Alexis Jacobs | Photography by Volunteer McKinney For more than 27 years, Volunteer McKinney has helped connect residents with meaningful ways to serve throughout Collin County. From mentoring students and supporting food drives to helping nonprofits with marketing or technology, the organization continues to make volunteering more accessible for people of all ages and schedules. “Volunteer McKinney...

Life + Culture

Unspoken Stories Matter

Exploring Real Stories from “Ordinary” Lives with Extraordinary Journeys Inspire Deeper Human Connection and Compassion Article by Alexis Jacobs | Photography by Leah Hardy Photography In a world filled with carefully curated social media feeds and polished snapshots of life, Kelsey Billingsley is creating space for something more real. Through her podcast, Unspoken Lives, she invites listeners into honest conversations centered around resilience, faith, grief, healing, and the life...