Empty Nest
By Mimi Greenwood Knight How to adjust when it’s time for them to leave Something happens to me each day at about three in the afternoon. I suddenly panic, thinking I forgot to pick the kids up from school. Then I realize “the kids” are down to one and that beautiful boy got his license and car this summer. He’s not waiting for me in the school carline. He’s pulling out of the parking lot with a cute blonde in the passenger seat...
Cozy Sunday Cooking
Recipes and photos By Meghan Bassett The seasons are changing and a cold breeze will be heading our way in no time. Cozy up to a weekend bowl of creamy pumpkin soup, or heat things for sports with spicy chicken tortilla soup. You can even pair them with a slice of homemade no-rise bacon and sage bread. All recipes serve from 6 to 8 people. Creamy PUMPKIN SOUP INGREDIENTS 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 small white onion, chopped 2...
Rightsizing Your Residence
Is the home you bought still the home that fits? By Annette Brooks Once the kids have left home, what’s the point of hanging on to a big house? The extra bedrooms are probably seldom used, except for an occasional overnight stay. And if you were a younger, kid-free couple when you bought your smaller place and a little time has passed, maybe you’re wondering whether it’s still such a good fit. Instead of sinking money into a place...
Renewed Spirit
Travel destinations that’ll leave you uplifted for whatever life changes come your way By Annette Brooks In a hectic, tumultuous world, finding a place on earth that instills wonderment, if only for a few moments, makes an impression that lasts a lifetime. Spirit-renewing experiences are deeply personal and often happen serendipitously as you explore new destinations. A singularly still moment while touring San Antonio’s Spanish...
Rejuvenated Real Estate
From May baskets and Cinco de Mayo to Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, the month of May has a lot going on. It also happens to be one of the best months to buy a house. Beautiful spring weather—especially before the summer heat and humidity hits in full force—means it’s a better time for house hunting. And of course, new listings begin to pop up like Texas wildflowers. The birds are chirping, the leaves and grass are green, and sunshine...
A Tribute To Mother’s Day
Before there were flowers and brunch reservations and bracelets on the fourth Sunday in Lent, there were women like Ann Reeves Jarvis and Julia Ward Howe who wanted to find a way to join women together in a unified effort following the Civil War. Once a year women in cities like New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Boston gathered together to listen to sermons, prayers, and hymns to promote peace. Anna Jarvis, Ann’s daughter now...
A Piece of Spring
A spring swimsuit is a versatile thing, whether matched with a breezy cover up, the rest of an outfit, or worn solo. We’re not quite into the depths of summer yet, but the Texas sun is more than sufficient for an early season splash. Gibson & Latimer – Pique Stripe Plunge $82 La Blanca – Vision Quest Plunge Cross Back Tummy Toner $119 Gossip-Jean’s Addiction Ruffle Off-the-Shoulder $70 Kenneth Cole Reaction-Over the...
Global Gastronomy
Incorporating the flavors of Asian cuisine in your own kitchen can be a little intimidating at first. But this month we’ll help you discover how to reinterpret a few everyday dishes with some unique twists that you and your family will love. Whether you are hosting a party or planning an easy weeknight meal, we hope we can open your eyes to a whole new world of flavor. Banh Mi Noodles 1 pound ground pork 1 inch piece of ginger, peeled...
Shoreline & Seafood
Eight hours was a long drive, but just doable enough to get through with some sanity intact. That’s one perk of living in northern New Jersey—New England is only a day’s drive away. It was the summer of 2017, and my mom and I were headed out on a road trip to Maine. A big part of our expedition was an impending “mother-daughter lobster crawl.” My mom, of course, was ecstatic over our little escapade. Had I been younger, I probably...
DNA Demystified
Genetic testing involves examining your DNA—the chemical database that carries instructions for your body’s functions—and can reveal changes (mutations) in your genes that may, or may not, cause diseases. The chances of you or your children inheriting some genetic mutation depends on a variety of factors including your parents’ genes, your genes, the disease itself, and mathematical odds. Why test? Genetic testing plays a vital role...
Jeans + Scenes
If outdoor expeditions are in the mix, odds are that you’re going to reach for a trusty pair of durable jeans. But we’ve come a long way from the workhorse denim of the past. From road trips to nature walks to a day at the ranch, these punched-up pairs will leave you feeling confident that your look is all buttoned up. Chelsea & Violet Cropped Flare, $88 Aberdeen Thrift Hi-Rise Frayed Hem Denim, $138 Gianni Bini Gia Embroidered...
3 Kitchen and Bath Trends for 2018
When it’s time for a home remodel, specifically of a bathroom or kitchen, many homeowners turn to trendy looks as inspiration. Color, texture and material variance, like using different types of tile, lead the way in this year’s kitchen and bath trends. To help amplify the look and appeal of your space, consider these tips from the experts at the National Association of the Remodeling Industry: Try Different Shades White...
A Camping We Will Go
The weather is changing and the great outdoors are calling! Take your cooking outside this spring with these easy-to-make (and even easier to eat) recipes that taste better when cooked over the hot flames. The only other things you need are the stars. All recipes serve 4. Campfire Sausage and Vegetables 2 links of smoked turkey sausage, cut into rounds 1 red bell pepper, sliced 1 green bell pepper, sliced 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced...
Lake House Life
Many families in Michigan share a tradition of spending weekends and vacations in cottages adjacent to the state’s collection of lakes. Higgins Lake is considered one of the most spectacular of the inland lakes, and the empty-nesters who commissioned this cottage wanted to be able to share this resource with their large family and many friends. In order to host plenty of guests, the owners requested a large gathering area for cooking,...
Wear and Tear
Watching out for common outdoor injuries as you get back to nature this spring. It’s already April, and many of us who have largely hibernated during the winter are again venturing outside to engage in our favorite forms of exercise and recreation. Unfortunately, no matter what you’re up to, there’s always the risk of injury. Fortunately, a little awareness can help keep you both active and injury free. As we all get outdoors this...
Texas Bluebonnets Beckon
The sights of springtime draw near Few things represent spring in Texas more than bluebonnets. Blanketing fields and roadsides in sheets of blue, their showy display inspires a deep appreciation for the sheer beauty of nature and the Texas countryside. Although the Texas state flower appears in many areas, especially throughout the Hill Country, ask anyone about the best location to view them and you will likely get different answers....
Perfectly Perched
The approximately 2,580 square foot Perch Haus rests in the heart of East Dallas on the shore of White Rock Lake, bordering the popular 9-mile trail that encircles it. A grand “vanishing point” entry stair opens itself up to guests, leading to a steel-tiered landscape and a front door roughly 12 feet above street level. The pronounced second floor cantilever commands the attention of the hundreds of cyclists and runners that pass by...
Power Bowls
Get bowled over with nutritious meals! Eating healthy in the spring doesn’t mean that things have to be flavorless! Get your fill from a single bowl packed with protein, veggies, and grains that’s easy to make, easy to eat, and easy to clean up. Each recipe makes two bowls. Tips & Tricks You can easily make these bowls ahead of time at the start of the week to make your lunches for the week! Each recipe makes two servings so they...
Splitting Hairs
Opened in 2003 and bursting with old Hollywood glamour, fainting couches, chandeliers in every room, original wood floors, and passionate people, Renata Salons is an old-time full-service salon with cutting edge style. Owner Lauren Jackson traveled the country training stylists and working fashion week events for years before returning to Texas to run the salon with her mom and co-owner, Sherry. She also reconnected and fell in love...
Saguaro Oasis
A desert vacation home for four generations of family From the outset, this private residence in Scottsdale, Arizona was sure to be a unique one. Paramount were the applications of visually taking in the nearby mountain ridge to frame the vastness of the views, and providing comfort in shade from the sun. The central common space extends and connects to the exterior, blurring the definition of what’s inside and what’s outside. “It is...
Love it and List it (…or not)
Getting your home ready to show—even if you’re the only one looking “Are you getting ready to sell your place?” More than one neighbor asked me this when my home’s hardwood floors were being refinished and the interior painted. The truth was that I simply wanted to care for the place I call home. Too often we wait until we’re thinking of selling to give a little TLC to our frequently-neglected abodes, only to be struck with a pang of...
Cooking for Comfort
Whether it’s to a sick loved one or a friend living across the country, send your love with comforting recipes everyone will swoon over. You know the smile will be from ear-to-ear when the recipient opens this box of goodness. Harvest Bread 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons salt ½ teaspoon sugar ¾ teaspoon instant yeast 1½ cups + 2 tablespoons room temperature water Add flour, salt, yeast and sugar to a large bowl. Whisk together...
The Big Day
“Isn’t this the most romantic time of your life?” “Aren’t you having SO MUCH FUN?!” If you’re engaged, you’ve probably heard this stuff from friends and family. And if you’re like me, you feel as though your response should be an overwhelming “OMG YES,” even when your caterer won’t return your calls, half your family isn’t speaking to each other, the seating chart is a disaster, and your guest list thinks RSVPs are a suggestion. The...
Into the Blue
The sea plays a focal role in Ashley Maddox’s home in Cape Town—and not only because it features a 180-degree view of the ocean. Each of the upstairs rooms has been painted to match the spectrum of blues and greens seen in the sea. “When we bought the house, it was all white everywhere—very stark with big, white, shabby-chic couches. You can create so much personality just with color,” says Ashley. The cerulean shade in the couple’s...
Sail Into Winter
It might just be the best time to take a cruise Wondering what to do after the holiday excitement has waned? A cruise can be the perfect antidote for the winter blahs. Visit multiple destinations, unpack once, keep yourself (and the kids) entertained, meet new people, enjoy some nightlife, get pampered, and simply chill out—what could be easier? What’s Your Cruise Personality? Cruises come in all shapes and sizes—mega ships to small...
A Resolution to Stick With
Resolve to keep your other resolutions by caring for yourself first Many of the best New Year’s resolutions are never followed through on. Life offers a lot of resistance when we try to change deeply ingrained habits. We want to improve ourselves for the benefit of those we love, but it’s difficult when we don’t feel well or lack energy. That’s why the most important thing you can do in life is to take good care of yourself. That...
Mood Food
Perfectly romantic dinner plans Your heart is going pitter patter and you want to make sure that your Valentine plans are not just romantic, but perfect. So what’s the key to planning a great dinner and overall romantic evening during one of the most amorous times of the year? According to statistics by the National Restaurant Association, as many as 70 million Americans will be dining out on February 14. That means you want to make...
Chef Tre Wilcox’s Collard Greens
Former Top Chef and Iron Chef America contestant Chef Tre Wilcox now exhibits his talents as the executive chef at Marquee Grill in Highland Park Village as well as being the face of Chantal cookware. Tre has won local and national awards for his culinary talents and appreciates the notoriety that comes with celebrity status, but for him—it’s all about the food. “I consider myself an artist,” he said, “and I’m always trying to create...
NEGATIVE CALORIE FOODS: FACT OR FICTION?
By Katherine Swarts Resolved to take off that bulge? Wondering if eating celery is eating and exercise—if chewing and digesting it really burns more calories than you consume? Don’t replace your exercise program and the rest of your menu, say experts. From Dr. Donald Hensrud of the Mayo Clinic: “There are no reputable scientific studies to prove that certain foods have [a negative-calorie] effect. … Diets that promote eating only a...
Best Of 2014
To vote in Living Magazine’s Best Of 2014, select your area of residence below: North Texas South Texas Arlington & Mansfield Champions & Spring Flower Mound Cy-Fair Frisco & Plano Fort Bend County Keller & Haslet Katy Las Colinas & Coppell Kingwood, Atascocita & Humble McKinney & Allen Memorial North Dallas & Park Cities Pearland & Friendswood Northeast Tarrant County The Woodlands...
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