Food + Beverage

Pit Boss Perfection

Article and Photography by

Food + Beverage

Pitmaster Picks

A Curated Roundup of Four Local Spots Bringing Serious Smoke and Standout Flavor Article by Deborah Dove In Texas, barbecue isn’t just food. It’s a well-honed craft shaped by time, fire, and the state’s cattle ranching history. And enjoying barbecue isn’t just a meal. It’s a community gathering, a tradition of sharing food around a smoker, the kitchen table, or at a local barbecue joint that has been passed down through generations. It’s a process that can’t be rushed and a culture that...

Life + Culture

The Art of Being a Good Neighbor

Why Your Next Stop Should Be Just Up the Road Article by Courtesy of the Fairview Economic Development Corporation For many of us in Collin County, being a good neighbor still means something. It means supporting local businesses, appreciating personal service, and choosing places that feel close to home. That is why the Fairview Economic Development Corporation is inviting our Allen neighbors to take part in Shop Fairview, a simple way to shop just up the road, support businesses in Fairview...

Life + Culture

Men of Influence

Five Local Business Owners Talk about Leadership, Success, and Legacy Article by Deborah Dove Joseph Brier, DMD, FAGD, Owner and Dentist at Dental Care of Lucas Who has been the most influential man in your life? My grandfather played a huge role in shaping me into the man I am today. He was intelligent, quick witted, and deeply social, and he taught me the value of a firm handshake, how humor can help build genuine rapport, and how to thoughtfully bring people together in ways that...

Health + Wellness

A Journey Rooted in Empathy

A Passion for Care and Purpose Shifted a Dentist’s Career Article by Ayesha Durrani | Photography by Photography Courtesy of Robert W. Jones III It’s never too late to live your dream, and Dr. Joseph Brier’s story is a testament to that truth. Born and raised in Central Missouri, Dr. Brier always had a fascination with medicine. His first taste of dentistry came in high school, when he worked at a local dentist’s office. Later, his focus shifted to psychology, and after earning his Bachelor of...

Life + Culture

Building Sisterhood

Photographer Karen Laine on Intentionally Building Close Adult Female Friendships Article by Karen Laine | Photography by Karen Laine Photography Have you ever watched one of those feel-good sisterhood movies and thought, “Where’s my sisterhood?” Most of us think of making friends as happenstance—a serendipitous accident. This does happen, and some people do have a group of friends they’ve stuck with over the years. Maybe you did too, but life changed. Big moves, busy careers, and starting...

Style + Beauty

Beauty Roundup

Our Approach to Healthy Skin and Eight Products We Cannot Live Without Article by Jennifer Adams A simple moment in front of the mirror can become a  powerful habit for maintaining healthy, radiant skin. A daily at-home skincare routine built with high-quality, medical-grade products does more than cleanse the surface; it actively supports the skin’s structure, balance, and long-term resilience. These formulations are typically created with higher concentrations of proven ingredients, allowing...

Life + Culture

Nonprofit of the Month

Sydney’s Salvation: A Legacy of Purpose and Hope Article by Courtesy of Sydney’s Salvation | Photography by Photography Courtesy of Sydney’s Salvation Sydney Hardeman, a young woman who was never short on goals, heard the calling to help others. She was filled with determination, leadership, and a vibrant laugh that filled every room. As a gifted student and athlete, she wowed spectators on the basketball court during her years as an Allen High School Lady Eagle and earned a full scholarship...

Life + Culture

Women of Influence

Local Female Entrepreneurs Share Their Challenges, Rewards, and Practical Advice Article by Deborah Dove | Photography by Provided Female entrepreneurs often face unique challenges, including societal biases, lack of funding, limited support systems, self-doubt, and achieving work-life balance in a society where women still carry a disproportionate share of household tasks and childcare.  Below, ten successful local women entrepreneurs share their challenges, rewards, and practical advice and...

Professional Services

Taking Our Seat at the Table

Your Work Matters. Your Voice Matters. Your Leadership Matters. You Matter. Article by Angi Burns | Photography by Ryan Bayron: Happy Box Productions There is a moment many women experience, whether they admit it out loud or not. It happens in a boardroom, at a networking event, or even in a quiet moment at home. It is the question of whether we truly belong in the spaces we have worked so hard to reach. I have felt it myself. As a publisher of four City Lifestyle luxury publications, a...