Fitness

Vacation Ready Body

Feel Confident, Strong, and Energized with Smart, Time-Saving Strength Training Article by Averly Burns | Photography by Adeline Merrick: Merrick Multimedia If you’re dreaming about your next vacation, now is the perfect time to start feeling your best. Whether you’re picturing beach days, active adventures, or simply looking great in vacation photos, the foundation of looking good is feeling strong—and that starts with building and maintaining muscle. Muscle is more than just definition. It...

Food + Beverage

The Coffee Connection

Bringing the Flavors of Coffees from Around the World to Allen Article by Fatima Durrani | Photography by Adeline Merrick: Merrick Multimedia For coffee lovers, there are only two kinds of people in the world: those who are hard-core coffee connoisseurs and those who wish they were. In either case, having an aromatic cup of coffee is a ritual that brings meaning to existence.  Rob Miller understands this obsession for coffee. When he combined his love of fresh roasted coffee with his desire...

Home Services

Take a Vacation from Cleaning

Cleanliness Meets Care with Debby's Complete Services Article by Ken Crawford | Photography by Adeline Merrick: Merrick Multimedia Consider for a moment the elevated luxury of coming home from vacation to a clean and organized space. We experience the scrambled trip preparation with laundry and other logistics, often not leaving time or energy for tidying up. What if your home greeted you with the same detailed attention as your resort? You arrive back at your home or office and everything is...

Travel

Sail Away to Paradise

Explore the World Aboard Your Own Floating Hotel Article by Deborah Dove | Photography by Courtesy of Kendra Healy Cruises are popular for a reason.  They’re all-inclusive, they allow travelers to explore multiple destinations in one trip that would cost much more time (and money) to see by plane or car, and they provide the perfect blend of sightseeing and relaxation, with all the details already handled. In fact, 19 million American will go on ocean cruises this year, a 4.5 percent increase...

Travel

Power Sisters, Unite!

Leaping into the Adventure of a Lifetime in Africa Article by Fatima Durrani | Photography by Megan and Tessa Steiner The best of ideas are often born at the intersection of coffee, camaraderie, and curiosity. Sitting at Allen’s local Sayfani cafe, sipping on Yemeni chai, sisters Megan and Tessa Steiner unleashed a bold plan.   Inspired by her older sister Megan’s 2021 trip, where she backpacked solo from South Africa all the way up to Jordan, Tessa asked what they could do together. Tessa...

Entertainment

Local Experience

Discover local gems, create memories, and embrace authentic community experiences. Article by Deborah Dove | Photography by Gracelyn Baggett: Sun Kissed Imagery Frontiers of Flight Museum - 6911 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX  Experience the stories and artifacts of aviation and space flight—from Leonardo da Vinci, to the Wright Brothers, to the spacecraft of the twenty-first century—all in one museum.   Sail with Scott -2055 Summer Lee Dr, Rockwall, TX Cruise Lake Ray Hubbard aboard a sailing...

Food + Beverage

An American Pub Crawl

Exploring Collin County's Local Breweries Article by Deborah Dove A traditional pub crawl might be the invention of the British, but who says exploring multiple pubs can't be done right here in Collin County? Thanks to a handful of local breweries that make their own craft beers, the spirit of the pub crawl can be enjoyed right here at home. Check out one or all of these local breweries and experience a fun night out with friends trying new beers, experiencing something new, and supporting...

Health + Wellness

Helping Boys Grow Into Men

How Service Builds Connection, Confidence, and Mental Strength Article by Averly Burns | Photography by Courtesy of YMSL Young men today face immense pressure to embody strength and independence, often at the expense of their emotional well-being. Too frequently, vulnerability is seen as a weakness, leaving many to struggle in silence. Organizations such as the Young Men’s Service League challenge this norm by fostering service, leadership, and genuine connection. By uniting mothers and their...

Fitness

Hidden Gym: Allen’s Best-Kept (Not-So-Secret) Weapon

Where Elite Athletes and Everyday Grinders Train Hard, Level Up, and Never Miss a Workout Article by Marisa Bingham | Photography by Mike Lam: ML Studios Something is brewing in Allen, Texas—and it smells like sweat, success, and protein donuts. Tucked inside what used to be a rugby center, Hidden Gym is anything but ordinary. It’s anything but hidden. This 30,000-square-foot playground for the serious fitness crowd is where NFL players, CEOs, and high school athletes train side by side...

Sports + Recreation

Big Wins

Finding Camaraderie Through Adult Sports Leagues Article by Fatima Durrani | Photography by Courtesy of Mae Rachelle Photography As adults, we often long for the carefree days of our youth. Many of us enjoyed connecting with others through intramural sports in college and exploring new activities; others grew up playing team sports from a young age.  But as anyone who has tried to beat rush hour to get to the gym after work or squeeze in a run between kids’ homework and activities knows...