This month marks a special milestone for Memorial Lifestyle as our team celebrates five years of sharing community stories, local businesses, and the people who make this beautiful part of Houston so special. Over the past five years, our small but mighty team has enjoyed being immersed in the community. What started as a neighborhood publication in 2020 has grown into something much more meaningful. Each month, we work to connect readers through stories, shared experiences, travel destinations, and delicious food.
We are grateful to the readers who invite us into their homes month after month, and we look forward to sharing even more stories and community highlights together. We’re celebrating by revisiting some of our favorite articles and covers from past issues.
Suzanne Schakett
Publisher, Owner
Celebrating five years of the magazine is truly indescribable. This publication means so much to me because it allows me to help local business owners create what I call a red thread connection to the community. Through Memorial Lifestyle, I get to share their stories, highlight their passion, and connect them with the neighbors they serve. The publication is more visually striking and cohesive than ever before. Our covers, in particular, have evolved into bold, colorful statements that truly stop people in their tracks. Standout moments include landing Matthew McConaughey for our Men’s Issue and launching The TEN!, our annual event honoring extraordinary women. Looking ahead, I envision even greater community engagement through our events, digital storytelling, and partnerships.
August 2025
Our Kids & Pets issue featuring my Cavapoo, Penny Apricot, is my favorite. Robyn Arouty Photography captured her perfectly. Penny became a local celebrity, and that joyful cover still makes me smile every time I see it.
September 2022
This whimsical Yarn Art cover for the article “Bare Maximum,” featuring artists Louis Lopez and Alida Bonifaz, remains unforgettable. The vibrant colors, creative makeup, and playful textures made me so proud of our magazine’s artistry and imaginative storytelling.
December 2020
Our very first issue launched mid-COVID and marked my pivot from mortgage and homebuilding into becoming an owner and publisher of a magazine. Receiving that first copy was surreal, symbolizing courage, reinvention, and the start of something truly special.
Gabi De la Rosa
Managing Editor
Hundreds of pages, countless interviews, photos, and deadlines later, it feels incredible to see this magazine celebrate its 5th anniversary. We’ve gone through Covid-era challenges, economic ups and downs, and a lot of uncertainty, but through it all, we’ve continued to tell stories that matter. For 60 consecutive months, I have been able to highlight the people and places that make Houston a wonderful place to live. What keeps me excited is that there are so many more stories left to tell. Our community never stops surprising me with news-worthy moments that make Memorial Lifestyle magazine come to life. I feel so grateful for the amazing team of women who make this possible and for everyone who is so excited to be included in our pages.
May 2024
As soon as I saw this art from Karina Llergo, a Bayou City Arts Festival featured artist, I knew I wanted it on the cover. It was a joy to interview and put the spotlight on such a talented artist.
June 2023
I absolutely love this cover. Not only is the astronaut such a strong symbol of Houston, but it was painted by Gonzo247, who is so talented and generous with his creativity.
June 2024
I held onto this photo for more than six months before I could make it a cover, and I was so excited to see it come to life. Hang 10 at Waco Surf!
Kayla Bokemeyer
Publication Director
Five years already? Time really does fly. We have such an amazing team and a well-oiled machine. It feels incredible to see our hard work come to life every month, and over time we’ve worked to create even more beautiful covers and stories. The magazine has grown its audience and impact, with more readers requesting copies, sharing stories, and engaging with us. Celebrating The TEN! was definitely a highlight, along with collaborations with Houston Ballet, St. Jude, and Kids’ Meals. I’ve also loved featuring some of my favorite Houston spots like Hotel Lucine, Máximo, and Traveler’s Table. Looking ahead, I see the magazine expanding its reach, hosting more memorable events, and continuing to capture the spirit of Houston.
August 2024
The August 2024 Kids & Pets issue is near and dear to me. Writing the masthead allowed me to reflect on my first year of motherhood alongside my husband, Josh, and our little boy, Andy.
October 2024
What a treat! This cover is mouth-watering. I loved celebrating this edition with our team at Makiin and discovering new places to dine around Houston.
May 2025
The Women’s Issue is one of my favorites, especially the 2025 edition, because our team worked so hard to put together The Ten! event, which was a huge success honoring 10 amazing women in Houston.
Lauren Holub
Photographer
It feels amazing to celebrate five years! I can’t believe it’s been that long since the launch. It honestly feels like yesterday that I was interviewing to be the lead photographer and stressing about shooting anything food-related. The magazine’s content has been incredible over the years, and I’ve loved seeing so many local features that highlight our community. Some of my favorite memories are of photographing people and moments I never would have experienced otherwise, and many of them have even become long-term clients. I’ve also had the chance to work on some incredible covers that really pushed me creatively. I’m so excited to see how the magazine continues to grow, especially with all the new things happening in Houston.
June 2025
Obsessed with this shoot of Harper Waters at the Houston Ballet. His ability to make every pose look so effortless was truly incredible to watch and photograph.
The Chef's Fridge Articles
I loved getting to read and see what exactly is in an esteemed chef's personal refrigerator. They all had celery in a glass of water, and their meats were always freshly cut that day.
March 2021
This was my first shoot for the magazine. I got to photograph my first Houston celebrity couple who are now lifelong clients.