Health + Wellness

Fields of Purple

Sweet Awakening Farm Develops Lavender Products for Mind, Body and Kitchen Article by Cara Bukacek | Photography by Tammy Blackwell & Sweet Awakening In 2017, a car accident nearly claimed Tammy Blackwell’s life while she was attending veterinary school. Walking away from the wreckage sparked a profound internal shift. "Suddenly, the world was brighter, tastes were sweeter, and everything seemed more vivid," Blackwell recalls. "I couldn't go back to the life I had before." Blackwell chose to...

Beauty

Intentional Fragrance

Humble Abode Creates Clean, Luxurious Scents for Home & Body Article by Cara Bukacek | Photography by Humble Abode Fragrance has the powerful ability to influence mood, create a vibe or transport us to a particular memory from a moment in time. Just a hint of a certain scent can instantly put us in a place we once visited or in a loved one’s warm embrace. Yet traditionally, fragrance formulas have included complicated and potentially harmful ingredients. Julie DeYoung, a University of Colorado...

Home + Design

A Cut Above

At Apex Knife Co., Craftsmanship Still Has an Edge Article by Jessi Scoletti | Photography by Apex Knife Co & Brice Pardo Starting with the Swiss Army knife his dad gave him as a child, Jorge Almedina has long been fascinated with the craftsmanship of knives. A 2020 visit to a small knife retailer in Monument inspired him to pursue it as a side project while serving in the U.S. Army. Almedina later purchased the shop’s remaining inventory and taught himself marketing, photography and web...

Shopping

From "Little Gypsy" to Vintage Shop Owner

Monika Petersen Brings Global Style to Colorado Springs Article by Rochelle Reeder | Photography by Hailey Jane Photo Monika Petersen's journey to opening Gypsy Thrift Collective in Old Colorado City this past summer spans continents, cultures and a lifelong appreciation for craftsmanship. Born in Thailand, she grew up immersed in a vibrant world. Her Taiwanese mother embraced a farm-to-table lifestyle, raising Petersen with a holistic approach to food, health and everyday living. Meanwhile...

Entertainment

Taking Flight

Your Guide to the Pikes Peak Regional Airshow Photography by Colorado Springs Sports Corp Southern Colorado’s most exciting aviation event returns this month, promising two days of flying and fun. On September 19 and 20, military aircraft, historic warbirds and aerobatic performers will take to the skies over a section of the Colorado Springs Airport for the Pikes Peak Regional Airshow. Expect spectacular shows by the U.S. Air Force F-35A and the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet demonstration...

Health + Wellness

New Space, Same Heart

The Family Practice Expands to Offer Whole-Patient Care Article by Christa Hays | Photography by The Family Practice & Amy Baker Step through the doors of The Family Practice, a full-spectrum healthcare office, and you'll discover it's more than a place for medical appointments and exams. The practice is built on relationships and strives to keep trust at the center of every visit. Recently, the office expanded both in footprint and with its portfolio of services. However, the personalized...

Home Services

Painting the Town

Built on Trust and Hard Work, AMC Painting Celebrates Twenty Years Article by Brandy Lovelace | Photography by Mandy Penn Photography When brothers Matt and Chad Cordova were students at University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, they found themselves looking for a side hustle. It started, as many good ideas do, with a problem to solve. "When we first got started, I researched other painting businesses,” Matt says. “Some people weren't holding themselves to any type of standard. Paint jobs...

Arts + Culture

Among the Wildflowers

Gather Mountain Blooms Nurtures Flowers and Friendships Article by Jacey Blue Renner | Photography by Kira Whitney Photography For Nikki McComsey, growing flowers in a backyard garden began as part of her healing journey following a health scare six years ago. That passion blossomed quickly as her arrangements continually sold out in local pop-ups. McComsey soon realized she needed a much bigger space for her blooms and her growing business. “It all started with planting a lot of different...

Arts + Culture

Creativity on Display

For the Owners of Auric Gallery, Art is Community Article by Linden Butrym | Photography by Margarett Hansen Photography Before longtime art gallerists Gundega Stevens and Abigail Kreuser met more than a decade ago, numerous people told them they should work together. When they were introduced, they became instant friends. In 2020 the pair launched Curate Your Space, an art curation service for homes and businesses. Two years ago, they merged their individual galleries into one—Auric Gallery...

Style + Beauty

Wear It Well

Reynolds West Specializes in Restoring Well-Loved Cowboy Hats to Their Former Glory Article by Christa Hays A well-worn cowboy hat can tell a story before its owner ever says a word. The creases, the dust, the sweatband that's molded perfectly over time—every mark represents a memory. In Colorado Springs, hats aren't only accessories. They're part of people's lives, which is why Reynolds West feels special. Walk through the store’s front door, and you'll quickly realize this isn't a trendy...