Home + Design

Feels Like Home

Helping families find safety and belonging in the Hill Country Article by Samantha Daviss | Photography by Brian Toro | Twinty Photography A successful home is not defined by perfection. It is a place where people can take off their “masks,” settle into their routines, and recognize themselves in every room, says designer Heather Boggess. That philosophy is the heart of Haus Collective, the Dripping Springs design practice Boggess founded after moving from California in 2017. The business...

Life + Culture

A Veteran’s Best Friend

Local Volunteer Devotes His Life to Placing Service Dogs Article by Julie Fustanio Kling | Photography by Aaron Davis Photography With a better sense of smell, hearing and night vision than humans, dogs have been helping the military for centuries. The first working dogs date back to the Dutch in the first World War. They pulled military equipment and guarded camps. Early mechanical inventions–like vehicles and telephones–changed dogs’ duties in WWII and beyond. But dogs are still many a...

Food + Beverage

Sustenance, Celebration and Fellowship

Water 2 Wine Serves Up More Than Wine Article by Ashley Brown | Photography by Dane Aziz Dane Aziz didn’t set out to become a winemaker. In fact, when he first discovered Water 2 Wine, he wasn’t much of a wine drinker at all. What he did have was a longstanding interest in owning a small business and an appreciation for the service industry. Growing up in El Paso, Aziz watched his parents operate a restaurant (successfully!), and he later waited tables before joining the Air Force. His dream...

Shopping

Thoughtful Thanksgiving Gifts

More Than Gathering Article by Samantha Daviss Thanksgiving hosts spend days planning the menu, preparing their homes, and creating a welcoming table for friends and family. This year, as you gather, move beyond the basic wine or flowers with a host or hostess gift that feels personal, useful and rooted in the Hays County.    Gathering Wine:   If your host appreciates a good red, arrive with a Black Cab, one of Water 2 Wine’s award-winning best sellers in Buda. This Cabernet offers...

Life + Culture

The Londyn Legacy Foundation

A Young Person’s Drive to Care for Others Article by Ashley Brown | Photography by The Londyn Legacy Foundation A high school sophomore excelling at homeschool and taking classes at Austin Community College, Londyn Boone recently moved to Kyle from Florida. She loves being with friends and family in nature and practicing football with her brother. Her greatest joy is making a difference in the lives of others. “It’s always felt like I was called to give back,” Boone says. That calling...

Life + Culture

Built Here: Everyday Heroes Call 911

Hays County Sheriff’s Department Creates Life Saving Experiences Article by Julie Fustanio Kling Emergency calls to 911 save lives every day. But it is not every day that these calls create everyday heroes. This year, there were two heroes who were recognized by the Hays County Sheriff’s Department for their quick response to distress calls – a 12-year-old boy and a 911 dispatcher. Trevor, 12, was on his way to a friend’s house on April 25 on his scooter when he noticed a front door open...

Education

Lunch and Learn at Austin Angels

Hays City Lifestyle Empowers Small Businesses Article by Jill King | Photography by Twinty Photography HCL brought local business owners together for an inspiring "Lunch & Learn" focused on one key takeaway: a stronger social media and digital presence starts with simple, strategic steps. Jill King, Marketing Strategist, and Nate Henry, Digital Marketing Guru, shared Social Media 101 insights and demystified Google and Meta advertising—from refreshing bios and creating engaging content to...

Life + Culture

Texas Wine Pioneers

Driftwood Estates Looks to the Future Article by Ashley Brown | Photography by Hays City Lifestyle For nearly three decades, Gary Elliott and his family have watched the Texas Hill Country wine industry grow from a small, largely experimental enterprise into one of the most dynamic agricultural and tourism industries in the state. At Driftwood Estate Winery, they have experienced that evolution, often leading the way. As they approach 30 years of winemaking, they’ve earned a reputation for...

Food + Beverage

The Zoi Pain Killer

A Mocktail Built Around Pain Release Article by Jill King | Photography by Meridian This October, Meridian, located in Buda, TX, is featuring The Zoi Pain Killer, a mocktail built around Pain Release, one of the newest tinctures from Zoi Medicinals. Zoi Medicinals Pain Release Formula is a blend of Chinese and Western herbs designed to support the body’s natural response to pain and inflammation through multiple pathways. Unlike products that rely primarily on a single mechanism, Pain Release...

Life + Culture

Powering Central Texas

LZ Electrical Services builds its reputation through craftsmanship, timeliness, and personal Attention Article by Samantha Daviss | Photography by Twinty Photography For Mathew Ellzey, becoming a master electrician began with a simple introduction. At 21, his future brother-in-law was working in the electrical trade and encouraged him to give it a try. Ellzey quickly discovered that he enjoyed the work and began what would become a nearly 30-year career built around solving problems, serving...