Arts + Culture

Fed by Music

At The Rook, food, live music & a constantly changing calendar help build what matters most: community. Article by Alexis Jacobs | Photography by Jack Warren and Bess McKinney On Friday mornings at The Rook, nearly 50 members regularly show up for complimentary coffee and breakfast. There is no concert, no ticketed event and no elaborate agenda. They come to visit, catch up on the week and spend time together. For founder and owner Jason K. Burress, that may say more about The Rook than...

Life + Culture

Thankful at Hutchins BBQ

Family tradition, Texas smoke and a seat at the table. Article by Alexis Jacobs n North Texas, a barbecue restaurant can become part of a family’s routine. It’s the place they choose after a game, when relatives come to town or when no one feels like cooking. For Celina resident Brandon Aichelmann and his family, Hutchins BBQ has earned that familiar place at the table. “It’s the best barbecue around, and it’s become a go-to spot for our family,” says Brandon. “We love the food, but the...

Travel

THE FLAVOR OF OMNI PGA FRISCO

Thirteen Dining Concepts Make Omni Pga Frisco A Destination For Food Lovers, Golfers And Locals Alike Article by Alexis Jacobs | Photography by Provided by Omni PGA For a resort known as the new home of modern golf, Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa has made sure the experience off the course is just as memorable. Across the sprawling property and PGA Frisco campus, guests can choose from 13 dining venues, ranging from a sophisticated steakhouse to barbecue, cocktails, coffee, and casual bites...

Life + Culture

Planting Seeds for Stronger Communities

Seed Project Foundation Combines Agriculture, Education and Food Access to Strengthen Communities Throughout Collin County Article by Alexis Jacobs For the Seed Project Foundation, strengthening a community starts with something simple: investing in the people, land and resources already there. The organization’s roots trace back to 2014, when Rick Wells and Chef Andrea Shackelford opened Harvest in downtown McKinney with a commitment to locally sourced food and supporting area farmers and...

Food + Beverage

Cookies With a Bigger Purpose

BAK'D by McKinney Makes Blends Flavor, Connection, Purpose Article by Alexis Jacobs | Photography by Verandah McKinney What started as a bet between husband and wife has turned into a growing McKinney business built around scratch made cookies, creative flavors and a mission that reaches far beyond the kitchen. “BAK'D started as a bet with my husband that it would fail. It is the single most expensive bet I continue to lose every day,” says Verandah McKinney, founder of BAK'D by McKinney...

Style + Beauty

Confidence Looks Good on You

More than lashes, it's about feeling like the best version of yourself. Article by Alexis Jacobs Sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest difference. For many women, beautifully customized lashes or brows mean spending less time getting ready each morning and feeling more confident every day. That philosophy is what inspired Carla Bravo to become a Lash Lounge franchise owner. Long before owning a salon, Carla was a loyal client at The Lash Lounge's very first location in Colleyville...

Home + Design

Where Beautiful Living Begins

Timeless materials, layered detail, and a deeply personal approach to livable luxury. Article by Alexis Jacobs | Photography by Bess McKinney Photography Since founding Burress Design Group in 2020, Principal Designer Christina Burress has built an award-winning luxury interior design firm that creates timeless, sophisticated residential and commercial spaces. Based in McKinney, Texas, the boutique studio approaches every project as an opportunity to create a home with depth: refined enough...

Style + Beauty

Colorful On-Trend Designs Inspire Confident Style Every Day

Cynthia Elliot Boutique celebrates your individuality through curated designer collections, artistic styling, exceptional service, and joyful shopping experiences. Article by Alexis Jacobs | Photography by Elliot VanLandingham Walking into Cynthia Elliot Boutique on McKinney's Historic Downtown Square is unlike stepping into a typical clothing store. Every display is thoughtfully arranged by color, creating an immersive shopping experience where vibrant hues, bold patterns and artistic details...

Arts + Culture

Junior League Inspires Lasting Community Leadership

Junior League of Collin County empowers women through leadership, volunteer service, and partnerships that create lasting, meaningful community impact. Article by Alexis Jacobs | Photography by Forevermore Photography Founded in 1976, the Junior League of Collin County (JLCC) has spent nearly five decades equipping women to become leaders while creating lasting change throughout the community. What began as the Plano Service League has grown into one of Collin County's most respected volunteer...

Home Services

Balancing School and Life

Academics Plus Offers Support for Helping Students Manage Academics, Activities, and Personal Time Successfully Article by Alexis Jacobs | Photography by Stephanie Talley As the school year begins, students often find themselves pulled in many directions at once. Between full class schedules, homework, sports practices, club meetings, part-time jobs, volunteer commitments, family responsibilities, and social activities, it can quickly become difficult to manage everything well. While...