Health + Wellness

Breath To Stay Calm

Studies have demonstrated that there is a connection between cortisol levels in the body and weight gain, obesity, and even metabolic syndrome. Breathing brings oxygen to your cells and then releases carbon dioxide (an exhaled gas that is considered the “exhaust” of burned fat). Since cortisol is a “fight or flight” response to a stressor, it tells your body to hold on to fat. By lowering cortisol through breathing, your body will be able to burn more fat. When your cortisol levels go up, so...

Life + Culture

Where to Eat & Drink Now

​Sharing Houston’s top spots to eat, drink, and enjoy. Article by Gabi De la Rosa Houston’s restaurant scene is always on the move, with new restaurants and dishes making their debut all over town. There’s no better time to break out of the usual routine, try something different, and add new favorites to your dining lineup. ​(Facing Page) Houston’s newest Montrose destination, 1111, brings cocktails created by mixologists from Handshake Speakeasy, the world’s top bar in 2024, alongside...

Food + Beverage

The Fine Art of Camaraderie

After years in some of America’s most demanding kitchens, Shawn Gawle is redefining fine dining around flavor, hospitality, and community. Article by Gabi De la Rosa | Photography by Carla Gomez/Pop Ratio PR In a repurposed wood workshop in Houston’s Heights neighborhood, chef Shawn Gawle is building something he has wanted his entire career: a kitchen where people actually like each other. He feels so strongly about this idea of friendship, trust, and loyalty that when he opened his...

Life + Culture

60 Seconds with Houston's James Beard Award Winners

​Winning a James Beard Award changes everything overnight. Houston chefs Adrian Torres, Evelyn Garcia, and Henry Lu talk selfies, schedules, and surprise superfans. Article by Gabi De la Rosa Chef Adrian Torres 2026 James Beard Award Winner: Emerging Chef ​ Which has changed more since winning, your schedule, your phone, or your ego? My phone. There’s always something coming through, whether it's friends or family calling or texting or emails from people wanting a reservation—also...

Food + Beverage

Burgers Worth a Bite

Houston’s burgers offer plenty of delicious reasons to dig in. Article by Gabi De la Rosa Is there anything more satisfying than biting into a juicy, gloriously messy burger? In Houston, the answer is a Texas-sized no. From old-school favorites to creative newcomers, the city’s burger scene serves up plenty of reasons to grab a napkin and dig in. For those craving heat, Lankford’s Grocery & Market brings the habanero with its Firehouse Burger. Burgerchan layers Asian-inspired flavors with...

Food + Beverage

Dometic's Cooler Gets Smarter

Dometic's modular Recon system stacks hard and soft coolers with accessories. Article by Gabi De la Rosa | Photography by Courtesy of Dometic Forget everything you thought you knew about coolers. Dometic just launched Recon, a modular cooling system designed to replace the single, bulky box in your trunk with something smarter, lighter, and built to travel the way people actually do. And Houstonians don't have to look far to get their hands on it: Recon is now available locally at Academy...

Home Services

How to Design a Bar Area Where Every Detail Earns Its Place (Aspen Project, 2025 Home of the Year)

A bar area comes together when nothing in the space is trying to be the only good idea in the room.That is the standard we held ourselves to in this Aspen project. Every material, every finish, every architectural decision was made in conversation with everything around it. The result is a space that feels inevitable. Like it could not have been any other way.The Wallpaper That Set the TermsDark floral wallpaper is not a background. In this space, it is the premise.When you commit to a wallpaper...

Life + Culture

Planning Your Legacy with Intention

Thoughtful planning transforms life's farewell into a reflection of your values and an unforgettable legacy. Article by Allyson (Ally) Straczek | Photography by Courtesy of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors At some point in life, many individuals spend months, even years, planning for a significant event, such as a wedding, the arrival of a child, or the purchase of a home. Yet many people fail to make end-of-life arrangements in advance. Pre-planning ensures that individual values...

Health + Wellness

Beyond Skin Deep

Visible veins can affect both appearance and comfort. Dr. Mandy of Metro Vein Centers shares when to seek care and how to keep circulation healthy. Article by Gabi De la Rosa | Photography by Courtesy of Metro Vein Centers Healthy veins do more than support circulation. They can also affect comfort, confidence, and overall well-being. While many people think spider veins and varicose veins are cosmetic concerns, they can sometimes point to an underlying health issue. Mason Mandy, MD, Director...

Shopping

Simply Worth Having

Discover stylish essentials, thoughtful gifts, and everyday indulgences that make the seasonal transition feel effortlessly curated. Article by Gabi De la Rosa ​The transition from simmering heat to the somewhat lower temperatures Houston offers during its fall months still calls for small updates that make a big impact. Whether you are refreshing your wardrobe, elevating your daily routine, or finding the perfect gift, these stylish picks combine beauty, function, and comfort for the season...