Life + Culture

Proposed with Love

Two Local Couples Share How He Popped the Question Article by Valerie Merrick Love is my job. As a wedding photographer, I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by it constantly, and it never gets old. If anything, it makes me want more: more stories, more moments, more “wait, tell me everything” energy! The following stories come straight from members of our own community, and they celebrate the many ways couples take that big, brave step toward forever. Some proposals went exactly as planned...

Beauty

Love Is in the Hair

Blo Blow Dry Bar Plano's Love Letter to the Women of Plano Article by Shannon Myers Ambrozy | Photography by Heather Caplick: Heather Lanae Photography Love manifests in many ways—love for friends and family, romantic love, self-love, and even loving what you do and where you live. For me, Blo Blow Dry Bar Plano encompasses all of those. Plano has always been home for me. Opening Blo Plano wasn’t just a business decision; it was deeply personal. After an injury and surgery, I found myself...

Education

PALs in Plano ISD

Building Student Leaders Through Service and Connection Article by Valerie Merrick | Photography by Adeline Merrick: Merrick Multimedia The Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL) program is one of Plano ISD’s most impactful initiatives, offering students a meaningful opportunity to grow while serving others. Designed as an elective course, PAL equips students with essential life skills while strengthening school communities across the district. Offered to eighth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth...

Food + Beverage

Local Experience

Discover local gems, create memories, and embrace authentic community experiences. Article by Deborah Dove Truluck's - 7161 Bishop Rd, Plano, TX A lively ambiance with piano music, impressive cocktails, and fantastic seafood set the stage for the perfect romantic date night.   Better Than Sex Desserts - 1010 E 15th St, Plano, TX Cap off your night with decadent desserts and drinks at this fun dessert restaurant in downtown Plano. Dark and seductive, the menu abounds with...

Event Planning + Services

The Perfect Place to Say “I Do,” Again

A Romantic Getaway Close to Home - Hotel Crescent Court Article by Angi Burns | Photography by Christopher Bigenho Photography There is something irresistible about a romantic escape that does not require traveling far. Less than an hour from home, Uptown Dallas offered everything we wanted for our anniversary weekend: elegance, intimacy, and the feeling of being truly away. At the heart of it all was Hotel Crescent Court, a place that made celebrating our love effortless and unforgettable. ...

Education

Teacher of the Month

Angelica-Jasmine Bates Leads with Heart Through PAL Article by Valerie Merrick | Photography by Adeline Merrick: Merrick Multimedia For Angelica-Jasmine Bates, teaching leadership starts with connection. As a Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL) teacher in Plano ISD, she brings energy, empathy, and lived experience into the classroom, helping students grow into confident, compassionate leaders. Ms. Bates’s journey with PAL came full circle. She was once a PAL student herself, graduating from...

Style + Beauty

The Right Fit

The Right Bra Can Change Everything Article by Nicolle Silva | Photography by Photography Courtesy of Beloved by Lindsey For the past fourteen years, I’ve helped women step into a fitting room expecting a quick, simple bra purchase and step out feeling like entirely new versions of themselves. It still surprises people how much the right fit can change not just how we look, but how we feel. Most women come in thinking they just need something “okay” that gets the job done. But once they...

Finance + Legal Services

Knowledge Is Power

She's Got Your Back in Tough Times Article by Jennifer Ilarraza and Fatima Durrani | Photography by Photography Courtesy of Mollie Mayfield: MRM Agency Life rarely unfolds exactly as planned. Relationships evolve, families shift, and sometimes people find themselves facing moments they never anticipated. In those moments, having the right advocate can make all the difference. Jennifer M. Ilarraza, founder of Ilarraza Law, P.C., is an award-winning, board-certified family law attorney who has...

Life + Culture

Nonprofit of the Month

Empty Hand Open Heart Restores Confidence Through Self-Defense Article by Minuki Medis and Michele Dunham | Photography by Photography Courtesy of Empty Hand Open Heart In North Texas, a nonprofit is quietly transforming the way survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking rebuild their lives. Empty Hand Open Heart (EHOH), founded by martial artist Tracy Dickey, is giving women more than shelter and counseling. It’s giving them the tools to walk into the world with confidence...

Life + Culture

Restoring Hope, Rebuilding Lives

Treasured Vessels Foundation Gives Survivors a Safe Home to Heal Article by Saanavi Shah | Photography by Photography Courtesy of April Sapp Photography It began with a question. Alicia, a Collin County native thriving in the medical industry, kept hearing the Lord’s call: “What are you going to do with your hands?” One night, the whisper became unmistakable. “ You will build an aftercare facility for survivors of trafficking ." These words set Alicia on a four-year journey of...