Beauty

Style in Full Bloom

How French Florist blends high-fashion design with artful blooms to craft custom arrangements that speak to the heart Article by Heather Whitsitt | Photography by Noah McPherson Style is often associated with what we wear, but at French Florist in Mission Viejo, it arrives in the form of thoughtfully composed blooms. Owners Alan Fu and Annie Hong have cultivated a floral boutique where every arrangement is a work of art tailored to its recipient. With creative careers that preceded their...

Home Services

Timeless By Design

Designing homes that feel refined, functional, and enduring Article by Heather Whitsitt Homes with the most enduring style rarely demand attention. Instead, they draw people in through balanced proportions, natural materials, and thoughtfully designed spaces that are as functional as they are inviting. They reflect careful planning and gorgeous finishes, creating homes that remain beautiful and livable for years to come. For family-owned Timeless Remodeling Showroom in Laguna Hills, that...

Fitness

Wellness, With Style

At Renaissance ClubSport, members and visitors experience a seamless mix of fitness, recovery, and hospitality Article by Heather Whitsitt | Photography by Isaac Maiselman It's more than a hotel. More than a health club. It's a place where wellness meets hospitality, and where every stay offers the opportunity to leave feeling better than when you arrived. Imagine starting your morning with a fitness class, spending the afternoon by a resort-style pool, enjoying a restorative recovery...

Style + Beauty

Dress Like Your Next Self

Style that grows with your story Article by Heather Whitsitt | Photography by Noah McPherson     A woman’s wardrobe often changes at the same pace as life. A promotion, a new business, motherhood, or a renewed sense of self can all reshape the way she wants to present herself to the world. For Heather Chee, founder of Stylized Threads and its lead clothing stylist, those pivotal moments are when style becomes more than just clothing. Stylized Threads was created for women whose wardrobes no...

Life + Culture

Sawdust Art Festival Turns 60

Laguna Beach’s iconic event welcomes families all summer Article by Paige Candee | Photography by Courtesy of Sawdust Art Festival Tucked beneath towering eucalyptus trees in Laguna Beach Canyon, the Sawdust Art Festival is celebrating a major milestone this summer: 60 years of art, community, and creative spirit. Now open through September 6, the beloved festival continues to draw families, art lovers, and curious visitors looking for an experience that feels both vibrant and deeply rooted in...

Local Services

Paws & Purpose

A Laguna Niguel couple channels love, loss, and new beginnings into a pet-centered business built on care, connection, and community Article by Heather Whitsitt | Photography by Autumn Ricketts Within the span of a year, Jiten and Charisma Bhakta welcomed their first child, rescued a puppy named Max, and opened Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming in Laguna Niguel. It was a season marked by both new beginnings and difficult goodbyes. The same day they learned they were expecting their first child...

Education

Local History Alive

A hands-on Laguna Hills museum makes regional history engaging, interactive, and family-friendly Article by Heather Whitsitt | Photography by Eric Stoner History may not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning a family outing, but the Moulton Museum is changing that.  Housed in converted storefronts in Laguna Hills, the museum brings interactive exhibits, hands-on activities and engaging community programs, the museum invites visitors to discover what shaped South Orange County. ...

Sports + Recreation

A Different Kind of Sport

Laguna Fencing Center offers kids focus, discipline, and a place to belong Article by Heather Whitsitt | Photography by Travis Shields For many kids, sports are a way to build skills, make friends, and discover what they are capable of. At Laguna Fencing Center, those lessons happen with a mask, a weapon, and a healthy dose of strategy. Leading the way is founder and head coach Nick Dinu, whose passion has grown into a thriving community in Orange County. “My journey into fencing began when I...

Education

Where Passion Meets Purpose: Fairmont San Juan Capistrano

Passion-Driven. Purpose-Led. Personally Known. Article by Debbie Speik | Photography by Fairmont Video Team For many South Orange County parents, choosing a school comes down to one essential question: Can my child be challenged to achieve more while still being understood, supported, and valued as an individual? At Fairmont San Juan Capistrano, those priorities are central to the school experience. Serving students from preschool through grade 8, Fairmont SJC combines rigorous academics...

Travel

Cruise Adventures, Tailored For You

Experience August in Alaska with personal guidance, wildlife wonders, and glacier-filled days Article by Heather Whitsitt | Photography by Mark McCready There are journeys that simply fill a passport, and there are journeys that change the way we see the world. A voyage through Alaska, especially in August, is the kind of experience that stays with you long after you return home. Towering glaciers drift beside the ship, whales rise from the water without warning, and majestic wildlife move...