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...

Fitness

Discover Pilates

An inviting path to strength, healing, and deeper mind–body connection at Blue Moon Pilates Article by Heather Whitsitt | Photography by TVFPhotos and Krista Mason Photography For Kelly Leonardi, movement has always been about more than performance. Before founding Blue Moon Pilates in 2002, the Orange County studio owner spent 15 years as a professional ballet dancer, performing nationally and internationally. Those years spent onstage shaped the way she approaches movement, instruction, and...

Education

Explore What Your Child Can Achieve

Use summer’s breathing room to bridge learning gaps, build confidence, and spark lasting academic growth Article by Heather Whitsitt | Photography by Huntington Learning Center With summer in full swing, the door is open to slower schedules, more flexibility, and time to refocus. Yet, according to Dr. Deanna Tang, Executive Director of Huntington Learning Center in Laguna Niguel, the season also offers something meaningful—the opportunity to unlock a child’s potential before school is back in...

Local Services

Explore With Confidence

Discovering the right senior living path with guidance, clarity, and care Article by Paige Candee | Photography by Travis Shields Exploring senior living options often begins with quiet concern: late-night research, difficult conversations, and a desire to find the right path for someone you love. It’s a journey that can feel uncertain, emotional, and overwhelming, especially when families are unsure of where to begin or who to trust. In South Orange County, Jay Minor of Assisted Living...

Travel

A Hero-Worthy Escape on the California Coast

Explore Gaylord Pacific Resort, where DC adventures, luxury amenities, and bayfront beauty create an unforgettable summer destination Article by Kara Witherow | Photography by Gaylord Pacific Resort Just seven miles from downtown San Diego, an extraordinary new destination has redefined the California getaway. Nestled along the scenic Chula Vista Bayfront, Gaylord Pacific Resort blends dramatic ocean, bay, and mountain views with unforgettable experiences designed for every type of traveler...

Local Services

Code of Craftsmanship

Built on honesty and precision, Cameron Carroll has grown a one-man plumbing operation into a trusted South Orange County legacy Article by Heather Whitsitt | Photography by C & C Plumbing Founded in 2004 by Cameron Carroll, C & C Plumbing was shaped by years of hands-on experience and the belief that homeowners deserve work they can trust. What began as a one-man operation has grown into a respected, full-service plumbing company serving South Orange County. Operating seven days a week, the...

Local Services

In The Driver's Seat

A disciplined approach to property management, delivering performance so owners can enjoy the ride Article by Heather Whitsitt | Photography by Travis Shields In today’s business world, the modern gentleman is defined less by excess than by control—confidence expressed through precision rather than display. For Leo Stein, CEO of Real Property Management Optimal, that composure is earned, shaped by experience, perspective, and a disciplined approach to life and leadership. “Choosing the...

Local Services

Driven by Purpose

Men of Saddleback share the principles, passions, and lessons that guide how they live Article by Paige Candee From boardrooms to backyards, these Saddleback gentlemen are led by something deeper than titles or success. Their insights reveal the motivations that keep them grounded and the hard-earned wisdom they rely on when life accelerates, slows down, or changes course.     Dr. Duc Nguyen Owner Refined Radiance Aesthetics   What drives you or keeps you grounded?   What drives...

Life + Culture

Beyond the Golden Hour

Emily Simpson and Gina Kirschenheiter: A South Orange County Sisterhood Article by Paige Candee | Photography by Travis Shields The afternoon light in South Orange County has a specific way of settling—a warm, honeyed glow that makes the rugged coastline look like a vintage postcard. For Emily Simpson and Gina Kirschenheiter, best known as Real Housewives of Orange County, this isn't just a backdrop for a television show; it’s the community where they’ve cultivated a bond that feels far more...

Life + Culture

Women’s Wisdom

Reflections from local business owners on advice to their younger selves Article by Paige Candee | Photography by Travis Shields Before they were business owners, creators, and community leaders, they were girls with crooked ponytails, big dreams, and zero idea where their lives would take them. For this special feature, each woman brought a favorite photo of her younger self—the school picture, the snapshot, the moment where her personality already sparkled. We invited them to consider two...