Kendall County Woman - Feb/Mar 2023

EYE

Johnson, OD, FAAO Specialist

Therapeutic

Optometrist

@JohnsonEyes www.johnsoneyes.com

As you review our menus you will see we prepare nearly any type of entrée. However in South Texas, nothing is more popular than our BBQ options. You’ll love whatever we cook… especially our BBQ.

Welcome to the all new Kendall County Woman

tThis issue marks the beginning of a new chapter for Kendall County Woman and we couldn’t be more excited for what the future holds. The magazine is now under new ownership and has an all woman team that is dedicated to creating a product that is tailor-made for our local female readers.

Be it personally, professionally, spiritually or creatively – we want these pages to be filled with stories of amazing local women, fun hill country outings, delicious recipes, helpful tips, fabulous fashion trends, advice from local experts on everything from health to finances... we could go on forever. That is what is so fun about this, the possibilities are endless!

Why Market to Local Women?

In the wise words of Beyonce, “Who Run the World? Girls!” Yes, turns out that women control over $31.8 trillion in worldwide spending.

• Women make up more than half of the U.S. population, and control or influence 85% of consumer spending.

• Women control more than 60% of all personal wealth in the U.S.

• Women purchase over 50% of traditional male products, including automobiles, home improvement products, and consumer electronics.

**Source: Catalyst.org/research/buying power, 2020, Source: Forbes 2019, Source: Federal Reserve, MassMutual Financial Group, BusinessWeek, Gallup, Source: Andrea Learned, “Don’t Think Pink”

We are always open to suggestions, so please reach out and let us know what you think of the new issue. If you have a great idea for an article, let us know! Maybe you have an incredible recipe you want to share, we’d love to see it! Are you hosting a fun local event? We want to know about that too! Shoot us an email to info@distinctmediatx.com.

THANK YOU TO TAPATIO SPRINGS HILL COUNTRY RESORT FOR ALLOWING US TO USE THEIR STUNNING CLUBHOUSE AS A BACKDROP FOR OUR COVER PHOTO

Our hope is that with each issue you will be inspired.

GET TO KNOW THE NEW PUBLISHER Lauren Stumberg

How long have you been in the Kendall County area?

I am from Boerne and have lived in the area my whole life. My family roots run pretty deep around here, as does my love for this area of Texas.

How did you get into the publishing industry?

I have a degree in Graphic Design and straight out of college got a job here locally for a company that had several real estate publications, as well as a lifestyle magazine. It didn’t take long before my entrepreneurial spirit got the best of me and I started my own business. Now, eighteen years later I am still at it.

Why do you love what you do?

I really found my niche in publications. Not only do I get to be creative, but piecing each issue together is sort of like a giant puzzle. It can be both fun and challenging to make it all fit just right. Then there is the part where we get to tell people’s stories, support local businesses and let the readers know about all the great things that are going on around us. All together it’s a pretty great gig!

Do you have any hobbies?

Honestly, life is pretty busy these days so there is not a lot of extra time. Currently, my hobbies are my kids’ hobbies, so you will find me at a stock show or on the side of a baseball or soccer field. I do really enjoy filling up my online shopping carts and not actually buying anything though!

Ok, a couple of fun questions: Beach or Mountains? Favorite Drink? Favorite Food?

1) Beach. I do not like to be cold!

2) Coke. Yes, I know that is very bad and try hard not to drink it.

3) Cannot possibly choose. Doesn’t it depend on your mood? But, I of course love tacos, I really like pasta –basically all the carbs, oh and seafood!

Anne Lorraine Ng

w

With their famous Parisian macarons and delicious pastries, Bakery Lorraine quickly became a success in San Antonio. The bakery has even received national recognition, being named one of the best new bakeries in the United States by Food & Wine, as well as one of the “13 Destination Bakeries” by Conde Nast Traveler. They even recently made Southern Living’s list of the South’s Best Bakeries in 2022. And now, we have our very own Bakery Lorraine right here in Boerne!

“We really weren’t planning on opening a location in Boerne, but when local developer Robert Thornton showed us this really cool space that he had, it was an opportunity that we couldn't turn down,” said Anne Lorraine Ng. Located at 134 Oak Park Drive, the home of

Boerne’s Bakery Lorraine is a former Sinclair gas station from the 1920s that has been meticulously restored and updated. “All of us agreed that the location just felt right,” added Ng.

Anne and her husband, Jeremy Mandrell, moved to the area almost twelve years ago seeking a career shift. “We had worked in kitchens in the Bay area, but looking to do something different we were going into tech. However, we still loved to make pastries and decided to try to get into a farmers market once a week. Turns out the pastries were a hit! Now, along with our business partner, Charlie Biedenharn, we have grown that tiny stall at the farmers market into six outlets and a commissary kitchen.”

With all of this growth, Anne finds it both

continued on page 10

continued

from page

challenging and rewarding. “I’m a workaholic, so finding that life/work balance can be hard for me. Even though my husband Jeremy also works at the bakery, he is a lot better at separating them,” she said.

The new locations have also meant a shift in responsibilities for Anne and Jeremy. “Nowadays, running the business is a lot more management than making pastries, which I miss terribly!”

The success of Bakery Lorraine has been phenomenal, but for those who might be interested in pursuing a similar path, Ng has some words of wisdom. “Go and get a job in a professional kitchen before deciding that this is what you want to do. The profession is highly glamorized by television and media, but reality is quite different. It requires a lot of dedication. You have to have a real passion for the profession to succeed at it.”

Anne and Jeremy are grateful for all of their core team members who believed in them enough to take the plunge with them all those years ago, and for their core customers who have supported them so loyally from their farmers market days. “We would like to say a big, heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the local community. We are just so filled with gratitude at how Boerne has welcomed us so warmly. We are so happy to be a part of this town.”

vViva Magenta is the 2023 Pantone Color of the Year. According to Pantone, this color is a transformative red tone capable of driving design to create a more positive future. Rooted in nature, it is expressive of a new signal of strength. It is a brave and fearless color, whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration.

As Pantone went through their selection process for this year’s Color of the Year, they noticed multiple lifestyle trends that represented a heightened appreciation and

awareness of nature. More and more living elements are being incorporated into homes –plants, living walls, florals and indoor/outdoor spaces. There is a revival in outdoor recreation, travel and sports since having to take a time out during the pandemic. Viva Magenta’s organic origins actually come from the cochineal beetle, who produces carmine dye – one of the most precious and brightest of natural dyes.

As a bright, crimson red this color celebrates life as it balances boldness with a feeling of fun. It is a color that offers strength in times of uncertainty.

So how do we use this color in our everyday lives? Well, as a hue that strikes a balance between warm and cool, it is universally flattering for all ages, genders and skin tones. It is the

perfect splash of color to warm up a neutral outfit or wear it alone for a power statement. In the beauty industry, wear it on lips, cheeks or nails – it offers a lot of drama in a small dose.

Want to use Viva Magenta in your home or office décor? Why not try an accent wall or a fun velvet chair. If you prefer a more muted home, you can always add it in with accessories or even a fun flower arrangement.

You will also see this standout 2023 Color of the Year appear across marketing campaigns, graphic design and product packaging!

Do you love succulents as much as we do? These cute, carefree plants just make us smile. They are hardy, and if you give them the correct attention, they will live a long, long time.

So how often should you water your succulents?

Only water them when their soil is dry – like bone dry. Not even a little moisture left in between waterings. Most houseplants like their soil to be kept moist, but not these guys. If you keep their dirt wet, it will lead to root rot and they will die.

What is the best way to water them?

Turns out, there is a right way and a wrong way to water succulents. In their normal habitats, these plants aren’t accustomed to a lot of rainfall. However, when it rains it pours! Deserts experience monsoons, with rain coming down in sheets. To water your succulents, you should mimic this. Drench your plant by pouring water on it until it runs out of the drain on the bottom of the pot. Waterings that soak the soil all the way to the bottom of the container will lead to healthier succulents than if you just water the top couple of inches of soil.

Our goal at Kendall County Abstract Company is to be the premier title company in Kendall County. We provide real estate closing services and title insurance to both individuals and businesses. All work and research is done in-house at our office. When you have questions and are looking for high quality, we are ready to serve your needs.

TOP 3 THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN A Wedding Photographer

article

and photos by Megan Smart

Booking a photographer for your wedding is a process that shouldn’t be rushed. This is the person that will be capturing every special moment of your big day so making sure that you pick just the right person should be a top priority.

As you start your search for a photographer, here are the three most important things to look out for.

Style

It’s easy for a wedding photographer to impress you by showing you a slideshow of their top 25 to 30 wedding photos, but this isn’t going to give you a good enough idea of what you can expect overall. A better approach is to ask to see a variety of shots from different parts of a wedding so that you know exactly what you can expect. You’ll want to have a look through everything from the getting ready and detail shots to the ceremony, toasts and reception shots. Wedding photography styles that you’ll typically come across include artistic, dramatic, lifestyle and classic – take the time to browse through some shoots that fit into those various categories to find out what works best for you as a couple and whether the photographer you had in mind can offer you those types of shots.

Personality

Your wedding photographer is going to be around you and your family for most of your wedding day, so it’s important for you to feel comfortable with him or her. When a couple doesn’t feel comfortable around their

wedding photographer, it will show in their photos, but the opposite holds true too. A good photographer will know how to make you feel at ease, will guide you on how to pose before and on your wedding day, and will always be willing to answer any questions that you might have.

Experience

You will of course want to know that your photographer has the relevant experience to shoot a wedding, but it’s also important to know what types of weddings they have photographed. Will you have a dimly lit venue that requires someone who knows how to shoot in low light situations? Are you having an ethnic wedding and need someone who understands specific cultural traditions? Will your ceremony have special requirements such as not being able to use a flash or not being able to stand up close? Make a list of your requirements before you meet with your photographer so that you can make sure there won’t be any potential problems leading up to the wedding once the finer details are discussed.

While price does play a role in choosing a photographer, basing your choice on these top three elements is far more important. Your wedding photos are something you’ll treasure for years to come, so take the time to choose a photographer that can best capture these amazing memories.

Reset

ORGANIZING TIPS FROM COMFORT ORGANIZING CO.

Reset. This is the word that we gravitate towards at the start of a new year or a new season in life. It is a chance to start fresh, begin anew, and find a deeper sense of purpose, fulfillment, and joy. We all seek ways to be happier, if even just in our day-to-day routines.

r

1. SET A TIMER FOR 20-30 MINUTES AND CHOOSE ONE AREA TO WORK IN. Begin with a single drawer, box, or stack of mail you have been avoiding. Start your favorite playlist, clear the area, sort like items, and return them to their designated “home” for future use. Assigning items to a designated area makes future cleanup easy and you can find items when you need them. Repeat this process several times a week and you’re on your way to knocking out those cluttered spaces.

2. USE WHAT YOU HAVE. Organizers are great, but you don’t need them to organize your space. If you have bins already in the area, you can utilize them to store items that you may not want to visually see, but do in fact use. If you do not have organizers, you can simply declutter the space by removing items that you have not used or do not have a clear intention to use. This doesn’t have to mean throwing it away. If you are concerned with being wasteful, consider what charity or organization might benefit from the item or use it more than you are currently.

3. WHEN WORKING IN YOUR CLOSET, KEEP ONLY THE ITEMS THAT MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD. Don’t provide space for clothing that is frustrating to you and makes you feel insecure. If you fluctuate in size, you can designate one bin to keep your favorite clothing items in when you need them, but limit yourself to one bin and donate the rest. The same goes for shoes! If they are worn out, let them go! Only save space for what builds you up.

Don’t discount places like the dollar store, target, or home goods when it comes to organizers. Often times you can find quality organizers that will fit your style and needs at stores like these.

Our favorite products to get the year started are:

1. CLEAR DRAWER ORGANIZERS IN VARIOUS SIZES. These help separate items and add a VERY easy wow factor!

2. FREESTANDING SHELVES FOR CABINETS. This is an easy way to utilize dead space in a cabinet that is tall, but only has one level. Add a shelf and you have more storage than you had before! This is perfect for your coffee cup storage.

3. ZIPPER POUCHES. These waterproof, dual-purpose organizers can hold board games and minimize the space taken up by the box, store your snacks on the go, or make an easy-to-grab car emergency kit.

Time is one of the largest obstacles to getting organized. Anyone can get organized, they just have to put in the time in spite of feeling overwhelmed. If you need support, I encourage you to seek the guidance of a professional organizer. Like a trainer would guide you to meet your fitness goals, a professional organizer will guide you to meet the goals for your space. If you are looking to take on a big project like a garage, you could benefit greatly from the support of a professional.

Comfort Organizing Co. began serving clients in The Hill Country and surrounding areas in March of 2021. We took a lifelong love of systems and organization and sought to share it with as many people as possible.

(210)

Healthy Habits for a Happier You

SMALL STEPS LEAD TO BIG RESULTS

by Traci Brown – Ideal Health and Wellness Studio

Now that we are a couple of months into the New Year, how are those health goals coming along? Have you had success with that “New Year, New You!” that everyone’s been talking about? There is a lot to be said for losing weight, achieving a healthy body fat percentage and losing inches –all of which are amazing goals! But what does a “New You” look like and how do we achieve it? In the long run, you will see those outcomes, plus many more using our simple guidance on where to start and how to create a plan that is sustainable past the first few months of 2023!

TO BEGIN, LET’S CHAT ABOUT MOVEMENT. Increased movement is the #1 target for our clients at Ideal Health and Wellness. We challenge every client to get a digital pedometer ($20 on Amazon) and simply start by just paying attention to where you are NOW. What is YOUR current daily average? Most Americans average 3,0004,000 steps a day. Week 1 is all about keeping a log of what’s currently normal for YOU – don’t change a thing… yet! Week 2 we challenge our clients to increase their movement by 1,000 steps a day until a 7,500 step per day goal is maintained for a full month. Keep targeting 7,500 steps a day until it becomes an easy habit and THEN we tackle the well documented, suggested average of 10,000 steps a day! We don’t go “all in” from day one because the risk of burnout can outweigh the benefits. Use where you are now as a baseline and let’s get movin’!

Walking aids digestion and can also help reduce your risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, elevated blood pressure and depression. The US Department of Health & Human Services suggests 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week. A brisk 30-minute walk every day will get it done!

THE NEXT CHALLENGE WE ISSUE IS INCREASING OUR WATER INTAKE. As we know, our bodies are over 90% water – so water is crucial to overall health. Many Americans drink more soda, tea and alcohol than we do water, and it shows in our skin, hair, nails, energy and overall demeanor. We suggest (unless your doctor has told you otherwise) 80-100 ounces of water daily.

SLEEP! Our bodies rest and recharge when we are sleeping. If you have trouble going to bed and staying asleep for 7+ hours per night, then take a look at your environment. Set your room temperature to 69 degrees, darken the room as much as possible or use an eye pillow (my personal favorite is Warmies brand!), turn off screens 30 minutes prior (reading a book is GREAT!), and set a bedtime alarm to remind you it’s time to head to bed! If we neglect our sleep, we jeopardize our overall health, mood and energy…we can literally be a different person, and not one that we like!

OK, NOW FOR THE NITTY GRITTY ON NUTRITION. We have read ALL.THE.THINGS! We keep our fingers on the pulse of the latest fad diets, injectable meds and supplements suggested online, and when each one fades, true results always seem to settle back on eating real food in the right amounts. Unless you are under a doctor’s care for a particular disease state, we suggest eating high-quality, grass fed and finished proteins, low glycemic veggies and limiting your simple and/or processed carbs to little or none at all. We find that eliminating processed carbs like white bread, flour, sugar and corn syrup can jump start not just weight loss, but an overall increase in energy, better sleep, longer stamina during exercise and shorter recovery times from workouts, illness and injury. Sugar does a number on our system and when we remove it from our daily lives and return it to being considered a “treat,” our bodies thank us! If you tend to have a “sweet tooth” try reaching for grapes, berries, cherries or a high-quality Greek yogurt instead. Or better yet – GO FOR A WALK! So often, our cravings are linked to boredom and dehydration, so grab some water and your walking shoes and HEAD OUTSIDE!

ONCE ALL OF THESE BECOME A HABIT, WE HIGHLY SUGGEST ADDING 3 – 4 DAYS A WEEK OF RESISTANCE TRAINING. This can start with body weight exercises and move up to handheld weights. As we age, our bones become weaker and weight bearing exercise has been shown to reduce, and possibly even reverse, that fate! I often hear people say that they don’t want to go to the gym for fear that they will begin to look “bulky” or put on too much muscle. I can assure you “bulkiness” won’t happen even if you lifted HEAVY weights three to four days a week! It takes a person being very intentional with their gym time, eating a strict diet, and perfecting their hormones and supplements to achieve that bodybuilder status! Committing to spend three to four days a week in the gym or our studio will increase your health and make you stronger & leane, but will not bulk you up!

Our focus here at Ideal Health and Wellness Studio truly is whole body health. We chat with our clients daily about movement, food choices, sleep and stress management. We offer weekly accountability, education, Fit 3D whole body scans, fellowship with like-minded people, daily classes (Mat Pilates, Mixxedfit, Body Strong with weights, and Stretch & Tone) and we keep our class sizes small to allow our trainers the time to personally tailor your program to YOUR unique needs! The heartbeat of our studio is your overall health, we love to say that weight loss is just a cool side effect of all that we do here! We hope you choose your health in 2023 and look forward to hitting the ground running right alongside you!

featured events and holidays

Parenting resources Fair

February 28

2 pm – 4 pm

41109 IH 10 W. – Boerne

Boerne MarKet Days

February 11 & 12

March 11 & 12

Main Plaza – Boerne

On the second weekend of every month, Main Plaza is home to a magical outdoor market that blends the traditions of the Texas hill country with the creatons of today’s culture.

This is a resource fair compiled of the members of the Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce who serve families and kids. These will include pediatricians, dentists, family/newborn photographers, ultrasound boutiques, summer camps, schools and more!

tHe PeKing acroBats

Featuring tHe sHangHai circus

March 24

7:30 pm to 10:00pm

201 Charger Blvd. – Boerne

The Peking Acrobats will astound, amaze, and amuse in a performance that epitomizes family fun! You will experience hold-your-breath moments as these experts of precision tumbling, feats of balance, gymnastics, and trickcycling defy gravity with amazing displays of flexibility, agility and control. Tickets @ boerneperformingarts.com

VALENTINE’S DAY

FarMers MarKet at HerFF FarM

Every Saturday | 9am to 1pm

33 Herff Road – Boerne

February 14 TEXAS

You can buy products directly from local growers, ranchers, and crafters on a beautiful historic German farmstead in the Texas Hill Country. Explore our fenced gardens, pollinator meadow, and trails, and see the historic limestone Herff House.

March 2

suMMer caMP exPo 2023

March 5 | 2 pm to 5 pm

215 Lohmann Street – Boerne

Come out and plan your kid’s ENTIRE summer! Boerne’s largest summer camp expo will have camps from all over the Hill Country represented.

outDoor FaMily Fair

March 25 | 10am to 2pm

Main Plaza – Boerne

The Outdoor Family Fair provides Kendall County families the opportunity to learn about local services and organizations that are available in Boerne and surrounding areas. This community-focused event features entertainment and fun for the whole family. Stop by the booths to learn about the different organizations and play some games. The Outdoor Family Fair is hosted by the Kendall County Child Service Board and the City of Boerne Parks and Recreation Department.

st. PatricK’s Day

March 17

sPring antique tractor Pull

April 1st | 2 pm to 5 pm

102 City Park Road – Boerne

The Boerne Agricultural Museum and Arts Center hosts its annual Antique Tractor Pull event.

17tH annual easter egg Hunt

April 1 | 10:30 am

1 City Lake Road – Boerne

Eggs go fast, so have your baskets ready! Each spring Boerne Parks and Recreation brings you and your family an exciting Easter extravaganza with an egg hunt in the park! Bring the whole family out for a day of fun at City Lake Park with games, candy, and even an appearance from the Easter Bunny.

EASTER

April 9

sPring Diva nigHt in Boerne

April 8 | 5 pm to 9 pm

Downtown Boerne

Spring Diva Night in Boerne will be bursting with everything you love from your favorite shops: later shopping hours, cocktails, delicious bites, music and more!

Everything is Better with FRIENDS!

GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES:

Mat Pilates • Stretch & Tone • Mixxed Fit • STRONG

FIRST 3 CLASSES FREE! $60/MONTH MEMBERSHIP

1109 S. MAIN, STE. 101 – BOERNE, TEXAS | (830) 431-3230 | TRACI@IDEALHEALTHBOERNE.COM

Megan Joyner

crna + injector white - glove aesthetic services

@ pout meganelizabeth

mobile medspa: private parties or concierge service available follow us on social media for our monthly pop-up spots too!

TEXT (210) 404-7645

TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT OR LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF DERMAL FILLERS!

As we age, our faces naturally lose subcutaneous fat. The facial muscles are then working closer to the skin surface, leaving lines, creases and wrinkles to become more apparent. Our dermal fillers contain hyaluronic acid - a naturally occuring polysaccharide that is present in skin and cartilage - which will diminish facial lines and restore volume and fullness.

Nora Rector

Nora Loves Kawaii

“My mom was making some journals to sell on Amazon and I thought it looked so fun that I wanted to do it too,” said Nora excitedly! “I started playing with Canva and we started my business, Nora Loves Kawaii. Kawaii is an art style that has happy, fun and silly animals, food, and inanimate objects.”

Nora worked hard and came up with fifty designs for her journals! “I thought of the designs and I worked together with my mom in Canva to create the finished products. My mom does all the Amazon stuff too to help me sell my journals. My younger sister, Lily, does some designing with us as well,” added Nora.

As a 5th Grader at Crestmont Christian Preparatory School, Nora has a good while to figure out what she want to do when she grows up. For now though, she would like to expand her business to include t-shirts and stickers.

“I have had a lot of support from my friends and the families at Crestmont. So far we have sold 70 journals! This has been a super fun project and we earn about $2 per journal,” said Nora.

“I love that I get to be creative and work with my mom and sister. I have learned that journals aren’t always just for drawing or doodling. They can also help people pray and work through their struggles and that makes me happy!”

Find the Journals at Amazon.com/author/noraloveskawaii

t H e B oerne B oo K s H o P P resents

SIX GREAT

RomanceReads

THE GIVER OF STARS

by Jojo Moyes

by Tracy Tully

Alice Wright marries handsome American Bennett Van Cleve, hoping to escape her stifling life in England. But small-town Kentucky quickly proves equally claustrophobic, especially living alongside her overbearing father-in-law. So, when a call goes out for a team of women to deliver books as part of Eleanor Roosevelt’s new traveling library, Alice signs on enthusiastically. The leader, and soon Alice’s greatest ally, is Margery, a smart-talking, self-sufficient woman who’s never asked a man’s permission for anything. They will be joined by three other singular women who become known as the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky. What happens to them--and to the men they love--becomes an unforgettable drama of loyalty, justice, humanity, and passion. These heroic women refuse to be cowed by men or by convention. And though they face all kinds of dangers in a landscape that is at times breathtakingly beautiful, at others brutal, they’re committed to their job: bringing books to people who have never had any, arming them with facts that will change their lives.

WILDE TYPE

by HK Jacobs

Dr. Alexandra Wilde is brilliant, driven, and wholly dedicated to her profession. Caring for critically ill children has taken her across the globe from Mongolia to Haiti to her current assignment in Gaborone, Botswana. Her life is full of excitement, tragedy, and personal sacrifice with little room for anything or anyone else. She has always welcomed any adventure...except for the one wearing the face of billionaire mining heir and international playboy, Ian Devall. He is arrogant, charming, and utterly disenchanted. However, when circumstances thrust him into her life, she is captivated by a glimpse of his deeper character and drawn into a blazing romance. An ensuing path of self-discovery leads her to reopen the wounds of her past, and she must choose between the life she always imagined...or one she never dreamed was possible.

THE DUKE AND I

by Julia Quinn

Daphne Bridgerton has formed friendships with the most eligible young men in London. Everyone likes Daphne for her kindness and wit. But no one truly desires her. She is simply too deuced honest for that, too unwilling to play the romantic games that captivate gentlemen. Recently returned to England from abroad, Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings, intends to shun both marriage and society—just as his callous father shunned Simon throughout his painful childhood. Yet an encounter with his best friend’s sister offers another option. If Daphne agrees to a fake courtship, Simon can deter the mamas who parade their daughters before him. Daphne, meanwhile, will see her prospects and her reputation soar. The plan works like a charm—at first. But amid the glittering, gossipy, cut-throat world of London’s elite, there is only one certainty: Love ignores every rule.

A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES

by Sarah Maas

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a terrifying creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not truly a beast, but one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled her world. As she adapts to her new home, her feelings for the faerie, Tamlin, transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But something is not right in the faerie lands. An ancient, wicked shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it, or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

BECOMING MRS. LEWIS

by Patti Callaghan Henry

When poet and writer Joy Davidman began writing letters to C. S. Lewis—known as Jack— she was looking for spiritual answers, not love. Love, after all, wasn’t holding together her crumbling marriage. Everything about New Yorker Joy seemed ill-matched for an Oxford professor and the beloved writer of The Chronicles of Narnia, yet their minds bonded over their letters. Embarking on the adventure of her life, Joy traveled from America to England and back again, facing heartbreak and poverty, discovering friendship and faith, and against all odds, found a love that even the threat of death couldn’t destroy. In this masterful exploration of one of the greatest love stories of modern times, we meet a brilliant writer, a fiercely independent mother, and a passionate woman who changed the life of this respected author and inspired books that still enchant us and change us.

LOVE ON THE BRAIN

by Ali Hazelwood

Bee Königswasser

lives by a simple code: What would Marie Curie do? But the mother of modern physics never had to co-lead with Levi Ward. Sure, Levi is attractive in a tall, dark, and piercingeyes kind of way. And sure, he caught her in his powerfully corded arms like a romance novel hero when she accidentally damseled in distress on her first day in the lab. But Levi made his feelings toward Bee very clear in grad school—archenemies work best employed in their own galaxies far, far away. Bee could swear she can see Levi softening into an ally, backing her plays, seconding her ideas…devouring her with those eyes. What will Bee Königswasser do?

Hats Haute are

Hats are definitely having a moment. Cowboy hats have always been big here in Texas, but fully bespoke hats are taking the fashion world by storm. Milliners, western wear stores and fashion boutiques across the country are opening up hat bars to accommodate this customized hat trend that is in high demand! Feathers, ribbons, beads, dried flowers, paint splatters, burn edges or hand-burned custom designs and even branding – when it comes to customized cowboy hats there really is no limit.

If you’d like to get in on this cowboy mixology, two local boutiques offer services to help you create a perfectly curated work of art to place atop your head.

J. Forks designs

Boerne boutique, J. Forks opened their hat bar at the end of November. They offer ribbons, feathers, and other accessories such as playing cards, matches, safety pins, gold rings and more. In addition to that, they also do branding and burning on the felt hats as well. According to Hallie

Forks Juliano, retail manager at J. Forks, “Everything is fully customizable and we build the hats right in front of the customer.” They offer appointments or walkins and you can purchase a hat from the store ($39-$120 price range) or bring your own. They offer different levels of service packages that are in addition to the cost of the hat if you purchase it in store. If you bring your own it is just the cost of the package. Packages start at $25

for up to two different ribbons and two different feathers and go up to $75 for the works which includes an unlimited amount of ribbons, feathers, brands, accessories and hat burning and stitching.

Peachy Llama

Located on High Street in Comfort, Peach Llama features items made by Hill Country Artisans. They offer a variety of straw hats from Mexico that are hand painted by artists local to Comfort. Custom painting on the hats is also available. The store also features Guatemalan palm hats that are shaped and decorated by a local Comfort couple. One of the owners of Peachy Llama, Emma Dietert, offers a different kind of hat bar experience as well. She offers a wide selection of caps from trucker hats to the C.C. Crisscross Ponytail Caps. You can pick from a selection of premade leatherette patches in store, or she will design a unique patch just for you. The patches are sewn on the hat so that the hat can be washed as needed and so that the patches stay on for a long time!

AveryEggerss

Eggs & Flower Bakery

f

For Avery Eggerss, her love of baking started at an early age. “When I was eight, I started watching The Food Network. That is when my fascination with baking began,” said Avery. “Then, when I was in 7th Grade, I made my friend’s birthday cake and I was hooked. Ever since then I have enjoyed baking, decorating and selling my cakes. I have a lot of fun being creative and coming up with new ideas and cake designs.”

Avery says that her parents have always encouraged her to pursue her passion for baking and even suggested the idea of starting her own business. “They are so supportive of my endeavors and new ideas. My brother has always helped me to grow in my confidence as a baker too. I could not be where I am without their guidance,” she said.

While her baking skills have grown and developed over the years, her journey as a small business owner has taught her other life skills as well. According to Avery, “I have definitely learned the importance of time management. Balancing school, sports and running a small business can be hard, but it is well worth it. Watching the smiles these cakes have brought to kids and adults alike is one of the greatest feelings of both accomplishment and joy I have ever experienced.”

Avery is a senior at Geneva School of Boerne, and while she is still undecided about what college she will attend, she plans to pursue a degree in Business Entrepreneurship. “I would love to open my own storefront one day after college, but until then I will continue baking cakes and advancing my skill set. A dream come

true would be to have a successful chain of bakeries specializing in cakes. But if life takes me in a different direction, I will stay in the business world and continue to bake cakes on the side.”

The local Boerne community has been incredibly supportive of Avery and her Eggs and Flower Bakery. “My customers always refer me to their friends and have given me amazing opportunities that have helped me grow not only from a business standpoint, but also as a person. I would not be where I am today without the help of my encouraging classmates, teachers, family and the Boerne community as a whole.”

Contact Avery at (830) 431-3567

Instagram: @eggsandflowerbakery

Creating a Vision Board

We’re sure you have lots of things you would like to see happen in the upcoming year. Whether those goals are personal, professional, home improvement projects, or even vacations you want to take… a vision/mood board is a great way to remind yourself about the things you are wanting to achieve.

So first of all, what is a vision board?

It’s pretty simple really, but it is just a collage of images, affirmations or words that work as a visual reminder of things you would like to see happen.

Why should I make a vision board?

Research suggests that having an actual, visual representation of your goals can inspire and motivate you to achieve them. Vision boards can help us to imagine that positive outcome and increase optimism. As a result, success in reaching that goal is more likely!

Where should I put it?

Put your vision board where you will see it! Location is

actually one of the most important parts of this process. As the saying goes…out of sight, out of mind!

How do I make one?

Hey, Goal Getter! w

Get creative! Honestly, there is no right or wrong way to create a vision board and that is the best part – you are free to do what works for you. Go old school and cut images and words out of magazines and put them on a piece of cardboard or a bulletin board. If you are more high-tech, create one on the computer and print it out. Apps like Canva even have free vision board makers.

tip: Instead of including all of your life goals into one vision board, break them up into smaller, more achievable categories. You can definitely have more than one. Place them around your home or office and be inspired throughout your day!

“Dare to dream, then decide to do.”

– Annette White

The Cottage Door

Jet Plasma

Jet Plasma pen is a handheld plasma device that uses a cooler atmospheric temperature so it does not create surface trauma like traditional fibroblast plasma. This extremely powerful device penetrates 13,000 volts of plasma through the epidermis, into the dermal and subcutaneous layers of the skin stimulating high levels of collagen and remodeling the cellular structure from the inside out. When J plasma is mixed with oxide oxygen, ozone plasma is created which kills surface bacteria and is anti-inflammatory to aid in calming keratosis, eczema, and rosacea.

AMAZING

RESULTS. NO DOWN TIME.

JET PLASMA IS USED TO TIGHTEN THE SKIN, DIMINISH WRINKLES, DIMINISH HYPERPIGMENTATION, TREAT ACNE, SCARRING, STRETCH MARKS AND AIDS IN PRODUCT ABSORPTION THAT OTHERWISE COULDN’T PENETRATE AS DEEP WITHOUT NEEDLE INJECTION.

Results after 4 jet sessions 48 hours apart

Results after 3 jet sessions

Results after 8 jet sessions 48 hours apart