CVLUX FEB 2023

enjoy more two-legged getaways.

Living at Tesoro Viejo, feeling free isn’t about getting far away. It’s about enjoying everything right outside your door. Here, you can walk to a farmer’s market and your kids can walk to school—or to the pool. There are fourteen miles of trails to trek or ride, and four hundred acres of open space to explore and enjoy. The neighborly connection of a shared bite, cup of coffee, or glass of wine is just a stroll away, too. All part of a notion that a full life never has to lead to an empty tank. Come see for yourself.

raise your expectations

Photos depicted do not constitute an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to purchase real property at Tesoro Viejo. Persons shown do not reflect racial preference. Prices are effective date of posting or publication deadline and subject to change without notice. Based on the information presently available, the developers of Tesoro Viejo understand that Tesoro Viejo will be served by the Chawanakee Unified School District. Buyer should contact the Chawanakee Unified School District to confirm the identity and location of the specific schools planned to service Tesoro Viejo, including the TK-8 Hillside School located adjacent to Tesoro Viejo. Obtain a copy of the Public Report as required by Federal law and/or the Public Report issued by the California Bureau of Real Estate and read them before signing any documents. © 2022 Tesoro Viejo Development, Inc.

14 MILES OF WALKING/BIKING TRAILS

THE RANCH HOUSE, RESORT-STYLE CLUBHOUSE AND POOLS

World’s Most Advanced Massage Chair

40+ UNIQUELY CHOREOGRAPHED MASSAGE FEATURES

Relieve tension & headaches, decrease stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, reduce muscle tension, improve cardiovascular health and experience a full-body approach to wellness.

Designed and engineered in America, Infinity Massage Chairs available now at Fashion Furniture.

SOCIAL AFFAIR

26 AROUND TOWN

It’s the most romantic month of all, but there’s much more to see and do around town. Check out what’s in store on the local social scene this February.

28

2023 LUXURY AWARDS

The votes are in, and we’re gearing up for the most luxurious night of the year! Get your glitz ready as we prepare to honor the Central Valley’s favorite businesses.

DEPARTMENTS

34

CHOCOLATE DREAMS

Chocolate is always a good idea, and Stafford’s Chocolates in Porterville has made it their mission to make every day sweet, so see what they have in store this Valentine’s Day.

38

BLOOMING LOVE

Flowers are a universal language. Show your love for friends and family alike by sharing seasonal blooms that speak from both the garden and our hearts.

42 LOVELY CATIE LI

Cover Story

Catie Li is changing the face and body of modeling for the better. By embracing her mixed-race identity and advocating for body positivity, she is the essence of self-love.

52 SWEET ENDINGS

“Love Month” is a great excuse not to deny dessert—what’s not to love about a sweet ending? Discover why these beloved confections from Valley restaurants are so seductive.

For the February Edition, CVLUX features Catie Li for the Love Issue.

PHOTOGRAPHER KELSEY HALE

FASHION STYLIST HANNAH CANON

HAIR CAITLIN KRENZ

MAKEUP LINA MOUREY

TAN COAT BY ZARA

LILAC TOP BY FREE PEOPLE

TAN PANTS BY FREE PEOPLE

BELTS BY H&M

JEWELRY IS MODEL’S OWN

56

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

We’re connoisseurs of luxury at CVLUX, but what defines luxury is different for everyone. Here lies a round-up of our favorite local luxuries in the hopes that you’ll adore them, too.

60 ROSY POSY

Red and pink are the colors of love’s favorite holiday, so don it with pride from head to toe.

62

I HEART FASHION

Fashion lovers, now is the time to wear your heart on more than just your sleeve.

64 COSTARS

The Water Bearer’s influence lets spiritual energy flow freely this month.

OUR PASSION

©2023 McCaffrey Homes

Publisher’s Perspective

KNITTED DRESS BY ZARA BELT BY ARITZIA JEWELRY IS MODEL’S

That’s Amore

There’s a lot to love in the Central Valley, and while we seek to showcase just that in every magazine we release, we have wanted to include a theme that spotlights CVLUX’s favorite things for quite some time. With the launch of our new monthly publication calendar, February seemed perfectly befitting to debut our first-ever Love Issue.

This month’s coverwoman is the embodiment of self-love. The absolutely stunning Catie Li is one of the most recognizable faces in plus-size modeling, and her body positivity advocacy speaks to and about fashion marketing and the manner in which it’s changing, from size to ethnicity, to reflect the reality of modern day. Read all about her experience and work in Lovely Catie Li (page 42).

Valentine’s Day is this month, yet the local sweets, flowers, and gifts in the following pages are the perfect way to show affection for anyone, any day the year. Be sure to also check out the items our contributors are especially smitten with right now—there are plenty of options meant to both inspire and share.

Our love for the community, which makes the Central Valley such a wonderful place to call home, runs deep. We cannot wait to share that adoration with all of you at next month’s 2023 Luxury Awards. Until then, please consider this issue a love note to you.

Cheers,

PHOTOGRAPHER KELSEY HALE FASHION STYLIST HANNAH CANON HAIR CAITLIN KRENZ MAKEUP LINA MOUREY

OWN

Welcome to the Issue

Adored

Coverwoman, model, and body positivity advocate Catie Li opens up about embracing her mixed-race identity, working to change the industry, and practicing self-love (page 42). Get ready to party at the 2023 Luxury Awards next month (page 28). See what’s happening around town during “Love Month” (page 26). Local farmer florist studio January & June talks about the sentimentality of seasonal flowers and gifting love in a vase (page 38). The contributors behind CVLUX share what they’re loving right now (page 56). Stafford’s Chocolates has all your chocolate and coffee needs covered for Valentine’s Day (page 34). Take a bite out of these Central Valley desserts (page 52). Fashion embraces a red and pink scheme (page 60) and hearts galore (page 62). Embrace the spiritual energy that is flowing freely this month thanks to the Water Bearer in the sky (page 64).

Finally Flowering

February gives us cheerful glimpses of spring. The days are getting longer, the temperature warms slightly, blue skies shine thanks to air-clearing rain, and the great bloom begins. From endless acreage of blossoms bursting to bulbs making their grand reveal, stop to take in the bouquet of Central Valley flowers.

DAVID MANNING

Publisher, Sole Owner

EDITORIAL

Editorial Director LAUREN BARISIC

Interiors Editor ERIN MELKONIAN Features Editor ELISABETH ROSS Features Contributors NATALIE GEEHR, ALYSSA GRIGG MARTIN RAE PARDINI MATSON, CHRISTINE ROSE and ANN T. SULLIVAN WHITEHURST Fashion Stylist ALMA WOLVERTON Astrologer SHARI SCHOPP

ART

Design Director PHENG MOUA

Graphic Designer SAMANTHA DEATHERAGE

Contributing Photographers ALLIE CASE, ROB DAVIDSON, EMILY DERDERIAN DON DIZON, KELSEY HALE, RANDY JACOB, ELLIE KOLEEN MELODY OLIVAS and DIANE TJERRILD

BUSINESS

Regional Marketing Director CAROL DEFENDIS Sales Executives CAROLINE HOWARD and EMMA TOSTE Accounting Director DEE ANN LINKER Legal Counsel GONTORWON BORH

Please submit all advertising inquires to information@cvlux.com.

Letters To The Editor: We want to hear from you. Please submit letters to: CVLUX, 7797 N. First St. #172, Fresno CA, 93720 or e-mail to information@cvlux.com. Letters must be signed and deemed appropriate for our readership to be considered for publishing. Letters are subject to editing and may be cut for length.

Story Queries: Are you a writer? Please send story queries to lauren@cvlux.com. Please allow six to eight weeks for a response. CVLUX is not responsible for unsolicited material.

CVLUX is published twelve times a year by Modern Living Publishing LLC, 7797 N. First St. #172, Fresno CA, 93720. Copyright 2014 by Modern Living Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Every effort has been made to ensure the information within this publication is complete and accurate at the time of publication. CVLUX does not warrant such accuracy or the claims of its advertisers. All materials, articles, reports, original artwork, and photos published in this magazine are the property of Modern Living Publishing LLC and cannot be used or reproduced without permission in writing. Modern Living Publishing LLC is not responsible for the opinions expressed within the publication. Prices quoted in advertisements are subject to change without notice.

Contributors

Alma is an editorial stylist, closet editor, personal shopper, image consultant, and boutique owner, based in California’s San Joaquin Valley. A small-town girl, she was raised with an impeccable work ethic and determination to achieve her dreams. Today, Alma owns and operates Pum Bum Society in Fresno, where she takes enormous pride in bringing the latest and most exclusive looks, brands, and trends, that both celebrities and fashion experts alike are wearing, to the Central Valley.

Natalie is the owner of January & June, a small-scale flower farm and design studio committed to using locally grown flowers in all of their designs. The brand’s commitment to using local, sustainable practices is paramount. They are especially drawn to heirloom and wildflower-inspired varieties. As the founder and farmer florist behind this Central Valley-based floral company, Natalie specializes in creating garden-inspired, bespoke designs that seek to honor the beauty of each season.

Rae is the founder, #momboss, and name behind RPM PR. She lived in Los Angeles for years, where she gained global-scale media experience with Sony Pictures, People magazine, and more. Her drive to create a flexible workplace for like-minded creative professionals in her native Central Valley inspired RPM PR. Rae leads the team and mission every day as a proud working mother. She has a natural instinct for connecting people, a creative mind, and the poise and personability to keep clients coming back for more.

Alma Wolverton Fashion Stylist

Natalie Geehr Features Contributor

Rae Pardini Matson Features Contributor

Christine is a yoga instructor and journalist. As a community healer, she spreads compassion through yoga, bringing people together through the practice to inspire, empower, and connect. It is an honor for Christine to serve the community, where she cultivates peace and encourages each person to become the best version of themselves. She is also grateful for the work she does as a writer for ABC30, which allows her to learn from and connect with so many of the amazing humans that live in the Central Valley.

Contributors

Grigg Martin

Alyssa is a Central Valley-based creator specializing in brand photography and visual merchandising. Inspired by the nostalgia of her lived experience, Alyssa tells a story by instilling feelings of warmth and cultural resonance for the viewer. This is the approach she employs as the Social Media & Content Manager at Stafford’s Chocolates. Her unique style fuses vintage and Americana with modern themes. Alyssa is a true innovator, bringing joy and capturing sweet memories in her local community.

Erin Melkonian Interiors Editor

Erin runs a collaborative design firm, EMID Design Group, specializing in healthcare, hospitality, and residential interior design, in Fresno, California. Seeing the world through an artistic lens has allowed Erin to experiment in a number of different styles. Everything she does with a space is deliberate. Every piece has a purpose and has been thought about (from color, to position, to scale) in order to create the most unique and personal spaces for her clients.

Christine Rose

Features Contributor

Alyssa

Features Contributor

LUX locale Community Calendar

Around Town

February 3rd

National Wear Red Day

American Heart Association

www.goredforwomen.org

It’s Heart Month, and the first Friday of February is National Wear Red Day. Support Go Red For Women and raise awareness about heart disease and stroke in women by donning the American Heart Association’s signature color this day. This year’s theme is “Be the Beat” to draw attention to community CPR and the disparity in the rate with which women receive hands-only CPR.

February 4th

Tchaikovsky’s Last Note

Sequoia Symphony, Visalia Fox Theater www.sequoiasymphonyorchestra.com

Music Director Bruce Kiesling brings Tchaikovsky’s Last Note to life at the Visalia Fox Theatre. Valerie Coleman’s Umoja: Anthem of Unity will be presented as part of the program. Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, with Fabiola Kim playing violin, and Symphony No. 6 “Pathetique” showcase both the virtuosic delights and the deep power of his final symphony.

February 10th

Opening Reception for New Exhibitions

Fresno Art Museum

www.fresnoartmuseum.org

An evening affair at the Fresno Art Museum will launch four new exhibitions: Nathan Oliveira: Rare Works from the Private Collections of His Children; Arthur Dyson, Organic Architect: A Retrospective, 1960 to Present; Bruce Beasley, A New Direction: Aurai Wall Works & Sculpture; and Remaking Boundaries: Caroline Harris & Cay Lang from the Permanent Collection.

February 11th

Mahler Here and Now: Symphony No. 5

Fresno Philharmonic, Saroyan Theatre www.fresnophil.org

The Fresno Philharmonic’s multi-season survey of Gustav Mahler continues with his heroic Symphony No. 5, which contains the famous Adagietto movement. The concert opens with Jessie Montgomery’s Rounds for Piano and String Orchestra, a new, evocative work featuring the remarkable and resolute artistry of world-renowned pianist Awadagin Pratt.

February 14th to 16th

2023 World Ag Expo

International Agri-Center

www.worldagexpo.com

The 56th annual World Ag Expo is back at Tulare’s International Agri-Center. This three-day event boasts 1,200 exhibitors and a variety of attractions, including seminars, demonstrations, agriculture tours, wine and cheese, and Women in Ag. The Opening & Award Ceremonies celebrate the Top-10 New Products and the E.M. Tharp “We believe in Growing” scholarship recipients.

February 16th

Harlem Globetrotters

2023 World Tour

Save Mart Center

www.savemartcenter.com

Watch the Harlem Globetrotters in their 2023 World Tour as they go head-to-head against the Washington Generals, who will stop at nothing in trying to defeat the world’s winningest team. The Globetrotter stars are bringing their amazing basketball skills, outrageous athleticism, and non-stop laugh-out-loud good time to all who come to see them at the Save Mart Center.

February 21st

World Ballet Series:

Cinderella 2023

Saroyan Theatre

www.events.fresnoconventioncenter.com

The promise of “happily ever after” comes to life with the World Ballet Series: Cinderella. Experience the enchanting story for all ages performed live by a multinational cast of 40 professional dancers. Sergei Prokofiev’s score accompanies the visually stunning production featuring over 150 handsewn costumes, richly detailed sets, and choreography by Marina Kessler.

more information, contact event organizer as events may be subject to change.

FRESNO PHILHARMONIC GUEST PIANIST AWADAGIN PRATT

PHOTOGRAPHER ROB DAVIDSON

The BETTER THAN-ROSES Diamond

LUXUR Y·AW ARDS

LetsParty

CVLUX Magazine is pleased to present the 2023 Luxury Awards. Each year, CVLUX recognizes the Central Valley’s favorite businesses with Luxury Awards. Nominations were submitted in July 2022. The top five in each category have made it to this year’s ballot. The winners will be announced at the Luxury Awards.

Voting is now closed and the winners will be revealed at this year’s event.

Come celebrate the 10th Anniversary of CVLUX Magazine at this year’s Luxury Awards!

The event is sold out.

Holy Trinity Ballroom & Lounge 2226 Ventura Avenue Fresno, California 93721

Friday, March 10th, 2023 5:30 P.M. to 11:30 P.M.

DRESS CODE: BLACK TIE FORMAL

BEST COSMETIC/ PLASTIC SURGEON

Hedieh Arbabzadeh, MD

Women’s Plastic Surgery

Carl Askren, MD, FACS

Aesthetics Plastic Surgery Pavilion

Maziar Bidar, MD

Eye Medical Center of Fresno

Mark Chin, MD, MPH

Valley Institute of Plastic Surgery

Kaye Riolo, MD, FACS

Riolo Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

BEST DERMATOLOGIST

Kathleen Behr, MD

Behr Laser & Skin Care Center

J. Scott Boswell, MD

Boswell Dermatology

Carlos Paz, MD, PHD

Paz Dermatology

Gregory L. Simpson, MD University Dermatology Associates

Leslie Storey, MD

Valley Skin Institute

BEST ALLERGIST

A.M. Aminian, MD Allergy Institute

Malik Baz, MD

Baz Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center

Praveen Buddiga, MD, FAAAAI

Buddiga Family Allergy, Skin and Immunology

Richard S. DeMera, MD

DeMera Allergy Asthma & Immunology Center

Rabinder Sidhu, MD

Sidhu Allergy

Nominees

BEST DENTIST

Michelle Asselin, DDS, FAGD, FACD, FICD

Fresno Dental Professionals

Hugo Coronado, DDS

Cosmetic Dentistry, Implants & Orthodontics

J. Art Mirelez, Jr., DDS, FICOI, FAGD

Mirelez Wellness Dental

Sam Namdarian, DMD

Fresno Smile Makeovers

Kathryn A. Siemens, DDS

Kathryn A. Siemens Family Dentistry

BEST HOSPITAL

Community Medical Centers

Kaiser Permanente

Kaweah Health Medical Center

Saint Agnes Medical Center

Valley Children’s Healthcare

BEST MEDICAL SPA

Aspire Medispa

Body del Sol Aesthetics

Esteem Med Spa

Kiss Me Med Spa

LaserAway

BEST SALON + SPA

Adrina Martins SALON

INTRINSIC

Muses Day Spa

PREEN a boutique salon

The Spa & Hungry Hair Salon at Fig Garden Village

BEST FITNESS

Fightgirl Fitness

Fort Washington Fitness

George Brown Sports Club

Orangetheory Fitness, Fresno

LUXUR Y·AW ARDS

BEST SHOPPING CENTER

Fig Garden Village

Park Crossing

River Park

Riverwalk

Villaggio

BEST BANK

Central Valley Community Bank

Educational Employees Credit Union

Fresno First Bank

Murphy Bank

Premier Valley Bank

BEST DEALERSHIP

Audi Fresno

Fresno Acura

Fresno Lexus

Haron Jaguar, Land Rover & Volvo

Mercedes-Benz of Fresno

BEST JEWELER

Gianni Fine Jewelers

Orloff Jewelers

Rogers Jewelry Co.

Sceptre & Sash Authentic Luxury

The Vault Fine Jewelers

BEST BOUTIQUE

In Season A Lifestyle Boutique

La Rouge

Ooh La La Revival 23

Sceptre & Sash Authentic Luxury

BEST FINE GIFTS + DÉCOR

Holiday Boutique

Jude’s

RSVP Style

Verdalee

Vonda’s

BEST HOME FURNISHINGS

Ammons Design & Home Décor

Brick & Mortar

Fashion Furniture

Hemisphere Home

Noble House Design

BEST COMMUNITY

Copper River Ranch

Harlan Ranch

Old Fig Garden

Riverstone Development

Tesoro Viejo

BEST BUILDER

Bonadelle Neighborhoods

De Young Properties

Gary McDonald Homes

McCaffrey Homes

Wathen Castanos Homes

BEST CONTRACTOR/ REMODELING SPECIALIST

Dodson Builders Construction Inc.

Henry Gatewood Construction

J & J Quality Construction Inc.

Nelson-Dye Remodeling Specialists Trademark

BEST MORTGAGE LENDER

Emmanuel Chavez

Universal Lending

Elias Delgado

Guaranteed Rate

Michelle Glass

Vero Mortgage

Adrienne Romero-Williams

Alameda Mortgage Corporation

Kathy Stypula

Change Home Mortgage

LUX award Nominees

BEST REALTOR

Alexandra Cetti

Premier Valley Realty

Ivette Chavez

Park Place Real Estate

Lena Marie Fisher

London Properties

Laura Mather

The Mather Method at London Properties

Victoria Sherlock

Sherlock Homes Real Estate Group

BEST CASINO

Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino

Club One Casino

Mono Wind Casino

Table Mountain Casino Resort

Tachi Palace Casino Resort

BEST BAR

Annesso Pizzeria

Elbow Room Bar & Grill

Manhattan Steakhouse & Bar

Modernist Craft Cocktail Bar

Pismo’s Coastal Grill

BEST DINING

The Annex Kitchen

Cracked Pepper Bistro

Max’s Bistro & Bar

FIVE

Parma Ristorante

BEST HIDDEN GEM

Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant

NEAT Method, Fresno

Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater

The Lash Lounge, River Park

Fresno Coin Gallery, The Showroom

Thank You Sponsors

Chocolate Dreams

Features Contributor Alyssa Grigg Martin Social Media & Content Manager at Stafford’s Chocolates

Love is sweet! Stafford’s Chocolates, located in the heart of Porterville, California, is known for its delicious chocolate treats, attention to craft, and dedication to its local community. This chocolate shop is a family business that specializes in crafting gourmet chocolate, sweet confections, tasty coffee, and its hospitality.

Stafford’s Famous Chocolates has been a part of the San Joaquin Valley since 1987. It was created by Larry Stafford, who poured his passion into his sweet treats and remarkable shop. In 2011, the Taylor family realized a dream to carry on the Stafford legacy. They have since been working hard to provide the high quality and attention to craft for which Stafford’s Chocolates is known. They use fresh ingredients and original recipes, and value their partnerships with local dairies as well as producers of nuts, fruits, and honey. They even carry a selection of desserts and pastries from a few local bakers. Every assorted box of chocolates, beverage, and product from the shop has a taste of the Valley in it!

For 2022, the Porterville Chamber of Commerce recognized and awarded Stafford’s Chocolates as the Small Business of the Year. Locals love having a shop in their town that brings joy to the community through its products and atmosphere in their day-to-day lives and major life events! It is an exceptional place to grab a coffee and pastry while shopping for a gift for someone special. Owner Rob Taylor says, “It’s important to be a good neighbor and make our community a better place. Chocolate and coffee are a good way to do that.” Stafford’s Chocolates is not only a great chocolate shop—after hours, it can also be a fun venue for private intimate events and festive community happenings such as paint nights, live music, dance lessons, and pop-ups.

For a firsthand look at how these delicious treats are made, visit the store for any chocolate lover’s dream experience! Watch the chocolatiers bring your Valentine’s Day sweets to life as they create some of their most loved products using original recipes, such as the Stafford’s Ooey Gooey Bar. As you shop for your sweetheart, sip on a sweet latte packed with fresh, quality ingredients, including house-made syrups, Intelligentsia Coffee, Rosa Brothers milk, or Califia Farms dairy substitutes. Pick and choose from a wide variety of truffles, caramels, and creams for a heart-shaped box of Assorted Chocolates. Or place an order for Stafford’s most popular Valentine’s request: Freshly Dipped Chocolate Covered Strawberries!

Porterville isn’t the only place you can find Stafford’s Chocolates. If you can’t visit the charming brick-and-mortar,

you may be able to find original and custom Stafford’s Chocolates and products at several florists, wineries, hotels, and businesses throughout the San Joaquin Valley and state of California. Follow Stafford’s Chocolates on Instagram and Facebook @staffordschocolates or visit their website at www.staffordschocolates.com to stay informed on new locations, upcoming events, and seasonal products!

Valentine’s orders can be placed in-store, over the phone, and conveniently online. The shop even offers delivery and pick-up options for locals and UPS shipping from the fall through the spring. For outstanding confections from the best family owned and operated chocolate shop in the Central Valley, simply head to Stafford’s Chocolates to make your everyday and extra-special moments even sweeter.

looming ove

Features Contributor Natalie Geehr Farmer Florist and Owner of January & June Photographer Allie Case

Spring in the Valley, the agricultural capital of the country—our livelihoods and rhythms are intertwined with the seasons in a way that few other regions experience. Each February, we are compelled to pull over on the side of the road to take in the floating sea of white and blush blossoms backed by rolling, green hills and snow-capped mountains. The arrival of blossom season collectively pulls us out of our gray days into the bright, new energy of spring. We know it’s only a matter of weeks before the blossoms drop, the green hills fade to gold, and the warm blanket of Central Valley heat tucks us in for a long summer.

In 2020, I’d just moved back to this wonderful Valley, but was having a difficult time (as most of us were) feeling or tapping into the extensive beauty present in our daily lives. I was a new mom, had lost my job, and the isolation of the pandemic had covered my hope with what I can only describe now as a quiet fog of darkness. At this breaking point, I stumbled in to the only place we were allowed to go at the time, i.e., the outdoors. Eyeing a 30’x30’ plot of land in the corner of my parents’ yard that looked how I felt – neglected and tired, but full of possibility – I felt the urge to change both our situations. The rules of the current world, combined with the loss of independence that every new mom can identify with were suffocating, and I craved a sense of freedom and productivity.

I dug my hands into the cold, clay-compacted earth, and over the next few months my little plot slowly transformed into a cutting garden. At the time, my daughter was learning to walk, and I was, in turn, learning how to start over. Daily failures (shutdowns, gophers, seedlings dying) were now tempered with new gifts—a pansy smiling up at me; my daughter happily dragging a sunflower taller than her around the garden, filling my first vase to delight my mom. As my flowers started to bloom, they transported me to a place where I was able to feel changes in time again; I slowly began tapping back into the beautiful rhythms of nature that are built into our bones as Central Valley natives.

If you talk to any farmer florist, there’ll usually be an unspoken understanding about a similar, shared similar experience that led us to our craft. We’re stewards of our gardens, but we’re also equally under her care. We grow together, and share the gifts that she gives us in hope that some of the peace and happiness we found in our work will cling to a leaf or petal and be a light to you in different seasons. Moreover, we know flowers have the power and ability to evoke emotion and trigger nostalgia in ways few gifts can. The scent of a sweet pea can transport you to the garden of your childhood and take you back to a beloved grandmother, or the scent of orange blossoms brought in by the breeze can bring back memories of walks through the orchard during harvest season. This year, the world has started to turn again. But it’s a new normal, and we’ve all been changed in some way.

Bloeman Flower Farm

Visalia

www.bloemenfarm.com

Blooms on Lincoln Ave

Fresno www.bloomsonlincolnave.com

Foliage Flower Farm

Fresno

@foliageflowerfarm

Freckled Flower Farm

Fresno

www.freckledflowerfarms.com

January and June Fresno

www.januaryandjune.com

Wynnie’s Flower Farm

Clovis www.wynniesflowerfarm.com

Sweet Acres Flower Farm Fresno

www.sweetacresflowerfarm.com

Yosemite Flower Farm

Mariposa

www.yosemiteflowerfarm.com

Maybe this February, as we look for inspiration for the one day where love is universally expressed, let nature guide us in how to say it. Rather than a stiff red rose, we could look to the garden to show us what she’s been working on for months in her own timehonored rituals of gifting. A winter anemone, a fringed tulip, a fragrant narcissus; flowers that set their roots here in the Valley, which have been tended to by the loving hands of our neighbors, cut and displayed to offer us a true snapshot of what Tuesday, February 14th, 2023 would look like through a garden’s eyes. To keep floral love blooming through spring, consider gifting a flower subscription—many local farmers are now offering them through their websites. Check out the San Joaquin Flower Collective to learn more about what’s available in our backyards. Undoubtedly, flowers really are the perfect love note.

Features Editor Elisabeth Ross

Photographer Kelsey Hale @kelsey_hale

Fashion Stylist Hannah Canon @hanncan__

Hair Caitlin Krenz www.eamgmt.com/caitlinkrenz

Makeup Lina Mourey @linamourey

Catie Li

JEFFREY

KNITTED TANK BY ZARA

SILK SKIRT BY ZARA

LILAC KITTEN HEELS BY

CAMPBELL

JEWELRY IS MODEL’S OWN

face, and body, of modeling is changing, and women like Catie Li are to thank for that. In addition to being one of the most recognizable plus-size models today, the content creator and businesswoman is changing the industry by embracing her mixed-race identity and promoting body positivity. “I just try to stay real in everything and be transparent. Not every day is a body-positive day,” acknowledges Catie, but the key is to be authentic and not present a fake version of self. What she stands for and has to offer is obviously resonating—this past October, she took the internet by storm with her wedding to husband Carlos Miravite. In getting to know Catie, the transformative power of love in all its forms is so easy to see.

Growing up in the diverse Bay Area, Catie was aware of her interracial background – her father is half Chinese, her mother is White – yet while she’d get the occasional comment about it, not until her adulthood did she realize how “being different” impacted her. Catie explains that when you’re half White, or half anything, you have an identity crisis at some point in your life. “I had mine now that I’m older versus when I was younger. When I was young, I didn’t really see any issues with it,” she admits. “I got a few things; nothing that really completely traumatized me other than, I guess, looking back on it, nobody looked like me.” Catie was tall for her age and curvier for being an Asian girl.

Going away to college, where she didn’t have any friends with her, taught Catie a valuable lesson in regard to embracing, and loving, oneself. The process of joining a sorority taught her to interact in a new way. “When you recruited other people the next/following year, you had to learn how to introduce yourself and talk to people,” shares Catie. “And I really felt like that was one of the moments I learned about how that confidence really was the key to you attracting people—not necessarily your looks or your size. It was purely confidence in your personality.” Though Catie eventually transferred to the University of California, Santa Barbara, she carried forward that key moment of insight with her.

From there out, everything “just felt like right place, right time.” Catie was going to be a publicist. A college internship with Viacom landed her a job there the day she graduated, but her roommate actually got her another job at Rogers & Cowan PMK thereafter. The transition from corporate to agency life made her a great multitasker. However, it also came with a pay cut. Being just out of college and saddled with student loans and rent and still reliant on her parents for help presented its own set of challenges, like needing to find affordable furniture. “She found this Craigslist couch/sofa … We went to go pick it up, and the girl that was selling it was actually a plus-size model,” recalls Catie, who started asking about the circumstances surrounding her cross-country move. “And she’s like, ‘Oh you know, I’m a plus-size model. I’m moving to New York to take my modeling career to the next level.’”

Since she was young, Catie had always been told she had a pretty face and that she could model—it was just her body that wasn’t right. A backhanded compliment, indeed. “And that always stuck with me because when we were in middle school, my brother and I actually got scouted to become models in San Francisco.” But when the pair went to the casting, only one sibling could be chosen, and they chose her brother. “I just never thought it was in my cards for me after that. I was like, ‘Oh I’m just not skinny enough and I’m too sensitive, so I can’t do it. And so my brother would go to San Francisco on the weekends to, you know, do modeling school and I would be in Chinese school. So it was, like, terrible. It was so sad!” chuckles Catie.

Getting back to Catie’s first encounter with the plus-size model selling the Craigslist sofa. “I said, ‘A plus-size model?’ Because I’d never heard of it before.” At the time, Catie was probably a size eight or 10—she had lost weight unintentionally, due to the stress of agency life. “I was the smallest I’ve ever been. And I was like, ‘Plus-size model? I mean, I’m plus! I could do that,’” she thought. “I actually left, and we were about to leave, and I told my roommate, ‘Stop, I need to go back and ask her questions.’ I went back and knocked on her door. I said, ‘How do you become a plus-size model?’ And she’s like, ‘So crazy—I wanted to tell you that you should do it!’”

The women added each other on Facebook, and it went from there. “She literally wrote me an essay on how to submit myself … Nobody usually does this in this industry.” Catie was given paragraphs of details: how to take Polaroids, how to pull, what to wear, and who to submit to. “And so I did exactly what she said,” recalls Catie. But she heard back from only one agency—they wanted to sign Catie, and despite hesitation from her parents, she had a gut feeling and went for it. But the agency told her, “‘Don’t quit your day job because it might take you two to three years, or never, to really make it.’ And I was like, ‘Oh I don’t care. I just need extra cash because I don’t want to ask my parents for money anymore. I’m going to be a publicist.’”

A month in, she landed her first assignment in Milwaukee and used a sick day. But the offers kept coming and she kept taking sick days to do them. After a really bad day at her PR job, she quit on the spot. “And I took the risk of just doing full-time modeling.” She’d been modeling only for three months at that point, “which is literally unheard of, and I didn’t wanna get rid of all the work that I did on interning and all the resume building that I did.” Catie went back to Viacom, and her boss was, luckily, more than willing to accommodate her modeling schedule as a freelancer. “I still always maintained two to three jobs while I was modeling because I was so fearful that once I turned 30 I would no longer be able to model, which hasn’t even happened.”

KNITTED DRESS BY ZARA

BELT BY ARITZIA SANDALS BY STEVE MADDEN

JEWELRY IS MODEL’S OWN

“That moment was like, ‘Oh I made it!’ And then you end up getting higher expectations … Every year it’s different. Your goals become bigger. For me last year, a big goal of mine was to be in a magazine.” Catie was featured in the May/June 2022 issue of Women’s Health. Prior to that, her partnership with haircare brand Kérastase landed her in two of their Vogue ads. She’s also worked with Nike, Walmart, Target, Old Navy—the list of big names goes on.

Part of Catie’s success is undeniably linked to her physical relatability. Indeed, the average American woman is plus size, but her look, her face, is just as relatable. “To me, it’s very normal because I grew up like this. But what I noticed is it’s not normal to other people. Also because I’m biracial, I can relate to a lot of people who are of different nationalities. Some people think I’m Latina, some think I’m Hawaiian, and some think

I’m a quarter Black. It just really depends on how I’m styled and how my makeup and hair are done. So I think that was a positive for a lot of the clients when they booked me,” ponders Catie.

“But what I noticed, too, is that I never really fit in one thing. So, although that’s a positive, I can never really get the jobs that were meant for Asian girls … Or sometimes people don’t even identify me as Asian at all. And although I’m white – my mom’s blond hair, blue eyes – I’m never gonna get those types of jobs either because I don’t look like that at all. So there are pros and cons of being biracial in the entertainment industry. It’s sad to say things are trends and sometimes people are trends as well,” Catie imparts about being mixed race. “Right now, it’s a safe space for brands because I can relate to a lot of people. But it also affects you as a person because you can’t really identify yourself as one thing.”

identity

So much changed when Catie landed Forever 21 at the start of her career nine years ago. “When you worked at Forever, it changed your modeling career because everybody was looking at what models Forever 21 was using and then booking those models.” So when she started there, Catie began working with every plus client you can think of.

Catie uses her voice (her social media platforms) to advocate for others who also don’t fit the customary mold. Starting her modeling career in her young twenties, after she’d already established a marketing background, helped Catie treat it like a nine-to-five job and informs much of her approach. “I took it very seriously, even with influencing. I create content sheets, idea sheets, strategies,” explains Catie. “I noticed that people of color and women of color have to work 10 times harder and strategize a little bit more than somebody who isn’t. So with that marketing background, I was able to see trends and understand value … understanding press hits, media hits, ad value,” which allows her to understand her own value, her content’s worth, and fighting for that when it comes to landing offers.

Even then, the progress the plus-size fashion industry has seen is minimal at best. “I’ve already been modeling for nine years and it’s, like, the littlest step. People are complacent about that. They’re not really demanding more of it,” making plus fashion appear like a trend instead of a shift. And plus bridal is even worse. The start of Catie’s wedding dress search was an epiphany regarding this. “I remember going on Pinterest – this is what I’m trying to do on my platform is to have the heavier presence on Pinterest, too – but there’s no plus-size on Pinterest!” At her first fitting, she and one of her friends were told, “You’re just gonna have to imagine it.” That was an eye-awakening moment for her. “This is supposed to be the biggest day of your life,” imparts Catie. “Wedding dresses are not cheap, so it also may be one of the biggest purchases of your life for a clothing item … and to not know how it truly is going to fit on you and to make that risk is huge!”

This experience prompted Catie to start a mini-series on her platforms where she’d go to different bridal companies and try on wedding dresses. “You can be plus and still wear couture; you can be a fashionable plus-size bride … that’s possible,” she enthusiastically professes. Catie and Carlos’ wedding photos are evidence of just that. They got engaged

only months before the pandemic arrived, forcing them to make some difficult decisions about the big day. Ultimately, the couple tied the knot at the Mission Inn in Riverside, where they first met, in October 2022. Yet their story began long before their extended engagement.

Catie and Carlos met in college and developed an enduring friendship. Even after he graduated college and she moved to Los Angeles, Catie couldn’t help but hold Carlos’ gentlemanly qualities in high esteem. “He was just the guy that really set the standards for me … I just always had him in the back of my mind; I always had a crush on him.” But it wasn’t until she was 27 that she reached out after a really bad relationship. “My mom was like, ‘What about Carlos? What happened to him?’ And I just hit him up because I thought, ‘Even if he was still with somebody and we were just friends, if we hung out in a group setting or whatever, it just would remind me of my worth and my value.’” It just so happened that Carlos was, in fact, single, and the two never stopped hanging out after that first date.

At the wedding, Catie was all about creating an experience—one that reflected their relationship and values and love for each other, friends, and family. From Porto’s Bakery and In-N-Out being served, to a Chinese tea ceremony and traditional cultural attire that paid homage to Catie’s Chinese and Carlos’ Filipino heritages, the personal touches truly embodied what the couple is all about. So much of that is embracing life, love, and all that surrounds and makes us. Through our experiences, we learn about ourselves, but the key is learning to love ourselves—the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful. “I think right now, where my self-love is, is I’m accepting my body for what it is and not trying to make changes of it,” Catie divulges. “Just giving yourself grace—things are happening, we just came through COVID, and life is changing. Don’t be too hard on yourself and just embrace who you are currently.” Simply, love the moment.

“I think right now, where my self-love is, is I’m accepting my body for what it is and not trying to make changes of it. Just giving yourself grace—things are happening, we just came through COVID, and life is changing. Don’t be too hard on yourself and just embrace who you are currently.”

ENDINGS SWEET

The celebrity chef Jacques Torres makes an excellent argument… For those who agree, this piece is for you! Yet, according to food historian Deborah Krohn in a conversation with chef and writer Yotam Ottolenghi for Food & Wine (www.foodandwine.com), dessert as we know it today wasn’t really a thing until the seventeenth century. Before then, “dessert” was more of a practical, preserved food item that you likely wouldn’t enjoy alone. Savory and sweet dishes were also presented indistinguishably. Consider that sugar had been a rare commodity until the burgeoning cultivation of New World plantations brought sugar prices down, allowing the ingredient to be more widely accessed and used. Louis XIV was one such enthusiast, a trailblazer in confectionary, and he also avidly grew out-of-season fruit—nature’s candy, and an important element of any sweet course. Hence, the origins of the modern dessert are, unsurprisingly, rooted at Versailles. The decadent pastries, elaborate cakes, and fruit sculptures seen at the French court mirrored the indulgent spirits of those that ultimately consumed them. It was then that the idea to serve different courses emerged. And by the mid-1600s, cookbooks dedicated solely to desserts described ending a meal with sweets. Obviously, that has continued to the present day. So, dig into these sugary Central Valley favorites!

Editorial Director Lauren Barisic Photographers Don Dizon & Melody Olivas

“Life is short. Eat dessert first.”

—Jacques Torres

Trelio Food & Wine

Flourless Chocolate Torte | $15

Flourless chocolate torte, caramel, hazelnut praline, and dark chocolate gelato.

For edible sculpture, look no further than the Flourless Chocolate Torte at Trelio. Topped with a liquified praline layer and ganache, its presentation allows for a multitude of textures to be experienced. Crushed hazelnut pralines outline the plate, coffee gelée is dotted around, and whipped cream and sliced blackberries lighten the palate. Finally, gelato nestled in a chocolate tuile completes the lavish experience.

LUX eats Dessert Round-Up

Monet’s Wine Bistro

Lavender Cheesecake | $11.50

Lavender cream cheese filling, graham cracker crust, lavender icing, and berry sauce.

If you’re a cheesecake enthusiast, the Lavender Cheesecake at Monet’s is a must-try. The graham crust is made with powdered sugar, and the resulting composition creates more of a shortbread texture and flavoring. Lavender infuses both the cream cheese filling and icing. It’s wonderful on its own, but when served with the accompanying raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry sauce, the lavender notes truly sing.

LUX eats

Dessert Round-Up

Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant

Lemon Bar | $4.99

Lemon curd filling, shortbread crust, and whipped cream.

Harris Ranch is known for its beef, but its Lemon Bar is arguably just as famous. Simple yet classic, a shortbread crust is baked with lemon curd. Each generously proportioned bar is topped with whipped cream and powdered sugar, and garnished with a split lemon slice. It’s now only available for pick-up in the Harris Ranch Bakery, located inside the Country Store, so be sure to make a pitstop there to grab one.

The Lime Lite

Brownie S’Mores | $11

Fudge brownie, graham cracker crust, marshmallow fluff, Ampersand vanilla ice cream, and Kahlúa anglaise.

The Lime Lite’s Brownie S’Mores is a sophisticated take on the childhood campfire favorite for which it’s named, and it’s been a restaurant favorite since being introduced. The fudge brownie is baked with a graham cracker crust. A smearing of toasted marshmallow anchors the slice, which is then topped with a scoop of local ice cream, more fluff, a drizzling of Kahlúa anglaise, and crumbled graham garnish.

Oggi Cosi Si Mangia Homemade Tiramisu | $8

Lady fingers, espresso, coffee, mascarpone cream, and cocoa powder.

What make’s Oggi’s Homemade Tiramisu different from the norm is the omission of liqueur, but trust us when we say you won’t miss it. Lady fingers are soaked in espresso and coffee before being layered with mascarpone cream. Once plated, a generous powdering of cocoa dusts the Italian cake for a subtle chocolate introduction alongside the creamy richness. It’s even lovelier when paired with port.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

It really is the little things in life that make all the difference! The holidays are usually a time of indulgence, which also creates opportunity to discover necessary luxuries. And we at CVLUX love a bit of luxury! So, we’re sharing a collective “love list” of sorts. We’ve rounded up our favorite things, from products to experiences, in the hopes that you’ll relish these picks as much as we do.

David Manning

Publisher, Sole Owner

Valley Lahvosh Baking Company Peda Bread from www.valleylahvosh.com

Few things evoke a taste of home the way Valley Lahvosh does. While their crackerbread products are available in stores across the country, you can only get their freshly baked Peda bread from the bakery storefront on Fridays. I love ordering from them for special occasions, but if I’m near Downtown Fresno that day, I can’t help but stop for a loaf.

Photographers Emily Derderian, Don Dizon Randy Jacob & Diane Tjerrild

Erin Melkonian Interiors Editor

Stone + Paper Concrete Coasters

$15.00 for 4 from @stoneandpaper

My new favorite obsession are these concrete coasters by Stone + Paper. It’s the perfect combination of form and function. They are so chic and durable, and work great just about anywhere in the home or office. Now, keeping your surfaces pristine has never looked better. You can find Stone + Paper online at Instagram.

Lauren Barisic Editorial Director

Gloss & Glow Candle Co. Candles

$32.95 from www.glossandglowcandleco.com

Candles are one of my favorite gifts to receive, as I love the atmospheric effect they provide at home. Admittedly, I don’t often buy them for myself. But Gloss & Glow candles are one brand I’ll gladly purchase! These locally made, luxurious candles are hand-poured, and feature a beautiful glass jar with a cedar wick that sounds as lovely as it smells.

Ann T. Sullivan Whitehurst

Features Contributor

CRŪ Winery Wines from www.cruwinery.com

Being in the Central Valley, it’s not difficult to find good wine. But I especially love the offerings at CRŪ Winery. I don’t have a favorite—I like all of them and enjoy sharing bottles with friends and family for both everyday and festive events. I put them in a blinged wine bag (I go to local designer Bling Witch Designs) and give them to my friends!

Christine Rose Features Contributor

Self-care staycation and massage experience from www.thetippingpointe.com and @sarah.endipity

Self-care is my favorite thing, and I LOVE a good pamper sesh. Going to a spa is nice, but IMO the best way to #treatyourself is with a getaway. Book a staycation at a local Airbnb (try The Tipping Pointe in Downtown Fresno) and hire a mobile massage therapist to come to you. Sarah R. Harry is THE BEST—book by emailing her!

Five and Two Jewelry Shoshanna Earrings

$56.00 from www.fiveandtwojewelry.com

My fave hoops are from Five and Two Jewelry. It’s a local brand dedicated to craftmanship, sustainability, and giving back, where you can shop online. Right now, I’m loving this pair of thick tube hoops accented by a removable pavé heart charm. These are fun and perfect for “Love Month”! Plus, the high-quality materials and coating make for long-wearing protection.

Alma Wolverton

Fashion Stylist

Alo Lasting Lip Balm

$12.00 from @shoppumbum

Alo beauty products are NEW and all the BUZZ. This easy grab-and-go lip balm is perfect to keep in your fanny pack or at the office desk. It’s a silky lip butter packed with vitamin C and oils for intense hydration, making it my first choice for keeping my lips healthy and feeling luxe, plump, and soft. Plus, the natural citrus-vanilla flavor is unexpected yet delicious.

Rae Pardini Matson

Features Contributor

looks

Fashion Trends

ROSY POSY

Roses are red, you know the rest. For the ultimate romantic holiday, mix shades of rouge and blush. When donning head-to-toe red and pink, keep hues in the same realm to make this clichéd color-combo read intentionally chic. Carry an everlasting rose in the form of a clutch. Pick a frock silhouette that evokes serendipity. Wear dainty jewels, but go ahead and rock a statement cocktail ring. Finish the look in a classic mule with an unexpected

1. Bloomingdale’s Ruby & Diamond Droplet Necklace in 14K Yellow Gold, 16” – 100% Exclusive $7,200.00 from www.bloomingdales.com

2. HUEB 18K Rose Gold Spectrum Pink Sapphire & Diamond Cuff Bangle Bracelet $5,000.00 from www.bloomingdales.com

3. Alexander Laut 18K $35,600.00 from www.neimanmarcus.com

4. Paul Andrew Patent Leather Slide Mules in Fuchsia

5. Carolina Herrera Two-Tone Strapless High-Low Ruffle Mini Dress $3,990.00 from www.neimanmarcus.com

6. Rachel Reid 14K Yellow Gold Ruby, Pink Sapphire & Diamond Spray Statement Earrings $550.00 from www.bloomingdales.com 7. Judith Leiber Couture Rose Josephine Crystal Clutch Bag $4,995.00 from www.neimanmarcus.com

LUX looks

Fashion Trends

I HEART

FASHION

To all fashion lovers, here’s a dressy work/play ensemble fit for the month of love. When mixing comfy clothes with polished pieces,

1. AQUA x Kerri Rosenthal Smile Embroidered Tweed Blazer – 100% Exclusive $158.00 from www.bloomingdales.com $595.00 from www.neimanmarcus.com

3. Moschino Mini Cupid Heart Velvet Clutch 4. AQUA x Kerri Rosenthal Loved Graphic Pullover Hoodie – 100% Exclusive $98.00 from 5. PLAY Comme des Garçons x Converse Chuck 70 Low Top in White $150.00 from shop-us.doverstreetmarket.com

6. Kerri Rosenthal Heart Stitched Wool & Cashmere Scarf $398.00 from www.bloomingdales.com

7. Kate Spade Heartful Metal Huggies $58.00 from www.katespade.com 8. Kate Spade Brookville Stainless Steel Watch in Silver/Gold $248.00 from www.katespade.com

LUX lifestyle

Horoscopes

COSTARS

Astrologer Shari Schopp @shari_starlight www.eyeonastrology.com

Aquarius

January 20th to February 18th

The Water Bearer pours forth vibrations of change and wisdom of the future. Uranus, its ruler, is innovative and stimulates our evolutionary journey. These natives have fixed air and are blessed with inspiration this month in both the mental and physical self. It’s a time for getting things done and bringing people together to create a broader vision. Therefore, when overloaded, take a needed break from technology to pacify the nervous system. To sustain energetic stability, eat exotic fruits, drink green tea, or get acupuncture.

Pisces

February 19th to March 20th

Getting into the flow offers you a harmonious blend of creativity, inspiration, and fantasy. The potential is there to create something magical, and is auspicious for accessing other realms to explore.

Aries

March 21st to April 19th

A big challenge this month is being overwhelmed with too much to do. So, drop commitments that are not in line with your needs so you can move quickly toward your objectives.

Taurus

April 20th to May 20th

When obstacles appear to block your actions, utilize inspiration for plotting your next steps to finish what was started. The practical knowledge you attain will be useful for the rest of this year.

Gemini

May 21st to June 21st

An opportunity for mental stimulation and recharging the brain is to turn your adaptable thought processes into effective ideas. The use of pragmatic strategy helps realize concepts to plan ahead.

Cancer

June 22nd to July 22nd

Calmly focus on the overstimulation of extra energy that’s available. See where this available energy can be best used productively and avoid burnouts from being over worked.

Leo

July 23rd to August 22nd

Pay attention to the people in your life and understand what their desires are. It’s important to know your own perspectives when dealing with them; make adjustments to avoid criticism.

Virgo

August 23rd to September 22nd

It’s a good time to reevaluate and assess core values. They may need some changes and revisions that require a little effort. However, these adjustments move you closer to living an authentic life.

Libra

September 23rd to October 23rd

A busy social life satisfies the need for connecting with others in groups and one-to-one relationships. The stimulations and mingling can open doors for new prospects.

Scorpio

October 24th to November 21st

Keeping things light will help when you communicate with others. There may be disappointments if you are expecting deep emotional revelations and affirmations. Nevertheless, there will be occasions for that later.

Sagittarius

November 22nd to December 21st

Take a moment to understand and discover how you work best with others. Successful opportunities can be achieved when you get out of your own way and let the collaborations unfold naturally.

Capricorn

December 22nd to January 19th

Vitality may be wasted if the energy you put out was exploring irrelevant platforms. Focus and assess where your priorities were off, and readjust your actions toward completing goals.

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