Southern Spring february/march 2022 www.living-magazine.com
Celebrating 10 Years in Ellis County! Terry Wooten 214.949.9285 MORTGAGE CENTER MANAGER NMLS 224831 Terry.Wooten@GatewayLoan.com
Tom Ker 972.365.7022 LOAN ORIGINATOR NMLS 356892 Tom.Ker@GatewayLoan.com
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Office: 972.937.2200 1332 W. Hwy 287 Bypass, Suites 1 & 4 | Waxahachie, TX 75165 www.gatewayloan.com/waxahachie-tx
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“
SOUTHERN SPRING... There is always something hopeful about the Spring season. Beautiful blooms, fresh greens, sunny days and the thought of new beginnings. Spring in the South brings a certain charm that you can’t find anywhere else - much like what you will see in this issue. Gorgeous florals, a fabulous hidden gem in Grandbury, recipes to share with the ones you love, and a home that can only be described as a Southern haven. We hope you take the time this Spring to enjoy the little things.
Contents February - March 2022 |
10
volume 18
- Cindy
|
issue 1
12
18
20
LIFE + STYLE FLORA • 10 Blooming on Main St.
HOME + GARDEN WALKER DESIGN & CO • 26 New Year, Dream Home
GRILLING • 12 Meat Therapy
DUCKWORTH INTERIORS • 30 Toys, Toys Everywhere!
BITTERSWEET • 14 My 10 Year Love Hate Relationship with Red Velvet
ECMG EXPO • 34 Homesteading Heroes
THE OILY BAR • 18 The Best Things in Life Can Be Found in the Bathtub TRAVEL • 20 Hotel Lucy
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FEB/MARCH TIPS • 38 Planting/Growing Guide for the Season
26
LA FIN CINDY BURCH • 40 On Trend in 2022
30
”
40
ECLM Contributors 2 4 2
7 6 6
3 1 5
Mallory Walker (1) is the founder of Walker Design & Co LLC. A full service interior design firm specializing in new construction homes. Serving Ellis County home builders by staging model homes & designing true custom homes from dirt. Follow along @walkerdesignandcompany or walkerdesignandcompany. com. Kalee Hume (2) Kalee Hume is a Ellis County native and the owner of The Oily Bar, an all natural soapery that focuses on plant based bath & body care. Her business ventures that started with just a box of essential oils and a diffuser has now turned into a full time business with a store opening on the downtown square in March 2022. When not serving up soaps & sugar scrubs, you can find her spending time with family, cooking or enjoying some sunshine. Follow along @oilybar or www.theoilybar.com. Kate Duckworth (3) is the President & Principal Designer of Duckworth Interiors, a full-service interior design firm located in Ennis, TX. With over a decade of design experience in high-end residential, new construction selections, model homes & remodels, she finds joy in creating spaces her clients love. Kate specializes in designing interiors that look magazine-worthy & feel like home. Follow her at www.duckworthinteriors.com or @duckworthinteriors.
Melissa McBride (4) keeps a bag packed and is “road trip ready” at all times! In addition to being a wanderlust, free-lance writer, artist, photo journalist, visionary & interior stylist, Melissa is also the owner of Wild Grace, a faith based pop up boutique. This curated collection of clothing, accessories, art & home goods is located inside The Doves Nest, downtown Waxahachie. Angel Schiffer (5) is owner & creator of Bittersweet Bakery in Waxahachie, Texas. An Ellis County native & 3rd generation business owner, she lives Bittersweet. Most days you can find her in her shop sporting pink crocs & wearing baking ingredients as an accessory. She is a hands on business owner who puts her touches & artistry into every delicacy that comes out of the oven. When she’s not at the shop she enjoys spending time with her family & handsome young Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Leo. Jason Wilson (6) Meat Therapy was created as a platform to share my love of barbeque, bourbon, & beer. As a husband, father of three, Army Veteran, Respiratory Therapist, & average backyard BBQ’r...my cooks are my “therapy.” It is an incredible feeling to be able to take a piece of meat & create something beautiful & delicious for friends & family to enjoy. Follow along @meat.therapy or www.meattherapybbq.com and follow along during my “therapy sessions.” Cindy Burch (7) and her husband, Andrew, own and operate The Doves Nest in historic downtown Waxahachie. Cindy is also a freelance writer, caterer and consultant. Her awardwinning cookbook, “The Doves Nest Restaurant: New American Recipes From A Historic Texas Town,” is in its fifth printing. LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // FEBRUARY/MARCH 2022
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YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE FOR ELLIS COUNTY LIFESTYLE, HOME AND COMMUNITY SINCE 2005
Cindy Camp | Publisher | Publisher@living-magazine.com is a wife, mom & boss who brings to fruition all types of endeavors (she is a true Queen). A fierce, natural leader who enjoys all sides of business while also loves relaxing by the pool, taking a trip or simply having her fur-baby by her side. Lindsey Keeney | Creative Director | Lindsey@living-magazine.com is an Aggie who was lucky enough to move back to her hometown and start her dream job here at ECLM which she has been an amazing asset to for 9 years! With a big love for family, concerts, traveling & the outdoors it’s easy to see where her creativity comes from. Carly Pechal | Art Director | Carly@living-magazine.com is a wife, mom & designer who loves all forms of art and creating. Spending time with her familiy, tending to her plants + garden, & will gladly accept any invitation to the beach, she finds so much joy in lifes simple blessings. Mary Crook | Art Director | Mary@living-magazine.com is a mom to her fun & fiesty daughter, designer + owner of a small business, a loyal local with strong Texas roots & a deep love for her hometown.
Living
ELLIS COUNTY
Cover Photo By Bianca Lopez, FLORA www.floratx.com Photographed by Taylor Folmar Photo Staff photos by Grant Duckworth Photography A special thanks to all of our contributing writers.
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MAGAZINE
We are proud members of the Waxahachie, Ennis, Midlothian and Red Oak Chambers of Commerce.
Ellis County Living Magazine is published bi-monthly by ECL Media, Inc.© using only environmentally-friendly ink. Copyright 2022, ECL Media, Inc.© All rights reserved. No portion of Ellis County Living Magazine shall be reprinted in any other publication without permission. The views expressed herein should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult your physician.
Follow us on Instagram: @EllisCountyLiving facebook.com/EllisCountyLiving pinterest.com/ECLivingmag twitter.com/ECLiving For advertising information, please contact Ellis County Living Magazine at 972.935.0938 or info@living-magazine.com.
LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // FEBRUARY/MARCH 2022
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Blooming on Main St.
BY KAMILAH KIRKSEY & BIANCA LOPEZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY CRISTY ANGULO PHOTOGRAPHY
me
! a c n a et Bi
Nestled in a cozy 1900’s home on historical Main St. in Waxahachie, Texas, FLORA design studio offers both traditional and contemporary floral designs for all of your floral needs. We are a full-service studio offering everyday flowers, wedding and event floral design, and workshops! Our Manifesto - We believe flowers are more than gifts reserved for special occasions, but instead are a gift for the present! At FLORA we encourage giving others their flowers while they’re here. One of our biggest joys is seeing your reasons for ordering blooms. Whether it be just because, to lift someone’s spirits, or to celebrate bigger milestones like your wedding day - We are honored to be a part of these special moments. We offer same-day floral wraps and arrangements through local pick-up and delivery service. We also offer other thoughtful gifts in our retail space, so if you ever find yourself in the neighborhood stop in to pickup a sweet present for someone special.
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For custom designs for your wedding or special event make sure to contact usto set up a consultation, we’re excited to jump right into the design phase! During your consultation, we’ll review your vision, budget, and create a mood board with images and customized color palettes for your big day. After our meeting, you can expect a proposal sent to your inbox to make sure we’re on the same page for your floral design wishes and once you’ve reviewed and approved the details we’ll get a contract and then you’re officially booked! Come wedding day, you won’t have to stress about a thing! We deliver, set up, and break down all of your floral arrangements so you can focus on celebrating! Where to find us: In Store: 500 W. Main Street Waxahachie, TX 75165 Online: www.floratx.com Email: hello@floratx.com Phone: 469-766-3529
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What is More Theraputic than Wrapping Something in STORY, RECIPE & PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASON WILSON, MEAT THERAPY
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BACON?
Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos
Ingredients: 2-3 tubes Chorizo 16 oz Cream Cheese 12 medium–large jalapenos 1lb. Thin-Cut Bacon 2 tbsp. of favorite BBQ seasoning. Meat Therapy Go-To: Meat Church Holy Voodoo to season cream cheese, & The Gospel to season the bacon. Directions: Precook chorizo in skillet. Add to 16oz of softened cream cheese. Season cream cheese with your favorite BBQ rub. I use 1 tbsp Meat Church Holy Voodoo. Mix-up and place back in fridge to set up, the longer the better, to help keep the cream cheese in place during the cook. Shoot for a minimum of 30 minutes. Take 10-12 jalapenos, cut in half, de-seed & de-vein (that’s the heat). Fill jalapenos with cream cheese mix and wrap with thin-cut bacon—-1lb. should be enough (typically cut the pack in half). The bigger the jalapenos, the more bacon you’ll need. Place on smoker at 325 with hickory or any other medium-smokingwood/pellet for 20-30 minutes. When the bacon looks crispy, or to your liking, pull from the smoker and let rest for 10 minutes..
then devour!
Can we all agree that we could use a little therapy in our lives? Especially these days! What if that therapy came in the form of an outdoor grill and a prime cut of meat? This is the idea behind Meat Therapy, using my love and passion of outdoor cooking to cope with the everyday stressors of life. My cooks are my “therapy” and I have learned that no matter what you are going through in life, good food and fellowship can be therapeutic. Hopefully all of you have something you are passionate about, something that brings you joy. In order to share this concept with others, my wife and I teamed up to share her passion of historic homes and my concept of Meat Therapy. This is how Therapy Sessions evolved – the kind where you won’t leave broke, crying, and questioning all your life’s decisions. Held at the Historic J.S. Berry House in Waxahachie TX, sessions include an interactive, personal grilling experience with yours truly. You and a handful of your new best friends will receive hands-on experience with the prep, process, and presentation of your meat of
choice. In addition, enjoy a TX Whiskey smoked old fashioned or a local craft beer from Railport Brewery in the parlor and a cigar on the expansive front porch. Then you’ll reap the fruits of YOUR labor gathered together chowing down around the dining table. Whether it’s removing the membrane of a rack of ribs in one fell swoop, dry brining a ribeye, or making brisket burnt ends, everyone walks away with a new party trick. No matter what grill you are cooking on or what kind of food you are throwing down, just do yourself a favor and get outside for some Meat Therapy. And as always, don’t be afraid to suck at something new. Meat Therapy, Waxahachie TX Instagram: @meat.therapy Facebook: Meat Therapy TikTok: Meat.Therapy YouTube: Meat Therapy
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Behind the Scenes... MY 10 YEAR LOVE HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH RED VELVET CAKE STORY BY ANGEL SCHIFFER AT BITTERSWEET BAKERY
When I first started Bittersweet I had a lot of silly ideas, which I suppose happens when you open a business at the wise old age of 20. The first, and dumbest, idea that I had was that I wanted everything to be prepared over an open flame. I dont know where I decided the heat source would produce a superior product but I was very anti-microwave and I very much did not think through how I’d even reheat my lunch. Thankfully, on day one of business my five foot two mother wobbled through our doors with the largest microwave that the local Walmart carried. She placed it in the corner of my kitchen, on top of the state of the art outdoor furniture I was using as bakery equipment, and my plan to prepare everything over a flame was promptly thrown out. The second idea I had was that I would create a new flavor of cupcake every single day in an attempt to not repeat the same flavor twice, and things got weird. Obviously, we rode on the easy ones like lemon paired with literally
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every fruit known to mankind because that’s the beauty of lemon. Or even creating a flavor and then flipping the elements, one day it’s chocolate cake with orange buttercream, the next it’s orange cake with chocolate buttercream and so on and so forth. Realistically, this could only last so long - and while this idea of mine was stupid and not entirely planned well, it did teach me how to pair flavors and build recipes. To keep it going as long as I could, I would gain inspiration from everything around me. Fine dining wasn’t exactly accessible because 1) I lived in Corsicana, Texas and 2) I was a 20 year old. So, when I did go out I would take photos of not just the dessert menu, but cocktail menus too. I would walk the cereal and ice cream aisles seeing what was popular, what was seasonal, and what lingered on the shelf a little too long. I’d even get inspired picking up a coffee, which recently happened to me when I visited Savannah, happened to order a lavender mocha and had my world and taste buds flipped on their head! Ten years later it’s rare that a flavor combination will
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stop me in my tracks - but this was one. I know mocha. I know lavender (and I know some of you think “oh that tastes like soap”) but the combination together created a drink that balanced each ingredient into an earthy yet indulgent experience that wasn’t already familiar to me. So obviously I came back to Texas and turned it into a cupcake that you can find on our menu throughout the month of February along with all of our bestsellers that we do, in fact, repeat. But the third and worst idea I had was that I wouldn’t ever make just a vanilla cupcake, because god forbid I would ever do something so basic. The problem with that, and what I quickly learned, is it’s absolutely crucial to perfect those basics. Of course fun flavor combinations will taste delicious! Who wouldn’t like a cupcake stuffed with house made salted caramel and dipped in a semisweet ganache?! Even if the cake was bad, how would you really know when it’s being hidden? The most daunting task as a baker is when you strip all of those extras away and you’re left with having to produce something perfect in its simplicity, with nothing to hide it. Now, when I visit other bakeries, I always try their classic vanilla first to see their skill. And trust me, there is nothing basic about a vanilla cupcake made exceptionally well. As Bittersweet die-hards know, we now carry our Vanilla Pearl Cupcake every single day, but for quite some time it wasn’t even on the menu - and believe it or not it wasn’t the most controversial cake that was missing. Honestly, admitting this may very well have the bakery boycotted, but I feel that passionately about this topic that it’s my civic duty to share my long running love/hate relationship with Red Velvet Cake and why it took so long for me to add it to our master list. I think it’s the worst.
THERE. I SAID IT. I was able to avoid it for years, came up with every excuse. Even tried the natural route with the beet thing. Which by the way, dried beets smell horrifying and Red Velvet Cake isn’t that good to go through the trouble of attempting to replicate it with a different ingredient because my beef with the famed dessert doesn’t actually lie in its ingredients list, or it’s lack of flavor. Well, mostly. My problem is that Red Velvet is masquerading as something that it isn’t and I want to get this straight once and for all. Red velvet is in no way chocolate. So when you say “I mean it’s basically just chocolate, right?” Not only does it make my eye twitch but it’s very offensive to the beauty that is chocolate cake. If it’s “basically anything” it’s basically just red dye! Some of you are thinking “wait! There is some chocolate!” But not really. The amount in any
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recipe is so small, and when compared to the copious amount of dye needed to produce that ruby red hue, red velvet is known for any remnant of delicious chocolate is completely lost. In my opinion, if you had to label it as anything it’d be a buttermilk cake. So why not just do that? Buttermilk cake with the cream cheese buttercream that’s stealing the show anyway and is my bet as to why most of you even like the dessert. Or better yet, for those that insist that it’s “basically chocolate” why not do a chocolate buttermilk cake with cream cheese frosting? I’ll tell you why - those cakes will never be as popular and that’s because they’ll never have that iconic color that everyone has fallen in love with. Myself begrudgingly included, (if I don’t think about the why, and the surrounding controversy and history that fuels my obsession and makes it one of my very favorite topics to debate). While a form of a velvet cake can date back to the 1870’s, the origin story for the infamous red velvet cake is a little harder to track down, but I’ll tell you about the two with the most traction. The first being that it was a depression-era cake, where the red food coloring made up for the lack of cocoa. As the late John Egerton said it best “to me there seems no culinary reason why someone would dump that much food coloring into a cake” unless, of course, they had to. With that said that also helps the second theory, and the one I personally believe, which is that Austin-based Adams Extract company provided homemakers with the first ever recipe in an attempt to sell their red coloring. That’s right,
Red Velvet is a
TEXAN
(just don’t tell the people that think she came from Indiana. Or New York.) Regardless, while I can’t ever fully support the cake, red velvet and it’s messy history has forever earned its spot on my menu.
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The Best Things In Life Can Be Found In The
Bathtub STORY BY KALEE HUME, OWNER OF THE OILY BAR
Epsom Salt Bath Soaks. Bubbly Bubble Bars.
Colloidal Oatmeal.
Epsom salt dissolves in water into a magnesium and sulfate compound that when absorbed into the skin can help with certain ailments such as sprains, aches, swelling & insomnia (especially paired with sedative essential oils). At The Oily Bar, we use pure epsom salt mixed with essential oils and skin safe colors for a fun effect. When combining essential oils and epsom salt, the essential oil binds to the salt and then they dissolve together into the water and then into your skin, maximizing the effects of your bath.
Oatmeal is a tried and true method for sensitive skin. Oatmeal in its colloidal form is actually ground from the kernels of oats and blended into a fine powder that then dissolves in water. It has been used to treat a wide variety of skin conditions including atopic dermatitis, eczema, severe dry skin and minor burns. If you struggle with sensitive skin and many of the things above can irritate it, it might be best to stick with simplicity and colloidal oatmeal might just be your match!
Fizzy Bath Bombs. Bath bombs have beome a phenomenon of bath culture. They’re solid and hard strictures that when dropped into water fizz, bubble and foam and oftentimes fizz out different colors and you’re left with an instagram worthy bath pic. When we make our bath bombs, we use all natural ingredients only including kaolin clay for healthy skin, sweet almond oil for hydration and most importantly, scented with essential oils that not only smell phenomenal, but also upgrade the benefits of your bubbly soak.
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Bubble bars are newer on the bath market. They are basically solid forms of bubble bath. When you run your bath water, you hold them under warm water and they stream bubbles into your bath water. The benefits of these versus liquid bubble bath is that it is much more sustainable using no plastic, oftentimes cheaper and they smell delightful sitting next to your tub.
Hydrating Milk Bath. Milk baths are also a more modern component of bath taking. These often come in some sort of sache that can be placed in the water to then infuse your bath with a wonderful soothing milk bath. While these can be made from cows or goat milk, at The Oily Bar we are a plant based company and use oat, almond or coconut milk powders to create our milk baths. Benefits of milk baths can include hydrating skin, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin firmness, ease sunburns and improve inflammatory conditions.
When it comes to bath taking, many can find it ritualistic to run a bath and pop in their favorite bath product. At The Oily Bar, our hope is to enhance your bath experience with all natural bath products infused with essential oils. Please know that none of these claims are suited to diagnose or treat any ailment and we always encourage you to seek medical advice for any concerns.
Follow along @oilybar or www.theoilybar.com.
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hey
! r a g Su
STORY & PHOTOS BY MELISSA MCBRIDE
Let’s celebrate the art of the weekend getaway! A night or two away with a change of scenery can be good for the soul. Choose a destination and plan a quick road trip within a comfortable driving distance. Possibly budget a little extra to staycation in unique accommodations while immersing in the history and local color of places not too far from home. This year, I want to focus on shorter trips, living more intentionally in the moment, and enjoying the journey! First destination…Granbury, Texas! For the third consecutive year, this charmer won the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Travel Award for “The Best Historic Small Town in America”. One can easily see why Granbury is a favorite. Obviously rich in history, it is also well known for the Brazos River running right through the heart of town. The addition of Lake Granbury in 1969 brought even more attraction to the area. The downtown square is bustling! The majestic limestone courthouse commands attention. The beautiful, decorative clock tower is a Texas version of elegant French Second Empire architectural style. Granbury is named after Brigadier General Hiram B. Granbury, the Commander of the 7th Texas Infantry and Granbury’s Brigade. A statue honoring the General is poised next to the courthouse. Surrounding streets are lined with historical buildings of interest and Paramount recently chose this area to film scenes for their “1883” series. The buildings on the square are successfully filled. The stores, restaurants, wineries, coffee shops, and various businesses create the ambience of a healthy, energetic downtown.
Vibrant Grandbury has a new gem! Within walking distance from the busy square, you’ll find a magnificent boutique hotel. Hotel Lucy, in all of her opulent grandeur, sprawls gracefully over three meticulously developed acres on Pearl Street, directly across from Granbury City Beach Park. The hotel grounds include a group of several well-designed and visually cohesive buildings with various names, but all have surprisingly different interiors and rooms with incredible individual style.
Big Lucy is the main building and has seven private, gorgeous theme rooms. Each has its own luxurious bath. Sitting areas, balconies and patios are sprinkled throughout. In the front courtyard, there is a massive outdoor stone fireplace. As you cross the threshold of the inviting, vintage front doors, you enter the creative and glamourous imagination of entrepreneur and visionary Vicki Nivens. You are met with high-end finishes, tactile fabrics, textures and color pops. To the left is a luxe bar where guests may gather for a daily happy hour. Nestled in the center of Big Lucy is a dream kitchen and a designated common area that is anything but common. Two dramatic crystal and beaded chandeliers hover over a giant, antique wood top island that beckons a small gathering and good conversation. Looking towards the center of the property from the upstairs back balcony of Big Lucy, an oversized white tent with Hotel Lucy’s pretty logo defines an outdoor space ready to accommodate up to 75 guests. There is also an adjacent designated indoor event facility. Need catering? No problem! Vicki is the owner of all five of the award-winning Hard Eight BBQ restaurants. Up the hill, past vignettes of pristine black and white umbrellas and white Adirondack chairs, sits one of three additional accommodation options, The Little Lucy. This two-story rental has three stylish suites and a retro kitchen common area. LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // FEBRUARY/MARCH 2022
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The Vivi House is next door and has two bedrooms and overlooks the Hollywood-esque swimming pool. Located one block away, The Leona is also a two-bedroom home, and yet all of the hotel property perks are still included. So many choices! Being an artist who also enjoys theme decorating, perusing their website (hotel-lucy.com) is somewhat addictive and it was difficult to narrow down my suite selection. As pink tends to be my personal signature color, and having a designated pink room at home, I chose Hey Sugar...known as the crowning glory of Hotel Lucy. I’m only offering a sneak peek into this one suite because I want you to go online and have fun dreaming of the eclectic aesthetics just waiting for your future getaway. I’m encouraging you to personally enjoy The Lucy Tribe’s attention to detail.
Every. Fabulous. Detail. The experience of the various room themes, the impeccable hospitality and cleanliness, and the pursuit of excellence in branding are all just a short drive away. Hey Sugar is LUSH. Just one of the focal points is the ohso-glam sitting area. This vaulted space is illuminated by a cascading gold light fixture with nine dazzling porcelain and elongated glass globes. The sofa, drapes, and throw pillows are made of sensuous, soft to the touch, pink velvet. Gold hardware richly secures the drapes. Draw them open to expose the ethereal white sheers embellished with sweet, tiny pearls and enjoy a view of the lake. Imagine mirrored furnishings, gold gilt touches, and white Tibetan lamb accents. Picture yourself surrounded in layers of luxurious linens, whimsical art, and lots of pink! The elegance continues into the well-appointed bathroom. The custom millwork is accented with beveled glass knobs and thick white marble countertops. Enjoy ultra-soft robes, a large soaking tub, thoughtful little touches (even the blow dryer is blush pink!), and quality bath products. This suite has all the amenities for a perfect pampering retreat. The alluring Hotel Lucy signature scent faintly dances throughout the hotel. Guests may purchase the room atomizer, the pale pink bath salts, or a double wick candle next door at Vicki’s gift shop, The Pearl. This playful boutique is stocked with all types of home and entertaining goods, clothing, jewelry, and lots of fun and flirty merchandise. I drove away relaxed and with a shopping bag of small treasures carefully wrapped in black and white striped tissue and handles delightfully tied in pink tulle. Until the next adventure…live intentionally and in the moment with a bag packed and your heart full of gratitude!
-Melissa 22
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Discover Downtown WAXAHACHIE Farmhouse Winter blues? Ready for Spring? Come check out our wide selection of home and garden décor and pick up something to brighten your day…and your home! Monday - Saturday, 10-5 Home - Garden - Antiques - Art 972.938.9090 | 308 S. College St. | Waxahachie
Farmhouse308.com
Savvy Boheme The Ginger on Rogers Street - Body Soufflé: The Body Soufflé that makes you want to DANCE! Shea Butter, Sea Buckthorn Oil and GINGER! Total moisturizer and warmth! For face + body + hair! Free African Black Soap cube with purchase of Body Soufflé ($5.99 value) 214.225.8587 | 308 S. Rogers St. | Waxahachie
Facebook.com/SavvyBoheme
LOCAL AUTHOR Good Grief Celebrate Your Life by Jason Harris
• Have you ever lost a loved one? • Do you struggle with what to say to a friend who has lost someone? • Do feel stuck in your grief, wondering if that’s normal? • Would you like to have a quiet conversation with an author who can walk you through it? • Scan the code and consider the book or even having Jason come do a free grief seminar.
scan for more info
Exciting Things are Happening in
ENNIS...
Diamond E Interiors Diamond E Interiors offers vintage treasures and specialty home goods as well as interior decorating, curated furnishings, and event styling. Shop our hand picked vintage collections at Atelier Antiques & Old Town Village Antiques located in historic downtown Waxahachie - South Rogers St. Check out our portfolio of more than 400+ pictures on Facebook & Instagram @DiamondEInteriors Call or Text (469)853-3424 for any questions about interior decorating, event styling or if you’re just looking for that one of a kind piece.
Gingerbread Antiques Springtime, summer, winter or fall, we have antiques for them all. Stroll 7,000 square feet of hand-picked, always authentic, antique and vintage treasures for everyday living and special occasions. Open 7 days a week, come on in and see what’s new at Gingerbread Antiques! 972.937.0968 | 310 S. College St. | Waxahachie
Facebook.com/GingerbreadAntiquesTX
Charcuterie By Kasey Making beautiful boxes and spreads for any occasion. Let Charcuterie by Kasey create a masterpiece at your next celebration, gathering or holiday event!
Kasey Hovis, Owner 469.765.5148 charcuteriebykasey@gmail.com Instagram: @charcuterie_by_kasey
CharcuterieByKasey.square.site
Bluebonnet Spirit Shop The Bluebonnet Spirit Shop offers a wide assortment of Ennis Bluebonnet memorabilia, including clothing, accessories, and home décor.
Sponsored by Ennis Main Street, proceeds from all sales go back into downtown to expand and increase programming.
204 W. Knox St. | Ennis Instagram: @bluebonnetspiritshop
BluebonnetSpiritShop.com
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NEW YEAR DREAM HOME BY MALLORY WALKER WITH WALKER DESIGN & CO
I had the privilege of designing this home from the ground up. The homeowners brought a great vision to the table and wanted to stay ahead of design trends to create a timeless and sophisticated design. We took our inspiration from Dream Home Makeover with Studio McGee and focused on all the details to design this stunning dream custom home!
CLEAN LINES From the board and batten to the outline of the shower niches, we went with clean lines though out the home! The master bath’s focal point is a free-standing accent wall located behind the tub which features oversized shiplap. This keeps the master bath light and bright and is one of my favorite design details! The clean lines continue through the black windows and French doors leading to the outdoor entertaining space. We decided to pass on the crown molding but included an oversized baseboard with a smooth finish.
DARK ACCENTS & CONTRAST To create flow through out this home, we painted the interior doors black to pop but softened the contrast by matching the wall paint to the trim! The family room features a black shiplap ceiling, which is one of my favorite trends to create contrast while keeping the overall look of the space light and bright. We used Sherwin Williams’ 2021 Color of the Year, Urbane Bronze, in both the home gym and lounge accenting both the walls and trim it creates a moody and sophisticated atmosphere!
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INVEST IN QUALITY FURNITURE Not only did we select interior finishes, but we also invested in new furniture and staged every room in this stunning home! Quality furniture is worth the investment! We selected furniture that was not only stylish but could withstand the test of time! Textiles such as accent pillows and rugs as well as wall art are a couple of décor items I usually like to upgrade to create a sophisticated design plan!
If building your dream custom home is on your to do list for 2022, start with a written design plan! This is one of the best tips I can share as a designer! From paint selections to lighting, having a written plan for your home build can help you and everyone else on your team achieve your dream home! WANT TO SEE MORE OF THIS FEATURED HOME? FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @ELLISCOUNTYLIVING
LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // FEBRUARY/MARCH 2022
TOYS, TOYS
E V E RY W H E R E
STORY BY KATE DUCKWORTH PHOTOS BY GRANT DUCKWORTH PHOTOGRAPHY
“HOW IN THE WORLD DID WE ACCUMULATE SO MUCH STUFF?!” 30
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Surely, I’m not the only one that feels this way. Along with kids (I have three of them) comes lots of collections. Little ones are more likely to stay organized if they have systems in place. Most of my clients have children, too, so organization is something that’s a must in all of my designs. I’m going to share some tips with you to help tackle the clutter. I love to group items together and organize them as an artistic collection. In this colorful playroom, I made an entire wall of books. We hung shallow shelving along a feature wall, allowing for their books to be proudly displayed. This gives a place for everything, allows the reader to see all of the books they have to choose from, and makes for a pretty cute, ever-evolving art installation. It’s a simple addition that could be added to most any room.
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Another item I use in most of my organizational projects is baskets. Baskets are so versatile and can be used to store objects of many different sizes and shapes. The baskets under the book wall are mesh, making it easy to see what is inside. I also love to hang baskets up on the wall, allowing for toys to be found easily and for them to double as art. Take a look at the stuffed animals playfully hanging out in bushel baskets. Most kids have tiny collections with millions of pieces (think Legos or Barbies). It’s a challenge to organize them in a way they can be both easily accessible and orderly. Having specific storage containers for these items is crucial. It’s a bonus if the containers can have multiple uses. We found these large, colorful blocks that are made for Lego organization. They double as decoration and seating. Once all microscopic pieces are inside, the lid hides them all away. In order for your game room to stay organized, there must be some systems set in place. Sometimes thinking outside of the box (or basket in this case) is the perfect solution. Utilizing vertical space and unexpected storage containers can be the solution for arranging unruly toys.
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ORGANIZATIONAL TIPS & TOOLS: GROUP ITEMS TOGETHER & ORGANIZE AS AN ARTISTIC COLLECTION SHELVING BASKETS STORAGE CONTAINERS UTILIZE VERTICAL SPACE & UNEXPECTED STORAGE BINS THAT CAN DOUBLE AS DECOR OR SEATING
LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // FEBRUARY/MARCH 2022
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ECMGA PRESENTS
BY SUSAN KNAPP, ECMGA 2022 PRESIDENT
HOMESTEAD HEROES
The Ellis County Master Gardeners can’t wait to see you at the Waxahachie Civic Center for our 21st annual Lawn and Garden Expo on March 26th, 2022. Our theme is Homesteading Heroes and this year we focus on teaching you how to have a sustainable landscape and home through urban homesteading. This idea took root when our ECMGA Calendar chairperson, Pam Daniel, brought the idea as a theme for our 2022 calendar in response to the pandemic and supply shortages we have all experienced. So, whether you want to have a large home vegetable garden or simply grow a few tomatoes and peppers, have a more droughttolerant landscape or want to raise chickens or bees, we have something for everyone at this Expo. The Ellis County Master program is an arm of the Texas land grant university, Texas A&M. We serve the Ellis County AgriLife Extension Service under the direction of Mark Arnold, CEA. Master Gardeners are an army of passionate horticultural volunteers committed to helping you become successful gardeners. Our mission is to provide you with the latest research-based horticultural information.
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HERE IS WHERE WE ARE IN THE COMMUNITY: We have three demonstration gardens Ridgeview Park in Midlothian, the Butterfly Garden and Getzendaner Learning Garden in Waxahachie. Visit these educational gardens to learn more about how and what to grow in your own garden and gain new ideas for your landscape.
nds a s u o h t u o y r e f “We will oft plants in our area of the bes e best prices!” at th
Last year, our 2021 ECMGA Calendar won a first-place award at the Texas Master Gardener conference. Pick up a free calendar at one of our events or at our calendar sponsors’ place of business. Tune in to our radio program on KBEC radio 99.1 FM or 1390 AM every Saturday at 8:00 am hosted by Master Gardeners Scotty Rigsby, Pam Daniel or Sheila Cloonen. Find us every Saturday at the Farmer’s Market, May through October, and other places in the community. Check out our website at ECMGA.com and sign up there for our monthly E-Gardening newsletter. Contact our help desk with your gardening questions via phone, email or through our Facebook page. Email: ellismg@ag.tamu.edu Phone: 972-825-5175
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GARDENINGforFUN the WHOLE FAMILY! The children’s workshop at the Ellis County Master Gardeners Expo is a popular place for kids and their parents to visit. Both the children and adults enjoy the educational exhibits, the hands-on activities and the fun learning atmosphere provided by the Master Gardener volunteers. This year our theme will be “Heroes of the Garden” and we will help children discover all the creepy, crawly, buzzing creatures that can be our helpful heroes in the garden. From pollinating bees and butterflies to wiggly worms and more, we will explore how all these creatures work together to help us be better gardeners. We will also be exploring ways that we, as young gardeners, can personally be “Heroes of the Garden” by encouraging good gardening practices and wise use of our resources. Be sure to bring your curiosity and questions as we learn together how our gardens can flourish and thrive with proper care. We appreciate the Indian Trail Master Naturalists and Laura Elkins, author of Miracles in the Garden: Building a Butterfly Garden and Raising Monarch Butterflies for working in partnership with us to provide fun learning exhibits throughout the day. The workshop will be filled with “kid sized” gardening enjoyment with crafts, and take-home surprises to help remember the day. So come join us as we explore how to identify and be “Heroes of the Garden”.
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MASTER GARDENER?! The Master Gardener training program involves over 70 hours of classroom education provided by Texas A&M professors and other experts, followed by 75 hours of field training. Many of our Master Gardeners have had advanced training in trees, vegetable gardening, landscaping, plant diseases and pests and many other areas of expertise. This year we have had, by far, the largest Master Gardener intern class in our history. Our classes are held annually, and you can find more information about how to become a Master Gardener on our website. ECMGA.com
We hope you enjoy this 2022 Ellis County Master Gardener Lawn and Garden Expo! Bring the kids, we’ll have some fun exhibits for them, and don’t forget we will offer you thousands of the best plants for our area at the best prices! BEFORE 36 LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // FEBRUARY/MARCH 2022 BEFORE
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Ellis County Master GardenErs
Monthly Tips
BY MELINDA KOCIAN, ELLIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS ASSOCIATION
"Dandelion flowers are usually some of the first blooms of Spring.."
tips for
FEBRUARY
PLANTING
tips for PLANTING
• • Cool-season vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale and potatoes should be planted mid-month, or about 4 weeks prior • to the average last freeze date (March 15 in Ellis County). Beets, carrots, lettuce, radishes, spinach, Swiss chard and “greens” (collard, • mustard and turnip) should be planted 2 to 4 weeks prior to the average last freeze. • • Plant asparagus crowns in 10-12 inches of soil. When buying crowns, look for 2-year old root systems with healthy roots. • When buying plants, biggest is not always best, especially with bareroot plants. Small to medium sizes establish faster. • • Dig and divide warm-season perennials (cannas, coneflowers, perennial salvia, mums) before they break dormancy. •
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MARCH
Plant trees, shrubs and woody ornamentals from nursery containers. Plant slightly above ground line to allow root flare to be exposed. Transplant small trees & shrubs while they are dormant. Water the plant well before digging it. Plant cold-tolerant herbs such as chives, cilantro, garlic & parsley; onion transplants late month. Seed for warm-weather annuals can be planted in flats in a temperature-controlled environment. Tomatoes and peppers can be started from seed mid-month. All require bright light and warm temperatures (60-70ºF). Use grow lights for best results. Tulip & hyacinth bulbs which have been chilled for 8 weeks should be planted immediately. Plant blackberries, fruit & nut trees. Contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service - Ellis County at 972-825-5175 or visit http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/fruit-nut for recommended varieties. Cultivar or variety selection is critical.
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On Trend in 2022 STORY BY CINDY BURCH
Never in our wildest dreams would we have expected last year to be our biggest ever in sales. But it was. Not only did we survive 2020, but like so many other businesses we came roaring back in 2021 because our customers were anxious to get out of the house and return to a sense of normalcy. They supported us daily by having lunch, buying new clothes, shopping for their home and choosing gifts for friends. Despite the supply chain issues, the rise in shipping rates and the shortage of employees, customers were ready to get out and shop after being isolated for so long. It was an incredibly challenging, gratifying, and exhausting year, all rolled into one. Although I’m encouraged for 2022, the same challenges still hang over us as we go into the new year. Containers are still delayed; help is even harder to find, and prices continue to rise. However, after attending the spring gift market last week I am happy to report a beautiful season of new and exciting merchandise is on the horizon. The color gray is waning and lots of vibrant colors are back “in” for our world of fashion and decor. As much as I like Joanna Gaines, her use of gray for the last few years is getting very boring. Our world needs a new fixer upper with colors that lift us out of the doldrums and make us smile. Bohemian is a big look this year along with modern/ urban chic. Both trends are in retro colors that I have not seen since my mother switched out the kitchen appliances from avocado green to harvest gold in 1972. We will see more designs bringing in those muted nature colors such as leafy greens, bark browns and cloudy whites. But we are also seeing cornflower blue, yellow and pink that are prevalent in clothing, dishes, handbags, and furniture. Old school macrame plant hangers and wicker chairs are even back. But between you and me, I’m hoping disco balls don’t follow the trend.
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Moroccan, Mid-Century Modern and Farmhouse continue to be strong, and we are most excited in seeing antiques making a comeback. For months now, supply-chain issues have been a big problem for anyone building a home, redecorating a room, or even shopping for a friend’s birthday. As a natural reaction to that, second-hand shopping has increased in popularity, especially when it comes to furniture and larger accessories. Many homeowners are focusing their money and attention on items more readily available and top designers around the world are showing us that nothing is more beautiful than mixing in vintage pieces with texture like soft velvets, woven furniture, and rugs. These elements help add warmth and create an inviting space. Wallpaper is also a big look again with metallics, farmyard toiles, exotic jungle palms and calico flower prints. Surprisingly low-tech items are trending like paper calendars, stationery and writing implements such as pens and pencils. Humorous birthday cards, gift wrapping paper and journals are also strong. People are tired of a world filled with just high-tech gadgets and colorless rooms. Even the official Pantone Color of the Year went from Ultimate Gray in 2021 to this year’s Very Peri, a soft periwinkle encompassing blues with violet - red undertones. At the end of the day, trends are about more than just a color or pattern du jour—they are a great reflection of where we are collectively as a society, what we are prioritizing, and what we are impacted by.
If the past couple of years has taught us anything, it is time for some color and joy in our lives! Cindy Burch
