CELINA - Life & Luxury Magazine

C elina Celina’s Community Magazine Since 2014 April 2021 | Issue 85 LifeAndLuxuryMagazine.com/Celina

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What’s Inside

C elina

Life & Luxury Magazine™

April 2021 | Issue 85

Family 6

5 Tips to Spring Clean Your Home Inside and Out

Community 8 Celina ISD News:

Springing Towards the Finish Line 9

Celina April Development Report

10

Meet the Celina City Council Candidates

12

Meet the Celina ISD School Board Candidates

Homefront 14 7 Steps to Save Money on a Remodel 16

The Attention your Landscape Needs after that Extreme Weather Event

In Good Taste 18 Give Spring Salads a Fresh Spin Fashion & Beauty 20 2021 Spring Women’s Fashion Trends

Publisher Heather Reynolds Heather@CedarbrookMedia.com Creative Director Jason Reynolds Jason@CedarbrookMedia.com Director of Sales & Marketing Mark Mattison Mark@CedarbrookMedia.com Photography Jason Reynolds - Cedarbrook Media Group www.CedarbrookMedia.com Production/Design Cedarbrook Media Group, LLC Design@CedarbrookMedia.com Editorial Please send editorial considerations to Editor@CedarbrookMedia.com CELINA - Life & Luxury Magazine PO Box 405, Prosper, Texas 75078 972.347.6231 www.LifeAndLuxuryMagazine.com/Celina Advertising Information For media kits, contact Advertising at

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Travel 22 How to Plan for a Future Vacation

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Contributing Writers Heather Reynolds Jimmie Gibson | Stacy Cate | Tom Maglisceau 4 | Celina LifeAndLuxuryMagazine.com

CELINA Life & Luxury Magazine is wholly owned and published by Cedarbrook Media Group, LLC. CELINA Life & Luxury Magazine is published 12 times a year. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or copied whole or in part without expressed written permission from the publisher, Cedarbrook Media Group, LLC. ©2020. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. The title and all material are protected by international copyright laws and are reserved. Although the greatest of care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this magazine at time of going to press, neither CELINA Life & Luxury Magazine nor Cedarbrook Media Group, LLC can be held liable for omissions, inexactness or errors.

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Life & Luxury Magazine Family

5 Tips to Spring Clean Your Home Inside and Out Spring cleaning isn’t just about purging dirt and grime. It’s also the perfect opportunity to take inventory of items around your home. As you tackle this season’s cleaning, look for ways to improve your overall living space, from getting rid of things you no longer need to adding items that can work harder for you. Consider these ways to tackle your home inside and out this spring.

MAKE ORGANIZING EASIER As you clean each space, look for easy ways to reduce unsightly messes and improve organization. If your entryway always becomes a jumbled pile of shoes and coats, consider adding a storage bench and hooks to bring some order to the area. If the kids’ toys always accumulate in the living room, add a storage chest or large baskets to store them when not in use. If tools and equipment make the garage unusable, install shelving units to keep everything in place.

ELIMINATE THE EXCESS Spring cleaning is also an opportunity to declutter and make way for something new, either by donating or selling unused things. Whether it’s last season’s fashion and accessories or unused tech and fitness gear, that item you never used – or haven’t used in a while – may be exactly what someone else is looking for. Online platforms can make the process easy and be a way to earn extra cash or help fund other home upgrades.

Look for marketplaces that help you maximize your return; eBay, for example, is giving sellers 200 free listings every month, meaning you only pay after your items sell.

REIMAGINE YOUR LIVING SPACE If one area is becoming too crowded or doesn’t serve your family’s needs, consider items you can repurpose for another part of the home.

For example, move an unused chair in your living room into a bedroom to create a reading nook. Keep your focus on function as you make changes that accommodate your lifestyle.

MAKE SMART ADDITIONS Once you’ve cleared your space, and sold things you no longer need, you can convert that extra cash into reliable home appliances and tech.

For example, purchase or upgrade items like vacuums, lawn mowers, power washers, drills and more to help take your spring cleaning to the next level. You can make your money go further by choosing certified refurbished products; some marketplaces like eBay offer inventory that has been professionally inspected by the manufacturer, or a manufacturer-approved vendor, to look, feel and work like new.

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COMMIT TO REVISITING REGULARLY It’s easy to let clutter and disorganization slide when you get busy with life’s demands. Once your spring cleaning and reorganizing is complete, commit to reassessing your home on a monthly or quarterly basis so you can make small adjustments along the way, rather than face a major project every year.

SHOP SMARTER Considering refurbished products for your shopping list can expand your options and make it easier to purchase top-of-the-line brands without going over budget. From tech and small kitchen appliances to outdoor power equipment, you can discover a breadth of items often in like-new condition.

SHOP FOR MULTI-PURPOSE ITEMS When upgrading your arsenal of gadgets, tools and small appliances, look for items that can serve multiple purposes. For example, many vacuums can transform into steamers or include mop attachments and some pressure cookers can also be used as air fryers.

FEEL CONFIDENT IN YOUR PURCHASE Sometimes upgrading means investing in a premium product you can count on to last longer than entry-level models. With eBay’s Certified Refurbished program, you can find popular, professionally inspected name brands at up to 50% off, all of which are backed by industryleading two-year warranties for peace of mind.

KEEP SUSTAINABILITY IN MIND Keeping functionality in mind and buying like-new items not only saves you money now and in the future but can also help protect the planet by extending the life of products and reducing unnecessary waste.

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Life & Luxury Magazine Community

Celina ISD News: Springing Towards the Finish Line Our kids have been recognized all year for their many talents in academics, the fine arts, and athletics. CHS hosted District One Act Play competition and was one of three plays selected to advance to the Bi District contest held at the end of March. Our CHS cast, technical crew, and individual actors all received high accolades for their work through their successful march toward state competition. CHS students also competed in the District UIL Academic contest held at the end of March, placing 3rd overall with fourteen students qualifying for Regionals.

Both our boys and girls soccer teams are currently making deep runs into the playoffs, and our spring sports teams are having great success in district play. It is truly wonderful to see our kids competing so successfully after so many seasons had to be cancelled last spring.

The most recent report from our district’s demographer shows our city is now seeing the exponential growth we have anticipated for some time now. If you’ve traveled up Preston Road or Louisiana Street, you’ve likely seen work is well underway at the site of our new middle school, just west of the high school. Very soon behind the opening of this school in the fall of 2022, we anticipate opening our third and fourth elementary schools, perhaps each one year after the other if our current pace of growth continues.

We remain committed to working with parents, staff, and our community as we work together to manage the various growing pains that will occur as we grow beyond the capacity of our current facilities. Before long, we will need to begin discussing shifts in our elementary school attendance zones as new schools come online, and certainly our growth into a 5A and then ultimately 6A high school will necessitate new programs and new challenges. Beyond the need for two more elementary schools and high school additions, by 2025 we will likely be looking at the need to build a second middle school. With the opening of the Celina Collin College campus this fall, Celina ISD will be able to expand course offerings for our high school students while also utilizing the Collin campus to lessen the enrollment impact on our high school campus.

As we continue to prepare for the final dismissal, we are working hard to ensure the return of many important end of year events our kids and campuses missed out on last spring. Our elementary campuses are scheduling field day and end-of-year awards and celebrations. We anticipate all our spring athletic teams will be preparing for playoffs in numerous divisions, and prom and graduation planning committees are eager to ensure these events will proceed as planned. And finally, although our district and community recognize that school accountability should not be driven merely by state testing, we are fully participating in state testing beginning April 6. These tests, as well as the results of our spring district common assessments, AP College Board tests, and SAT/ACT tests will provide our teachers and administrators with solid information about our success in closing gaps due to lost instruction over the past year.

To our parents and our community, thank you for partnering with our schools to ensure our kids could successfully learn and compete throughout the year. Go Bobcats!

Tom Maglisceau Superintendent, Celina ISD

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DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Fast Facts

APR 2021

Code Enforcement Scoreboard

Population: 30,818 Sales Tax Revenue: $362,595 New Homes Permitted: 262 Construction Inspections: 6,625

New Homes Avg. New Home Value: $447,724.97 Avg. Square Feet: 3,656

Commercial Projects 3 Permits Issued Prosper Elementary Modular Classrooms - 1616 Montgomery Ln Annie Jack Back Patio - 309 W Pecan St Summer Moon - 306 W Walnut

Scan the QR code to view Restaurant Inspection Scores.

Most New Homes by Neighborhood

1 Certificate of Occupancy Gateway Mortgage Group - 1341 S Preston Rd Su. B

New Neighborhoods Greenway Phase 2 The Homestead at Ownsby Farms Phase 2 (partial) *Please note that all numbers reflect data from the month of March 2021

LifeAndLuxuryMagazine.com Celina | 9

Life & Luxury Magazine Community

Meet the Celina City Council Candidates JAY PIERCE, PLACE 2 I have a strong passion for Celina, and I am humbled and excited to have the opportunity to serve on Celina City Council. I believe that my resume of very diverse experiences (Army Combat Veteran, Businessman, Community Engagement, Family man) makes me uniquely qualified and allows me to take a holistic approach to problem solving and finding solutions.

My passion for community involvement started with coaching my son’s flag football team for 3 seasons. It was a great way to connect with different families across Celina.

I have been the HOA Board president for DC Ranch the past 3 years working with my fellow board members to create an inclusive, family friendly community and to protect property values. I also served as a member of the Celina ISD Student Health Advisory Committee for 2 years. I expanded my community involvement to include strong engagement with our city through an appointment to the Celina Economic Development Corporation, which I’ve served on for the past 2.5 years. I was also a member of the Celina Census 2020 Complete Count Committee this past year.

One key priority for my term is to act as a liaison between the citizens and small businesses and the city. I want to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. As a city official elected by the citizens, I want to support in addressing and finding resolution to issues brought to the Council by the citizens and small businesses. Some potential options to address are to initiate community meetings in the different neighborhoods across Celina in which members of City Council can hear city resident concerns in a smaller setting which would allow for more dialogue. Also, I would like to work to develop a small business committee comprised of small business owners to again allow the City Council members to hear concerns directly and discuss ways to collaborate on solutions. Additionally, I believe the City is doing a lot of great things and works to engage the community. However, I think there is an opportunity to establish more procedures and processes that would allow for greater transparency between the city and the citizens and increased community engagement.

When you move to a city, you are making a personal investment in that city, with your home and your family. Whether you’ve lived here your whole life, 10 years, 3 years, or have just moved to Celina, I think we all have a shared passion for what Celina is and what we want it to be. While growth is inevitable, I think we can manage it strategically with the input of all our citizens and businesses to ensure that we are working toward a shared image and successful future. Please follow me on Facebook at Jay Pierce for Celina City Council.

ANDY “HOP” HOPKINS, PLACE 3 Celina City Council City of Celina - Finance Committee Celina Chamber of Commerce - Board of Directors First United Methodist Church - Church Council Celina American Legion Post - Commander and Founding member My wife Debbie and I feel so lucky to be able to live in Celina. It’s like no other community we’ve ever known. While we all know there is tremendous growth happening now and much more on the way, Celina still has the charm and feel of a small town. I believe our historic downtown will be the centerpiece of the city for generations to come, and it serves as the heart and common bond for everyone in Celina. We can all be very proud of it.

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I have been very involved in the growth of Downtown, creating the Neighborhood Empowerment Zone (NEZ.) This program allows downtown residents and businesses to get rebates on their impact fees when making renovations and new builds. It’s a win-win for the city and its merchants, because it encourages folks to take on these upgrade projects while helping them mitigate some of the costs. One entire neighborhood, Celina Village, was built because the NEZ made it possible. The NEZ led the way for the Downtown Tax Incremental Reinvestment Zone. This is a tax reinvestment program that puts sales tax money back into downtown businesses. It is very expensive to rehab old buildings and can be cost prohibitive to small business owners.

The TIRZ has been able to provide money to offset some of those large costs and encourage growth. Many of the downtown businesses wouldn’t be there today if not for the Downtown TIRZ, which I helped create.

The Dallas Business Journal recently mentioned Celina’s amazing growth. Because there is 10 miles of the Tollway and Preston located in Celina (more than any other city,) we have all known for quite a while that major growth is coming our way. That’s a positive thing for us, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t direct how that growth occurs. WE CAN! I am concerned about how the new neighborhoods will be laid out, and so I have directed the City Manager and Staff to work in ways to lower density in them. Some of them have as much as 23 percent park and green space which include trails that are connected to other neighborhoods, which will give our city a more connected feel. Another way to lower density is by requiring developers to build alleys behind the smallest lots. This is now a standard piece of development agreements.

It’s been one of the great honors in my life to represent and serve the citizens of Celina as a member of our City Council. I believe I am the best candidate to continue in this roll. I bring solutions, a positive attitude and a servant’s heart to a city and people I love dearly. Elect me and I will continue to work hard and smart for the community I’m proud to call home. Please contact me on Facebook: @HopForCelina or at HopForCelina@yahoo.com.

LANFORD RODGERS, PLACE 3 My Platform: First Responders Control high water bills Strategic Growth I plan to focus on improving the work environment for our first responders and help them protect our citizens and our prosperous community. We as a city, must do our best to create a strong dependable community for them to lean on when they’re in need. The city has hired 22 officers in the past two years and lost 11. The men & women of CPD are overworked and understaffed. In addition, the fire department in the past two years hired eight staff and lost nine. Although I have never been a firefighter or paramedic, it’s clear to see they are slightly understaffed as well. First responders are vital to the heart of the city, especially a growing city such as Celina.

If I’m elected, I will address the staffing issues and assist the new Police Chief along with the Fire Chief with the resources they need to acquire and maintain adequate numbers and good personnel.

I would like to lower some citizens’ water bills by removing the additional charge for a 1” diameter pipe in their household plumbing and to get our base and tier rates lower to compete with surrounding cities and towns.

I believe in strategic growth for the city. For example, Preston Rd is a major arterial and should be reserved for major future business’. The square has seen tremendous growth, but I believe growth should also include the other parts of the city especially the south end of Celina because if we build up this area in Celina, we can keep more tax dollars instead of the taxes going to the neighboring cities and help to build Celina into an economic powerhouse.

Differing from strategic growth, I don’t believe in eminent domain or annexation of a person’s property. In addition, I believe the city should not use the taxpayers money to acquire properties via eminent domain. If they do, the citizens should be able vote on it. Most of the residents have been a part of Celina for years and have helped make it a great community. As for annexation, the city should allow all people that had their properties annexed to obtain the right to cast their vote immediately. This will only apply to certain items that may impact them directly. Upon the passing of annexing their property, instead of making them wait until the official date of annexing we should give them the right to vote, thus not depriving them and the right to reject or approve things that impact them in the future since we already know they will be future residents.

Overall, my goal is to have the city and council to be transparent and a good steward of taxpayers’ money at all times. More oversight on city manager’s spending on severance packages and any other single matter with a certain dollar amount. Not to impede his job, but make him be held accountable.

LifeAndLuxuryMagazine.com Celina | 11

Life & Luxury Magazine Community

Meet the Celina ISD School Board Candidates TRACEY BALSAMO, PLACE 5 Lived in Celina 22 years Graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of science degree Local business owner for 20 years FAMILY: My husband Steve Balsamo and I have been married for 27 years. Both of our children Chance and Colbie Balsamo started Kindergarten in CISD at Lykins Elementary and were able to attend each campus throughout their education graduating from Celina HS. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: School Board member CISD 6 years School Board member for the First United Methodist Church preschool Fundraiser Chair; Fidelis Inter Se- (women’s service group ) Finance Committee First United Methodist Church Pre School Director First United Methodist Church CISD team Leader- organizing school events as well as after school activities on multiple campuses I have a passion for volunteering my time, experience, and talents to the Celina School District. I want to continue working on the growth plans for our community to ensure every student receives an EXCELLENT education at CISD to prepare them for a great future. I want to ensure each child has the resources needed to reach his or her potential with adding more CTE classes and trade school certificates.

I want to Attract and keep the most capable and qualified teachers. I know this year has been such a challenge for the kids, teachers and every parent.

I want to THANK Teachers for everything they have sacrificed in order to keep our district in - person learning. I am so proud of the students of Celina for the sacrifices they made in order to have in-person learning and being able to participate in UIL activities. I want to THANK all of the parents of a Celina student for your patience and support during this challenging year.

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VICKY HOGUE, PLACE 7 As a parent in this district, I know that the district has many great qualities however, I also know that at times we can be reluctant to acknowledge the opportunities and gaps that exists within the district.

It is time to look hard at the district and acknowledge that diversity gaps exist. People of Color make up over 30% of the district.

The Hispanic community makes up 24% of the district, and yet they are not represented anywhere in the district. We have schools in the district that do not have any teachers of color. How can the district truly understand and address the needs of our diverse community if they are not represented anywhere? As the community grows more diverse, we will need to find ways to ensure People of Color are represented in leadership positions. As a Mother, a professional and a person of color, I want to work with the parents of Celina to ensure the best equitable educational experience for all students. The world is quickly changing, and the district needs to address the diversity gaps to ensure a fair and equitable education for all children. I believe that Parents are the key to understanding the needs of the district. Parents need to have a trusted place where they can be heard, and our point of view can be shared. I want to build a stronger partnership between parents and the district. Parents understand what is best for their kids and they need to feel free to share their needs with the district. It is important that the school board partners with our parents, teachers, and students to ensure the best decisions are made for our district. Not everybody is willing to speak up, because it is very difficult to do, but that does not mean they we have no issues within the district, it just means we need to work harder to understand them.

My passion is driving diversity, because being Mexican myself I know firsthand how hard it can be when you do not truly feel accepted. Children especially need to see diversity in leadership. They need clear examples of what is attainable. With no person of color represented anywhere in the district, what message are we sending out to the community. As a Mother, a professional and a person of color, I want to give a voice to our diverse community and be an example of what is possible.

KELLY JUERGENS, PLACE 6 TODD SNYDER, PLACE 7

LifeAndLuxuryMagazine.com Celina | 13

Life & Luxury Magazine Homefront

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Every homeowner has a defined budget he or she can allocate toward a remodeling project. Even if funds were unlimited, it’s still in a homeowner’s best interest to secure the best value for each dollar invested in a remodeling project, ultimately increasing the value of the home.

Consider these tips from the experts at the National Association for the Remodeling Industry to help save money on your next project.

1. Determine how far your budget will go.

Create a wish list of everything you want to accomplish. Disregard cost and simply write down everything you can dream of. Prioritize items from “must haves” to “nice but not necessary.” Find a contractor who will work with you to determine whether your wish list is attainable for the funds you are willing to invest in your home.

Local Expertise Innovative Approach Real Integrity STACY CATE

2. Decide how to handle budget overages.

If you can’t get far enough down the list with the available money, you could choose to stop the process and continue saving, investigate financing options, re-evaluate your wish list or consider material substitutions.

3. Make material selections you can afford.

Every project will have a set of required materials, but there are options when it comes to variety, style and quality.

Cabinets: Subtle changes like forgoing custom rustic cherry cabinets with plywood cabinet sides for regular cherry cabinets with furniture board sides can achieve the same look at a lower cost.

Countertops: Natural stone and quartz countertops are popular, but advances in the design options for lower-cost countertop materials have rejuvenated their popularity, too. With the proper usage and protection, nearly all countertop materials can support your everyday needs.

Millwork: Painted millwork has dominated the market for many years and solid maple is the preferred choice because the tight grain allows for a beautiful, smooth surface. However, the cost is multiple times that of vinyl and equally appealing when finished properly.

Flooring: Advances in synthetic materials make them difficult to distinguish from natural products. Synthetics generally come with lower cost and more durability, making them a simple substitute for natural products like stone, wood, brick and marble.

4. Pay attention to project details.

It’s critical to ensure every detail of labor and material is specified in the agreement with the remodeler. If it’s not included in the written agreement, it’s likely not included in the work scope. Ask your remodeler what labor and materials are not included and determine what additional expenses you’ll likely incur to complete the project.

5. Ask how you can help reduce costs.

Talk to your contractor about tasks or materials you can provide that would reduce the project cost without affecting its schedule. This might include jobsite clean-up or obtaining certain materials the contractor would otherwise spend considerable time securing.

6. Plan ahead for project timing.

Ask for a potential timeframe for completing the project, as well as any factors that could affect the schedule so you can anticipate costs such as eating out more often while the kitchen is being renovated or renting living or storage space.

7. Know how you’ll resolve disputes.

Because of the unique stresses induced by remodeling projects, it’s a good idea to determine before you begin how disputes will be resolved, such as adding an arbitration clause to the agreement that eliminates expensive legal representation. A few deep breaths and a solution-minded approach can also save more than money if conflict arises.

Find more money-saving advice for your next remodeling project at remodelingdoneright.com.

LifeAndLuxuryMagazine.com Celina | 15

Life & Luxury Magazine Growing Prosper

The Attention your Landscape Needs after that Extreme Weather Event The calls for “Please help us everything looks dead” have been, well overwhelming to say the least! That once in a lifetime (or maybe about every 30-40 years) snow and ice storms did not feel like the Texas we are all used to around here! What to do now? PLEASE DO NOT GO CRAZY CUTTING BACK AND RIPPPING EVERYTHING OUT! The absolute best advice I will give, and have been giving to literally hundreds of our clients, is to FEED EVRYTHING with a good Nitrogen Base Food! Something like what you put on your yard to fertilize, because things are in complete shock. A name brand tree and shrub food will help tremendously! Place a handful of granules around under each shrub, continue your normal inch a week watering and simply wait 3-4 more weeks. You will be surprised what defoliated and defoliates and come back to life! If you need suggestions, you can always email a few pictures and I always email everyone back…it may be 2 am but I will email you back!!

Part of the joy of landscaping is the care and maintenance you give to your yard. Depending on the type of plantings and the size, some gardens can require constant full-time care. If you’re not a big fan of yard maintenance, it might be wise to design a yard that’s easy to care for. The first thing to remember with any “yardscape” is that it’s a living, breathing entity. Even the simplest, easy-to-care yard will need watering, feeding, cleaning, and disease prevention.

Consider the following list of projects around the yard: Flower Beds and Planting Areas The amount of time spent here will depend on your plantings. Some plants require constant attention; others are relatively maintenance free. Most flowerbeds contain perennials, which are plants that come back year after year; expect some to die off over the winter. Check the condition of plants during spring and replace dead plants with new ones.

Cover ground with an organic mulch. This will help the soil retain moisture and keeps weeds to a minimum. Many flowers do best when you dead-head them (pinch off spent blooms), which encourages more flower growth. After the first hard freeze, cut back all the branches of your plants. And cover plants with mulch to protect them during the cold winter months.

Refuse Removal During the fall, many plants lose their leaves. This leaf material makes a great natural mulch to cover and protect your plants against the cold winter. Remove all leaves from the lawn areas. The layer of leaves can restrict the amount of light reaching the lawn and trap water near the roots.

Hedge and Tree Trimming Shrubs and trees need seasonal trimming. Get a pruning instrument and cut off any dead branches. You may also need to prune back live branches that are getting out of control. Many hedges need to be reshaped several times a year. Electrical hedge sheers reduce a lot of arm strain on larger hedges. Do not prune or trim during the fall. This will stimulate growth during a time when the plants should be starting their dormant phase.

Insect Control Nature has a cycle of life, and insects are a part of that. Most healthy plants stay relatively insect-free. For the occasional infestation, consider using natural methods of removal. Sometimes a plant can be washed down with a strong stream of water. Or many garden centers sell other insects (like ladybugs) to get rid of bugs and worms. Chemicals are also a choice; however, you should use extreme caution when applying them. They will not only harm “bad” bugs, but “good” bugs too. They can also harm household animals, birds, children and adults when applied incorrectly. Consider using household “natural” chemicals to control insects.

Spring Clean-up This rite of spring signals the start of the growing season. Most gardens will need a good raking to clean out the leftover leaves and trash that have built up over the cold months. Consider applying a fresh layer of mulch to protect the fresh shoots from a late zapping of frost. This mulch will also keep the ground moist and cool during the summer months and keep weeds at a minimum.

Weeding Ughhh! They just keep coming back! Removing the entire unwanted “weed” by its roots is the surest way to get rid of it. Herbicides do work 16 | Celina LifeAndLuxuryMagazine.com

but use extreme caution when applying. They will not only kill the “weed” but also other nearby plants. In planting beds, you can keep weeds to a minimum by covering the soil with an inch or two of mulch.

Mowing The frequency depends on how much you water and feed your lawn. Mowing once a week is typical. Don’t cut the blades of grass too short. Longer grass is healthier and retains water better. Many mowers come with “mulching” option that cuts the grass into tiny bits and returns them back to the lawn. This returns important nutrients back to the soil and reduces the amount of fertilizer you need. It also eliminates the need to bag the grass.

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Sprinkler Maintenance A well-designed, professionally installed sprinkler system should need little maintenance over time.

However, you will need to “winterize” it during the fall and start it up during the spring. Your system has several pipes that can freeze and burst during winter.

Either drain or “blow out” the water from the pipes in mid fall when your yard has gone dormant. Also turn off the timer so it can’t accidentally start during the winter. In the spring, you’ll need to re-start the system by turning on the timer and possibly turning on a master valve. (Check your system guide for details.)

Allison M. Stead DVM Clara B. Vadala DVM 400 N. Preston Rd. Celina Tx 75009 (972)382-4433 or (972)382-VETS (8387) contact.mycelinavet@yahoo.com

Feeding

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Your yard needs food! Your lawn may need 2 to 5 feedings per growing season. And your growing beds could also use some food. Chemical fertilizers work, however, there are several natural organic options too.

Weed Prevention An inch-thick layer of mulch will keep your planting beds relatively weed-free. The best weed-prevention for lawns is a healthy lawn. Grass is a plant that grows thick and bushy when healthy. This usually will choke out any other “weeds” that could grow there.

Exceptions are plants like crabgrass. These grow from seed every year. Some chemical fertilizers come with a “pre-emergent” which kills the seeds in the spring when the plants are dormant.

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Perennial or Annual When planning your flowerbeds, remember that a perennial plant is one that, once planted, will come back year after year, while an annual is one that is planted for only one season.

I Promise to allow more time and space for your questions in my next column, I have been extremely busy at work helping our Prosper clients! Until next time...Happy Gardening!!

Jimmie.

Send your landscaping and gardening questions to Jimmie Gibson Jr. at http:// www.absolutelybushedlandscaping. com or jimmie@absolutelybushed.com.

Jimmie is a Prosper resident and the owner of Absolutely Bushed Landscaping Company, an award winning, family and veteran owned and operated business created in 1980 to provide the highest quality custom Outdoor Renovation available to homeowners in the Dallas Ft. Worth area.

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Life IN&GLuxury oodMagazine Taste

Give Spring Salads a Fresh Spin

With spring and warmer weather comes salad season, offering a perfect canvas for creating refreshing meals and appetizers centered around tasty greens, juicy tomatoes and crave-worthy dressings. Give your salads an update by avoiding the same tired mixes and instead create tasty meals fit for the season.

One easy way to up your salad game is by starting with quality ingredients like Fresh Express salad blends, NatureSweet Cherubs Tomatoes and Litehouse refrigerated salad dressings. These fresh, flavorful ingredients can be combined in a dish like this Chimichurri Chickpea Salad, a perfect way to go green this spring for nearly any occasion.

Part of the appeal of dishing up a homemade salad is the unlimited options you have at your fingertips to make the bowl of greens uniquely “yours.” For many, this means one thing: the more toppings, the better. With grilled chicken, crispy bacon, tomatoes, ripe avocado, hard-boiled eggs, blue cheese and a bed of fresh lettuce, this classic Cobb Salad offers an ideal lunch or even a quick family meal.

Because both these recipes can be made in 20 minutes or less, they provide simple solutions when short on time. Plus, the fresh ingredients sum up everything spring meals are made of.

CHIMICHURRI CHICKPEA SALAD 1 cup fresh cilantro 2/3 cup fresh parsley 2 tablespoons dried oregano 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 2/3 cup olive oil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) chickpeas, drained 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 bag Fresh Express Baby Kale Mix 1 cup NatureSweet Cherubs Tomatoes, diced 1 medium avocado, diced 4 tablespoons Litehouse Avocado Ranch Dressing In food processor, combine cilantro, parsley, oregano, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Pulse until sauce is smooth.

Place chimichurri sauce in small bowl with chickpeas and crushed red pepper flakes; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate overnight, if possible.

Divide kale, tomatoes and avocado between four bowls. Top each bowl evenly with marinated chickpeas. Drizzle with avocado ranch dressing and serve.

18 | Celina LifeAndLuxuryMagazine.com

COBB SALAD 3-4 eggs 1/4 pound bacon 1 bag Fresh Express Sweet Butter Lettuce 1 pound grilled chicken 1 cup NatureSweet Cherubs Tomatoes, halved 1 ripe avocado, sliced 1/4 cup blue cheese 1/4 cup Litehouse Homestyle Ranch Dressing Bring pot of water to boil. Use slotted spoon to place eggs in water. Boil 10 minutes then transfer to ice bath to stop cooking process. Peel eggs and slice.

Heat skillet over medium heat. Dice bacon and add to pan. Saute until bacon is crispy and fat is rendered, about 7 minutes. Remove from pan with slotted spoon.

To assemble salad, start with bed of lettuce. Top with hard-boiled eggs, grilled chicken, tomatoes, avocado, bacon and blue cheese; toss in ranch dressing.

Find more ways to create easy yet delicious salads at litehousefoods.com/iheartsalad.

LifeAndLuxuryMagazine.com Celina | 19

Life & Luxury Magazine Fashion

2021 Spring Women’s Fashion Trends Spring trends have sprung. Birds are re-emerging, flowers are sprouting and there is a brisk, cool crispness hanging in the air lingering from winter— it’s finally spring. This season is all about shifting into the warmer weather, and the same goes for your wardrobe. It’s time to tuck away those moody winter tones and heavy silhouettes for something a little lighter and brighter.

SPRING TREND ALERT: TIE-DYE Tie-dye prints are popping up like spring flowers this year. From athleisure sets featuring matching sweatshirts and sweatpants, to breezy midi dresses or boho blouses, finding the perfect balance between cozy and casual with this throwback print is easy. Track down tie-dye in soft greens, muted rainbow, and toasty warm tones to stay on-trend with color. You can add a twist to your everyday neutral joggers by sporting a cloudy tie-dye style for added visual interest. Complete the look with your favorite hoodie (bonus points if they match the color and print), then throw on a pair of white sneakers and a small backpack for a sublime athleisure outfit.

SPRING TREND ALERT: COTTAGECORE Cottagecore is a new trend (and mood) that will be key this spring. Think of cottagecore as an idealized rural lifestyle—taking refuge in a remote cottage, running in a meadow and living a sustainable lifestyle. The cottagecore feeling is one that mixes nostalgia with comfort, like baking homemade biscuits with your grandma. Add a sprinkle of light and airy materials, ruffles, and floral prints, and you’ve got the aesthetic baked to perfection.

From year to year, spring trends include floral prints and lacy details, but cottagecore is spring re-imagined. Instead of big and bold floral prints, we’ll be seeing micro and watercolor florals, ulta-feminine details like lace, ruffles on ruffles and soft fabrics like unstructured cotton blends and cashmere knits.

SPRING TREND ALERT: NAP DRESSES/HOUSE DRESSES Nap dresses or house dresses are stealing the spotlight this spring. A nap dress is a loose maxi dress with a vintage vibe that can be worn curled up on the couch with your favorite book and a cup of tea, but also transitions to a day out with ease. With a modern twist, these dresses feature loose and airy silhouettes with dainty details like lace and ruffles. Hang out in a house dress that features soft spring pastel colors or pretty perennial prints like beautiful blooms.

Stylist Tip: Reach for a flowing nap dress this spring to indulge in the cottagecore trend. Add a chunky knit cardigan to play up a textural element and slip on a pair of leather sandals for a look that will take you from hanging out at home on the range or heading to the store to pick up ingredients for your next baking challenge.

SPRING TREND ALERT: DITSY FLORALS Add ditsy florals to your wardrobe and tap into the current springtime fashion trend for a twist on the tried and true spring floral print. Florals are a seasonal staple year after year, but this spring’s florals are shrunken and subtle. Opt for a ditsy floral in a breezy house dress or an ethereal blouse.

Ditsy florals blossom when paired with neutral colors so try this pattern on a blouse with woven paperbag shorts and some sandals or a blooming nap dress with a comfy cardigan over top.

SPRING TREND ALERT: DESERT DAZE The Desert Daze aesthetic is all about a wild and free boho vibe translated through cozy textures, bold prints, and soft fabrics and features like fringe juxtaposed with structured denim or woven utility pants. Throwback silhouettes for jeans with wide legs and flares add nostalgia to your look.

Meander in midi dresses featuring Ikat prints and hand-painted florals.

Woven blouses and layers that feature handcrafted details like embroidery and poms add a twist to everyday essentials.

This season’s picture-perfect palette will include earthy brown adobe and brick tones, modern neutrals such as toasted almond, smoky blacks, and cool grays, as well as bold grassy greens and bright blues. This stunning array of colors will have you imagining yourself striking a pose against the backdrop of the rust red rock formations in Sedona or mulling around Moab.

20 | Celina LifeAndLuxuryMagazine.com

WAYNE BARTLEY

SOAK UP THE SPRING SUN IN ATHLEISURE & LOUNGEWEAR The uber-casual athleisure and loungewear trends will carry over from the winter season and continue to flourish this spring. Last season’s athleisure trend focused more on versatile pieces that took us from snuggling on the sofa to storming the street with ease. This season we’ll see a more relaxed, lounge vibe to athleisure wear — focusing a little more on the sofa than the street.

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Sweatpants and Sweatshirts While the weather is still chilly in colder climates, make sure your closet is stocked with coordinating joggers and sweatpants. This season’s iteration of sweats features bright spring color and trending prints.

Cozy up to joggers and sweatshirts in a throwback tie-dye or ombre print to give a sixties vibe to your athleisure ensemble. Try wearing your favorite sweats as a matching set for head-to-toe coziness or give a pair of joggers with utility pockets a try for the perfect blend of comfort and functionality.

Biker Shorts When the weather warms up trade-in your favorite leggings and joggers for biker shorts. This 80s revival piece has been a go-to for celebrities over the last year and they are really proving to make their mark this spring. Opt for a pair with pockets so you can keep your phone nearby.

Additionally, pick a pair in an updated fabric such as compression knits which will hold you in and keep you feeling supported while offering a soft feel.

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Lounge Ready Cardigans Feel like you are wrapped up in your favorite blanket even while you are on the go in a lounge cardigan. Lounge cardigans feature plush fabrics such as a brushed hacci, modal, or cashmere blends for the ultimate soft hand feel. These cozy cardigans will keep you covered whether you are at home or heading out for the day. Try one over a slouchy, cropped tee which is perfect for pairing with high-rise loungewear bottoms like sweats, biker shorts or leggings. Don’t forget a pair of casual sneakers and you are ready to hit the road.

Stylist Tip: Loving the cropped boxy tee trend but prefer to keep your midriff covered? Sizing up for a loose, oversized look will also give you a little more length through the torso.

Article compliments of Stitch Fix. Visit http://www.stitchfix.com to schedule your fix!

Broken & Fogged Window Glass Energy Efficient Replacement Glass Framed/Frameless Shower Enclosures Mirrors and Table Tops Solar Screens and Bug Screens Family Owned with 25+ Years Experience LifeAndLuxuryMagazine.com Celina | 21

Life & Luxury Magazine Travel

How to Plan for a Future Vacation After a long year stuck at home, many people are dreaming about when they can travel once again. While counting down the days may feel like torture, planning and booking a vacation for later this year can give you something to look forward to.

perfect vacation home now before options become more limited.”

Now may be the perfect time to start thinking about your next adventure.

Consider these tips for planning a future trip – even if you’re not certain exactly when you’ll take it.

Many sectors of the travel industry offer special deals for reserving trips in advance, and some of the best deals can be found by bundling airfare and lodging or booking extended week- or month-long stays.

These longer vacations can lead to fewer available dates to choose from, but some travel companies offer search filters that help travelers find discounts for staying longer periods of time.

Research Travel Restrictions For any kind of travel, it’s important to make sure you’re up to date on any restrictions your potential destinations may have in place. Though the vaccine may help lessen restrictions in some places, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintain updated guidance and travel warnings based on the risk level of certain areas, which can help you make decisions. Once you’ve booked travel plans, it is prudent to check in frequently as your trip approaches and prepare a backup plan.

Account for High Demand Many hotels, vacation rentals and resorts may already be booked for summer in popular locations due to optimism around the vaccine, increased demand for domestic travel and families planning multiple trips this year. In fact, travelers are locking in private Vrbo vacation homes at top summer destinations earlier in 2021. Less than half of vacation homes in some locations are still available for July, which is a more than 25% increase in demand year-over-year. To better your odds of securing your desired travel dates, accommodations and activities, booking earlier can help off-set the increased demand.

“In years past, we’ve recommended families book their summer vacations by late April to stay ahead of the curve, but this year there are several reasons why families are eager and ready to book,” Vrbo President Jeff Hurst said. “These signs are telling us families should start looking for the 22 | Celina LifeAndLuxuryMagazine.com

Take Advantage of Deals with Longer Stays

Opt for Flexible Booking If you’re eager to plan a vacation right away, be sure to review and understand cancellation policies for your preferred accommodations, airline and activities. Many have changed their policies due to the pandemic, so be sure to know how long you have to cancel or change dates without incurring additional fees or penalties. For example, when booking a vacation rental through Vrbo, where hosts set their cancellation terms, you can use the “free cancellation” filter to search for properties with flexible policies, some of which allow cancellations up to 14 days before check-in for a full refund.

Start Saving Now While it may not be practical for everyone to save money amid uncertain times, setting even a small amount aside for your vacation can be worthwhile. Consider setting up a dedicated travel savings account or directing the change from each transaction made with your debit card to a separate account. Being able to periodically check the balance of the account can also help increase excitement for your upcoming adventure.

Find more tips and start planning your next getaway at Vrbo.com.

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