PROSPER - Life & Luxury Magazine | June 2021

P rosper Prosper’s Community Magazine Since 2012 June 2021 | Issue 119 WeAreProsper.com

Life & Luxury Magazine™

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What’s Inside Family 6

P rosper Life & Luxury Magazine™

Keep the Fun Afloat

June 2021 | Issue 119 Community 8 Town Unveils Useful Enhancements to

myProsper App 10

Contract Awarded for Phase 2 of Public Safety Complex

12

Prosper Asks TxDOT to Realign Frontier Parkway Design

14

2021 Prosper ISD Seniors

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

Homefront 22

Ways to Use Brick and Stone to Enhance Your Home

24

Koi Ponds bring Relaxation to Outdoor Living

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Publisher Heather Reynolds Heather@CedarbrookMedia.com

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Contributing Writers Heather Reynolds | Ray Smith | Dr. Holly Ferguson Jimmie Gibson | Stacy Cate 4 | WeAreProsper.com

PROSPER Life & Luxury Magazine is wholly owned and published by Cedarbrook Media Group, LLC. PROSPER 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 PROSPER 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

Keep the Fun Afloat 5 Tips to Make Watersport Adventures Safe this Summer or those who enjoy outdoor and active summer lifestyles, water F entertainment may be the way to go. Racing the waves with the wind flowing through your hair can be a fun and exhilarating way to

Gear up. Once you’re dressed for the occasion, you won’t need much other gear, but there are a few items that can help protect you. Always keep an anchor on board, along with a radio to call for help if you have trouble. A water bottle can help ensure you stay well hydrated on the water, where you typically sweat a lot due to the wind and sun.

Despite world events over the past year, the watersports lifestyle is thriving – potentially due to the nature of personal watercraft riding and ability to practice social distancing. In fact, powerboat sales reached record highs, and while that momentum has slowed some in 2021, personal watercraft sales are still surging – up 77% over 2020, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. This growth means there are lots of new riders on the water, and that can affect the safety of riders both experienced and new.

Play nice. On gorgeous, sunny days, you can expect your local lake to be busy. Being respectful of others on the water helps ensure everyone can enjoy their water adventures safely. If you haven’t already, take a watercraft or boat safety course and brush up on the basics. Beyond that, pay attention to signs, especially ones that note restricted areas and nowake zones, and keep a safe 200-foot distance between yourself and other watercrafts.

enjoy fresh air; a dip in a cool lake can also help keep the heat at bay on hot summer days.

Respecting riding etiquette, wearing protective gear and being conscious of the environment can help ensure riders have fun and continue to enjoy access to watersports. The team at Sea-Doo, a global leader in personal watercrafts, shares this advice to help keep everyone safe while having fun on the water: Know the rules. Rules can vary from one state or location to the next, so be sure you know what the expectations are before you head out on the water. You can find more about licensing requirements and other regulations in your area through the Boat U.S. Foundation.

Dress for success. Ensure you have a life jacket or personal flotation device that fits snugly but comfortably. Remember to connect the tether cord from the ignition of your watercraft to your life jacket to cut power to the engine should you end up in the water. Additionally, neoprene shorts can help prevent injuries and give you a comfortable layer between your body and the saddle. Gloves and boots provide protection and improve your grip, and sunglasses can help protect your eyes from the wind and water. It’s also a good idea to keep a windbreaker in a storage compartment in case weather blows in unexpectedly.

6 | WeAreProsper.com

Be earth aware. Part of being responsible on the water is respecting the environment. You can do your part by committing to green habits like refueling on land and doing maintenance work well away from the shoreline. When you’re riding, getting too close to the shore can tear up your watercraft, but it can also be harmful to the fish and birds that feed on the sediment in the shallows, as well as the vegetation. Be aware noise and movement of boats may disturb bird populations.

Stay clear of posted bird nesting areas. Nesting birds may fly from their nests, exposing unprotected eggs and hatchlings to the sun’s heat or predators. Keeping to channels and deeper water also helps protect the wildlife and prevent shoreline erosion.

Find more tips to maximize your fun in the sun and stay safe on your personal watercraft Sea-Doo. com.

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Life & Luxury Magazine Community

Town Unveils Useful Enhancements to myProsper App As residents become more reliant on their mobile devices to reach out to family, friends, and increasingly to companies and organizations, the Town of Prosper has unveiled some enhancements to its myProsper app.

The interactive app, available at the Apple App Store and on Google Play, was originally launched in 2017 and was designed to give residents the ability to communicate directly with the Town on issues related to service delivery, repair of Town facilities, obtaining responses to questions, and providing opportunities to share information, submit ideas or connect for any other reason.

Under its latest update, released June 10 of this year, the app now includes links to the ACE water consumption portal, the broadband help desk, construction updates, and the live railroad crossing cameras. New additions to the service request feature include options such as illegal dumping, debris/litter, loose dog, park maintenance, and sign violations.

8 | WeAreProsper.com

The app now also includes online service options such as pavilion rental, field reservations, and reporting a streetlight outage. Links to Town information include Town Council meetings, broadband service improvements, latest news, and sign-up for the various e-newsletters offered by the Town’s staff. Links to all of Prosper’s social media sites, the Town directory and website have also been added.

The app is free to download and can be used on laptops or desktop computers by visiting http://my.prospertx.gov. Registration is required to report a problem or make a request, allowing the Town to report back to the person making the request or reporting the problem. Issues may be reported anonymously, but that precludes the Town from reporting back to the individual making the report.

“The app has grown in popularity over the years, and we are glad residents are using it to communicate with us,” said Robyn Battle, Executive Director of Community Services. “We have examples of residents entering a service request on the app, and having a problem resolved within a matter of hours. We hope the re-launch will encourage even more people to download the app and use it on a daily basis to get Town information and report problems.”

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Life & Luxury Magazine Community

Contract Awarded for Phase 2 of Public Safety Complex Steadfastly maintaining a solid commitment to the principle of increased public safety, the Prosper Town Council has moved forward with the initial steps in the completion of Phase 2 of the Public Safety Complex.

Phase 1, which includes the Police Department Headquarters and Communications Dispatch Center, was completed last year on Townowned property just west of the downtown area. Dedicated and occupied in October 2020, the existing building sits at 801 Safety Way and includes administrative offices, a command center, conference rooms, an exercise facility, showers, locker rooms, temporary detention space, ample parking spaces for department vehicles, and various utility spaces. The facility also houses the Communications Center, where dispatchers receive 9-1-1 calls and relay emergency messages to the Police and Fire Departments.

Safety Way, a two-lane concrete street located in the Town’s geographic center, was constructed to accommodate the Public Safety Complex, and connects to the Dallas North Tollway on the west and Cook Lane on the east, providing quick and easy access to all areas of Prosper.

10 | WeAreProsper.com

Phase 2, a free-standing structure which will include a new Central Fire Station, Fire Administration, and the Town’s Emergency Operations Center, will be built adjacent to the current structure, and take advantage of its central location to provide firefighting and ambulance services to Prosper’s growing central sector.

The current Central Fire Station, 1500 East First Street, will be renamed and will be dedicated to serving the Town’s eastern neighborhoods as well as the burgeoning commercial center at Preston Road and US 380.

Fire Station No. 2, 1140 South Teel Parkway, is positioned to provide rapid response service to neighborhoods in west Prosper, including Windsong Ranch and the businesses at US 380 and Gee Road on the Town’s western boundary.

At the April 27 Town Council meeting, a Construction Manager-At-Risk contract was awarded to Pogue Construction Co., LP of McKinney. The firm of Brown Reynolds Watford Architects has already been contracted for the architectural and engineering design of Phase 2. Pogue was chosen over several other bidders based on criteria which included five variables: Overall Ability to Meet Town Objectives; Experience with Similar Facility Construction; Qualifications of Project Personnel; References; and Cost Proposal. The construction company has built the Complex’s Phase 1, Fire Station No. 2, and Town Hall. The overall budget for Phase 2 of the Public Safety Complex is $18M and is expected to be completed in early 2023.

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Life & Luxury Magazine Community

Prosper Asks TxDOT to Realign Frontier Parkway Design Reconstruction Design Shifts Road Southward

In a strongly-worded resolution, the Prosper Town Council has expressed serious concerns with the proposed design for the widening of Frontier Parkway along the eastern half of its northern boundary. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has been planning and designing the project for several years and throughout that process, Prosper has provided detailed comments regarding concerns with the proposed design. To date, none of the concerns have been directly addressed by TxDOT. The resolution, passed unanimously, expressly directs Town staff to discontinue coordination with TxDOT and its consultants on the design, and further requests that the state cease all negotiations on the rightsof-way (ROW) configured in the current design until after it agrees to consider and review the Town’s objections to the design.

Prosper is bordered on the north by FM Road 1461 or Frontier Parkway, and the redesign in question extends along Frontier Parkway from SH 289 or Preston Road to FM 2478 or Custer Road. The boundary

12 | WeAreProsper.com

between the Town of Prosper and the City of Celina is the centerline of Frontier Parkway. At issue is the unequal percentage of ROW taken on the southern side of the current design. The road, currently a two-lane blacktop, is being expanded to a four-lane concrete thoroughfare with a median, capable of expansion to six lanes in the future.

The Town’s resolution outlines the disparity of land being taken up as ROW along most of the southern edge of the road, and further objects to the construction of a new bridge over Wilson Creek south of the current two-lane bridge. Generally, bridges, which are already cast in concrete, are widened in both directions when roads are reconstructed. However, in the TxDOT design, a new two-lane bridge servicing the eastbound lanes is planned for construction south of the existing bridge, effectively shifting the road’s centerline in a southward direction. In fact, in spite of at least five high-level meetings dating back to late 2017, the most current design shows a shifting of the road’s centerline approximately 15 feet southward, an unacceptable encroachment into privately-owned property, existing berms, mature tree lines, stone retainer walls, home landscaping, and fencing.

The resolution (RESOLUTION 2021-23) is being transmitted to the office of TxDOT in the expectation that a more thorough review of the design will include the considerations expressed by Town staff and engineers.

Major Grant Awarded to Prosper Prosper Mayor Ray Smith (third from right) presents US Congressman Van Taylor (R-TX) with a certificate of appreciation in recognition of his work in facilitating a grant from the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration. Funded as part of the CARES Act, the $3M grant will be used for water infrastructure improvements on Prosper’s west side.

The grant will supplement $6.4M in local funds to complete the project which will result in providing water services to new schools and businesses including Cook Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Health Medical Office Building.

Joining the Mayor in recognizing the congressman’s efforts are (left to right) Prosper Town Manager Harlan Jefferson, Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Service Rebecca Zook, Emergency Management Coordinator Kent Bauer, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Craig Andres, Councilmember Marcus Ray, Executive Director of the Prosper Economic Development Corporation Mary Ann Moon, and Councilmember Charles Cotten. The federal funds were secured through the combined efforts of the Prosper Economic Development Corporation, the Town of Prosper Executive Team, the North Central Texas Economic Development District, and Blais & Associates.

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Emma DeBons University of Arkansas WeAreProsper.com | 15

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Calvin Heischman University of Texas at Austin

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Autumn Passwaters Traveling

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Anthony Vu University of Texas at Dallas

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Madison Wells University of Texas at Austin

James Whatley Blinn College

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WeAreProsper.com | 21

Life & Luxury Magazine Homefront

Ways to Use Brick and Stone to Enhance Your Home

hoosing the right materials is an essential step in planning a home C remodel or renovation. Options like brick and stone can add style, comfort and beauty to homes.

in moderation. The wall can add character and dimension that either stands out or blends into the overall design, depending on the colors and textures you choose.

With a diverse array of colors, textures and sizes to choose from, there are options to suit practically any design aesthetic, whether it’s traditional, contemporary or somewhere in between. Because brick and stone materials provide strength, permanence, sustainability and

Kitchens: From flooring to island accents, backsplashes and beyond, the options are plentiful for introducing brick or stone into kitchen design.

Whether you’re going for a modern look or something more traditional, quality is a top priority in high-use areas like the kitchen. Choose materials from a reliable source like Glen-Gery, which offers more than 600 brick and stone products in a vast variety of sizes, textures and colors.

beauty, it’s possible to balance function with appearance.

Before choosing your brick or stone material, it’s a good idea to explore the vast color options, varying textures and sizes. You might even consider combining different materials to create accents that add interest and support the design of your home.

If you like the idea of incorporating brick or stone into your design but are not sure where it fits, consider these popular choices: Accent Walls: If you’re concerned about overpowering a room, an accent wall is a simple way to add the appealing look of brick or stone 22 | WeAreProsper.com

Bar Surrounds: This feature tends to be a focal point in its own right but adding brick or stone can make your bar area a real showstopper while capturing the color tones of the rest of the room.

Archways: Defining the transition from one space to the next adds an architectural design element that can either carry your design theme from one room of the house to the next or signal a transition toward a new motif, depending on the material you choose.

UNBEATABLE BENEFITS OF BRICK Resilience: Brick is incredibly resilient. It’s weather and storm proof.

As a result, it’s better able to withstand the diverse weather conditions across North America from natural disasters to extreme heat in fire prone regions. Brick is also termite resistant.

Low Maintenance: Brick does not require any painting, coating or varnishing in order to maintain its aesthetic and durability.

Fireproof: Brick is non-combustible and doesn’t assist the spread of fire, making it ideal for building in wildfire-prone areas. Clay bricks normally don’t suffer any structural damage after a fire and can be re-used, even as load bearing walls.

Design Flexibility: Brick comes in styles to suit any building project and is a popular material choice among architects and designers because of its design flexibility, strong structural capabilities and intricate detailing.

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Noise Cancelling: Whether between rooms within a home or from outside noise, brick provides sound insulation.

Durable: Brick is long-lasting. Unlike other man-made materials, brick doesn’t get tired, so your brick home remains weather- and age-proof over time.

Energy Efficient: Brick is a high-density material, meaning it can effectively absorb and store heat energy to help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Its ability to average temperature extremes can make a noticeable difference in comfort while also reducing energy bills.

Natural: Brick is manufactured from naturally occurring materials and does not emit volatile organic compounds as many lightweight products do. With virtually no emissions and high thermal mass, brick is also a good choice for health-conscious homeowners with acute allergies or sensitivities to weather.

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WeAreProsper.com | 23

Life & Luxury Magazine Growing Prosper

Koi Ponds bring Relaxation to Outdoor Living If you are looking for a fantastic addition to your lawn or garden landscaping perhaps a Koi pond is something you might be interested in considering. These fantastic ponds make a great addition to your outdoor living space while providing a sense of peace and tranquility, an oasis of sorts in this world that can be rather hectic and chaotic at times.

Even if you haven’t considered the benefits that Koi ponds could add to your enjoyment of your outdoor living area in the past, perhaps this article will help convince you of the value it can add, particularly if you plan to spend a great amount of time outdoors. There are a few considerations you need to keep in mind however when planning a Koi pond for your next landscaping project.

Benefits of Koi Ponds Believe it or not, Americans in general spend a large amount of time running to and fro, which often makes relaxation a far too distant memory.

Koi ponds by nature are relaxing to look at and enjoy. They are a great way to bring nature to your outdoor sanctuary without feeling over 24 | WeAreProsper.com

burdened by the natural surroundings. Koi fish are also rather relaxing to watch and enjoy whether you realize it at the time or not.

Another great benefit of a Koi pond is the very fact that they are a rather stress-free way of having and housing pets that the family can enjoy.

While Koi are not entirely maintenance free, they are much easier to maintain and care for than a puppy or kitten would be over time. Most of the costs involved in caring for Koi is also an upfront cost while you will continue to need to spend a great deal of money caring for other types of pets over time.

Finally, Koi ponds offer a certain aesthetic appeal to your lawn or garden oasis that will raise the value of your home not only when it comes time to sell but while you are living in and enjoying your home as well. So many people think of improvements only along the lines of how they will affect the bottom line when it comes time to sell their homes and forget to make improvements that will increase their enjoyment of the space while they are living in it.

Things you need to know about Koi Ponds Koi ponds are not a light decision to make. You need to make sure that you live in an area where they are practical additions to your landscaping or at the very least make accommodations for those months when this may not be the case. Temperature is a very important consideration when it comes to creating a Koi pond for your next landscaping project. These are only practical year-round in areas where the seasons are rather mild and there is absolutely no risk of freezing. This doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a Koi pond or having Koi fish as pets in colder climates, only that you need to consider this and make arrangements indoors or install heaters for those colder months.

Another consideration is location. The water in Koi ponds needs to be filtered. This means you need to plan for your pond to be located near a power source in order to power the filter. These ponds should also be a little larger in size than you may realize in order to provide a fitting habitat for the great fish you will be housing. Other things you should consider are the following: children in your area that may harm your fish either accidentally or harm themselves by falling into your pond – it is best if you can gate the area in order to avoid these types of problems; predators in the area – some birds love fish, your Koi pond is an investment as are your Koi, make sure they are protected; and the need to keep the water moving – still water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes among other things and should be avoided in order to protect you and your family for West Nile as much as possible.

Koi ponds can provide years and years of enjoyment for you and your family and are rather low maintenance and low cost once the initial investments have been made. I hope you will take the time to learn more about these great landscaping additions and how they can improve your standard of outdoor living.

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Question: Jimmie, I met you about a year ago when you and your kids were fishing together. Thank you again for helping my son catch his first fish! He still talks about it! I have a side of my house I just can’t seem to figure out what to plant! It faces west and gets really hot sun in the summer. Can you recommend a few shrubs that might work for me? I have come to the conclusion I think I may have a Black Thumb instead of a Green One! Thank you for your time again! – Julie L. in Celina Answer: Hi Julie! I remember you and your son, Jason I believe his name was. Such an enthusiastic boy! Glad he had fun! Some really good and colorful shrub type options for you would be Texas Sage, Abelias, Color Guard Yucca and Red Yucca.

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.

WeAreProsper.com | 25

Life In &GLuxury ood Magazine Taste

Sizzling Meals Made for Summer

Summertime, for many, represents an opportunity to enjoy freshly cooked meals while enjoying time outdoors. Taking your dishes from ordinary to extraordinary starts with chef-inspired recipes that call to mind the flavors of the season. Whether you’re a steak enthusiast who enjoys nothing more than a tender cut or a summer burger connoisseur looking for a fresh twist on tradition, these recipes call for high-quality beef from Omaha Steaks. Created by Omaha Steaks Executive Chef David Rose, the New York Strips Oscar-Style complement the thick, juicy, marbled flavor of the steaks with sauteed asparagus, bearnaise sauce and jumbo lump crab meat. Or turn your attention to Fried Lobster Po Boy Burgers with pimento remoulade sauce for a tempting way to combine two summertime favorites – seafood and burgers. These recipes are courtesy of Omaha Steaks Executive Chef David Rose.

FRIED LOBSTER PO BOY BURGERS

1/4 cup potato chips, finely blended in food processor

Pimento Remoulade:

1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon minced flat leaf Italian parsley

1 1/2 tablespoons minced pimentos

2 Omaha Steaks lobster tails (5 ounces each)

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon minced bread and butter pickles

Cheeseburgers:

1 pepperoncino (seeded and minced)

1 pound Omaha Steaks premium ground beef

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

salt, to taste

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 brioche buns

3 dashes hot sauce

2 slices yellow cheddar cheese

kosher salt, to taste

3 leaves romaine lettuce, shredded

Fried Lobster Tails:

To make pimento remoulade: In small bowl, mix mayonnaise, pimentos, mustard, pickles, pepperoncino, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, lemon juice and hot sauce until well incorporated. Season with salt, to taste.

Vegetable oil, for frying 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

To make fried lobster tails: Preheat grill to 400 F and add oil to 10inch cast-iron pan about 1/2-inch deep. In medium bowl, whisk flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, garlic powder and smoked paprika until well incorporated. Set aside.

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

In separate medium bowl, whisk egg, water and hot sauce. Set aside.

1 large egg

In third medium bowl, whisk potato chips, panko breadcrumbs and parsley until well incorporated. Set aside.

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided

1 tablespoon water 2 dashes hot sauce 26 | WeAreProsper.com

Cut lobster tails in half lengthwise, remove meat from shell and season

with remaining kosher salt and black pepper. Toss halved lobster tails in flour mixture first, egg mixture second then potato chip mixture third, coating thoroughly. Fry lobster tails 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Close grill lid between flipping.

To make cheeseburgers: Preheat grill to 450 F using direct heat. Form ground beef into two 1/2 pound patties, each about 1/2-inch thick. Using thumb, make dimple in center of each patty to help cook evenly. Season both sides of burger with salt and pepper, to taste. Spread butter on each cut side of buns. Grill burgers 4-5 minutes per side for medium doneness. Add one slice cheddar cheese on each burger, close lid and grill about 30 seconds to melt cheese. Remove patties from grill to clean plate. Place buns cut sides down on grill grates and toast 20-30 seconds, or until well toasted, being careful to avoid burning.

To assemble: Place desired remoulade on buns. Place cheeseburgers on bottom buns. Top each with two fried lobster tail halves. Place handful shredded lettuce on lobster tails. Top with buns.

NEW YORK STRIPS OSCAR-STYLE Sauteed Asparagus: 1/2 pound jumbo asparagus (about 1 bunch), blanched in salted boiling water 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons minced shallots salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper, to taste Bearnaise Sauce: 1/4 cup white wine vinegar

To make asparagus: Cut asparagus stalks into 1/4-inch pieces. Heat large pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Add garlic and shallots to pan; lightly saute about 20 seconds, or until fragrant. Add asparagus to pan; saute about 2 minutes until lightly browned. Add salt and pepper, to taste.

To make bearnaise sauce: In small saucepan, bring vinegar, shallots and tarragon to boil then reduce to simmer 3-4 minutes until reduced by about half. Cool to room temperature. Bring medium pot half full of water to slow boil.

In small bowl, whisk egg yolks, vinegar reduction, water and hot sauce until well incorporated. Place bowl over pot of boiling water and continue whisking ingredients until it starts to emulsify and becomes sauce-like.

Alternate whisking on and off heat every 30 seconds to prevent eggs from scrambling. Gradually add melted butter, continuously whisking until sauce becomes rich with ribbony consistency and sets up. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. If too thick, add 1 tablespoon water at a time and whisk to desired consistency.

To make crab meat: In medium bowl, lightly toss crab meat with salt until well coated.

To make steaks: Pat steaks dry with paper towels and season heavily with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring steaks to room temperature. Place sous vide immersion circulator in pot of water and set to 5 F below target doneness. Place seasoned steaks in sous vide bag or zip-top bag and cook 2 hours. Remove bag and remove steaks from bag. Pat steaks dry with paper towels. Warm large cast-iron pan over high heat and add oil.

Add steaks, butter, garlic cloves and thyme leaves. After about 1 minute, steaks should start to brown. Flip steaks and baste with butter until caramelized. Remove steaks from pan and rest 7-8 minutes.

To assemble: Place asparagus on bottom of plate. Top with steaks (whole or sliced), crab meat and bearnaise sauce.

Visit OmahaSteaks.com for more summer meal inspiration.

2 tablespoons minced shallots 1 tablespoon chopped tarragon 3 egg yolks 2 tablespoons water, plus additional for boiling, divided 2 dashes hot sauce 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper, to taste Jumbo Lump Crab Meat: 1 pound jumbo lump crab meat 2 tablespoons kosher salt New York Strip Steaks: 4 Omaha Steaks Private Reserve or Butcher’s Cut New York Strips (10 ounces each) salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper, to taste water 4 tablespoons grapeseed oil 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 3 garlic cloves 2 fresh thyme sprigs

WeAreProsper.com | 27

Life & Luxury Magazine Fashion

When the weather turns warm, we wish we could live in our favorite summer essentials and spend all day drinking frosé. But alas, we might have to go to work, in work-appropriate clothing—something that can be a bit of a challenge when temps rise above 70. But, never fear!

We’ve rounded up a few key pieces for your summer work wardrobe so you can be cool, calm, collected and totes profesh even when it’s steamy outside. Here’s what to wear to work when it’s hot out.

A SLEEVELESS DRESS A sleeveless dress can (and should) be a warm weather staple in your closet. Pick up one in a season-appropriate print and wear it with a light colored blazer (a must for overly airconditioned offices or more conservative environments). Accessorize with neutral pumps and a cute cross-body and your Monday what-to-wear scaries are solved.

LIGHTWEIGHT TROUSERS Lightweight trousers are a weekday savior in the summer months. Choose a looser cut in a deep ocean blue for even more comfort and pair with a sleeveless blouse in a summery peach.

Add pointed-toe flats and leather accessories and leave the house with an extra boost of confidence, on even the hottest of days.

COTTON BUTTON-UP The innate cooling properties of natural fibers are exactly what a summer work wardrobe needs, and cotton blouses should be a priority when putting together warm weather outfits.

Not only do they feel cool, they look crisp and professional, even when you feel anything but. A cotton, peasant style top dresses up nicely when paired with a skirt and a ladylike shoe and bag.

WRAP-FRONT TOP Speaking of tops, there are tons of summer top styles that look great with your favorite work pants or skirts and add just the right amount of office chic. We love this short-sleeve kimono style in elegant olive paired with crisp white pants and a cream bucket bag. Add flats in an olive shade to tie the whole thing together and you’ve got a look perfect for work. Repurpose the top with your favorite pencil skirt for date night.

Now you’re totally ready to plan some cool and comfortable work looks as the temperature rises. Stay cool and (just as important) look cute!

Ready for new clothes for work this summer? Schedule a Fix & let your Stylist know which of these summer work essentials you need.

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

28 | WeAreProsper.com

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WeAreProsper.com | 29

Life & Luxury Magazine Travel

Smart Ways to Keep Travel Spending in Check

With more people getting vaccinated, many are looking forward to reuniting with loved ones and making up for lost vacation time. However, budget is often a primary concern when planning a trip. To help make your money go further, consider these tips from the travel experts at Vrbo.

Explore a new destination: With pent up travel demand, many popular travel destinations have already been booked months in advance.

Instead of visiting traditionally popular locales, consider an under-theradar destination like Cherry Log, Georgia; Bella Vista, Arkansas; or Slade, Kentucky, which all offer scenic views and outdoor adventures.

Before booking, check for any travel advisories or restrictions for your destination.

Be flexible with dates: Rather than selecting your dates first and finding a destination that works for your selected date range, choose a destination then see what accommodations are available. For example, doing an undated search through a vacation rental company like Vrbo can yield a wider selection for a particular destination, including some budget-friendly options. After selecting your lodging, check the dates to determine when it’s available or most affordable and plan your trip accordingly.

Fly on off-peak days or times: If flying to your destination is necessary and you’re not on a tight schedule, being flexible with the time of day you fly, the number of stops or having a longer layover can translate to a more affordable price. Generally, flying earlier in the week or later in the day is less expensive than flying closer to the weekend or taking the first flight out.

30 | WeAreProsper.com

Book now, pay later: When securing lodging and other amenities like rental cars, you can often book your reservations without paying the full amount up front. Whether you simply place a deposit at the time of booking and pay the rest upon arrival or split the total cost into monthly payments, this type of option can provide an added level of flexibility when budgeting for and planning your trip.

Book accommodations that offer length-of-stay discounts: These days, remote work and school allows for flexibility while traveling, and there are discounts to be found if you choose to stay for longer than just a few nights. In fact, some vacation rental hosts offer discounts for new listings or week- or month-long stays. Vacation rental companies like Vrbo allows travelers to use filters to find discounted properties when searching for a place to stay.

Look for free activities: If you research your destination before departing, you’ll likely be able to find free or low-cost activities that interest you. Check community calendars to find events while you’ll be in town and consider options like museums, art galleries or national parks, which are often free to the public or offer discounted admission on certain days or at specific times each day.

Take advantage of public transportation: One of the best ways to get to know a city is to walk everywhere, but that isn’t feasible in all cities and locations. Rather than renting a car or using ride-sharing services, look for public transportation options such as buses or subways that are more cost-effective when possible. Also consider a frequent-travel card if you’ll be traversing your destination more than once or twice.

Visit Vrbo.com more resources and information to save money on your next adventure.

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