PROSPER - Life & Luxury Magazine | May 2021 by Cedarbrook Media Group, LLC

P rosper Prosper’s Community Magazine Since 2012 May 2021 | Issue 118 WeAreProsper.com

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What’s Inside Family 6

Family-Friendly Ideas for Summer Fun

P rosper Life & Luxury Magazine™

May 2021 | Issue 118 Community 8 Prosper ISD: Growth, Opportunity and Blessings 10

Girl Scouts Draw Neighborhood Readers

Library’s Summer Reading Program Covers the Planet

Prosper Utility Customers Now Able to Manage Their Use

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 14

Infuse Living Spaces with Color

Landscaping Back Yards for 4-Season Interest

Editorial Please send editorial considerations to Editor@CedarbrookMedia.com PROSPER - Life & Luxury Magazine PO Box 405, Prosper, Texas 75078 972.347.6231 www.LifeAndLuxuryMagazine.com

In Good Taste 18

Publisher Heather Reynolds Heather@CedarbrookMedia.com

A Truly Memorable Summer Menu

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Fashion & Beauty 20

Life & Luxury Magazine

Women’s Summer 2021 Fashion Trends

Your Community - Your Lifestyle

www.Life&LuxuryMagazine.com

Travel 22

Planning a Joyful Summer Escape

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PROSPER! For up to date news, events and web-exclusive content visit

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

A Cedarbrook Media Group, LLC Publication www.CedarbrookMedia.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

Family-Friendly Ideas for Summer Fun Warm, sunny days are the perfect setting for making family memories, but they’re also ideal opportunities to encourage kids to get creative and let their imaginations soar. These ideas for summertime activities encourage family interaction, and the more kids get to help plan and organize the details, the more engaged you can expect them to be. Visit Your Local Park Pack all the kids’ favorite snacks and beverages to keep cool and hydrated. Choose your spot under a big shady tree and spread out for an impromptu picnic. Be sure to bring along outdoor toys for a game of catch or lighten the load and create a nature scavenger hunt with different types of leaves, rocks and flowers for kids to discover. If they come across an unfamiliar plant or animal, snap a picture with your phone so you can do some research on it when you get home. Encourage the kids to draw or design a piece of art reflecting the things they saw. Create Watercolor Paintings Away from the school setting, kids sometimes have fewer opportunities to practice expressing their ideas and getting creative. Fun tools can make an artistic session more exciting, so look for unique methods like blending Zebra Pen Mildliner Brush Pens with water and a paint brush to create fun, pastel watercolor paintings with minimal mess. The pens are conveniently double-ended with a paint brush-like tip on one end and fine marker tip on the other so you can precisely draw a design then create softer swirls of color using water and a brush.

Water Sponge Challenge Cool off with a fun and refreshing water fight with a few creative twists. First grab sponges, or water sponge balls, and a full bucket of water. The sponges are reusable so you can use them all summer long. Make it extra fun by organizing teams with kids against adults or everyone fending for themselves. Encourage kids to devise their own blockades and targets or adapt a classic game like baseball or dodgeball using water sponges in place of the usual balls. You could also do a sponge scavenger hunt to load up everyone’s buckets before the dousing begins. Find the Animals Visit your local Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited zoo or aquarium and have your kids find as many animals as they can from the AZA SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction species list. It’s a good opportunity to talk about the concept of extinction and why these animals are on the list. Follow up the visit with an activity that reinforces how everyone has a role in conservation and look for ways to help protect each family member’s favorite animal. Make Oven S’mores On a rainy night (or any night) make a s’more by putting it in the oven. They turn out just as melty and gooey as the campfire version but with easier prep and cleanup. This is a tasty way to get those creative juices flowing. Experiment with different candies, such as peanut butter cups in place of chocolate bars. Or add different ingredients and have other family members guess the flavors. Find more ideas for creative inspiration this summer at zebrapen.com/art-studio/creative-tips.

6 | WeAreProsper.com

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Brittany Crowell WeAreProsper.com | 7

Life & Luxury Magazine Community

From the Desk of Dr. Holly Ferguson

Prosper ISD: Growth, Opportunity and Blessings It is hard to believe that we will be closing out the 2020-2021 school year. We will be graduating 639 seniors from Prosper High School and 360 seniors from Rock Hill High School. It is by no simple task that we are able to nurture, care and provide hope for the future for each of our students. The accomplishment of reaching graduation has been a gift that has been provided by so many students, the teachers and staff, parents, and the community. It has truly taken a village to care, love, and educate each graduate. A commitment to our students and their future is nothing short of a miracle that spans over 13 years of education K-12. This commitment is embraced and full of faith and a better tomorrow is afforded to each graduate because of our collective efforts. Our growth in Prosper ISD is immense which brings so many opportunities to learn, grow, and develop. In 2030-2031 Prosper ISD is projected to have 42,949 students. This growth does not occur because our schools are failing, it occurs because our schools are thriving and providing a world-class education full of opportunities. As a community, we must embrace this growth not as an obstacle or a challenge, but as an opportunity to have an impact and make a difference. We begin school on August 11, 2021. We will welcome over 20,000 students and upwards of 2,700+ employees. We will open with 14 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 2 high schools as we begin the new year next year with the opening of Mrs. Jerry Bryant Elementary and Mike and Janie Reeves Elementary. At build out, we are projected to have 25-30 elementary schools, 11-13 middle schools, and 5-6 high schools. Growth is inevitable and I am so excited about the opportunity ahead. My challenge to each of you is to reflect and think about all of the good that has occurred this year and begin planning for the future of Prosper. Our list is full, and our blessings are many in Prosper ISD because WE ARE PROSPER! WE ARE ONE! We Are Prosper, We Are One!

Dr. Holly Ferguson Prosper ISD Superintendent

8 | WeAreProsper.com

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Life & Luxury Magazine Community

Standing to cut the red ribbon, Girl Scout troop No. 8415 gather to officially open their Little Free Library. The girls saved up for the supplies with money they earned from their cookie sales. “I’m most excited for everybody to see all the books we’ve put out and to share all of these books,” Girl Scout Jillian Downs said. “A lot of these books I put out, I enjoyed a lot. I want other people to see these books and I love the books.”

Girl Scouts Draw Neighborhood Readers Troop No. 8415 uses cookie sale money to share books with others Drilling the last screw into the box, the girls stand back in awe of what they have created. Girl Scout Troop No. 8415 recently installed a Little Free Library April 27 by the entrance of neighborhood Lakes of Prosper. This project earned the girls their Bronze award, the first step toward earning their Gold Award. “The premise that the girls initially got started with was to reduce, reuse, recycle,” Girl Scout leader Kalli Overstreet said. “They came up with a ton of different options, and one was to reuse books, since we all had books. We got in contact with the local neighborhood here, and the HOA and it just kinda spawned.” Little Free Library, a 501 nonprofit organization, promotes book exchanges in neighborhoods. The organization began in Hudson, Wisconsin. More than 90,000 Little Free Libraries now exist. “I think this is an amazing way to open up to the community and have a big group project,” Girl Scout Carsyn Overstreet said. “I always loved free little libraries being near my school and near my neighborhood. I think it’s just a great way to have interaction with our community.” The girls paid for the supplies with money they earned from their cookie sales. “They got to make something with their hands and get involved,” Lakes of Prosper resident Sam DiFabio said. “By doing stuff like this, to create something and make a project like this, you’re getting out of the house and benefitting your community. That’s huge for people, especially at such a young age.” 10 | WeAreProsper.com

The girls assembled the Little Free Library at a previous meeting, and by their next meeting installed it. “I’m most excited for everybody to see all the books we’ve put out and to share all of these books,” Jillian Downs said. “A lot of these books I put out I enjoyed a lot. I want other people to see this, and I love the books.” Lakes of prosper resident and community member Kelly DiFabio said she is excited and believes literacy is a valuable tool we can offer each other. “It only improves us as people and as a community and neighbors,” Mrs. DiFabio said. “I think the concept is really cool, where you drop off a book and take a book. You never know what you can discover at something like this. It was such a cool project they did. I’m proud of them.” Mother and scout leader Jennifer Downs said the Girl Scout organization is a great way for girls to build character and make lifelong friendships. “These girls have been together since they were in kindergarten, “ Downs said. “They have intentions to go all the way through high school and get their gold award. Because they’ve known each other so long, they have this history with each other.” The troop is made of fifth-grade girls that all attend elementary schools in the Prosper Independent School District. “My favorite part about Girl Scouts is probably all the fun things we get to do and all the challenges we have to go through,” Girl Scout Lilly Moore said. “But, we always get to do it with our friends.” The troop participates in activities such as camping, service projects and learning first aid. “We’ve watched these girls start from being scared of bugs and outside and nighttime, to tackling new adventures,” Overstreet said. “When they’re scared, or brave, it’s really neat to watch them overcome it. They all support each other just as much as we support them, and that’s pretty cool.”

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Located at the entrance of the neighborhood “Lakes of Prosper,” the new Little Free Library holds books donated by the Girl Scouts and other community members. Little Free Library, a nonprofit organization promotes book exchanges in neighborhoods and communities. “I think this is an amazing way to open up to the community and have a big group project,” Girl Scout Carsyn Overstreet said. “I always loved free little libraries being near my school and near my neighborhood. I think it’s just a great way to have interaction with our community.” Caroline Wilburn, a senior, has lived in Prosper, Texas, since 2010. She currently serves on the editorial board for Eagle Nation Online, the student voice of Prosper High School. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with friends, family and her dogs. She also plays for the varsity tennis team and plans to attend Texas A&M University next year.

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WeAreProsper.com | 11

Life & Luxury Magazine Community

Library’s Summer Reading Program Covers the Planet There is arguably no better time than now, after a long and challenging year of being in some form of lockdown, unable to travel and explore our grand and glorious planet, to break out and visit the earth’s seven continents, even if only via the library. The Prosper Community Library is devoting the summer to precisely doing that under the banner of “Destination: 7 Continent Exploration.” Participants in the annual Summer Reading Program, which begins on June 1 and continues until August 5, will include virtual trips to the seven continents: North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Antarctica, Asia, and Australia. Readers will learn all about the continents, their cultures, foods, inhabitants, landmass, and natural beauty. Like all globe-trotters, though, summer reading participants will need a passport, provided by the Library to readers of all ages. Stamps can be earned by taking on and completing the reading challenges. Filled passports will be entered into drawings for interactive globes. Also this summer, drop-in programs will be offered each day from 10:30am to 1:30pm Monday through Thursday. The Monday program will repeat on Tuesday, and the Wednesday program will repeat on Thursday. The repeating days allow the library staff to provide programming while still maintaining some distancing and limited attendance for health and safety.

12 | WeAreProsper.com

Planned activities include tube penguins, a blubber experiment, creating a Djembe hand drum, making a boomerang, contributing to a coral reef, and so much more. And, of course, staff will lead a related exploration of a different continent each week to learn and explore. Moreover, structured programs will also be offered including bi-monthly book club meetings covering children’s Texas award-winning books for rising third to rising sixth graders. Wiggles Wednesday will occur on the library lawn at 5:00pm for families with youngsters ages toddler to six. Teens will have an opportunity to participate in our own Amazing Race and atlas painting. Adults will be offered a monthly take and make craft. Family friendly movies will be shown that tie into each week’s destination continent, and to celebrate Independence Day, a children’s parade around Town Hall will be held on July 1 which will include Mayor Ray Smith, members of the Town Council, first responders, and many others. Handy calendars for the summer will be available at the Library, giving families a chance to plan their summer schedule. Event announcements and reminders will be posted on the Library Facebook page. As a reminder, past programs for all ages are always available on the library’s YouTube channel, a great place to access educational, engaging, and entertaining virtual programs. Library hours will increase effective Monday, June 1 to Monday through Thursday from 9:30am to 6:00pm and on Saturdays from 9:00am to 3:00pm. More information is available at https://www.prospertx.gov/ residents/library/, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Prosper Utility Customers Now Able to Manage Their Use Prosper residents are now able to easily keep track of their monthly water use, monitor how their water is being consumed, compare their use to their neighbors, and learn what they can do to better manage their water utilization. Utility Billing has rolled out the Adaptive Consumer Engagement (ACE) portal that provides water customers the ability to set up an online dashboard, providing them with critical consumption information. The dashboard can be configured to send timely email or mobile alerts on a variety of water use matters to customers. Notably, the ACE portal can be accessed through the myProsper app, available at no charge through the Apple Store or Google Play. The ACE portal, developed by Aclara, provides customers with an array of virtual tools that can help them understand what can be done to save money on their utility bills. Step by step instructions on setting up the personalized dashboard are available by visiting: https://www.prospertx.gov/government/ departments/utilitybilling/ace-portal-2/. The portal’s dashboard is designed to customize the platform to each individual household. Customers enter information specific to their home, their appliances, the number of occupants, and other information that can have a significant impact on their water use. Using data compiled over time, the portal can provide specific advice designed for each particular home that users can implement to conserve water, save money, and lessen the anxiety of unexpected high bills, especially during the summer watering season. Customers can tailor the program to send them alerts based on preset thresholds of use, thereby allowing them the option of making changes to their monthly usage patterns and managing their monthly water costs. To prepare for the implementation of the ACE portal, the Town has been making investments in upgrading water meters. This year, the final 3,300 of Prosper’s more than 12,000 customers will have their meters replaced with MTUs (meter transmission units) which can be read electronically. The MTUs can transmit water use information hourly, and the information can be analyzed and interpreted instantaneously to provide real-time information to customers. “Water is a finite resource that we cannot waste,” says Betty Pamplin, Prosper Director of Finance, the department which supervises Utility Billing. “The ACE system puts control of water utilization in the hands of the customer, empowering them to make the appropriate decisions on their water use habits.”

WeAreProsper.com | 13

Life & Luxury Magazine Homefront

Infuse Living Spaces with Color From experiences to surroundings, the past year has brought a renewed focus on feeding the soul. In an era of overstimulation and information overload, many are finding a new appreciation for living life minimally but with maximum experiences.

harmony in any combination. Thoughtful use of color is among the most effective design tools for reveal-worthy style in your home.

That mentality is increasingly evident in all aspects of life, especially with home design and decor. After all, spending more time at home means more time to discover what truly evokes happiness.

In the past, appliances were meant to blend into the decor to be less obvious, albeit essential, elements of a kitchen. A more contemporary approach: vibrant appliances that get noticed. You can find major appliances in a wide range of colors, but if you’re not sure about going that big and bold, many smaller countertop appliances, such as stand mixers and toasters, come in a range of colorful options, too.

At the same time, as the focus on physical and mental wellness heightens, design experts see those trends reflected in a more considered approach to design inspired by color therapy, which makes it possible to create beautiful spaces filled with healing color. With an expertly coordinated color palette, like the Color Collections from HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, colors work in perfect 14 | WeAreProsper.com

Appliances

Architecture

When contemplating where and how to apply color to a space, avoid boxing in your options. Think beyond traditional wall space when planning ways to change the color in a space; be thoughtful with color and highlight architectural details to elevate the interest and charm in your home. Take a 360-degree immersive color approach, painting the same shade from floor to ceiling and all around to create a mood-boosting lift to a room. To infuse more color and boldness into your space, consider a timeless and elegant shade of red, like HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams’ 2021 Color of the Year. This paint color, “Passionate,” is a deeply saturated hue that is daringly rich and invigorates the senses. This bold and empowering red is steeped in history, merging modern design with traditional charm.

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Furniture

Whether you’re into project pieces you can transform into something new or simply shopping for furnishings that complement your space, be sure to consider how the furniture fits into the overall color scheme. Selecting furniture that fits with the design brings a more cohesive and stylized feel to the room. For example, a desk and bookshelves in pale natural hues can lend warmth to an office with walls painted a cool dynamic blue.

Cabinets

Painted cabinets are on-trend, and if you’re bored with basic whites and grays, you’re not alone. Designers are going bold in the kitchen and using cabinetry as a showpiece. These color palettes create inspiring spaces that invite you to get busy baking or simply pull up a chair and linger over a cup of coffee. If you’re concerned about how to bring a color palette together, consider using a collection that has been intentionally curated to mix and match shades for a perfect look no matter which hues you choose. You can easily achieve a new look with an option like the Delightfully Daring Color Collection from HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams. With earthy tones inspired by nature and a dose of vibrancy, the shades are simultaneously energizing and calming. The palette makes it easy to introduce statement colors in unexpected ways so you can feel confident in your selections. Get inspired to bring healing design elements into your own home at www.hgtvhomebysherwinwilliams. com.

WeAreProsper.com | 15

Life & Luxury Magazine Growing Prosper

Landscaping Back Yards for 4-Season Interest Have you noticed that we are demanding more and more out of our landscapes? For the upscale, this may take the form of outdoor kitchens with all the amenities of home, or, perhaps, large in-ground swimming pools with waterfalls, slides and spa and spools built right into them. For the average person, the trend is toward something a bit more modest: namely, landscaping back yards with an eye to all four seasons. Modest, yes; unimportant, no. Since we use our properties year-round, why shouldn’t there be something to catch our attention at any time of year, even in the dead of winter? Something to gladden our hearts and put a twinkle in our eyes, so that our back yards continually delight us? That is the goal of landscaping back yards for 4-season interest. You must discover when particular plants put on their best show. And, based on this knowledge, you must aim for a planting plan that embraces it. That is, make sure your back yard doesn’t end up with a plethora of high performers for the spring and summer displays, for instance, while quite neglecting the fall and winter displays. Instead, distribute the beauty across the four seasons, as equally as possible is the best game plan. Landscaping back yards for 4-season interest begins by drawing a landscape plan. Trees and shrubs simply take up too much space for you to plant them haphazardly, unless your property is very large. For smaller properties, it is better to allocate space for trees and shrubs in a methodical and disciplined manner, so that they don’t end up outgrowing their homes and causing you problems. Consequently, tree and shrub selection must take into consideration the mature sizes of the plants. Other practical issues must also be addressed, such as the zone in which you live and the sun and soil requirements for the trees and shrubs that you have in mind. Once you’ve researched the practical issues, you can give free rein to your more creative side. Again, the idea is to distribute the color that trees and shrubs offer across the four seasons, as equally as possible, so as to achieve year-round interest. 16 | WeAreProsper.com

The Spring Season By the time winter’s over, let’s face it: we want color, and we want it fast! Thus, the popularity of one of the earliest blooming shrubs, Forsythia. Forsythia blooms in early spring, well before many of the other flowering trees and shrubs. Consider flowering Quince also. For ornamental anchors, consider a Redbud Tree…my favorite variety is the “Oklahoma Redbud”. Achieving color on the landscape in mid-spring generally isn’t a problem, since there are so many flowering trees and shrubs from which to choose. If you plan carefully, late spring needn’t take a backseat to April and early May, in terms of color. Salvia is a long-time favorite that will bring color to the landscape in late spring. To supplement your Salvias, two other plants to consider are Vitex tree and Lorapetulum. The Summer Season In summer, the brilliant spring blooms on trees and shrubs give way to just plain old leaves. It can be a challenge to find any trees and shrubs that will bloom for a significant amount of time during the summer season. In our climate zone, the long blooming period of Crape Myrtle trees is a boon to summer landscaping. In second place, your savior is long-blooming Rose of Sharon, also known as Althea. The Fall Season While floral color reigns triumphant at the beginning of the growing season, at the end it is foliage color that is king. I have my favorites for the best fall foliage trees, including the must-have maples, and the best shrubs and vines for fall color, but here I would like to draw your attention to two plants in particular that are useful -- and overlooked -- in extending the fall foliage season. I love the exquisite harvest colors of autumn and feel the fall foliage season is too short-lived. To get a jump on the fall foliage display, plant Mexican Bush Sage and Gulf Coast Muhly Grass which usher in the

autumn season well before the maples. These shrub type plantings provide fall foliage and will help bridge the gap between the last Rose of Sharon bloom and the first hint of color on your Maples. But don’t stop there! The best color of the maples will be gone part way through November, so you also need a fall foliage specimen that takes the torch from the maples and carries it a bit closer to the winter season. Oak trees and Chinese Pistachio trees will do just that, albeit usually with less flare than the incomparable maple trees available to us.

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The Winter Season But alas, despite your best efforts to prolong the fall foliage season, winter will surely come, eventually. What then? What do you have to work with once the trees have dropped their leaves and the spring blooming period is still months away? Indeed, winter poses the greatest challenge to the goal of achieving year-round interest on your landscape. As remarked above, your choices for color are more limited in winter than in the other seasons. With the exception provided by evergreen trees and shrubs, the winter landscape is largely dominated by the colors red, yellow and pink if designed correctly. That is not to say that you do not have some choices. Red Twig dogwood has an attractive reddish bark. A patch of fiery Red Twig dogwood makes for an unforgettable winter scene. The bark of the Lacebark Elm is also quite attractive this time year as well. Question: Hi Jimmie! We actually met at a Prosper Football Game so you probably don’t remember me! I am the lady you actually paid for my family’s food because silly me left my credit card in my car that night! That was so kind of you!! Hopefully your accounting office gave you the check I mailed! I have a neighbor that, well let’s just say we are not best friends! Lol... I want to plant a row of privacy shrubs or trees or something to provide a natural property line divider between our properties. I really like those tall kind of thin Evergreen trees or shrubs. I am sorry I don’t know the names of plants but I figured you would! Thank you again!! - Rachael B. in Prosper Answer: Hello Rachael! Yes of course I remember you! No worries at all, I was raised to always help anyone when you’re able, so more than happy to do that and yes, the accounting office did receive your check and very nice note to us! We actually deal with this request from clients quite a bit. You’re likely thinking of Italian Cypress however recently it has been proven to struggle a bit during winters and has shown it is susceptible to a few different treatable diseases. We do not recommend those any longer. The new and improved time-tested replacement ornamental anchor is the Taylor Juniper. I think you will have great success with that one! Until next time...Happy Gardening!! Jimmie Coming soon a new virtual a la carte consulting service for all!

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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www.mycelinavet.com WeAreProsper.com | 17

Life In &GLuxury ood Magazine Taste

A Truly Memorable Summer Menu

Summer days are often spent with family and friends, soaking in the sun’s rays and enjoying outdoor living with warm-weather activities. Complement this year’s summertime excitement with food that matches your enthusiasm for the season. Your menu can start with a fruity dip and a salad before diving into steak for the main course and a kid-friendly treat to top it all off. These recipes make the most of what summer has to offer with fresh fruits and veggies, bright and refreshing greens, tender cuts of meat and frozen treats that celebrate those memorable moments together. APPLE GUACAMOLE 3 ripe avocados, halved and pitted 1/2 cup finely chopped Vidalia onion 1/2 cup snipped fresh cilantro 1 lime, juice only Bottled hot pepper sauce, to taste 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped Kosher salt, to taste Tortilla chips In bowl, use fork to mash avocados, onion, cilantro, lime juice and hot pepper sauce to desired consistency. Stir in apple and season with salt, to taste. Serve with tortilla chips. Visit Culinary.net for more snack ideas.

STEAK BANH MI 10 ounces Silver Fern Farms New Zealand grass-fed beef flat iron steak 2 teaspoons hoisin sauce 2 teaspoons soy sauce 2 teaspoons honey 1 teaspoon fish sauce 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon, plus 1/2 cup, rice vinegar, divided 1/8 teaspoon five-spice powder 2 tablespoons sugar 1 pinch salt 1 small carrot, cut into matchsticks 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1/4 cup water 2 Vietnamese baguettes or dinner rolls 1/4 cup mayonnaise 4 Batavia lettuce leaves 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped 1 Persian cucumber, sliced Remove steak from packaging and set aside 10 minutes. Once steak reaches room temperature, place steak in deep plate or storage container. In small bowl, combine hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, fish sauce, garlic, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar and five-spice powder; pour over steak. Cover and marinate in fridge at least 2 hours, or overnight. In small pot over medium heat, heat remaining rice vinegar, sugar and salt. Cook and stir until sugar and salt dissolve. Remove from heat and let cool. Place carrots in deep plate or storage container. Pour cooled pickling liquid over carrots. Set aside to marinate. Remove steak from marinade and pat dry. Reserve marinade. Heat oven to 325 F. Heat heavy-bottomed pan over high heat and add oil. Once oil begins to smoke, add steak. Sear both sides, about 1 minute per side. Lower heat to medium. Add reserved marinade and water to pan. Cook, covered, 3 minutes, removing lid to flip meat occasionally. Remove lid and let sauce reduce 1 minute, or until slightly thickened. Transfer steak and sauce to large plate and let rest 10 minutes before slicing. Toast baguettes in oven 5 minutes. Let cool 5-10 minutes. Slice baguettes along middle without cutting through. Slice steak into thin pieces. Spread mayonnaise on baguettes and add 1-2 lettuce leaves to each. Layer steak on lettuce leaves followed by cilantro, cucumbers and pickled carrots. Slice baguette into two sandwiches. Visit silverfernfarms.com for more inspiration.

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APPLE, STRAWBERRY, BLUEBERRY SALAD 2 large apples 2 packages (6 ounces each) Fresh Express 5-Lettuce Mix 1 pint strawberries, cut in half 1 pint blueberries 1/2 cup pecan halves, toasted Blueberry dressing Blueberry Dressing: 2 cups fresh blueberries 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1/2 cup olive oil salt, to taste pepper, to taste To make blueberry dressing: In blender, process blueberries, balsamic vinegar, honey, lemon juice, olive oil and salt and pepper, to taste, until smooth. Set aside. To prepare salad: Cut apples into 1/4-inch thick slices. Using 1-1/2-inch diameter star-shaped cutter, cut apple slices into stars. Place lettuce mix in large bowl; add apples, strawberries and blueberries. Sprinkle with pecans. Before serving, drizzle each salad with blueberry dressing. Find more salad inspiration at freshexpress.com.

WATERMELON BERRY FROZEN POPS 6 cups watermelon 1 cup blueberries, divided 1 cup raspberries, divided 3 tablespoons honey In blender, blend watermelon, 1/2 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup raspberries and honey until smooth. Press through fine mesh strainer to remove pulp and seeds. Fill ice pop molds 3/4 full with liquid. Add remaining whole blueberries and raspberries to molds. Insert sticks and freeze at least 4 hours, or until completely frozen. To find more summertime snacks, meals and treats, visit watermelon.org.

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Life & Luxury Magazine Fashion

Women’s Summer 2021 Fashion Trends

Before we jump into Your Guide to Women’s Summer 2021 Fashion Trends, let’s set the scene. You are lounging in rays of sunshine with a refreshing beverage in one hand and a book in the other. As you take a deep, cleansing breath, a warm breeze enters the space sending you into complete relaxation. What a tease, right? No worries…summer is right around the corner, and dreamy moments like these are on the way. By the end of this read, you will be ready for all of those stylish moments with Your Guide to Women’s Summer 2021 Fashion Trends. When it comes to women’s summer 2021 fashion trend essentials, there are many exciting ways to express your style personality. From relaxed silhouettes to sporty pieces, these key items are functional, feminine and may already be in your closet. While reading this guide, conduct a mental audit of your wardrobe so that you can easily pinpoint the pieces you need to complete your 2021 summer looks. Wide-Leg Pants Everything old is new again, and that is certainly the case for our favorite summer 2021 fashion trend—wide-leg pants. Taking a nod from the 70s, wideleg pants will be everywhere this summer. From flowing knit prints to white denim, wide-leg pants come in a multitude of options. Want a pair for a laidback beach day? Try a cropped knit with a wide elastic waistband that is light and easy to put on and take off. Looking for something more structured for dinner? Dress up a pair of high-waisted pants in a retro print for a night out. There are unlimited choices when it comes to how to wear wide-leg pants. Stylist Tip: Balance out the wide silhouette with a fitted top like a cool tank. If your pants are printed, opt for a solid, bright option with details like lace or cutouts. If your wide-leg pants are solid, pair them with a printed bodysuit like a classic gingham or stripe. Matching Sets If you think the matching sets that we’ve been wearing while working from home will disappear when summer arrives, you’re mistaken, my friend. Matching sets will make a splash this summer in many forms. From a matching tie-front top and midi skirt to a cropped palazzo pant and crop top, cool summer sets are hot for 2021. Not ready to retire your sweatsuit for the summer? Style your joggers with a simple white tee, a pair of your go-to sneakers and finish the look by tying the top around your waist. It’s a fresh summer take on your favorite fleece. Rompers If you know us, you know that we love a great romper. Don’t know what a romper is? No sweat. Rompers are essentially jumpsuits with shorts instead of full-length pants. They are a summer 2021 fashion trend that is an instant outfit—they’re also a must-have way to stay crisp and cool. Look for light linen designs, sporty pops-of-print like camo and flowing boho-inspired pieces. Watercolor florals took center stage in our spring color trends and continue right into summer. Looking for the right shoes to wear with a romper? We have you covered with trendy summer shoes below, as well as additional tried and true tips in What Shoes to Wear with Jumpsuits. Puff Sleeves You might see this next trend when you binge watch Bridgerton, but it’s not just for the days of regents and royalty. The puff sleeve is one of the season’s top trends and the perfect way to add a little drama to your summer look. From exaggerated to subtle, add a little puff and circumstance to your 2021 summer attire. Pair puff sleeves with a cool summer solid to balance the dramatic sleeve detail. We promise that Lady Whistledown will have nothing but good things to say in her next column. Biker Shorts Biker shorts are traditionally worn while, well, riding a bike. Shocker. The extreme slim-fit hugs the body, avoiding the discomfort of chafing that can occur with the motion of riding a bike. Bike shorts make cycling comfortable, efficient and are a stylish summer 2021 fashion trend. There are many ways to wear the trend, including keeping it simple with a sports bra and sneakers. 20 | WeAreProsper.com

You can also french tuck an oversized shirt into the biker shorts and add a pair of printed slides. Take your bike shorts from the gym to socially distanced drinks with friends by adding a simple white tee, oversized blazer and a heeled open-toed mule. There are a plethora of bike short options and even more ways to rock them. Not a biker short fan? Wear the same looks with a pair of your denim shorts for a classic summer ensemble that will never go out of style. Sporty Sandals Do you remember dad sandals? They are no longer just a memory. Once labeled the practical shoe, these sandals are back and getting a makeover for the summer. Now slightly more chunky and sporty, this comfortable shoe is being remixed by nearly every designer and shoe retailer in the country. Got a pair of Teva sandals in your closet? Dig out those bad boys and pair them with a simple midi dress for an instantly chic look. Fun fact: Teva was born in the Grand Canyon back in 1984. A river guide rigged Velcro watch bands to a pair of flip-flops creating a shoe that wouldn’t float away. Dress up your Tevas with a relaxed summer suit, or dress them down with a distressed denim skirt and a muscle tee. You can also dust off your Birkenstocks and pair them with a printed utility romper for effortless summer attire. SNEAKERS: THE MUST-HAVE SUMMER SHOE OF THE 2021 SEASON If you thought sporty sandals were at the top of the list of summer 2021 fashion trends, think again. Sneakers are the frontrunner and are being paired with every summer trend we have mentioned and more. From maxi dresses to printed shorts to wide-leg jumpsuits, sneakers are worn with anything and everything. You really can’t go wrong with a fresh pair of summer kicks. In particular, the hottest sneaker trend this summer is pairing sneakers with dresses. Wear your favorite midi dress with a fresh pair of white trainers. A cottagecore-inspired nap dress will go perfectly with an elevated slip-on sneaker. Rock your go-to summer skirt with a platform sneaker for a fun and trendy desert daze. It’s a flawless way to beat the heat.

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2021 WOMEN’S SUMMER PRINTS Summer is known for fun, bold prints and 2021 women’s summer prints are no different. Bold, striking stripes are a leading print on our summer 2021 fashion trends list. Whether in a matching set, or a single piece, tie-dye is a close second. Polka dots are coming in strong and will be seen in classic, geo and an updated print of erratic dots of different shapes and sizes. Vintage florals will be heavy on the scene, with other florals like ditzy and painted also in the mix. Anything with exuberant blooms is a summer win. An honorable mention is the unexpected cherry pattern (yes, the fruit) that will make summer waves. Rounding out our 2021 summer prints is gingham, which in our opinion, never really goes out of style. 2021 WOMEN’S SUMMER COLORS Gorgeous comes to mind when thinking about the color palette for our women’s 2021 summer fashion trends. Along with the Pantone colors of the year, grey and yellow, you’ll see pops of, raspberry, rust, navy, coral, amethyst and french blue in 2021 summer designs. Soft pastels like lavender and mint are also going to be intermixed into summer styles this season. Wear the colors together, or with neutrals like tan, white and black to make them pop. Don a coral tank with white denim shorts during the day and brighten up the night with a bold pop of summer color in a flowing wide-leg jumpsuit. Add a belt and a neutral summer sandal to complete the look. Don’t have any of these colors in your closet? When in doubt, go bold. Select bright, active, lively colored pieces that you already have to create your 2021 women’s summer look. You are now fully informed in everything 2021 summer trend related. Still have questions about women’s summer style? Ask a stylist is here with all of the answers. We look forward to connecting with you and making your summer style wishes come true. Article compliments of Stitch Fix. Visit http://www.stitchfix.com to schedule your fix!

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Life & Luxury Magazine Travel

Planning a Joyful Summer Escape

Nearly everyone needs something to look forward to again, and few things can bring more joy than planning the perfect getaway. Many travelers have different ideas in mind when it comes to planning or dreaming about a summer vacation. Some are enchanted by spending time at a beach, others prefer to take in a rich arts or history scene and there are also those who prefer to stay closer to home.

spaces and amenities with two sparkling pools, including one with a splash pad, specialty restaurants and a rooftop terrace with nightly views of the Disney fireworks display.

According to polling conducted by Michelle Gielan, founder of the Institute for Applied Positive Research and an expert in the science of happiness, 97% of respondents said having a trip planned makes them happier and 96% agreed getting to travel and feeling safe while doing it would bring peace of mind.

From downtown shopping at City Center, dining and nightlife to nearby attractions such as Mt. Vernon Square and the National Mall, an option like the Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C., is a perfect place to relax and recharge after exploring the nation’s capital. Spanning nearly a city block, it features vibrant rooms and suites with modern features and amenities, including club-level rooms, restaurants and bars, and a bilevel fitness center.

While there are seemingly countless resources available for assisting with travel plans, booking directly can provide valuable benefits. For example, when the time is right for you to start planning, booking on Marriott.com offers travelers flexibility with more than 7,600 properties, and Marriott Bonvoy members have access to special member rates and best-rate guarantees, free Wi-Fi, mobile check-in and checkout, the ability to chat with hotel staff and mobile keys at many hotels. Members also earn points which can be redeemed for free nights. Consider these domestic destinations when you’re ready to start planning for summer travel: Nashville, Tennessee An option like the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center is perfect for your summer adventure. Situated in the heart of Nashville, you can enjoy award-winning barbecue and line dance lessons at the Wildhorse Saloon or set sail for a lunch and dinner cruise aboard the General Jackson Showboat then return to a lineup of amenities that includes a 4-acre upscale waterpark, indoor gardens and waterfalls, a full-service spa, more than 750,000 square feet of meeting space and restaurants ranging from steak and Mexican to Italian and Japanese, plus frozen yogurt and gelato for dessert. Orlando, Florida Located adjacent to the Disney World Resort theme parks and Disney Springs in Orlando, the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa brings modern luxury to Central Florida. The hotel offers inviting social 22 | WeAreProsper.com

Washington, D.C.

Seattle, Washington With a vibrant live music scene, state-of-the-art fitness center and awardwinning seasonal fare on-site, a luxury getaway like W Seattle can be your hub for exploring attractions just moments from the hotel, such as Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum and plenty of outdoor parks and recreation. San Francisco, California Surrounded by museums and tech titans, The Clancy, Autograph Collection is a destination for new discoveries near Union Square, where San Francisco’s beautiful views meet adventurous intellect. With easy access to attractions and culinary delights, the hotel is a welcoming beacon to visitors. Maui, Hawaii Discover timeless island luxury at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this five-star resort complements Maui’s natural splendor with modern amenities such as contemporary rooms and suites, two championship golf courses, six distinctive restaurants and spa treatments steeped in Hawaiian culture, as well as access to nearby beaches and amenities within the 22,000-acre Kapalua Resort. Explore these travel destinations and more, and find exclusive member-only rates, at Marriott.com.

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