Denton County magazine September-October 2019

DENTON County Head-to-Toe Tips for Looking Fab This Fall

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 $5.95

CHIC & UNIQUE AT CIRCA 77 VINTAGE OUR COUNTY’S BEST YOUNG DESIGNERS

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A LOOK INSIDE SHILOH FIELD SPOTLIGHT ON JUSTIN DINING AT THE GREENHOUSE

FIND POWER

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The KoonsFuller Denton Team: Nicole Carroll, Sean Abeyta*, Charla Bradshaw*, Sarah Darnell*, James Logue, and Regan Donnenfield

KOONSFULLER: DIVORCE, CHILD CUSTODY, PROPERTY DIVISION, MARITAL AGREEMENTS, PATERNITY, APPEALS

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DENTON County

SEPTEMBER/ OCTOBER Volume 2, Issue 5

FE ATURES

37

Style

Denton County professionals share their wisdom on fashion, grooming, beauty, chic home design and more.

66

Feeding the Multitude

Nourishing bodies and souls at community garden Shiloh Field

Up-and-coming fashion designer Summer Salgado stuns with dark and edgy yet feminine silhouettes.

Photo courtesty of Summer Salgado

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S E P T E M B E R /O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9 D E N T O N CO U N T Y

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DENTON County

32 DE PA RTME NT S 24 Community

Spotlight: Justin

Railroad roots, Justin Discount Boots and community-focused schools

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28 Shopping: Circa 77 Vintage

Curated vintage clothing with personality

32 Dining: The GreenHouse

Made-from-scratch wood-fired delights, hand-crafted cocktails and personal service in downtown Denton

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COUNT Y LINE

What defines our county today

24

11 Inside ARTLAB3000

Adding color and joy to the local art scene

14 Cloud 9 Charities

Helping families get back on their feet through temporary housing

18 21st Century Love

A UNT professor's top tips for dating in the digital world

22 Time Machine

A live 1950s variety show cured all ails

IN E V E RY ISSUE 8 About This Issue 72 See & Do On the cover: Model Yanna Michelle at Morrison's Corn-Kits in Denton. Wardrobe

by Circa 77 Vintage. Makeup by Cary Avitia.

Photo by Kevin Fides.

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Top left photo by students of Denton ISD’s LaGrone Advanced Technology Complex; top right courtesy of We Denton Do It; middle photo by Paola Chavez; bottom photo courtesy of City of Justin

SEPTEMBER/ OCTOBER

A BOUT THIS ISSUE

You’ve Got Style!

D

espite what fashion magazines say, there is no wrong way to be stylish. Well-fitting clothes, accessories that reflect your personal aesthetic, hair that flatters your face and an air of confidence are all you need to turn heads.

This issue will help you discover and display your personal style with jewelry made right here in Denton County, makeup and nail tips from local experts, your town's best spots for retail therapy and even advice on how gentlemen can perfectly tailor their next suit. Take a look at page 60 for some beautiful local wedding venues to ensure a big day that captures your style.

We'll take you inside one of the nation's most impressive wardrobes: the Texas Fashion Collection. This unique repository of fashion throughout the ages features more than 20,000 pieces of clothing from the 1800s to today.

You'll also get to know some up-and-coming fashion designers, find out how artists transform trash into chic looks at SCAP Denton's annual runway show and visit a Denton County clothing swap that'll help you refresh your closet and have fun at the same time.

Circa 77 Vintage is the subject of our Shopping section this month. This stop for all things unique also provided the playful fashion seen on this month's cover.

We've also got stories about other fascinating people, places and organizations in your community, including Greenhouse restaurant, the city of Justin, ARTLAB3000 and Cloud 9 Charities.

Starting on page 66, we'll share the incredible story of how Gene Gumfory transformed 14.5 acres of donated land into the nation's largest community garden. This remarkable volunteer-run project yields about 100,000 pounds of produce for the hungry every year.

As always, we welcome your thoughts, story ideas and letters to the editor (editor@dentoncountymagazine.com).

If you haven't already, head over to dentoncountymagazine. com to get this magazine delivered to your home six times a year for just $25. Thank you, as always, for your feedback and support. Have a fabulous fall!

PUBLISHER Bill Patterson

EDITOR Kimberly Turner

M AG A Z I N E CO N S U LTA N T Rich Alfano

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Sean McCrory

S A L E S M A N AG E R Shawn Reneau ACCO U N T EXECUTIVES Becci Hendrix Joanne Horst Danielle Thompson Shelly Vannatta MAILING ADDRESS 3555 Duchess Drive Denton, Texas 76205 EDITORIAL 940-566-6879 A DV E R T I S I N G INQUIRIES 940-566-6843

DESIGN DI RECTOR Ben Carpenter DESIGNER Phil Lor CO N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R S Abigail Boatwright, Mary Dunklin, Tori Falcon, Nicole Foster, Annette Nevins, Paula Felps, Nicole Foster, Rachel Hedstrom, Kylie Ora Lobell, Melanie Medina, Marshall Reid, Ellen Ritscher Sackett, Donna Stokes, Leslie Thompson, Kimberly Turner CO N T R I B U T I N G PHOTOGRAPH ERS Abigail Boatwright C R E AT I V E PA R T N E R madison/miles media

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscribe to Denton County magazine for $25/year.

Subscribe online at DentonCountyMagazine.com or mail a check or visit us at 3555 Duchess Drive, Denton, Texas 76205.

For subscription questions, call 940-387-3811.

S T O RY I D E A S editor@dentoncountymagazine.com LETTERS TO TH E EDITOR Write to editor@dentoncountymagazine.com.

Please include your full name, city and phone number. Denton County magazine reserves the right to edit for length and clarity.

L I K E U S FAC E B O O K Facebook.com/DentonCountyMagazine FIND US ONLINE DentonCountyMagazine.com

Š Copyright 2019: Denton County magazine is published by Denton Media Company, publishers of the Denton Record-Chronicle. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Editorial content does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher.

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D E N T O N CO U N T Y S E P T E M B E R /O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9

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What defines our county today

INSIDE: u u A UNT professor’s tips for navigating digital dating u u Cloud 9 Charities helps families get back on their feet u u Dr. Livelong’s Medicine Show “healed” its 1950s audience

COUNTY LINE

INSIDE ARTLAB STATE OF THE ARTS

Artists Melanie Little Gomez and Des Smith add color and wonder to Denton County’s public spaces.

BY TORI FALCON

Photo by Kiba Jacobs

A

RTLAB3000. It may sound like the name of a post-apocalyptic battalion that fights on behalf of the arts, but in reality, it’s the Denton-based artistic collaboration between Melanie Little Gomez and Des Smith.

Unexpected Territory A few of ARTLAB3000’s notable works include the Juicy Pig mural; a slew of videos, album covers and installations for Sarah Jaffe (see our Music Issue for more on the singer-songwriter); and their favorite project: promos for now-defunct music festival 35 Denton (rest in peace).

“One thing we both decided with ARTLAB was to do things we had never done before,” says Gomez, who graduated with a degree in photography from Texas Woman’s University.

Since they started the collaboration in 2012, Gomez, a painter/ photographer, and Smith, a sculptor/photographer, say that ARTLAB3000 has allowed them to venture into unexpected territory — a miniature model of the Fry Street area of Denton,

3D costume builds with Booker T. Washington School, puppets and costumes for festivals and even shadow puppet shows.

“I think Denton is pushing for more visual art and that’s an exciting thing,” Gomez says. “They’re ready for us and it’s been open arms… we are more than ready to take that challenge.”

Finding the Spark The couple found each other in the art world of Switzerland seven years ago, began collaborating and haven’t stopped since.

They are open to a variety of projects. Their motto is simple: S E P T E M B E R /O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9 D E N T O N CO U N T Y

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COUNT Y LINE

ARTLAB3000 has created everything from music videos to a model of Denton’s Fry Street area.

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If you have an idea you want realized, reach out.

“If we’re excited about [an idea], we take it on,” Smith says. “I never feel like most things we are asked are beyond us.”

ARTLAB3000 makes sure each project is unique and special, never doing the same thing twice. After someone reaches out and gets the green light from the duo, the longest part of the project starts: research and formulating an idea.

“It takes a spark, but we love searching for the spark,” Gomez says.

A few of the projects that they’ll be applying that spark to in the near future include an album cover for the One O’Clock Lab Band and works for the J&J’s Pizza and KUZU LPFM buildings.

Gomez and Smith are always on the lookout for more projects. “Our aim is not to spread more darkness — there’s enough people doing that,” Smith said.

“Joy might be the inspiration for Art Lab; try to spread a little joy. It might be as simple as that.”

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COUNT Y LINE NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

by providing temporary housing through Bedtime Rescue.

“In 2012, Kim saw a story on 60 Minutes about a program that would temporarily house people who needed help,” says Mahieu.

Charities

Fueled by compassion, this community nonprofit provides a safe place for families to sleep at night.

BY LESLIE THOMPSON

K

im Cloud Skidmore learned two vital life lessons from her mother, affectionately known by many as Momma Mary: Help people in need, and “be sweet.” For years, the outspoken entrepreneur put both maxims into practice by supporting numerous local charities through financial donations and volunteering her time. When friends suggested that she start her own nonprofit, she saw an opportunity to make a bigger impact, and Cloud 9 Charities was born.

Unexpected Hurdles “Kim was raised by a woman who loved life and believed in giving back,” says Stacey Mahieu, President of Cloud 9 Charities, which was founded in 2004

Stacey Mahieu (left) and Kim Cloud

and became a 501(c)3 in 2007.

For the first several years, the nonprofit raised funds for local charities, including CASA, Communities in Schools, Metroport Meals on Wheels, New Hope Learning Center, Stable Strides Farms and a dozen other organizations.

Although Cloud 9 Charities was making a profound impact, its board members encountered unexpected hurdles. They learned that philanthropic foundations generally don’t offer grant assistance to organizations that give money away, instead preferring to support specific initiatives.

As a result, Cloud 9 Charities this year shifted its focus to a singular mission: to help local families get back on their feet

The Best Little Brewfest in Texas fundraiser is October 19.

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Bedtime Rescue After hearing about the number of homeless children in one local school district, Cloud was inspired to create a similar program in Denton County, called Bedtime Rescue. More than 250 families in Denton County have nowhere to sleep at night, according to county data, often due to unforeseen emergencies. Some are women and children fleeing from domestic violence, while other families are unable to pay their bills after an illness, layoff or other life event created a sudden financial crisis.

Bedtime Rescue covers the cost of a hotel for up to two weeks to help those families take a breather and come up with a plan to get back on their feet. The program houses more than 10 homeless families each month, and to date, it has provided more than 1,800 nights of shelter. Since its inception, Cloud 9 Charities has also raised more than $2.6 million to help those in need.

How to Help The nonprofit hosts two major fundraising events: The Giving & Golf annual golf tournament in Lantana each spring and The Best Little Brewfest in Texas, the only beer festival in the state that gives 100 percent of profits to charity.

“We’ve opened it up to be more of a family event,” says Mahieu, noting that the Brewfest includes food trucks, live music and a kid’s area. She encourages anyone who wants to support Bedtime Rescue to attend this year’s festival in Old Town Lewisville on Saturday, October 19, and enjoy a day of fun while making a positive impact.

“I think it’s important for people to know that there is a big need in our community,” Mahieu says, adding, “If you’re interested in being a part of Cloud 9 Charities, come to an event, or come and volunteer.” To learn more, visit cloud9charities.org.

Photo courtesy of Cloud 9 Charities

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L e a r n Mo r e Online Catalog olli.unt.edu

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S E P T E M B E R /O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9 D E N T O N CO U N T Y

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COUNT Y LINE DIGITAL DATING

21st CENTURY

LOVE

F

DETERMINE YOUR GOAL. Are you looking for a long-term relationship, marriage and kids, one night of fun, a partner to enjoy retirement with or a black book full of casual dates? When you know what you’re looking for, you can peruse dating apps and websites to figure out which one caters to your needs and attracts like-minded people.

CREATE A PROFILE TO ATTRACT THE RIGHT PEOPLE. Leventhal’s profile was 12

pages. She was tired of connecting with people who didn’t have potential and wanted to ensure her expectations were clearly defined. More into body language than the written word? The photo is your friend. Contour, blend and highlight.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK. “I’m such a nerd and love Google-creeping on people,” says Leventhal. Googling someone’s name before meeting serves two purposes. 1. You’ll feel more secure if

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D E N T O N CO U N T Y S E P T E M B E R /O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9

you can confirm a date is who he or she claims to be. 2. It’s a sure way to find a topic to help you start a conversation. Discovered your date is on a soccer team or volunteers at a shelter? Go ahead and admit you searched and found something interesting.

TRY A NO-PRESSURE DATE. “Do something within a set period of time,” Leventhal suggests. Schedule 30 minutes for a coffee or cocktail. If your companion is a dud, say goodbye after the half hour. Sparks flying and conversation flowing? Extend your time together.

BE PREPARED TO HANDLE GHOSTING. Has (s)he stopped responding to your witty texts?

Make a clean break and move on. “I’ve been ghosted, but I’ve also ghosted,” admits Leventhal.

“The fact is that a lot of times you don’t know why it happened.” It’s agonizing to be left in the dark, but chances are, they’re simply not interested... or your radiance is too glorious for them. Either way, get back on the horse and try again.

Photo courtesy of UNT

UNT expert Dr. Julie Leventhal shares her top tips for tackling the challenges of modern romance.

BY NICOLE FOSTER

inding a date has evolved from answering newspaper ads about piña coladas and getting caught in the rain to a quick right swipe. “Online” has become the expected response when couples are asked how they met. University of North Texas senior lecturer Dr. Julie Leventhal is an expert on dating in the digital age. Her expertise comes from both her personal and professional life: She met her boyfriend online and teaches courses like “Courtship and Marriage” and “Interpersonal Relationships.”

“Online dating is so much more normalized now, especially for older demographics,” Leventhal says. “But there’s still a stigma that it’s a last resort or not heavily valued. A lot of people are meeting online. Grandparents are on dating sites now!”

There is no one right way to engage in digital dating, but this UNT professor has a few tips...

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COUNT Y LINE TIME MACHINE

Photo courtesy of Denton Public Library via The Portal to Texas History

Cures What Ails Ya! In 1957, Dr. Livelong’s Medicine Show arrived at the courthouse square via donkey-pulled wagon. From that position, Dr. Livelong and his merry band of musicians, comedians and performers offered entertainment and Over the Top Tonic “guaranteed to cure all Centennial aches and pains.” Local high schooler Homer Bronstad played Dr. Livelong while the ABC Belles presented the fantastical elixir.

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COMMUNIT Y SP OTLIG HT

This close-knit community prides itself on being everything a hometown should be.

BY MARY DUNKLIN

Pairing Progress With Tradition Justin is located 27 miles north of Fort Worth and 17 miles southwest of Denton. Its location — at the intersection of FM 407 and FM 156, west of I-35W — puts it near booming new developments, the Texas Motor Speedway, Alliance Airport and other local industries.

Yet even with all of these amenities nearby, the city of 5,000 still has open areas with pastureland, cattle grazing and green spaces as far as the eye can see.

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Photo by Alan Comer

ustin attracts generations of residents who enjoy living in a city full of small-town charm. “It’s the perfect place to raise kids and have a family,” says Justin City Manager Cori Reaume. “And even those who move away tend to come back and retire here.”

Balancing the city’s progress with its long-held traditions is important for Justin’s leaders. “Having a hometown feel stays in the back of our mind for every decision we make for the city,” Reaume says.

A Good Education Justin is in the Northwest Independent School District (NISD), one of the state’s largest school systems. The district, which spans 234 square miles and serves 14 communities, is also one of the fastest-growing districts in Texas, adding about 1,200 new students each year, according to Emily Conklin, executive director of communications for NISD. “The connection we have with the cities is important,” Conklin says. “We depend on these communities. We want that relationship.”

NISD Communications Specialist Anthony Tosie says the focus on parental and neighborly involvement is encouraged by special events throughout the year. “Our schools all have a community focus. Teachers know their students, and they can be seen at after-school activities to support the students.”

School events in Justin attract a wide range of ages and families who want to be involved, even if they don’t have kids who attend that particular campus.

The district puts a high value on fine arts and has been on the Best Community for Music Education list for 11 consecutive years. An annual middle school performance brings students from all campuses together to create a Broadway-scale musical.

NISD also excels at academics and has had multiple National Merit Scholars.

“We really, truly value personalized-learning experiences,” says Conklin, who adds that lessons are designed to challenge and motivate each student.

The school district’s growth and bright future make Justin a very attractive place to live for families.

Shopping and Dining The city’s biggest retailer is Justin Discount Boots, whose name leads some to think that the city was named after the western-wear company or vice versa. It wasn’t, but the relationship between the city and the store is beneficial, and the

Photo by Dana Shields

Justin’s schools make it an ideal choice for families.

That’s not to say there is no growth or development. Multiple improvements are planned across the city. Construction on the town’s main thoroughfare will eventually widen FM 156 to a four-lane divided roadway that will be realigned to make space for a downtown parking lot with just over 200 spaces.

City leaders hope these changes, plus new landscaping and other improvements, will beautify the area and make it more convenient for patrons of the city’s restaurants and businesses.

S E P T E M B E R /O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9 D E N T O N CO U N T Y

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retailer is a big draw for the city. “Because of that affiliation, people are used to coming in from other cities to buy their boots,” says Reaume.

Many of the city’s other businesses have been open since the early 1900s, including Justin Pharmacy, Justin State Bank and Adams Furniture.

When it comes to local dining, Justin offers everything from comfort food to international cuisine. Mom’s Cafe, which Reaume refers to as “the epitome of a small-town diner,” serves breakfast, brunch and other down-home options.

Other local spots to try include Lonesome Spur, Outlaw Burger & BBQ and Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant, which all often draw a crowd.

Many of the city’s restaurants are family owned, including Joe’s Italian Restaurant.

“One of our secret gems is Joe’s,” says Reaume. “The food he does in there goes far beyond what you’d expect,” and it is the “best Italian food in the area by far.”

Another popular place to visit is Mule Barn Sports Bar & Grill, which offers a full dinner menu plus live music from country, folk and other artists. Beer fans will love Rabbit Hole Brewing, a craft brewery with live music, an outdoor seating area with picnic tables and tours that allow visitors to see the behind-thescenes process of beer making.

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Whether Justin’s businesses are new or established, chain or gourmet, one thing bonds them together: “All of Justin’s business owners are so community focused, and they want to give back to the community,” Reaume says.

Community Events Justin offers a wide range of services to meet residents’ needs and has a sports complex and city library that hosts events and classes on sewing, cupcake decorating, rock painting and more.

The city recently acquired 18 acres for future municipal use near Bishop Park.

The site will include a new fire station and a street named for Layne Wilkerson, a longtime resident and volunteer who passed away earlier this year. Wilkerson helped with one of the city’s beloved events: the fire station’s annual fish fry in October, which serves 1,500 people.

Another popular Justin gathering that shouldn’t be missed is the Old Fashioned Christmas event, which includes a tree lighting, holiday parade and photos with Santa. The city wants to continue offering events and amenities that are valuable to residents.

“Our intent was to make sure the city had the things that people wanted without having to leave to go to a bigger city,” Reaume says.

Photo courtesy of City of Justin

Settlers in the 1800s were attracted to Justin because of its fertile land, ranching opportunities and grand prairies. It was named in honor of Walter Justin (W.J.) Sherman, a chief engineer with the Santa Fe Railroad who helped develop the American railway system.

The historical marker in Bishop Park states that, as a result of Sherman’s contributions and the addition of the railroad, “businesses soon opened up and thrived in this small town, which by 1914 had four elevators, two cotton gins, a flour mill and over 20 other businesses.”

Former council member Lisa Westkaemper compiled the research for the historical marker and wrote: “Although the railroad tracks that pass through the middle of town have less connection with the commerce of our city than they did in the past, they remain a staunch symbol of our beginnings.”

Some of the city’s history can be seen in a downtown mural that was painted in 2008 by a group of local artists. The mural includes the original train depot, one of the first cotton gins, a 1930s-era service station and a rural ranch scene.

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SHOPPING

BY ABIGAIL BOATWRIGHT

Circa 77 Vintage offers Denton County a plethora of unique, carefully selected styles from the 1900s through today.

L

Trends come and go, but originality and style are timeless. Mix and match decades and colors to find a look that is uniquely you at Circa 77.

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Feel Important, Look Good Owner Janie Shoto has a background as an interior designer and worked with high-end designers, and her daughter, Christina, has collected vintage clothing since she was 10 years old. When Shoto’s uncle passed away, she bought the inventory from his boutique in Laredo and opened Circa 77 Vintage in Denton.

The store has been at its current 2,500-square-foot space for 15 years, selling clothing made from the 1900s to the present day. Not all items are used though. “Sometimes girls come in and want prom dresses, but they don’t want a used dress. They want a new one,” Shoto explains. “So we have a few prom dresses and wedding dresses.”

Shoto has seen several other vintage shops in the area come and go since Circa 77 opened, so she realized they needed to do something to make their shop stand out.

Photos by Paola Chavez

ooking for a 1920s scarf to wear with ’70s-era velvet bell bottoms and platform shoes from the ’80s? You can find all of these items — and hundreds of thousands more — at Denton’s treasure trove on the Square: Circa 77 Vintage.

“We started renting [outfits] and doing alterations and custom pieces,” Shoto says.

“We’re big on customer service. To me, that’s the most important thing. When I was young, I would want to be treated special, and when you feel important, it makes you look good.”

“These clothes, they change you when you put them on.

You become someone else.”

The Feeling of Quality Shoto says the difference between a vintage store and a thrift store comes down to prices and selection. “Vintage, we go out and do the choosing [of items] for you,” Shoto says. “Thrift stores tend to be a bit more inexpensive. Vintage is a certain era, and they’re special pieces.”

Despite having retinitis pigmentosa, which led to near-complete blindness about six years ago, Shoto and her interns carefully sift through potential pieces for the store, evaluating quality. For Shoto, that is done by touch, with her faithful guide dog, Orzo, nearby.

“I usually feel the zipper — that’s very important, and I’ll know if it’s an older zipper because it’s metal, or a newer zipper,” Shoto says. “For the fabric, I’ll flip it inside out and see how the seams are done — if they’re serged or if it’s an open seam. The interns will tell me the color, and I can usually tell what kind of fabric it is — a chiffon, a satin, polyester.

Over the years, I’ve acquired a good feel for that.”

One of a Kind The store shows off style inspiration with clothes on its Instagram account (@circavintage77). Intern Paola Chavez says the goal is to allow people to try on personas with Circa 77 Vintage pieces, to tell a story with their clothes and have fun with them. The shop even gives customers a discount if they model what they buy.

“I like creating a character [with] the clothes for our Instagram,” Chavez says.

“These clothes, they change you when you put them on. You become someone else. You’re the same person, but you become like a character in a story book.

Owner Janie Shoto and her trusty guide dog, Orzo

Show Off Your Passion for Fashion Circa 77 Vintage owner Janie Shoto and interns Paola Chavez and Maria Osegueda share their tips for incorporating vintage with modern clothing choices.

Start with accessories. Ease into going vintage with a smart scarf, jewelry or some shoes, says Shoto. “Try a hat, or a purse. There are lots of different ways to pull your outfit together.”

Embrace the idea that old has become new again. For example, Osegueda says she’s seeing more people incorporating neon trends, a throwback to the 1980s or the early 2000s, when bright Converse were the thing. Chavez says clothes from other eras return to popularity as well.

“It’s become so trendy to be unique,” Chavez said. “The ’90s are back!”

Dress for yourself. Put aside worries about what other people think of your clothes. Osegueda says there are so many trends rising at once, you can wear what you want, regardless of the era of the clothing. “If you look around, especially in Denton, it’s an artsy district. So no one is going to judge you. Everyone has a different style, and it depends on what you want to wear. Embrace your style, incorporate your ideas and mix and match.”

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Circa 77 Vintage 225 West Oak St,. Denton 214-629-3777 Instagram: @circa77vintage

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Photo by Paola Chavez

It’s a lot of fun. People tend to have fun with it and go full out.”

Circa 77 Vintage’s carefully arranged displays of clothes from every era are most often perused by Denton’s college-age crowd, though Chavez says that their clients of any age value wearing things that no one else has.

“You can’t find mainstream pieces here. Everything in this store is oneof-a-kind. That’s part of the thrill of it.

Everybody finds something that fits their own personality, instead of going to another store and finding the same shirt 30 times over.”

Shoto says that may be why there’s been a recent uptick in interest for vintage styles. “It’s very trendy right now to wear vintage, and if you want to stand out, this is the place to be.”

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DINING

Go Green!

M

aking everyone (and we do mean everyone) happy is what’s on the menu at the GreenHouse Restaurant, four blocks north of Denton’s Square on Locust Street.

“We’ve always tried to offer dishes that cover the spectrum,” says owner Ken Currin, who opened the restaurant in March 1998. “We’re not a traditional

steak house, although you can get a T-bone steak here. But you can also get a vegetarian dish that’s not just a baked potato and salad. The thought process from the beginning was to offer something for everybody.”

Twenty-two years later, that thought process has proved successful. By giving customers options, the GreenHouse has maintained its popularity and reputation as one of Denton’s mainstay eateries.

Ken Currin near his Juicy Pig Barbecue restaurant

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“I love Denton neighborhoods.

To be woven into that fabric?

To me, that says as much as or more than any Michelin five-star rating.”

Photos by Ellen Ritscher Sackett

The GreenHouse Restaurant has been a Denton favorite for 22 years. Here’s why.

BY ELLEN RITSCHER SACKETT

Top photo by Ellen Ritscher Sackett; Standout Dishes photos by students of Denton ISD’s LaGrone Advanced Technology Complex

Thriving and Growing “The GreenHouse’s tagline is that we’re Denton’s neighborhood restaurant,” Currin explains. “I want to be a good neighbor, not just a good restaurant, because I live here. I love Denton neighborhoods. To be woven into that fabric? To me, that says as much as or more than any Michelin five-star rating.

I’m in this to be part of people’s lives.”

The GreenHouse’s moniker itself pays homage to its hometown’s history, named in honor of Denton’s beloved Selby’s Flower Shop, which occupied the spot that is now the restaurant’s bar.

Before the eatery opened, its Hamilton Room was painted with bluebonnet fields by its namesake Erin Hamilton. Later, two patios were added to extend the outdoor dining space. But the botanical approach was not born out of Currin’s love of gardening.

“I didn’t have plant aspirations,” Currin says with a chuckle. “Almost immediately when we were opening up, I realized, ‘We can’t have dead or plastic plants! If we’re going to call it the GreenHouse, they’d better be alive and healthy!’”

Now, more than two decades later, the plants are thriving and so is the

Two patios were added to the space to extend the outdoor dining options.

restaurant. Currin has since opened up two other dining spots nearby: The Juicy Pig Barbecue, two doors up, and Loco Café, a breakfast and lunch place across the street.

A Special Experience “We do specials, and we always have.”

Currin says. “I didn’t want to open a restaurant that I’d get tired of eating [at].

We change things up pretty regularly.”

Standout Dishes

Flat Earth Avocado

Wood-Fire Burgers

From the Bar

Northside Street Tacos

This tasty vegetarian dish is fun to eat and a sight to behold! The panko-crusted avocado is stuffed with black beans, corn, zucchini, quinoa and jack cheese and served with black beans and chipotle cream sauce.

For a straight-up burger off the wood-fire grill, order the John B. Denton, which has been on the menu since the GreenHouse’s inception. For a little zing, order the Margo Jones topped with balsamic tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and fried basil.

GreenHouse’s immense wooden bar was fashioned after the one at Houston’s restaurant in Dallas. Libations include a seasonal beer and wine list, hand-crafted classic cocktails and cleverly named original recipes created by the GreenHouse’s awardwinning mixologists.

Try the fish with horseradish mango slaw; the vegetarian avocado with peppers, onions, jack cheese and cilantro; or the meat lover’s brisket from Juicy Pig Barbecue with tomatillo salsa and cojita cheese. Or go for the 6 Taco Combo and get two of each!

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The sirloin is served with two delicious sides: bacon mac and cheese and charred Brussels sprouts.

“We sell a lot of hamburgers,” says Currin. “I’d put our hamburgers up against anybody’s.”

Award-winning mixologists serve up liquid magic at GreenHouse’s cozy bar.

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Made-From-Scratch Delights Salmon burger fans won’t be disappointed either. The salmon patty is served with smoked jalapeno tartar sauce and cheddar cheese on a brioche bun with a side of sweet potato fries. (Find it in the “Lighter Fare” section of the menu, along with a variety of salads.)

When it comes to appetizers, spinach and artichoke dip is the most popular, says Currin. “It’s been here since we started. If there’s one thing people associate us with, it’s that.” Other starters include fried pickles, pistachio hummus and brochette.

If you’re hankering for chicken fried steak with cream gravy and mashed potatoes, you’re in luck. A vegetarian version made from black-eyed peas is on the menu too. Fish lovers have their choice of Parmesan flounder, Chilean blue mussels (shellfish) or fish and chips.

“We try not to use processed food. We try to make everything from scratch,” Currin says. This includes GreenHouse’s desserts. All four are all-stars: the Texas honey crème brûlée made special with

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Texas Silver Star Honey Liqueur, carrot cake with Texas pecans and cream cheese frosting, chocolate tres leches cake with coffee and cocoa flavors and salted caramel dark-fudge brownie topped with vanilla ice cream.

More Than Food In addition to the menu, Currin attributes the success of the GreenHouse to its staff. “Part of what we are selling is the dining experience, and part of that are the people who are making the food and serving it.”

The restaurant has extremely low employee turnover. Many have been on staff for well over a decade, which is unusual in the restaurant industry and even more unusual in a college town.

Over time, they become family.

Currin recounts numerous now-married couples who met at the GreenHouse, either as employees or customers. “And they’re still married!” Currin says. “It will always have happened here. That’s as good as it gets.”

GreenHouse Restaurant 600 N. Locust St., Denton 940-484-1349 greenhouserestaurantdenton.com

Bottom photos by Ellen Ritscher Sackett; top photo by students of Denton ISD’s LaGrone Advanced Technology Complex

Monthly specials feature a variety of wine selections, entrées, inventive flower and herb cocktails and a changing beer flight. Weekly specials support the community with discounts for local musicians, school faculty and staff, arts patrons and service industry employees, depending on the day.

One menu section is devoted to items cooked on the restaurant’s mesquite wood-fire grill. “Smoke is nature’s greatest seasoning,” Currin says. “I can tell instantly if that steak or hamburger came off a flat-top, a gas or a wood-fire grill. You can salt, pepper, spice or whatever — if you cooked it over a wood fire, that’s what I’m going to taste.”

Diners who enjoy that mesquite wood flavor can order grilled steak, chicken, bone-in pork chops, salmon, seared ahi tuna, portabello mushroom and a choice of four burgers.

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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder... but a little expert advice never hurt anyone.

Denton County professionals share their wisdom on fashion, grooming, beauty, chic home design and more.

STYLE

BY MARY DUNKLIN, TORI FALCON, NICOLE FOSTER, RACHEL HEDSTROM, KYLIE ORA LOBELL, MARSHALL REID, ELLEN RITSCHER SACKETT, DONNA STOKES, KIMBERLY TURNER

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STYLE

The Texas FASHION Collection

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Photo courtesy of Annette Becker

nnette Becker has a lot of willpower. As director of the Texas Fashion Collection (TFC), she works closely with nearly 20,000 vintage gowns, suits, jackets, accessories and shoes — and has never once locked the doors and had herself an epic day of trying on Gucci, Balmain or Lacroix.

Denton County is home to one of the nation’s most unique repositories of fashion throughout the ages.

TFC Director Annette Becker carefully curates the collection and aims to add garments that represent as many cultures and body types as possible.

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STYLE STEWARDS OF THE PAST

“There’s an interesting balance between falling in love and having a scientific attachment to the materials,” Becker says. “We constantly think about keeping a careful balance between appreciation and the need for preservation. We’re temporary stewards of these pieces. Centuries from now, people will have access to the collection, and we need to make sure these things are safe.”

The collection includes pieces dating from the 1700s and beyond — sunbonnets from the early 1800s, 1930s satin evening slippers, 1950s ball gowns complete with Chantilly lace, disco-worthy ’70s dresses, gold lamé cropped jackets from the ’80s and much more.

TFC is not open to the general public but does serve an array of people who are gifted with a knack for design; students, makers, fashion designers and adolescents thinking about future careers in fashion can schedule visits.

“We’re a small research space,” says Becker. “We don’t have dedicated exhibition spaces where the public can see us. People who visit are students and researchers. Education is at the heart of what they’re doing.”

BIRTH OF THE COLLECTION

Tucked away on the University of North Texas’ campus, TFC has become part of the school’s College of Visual Arts and

Fashion Through the Ages These pieces from the Texas Fashion Collection memorialize the styles of the past and provide an educational resource for budding designers. (Information and photos courtesy of the UNT College of Visual Arts + Design via UNT’s Digital Library.)

Design. The idea for the collection began in 1938 with brothers Stanley and Edward Marcus. They wanted to honor their aunt, Carrie Marcus Neiman, cofounder of luxury department store Neiman Marcus, with an assembly of designs that showcased quality craftsmanship and creativity.

To recognize prolific fashion designers and style icons, the brothers launched the Neiman Marcus Award for Distinguished Service in the Field of Fashion and added garments from the winners’ lines and wardrobes to the collection. Oscar de la Renta, Elizabeth Arden, Salvatore Ferragamo, Grace Kelly, Yves Saint Laurent and Coco Chanel were among those recognized for their contributions to the fashion world.

When Christian Dior won in 1947, his acceptance of the award marked the legendary French designer’s first trip to the United States.

1850s

1870s

1880s

1890s

1900s

This white cotton muslin christening gown is hand-made and -embroidered. The rounded neckline has a V insert of eyelet lace.

There is also eyelet trim at the wrists, neck and hem as well as six tiers of tatted eyelet in the scalloped insert panel that runs down the front.

Cute as a button! This black wool child’s dress has red paisley trim and nonfunctional paisley-covered buttons with hookand-eye closures beneath. The center back panel is gathered at the waist for a slight bustle effect.

This dramatic afternoon dress is made of heavy black silk faille and lace. The 3/4-length sleeves are split to show ice-blue insets (now faded to white) covered in black lace. The same can also be found on the front of the high-standing collar and on panels in the skirt.

Also known as a Texas Prairie Gown, this dress in Mother Hubbard-style cotton muslin is printed in pink paisley. The design gathers at the center in the front and features flattering fan pleats in the back.

These lady’s boots (aka high-button shoes) are made from black and tan leather. The upper sections close along the center with 17 holes for laces. The medium/ high heel is styled as a modified boulevard or Louis heel.

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The collection grew in 1969 when it combined forces with the Dallas Museum of Fashion. Three years later, a budding fashion design program, coupled with intentions to offer the preserved clothing and accessories for research and education, brought the ensemble to University of North Texas, where it still lives today under Becker’s care.

AN EYE FOR STYLE

Determining pieces that will be historically relevant takes ingenuity, insight and luck. Becker applauds the Marcus brothers for their deft abilities to select garments that, decades later, are still proving to be significant.

“The Marcus brothers were so innovative at recognizing important things from their time period,” Becker says. “As early as 1938, they were thinking about preserving fashion through contemporary artifacts.”

“Fashion can be something beautiful, but also something that makes you feel excited about yourself.”

One of the director’s favorite pieces from the collection is an ensemble created by Claire McCardell in the 1950s. “It’s a playsuit with a forward-thinking design, kind of like sweatpants with this stretchy knit fabric,” describes Becker. “Claire McCardell created it for watching television, which was a new leisure activity. Now we’re in this age of Netflix and chill. It’s exciting that Neiman Marcus recognized it was significant.”

REFLECTING SOCIETY

Today, it’s Becker’s responsibility to discern what should be added to the TFC. She’s committed to pursuing garments that are representative of all body types and wants to include designers from as many cultures as possible. Becker considers the current impact gender fluidity is having on fashion and how the collection can reflect non-binary designs.

“It’s important for our collection to be in touch with what’s going on,” Becker says.

“There’s a culture of well-off white women in the DFW area, and it’s incredible that they provide us access to their clothes, but students who are not from privileged backgrounds come into our collection and they don’t see themselves represented.”

Becker looks beyond the names typically synonymous with haute couture. She’s seeking relatively unknown designers and those who don’t pigeonhole their consumers.

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

Beaded handbags were becoming popular around this era. This one has a gilt metal frame with a ball closure. Multicolored glass beads form the image of a bird and flowers. It is lined with blue satin and has a circular mirror attached with a ribbon for all your nose-powdering needs.

This rose pink rayon and silk dress with ivory silk Peter Pan collar has a silhouette often associated with this decade. It has 24 silver ball buttons on the left side and geometric triple-tiered ruffles with a drop waist. The long sleeves are finished by ivory satin cuffed and stitched trim.

This green felt hat is designed as a modified cloche with a deep, domed crown and a rolled edge at the back that extends to become a high, curved front brim crowned by a feathered “bird” ornament. A band of dark gray/bronze net around the base of the crown extends at the front and sides to become a veil.

This Christian Dior coat dress is made from navy silk faille and features padded hips, a notched collar and a single-button closure.

Two crescent-shaped pieces of fabric at the hips with faux pocket details give the appearance of a separate jacket. This was sold at Neiman Marcus of Dallas in 1949.

This daytime dress — a gift to the collection from the designer Adele Simpson — has a slightly dropped, narrow waist and a set-in decorative belt of matching fabric. The full skirt has vertical stripes, one underskirt of cream faille and a second underskirt of stiff cream netting.

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STYLE Becker is singlehandedly expanding and challenging the way we think about fashion.

Progress was made when she was curating a cowboys and Indians exhibit.

“I realized in researching that we had no pieces of Native designers, so we added some. We see quite a few Native students here. One came to a research appointment and wanted to see French designers because he didn’t feel his Chickasaw heritage could be included in his designs.”

Becker constantly encourages students to incorporate their lives into their work even though there may not be any examples that represent them.

“They develop their own direction and shouldn’t feel like they have to say ‘no’ to something just because they haven’t seen it before,” says Becker. “Fashion can be something beautiful, but also something that makes you feel excited about yourself.”

GROWING THE TFC

TFC is a nonprofit that relies on clothing donations. The popularity of consignment stores and sites like eBay have resulted in fewer contributions, as people choose to resell their pieces rather than donate them.

The revival of styles can also impede donations. “Ten years ago, people were donating items from the eighties,” Becker says. “The big shoulder pad aesthetic was not fashionable and secondhand shops weren’t able to sell the clothes.”

Because of this, TFC had the opportunity to accept outrageous garments that people coveted during the decade of permed hair and power suits. After House of Balenciaga resurrected the appeal of eighties fashion, connoisseurs weren’t as willing to give away their vintage pieces.

Becker says donations of clothes from that era have “slowed to a trickle.”

The director looks forward to adding more contemporary pieces to the collection with things like unisex clothing and custom-made apparel. If you are willing to part with an exceptional garment, Becker encourages you to email photos and an explanation of why the piece is important to tfc@unt.edu.

There is, however, one item people can stop donating: “We don’t need any more nineteenth-century crotchless bloomers,” says Becker, laughing. “Everyone has saved them, and no one knows what to do with them, so they bring them here.” — Nicole Foster

For behind-the-scenes photos, information about upcoming exhibits and detailed pictures of TFC garments, follow Becker and her team on Facebook: Texas Fashion Collection and Instagram: @texasfashioncollection

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

Flower power! This rayon/nylon blend brocade dress with gold metallic embroidery has a center front zipper hidden by a ivory satin placket with five self-covered buttons. An inverted pleat in the back starts at the waistline. It was created by designer Hanae Mori.

Chiffon experienced a surge in popularity in the 1970s. The material makes up most of this multicolor patterned dress by Pierre Cardin. The dress has a straight, sheath shape with a jewel neckline and long handkerchief-style sleeves that extend past the hem and open at the forearm.

This gold and black lamé ensemble designed by Michael Faircloth includes a cropped jacket (with ample shoulder pads), organza blouse and matching skirt. The collar of the blouse forms a rectangular tie and has four gold buttons with circular black onyx centers.

This playful photo-printed dress designed by Todd Oldham has a rounded neckline with slight standing collar and short-capped sleeves.

The garment is printed with photos of travel scenes of the west (roads, lakes, cacti, cows on farms, rock formations, etc.)

This eye-catching full-length, strapless dress by Oscar de la Renta was created in 2005. The black silk taffeta bodice features a bow at the neckline and uneven horizontal tucks. The white cotton lawn skirt with black floral appliqué has two layers for fullness.

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Makeup Tips & TRENDS Face the fall in style with professional advice from makeup artist Krista Ann Dusenberry.

might have too much on. “People will often do their makeup in dim lighting so they put on tons of it, and then they get in their car in the natural light and it’s like, ‘Oh Lord!’” she says.

Some of it is personal preference, but Krista Ann also emphasized that good lighting and knowledge of how to use the products are key.

“If you look in the mirror and you don’t feel like yourself, you have too much on,” she says, “And a lot of it is learning how to apply it. If it’s used correctly, you

can enhance your features with minimal makeup.”

A FINAL TIP

Cosmetics can also make up for something that many of us lack during the busy fall season: sleep. “Some white or light pink eyeliner in your water line makes your look more awake,” she advises.

— Rachel Hedstrom

To see Krista Ann’s portfolio, pricing and more, visit makeupbykristaann.com.

“M

y number-one makeup tip is that skincare is everything!” says Krista Ann Dusenberry, founder of Makeup by Krista Ann in Denton. “We forget that if our canvas isn’t well-prepped, your makeup won’t last. Be on your skincare game.”

Photo courtesy of Krista Ann Dusenberry

ON TREND

A dewy, youthful glow is a top request from clients. Another? “Natural glam is a look that I am seeing right now,” Krista Ann says. “A lot of it is natural tones — look to any of the big celebrities right now for that.”

Trends are fun ways to spice up everyday style, but for special events, such as a wedding or family portrait, she recommends a classic look. “Think timeless, not trendy.

For example, people may think they want a trendy, dewy look, but then, in photos, your skin can read shiny.”

For fall, the eyes have it. Winged eyeliner, big lashes and smoky eyes are trending.

“Bold lips are also back,” Krista Ann says.

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?

Wondering how to tell if you have too much makeup on? Krista Ann has a helpful tip: If your makeup looks dramatically different in various lighting scenarios, you

Winged eyeliner and wellblended natural hues make this look both modern and classic.

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ACCESSORIZE Get to know four local makers who can help you take your look to the next level with handmade accessories.

BRIGID BRAMMER OF BRIGID BRAMMER BAGS, DENTON

Fashion-forward and utilitarian, Brigid Brammer Bags are reinforced with 12 rows of stitching at the handles, so you never have to worry about the bag’s integrity.

Her whimsical creations can handle the heaviest load, and most can be reversed for a second look.

What she creates: “One-of-a-kind fabric totes, purses, backpacks, messenger bags, yoga mat bags and knitted dog jackets.”

What started it all: “A friend wanted me to make a tote bag for her granddaughter. I

enjoyed it so much I made about six more. I took them to work to show her, and people wanted to buy them.”

Favorite materials: “I love cottons and linens. My mother never sewed or knitted with anything other than natural fibers — she taught me well. I love repurposing fabrics and incorporating vintage linens into some of my work. I have recently rediscovered my love of photography and transferring photographs to fabric, and I also like laminated cotton, which easily wipes clean.”

Influences: “I’m from New Zealand, and when I was growing up, everyone carried a ‘string bag’ in their purse for shopping. Mother ingrained in us all to avoid waste, to make do. I am drawn to fabrics designed by Amy Butler.”

Latest looks: “My Denton ‘construction’ totes use my photographs transferred to fabric and ideas based on the current state of Denton roads. My Ruth Bader Ginsbag (CQ) bags, with artwork by Bryan Kelly Illustrations, are a lot of fun to make, and cat, dog, sugar-skull, cactus-themed and Frida Kahlo bags are always popular.”

Where to buy: Denton Community Market, Market at Liberty Crossing in Gainesville, Celina First Friday, Etsy

DEBBIE LENNSTROM BEARD OF DESIGNS BY DEBBIE L., CARROLLTON

Debbie L.’s elegant designs work just as well with a casual outfit as they do with a sophisticated cocktail dress. Visually striking, her standout pieces have landed in

Designs by Debbie L.

Brigid Brammer Bags

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Left photo courtesy of Brigid Brammer; right photo courtesy of Debbie Lennstrom Beard

B

efore you head to your favorite online retailer for a handbag or necklace, consider these fabulous finds made with care right here in Denton County.

It!

Left photo courtesy of Beth Klein; right photo courtesy of Naughty Daughter

Beth Klein Designs

clothing boutiques, gift shops and galleries around the world. Anywhere you wear Debbie L.’s designs, expect to be noticed.

What she creates: “Necklaces, cufflinks, rings, earrings, bracelets and hat bands.”

What started it all: “A visit with my great-granny when I was 8 years old — she took the glass bugle beads off of a lampshade and said, ‘Let’s make something!’”

When she got serious: “Eleven years ago, I was wearing a necklace and I got stopped in a store by someone. I ended up making her something similar. It took off. I’ve been lucky to have had such great response and support.”

Favorite materials: “I love semi-precious stones, which I integrate with silver, gold or rose gold. I especially like lapis and use a lot of coral. I also like to incorporate repurposed vintage pieces, including beads, watch pieces and Czech glass buttons. All of my jewelry is nickel-free.”

Influences: “Nature inspires me to create. I gravitate toward blues. I was blessed to live near the ocean and the mountains growing up in Vancouver. I also love antiques, history and architecture, and am inspired by my travels.”

Latest looks: “The newest addition to my designs is working with titanium mesh, which I pair with other elements, such as a sterling starfish, pearls or abalone. They are ocean-inspired. My dragonfly collection is timeless, and the cufflinks, handcrafted with vintage buttons, are popular too.”

Where to buy: Sparrows Gallery in Denison, DesignsbyDebbieL.com

Naughty Daughter

BETH KLEIN OF BETH KLEIN DESIGNS, DENTON

Earthy and soulful, Beth Klein’s handcrafted designs transform the ordinary into wearable art. In addition to its aesthetic value, Beth’s jewelry may double as a personal totem — an amulet that offers protection or a talisman that brings good luck. Beth is also the co-owner of Sleeping Lizzards.

What she makes: “Custom sterling silver and stone jewelry, and stamped pieces.”

What started it all: “My mother is an artist, and she had a shop when I was in college. She urged and encouraged me to make jewelry for her shop, and I’ve been taking classes, workshops and self-teaching since then.”

Favorite materials: “I love mixed media pieces and try to incorporate unexpected objects into my art, but primarily I work with sterling silver and stones.”

Inf luences: “I love Southwestern, Native American jewelry and anything turquoise, but I try to contemporize it and stamp meaningful messages into my work.”

Latest looks: “I’m currently having fun designing necklaces with enamel-coated pennies minted prior to 1982, when they were primarily made of copper. My cairn necklaces are a combination of silver and pebbles collected on the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. The stones are tumbled so smooth — they just make me happy!”

Where to buy: Sleeping Lizzards

CLAIRE PIERSON OF NAUGHTY DAUGHTER, DENTON

Claire Pierson’s boho-chic designs are smart and straightforward, using traditional materials while pushing the boundaries of accessorizing. The result is fresh and flirty — a pleasant reminder that necks can be very sexy.

What she creates: “Mixed-material jewelry, including necklaces, chokers and wrist cuffs. I keep a sketchpad with me at all times, just in case I come up with an idea I think could work.”

What started it all: “I grew up watching my mother (Beth Klein) run Sleeping Lizzards, which instilled my interest in eclectic jewelry and wearable art.”

Favorite materials: “Stamped leather and semi-precious stones.”

Influences: “A lot of my work mimics the styles I saw when I lived in New Mexico. I try to incorporate lots of natural, neutral tones and materials, such as buckskin leather and beads cut from semiprecious stones. I find beauty in simplicity and subtlety and prefer to work within a warm, desert-toned palette with occasional pops of color. My favorite material to work with is leather; it’s comfortable to wear and beautiful to look at, and it gains character with age and use.”

Latest looks: “Anything with turquoise sells well. Right now, my favorite piece is a simple asymmetrical choker that juxtaposes leather and chain and features a single turquoise drop.

Where you can buy: Sleeping Lizzards — Ellen Ritscher Sackett

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4

Young Designers TO WATCH

These 20-something talents are the future of fashion.

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he fashion industry is always looking to what’s next. In Denton County, fashion design powerhouse programs at Texas Woman’s University and the University of North Texas are preparing future fashion designers whose points of view are creative, innovative and uniquely their own. Get to know four of fashion’s future superstars…

Photo by Andrea Simon

Designer Bre Ferrara revels in using recycled materials.

For this avant-garde look, she combined layered tulle, recycled yarn, burnt polyester voile and satin.

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Bre Ferrara

Photos courtesy of Summer Salgado

Age: 24 School: University of North Texas (expected graduation December 2019) Instagram: @BreFerrara

Design aesthetic: I’m really into textile design, so a lot of my garments are textiles I make myself. A lot of those garments are used to complement the textile I used. I consider it wearable art, couture and avant-garde.

Inspiration: I really love microbiology and nature, and the cool texture and tactile feels I can find in many different places.

As far as other designers, I enjoy the work of Issey Miyake, who uses a lot of pleating and origami, and Iris van Herpen, who does a lot of research with scientists and uses a lot of technology in her work.

Favorite fabrics: I try to use a lot of recycled material. In my senior collection, I used a lot of recycled yarn, which was waste left over from looms in our fiber department. I made fabric by layering lace over the leftover yarn and then securing the layers together with a long-arm quilt arm. A lot of the stuff I use incorporates things people usually throw away. I also love transparent fabrics that give a layered effect, like chiffon, tulle or polyester voile.

I’ve been working with shibori lately, and I do a lot of burning too — anything that can alter the look of the fabric.

What makes your designs unique?

Definitely my use of textiles. You’ll rarely see any of my pieces that don’t have something I haven’t manipulated myself.

I try to keep that true to what I’m doing.

I love using these techniques to make the garment come alive a little more, to make them original and unique.

Where do you think fashion is headed?

Sustainability and circular consumerism are going to be huge. I also think people will be moving away from fast fashion and will see the value in investing in clothing that lasts. Hopefully, we will have, in the future, many more environmentally friendly ways of doing things.

Salgado’s designs are lingerie-inspired with an edge.

Summer Salgado

Age: 22 School: Texas Woman’s University (Graduated May 2019) Instagram: @ItsAlwaysSummer

Design aesthetic: Very dark and edgy, but super “girly” at the same time. I use a lot of black in my designs, which gives them a sultry look. I love designing eveningwear dresses — kind of like lingerie meets red carpet. They have a lingerie look to them, but with volume. My designs are very intricate.

Inspiration: My main influence comes from flowers, especially roses, because roses have a certain shape and flow to them. They’re very unique, because every flower is unique. I try to capture and imitate the look you get from a rose.

Favorite fabrics: My designs usually have some type of lace in them, with tulle for volume and ruffled elements as well. I use a lot of mesh, as lingerie does. I also use organza, because you can see through it, and I like to show off the body with these types of fabrics.

What makes your designs unique? When people see my designs, they usually can tell it’s mine because I use that lingerie look, with a lot of lace placement around the bodice and dark colors, especially black.

Where do you think fashion is headed? I think it will become more expressive than it has ever been. There’s going to be a lot of variety, especially because people are becoming more open and carefree about expressing themselves and their individuality.

We’re going to see styles that no one ever knew would work — but they will work anyway. I see more personality coming into fashion.

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STYLE Jonathan Mabra

Age: 21 School: University of North Texas (expected graduation May 2020) Instagram: @JonathanMabraDesign

Mabra’s tafetta red “Rogue” suit is worn by model Sarah Wuenscher.

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JinakiAmandine Juhen

Age: 25 School: Texas Woman’s University (expected graduation May 2020) Instagram: @jinakijuhen

Design aesthetic: Very colorful. I love to use prints in my design, definitely African prints. I use a lot of bright colors because most African fabrics have vibrant colors.

Inspiration: The main one is Africa; I loved living in West Africa, on the Côte d’Ivoire, for 12 years before I moved to the U.S. I design for women who want to show off their bodies and feel confident. The sexiest part of a woman is her shoulders, so I like to highlight those. I want women to feel empowered in my designs and to feel good.

Favorite fabrics: The fabrics I use are 100 percent cotton — more of a stiff cotton with a lot of body and shape to it. Mainly, I use fabrics that I source from Africa. I like to get my fabrics from back home, because I like to do form-fitting designs, and the African fabrics help hug a woman’s curves.

What makes your designs unique? The main thing that makes me stand out is my fabrics. At our senior fashion show, people kept saying that my fabric looked 3D because of the bright African prints I use. I like to mix those prints with solids.

W here do you think fashion is headed?

Laser-printing and laser-cutting on fabric is something I am seeing a lot in the industry and on the red carpet. We are definitely seeing a lot more technology in design. — Rachel Hedstrom

Photos courtesy of Mabra and Juhen

Design aesthetic: I focus on clean style lines and subtle contrasts. I don’t like super busy designs; I like to incorporate elements that make you think about placement and how something moves. I like making clothes that people are just attracted to.

In fashion today, the lines are blurring between men’s and women’s wear, and I like to stay along those lines.

Inspiration: I look to both the past and the present for inspiration. I like to live in the moment, in design at least. But it’s important to not just stay “on trend,” because trends are very temporary, so I like to incorporate elements from the past into my work. We have an amazing resource at UNT, the Texas Fashion Collection (see page 38), which is a historical record of fashion with more than 20,000 garments. It’s open to students for research, and I use that frequently.

Favorite fabrics: I am attracted to natural materials. I like very rigid and “drapey” silk, wool, tweed and satin.

Sometimes I go to the fabric warehouse and let the fabric choose the design.

What makes your designs unique?

I want to make sure my designs are executed very well and that they’re marketable and beautiful. You need to know and learn the rules in order to be able to break them.

W here do you think fashion is headed? Toward a future that holds innovation and being genuine in high regard. People are very concerned with being genuine in their own style.

Well SUITED

W

riter Gay Talese was onto something when he said, “Putting on a beautifully designed suit elevates my spirit, extols my sense of self and helps define me as a man to whom details matter.”

Ever y man k nows the power of a well-fitting, fashion-forward suit. When wearing the right suit, he can walk into a room, turn heads and communicate his confidence. Answer these five questions to ensure your suit is doing just that.

WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOUR FRAME?

PLEATED OR FLAT?

DOES IT FIT WELL?

Oftentimes, men have trouble finding the perfect fit, especially off-the-rack. They may not pay attention to the cut of the pants, for example. “Men don’t look at the front of the pants and see if it’s pleated or flat,” says Cynthia Rodriguez of Wichita’s Alterations & Clothing in Denton, a tailor that’s been in business since 2004. “That changes the fit in the front.”

A local tailor explains how men can achieve the perfect suit fit.

When purchasing off-the-rack, men also might not pick the suit that’s right for their frame. “If he is broad-shouldered, we have to taper the body, or drop the sleeves because they’re too long or too short,” says Rodriguez. “We’re usually taking in the waist and hemming it. Right now, the trend is tapering the legs. We make the pants slimmer, so that they’re a slim fit.”

Along with making the pants a slim fit, according to Esquire magazine, the bottoms of the pants need to go to the tops of a man’s shoes. A suit jacket collar must fit a man’s neck properly, or else it will create a very noticeable gap that will be difficult for a tailor to fix. Of course, the waist needs to comfortably fit. If it does, the wearer should be able to insert

a closed fist between his shirt and jacket after he’s closed the top button.

TRENDY OR TRADITIONAL?

When buying an off-the-rack suit, men need to decide what type of suit they want, because there are so many styles these days. According to Rodriguez, you have the choice of long, extra long, regular, trendy and traditional, to name a few. In terms of what’s popular, she mostly sees solids and basic-colored suits as opposed to pin-striped or patterned suits.

CUSTOM OR OFF-THE-RACK?

Sometimes, a suit buyer should consider whether it’s worth the cost and energy to buy off-the-rack or whether it makes more sense to go custom instead. “Getting a custom fitting is good for a businessman,” says Rodriguez. “It just takes time for them to really decide what they want to wear.” — Kylie Ora Lobel

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STYLE

Whether you’re looking for the latest trends, a date night look or professional attire, you’ll find something stylish at Denton County’s many boutiques.

Here are five of our favorites.

La Di Da 114 N. Locust St., Denton, 940-442-6888

La Di Da, which has been beloved for 12 years, closed for a year and a half after Denton’s downtown fire. In July, it officially returned to provide casual women’s clothing with local flair.

Style: New owner Brittany Foster says the store’s eclectic inventory includes products from a women-run t-shirt company from Aubrey, garments from Dallas and jewelry made in Frisco. Think Texas, Texas and more Texas! Pick up some short shorts with cactus patches, a red t-shirt that says “Texas Chica” or a variety of chic shirts, boots, purses, tops, jeans, kimonos, dresses and hats.

From the Owner: “We have everyday wear and sell clothes for everything from going out to working in an office,” says Foster, who worked at the store for four years before purchasing it from the former owners. “We have nothing formal. We’re in that middle ground, and we are fashion-forward.”

Price: La Di Da offers a variety of price points for any budget.

Why It’s Unique: The clothes — which range from hippie to casual comfy to cowgirl — can be worn beyond the current season. “We try to buy as timeless as possible, and we try not to cling too much onto trends,” says Foster.

This lemon-print dress ($108) is made by Ivy Jane out of Dallas. The yellow suede slide sandals ($34) and a woven straw hat ($38) are both by O’Neill.

Briesly’s Boutique 2451 Lakeside Pkwy., Suite 160, Flower Mound, 817-581-2743

This fun, casual look features a striped ruffle top ($79), mustard skinny jeans ($58) and a cross-body bag ($84).

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Briesly’s Boutique has been selling contemporary women’s clothing in Flower Mound since 2011.

Style: This boutique’s mix of casual and business attire and can be worn nearly anywhere. There’s so much in one spot: floppy bohemian hats, fun leopard-print rompers, glittery dresses for nights out, trendy fan earrings, sweaters and tunics for lounging and distressed runway-worthy jeans.

From the Owner: “We try to focus on things you could wear to work or dress down and wear to a weekend lunch date or brunch,” says owner Brie Washington,

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who also designs much of the jewelry.

Washington wants her customers to feel confident. “I always say if you look good, you feel good ... Any time I’ve been in a situation where I’ve dressed up nicer than the event called for, it set me apart from other people.”

Price: Take home most picks for under $150, with many options under $100.

Why It’s Unique: Washington emphasizes customer service. “We try to create an experience for people,” she says. “Here, we know your name, what you bought last time and if you needed an outfit when you saw your ex boo and had to turn it up a notch or if you got a dress for a wedding.”

J.T. Clothiers 200 W. Oak St., Denton, 940-387-0761

This family-owned and -operated business has been in Denton for 49 years. James Tritt opened it as a men’s store, and he and his wife, Nancy, added women’s clothing.

They run the shop with their son, Jimmy.

Style: The retailer offers traditional men’s and women’s clothing with an upbeat look. On the ladies side, there are business, sportswear and casual tops, jeans and dresses. They also carry Articles of Society and Adriano Goldschmied jeans.

On the men’s side, the shop sells denim and makes custom shirts and suits. It also offers men’s OluKai tennis shoes and sandals, SAXX underwear, Patagonia jackets

and clothing from Peter Millar, Robert Talbott, Faherty Brand and Mizzen+Main.

From the Owner: “You can wear our clothes in a lot of different ways,” says Nancy Tritt. “We like to be able to make our clothes stretch a wardrobe and be used for more than one look.”

Price: The boutique’s price points are a little higher than other stores, Nancy says, but the quality is premium.

Why It’s Unique: J.T. Clothiers is committed to customer service. “We will do anything to make the customer happy and keep them happy. We’re always changing, evolving and trying to give the customer something new.”

Look sharp in this casual sportswear jacket with white five-pocket jean (prices unavailable).

The Palm Tree Boutique This modern women’s boutique has been offering the latest trending fashions and casualwear for women for nearly four years.

Style: Though many outfits would suit a younger demographic — its rompers, crop tops and vividly colored jewelry would fit perfectly in any millennial woman’s closet — Palm Tree stocks clothing for any age.

From the Owner: “We sell on-trend clothing and accessories for women, and we also carry some gift and home items and are a Kendra Scott retailer as well,” says owner Rebecca Grunewald. “We strive to be a multi-generational boutique where your daughter, mother and grandmother

can all shop together.”

And it’s not all about trends. “We want to remain fashion forward and on trend but still be our customers’ go-to store for basics for their wardrobe,” says Grunewald.

Price: Many of the items at The Palm Tree Denton are affordable, with dresses that range from under $50 to around $70.

Why It’s Unique: When customers walk into The Palm Tree Boutique, Grunewald says they can expect an unmatched level of customer service, as well as styles they love at prices they can afford. “We’re constantly receiving new products weekly, so our regular customers always have plenty of new items to shop [for].”

and plaid button-ups.

From the Owner: “The name Flourish came from me wanting to empower women to live more freely and flourish in whatever part of their life or situation they’re in.”

Price: Tops are priced at $20 to $30, bottoms are $40 to $100 and dresses are $25 to $55.

Why It’s Unique: The 1,700-squarefoot boutique is Pilot Point’s largest. They also offer gifts like wallets, notepads, perfume and organic beauty products.

Stermer says she and her three-person team know customers by name, and she finds brands that can’t be purchased in other local boutiques. —Kylie Ora Lobell

Staple wardrobe pieces such as this seasonal plaid ($43) and jeans ($41) — both Flourish’s own brand — help women feel great about themselves all year long.

119 N. Elm St., Denton, 940-383-4411

This summer maxi dress ($68) is paired with a macramé handbag ($38) and Kendra Reece hoop earrings and a wrap bracelet ($68 each).

Flourish Boutique 1045 S. U.S. Hwy. 377, Pilot Point, 972-800-7232

Since 2017, Pilot Point’s Flourish Boutique has helped women of all ages find outfits that fit their unique personal style.

Style: The clothes are a mix of in-season, trendy items and must-have basics. Owner Misty Stermer says, “We have dresses you could wear to a wedding or senior banquet night, but I would consider us eclectic and Western/Southern mixed in with a little boho and chic.”

Flourish carries everything from modern slogan t-shirts with sayings like, “All About That Mom Life” to denim jackets and jeans to Texas-themed necklaces, flowery jackets

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TRENDS & Transformations Salon LaPage

Salon LaPage in Denton has been in business for 10 years and has a staff of 28 stylists. Daphne Arrington, owner and stylist, said the color trends right now are balayage, which involves freehand painting hair dye for a more natural look; vivid colors like purples and greens; and ombre, a gradual dye technique where shades go from dark to light throughout the hair.

“In this day and age, people are very willing to be expressive with themselves and their hair,” she says.

In terms of cuts, the undercut — where all or part of the hair underneath the top layer is shaved — is popular because it’s simple to maintain. “It’s very freeing,” said Arrington. “It’s more of a powerful expression when a woman can shave her hair in sections and be free from having to spend a lot of time and energy on it.”

“When doing an undercut with a design etched in, we first sit down and consult with the guest on what look they are desiring and how they want to feel wearing it. We then isolate the sections and cut the hair to the desired length (here it is using an equivalent to a #1 guard), and then we etch in the desired design,” says Arrington.

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alayage, bobs and Bohemian R hapsody, oh my!

Find out what hair colors and cuts are trending in Denton County and around the nation this season. We spoke with senior stylists at four salons — Salon LaPage, SoHo Salon, Denton Color Lab and Cloud 9 Salon, Spa, and Boutique — to learn which styles their customers are requesting the most.

SoHo Salon

SoHo Salon has been a Denton staple since 1988. Senior Stylist Nathan Brouillette started there in 2004. Like Arrington, he says that lately, a lot of people come in asking for vivid hair color and balayage. He says balayage is trending because “it’s less maintenance. People can grow it out and it doesn’t require that they come in every four to six weeks to get it touched up.”

For cuts, Brouillette’s clients want throwback hair from the 1970s. He isn’t sure why — perhaps because Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman and A Star Is Born were recent box-office hits — but women are seeking out textured, curly, layered and wavy looks as opposed to sleek hair. They like the shag style, like Joan Jett had back in the day. “I’ve never been able to put my finger on what brings about the trends, but sometimes it seems to reflect big iconic actors and actresses,” he says. “Now we’re seeing requests for that kind of rocker, unkempt hair style.”

Before

“This really shows the trend toward bangs and more shaggy layers.

I did a shag haircut and then used a balayage painting technique to create blended lived-in highlights,” says Brouillette.

After

All photos courtesy of the salons

Denton County stylists showcase their best work and discuss trending hair colors and cuts.

FOR YOUR Tresses Denton Color Lab

Denton Color Lab specializes in techniques like regular and fashion color balayage, baby lights, color melting, ombre, lightener retouch and Brazilian blowouts. According to Summer Miyatake, owner and level-four stylist, the salon has grown from two employees to 17 in less than three years and has garnered many local awards for their work. “We are proud that we have earned numerous Best of Denton City and Best of Denton County titles,” said Miyatake.

Denton Color Lab’s clients range from college students to corporate executives, and in terms of hair trends, “We all have been seeing a shift into a rooted/lived-in look with women’s hair, regardless of whether the end result is natural or fashion,” she says. “It’s very on trend to have a darker dimensional root area.”

Cloud 9 Salon, Spa, and Boutique

Cloud 9 Salon, Spa, and Boutique has enjoyed nearly three decades of success. Stylist Rachel Rafferty, who has been at the Flower Mound salon for two years, says they are adding a Bartonville location next year.

The color trend she’s seeing is a cool, icy tone or an icy blond look. “They require maintenance as well as products that customers can use at home to maintain their looks,” she says. “Sometimes it’s a process to maintain those looks, but it’s rewarding.” Other customers are more low maintenance, so they prefer balayage. “It’s really ideal for someone who doesn’t want a lot of upkeep with their hair or to come back in every six weeks.”

All year round, smoothing treatments such as the Brazilian blowout are popular as well. “The idea behind this [smoothing] treatment is to make the hair more manageable by smoothing down frizz, eliminating blow-dry and styling time and adding a beautiful shiny coat to every strand of hair.”

Blunt cuts or one-length bobs right below the shoulder are trending because they are low maintenance and can be worn natural or messy. “In the warmer months, everyone is ditching their long hair and they are ready for something not as heavy.”

Before

Before

After

“To achieve this jaw-dropping color correction, our artist used a gentle color remover to buff off the pink fashion color, washed and then dried her hair and finally produced a dimensional highlight followed with a toner and trim,” says Miyatake.

After

“First, I cleanse the hair with the Brazilian Blowout Iconic Cleanser. This removes buildup and opens the cuticle.

Second, the Brazilian Blowout Solution is combed through each strand of hair, and round brushed in. After passing over each strand several times with a flat iron, I rinse one last time, spray the Iconic Bonding Spray to seal the cuticle and style as usual. The end result makes your hair smooth and frizz-free and gives it enhanced shine and easier manageability for styling,” says Rafferty. — Kylie Ora Lobell

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STYLE

I

Tie-dye is coming back in a big way, so why not try it on your hands? Negative space makes grow-out less noticable.

Mystical and magical! Who says nail art has to be two-dimensional?

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Sarah Grimes

f you’re lucky enough to be sitting across from gel nail artist Sarah Grimes at Lewisville’s Hair Menders salon, you’re probably feeling pretty good about yourself. Why? First, you’re about to have a fabulous, unique, healthy, long-lasting nail design. Second, you can count yourself part of a growing trend driven by a tide of social media inspiration and ideas.

my hair off,’” she says.

“Nails are an easy way to express yourself in bright colors or simple art. I hear from almost every client, ‘When I have my nails done, I feel put together.’ It just makes women feel good about themselves.

They feel pretty and polished. So, throwing art into the mix just increases that self-expression.”

CREATIVE EXPRESSION

WHAT’S TRENDING

Grimes’ talents as an abstract gel nail artist are in high demand, and she’s made a national splash during her seven years in business. Today, she has a wait list of more than 300 people, has been named one of the top 10 nail artists in the country (by beauty product company CosmoProf Beauty) and is adored by more than 4,300 Instagram followers on her @sarahnailsit account. Current clients — citing her dedication to service, their nail health and the incredible original art she creates — confirm in effusive testimonials that Grimes’ attention is worth the wait.

The feeling is mutual. “My dad has always told me that ‘people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,’” Grimes says. “I’ve always held onto that. I could be the most educated nail artist out there, but it doesn’t matter if I don’t care about my clients and take care of them.”

“Really, the reason I think the trend is growing is that people like to express themselves creatively, and nails are a really fun way to do it without having to make that big, permanent decision of, ‘I’m going to get bright pink hair or get a tattoo or cut

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Many customers bring in ideas from Pinterest or Instagram and ask Grimes to do variations on them. Summer trends ranged from abstract nail art to animal print to tie dye, “anything going back to the ’90s,” Grimes says. “People are loving that right now.”

For fall, she sees warmer tones with a continuing retro theme. “Because the whole ’80s and ’90s vibe has been so popular, I feel that that’s just going to transition into the fall with burnt oranges and mustardy yellows — kind of taking the bright tones and just muting them down quite a bit,” she says.

Use of negative space — where most of the nail is painted with the base coat, the art is applied on the tips of the nails and then finished with a top coat — is also increasingly popular for those who like to enjoy their manicure for up to four to five weeks, with no growout visible.

Grimes isn’t sure yet what’s coming for 2020, but “honestly what keeps me enjoying it is that it’s always evolving and changing. There are new techniques and new ideas. It’s always really fun to see what’s going to be popular.” — Donna Stokes

Photo courtesy of Sarah Grimes

Sarah Grimes’ wearable nail art is so hot right now that her waiting list is 300 people long.

Find out why.

SWAP THAT TOP! The ReVamp promotes sustainability — and helps refresh your closet — through its clothing swaps.

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Photo courtesy of Simone Thomas

ast fashion — inexpensive, on-trend clothing mass produced for major retailers — is something most of us see daily, but not everyone knows the scope of its impact (from environmental costs to sweatshop labor).

The ReVamp is trying to lessen that impact, even if only in Denton County, with its regular clothing swaps. “The essence of the event is for people to be eco-friendly and up-cycle their clothing,” said founder and curator, Amanda Sweet.

Attendees bring at least one bag of clothes and pay a $10 entry fee, and then whatever they find within the swap is theirs. Without a bag, the entry fee is $20. The events also feature musical performances to foster a collaborative spirit. Any clothing not taken by attendees is donated to a different charity each swap.

Clothes and Friends This project began a little over a year ago in the backyard of Studio One16 in Denton and has since held seven swaps and expanded into the food truck park in Backyard on Bell’s outside space.

Sweet had just moved from Detroit. After six months of isolation and feeling like thrift stores were not plus-size friendly, she decided to call on the Denton community for help. “[I said], ‘Okay, I’m ready because I need clothes and I need friends,’” she says. The community answered her call.

Mariah Smith joined Sweet as The ReVamp’s creative consultant.

She takes care of brand development but is also versed in eco-education. “[Eco-education] was always my favorite thing to learn because it’s such a huge problem that is so easy to ignore,” Smith says. “You don’t think about where your outfit was made.”

Retail stores will mass produce cheap clothing, and people will only get five to 10 uses out of the clothing before it falls apart, Smith explains. The ReVamp gives people the opportunity to inexpensively repurpose their clothing and gain some new threads as well.

The Future of The ReVamp Events now include a DIY station where attendees can tie-dye, cut and sew the clothes they find. The team has launched a blog and will be creating a zine, lecture series for eco-education and mentorship program, with a bigger goal of becoming a 501(c) organization.

“It started as just something we did on the weekends and it became something for the community to make it better,” Sweet says. The next ReVamp clothing swap is September 1 at Backyard on Bell. — Tori Falcon S E P T E M B E R /O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9 D E N T O N CO U N T Y

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STYLE

HOUSE Proud What does it take to have a stylish home? We asked the experts at Illuminaire Staging & Design.

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ook around your home. It’s probably a personalized mish-mash of décor and keepsakes that marks the space as truly yours. But if you want to sell a house, that one-of-a-kind space may be a bit too unique for a potential buyer.

Or maybe you plan to stay put but feel like your living space could use a design upgrade.

Either way, AnnByron Guditis and Reese Nall, co-owners of Denton-based Illuminaire Staging & Design, can help. While most of their clients are south of Denton in the areas around Lantana and Argyle, the design duo has gone as far as Fort Worth to breathe new life into a living space.

PERSONAL STYLE

When styling a home, Guditis says the client typically provides direction. After all, a remodel or renovation has to reflect homeowner’s taste. Some clients have a lot

to say on the subject with specific plans and colors selected. Others may choose a general aesthetic or a single piece to work around and then let Illuminaire work its magic.

One recent project Guditis and Nall tackled, for example, centered around a rug that the client fell in love with. That piece brought the client’s authenticity, personality and individuality into the space, and then Illuminaire took it to the next level, surrounding the rug with leathers and earthy tones to bring a Southwestern flair to the modern design.

A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY

A full remodel isn’t always necessary though. When it comes to refreshing a space or styling a home, a little bit can go a long way.

“We have a lot of [requests for a] room refresher, where we go in, and they’re really not wanting to spend a whole lot of money,

but we come in and change a couple of key pieces: couches, rugs, curtains, some of the accessories just to refresh the room.”

According to Guditis, there has been a push toward clean, uncluttered spaces: “A lot of times, we’re removing a lot of clutter, setting up the furniture just to feel more Zen. Less is more right now.”

Reese Nall (left) and AnnByron Guditis plan a room design.

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Guditis says their personal style is fairly modern and bohemian. For her own home, that aesthetic manifested with the addition of more earthy elements, plants and a basket wall.

Fortunately, she has noticed that recent trends are in line with her sensibilities, with many clients asking to “bring nature inside.” For the designers, that means incorporating stones, plants and other natural materials into a room to bring a more organic feeling to the home.

Guditis has also noticed a move toward black cabinets and dark walls and says that, in general, homeowners are “just going away from your typical beige walls.”

Sometimes, that means “coming in and doing a print on the wall. Big floral prints right now are big too.” — Marshall Reid

Photos courtesy of Illuminaire Staging & Design

AWAY FROM BEIGE

Top left: Illuminaire removed excess furniture from this formerly crowded space and added a cowhide rug for an element of fun.

The glass coffee table offers a light, airy feel.

Top right: For this makeover, they replaced dark, heavy metal fixtures with airy glass pendants.

Fabulous barstools provide modern Southwest style. A custom shelf installed over the buffet area adds height and interest. Greenery was placed throughout for warmth.

Bottom: This room has a real pop of wow now, but it used to be basic and beige. The designers added paneling and painted the back wall vibrant green.

The other walls were painted dark navy for a more dramatic feel.

Pops of gold and a mix of textures and patterns add to this stunning renovation.

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STYLE

Save Your

SKIN

The beginning of autumn is the perfect time to invest in a good skin-care routine.

Keep skin healthy and bright during cooler months with this expert advice.

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orth Texans may enjoy a milder fall and winter than other parts of the country, but that doesn’t mean they don’t experience common seasonal skin ailments.

Luckily, a few simple tweaks can keep your complexion healthy and glowing all year long, according to Mickie Mayes, a licensed medical esthetician and certified laser technician with almost 20 years of experience.

WINTER ROUTINE

“The biggest thing with skincare when the weather gets colder is you do have to change your routine,” Mayes says. She suggests using more hydrating products and quality moisturizers with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or ceramides to combat dry winter air.

Mayes offers multiple services at Legacy Salons & Day Spa in Flower Mound (6100 Chinn Chapel Road #100, Suite 218, 972-914-8894, mickiemayesesthetics.com), including customized facials for clients.

One of her most popular procedures this

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time of year is a Honey Enzyme Facial that exfoliates and hydrates. She also says IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments are great right now because the procedure targets red spots, sun damage and discoloration that may have occurred over the summer.

Other procedures she suggests include dermaplaning, a manual exfoliation of the top layer of dead skin, and chemical peels such as a Vi Peel Precision treatment, which is used to improve skin tone and soften fine lines and wrinkles.

PRO TIPS

Mayes offers this advice for keeping skin healthy and glowing all winter long: u u Hydrate! Moisturize when your skin is damp, and remember to drink water, which is easy to forget during colder months. u u Ditch the hot showers. Heated indoor air and changing outdoor temperatures mean that skin is more prone to dryness.

Opt for warm rather than hot showers and wash your face with cooler water.

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Mickie Mayes

Wear sunscreen year round. Mayes recommends using products that include titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Powdered mineral sunscreens that come in all skin hues are convenient and can be reapplied over makeup. u u Choose good products. Your daily skincare routine should include quality products, Mayes says. Two of her favorite brands are Skinbetter Science and IS Clinical. “Medical-grade products tend to be more expensive, but they’re made with better ingredients, and they last longer.” — Mary Dunklin uu

TRASHion FASHION

SCRAP Denton’s annual runway show challenges designers of all levels to transform discarded detritus into spectacular styles.

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eusing is the way to a more sustainable future. Local nonprofit SCRAP Denton spreads that message through children’s art camps, crafting workshops for adults, its retail store and its annual TRASHion Fashion Show.

EMBRACING REUSE

Left photo by Kenzie Stevens; middle photo by Sydney Knotts; right photo by Jatavien Mitchell

TR ASHion — an avant-garde catwalk that takes place each April at the Denton Redbud Festival — proves that one man’s trash is another man’s fashion.

Like a special challenge on Project Runway, TRASHion requires each garment to be constructed from 75 percent or more reused materials.

Anyone with the passion and creativity to create a frock is invited to participate; there are no age limits. You don’t need an education in fashion. You don’t need a portfolio. You just need imagination and enthusiasm to learn more about the creative reuse industry.

Constructed of paper and fabric, designer Rachel Hudson dyed the gown’s materials with pigments extracted from local plants and trees.

(You don’t need to wait until April to celebrate creative reuse though. SCRAP kicks off a month of fundraising on October 5 with a carnival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Attendees can look forward to booths, games, crafts and a store-wide sale.

All donations and proceeds will benefit the organization’s educational programming and scholarships for children and teens whose families can’t afford the cost of workshops and camps. SCR AP also organizes school supply packs of donated materials that can be purchased for just $7.)

BITS & PIECES

Creators rely partially on materials donated to the nonprofit’s store. SCRAP isn’t a place to drop off used clothing, but the team is happy to take raw fabric, which Meyercord-Westerman says is so in demand that it “flies off the shelves.” They also welcome donations of partially empty cans of paint, leftover yarn, bottle caps, flooring samples,

This dress, designed and modeled by Molly McGee, was made from reclaimed paper, cardboard and plastic.

dried-out markers, art supplies and canvas.

“We’ll even take your used sketch pads,” says Meyercord-Westman. “There may be only four or five pieces of paper left, but we’ll take it.” And the dry markers?

“We soak them in water and end up with amazing watercolor paint and dye to use for other works of art. Then we take the lids and string them for jump ropes.”

In other words, there are plenty of objects for creative minds to transform into designer garments during the TRASHion Show.

“We had a designer crochet an entire jumpsuit from polyester trim found at SCRAP,” says Kari Meyercord-Westerman, SCR AP national operations manager.

“Polyester is a beast. It’s really hard to get rid of [environmentally]. Another designer used broken CDs to add shimmer.”

Here are a few recent favorites that breathed new life into old materials…

— Nicole Foster

Designer La’Jasha Champion conjured Marie Antoinette and the Little Mermaid in this piece made using shells and tinsel garland.

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STYLE

G

etting hitched involves so many decisions! Floral arrangements, gowns, guest lists, catering, cakes, music — it can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, finding a stunning wedding venue in Denton County is the easy part.

Whether you’re looking for a European mansion, a rustic barn, an industrial chic downtown space or a boutique hotel, you can find the perfect spot to fit your style without leaving our little slice of heaven.

Personal Touches

No matter what the venue, many couples

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want to find a way to make it their own.

Rachel Johnson, director of marketing at Walters Wedding Estates, says many couples bring that personal touch by placing family heirlooms on the mantles and shelves or setting up memory tables for loved ones who aren’t there. Acrylic signs, chalkboards and other signs also help share personal messages with guests.

Other decorating concepts that are hot right now, according to Johnson and the team at Walters, include greenery t hroughout t he venue, mismatched bridesmaids’ dresses (“different colors

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that go with the florals and other décor”) and geometric shapes (“like having a pyramid as a backdrop at the ceremony or having centerpieces in geometric shapes”).

“Oh, and pets!” Johnson says. “We’re seeing a lot of pets, like dogs as ring bearers, and we do allow pets at all of our locations.”

Choose Your Aesthetic

Every couple is different, but these four local venues are some of our favorites and are worth considering for your special day.

Opposite page: The Olana photo courtesy of Walters Wedding Estates; Monroe Pearson photo by McKenzie Baird Photography

TIE THE KNOT IN

Make your wedding day unforgettable with these hot wedding trends and gorgeous Denton County venues.

The Olana

OPULENCE AND LUXURY

The style: The French Baroque mansion, inspired

by Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte in Paris, is all about luxury — from the gold-plated elevator to the hand-carved spiral staircase to the marble floors.

The venue: Walters Wedding Estates’ newest, largest and most popular venue, The Olana (formerly known as Champ D’Or) was built as a private residence in 2002. After purchasing the 40-acre estate in 2018, Walters added a solarium that holds 275 guests for receptions. “It has really beautiful views of the back of the estate and canopies of trees,” says Johnson. “It also has a bridal suite that features a sauna and indoor pool area.”

And if you thought that was lavish, Johnson says, “We do have another wedding suite downstairs that has a bowling alley and basketball court, which as far as I know is the only one of its kind.”

The estate also includes a lake, tea room modeled after New York’s Tavern on the Green, indoor and outdoor swimming, tennis courts and more. “Our plan is to expand the property,” says Johnson. “We have been approved for zoning to do a hotel on the property so we can offer a retreat and conference space for those who are coming in from out of town. That’s coming in the next few months.”

Address: 1851 Turbeville Road, Hickory Creek

Monroe Pearson INDUSTRIAL CHIC

The style: Designer Courtney Adams paired the industrial elements of the historic building with high-end furniture to create a swanky yet accessible aesthetic.

The venue: This downtown Denton gem — a former grocer’s warehouse — was built in 1894. “We were able to use a lot of the historical elements that were there,” says Johnson.

Some of the original flooring is now a feature wall, and the original brick from the building is still in the reception hall. We were really able to keep the building’s history and integrity.”

“Monroe Pearson definitely has a Denton twist,” says Johnson. “It’s very close to the Square, so you can walk over to the entertainment, which is really nice for the day before the wedding. You can go downtown for a rehearsal dinner, then continue the activities downtown.

Having a venue in the heart of Denton has brought a lot of couples from the Dallas-Fort Worth area to Denton.”

Address: 421 E. Oak St., Denton S E P T E M B E R /O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9 D E N T O N CO U N T Y

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STYLE Morgan Creek Barn RUSTIC AND MODERN

The style: When you hear the word “barn,” you don’t always think “elegance,” but in this case, you should. From its high ceilings to its white barn doors, this three-story timber-trussed barn exudes charm.

The venue: Situated in the Texas countryside and surrounded by large oak trees, a winding creek and open pasture, this well-appointed venue is ideal for nature lovers. On the same property is the Milestone Mansion, a beautiful Georgian Estate-style venue ideal for Southern brides.

Thanks to the expansive, 52-acre lot, couples have their choice of ceremony locations with countryside views, including a beautiful rustic pavilion with outdoor fireplace, string lights and pergola.

Address: 1251 W. Sherman Drive, Aubrey

Wildwood Inn

The style: Give your guests a European vacation without leaving home with this exquisite hotel inspired by some of Europe’s finest lodging. Full-glass French doors and windows overlook lush gardens and a covered terrace.

The venue: Choose to wed in front of the large hand-carved fireplace inside, on the covered terrace or in the elegant garden pergola. When you’re finished celebrating, rest easy knowing that your guests did not have to make their way home or to another hotel. The Wildwood Inn offers 14 high-end guest rooms to accommodate up to 32 family members or out-of-town guests overnight.

“If you have a lot of guests coming from out of town, this is the perfect location,” says Johnson, “because they can stay the night or the weekend and have breakfast, served on site, the morning after the wedding. It’s a really intimate, family-style venue.”

Address: 2601 Lilian Miller Parkway, Denton Also available in Denton County from Walters Wedding Estates: Hidden Pines Chapel, a modern Texas hill country-inspired space that blends rustic elegance with state-of-the-art amenities; Aristide in Flower Mound, an exquisite traditional-style space with high-vaulted ceilings and chandeliers; the Chapel at Ana Villa in The Colony, a Spanish-inspired grand ballroom with a Moroccan-style bar; and the Milestone Mansion in Denton, a picturesque Southern mansion with Hamptons-style coastal flair. — Kimberly Turner

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Morgan Creek Barn photo courtesy of Walters Wedding Estates; Wildwood Inn photo by Nicole Berrett Photgraphy

EUROPEAN-INSPIRED ELEGANCE

Thank you, Denton.

For voting Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton the Best Medical Center.

At Texas Health Denton, we’ve grown with our growing community, bringing you the same technology found at major metropolitan hospitals. We offer advanced medical technologies close to home, like robotic surgery and the area’s only low-dose 512-slice CT scanner. Plus, you will find over 300 physicians on the medical staff representing more than 45 specialties ranging from neonatology, for our tiniest citizens, to cardiology, for every beat of your heart. So when you and your family need it most, the care you need is right here in your own backyard.

Heart & Vascular Services ■ Electrophysiology ■ CT Cardiac Imaging ■ Robotic Surgery Neurology ■ Weight Loss Surgery ■ Endovascular Surgery ■ Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Neck & Back Program ■ Women & Infants Care ■ Neonatology ■ Cancer Care ■ Emergency Care General Surgery ■ Critical Care ■ Wound Care & Hyperbaric Treatment Center ■ Stroke Care

1-877-THR-WELL | TexasHealth.org/Denton

Doctors on the medical staffs practice independently and are not employees or agents of Texas Health hospitals or Texas Health Resources. © 2019

Spurred by scripture, Gene Gumfory’s vision for a community garden has blossomed beyond his wildest dreams.

BY MELANIE MEDINA

Feeding the

Multitude

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“You give them something to eat.”

Matthew 14:16

Photos by Melanie Medina

ven if you’r e not a c hu r c h g o e r, y ou’v e probably hea rd t his parable before. It goes something like this: Jesus had had a long day. Hea ring of his miracles, thousands of people had been following him around. His disciples were getting antsy about feeding everyone, so they asked Jesus to tell these people to go back to their villages and buy their own food.

According to the version of the story in Matthew 14 (the story is recounted in all four gospels), Jesus told them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

The disciples only had five loaves of bread and a couple of fish, which they handed over to Jesus. He took the food, looked to Heaven to bless it and miraculously fed every person in the crowd until they were full.

Gene Gumfory, a longtime member of Denton Bible Church, had heard this parable before. But when he heard it on one particular Sunday in 2009, the scripture

struck him in a way it never had before.

Jesus wasn’t just talking about feeding people physically, Gumfory realized. He was talking about feeding them spiritually as well.

“I began to think on it,” Gumfory says.

“Maybe I could start a small garden somewhere and teach people to garden.”

He shared his vision with the church’s elders. One of them, Virgil “Spunky” Adams, ran the idea by another church member, a gentleman who’d done well for himself and owned 14.5 acres of land near the church.

Adams asked the man, Nolan Egbert, if he’d allow the church to use a small portion of the land to start the garden.

“I’ll do something better,” Adams recalls Egbert saying. “I’ll give it to the church.”

Egbert had one stipulation: The garden had to be called Shiloh Field. In Hebrew, Shiloh means “To him who it belongs.” In other words, this would be God’s garden.

When Gumfory heard about the offer, he couldn’t believe it. “You know, it’s kind of like the Prayer of Jabez,” he says. “You best be careful what you ask God for because he will give you a plateful.”

Regular Shiloh Field volunteers repurpose a plastic bucket to serve as the casing for a drip irrigation system that will keep blackberry vines watered.

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“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”

Bruce Wakefield, a pilot for American Airlines and regular Shiloh Field volunteer, has been gardening for most of his life.

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In short order, “The paperwork was done, the transaction was made, and Gene was like a kid in a candy store,” Adams says.

Gumfory mapped out how the 14.5 acres should be used. He designated a large portion for growing produce to feed the needy.

Another area was divided into 155 plots that families could claim and tend, as long as they agreed to keep it clean and donate some of their harvest. An area toward the entrance would be used to grow fruit trees.

“In the beginning, I was helping Gene with the layout of the garden,” says Adams.

“He was responsible for most of that. It fast became apparent that Gene was the one with the know-how on how to lay that out and organize it.”

For the most part, Shiloh Field is still organized the way Gumfory originally designed it. But this year, they’ll reduce the number of individual family plots to about 90. Keeping up with 155 is just too much.

Besides Adams, plenty of other volunteers came on board. “Gene is just one of those guys who says, ‘I’ve got an idea,’ and he rallies the troops, and people jump right in and follow him,” Adams says.

In its first year, volunteers harvested more than 12,000 pounds of produce.

In recent years, Shiloh Field has yielded around 100,000 pounds of produce annually, virtually all of which is donated to organizations that serve low-income families in North Texas, including Salvation Army, Fred Moore Day Nursery, Our Daily Bread and Denton County Food Bank. Many of these organizations receive weekly deliveries from Shiloh Field.

Volunteers contribute about 500 hours each month doing whatever needs to be done: tilling the ground, building irrigation systems, pulling weeds, harvesting produce and making deliveries. And most of the tools and resources they use — water, shovels, hoes, buckets, rakes, tractors — are donated.

Photos by Melanie Medina

Genesis 2:15

“I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance.”

Revelation 2:2

Gumfory was 70 when the idea of a community garden came to him, but he’s been feeding people his entire life. Born and raised in Cleburne, 70 miles south of Denton, Gumfory remembers helping his father tend to a 10’ x 10’ garden.

“He grew onions, radishes and tomatoes,” Gumfory recalls. “Those were his favorites.”

Though Gumfory didn’t go to college, he says he has a master’s degree from the SOHK: School of Hard Knocks. In 1963, he began working at Griff’s Hamburgers, known today as Griff ’s Burger Bar. His work with Griff ’s took him all over the U.S., and Gumfory eventually ran the restaurant chain’s training center.

Volunteers built a coop several years ago to raise chickens for their eggs — not for butchering.

When his father-in-law opened a Sonic Drive-In in Cleburne, Gumfory became acquainted with one of the managers. By 1971, Gumfory had also opened a Sonic — one of the first east of the Mississippi.

Gumfory, his wife, Lynn, and their two children moved to Denton in 1986 to operate the Sonic on East University Drive. At one point, Gumfory was the owner and supervising partner for all Sonic locations in Denton and 24 others in the surrounding area.

“I’m still a partner [of Sonic] today,”

Gumfory says, “I just backed out of the working part of it, if you will. Gives me a little more time to work in the garden.” It also frees him up to devote more time to the Denton Kiwanis Club, which serves children in need.

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

Proverbs 22:6

This volunteer-built archway welcomes visitors to the 14.5-acre community garden.

People are drawn to Shiloh Field for a lot of reasons. To learn. To teach. To help. To connect with others.

Young elementary students come out for field trips and learn how to care for seeds so they grow into hearty plants. Teenagers come to earn volunteer hours. Professors from University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University teach nutrition classes there. Even regular volunteers learn techniques from each other.

Gumfory gets a kick out of teaching younger kids not only about gardening, but also about having fun outdoors. One March S E P T E M B E R /O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9 D E N T O N CO U N T Y

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Proverbs 9:9 On one Tuesday morning in March, several volunteers arrived to do some maintenance work on a drip irrigation system for the blackberry vines. Two of the men dug a hole two to three feet deep in the ground, while two others sawed off the bottom of a bucket.

Volunteer Michael Enad explains that the bucket will serve as a casing for the irrigation system’s valve. “We could go out and buy one for a hundred bucks. Or you can get one of those buckets,” he says, pointing to the one they’d just sawed off and placed in the hole. “They’re free and they work just as good.”

Enad is a retired UPS worker who volunteered at a community garden in New Jersey before moving to Denton. Like the groups of students and Gumfory himself, Shiloh Field’s regular volunteers feel called to the work for many reasons.

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Dean Urbanek, who’s been helping Gumfory since Shiloh Field’s beginning, originally came to help his brother grow tomatoes and now volunteers almost all of his time here.

Brendan Luft, an engineer for Frontier Communications, grew up on a small farm in Indiana before his family moved to Texas in 1983. After getting married and having kids, there wasn’t much time for gardening. “My mother died in ’06,” Luft says. “So when she passed away, I started gardening again.” Luft started with an individual plot but now comes out just to volunteer his time.

Doug Herzog, another regular volunteer, says his grandparents originally got him interested in gardening. They’d had to learn to garden to feed themselves. “And so when I grew up and retired, I just had this mental picture that I would garden also, because that’s what grandparents do.”

And Bruce Wakefield, a pilot for American Airlines, says he’s been gardening since was a kid. “It’s also kind of a stress relief for me, too.”

Whatever brings them to the Shiloh Field, Gumfory is happy they’re there.

Gumfory is 80 and grateful for what God has given him through the garden. “He allows me to come out and work and enjoy it, and it’s such a blessing. God ain’t through with me yet.”

Photo courtesy of Gene Gumfory

weekend, a group of Cub Scouts came to pull some weeds and check out the dozen or so chickens clucking around in the coop.

After Gumfory helped each boy plant a seed in a small pot, which they got to take home, he played King of the Mountain with them, challenging them to see who could make to the top of a wood chip pile first.

“They had such a fine time,” Gumfory says. “They’ll remember that crazy old guy at the garden. ‘He tried to race us, but we knew we could beat him!’ They had a ball.”

Teenagers are just as impressionable.

When they visit Shiloh Field, they often ask older volunteers why they do it.

“Because it’s what I enjoy doing,” Brian Scott says. “I like to hang out with friends and build something and give back to the community. And if [the teenagers] see that and share some of those experiences, it’s really fun to watch that.”

Many of the regular volunteers, who learned how to garden from their grandparents or parents or from working at other community gardens, teach each other techniques they’ve picked up along the way. Even Gumfory himself, who was certified as a master gardener in 1994 and again in 2001, is still learning. A UNT transfer student from China recently taught him that the leaves of sweet potato vines are edible and a staple in many Chinese villages.

“Give instructions to a wise man and he will still be wiser. Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.”

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See&Do YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST UPCOMING EVENTS IN DENTON COUNTY

Texas International Pop Festival: 50 Years Later Exhibit When: Through October 19 Where: The Gallery at MCL Grand Main Gallery, 100 N. Charles Street, Lewisville Just two weeks after Woodstock in 1969, another music festival rolled into Denton County with some groundbreaking (although much less publicized) performances. The Texas International Pop Festival brought together some of the biggest names in pop, rock and blues at an open field in Denton County, and Lake Lewisville became Ground Zero for hippies who wanted to spread peace and free love.

Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, Santana, B.B. King, Canned Heat, Johnny Winter, Sly & the Family Stone and Chicago

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Transit Authority were among the artists who played during the three-day festival, which attracted more than 100,000 music fans. Locals were taken aback by the influx of skinny-dipping hippies, and The Dallas Morning News even penned a scathing editorial about the festivities.

(That editorial inspired local folk singer Lu Mitchell to write the song, “Lewd and Loose in Lewisville.”)

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This all-too-often overlooked slice of Denton County history gets its due with an exhibit at The Gallery at MCL through October 19. You’ll be able to see rare photos, video footage and artifacts from the event that, together, will let you experience what just might have been Denton County’s wildest weekend.

Find out more by visiting mclgrand.com or call (214) 219-8446.

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See&Do

YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST UPCOMING EVENTS IN DENTON COUNTY stuff in one of the many contests, which include Dancing with the Dogs, How Obedient is Your Dog, Pet Tricks, Dog Singing and much more. Get all the details at dentondogdays.com.

Taste for a Cause

Dog Days of Denton

When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., October 5 Where: North Texas State Fair & Rodeo, 2217 N. Carroll Blvd., Denton Every dog has its day, and in Denton, that day falls on October 5 this year. Friendly dogs that are current on shots are invited to bring their owners (on a leash, please) to the Fairgrounds for the yappiest

day of the year. Enjoy a canine couture fashion show, “Glamfur” photos of your pup, live entertainment and vendors offering hand-crafted arts and crafts for pets and the people who love them. You’ll also find a terrific selection of festival foods, products and services for the dog-oriented household, and demonstrations such as frisbee fetching.

You can also let your pet strut his/her

When: 6 to 9 p.m. September 7 Where: Chapel Creek Ranch, 3794 Ganzer Road W, Denton Put on your boots to help stomp out sexual and domestic violence with this year’s “un-gala” fundraiser for Denton County Friends of the Family. With the theme of “City Slicker’s Soirée,” it’s going to be a night of western chic and great food — with the goal of raising at least $100,000 for victims of violence. There’ll be both a live and silent auction, live music, dancing, cocktails and, of course, plenty of great food to enjoy.

Tickets are $75 general admission and you can learn more at dcfof.org/ tasteforacause.

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When: Begins 10 a.m.

October 5 Where: Aubrey Festival Grounds, 301 S. Main St., Aubrey What’s not to love about the Aubrey Peanut Festival? This annual event pays homage to that shapely little shell and draws more than 8,000 attendees who are simply nuts about it. This year’s theme — “Love, Peace and Peanuts” — is perfectly aligned with the 50th anniversary of Woodstock and begins with the Annual Peanut Festival Parade at 10 a.m.

After that, you’re in for a full day of fun that includes a peanut butter sandwich eating contest, a peanut spitting contest, peanut butter cup relay and a peanut shelling contest. As if that’s not entertaining enough, you’ll also be entertained by local singers, magicians and a street dance with a live band.

Plenty of booths offering arts, crafts and food, along with a visit from the legendary “Peanut Man,” ensure that this day is fun for the whole family. Find out more at aubreypeanutfestival.com or follow them on Facebook to stay up-to-date.

Vintage Market Days of Denton

When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. September 27-29 Where: NRS Arena – Roping Events and Guest Ranch, Decatur If shopping is your favorite form of exercise, there’s no better marathon than the Vintage Market Days of Denton.

This three-day event, which is held several times a year in different communities, features a wealth of vintage items, including original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, handmade items, home décor and outdoor furnishings — all just waiting to find their forever home. In case you need a little fuel in your tank, there will be plenty of great things to eat, too.

Find out more at 10times.com/ vmd-denton.

Bonnie & Clyde Days

When: October 12 Where: Pilot Point Town Square, Pilot Point In 1967, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway filmed a pivotal scene for the movie, “Bonnie and Clyde,” in Pilot Point. (It made sense, since most of Denton County can lay claim to some sort of association with the real Bonnie and Clyde back in the early 1930s.) Now, Pilot Point celebrates the day that Hollywood came to town

with its annual Bonnie & Clyde Days, which includes volunteer actors dressing the part of gangsters and playing out the scene just as it was done more than five decades ago in the town square.

But it’s more than just a chance to watch Pilot Point get gangster for the day; this day-long event includes a soap-box race, pie-eating contest, an impressive lineup of Model A cars and live entertainment throughout the day.

Last year’s event drew more than 7,000 attendees, and they’re gunning for even more this year — so be one of them.

Learn more at bonnieandclydedays.org.

2nd Annual BBQ With the Blue

When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. September 21 Where: North Texas Fair & Rodeo, 2217 N. Carroll Blvd., Denton Now here’s a tasty way to support Denton County police officers! This annual event benefits Denton County area officers and their families in the event of injury, illness,

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death or other life-changing events, and it’s a great way to do good and have fun at the same time. If you like chili, this is the place to be; there will be award-winning Texas Rib Rangers BBQ, a CASI chili cookoff and a First Responder chili cook-off.

When you aren’t sampling the chili, check out the vendors, enjoy live music, and pick up some cool items in the silent auction. The kids won’t get bored, thanks to the Fun Zone. Admission is just $5 for everyone over the age of 5 and free for kiddos younger than that. The BBQ meal, which will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., is $15 for adults, $7 for kids 6-12 and free for children 5 and under.

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MENTAL HEALTH

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When: 5 to 11:30 p.m., September 27; 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. September 28 Where: Old Town Station, 617 E. Main Street, Lewisville Saddle up for the always-popular Lewisville Western Days Festival, which offers two days of family fun that includes five stages of live music, a Craft Beer Pavilion and the popular Kid Kountry Playground and Western Village. To give a great taste of the wild, wild, west, there are performances by Legends of Texas gunfighters, a stick horse rodeo, performances by indigenous singers and dancers and wild west pony rides.

The annual Lewisville Cattle Drive Parade takes over Main Street at 11:30 on Saturday morning, and you can shop Western Market all day long. But it’s not all fun and games; things get serious with the return of the annual Western Days Festival Tamale Eating Championship. Do you have what it takes to unseat current tamale-eating machine Darron Breeden?

Sign up and find out!

Find your inner cowboy and spur on your weekend excitement with this Lewisville mainstay. Learn more about performers and times at cityoflewisville.com.

2019 Denton Arts and Autos Extravaganza

When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. September 14 Where: Denton County Courthouse-onthe-Square, Denton The 20th annual Arts and Autos Extravaganza rolls back into downtown Denton, followed by about 10,000 eager attendees who want to check out the impressive display of hot rods, classic and custom cars, trucks and motorcycles. This free event, presented by the Denton Main Street Association, sees more than 75 trophies handed out in addition to cash prizes for Best of Show winners in car, truck and motorcycle classes.

Come for the cars, but stay for the fun; there’s a silent auction inside the courthouse, hands-on arts, crafts and games, booths featuring vendors with fine arts and crafts, and, naturally, live music.

This year, they’re adding the innovative

Chalk Fest, which will draw more than 100 artists who will create original chalk drawings on downtown sidewalks. (Artists of all ages are welcome to contribute.)

The event is free to attend, and to find out more, visit dentonmainstreet.org/ arts-and-autos.

Monarch Madness

When: 10 a.m. to noon, September 21 Where: Denton Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center, 3310 Collins Road, Denton Monarch butterflies have their own sort of cult following, and that’s particularly true

in Denton County. Now, the Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center is hosting the county’s first Monarch Festival, so you can learn more about this beautiful butterfly and what you can do to contribute to its well-being. In addition to being educational, it will include hands-on activities that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Find out more by contacting sustainabledenton@cityofdenton.com or following Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center on Facebook.

Pumpkin Palooza

When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. October 19 Where: Corinth Community Park, 3800 Corinth Parkway, Corinth Get pumped for yet another Pumpkin Palooza event at Corinth Community Park. This full day of fun for the whole family lasts until 8 p.m. and includes a car show, pie-eating contest, wagon rides, an assortment of inflatable and carnival rides, a costume contest and pumpkin

derby. You’ll find plenty of other pumpkin-themed festivities as well; you can paint a pumpkin, take a great fall family photo in the pumpkin patch and more.

You can love on the animals in the petting zoo, or fall in love and take one home with you at the animal adoption area.

If you want some high-flying fun, take a hot air balloon ride, or stay close to the ground and just enjoy the hot air Balloon Glow at sunset.

Be sure to wrap up this fun-forthe-whole-family day with an all-ages costume contest followed by a bit of Trunk or Treating from 6 to 8 p.m. Learn more at corinthpumpkinpalooza.com.

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See&Do

Best Little Brewfest in Texas

When: 1:30 to 7 p.m., October 19 Where: 151 W. Church St., Lewisville Something’s always brewing in Lewisville, and this is your chance to go see what it’s all about. The Best Little Brewfest in Texas craft beer festival is your chance to experience the handiwork of more than 80 Texas, U.S. and international breweries (as well as some wine and cider) while also enjoying two stages of live music. This family-friendly event also includes food trucks and retail vendors, and proceeds benefit Bedtime Rescue of Cloud 9 Charities, Inc. Learn more at bestlittlebrewfestintexas.com.

Denton’s Day of the Dead Festival 2019

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When: Starts 11 a.m. October 26 Where: Downtown Denton If you’re looking for a killer time with your family, don’t miss Denton’s Day of the Dead Festival 2019. This free family-friendly event has become a tradition in Denton county, and it combines all of the fall holidays (Day of the Dead, Halloween and Fall Harvest) into one big unforgettable celebration.

For younger ones, there’s the Pumpkin Patch with free games, a bounce house and lots of other tricks and treats; the Costume Contest is designed for all ages and lets you show off your spooky side (and maybe take home a prize). You can also strut your stuff in the Twilight Lantern Parade through the streets of historic downtown Denton!

Of course, you don’t want to miss the Coffin Races, which is open to drivers age 12 and over who want to steer their coffin-inspired wheels to victory while the crowd cheers them on. Whether you’re watching or driving, this is one not to miss!

Learn more at dentondayofthedeadfestival.com.

HOME SWEET HOMECOMING

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