Dripping Springs, TX May 2023

PRIME LOCATION IN FRONT OF THE RANCHES AT SENTINEL PEAK

1,000 +/- FEET OF DIRECT FM 32 FRONTAGE

GROWTH CORRIDOR BETWEEN WIMBERLEY AND CANYON LAKE

ALONG THE FABLED SCENIC ROUTE KNOWN AS THE DEVILS BACKBONE

14 ACRES

COMMUNITY FRIENDLY RESTRICTIONS

Celebrating Women

Our May issue is dedicated to celebrating the women of our amazing town. As I reflect on the many women in my life, I remember those who leave a lasting impression through seemingly small actions. There’s the uplifting woman who makes me feel loved after every conversation. My friend drove 45 minutes to drop off dinner when we were in a pinch, even though her life is just as chaotic. I cherish the woman who greets me with a firm hug, and the one who never judges when my house is a disaster. I am so thankful for the impact each woman has made on my life.

When we came back to Central Texas a few years ago after a stint in DFW, my photography business was uprooted. I had no choice but to start over from zero. I had plenty of doubt and fear. I questioned everything. “What if they don’t like me? How will I find clients? I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes.” A friend put me in touch with a local photographer who connected me with a group of fellow photographers who not only welcomed me, but passed out referrals from their overflow. I knew right away, this was extraordinary. I am so grateful for those women and strive to use their example to bless others when the opportunity arises.

As you read through this issue, you will notice the women we feature — the journalist, the therapist, the CEO, the shop owner and more — all had a commonality, community. They are surrounded by a village that builds them up. In a smaller town such as ours, there could easily be rivalry and competition, and it certainly exists in some instances. But the successful women of Dripping Springs have found the secret to success is being able to call out the gifts and greatness in others. It is so beautiful to see women celebrating women and rooting for their success. This is what makes our community great.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to send a text, make a phone call or get your family on a video call with the women in your life who deserve recognition. It only takes a minute to brighten someone’s day and remind them how they’ve made an impact in your life.

May 2023

PUBLISHER

Will Rivera | will.rivera@citylifestyle.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Karen Rivera | karen.rivera@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Kristen Hafner | kristen.hafner@citylifestyle.com

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR

Laney Bedwell | laney.bedwell@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Krystal Thomson | krystal.thomson@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Micah Wiener | micah.wiener@citylifestyle.com

STAFF WRITER

Melanie Sommer | melanie.sommer@citylifestyle.com

COPY EDITOR

Christina Thompson

christina.thompson@citylifestyle.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Kristen Hafner | kristen.hafner@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Nicole Burns Ascue, Katie Dotson, Jenna Lee, Christina Thompson, Micah Wiener

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Lauren Clark, Keilany Knight, Jeana Marino

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Josh Govero

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard

KRISTEN HAFNER, EDITOR @DRIPPINGSPRINGSCITYLIFESTYLE

Amazing gated estate in the heart of Dripping Springs Hill Country

Amazing gated estate with agriculture exemption in the heart of Dripping Springs Hill Country. The main house’s square footage is 4,725 and has extensive custom design features including a chef kitchen, dedicated pool bath and double sliders onto the pool. This home offers three bedrooms on the main floor, and a fourth bedroom located upstairs with a large game room and every bedroom has en suite baths. Project desk areas and large pantry are a bonus for any family. The barn’s square footage is 582 and features a living space, kitchenette, bedroom and bath located on the second floor of the barn and has a private drive and entrance.

PRICE: $3,500,000

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @drippingspringscitylifestyle

1: Members of the Veritas Group at the DSCL Partner networking event 2: Kids stand-up at the DS Farmers Market was a ton of laughs

3: DSYSA Rec cheer clinic 4: Teachers at CSE celebrate safe and respectful leaders 5: Paint the Town Proud winner Adrian Salinas and family

6: DSISD Board of Trustees visit Rooster Springs Elementary 7: Blue Bonnet season with a smile @drippingwithkids

Jenna Lee, SmartHerNews

A NEW FRONTIER

ARTICLE BY JENNA LEE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTEN HAFNER

I often look out across the land of Dripping Springs and wonder what these oak trees have seen — curious about the stories of souls who have passed underneath their branches on foot, or horseback, or a Ford F-350 Super Duty pick-up truck. I think of the women, who in wool dresses in the middle of summer, cooked over an open fire, and I marvel at the strategy and skill required to simply feed a family (without “Dino Nuggets” or running water). I drift to thoughts of loss, grit and the hard days that many experienced — and the immense courage and hope in the future that must have pulsed through their veins like the inspired freshwater springs here — cool and steady — magnifying during those moments where the night of heartbreak felt all too dark and the quiet light of dawn all too far away.

What a life so many forged here to follow their dreams.

One hundred years ago, on this same land, families emerged from war and pandemic, charting a way forward. One hundred years later, we share this familiar

storyline — in many ways different but still confronting those same timeless questions ranging from the daily (“Mom, what’s for dinner?”) to the deep: “What truly makes us FREE?”

We find ourselves in a developing story and that’s why good journalism matters.

And also why it needs to come from somewhere in the middle.

Here in Dripping Springs, I live almost equidistant between my two previous lives — 1740 miles to the rolling, fog-laced hometown of San Francisco and 1768 miles from the screaming streets and electric lights of New York City. The contrast of these experiences leaves me more disoriented than I would like to admit.

I’m Texan by marriage. Six years ago, when we moved suddenly to the Hill Country, I had never heard of “Dripping Springs.” But the place and the people have changed my life forever at such a critical chapter.

I wish I could report to you a smooth transition, but the reality is best expressed by a treasured gift I received from special friends here, Todd and Megan White — a painting of Todd’s interpretation of Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz,” falling from the sky — with heavy lashes and red heels against a bright, floral graffiti background. She looks how I have so often felt, tumbling into Texas in an unexpected plot twist.

Working as a national news anchor in New York City wasn’t my original goal. I wanted to work as a broadcast journalist, but it didn’t seem probable. After graduating with a master’s degree in journalism, I was rejected from most jobs I applied for across the country (including Texas), but right when I decided to accept whatever came next, word spread of a new television network launching in Manhattan — a network looking for “fresh” faces — and in a moment, my rejection became a blessing. I anchored the first broadcast of the Fox Business Network and three years later, co-hosted my own two-hour weekday show on the Fox News Channel.

I worked on the national stage for a decade — until I chose to walk away in 2017. And that happened due to two important roads converging.

The news changed. My show covered news of the day or “straight” news — breaking headlines, live reports and interviews on a variety of topics, from the weather to scientific discoveries and politics (with balance). I loved learning, and sharing the news with our viewers; I felt especially helpful during chaotic and confusing times. But several years into the job, a slow-burn of anxiety started to keep me awake at night. The network was changing — as were so many others — investing in opinion programming, and prioritizing debate panels and commentary over the news. This concerned me, but it really bothered our audience, who regularly told me they wanted less arguing and more clarity on the key issues. I became increasingly alarmed about the future — and the survival of nonpartisan news for the people we promise, as journalists, to serve. I knew some difficult decisions lay ahead.

Separately, my view of women changed. My life entered a new level of joy AND complexity — I had two children aged twoand-under. My career supported our family as my husband built his new business. I felt the weight so many women shoulder, trying to balance it all. And despite all the discussion during the #MeToo movement, of which Fox News found itself at the center, none of the talk seemed to lead to practical solutions for women at work or at home. Many of my best friends — single women, stay-at-home moms, corporate bosses, young women — all felt the same about the news. They felt they did not have time, or the patience required to sort through the partisan press for what’s really happening; even if they had a few minutes, they didn’t know who to turn to or who to trust. And consistently, they felt if they fell behind, they couldn’t catch-up (not only just in the news, but in life). I felt this way too and my experience put me in a unique position to help.

These revelations ignited a purpose to build a solution in news — something new, different and smarter.

Because women really matter — not because men matter less — but women matter in ways we don’t often directly discuss.

Regardless of region, religion, age or demographic, if you’re an American woman, you are arguably the most sought-after entity in the world. As the CEO of your household, you are the most attractive target for advertisers, and any companies (like media giants) that thrive off those advertising dollars. You are the #1 consumer of goods in the #1 economy in the world. What a Fortune 500 CEO says about the state of business may momentarily shift the stock market, but what a busy mother buys at Target at 10 a.m. on Tuesday sends ripples through the global economy (and en masse, arguably more). More women vote than men, and vote at higher rates than men. Women can decide who gets elected and who stays in power, all the while also birthing and raising the next generation of leaders. Your actions as mothers, voters, and consumers have an outsized impact on not only the direction of America but the entire world.

Everyone, everywhere, wants your time, energy and attention. No wonder you’re exhausted!

Which makes prioritizing American women, and delivering news to them in an accessible way, critically important. So, I started with a basic premise: What would happen if the news industry put HER first?

And that’s how SmartHER News was born.

Quick, concise, nonpartisan news for busy Americans.

Instead of trying to serve everyone all at once, I started with my peer group: The American woman. How could I structure the news so I could serve her better?

I thought of what I knew of my core consumer. When women go out to dinner, we order appetizers instead of entrees and share — so I’ll deliver news in a similar way: small bites of high quality, shareable information. If she can easily consume trustworthy news as a regular part of her online diet, news will become more seamless with her life and she’ll accumulate a lot of current event knowledge quickly over time. She doesn’t have to show up anywhere (not an hour, not a date, not another task) — we’ll exist on the platforms she uses most to serve her best — like Instagram — and be there when she needs us, or when she’s on her regular scroll. We’ll show respect through our fierce dedication to nonpartisanship. She doesn’t need another opinion; she is already smart. She just needs trustworthy information, a clear view of both sides of the story so she can make up her own mind and a reliable pathway to more information.

Our guiding light: curiosity over commentary.

I launched SmartHERNews.com in the living room of our first Texas home in Driftwood in 2018. It publishes online and across social media platforms, including to a quarter of a million Instagram followers. During certain news cycles, we reach an audience larger than my show on Fox News.

This sounds impressive, but this frontier remains wild and untamed. I struggle to wrap my hands around what I helped build, protect it and ensure it grows in a healthy way. In that way, entrepreneurship is like motherhood — with many peaks and valleys.

I remember a distinctly low moment in a Schlotzky’s bathroom on Highway 290 shortly after I moved to Texas, where I had my two toddlers, in need of a nap, hysterically crying in a metal bathroom stall — their screams echoing so loud that I literally sank to the ground and put my hands over my ears. I wanted to cry too but they both needed their diapers changed. When we walked out of the bathroom, sweaty and tearstained, the whole place turned to stare at what was causing that racket. I looked up at the TV, broadcasting my old show, in a perfectly lit, air-conditioned studio.

At that moment I wondered: “What did I do?”

But I chose this chapter based on solid information.

I no longer work in a fancy studio, but I have my integrity. And on the hard days, that fact and the cappuccinos at Mazama keep me going.

We can’t choose certain parts of our story, but we can choose others. And that’s why a healthy, free press matters, so we’re fully equipped to make the choices we need as voters and citizens about the directions of our own lives.

We live in a unique country that despite all its challenges provides us opportunity to change and recreate our own stories over, and over, again — where a mother of three can broadcast from her home, reporting opposing viewpoints of those in power. Few places have such liberty.

If you walk across the bridge on Mercer Street, not far from the banks of Onion Creek, you can read a beautiful quote by historian Robert Shelton etched in stone.

“With a past firmly rooted in faith and civic pride, we face the future with confidence.“

It brings tears to my eyes, because that’s how I think of the here and now — the new and old stories intertwine like the roots from the trees that so often canopy above us.  The oaks reach tall. The families stand strong. And the next chapter continues to develop with the frontier of possibilities stretching out before us as endless as the Texas sky.

While the majority of our audience consists of women, turns out if you deliver nonpartisan news in a slightly different fashion, men like it too!

Keep informed by following along with Jenna and SmartHerNews on Instagram at @smarthernews, and online at smarthernews.com.

Jenna Lee at Panache Hill Country, styled by Liz James Jewelry

Award Winning Texas Landscape Architects

“At Ecoland, our team provides creative solutions to promote spaces that drive community, connection, and excitement. We love partnering with developers, builders, and design professionals delivering new adventures to our community.”

- Bradley (BJ) Jones - Founder / CEO

11183 Circle Dr Suite A Austin, TX 512.344.204 www.ecolanddesigngroup.com team@ecolanddesigngroup.com

If you’re looking to get your commercial project off the ground, get in touch. Let’s design something amazing, together.

Enriching our Lives Through Friendships

The Female Brain and a Woman’s Need for Connection

ARTICLE BY DR. STEFANI REINOLD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEILANY K PHOTOGRAPHY

“I’ve lost all of my joy,” laments a new middle-aged female patient. She sits across from me in my psychiatry office and shares her story of how she lived her best life, but now, she was miserable. She initially could not explain what drove her deep despair. After some gentle questioning, she determined that her recent cross-country move fractured her lifelong friendships and cut her deeply-held social ties to her former community. It became clear that the lack of social connection was the strongest driver for her current depression. In my experience, this is a common story.

Research shows that a lack of social connection leads to or exacerbates several mental health issues including depression, anxiety, stress disorders, and substance use to name a few. Even cardiovascular disease, cancer, and autoimmune conditions are worsened by social isolation. A lack of, or a perceived lack of, friendship and social support harms women’s health exponentially more than men's.

While males and females both benefit from human connection, women need relationships for livelihood. Many memes and jokes make light of this phenomenon with an unspoken message: it’s all in our heads. In fact, it is. From the structure and anatomy of a female brain to neurochemistry and hormonal responses, a woman’s brain is literally created to be in connection with others.

Structurally, a woman’s brain, though smaller than a man’s brain, has a greater volume in the prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, superior temporal cortex, lateral parietal cortex, and insula. While these names are a foreign language to many, their significance is profound. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for modulating social behavior and personality expression, among other things. The orbitofrontal cortex plays a key role in emotion and reward decoding. One prominent role of the superior temporal cortex and the lateral parietal cortex is social cognition. The

insula has a core role in supporting subjective feeling states. These pronounced areas of the female brain are directly involved in social connection.

When looking at neurochemistry, women’s brains appear to have different connections and neurotransmitter responses from men's. The brains of women lean toward right-to-left hemisphere connections, whereas men’s brains gravitate toward front-to-back connections. Right-to-left hemisphere connections lead to higher intuition, emotional perceptions and overall higher social intelligence scores. Women and men process neurochemicals differently. Specifically, the “feel-good-neurotransmitters” serotonin and oxytocin process differently in women. Social connections naturally increase these beneficial chemicals.

Along with neurocircuitry, women’s hormones influence their brain’s drive for social connections. Estrogen and progesterone are the main female hormones that influence connectedness. Estrogen helps to augment serotonin receptors in the brain, which leads to feelings of well-being and also a desire for more social connections. Progesterone, on the other hand, directly increases when feeling emotionally close to a friend. Friendships drive a hormonal response felt in a woman’s brain.

Female friendships fuel the structural connections of a woman’s neuroanatomy, helping to drive peak brain function. Spending time with girlfriends also stimulates interconnections of intrinsically feminine neurocircuits. Lastly, social connections drive hormones that lead to well-being, calmness, and contentment. To that end, social connection is more than a funny meme or well-scripted movie. Social intimacy is a biological need for women. When feeling low, seek others. Friendship wins.

stefanireinoldmd.com

Social intimacy is a biological need for women. When feeling low, seek others. Friendship wins.

Kethley Physical Therapy is owned and operated by physical therapists

Jeremy and Erin Kethley. Jeremy and Erin have been residents of the Dripping Springs community for over 22 years. KPT strives to provide the highest quality of outpatient physical therapy services to the Dripping Springs, Driftwood, Wimberley, Blanco, Johnson City, and Southwest Austin areas.

Only Locally Owned Physical Therapy Practice in Dripping Scan here to connect with us!

OUR CENTRAL FOCUS IS ALWAYS OUR PATIENTS

Our goal is to create a positive impact in our patients’ lives by providing extraordinary care and results. We want to ensure that each patient is comforted and feels like they are treated like family from the moment they step through our doors.

Kalon Aesthetics & Wellness

ARTICLE BY MICAH WIENER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTEN HAFNER

HELPING

“I know how hectic life can get for moms,” says Brandi Hardy, owner and Nurse Practitioner at Kalon Aesthetics & Wellness. In addition to being a business owner, the mother of two young children has met many women in the community serving as a substitute nurse in D.S.I.S.D. “This has been a great welcoming community, and I’m glad I can give back in some sense,” she says.

Hardy boasts more than a decade of experience, including years in the operating room assisting in brain surgery. This background helps her business, Kalon Aesthetics & Wellness, stand apart from other aesthetic practices. “In surgery, you see everything below the skin,” she says. “It helps to better understand the complications.”

Hardy started her business as a mobile medspa, but in February this year, she established a physical home inside Blushing Belle Beauty Bar. “I treat patients like family,” she says. “I spend time with them. In the new space, I’m not racing to get out the door.”

She’s also surrounded by female-owned businesses, including a hair salon, two lash techs, a permanent makeup artist, and a microblading specialist. “It’s a one-stop shop. Nails, hair, injections,” Hardy says. “Women can get everything they need in one place.”

Kalon offers a wide variety of services including microneedling, skin smoothing treatments, and injections like BOTOX and b-12 shots. “Women are expressive. They want to feel young in their skin without making them feel overdone.”

Hardy also stands apart from the crowd as a nurse practitioner who offers primary care and telehealth visits for simple ailments like cold and flu symptoms. Her practice will continue to grow with an expanded focus on wellness.

“Women want to age gracefully,” says Hardy. “We want them to feel better in their skin.” 14101

CAMP LUCY

WOMEN IN POWER

ARTICLE BY MICAH WIENER PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTEN HAFNER

Francheska Mayfield has seen a tremendous amount of growth and change in her nine years at Camp Lucy. She started working at the front desk while still in college, and she’s done a little of everything since, from marketing to operations, to her current role leading the resort as General Manager.

“We’ve grown so much, but Camp Lucy still has core values and a family mentality that is so special to me,” she says. “We bring people together in a magical way, and I love watching that unfold each day.”

“Camp Lucy is a property unlike any other. The moment you enter our gates you understand the uniqueness of it all,” says Shannon O’Riley. “I still remember the day I drove out for my first interview and the awe I felt on the property.”

Four and a half years ago, O’Riley quickly realized that she belonged at Camp Lucy. “Once I had the opportunity to work on property it became my mission to stay here and be a part of the magic that is created every day,” she says.

Kim Hanks has seen it all. For more than 13 years, she’s helped create and guide the venue from an empty family ranch to one of the state’s premier celebration destinations. Hanks worked in party rentals and event management before bringing her expertise to Camp Lucy.

Originally from Los Angeles, feeding others is a lifelong passion for Meredith Shaffer. For the past three years at Camp Lucy, she’s felt that joy daily. “The experiences that we bring to people through food are priceless,” she says.

Kitchens are traditionally male-dominated workplaces, but Shaffer feels empowered at work. “I applaud all the fantastic women that make Camp Lucy the authentic and amazing place it is,” she says. “Women together can change the world.”

FRANCHESKA MAYFIELD

GENERAL MANAGER

“There’s a sense of freedom to think, to feel, and to experience real-life ups and downs, challenges and successes. My co-workers and I receive great support and respect as career-oriented women. There is a balance to being a wife, caretaker and leader that some days isn’t easy. But, working in our female-dominated environment, I am surrounded by strong, smart and compassionate women who are patient, creative and results orientated.”

SHANNON O’RILEY

ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER

“Prior to coming to Camp Lucy, I did not understand the importance of a women-empowered business. To have the support from not only our owners but also our fellow colleagues is amazing. We are surrounded by a community of supportive, hardworking and loyal women who are dedicated to creating a career for themselves. When someone asks me what I love most, it will always be the employees who are the true backbone of our property.

MEREDITH SHAFFER

EXECUTIVE CHEF

KIM HANKS

CEO

“Working in Dripping Springs daily reminds me how lucky I am to live in Central Texas. The casual and natural country vibe is something I find comforting and refreshing. Our small town is growing, businesses are succeeding and the community is adapting well. We love our local clients and we would not be who we are today without them.”

“What I love the most about Camp Lucy is the way it makes me feel. All stress drops from my shoulders as I drive to the top of Camp Lucy. It’s great to have success modeled by the many women leaders in the company. I love the opportunity and collaboration.”

ONE-on-ONE COACHING PROGRAM personal results

With this program you have a designated support team to help you build & execute your personal health & fitness plan.

Lifestyle INTEGRATION APPROACH

Based on your goals, preferences, demands and lifestyle, we build your customized plan for you. We work together to integrate it seamlessly into your life, making results easy to achieve and enjoyably sustainable.

Customized NUTRITION PLAN

There is no “one size fits all” plan. Every individual comes with different health goals, health history, food and drink preferences. You and your one-on-one Personal Results Coach get clear as to what you want out of your nutrition and build a strategy with that in mind. We teach you how to eat and drink what you want most of the time while still getting results.

Customized WORKOUT PLAN

Programs are built around your goals, level of training and your life. You work one-on-one with your fitness consultant to build and execute this workout plan.

Handmade at Nutty Brown

A Co-Op of Female-Owned Businesses

Traveling down Nutty Brown Rd., my boys always make it a point to yell, “look at that giant hammer,” as we whiz past a mailbox. “Genius marketing,” I have thought to myself. It definitely catches our attention, but I had never ventured to see what the property held until recently. As I pulled in past the hammer, my assumptive, wandering mind quickly shifted gears. This is not the small piece of land with simply a unique mailbox like I had envisioned; far from it.

I had entered a haven of beautiful small structures that house everything from art, to jewelry, metalworks, to potted plants, organic skincare products, and animals. I have entered Handmade at Nutty Brown.

A co-op of primarily women business owners, Handmade at Nutty Brown is operated as a cooperative, meaning 100% of purchases go directly to the maker. The rent and work of the communal store are shared by the members.

Property owner, Miguel Del Pozo, attended yoga classes with Alison Cairns and Diane Bertotti for years. Del Pozo knew that Cairns and Bertotti were looking for a place to launch their new craft class, Austin Craft Lounge, so they became

the first tenants. The five-acre property boasts many tiny home structures which are occupied by small business owners specializing in different trades. The property is also home to an equine training facility, housing horses, mules, and ducks.

In 2020 business-as-usual came to a halt, especially for small business owners. Offering in-person crafting classes was no longer an option for Cairns and Bertotti, so they pivoted to making handmade items in an effort to keep their business afloat. With many small, separate studios, the ladies soon realized the layout of the property was accommodating of social distancing rules. They were all able to continue working, and each day they would gather safely for lunch, outside, at the giant tables.

It was, indeed, a privilege to continue in-person relationships during a time when opportunities to gather were so limited. Cairns had her eye on a space at the front of the property that she felt would make a nice store and shared the idea with the group. All makers, still working and safely gathering daily, but with many markets closed, could this be a solution?

The idea was born to work together to build a space to hold their own market with each of their unique items represented in one space. Cairns and Bertotti approached Authenticaa, Bee Mary and what later became Marichu Plants, (Laura, the resident equine trainer, turned to plants during COVID and acquired a grand collection) to start a co-op.

It was a group effort from the get-go. Authenticaa painted the patterned floors and spruced up the outside, Austin Craft Lounge added insulation, finished out the inside, and Bee Mary supplied furniture and displays, and together with Marichu Plants, set up a cohesive and attractive gift store. From there, they found other cooperative-spirited makers from Nutty Brown and surrounding areas.

When visiting with the women of the co-op, there was an unmistakable vibrance about them. With members from Scotland, France, Croatia, Bolivia, Venezuela, and India, to name a few, the women are culturally diverse but have each bonded over their passion for life and the arts. Complementary and encouraging, the women of Nutty Brown Handmade were excited to show me the makings of each of their co-op partners. The bond between them all left me a better woman for knowing them. They made it, and they did it together.

Stop into the shop at 12919 Nutty Brown Rd. Open Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the last Friday of each month, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also by appointment, or stop by during the week, roughly office hours, and you may get lucky. For more information visit their website at austincraftlounge.com/hand-made/ The May 21st and 22nd Dripping Springs Art Tour will include Handmade at Nutty Brown.

Austin Craft Lounge - wood, metal & pottery gifts like owl houses and tiny trays (Alison Cairns and Diane Bertotti)

Authenticaa - artistic metal items from business signs to yard art to meaningful talismans (Ariane Bihan and Alexia Maher)

BEE MARY - wearable art, crushed glass, and wildflower jewelry (Andrea Yakerson)

Cimishine - locally themed printed pillows, trays, plates, and shoes (Cathy Richardson)

Hecho A Mano - upcycled leather and guitar string jewelry (Gaby Belusar)

Marichu Plants - potted plants and plant sculptures (Laura Hermanson)

On the Fence Arts - cards, paintings, and pottery (Sheetal Kulkarni)

Philorganic - organic skincare products (Elena Castro)

Rishikesh Bliss - organic healing sprays and lotions (Lizbeth Hellen)

Vivan Noel - chunky knitted pillows and blankets (Mihaela Becirovic)

We have an immense amount of gratitude for the moms in our community. Being a parent is unlike anything anyone could have ever prepared or trained us for. Moms are superheros that somehow make it all happen. How can we help you show gratitude to moms in our community? This Mother’s Day start with a simple thank you to anyone you appreciate. Show appreciation for something, or for all they do. Write a note and stick in their mailbox, drop it in their purse or slip it in their child’s backpack. Simple acts of kindness go a long way.

If you’re looking to spoil someone during the month of May, at REGENERATE we are making it a little easier for you! Scan the QR code to see our Mother’s Day Packages. Packages start at $199.

BRECA TRACY, PhD Director of Science & Operations

The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

“We feel it is important to not only focus on the dental aspect of our practice, but to also make patients feel comfortable and treat them as family. We provide many comprehensive dental services and enjoy treating people of all ages. We look forward to the opportunity to meet you and build a lasting relationship.”

Dripping Springs Family Smiles

HOW TO PLAN A SUMMER WITH INTENTION

ARTICLE BY MELANIE SOMMER PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEANA MARINO

A SUMMER TO REMEMBER

Seek clarity. Consider your mission. What do you want this summer to feel like? Who do you want to connect with or impact? I’m considering traveling to Luxembourg to explore our roots and tour a few colleges on the west coast for my soon-to-be high school junior. Maybe you want to connect with nature and go camping or to the rainforest. What’s most important to you and your family? Spending time to understand what you’re craving will inspire you to take the steps to make it happen.

Communicate your vision . Share with your family what you want to do and why. The family can’t read your mind. Discussing your wishes can garner the support needed to make your vision a reality. Allow everyone to participate in the planning so they have a part in the process.

Make it real . Fun doesn’t just show up on your doorstep. For me, it’s better to plan for fun while also making space for spontaneity. Write down your thoughts and ideas and then book the trip, schedule the activities, and notify the office. Get everything into the calendar and stick to the plan as much as you can.

June is just around the corner. Soon moms across Dripping Springs will be faced with the familiar, daunting question: What are we doing all summer?

Some moms feel pressure to fill the days — whether it’s scrambling to secure those highly-coveted summer camp spots or planning an extended family vacation. But filling the calendar just for the sake of keeping busy isn’t always the best solution. The key to having a memorable summer is to plan one with intention.

Take the time to slow down and think about what you want out of your summer. Consider how you want to show up for your family and truly savor the season. While this may seem impossible, don’t worry. I’ve got a set of useful tactics to help you make the most of this summer with your family.

Be present . Commit to being fully engaged during the trip or the activities. Encourage conversations, ask questions, and observe yourself and your people. I learn so much about my teens when we put the phones away for the day. In turn, they notice what’s around them and remember more about the experience, as do I. Simply put, be there and let everything else go on pause. This time is fleeting and if you blink, it will be gone.

With a little intentional planning, you can make lifetime memories and foster deeper connections. So, what are you waiting for? Get started now. Come August, you’ll be glad you did.

melaniesommercoaching.com

@melaniemsommer

Generational Eye for Design

The Keim Girls Share their Unique Styles

As a mom, I want my girls to feel happy and safe in their rooms and to feel okay expressing themselves. I ask for their input on their decor because they are such individuals, and I love to express their unique personalities in our home.

Avrey is my oldest. She’s 17 years old and a junior at Dripping Springs High School. She plays volleyball, is a voracious reader, and loves hanging out with friends. She is a caregiver and nurturer through and through, wanting everyone to feel welcome. Her style is eclectic. A lover of bellbottoms, fun patterns, rattan and books. Her bedroom wallpaper is made of pages from an old edition of Les Miserables. She is drawn to earthy tones, warm lighting and an organic, cozy feel.

Harper is our social butterfly. She’s 12 years old and loves cheer. Her style leans toward pop art, and she loves curated displays of her collections and art projects. She likes to mix in vintage vibes in her décor, and must have a dedicated glamor area. She loves inviting her friends into her space, so a hangout spot in her room is essential. She warms up her room with fairy lights and cozy corners.

Wren rules the roost. She’s five years old, and she’s the sweetand-spicy youngest member of the family. She loves to sing and dance, and is part of the DSYSA Tiger cheer team, so space for active play is a must. She also needs ample storage for her unicorns. She loves a dreamy, glittery, whimsical vibe, so we gave her floral wallpaper, a playhouse bed and lots of space for imagination.

DANYALE

Style: edgy, masculine and rustic modern

I like to mix heavy textures with woodsy accents, moody paints, and hints of rich metals. I like to play with scale, taking cabinets, patterns and lighting all the way up and over the ceiling. Drama never fails, and contrast is my friend.

AVREY HARPER WREN

Style: dreamy, earthy  and organic

She chose the green to accent the earthy/organic vibe that her room has. Her deco tiles are a neutral pottery accent that looks like natural stone. So the floor tile pulls them all together. Her jute rug feels good underfoot.

Style: bright, pop, and music-oriented

Neutral with a pop of color. Her bold statement art and bright tile works well with the subtle neutral larger format selections.

Style: sweet and whimsical

No surprise, she loved pink everywhere. With a little persuasion, she added some teal and jeweled tones.  This combo will be perfect for the young girly girl.

Find more design inspiration and trends on Instagram at @danyalekeimdesign or visit danyalekeimdesign.com.

ARTICLE BY DANYALE KEIM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTEN HAFNER

Photo Credit: Kristen Hafner

For fans of page-turning contemporary fiction and complex female characters, Women Are the Fiercest Creatures by Andrea Dunlop is a must-read. The plot turns around three women each connected to Jake, a billionaire tech CEO whose social media company is about to go public. Throughout the novel, Anna, his ex-wife, Samanta, his college girlfriend, and Jessica, Jake’s young new wife, lay claim to the roles they played in Jake’s success and carve out their own fierce places in the world. Expertly written, this fast-paced story will leave you thinking about the characters long after the last page.

Women Are the Fiercest Creatures:

A NOVEL BY ANDREA DUNLOP

ARTICLE BY NICOLE BURNS ASCUE

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTEN HAFNER

National Domestic Violence Hotline CEO Talks Self-Care

Helping Abused Women Survive and Thrive Katie Ray-Jones

Katie Ray-Jones is the CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, headquartered in Austin. We caught up with Ray-Jones, a longtime Dripping Springs resident, as she returned from a trip to Washington D.C. where she met with congressional staff about The Hotline’s historic contact volume. It is the only 24/7 hotline confidentially serving anyone impacted by relationship abuse. Live advocates help over call, chat and text. The organization has served more than 6.5 million people since its inception in 1996. They are now experiencing record-breaking demand for services, with more than 3,000 contacts daily.

“When I started working in the domestic violence field 25 years ago, we focused on physical and emotional abuse. Today we have a deeper understanding of the types of abuse in relationships and their complexities,” said Ray-Jones. “Our advocates talk or chat confidentially with survivors about their unique experiences to understand how power and control are playing out in the relationship. They evaluate the options available to the individual, the benefits and risks of those options, and create a safety plan.”

One in four women and one in three teens report physical violence in a relationship. But abuse isn’t just physical — emotional, verbal, financial, online and sexual abuses are all harmful and dangerous. For women and moms, it can be hard to ask for help or think about leaving a damaging relationship. “Our goal at The Hotline isn’t to convince you to leave your relationship. We want you to be safer, to do what’s best for you and to make your own informed decisions,” said Ray-Jones.

Domestic violence has long-term health impacts. Ray-Jones, a survivor herself, shares, “I can still be triggered by something on TV or something someone says. My husband, who witnessed domestic violence as a child, gets triggered, which is why we want survivors to know you are not alone and the abuse is never your fault. Reach out for help.”

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 if you or someone you know is impacted by relationship abuse. Their services are free, confidential, and provided by live agents via call, chat or text. The warning signs of unhealthy or abusive relationships can be subtle at first. Red flags include excessive jealousy or displays of affection, constant put-downs, discouraging partners from spending time with friends and family, controlling finances or tracking locations.

To learn more about these warning signs, visit TheHotline.org, call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788.

Every person deserves a relationship that is positive, healthy and free from violence.

Katie and her boys, GJ, Cooper and Max.

ARTICLE BY CHRISTINA THOMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTEN HAFNER

D&D Insurance

FEMALE-OWNED AND OPERATED BUSINESS, SERVING THE HILL COUNTRY FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS

D&D Insurance has served the Texas Hill Country community for more than 40 years. In 2012, Angie Dahl took over as the sole owner of the agency formerly known as DeMasters Daniel Insurance Agency. Dahl began her career as DeMasters’ office manager in 1994. She then became a partner in 2008, and now leads a team of female agents, including two of her daughters, Julie and Jantsen.

With offices in Dripping Springs and Wimberley, the agency offers insurance coverage for home, auto, commercial property, contractors’ liability, and business owners. Dahl’s team of independent agents takes pride in advocating for their clients. As she simply puts it, everyone needs insurance but it is not always high on people’s financial priority list.

Dahl offers this advice to other women looking to be successful in a traditionally male-dominated business world. “Set your goals high,” she says.

dd-ins.net | 102 Old Fitzhugh Rd., Suite 200 512-894-2286

“Allow others with more experience to teach you new things. Always be a student of life.” - Angie Dahl

Julie Dahl-Arcos, Angie Dahl, and Jantsen Dahl

Stephanie Pope

THRIVING THROUGH ADVERSITY

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTEN HAFNER

Just one conversation with local real estate agent, Stephanie Pope will leave you thinking, “that is a strong-willed woman who gets things done.” From the time she was a toddler, Pope had the “I can do it myself” attitude.

Pope overcame much adversity from a young age. Born in Fairfax, Virginia, her parents divorced when she was five. She was emotionally, physically and sexually abused by her stepfather, and jumped from city to city with her mom, attending five different elementary schools.

This led Pope to find a passion for horses at the young age of four. She’d find solace at the stables, a place where she could escape her stepfather, as he was petrified of horses. This passion ultimately became her first job — feeding horses, filling water buckets, and mucking stalls to pay for her horse, Misty’s, board.

Using her “can do” attitude, as a young mom Pope worked nights and weekends for many years as a horse trainer, riding instructor and bartender so that she was able to stay at home with her children during the daytime hours.

Pope has resided in Dripping Spring since 2008, raising her three kids. She currently owns three horses that live on her property, along with two dogs, two cats and chickens.

Getting into real estate in 2012, Pope used the strong work ethic derived from her challenging youth, accompanied with customer loyalty, creativity and authenticity to best serve clients and fellow comrades, setting her among the best.

“What you see is what you get. I’m super down-to-earth, and while I am a people person, I can be a bit shy sometimes,” says Pope.

As strong as they come, Pope has risen to overcome the mountains she faced not only growing up, but throughout adulthood. Lending an ear or shoulder to those who have been in the same wake, Stephanie would love to mentor to any who are in need themselves. You can reach Pope at stephanie@stanberry.com.

The Terrace Club

Hunter Connor

ARTICLE BY MICAH WIENER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTEN HAFNER

Opened in 2000, The Terrace Club is Dripping Springs’ first wedding venue. “When we opened, it was a one-stoplight town,” says owner Hunter Connor. “Most weddings were at country clubs and churches. This was untapped territory.”

While there’s now plenty of competition in the event space, Connor is proud of the industry The Terrace Club helped create. In fact, Dripping Springs is recognized by the state legislature as the official “Wedding Capital of Texas.”

From the start, The Terrace Club employed women and worked with female-owned local businesses.

“It’s like a little family. Photographers and florists,” she says. “It’s nice to see them every weekend, and it’s great to work with people I want to support and promote.”

“We feel like we’ve blazed a trail for our industry. We set the standard. Created the template,” Connor says. “We’re part of a destination area now. Part of that growth in this area was helped by the wedding industry,” she says. “People discovered Dripping Spring through visits here.”

theterraceclub.com | 2600 HWY 290

Mother's Day Brunch

Eggs Benedict dates back to 1860. Born in New York City’s Waldorf Hotel and named for stockbroker Lemuel Benedict, the dish was designed as a hangover cure. Benedict originally ordered poached eggs with bacon and a large side of hollandaise. The hotel’s Maître d’ was so impressed, he put it on the breakfast and lunch menus with a couple of substitutions. The final product had ham and poached eggs on a buttered, toasted English muffin, covered in hollandaise.

It’s one of my favorite dishes for Mother’s Day. This recipe is a twist on the original, featuring prosciutto, which brings another layer of bold richness. My girls really enjoy assisting me in the kitchen when I make this for my family.

Special thanks to The Terrace Club for allowing me to create this in their incredible space.

PROSCIUTTO EGGS BENEDICT

ARTICLE BY CHEF MARISSA FISK

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTEN HAFNER

Prosciutto Eggs Benedict

INGREDIENTS

Serves 4

• 8 local organic eggs

• 1/2 lb. of prosciutto

• 4 English muffins

• 4 large egg yolks

• 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

• 1 Tbsp. heavy cream

• 1/2 Cup of salted butter

• Dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Make the hollandaise: Melt butter in a small pot and let it cool for five to 10 minutes. Blend egg yolks in a blender. Slowly pour the butter mixture into the eggs. Next, add the lemon juice and then the heavy cream. Blend until thick and creamy in texture. Be patient, it's worth the wait!

2. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Crack eggs into the water one by one. Cook for a few minutes until whites are formed but yolks are runny. Use a slotted spoon to collect eggs when done.

3. Toast the English muffins and butter. Assemble the buttered English muffins with prosciutto, one poached egg on each half, and top with hollandaise sauce.

4. Be mindful to have your English muffins ready with ham because the eggs cook fast and it's best to serve hot. Be prepared to eat right after cooking.

Follow @modernmomchef on Instagram for more inspiration or visit  modernmomchef.com.

Location: The Terrace Club

Styling: Kristen Hafner

Dr. Carly Cunningham

“I want to welcome you to Gatlin Creek Dentistry. If you are a patient, I hope it is abundantly apparent how much you and your family mean to me and our team. Providing compassionate care in an engaging and comfortable environment is our goal. Please come see us.” SHANE W. WHISENANT,

ROLLING IN THYME AND DOUGH

Fabienne Bollom is not your average Dripping Springs business owner. Not by a long shot. Born and raised in Brussels, Belgium, Bollom married a Texan and relocated to Dripping Springs in 1999.

Raising two children, she felt the need to be social and craved contact with people. When an old plant nursery space became available, she jumped at the opportunity. Never mind that she’d never worked in food outside of a friend’s farm stand. Bollom laughs at the thought. “We went to see the owner. They looked at us like ‘who is this woman?’”

She faced tough challenges as a woman and a foreigner. Bankers didn’t want to lend to her. Seventeen years later she knows she’s earned respect. “It wasn’t like ‘I’m gonna prove you wrong.’ But, I haven’t forgotten,” she says. “It was just like ‘stay calm, show what you got. Do it.’”

What is now Rolling in Thyme and Dough was never meant to be a coffee shop. “We wanted to do something with good food and fresh fruit, all organic,” says Bollom. “Then the word got out.”

“People wanted cinnamon rolls. I said, ‘what’s a cinnamon roll?’ We grew from what was needed,” she says. “A man told me it was a sissy place, and I said ‘no!’ That’s how the (best-selling) meatloaf sandwich started. We didn’t open a coffee shop, but everything kinda switched and switched and switched.”

Like many restaurants, the business struggled to attract employees during COVID, but this hurdle didn’t faze Bollom. “The situation changed daily. You have to adjust,” she says. “You can complain or you just do it.”

Despite the challenge, the restaurant stayed open with lots of help from the community. “I have a group of women friends and they jump

ARTICLE BY MICAH WIENER PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTEN HAFNER

in and help so many times. It’s the best part – having women friends,” she says. “And that’s what I like about being a woman. To be helpful to lift up every other woman. Don’t give up.”

She works with both her children, Jessica and Jerome. One day they will take over the business. She wants to travel. But for now, you can find her every morning, bringing joy to others.

“In my dream world, I want a place where people come and relax. It’s the beginning of the day. It’s the start,” she says. “Everything I want is just a good vibe to start the day. I cannot change the world. But I can give a smile. Because that is contagious.”

“This community is wonderful because we help each other, that’s the beauty of Dripping.”

thymeanddough.com | 333 US-290

Fabienne Bollom

TROPICAL MOMOSA

by Hill Country Happy Hour, Hosted

by Curated Cottage

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTEN HAFNER

Each time I venture around downtown Dripping something new catches my eye. This time it was the not-so-tucked-away shop on Mercer, the Curated Cottage. As I stepped in I thought, I would be content living in this store. A bit extreme, yes. But was it the truth? Also yes. A mix of vintage and new, shop owner Sonia Mussiett hand-picks this dream space.

Mussiett cherishes the incredible community of women surrounding her. She had to put signs on her store furniture because friends kept hanging out, which is wonderful, “but this is still a store!” jokes Mussiett. The women began to meet monthly with the intention to focus on one woman each month and help her grow her business. Maybe it’s helping her paint her store-front door, or as simple as sharing her social media posts, no matter what the need the group will be there.

The mission behind Curated Cottage, opened in 1999, is amazing, but so is the inventory. The merchandise is well priced, charming, and will give you the feeling you purchased something special, not a quick internet find. Custom-designed pieces of art and decor are intermingled with vintage glassware, all in harmony to create a one-of-a-kind vibe. It’s truly the place you go for the person who has everything. I left with a set of teal-blue vintage wine glasses for a friend’s birthday gift and struggled not to keep them for myself.

The table setting displayed was so inviting, if there was food I would have stayed. Instead, I chose to come back the next day with Hill Country Happy Hour to photograph her Momosa, capturing the talent of two amazing women in our town. Find the Curated Cottage at 300 W Mercer, Unit 7, and on Instagram at @curatedcottageds. For drink inspiration, check out @hillcountryhappyhour.

TROPICAL MOMOSA

• 2oz pineapple juice

• 1-2oz cream of coconut

• 3oz Island Getaway Rum

Blend together, pour into a flute, and top with champagne or Prosecco.

EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN'S HEARTS AND MINDS

Early education introduces children to relationships outside of their homes, and it lays a foundation for life-long learning through play, connection, and purpose. However, due to COVID, quarantine practices eliminated that socialization for many families.

With the support of her husband and friends, Cassidy Sullivan set out to create a school environment based on trust, confidence, communication, navigating conflict, and most of all, fun. Launched during uncertain times, Edelwise Christian is aptly named after Sullivan’s favorite childhood musical, The Sound of Music, and the alpine flower that is known to grow in the toughest conditions.

Now in their third school year, Edelwise Christian is flourishing. “Our kids leave with nourished hearts and minds, feeling cherished by their teachers and excited to return for more,” Sullivan affirms. The school currently serves two-year-olds through first grade but is anticipating the opportunity to bloom and grow by adding second through fourth grades next year. “As we continue to add elementary grades each year, we are passionate about maintaining these foundations, preparing effective leaders and strong communicators that are grounded in God’s truth,” says Sullivan.

ARTICLE BY KATIE DOTSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAUREN CLARK

Edelwiseds.org | 2201 US-290, Bldg B

“Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life, and our environment is designed to be an extension of home, as we partner with parents in raising the next generation.”

- Charlotte Mason

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events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

Dripping Springs Education Foundation Fiesta Gala

PECAN SPRINGS RANCH | 5:00 PM

Formally known as "Denim & Diamonds," this year's gala has a fiesta theme to support D.S.I.S.D.

Special Cooking Class Experience

MYSTIC SKY RANCH | 1:00 PM

Chef Chris Maher specializes in high-end events around the globe as well as his full-time culinary school in Taos, New Mexico.

Feed your passion for food, socialize, and, of course, eat!

Festival of Flight

CHARRO RANCH PARK | 7:30 AM

Join the City of Dripping Springs and Wild Birds Unlimited for the first annual Festival of Flight. Celebrate this worldwide event and learn about the lives of birds. RSVP required.

RED Arena Round-Up

2435 W. FITZHUGH ROAD | 5:00 PM

Cheer on the RED Arena kids and adults with disabilities in their annual horse show. Shop the silent auction and cheer on the riders.

The show continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with free games, a silent auction, and a BBQ lunch. Funds raised from the auction and BBQ support scholarships for kids and adults with disabilities. REDarena.org

WillPower Community Foundation Clay Shoot

HOG HEAVEN SPORTING CLUB | 12:00 PM

MAY 4TH MAY 6TH MAY 13TH MAY 19TH MAY 20TH MAY 20TH MAY 2023

The foundation's mission is to support the families of children who have sustained a traumatic spinal cord injury through financial and community support.

The Foundation also funds and supports initiatives that help children with spinal cord injuries have access to sports and other recreational activities.

Dripping Springs Art Tour

7 GALLERIES ACROSS TOWN | 11:00 AM

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/DrippingSprings

FERRARI OF AUSTIN

No automobile expresses Italian excellence like Ferrari, and at Ferrari of Austin, our greatest mission is to make every visit as memorable as it is exceptional. Our spectacular facility brings the spirit of Maranello to life, with a professional team dedicated to providing the finest sales, service and support in the industry.

We invite you to visit our new dealership, experience the SF90 Stradale and our collection of Certified Pre-Owned Ferrari's. Immerse yourself in the world of the Prancing Horse and explore our showroom today.

6201 S IH 35 Frontage Rd

Austin, TX 78744 512-380-0231

khumphreys@ferrariofaustin.com

austin.ferraridealers.com

France and Mark Clausen

Derek Peterson

Weslea O’Connor