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LIFESTYLE LETTER

An Ode to Fort Collins

February 2024 PUBLISHERS

Jahna Eichel | jahna.eichel@citylifestyle.com Jason Eichel | jason.eichel@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R I AL C O O R D I N ATO R

Macey VanDenMeerendonk | macey.v@citylifestyle.com

Our ‘Love Local’ edition arrives like a warm embrace during these chilly winter months! We’re celebrating the very soul of Fort Collins—a city we cherish for its unique approach to community and the arts. We’re honored to showcase a selection of Fort Collins’ local artists. Their extraordinary talent and imaginative vision not only enrich our lives but also transform the everyday into something magical. We are committed to bringing to light the extraordinary individuals and talents that give Fort Collins its sparkling vitality. Sharing the best of our city with you is not just our mission, it’s our passion. We revel in highlighting the trailblazers and innovators who infuse our community with their unique spirit and energy. The stories we tell are alive with the passion, dedication, and skill of these incredible people—making our city a cherished place in the hearts of many. Our ongoing support for local businesses, organizations, and the remarkable individuals who drive them goes beyond mere responsibility. It’s a tribute to the tireless efforts of those who shape Fort Collins into a dynamic and enchanting place to live! It’s no wonder we make the top lists of best cities in the country every year! As you indulge in these pages, we hope you will be inspired by these stories, and feel a renewed sense of connection to our community. JAHNA & JASON EICHEL, PUBLISHERS @FORTCOLLINSCITYLIFESTYLE

P U B L I S H E R AS S I STAN T

Morgan Henderson | morgan@thecreativeagencyco.com AC C O U N T M AN AG E R

Matthew Hart | matthew@thecreativeagencyco.com STAF F P H OTO G R AP H E R

Tony Deyo | tony@thecreativeagencyco.com P H OTO E D I TO R

Henry Magarotto | henry@thecreativeagencyco.com S O C I AL M E D I A C O O R D I N ATO R

The Creative Agency | hello@thecreativeagencyco.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Allie Bellows, Macey VanDenMeerendonk

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein AD DESIGNER Whitney Lockhart LAYOUT DESIGNER Rhiannon Coffman

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 Fort Collins City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Fort Collins area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle

Visit our Instagram CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/FORTCOLLINS

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Fort Collins City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

inside the issue FE B RUA RY 2 0 2 4 | LOV E LO CA L

28 12

Featured

18 22 28 6

Fort Collins' Artists on the Rise

A showcase of the emerging talent and creative forces that are shaping our artistic scene

Creative Enlightenment: Navigating Life the Artist’s Way

How a bestselling author uses her own advice daily to seek guidance

An Evening of Insight, Encouragement, and Hope

Hope Lives! is “Painting the Town Pink” for one inspiring evening

Sparking a (Wild) Fire

Local author, Laura Pritchett’s latest novel looks at a local event in a whole new way

18 On the Cover

Departments

Our Love Local issue is packed with artists of many different mediums and their passions and contributions to Fort Collins’ vibrancy. Read about some of the local artists making waves in our Fort Collins’ Artists on the Rise feature.

Lifestyle Letter

Business Monthly

Local Limelight ARTS + CULTURE

Artist’s Palette ARTS + CULTURE

Inspired By LOCAL SERVICES

Locally Sourced ENTERTAINMENT

Must See ARTS + CULTURE

Maker’s Studio LIFE + CULTURE

Travel Journal TRAVEL

How To LIFE + CULTURE

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Fort Collins fosters a community of budding artists. The local talent and artistic expression lends to Fort Collins’ personality and charm. From performers to musicians to artists crafting with their hands, our artistic landscape has depth and character. In this article, we are shining a spotlight on the creators that make our community beautiful and showcasing their passions and contributions to Fort Collins’ artistic scene.

A SHOWCASE OF THE EMERGING TALENT AND CREATIVE FORCES THAT ARE SHAPING OUR ARTISTIC SCENE

ARTICLE BY MACEY VANDENMEERENDONK

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | ARTS + CU LT U RE

E RI

Kurt Stamm and Joe Somodi Byron’s Brittle is a timeless candy tradition that started in the mountains of Wyoming in the 1950s and was passed down to Kurt Stamm and his husband, Joe Somodi, in the early 2000s. We are excited to finally share it with the broader public, selling on Etsy in ½ pound increments. Always using premium ingredients, the small brittle batches are handcrafted from our candy-making headquarters in Fort Collins, Colorado. Starting Byron’s Brittle was a natural extension of our artistic backgrounds. We used to be professional actors, and Kurt is still in the arts, just behind the scenes as a professional theatrical director and choreographer. We both love the exacting nature of candy making, knowing there is no room for error. We don’t cut corners when achieving the golden glow, enviable thickness, and satisfying buttery crunch. The brittle’s rich caramel color delights the eyes, and every bite is loaded with brown buttery goodness and a sweet, airy crunch. When you put our brittle next to other popular brands, we believe my father’s brittle shines brighter, higher, and nuttier. CONTINUED >

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/FO RTC O L L I N S

Sarah Mays I’m a contemporary artist, creative educator, and writer working from my studio in Fort Collins. My paintings emphasize colorful, imperfect layers symbolic of the human experience. Creating art brings me peace and offers me a place to convey the beauty of life’s rich and layered complexity. My work gives considered attention to the organic process of creating. Over time, I develop rich, colorful layers full of history, revealing work that acknowledges imperfection's beauty. I strive to motivate other artists to embrace their voices and be proud of who they are. I am determined to use my work to help challenge and celebrate life's richness, complexity, and power— to excite other women to embrace their voices and experiences, and to find beauty in the imperfect moments that make us uniquely human. I believe the process of creating art brings mental peace and offers us a place to meditate on life’s immense beauty and difficult complexity. I hope to convey the beauty of that layered complexity in my work and empower artists of all backgrounds and abilities to embrace the creative process over the result.

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | ARTS + CU LT U RE

Charlotte Campbell Hi, my name is Charlotte Campbell! I am a seamstress, performer, costume designer, and fiber artist. I grew up an avid watcher of 1950s Technicolor musicals and animated Disney films, and that ingrained my love of make-believe, song and dance, color, kitsch, and over-the-top glamour, which has informed my life pursuits ever since. Whether my work has me performing onstage, creating costumes for other performers to wear, sewing clothes, or decorating my living room, I try to make my life as sparkly and fun as possible. I chronicle most of my creative projects on my Instagram, @abelleofthebluegrass. My latest venture, Pillowfish, is a little online shop where I sell decorative hand-crafted throw pillows. My favorite pillow creatures to make are the eponymous fish, but I also dabble in crocodiles and birds, and am currently workshopping a pattern for a Highland cow. Each pillow is one-of-akind, soft, colorful, and certain to add some fun and whimsy to any space it adorns! CONTINUED >

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/FO RTC O L L I N S

Stephen Turner My name is Stephen Charles Turner. I'm an actor and game designer. I currently perform at The Candlelight; you can see my upcoming work in Crazy For You and The Secret Garden. I started performing in high school. After college, I worked at several local theaters before finally making a move to New York City. While there, I booked multiple national tours which, while interesting, didn't make me happier than when I worked locally. After my last tour, I moved back home to return to the local actor lifestyle. I never did achieve "my big break," but my whole experience with all of these things inspired me to create a game that was about our lives as actors, which I called My Big Break. In the game, players essentially bounce around from living at mommy's, to going to New York City, to auditioning for different types of gigs, and meanwhile build up credits that ultimately give them a chance to achieve their "Big Break," which is the final goal of the game. It's a competitive game, which reflects how I viewed our industry at the time.

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Creative Enlightenment: Navigating Life the Artist’s Way HOW A BESTSELLING AUTHOR USES HER OWN ADVICE DAILY TO SEEK GUIDANCE

International bestselling author, advocate for self-change, and “high priestess” of creativity, who wrote the book that changed how creativity is thought of, The Artist’s Way, has another life-changing book to add to her impressive repertoire. Living the Artist’s Way is her latest book, which is all about putting her previous book to practice. Julia Cameron’s bestselling book, The Artist's Way, was published in 1992 and has since been translated into more than forty languages and sold more than five million copies. The Artist’s Way taught people how to unblock their creativity and was meant to be a toolkit for utilizing that creativity. Her latest book, released last month, Living the Artist’s Way, takes a personal look into Cameron’s life and how she uses guidance to advance her creativity. Taking her previous work one step further, Cameron gives real-life examples of how to use the tools she teaches about. This next book is like a guided meditation, with glimpses into Cameron’s own creativity and how she seeks guidance and follows what she learns. Cameron established herself as a guide for people in The Artist’s Way. Following the tremendous success of that book, she now shows herself as not only the experienced guide, but as a human who needs guidance, and how she asks for and seeks that guidance to use in her daily life. “The Artist’s Way is essentially a toolkit aimed at freeing blocked artists,” explains Cameron, “It is a how-to book, moving essay to essay, tool to tool. Living The Artist’s Way

ARTICLE BY ALLIE BELLOWS

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CU LT U RE

Author Julia Cameron

is a very personal book, allowing readers to learn by my example. It is essentially a diary, showing readers how to use their guidance in everyday life.” Using the principle of writing for guidance and trusting what comes from writing are the themes explored in the book. It is broken up into six sections, each taking a week to focus on, for a six-week course in releasing creativity, asking for guidance, and finding the faith and trust to follow the guidance that comes to you through these writing and thinking exercises. As not only an advocate for self-change but as a spiritual person herself, Cameron takes the reader into her life, to see what successful creativity looks like every day. She then encourages readers to do the same and has questions and writing prompts multiple times in each chapter. Each exercise is thought-provoking and then goes even deeper to inspire and release the creativity that she describes as “blocked” in so many people. Cameron wrote Living the Artist’s Way as a way for “readers to embrace guidance as a viable spiritual path,” she says of the book. Each week's work is another step on the path to finding one’s creativity and inviting elements such as grounding, optimism, and strength to further guide one on their path. To celebrate the anticipated release of Living the Artist’s Way, Old Firehouse Books is proud to be hosting “An Evening with Julia Cameron” streaming on their Facebook page on February 28th, from 6 pm to 7 pm. The event will feature a conversation with Cameron about her follow-up to her original international bestseller.

“[Living the Artist’s Way] is essentially a diary, showing readers how to use their guidance in everyday life.” - Julia Cameron FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/FO RTC O L L I N S

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A n Eve n i n g o f I n s i g h t , E n c o u ra ge m e n t , a n d Ho p e HOPE LIVES! IS “PAINTING THE TOWN PINK” FOR ONE INSPIRING EVENING

ARTICLE BY ALLIE BELLOWS

I NSP IR E D BY | LO CAL S ERVICE S

Describing the event on February 17th as “the Met Gala of Northern Colorado,” legacy ambassador and volunteer at Hope Lives!, Martha Kyler isn’t the only one excited for this incredible event benefiting the charity that does so much for those receiving treatment for breast cancer. A gala, complete with a fashion show as you’ve never seen before, is sure to inspire and give the most beautiful gift of all to those facing cancer – hope. An annual event, the Hope Lives! Gala celebrates resilience and life. This evening is filled with stories of those who, when faced with breast cancer, leaned on their community to have a greater quality of life and to get the support they needed to endure and heal. February 17th marks the night that Fort Collins will be “painted pink” with the gala and fashion show. Hope Lives! helps those diagnosed with breast cancer, living in Larimer or Weld counties, who are receiving active treatment. Support and care from the organization come from local vendors, volunteers, and donations. Many local businesses donate products or services to those battling breast cancer. “Our clients and their families are reminded they are not alone in their breast cancer journeys,” says the executive director of Hope Lives!, Elise Carver, “Our mission is to improve the quality of life and offer support in a very challenging and scary time.” Services range from house cleaning to acupuncture, and everything in between. The list of services and local providers is astounding. Supporting Hope Lives! is a unique way to help those facing cancer, as well as local businesses. Each local business that provides services is making an amazing impact on the lives of those affected by breast cancer.

While many of us tend to see cancer as a medical battle, there are so many battles that remain unseen. Health and healing take on many different forms, many of which are not necessarily covered by insurance. Exercise such as yoga and t’ai chi help both body and mind to heal. The donations of wigs, facials, and eyelashes help women to regain some of what was lost to cancer, not just aesthetically but in levels of confidence. Hope Lives! has a more than 20-year history here in Fort Collins. It’s because of the generosity of local businesses donating their time, products, services, and money that the organization can continue to help those facing breast cancer and create this community of sisterhood that the recipients share. Martha Kyler, the now legacy ambassador, spreads the word about this organization that helped her so much in her time of need. Diagnosed with breast cancer right after turning 31, Hope Lives! was recommended to Kyler by a neighbor. She applied and was quickly accepted into the program. “This program was instrumental in my self-care, mental health, and sense of community when I was in the darkest chapter of my life,” Kyler explains of the organization she has been a part of for three years now. Kyler credits Hope Lives! with improving her quality of life as she went through chemo and radiation, all the while trying to keep up with her household, including caring for her very young son. She relied on the services provided by Hope Lives! to help with everyday tasks while focusing on her health. Overwhelmed by side effects and experiencing physical limitations from surgeries, Kyler used vouchers from the local vendors who support Hope Lives! to receive services not covered by insurance, but that were instrumental in her healing journey. CONTINUED >

“When you’ve experienced something as traumatizing as cancer, you realize that every day is an opportunity to experience joy. Life is worth celebrating!” - Martha Kyler FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/FO RTC O L L I N S

After finishing cancer treatment and recovering from reconstructive surgery, Kyler was given the opportunity to become an ambassador for the program that helped her so much. Last year, Kyler walked in the fashion show at the annual gala for Hope Lives!. It was a way to celebrate her resilience against breast cancer and show her gratitude for the support she received by telling her story. The fashion show at the gala is the undisputed highlight of the event. Local clothing and salon vendors donate their products, time, and services so the women, breast cancer thrivers, walking in the show look and feel stunning as they celebrate life. Before the survivor walks the catwalk, their story is told through a video. “I challenge anyone to come away from the fashion show not touched by the women brave enough to tell their stories,” explains Carver, “and how Hope Lives! positively affects their lives.” Watching the women tell their stories of fighting a battle for their lives and the support they received, then seeing them walk triumphantly across the stage impacts all attending. The stories of bravery, strength, and how community support has lent a helping hand makes everyone realize what an important cause Hope Lives! is. “When you’ve experienced something as traumatizing as cancer, you realize that every day is an opportunity to experience joy,” Kyler remarks, “Life is worth celebrating!” So, celebrate they do! The Hope Lives! Gala is truly a night of gratitude and commemoration. The silent and live auctions and wine pull help raise funds for the organization to continue its important work. There is

I NSP IR E D BY | LO CAL S ERVICE S

also live music from the big band, Colorado Swing, and of course, dancing. The theme of this year's gala is “Paint the Town Pink”, a color that represents breast cancer awareness. As part of the decoration committee where she gets to “beautify the ballroom,” Kyler is taking the theme to a whole new level. “My goal is to create an aesthetic that rivals Barbie’s Dreamhouse, in terms of joy and vibrance,” she exclaims. The fashion show and gala represent so much to this group that no one asked to be a part of. They represent the journey, and how when a local community and businesses come together to support those facing a battle, even the impossible can be achieved. They represent the celebration of life, and how working together and creating a support system can make all the difference in the world. Working with Hope Lives! has taught Carver some important lessons that she will never forget. “I truly realize our lives and ways of life can change in an instant,” she says of working with the organization, “I understand the importance of meeting people where they are and companioning with them, however that might look on any given day.” Tickets for the gala, including the fashion show, are available at www.hopelives.org. The fun starts at 5:30 pm at the Hilton in Fort Collins, at 425 West Prospect Road, and goes until 11:30 pm. But the inspiration, encouragement, and insight gained from this event, as well as the monetary donations and funds raised, will go infinitely further.

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local experiences O U R P I C K S F O R T H E U LT I M AT E VA L E N T I N E ’ S D AY

Celebrate your love with local luxury experiences. These are City Lifestyle’s romantic recommendations for the ultimate way to spend your Valentine’s Day.

The Armstrong Hotel | This local landmark emanates historic charm and excellence in hospitality. 259 S. College Ave Fort Collins | thearmstronghotel.com The Elizabeth Hotel | The elegance and eclectic style of this local gem accentuates Fort Collins’ vibrance. 111 Chestnut Street, Fort Collins | theelizabethcolorado.com RARE Italian | With a farm to table approach and authentic Italian cuisine, RARE Italian is the best of Italy in the heart of Old Town. 101 S College Ave, Fort Collins | rareitalian.com Sonny Lubick’s Steakhouse | This polished, yet casual, steakhouse combines good company with outstanding food and drinks. 115 S College Ave, Fort Collins sonnylubicksteakhouse.com.com Garwood’s Jewelers | Spoil your Valentine with a stunning and unique piece of custom jewelry that you can design with them in mind. 131 S College Ave, Fort Collins garwoodsjewelers.com

T H I S M O N T H ’ S C U R ATO R

Jahna Eichel Whether you have time only for happy hour appetizers at Rare before picking the kids up from their afterschool sports or you are lucky enough to experience a long and luxurious romantic evening with your partner, these picks are sure to satisfy. The next time you catch me around town, I’ll likely be sporting at least one piece of jewelry from Garwood’s courtesy of our co-publisher and my husband, Jason who is masterful at always finding the perfect present!

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SPARKING A (WILD) FIRE Local author, Laura Pritchett’s latest

novel looks at a local event in a whole new way

City Lifestyle to talk all about her latest book, how current events have inspired her latest work, and the beauty that lies within even the most devastating circumstances.

FCCL: THE CHARACTERS IN YOUR BOOK FACE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES AND PERSONAL GROWTH. HOW DID YOU DEVELOP AND RELATE TO THESE CHARACTERS AS AN AUTHOR?

LP: As anyone who lived here knows, 2020 was a challenging year for those of us in northern Colorado. I have seen plenty of wildfires, but 2020 was crazy-terrible. There’s a lot of autobiography in this book. A lot of fiction, too, don’t get me wrong—but also a lot of my life is in these pages. I think others will see a lot of themselves in it too. There is so much we share universally – we are all so very connected. So I guess what I’m saying is that my characters developed from what I was feeling myself and what I was witnessing. My home is positioned so that I could see the traffic coming off the mountain – trailers filled with horses and goats and belongings,

Describing Northern Colorado as her “soul home”, local author Laura Pritchett hails from Colorado and couldn’t be more proud of it. Serving as endless inspiration, her home state is the setting of her latest book, Playing With (Wild) Fire, which draws inspiration from the Cameron fire that burned just a few years ago. Pritchett sat down with us at Fort Collins

“I wanted to celebrate the resilience I saw in our communities and individually. I wanted to give voice to all the heroes (sung and unsung).” - Laura Pritchett Author Laura Pritchett

ARTICLE BY ALLIE BELLOWS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LESLIE REEVES

M UST SE E | ARTS + C ULT U RE

and we could all see the hard work of firefighters and emergency response teams heading up. Helicopters and planes overhead, burned pine needles at my feet.

FCCL: YOUR WRITING OFTEN EXPLORES THEMES OF NATURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT. HOW DOES NATURE PLAY A ROLE IN THIS PARTICULAR STORY, AND WHAT MESSAGES ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL TAKE AWAY?

LP: I feel as attached to this area of Colorado as deeply as the roots of native grass. Each of my novels is set in contemporary Colorado, and each is very place-based. The natural world is one of my greatest loves—and therefore one of my greatest sources of inspiration and worry. In this novel, I am directly talking about the big topic: climate change. But writing about something as enormous and nebulous as climate change can be hard – it’s like trying to take a sip from a blasting water hose. It’s easier to digest and discuss something so big via small snippets, which is what this book does in its short, varied chapters.

FCCL: "PLAYING WITH (WILD) FIRE" HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS A STORY ABOUT RESILIENCE. COULD YOU SHARE SOME INSIGHTS INTO HOW RESILIENCE IS DEPICTED IN THE BOOK, BOTH IN TERMS OF INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES?

LP: I wanted to celebrate the resilience I saw in our communities and individually. I wanted to give voice to all the heroes (sung and unsung). I wanted to shout out the amount of expertise and knowledge CONTINUED >

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/FO RTC O L L I N S

and dedication out there. I wanted fiction to contain the reality we live in—and to show us just how resilient we are.

FCCL: THE TITLE OF YOUR BOOK SUGGESTS A CONNECTION BETWEEN FIRE AND PLAYFULNESS. WHAT DO YOU INTEND FOR READERS TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT THIS CONNECTION, AND WHY IS IT SIGNIFICANT?

LP: Even in tough times, there are people falling in love, delighting in hobbies, forming new friendships, laughing—all the good stuff! Indeed, one of the truths about life is that you can be deeply sad and feeling lousy, and yet you still take delight in the neighbor’s kid, or in the antics of a puppy, or the way the sun-catching mountain mahogany spirals. So, yes, there’s always a playfulness to life.

FCCL: WHAT DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR BOOK, ESPECIALLY IN TERMS OF THE BROADER THEMES AND MESSAGES IT CONVEYS?

LP: I hope readers feel seen and heard, and that they leave the book thinking about others, too—the evacuees, volunteers, firefighters, scientists, healthcare workers, animals, and so on. I also hope it leaves people thinking about healing—ourselves and the local burn area. And finally, I hope we all come into wisdom about fires and how to mindfully approach our future. Come celebrate the release of Pritchett’s latest book, Playing With (Wild) Fire, and meet Pritchett herself at the Old Town Library on February 13th from 6 pm to 7 pm where she will be signing copies of her latest release. Playing With (Wild) Fire is available for presale at Old Firehouse Books, which is sponsoring the event. Old Town Library is located at 201 Peterson St in Fort Collins.

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A Handmade Date Night

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

M AK E R’S ST U D IO | L I FE + CU LT U RE

Make it feel like an extra special at-home date night with thoughtful touches from the heart—and hands.

A date night at home is the perfect occasion to shower your loved ones with affection and appreciation. While storebought gifts and cards have their charm, there’s something incredibly special about receiving a handmade gesture. By opting for a handmade date night, you’re not just expressing love but also showcasing your thoughtfulness and effort. These handmade creations convey a personal touch that can’t be replicated.

CONTINUED >

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/FO RTC O L L I N S

Lavender Bath Salt Blend what you need 16 ounces Bokek Dead Sea Salt 20 drops lavender essential oil

what you do In a mixing bowl, add drops of the essential oil to the bath salt and mix well; store in a glass jar. Add 1/3 to 1/2 cup of the scented salts to a bath for a relaxing experience. SeaSalt.com

From-Scratch Pasta

what you need

Yield: 1 pound

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting 4 large eggs

what you do 1. Mound the flour in the center of a work surface with a well in the middle. Crack the eggs into the well and beat with a fork until smooth, then work flour into eggs with the fork. Use a bench scraper to work in the rest of the flour a little at a time. When the flour is incorporated, form the dough with your hands into a rounded mass for kneading. Lightly dust your workspace with flour and knead dough about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Cover dough with a bowl or plastic wrap and rest 1 1/2 hours, or chill overnight. 2. To roll by hand, flour a clean work surface. Vigorously roll dough to a very thin circle and roll constantly with even pressure as it stretches for several minutes until as thin as possible, almost translucent. 3. To cut by hand, lightly fold sheets one at a time into thirds and cut to desired thickness. Recipe from MarthaStewart.com.

M AK E R’S ST U D IO | L I FE + CU LT U RE

Dark Chocolate Truffles what you need 1/2 cup heavy cream 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 cup cocoa powder, for dusting

what you do 1. Bring the cream to just a simmer in a saucepan over low heat. Pour the cream over the chocolate in a bowl and let stand about 10 minutes to melt the chocolate. Add the vanilla, stir until smooth and set aside to cool for 1 hour at room temperature. 2. Beat chocolate at medium speed until thick and light-colored. Spread over the bottom of a baking dish, smooth and refrigerate 2 hours until firm. 3. Pour cocoa powder onto a deep plate or shallow bowl, and using a melon baller or small ice cream scoop, scoop out balls of chocolate. Roll in cocoa powder until coated and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Recipe from FoodNetwork.com.

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Y O U R

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Reservations For Two Dreamy destinations for couples looking to get away.

Finding a life partner just might be easier than finding someone you can travel with. Pace, patience and priorities all matter when organizing itineraries, straddling time zones and navigating new places. Do you like languid mornings with room service, wide sandy beaches and white-glove service? Or, do you prefer watching the sunrise in hiking boots, launching into eye-opening excursions and digging to find that hidden gem of a restaurant that serves local food to locals? When the stars align, both partners have an affinity for generally the same kind of vacation, or are willing to compromise. Enjoying travel with your mate is the icing on the (wedding) cake. Here are a few ideas for fabulously romantic getaways. Bon Voyage!

Traveling can be as stressful as it is sublime. Exhausting as it is inspiring. Traveling as a couple requires additional planning and communication with a healthy dose of patience. Much like marriage! But, waking up in a faraway place, exploring unknown terrain together, and leaving your routine and all its trappings behind can be therapeutic. You both can take on new roles and release tired habits.

Write new vows over lunch or take a random nap because you can.

Share planning and talk about your goals for the trip. Do you want to completely unplug or will one of you need excellent wifi to call into a few meetings?

If you’re parents, consider setting boundaries for texting and phone calls so you can put the phone away and immerse in one another. Let the kids know you will be checking your phone at a certain time each day (and stick to that). Let the grandparents or caregivers handle the day to day drama.

Take turns charting a course for the day. On day one, you check museum opening times, get the timed tickets and find a nearby spot for a healthy lunch. On day two, you sit back and let your partner call the Uber and source out the perfect shopping district, walking distance to a park. Enjoy the ride, either way.

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TRAV E L

Four Seasons Bora Bora FourSeasons.com/BoraBora

Privacy and so much blue water. Bora Bora, French Polynesia At the Four Seasons Bora Bora, bucket list overwater bungalows line a glassy lagoon, inviting early-morning swims off your own private dock with a bright breakfast table set on your patio overlooking Mount Otemanu. The morning air is like silk, with a lithe breeze promising more of the same. Later, meander down the shady paths of the resort to the Te Mahana Spa. With breathtaking lagoon and Pacific Ocean views from twin infinity pools, the treatment begins with local juices and fruit, a foot massage, and then continues with rebalancing rituals starring indigenous ingredients like skin-smoothing, Tahitian black pearl powder and detoxifying algae sourced from the ocean. A full body scrub, massage, and hour-long soak in a coconut bath will leave you thankful and grounded. You can connect with the underwater world by snorkeling with a resident marine biologist and leave a legacy by grafting coral to repopulate the sun bleached lagoon. Dinners at the Four Seasons Bora Bora offer the ultimate date night experience, and a private moonlit swim is the perfect nightcap.

CONTINUED > FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/FO RTC O L L I N S

The Willows The Pendry

The Pendry Pendry.com

Park City, Utah Create a perfect romantic getaway at Pendry Park City, a contemporary mountain enclave bringing the mastery of Utah’s awe-inspiring landscape to new heights. The ski-in/ski-out resort is nestled in the center of Canyons Village, with slopeside modernist design, luxury service and thoughtful amenities, ideal for a couple’s escape. Rejuvenate the body with Spa Pendry for a couples massage and enjoy the herbal steam room, relaxation spaces, complimentary refreshments, state-of-the-art fitness center and access to the hotel rooftop pool and whirlpool, with stunning views of the mountains.

The Willows TheWillowsPalmSprings.com

The Swag

Palm Springs, California

Originally a millionaire’s private luxury hideaway, the Italianate style mansions were built side-by-side. The seclusion, though just blocks from the Palm Springs village, is intoxicating. Rooms include oversized tiled showers, priceless antique pieces and a turndown service to make you feel like the royalty you are. Situated at the base of rugged Mt. San Jacinto with views of the Coachella Valley, The Willows is a perfect base for exploring the Palm Springs mid-century architecture of Hollywood titans or hiking the Andreas or Big Morongo Canyons or nearby Joshua Tree. Open September through May.

The Swag TheSwag.com

Waynesville, North Carolina Perched at the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, The Swag is a property where history, storytelling and a deep respect for nature are a priority. Breakfast is served in front of a roaring fire or overlooking the 250-acre property and Cataloochee Valley. Lunch (ordered the night before) is served in a backpack for hiking, to-go bag for a private picnic or in the lodge’s dining room. Dinner is a social affair, with hors d’oeuvres and a welcome from the inn owners or managers and a toast to those celebrating milestones, followed by a four- or five-course meal from a kitchen teeming with local talent and award-winning chefs.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

DIY VALENTINES

ARTS

ARTICLE BY CHERYL PARTON

1. Arts Create heart ornaments to hang on a Valentine’s Day tree. The ornaments can be used as clue cards for a Valentine's Day scavenger hunt. Participants find their picture on the tree and hunt for a hidden treasure.

2. Sweets A home-based holiday is made complete with a dessert table. Whether made from scratch or store bought, a collection of decorated confections is as beautiful as the treats are delectable to eat.

3. Sentiments Poetry is a most personal way to express your heart. No need to be intimidated by haiku, a short form of Japanese poetry. While there are several variations of the form, a traditional place to begin is with a seasonal word that divides 17 syllables into three lines of five/ seven/five. Simple and sweet.

H OW TO | L I FE + C ULTUR E

SENTIMENTS

The first Valentines were handmade in the 18th century, long before printing presses and mass-produced options. Today, handmade signifies the ultimate in personal mots d’amour. Enjoy these sweet projects as a couple, a family, or with friends.

SWEETS

Simple Projects to Celebrate at Home

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