Carlos Villalobos, Builder/Owner at Pointe Homes – Revitalizing El Paso!

Photo by Dav Anmed

By: Veronica Nevarez

Relocating to the Sun City as a young twenty-something, Carlos Villalobos, Builder and Owner of Pointe Homes, quickly proved that age really is just a number. In fact, the youthful 37-year old entrepreneur has been operating as such since the tender age of 12 when he, decidedly, ventured into a health food operation that took the fitness gym he worked at in Juarez to a whole new level. As the story goes, the young Villalobos identified a need at the gym that called for satisfying the demands of thirsty and snack-worthy gym enthusiasts who needed something quick and on the spot. A thorough and persuasive argument later, the owner agreed and before long the gym was running a full variety of sports drinks and healthy snacks in that visionary, ingenious way and very much on the level of what we see at popular gyms today. It was this very foresight, that “entrepreneurial spirit” and risk-taking nature that, today, defines a man who is as progressive in his aim to build living spaces that both innovate and inspire, as he is in his outlook for this city. And this forms the very essence of what we find in the creative works that Villalobos offers our city. Whether it’s the homes, communities, or office spaces that Pointe Homes brings us, the work of this builder, unequivocally, serves to elevate the spirit of all who reside here.

Born in El Paso and raised across our border in Juarez, aside from attending kindergarten locally at St. Trinity, Villalobos was primarily educated in Mexico and attended the Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey at both the Juarez and Monterrey campuses during his high school and college years. After graduating in 2001 with an Accounting and Finance degree, a then 22-year old Villalobos worked as a Financial Analyst for the reputable Fortune 100 company, Siemens VDO, situated at a manufacturing plant in Juarez. That corporate undertaking was not what would, ultimately, complete him and before long, the would-be builder would soon return to his entrepreneurial calling. A couple years later, Villalobos, along with his brother, Federico Villalobos, decided it was time to fully “explore” his entrepreneurial side and began importing authentic Mexican cheese in cities like Denver, Los Angeles and El Paso where demand was high due to the Mexican populous of those areas. The company known as, Mexico Popular Foods, became one of the very few import companies to be fully FDA-compliant, importing its cheeses on a completely legitimate basis, unlike most. Three short years later, however, milk prices went south, causing the company to shut its doors.

This was no deterrent, however, as Villalobos was soon on his way to embarking on yet another enterprise. In fact, during the last year for the import business when profits were falling, the brothers had already begun to dabble in the home building market and learned quickly that this was a “more profitable” avenue. The year was June 2005, and at just 26 years of age, Villalobos and his brother founded what we know today as Pointe Homes.

With the success that came from selling his very first home, the new builder had found his true calling. From there, and as the story goes, the homes that the new builder was selling, although in the affordable range, left an “over-heated” market wide open to larger lots suitable for higher-end, custom homes. This led to their very first large-scale project in a subdivision known as Las Lunas located in Socorro, TX. Apparently, the land was a cotton field belonging to legendary cattle trader, cowboy and author, Phil Stadtler, that went up for sale and, ultimately, brokered by Sam Livingston, a prominent “second-generation developer” dealing in land. The project was in no way an easy undertaking, but the inherent challenges during a difficult time when our economy was plunging, was exactly the catalyst that propelled the builder forward. Interestingly, Villalobos adds to that experience the fact that he went into building homes “with no prior experience” whatsoever, or had anyone in his family or circle who knew the business, adding humorously that he “started cold-turkey.”  All joking aside, however, is the thanks and due credit he pays now to those around him who were instrumental in all he’s learned about the business of home-building. In his words, “I’ve learned from a lot of great people – some of the best in El Paso” and points to his construction workers, title officers, bankers, drafting engineers, architects, foremen, employees and customers as all being great teachers.

Today, Pointe Homes boasts a wide-array of price points with homes starting in the low $130K’s to upwards of $1.2M (and to some very prominent residents) in over 200 lots across 12 plus highly-desirable communities. As the current President of the El Paso Association of Builders, Villalobos has also served as their Secretary/Treasurer and Vice President, with a tenure spanning roughly 10 years. The non-profit has an agenda for making housing affordable in our city and serves to unite builders from all over the area. The organization is also responsible for El Paso’s annual Parade of Homes, which will celebrate its third year from June 24^th through July 10^th in the new Enchanted Hills subdivision. Along with seven other builders, the “literal home show” will also showcase homes by Pointe Homes in the $250-$350K range. Aside from wide-scale home construction, there’s also the El Paso Times front-page worthy infill project currently underway at The Uptown on Stanton and Crosby Streets, a 14-unit upscale apartment complex that Villalobos is building from the ground up and that promises to deliver on his vision for creating “exceptional living environments.” A second major infill project also “bringing life into old areas” is the 14-unit Franklin Avenue Apartments behind Southwest University Park that called for a groundbreaking ceremony with Villalobos, Mayor Oscar Leeser and developer, Renard Johnson, on September 17, 2015, and will soon offer inhabitants the luxury of being within minutes of the ballpark, museums, trendy downtown restaurants and much more.  

Bottom-line: Villalobos has a vision for moving El Paso forward and has already proven this. The newest projects are exactly at the level of progressive development typically “[seen] in bigger cities.” The infills that were once community eye-soars will now cater to the revitalization of downtown and the job creation that comes from it. His vision of “smarter growth” is, essentially, what “breathes life into the community, keeps a positive cycle of job creation [and] boosts the economy.” As a major-player in the growth and vitality that we’re seeing in our city today, Pointe Homes has flourished in its simple ‘Built For You” motto. Above that, Villalobos does so proudly for and by his wife, Sanaan Villalobos, a civil and environmental engineer at ARCADIS, who’s currently expecting their second child. Two-year old son, Landric, will soon have a baby sister, Lail, to keep both parents even busier than ever. And “as long as it’s fun”, the passionate and young Villalobos promises to use the many years left in him to keep building for you AND our city!

Photo By: Tommie Morelos

Learn more about Pointe Homes on Facebook or visit pointe-homes.com.

At That Junction of Zen and Chic, With a Dash of Effortless Sophistication

A conversation with the creative minds behind Hotel Indigo’s striking design and style.

By: Liam McLean                                                                                                                                                                                            Photos By: Dav Anmed

At the corner of Kansas and East Main, in the still transforming chrysalis of downtown El Paso, you will find the latest stride in our fair cities inexorable march towards contemporary redefinition. The Hotel Indigo, occupying what was once the Downtowner Motor Inn (subsequently exchanging hands through the years) stands as a monument to a fairly recent and exploding facet of downtown El Paso, its urban renewal with a focus on hip, yet culturally aware locations and contemporary event destinations.

Adding a voice to this chorus, International Hotel Groups (IHG) brings its Hotel Indigo brand to the city, complete with the chains signature policy of location specific stylings, decor and presentation. The El Paso Hotel Indigo is no different, and embraces the Sun City’s unique mixtures of cultural diversities. From the moment you enter the austere ground floor lobby, to the instant the elevator doors open to the 5th floor and the whole building seemingly opens itself up to you with a large, airy reception area framed by views of the highly impressive pool lounge and ‘Circa 1963’ bar. Everything is separated by walls of glass giving the impression of one large open floor with little division and a flood of the afternoon’s indirect light.

This impressive presentation of El Paso’s Hotel Indigo was conceptualized and realized by a very talented pool of architects, designers and local artisans who condensed so much of what makes El Paso special and unique, and injected it into a familiar, yet wonderfully contemporary destination.

A CURIOSO interior design representative explains how colorful abstract art can be found throughout the Hotel and how a priority was made to reach out to local artisans to create the individual pieces.

Charles Austin of Charles Austin design studio (CAds) expands on this by pointing out how the three dimensional mosaic tile wall at the Kansas St. entrance is an abstract representation of the geometric patterns found in Mexican folk art and how, to match the dominant material of the hotel structure, the tiles were handmade of cast concrete then died with several vibrant color pigments.

Zeke Peña, of Loco Workshop, describes the mural on the Circa 1963 terrace as referencing the beautiful landscape and sky found here in the Chihuahuan desert, and how the backdrop for the mural pulls colors from this desert environment and uses them as backdrop. A young Latina woman is portrayed in the mural that is looking out over the open patio bar toward the mountains and sunset. Her hair is decorated with flowers and a subtle homage to the iconic Frida Kahlo. His idea for the mural was to make something colorful, accessible and celebratory.

Joel Martinez of EME design studio: “When we were tasked with creating murals for the interior of the suites, it was important to keep the essence of the El Paso region as our main priority. Vintage photographs of El Paso and Juarez convey a strong sense of nostalgia, and when paired with bold and bright geometric lines, the past seems to come to life again. People don’t realize how important both cities are to each other, so we decided to create one mural on each wall to mimic the border town experience. As the viewer, you are caught in the middle of a visual story between both places. Imagery contains historic references, local iconography and even regional slang. The pieces communicate the rich history, folklore and essence of the region through an abstract collage of visual and colorful images.”

The aptly named ‘Circa 1963’ bar lives up to its name with a pseudo mod-meets-contemporary design ethos that positively oozes a certain type of comfortable cool. One could almost catch a glimpse of Audrey Hepburn sipping a martini or Donald Draper leaning over the pool lounge railing, enjoying a cigarette.

CURIOSO: “The fact that the bar opens up to the Franklin mountains to the north and out over the pool deck towards the characterful skyline of downtown, all the way to Ciudad Juárez to the south is very unique. No other hotel in the city can offer such a unique perspective of this space. In our view there was a void of truly memorable social spaces in El Paso that embrace the natural landscape and the reinvigorating cityscape of downtown, and that we believe is what makes Circa 1963 so appealing.”

Just a few relaxed strides from the bar is the lovely rooftop pool lounge, complete with pergola covered seating, along with rows of custom, rustic wood framed comfy couches. The space emanates this very relaxing and effortless Zen-like vibe (contrasting starkly against the hustling downtown streets only five floors below), which is only reinforced by the gentle, ambient sound of trickling water from the pool waterfall and the river stone concrete sculpture fountain. (Concrete sculptures by Paul Oglesby.)

CURIOSO: “Creating the right energy through design is crucial. The most intentional which might not be as apparent was the decision to locate the guest check-in on the fifth floor. Although it is only a few floors, arriving to the hotel and traveling up to the lobby creates a sense of anticipation, of excitement, and above all, of curiosity. That is what hotel guests are seeking, a hotel experience that feels unique and this uniqueness is very much at the core of the Hotel Indigo brand.”

On what sets a stay at Hotel Indigo apart from other competing hotels-

CURIOSO: “A primary design driver was to make guests truly feel that they were in a hotel in El Paso. Firmly rooted in the downtown neighborhood. For example, the wood clad columns throughout the lobby come from the boxcars that crisscross the city; the denim upholstery makes reference to the fact that El Paso used to be the denim producing capital of the world. The incorporation of all the creative talents of local graphic artists, painters, sculptors, furniture makers all contribute to make the hotel indigo unique.”

On what’s on the horizon for the Hotel Indigo-

CAds: “Due to the demand for multi-function space, the owners are considering expanding the pool deck area to add a large green house style indoor/outdoor banquet hall.”

In this author’s humble opinion, after spending my lifetime to this point in the Sun City, I felt a tug at my heartstrings for this city of mine as I sipped my drink, watching the sunset from the fifth floor deck. Breeze in hair, accompanied by the quiet chorus of the streets below and the ambient trickle of the fountains, I smile as I bite the olive.

By: Kandolite Flores
Often times people think of a shelter as a heart wrenching and sad place to visit. This stereotype is the very reason many miss the opportunity to help make a difference for our four legged friends.
Yes, some shelters are poorly equipped to handle the enormous need in their communities, however, some focus on and consider their ‘capacity for care’ in order to prioritize and invest in their facilities to ensure they have the space, staff and programs needed to provide not just a safe place, but a happy place.
Although over population and a high euthanasia rate is a sad reality (not only in our city but nationwide), as a No-Kill shelter, the Humane Society of El Paso does everything in its power to make our little corner of the rescue world a bright and happy place.

Our Difference

The HSEP firmly believes it is our responsibility to go above the standard and make sure our residents are not just comfortable and secure but hopeful, engaged, exercised, loved and happy while they wait patiently for their forever homes.
We utilize all of our resources to continue to evolve in the rescue world; learning best practices from across the nation, brain storming ideas and creating new programs to make the shelter a better place.  The dogs continue to enjoy our newly renovated large dog runs. Projects like these are made possible thanks to grants, fundraising efforts and most of all support from you!

Thank you for being Pawesome!

By: LAUREN MACIAS-CERVANTES 

We’ve all seen those breathtaking destination vacation photos online or in magazines. Many daydream about traveling there and now, when that day comes, those people won’t have to sightsee alone! University of Texas El Paso 2016 graduate Doris Llamas has developed a travel app that provides a new outlet to connect to others that may be traveling to, or in, the same location. The computer information systems major graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree and her own company. Her app, called Awayys, took a year to develop and was born from Llamas’ own travel needs and study abroad experience. “I discovered a big gap between the social networking and travel industry and I decided to fill it,” she said. “It is incredible for travelers, especially students, but it is also extremely useful for corporate travelers of all ages.”

Llamas was studying abroad in France, attending the American Business School of Paris through UTEP, when she came up with the idea. She has traveled to 30 countries and says she didn’t always have a friend while traveling or didn’t always know there was an acquaintance nearby. The app was born from that need. “The hardest part was the first step then, once in, persevering,” she said. Llamas says she didn’t tell anyone of her invention until the app was nearly complete. She recalls receiving incredible support from professors, many of whom have become mentors, but says the road to this destination wasn’t easy. The Borderland native left classes at Baylor and dropped her career as a tennis star. Before continuing her education, this time at UTEP, she traveled to Israel with nothing but a backpack. She says trekking across the globe was the game changer. Traveling helped her find herself.

“When you travel your mind changes. It opens up your mind, literally, to horizons,” she said with a smile. While traveling the world planted the seed for her budding creation, she says her international journey ignited a personal growth. “My passion is connecting to people and appreciating every encounter that is in front of you, every opportunity to meet someone.” Awayys allows people to find anyone, anywhere in the world from wherever they are. It uses Facebook as a log in and is based on multiple filters and discoverymode switches. Users may search a city, a state or a whole country; search for people from a specific school, a specific company, or who are a specific age, gender, nationality, and more. Users can expand their search beyond their social circle (the friends of their friends) to the social circles of their friends. “At Awayys, we want people to explore, but most importantly, we want people to connect and unite,”

Llamas said. “We want people to understand that what makes this world so great and so unique is the people who live in it.” The entrepreneur says the app never reveals a user’s exact location and the Facebook login maintains authenticity. She began working on the project alone, but now has a team of 11 including Thiago Correa, an internationally recognized travel influencer from Brazil, and a collective team of students from Harvard, Rice, Baylor, The University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University and the University of Dallas. “For students the app is absolutely amazing; you can search a whole country. But this is for anyone 16 to 55 years old,” Llamas said. The app will launch in June on iTunes and Google Play. Plans are already in the works for phase two of the application, which will expand filters to increase encounters. Since graduation, Llamas has been hard at work solidifying the launch and isn’t wasting any time continuing her education. She was accepted into the Manos Accelerator program for Latino entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley, CA and will spend three months at the unique program. As for what she hopes her work will do and what kind of an impact she hopes to have, her answer was simple and came without hesitation. Llamas is a humanitarian at heart and dreams to one day make a positive impact in people’s lives and leave a footprint. “Mark Zukerberg share the same passion of connecting people as me,” she says. For more information on the Awayys travel app, visit www.awayys.com.

By: KRYSTA AYERS

Everyone loves a good love story. We read about them in books, live vicariously through characters on the big screen or fascinate ourselves with friends’ and colleagues’ romantic lives. When two people decide to share their lives together, a beautiful thing happens. One roof shelters two souls, two families become one and a promise to support each other is eagerly made. A wedding, conducted in a number of ways by different cultures, is the traditional ceremony that takes place so that close friends and family can witness two people in love (and also have an excuse to drink a little too much). For Victoria Sank and Nishaal Antony, that is exactly what guests in attendance got to witness first-hand. It was their 10-year devoted love for each other that inspired family and friends on September 26, 2015.

For the two goal-oriented individuals, their journey began in high school. The setting was akin to many romantic comedy movies: two groups of friends that hung out at the same park when social circles started to mold together. Though the two knew of each other and began hanging out more once mutual friends began dating, the romance for them didn’t start until the summer before Nishaal went to college in San Antonio. At this time, Victoria was getting ready for her junior year of high school. While Nishaal was off at college, the romance and the chemistry between them did not dwindle. During his visits back home during the holidays, the two would pick up right where they had left off. When it was Victoria’s turn to attend college, which she did so in Austin, the two were closer but never residing in the same city. Little did they know, this would set the tone for the rest of their story. While Nishaal left the country to attend medical school in the Caribbean, Victoria finished her undergraduate and furthered her education in Florida to obtain her masters.

Because the two were never in the same city, much less in the same state at times, planning an engagement had to be done with impeccable and advanced timing. Nishaal had picked out a ring on a trip to India, a gorgeous pear shaped stone and held onto it for six months before being able to propose. When Victoria came back to El Paso from grad school in Florida, Nishaal planned to ask for her hand in marriage before she would leave again – this time to begin her training in Oklahoma. “I told her to get ready because I made dinner reservations at Anson 11,” recalls Nishaal. He planned to take her to the park – the same one they had hung out at during high school – where he said they could get a glimpse of Orion’s Belt, a constellation they would both look out for when they were miles apart. But it was sunset and there were definitely no stars out to see. This setting was the backdrop for the loving words that Nishaal would speak, professing his love to his best friend and claiming that he wanted to share his life with her. After embracing their intimate moment for a while, Nishaal claimed to have forgotten his wallet and told Victoria they would have to go back to get it. But Nishaal never made reservations and they weren’t going to a restaurant for dinner. Instead, he planned an engagement party where close family and friends could celebrate. Because it was a surprise, people parked their cars down the street as to not tip off Victoria. Three weeks of preparation and planning unfolded into the one moment where two families came together to celebrate the future of Victoria and Nishaal.

Their wedding was the definition of two families and different cultures coming together, done over the span of three days. On the Thursday before the wedding, Mehendi was conducted; the Indian wedding tradition of decorating the bride’s feet and hands with henna, and also the fittings for the saris was done for the bride and the bridesmaids. Friday, also in Indian tradition, the two families each had their own party. The bride and her family celebrated separately from the groom and his family. On Saturday, the day of the wedding, families from all over shared the open space and different cultures were represented and guests were able to take the time to celebrate love.

Taking both families into consideration, there was something for everyone at the wedding in order to feel included. The ceremony, conducted on the greens of Coronado Country Club, was done in the ancient, sacred language of India, Sanskrit, and then translated into English and Spanish. The opening prayer, Ganesh Pooja, started the ceremony, offering a prayer to Lord Ganesh so that peace, happiness and prosperity are promoted, as well as having any obstacles removed. Then there is the exchange of the garlands, Jaimala, the couple’s gesture of acceptance of one another and a vow to respect each other as partners. Kanyadanam then happens, where Victoria’s parents demonstrate that they trust their daughter to Nishaal, placing her right hand in his. Then holy water and milk are poured over their joined right hands to symbolize that Nishaal will love, honor and cherish Victoria.

The vows that are taken by the couple are the same ones that are read and repeated in a Western church ceremony. The difference in an Indian wedding is in the way in which they are performed. For each vow, the couple takes the seven sacred steps, Saptapadi, symbolizing the beginning of their journey through life as partners. These steps are performed around a sacred fire, Agni Homam. Step one is to support each other in sickness and in health. Two, to fill their hearts with strength and courage through faith. Three, to prosper and share their accomplishments. Four, to share the responsibilities of married life. Step five, to strive to create a happy, healthy home for their children. Step six, to live a long, happy life together, and step seven, a promise to be sincere, faithful and best friends for life. Representing the Mexican culture of Victoria’s mother, a Unity Candle was also implemented. Each took a lit candle to ignite one to signify the unity of the two. In conclusion of the ceremony, the couple walk around the fire four times resolving to attain its four main principles: Dharma, living righteously; Artha, achieving prosperity; Kama, enjoying life and the fruits of their labor; and Moksha, merging with the divine. Afterwards Victoria moves to Nishaal’s left side, standing closest to his heart and the couple are then considered married.

The one thing that both Victoria and Nishaal repeated when talking about their big day was how much fun they had. They were both happy that both families became close during the wedding planning and that everyone was included during their special day. Little details become a blur after the wedding ends but the memory of having fun and enjoying their union was prominent. They danced to a cover of “Can’t Stop Falling in Love with You” by Twenty One Pilots, ate cake with guava filling, were surprised with wedding details they left to their wedding planner, Patrick Carey, and basked in the love that guests showered them in. After 10 years of being in a long-distance relationship, the newlyweds are settled in the same city, the one where they both grew up in, happily married.

By: Veronica Nevarez

Educator and CrossFit guru, Bobby Macias, is doing for El Paso’s Ross Middle School what many of today’s parents have only longed for in their children’s schools. A Humanities teacher for the school’s ‘Gifted and Talented’ program who also teaches a college-credit course in Public Speaking, Macias developed the El Paso Independent School District’s (EPISD) and frankly, our city’s first-ever, middle school crossfit-style program that he’s, cleverly, coined ‘RossFit.’ An Austin High School graduate and former basketball coach for the school, EPISD is no stranger to Macias, yet the program he’s launched is purely innovative. As Head Coach of RossFit since its inception in 2009, this teacher and innovator has witnessed a complete transformation in his students that goes beyond measure. A 2003 UTEP graduate with a BS in Management, education has always been at the forefront of Macias’ long-term goals, but the importance of fitness was more still a personal one: “When I graduated from college, I wasn’t really caring about my health. I was working [in insurance] and had an inactive lifestyle. I didn’t focus on my health … just focused on my work.” That’s when Macias was approached by a past Austin High School basketball coach, Ronnie Paulk, about considering the Texas Alternative Certification Program (ACP) for a teaching license as the gateway into education and coaching basketball. He took the advice and in 2005 began coaching at Austin High while also teaching English at Ross Middle. Although coaching allowed Macias the physical outlet lacking at his former desk job, it still wasn’t enough. After he and his wife, Yvette Macias, were married, he realized how little time they were spending because of their busy schedules, and all the while neglecting his health. Add to that, the compounded experience of dealing with his father’s health issues stemming from kidney failure and complications from diabetes. Witnessing his father’s heart-wrenching ordeal, the importance of striking the delicate balance between diet and lifestyle catapulted Macias into making changes. He explains, “A big part of it was that I saw my dad’s health dwindle. I wanted to avoid this and of course, my wife and I enjoyed the time together.” That inner catalyst led to the couple’s discovery of CrossFit, a fairly newat-the-time strength and conditioning fitness program founded by Greg Glassman and Lauran Janai in 2000. And the rest is history! After a newfound passion for everything fitness, Macias began to take note and observe how the diverse mix of kids at his school were unnecessarily suffering from obesity and a sheer lack of self-esteem, being bullied and picked on, some from simply being new to the school and not having enough friends. Some students are from numerous nearby military families whose parents are deployed sometimes 12 months at a time, their fathers usually missed and gone. He’s also had students who’ve been directly impacted from the infamous violence in Juárez and simply need refuge. Many of these children are from the San Juan neighborhood, a notoriously low socioeconomic neighborhood in El Paso. Macias adds, “You hear these stories and it breaks your heart” and explains that unless students are playing sports – camaraderie, purpose, and belonging are simply out of the equation. He also knew well what most of today’s parents know best: Children are staring at screens and gaming more often than they’re playing outside. That’s when Macias decided it was time to take action. Borrowing from the CrossFit principles he’d mastered, he took $30 in PVC piping and “whatever equipment he could find lying around” or on Craigslist, and with only five boys and girls on-board, launched the one of a kind RossFit program. Today, ‘Ross Field’ is the official site for the fully functioning crossfit-style pullup rig placed prominently at the front of the school. Students of all grade levels can sign up and are informed that they’re, in fact, part of a sport. They learn crossfit-style fundamentals with an emphasis on nutrition and lifestyle, and are benchmarked daily through varied workouts tailored to their individual fitness levels. Students keep journals to track workouts, feelings, time elapsed and tasks completed because, as Macias explains, “We chase performance, not aesthetics” adding humorously, “We don’t have them curling in front of mirrors.” In reality, his dream to start a program to help kids has solidified into a measurable body of evidence that proves it works. With so many success stories to share, Macias proudly tells of one student, Brandon Black, who started as a lineman on the Ross football field and through dedication and hard work, became RossFit’s ‘Most Improved Beast,’ successfully placing 2nd in the 200-meter dash amongst 18 middle schools at EPISD’s track competition last March. As for those students once lacking confidence and selfesteem, Macias has watched these kids now “walking with their heads higher” and says, “I saw the biggest bullies in school become the biggest motivators. Kids were getting better grades, not acting up in class. They know they have to stay eligible and do better in school.” In a nutshell, RossFit has “translated to the classroom” and the results are astounding. Students now boast 97% attendance, which he attributes to their desire to be present to achieve their daily workouts, while students who’d been academically challenged also now earn A’s and B’s, similar to their ‘Gifted and Talented’ counterparts. What’s more, these students are now boasting “69% commended scores, meaning STARR results are over 90 or better.” Not surprisingly and highly indicative of the overall tremendous benefits of the program, Ross Middle also recently placed 2nd in our city’s University Interscholastic League (UIL) academic competition. More importantly, Macias is proud that “RossFit is not a business” but rather an outlet, where kids of all walks and grade levels can fully utilize the program at zero cost, unlike other area programs commonly found at local gyms for this age group. As he points out, these programs “shouldn’t be available to only the most privileged. If there’s a way they can have access to a safe place to work out, at least we can do that.” In fact, this is where Macias graciously credits supporters of the program who were instrumental in the development of RossFit. Area Ross Department stores generously gave a $2,500 donation to help build a portion of the rig, and the Army Youth Program in Your Neighborhood (AYPYN) graciously donated $1K in funding and have since taken the model program to Washington, D.C. The vision for RossFit: A citywide implementation of the groundbreaking fitness program at each and every school. As Macias astutely asserts, “Habits are built when kids are young. My vision is to have these in every campus to enhance or even replace Physical Education. I think we’ll be the first city in the world that’ll have it in their school system and ingrained at a very young age. Fitness is the most important subject we can learn and we focus so little on it. If we don’t take care of our health, then the other subjects don’t matter.” What’s next for Ross Middle’s honorary 2015-2016 “Teacher of The Year?” Besides continuing to tackle the prevalence of childhood obesity, diabetes, and a stagnant lifestyle attributed to the overuse and bombardment of electronics and gaming devices, Macias hopes for support from Glassman himself. Having personally written the CrossFit founder a poignant letter about launching RossFit, Macias makes it clear that he asks only for the founder’s ‘platform and amazing amount of influence to help us do just that. To help bring programs like RossFit to more schools.’ Growing exponentially to 100 plus students last year, Macias is proving that through his commitment to making kids healthy, he’s positively impacting their lives in ways they might not otherwise imagine. Some of his students have already gone on to be Division-1 athletes and he believes that athletic scholarships will be the norm for many of them very soon. At a minimum, these are kids who are learning valuable life lessons in teamwork, work ethic, character and honor, and of course, the vital and immeasurable importance of leading a healthy and active lifestyle. The bottom line: Macias is truly helping shape the landscape of our youth and the city as a whole, potentially changing the lifestyle habits of a generation to come and heroically getting kids RossFit!

By: Jessenia A. Cruz

Strawberry

Strawberry women are busty at the top and narrow through the hips. It is best to draw all of the attention to the face and balance out the rest of the figure. A-lines and ball gowns are the most flattering silhouettes for thisbody type.

Apple

Apple women typically have slim legs and shorter torsos. Dresses with an empire waist or beautifully embellished tops draw attention upward, which creates an elongated illusion. If you want to hide your middle an A-line or full skirt will help balance out thefigure. You should even consider showing off your legs!

                              Slender

Slender women are thin from top to bottom. It is recommended to show off your slender physique with a fitted dress. However, it is important to add some volume to your figure. An asymmetric neckline or a belt will add an hourglass illusion.

Hourglass

The hourglass woman is proportionate throughout her body, her bust and hips are linear and her legs are balanced. Usually any silhouette would flatter this figure. You can have a lot of fun with all of your options. Accentuate and show off your waistline with belted dresses, wrap dresses. Also, v-necklines are all extremely flattering on hourglass women.

                                 Pear

The pear woman is larger in the hips, however your bust and waist are outlined well. You must show off your waist to create a balanced silhouette, so consider belted dresses. Add volume to your upper body with embellished necklines and cowl necklines. Also, fitted open backs look stunning on pear women.

                                  Petite

Petite women are typically balanced throughout the frame of her body, however the petite woman is unique. Petite women are less than five foot three inches tall, and because of this you have the hardest time finding a great dress. But that does not mean that it is impossible. Showing off your legs by wearing short dresses or a dress with an asymmetrical hemline will help elongate you and make you appear taller. Fitted dresses with v-necklines help guide the eyes up to your neck and face, which will also make you appear taller. Try to avoid dresses with blown up digital prints or full skirts. These types of dresses will overpower your figure. Lastly, wear a great pair of heels.

In the end, no matter what body you are, the perfect dress is the one you feel the most confidently beautiful in.

By: Andy Martinez

In 1980, a 7 year-old boy named Chris Greicius had only one wish: to catch the bad guys. Chris had been diagnosed with leukemia and did not have much time left to live, so a family friend, U.S. Customs Agent Tommy Austin, reached out to the Arizona DPS to ask for help in granting the child’s wish. With nary a sense of hesitation, members of the DPS granted Chris’ wish on April 29, 1980. Chris received a badge, his very own DPS uniform and “Smokey Bear” hat, and was declared Arizona’s first and only honorary DPS officer. Soon after, Chris’ condition had worsened and he was admitted into the hospital. Surrounded by gifts from the DPS, Chris passed on May 3, 1980. “Do you realize what we just accomplished? We have to do this again out of respect for him,” said Austin, to the members of the Arizona DPS. Since Chris’ wish was granted, over 270,000 children in the United States have experienced the hope, strength and joy of their one heartfelt wish. Make-A-Wish could not function as an organization if it weren’t for referrals from the doctors treating the children with life-threatening medical conditions, so on May 13, 2016, in order to properly recognize them, Tommy Austin visited El Paso through the Make-A-Wish North Texas El Paso Regional Office. Among those recognized from Hospitals of Providence Children’s Hospital was Ana Aburto and Dr. Roberto Canales. From El Paso Children’s Hospital, Terry Castellanos was recognized. An invigorating speech from Tommy Austin himself reiterated the importance of the effect that a wish can have on a child, and how without the efforts of such dedicated medical professionals in El Paso, the mission of Make-A-Wish would not be possible. “A single act of kindness can turn into one of the largest non-profit organizations,” said Austin. The El Paso Regional Office then hosted Tommy Austin at the home of board members, Mindy and Meyer Marcus, to speak on the history and mission of Make-A-Wish and allow members of the community to learn more about the organization that he helped create. He shared his story about meeting Chris and how the organization has grown into what it is now. “When you experience the power of a wish, it makes you a believer,” said Make-A-Wish board member, Cindy Bilbe. At the event, the team explained that wishes impact everyone involved – wish kids, volunteers, donors, sponsors, medical professionals and communities. The impact varies. For Wish Kids, just the act of making their wish come true can give them the courage to comply with their medical treatments. Parents might finally feel like they can be optimistic. And still, others might realize all they have to offer the world through volunteer work or philanthropy. Whatever the odds, whatever the obstacles, wishes find a way to make the world better.

By: Krysta Ayers

The game of golf just got better thanks to El Paso native, Mackenzie “Mac” Todd. His company, Urban Golf Performance, was recently voted Best Place to Get Custom Fit by Golf Digest and Top 100 Fitter in the United States. This is not a golf resort or a place to have a beer while practicing your swing – this is where PGA players and serious golfers come to get better. With the start of this company, Todd immediately set the standard for golf and the players involved. His story begins in El Paso. Playing golf on the Coronado High School team, Todd and his business partner, Ben Smock, were very involved with the game. Even so, Todd took a detour once he graduated high school. Starting college in Boulder, Colorado, Todd had full intentions of finishing his pre-med courses. But golf eventually found a way back to him. He played professionally in California before coming up with his business plan for Urban Golf Performance. He started the company by himself, but soon brought in his business partner, and former high school teammate, Ben Smock. Seeing that golfers were lacking in this kind of service, Todd felt the need to create a facility that coached golfers using high-quality modern equipment and a full sensory experience. Because UGP is unprecedented,and still the only facility in the world right now capable of helping golfers in this manner, it is extremely important to golfers and very much in demand. As Todd told me, this is a tremendously thought-out technological system – and it’s growing rapidly. Founded in 2013, UGP already has two locations in West Los Angeles with a main research center in Inglewood. They have also grown internally, with the expansion from the two of them to their current 22 employees. And – because this is definitely a name to name-drop – Todd’s company has already serviced high-profile clients like Justin Timberlake.

So what does it mean to schedule a session at UGP? Well, Todd created a relaxing place of leisure that allows golfers to hone their golfing skills. A complete 360-degree and full sensory experience, UGP is able to personalize the coaching needed for each client. On-site they have a director of physical therapy, Dr. Noolee Kim, and aside from Todd and Smock, they have other golf coaches like Kris Brennan, who is an expert in biomechanics. Basically what this means is that you will never just hear, “Your swing is bad.” The session involves looking at the player’s overall physical movement and what might be hindering them on the golf course. From there, the player will go into a room which digitally simulates any golf course – say you’re having problems on Hole 8 at the Coronado Country Club – and you can start perfecting your swing there. Data is then collected, analyzed and discussed with the player. If you have physical limitations, like a shoulder that doesn’t rotate all the way, coaches and trainers at UGP give you the physical therapy and guidance you need to be healthier and capable of improving your game. It’s full feedback for golfers. UGP is by appointment only and even though it’s a young business, Todd explains that clients need to book two-three weeks in advance (they are currently helping around 3,000 golfers). There are no plans of slowing down, either. Todd plans to have 10 more locations opened in California within the next three years and soon after hopes to expand to other states. They are constantly talked about in different media outlets and have been put on a well-deserved high pedestal for being high-quality and high-tech when it comes to their equipment and conception of the company. For now, Todd is busy with his family and growing his amazing company – keeping people like Justin Timberlake walking through his doors – but even then, he still visits El Paso at least twice a year, playing golf in his home and old grounds. So, the next time you’re watching the PGA Tour, know that some of the players have probably taken the time to train at UGP with Todd, a native El Pasoan making his home city proud.

Written and Photographed By: Janene Rojas

El Paso’s newest hidden gem cannot stay hidden any longer. The new DIY store Dulce Alexandra has been a hit so far with locals and by stepping into this store, located in the same building as Epic Railyard, you will see why. “‘Oh my gosh it looks like you just walked into Austin or New York!’ is the most common exclamation by people who walk in, because the interior aesthetic is like nothing else in El Paso so far.”

With everything on the Dulce Alexandra walls being precisely placed, no one would believe that this boutique made its debut on the El Paso fashion scene just this past November. Dulce Alexandra is decorated from floor to ceiling with artisan goods, a paper flower wall, “Dulce” written in big glowing light bulbs, painted pottery, colorful trunks, growing potted plants, a vintage Singer sewing machine, endless accessories and clothes galore. “I had a lot of things that I had made in the past and it kind of made itself into it’s own store, it was like ‘Hey, I need to be sold!’” said Dulce Alexandra, the 33-year-old owner of the boutique.

Although the old building needs the occasional dusting, she says, she has managed to turn 2159 E Mills Avenue into a lively creative workshop and DIY boutique. You can even watch Dulce sew her latest creations through a window in the store where you’re allowed to see behind the glass and into the Dulce Alexandra workshop. This place is as close to magic as any fashion buff will get. One wall of her workshop is covered in hundreds of folded cloths & patterns waiting to meet the fingertips of this young local designer. Along the opposing walls you’ll see a corkboard of projects being worked on and a desk with sketches of creations to be made.

Dulce is always planning and creating, which she needs to do in order to maintain her ratio of only 25% of the clothes being from market and 75% percent being handmade by her or by local artisans. Do not confuse handmade with low quality, though. Dulce hopes to break the stereotype of handmade meaning “fall apart” items. She wants people to purchase her creations and see that she guarantees quality. Some of the items that you’ll find in the store include her own clothing that she designed, clothes she has bought for the boutique, jewelry, home goods, vintage clothes (vintage sales happen twice a month), couture bibs, handmade shoes, organic lotions and skincare made by local designers, Aspen Bay candles and lotions, and beautiful one-of-a-kind dishes by a local pottery artist.

Dulce has many years of fashion experience prior to opening the shop. She has worked as a stylist for designers such as Carolina Herrera, Armani and the late Oscar de la Renta, during her time working in Dallas fashion shows.

Dulce Alexandra Boutique has brought Dulce to El Paso to stay, but she has also brought with her some trends from the many places she’s visited and worked. DIY classes are a trend currently popular in Paris, which Dulce enjoyed in her time there. Her DIY classes that she offers at the boutique range from how to make a pillow and how to frost a cake, to adult and kids sewing 101 lessons. Kids can also learn to plant and make art. She throws birthday, princess, and tea parties for the girls and for boys she helps them make swords, king crowns and wooden puzzles. Dulce even hosts events for brides and bridesmaids where they are able to hand make unique necklaces to wear on the day of the wedding.

“If you’re creative and you’re a dreamer, just come. You’ll find something,” says Dulce.

When first opening the store, Dulce had only meant for it to be a studio for her designs, but with a little work and a lot of inspiration, Dulce has created a place that would inspire anyone to get a little creative.

By: Meagan Kinley / Photographed By: Bernie Maese Jr.

New is a rare bird. It’s hard to find, and often difficult to come to terms with. It was even Shakespeare himself who once said, “there is nothing new under the sun.” But every once in awhile, something new erupts and not only is it fresh, but the change it brings makes the little hardships in life that much easier to bear. While out and about in our city this week, I stumbled across something new. But it wasn’t the difficult “new,” it wasn’t the hard-to-take “new” – it was the sublime “new.” The rare “new” that only comes once in a blue moon.

If you haven’t heard, there is a new shop open for business on Stanton Street. Open since April 16, Paradigm Texas has infected the Sun City with style. Owned by John Zimmerman and Robert Lomnicki, this power couple has brought their years of experience travelling and working for world-class designers to West Texas with chic style and elegant taste. Offering a select assortment of home décor, new and vintage furniture, glassware, barware, indoor and outdoor entertainmentware, men’s and women’s boutique items, exclusive teas and candies, jewelry, local and regional art, pet accessories, and even items for children – Paradigm Texas is a great spot to add to your list whether you are looking for that one-of-a-kind piece to add to your library, or if you are searching for the perfect gift for a loved one. And if you love what you see, Lomnicki and Zimmerman also offer their interior design services. “We are always changing what we have so it’s always fresh. What we have here are items we would have in our own home,” Lomnicki said. “We want to offer this city a new view point and perspective through pieces that speak to experience – items that are timeless and storied.”

With most of the items in the store being either handmade or fair trade, the effect is simply flawless. When you walk into Paradigm Texas, you feel that you have stepped into a different corner of the world. A space where you can not only shop, but also take in a different vantage point on life because that’s exactly what Zimmerman and Lomnicki offer. After meeting 23 years ago in New York, while both of them were working for Georgio Armani, the two have been a team ever since working all over the United States from the East Coast to Highland Park in Dallas, Oak Street in Chicago, and most recently Beverly Hills. Together they bring their shared experience and styles to their store and with it, curated pieces of beauty. “I remember, one day we were in South Hampton together. We were shopping and simply got inspired. We both said, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if we had our own store?’ And today here we are, and it is our honor and our privilege to serve El Paso,” Zimmerman said.

So if you are in the mood for something different, pop into Paradigm Texas and see “new” for yourself.

By: Lloyd Hamilton / Photographed By: Jorge J. Segura

As interstate progression compels highway overhaul, El Paso remains a critical component of the freight-line industry in Texas. Soon, I-10 will acquire a new expressway that will alter transportation in the most convenient of turnpikes, carving through the Chihuahuan desert where our notorious name, “Paso Del Norte” may barter new significance for both local residents and Texans alike. Though the development of the new expressway will benefit our economy, its formation encompasses flat lining the Globe Mills landmark to its initial grade, and therefore reducing its existence to an iconic memory in El Paso’s history.

Other than a favorite look-out point to view battles during the Mexican Revolution, Globe Mills served as one of six major ‘”high grade” flour mills in America, providing wholesale grain and mill products in an era when the interstate was nonexistent. Despite having no interstate until the 1960s, El Paso was widely recognized for its prominence of independent commercial gain in a generation where rail and refineries, such as the Globe Mills, existed to flourish the economy.

From the beginning, the Mills manager, Claiborne Adams, made it his overall objective to encourage the residents of El Paso to purchase local flour using the El Paso Morning Times newspaper to broadcast industry headlines with phrases like, “Use Globe Mills flour and help the southwest grow,” as well as, “Every sack guaranteed to be the equal of any flour made anywhere by anybody.” With certainty, Adams believed in the importance of domestic independence as the city of El Paso harvested rapid advancement of infrastructure and enterprise. In addition to Mills flour distribution, the building owner and tycoon, Will E. Keller, boasted industrial perception and cognizant knowledge of economic sustainability, especially after receiving praise for constructing the first fireproof flour mills in the American West. After building his first mill in California at the prime age of 33, Keller built his fifth one in 1910 at a cost of $135,000 in El Paso when he was 42 years old; this was his first mill outside of the Golden State and one that generated a revenue of $15 million in 1922.

According to Prince McKenzie, Director of the Railroad and Transportation Museum of El Paso, soon after the new installment of El Paso’s mill, Keller started another company beside it called Globe Ice and Cold Storage, which grew to be a necessary acquirement for the Southern Pacific Railroad’s freight box icing. Keller’s new industrial refrigeration company had quickly become Southern Pacific’s first ice down station for their produce box cars. Ice blocks weighing 200 lbs. would be skid onto the ice cars from loading docks where men would slide the ice onto the cars with heavy prongs. The ice down process became so successful, Southern Pacific would remove all other cars from their track in order to allow clear passage for their “Pacific Fruit Express,” which delivered fresh produce from the Imperial Valley in California to Boston in a 24-hour period. Alongside location convenience, just adjacent of the Pacific railroad, Keller was able to harvest a generous profit from Globe Mills, as well as supply the city with hundreds of jobs, which all contributed to a healthy economy. The city not only consumed domestic wholesale flour, but the Pacific Fruit Express delivered fresh picked produce often by rail to El Paso residents during the lifetime of the Globe industries.

In 1935 Keller passed away, at which time, his company in El Paso began to struggle. Later, Pillsbury bought Globe Mills for $3 million in 1940. Soon after purchasing the building, their prominence in the city had begun to recede, and dissipated from El Paso by the 1960s. Though various other businesses like McKinney’s Wrecking and Claude Barry & Co. have occupied the structure at one point in time or another, the Globe Mills had outlasted its tenants for 106 years. The structure has stood indomitable through many historical events, including floodwaters from the mighty Rio Grande River until the construction of the Elephant Butte Dam, but at the turn of I-10’s lumbering augmentation in 2016, the Globe Mills will indefinably serve El Paso residents once more by submitting to the progression of industrial transportation.

By: Matthew Abraham

If there is one thing that the summer heat can wreak havoc on is your makeup. Here are some tips to keep your makeup looking fresh even through the hottest summer day.

Dense is best. Most people instinctively pick lighter, less dense foundations and concealers during the summer months. While thinner, liquid foundations and concealers can feel lighter on the skin, they tend to crease, shift and move more than more dense cream foundations and concealers, which tend to keep pigment in place better than liquid foundations and concealers which tend to crease as they dry. (Try MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation, $43 or Benefit Cosmetics Boi-ing Industrial-Strength Concealer, $20 or NYX Cosmetics Dark Circle Concealer, $5.99)

Powder makes perfect. Setting your makeup with powder can also help to lock down your makeup look and prevent creasing and fading throughout the day. Finding the right powder is important though, as many face powders contain talc that can cause allergic reactions and talc particles have been linked to contributing to cancer in the lungs and ovaries. Look instead for powders that use natural ingredients such as collagen, beeswax and cocoa butter. (Try Too Faced Cocoa Powder Foundation, $34 or It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Silk Anti-Aging Micro-powder, $24 or Neutrogena Healthy Skin Makeup Compact SPF 55, $13.99)

Locked-in Lipstick. Longwearing, full-coverage liquid lipsticks offer a high color payoff that can withstand hours in the summertime sun with a single swipe. Many of these formulas are meant to last for long periods so they can be drying to lips. To avoid your lips from being dehydrated, it’s best to prime lips beforehand with your favorite lip balm (try Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm, $2.55) and make sure lips are freshly exfoliated and free of dry, dead skin (try Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment, $24). These liquid lipsticks are increasing in popularity and are now available in almost every shade and finish imaginable. (Try Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick, $20 or ColourPop Ultra Matte Lip, $6.00 or NYX Liquid Suede Creme Lipstick, $6.99)

Refresh with a spritz. Makeup refreshing sprays can be the perfect pick-me-up for the midday summer makeup slump. Whether your skin needs moisture or mattifying, there is a spray out there made for your makeup needs. Supergoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50 ($28) even has sun protection and can be applied on top of or before makeup and should be reapplied every couple of hours. Smashbox’s Photofinish Primer Water ($32) not only acts as a primer to skin but as a setting spray and as a hydrating and revitalizing tonic for skin any time of the day. (Try also Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs & Rosewater $7, or Urban Decay All-Nighter Makeup Setting Spray, $14)

Grilled Flank Steak & Mango Chimichurri Topped w/ White Balsamic Marinated Jicama and Pomegranate

Fried Capers, Anchovy & Parsley Pesto Capellini, Grilled Bread, Bacon, & Fried Egg

By: Krysta Ayers

Traveling abroad, or cross-country for that matter, should not have to cost you an arm and a leg. If your hotel and air travel are costing you double your mortgage, you’re doing it wrong. The experience, education and relaxation that one gains from traveling is something everyone should have access to.  So, think outside the box. You can still travel to great places, experience different cultures and get drunk like Anthony Bourdain without breaking the bank. Who says you have to stay at a five-star hotel in Paris? I found the best spots to travel to before the end of summer that will keep your wallet and your soul happy.

Kampot, Cambodia

Put yourself in cruise control and take things slow in the beautiful, overlooked town of Kampot, Cambodia. You can bike around town, admire the charming Colonial architecture, visit one of the many bars, or even try stand up paddle boarding. When you go, try the hand-pulled noodles at Ecran, a really unique and funky restaurant slash movie house. What makes Kampot an even greater choice are the cheap hotels. For $29 a night you can stay at Java Bleue Hotel in Kampot’s old French Quarter. It’s lovely and definitely affordable.

Austin, Texas

Hear me out on this one: If you don’t want to leave Texas and you  – for some reason – have never been, Austin is a perfect little travel spot – and since it’s still a drivable distance, it is a very cheap trip. The capital city is full of free live music, great BBQ food that’s been featured on various food channels, and great places to shop and walk around. Stay in the South Congress area to avoid the rowdy and typically college-age crowds of West 6th street. Consider not staying at a hotel at all.  Locals have the coolest Airbnb spaces that you can stay in starting as low as $30 a night.

Asunción, Paraguay

Think of a more low-key Rio de Janeiro and you get Asunción, Paraguay. This small tropical nation is aesthetically beautiful and super easy on the wallet. You can eat street food for a low cost (just like my hero, Anthony Bourdain), visit the Museo del Barro to see contemporary art, buy from local artisans and come alive in the nighttime with the lively night scene. Make sure you sample the tres leches cake and fresh juices from El Bolsi. You don’t need to worry about a pricey place to stay either. Probably the cheapest on the list, Asunción has a spotless, unique and safe hostel with the friendliest hosts. The Black Cat Hostel will readily host you as you travel through the beautiful town for just $9 a night. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Kathmandu, Nepal

If you want a deep sense of culture, look no further than Kathmandu, Nepal. The blend of Hindu and Buddhist religions and intricate architecture will satisfy the world traveler in you. There are plenty of historic sites to see: museums, palaces, boutiques, and a nightlife that goes into the wee hours of the morning. Also worth visiting is the Pashupatinath Temple, a famed Hindu site along the Bagmati River. Staying here is just $14 a night at the Pilgrims Guest House located in Thamel – a region within walking distance to most city sites, giving you more money to save instead of worrying about transportation.

Viñales, Cuba

Because traveling to Cuba just got easier for U.S citizens, take advantage and make a trip out there. Smoke a Cuban cigar while taking a tour from farm to factory of the tobacco crop, or soak in the views of the Sierra de los Organos mountain range. Havana is also a must, but Cuba offers more than just a beachfront view and ocean. Airbnb is also available here for as low as $13 a night, giving you an authentic peek into living as a local.

Going over to a friend’s house for a nice dinner and cocktails is always great – you don’t have to cook anything, plus you get to relax and hang out a little. Though they’re probably not expecting anything, why not get them a little something to show your gratitude? Finding the perfect hostess gift can be a little challenging (just admit, you don’t want to do it) so we took the time to head over to Vanities and pick the top four gifts your hostess is sure to love!

Twisted Wares Hang Tight Towel $13.95

These are definitely not your grandma’s kitchen towels – a little inappropriate, but always funny. These are for the host that enjoys a good laugh.  

Corkcicle Tumblers and Canteens $29-$32

For the active hostess in your life – these are the cutest tumblers and canteens to keep them hydrated (or caffeinated).

Antica Farmacista Room Scents and Diffusers $22-$66

Everyone loves a good scent for there home. Instead of gifting a candle, why not gift a lovely scent (like Prosecco) in the form of a diffuser.

Two’s Company Gold Leaf Bottle Stopper $28

It’s gold, it has an amazing stone and it keeps your booze safe until the next time you pour. What’s not to love?

By: Jamie Livingston
Photos Courtesy of Tin Man

If you’ve ever bought gourmet donuts from Hillside Coffee, or traveled by the shops at Montecillo, then you’ve noticed the graphic design work of EME Designs. The agency, whose staff is made up of primarily UTEP art grads, has been busy lately, helping businesses succeed visually.

Joel Martinez, founder, says the design studio helps business change the perspective of a growing society.

“Cities rely on looks, just like businesses. Murals, art, billboards, signs, even trashcans are all part of this visual experience. Many cities around the world understand this concept, and I hope that our city, with the support of its people, will help us build a strong and beautiful community, not only for tourists but also for ourselves.”

The agency recently received their second consecutive American Advertising Award, formerly the ADDYs. Martinez says recognition of that caliber iswhat is putting El Paso on the map for graphic design.

“We always strive to do the best work that we can, with every client, said Martinez. Hopefully more people will realize that there is much talent in El Paso.”

Martinez, who had no business background before starting the company, says its took time, effort and a little training to get the company off its feet.

“We enjoy what we do, and ultimately our goal is to helpmake our clients successful. To get there we have to find the right balance between our creative ideas, the client’s needs and the execution or production,” he said.

And for some projects it can take 3-6 months from the time of inception of an idea to complete.

“All clients and projects are very different, so it makes it really hard to answer that. The process is a huge part of the success for each project, communication with the client, research, brainstorming, sketching, creating and execution,” he said.

EME Designs’ reputation has grown much like its esteem and recognition. So much so, that they are contracting with new clients daily. The agency recently helped with the restorative look of Cathedral High School and the El Paso Opera. They’ve helped with the branding of restaurants such as Nona’s, Crave, Independent Burger and Cabo Joe’s.

Martinez says his agency strives to continuously improve and succeed one project at a time. He says he is proud to be a part of the El Paso community.

You can learn more about EME by visiting www.hechoporeme.com