By: Jacqueline Aguirre
Photos By: Brian Wancho
Styled By: Pam North
Back Yard Design: Gino Farina with Blooming Paradise

The sweet smell of the first ignition of the fire on the grill, the joy of the laughter of kids splashing around in the pool, and the feel of the smooth grass on your bare feet are all reminders of how life should be- simple.

Veronica and Todd Flaherty came to Gino Farina who owns the Blooming Paradise with a cardinal touchstone: to have a cultivated lawn for the kids, with a pool and an entertainment area for friends and family that framed the view of the Franklin Mountains.

“We let him take control,” says Veronica who explained that Farina was excited and brimful of ideas for their backyard. Veronica says she saw Farina’s passion and decided to trust in him and let him give them the home turf they’ve always dreamed of.

The finished product – a step onto the sandy-toned travertine tile beneath their feet leads towards an alluring pool in the center. To the right, tan stones coming out from the pool forming a tall arch reaching to the loft wall covered in lush vine arches. On the left, a large pergola with cantera stone pillars, one in particular is sculpted to its natural shape at the base, all lead up to a dark wood ceiling. The pergola sheltered a large built-in grill with a rounded patio table, all made of the same stone and tile to compliment. Behind this beauty of an outside kitchen, stands a large cantera stone fireplace which smells of joy and laughter and even brought a pleasant smile to my face.

Veronica says that while everything in her yard is definitely unique, she says that she wanted everything to look natural; from the shape of the pool to the fireplace, everything Gino designed was made especially for the Flaherty family.

“He has these beautiful things in his mind, and he sees them in our back yard,”  says Veronica as she continued to explain that Farina is a well-travelled man who’s influences are based on what he has seen all over the world. Not not only did Farina design the yard with his ideas, but he constructed the entire plan from start to finish. Bringing in all of his own tools and employees, Farina’s work was all from his own business.

While it is a bit hot in the daytime, Veronica says that she waits for the evening for a cooler environment in order to go out and enjoy the pool with her kids, or even adult dinner parties. Her two kids, whom are older, still enjoy the grass area to play soccer in or have fun with the two family dogs.

You’d think that heaven on earth existed only in that spot, but guess what? There are two more levels to nirvana.

Another requirement that Veronica had for Farina was a garden. Passing a gate into the second tier of their backyard is an elevated garden with its very own watering system to keep Veronica’s vegetation healthy. A sizeable garden filled with seasonal vegetables such as jalapenos, cherry tomatoes, seedless watermelons, even mint. Her displays of flowers in the garden include an array of roses and pansies.

The third level, which is mostly gravel, also has been landscaped adding fruit trees such as green apples, apricots, and peaches. She explains that her and her husband formulated that the trees to be on the third level with the knowledge of the trees immense height that developed over time. They were conscious of the view of the mountains being blocked, so they believed the placement of the trees were well suited.

“We were just blown away,” states Veronica. When she first saw her rejuvenated back yard, she was taken aback from the astonishing view that is her new back yard. She explains that she is glad to have let Farina take as much control as he did.

Summer is definitely in full effect, and while the Sun City enjoys their cool summer nights, it seems the Flaherty family is at the top of their game with their back yard paradise thanks to Farina of the Blooming Paradise.

By: Pablo Delgadillo

Organic Invigorating Mint Mouth Rinse by Wild Seed Apothecary: Get rid of unnecessary chemicals in your regular mouthwash and go for this organic option. With a mix of herbs and natural extracts this mouth rinse will leave your mouth minty fresh and ready to kiss. Sore throat? This rinse will also help to soothe and relieve a little bit of that itchy throat. $20 at rodales.com

Blackbird’s The Future Bath Salts: Sometimes after a long day at work, you just want to get home and take a good bath (with the company of a good drink!). These bath salts ease any pain with the help of minerals, leaving you relaxed and free of any body aches that you might have had. The fragrance helps to relax as you enjoy a little bit of “me time.” $38 at urbanoutfitters.com

Good Old Boys Tea Tree & Mint Shower Gel: Start your day (or end it) with this fresh shower gel that will remove all of the day’s impurities, while refreshing your skin at the same time. The 250ml presentation is perfect for daily use and its affordable price makes it perfect to give as a gift. The mix of essential oils and tea tree notes will make your shake up and wake up. $14 at asos.com

Dear John: Kick out fall with this timeless fragrance from Lush that mixes cedar wood oil, as its main ingredient, with coriander and clove for that woodsy smell.  Get in touch with nature and enjoy a nice cup of tea while this cologne lasts all day (without the need for a retouch). $27.95 at Lush.com

By: Denise Nelson-Prieto
Photos By: Tommie Morelos

When you think of Ramen noodles, images of late nights cramming for college finals, or being able to only afford the instant comfort food with highly questionable nutrition (think sodium overdose) may crop up. Gabriel Valencia and Andres Romero, owners of Kaedama Food Bus are here to revamp that image with a fresh take on an old standby.

Valencia explains how the idea came to fruition:

“The idea [to open up the food bus] kind of came to me and my partner at the same time. The idea was actually incepted on Halloween of last year. We were just hanging out together and he [Romero] had just bought the VW bus, that’s now our food bus. We’d seen a few pictures online of busses nationwide that had been converted into food busses. We decided it could be a thing for us and we made it happen.”

Kaedama, which is Japanese for “a second helping of noodles” can be found parked outside Monarch and DeadBeach several nights a week. The menu consists of four different Ramen noodle bowls. Each bowl is made with simple ingredients; however this simplicity belies the elegant, complex flavors of the different broths, which infuse each dish with a savory and unique flavor.

“Our best selling [bowl] is the Tonkotsu; it’s the most traditional Japanese Ramen we have on our menu,” Valencia said. “If you go to a Ramen house in Japan, you’re more than likely going to have a bowl of Tonkotsu, which is pork broth Ramen.”

Another favorite is the El Ramon, a nod to the ever-popular traditional Mexican soup, posole. Valencia and Romero have transformed the dish by replacing the hominy with noodles.

The pair strives to keep their operation as traditional as possible and adhere to a strict regiment when creating their culinary masterpieces. For the noodles they transform regular pasta into Ramen through a relatively simple process in order to elevate the pH level.

“We turn regular noodles into alkaline noodles, which is what Ramen noodles are,” Valencia said.

For both Romero and Valencia, the culinary arts were always simmering on the back burner. Romero has worked in the restaurant business for the last few years and Valencia went to culinary school in Austin. The two worked together at Sabertooth Food Co.

“We had already been experimenting with Ramen when we worked at Sabertooth together,” Romero said. “From the moment we decided to do a food truck we talked about the menu non stop and researched it constantly. El Paso really needed it because before us, there wasn’t a place here to get authentic Ramen.”

When the two first started Kaedama, the menu consisted of mostly Ramen-based soup dishes. They then decided to add some lighter fare for more variety. The addition of a burrito and a sandwich added a new dimension to the original offerings.

“At first it was going to be just Ramen, but because of the summer and how people might not just want soup, we started adding other things like the sushi burrito and the Banh Mi sandwich,” Romero said.

The sushi burrito is simply a huge sushi roll, generously stuffed with sushi rice, carrots, cucumber, cabbage, cream cheese, avocado, spicy mayo, and the choice of tofu or crab. The Banh Mi, which is somewhat of a departure from Kaedama’s Japanese theme, is a traditional Vietnamese sandwich served on a roll and filled with an Asian slaw that consists of carrots, cabbage, pickled daikon [Asian radish], sesame oil, spices, and your choice of tofu, crab, or pork belly.

Romero and Valencia stressed the importance of offering vegetarian and vegan options, and said everything on the menu, with the exception of the Tonkotsu Ramen, can be made veggie-friendly.

The two are planning another food bus venture that they hope will come to fruition within the next year. As for now, they’re content serving up bowls of their one-of-a-kind creations with an El Paso-flavored twist. Check out Kaedama and get your umami on!

You can find Kaedama every Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday outside of Monarch, 204 E Rio Grande, starting at 9 PM, and every Friday starting at 6 PM at DeadBeach Brewery, located at 406 Durango St.

www.facebook.com/KaedamaBus

By: Krysta Ayers

“LA definitely has a vibe to it. People that say it’s laid-back are just lazy. There’s an anxious energy in LA; people are hustling.” These are the words that actress, Anahi Bustillos, tells me on our phone call. Born in El Paso, the actress left “heartbroken” when she was 10 years old, with thoughts of eventually moving back. But with her talents, drive and burning desire to share stories with the world, it doesn’t look like the move back will be anytime soon. The young actress excitedly celebrated her 15th anniversary of living in Los Angeles just recently.

“When you’re performing, you enter this space in your brain. You’re fully involved in another story,” Bustillos tells me. Since she was 18, Bustillos sought out happiness in the art of performing and story telling. “I like playing strong women and roles where the character has integrity. That’s the number one quality in people.” For her, it’s not about booking as many jobs as possible. It’s about finding the right role to play – the story has to be one that sends out a good message. She tells me about a script she got for a role in a movie and how she had to turn it down after reading how poorly the women in the film were being portrayed. That’s the kind of integrity Bustillos has for the craft that she is in.

Not only has she acted in television and movies, but Bustillos has also done commercials and theatre. She has also had extensive training from different acting classes such as Cold Reading with Brian Reise and Comedy Intensive with Leslie Kahn.

Her theatre resume includes playing Margot in “The Diary of Anne Frank,” portraying Laurey Williams in “Green Grow the Lilacs” and ruling as the King of France in “King Lear.”

For those of us that grew up (or had kids that grew up) watching great 90’s television shows, you should remember the show “Boy Meets World” (and the great love story of Corey and Topanga). Almost a decade later, Disney decided to create a spinoff show called “Girl Meets World.” Corey and Topanga now have a daughter, Riley, who the show revolves around.

In Season 3 Episode 4, which aired on June 17, Anahi Bustillos plays Riley’s Spanish teacher. “[She was] a strong role model,” Bustillos says of why she liked playing the character. Bustillos, who grew up watching “Boy Meets World,” said working with Ben Savage (Corey Matthews) was great. “I definitely told him and Topanga that I watched their show.” Going through rehearsal in front of the 30 people that were part of the network, Bustillos found that she had the confidence to be there and perform. The show, which is taped in front of a live audience, was rehearsed and performed in one week’s time. It’s hard work. She reassures me that there is fun in between, but the hours are long.

Bustillos has also been a guest star on “CSI Miami,” “Medium” and “Up All Night.” She has been a co-star on ABC Family’s “Greek” and Showtime’s hit TV show, “Shameless.” If you watch her in “Girl Meets World” and then switch to her more dramatic TV shows, you can see that the actress can play many faces and emotions.

Her aspirations in her career are limitless. There is not just one “dream” actor to work with.  “I am open and would be so grateful to work with anyone where the respect is equal on both sides and when together, we create art to which everyone feels alive and on fire,” she responds. She also adds, “I’ve always wanted to work with Edward James Olmos.  The musical ‘Zoot Suit’ from 1981 sold me on this man’s talent.  Directors who I was quite caught up by in their story were Carey Fukunaga for ‘Beast of No Nation,’ but also before I knew his name (and how handsome he was) it turns out he also wrote/directed another film favorite of mine, ‘Sin Nombre,’ a film that tells the true story of what immigrants go through to cross the border into America.  Also, Ana Lily Amirpour for ‘A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night.’ Everything about that film is captivating.”

Apart from being able to tell a story, Bustillos finds that one of the most rewarding parts of her job is getting to meet people. “I hate small talk,” she tells me. Her job allows her to meet other people involved in the craft and to have real and open conversations. To unwind from the chaotic world of LA and acting, she travels –sometimes alone – in order to unwind and get back to a calm mindset. As a creative person, she also uses other outlets of creativity, like dance and music, to express herself and calm down post hustling after acting jobs.

We will see more of Anahi Bustillos in the future and El Paso can proudly say that another talented person was born here and reached their potential. “At the heart of it all, I really want to tell stories,” Bustillos sincerely says. El Paso will be excited to hear those stories.

By: Pablo Delgadillo

IN:

Satin: We’ve seen satin around for a while in jackets, dresses and tops. This month is the perfect excuse to bring out the soft and silky satin and strut it around town. You can go for a full slip-on dress for a sexy date, or go more casual with a cool satin bomber jacket. The ease of this fabric makes it perfect because it’s light coverage (in case it’s still kind of hot in September).

90s-210: The 90s was an important decade for fashion, and we’ve seen today’s clothes heavily influenced by this era. Chokers, crop tops, even the “mom jeans” are back. You can always take the trends very literal or you can put a more modern spin to them. Recycling clothes and inspiration is always fun!

Warm toes: Socks and sandals were the combo that dad wore to embarrass you. The white socks with the chunky sandals were never a good combo … until now! The fall preview runways were full of this trend and girls have even been sporting heels with cute lacey socks. This combo, although unusual, can look kind of sweet and effortless when done right.

OUT:

Stressed about the distressed: We all enjoyed wearing distressed jeans when summer was in full effect, but the closer we get to the cooler months, wearing them seems kind of pointless. Who wants to have huge holes in their pants when the temperature starts to drop? Not to mention, they can get extremely overpriced! “Here, buy these homeless-looking pants for $100!”  No thanks.

Logo overload: We can’t help it if brands overwhelm their products with logos (ex: Michael Kors bags) but having a logo across your chest sometimes comes across as tacky. Parading your expensive brand is not cute. Save your answer if someone asks you about that shirt, instead of displaying as many brands as you can like a cheap window display.

Ill fitting: How many times have you bought something that’s too large thinking “I can make it fit”? Or something that is a little smaller because “I’m going to lose weight”? Although the motivation and the intentions might be good, we can no longer be wearing ill-fitting clothing that makes us look disproportionate or bigger than we really are. Avoid looking like a circus tent, or like a badly wrapped tamale and stick to your measurements. (Tip: It is also good to know your exact measurements when you buy online, so you can avoid buying something that doesn’t fit.)

By: Krysta Ayers

The fun part about working in the creative field is that sometimes you get to go on field trips. In The City Lifestyler for 9/12, we showed you The Look, our monthly fashion shoot that took place at The Station offices in the El Paso Times building downtown. Now, we want to show you what happened BTS – the chaotic mess and the people behind making The Look possible. Though it can be called a field trip – a little getaway from the office – there’s still a lot of work to be done and deadlines that have to be met. Since you can’t physically be with us at all times, follow us as we take you on exclusive BTS tours of what’s going on with us – even if it’s on a smart phone screen.

The elevator scene for Look number one. Our photographer, Dav Anmed and hairstylist, Hunter Quartermane, with his assistant.

Our intern, Jamie, pieces looks together from different local boutiques.

We put another intern hard at working with steaming clothes.

There is no such thing as an awkward position when it comes to photographing. Our Editor-in-chief, Shelley Mozelle, oversees the creative process with model, Rebecca Armstrong doing her thing in the background.

Our group photo – three hours later and that’s a wrap!

Remember that for even more live BTS scoop, you can follow us on Instagram @thecitymagazineelp and on Snapchat @thecitymagazine. Join us on our journey and keep up with the different projects we’re doing.

By: Jacqueline Aguirre

Eating healthy is hard. Believe me, I know it well- A student, intern, server and homework slave who barely gets any time to sleep, much less eat well. After years of malnourishment and junk food binging, I decided to take the exit towards better horizon for food that not only tastes good and looked good, but is also good for you!

We all know that breakfast is the most important part of the day. With these overnight oats recipes that are quick, easy, healthy and tasty…you’ll be able to have breakfast on the go.

Here are a weeks worth of overnight oat recipes to help kick-start your morning!

Strawberry Spring

1 Cup Rolled Oats

1 Tbsp Greek Yogurt

1 tsp Honey, agave, or maple syrup

1 tsp Flaxseed

½ Cup Almond Milk

2 Strawberries (sliced)

Granola (optional)

Maple Peach Pecan

1 Cup Rolled Oats

1 Tbsp Greek Yogurt

2 Tbsp Maple Syrup

1 Tsp Honey

1/2 Tsp Cinnamon

1/4 Tsp Nutmeg

1/3 Cup Pecans, (finely chopped)

1 Cup Peaches (sliced)

Strawberry & Banana Heaven

½ Cup Rolled Oats

1 Tbsp Greek Yogurt

1 Tsp Honey, agave, or maple syrup

1 tsp Flaxseed

1/2 Cup Almond Milk

1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

2 Strawberries (sliced)

1/2 Banana (sliced)

Banana Nut

1 Cup Rolled Oats

1 Tbsp Greek Yogurt

1 Tbsp Honey

1 Tbsp Almond Butter

2 Tbsp Walnuts or pecans, chopped (optional)

1/2 banana (sliced)

½1/2Cup Almond milk

Maple Brown Sugar

1 Cup Rolled Oats

1 Tbsp Greek Yogurt

1 Tbsp Pure Maple Syrup

1/2 Tsp Cinnamon

1/4 Tsp nutmeg

1 Tsp Brown Sugar

1/2 Cup Almond Milk

Berry Yummy

1 Cup Rolled Oats

1 Tbsp Greek Yogurt

1 Tbsp Honey, or Agave

1/2 Cup Blueberries

1/2 Cup Almond Milk

Reese’s Cup

1 Cup Rolled Oats

1 Tbsp Greek Yogurt

1 Tbsp Honey, or Agave

3 Tbsp Almond Butter

3 Tbsp Cocoa Powder

1/2 Cup Almond Milk

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients into mason jar.
2. Close tightly. Shake it up!
3. Store in refrigerator.
4. Top with a splash of milk in the morning.
5. Enjoy!

*eat the oats cold or reheat in the microwave for 45 seconds!

Meal prepping can be easy once when you put some effort into it – and your body will thank you for it.

Now, you can prepare all seven of these and store them in the refrigerator; because they are kept cool, they will not perish. So prepare, and (finally) sleep in a little!

By: Krysta Ayers

There is literally an app for everything. Though the stress of a wedding can quickly become overwhelming, GooglePlay and the Apple store have several apps that can help your wedding planning go just a little bit smoother. So, don’t fret – download these apps and let your fingers get to tapping.

Braidsmaid Planner

Free

Can’t get all of your bridesmaids in one room? Try not to stress too much about it. This app makes it possible to swap bridesmaid dress ideas and screenshots, to-do lists and deadlines. Group chatting on this app will allow your conversations and life to go smoother and concentrate on fittings, parties, and any other details leading up to your big day.

TaskRabbit

Free

This is a great app for any bride too busy to do research on Google all day. Find anything you might need for your big day all in one app. This ranges from party planners, caterers, DJs, babysitters, event help and decorating, and bartending. Not only does TaskRabbit provide you with great options on seeking help, but you can also read reviews and look at feedback before you decide to hire anyone for help!

The Knot Wedding Planner

Free

Your own personal wedding planner, this app is good for wedding inspiration, to-do lists, grinding out the details and even finding wedding vendors. This is a great source (aside from us, of course) to find more ideas and organize your wedding.

Wedding Party

Free

Don’t make one of your siblings responsible for picking up the disposable cameras after your wedding party. This app allows you to collect and share photos from everyone that was there directly through the app. “Because your wedding deserves more than just a hashtag.” Have guests download the app, create photobooth strips or cute collages and you can readily have them in your hand before you set off to your honeymoon!

Mr&Mrs Wedding Planner

Free

This app is a way to visualize your wedding before it happens. Think of it as a mood board that goes above and beyond. You can gather color palette ideas, create guest lists and do table seating, manage your budget and create an “invite only” message board so that you can share your wedding plans and ideas with your bridal party or fiancé.

By: Jacqueline Aguirre

The energy of an artist is fascinating. As soon as they enter the room, the energy is altered from calm and collected to a free, more eccentric vibe. Something about the unrelenting coolness of an artist’s vibe is infectious, and invigorating.

Christin Apodaca, 26, is an artist from El Paso who exudes an exhilarating energy. She maintains her cool composure as she sits in the leather armchair across from me. She had a relaxed look to her in a blue-and-white baseball tee, sand toned shorts of which she paired with caramel colored moccasins. Her hair, pulled up into a large bun to complete her look.

Christin tells me she realized her talent in high school. “That was when I really realized that I got something”, she says. She states she never had to try as hard as anyone else to be good at her talent.

After high school, she attended the UTEP and UNM in Albuquerque, studying studio art in both schools. It wasn’t until after she graduated and returned home is when things began to come together for her artwork.
“I need to get back into the creative time and place”, she states.

Christin returned to Creative Kids, a non-profit educational community-based art agency. She volunteered in exchange for supplies to satisfy her artistic needs. After a couple of months, she was asked to become an employee. Two years later she gleefully continues her career.

Although she enjoys her job, she admits her personal work suffered.

“I would just put it back into work. It would always be something that she could show the kids. Less personal work and more about work”, she says.

New Year’s resolution, she decided to make herself known as an artist.

“In 2016, so many people are going to know my art looks like, know what my face looks like, who I am, what I make, why I make stuff”, she says with elation.

Behind her newly found determination stood a good friend of hers whom she met this year upon her return from New York. Taking in the street art scene with photos of her work, and the exposure of Instagram, she connects with a new friend.

“He really believed in the things I was making”, she says. She questioned how someone she hadn’t known well enough could have so much faith in her and her work when she herself couldn’t comprehend it; that was the night she changed.

Her first opportunity came the same day as David Bowie’s death.  Convinced by the perfect opportunity to get her artwork recognized, her first paste was at the Monticello TI:ME building at Mother of Pearl. Chris proudly displays her first sticker of Bowie himself- a pinkish tone in his face, with deeper pink tones to note the shadows and the iconic red and blue lightning bolt running across his face.

Inspirations such as close friend, Pavel Acevedo, she collaborates on some of the same pieces. They allow themselves to be weaved in together as one work of art, with two sides.

Her style is minimalist contoured illustration, and riveting. Mostly portraits of random people, she explains some of the design of her work. Examining her mural at Dream Chasers Club, I noticed the girls hands were disconnected from her arms.

“I just feel like there’s always some sort of disconnection with myself”. Chris entails that at times, she feels as though the work she attempts to accomplish is hindered by a disrupted energy. Even adding that even with great energy, there’s always a disconnection of some sort happening within her. She accepts it and even incorporates that struggle into her art.

“I’ve always come from a place of positive relationships”, she says with gratitude in her tone and in her smile. The good energy from her interactions is what she uses to make something new every day.

Christin, who has succeeded in her business venture as an artist, has seemed to be growing in popularity. Art displayed in Dead Beach Brewery, Hotel Indigo, JVB, and TradeCraft. Her larger murals are displayed at Dream Chasers Club, and Barmen.

The reinvention of herself all began as a New Year’s resolution. While she knew she had a talent for art since she was a child, 2016 was the year she decided she was going to see and believe in herself just like the many people already that already believed in her. With the determined energy she possesses, she will take the city by storm.

By: Gesuina Legaspy

Casual Fridays, an all-too-common term that doesn’t have to be (but often is) synonymous with boring. “Casual Fridays” is a Western term that was created to give the professionals a break from suits traditional—and conservative—suits. The cultural act was picked up all over the world as a trend, but the act of designating a single day to dress down is now all but obsolete in most work environments.

In these times, when more and more jobs are cropping up in the creative, tech, media, and other industries where conservative dress is not de rigueur, trends like sneakers, bombers, torn sweatshirts aren’t entirely out of place in the office. I have embraced being comfy cool, whereas at one point, I never even wore flats because of my insecurity over being short. Now, I live in them!

Rule of thumb: Casual does not have to be boring or basic. Casual can be comfort at its chicest, just embrace the look and rock it with confidence.

Here are the top three trends you need in order to master Casual Fridays (or Mondays, or Tuesdays, or…)

Superga/ Kaanas sneakers: The “Italian Converse” not only retails under $100 but comes in all colors, patters and prints you can officially be matchy and comfy on a budget. If you’re looking for something a little edgier, our go-to shoe is the handmade Colombian brand, Kaanas. Affordable leather kicks for everyday wear.

Sweats (Yes, Sweats!): “Athleisure” is where comfort meets casual at it’s finest.  A good sweatshirt is a must for the fall, and you can pair yours with a leather legging, a skirt, or of course, denim. There is no right or wrong to rock this look, and it’s so comfortable and versatile that this is a trend I hope will stick around for a while!

By: Krysta Ayers

Look – we get it. Traveling is expensive and if you’re not the spontaneous type, the planning can become time consuming and feel like work itself. There are so many details that come along with traveling: What hotel will you stay at? What site will you give you the best flying rate? What restaurants should you eat at? But traveling should be fun and I have taken the liberty of finding the best sites to help make planning for your next trip a little bit easier. You want to feel like you’re traveling with the ease of a Victoria Secret model – not like a scatterbrained newbie.

Skyscanner.com

This super easy website does exactly what the name implies. It scans the “sky” for the cheapest airfare – and it also has the option to alert you when prices increase or decrease. You still have the option to fly with your preferred airline, but you could be getting it at a cheaper rate. This makes flying in the near future a lot cheaper without you having to keep checking a million sites everyday.

Hiskipper.com

It is an absolute headache to find hotels for a big group, whether the group is for a wedding, family, or for a business trip. But now it doesn’t have to be (thank goodness). In just three steps, this website is able to find the number of rooms you need for the type of event you need it for. It also gives the option to pay for them all or reserve them so that your other guests can book one. Go ahead and start planning your business trip!

Liligo.com

This is better for the spontaneous adventurer out there. This site helps you find cheap airline tickets but it’s not annoying like Expedia or Travelocity. It’s also got this amazing feature called “Where to go?” where you can put in your destination city, the month of travel and the type of weather you want to be in and it will tell you when tickets are the cheapest. This is better for people with flexible travel dates and extremely worth looking into for your next trip!

Turo.com

This is the Airbnb of car rentals. You really can rent anything nowadays. Sometimes traveling requires driving, and while you don’t want to put miles on your own car, you also don’t want to spend a lot on car rentals. With Turo, you can rent someone’s car (don’t worry, they go through a checklist) once you get to your destination for up to 30% less than a rental car service.

Gogobot.com

Weird name, great site. You’ll want to bookmark this one. If it’s my first time going to a city, I always ask a friend who’s been there for restaurant and site recommendations. Consider this site as your go-to travel expert. Enter the location you’re headed off to and it will tell you the best places to eat and go see. Don’t worry- it’s not all tourist-y things. Thousands of travelers submit their reviews and recommendations and create forums for like-minded travelers to discuss different topics (i.e. historical sites to see, dessert places to try, music venues to go to). Have you bookmarked it, yet?

RoadsideAmerica.com

For the fans of everything weird this site lists all of the corky stops you can see in the grand U.S of A. Take a road trip to see the Cathedral of Junk in Austin, see where the Crayola Factory is, the Clinton Wedding House, Bonnie and Clyde’s Death Car and more. Step outside your regular vacation and let your curious mind wander.

By: Krysta Ayers

Working out is hard. Finding the motivation is sometimes the hardest part. But with the holidays coming up, it’s better to keep in shape and take care of your body before the food comas take over. Finding it hard to get motivated? Find yourself a personal trainer – or even download an app on your phone – to keep track of your progress and get you sweating routinely.

Drew Beckley, a personal trainer at New You, gave our account executive, Chaz Wilson, a few ab workouts that anyone can incorporate into their daily or weekly workouts. Drew suggests doing this set four times with reps of 20. “The last set you do should be full-out – until you fail.”

From leg raises to planks and partner bicycle moves, your abs will definitely be feeling it in the morning!

Pablo Delgadillo

Fulton & Roark Aftershave Cloths: Refresh your skin after shaving with Fulton & Roark towelettes that moisturize and soothe your skin after coming in contact with a sharp razor. The cotton cloth is infused with sage, eucalyptus and hazel which will leave your face feeling smooth and will even help heal your razor cuts. Get it at UrbanOutfitters.com for $28

Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector: Even in the fall the El Paso sun is no joke, so you always have to protect your skin. This oil-free protector is perfect because it’s not too heavy, and won’t leave your skin shiny while still giving you full protection against the sun with SPF 42. Getting a hot flash? Don’t worry, it’s water resistant! Buy it at Shiseido.com for $32

Safety Razor Set by Baxter of California: Splurge a little and ditch those disposable razors. Baxter of California offers this razor/shaving cream brush set with a chrome finish. The beauty of this set will help your bathroom counter look even nicer, and the brass handles will look sophisticated too. Get shaving at baxterofcalifornia.com and get it for $260

Brow Gel Comb by Tom Ford: Stop your eyebrows from looking like spider legs and get this brow gel by Tom Ford. The brush helps set the eyebrows into place while looking natural and healthy. It’s perfect for any hair color and very lightweight, which means that it won’t leave a heavy mess on your brows. $45 at tomford.com

By: Janene Rojas

Photos By: David Parish

Once through the black glass doors and into the Black Orchid lounge, I knew I was in for something good. Newly arrived Oktoberfest beers were listed above shelves of liquor bottles, and on the walls hung chalkboard signs of weekly specials.  The Happy Hour food specials (most importantly $1 tacos) were listed near a glass candy-like dispenser used to hold mixed nuts, and from the ceilings hung sparkling chandeliers. Don’t expect to be swinging from them any time soon though. Michelle Fierro, co-owner of the speakeasy-style lounge, says that they like to maintain a comfortable, easygoing ambiance. “We like to focus on those who like to drink and can appreciate a good drink and have a nice time and talk, not just go crazy.”

Michelle and her husband Juan Quintero, an engineer who travels between El Paso and Chicago, embarked on an adventure into the unknown when entering the nightlife business nearly three years ago. While living in Chicago for more than a decade, Michelle and her husband experienced many unique spots to have a cocktail. When moving to El Paso, they decided they wanted to bring a piece of their experiences back with them for Sun City locals to enjoy.

“Don’t throw your cigarette butts on the floor, the cockroaches are getting cancer” was the hilarious sign posted out on the gorgeous (and definitely bug-less) patio of The Black Orchid Lounge. The outdoor area with comfy couches, low lighting and a complimentary breeze looked like the fall spot to be. I could imagine how lively the patio would grow to be, with people chatting, Hot Toddy in hand, in the quaint and cozy looking area.

This December 31st will be the lounge’s three-year anniversary. The small Black Orchid family is made up of four employees and the two owners. They may be a small group but they have a big passion for quality cocktails and craft beer. If you’re not feeling too crafty, there are other traditional refreshments available at this full service bar.

“We’re just trying to keep it different,” Fierro says. And different it was, as I actually enjoyed a quality $3 dollar shot that didn’t taste poisonous. It was utterly delicious, it’s called a “Red Beret” and created like a mini cocktail constructed of special liqueurs and other carefully chosen ingredients. Fierro says that at her lounge, they like to make people face their fears, in a good way. The Black Orchid staff loves to challenge your least favorite type of liquor and create it in a cocktail that you’ll enjoy.

Cocktail connoisseurs who are well trained to give customers a first class experience readily prepare these cocktails. An infamous cocktail that will make you ask, “are you sure this is legal?” is the High Roller. I could sit and tell you the long list of ingredients, but I’ll let you try it for yourself and see why this $20 cocktail is limited one per guest. Make sure you can take the next day off though!

For those less knowledgeable about spirits, beers and such, there are cocktail classes on select Thursdays to inform interested drinkers. The Black Orchid also throws a monthly Sunday “late” brunch with a “Create Your Own Bloody Mary” menu; a DIY dream for any barfly. Craving a little excitement with your cocktail? Heated games of trivia are played every Wednesday night and are switched out from time to time with “curse word” coloring for adults. Live jazz is every Friday, and Saturdays, you can relax and sip to other types of live music. Don’t be overwhelmed by the myriad events at Black Orchid though. If you need a reminder of what’s going on, a big chalk drawn calendar takes up an entire wall of the lounge with every upcoming soirée for the month.

Something Fierro has also been having fun with is a podcast called “Inside the Drinker’s Studio” (found on SoundCloud) which educates people about all things cocktails, spirits and beer. In it she talks to other’s who enjoy a good cocktail and discusses the history of many drinks. Whether you decide to go to a class at The Black Orchid or just learn via podcast, Fierro is trying to spread awareness of the other side of the liquor and beer business. “Hey, it’s good to have a Budweiser but every now and then let’s try something different and you might love it, and if you don’t, that’s perfect, keep drinking, no judging,” she says.

This unique lounge offers El Paso an uncommon opportunity of learning AND having fun in an upscale neighborhood bar. Come have a nice conversation, appreciate the cozy atmosphere of a uniquely decorated lounge, and sip on a quality cocktail that you can really appreciate.

Written and Photographed By: Jamie Trubowitsch

Bring the garden to your tabletop and make your own beautiful terrarium in about 30 minutes. Small, open-air basins holding plants such as succulents, cacti, or moss are huge trends in home design right now. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing in any setting, but these botanical bunches are also incredibly easy to make and so low-maintenance to take care of (seriously, it would be pretty difficult for someone with the blackest of thumbs to kill one of these). You can buy a pre-made one, but making your own lets you really personalize it. Terrariums make great gifts, table centerpieces, desk decorations, and home décor. This project is a great way to channel your inner Martha Stewart—share the DIY fun and make these with your kids or invite some friends to and make a creative afternoon of it.

What You’ll Need: 

• Clear glass container with an opening (jar, vase, bowl, etc.)
• Small rocks/pebbles
• Activated charcoal (sometimes called activated carbon)
• Soil (suitable for the types of plants chosen)
• Plants (succulents, small cacti, etc.)
• Optional: decorations of your choice (moss, decorative stones, etc.)

What to Do: 

1. Thoroughly wash and dry the container you have chosen.
2. Fill the bottom (approximately one-eighth of the volume) with rocks or pebbles to help drain excess water.
3. Add enough activated charcoal to completely cover the rocks. The charcoal will help keep your terrarium fresh by preventing bacteria, fungi, and odors.
4. Fill the container one-fourth to one-third of the way full with soil, packing it down every couple of inches.
5. Make some space for your plants by digging small wells with a trowel or your fingers.
6. Take each plant out of its original pot and break off excess hard soil around the roots. If the roots are really long, you can trim them—they’ll grow back.
7. Organize and plant your plants, adding more soil as necessary.
8. Gently press the soil down around the base of each plant to keep them in place.
9. Now decorate! Add a thin layer of moss, a few decorative stones, some signs marking the types of plants, etc.
10. Care for your new garden creation by keeping it in a well-lit area and watering according to the types of plants you’ve selected.

By: Janene Rojas

We all love a great deal and in this digital age, it is so easy to find. Re-used fashion is at our fingertips now with sites and apps dedicated to reselling gently worn items that are worth an encore. As a lover of thrift shopping, I was skeptical of  “click of a mouse” fashion solutions, but this new trend has totally won me, and the rest of America, over. You don’t have to thrift and search for hours through a store full of “no’s” to finally find a “yes.” These designer dedicated sites will give you the option to search through used pieces sold to them by women just like you and I, for specific items you are looking for. They hold huge inventories of gently-used merchandise, which allows them to sell for way less than buying new.

Here are a few of the sites that have the biggest followings and best deals:

Poshmark

Poshmark is an app for those who love to see an item being worn before purchasing. It has an Instagram-like feed which shows pictures of members in the clothes that they’re selling. Something extra cool about this app is that other members can comment, like, and rate directly on the posts shown, so you can guarantee whoever you’re buying from has a following of satisfied customers already. One more cool thing about the app is that it holds “Posh Parties” which allows sellers to sell anything that fits the theme of the party. For instance there could be a “Basic Essentials” party and there you will find a wide selection of users selling basic items, or you can join the party and sell a few of your items too.  And unlike most other resale sites, you choose how much you sell items for.

The RealReal 

The RealReal is a very chic resale site that carries tons of designers. From Manolo Blahnik to Rachel Zoe, you’ll find thousands of items being resold for lower prices than you’d find buying new. Because these fancy items are all really real, prices can sometimes be really high. Luckily for us though the site offers fantastic sales. Sales start at a specific time and end at a set time (for instance, 40% off knits for two days) so you have to be quick if you have your eye on something during the sale! If you’re looking to sell, The RealReal has a pretty easy consignment process. First you sign up, and then choose between (occasionally offered) home pick up or free shipping of your items to their offices. The RealReal then decides on price, photographs your items, and sells them often in 3 days or less. You earn up to 70% of the profits, so if it’s a high ticket item, you’ll be sure to make quick cash off of this site who has sold more than 1.5 million fashion pieces so far.

Tradesy

Gucci under $300? Yes please.  Another site dedicated to reselling designer brands is Tradesy.  What makes Tradesy special though is that it has a section for brides to be, with gently used designer wedding dresses in amazing condition. Any smart bride on a budget should take a look at these gorgeous gowns, because if you can find an authentic Vera Wang wedding dress for half the price, there’s no reason to be shy, just buy! Another great thing about this site is that when selling, Tradesy only takes 9% of the sale profit when you choose to receive store credit or 11.9% when you want the cash. It’s one of the lowest percentages out there so that’s definitely a plus. Like Ebay, sales are made in a seller to buyer manner, so items are not authenticated in house. This may be the only downfall of the site, but Tradesy says they authenticate products thoroughly via pictures they receive.

Bag Borrow or Steal

Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes, Chloe, Prada, Fendi, Dior, Jimmy Choo, you name it Bag Borrow or Steal has it. The unique aspect of the site is that not only can you sell and buy on it, but you can rent luxury accessories too.  You can lease a bag that you know you’ll only wear a few times, for a period of one month. If you love it and want keep it longer, your lease will automatically renew for the second month.  I know the idea of this may raise a few eyebrows but hey, some people lease cars, other people lease Chanel, no judgment zone.

ThredUP

Out of our five resale digital boutiques, this site is the most affordable with brands such as Banana Republic, Fossil, Calvin Klein & Lucky Brand. It is suppose to target a more casual audience, but there are tons of clothes here fit for all styles. Aside from girls clothes, they have boys, handbags and maternity sections. If you’re looking to resell your items, you must first order a clean out kit from ThredUP. Once you have it, you simply pack items you no longer want into it, ship, and wait until ThredUP sends you the prices they are willing to pay for your items. They do say on their website that they are very picky and accept less than 40% of what they receive, so paying the $9.99 Return Assurance fee would be smart if you want any of your unaccepted clothes back.

By: Matthew Abraham

While most brides allow several months to carefully consider gown selection, narrow down venue options and vet potential caterers, most overlook tending to the beauty details of getting their skin in shape for the wedding day until it is often too late.

As a bridal makeup artist of over 15 years, I have seen many brides panic over skin catastrophes that appear right before their wedding day.   Most skin issues like acne or rosacea can be cleared up in four to six months with the help of a dermatologist and esthetician, so it’s important to allow plenty of time to address serious skin issues.

I always recommend that all my brides allow at least three to four months prior to the wedding to amp up their everyday skin care regimen (or finally implement one if they haven’t yet) and commit to bi-weekly trips to a facialist or weekly at-home treatments.  This will slowly correct any current skin problems and help protect and nurture the skin during the stresses that will undoubtedly arise prior to the wedding.  Twice daily use of cleansing, moisturizing and protection/treatment products that are specific to skin-type should be religiously applied to the face and neck area without fail.  In three short months this can completely transform even the dullest, dry visage to one worthy of a wedding portrait and trip down the aisle.  I’ve assembled a few of my favorites products which have helped several of my brides-to-be arrive in my makeup chair on their wedding day with their best skin ever:

Exfoliate- Beauty Bioscience Cellular Renewal Beauty Treatment ($75, hsn.com) is a two step treatment performed twice weekly using a polishing mask and an activation gel which, when combined, foam on the skin to create a warm sensation which feels much like the similar high-end spa treatments and facials that cost hundreds of dollars.  The results, particularly to the texture of the skin are amazing, as skin appears immediately brighter, firmer, smoother and more even.

Cleanse- The most critical step in any skin care routine is twice daily cleansing.  This step not only removes dirt, makeup and bacteria that accumulates on the skin, but allows the skin to be able to properly benefit from the other products and treatments applied to the skin.  Micellar water cleansers have become particularly popular as of late as many have discovered that they are gentle, simple and effective in cleansing the skin and can be used on every skin type.  Utilizing tiny micelle cleansing molecules, which float in water, these cleansers tackle and sweep away contaminants without tugging or scrubbing skin.  Simply apply a micellar water soaked cotton swab or pad across all areas of the face and neck and rinse.  Try Garnier Skin Active Micellar Cleansing Water, ($6.99, Walgreens).

Cleansing oils are also gaining popularity particularly for those with dry skin as they are simple yet effective for removing even tough eye-makeup without stripping the skin of moisture.  Many also contain high-performance ingredients that help minimize fine lines and wrinkles, boost radiance and more. Try Shu Uemura High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil Advanced Formula, ($31, shuuemura-usa.com).

Dark Circles/Puffy Undereyes – One of the most common concerns I have from brides is their dark circles and puffiness in the under eye area.  Lack of sleep, dieting and stress can contribute to this problem, making busy brides-to-be particularly prone to this problem.  Luckily there are a slew of treatment patches and under eye masks that can be applied anywhere from 20 minutes to overnight that can combat this very effectively.  First popularized in Korea (which is known for innovative beauty and skin treatments), they have caught on worldwide and are particularly popular with celebrities during award season as some claim they can tighten and virtually eliminate darkness and swelling under the eyes in as little as one use. Try Cellcosmet Cellcollagen eye masks, ($450 for five sets, saksfifthavenue.com) or Klorane Smoothing and Relaxing Patches, ($18 for seven sets, net-a-porter.com) or Earth Therapeutics Hydrogel Under-Eye Recovery Patch ($9.00, ULTA).

Moisturizing and Revitalizing Facial Cloth Masks – These cotton masks, which are usually drenched with  percent cotton mask drenches the skin with pitera’s fusion of vitamin, amino acids, minerals, and organic acids, while working to revitalize, comfort, and provide intense hydration. It immediately replenishes dehydrated skin, leaving it refreshed and cool.skin-loving ingredients such as vitam vitamin, amino acids, minerals, and organic acids,ins, minerals, peptides and amino acids, are on every brides prep list these days.  Japanese brides are known to soak daily in these for months prior to their wedding.  It’s no surprise they are gaining interest worldwide since they can provide instant intense hydration and nourishment to even the most tired skin, leaving it soothed and revitalized. Try SK-II Facial Treatment Mask ($135, Sephora) or Tony Moly Age-Defying Snail Hydro-Gel Face Mask Sheet ($9.00, Sephora).