Hays, TX February 2026

HEALING FROM THE INSIDE OUT WITH DR. LAUREN HUTSON

HOME + DESIGN

HEART AND HOME FEATURING REBECCA FRANCHIONE

THE SECRET POWER OF A SMILE

By Ashley Strickland, DDS

There’s a quiet kind of magic in a smile. It’s one of the simplest gestures we make, yet it has an outsized effect on our bodies, our brains, and even the people around us. Long before words, humans used smiles to signal safety, connection, and warmth. Today, we still do. But what’s most fascinating is what happens inside us the moment we lift the corners of our mouth.

The Psychology Behind a Smile

When you smile—whether spontaneously or intentionally—your brain releases a cascade of feelgood chemicals, including dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin. These are the same neurotransmitters associated with reduced stress and boosted mood. In other words, your brain doesn’t wait to confirm whether your smile is “real” or not; the simple act of smiling sends the message: I’m okay. Things are good.

And because humans are highly attuned to facial expressions, your smile doesn’t just change your own biology, it changes the environment around you. Studies show that people naturally mirror each other’s expressions, meaning your smile often sparks someone else’s, creating a small but meaningful ripple effect of positivity.

The Physiology: Why It Feels Good to Smile

Smiling activates tiny muscles in the face that signal the brain to relax. Heart rate slows slightly. Breathing deepens. Stress hormones dip. Your body interprets the gesture as a moment of calm, which is why even a brief smile can shift your entire emotional state. Over time, people who smile more often experience benefits like lower perceived stress, increased approachability, and a greater sense of social

connection—all of which contribute to overall wellbeing.

Where Your Smile Meets Your Health

Because smiling is such a powerful biological tool, it makes sense that feeling confident about your smile can influence how often you use it. Healthy teeth and gums aren’t just about checking a box on your medical chart; they support comfort, function, and selfexpression.

Cosmetic dentistry fits into this picture not as a pursuit of perfection, but as a way to help people feel more at ease sharing the smile they already have. Sometimes that means brightening stained teeth that have dulled over time. Sometimes it’s reshaping a chipped edge or aligning a tooth that’s always bothered you. And often, it simply means restoring health—because gums that don’t feel tender, and teeth that feel strong and stable, naturally encourage more frequent, comfortable smiling.

Smiling as Self-Care

If you think of a smile as a tool for your emotional and physical wellbeing, then taking care of it becomes a form of self-care. Keeping regular cleanings, addressing issues early, and making small improvements that help you feel more confident aren’t indulgences—they’re choices that support your whole-body health.

Your smile is one of the most personal things about you. It’s also one of the most generous. When you share it, you change the way you feel—and you change the way others feel, too. That’s a kind of power worth protecting and celebrating.

WHY LOCAL STILL MATTERS

Hays County is growing quickly—but growth only works when it stays connected to community.

Hays City Lifestyle launched because I saw something missing... and I believe local matters, especially in seasons of change. As Kyle, Buda, Wimberley, and the surrounding areas continue to grow, there was a clear opportunity to help connect the people building here with the people who already call this place home.

Every day, I meet business owners opening second locations, service providers who have grown alongside generations of families, and neighbors who care deeply about the communities they serve. These are the people shaping Hays County—not just through what they do, but through how they show up.

To me, living local is about relationships. It’s about supporting the businesses that know our neighborhoods, invest in our schools and causes, and reinvest right back into the community. These connections are the glue that holds a growing area together. It is the heart of the community.

Hays City Lifestyle exists to tell those stories and strengthen those connections, to celebrate the people behind the businesses, and to help growth feel personal, intentional, and rooted in community. Our mission is simple: to connect neighbors, businesses, and community stories so growth in Hays County feels like home for everyone.

JILL KING, PUBLISHER @HAYSCITYLIFESTYLE

February 2026

PUBLISHER

Jill King | Jill.King@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Iris Castro | iris.castro@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ashley Brown, Jill King

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Lillian Gibbs

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas

Proverbs 3:5-6

Jill King HAYS CITY LIFESTYLE PUBLISHER

1626 Construction 1626CONSTRUCTION.COM

Austin Medicine Clinic AUSTINMEDICINECLINIC.COM

Buda Dental BUDADENTAL.COM

Buda Mill and Grain BUDAMILLANDGRAIN.COM

Haus Collective HAUSCOLLECTIVEINTERIORS.COM

Hays Home Team | Keller Williams HAYSHOMETEAM.KW.COM

J S Electric JSELECTRIC.COM

King Inc. KING.INC

LZ Electric LZELECTRICALSERVICES.COM

Meridian MERIDIANBUDA.COM

Nest Mortgaging NESTMORTGAGING.COM

Oh My Soul Photography V OHMYSOULPHOTOGRAPHY

Proof Liquor & Deli PROOFLIQUORANDDELI.COM

Saint Montogren’s Florist SAINTMONTOGREN.COM

Salon One 12 SALONONE12.COM

The Simmons Group Insurance Services GOSIMMONSINSURANCE.COM

Splendid Aesthetics SPLENDIDAESTHETICS.COM

Taste on Main TASTEONMAIN.COM

Zoi Medicinals ZOIWELL.COM

Grand OpeningLocal Automotive

Brad Hullum, owner of Local Automotive, said the shop will be entirely locally owned and operated, providing a wide range of services from oil changes and engine repairs to tire rotations, alignments, brake work, electrical repairs as well as all services will be covered with a 24,000-mile warranty covering both parts and labor.

Hullum brings extensive industry experience as he previously owned Reliable Automotive, which he sold in 2020.

The Entrepreneur PlayBook

E3 Wealth recently released “The Entrepreneur Playbook: Cracking the (IRS) Code to Unlock Proven Strategies to Build Wealth and Save Taxes.”  Written for business owners, highnet-worth individuals, and wealth accumulators who want to rethink how they want to approach taxes, savings, and long-term strategy.  E3 Wealth is now located in Buda, TX with a brand new beautiful building.

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Haus Collective Grand Opening

Heather Boggess of Haus Collective Interiors celebrated the grand opening of her design studio with an elegant evening featuring charcuterie, custom cocktails, and a showcase of her portfolio and local artisans. Her full-service design studio, located in Dripping Springs, TX, is a must-see— schedule an appointment to explore the stunning space and kick off your New Year’s home projects.

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Because We Just Don’t Build, We Care...

From remodels to new builds, 1626 Construction delivers quality craftsmanship, clear communication, and results you can trust.

Family-run construction company in Central Texas delivering kitchen & bathroom remodels, custom builds, and outdoor living spaces

At 1626 Construction, we specialize in kitchen and bathroom remodels, new

From sleek, modern kitchens to spa-like bathrooms, we handle every detail of your remodel. Our team ensures functional layouts, high-quality finishes, and a stress-free process creating spaces that are as practical as they are beautiful.

builds, and outdoor spaces across Central Texas. Whatever your vision, our team delivers skilled workmanship, honest pricing, and a seamless process, turning your ideas into spaces you’ll love for years to come

Concierge Healthcare You Deserve

At Austin Medicine, we believe modern healthcare should be personal, proactive, and accessible. Our concierge model offers a comprehensive range of services tailored to your unique health needs—whenever and wherever you need us. From routine checkups to functional medicine and anti-aging support to healthy weight loss, your well-being is at the heart of everything we do.

www.austinmedicineclinic.com 737.400.6010 13341 Hwy 290 W Ste 251

We look forward to partnering with you on your health and wellness journey!

Set your schedule. Make an impact. Build a life you’re proud of.

Behind each of our 200+ City Lifestyle magazines is someone who cares deeply about their community.

Someone who connects people, celebrates businesses, and shares the stories that matter most. What if that someone was you?

Or maybe it’s someone you know. If this isn’t the right time for you, but you know someone who could be the perfect fit, we’d love an introduction. Your

Healing From the Inside Out

Dr. Lauren Hutson’s Mission to Transform Healthcare

Many of us have experienced the frustration of living day after day not feeling our best, searching for answers that seem just out of reach. Whether it’s a physical ailment that’s never quite resolved or a mental/mood struggle that doctors can’t seem to connect to the source, the experience can leave us feeling isolated and hopeless. Dr. Lauren Hutson is working fiercely to alleviate that frustration by empowering people to optimize their health, beginning with prevention. As the founder of Austin Medicine and a dedicated concierge doctor, she’s on a mission to rewrite the story of healthcare, one patient at a time.

“My goal is to provide an idealized healthcare experience for each person. We all need a little something different at different stages in our lives,” she says. “In our practice, we try to become your healthcare guide for life, not just for a sick visit.”

Her mission is inspired by personal experience. Growing up, Lauren witnessed friends and family members suffer from preventable diseases, some even passing from them. This sparked her desire to understand what caused people to get sick, and more importantly, how they could stay healthy. While in medical school, Lauren supported her mother through her brave battle with breast cancer, which included a double mastectomy and multiple

ARTICLE BY ASHLEY BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY BY IRIS CASTRO

complications. Dr. Hutson believes that her mom’s recovery was in large part due to her decision to adopt a healthier lifestyle—eating clean, prioritizing organic foods, embracing more fiber in her diet, and choosing whole food options.

A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Hutson earned her degree in Neuroscience and Biology from The University of Texas at Austin and completed her residence at Baylor Scott and White, Texas A&M, focusing on management of acute and chronic disease. It’s this combination of scientific expertise, real-life experience, and an unwavering commitment to learning that informs the holistic approach she practices to help change the lives of her patients.

“Throughout my childhood, I was always active, immersed in sports and physical activities. However, the concept of eating healthy didn’t hold the same significance back then as it does today,” says Dr. Huston. “Despite my active lifestyle, I struggled with various digestive issues, which made me acutely aware of how

vital proper nutrition is to overall well-being.” Her perspective on how this awareness could be applied to medicine was profoundly changed by her experience with a patient early on. “After conducting a few tests and meticulously adjusting her diet, she experienced a remarkable transformation. Years of fatigue and persistent skin issues were alleviated, all thanks to the deliberate changes she made in her eating habits. Witnessing her recovery reinforced my belief in the profound connection between diet and health.”

The growing awareness of gut health is not just a passing trend, but a key insight that is revolutionizing modern medicine, particularly when it comes to prevention. Our gut, she explains, plays a pivotal role in everything from immune function to our

mental state. “The gut has an ongoing connection with the brain, starting from infancy. It affects many of our daily functions, either positively or negatively,” she says.

Recognizing the crucial role gut health plays in our lives, Dr. Hutson recently published her book, The Good Gut Blueprint: Prescription for Healing from the Inside Out. In this accessible guide, she explains how healing the gut is the most important and effective first step to addressing many (mental and physical) health issues. “It’s a succinct read and has action items that anyone can follow,” says Dr. Huston. For example, she offers four simple tips that anyone can adopt into their lifestyle to increase microbial diversity—a key element of a healthy gut: eat the rainbow, eat fermented foods, limit processed foods, and get outside. The book even provides recipes and weekly meal plans, offering not only the science behind the gut-mind-body connection, but these real-life things we can do in response to understanding the science.

While Dr. Hutson’s book serves as a great starting point, there’s no denying the value of personalized care. At Austin Medical, new patient visits are up to an hour long, allowing for a deep dive into a person’s history, sleep, lifestyle, infections, trauma, stress routines, and exercise. “Without the insight to a person’s day to day it would be a hard press to know how to help them,” she says. “You have to meet people where they are to really give them the best chance of feeling better. Our practice gives the patient a different outcome than what they are typically used to. Most patients that end up in my clinic have been brushed off or told they are fine without really knowing how to truly get better.”

Dr. Hutson’s commitment to individualized care is not just a professional approach—it’s a personal calling. In addition to general care, she also works with patients on personalized strategies for aging well, weight management, and mind-body wellness. With family roots in the Texas Hill Country going back almost a century, Dr. Hutson now raises her own family in Austin, a city she believes is ripe with potential to live a healthy life. “Austin is a place where people can truly become the healthiest versions of themselves,” she says. “At our practice, patients find hope. They find a place where they are not dismissed but are seen and heard, a place to truly heal. You are not a number here, you are family.”

In a world where the healthcare system often leaves us feeling unheard and frustrated, Dr. Hutson offers a different path: one of personalized care, understanding of our bodies, lasting healing, and a renewed sense of hope.

ARTICLE BY JILL KING

Five of My Favorite Things

THINGS THAT MAKE LIFE BEAUTIFUL

After traveling through Sicily and Italy, I fell in love with Prosecco. There’s something about the bubbles and sunshine that makes every moment feel celebratory.

From blue jeans to my new La Cornue oven, blue is my go-to color. It’s calming, classic, and a color I love living around.

I was a songwriter and musician back in the day, playing the Austin scene, Kerrville, and folk clubs. Some favorites include Emmylou Harris, Terry Allen, Nanci Griffith, and Willie Nelson. Nothing feeds the soul like live music.

As a photoshoot and home stylist, I’m drawn to beautiful blooms. Favorites include white and blush Ranunculus, potted white Amaryllis at the holidays, blue thistle, and of course, Phalaenopsis orchids. Flowers bring life and texture to any space.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming is a favorite getaway. Summer or winter, we love cycling, skiing, and fly fishing. The Tetons are breathtaking and a reminder to slow down and enjoy life’s adventures.

For nearly two decades, Salon One 12 has blended luxury with heart. Intentional details, warm hospitality, and elevated talent that keeps our community glowing. As we step into 2026, we honor our legacy while creating beauty with purpose. Experience confidence, connection, and timeless glam crafted by the Glam Squad. At the One 12, we listen, then guide you on hair journey, curating a signature hair care regimen. Come on over and have a seat.

Let's start your hair journey today!

Salonone12.com

302 S. Mainstreet #102, Buda, Tx

A Handmade Date Night

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

Make

From-Scratch

Pasta

what you need

Yield: 1 pound

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

what you do

1. Mound the flour in the center of a work surface with a well in the middle. Crack the eggs into the well and beat with a fork until smooth, then work flour into eggs with the fork. Use a bench scraper to work in the rest of the flour a little at a time. When the flour is incorporated, form the dough with your hands into a rounded mass for kneading. Lightly dust your workspace with flour and knead dough about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Cover dough with a bowl or plastic wrap and rest 1 1/2 hours, or chill overnight.

2. To roll by hand, flour a clean work surface. Vigorously roll dough to a very thin circle and roll constantly with even pressure as it stretches for several minutes until as thin as possible, almost translucent.

3. To cut by hand, lightly fold sheets one at a time into thirds and cut to desired thickness. Recipe from MarthaStewart.com .

Lavender Bath Salt Blend

what you need

16 ounces Bokek Dead Sea Salt

20 drops lavender essential oil

what you do

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

Dark Chocolate Truffles

what you need

1/2 cup heavy cream

8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup cocoa powder, for dusting

what you do

1. Bring the cream to just a simmer in a saucepan over low heat. Pour the cream over the chocolate in a bowl and let stand about 10 minutes to melt the chocolate. Add the vanilla, stir until smooth and set aside to cool for 1 hour at room temperature.

2. Beat chocolate at medium speed until thick and light-colored. Spread over the bottom of a baking dish, smooth and refrigerate 2 hours until firm.

3. Pour cocoa powder onto a deep plate or shallow bowl, and using a melon baller or small ice cream scoop, scoop out balls of chocolate. Roll in cocoa powder until coated and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Recipe from FoodNetwork.com

HEART AND HOME

A Wimberley resident with a background that spans college football towns, charity, and now national television, Rebecca Franchione’s path into design and renovation wasn’t conventional. It began not with a vision board or a business plan, but with a deeply personal experience five years ago: renovating her childhood home so her father could safely remain there after a fall. She transformed a sunroom into a full bathroom and reworked the entire home for mobility and safety. She didn’t study design or construction; her experience had only been in improving the

“I realized there was something powerful about helping people stay in their homes and creating spaces that give people comfort, dignity, and sanctuary.”

homes her family lived in as they moved all over the country for her ex-husband’s job as a college football coach.

“It was just instinctive for me,” says Franchione. “And when my father came home from skilled rehab, I saw the joy on his face and tears in his eyes. I realized there was something powerful about helping people stay in their homes and creating spaces that give people comfort, dignity, and sanctuary.” That instinct — equal parts heart, talent, and vision — now defines Franchione’s work across the Texas Hill Country and beyond.

After settling in Wimberley in 2020, Franchione partnered with friend and

neighbor Kristy Etheredge and builder and family friend, Roy Salinas, to flip their first property: a cat-overrun home that required excessive cleaning (think ozone machines) before even getting started. It wasn’t glamorous but it was a success. Franchione quickly became a flipping expert, took on new builds, and starred in a design-forward renovation show on A&E.

Over the course of a year, Franchione completed an astonishing 18 homes, including 10 filmed in just five months for the show — all while serving as designer, project manager, and creative lead. Each property was purchased with the help of her trusted realtors Jessica and Janessa

Tomberlin, renovated, and sold for a healthy profit.

Her design approach is intuitive and contextual. Rather than imposing a signature style, she thinks it’s important to capture a home’s roots and environment. A river house calls for something different than a mid-century modern in San Antonio or a cabin in the woods. She sketches ideas by hand — “kindergarten drawings,” she jokes — and designs from her head, not AI.

Despite the whirlwind pace of her work and family life and on-camera demands, Franchione has remained grounded in what matters most to her: giving back. Before design ever entered the picture,

“Hays County is the heartbeat of Texas,” she says. “The people, the food, the rivers — it’s magic.”

this mother of three spent years building Angel Tree programs, founding school food initiatives, and co-creating Hays Hope To Go, a backpack food program now serving thousands of students. She’s a longtime supporter of the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center — a resource for women and children leaving domestic violence situations. And she and “Officer” Tommy Norman recently co-created Alyssa’s Magical Christmas, a charity event in Arkansas that served more than 100 families.

It’s no surprise that her future plans blend renovation with giving. Franchione is currently in early development on new TV concepts, including a show centered on flipping and gifting homes to single mothers — a mission close to her heart as a recently divorced mom herself. Rebecca and her family have always been comfortable in front of the camera, having acted in three Super Bowl commercials, so it’s gratifying to have her home transformations captured on film with these TV opportunities.

Though her schedule leaves little room for private design clients, Franchione happily shares her local resources — from Habitat for Humanity ReStores to local slab yards, outlets, and contractors. “I don’t gatekeep,” she says. And her encouraging advice to any of us considering dipping our toe in the world of flipping? “Dive in! There’s enormous opportunity in Hays County.”

For Franchione, success isn’t measured in profits or fame. It’s measured in personal connections and uplifting homes through thoughtful design — creating spaces that serve as a sanctuary. In her own home, that sanctuary is a beloved velvet couch she bought for her bedroom after her divorce. And she has no plans to let go of her home in Wimberley. “Hays County is the heartbeat of Texas,” she says. “The people, the food, the rivers — it’s magic.”

If the future unfolds as she hopes, that magic is only just beginning.

A SALAD REC IPE TO LOV E

A GORGEOUS, FRESH AND SIMPLE DISH

PEAR, PROSCIUTTO,

Burrata Salad

INGREDIENTS

• Ripe Pear

• Prosciutto

• Burrata

• Lemon Zest

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• Dried Figs

• Red Pepper Flakes

DIRECTIONS

1. Slice the ripe pear into thin slices.

2. Arrange pear slices on a plate, creating a base for the salad.

3. Nestle slices of prosciutto in-between pear slices, a perfect combo of sweet and savory.

4. Tear the burrata into bite-sized pieces and scatter them over the salad adding a velvety creaminess to the ensemble.

5. Grate fresh lemon zest over the entire salad, infusing it with citrus flavor.

6. Top with fresh basil, figs and pepper flakes.

7. Finish by generously drizzling extra virgin olive oil over the salad, creating a silky texture that ties it all together.

Nest. Invest. Build Your Legacy.

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

EVERY SUNDAY

Budaful Farmers' Market

City Park Pavilion, 204 San Antonio, Buda, TX 78610 | 10:00 AM

Every week, Budaful Farmers’ Market brings together 60+ vendors every Sunday from 10am-2pm.  Come out and support these local vendors.

FEBRUARY 7TH - 28TH EVERY SATURDAY

Walk-in Pottery Painting for All Ages

Inspired Minds Art Center, 121 N Main St, Buda TX 78610 | 1:00 PM

This is the perfect opportunity to create meaningful moments with friends, family, teams, clubs, and colleagues. Celebrate any occasion with an experience that inspires connection and leave with a beautifully crafted, functional keepsake to remember it by.  A memorable experience, designed for all ages and abilities.

FEBRUARY 8TH

Martian Culture

Zelicks 336 W. Hopkins St. San Marcos, TX 78666 | 8:00 PM

Martian Culture is a celebration of all things San Marcos. This event will feature live painters and artists, live DJ, special performances, original artwork, prints and hand crafted goods. 21+ 8:00pm.

FEBRUARY 8TH

Wimberley Coffee & Cars

Blanco Brew, 14200 RR-12, Wimberley, TX 78676 | 8:00 AM

Bring your hot rod, muscle car, sports car, exotic, classic truck, or any unique ride and put it on display! Enjoy awesome cars, good vibes, and great coffee from Blanco Brew.  Free to attend.  8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

FEBRUARY 13TH

Movie in the Park

La Verde Park, 3901 Burnham, Kyle, TX | 6:00 PM

Enjoy a romantic night under the stars filled with music and movie magic at Movies in the Park, presented by the City of Kyle Parks and Recreation Department. February’s feature film, La La Land (PG-13), will be shown on Friday, February 13 at La Verde Park.

FEBRUARY 28TH

Master Naturalist Led Bird Walk

Lake Kensington Nature Park, 2400 Dacy Lane, Kyle, TX 78640 | 8:00 AM

Join us for a peaceful morning Bird Walk along Cool Springs Trail. This slow-paced walk is perfect for all experience levels, including seniors and those with limited mobility. Learn to use binoculars, identify local and migrating birds, and enjoy nature at a relaxed pace. Limited binoculars available.

Proof Liquor & Deli recently marked a decade of serving the Hays County community with a spirited Halloween celebration to remember. Guests sampled local favorites like Treaty Oak

Distilling, struck poses in a 360° photobooth, and took advantage of Proof’s new rewards program. Owners John and Rebecca Hatch, dressed as Morticia and Gomez Addams, celebrated two years at the helm. Here’s to ten more years of great drinks and sandwiches at Proof!