Features

Pay it Forward: SAFEchild

As a stay-at-home father to three children, Lue Chen, of Cary, sometimes felt overwhelmed in how best to raise them. Seeking programs to help him become a more effective parent, he found SAFEchild in 2019 and attended his first parenting program. This year, he completed a second program, Circle of Security, with the Wake County-based... Read More

The Pet Parade 2023

Could it be animal magnetism, or what about puppy love? We asked what makes your pet special, but we already knew. Big or small, canine or feline, pig or guinea pig — our critters are special because we love them. They give us good-morning kisses, take us on walks through the park, and cuddle with... Read More

Unleashing Comfort

You and your dog walk into a room, and sitting center stage is half of a Big Mac, a pile of toys, and an open jar of peanut butter. What does your dog do? Mine would probably go for the meat first, followed by the peanut butter for dessert. He would then grab a toy... Read More

Small Business Spotlight: The ZEN Succulent

If The ZEN Succulent sounds familiar, it’s no surprise — the buzz around this 100% women- and minority-owned neighborhood plant and gift shop started long before the opening of its Raleigh storefront. Owner Megan Cain founded her modern terrarium and plant craft line in 2012, opening her first brick and mortar location in the heart... Read More
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Food + Dining

Celebrated Spirits: Unicycle Pale Ale

This refreshing American-style pale ale showcases Citra hops for bittering, flavor, aroma, and dry hopping. As the name implies, Citra hops provide a strong citrus flavor and aromas of zesty grapefruit, key lime, and bright orange. One wheel, one hop — Unicycle! About Crank Arm Brewing: Crank Arm Brewing is celebrating 10 years of beer... Read More

Celebrated Spirits: Easy Peasy, Lemon Squeezy

3/4 ounce lemongrass syrup (see recipe below) 1 ½ ounce Seedlip Garden 108 Spirit-free Gin (or substitute a spirit-full Gin of your choosing!) 1/2 ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice Soda water Fresh rosemary sprig Combine lemongrass syrup, gin, and lemon juice in a shaker tin with ice. Shake and strain into a coupe glass. Top with... Read More
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Life + Style

Erica Chats: Finally Feeling Fall

Confession Time: Fall is my least favorite season. Most of my besties love fall, and odds are you do too, so don’t come for me! I’ve struggled to embrace fall because I’m obsessed with the warm weather and cute dresses of summertime. Fall fashion always felt frumpy to me. My attitude has changed over the... Read More

Less is More

For a fresh take on fall fashion, we thought it would be fun to find three unique pieces and show how each could be styled in (at least) three different ways. We love to show our clients how they can do more with less. We sourced pieces from both local and national retailers, at varying... Read More
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Home + Garden

Garden Adventurer: Beyond Purple: The Other Beautyberries

If you planted beautyberries (Callicarpa sp.) in your landscape in the last year or two, you probably now feel like a smart gardener. Why? Because, just as many summer flower shows start to fade, the berries of this deciduous bush are beginning to show their true bright colors, which helps to extend visual razzle-dazzle in... Read More

Garden Adventurer: Fall for Loose-Leaf Lettuce

Look up “July” in the dictionary, and the synonym “hot” will pop up — or, at least, it should. But even as summer reaches its full scorch, believe it or not, this month is a good time to start planting many cool-season vegetables. One of my favorite hot-planted cool-season veggies to get crankin’ now is... Read More
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travel

Down the Road: Greensboro Science Center

Craving a wildlife fix? The North Carolina Zoo isn’t the only option! Just over an hour up the road, the Greensboro Science Center (GSC) is NC’s only dually accredited AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) and AAM (American Alliance of Museums) science attraction — an honor only 14 attractions in the nation can claim. In... Read More

Beautiful Beaufort by the Sea

When searching for the best way to describe Beaufort, South Carolina, two words immediately come to mind: hauntingly beautiful. The moss that drips from the trees, the gentle sway of the salt marsh, the shafts of sunlight streaming through the canopy of live oaks above. It’s almost as if you’ve stepped into a Nicholas Sparks... Read More
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On Trend

On Trend: Hair Extensions

Short hair one day, long the next? With the rising trend of hair extensions, anything is possible! If you’re a newbie who is interested in adding some luscious locks for an event (or just for fun) you might have some pretty common concerns. Will they look natural? Are they comfortable? How long do they last?... Read More

On Trend: Edible Flowers

As it turns out, flowers aren’t just a one-trick peony — they can be enjoyed both on and off the stem, especially in food and drinks. While the concept of edible flowers is certainly trending, the practice is by no means new and has deep roots throughout history. Consumed by ancient herbalists and used by... Read More
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