Features

At Home with Amanda

Please introduce yourself. My name is Amanda Steinert-Francfort (I know it’s a mouthful!), and I am the principal designer at ASF Interiors, LLC. I started the business approximately 17 years ago and moved it to Cary nine years ago, where I’ve grown it into the firm it is today. Are you active throughout the Triangle?... Read More

Behind the Seams

We caught up with three boutique owners in downtown Apex who are all about combining current trends with classic pieces to take style to the next level. These women entrepreneurs are making waves! Stop in to discover what makes their boutiques unique and start shopping for your fall must-haves! Amber Brennan, Owner of Rose &... Read More

The Pet Parade 2024

We at Wake Living love our pets, and from all the amazing photos we received for this year’s Pet Parade, we can tell you do, too! Thank you to all of our readers for taking the time to go online and submit your furry family members. Pets are so special, and we loved shining a... Read More

E-Bike Adventures

Embarking on a Triangle Adventures e-bike tour makes uncovering hidden gems and local charm an absolute breeze. Owners David and Marlo Harrington kick-started the new business — which observed its grand opening May 18 after a soft open in early March — to “highlight some of the lesser-known hotspots” in town and “share our passion of biking,... Read More
View All Features

Food + Dining

Sweet potato donut holes with sugary exterior

Sugar and Spice Sweet Potato Doughnut Holes

Did someone say fresh, warm, doughnut holes? These lovely morsels feature warm, autumn spices including allspice, cinnamon, and cardamom. And, since they are made with sweet potatoes, they’re almost healthy, right? We love making these bite-sized treats at home because we can enjoy them by the handful and not feel guilty. Now you can too!... Read More

Liquid Assets: Pub Ale

This malt-forward and full-bodied ESB (extra special bitter) showcases a classic English style with rich caramel and toffee flavors balanced by spicy, earthy undertones from noble hops. Now a Bright Penny core beer, it won the gold medal at the 2022 NC Brewers Cup with its harmonious blend of tradition and craftsmanship. About Bright Penny Brewing:... Read More
View All Food + Dining

Life + Style

Erica Chats: Go Ahead and Spoil Them!

Aren’t pets just the best? They bring an abundance of joy to our lives, reduce stress, and never leave our side when they sense we aren’t doing well. They even take on some of their owners’ personalities over the years, which can be hilarious once we realize that side-eye mimics the sass of their owner!... Read More

Erica Chats: The Triangle Ice Cream Tour

Is your family as crazy about ice cream as mine is? The Triangle area is filled with ice cream spots that have gained national recognition while delighting the palates of locals. Here are some of my top picks from all around the Triangle. And if you can’t indulge in ice cream, don’t worry. We’ve got... Read More
View All Life + Style

Home + Garden

Garden Adventurer: Peony Patience

This time of year, the poster child for patience is a potential backyard peony grower. That’s because many of the peonies now for sale come in the form of tubers, which can take a few years to mature enough to put on bodacious bloom shows in the spring. But, boy, are they worth the wait!... Read More

Garden Adventurer: Grow a Joe

Planting weeds might not seem like the best way to create a visually inspiring garden, but I do heartily endorse one snappy exception: Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium sp. aka Eupatorium sp.). This herbaceous perennial named after Joe Pye, a Colonial-era Native American medicine man, can make an impressive splash in the landscape with its size... Read More
View All Home + Garden

travel

Staunton: The Gem of the Shenandoah Valley

Staunton, Virginia — known as the Queen City of the Shenandoah Valley — can best be described as a Hallmark movie come to life. Surrounded by rolling hills and scenic farmland, this fantastically walkable town is known for its magnificently preserved architecture, idyllic main street, and proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Over the years,... Read More

Road Tripping for Success

Since 2019, my husband George and I have logged over 50,000 fun miles traversing the beautiful continental United States. We have traveled in SUVs, rental cars, a 1982 Volkswagen Westfalia, and a 2020 Dodge Ram ProMaster conversion van. Getting out on the road is life-changing; each trip has rewards and challenges. You will realize how... Read More
View All travel

On Trend

On Trend: The Sandwich Method

For a style hack that’s simple, saves time, and requires nothing more than the staples already in your closet, think sandwich. We may not be talking about an actual meal made with two slices of bread, but this is the analogy that guides the transformative Sandwich Method of dressing. The technique for building a balanced... Read More

On Trend: Fondue

Some ’70s food trends should stay in the past (looking at you, Jell-O salads), but the customizable, social experience of fondue deserves a comeback! Embracing her passion for creating incredible “Cheeseperiences,” Aya Dorsey — owner of Meat & Graze charcuterie company in Boxyard RTP — provides a relaxed retro experience we can’t wait to dip into. “For... Read More
View All On Trend