Features

The 2024 Gift Guide

Seasonal shopping has never been easier. These Cary Magazine partners offer unique items with a local touch. From stocking stuffers to diamond jewelry, you’ll find it all in Western Wake. Stocking Stuffers 1. Stop by The Butcher’s Market to gift a cozy cup of coffee to start the day, plus some savory... Read More
Wrapped gifts against a green background

Tech Gifts for Your Shopping Season

“Tech” gifts can be tough to find, especially when we’re working on a budget. So it is with great delight that I provide a list of nerd-friendly options that won’t break the bank, whether you’re shopping for a loved one, colleague, or client. Happy shopping! The “Tech Kit for Taking Charge” $28–$37 Check out this... Read More

Mindful Merriment

Some people seem blessed with the ability to select the perfect gift. The rest of us know the experience of browsing As Seen on TV merchandise at the last minute while hoping inspiration strikes. Taking a mindful approach to gift selection could simplify shopping for those who struggle, while also reducing overall seasonal overwhelm. So... Read More

Let It Snow

For Rick Nordman, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. As a native Northerner and decades-long recreational snowboarder, it isn’t just the prospect of snow that fills him with glee — it’s the certainty that he can make his own. As you might expect from someone whose joy comes from creating a winter wonderland... Read More
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Food + Dining

Recipe: Cherry-Almond Holiday Biscotti

Biscotti are “twice-baked” cookies. Freshly baked loaves are cut, then the slices are baked a second time. The result is a dry, crunchy biscotto that, in its day centuries ago, was packed as a nonperishable food that was easily stored for long forays into the wilds. Today, it’s a coffee shop favorite and a worthy... Read More

Celebrated Spirits: Banana Pudding Espresso Martini

Ultimate Bloody Marys — zesty cocktails crowned with lobster tails, crab legs, grilled cheese sandwiches, filet mignon, and an array of other additions — introduced The Blind Pelican’s cocktail program to the country. The Holly Springs restaurant regularly makes close to 300 of the impressive beverages on any given Saturday. Bar manager and mixologist Josh... Read More
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Life + Style

Erica Chats: Surviving Holiday Stress

The holidays are here again! This season is filled with cheer, fancy parties, family, gifts … and stress. No matter how joyful this time of year is, the endless to-do lists and disruptions to our regular routines take their toll. Between navigating interesting family dynamics, trying to magically budget for gifts, and the pressure of... Read More

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
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Home + Garden

Garden Adventurer: The Ins and Outs of Amaryllis

The scramble to find perfect Christmas presents has begun, and for gardeners, the beautiful amaryllis (Hippeastrum sp.) is always a classic go-to gift. Whether as a bulb-in-a-box or a full-blown flowering plant, amaryllis can deliver much-needed cheer to comfort backyard growers through the winter blahs. But when its flowers fade and warming temperatures entice you... Read More

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
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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
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On Trend

On Trend: Caroling

Joy to the world — it’s caroling season! Which means that comfort, community, and celebration will once again be found in songs with themes of joy, goodwill, and togetherness. Caroling may have originated in the Middle Ages but, according to director of the American Caroling Company Jaclyn Brown, feels “both special and timeless.” “Any time... Read More

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
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