Features

New Approaches to Looking Good and Feeling Great

While many people will kick off the new year with resolutions to eat better and exercise more, a growing number of folks will be partaking in more unconventional ways to improve their health and wellness: complementary and alternative medicine (“complementary” meaning the approach is used together with conventional medicine, and “alternative” meaning it is used... Read More

Disc Golf Takes Root, Sprouts in Wake County

When the pandemic hit and restrictions shut down most of the places that people gathered, the woods, hills, and open spaces of disc golf courses — disguised as some of the best nature trails — became the perfect escape. After snagging a disc, or 10, and grabbing some friends, those seeking an escape from Zoom... Read More

Small Business Spotlight: Aradia Fitness Triangle

Aradia Fitness Triangle, the first pole dancing fitness center in NC, has been serving the Triangle area since owner Dakota Fox’s mother first opened the studio in 2007. Fox, who had originally helped her mother with the website and marketing, transitioned into a manager role by 2010 and purchased the business in 2012. “During this... Read More
View All Features

Food + Dining

Dry, but Not Parched

First there was Dry January. Then came Sober October. Cute names aside, the trend toward less alcohol continues to advance with no signs of slowing. Indeed, it might not even be a trend at all, but rather a permanent pivot by the American drinking public — and local bars and restaurants are taking note. An... Read More

BB’s Crispy Chicken

It's not every day a James Beard Award-winning chef helps create a fast-casual fried chicken restaurant. But leave it to the ever-inventive Ashley Christensen to pull off the unexpected. As a highly regarded restaurateur and proprietor of AC Restaurants, a hospitality group that operates Poole’s Diner, Beasley’s Chicken + Honey, Death & Taxes, Poole’side Pies,... Read More
View All Food + Dining

Life + Style

Erica Chats: Is 2023 the Year You Start to Live Your Authentic Life?

Have you gotten to the point where you’ve said, “I’m done people-pleasing; I want to be me”? Or do you feel stuck in a world of trying to be perfect for others? You keep up with everyone except yourself. Let this be the year you live authentically and find your true joy. Start saying “no”... Read More

New Arrivals

Left: Ruffled Midi Dress, $52. Medium Twisted Hoop Earrings, $21. White Howlite Bracelet Stack of 3, $18. Mules, $38. Center: Blue and white maxi dress, $98. Initial Decor necklace, $54. Initial Decor earrings, $24. Right: Embroidered top, $47.99. High-rise flare jeans, $69.99. Rattan earrings, $24.

There’s a new shopping... Read More
View All Life + Style

Home + Garden

Garden Adventurer: Agalonema Aglow

As winter weather chills the desire to work outside in the yard, many gardeners turn their attentions to the pleasures of houseplants. And one particular pretty that always catches my eye at this time of year is agalonema (Agalonema sp.), which is often referred to as Chinese evergreen. I prefer to use “agalonema” rather than... Read More

Garden Adventurer: Color Your Indoor World with Calathea

As cooling temperatures begin to creep into the garden, backyard growers are turning inward — as in inside — for horticulture pleasures by way of houseplants, but so many can be so-so when it comes to eye-catching looks. Not so with calathea. Calathea (Calathea sp.) is also known as the prayer plant, but it has... Read More
View All Home + Garden

travel

Down the Road: Sylvan Heights Bird Park

Entering the Sylvan Heights Bird Park means walking into a world where pink flamingos eat out of your hand, parakeets perch on your shoulders, and a scarlet ibis flies by an arm’s distance away. The park, in Scotland Neck, NC, boasts the world’s largest waterfowl collection and the second largest bird collection in the US.... Read More

Clayton: The Foodie’s Tour

You may not think of Clayton as an epicurean destination, but passionate local business owners are out to change your mind with their energy, creativity, and Clayton’s downtown charm. Crawford Cookshop Fans of Raleigh restaurants Crawford & Son and Jolie will delight in exploring a new establishment by award-winning chef Scott Crawford, but might also... Read More
View All travel

On Trend

On Trend: The Healing Power of Mushrooms

Amy Fox began her love of mushrooms in 2014 when she visited a farmers market at Lake Gaston. She recalled them being served on special occasions when she was a child because they were expensive. Then she realized, “These are in the woods — and they’re free!” From there, Fox set out on a journey... Read More

On Trend: Local Holiday Flair

It's official — due to seemingly endless supply chain issues, 2022 is the year of buying small and local! Small Business Saturday falls on November 26 this year, the perfect opportunity to hunt for locally made, unique holiday decor in lieu of mass-produced, homogenized items at large retail chains. In addition to providing originality and... Read More
View All On Trend