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Features
2025 Holiday Gift Guide
Gifts She’ll Swoon Over
1. Effortless style comes easily with cheeky apparel and accessories from Villa 19. Salute your own favorite daughters and sisters with gifts that cheer them on.
2. Consider art she can wear by North Carolina textile and mixed media artists from Cocoon Gallery. One-of-a-kind works showcase unique materials, techniques, and craftsmanship.
... Read More
Redefining Midlife
The midlife years should be a time of opportunity in a woman’s life: The kids have launched, the puppy trained, and the ladder climbed. Instead of feeling energized for new challenges, many women in midlife — loosely between ages 45 and 55 — feel drained, anxious, and “off.”
Jamie Gallagher experienced those same complaints as... Read More
Festive Wine Guide
Vivid personalities tend to come on even stronger during holiday gatherings. Perhaps it’s an overbearing mother-in-law (not mine, of course), a kooky great aunt, or a know-it-all cousin. Whatever quirky personalities surround your holiday table, there’s a wine to satisfy every palate.
Instead of suggesting bottles based on a holiday menu, I’ve called on more... Read More
Food & Dining
Restaurant Spotlight: Lucci Blue’s
It’s a Wednesday evening in the Varina business district, and a warm, inviting new café is filled with guests sipping wine, munching on charcuterie, and conversing with one another in what has quickly become one of the town’s most vibrant communal hubs.
Lucci Blue’s Social Cafe & Deli represents the fulfillment of a vision by... Read More
Dig In & Drink Up: Artisan Truffles
With more than 60 specialty flavors, it’s not possible to keep them all stocked in the chocolate case year-round, says Joana Whittingham, who owns Fera’wyn’s Artisan Chocolates with her husband, David. Cycling in seasonal flavors keeps guests of the chocolatier, bakery, and coffee shop excited to see what’s new.
Featured fall and holiday flavors include... Read More
Now & Next
See & Do: November to December 2025
Fuquay-Varina First Fridays November 7 December 5 5–9 P.M.
Take to the streets of Downtown Fuquay on the first Friday of each month to enjoy dancing, live music, local shopping, and a thriving arts scene. On November 7, 8 Count Country and Stick Boy Bread Co. host a swing and line dance event. December 5... Read More
Tricks & Treats
It’s the season of frights, ghost stories, and trick-or-treating. Make the most of it with these events. Haunted Trail October 18, 5-6 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Carroll Howard Johnson Environmental Education Park
Bring the whole family for a daytime walk through a themed trail with costumed characters from 5-7 p.m. Feeling more daring? Choose... Read More
Life & Style
Meet & Greet: Bryden McCormick
A Fuquay resident, business owner, and father of four, Bryden McCormick noticed a need for event space and local family fun — then drew up the plans to fill it.
Inspiration: When I was a kid growing up, my dad, who was a dentist, bought and sold his office five times. I lived in 13... Read More
Things Folks Say During the Holidays
I was originally going to title this “Things Fuquay Folks Say During the Holidays,” but I just knew Holly Springs would have beef that I left them out, so see this as my attempt at inclusivity, or whatever. I also chose the word “folks” because I’m forever floored by how often North Carolinians use this... Read More
Home & Garden
A Retreat for Two + Friends
A one-room transformation, that’s all the Holly Springs homeowners sought — until they started working with Amanda Steinert-Francfort of ASF Interiors. Under Steinert-Francfort’s expert hand, their project turned into a refresh for the new home’s entire first floor.
The clients wanted unique design elements to reflect their individual styles, and to upgrade construction-grade lighting and... Read More
Fresh Statement
Homeowners Jennifer and Leo Young love statement-making details, including antique furniture, grand staircases, and Tudor architecture. They also love open living, indoor/outdoor spaces, and quiet luxury, so the couple partnered with Spotted Interior Design to refresh an outdated home in Cary.
“We immediately saw great bones,” says Jennifer. “And it’s an extremely convenient location. We... Read More
Travel
The Art of Restoration
“It felt … not alive to me,” says Lynn Bregman Blass about the painting leaning at her feet. Before Helene, the canvas had hung on the psychotherapist and mixed media artist’s studio wall. After the disaster, which she admits “is informing my work,” Lynn verbalizes a feeling palpable in Asheville’s River Arts District: loss.
By... Read More
NC Festivals Worth the Drive
In a state full of so much bounty — unique landscapes, robust agriculture, and rich traditions — there are many reasons to celebrate. If you plan to tour NC this year, check out these signature events for a taste of local culture and family fun.
Asheville Fringe Arts Festival March 16–23 Asheville
Multi-day, multi-venue... Read More
