Life + Culture

In Sync Style

Roy and Angel Keitt Inspire through Fashion, Faith and Partnership Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Whitney Ray Photography In Aiken, Roy and Angel Keitt have become known as the city’s unofficial king and queen of fashion. Their coordinated outfits regularly turn heads at community events, but their signature style represents something much deeper than perfectly matched colors. It reflects a marriage built on intention, faith and genuine partnership. For this year’s style issue, we...

Home + Design

Rooted in Aiken

How a Families Investment in Aiken is Redefining Luxury Equestrian Living in the Carolinas Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Whitney Ray For Nadine Dorrington, Aiken was never meant to be a passing stop. After years of traveling and building a life in Michigan, she and her husband made a deliberate choice to start over somewhere that felt different, somewhere that felt right. What they found in Aiken was more than a destination. It was a place worth investing in fully. “We did it big...

Fitness

Strength in Every Season

The Singers are Inspiring Aiken to Pursue Strength and Wellness Article by Jessica Crandall Lawrence | Photography by Whitney Ray When Mary Ruth Singer agreed to accompany a friend to an Orangetheory Fitness class, she expected little more than a mundane workout. Instead, she discovered an entirely new rhythm for her life. “I went that day, and then I signed up that day,” Mary Ruth recalls. “I just fell in love with it.” Her quick decision surprised her husband, Scott. Mary Ruth, he jokes...

Life + Culture

Authentically Autumn in Aiken

Downtown Aiken’s Boutiques Showcase the Season’s Most Stylish Fall Fashion Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Whitney Ray Style in Aiken is as unique as the people who call it home. For our Style Issue, Aiken City Lifestyle gathered several downtown boutique owners to showcase some of their favorite fall looks, celebrating the season with fashion, friendship and a love for local business. Set against the charming backdrop of Solo Vino and The Backyard on Horry Street SE, the photoshoot...

Travel

The Best of Both Worlds

Belize's Blackbird Caye Resort Delivered Adventure for Me and Relaxation for My Husband Article and Photography by Gayle Bryan Our nest is officially empty unless you count the granddogs. It took some getting used to, but one unexpected perk has been a little extra disposable income and the freedom to spend it on experiences we enjoy. In recent years, we've chosen to invest much of that in travel. Since we're both still working, we look for destinations that are easy to reach and can be fully...

Style + Beauty

More than Makeup

How Shelby Ann is Redefining Confidence in Women Everywhere Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Catherine Pullan They say never meet your heroes, but sometimes you do, and they turn out to be exactly who you hoped they would be. For thousands of women scrolling TikTok searching for a little confidence, Shelby Ann Bell has become an unlikely friend on the other side of the screen. Makeup brush in one hand and an affordable concealer in the other, she has transformed the beauty industry...

Fitness

Building Tomorrow Together

Helping Shape Aiken’s Future Through Innovation, Education and Opportunity Together Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Whitney Ray For generations, Aiken has been known for its Southern charm, equestrian heritage and close-knit community. Today, another story is quietly unfolding, one that has the potential to influence the region for decades to come. The Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative, known as the AMC, on the USC Aiken campus represents far more than a new building. It is an...

Life + Culture

Paws in the Gardens

Local dogs and their Owners Shine during a Special Hopelands Photoshoot Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Whitney Ray Few things capture the spirit of Aiken quite like a morning spent with dogs and their people at Hopelands Gardens. For a recent Aiken City Lifestyle photoshoot, we gathered a wonderful group of canine companions and their owners for a celebration of the four-legged friends who bring so much joy to our community. From tiny lap dogs to large breeds, every pup arrived...

Arts + Culture

Built to Move

How Burns Dance Studio Continues Shaping Dancers, Confidence and Community in Aiken Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Whitney Ray For more than four decades, Burns Dance Studio has been woven into the rhythm of Aiken. What began in 1987 with Corey Burns’ mother, Rhoda Burns, a gifted instructor who saw a need for dance instruction in her new hometown, has grown into one of the area’s most recognized names in performing arts. After teaching for 7 years at a large dance studio in Sumter...

Finance + Legal Services

Protecting Their Tomorrow

Estate Planning Attorney Anna Ritger’s Shares How Families Can Safeguard their Children's Future Article by Jessica Crandall Lawrence | Photography by Whitney Ray No parent enjoys imagining a future where they are no longer there to care for their children. Yet according to estate planning attorney Anna Rittgers, preparing for the unexpected is one of the greatest gifts a parent can provide.  "It’s not fun to think about," says Rittgers, co-owner of Rittgers Law Firm in Aiken with her husband...