Home + Design

Rooted in Tradition, Designed for Today

Kelley Appliance Blends Family Legacy with Modern Furnishings to Serve Aiken with Style and Heart Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Gayle Bryan Stepping into Kelley Appliance and Home Store in Aiken feels like entering a warm, welcoming home designed with thoughtful attention and genuine care. Founded as a branch of a third-generation, family-owned business, Kelley Appliance first opened its doors in Martinez, Georgia, back in 1962. In 2018, Seth Duncan, alongside his partners Zach and...

Life + Culture

Lisa Anne Tindal

Soulful Brush Strokes from Aiken’s Quiet Corners Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy The very best interviews aren’t really interviews at all but a kinder, quieter communion of hearts. That truth revealed itself to me a few weeks ago over breakfast at La Parisienne, seated across from Aiken artist Lisa Anne Tindal. Our table carried two steaming chai lattes and two decadent strawberry-cream cheese croissants, the sweetness a gentle accompaniment to a conversation that...

Health + Wellness

Family First

The Heartbeat of Aiken’s Beloved Family Pharmacy Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy Walk into Family Pharmacy, and you’re immediately greeted with something you don’t find everywhere: a warm smile, a familiar face and maybe even a wagging tail. Locally owned and deeply rooted in Aiken, this pharmacy is more than a place to pick up prescriptions; it’s a place where patients become family. Owned by Aiken natives Brandi and Stuart Johnson, Family Pharmacy is a true labor of...

Home + Design

A Timeless Touch: The Journey of Lambertson Truex

From New York Runways to Hitchcock Woods, Designer John Truex Brings Timeless Elegance and Quiet Luxury to Aiken’s Style Scene. Article by Jessica Lawrence | Photography by Rebecca Judy For luxury handbag designer John Truex, creativity began with a gift—a single leather hide given to him by a friend while studying at the University of Cincinnati. That hide became his first handcrafted bag and marked the beginning of a journey spanning nearly four decades in the fashion industry. Truex’s...

Life + Culture

Pawsitively Picture-Perfect Pups

Celebrating Aiken’s Four-Legged Locals and Their Playful Personalities in Downtown Aiken Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy Aiken is known for its Southern charm, vibrant downtown and, perhaps most of all, its love for dogs. With so many dog-friendly shops, restaurants and hangout spots, it only made sense for Aiken City Lifestyle Magazine to celebrate our town’s best four-legged friends with a special photoshoot on Newberry Street. We invited Aiken locals to come downtown...

Life + Culture

Hope Has a Home

Leesville Sanctuary Provides Compassionate Care, Healing and Hope for Rescued Pigs Facing Difficult Circumstances Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy Cotton Branch Sanctuary, a haven for pigs since 2004, is nestled on a tranquil 20-acre property in Leesville, South Carolina. Operated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Cotton Branch offers refuge to pigs rescued from challenging and often heartbreaking situations. My recent visit to the sanctuary left a lasting...

Life + Culture

Spreading Kindness One Shirt at a Time

Meet 14-Year-Old Entrepreneur Maycie Moore Article by Jessica Lawrence | Photography by Megan Hutchins Photography At just 14 years old, Maycie Moore is already a successful entrepreneur with a heart for spreading positivity. Her business, MM Creations, sells custom shirts and crew necks featuring uplifting Bible verses and kindness quotes. Maycie’s journey began in the fifth grade when she participated in Augusta’s Arts in the Heart festival, where kids could be vendors for free. “I fell in...

Health + Wellness

Good Dental Habits Start Early

Tips for Healthy Smiles and Stress-Free Visits for Every Child Article by Ashley Elvis | Photography by Rebecca Judy Dr. Thom at Kitfox Pediatric Dentistry gave Aiken City Lifestyle some great tips and tricks for kids’ dental health.   When should a child’s first dental appointment be? By the time your child is one year old or within 6 months of the first tooth erupting. Early involvement with a pediatric dentist is important!    What should parents be doing at home with babies and...

Local Services

Home to Home

Giving Pets a Softer Landing in Tough Times Article by Nikita Hanif When life changes suddenly, rehoming a beloved pet can feel like an impossible decision. That’s why Ellen Priest, a dedicated board member of Friends of the Animal Shelter (FOTAS), runs the Home to Home program from her own home, offering a compassionate alternative to surrendering pets to the Aiken County Animal Shelter. “The shelter isn’t a good environment for family pets,” Priest shared. “It’s loud, stressful and...

Life + Culture

Aiken’s Rising Stars

Celebrating Aiken’s Young Talent in Music and Visual Arts Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy Aiken is brimming with creative energy thanks in part to young artists like Sandi King, Jonathan Blankenship and Savannah Bundy. These talented artists have found a place to nurture their passions at the Aiken Center for the Arts, an inspiring space that encourages young creatives to explore and grow. Seventeen-year-old Sandi King is no stranger to music. Born and raised in Aiken...