Food + Beverage

A Little Slice of Wonder

From buttercream bows to unexpected flavors, Lindsay Strickland creates cakes that become part of the celebration Article by Blair Moore | Photography by Mary Fehr Tiny frogs peek out from the frosting. One cake is crowned with a miniature cake of its own. Others are finished with buttercream bows, vintage piping, and delicate ruffles. While other kids were watching cartoons, Lindsay Strickland was watching HGTV. She loved The Carol Duvall Show , spent her allowance painting plaster...

Home + Design

Sleep, Play, Slay

Leigh Misso's philosophy on building homes that handle muddy paws, homework, and everyday life without sacrificing an ounce of style Photography by Laurey Glenn As the owner and lead designer of River Brook Design & Construction, Leigh Misso has designed countless spaces for kids – and pets – that prove elevated design and family life can coexist. With three young children and a dog of her own, her personal life directly informs her professional one — every design decision filtered through the...

Arts + Culture

The Day I Felt Like a Kid Again

How a customized creative retreat with artist Carrie Pittman Hill helped me reconnect with childlike joy Article by Blair Moore | Photography by Ashley Walker May nearly broke me this year. Between end-of-year awards, last-minute costume days, and two children moving on to new schools, I was a wreck—in complete sensory overload and often on the brink of tears. Something about rushing everywhere while trying to savor every sweet moment left me in a state no hot bubble bath could fix. That’s when...

Arts + Culture

Ready to Rock

Iron City Revival is a five-piece band of fresh talent Article by Denise K. James | Photography by Black Elm Photography It’s a Wednesday afternoon in early summer, and Birmingham’s brightest musicians are gathered to talk – and play – rock n roll. The energy among the kids is palpable. Ranging in age from 11 to 14, they’ve been in tune since meeting one year ago as students of Birmingham’s Mason Music, where each one signed up for Rock Band League. The program groups kids around the same age...

Education

What School is Actually For

A conversation with Claire Vaughn on iPhones, AI, mental health, and what thriving kids have in common Article and Photography by You attended Advent from pre-K through 8th grade. How has Advent changed, and how has it remained the same since your time as a student? What specific memories stand out? What’s remained constant is a culture of high expectations held together with genuine belief in kids. That duality—we expect a lot of you, and we believe in you—was true when I was a student...

Beauty

Why We Are Rethinking Dermal Fillers

Why We Are Rethinking Dermal Fillers: A Shift Toward Natural Facial RejuvenationBy Dr. Grady Core, MD, FACSCore Plastic Surgery | Birmingham, AlabamaIn aesthetic medicine, our understanding of cosmetic treatments constantly evolves. For years, synthetic dermal fillers have served as a quick, non-surgical solution for restoring lost facial volume. However, as our clinical experience deepens, we are learning that synthetic fillers are not entirely benign—and in certain delicate areas of the face...

Shopping

Why July Is the Smartest Time to Start Your Kitchen Remodel

While spring often gets the spotlight for home improvement projects, mid-summer offers several advantages that can make the remodeling process smoother and less stressful.Whether you're dreaming of a modern entertaining space, a more functional layout, or simply replacing outdated fixtures, getting started now can help ensure your kitchen is ready to enjoy by the time fall arrives.Plan Ahead for the Season You'll Use It MostAs summer winds down, calendars quickly fill with football watch...

Arts + Culture

Fine is a Figment

Rebecca Egeland has never written a song she didn't live first Article by Kali McNutt | Photography by Liesa Cole In Birmingham’s independent music scene, authenticity still matters — and Rebecca Egeland has built her music around exactly that. Her songs are not manufactured stories or carefully polished fiction. They are lived experiences: grief, joy, longing, healing, memory, and the quiet work of learning how to keep going. Ahead of the July 10 release of her new six-song EP, Fine is a...

Arts + Culture

A Republic, If You Can Keep It

As America marks 250 years of independence, the American Village reminds us that freedom depends upon an informed and engaged citizenry Article by Val Crofts As America, Alabama, and the American Village get ready for the celebration of the semiquincentennial (250th) birthday of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, it is a perfect time to reflect on the Declaration's meaning and to learn more about it and those who wrote it. The Declaration was more than just a statement of rebellion...

Home + Design

Laid Back Luxe

Interior designer Laurin White and architect Matthew Costanzo create an elegant, light-filled home on Lake Martin Article by Alice Welsh Doyle | Photography by C.W. Newell “Our goal was to make this lake house more than a getaway, but rather somewhere ethereal, beautiful, comfortable, and seasonless,” says interior designer Laurin White of Cambridge Row. “We avoided anything too trendy or lake specific and focused on authentic materials with lasting appeal instead.” Laurin was teamed up with...