Wellness

It Takes a Village

Birmingham’s TumTum Tree Foundation connects the community to kids Article by Denise K. James | Photography by Provided In the Lewis Carroll poem “Jabberwocky,” the TumTum tree is a place of refuge. It’s also a fitting name for a nonprofit which affords children opportunities in this otherwise challenging world.  The history of Birmingham’s TumTum Tree Foundation goes back 35 years. At the time, it was known as Magic Moments for its beneficiary nonprofit – and was renamed in 2005 to highlight...

Life + Culture

Preparing a Table

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church feeds spiritual and physical hunger Article by Reverend Rich Webster It’s not a newsflash to say we live in a time of change. Our world feels different. But even in a disorienting world, hope is always possible, and I have my own story about hope.  I lead a church that has become “somewhere” for lots of people, though not in the way you might think. From that first bottle of hand sanitizer during the pandemic, I knew change was no option. I don’t mean changing our...

Beauty

The Art of Aging Gracefully

Dr. Elizabeth Adams' revolutionary approach Article by Blair Moore | Photography by Ambre Amari On her drive home from residency 15 years ago, Dr. Elizabeth Adams had a realization: she could unite her medical expertise and creative passion through the art of aesthetics. Driven by a fascination with the aging process and a desire to help women age with confidence, Dr. Adams has become one of Birmingham’s most sought-after aesthetics experts. Over the years, Dr. Adams has championed a more...

Beauty

Loving Yourself Well Changes Everything

Article by Kerri Bunn I’m no stranger to the beauty industry and the world of self-care. As an aesthetician and studio owner, I know that some women excel at self-care while others treat it like committing a crime. Is self-care selfish? I think not. Here are three reasons why: #1 It changes your mood! Self-care is one of the best practices for giving yourself a dopamine boost. For some, self-care is a solo shopping date at a favorite department store. For others, self-care is a latte at a...

Arts + Culture

A Birmingham Bookshelf

Alabama Booksmith's curated reading list fosters local love, pride, and understanding Article by Jake Reiss | Photography by Clay Morrison From the Ground Up: Birmingham's Business History, A Legacy of Giving by Lynn Edge and Greg Womble offers a close-up, behind-the-scenes view of the pioneering families and businesses who founded the hard-scrabble town in 1872 and helped turn it into The Magic City. Many current corporations and charitable organizations are also featured, making this...

Life + Culture

Pouring In

Article by Kali McNutt | Photography by Ambre Amari There's a palpable sense of warmth when you walk into Cala Coffee in Cahaba Heights. A welcoming, upbeat spirit fills the former warehouse space that is almost always filled to the brim with patrons.  Josh and Mel Cosio, the dynamic couple behind Cala, have intentionally crafted everything, from the brand identity to the customer experience to the ingredients in every specialty latte.  The Cosio’s journey to owning a coffee business started...

Entertainment

Magic in the City

Noalani Helmandottar knows the trick to make you laugh Article by Denise K. James | Photography by Dawn Gagye - 81 Shop Noalani Helmandottar has always been a funny girl. The Pinson native grew up interested in comedy and theater and even trained as a professional clown. But a magical new path soon revealed itself.  It all started when Noalani was hanging out with a friend who happens to be a magician, watching him perform a trick. Always ready for laughs, Noalani started making fun of the...

Arts + Culture

Van Go Go Go

With house paint, humble materials, and gusto, Kyle Rogers makes his mark Article by Kali McNutt | Photography by Mary Fehr “I was traveling 300 days a year for work. I was on a plane so much. I thought, ‘Man, I gotta get a life,’ so I started drawing on my iPad during those plane rides,” Kyle Rogers explains. At first, it was political satire–he’d spent decades as a lobbyist in the D.C. swamp, which provided ample, rich subject matter. During one of his frequent business trips to New...

Health + Wellness

A Willing Donor

Article by Mara Hamner From the start, I said I’d do it. He didn’t want me to, but I said, “Shut up. I’m doing it.”  We had known for years this was coming. My husband BJ’s kidneys were damaged from long-term uncontrolled high blood pressure, and they’d been limping along for a while as his nephrologist kept an eye on his blood levels. We learned that stage four kidney failure is something you can live with for a long time, and we also knew it could turn into stage five on a dime. Stage five...

Wellness

Seeking in Sedona

Article by Kali McNutt | Photography by Provided Do you need to hit rock bottom to book the trip? And do you need to “heal” if you aren’t that broken?  These were just some of the questions I asked myself upon arrival for my solo retreat, aka “Soul Adventure,” among the red rocks of Sedona. It was a trip–a timeout–strongly suggested by my inner circle. Burnout, overwhelm, perimenopause, the “ick.” Whatever you call it, I had it, and maybe a last-minute sojourn to Sedona would be the magic...