Food + Beverage

Gathered With Grace

Gracious creates elevated experiences through delicious food and warm hospitality Article by Terry Schuster | Photography by Katy Rowe Photography On a balmy Saturday in July, the Villa Terrace Museum and Gardens came alive with dinner, dancing, and celebration as it hosted its biennial summer fundraiser, Sopra Mare La Sera. Set against the sweeping backdrop of Lake Michigan, the evening featured a lakeside dinner, dancing and auctions, all in support of the museum’s preservation efforts. At...

Food + Beverage

Beyond the Tasting Room

How to plan a wine trip worth traveling for Article by Jillian Gibas, founder, JLJ Travel | Photography by Provided You have a vision for your trip: vineyard views, intimate tastings and long lunches. But turning that vision into an actual itinerary can be overwhelming. Where should you stay? Which wineries should you visit? How will you get around? And how much needs to be booked in advance? A well-designed wine trip brings all of those pieces together. The goal isn’t simply to visit great...

Food + Beverage

A Different Kind of Field

From Brookfield to the NFL, Joe Thomas returns to Wisconsin roots to build a legacy Article by Erin Treder | Photography by Abbie Miller/Provided While the football field may have made Joe Thomas famous, these days, he’s focused on a very different kind of field. The NFL Hall of Famer and former Wisconsin Badger is now at the helm of Hall of Fame Beef, a company headquartered in the Driftless Region west of Madison.  Farming may seem like a far cry from professional football. But in some...

Food + Beverage

Mindful Meals

Made from scratch choices offer healthy alternatives to fast food Article by Terry Schuster | Photography by Provided For Mark Jasso, healthy food should never feel like a punishment. As the owner of Mark’s Mindful Meals, Jasso is on a mission to prove that eating well can be satisfying and convenient. “Healthy food doesn’t have to taste bad,” he says. “I want to give people options that don’t push them away from healthy food.” Jasso prepares made-from-scratch meals using whole...

Home + Design

Weaving Lifestyles

Shabahang Rug Gallery offers a blend of old-world traditions, contemporary charm Article by Terry Schuster | Photography by Abbie Miller For Bruce Shabahang, every rug has a story waiting to be discovered. Step inside Shabahang Rug Gallery in Waukesha, and it quickly becomes clear why the fourth-generation owner describes the two-story showroom as an art gallery rather than simply a retail store. Thousands of handwoven rugs line the walls and floors, each representing months or even years of...

Food + Beverage

Toss, Sip, Savor

Enjoy the bright flavors of late summer with a Mediterranean-inspired salad and citrusy limoncello spritz. Article by Erin Treder | Photography by Abbie Miller When Brookfield City Lifestyle publisher Jessica Opat served this Mediterranean orzo salad at a recent gathering, it quickly became the recipe everyone was asking about. Fresh, colorful, and packed with bright Mediterranean flavors, it was an instant crowd favorite—and she knew we had to share it with our readers. Our team paired it...

Shopping

Timeless Jewelry Returns

Craig Husar shares how global influences shape jewelry trends. Article by Craig Husar, Chief Romance Officer | Photography by Abbie Miller Standing along the shores of Lake Como, Italy, it’s impossible not to feel inspired. The light dances across the water, historic villas rise from the hillsides, and everywhere you look there is elegance. Italy has always been a global center of fashion and design, and during my recent visit, I was reminded how much the romance of travel influences the...

Fitness

Less Can Deliver More

How shorter, smarter workouts can help you build strength, recover better, and see lasting results Article by Mike Koplin, MaxStrength Fitness Waukesha | Photography by Rachel Malehorn For decades, we’ve been sold the same message: If you want better health, you need to exercise more. More days. More miles. More classes. More sweat. More pain. The fitness industry has convinced us that if an hour is good, two hours must be better. But what if one of the biggest myths in health is that more...

Health + Wellness

The Healing Power of Oxygen

Discover how hyperbaric oxygen therapy supports healing, recovery, and wellness Article by Erin Treder | Photography by Abbie Miller It was Maureen Soltwedel's passion for healthcare that led her to open MD Hyperbaric, a hyperbaric oxygen therapy clinic, in Wauwatosa this past January. After spending 25 years working on the corporate side of healthcare, Soltwedel was looking for a change. "I loved healthcare, but the corporate side of healthcare is not the same thing," she says.  After...

Food + Beverage

You're Invited

Event OverviewEvent: An exclusive, free community mixer hosted by Floor Coverings International of Waukesha, Brookfield City Lifestyle Magazine, Graze Craze, and V Private Bar Services.Date and Time: Thursday, September 17, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.Location: Floor Coverings International Showroom, N15W22218 Watertown Rd, Waukesha, WI 53186.Event HighlightsGourmet Bites: Guests can enjoy charcuterie, including meats and cheeses, provided by Graze Craze.Professional Pours: V Private Bar Services...