Food + Beverage

More, Please! From Rachel’s Kitchen

Rachel Mansfield serves up simple, satisfying recipes made for busy families, lives and everyday moments. Article by Bri Rooks | Photography by Lauren Volo Some of life’s most meaningful moments happen around the table. A favorite meal passed between family members, a recipe handed down through generations, or simply finding time to sit together on a busy weeknight can turn food into something much bigger than what’s on the plate. For recipe creator, entrepreneur, and mom of three Rachel...

Shopping

A Legacy Baked In

A mother-daughter business combines cookies, personalized charms and creative events while supporting children navigating grief. Article by Bri Rooks | Photography by Farheen Lodhi What started with a kitchen full of cookies and a dining room slowly transforming into a charm bar has become something much bigger for Hillary and Lola Irwin. The mother-daughter duo recently launched Cookies & Charms, a business combining two things they already loved doing: Lola’s baking and Hillary’s handmade...

Life + Culture

Big Dreams Start Right Here

From first ideas to thriving businesses, WCEC gives entrepreneurs the tools, guidance, and community connections they need to grow confidently. Article by Bri Rooks | Photography by WCEC Team Starting a business often begins with an idea. Turning that idea into something sustainable, however, brings an entirely different set of questions. How do you register a business? Do you need a business plan? How do you find funding? What should you charge? How do you market yourself, and what happens...

Arts + Culture

LOVE ALWAYS: Art With Purpose

Through LOVE ALWAYS, Jesús Núñez uses art to strengthen community. Article by Bri Rooks | Photography by Farheen Lodhi For Jesús Núñez, love is one of the few things in life that cannot be turned into something negative. A friendship can change. A relationship can disappoint. Even words associated with happiness can take on different meanings depending on our experiences. But love, Jesús believes, remains love. “Love is always love,” he says. That simple belief has grown into something much...

Home + Design

Built to Gather

Magnolia Home Remodeling designs kitchens around the way families cook, entertain and spend time together. Article by Tiffany Slowinski | Photography by Gravitude Brand Lab, Magnolia Home Remodeling Every good party eventually finds its way to the kitchen island. Someone opens a bottle of wine. Someone else offers to help but mostly stands nearby and talks. Plates fill the counter as guests drift in from the dining room. It usually starts with the food. Something is simmering on the stove...

Food + Beverage

Rooted In Family

Wedding savings grew into a family legacy that has served Chatham for nearly 50 years. Article by Bri Rooks | Photography by Gabriel Rhodes Some of the best family stories begin with a leap of faith. For Lou and Joann Napolitano, that leap came in 1978 when they invested their wedding money into opening Hickory Tree Delicatessen. With support from Steph’s grandfather, who helped purchase the business, they took a chance that would shape the Chatham community for generations. In those early...

Education

First Impressions Matter Most

Everything you need to know before meeting your significant other's family, from handshakes to dinners. Article by Bri Rooks | Photography by Farheen Lodhi As the holiday season approaches, calendars quickly fill with family dinners, festive parties, and first introductions. Whether you're meeting your significant other's family for the first time or hosting guests around your own table, etiquette expert Kristen DeSanto believes great manners aren't about perfection; they're about making...

Real Estate

Building Better Burbs Together

From Sunday Motor Co. to Dilli Dilli, David Mandelbaum brings exciting concepts to the suburbs. Article by Bri Rooks | Photography by Barbora Hindson Walk into Dilli Dilli in Millburn, and there is a story behind nearly every detail. Inspired by Old and New Delhi, the restaurant was created to be more than somewhere to sit down for a meal. Its founders envisioned an experience; one that captures the flavors, energy, and character of Delhi in a modern setting. It’s exactly the kind of place...

Food + Beverage

Where Smiles Gather and Grow

From family dreams to community impact, Sorriso serves smiles daily. Article by Bri Rooks | Photography by Fine and Fleurie Photography Many people know Sorriso Kitchen for its breakfast, brunch, and lunch favorites, from breakfast sandwiches to cinnamon roll pancakes. Voted Best Brunch in Chatham, Sorriso is also known for its warm, welcoming atmosphere. But behind every meal is a story that began long before the restaurant opened. In Italian, Sorriso means “smile,” a fitting name for a...

Style + Beauty

Beyond the Trends

Style that lasts, curated by people who know fashion best. Article by Bri Rooks | Photography by Gabriel Rhodes Jeff Lasota and Danielle Licata didn't stumble into fashion; they built their eye for it over years in the industry's biggest rooms. Before founding Curio together, Jeff held leadership roles at brands like Stella McCartney, Belstaff, and Yeezy, while Danielle ran point as president of Coterie, one of the largest fashion trade shows in the country. When the two partners launched...