Food + Beverage

On the Rise

An El Dorado County-based micro bakery turns out delicious breads and other goodies made with wild yeast Article by Krista Minard | Photography by Provided Real bread for real people—that’s the motto behind Sister Loaves, a micro bakery founded by El Dorado Hills native Karen Wells, who gathered inspiration from her mother’s sourdough baking. Wells makes breads and other baked goods using wild yeast/sourdough; all are naturally leavened. She created the starter (dubbed Jacob, the Party Boy) in...

Food + Beverage

Foodie Getaway in the Bay

It’s an easy drive to Marin County, where the air is fresh, and restaurants and markets abound with a plethora of delicious dishes and ingredients Article and Photography by Krista Minard What is it about Bay Area food? We’ve got lots of great restaurants, grocery stores, specialty shops, and farmers markets here in our region, but a trip to the Bay always hits the spot in a new way. Head for a spot that’s relatively easy to access (no bridge crossings required!): Marin. It’s home to a line of...

Food + Beverage

More Than Pizza

The Kaur family shares what happens when you mix a family dream, a passion for pizza, and a little hometown hospitality Article by Kristy Murdoch | Photography by Charlene Taylor For Mandy and Raj Kaur, Formaggio Pizza Express is about much more than making a great pie. What started as a quiet “someday” became a reality when, together with their brother Paul, they combined their complementary strengths to open a local pizzeria in EDH Town Center. At the heart of the leap was a desire to honor...

Food + Beverage

Let's Do Coffee

Local coffeehouses serve up basic drip, pour-overs, and espresso concoctions—plus some remarkable pastries—for the most discerning palates Article and Photography by Krista Minard Coffee—so necessary for some to start the day, and a ready excuse to get together and talk, each person clutching their own preferred drink. The foothills community has a number of spots with a wide variety of coffee (and tea) choices, many with pastry cases to entice a bit of sin, and some with breakfast and lunch...

Food + Beverage

Fall Comfort Food

Entertaining has never been easier with these simple, delicious recipes sure to please a crowd Article by Recipes by Lauren Lane Culinarian | Photography by Janie Jones There’s something special about food that makes us gather together and savor the moment. For culinarian Lauren Lane, that connection is at the heart of everything she creates. A distinguished culinary influencer, Lauren channels her creativity into collaborations with select brands, developing original recipes, captivating...

Local Services

Care for Your Wardrobe

Experts at Fresh Cleaners in Town Center can help keep clothing favorites clean, pressed, and lasting as long as possible Article by Krista Minard | Photography by Charlene Taylor of Charm Photography Nothing wrecks a stylish outfit faster than stains, odors, or shapelessness brought on by incorrect upkeep. Whether your closet is full of designer dresses, high-wrinkle linens, or fast-fashion T-shirts, you want your clothes to hold up. At Fresh Cleaners in Town Center, owner Ana Salmanyan...

Home + Design

Inspired by Italy

What Italian architecture, design, and hospitality can teach us about beautiful living Article and Photography by Kristy Murdoch Italy has long been celebrated as one of the fashion capitals of the world, home to iconic luxury brands. But some of the country’s greatest design inspiration isn’t found on the runway. It’s found in its homes, villages, piazzas, and centuries-old architecture. Italy’s true beauty lies in the details: the craftsmanship, the natural materials, and the intentional way...

Arts + Culture

Collecting Home Artwork

The local artists association helps art lovers know what to buy Article by Krista Minard | Photography by Various Judy Arrigotti, painter and gourd artist, is founder and president of the El Dorado Hills Arts Association, which today includes 160 artists as members. The EDHAA is made up of painters, sculptors, illustrators, photographers, mixed media artists, and others. With a mission to enhance the quality of life (through art) in El Dorado Hills and surrounding communities, the association...

Style + Beauty

Style in Focus

A collaborative fashion shoot captures vintage style and creative freedom Article and Photography by Jacqueline Pilar Some of the most rewarding projects begin without a deadline or a client—just a shared vision and the space to have fun creating. On a warm afternoon in Folsom, that spirit brought a talented group of women together for a vintage-inspired outdoor fashion shoot celebrating style, collaboration, and the beauty of the golden hour. Photographer Jacqueline Pilar shares her...

Entertainment

Close Encounters of the Safe Kind

Meet and greets with animals delight the young—and the young at heart Article by Krista Minard | Photography by Various As summer winds down and the kids look toward getting back to school, one last-gasp outing for families could involve some furred (and feathered) friends. Several farms and organizations in the region provide ample opportunity to safely spend time with animals—admiring up close and sometimes petting and feeding. Here are a few local spots for animal encounters. Jollity Farm...