Local Services

In the Spirit of Giving

Here are some ways to give to local food organizations this holiday season Article by Krista Minard ’Tis the season for food drives. At local events, you’ll find barrels for donations of canned foods and other nonperishables, and several organizations will hold turkey drives, most with dates and locations to be announced closer to Thanksgiving. Tip: Keep a bag of nonperishables in your car so you have a can or two ready to drop into the donation bin. Also, fundraising is part of food-relief...

Home + Design

Prep Your Home for the Holidays

A home organizer provides tips on getting ready to host Article by Krista Minard | Photography by Jacki Pabst For six years, Kristina Lewis, founder and owner of EDH-based Blitz Organization, has been helping local homeowners make their houses beautiful and functional, providing services that include decluttering, sorting, organizing, labeling, and hauling. For the holidays, when it’s crucial for a house to look fabulous and run efficiently, we asked her to share some insight. Where do you...

Shopping

Things Worth Sharing

Timeless designer handbags, personal styling, sustainability, and the art of giving fashion a new chance to shine Article by Kristy Murdoch | Photography by Jacqueline Pilar Fashion has a way of carrying stories with it. A beautifully made handbag can mark a special occasion, become part of someone’s personal style, and eventually find its way into a new chapter. We sat down with Renaissance Fine Consignment owner, Kendra Younger, to talk about the enduring appeal of designer handbags, the...

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...