Life + Culture

Confidence, Curated

LeaseTheDress is redefining luxury fashion through personalized styling, sustainability and the belief that every woman deserves to feel extraordinary. Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by LeaseTheDress When women step into LeaseTheDress, they are not greeted by endless racks of clothing or pressured into making a purchase. Instead, they begin with a conversation. Founder Mandira Curtis believes the perfect dress has less to do with trends and more to do with how someone wants to feel...

Food + Beverage

Harvest Board

A Maryland-inspired appetizer featuring roasted grapes, whipped ricotta and hot honey—perfect for crisp September evenings, wine nights and effortless entertaining. Article and Photography by Carly Mac Manus As summer gently gives way to fall, Maryland's vineyards, orchards and farmers markets begin filling with some of the season's best produce. Sweet grapes, fragrant herbs and artisan breads make the perfect foundation for an elegant appetizer that's as beautiful as it is delicious. This...

Life + Culture

AROUND TOWN

The Gentleman's Guide to Gaithersburg: Where to Shop. Groom. Dine. Play. Live Well. Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Gaithersburg City Lifestyle Who says style is just for the ladies? Looking sharp goes far beyond your wardrobe. Whether you're refreshing your business attire, scheduling a much-needed haircut, planning date night, or keeping your home looking its best, Gaithersburg offers everything today's gentleman needs. Here's your local guide to living well this season. Dress...

Travel

Pura Vida, Perfected

Why Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo Belongs on Every Luxury Traveler's Bucket List Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Carly Mac Manus, Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica There are vacations, and then there are the places that stay with you long after you've unpacked your suitcase. For me, Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica, had always been one of those destinations. Nestled between the tropical dry forest and the Pacific Ocean, the Forbes...

Travel

Behind the Birkin

An Insider’s Access to Parisian Fashion Houses Article by Catherine Norton-Valverde | Photography by Provided Paris is the undisputed capital of fashion, where luxury, craftsmanship, and history meet. In my many years of visiting this magical place, I never tire of visiting the classics. What if you could pull back the curtain and see how your favorite iconic French brands are made?… What if you could view archival pieces that have never been seen by the general public?…Come with me...

Education

Rising With Purpose

How Nora Babu Turned a Personal Health Crisis Into a Mission of Advocacy, Music and Compassion Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Kathy Donohue Babu At just 17 years old, Nora Babu is already proving that grace and grit can coexist beautifully. The Maryland teen, nonprofit founder, opera vocalist and pageant titleholder is using her platform to spotlight the people she says helped save her spirit during one of the most difficult seasons of her life: nurses. In October 2024, Babu...

Local Services

The Art of the Perfect Fit

How Silhouette Bridal & Formal Founder Farah Abazary Is Helping Women Feel Their Most Beautiful Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Farahnaz Abazary Some women remember every detail of the dress they wore on one of the biggest days of their lives. Others remember something more meaningful: how they felt wearing it. For Farah Abazary, founder of Silhouette Bridal & Formal in Gaithersburg, creating that feeling has been her life's work. Whether she is fitting a bride before her walk...

Professional Services

What The Insurance Claims Adjuster Doesn't Tell You After An Automobile Accident

After an automobile accident, one of the first people you will likely hear from is an insurance claims adjuster.The adjuster may sound friendly, professional, and helpful. Most are. However, many accident victims mistakenly believe that every adjuster involved in the claim is looking out for your interests.That is not always the case.One of the most important things to understand after an accident is that there is a significant difference between:Your Insurance Adjuster The At-Fault Driver's...

Professional Services

Caring for Every Creature

For over 30 years, Best Friends' Veterinary Hospital has been helping generations of local families keep their beloved pets healthy and happy. Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Best Friends' Veterinary Hospital What started as a small evening practice out of Dr. Hollifield's home has grown into one of Montgomery County's most trusted veterinary hospitals. While serving full-time at the National Institutes of Health and raising a young son, Dr. Hollifield began seeing patients after...

Life + Culture

From Small-Town Dreams To Big Stages

Virginia performer Nikia Lee is bringing joy to families one pup at a time Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by VSTAR Entertainment Group Long before national tours, theatrical spotlights and sold-out performances, Nikia Lee was a little girl in Buckingham, Virginia, with a dream and a room full of imagination. Growing up in what she lovingly calls "the heart of Virginia," Lee was surrounded by music from the very beginning. Creativity was not simply encouraged in her family. It was...