Shopping

Wrapped With Love

A holiday gift guide featuring our favorite finds from local gems. Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by The Rebecca Collection, Michael Lago, Roman Jewelers, Havana Photography, K9 Resorts Shop small, shop local. From cozy comforts to timeless treasures, these picks make joyful, meaningful gifting effortless. The Rebecca Collection Room Reed Diffusers — Elegant flower diffusers that add fragrance and warmth to any space. $48 Handmade Pottery — Locally curated mugs...

Local Services

Clara Comes to Morristown

New Jersey Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” at MPAC Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by New Jersey Ballet New Jersey Ballet’s beloved “The Nutcracker” returns to Mayo Performing Arts Center from Dec. 12–27, 2025, bringing splendid dancing, eye-popping special effects and a touch of holiday magic to Morristown. Tchaikovsky’s iconic score will be performed live by New Jersey Symphony, adding symphonic sweep to a production recommended for ages 4 and older. The running time is two hours...

Home + Design

Swatch This Space

Prudente Custom Painting Helps Homeowners Choose Color With Confidence Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Prudente Custom Painting Choosing paint can feel overwhelming. Prudente Custom Painting’s approach is to simplify first, then refine. Instead of starting with a wall of chips, the team asks how a room should feel—cozy, airy, dramatic or timeless—and how it will be used. From there, they narrow choices to a focused palette that fits the home’s style, so clients aren’t picking from...

Education

The Montessori Difference

A Season of Learning and Celebration at MKU Chester Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Jillian Spencer and Hannah Restrepo As the holidays approach and families across the Somerset Hills reflect on the joy of the season, MKU Chester continues to shine as a place where learning, community and compassion come together. Founded by Ti Patel in March 2022, MKU Chester was born out of a need Patel experienced firsthand as a working parent. After moving to Far Hills, she struggled to find a...

Professional Services

Bug Off

Year-round protection from Humphreys Insect Control Article by Jacklyn Pellegrino | Photography by Michael Lago Pests don’t keep business hours — but neither does Humphreys Insect Control. For nearly four decades, the family-run company in Stirling has been the call homeowners make when something skitters in the attic or swarms under the eaves. Backed by a long-held QualityPro designation and a service model built on relationships, Humphreys blends old-school accountability with modern...

Food + Beverage

Sprinkle Joy: Holiday Sugar Cookies to Share the Cheer

A sweet family recipe perfect for gifting, snacking, and spreading holiday magic! Article and Photography by Garden State City Lifestyle The holidays are all about togetherness, laughter and a little sugar-induced happiness. Few things capture that spirit better than baking cookies, filling the house with irresistible aromas and sharing sweet treats with neighbors, friends and family. These festive sugar cookies are soft, chewy and covered in colorful sprinkles — perfect for gift-giving or...

Travel

A Cape May Christmas

Spend a magical long weekend in one of America’s top Christmas towns, just two hours from Somerset County Article by Patti Zielinski | Photography by Cape May Tourism Outside of the North Pole, there is one destination that simply lives the Christmas Spirit — and it’s in New Jersey, just a little over two hours from where you live.  Anyone who has visited the Victorian wonderland that is Cape May can understand how beautiful the historic homes embellished with intricately carved “gingerbread”...

Local Services

Feeling the Music

Immaculata teen earns a patent at 16 with a music-inspired invention for the deaf and hard of hearing Article by Lauren Lovallo | Photography by Liz Polo - Havana Photography Most teenagers can’t say they earned a patent by 16. Then again, Jack Falcone, a Martinsville resident, isn’t like most teens. The Immaculata High School student has a knack for the extraordinary, driven by a desire to make the world better. In July, Falcone was granted a U.S. patent for the Sound Glove , a wearable...

Health + Wellness

The Art of Saying No

Protecting Your Energy This Holiday Season Article by Cara Zamorski, HWC, HN The holidays sparkle with joy, connection and tradition. But behind the twinkling lights and social soirées, many of us feel a quieter undercurrent — pressure, obligation and emotional exhaustion. From endless gatherings to the stress of gift-giving, it’s easy to find yourself running on empty by mid-December. The truth is, the most meaningful holiday season doesn’t come from doing it all — it comes from showing up...

Food + Beverage

Rigatoni Bolognese, the Comfort Classic

Chef Burke’s Kind of Cozy Article and Photography by David Burke When it comes to a pasta topping, Bolognese is high on my list. I’m not alone. The sauce has become such a staple on the American dining landscape that it appears on many non-Italian menus, including mine. Red Horse by David Burke in Bernardsville and Rumson offers rigatoni Bolognese. I use rigatoni because its ridges capture the sauce and its tubular shape coats inside and out. Considered a ragù—a hearty, slow-cooked...