Food + Beverage

A Spoonful of Comfort

Rethinking chowder—and turning chili into a creamy crowd-pleaser Article by Chef David Burke | Photography by Chef David Burke, Shelley Clark Most people think of chowder in terms of clam, fish or corn. That gives short shrift to a broader category of soup defined by its hearty, chunky character—often thick and creamy, though not always. Consider tomato-based Manhattan clam chowder, which is relatively light compared with the robust creaminess of the New England version. What truly defines...

Home + Design

Built on Care

Kitchen Tune-Up and Bath Tune-Up of Bloomfield is redefining the remodeling experience across Essex County Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Kitchen Tune-Up and Bath Tune-Up of Bloomfield For Takia Livingston, home remodeling has always been about more than cabinets and countertops. It is about care, intention and creating an experience homeowners can trust—from the first conversation through the final walk-through. That philosophy is at the heart of Kitchen Tune-Up and Bath Tune-Up...

Travel

Out of Office, On the Move

A carry-on–ready guide to travel essentials that make every journey smoother Article and Photography by Nicholas Xavier Hall For frequent travelers, reliable—and stylish—gear can make all the difference. Living in North Jersey comes with an enviable advantage: easy access to major airports. Newark Liberty International Airport remains a favorite for its convenience, though opinions may vary. Add LaGuardia and JFK to the mix, and Garden State travelers have no shortage of options for quick...

Home + Design

The Home of Bright Ideas

Inside Thomas Edison National Historical Park, where innovation—and New Jersey history—still lives Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Rich Silivanch Along Main Street in West Orange, a series of brick buildings stand quietly behind iron gates and courtyards, their modest exteriors offering little hint of the groundbreaking work once carried out inside. This is Thomas Edison National Historical Park, a place where invention was industrialized, collaboration became innovation and ideas...

Home + Design

Refreshing Your Home, Sustainably

Spring design trends that bring balance, warmth and new energy indoors Article and Photography by Camryn Fontana If you are constantly looking for ways to upgrade and improve your living space, small, intentional changes can often deliver the most meaningful results. As New Jersey homeowners balance busy schedules, changing seasons and a wide range of housing styles—from historic colonials to modern new builds—design trends for 2026 emphasize thoughtful living over excess. With a growing focus...

Health + Wellness

Sleep Apnea, Brain Health, and the Cost of Silence

Why New Jersey residents should stop ignoring the sleep crisis in their own homes Article and Photography by Hilary Russo For thousands of New Jersey residents, exhaustion has become a way of life. Long commutes, high-pressure careers and always-on family schedules leave many running on empty—often without realizing that poor sleep is quietly undermining their long-term health. What looks like simple fatigue can be something far more serious: untreated sleep disorders that raise the risk of...

Wellness

Her Heart, Her Story

For women, heart disease is often silent. Four New Jersey survivors share why listening sooner can save a life Article and Photography by Hilary Russo When I first pitched the idea of writing a story about women’s heart health, I planned to feature one woman who had experienced a cardiac-related event. Once I made it public that I was looking for a survivor willing to share her story, the floodgates opened. Suddenly, sharing a single journey during American Heart Month no longer felt...

Local Services

Table to Table

Delivering Fresh Food, Hope and Humanity Across North Jersey Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Table to Table In northern New Jersey, where food insecurity touches every community and billions of pounds of edible food go to waste each year, Table to Table has built a mission rooted in compassion and efficiency. The nonprofit rescues fresh, perishable food and delivers it—free of charge—to neighbors who need it most. For Executive Director Heather Thompson, the work is both urgent...

Fitness

Hometown Game Day

Garden State City Lifestyle Brings Community Spirit to Rutgers–Penn State Season Finale Tailgate Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Tom Solymosi There’s nothing quite like Big Ten football—the roar of the crowd, the river of school colors, the crackle of energy that builds long before kickoff. On a freezing November afternoon, Garden State City Lifestyle turns the Rutgers vs. Penn State tailgate into one of the warmest, loudest and most memorable spots in the Scarlet Lot. Call it...

Food + Beverage

Friendship Bread, Reimagined

A Beloved Girl Scout Recipe to Share This Valentine’s Season Article by Carly Mac Manus There are some recipes that stay with you—handwritten on index cards, tucked inside family cookbooks, or passed between friends at school or troop meetings. For me, one of those treasured heirlooms is Friendship Bread , a sweet, comforting loaf I first made in Girl Scouts and somehow still have the original recipe for today. This month, as we celebrate love in all its forms—romantic, neighborly, and the...