Life + Culture

Hello, Autumn

A fresh lineup of activities offers new ways to experience the season Article by Abby Burgess | Photography by WB Parks Autumn is officially here! This fall, plan to experience West Bloomfield’s changing colors while enjoying some of the flavors and experiences that make this a favorite time of year. From elegant tastings to day trips featuring local cuisine, WB Parks offers plenty of ways to enjoy the season. It’s a blend of food, nature and community that can turn an ordinary October day...

Food + Beverage

Coming Home to Nonna Maria's

A delicious tour of West Bloomfield’s local dining scene Article by R. Todd Haight For chef John Gallagher, owning Nonna Maria's isn't simply a restaurant venture. It's a homecoming nearly three decades in the making. Gallagher's family opened Maria's in the mid-1970s, naming the restaurant near Walnut Lake for his grandmother. It became a neighborhood favorite, serving pizza, pasta and other Italian-American staples – and it was where Gallagher got his start in the restaurant business as a...

Food + Beverage

The Art of Gathering

Inside Michigan’s only Fogo de Chão, a centuries-old Brazilian tradition transforms dining into an experience of discovery, hospitality and connection Article by R. Todd Haight | Photography by Simran Bajwa Dinner at Fogo de Chão arrives with a bit of theater. A gaucho chef approaches carrying a skewer of fire-roasted beef, its edges deliciously caramelized from the grill. Perhaps it is Picanha , the celebrated Brazilian Prime Top Sirloin recognizable by its distinctive fat cap and curved...

Food + Beverage

The New Coffee Culture

From neighborhood hangouts to globally inspired brews, discover new places to slow down and savor the cup Article by R. Todd Haight Coffee used to be about convenience, right? Grab a cup, get the caffeine, get on with the day. Not anymore. Across West Bloomfield and nearby communities, coffee has become an experience all its own. Independent cafés and local roasters are putting craftsmanship back into the cup, introducing globally inspired flavors, creating beautiful spaces and giving us...

Home + Design

Legacy By Design

Thoughtful interior design, lasting relationships and a legacy that continues to shape beautiful homes. Article by R. Todd Haight | Photography by Simran Bajwa For nearly three decades, Michael Rowley watched his wife do what seemed impossible. Darla Rowley could walk into an empty space, study it for a few moments and envision a room that didn't exist yet. She didn't need sketches. She didn't need computer renderings. She could simply picture it – the furniture, the colors, the flow of the...

Beauty

Dressed for Life

The art of personal styling begins with confidence, self-discovery and dressing for the life you live today. Article by Margaret Meyer Haight | Photography by Liliya Tsytser Photography Most women have experienced it. Standing in front of a closet full of clothes with that discouraging feeling that there’s nothing to wear. Not for lack of choices, but because somewhere along the way, life changed and the woman in the mirror changed with it. Maybe it was motherhood, a changing body or an empty...

Style + Beauty

Fall With Impact: Ladies Style Edit

Beyond beautiful interiors, discover the fall favorites of these stylish women Article by Margaret Meyer Haight | Photography by Simran Bajwa I think we can all agree that Michigan summers are pretty spectacular. Sunshine, dinners on the patio, weekends at the lake.  But to be honest, somewhere around the end of August, I’m looking forward to fall. The colors always remind me that fashion is art. I'm loving unexpected pairings like army green with dusty pink and espresso with smoke blue...

Life + Culture

Beauty and the Bees

The sweetest inspiration arrives on tiny buzzing wings Article by Margaret Meyer Haight | Photography by Sabrina Raso Vaughan When I first met West Bloomfield interior designer Sabrina Raso Vaughan, I was immediately struck by her natural beauty and style. Then came this unexpected twist: She is also an exotic honeybee farmer in Brazil, focused on ecosystem preservation and native bee pollination. Called Mel Santa Cecília, her family’s artisanal Brazilian native stingless bee farm features...

Auto + Marine

How to Protect Your Car Paint in Troy MI

Quick Answer: Troy, MI's harsh winters, road salt, and UV exposure make paint protection essential. The top five methods are regular washing and waxing, paint protection film (PPF), ceramic coating, proper parking and storage, and preventative maintenance. Each layer of protection helps preserve your car's value, appearance, and longevity.If you own a car in Troy, Michigan, you already know the climate doesn't go easy on vehicles. Frigid winters, heavy road salt, spring UV exposure, and...

Local Services

Happy Dog, Happy Home

The Dog Wizard shares the magic behind a well-trained dog Article by R. Todd Haight | Photography by Simran Bajwa Bringing home a new dog comes with dreams of long walks, family adventures and a loyal companion waiting at the door. Shredded pillows, stolen steaks and nonstop barking? Not so much. That's where The Dog Wizard Dog & Obedience Training comes in. "We don't just train dogs," says owner Tim Siedlaczek. "We transform relationships." After more than three decades in the pet...