Arts + Culture

Grit and Grace

In her own words, local entrepreneur shares how giving back is simply good business Article by Cheryl Arafat Philanthropy isn’t separate from business for me, it’s a natural extension of it. Cleaning homes is really about caring for people, so giving back has always been easy. We look for ways to support those who serve others or are facing difficult times. We love participating in Cleaning for a Reason, where individuals undergoing cancer treatment can receive two months of free home...

Style + Beauty

Luxury, On Her Terms

Building her empire with intention and grace, leading boldly and creating a lasting legacy Article by Margaret Meyer Haight | Photography by Darrel Ellis A look behind the seams with local high fashion expert Madonna Arabo. WEST BLOOMFIELD CITY LIFESTYLE: Every luxury brand begins with a point of view. What first drew you to the world of fashion, ultimately inspiring the creation of your business, Scarlett’s Leather and Furs? Madonna Arabo: Growing up, fashion was part of who we were...

Entertainment

Where Music Lives

Audrey Ray writes in the language of feeling – soft, sincere and impossible to ignore Article by Todd Haight | Photography by Simran Bajwa Some songs don’t start with melody. They begin with a feeling you can’t quite name. For Audrey Ray, music often arrives that way, from memories that refuse to dissolve. “I always go to music at defining moments of my life,” she says. “After a sad experience or heartbreak, I write it down. I know I can translate it into a song.” That instinct makes sense...

Health + Wellness

The Power of Light

How I discovered pain relief and better skin through infrared and targeted light therapy Article by Margaret Meyer Haight | Photography by Simran Bajwa What if feeling better didn’t require a complete lifestyle overhaul? Just an hour to yourself a few times a week? That’s the question I had when I stepped inside beem Light Sauna, now open in West Bloomfield. I had heard about infrared sauna and red light therapy, but like many people, I wasn’t exactly sure what “light therapy” meant or...

Health + Wellness

The Smile Architect

Dr. David Kam and his team are redefining what it means to feel truly cared for — one smile at a time. Article by Susan Thwing | Photography by Simran Bajwa For David Kam, DDS, dentistry has always been about more than clinical skill. It’s about trust, relationships and treating people the way you would want to be treated yourself. That philosophy has guided him for more than three decades and shaped the growth of Lifetime Dental (lifetimedentalgroup.com), now serving patients with locations...

Finance + Legal Services

Planning With Purpose

How Chuck Vercellone can help you build the life you’ve envisioned. Article by Susan Thwing | Photography by Simran Bajwa When Chuck Vercellone talks about financial planning, it’s never just about the numbers. The longtime Troy-based financial advisor, owner of Wealth Strategies (wsgllc.net) and an Investment Advisor Representative with Osaic Advisory Services, believes that true financial wellness comes from clarity, purpose and relationships built on trust. “I don’t want to be looked...

Fitness

The 401(K) of Fitness

Inside the West Bloomfield gym that trains for longevity. Article by Susan Thwing When Ryan Kurrle talks about fitness, he rarely frames it as a short-term goal. “It’s definitely an investment,” he says. “We all invest in 401(k)s and retirement accounts. But if we don’t keep muscle mass on our bodies and keep ourselves mobile, we’re not going to be able to enjoy any of that later.” Kurrle and his wife, Candice, own LIFT Training (lifttraining.co) in West Bloomfield, where Kurrle approaches...

Style + Beauty

Invest in STYLE

Four timeless fashion investments that will make a statement, from the personal stylists at the Somerset Collection. Article by Lynne Konstantin Kelley Muzingo @adornedbykelley THE PERFECT BAG “This spring, I’m investing in a medium-sized tan suede everyday handbag. It’s the one color I’m missing, and I think it will be the perfect addition to my lighter color palette.”   Merna Makdisi @ablondestyling MIDWEST MUST-HAVE “Whether going out casually or running errands, a...

Health + Wellness

A Place To Breathe

Local nonprofit Yoga Moves MS celebrates 20 years — and MS Awareness Month. Article by Susan Thwing | Photography by Elayne Gross March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, a time to spotlight the people and programs helping patients live with greater strength, connection and hope. In Southeast Michigan, one nonprofit has been quietly changing lives for more than two decades — one carefully supported pose, stretch and breath at a time. Yoga Moves MS (yogamovesms.org) recently celebrated its...

Home + Design

The Diamond Standard

Diamond Developments redefines what it means to build well. Article by Todd Haight Most people who have lived through a major remodel carry the same memories: dust in the air, unanswered phone calls, a schedule that keeps slipping. And the nagging fear that what was promised might never arrive. Paul Livernois has heard those stories for decades. And every time he does, he shakes his head. “It doesn’t have to be that way,” he says. He smiles in an easy, unguarded way that has become his...