Christiana Roussel

Vaughan Pursell Spanjer: From pageants to paintbrushes and being inspired by Alabama's outdoors

In the premier episode of Afield, presented by Gusto Hunting Preserve, host Christiana Roussel sits down with acclaimed wildlife artist and Alabama native Vaughan Pursell Spanjer. Broadcasting from the scenic backdrop inside Vaughan's studio at Pursell Farms in Sylacauga, Alabama, this conversation weaves together themes of Southern heritage, outdoor living, and creative purpose.

5 new restaurants in Birmingham, Alabama for you to try

Birminfham, Alabama is full of great new restaurants, including Bayonet, Salud, Current Charcoal Grill, Slim's Pizzeria and Armour House.

Celebrating Sweetgrass

Descending from the clouds and touching down at the Gillette, Wyoming, airport, you can practically smell the Ponderosa-pine and sage-studded prairies that

The $1,000 Multiplier Effect

But what if your life has just been turned upside down by a once-in-a-lifetime hurricane that hits your beloved Western North Carolina mountain community? What if your grief and shock leave you fumbling blindly toward any semblance of normalcy? You seek grounding wherever you can find it.

Current Charcoal Grill - The Local Palate

On any visit to Current Charcoal Grill in Birmingham, you'll want to arrive early in order to savor the experience that lies ahead.

Carolina Youth Coalition

In the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, where the city buzzes with innovation, commerce, and cultural dynamism, an organization is quietly shaping the future. The Carolina Youth Coalition (CYC), a nonprofit founded in 2018, has become a beacon of hope and empowerment for high-achieving, under-resourced students, helping them navigate the often-daunting path toward higher education.

Discover The Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia

When it comes to celebrating grand American resorts with history, the venerated Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia is an icon that shouldn't be missed.

Nicholas Sparks, His New Novel Dreamland, and the Hotel That Inspired It All

With more than 23 books-all New York Times best-sellers-author Nicholas Sparks has crafted more than a few memorable characters: Bryce Trickett in The Wish, Dear John's titular protagonist, Paul Flanner in Nights in Rodanthe, and who can ever forget Allie and Noah of The Notebook.

Smoke Signals

an update on the latest changes at Benton's Hams, as son Darrell joins his father in the family business

Big Anniversary for Big Spoon

Couples celebrating a ten-year anniversary are traditionally looking at gifts made of tin or aluminum or even daffodils, the color of happiness. But for Ryan and Geri-Martha O'Hara, they are thinking more along the lines of Coconut, Lime, Sea Salt, and Peaches - a few of the ingredients you'll find in their bespoke ice cream flavors they craft at their three Alabama-based Big Spoon Creamery locations.

The Curator

Words by Christiana Roussel As an artist working in a variety of media-glass, resin, acrylics-Quia Atkinson's design work is informed by a lifetime of travel but very much rooted in her chosen home of Tallahassee, Florida. Growing up as the peripatetic child of two Marines, Atkinson has lived all over the world, including stints in Morocco and Norway.

The Artist's Way

Words by Christiana Roussel Wanderlust took me to Houston where the Arts District welcomed me in and fed my creative spirit. A city the size of Houston (estimated population of 6.7 million in 2023) is nearly impossible to consume in a single trip.

2024 Fathers Day Gift Guide

New dads, old dads, step-dads and soon-to-be-dads - all deserve to be celebrated big time. To the ones who support us with time, attention, counsel and some really epic dad jokes, we salute you. Herewith, our Father's Day Gift Guide for spoiling these men who matter.

THOM #23 | Spring - Summer 2025

THOM Magazine profiles the people and ideas shaping the life of our community. Many pages feature Thomasville's forward thinkers and visionaries, but it's not just about Thomasville. It's a compilation of the creative forces within our nation and beyond that are driving the creative and innovative thinking that is actively shaping the life of the entire Red Hills Region.

Discover Fredericksburg, Texas: Where to Eat, Sleep & Play

Itching for a road trip? Fredericksburg, Texas offers pride of place, authentic personalities and more than enough areas to explore, dine and relax.

Fall Travel: Oxford, MS - Explore, Dine and Relax

Whether you're an Ole Miss fan or not, a visit to Oxford, Mississippi, is always a good idea. Explore this guide for our top picks for lodging, dining and shopping.

Cataloochee Ranch - Birmingham Home & Garden

Annie & David Colquitt have poured their love of hospitality into fully renovating and updating Cataloochee Ranch, a resort adjacent to The Swag, in nearby Maggie Valley, North Carolina.

On The Road: Romantic Escapes

travel round-up feature on destinations for proposals, bridesmaid/groomsmen getaways, destination weddings and honeymoons

Chef Joe Denomme

Profile piece on chef at a private hunting club in Alabama, includes recipes

THOM #21 | Spring - Summer 2024

After contributing to the magazine for several years, I served as Editor for this semi-annual gem of a publication from the south Georgia town of Thomasville.

"5 Invaluable Decorating Tips I Learned at the Dorothy Draper Design School"

5 Things to Plant Next to Cucumbers for a Healthier Crop

Birmingham's Chalker Group recruits superior talent to Alabama

The Chalker Group connects qualified candidates with jobs and life in the Magic City.

Hospitality is in the DNA

Words by Christiana Roussel Photos by Katie Desantis In the heart of Florida Route 30A's coveted 24-mile slice of heaven, lies Alys Beach. This Mediterranean-influenced enclave has long been considered one of the most well-considered placemaking communities in the region.

Au Courant in California - Suzanne Tucker - Auberge du Soleil - Napa

Designer Suzanne Tucker reimagines a Napa classic: The Auberge du Soleil

Ed Shaikh (The Field Shop by Hadleigh's)

PRISMM offers a solution for a modern-day dilemma

PRISMM provides a secure digital vault for document management, which can be used in emergencies, wealth management and more.

Surprise in Store at Heirloom Artifacts

Nashville-based interior designer Stephanie Sabbe transforms a Belle Meade storefront into Heirloom Artifacts, an unexpected creative haven.

Hither & Yon

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Easy Rider: Four Luxury Equestrian Getaways

As we celebrate all things equestrian this month, it just seems only right to highlight a few of our favorite travel destinations with all the equine feels. Each of these luxe resorts offers something unique: experiences and traditions that will have you - and maybe even your horse - yearning to come back, again and again.

THOM #19 | Spring - Summer 2023

THOM Magazine profiles the people and ideas shaping the life of our community. Many pages feature Thomasville, Georgia's forward thinkers and visionaries, but it's not just about Thomasville. It's a compilation of the creative forces within our nation and beyond that are driving the creative and innovative thinking that is actively shaping the life of the entire Red Hills Region.

THOM #18 | Fall - Winter 2022

THOM Magazine profiles the people and ideas shaping the life of our community. Many pages feature Thomasville, Georgia's forward thinkers and visionaries, but it's not just about Thomasville. It's a compilation of the creative forces within our nation and beyond that are driving the creative and innovative thinking that is actively shaping the life of the entire Red Hills Region.

THOM #17 | Spring - Summer 2022

THOM Magazine profiles the people and ideas shaping the life of our community. Many pages feature Thomasville, Georgia's forward thinkers and visionaries, but it's not just about Thomasville. It's a compilation of the creative forces within our nation and beyond that are driving the creative and innovative thinking that is actively shaping the life of the entire Red Hills Region.

A Stop in Birmingham, Part I

Nashville denizens are known to regularly burn up the blacktop between here and the sugar-white sands of the Florida Gulf Coast. Heading southward on I-65? Birmingham, Alabama is an easy halfway point. Known as the Magic City for the explosive growth this southern city experienced with its steel production in the last century, Birmingham is way more than just a highway exchange to navigate on your road trip.

A Stop in Birmingham, Part II

Last week, we introduced you to A Stop in Birmingham, but as we worked on uploading the article, we found that there were still a few more places to show some love. Because of this, find Part II below.

Women & Food United

Celebrating their tenth year as a chapter, the women of Les Dames d'Escoffier - Birmingham are redefining what it means to be a part of the culinary industry in the Magic City. By Christiana Roussel * Photography by Chuck St. John The power of community is an undeniable one.

John Currence

Chef John Currence and his duck camp meals

FAUSTI: Diamonds, Steel and Fire

Celebrating 75 years of Italian Firearms

Artist Sue Key's Hidden Quail: A fundamental feature hidden in plain sight

The Sport of Sporting Art: Ryan Kirby's Wildlife Expositions

Ryan Kirby's Sporting Art

Behind the Scenes: Stuffed Venison Loin - Covey Rise Magazine

Recently, we got to spend time with Stacy Lyn Harris, lawyer, blogger, and chef to her family. Stacy spent the morning harvesting vegetables from the garden and the afternoon and evening creating dishes full of game.

A Visit to the Volunteer State

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Spring Retreats

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Classic Crescent City

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Chattanooga Like a Local

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Lovely Louisville

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On Tybee Time

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The Great Carolina Outdoors

Read The Great Carolina Outdoors by Shelby County Newspapers, Inc. on Issuu and browse thousands of other publications on our platform. Start here!

Rediscover Gatlinburg

Read Rediscover Gatlinburg by Shelby County Newspapers, Inc. on Issuu and browse thousands of other publications on our platform. Start here!

On the Alabama Civil Rights Trail

Standing on Dexter Avenue in Montgomery, Alabama, you can feel moments in history collide. Look one way, and you'll see the Court Square Fountain. Built in 1885, it sits on a site that once held a market where enslaved people where bought and sold.

Hunting quail and throwing axes at Barnsley Resort

ADAIRSVILLE - There is an instant when the English Setter that had just been gamboling by your side, goes suddenly stock still. In that moment, a single front paw is raised, a swishy tail is now stick-straight. And that wet nose twitches as it points dead ahead, into the wiregrass.

My Town: Film Producer Allen Cheney's Thomasville, Georgia

What do Dustin Hoffman, the tiger from The Hangover, and the musician Machine Gun Kelly all have in common? If this sounds like the setup for a six-degrees-of-Kevin Bacon story, you should know he's actually involved too. They answer is they've all filmed movies in Thomasville, Georgia.

The Soaring Appeal of Pickleball in the South

Last year, in Birmingham, Alabama, Rebecca Simon taped the floor of her garage with regulation court lines so that she could practice her pickleball shots between Zoom calls. The sport became her favorite respite from endless work-from-home days. When she joined a league that met at nearby public courts, Simon relished the chance for rare face-to-face contact.

Inside Hot & Hot Fish Club's New Birmingham Home - Garden & Gun

When faced with the sale of the building that had held their beloved Hot & Hot Fish Club for twenty-four years, James Beard award-winning chef Chris Hastings and his wife Idie were forced to contemplate the future of their Birmingham, Alabama, culinary institution. As tenants at the Highland Avenue location, they had known a move might come.

The Only Tomato Pie Recipe You'll Ever Need - Garden & Gun

In Birmingham, Alabama, Black Sheep Kitchen regulars start clamoring for chef Julie Grimes' tomato pies in early March, even though the best tomatoes from local growers are still months away. In one form or another, the pies have been on the summer menu at Grimes' grab-and-go dinner shop since she opened it four years ago.

The Artist's Way

Creativity abounds in Houston Words by Christiana Roussel Wanderlust took me to Houston where the Arts District welcomed me in and fed my creative spirit. A city the size of Houston (estimated population of 6.7 million in 2023) is nearly impossible to consume in a single trip.

2023 Fathers Day Gift Guide

Words by Christiana Roussel  Celebrating Dad (and all the male role models in our lives) is pretty darned easy - these are the guys, the dudes, the fathers, the step-dads, the brothers and sons who show up for us and support us with their hugs and counsel.

Nicholas Sparks, His New Novel Dreamland, and the Hotel That Inspired It All

Words by Christiana Roussel Photos provided by The Don CeSar  With more than 23 books-all New York Times best-sellers-author Nicholas Sparks has crafted more than a few memorable characters: Bryce Trickett in The Wish, Dear John's titular protagonist, Paul Flanner in Nights in Rodanthe, and who can ever forget Allie and Noah of The Notebook.

Third Space at Tesserae

Words by Christiana RousselPhotos by Chelsea Patricia, Douglas Friedman, and Alex Marvar  TESSERAE: the private social club where the sum of the parts is greater than the individual. Lukus Grace has a vision: Tesserae, a new kind of Third Space.

The Big Book of King Cake

Words by Christiana Roussel Photos from The Big Book of King Cake  On a recent trip to New Orleans, I had the good fortune of sitting down with La Boulangerie co-owner Donald Link and Pastry Chef Maggie Scales to sample a few king cakes.

Stitching Together Community

Beech Mountain's Avery Quilt Trail Words by Christiana Roussel The history and beauty of quilts lives on today in a new iteration, as painted quilt patterns that prominently dot the western North Carolina landscape, providing a kind of hide-and-seek-style scavenger hunt that is as enjoyable as it is honorific.

High Tea for the Holidays

Words by Christiana Roussel The holidays are synonymous with tradition-we bake together, we layer the mantel with garlands and Christmas cards, we pull out family china for special meals together. Perhaps it is time for a new tradition.

Hot & Hot Fish Club Tomato Salad

The iconic tomato salad is back on the menu at James Beard Award-winning Birmingham restaurant, Hot & Hot Fish Club. Words by Christiana RousselPhotos by Christiana Roussel, Chef Hastings, and Hot & Hot Fish Club After twenty-seven years in business, there is one constant at Chef Chris Hastings' Hot & Hot Fish Club-the annual arrival of THE Tomato Salad.

An Urban Resort

At the terminus of Nashville's past, present and future lies the Nashville Yards Words by Christiana RousselPhotos by Grand Hyatt and Emily Dorio Primely situated on Broadway, across from the Frist Museum, there is a story and a magic to this location that deserves to be captured, bringing it forward and making it relevant once again.

Toma Tu Tiempo, Take Your Time

Words by Christiana Roussel As any musician will tell you, timing is everything. For Javier Solis and his family, timing has been everything with their Nashville coffee shop, Tempo. Located in the edgy south side of Nashville, Tempo is more than a family-owned-and-operated coffee shop.

Bowl-the Best Kind of Ghosting

Words by Christiana Roussel Photos by Nadia Wilder With the number of restaurants that have shuttered in 2020-some reports put that number above 100,000-many restaurateurs have had to become creative in their business plans.

BentoLiving: Chestnut Hill

Words by Christiana Roussel Eloise had The Plaza. You have BentoLiving. No one disputes that travel became super strange in 2020. International vacations were scuttled. Red-eye flights became sparsely populated. And let's not even get started talking about the state of room service.

PAWS UP: Montana Master Chefs

Words and Photos by Christiana Roussel When the Southern chefs come to Montana, they pack heavy: Grits.Flour.Butter.Buffalo.Hot sauce.Smoked onion jam.Homemade mustards. Recently, The Resort at Paws Up in Greenough, MT hosted their 15th annual Montana Master Chefs event where several Southern chefs took center stage.

The Ethical Meat Handbook

You might not expect that the literal handbook on the topic of ethical meat would come from a former vegetarian/vegan. But then again, maybe you just need to get to know Meredith Leigh who addresses the topic in very thoughtful ways, through the analytical and scientific lens that is the hallmark of her approach to any subject.

Nashville to Napa

Nashville native Bettina Bryant found a piece of home in the rolling hills of Napa. Words by Christina RousselPhotos by Gentl & Hyers 2020 Any great Southern story starts with grit, and grit, along with phenomenal soil, a temperate climate, and acres of luscious grapes, is at the very heart of Bettina Bryant's story.

Under Construction

The story of Peachtree City, GA's innovative closed loop hydroponic Alō Farms and the architect who created this project.

Southern Sampler with Chicken Liver Mousse

Velvety-smooth chicken liver mousse, caviar-topped deviled eggs, and pimiento cheese headline this ultimate appetizer board. Get the recipes at Food & Wine.

Auburn University Culinary & Hospitality School | The Local Palate

Beyond the roar of SEC football and basketball victories, there's something cooking at Auburn University, this fall. At the epicenter of the town's namesake university, the cutting-edge Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center (RCSC) opens this month. It aims to upend everything you thought a culinary and hospitality program could be.

Chef Rob McDaniel Masters the Grill | The Local Palate

There is a particular type of alchemy that happens when flame hits meat; when hot coals coax a slab of ribs into utter relaxation or smoke wends its way between the fat and muscle of a well-marbled piece of beef. Chef Rob McDaniel is privy to that alchemy and whole-heartedly welcomes the advent of grilling season.

The Accidental Oyster Farmer

Head due south on I-65 toward Bayou La Batre. Follow I-10 to County Road 39. The horizon begins to get flatter, but keep going. Take a few more turns until you find the exact dirt road you are looking for. Drive until you almost run out of land, and when you begin to see telephone poles again, start counting.

Beyond the Beach: A Destin-Fort Walton Beach Getaway

This portion of the Florida panhandle has long been popular with families seeking a beach getaway, and with good reason: the sand is sugar-white, the accommodations are plentiful, and there is so much to do - even beyond the beach.

Going the (Social) Distance

A few months into COVID-19 quarantine, frequent travelers began to determine what their limits would be when it came time to venture out. Some were comfortable wrangling a Winnebago for extended cross-country sightseeing while others preferred to hunker down at home, crafting detailed itineraries for where they'd explore "once the world reopened."

Paradise Found

Everyone needs a happy place. That destination where we go-whether mentally or physically-for a reprieve from the everyday, where we hit the pause button on our routines, where we retreat, relax, and get centered again. For the James Beard award-winning chef Frank Stitt and his wife and business partner, Pardis, that place is Paradise Farm.

Back to the Beach

With its wide open beaches and lush landscape, Kiawah Island is the ultimate surfside playground. There are 10 miles of uninterrupted beach giving you ample space to stretch, walk, run, bike, and castle build. Off the beach, there are world-class golf courses, plus tennis, kayaking, and biking.

Birmingham Road Trip

Road trip itinerary for a fantastic weekend in Birmingham, AL

Why Do Women Hunt? - Sporting Classics Daily

If you've ever had the notion to take a woman hunting, you're onto something pretty special. As K.J. Houtman illustrates in her book, Why Women Hunt, it is almost always a man who introduces a woman to hunting, which is only the beginning of the journey.

Field-to-Fork Recipes with Rachel Carrie - Sporting Classics Daily

Rachel Carrie is a passionate woman - passionate about educating people about the importance of hunting as it relates to conservation. With her cookbook, Game & Gatherings, she puts into action the fruits of her skilled shooting, one delicious dish at a time. Growing up in the U.K.

Century-Old Hunting Boot Company "Pivots" Toward the Future - Sporting Classics Daily

If there is one word we have heard used time and time again over the past several months, it is "pivot." Businesses of all sizes, industries of all types, have had to completely imagine and, in some cases, re-imagine how they operate.

A Woman's Place: Falling in Love with Quail Hunting

My first column for a sporting magazine, this is a first-person account of falling in love with quail hunting (and subsequent purchase of my first shotgun) was a treat to research and write.

The Swag

One of the best places to enjoy the fall is The Swag in Waynesville, North Carolina. Don't forget to pack a sweater.

Headwaters on the Soque

In Northeast Georgia's Appalachian Mountains lies the picturesque Soque River, a fly-fishing heaven here on earth.

Reynolds Lake Oconee

Reynolds Lake Oconee is known for their level of service and attention to detail and offers the gold standard in hospitality.

The Resort at Paws Up and green o

The Resort at Paws Up and green o in Greenough, Montana feature luxury home sites and amazing outdoor adventures.

Makers' Mark 2022

Birmingham prides itself on small local businesses and talent. The community is so supportive, and it is an honor to be welcomed as one of the city's sustainable accessories designers. Hannah Christine, founder Hide & Hunter From the moment you step inside Hide & Hunter in the Mercantile on Morris development in downtown Birmingham, you know you are in a maker's space.

Windsor Court

Since its opening in 1984, Windsor Court in New Orleans, with a name that has become synonymous with tradition and gracious hospitality, has hosted royalty, rock stars, diplomats, and world travelers. Whether you are looking to take in a show, shop for antiques, or just want to have a little fun, this hotel is all but guaranteed to make your stay feel too short.

High Hampton

Originally constructed as a summer retreat in the late 1800's (later adapted as an Inn in 1922), the High Hampton property has been a coveted destination in the area for generations. And while the summer months offer cool mornings and sun-drenched afternoons, it's autumn that beckons even more guests to experience the beautiful colors of the leaves along rhododendron-lined trails.

After Midnight Salsa - Foodies 2022

AS MOST ENTREPRENEURS WILL TELL YOU, when you're committed to your passion, you'll find the time to dedicate to it. For many who are in the nascent stage of establishing their businesses, those hours fall outside of their regular full-time work schedule.

Woodhill Cottage - Foodies 2022

SOUTHERN WOMEN MIGHT JUST BE BORN KNOWING HOW TO PRESERVE THINGS. Be it jams or jellies, pickled okra or dilly green beans, if it can be sealed in a jar to be gifted and enjoyed later, we're all in.

Wild Honey Flower Studio - In the Shop

To hear Drew and Megan Templeton tell the story, it was pure destiny that Rosie, the Wild Honey Flower Truck, would one day be theirs. When he came upon a flower truck parked outside the Pizitz Food Hall a few years ago, Drew stopped by to purchase blooms for his bride.

Fox Hound Bee Company - Foodies 2022

COUNTLESS HOBBYISTS HAVE WHILED AWAY AFTERNOONS doing things they love while wondering if their passion could ever turn into a bonified career. As a culinary school graduate of Johnson & Wales-Miami, Adam Hickman had earned the enviable position of cooking and working with food for a good part of his career, developing recipes for Cooking Light and Food & Wine.

Local Blooms

Abbey Roy will be the first to tell you that she never saw herself as a farmer. She just knew she loved flowers. Today, the McCalla, Alabama, farm that has been in her husband's family for more than a century is home to a thriving floral business. How did you get started?

Don't miss the bus, the House Plant Collective Bus!

There is just something special about a big bus. Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend knew it, when their band, The Who, released the song "Magic Bus" in 1968. Jessica Watts, co-owner of House Plant Collective, knows it too.

2021 Alabama Makers Roundup

Rich in history with creativity built upon thrift and tradition, Alabama is replete with phenomenal makers. Artisans working in the mediums of clay, paper, leather, marble, and wood are today's caretakers of our collective sense of place.

Birmingham Home & Garden's 2021 Foodies

The city of Birmingham is teeming with culinary talent. From the national spotlight of such award-winning, decades-old establishments like Highlands Bar & Grill and Hot & Hot Fish Club to newer, stellar standouts like Le Fresca (whose pizza was named by Food & Wine Magazine as the best in the state) and wine-merchants-cum-tapas-bars (such as Aviné and Golden Age), the Magic City knows a thing or two about good food.

Lowcountry Getaway: Palmetto Bluff

Palmetto Bluff, located a mere 25 miles from the Savannah airport, is a true gem on the Carolina coast. Here in the Lowcountry, an authentic community has been intentionally created to coincide with not only the history of the area but also the preservation of the natural landscape.

In the Garden with Becky Satterfield

Garlic is not an unusual scent to encounter in a chef's kitchen, but in Becky Satterfield's garden, the minced cloves aren't going into a salsa or marinade. Scads of them are steeping in hot water to make garlic tea that Becky will use to organically combat the Japanese beetles trying to lay waste to her beloved roses.

Field of Dreams

Happy Hunting

Take the backyard of 100-year-old Homewood home with a new-to-look-old carriage house. Add a layer of found treasures from two talented designers. Style those finds in well-curated vignettes that others can picture re-creating in their own spaces. Layer in scads of vintage and antique rugs.

Head for the Mountains

Cashiers, North Carolina, may be the most well-known town in Jackson County, but the nearby communities of Sylva, Dillsboro, Cullowhee, and Tuckasegee are equally eager to show you what they've got. So grab your best friends or extended family and head north. Here are our picks for a fun-filled, long weekend.

Shop Local: Homewood

Plenty of Over-the-Mountain communities are beloved, fiercely defended by their residents. Beyond neighborhood-centric Facebook pages and elementary school stickers emblazoned on bumpers, passions for home run deep. Some might argue that nowhere else is this more true than in Homewood.

Weekend Getaway: Barnsley Resort

A mere two-hour drive from Birmingham, Barnsley Resort promised equal parts intrigue, adventure, and downtime for my three-day girlfriends' getaway. Upon arrival, we settled into our individual cottages along the property's village green and reconvened for afternoon cocktails at The Woodlands Grill, overlooking a wide swath of the Fazio-designed golf course.

Creating Floral Beauty

Huntsville-based floral designer Charlotte Wessel has found her gift and uses it to the delight of those around her. Where some see an empty ceramic pot, Charlotte sees a vessel, ready to be filled with the beauty of her garden, no matter the season.

Chic College Living

You won't find any tacky beer posters or bean bag chairs in this home where Jill and Lyle Cain's daughters live while attending The University of Alabama. Outfitted by interior designer Jenny Edwards, this is way more than just a game-day destination.

Fine Finishes: Gallery 1930

Situated in the heart of English Village in the site of a former gas station, Gallery 1930, with its clean lines and airy space, belies the fact that oil paint now reigns where the oil pan used to. Laura Vogtle opened the space with her mother, Kathryn Keith, in the fall of 2011.

Showroom Style: Southern Bath & Kitchen

Any realtor will tell you that after location, location, location, it is the kitchen and master bath that will sell a home at a higher price. These are the spaces buyers really notice. Think about the last dinner party you went to-you probably spent more time in the kitchen with friends than at the dining room table.

A Not-So-Secret Garden

Some twenty-odd years ago, a tornado made its way through Dadeville, Alabama, taking down almost every tree on Jim Scott's property on the south side of Lake Martin. Undeterred, Jim distilled beauty from destruction by creating a fantastical garden around what remained-his Bobby McAlpine-designed home and a whole lot of red clay.

Alabama Aquarium and Pond

Feeling landlocked in Birmingham? Miss the sound of gentle ocean waves or the quick splash of a bass on the lake? Alabama Aquarium & Pond Services can bring the water back into your daily life, setting up home aquariums, outdoor water features, and more.

Showroom Style: Shoppe

More destination than conventional plant nursery, Shoppe is the chic new garden spot in town. With design experience and deft green thumbs, owners Mark Thompson and Jay Draper put a lot of creativity and sweat equity into upgrading a corner of their Forest Park neighborhood.

Even Greener Pastures

ABOVE David, Ellen, and their three girls lived at The Orvis Farmhouse before their twin boys arrived. Fertilizer may have been the official family business, but it is true Southern hospitality that grew Pursell Farms , setting it on the course it's on today.

Wonder Women

The title for this feature started as Super Moms. And while that moniker certainly fits the women we interviewed, they are a representation of the legions of Birmingham women-not just moms-who are working to create better lives for the people around them.

Visions of Sugarplums

Longtime Birmingham residents who had the good fortune to have their portrait taken by photographer Barbara Harbin may find these images of the Roth home vaguely familiar. The home and garden on Dell Road served as a studio for many children’s and family’s portraits. Embracing the good aura, Kathleen Roth and her family purchased it and set about creating a backdrop for their own life.

Maker's Mark

Long before the State of Alabama declared 2016 as The Year of the Maker, creativity has been pouring forth from our home. The rest of the country has already discovered our beloved designers Billy Reid and Natalie Chanin. But look in our own backyard and you’ll find the next generation of makers in a smartly renovated Avondale warehouse.

7 Reasons to Live in Downtown Birmingham

Imagine living in a city where you awaken in a sun-filled loft, grab a quick shower, take the stairs down to your bike, and pedal a few blocks to the office. At lunchtime, you pop into the grocery store less than a block away for some dinner essentials.

The Caterers

Time was, the word ‘catering’ conjured up visions of sterno-powered chafing dishes and mounds of fussy white linen tablecloths. Large events might have meant bland food of the rubber chicken-and-rice-casserole variety or anything served on a stick. News flash: Catering has come a long way, baby. Here in Birmingham, we have a slew of talented outfits to call upon when you are planning that next fete. In fact, you don’t even need to wait until you’re hosting a big event; these caterers...

Civitas - Mountain Brook Magazine

Photos by Blair Ramsey Tonya Jones is no stranger to the world of hospitality. In fact, she has been in the business of taking care of people since the first time a client sat down in her stylist's chair almost two decades ago.

Rediscover Gatlinburg

Read Rediscover Gatlinburg by Shelby County Newspapers, Inc. on Issuu and browse thousands of other publications on our platform. Start here!

The Great Carolina Outdoors

Read The Great Carolina Outdoors by Shelby County Newspapers, Inc. on Issuu and browse thousands of other publications on our platform. Start here!

https://www.mountainbrookmagazine.com/the-meal-prep-mamacita/

A Restaurant Evolution - Mountain Brook Magazine

By Christiana Roussel Photos by Kathryn Bell Longtime Mountain Brook residents have seen more than a few changes to the Crestline retail scene over the years. Some of those changes have been met with outrage or raised hackles (we all remember the brouhaha over the CVS pharmacy and Piggly Wiggly relocations).

A Second Helping at Evelyn's Southern Fare - Mountain Brook Magazine

By Christiana Roussel Photos by Mary Fehr Sit with Christie Lowe at her English Village restaurant for more than a minute, and the conversation is likely to stop and start a half-dozen times. Her smile is wide and bright as she greets regulars and new customers at the former Bobby Carl's Table eatery.

A Preamble of Flavor - Mountain Brook Magazine

By Christiana Roussel Photos by Mary Fehr "If you build it, they will come." We're all familiar with that famous line from the Kevin Costner film, Field of Dreams, referring to the baseball diamond he constructs, smack dab in the middle of his Iowa corn fields.

Tried & True - Mountain Brook Magazine

Owning and operating a restaurant in normal times can be thrilling but challenging. Throw in a pandemic, and what used to be exciting can become nerve-wracking or downright scary. The best restaurants will not only survive but thrive when there are a number of hallmarks in place: location, location, location (of course); experienced leadership; a well-honed concept; and great staffing.

An Open Door - Mountain Brook Magazine

Imagine the fear and trepidation of opening a new business. Now multiply that ten-fold, and you might have an idea of what it was like to open a new business in the midst of a pandemic. But with a strong customer base and an ability to "give the people what they want," Vaughan McGehee has the recipe for success.

The Real Deal

Years of magazine recipe development are fueling Nourish Foods' deliveries and selections at The Pig.

Seasonal Magic

When Mauricio Papapietro opened brick & tin restaurant in downtown Birmingham nine and a half years ago, he had an inkling that it was a concept that might work just as well in his own backyard of Mountain Brook. He just had no idea how well.

British Roots, Southern Flair

Mountain Brook, Alabama, is a long way from the rolling verdant hills of the glorious English countryside, but for Crestline resident Rebecca Williamson, it couldn't taste any closer. Her bespoke chutney line, Holmsted Fines, certainly has definitive British roots, although Rebecca has also found a way to translate that ubiquitous condiment to our Southern way of eating.

A Well Travelled Palate

And the award goes to... Anyone in an industry where awards are handed out annually has dreams of hearing their name at the end of that sentence. But for Mountain Brook native Hannah Black and her restaurant partner, Carla Perez-Gallardo, they could not have been more surprised at hearing their names as one of the James Beard Foundation Award semi-finalists earlier this spring.

The Faces of Service

We've all seen the lists of best places to live, best places to call home, best places to raise a family. Hands down, the City of Mountain Brook usually tops those lists in our state and always ranks high nationally. But it could also be argued that it is the relationships here are what truly make it what it is.

Will Haver: Margarita Magnate

Once upon a time, Will Haver was just a guy who owned a cool neighborhood burger joint, Otey's in Crestline. The beer was always super cold, the guy manning the grill (Rodney Davis, our favorite!) could fire up a mean chili cheeseburger, and classic rock bands played on Friday nights.

From Black Sheep Kitchen To Yours

There is a running joke amongst some Mountain Brook restaurant owners that Crestline Village is the food court of our fair city. Given the population density and younger demographic of this area, it is easy to see why so many food retailers are attracted to Church Street.

Back at the Helm at Dyron's Lowcountry

Shoe polish. It is an unusual "ingredient" to find in a commercial restaurant kitchen. But once you get to know the story behind that shoe polish, you'll want to know if every chef has some in their work pantry.

Ollie Irene is Back

Not since the Piggly Wiggly location on Euclid Avenue shuttered has there been such a public hue and cry over a village staple closing.

Sense of Adventure - Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles

It might seem like an unlikely destination-in the seat of the marble capital of the Southeast-but Pursell Farms is ideally situated to be the most turnkey weekend getaway you've ever had. Located on 3,200 acres of family property in Sylacauga, Alabama, just 45 minutes southeast of Birmingham, proprietors Ellen and David Pursell have deftly created a most welcoming escape.

At Home with Alex - Vestavia Hills Magazine

By Christiana Roussel Photo Contributed Creativity and entrepreneurship have deep roots in the family where Alexandra Stone Flowers and her sister Fallon grew up. Their parents, Deborah and Russell Stone, raised their girls to trust their instincts, follow their dreams, love deeply and share their talents.

Putting Down Roots - Vestavia Hills Magazine

By Christiana Roussel Photos by Cary Norton You can imagine that there might be nothing better than living year-round on gorgeous Lake Martin in nearby Eclectic, Alabama. You helm the kitchen at the most coveted dining spot for miles. You're married to your best friend who is killing it in the second home real estate market.

Built on Science - Vestavia Hills Magazine

The first thing you notice upon meeting Barbara Kenyon is her smile. Her easy smile looks effortless and that may be true but, she has also built a business upon the science of delivering happiness. As the owner of Happy Event Company, Barbara has more than two decades of conceiving, designing, creating and executing events-for brides, corporate get-together and gatherings of all sizes.