Holiday Decorating Tips, Tricks, and Tools
DIY ways to make your home magical this holiday season
Stuff We Love
COOKING WITH KIDS: Tortellini Casserole
This month, I wanted to share a recipe for one of my favorite pasta casseroles. It’s a great dinner for family or friends, and it’s easy to make ahead and reheat when you’re ready to serve. This recipe is like…
ROOM WE LOVE: Teenage Dream
Jacy Painter Kelly’s client was a single mother of two when she hired the designer to decorate and furnish her new home in Fort Mill. “She was in Indian Land and wanted to build something more permanent and get into…
COOKING WITH KIDS: Flag-Themed Focaccia for July 4th
Holidays are a great time to start a family tradition—and some of the most delicious traditions start in the kitchen. This 4th of July flag-themed flatbread recipe came to be two summers ago on a family weekend in the mountains…
COOKING WITH KIDS: Summer Fun Fruit Salad
Summertime is when peaches, berries, and melon are in their prime. Depending on where you live and shop, you may also find local plums, grapes, and figs. Take your kids to any local farmers market to meet the farmers who…
Where to Pick Strawberries in Charlotte
Check out these pick-your-own farms that offer sweet strawberries and farm fun for the kids.
COOKING WITH KIDS: Emory’s Roasted Strawberry Ice Cream for Spring
I don’t know about you, but when springtime hits, my food thoughts go to strawberries. Heavy rainstorms notwithstanding, we’re lucky to have a long strawberry season here in the Queen City with lots of pick-your-own options. While strawberries are normally…
THE PINT-SIZED FOODIE: An introduction to Lebowski’s
Each month, our 10-year-old resident foodie visits a different Charlotte-area restaurant that’s kid-friendly—but not a kid-topia. He orders something he’s never tried before and reports back with his recommendations for kids and their parents. Here is his review of Lebowski’s…
Easter Egg Hunts in Charlotte: 2024
From events on church lawns to community-wide eggstravaganzas, there are plenty of Easter egg hunts in Charlotte this spring. Many of them also include visits from the Easter Bunny. So get hoppin', and don't forget your Easter basket! March 16…
ROOM WE LOVE: A Supersized Mudroom
After living in a series of rental homes, Liz Farrar and her husband, Daniel, fell in love with a 3.6-acre lot off Carmel Road in south Charlotte. They planned to renovate the house and make it work for their four…
Weekender: Winterplace Ski Resort
For skiers, snowboarders, tubers, and snow-loving families, winter in Charlotte is more of a concept than a reality within the climate constraints of the Queen City. Well-schooled QC moms and dads, however, know mountains of seasonal outdoor fun are only…
COOKING WITH KIDS: Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
This chill in the air—with or without snow—means it’s time to bake cinnamon rolls. I usually bake them around the holidays and gift them as a Christmas morning treat to all of my neighbors, but they continue to be a…
GO. PLAY. SEE.: 4 Fun Things to Experience in Charlotte This Month
SEE THE RAIL TRAIL LIGHTS The popular Rail Trail Lights return to South End February 2-18. See multiple public light art installations by local artists along the .7-mile stretch of the Rail Trail between Bland Street and Atherton Mill. Artwork…
Rainy Day Activities for Kids in Charlotte
We all want our kids to get out and play in the great outdoors. But when Mother Nature interferes, there are plenty of indoor play options all over town. Sky Zone Trampoline Park Charlotte 7325 Smith Corners Blvd. 704-709-9050 Pineville…
Family-Friendly Restaurants in Charlotte
These Charlotte restaurants accommodate kids and are loud enough that yours can't risk causing a disturbance. Bad Daddy's Dilworth and Ballantyne This burger spot has all the kid favorites - plus tater tots that will make you give up fries…
COOKING WITH KIDS: Homemade Ravioli
There’s something about the comfort food karma of butter, cheese, and pasta that feeds the child in all of us. Instead of serving buttered noodles with cheese, up your family’s pasta game this month and make homemade ravioli with your…
Holiday Decorators in Charlotte
These holiday pros can transform your home into the North Pole, and even disassemble and store your holiday decor for you. Peggy Johnson 704-880-7901 Peggy does interiors and exteriors, home or office, and can either use your own decorations, add…
GO. PLAY. SEE.: 6 Fun Things to Experience in Charlotte This Month
ICE SKATE AT CAMP NORTH END Take the kids to Camp North End on Saturday, December 2, 9, or 16 from 3 to 8 p.m. and see the 76-acre site transformed into a winter wonderland. Experience larger-than-life holiday decor, live…
THE PINT-SIZED FOODIE: An introduction to Supperland’s Weekend Brunch
Each month, our 10-year-old resident foodie visits a different Charlotte-area restaurant that’s kid-friendly—but not a kid-topia. He orders something he’s never tried before and reports back with his recommendations for kids and their parents. Here is his review of weekend…
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: 2023
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: 2023 It’s time to start tackling those holiday wishlists, so we caught up with our resident toy expert Dan Weiss, owner of Harper & Skyler’s Toys & Sweets, to find out which items he can’t keep on…
ROOM WE LOVE: A Fun and Functional Boy's Bedroom
Jess Ebert had already worked on a number of rooms in her clients’ Dilworth bungalow when they hired her to redesign their 4-year-old son’s bedroom. “With this house, we did a phased approach,” Ebert says. “Phase 1 was four years…
GO. PLAY. SEE.: 4 Fun Things to Experience in Charlotte This Month
CELEBRATE FALL IN STATESVILLE Head to downtown Statesville on Saturday, November 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Statesville Pumpkin Fest. Look for a classic car show; a kids’ zone with inflatables; live entertainment; food vendors; and beer, wine,…
Inexpensive DIY Birthday Party Themes
As my daughter’s 8th birthday approached, we started discussing what kind of party she wanted. I thought she might say bowling or gymnastics, but she asked for a Survivor-themed party. I wasn’t sure how execute that until I did a…
GO. PLAY. SEE.: 4 Fun Things to Experience in Charlotte This Month
CELEBRATE THE SEASON AT OPTIMIST HALL Bring the family to Optimist Hall on Saturday, October 14 from 12 – 4 p.m. Enjoy live music, lawn games, and a seasonal flower cart, plus festive fall flavors from OH tenants. optimisthall.com TRICK…
