Shopping

A New Kind of Bath Shop

Magnolia Soap & Bath Co. to Open on Main Street Article by Eileen M. McNamara Imagine if you could shop in a store where the product is made right in front of you. That’s the allure, in part, of the new Magnolia Soap and Bath Co. shop, opening soon in February or March at 2941 Main St. It’s also part of what drew Leslie Giadone to open the franchise brand.  Magnolia Soap & Bath is based in Mississippi, Leslie’s home state. While visiting there a few years ago, she happened upon one of the...

Life + Culture

Reader's Choice Awards

Article by Glastonbury Lifestyle Staff | Photography by Carrie Draghi, John Helmke, Brian Ambrose, Kevin Savage The votes are in and we have the winners of the 2024 Glastonbury Lifestyle Magazine Reader's Choice Survey. We asked you to vote for your favorite businesses across dozens of categories and we're proud now to share with you the winners of that balloting!   Best Jewelry Store DeRosa Fine Diamonds.  A custom jewelry store with an artisan workshop where you can choose your diamond...

Arts + Culture

A Brief History of Valentine's Day

The Roots of Our Annual Celebration of all Things Love Article by Eileen M. McNamara February is the month of love here in the U.S., thanks to our celebrations of Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14. While the roots of this holiday are shrouded in lore and mystery, it contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman traditions.  One legend of Valentine’s Day says it was created more than 1,500 years ago in Europe to mark the martyrdom of Saint Valentine, who was killed by a Roman emperor because...

Food + Beverage

Love Potion

A Cocktail Both Potent and Pretty Article by Eileen M. McNamara We have to give credit for the genesis of this pretty and pinkish-red cocktail to the mixologists at Red 36 in Mystic where I first drank this lovely libation, a twist on a tradtional Paloma. I recreated it at home after a few unsuccessful attempts. Its rosy red color and bubbly splash of champagne makes it a lively drink on Valentine's Day! Use freshly squeezed lime juice and not the bottled kind.    Ingredients: Freshly...

Food + Beverage

Foodie Love Story

Sistersnacking is a Social Media Juggaurnut Built Around Four Sisters' Love of Food and Each Other Article by Eileen M. McNamara It started, Madison Shapiro says, with Guy Fieri. While in highschool Madison consumed all things diners, drive-ins, and dives. It motivated her to go see their local haunts for herself and roped her sisters into the obsession. With that the origin story of Sistersnacking was born.  The four sisters, who grew up in Glastonbury, had an affinity for food from a young...

Beauty

The Eyes Have It

At Lash and Glow CT, Lash Extensions Guarantee Beauty is in the Eyes of the Beholder Article by Eileen M. McNamara As any woman who has ever used mascara can tell you, eye makeup can be a timely, messy business.  Traditional mascaras can leave dark smudges under your eyes after it’s been on all day, or worse, require harsh cleansers to remove at day’s end. Eyebrow pencil colors can fade and also smudge after extended use. Both can end up making you look more tired or disheveled than if you...

Health + Wellness

Vale Foot & Ankle Surgery

Dr. Kimberly Inocco is Now Practicing at Vale's Glastonbury Office Article by Eileen M. McNamara | Photography by Kevin Savage Podiatrist Kimberly Inocco joined the staff of Vale Foot & Ankle recently, bringing her expertise in minimally invasive surgeries, as well as athletic care.  Kimberly was practicing at a large podiatry center in New Jersey and was lured here by the community's more intimate environment. “Now I’m enjoying the smaller-knit community here and working in just one...

Wellness

Inspiring Others

After Cancer Chris Gathers Spreads His Message of Hope, Love Article by Eileen M. McNamara | Photography by John Helmke Nearly three years ago Chris Gathers had a bout of strange symptoms and came to the frightening conclusion that he might be having a stroke or an aneurysm The actual diagnosis for his piercing headaches, out-of-body feelings, and vision problems was even more devastating than what he imagined: A brain tumor. He envisioned a worst-case scenario: A two-year life span if...

Fitness

A Wellness Revolution

D-Fine Mind & Body Wellness Focuses On Long Term Results Photography by John Helmke Joe Carabase, founder of D-Fine Mind & Body Wellness in Glastonbury, is pioneering a new way to manage stress and transform your body.  “Traditional weight loss is broken. People are sick of following a super restrictive diet, taking another pill and or get invasive surgery only to end up worse off and frustrated.” Joe says. “Our holistic technologies accelerate the process so that you only have to focus on...

Education

American School For The Deaf

For More Than 200 Years ASD Has Been a Bedrock of Advocacy for the Deaf, Hard of hearing and DeafBlind Article by Eileen M. McNamara | Photography by Defining Studios Founded in 1817 as the first permanent school for the deaf in the U.S., the American School for the Deaf (ASD) is the birthplace of American Sign Language and a national leader in providing comprehensive educational programs and services for deaf and hard of hearing students. Among deaf schools, ASD is known as the "Mother...