Food + Beverage

A Toast to Taste

Georgia Food + Wine Festival Returns! A Three-Day Celebration of Flavor, Culture, and Community Article by East Cobb City Lifestyle   The best gatherings make you feel right at home - thoughtfully designed, beautifully layered, instantly welcoming and the irresistible pull toward gathering around a great table. From March 27–29, 2026, that feeling takes center stage at Marietta's Jim R. Miller Park as the Georgia Food + Wine Festival returns for a three-day celebration of cuisine, culture...

Professional Services

A Modern Renaissance

Versatility, Discipline, and Relentless Work Ethic Drive Growth Across Industries Article by Wendy Edwards Our country was built on movers and shakers with dreams, the ambition to chase those dreams, and the resilience to continually push forward through adversity. For Kory Rykman, Owner of Allstate Rykman Agency, these principles have been the cornerstone of his success in business and in life. Kory was born to Russian immigrant parents who fled their homeland in search of freedom and...

Home + Design

Framing the Finished Space

Angela Boardman Curtains brings the vision of designers and artisans to life Article by Wendy Edwards | Photography by Simplicity a Southern Lifestyle by Claudia Stimmel The scent of sawdust and the whir of power tools are enough to quicken Angela Boardman’s heart. Her lifelong passion for design has always been intertwined with construction and renovation, allowing her and her husband to breathe new life and function into every home they’ve lived in. “I have always loved new construction and...

Food + Beverage

Lake Oconee Food & Wine Festival Returns

Ritz-Carlton Reynolds hosts chefs, artists, and vintners for immersive spring celebration blending global flavors, fine wines, and Southern hospitality lakeside. Article by Sean O'Keefe Set along 30 acres of pristine shoreline and cradled by towering Georgia pines just 90 minutes from Atlanta, The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee is where refined luxury meets effortless lakeside calm. This spring, March 20–22, 2026, the resort becomes the center stage for the Lake Oconee Food & Wine...

Home + Design

Designs That Endure

Passionate leadership, collaborative design, and meticulous project management shape beautiful spaces built to last Article by Rei Keiser | Photography by CatMax Photography Founded in 1993, Schuon Kitchens & Baths has built a reputation as one of metro Atlanta’s most respected kitchen and bath remodeling firms, grounded in craftsmanship, and expertise, with a deeply personal approach to design. Led by fourth-generation cabinetmaker Hans Schuon, the company blends legacy-level skill with...

Education

Honoring Black History, Past and Present

Celebrating resilience, leadership, and lasting contributions shaping our shared history. Article by East Cobb City Lifestyle Staff February carries a weight far greater than its 28 days. Black History Month, first established in 1926 as Negro History Week by historian Carter G. Woodson, was intentionally placed in February to honor the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two figures central to the abolition of slavery. What began as a weeklong observance evolved into a...

Home + Design

Still on the Guest List

Plants that hold their own in the South when winter crashes the party Article by Jennifer Rust When winter temperatures in the South swing from sun-soaked tennis days to downright freezing nights, it can be tempting to ignore the outdoor garden altogether. But at Jennifer Rust Botanicals, that in-between season is exactly where our attention turns. Founded in East Cobb and serving families and businesses across metro Atlanta and around the country, Jennifer Rust Botanicals specializes in...

Entertainment

Slater Nalley

A Voice That Heals, a Story That Resonates Article by Tran Bui Smith | Photography by Albright Photography Before he ever stepped onto the American Idol stage, Slater Nalley sat across from his teacher with a song that helped her grieve, remember, and breathe again. That moment changed everything. Music had always been part of Slater’s life, but it was never just a hobby. It was how he processed what it meant to be different, how he found purpose, and how he learned to stay grounded in who he...

Food + Beverage

Midnight Velvet Valentine Cocktail

A sultry late-night cocktail/mocktail blending chocolate, raspberry, and vodka for indulgent Valentine’s moments after dark. Article by East Cobb Citylifestyle Staff Cheers to a late-night, dessert-style Valentine’s Day cocktail that is romantic, smooth, and just indulgent enough for after hours. Midnight Velvet Kiss Flavor profile: chocolate-kissed, berry-soft, creamy, and luxurious Ingredients 1½ oz vanilla vodka 1 oz crème de cacao (dark or milk) 1 oz raspberry...

Home Services

A Family Affair

How One Painting Company Puts Heart Into Every Job Article by Ana Markosi We spoke with Charlie Dallavale Jr., president of Painting Plus, to learn about why the company remains one of North Atlanta’s top general contractors. Can you share more about a project, teacher, or mentor that solidified your career path? My grandfather was a siding contractor, so it started with the family. I did learn a lot of it through Walton High School's building construction program. Bob Overstreet was the...