Entertainment

A Front Row Look at the Barefoot Country Music Fest

Wildwood, NJ Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by David Surks Garden State City Lifestyle was grateful to have a front-row view on Wildwood’s iconic beach at the 2025 Barefoot Country Music Fest — and it did not disappoint. Held June 19–22, the four-day celebration drew thousands of fans from across the nation to sing, dance and soak in coastal vibes. Headliners included Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Rascal Flatts and Jordan Davis, with more than 40 additional artists...

Life + Culture

Faith in Action

Immaculate Heart Academy students turn compassion into more than 31,000 service hours Article and Photography by AnneMarie Vaughn Service at Immaculate Heart Academy (IHA) is more than a requirement; it is central to the school’s mission. Students regularly put their faith into action by serving the community and ministering to people in need through a wide variety of opportunities. IHA’s Campus Ministry program, led by Emily Ash, Class of 2019, is off to a busy start this year. Ash credits...

Professional Services

Giving Back, One Case at a Time

Seigel Law’s charity fund turns legal success into community support. Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Seigel Law At Seigel Law, community service is more than a value — it’s a practice woven into the firm’s foundation. When attorney Jonas Seigel joined the firm, he launched the Seigel Law Charity Fund, pledging to donate a portion of every fee to local charities. The American Bar Association has recognized the fund as a model for other law firms, highlighting its unique approach...

Style + Beauty

Layers for Every Exit

Versatile Luxury Looks for a New Jersey Thanksgiving Article by Nicholas Xavier Hall | Photography by McQueen, Jimmy Choo, Delia, Max Mara, ZIMMERMANN, Diane Von Furstenberg, Stuart, Guest In Residence As we transition from summer to autumn and the chill sets in, attention turns to the holidays and their inevitable challenges: “What time should I arrive?” “What dish should I bring?” and perhaps the most daunting — “What do I wear?” Thanksgiving often kicks off the season of gatherings, and...

Food + Beverage

Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes

Garden State City Lifestyle Recipe of the Month Article and Photography by Brunch by DeMartino For our November Thankful Issue , we’re especially thankful for these cozy Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes—our favorite recipe of the month from Brunch by DeMartino to share around the table with family and friends. Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes From Brunch by DeMartino in Somerville Serves 8–10 Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 Tbsp granulated sugar 1½ tsp baking powder ...

Home + Design

Clearing Space, Finding Peace

How The Perfect Pak helps clients declutter, downsize, and rediscover joy at home. Article by Patti Zielinski | Photography by The Perfect Pak “Clutter is a state of mind. When your home is in disarray, your life and your mind are in disarray,” says Heidi Wlosek, owner of The Perfect Pak in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. “People often tell me that I gave them their life back.” Since founding The Perfect Pak in 2023, Heidi has helped clients transform their living spaces into organized...

Real Estate

Lights, Camera, Real Estate

Former actor Joe Simone turned his passion for people into a thriving 35-year real estate career. Article by Patti Zielinski | Photography by Joe Simone To call Joe Simone a self-starter is an understatement When Simone, a Realtor at Howard Hanna Rand Realty in Wayne, bought his first house — a three-family home in Paterson — at 21, he learned a lot about real estate. At the time, Simone’s career goal was to be an actor and comedian. After high school, he attended acting school and joined...

Health + Wellness

The Thankful Body

Practicing Gratitude for Yourself This Season Article and Photography by Cara Zamorski November is often thought of as the season of gratitude. We pause to reflect on the blessings in our lives, the people who support us, and the experiences that bring us joy. But there’s one constant companion that rarely makes it onto our gratitude lists — our own body. As a holistic health coach and nutritionist, I’ve seen how often people view their body as something to fix, criticize, or push harder. We...

Food + Beverage

Pasta, Passion & Purpose

Chef Bill’s Culinary Journey With Piatto Di Pasta Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Michael Lago For Chef Bill , food has always been more than a profession — it’s a calling rooted in tradition, family, and community. His culinary journey began at age 11 in his father’s pizzeria in Garfield, New Jersey, where he started out answering phones and taking orders. As soon as he was tall enough to reach the ovens, he was making pizzas himself. Eventually, he ran the shop, carrying with...

Health + Wellness

Spotlight on Care

A Conversation with Dr. Stacy Ugras, Breast Surgical Oncologist Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Stacy Ugras, MD, FACS For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we spoke with Dr. Stacy Ugras, founder of Bergen Breast and Wellness Center, about her path to medicine, patient-first care, and what every woman should be asking her doctor. Q: What inspired you to specialize in breast surgical oncology? I've always been drawn to the biology of cancer and the meaningful relationships that...