Home + Design

Crafting Timeless Homes

Kathryn Hunt Studio Provides Expert Advice for Creating Your Dream Space Article by Lucinda Jamison Finding the perfect balance between style and function when you’re building a home or renovating can be a daunting task.  The key to success lies in making informed decisions with the help of a design professional. A full-service interior decoration and design firm in West Hartford, The Kathryn Hunt Studio works in an array of visual styles to assist clients through the design process and...

Home Services

Connecticut Shade and Blind: A Commitment to Customer Service

The locally-owned business has been in the same family for decades Article by Brian Boyer | Photography by John Helmke Founded on the principles of offering quality products and impeccable customer service, Connecticut Shade and Blind emerged 37 years ago as a family-owned business that defies the norm.  "Our business was started because it was a good fit, and we wanted to offer products that stand the test of time, not bound by seasonal fluctuations," says Ron Gattinella, the founder and...

Home + Design

Real Estate Trends - 2024

A Conversation With Dawn Gagliardi, a Realtor With Coldwell Banker Article by Eileen M. McNamara | Photography by Connecticut Headshots Dawn Gagliardi is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty. She and her business partner, Abby Dudarewicz, are on the top-producing Corrado Team.  A former attorney, Dawn is a fierce negotiator and zealous advocate for her clients. With over 250 transactions under her belt, Dawn brings real-life business experience to the table to help her clients navigate the...

Home + Design

JWM Architects Explains Intelligent Design

Architects Can Help Control Building Expenses With Intelligent Design Options Article by John W. MacFarlane | Photography by Felicia Pascarella, John W. MacFarlane The past few years have created significant price increases in the building trades and especially in new home construction.  Rising demand, fuel prices and the recent epidemic have driven up materials costs. Record highs in home equity values have spurred a boom in renovation and additions to existing properties, placing...

Health + Wellness

Aging in Place

Constant Homemakers and Companions Provides Numerous In-Home Services Article by Eileen M. McNamara | Photography by John Helmke The demand for in-home care and services is growing rapidly in this country, fueled by an aging population and a desire by many senior Americans to be able to remain in their homes. To meet that demand, home-care service companies, such as Constant Homemakers and Companions Inc., are dedicated to meeting the homecare needs of the older population. A registered...

Food + Beverage

Shephard's Pie

Try skipping the usual corned beef this year for a more sublime, authentic Irish meal Article by Eileen M. McNamara Looking for an alternative to the typical corned beef dinner on St Patrick's Day? Corned beef is Irish-American, immigrants came up with it when they came to this country. So here's a recipe for an authentic Irish meal, one you would easily encounter any day in Ireland. Traditionally the Irish used ground lamb in Shepard's Pie, but you can substitute ground beef, chicken or...

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...

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...

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...