Last fall I met the coolest guy– chef Michael Granata. He’s a New Yorker (who all share a special spot in my heart!) and a chef with a cool local business called Granata’s Catering and Kitchen Studio. We met through a mutual friend (thanks Johnnie!) at an event at Granata’s. My husband and I monopolized [...]
If you would have asked me six months ago whether child slavery exists in our world today I probably would have said absolutely not. I had no idea that children as young as five and six are forced to work in mines, brothels and coffee shops every day around the world and right here in [...]
Check out the winter issue of Hope for Women magazine to read my cover story on actress and activist April Lee Hernandez. April is a lovely woman and I absolutely loved interviewing her for this piece. She shot to stardom with her role opposite Oscar-winner Hilary Swank in “Freedom Writers.” But at the height of [...]
The February issue of Belle is always our wedding issue– one of my favorites! This year I got to interview reality star and children’s book author Holly Durst about her upcoming summer wedding to dentist Blake Julian. The pair met on ABC’s hit reality show “Bachelor Pad” last year. Not only did Holly win $125,000, [...]
I just received the latest copy of Business Black Box, which includes a piece I wrote on the hospitality industry in the Upstate. I learned a lot about how big of an economic impact this industry has in our area. Every tax dollar spent on travel and tourism generates $2.67 in income for South Carolina. [...]
Be sure to grab your copy of the January issue of Belle while you still can! It’s a great issue full of fun pieces like how to add years to your life. (Flossing really works people!) There’s an artist profile on a local florist and our Girl Talk features an inspiring local mom who just [...]
I’m excited to announce that I’ve started writing at a new blog: Money Crashers. My first post features an interview with Jim DeBetta whom I met at Ali Brown’s recent Shine conference. I talked to Jim about how to get your products featured on HSN or QVC. According to the site, Money Crashers “strives to [...]
The December issue of Belle is out and it’s definitely one of my favorites! I was able to interview Miss South Carolina Bree Boyce. She has an incredible story. She was severely overweight and at the age of 17 went to the doctor for knee pain. He told her to lose weight and gave her [...]
I’m rounding out 2011 with a double appearance in REDBOOK– including an article on my talented sister Stephanie. When my editor emailed asking if I had any pitches for stories that highlight the upside of a down economy it took me a few minutes to realize that the best story was in my own family. [...]
I love working with new magazines so I’m excited to share my article in the November issue of Town magazine with you. Town is a local magazine based in the Upstate of South Carolina. In fact, their offices are one floor below mine in the Innovate Building! I have had the opportunity recently to get [...]
Michelle Duggar is expecting! Again! This will be baby number 20 for the Duggar family. I admit that I was once a naysayer, wondering why this family felt the need to be so large. I thought surely they had to be a drain on society, but I was completely wrong. I interviewed Michelle this summer [...]
November Belle is on stands now and it’s all about giving back! Here are some of the highlights: Our Girl Talk column features an inspiring young lady who received a service award from Governor Nikki Haley. I wrote a piece on the Junior League of Spartanburg’s six decades of service. I also wrote a piece [...]
Pick up the latest issue of REDBOOK and read my article on how you can be a part of solving the water crisis. There are six easy ways highlighted in the piece. I got the opportunity to interview many amazing people who are changing the world by bringing clean water to those who need it [...]
Once again it slipped my mind to announce that October Belle is on stands. But the good news is that you can still pick up a copy and as always, it’s free! The October issue is full of great gems like tips on taking fall fashion risks, a profile of Mary Chapin Carpenter, and a [...]
A billion people in the world don’t have access to clean drinking water. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you see those ten digits and three commas: 1,000,000,000. But last month I was able to put a face to the water crisis. It was a serious toddler name Maury; Rufus, a hardworking father; and caring [...]
The September issue of Belle is now on stands. Be sure to grab a copy for tips on the best “age erasers” from beauty guru Lindsey Holder. I also wrote a piece on five historic spots worth visiting in the Upstate. Our Girl Talk features the lovely Courtney Tollison, historian for the Upcountry History Museum. [...]
My latest article for Business Black Box is out. It’s called “The Next Big Thing.” I interviewed several local and national business leaders and entrepreneurs about a new program that is launching right here in the Upstate. Entrepreneurs pitch their ideas, and a select few are invited to attend a summer boot camp where they [...]
Yes, August Belle is out… I feel a little bad sharing this news now since it’s so belated. But I was in Africa for ten days with no Internet access, so hopefully that counts for something. August Belle will help you tap into your artistic side. We’ve got a feature on why sewing isn’t just [...]
My husband and I are part of a team heading to Liberia, West Africa tomorrow to assist in well-drilling projects for Water of Life. It’s hard to believe that this is actually happening. I’ve been passionate about bringing clean water to Third World countries for years now and I’ve dreamed of witnessing that moment when [...]
Our July issue of Belle is now on news stands! It’s a fun issue all about pets. I had a great time working on several pooch-centered articles including one on dog-preneurs. I interviewed two talented women who loved their pets so much they launched companies around them. I also interviewed the owner of the smartest [...]
Are you planning a summer vacation? I’m planning a few of them and I am very excited– especially because I’m paying cash! Summer vacations are so much more fun when you can come home without lugging a bunch of debt back with you. This month in my piece for Hope for Women Magazine I talked [...]
For the third month in a row I have an article in REDBOOK. This month my piece is about how to keep kids drug-free. One of the ladies I interviewed for the piece, Deb White, started an innovative program in her community of Cody, Wyoming. I talked to Deb a few times on the phone [...]
The June issue of Belle is out and actually it has been for more than a week! I just completely forgot to write my monthly post announcing it here. It’s a great issue– groundbreaking really. We’ve got two guys on the cover for the first time in Belle history. One is Chris, the winner of [...]
I’d say 95% of the time I love interviewing people. I love the freedom being a writer gives me to ask pretty much any question I want– no matter how crazy, bold or uncomfortable. I can talk to people about things that they may not normally tell a stranger. And after more than ten years [...]
