JULY / AUGUST 2025

Simply Buckhead’s Rising Stars Cover Story
RISING STARS

MEET THE STANDOUT LOCALS MAKING WAVES IN 2025! Dynamic professionals from all sectors—entrepreneurs, creatives and…

The Henry chandelier in the "Magnolia Room" is by Stray Dog Designs and was custom made to order out of paper mâché.
WRITING THEIR STORY

A CLOSE-KNIT FAMILY CREATES A HOME HAVEN IN SANDY SPRINGS! Once Sara Beth Upshaw and…

Sandy Springs-based artist Carol Santos
CAROL SANTOS

Weaving together memory, identity and art from Brazil to Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs-based artist Carol…

Jenna Gross, founder of Atlanta’s Colordrunk Designs
PAPER PRAGMATISM

Pointers on adding wallpaper to your space! Jenna Gross, founder of Atlanta’s Colordrunk Designs, grew…

New needlepoint stitchers can take beginner classes at Nimble Needle in Sandy Springs. Photos: Courtesy of Meg Daws
ON POINT

BEGINNER NEEDLEPOINT CLASSES AT SANDY SPRINGS SHOP. The Nimble Needle in Sandy Springs, owned by…

Adam Wexler - executive chairman of PrizePicks
ADAM WEXLER

A techpreneur is building brands around fan fun. Sandy Springs native Adam Wexler’s goal in…

Susan and Brian Banner started the Atlanta chapter of Most Valuable Kids, which has contributed more than 70,000 tickets to underserved youth.
EXPANDING HORIZONS

Turning unused tickets into joy! An old article in a local newspaper about Most Valuable…

Kayla Nelson, co-founder of the Buckhead Silent Reading Book Club, joins likeminded enthusiasts in quiet reading.
QUIET READING

Silent Book Clubs draw readers who want to savor the silence. Given the crush of…

John Smoltz, (second from right) former Atlanta Braves pitcher and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, poses at his annual golf tournament.
FOR[E] THE KIDS

John Smoltz heads Celebrity-Am golf tournament. The 33rd annual John Smoltz Braves Celebrity-Am golf tournament…

Atlanta-based interior designer Susan Ferrier has partnered with Baker to launch her debut furniture line.
DESIGN & REALTY NEWS – JULY / AUGUST 2025

Atlanta-based interior designer Susan Ferrier has partnered with Baker to launch her debut furniture line.…

KINGA CLUES
KINGA CLUES

Bringing professional organizing prowess into fashion accessories! Kinga Clues says she was born with what…

Distillery of Modern Art launched indepth bourbon and rye tours in May.
WHISKEY-FOCUSED TOURS

Chamblee distillery unveils new tours and tastings! Distillery of Modern Art, led by CEO and…

Upper West Market will offer an indoor farmers market experience.
FRESH MARKET

Upper West Market brings an everyday indoor farmers market to Atlanta! Upper West Market, an…

Arnette’s Chop Shop shows its range in dishes from delicate pasta and fresh salads to hearty steaks.
FEATURED RESTAURANTS – JULY / AUGUST 2025

A sampling of great eats in and around Buckhead! ARNETTE’S CHOP SHOP Arnette’s will dazzle…

Mini Highlighters
WRITE THIS WAY

Bland binders and basic ball-point pens have no place here. Whether you’re at color-coding-your-calendar level…

Andalusia Farms is the home of Flannery O'Connor and where she wrote many of her most famous literary works.
MARVELOUS MILLEDGEVILLE

Flannery O’Connor’s hometown is a literary-filled escape. I take a wrong turn just outside of…

Giannina Bedford
Editor’s Letter – JULY / AUGUST 2025

What is the definition of success? Is it money? Notoriety? For my son, it’s any…

Old San Juan is anchored by the centuries-old El Morro fort.
SUN, FUN AND FOOD

Three days in San Juan, no passport required! With travel requirements becoming stricter and long-haul…

bruschetta with tomato and stracciatella recipe from Chef and Owner Costanzo Astarita of Baraonda Ristorante & Bar in Sandy Springs.
CIAO BELLA

Bring home a taste of Italy! Whip up this bruschetta with tomato and stracciatella recipe…

photo: ElenaMist - tips for safe and effective summer outdoor workouts
TAKE IT OUTSIDE

Buckhead trainer offers tips for safe and effective summer outdoor workouts! It’s called Hotlanta for…

INSLEY DAVIS
INSLEY DAVIS

Bringing a love of teaching and storytelling to GPB. As far back as she can…

Lori Oliver and Jill McRae, founders of The Inactive Company
BEHIND THE MASK

A performance-based sleep mask for better quality sleep. More than 60 million Americans suffer from…

Pan-seared North Georgia trout is simple elegance.
COMFORTABLY QUIRKY

PERSONALITY ABOUNDS AT LOCAL THREE KITCHEN & BAR! Craving contemporary American cuisine but in no…

HIEU HUYNH
HIEU HUYNH

Capturing the Asian American experience in the South through food storytelling. Hieu Huynh is an…

Beyond the Bars gives dogs and previously incarcerated men a second chance.
SECOND CHANCES

A canine training program helps rehabilitate the formerly incarcerated. In 2021, Susan Jacobs-Meadows started Beyond…

Natalie DeLancey
BEHIND THE CURTAIN

City Springs exec puts musical theater training to work off stage. Natalie DeLancey’s heart has…

Caroline Eubanks (above) visited and researched historic venues such as Johnny's Hideaway and Northside Tavern for her latest book, A Boozy History of Atlanta: People, Places & Drinks that Made a City.
RAISING THE BAR

LOCAL AUTHOR PUBLISHES BOOK ABOUT HISTORIC HAUNTS IN BUCKHEAD AND BEYOND! Writer Caroline Eubanks, author…

Jeffrey Stepakoff photo: Jolie Loren Photography
WRITING GEORGIA’S NEXT ACT

Jeffrey Stepakoff is creating the rooms where TV stories happen. Jeffrey Stepakoff spent decades writing…

THE PROS AND CONS OF DERMAPLANING photo: andresr
THE PROS AND CONS OF DERMAPLANING

Should women shave their faces? For a long time, shaving wasn’t something women did on…