Bring a touch of the natural world into your home with green accessories and paint. A green pillow, vase, mug or candle holder brings the outdoors in and creates a sense of serenity—throw in some plants to really set the mood. We love a green accent wall in any room of the house; green paint also works well when it comes to repainting a chest of drawers or a wooden chair.
Faux boxwood wreath, $14; For Your Convenience
“Shirley Moo” by Kristen Kash, $200; For Your Convenience
Adney geometric accent rug 8’ x 10’, $346.99; Target
Decanter, $68; Shops at 1700
Vietri artichokes green figural platter, $150; Bailey’s Fine Jewelry
Floor 9 wooden bowl 14”, $48; Zest Cafe & Home Art
Bring some boldness back into your wardrobe this winter with statement red blouses, dresses, bags and jewelry. The earlier nightfall and cooler temperatures make for the perfect excuse to spice things up and get dressed up for a fun night out. These red wardrobe additions will daringly carry you through your holiday season and into the new year.
Liverpool clean moto jacket, $129; C.T. Weekends.
Minnie Rose cashmere distressed v-neck sweater, $210; Uniquities.
Sugar + Lips Jojo color block sweater, $64; Madison
An Army Air Corps pilot recalls training for World War II.
Though this December 7 marks 79 years since the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Dave Stewart remembers the attack by Japanese air forces on the Hawaiian naval base like it was yesterday.
“It was very early in the morning and I was lying in bed, listening to my radio, when I heard the news of the attack,” Stewart recalls. “I had a friend stationed there so my thoughts immediately went to him. I was in shock and scared and I woke my mother up to tell her.”
Stewart’s friend was safe but an existing desire to fly intensified to help his country.
Stewart, who was born in 1924, is the son of Alton Stewart, the first licensed pilot in North Carolina. Interestingly, it was Orville Wright who signed Alton’s pilot’s license.
“When a Wright brother was a family friend, needless to say, planes have been my passion since I was a toddler,” Stewart says. Though his father died in a tragic Christmas Day plane crash when Stewart was 5 years old, he says his father’s death “only made my dreams of flying stronger.”
“I always knew I’d be a pilot,” Stewart adds.
Two years after the devastation of Pearl Harbor, when World War II was in full swing, Stewart—who had just graduated from Durham High School’s class of 1943—enlisted in the Army Air Corps in the hopes of joining the fight.
“I was both elated and nervous about the possibility of joining the war effort overseas,” Stewart recounts. “All I ever wanted to do was become a pilot and now I was getting my chance.”
Stewart headed down to basic flight school in Alabama, where he trained in a Vultee BT-13A (also known as a Vultee Vibrator) at Gunter Field. The Vultee was the most common plane used to train American pilots during the war.
“For me, being in the air is like being in heaven,” Stewart says. Stewart was set to leave for Europe to join his fellow servicemen in the war efforts when news of the Allied invasion of Normandy—better known as D-Day—arrived.
“I was proud of our troops when I heard that the war had ended, and happy that our nation’s efforts were successful,” Stewart says.
But he was reluctant to give up on his dream of flying, so Stewart earned his commercial pilot’s license as well as his commercial glider pilot’s license. Then, after learning about the G.I. Bill—a law that provided benefits to service members including a college education—Stewart decided to enroll at NC State University. Soon after, Stewart met his wife, Corrine, and he put his days of flying behind him.
“Flying was the time of my life but I knew that if I went on to be a commercial pilot, I’d be away from my young family, and I certainly didn’t want that,” he says.
Instead, Stewart began a career with the Kirby Company selling vacuum cleaners in 1951. In 1973, he started his own franchise which grew to be the largest Kirby distributor in the world.
Now, at 96 years old, you’ll still find Stewart sitting behind the Kirby counter at his service and parts center on West South Street, greeting customers, neighbors and guests who stop in to hear his stories.
“I’ve been all around the world, seen and met many wonderful people,” Stewart says. “I think about what my life would’ve been like had I gone over to the war but I know that God has always had a beautiful plan for me. My life has been full and wonderful.”
Roxanne Ejlali Lundy spent the last decade working downtown in the small business community, including at Videri Chocolate Factory and for the Downtown Raleigh Alliance. Having always had an appreciation for fashion, Lundy holds a degree from NC State’s College of Textiles in fashion and product development. Lundy spends her free time following various fashion creatives, doing art projects and staying active with her husband, Will, and she enjoys living close to her parents, in-laws and three younger siblings. Alongside Trey Roberts and Josh Lamm, Lundy is one of the co-founders of the nonprofit Raleigh Pride, dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.
Hometown: I am a Raleigh native! I grew up in the neighborhood across from Fred Fletcher Park where all the streets are named after presidents. In high school, my family moved to north Raleigh.
Your neighborhood: Will and I live in the Longview neighborhood east of downtown along with our cat, D.C. (Dairy Cow).
What do you love most about Raleigh: The outdoor trails at the NC Museum of Art, the greenway trails (we like to ride bikes), the Contemporary Art Museum (where my husband and I got married), NC State’s arboretum, Dorothea Dix Park, the murals around town (thanks, Raleigh Murals Project), the Shimmer Wall, the Farmer’s Market and the historic homes.
Currently reading: I follow Slayer Sister’s Book Club and ordered this month’s book, “A Rogue of One’s Own.” I also ordered “Stamped – Racism, Antiracism, and You” and “Accidentally Wes Anderson.”
Currently listening to: It’s the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead’s album “American Beauty” so I’ve been listening to that! It was a staple growing up. But typically, I listen to a solid mix of pop and R&B (cue eye roll from my entire family)–Beyonce, Pharrell, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Rhianna, Taylor Swift, Drake. When I need to focus, I listen to recordings of ocean waves.
Style mantra: Clothing doesn’t define you. It is a form of expression. What you wear should make you feel good, give you confidence and inspire a mood. Experiment, have fun and know you (and your style) are always evolving.
Style influencers: Tara Gardiner, one of the owners of Salon Blu, has been doing my hair for 10 years and is incredible. People stop me on the street to ask about my hair. I enjoy following Pierpaolo Piccioli at Valentino, Christopher John Rogers, Rodarte, Prabal Gurung and so many more! I am always mesmerized by Sarah Burton’s collections at Alexander McQueen. I love that both Stella McCartney and Sarah Burton chose to upcycle parts of their recent collections.
Favorite clothing labels: Locally, Raleigh Denim. Otherwise, there isn’t anything unique about the places I shop. I love a good sale! I am drawn to J. Crew, Anthropologie, French Connection and I enjoy discovering brands online I’ve never heard of before. That said, I am making a conscious effort to support sustainable brands. The fashion industry is very wasteful and bad for the environment. My goal is to reduce my impact so I started having my clothes tailored and re-designed at Glenwood South Tailors. I feel like I am gaining a new wardrobe by adjusting pieces I already have!
Flats vs. Heels: There are two things I can’t stand: 1. Being cold and 2. Wearing painful shoes. I’m flats and sneakers all the way. I will choose comfort every time.
Local go-to shop: Raleigh Denim and Edge of Urge. I like popping in to Deco for gifts and admiring Quercus jewelry next door.
Last great lunch: Capital Club 16 is one of my go-to spots. The Golden Garden Sandwich is my favorite.
Go-to piece: My navy blue, leather motorcycle jacket purchased in New York from J.Crew. It was the only size in the store and it fit perfectly. It was meant to be!
Favorite piece of jewelry: I love Peppertrain necklaces and earrings. Kaitlin Ryan makes clay beads by hand, blending colors and creating great shapes. She has incredible style and I love everything she makes!
Travel dreaming: I like to alternate travel-to-explore and travel-to-relax. Before COVID-19, I crammed in some travel to explore. Right now, I’d like to relax on a warm, remote beach somewhere in Hawaii. I’ve never been!
How do you stay fit: I try to maintain a daily stretching routine. There was a brief period this summer where I worked my way into a split but, unfortunately, I wasn’t able to maintain it. I also enjoy kicking the soccer ball. My favorite game involves juggling the soccer ball into the basketball net.
Favorite drink: Every morning I make a pour-over using Black & White Coffee – The Natural. I also drink a green smoothie daily. If I don’t make one at home, I pick one up at Raleigh Raw.
Style secret: My personal style involves a classic look with a pop of something – color, texture or contrast. A few tips I try to keep in mind: • Less is more • Choose one: a strong eyeliner or a bold lip • Look for patterns or stripes that line up at the seams • When in doubt, wear black • Rock it!
Moment in your life that inspired your style: When I was younger, I coveted bold outfits I saw on the street, in magazines and online. I love clothing that stands out but, at the time, didn’t have the confidence to rock it. Finally, it hit me – why not?! Life’s too short. Wear what you want!
