Highlighted Post

Nail art

Stylish Sets to Suit Your Nails

Styled by Madelyn Jones | Photos by L.G. Patterson Nail art is all the rage right now. From detailed designs that look like tiny masterpieces to more subdued colors and styles, the summer nail trends have a wide range of styles from which to choose. And that’s always a good thing since what works for one […]

Club Car Wash

Best of Columbia 2023

Photos by L.G. Patterson The results are finally in! After thousands (and thousands!) of nominations and votes, we are ready to present the very Best of Columbia. Below, you’ll find the winners in a wide variety of categories, from Best Burger to Best Festival or Annual Event. This year, thanks to readers like you, we received […]

My Sweet Parlor owner

New Shop Downtown Offers More Than Just Treats

Photos by L.G. Patterson Summer is the perfect time for a refreshing sweet treat. Whether you need something to cool you off or pick you up, sometimes nothing hits the spot quite like a tasty indulgence. For those looking for something different, My Sweet Parlor, a new Asian dessert shop in downtown Columbia, aims to […]

coopers landing

23 Things to do in Summer ’23

Photos by L.G Patterson & Ava Kitzi The summer sun is out and it’s time to enjoy all the perks that come with this beloved season. So, we’ve rounded up 23 essential summer activities to do before fall arrives.Whether you’re a lifelong Columbia resident or a new transplant to our community, we’re sure you’ll find […]

Encounters052623_243761-min

Columbia Native Builds Profession From Passion

Photos by L.G. Patterson It’s not often that a dream comes from an early injury. But that’s exactly what happened with Kendall Lademann, who broke her femur at age 3 and started dancing as a form of physical therapy. “We weren’t really sure if it would stick, but it did and I just fell in […]

Fashion-sunglasses(2)

Find Sunglasses to Suit Your Style

Styled By Madelyn Jones and Diahann Bieser / Photos By L.G. Patterson  Longer days, warm weather and sunny skies — combine all three and you get the perfect conditions for some outdoor fun in mid-Missouri. But before you head out into the sunlight, make sure you’re ready with right accessories. This selection of sunglasses from […]

Rock climbing

The Thrill Seekers Guide to Mid-Missouri

Photos by Ava Kitzi There’s nothing quite like getting your adrenaline pumping. Suddenly, you’re completely in the moment as a mix of fear and anticipation takes over. For some people, this particular rush is beyond addicting. So they seek it out in a variety of ways, from scary movies to thrill-seeking activities designed to get your […]

organize clutter

Get Organized with these Five Steps to Clear the Clutter

Having an organized space can make or break your productivity, stress level and overall well-being. But knowing where to start can be a challenge. Bonnie Hudson, founder of Beyond Organized MO, LLC, says organizing a space not only creates balance, but it allows people to regain control of their lives. “You will be more focused […]

DiningOut Belly market

Local Market and Rotisserie Takes Over Columbia Staple

Photo by L.G. Patterson Food is part of so many traditions. It helps us celebrate love and loss, and fills your belly with comfort after a long day. That’s the goal of Belly Market & Rotisserie in south Columbia. Benjamin Hamrah and Amanda Elliot, co-owners of Belly Market, created a one-stop-shop for people to enjoy […]

Sherie Rodekohr makes a floral arrangement.

Creating Your Own Floral Arrangement

Photos by L.G. Patterson Nothing freshens up a space quite like fresh flowers. Whether it’s a centerpiece meant to grab attention or a simple tableside arrangement to add a pop of color, flowers can make all the difference in any room. Sherie Rodekohr has spent her entire career in horticulture, with more than 30 years teaching […]

A Trek Through The Coffee Scene

Photos by L.G. Patterson Some days, we all could use an extra boost. For those of us who crave caffeine, there are moments where nothing can beat that perfect cup, whether it’s coffee, espresso or tea. And there’s plenty of options when it comes to where to enjoy that satisfying sip, each with its own […]

Cutest Pet Winner Loki

Meet Columbia’s Cutest Pets

Photos by L.G. Patterson Meet four of Columbia’s cutest pets. How do we know? You helped us pick! We sought out the most adorable animals to feature in our pages and received hundreds of entries of dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets and even one zebu. (Unfamiliar? So were we. It’s a form of cattle.) Suffice to […]

inside columbia,columbia,como,midmo,mo,central mo,missouri,fashion,rain,playing in the rain,raincoat,rainboots,local,businesses,business

Brightening Up Rainy Days

Styled by Madelyn Jones | Photos by L.G. Patterson You know what they say: “April showers bring May flowers!” But if the promise of a colorful May isn’t enough to get you through those gray, rainy spring days, then don’t wait. Make those April showers bright with these must-have rainy day items from area shops. […]

Fougere food

Dinner Made Easy

Photos by L.G. Patterson A few years ago, by necessity, we pivoted from a traditional catering business to a new venture, preparing family meals on a weekly basis. Our emphasis was to make easy meals that were a hit with the whole family, trying a lot of new recipes in the process and meeting a […]

Dining Out - Irenes

Local Pop-Up Finds Permanent Placement

Photos by L.G. Patterson Editor’s note: This article was updated in April 2023 with new information on Irene’s.  Mid-Missourians are no strangers to barbecue — it practically runs in our veins. And soon, there will be a new place filled with smoky smells, hearty flavors and smiling faces. What was once an occasional pop-up has […]

Madalyn and Melvin Wedding

Happy Couple Journeys From Puppy Love to Wedded Bliss

Photos by Molly Pasternock Three years after meeting, Madalyn Wells and Melvin Gabel exchanged vows in a non-religious ceremony at Sorenson Estates. For Madalyn, having the celebration in her hometown of Columbia was especially important. “COMO is where I was born and raised,” she says. “It’s where I met the love of my life. Having […]

inside columbia,columbia,como,midmo,central,missouri,magazine,dueling djs,gift,wrap,christmas,kcmq,y107,cosmo,trevor,battle,kristin,video

Wrap Battle: Whose Gift-Wrapping Skills Need The Extra Tape?

Photos by L.G. Patterson Each issue, two on-air talents from two different Zimmer Communications’ stations will take on a seemingly simple challenge to see who comes out on top. This issue, Cosmo from Y107 and Trevor from 96.7 KCMQ battled to see who has the best gift-wrapping skills. Click here to see video of the […]

Sushi at home

Sushi to Your Taste: Explore the Different Varieties, Styles Possible

Photos by L.G. Patterson I recently had the pleasure of cooking with Jina Yoo. If you have been around Columbia and are a lover of sushi, you have probably been to her namesake restaurant, Jina Yoo’s Asian Bistro, or her second Columbia restaurant, Le Bao Asian Eatery, featuring steam buns and ramen. Maybe you’ve tried […]

inside columbia,como,midmo,central missouri,missouri,magazine,health,wellness,mason stevens,holidays,eating,overindulgence overload,healthy,nutrition,indulgence,moderation,fitness,exercise

Five Tips For Staying Healthy During The Holidays

The holiday season is here. It began with a sugar overload on Halloween. Then came the daylong feast known as Thanksgiving. Now, in December and January come holiday parties, long days of shopping, trips to visit family and any number of disruptions to our typical routines. Nutrition suffers, workouts get postponed and extra pounds can […]

Bonbons from Tsokolatè Confiserie

Local Chocolatiers Soothe More Than Just a Sweet Craving

Photos by L.G. Patterson Tsokolatè Confiserie is about more than just a sweet treat. The local chocolate shop, which takes its name from the Filipino term for chocolate and is pronounced cho-ko-lat-eh, serves superfood-based bonbons. Jan Sanchez, who owns the shop with her sister, Elle, and serves as one of the chocolatiers, says their goal has […]