L ET TE R F R O M TH E E DI TO R
D a s h in g Th ro u g h t h e Do u gh
EFFORTLESSLY INSPIRED INTERIOR DESIGN
t was love at first sight when I spotted an expertly adorned Rameses cookie while scrolling through Instagram. After perusing more examples of themed iced cookies on Keri Efird’s @baker.street.cookies account, I knew a few custombaked goods would make the perfect cover for our December issue. We’re always thinking a few months ahead at the magazine, so asking photographer John Michael Simpson to take a suitable holiday photo amid the fall foliage can be tough. Seasonal cookies by a UNC alumni would solve that yearly puzzle! After a long phone call where we connected over her previous life as a graphic designer and our mutual affinity for Halloween, Keri was game. I made a list – and checked it twice – of some of our favorite Chapel Hill holiday things (including the cutest Carolina blue firetruck decked out with tiny twinkling lights!). I picked up the treats from Keri, and we turned our conference room into a makeshift photo studio. Everyone got in on the action as we worked together like elves in a workshop, with colleagues from different departments popping their heads in to see the magic happen. Digital Editor Kevin Delgado even recorded the whole thing in a time-lapse video! (Visit our Instagram account, @chapelhillmag, to see the behind-the-scenes action.) The final cover is the result of a major team effort, much like the work that goes into creating this magazine all year long. If you’re looking for more sweets, turn to page 22 for three delectable recipes to savor and share with loved ones. Then flip to page 36 for fun things to do this month as a family, from gingerbread-decorating classes to the 1-mile Running of the Elves in Hillsborough. We wish you happy holidays and hope you have a chance to recharge this season. CHM
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chapelhillmagazine.com
December 2022
jessica.stringer@chapelhillmagazine.com
O N TH E COV E R I ce d co o ki e s by Ke r i E f i rd ; p h o to by J o h n M i c h a e l S i mpson