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Dear Jess, I have seen the wonders you have done to help unfashionable souls such as myself and am hoping you can help. A film I worked on over a year ago is set to premiere at the Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose, CA at the end of the month. It's kind of a big deal for me and even if it doesn't lead to other fantastic acting jobs, I want to look the part and be as chic as any celebrity. Thanks, Audra

Dainty and delicate bite-sized bites loaded with exotic and traditional flavors topped with thick dollops of frosting. What more could a girl want in a cupcake? This month's in-house Girls Nite Out, our staff traveled downtown to a sweet little shop filled with life and vitality. The Hot Pink Cake Stand isn't your typical bakery. Stepping into the bakery is a sensory explosion! From the beautiful pops of color to the aroma of baked sweetness filling the air to the eclectic music choices, we realized this wasn't going to be a typical trip to the bakery for day-old baked goods.

Like most kids from the seventies and eighties, I remember drinking water right out of the faucet. We drank water from the water hose during the summer because it was there and nobody's momma wanted them or their friends tracking dirt and sand through her house. Grown-ups never hassled us about drinking water from the water hose because it was, gasp, contaminated.

Most locals know that many film and television productions have been shot in Wilmington, but some are surprised at just how many have been created here. According to IMDB.com, almost 400 movies or television episodes have used our city for locations, which might account for a particular feeling of deja vu when you're driving around town, hitting the beach or enjoying a meal at a local restaurant. In fact, it would be difficult to avoid famous and not-so-famous film locations in the Port City if you tried. Of course there is no way to pay homage to all the wonderful films that have called Wilmington home, but here are a few spots that you'll probably know both in real life and in the movies.

Going Green does not mean you need to overhaul your whole life...take it step by step & make simple choices in your everyday life to consider using recycled and sustainable materials when making purchases! Use these Focus Finds for some inspiration!

I have to admit. We aren't exactly a "green family." My friend last year gave me the book Green for Dummies. Funny, huh?  I honestly saw "going green" as more work for me. I realized the importance of being "green" for our Earth and environment, and I totally support the idea that the ecological footprints of our son's ancestors shouldn't be trapped in the landscape around him, but the idea of adding something else to my already filled plate, was enough to give me indigestion. And then I started my research. I realized there were many practical and economical ways for moms everywhere to go green! It turned out we were greener than I thought!

Focusing on living green in our society can be difficult. Luckily we have businesses that are designed to help us ride the environmentally friedly wave. The encouraging trend is that this list is growing, but still not many stores offer the diversity in products that Tidal Creek Cooperative Food Market (5329 Oleander Drive) provides on a daily basis.