B-metro - The magazine of metro Birmingham living

After The Storm written by Tom Gordon  portraits by Beau gustafson To this day, some of Leigh Ann Motley’s friends still haven’t erased her home phone number from their contact lists. That’s understandable, since her house had the same number, for the same address in Pleasant Grove, for 25 years. The tornado the afternoon of… Read More

Who knew a sock could make you feel better? Photography by Liesa Cole Photo styling and hair by Megan LaRussa; makeup by Jackie Robinson Clothing provided by Molly Green Boutique in Homewood Photo asistance provided by Tony Rodio and Cristophe Nioclet You can live a better life if your feet are wrapped in wholesomeness. That… Read More

What to wear now. Photos by Chuck St. John Birmingham Fashion Week kicked off it’s 2012 season this past February with over 500 guests in attendance for the BFW/Gus Mayer opening night party. Gus Mayer was full of Birmingham’s fashionistas, the who’s who of our local fashion scene. Celebrities came out to show their support… Read More

The trends for fashion this spring and summer seem to have taken their inspiration right out of Barbie and Ken’s closet. For women, the look is light and breezy in lush fabrics splashed with vivid color and bold floral prints. The fit is draped and flowy or tailored snugly to accentuate the feminine form. Men look dapper in the classic… Read More

Using red clay to go green makes perfect sense for these entrepreneurs by Cindy Riley,   Photography by Liesa Cole While working at Yellowstone National Park the summer before her senior year at the University of Alabama, Joy Maples had a revelation. “I truly became aware of my surroundings and the impact nature has on our… Read More

This month we introduced two people who keep a lot of balls aloft at the same time, juggling interests and entrepreneurial visions and a deep love for their hometown, Birmingham James Little is the merchant liaison for Main Street Birmingham, the grassroots economic development organization charged with growing business opportunities, revitalizing neighborhoods and empowering communities…. Read More

French country meets comfortable, calm and sophisticated in this renovated home by Vicki Johnson Photography by Beau Gustafson Architect Chip Gardner and his wife, Faith, were on the market looking for homes to renovate and resell when they fell in love with one and decided to keep it for themselves. “It was just a very… Read More

This month’s One on One conversation centered on connections. We paired up Audrey Pannell with Denise Koch. Both women work in the related but separate fields of public relations and event management. The conversation ranged from the ingredients of a great party to how social media is changing the world. Audrey Pannell currently serves as… Read More

This home is full of light and bright pops of color that give the space a cheery, sunny vibe. by Vicki Johnson, Photography by Beau Gustafson Five years ago, when Todd and Carrie Becker sold their traditional, Nantucket-cottage-style home in Crestline, they knew they wanted to make a major change and create a more minimalist,… Read More

Safety Awareness for Women A unique experience in learning how to protect yourself, no boys allowed. by Robin Richeson Colter You’ve done it before. You are so focused on that project that you barely notice as your co-workers file past you, one by one.  When you finally look up from your computer, it’s 7:15 and… Read More

Industrial designer Sean Simmons has spent three decades creating innovative solutions and elegant designs for the stuff of everyday life. by Tom Wofford Consumers have always been emotionally attached to certain products, tools and machines that share our lives, make our lives easier and, when of a certain quality and style, become objects we think… Read More