Ring, ring, ring went your cell phone.
Ping, ping, ping went your AIM.
Ding, ding, ding went your poor little laptop as it fell to the floor with a craaash!
Not music to your ears, either. But bag maker Holly Aiken can pack your portables in harmonious style. Check out her purses, clutches, computer, travel bags and even diaper bags at her new shop location called Stitch in that cute green building on the corner at 20 E. Hargett St.

After graduating from the School of Design at NCSU, Holly's passion helped to build her own design business. She has remained true to her original vision, which is to provide uncomplicated bags using distinctive, indestructible materials. Influenced by colors found in dime store isles and vintage racing jackets, Holly's bags are primarily made from vinyl and bold black webbing trim, accented by stripes or crisp geometric shapes. Each creation is handmade in the USA and constructed with precision and care to withstand the daily grind.

Bad Times Brewing? - Not For Beer!  Life's guilty pleasures usually thrive during tough economic times.  Now it seems the only acceptable - and affordable - sin left is alcohol, namely beer ... Particularly craft beer - an industry that has grown 36% over the past three years.   Coming soon to the Triangle are two new micro breweries, LoneRider Brewing Company and the Boylan Bridge BrewPub.  LoneRider will start selling its craft to Raleigh bars at the end of January and will be open to the public for brewery tours on Friday evenings at 6:00 pm.  The Boylan Bridge BrewPub, located in the Raleigh Warehouse District (201 Boylan Avenue) will serve meals as well as their on-premise brews.  Awaiting final permits, they should be open soon.

designsbymichele1@gmail.com