If you like gingerbread, and even if you don’t, there is  something  magical about a gingerbread house, and an extraordinary one will grace our December gift guide cover for Lake Erie LifeStyle.  Marnie Mead Oberle made a gingerbread house that is a true work of art — the photo here looks like a cute cabin compared to Marnie’s extraordinary hotel-style home complete with snowman, candles, shrubbery and a walkway.

Our model, 2-year-old Madeline Wachter, daughter of Tim and Claire Wachter did an incredible job. Jill Chaklos is our art director, and Rob Engelhardt and Matt Mead lit the scene in an inspiring shot that takes the cake (or gingerbread!) I am so honored to work with such talented folks. And a major thank-you to our Lake Erie LifeStyle intern Rachel Latsko from Penn State Erie who got some great smiles out of Madeline.

The issue is  full of great local — and I mean local — gifts that will knock your socks off.  It comes out Sunday, November 27 — yes that is Thanksgiving weekend, so good heavens — don’t recycle your newspaper until you pull us out!

Now for freebies! Thanks to Allure Hair Studio, in Erie, you can try a sample of Eufora hair conditioner. I tried it and I loved it. And I am picky. This concoction has a wonderful aroma of mint and lemon and left my ultra-dry hair soft, shiny and full of body. Comment here to get a free sample First one in gets the packet and you’ll love it. I’m buying a bottle.