Jody Adams, owner of Cambridge's four-star restaurant Rialto, is not just a master of her own kitchen.  The James Beard award-winning chef is also a "Top Chef Masters" contestant on Bravo's acclaimed TV show, putting her culinary skills to the test on the April 28th episode.  She'll go head-to-head with other renowned chefs and is competing in hopes of winning money to benefit Partners in Health's "Stand With Haiti" campaign.

Ever feel like that stylish dress you just bought is just a little TOO low cut for the office?  Are you ever nervous to check the price tag of an exquisite garment  because you're sure such a beautiful dress is likely to deplete your bank account?  Fabulous and classy finds at Shabby Apple are not only budget friendly but they're perfect for work and a night on the town.

HerStory: Mary O’Neill, 55 of Plymouth, is an interior designer
 
PRIDE AND JOY: My wonderful 8-month-old granddaughter Olivia, in Red wood City, Calif.  She’s beautiful and hilarious, and I never  thought I’d have her, so that makes her even more special.

As a creative jewelry designer, photographer, and custom sign maker, among other talents, Needham resident Jill Cohen is an accomplished contributer to this year's Needham Open Studios on May 1 and 2. 

Sarah Bradford is a star on the rise. The 22-year-old model and actress is currently filming two major motion pictures “When the Devil Comes” and “Mountain Park”, living in New York City and is step-sister to local favorite Matt Damon.

HerStory: Carol Kingston Jankowski, 53, of Pembroke, who is a librarian and jewelry designer.

PRIDE AND JOY: I am supremely proud of my two children, both college graduates, and best of friends. The most joyful part of my life is spent with my delightful 18-month-old grandson Calvin. He is curious, joyful, loving, affectionate and always "in the moment." I am also very proud of my very recent foray into jewelry making.

<!--StartFragment-->HerStory: Dr. Robin Feltoon, 54, of Hanover is a mother, dentist and owner of Holly Tree Dental.

PRIDE AND JOY: My personal pride and joy are my sons, Jeffrey and Michael, who are growing up to be wonderful young men.  My professional pride and joy is my dental practice, where I am surrounded by the most devoted team making a difference in patients’ lives.

PERFECT DAY: Right now, a perfect day is having fun at the office and then relaxing after work over a nice dinner with friends.

LOOKING FORWARD: In the short term, I am looking forward to the next chapter in my life: making a lifestyle change vis-à-vis where I am going to live.  Long term, I look forward to volunteering around the world.
 
 

HerStory: Kristina Morris, 36, of Whitman is a full-time mother of three children. This is her perspective on life right now.

PRIDE AND JOY:Having three children and a happy family.

HerSTORY: Debbie Mason, potter and teacher from Duxbury

PRIDE AND JOY: I love our beautiful Greengate Farm and Kennels where I live with my dad and our English cockers and gold retrievers. My nearby pottery studio, my pots, my plants and cooking also give me a lot of joy.

PERFECT DAY: Getting up in the morning, taking care of my dad and the dogs and heading to the studio to make pots.

LOOKING FORWARD: I usually get to England each year to visit friends who are potters and friends who raise dogs. I look forward to my next visit to Dartmoor and the beautiful southwest of England.

PASS IT ON: I love being able to share my joy of working with clay with other people. It is a pleasure to pass on what has been shared with me in terms of skills and ideas. And I enjoy constantly learning from my students as well.

HerStory: Designer Denise Hajjar, originally from Weymouth, operates a designer boutique at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel.

PRIDE AND JOY:  I am most proud of the fact I had a dream as early as I can remember and not only has the dream become reality, it has become something substantial and continues to grow.

PERFECT DAY: I still love to sew and create something from an idea and fabric. It is like therapy for me to sit at a machine and sew. The other thing I love to do is wine tasting. For the past several years I have been going to Napa and Sonoma to discover different wineries and learn what makes each wine different and special.

LOOKING FORWARD: I look forward to expanding my brand and my vision. I truly love what I do every day, so being able to carry out my vision in other major cities would be incredible.

PASS IT ON: My prized possessions are photos of my mom and grandmother on my wall in my home. When I look at these photos, they always give me inspiration and remind me that I was given a gift.

HerStory: Elizabeth Kissick is a jewerly designer

LOVE: I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful and supportive family, from my parents and siblings to my in-laws and cousins, I know I am loved. But living with my husband and my children is the pride and joy I feel everyday. They make me laugh, cry and encourage me every day.

PERFECT DAY: My daughter and I write down a couple versions of perfect days every summer and make sure at least one of these perfect days happen. I have a perfect day plan for Positano, Italy, a plan for Cohasset and one for Nantucket.

LOOKING FORWARD: I‘m looking forward to going to Kansas City for Christmas to be with my husbands and my whole family. In the future I'm looking forward to celebrating my 20th anniversary in Italy next summer with my very best friend, Mark Kissick.

PASS IT ON: I have a bracelet called pass it on. I designed this years ago and it is still one of my best sellers. The simplicity of the clear Swarovski crystals and sterling silver is soothing and pure. A butterfly charm, symbolic of the need to be set free, is attached at the clasp. The bracelet comes with the following poem:

My work: Classic, tailored clothing-with a feminine twist all made in the US, and designed exclusively by me for my boutique on Charles St.

My passion: Helping make women feel beautiful and confident in the clothes I design.

I love: Sunsets, the way yoga makes me feel, and my husband who is my rock.

My favorite possession: Bergdorf Goodman Leopard Pumps.

My best bargain find: When I shop for a bargain, I shop at H&M, they do trendy current looks at reasonable prices.

My hometown: Born: Manhattan, New York  Raised: Newark, Delaware

I’m thinking about: Educating the world on food allergies.

Words I live by: Laugh. Smile. Listen. Dream Big.

I can’t live without: Color in nature...beach, flowers, sunsets. My favorite Designers: Max Mara, Tori Burch, Nanette Lepore, Trina Turk.

One thing I never want to do again: Have Appendicitis.

If I could be totally wild, I would:  Jump on a plane and travel Europe again.

I am guilty of: Wanting too much and wanting it now.

Right now I’m reading: Eat Love Pray.

The one item that has changed my life: The focus and clarity I get from Yoga.

Favorite website: Bombshellmanualofstyle.com