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The best thing about Spring in Florida is the countless things to do; fairs, festivals, and outdoor art shows make up only a few of the fantastic ways to spend your time in the Sunshine State. While the rest of the country is still shoveling snow and sporting their winter coats, Florida is buzzing with activity. Grapefruit, oranges, strawberries, carambolas, guava, and tangerines are just a few of the many fruits and vegetables fully in bloom in Florida in the Spring. Because unlike most foods grown in other states, Florida's most extensive crop production comes in the winter months, thus allowing the farmer's markets to showcase their most beautiful bounty from November through May. Just another reason to skip town, leave the snow behind and escape to the Sunshine State for a lovely long weekend.
See you in Florida
Gretchen Grey
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CONTENT
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LET'S GO TO THE BEACH,BEACH!
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THE ARTISTS' WORKBENCH
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THE SURF INN
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THE FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
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47 ROCA VIVA
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MANAGED & PUBLISHED BY
ECS DESIGNS BRAND & MARKETING FIRM 2524 Bridgewood Ln, Snellville, GA. 30078
GET IN TOUCH https://www.floridavacationmagic.com https://www.instagram.com/floridavacationmagic/
All content @2023. All rights reserved
22 9 WHO WE ARE Florida Vacation Magic is a Luxury Lifestyle Travel Brand created to introduce travelers to vacation homes and boutique businesses throughout the state of Florida. Our Lifestyle Travel Magazine was designed as a Luxury Coffee Table Experience. Our goal was to create an elegant way to introduce travelers to Designer Vacation Homes, Artists, and Boutique Businesses while inspiring vacationers to experience travel in a deeper, more meaningful way. We want to give special thanks to our publishing partner ECS Designs, our photographers, travel writers, and the entire staff, whose dedicated efforts elevate our readers' experience and make every issue better than the previous.
F L O R I D A V A C A T I O N M A G I C . C O M
ST.PETERSBURG
ESCAPE TO THE SUNSHINE STATE
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St. Pete Beach When you find a piece of the world that speaks to you, there is no reason to reinvent the wheel. Growing up on the Florida coast, I have been to many beaches, but when it's time to plan a day by the water, I set my GPS for the Dolphin Beach Resort, knowing that my perfect place in the sand is waiting just for me.
Often listed in the top five beaches in the world, it is no surprise that St. Pete beach is one of my favorite beaches of all time. With Sunny days year-round, it makes sense that families around the world travel to enjoy the sugarsoft sand, the waves, the weather, and build memories together. 9
Public parking is available, along with restaurants, Publix, and anything you could need right across the street.If you are looking for nice shells, you will want to drive south towards pass-agrill, home of the most beautiful shells and sea creatures. The historic Don Cesar Hotel is worth stopping by if you have a few minutes to spare. This famous pink hotel has quite a fascinating history https://www.doncesar.com/ourhistory and is a destination you will always never forget.
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Gather - Create - Celebrate! Located in the heart of Central Florida, Mendonsa Place is a twenty-two-person boutique vacation rental offering a tranquil location that invites you to focus on family and life’s simple pleasures.
WWW.MENDONSAPLACE.COM
CONSCIOUS TRAVEL
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Visitors worldwide have the privilege to witness the artists' unique process and then visit the gallery to enjoy and purchase items to take home to remember their time in St. Petersburg, Florida. Natural light and a sidewalk view is the perfect combination to showcase the work from a distance and inspire locals and visitors to explore the beauty from a closer vantage point.
Located in downtown St. Pete Florida CraftArt is home to many local artists whose work is truly spectacular. From glass to cotton, fabric to clay, each artist brings the essence of self with each piece created and displayed. The Artist Work Bench is a powerful display of talent as Artists are invited and encouraged to share their work with the public as they teach in an open-concept classroom.
The gracious and friendly staff is a key ingredient of what makes this place the remarkable place it is. Smiles, thoughtfulness, and attention to detail leave warm feelings in the customers' minds who walk through the doors. From youth to seniors, all are welcomed and encouraged to explore and enjoy the art and beauty displayed throughout. Hop over today and come enjoy it for yourself. https://floridacraftart.org/ 17
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SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY
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When I came across @thesurfinnstpete on Instagram, I knew this vacation rental would be moving directly to the top of my list of must-visit places. What stood out to me was the light, airy vibe woven tightly together with a warm feeling of home. It was love at first sight; my visit left me more in love than before. Set in the cozy neighborhood landscape of Seminole, The Surf INN was 10 mins away from my favorite spot on St. Pete Beach and 20 mins from the famous Corey Ave
shopping district; knowing that both locations light up my soul, it was the perfect place for me to plant myself as I enjoyed my time on the coast of Florida. Every detail of The Surf INN was designed to give its guests the perfect stay. From the digital fog-free mirror in the bathroom to the charger doc with every type of port any phone could possibly need. This vacation stay left nothing to be desired. I fell in love with Boho Chic decor melded with some of the original elements of a historic Florida home. 25
The Surf INN is the perfect place to showcase polished terrazzo flooring, a timeless piece of Florida culture that is nothing short of art, each tiny stone sparkling under your feet. The design team strategically chose to open the kitchen to overlook the family room, taking the house to a more modern place. The addition of a farmhouse sink and the navy subway tiles backsplash was the perfect choice to bring the details of this house together.
My favorite room by far was the sitting room with the green velvet couch. When I later discovered it was also a futon, I was on a new mission to buy one of these for my own home. The Florida room opened to a beautiful backyard oasis. Topical plants and a fire pit created a great place to kick back and enjoy a cooled drink after a long relaxing day in the hot sun. I also loved the fact that even though other homes surrounded this house, the privacy of the backyard gave a feeling of exclusivity. Games, smart tv's, and beach toys were many of the thoughtful details that enticed me to want to extend my trip. But, like all good things, my escape to the beach ended all too soon. However the experience will forever be etched in my mind. Thank you, Surf INN, for the beautiful welcome cookies, the comfy beds, and all the great moments. I can't wait to come back and stay here again.
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BEHIND THE BRAND
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In 2021 Jennifer knew she was tired of the stressful commute of a longdistance relationship, and it was time to make some changes. A native of South Florida, she had fallen in love with the beauty and charm of St. Pete and the rugged charm of her partner in crime, Troy. Armored with a desire for a new adventure, Jennifer set her eyes on the Seminole area as her dream to own a vacation home grew into a full-blown passion. With the benefits of Troy owning his own remodeling company ( 920services LLC ), Jennifer & Troy set out to transform this original 1959 home into the beautiful vacation location we know today as The Surf Inn. Kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, painting, hours, and finances were invested in creating a tropical retreat for travelers worldwide. Jennifer is well known for her global impact as she touches lives worldwide in her primary career, so creating a space that touches the lives of travelers who desire a unique vacation location perfectly fit the vision she saw for the next chapter of her life. Jennifer took her time to carefully curate each detail of her home, personally selecting each piece of decor to represent the vision she had for her space.
The success of The Surf INN would not be possible without the help of her business and life partner, Troy. As the local host, Troy runs and manages all the day-to-day needs of the house and guests. Jennifer has big plans for the future of The Surf Inn as she sees her vision growing with each passing year.
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ONCE UPON A TIME IN FLORIDA
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FL RIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
In 1930 the Plant City Lion's Club came up with the idea for a local festival to celebrate the farmers and the annual harvest of the strawberries season.
Today 2,800 farms in Hillsborough County produce fruit and vegetable crops with an annual value of over $360 million. In fact more than 10,000 acres of strawberries are planted annually in the local area. Hillsborough County is now one of the largest agricultural counties in the nation. The various farm production includes strawberries, citrus, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, squash, okra, peppers, beans, dairy products, eggs, ornamental horticulture, tropical fish, beef cattle, swine, and other related products.
This is why year after year a, half a million visitors worldwide come to spend eleven days in Plant City to join in a local tradition called The Florida Strawberry Festival. You can plan to come and enjoy country music artists, rides, fried Oreos, twelve-inch corn dogs, and so many other treats at the Florida Strawberry Festival.
Competition can be fierce as artists of all ages and genres enter their creations, each one hoping to receive the prized first-place blue ribbon. But at the end of the day, locals and visitors alike always keep sight of what brings this event together year after year: families, tradition, and good old Southern Hospitality.
The Strawberry theme is seen throughout, and you find vendor after vendor with retail booths overflowing with creations, all highlighting this delicious fruit.
Girls Day At The Florida Strawberry Festival
IT'S PLACES LIKE PLANT CITY THAT STILL REFLECT THE HEARTBEAT OF THE SOUTH. NEXT TIME YOU ARE READY FOR THE BEST-FRIED CHICKEN, SWEET TEA, AND OF COURSE, STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE YOU MAY EVER EAT, HEAD OVER TO PLANT CITY, FLORIDA. IF YOU PLAN IT RIGHT, YOU MAY BE JUST IN TIME FOR THE FESTIVAL, BUT IF NOT, NO WORRIES, PARKSDALE FARMS HAS STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE YEAR ROUND AND YOU CAN ALWAYS STOP INTO MARYLAND FRIED CHICKEN TO FILL UP ON MOUTH-WATERING FRIED CHICKEN.DON'T FORGET TO WRAP IT UP WITH A TALL GLASS OF YOU GUESSED-IT SWEET TEA.
10 ounces Strawberries (frozen sweetene sweetened d sliced, thawed) 2 liters Lemon-Lime Soda (chilled) 12 ounces Pink Lemonade Concentrate (frozen, thawed)
THIS FRESH AND FRUITY SUMMER BEVERAGE. IT'S BOUND TO BECOME A WARM-WEATHER FAVORITE.
Place the strawberries in a blender; cover and process until pureed. Pour into a large pitcher; stir in the soda and lemonade concentrate, serve immediately. tasteofhome.com
SEASIDE STYLE
When Natasha opened Roca Viva in 2013, she was sure of two things: she wanted to create a business that honored her faith and relationship with God. She also wanted to create something that would bless other women and help them feel beautiful. Having just moved to a new city and becoming a new mother, Natasha wanted to find something that she could do at home to help support her growing family and give her purpose as she cared for her newborn son. As Natasha researched and looked for direction, she was inspired one day as she discovered the beauty of natural stones and their underlying meaning. As she began to create her bracelet collections, it was only a short time before her jewelry started receiving a lot of attention. Soon after, special requests started coming in from all directions; Natasha was overjoyed to see the impact she was making in the lives of those wearing her art pieces.
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Three years into the business, Natasha was forced to place her business on hold once again as she experienced the stress of relocating to another state, this time with a bigger family that needed her to help them get settled and adjusted. However, it wasn't long before God brought Roca Viva back to life as people once again started to see the stunning beauty and the empowering feeling that comes from wearing a Roca Viva bracelet collection. Each collection is custom designed to enhance and inspire the beauty of the women wearing it.
And just like so many other women, the moment I saw a Roca Viva collection, I was instantly in love. Almost every woman near and dear to me received a Roca Viva collection this year as a gift. I love finding that perfect color to give as a gift because I know what it feels like to wear my favorite bracelet collection. It makes me feel feminine and girly. It just makes me feel beautiful. 50
This spring, I had the privilege to tour Natasha's workshop. I stood amazed as I saw thousands of gorgeous colored stones, each perfectly organized in little drawers, each little stone waiting to be selected to be part of a perfectly designed piece of art. I never get tired of seeing how many lives can be touched by someone taking a leap of faith and putting their idea from a thought into reality. I can not wait to see what the future hold for this incredible designer and her beautiful work of love.
Order today @
https://rocavivanh.com/
www.floridavactionmagic.com
