Florida Vacation Magic - Summer 2023

WHERE TRAVEL MEETS DESIGN

The place where you lose your mind and find your soul.

Where Travel Meets Design. Where Travel Meets Design.

Summer is one of my favorite times of the year. Besides enjoying my own new beginning with a summer birthday, the freedom from the constraints of the school year makes the whole world come alive in a new and energetic way that can be felt throughout. As I traveled this summer, I was surprised and happy to see children at work with their mothers. For so long, women have had to choose or separate their identity as professionals and mothers, swapping hats as they walk through the door of their job. Covid changed the world, some for the worse and others for the better. The fact is that people worked from home for so long that we began to see ourselves in a more integrated way.

No longer a mother or fathers at home and a professional at work, we became professionals and parents wherever we were. Do I believe mothers should have to take their children to work and play two roles?

No, I do not, but I am happy to see that we have grown as a culture, realizing that sometimes things happen and that even corporate companies need to flex every once in a while to accommodate the needs of our families just like we as employees stay late and give up time with our children to give our all for the people counting on us at work. Growth, awareness, and a more balanced life are a win for everyone.

Gretchen Grey Executive Publisher

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WHO WE ARE

Florida Vacation Magic is a Luxury Lifestyle Travel Brand created to introduce travelers to vacation homes and boutique businesses throughout Florida. Our Lifestyle Travel Magazine is designed to be Luxury Coffee Table Experience. Our goal was to create an elegant way to introduce travelers to Designer Vacation Homes, Artists, and Boutique

Businesses while educating and inspiring adventures to use travel as a catalyst for a happier, more abundant life. 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.

D E E R F I E L D B E A C H D E E R F I E L D B E A C H

PRODUCED BY - GRETCHEN GREY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY - LUCRECIA QUESADA

Originally a settlement named Hillsboro in 1890, in nine short years, with a growing population of 20 people, Settlers decided to rename their growing town to Deerfield in honor of the wildlife that fed along the banks of the Hillsboro River. Deerfield was known as a farming community growing pineapples, tomatoes, green beans, and squash until 1939 when once again, the town was renamed Deerfield Beach to increase awareness for its beautiful beaches and the desire to be known as a coastal community and reflect its growth and development into the 20th century.

This tree zoo boasts nine acres with 200 different types of trees, including 50 different types of flowering trees. Deerfield Island Park also provides visitors an excellent opportunity to view wildlife, and free boat shuttles take you to the island on Saturdays and Sundays.

As a highlighted tourist community along Florida's East Coast, Deerfield Beach offers many things for its visitors to enjoy, including the Deerfield Beach Arboretum.

Famous for its Large Catches like King Mackerel and other large species normally found in deeper water The first Deerfield Beach Pier was built of wood in 1952.

Today the 976-foot pier is a major attraction for fishermen and visitors alike looking to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Ocean and enjoy the great outdoors.

H I S T O R Y & C U L T U R E H I S T O R Y & C U L T U R E

PRODUCED BY - GRETCHEN GREY

In1914IndustrialistJamesDeering begantheeight-yearconstructionofhis Winterhomesurroundedbyabeautiful forestoftropicaltreesintheheartof BiscayneBay.Designedandbuiltasa moderntropicalinterpretationofan eighteenth-centuryItalianvilla,Mr. Deeringwanted Vizcayatoreflectthe feelingofthecountryestatesof NorthernItaly.Sensitivetothetropical climate,histeamofarchitectsand designersadaptedthetraditional Mediterraneanstyletomatchthe elementsofSouthFlorida.

Sparing no expense and familiar with the finer things in life, James Deering equipt his house with all the latest technology of the time. Vizcaya boasted generators, a water filtration system, a central vacuum-cleaning system, refrigerators, and even an automated telephone switchboard. These are only a few of the modern comforts residents and guests would come to expect during their stay at the Vizcaya.

Today the "Jewel of Miami" hosts tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world each year as they come to experience her Mediterranian- Style architecture and view her collections of art and history that dates back to the early 20th century.

Paul Chalfin, an aspiring artist turned Interior designer is responsible for the beauty and the esthetic we enjoy throughout this incredible combination of Art& History. Chalfin's educational background and passion for Italian Art paved the way for what transpired into a ten-year career as the official Interior Designer and Art Director for James Deering as he built his legendary home Vizcaya in South Florida.

Named the biggest jigsaw puzzle in History by Time Magazine, The Ancient Spanish Monastery was originally built in Northern Spain in 1141 and now lives in Miami, Florida. I believe this incredible piece of architectural history is one of the most fascinating stories of our times.

Home to Cistercian monks for over seven hundred years then turned into a stable and granary dismantled and moved to another continent and stored in boxes for over twenty-six years. Purchased by forward-thinking entrepreneurs, she was moved to South Florida and put back together to once again stand in her glory as a church and haven for all of those who come to worship within her walls. If this isn't another level of Magic, then I don't know what it is. Sometimes we think we need to travel the world to see Art and History that can only be found outside of our borders, but sometimes, the most inspiring pieces of history are sitting in your own backyard. I invite you to visit this beautiful treasure.

Supposing you are exploring the Miami area on your next trip. In that case, we encourage you to experience this fantastic part of world history and learn the whole story of the epic adventure of this beautiful piece of architecture. spanishmonastery.com

In 1925 the structures were dismantled stone by stone, bound with protective hay, packed in more than 11,000 wooden crates, numbered for identification and shipped to the United States.

In 1964, Colonel Robert Pentland, Jr, who was a multimillionaire banker, philanthropist and benefactor of many Episcopal churches, purchased the Cloisters and presented them to the Bishop of Florida.

O N S C I O U S T R A V E L C O N S C I O U S T R A V E L

PRODUCED BY - GRETCHEN GREY

BY - LUCRECIA

According to Dr. Mark Hyman, loneliness and lack of social connection is equivalent to smoking two packs of cigarettes a day. So in a world of digital media and the constant demand for our time and attention, how do we ensure the people who mean the most to us aren't sitting right in front of us, experiencing loneliness and a lack of connection?

Some people are able to express their needs with ease, while others are not. Regardless of their expression, we can choose to make intentional connection our number one priority on our to-do list daily. I believe Vacation is the perfect time to start building new lifestyle practices. With a change of location and lack of work and school responsibilities, Vacation is an ideal space for clarity and the ability to create deeper connections.

It's incredible to imagine that you could extend the life of the people you love and work so hard for every day just by taking a few extra moments and letting them know how much they mean to you. And if that is not enough, the bonus is that it works both ways, so you are improving the quality of your life as well.

Each person and age group will require a different formula for success; and while there is no perfect formula, if you go in to connection with the right intentions, there is no ability to get it wrong. Research guarantees that even the smallest amount of effort will have lifelong effects on the person and the relationship, so why not give it a try?

O U T H E R N H O S P I T A L I T Y

PRODUCED BY - GRETCHEN GREY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY - GRETCHEN GREY

HAIR & MAKE-UP BY - BRIANNA MICHELE

The Blue Heron

After watching him live an extraordinary life, JasonandMaryfacedthedecisionofwhatto do with Grandpa’s house. So they decided to callinanexperttotransformtheonce-family home into a beautiful vacation rental for others enjoy. Owner of Creative Elements byJenandPrincipalDesigner

JenKatzembracedtheopportunitytowork with new owners to transform The Blue Heronintowhatitistoday.Unlike herother projects where Jen makes most of the decisions, Jason and Mary wanted to be involved with this project, keeping its original owner's legacy alive in the details of thehome.

WithJen’sexpertiseintheHospitality Industry,anunderstandingofvacationers needs,andvastknowledgeofinteriordesign, Jenturnedanestimatedsix-weekproject intoaworld-classvacationhomeinfour weeks.

Eachdetailwascarefullydesignedtocreate theperfectplaceforafamilywithkidsto comeandexperienceaworld-class adventureinWestPalmBeach,Florida.

Jenwasexcitedto beabletouse originalartwork, andmanyofMary's piecesarefeatured throughoutthe house.

Tucked into a quiet neighborhood in West Palm Beach sits The Blue Heron.

As I park in the circular drive and make mywaytothefrontdoor,Icantellbythe Soft Teal color and the welcoming front porch that I am in for a treat. As I step through the door, the open floor plan invites me to want to explore and enjoy the details that have been carefully chosen for each part of this beautiful vacation home. Inspired by the area, most of the house has an energetic coastalvibeof

Soft Blue, pink, and teal, creating a welcoming haven from a long trip. This house is the perfect place for a family, and it is so much fun. I love the living room sitting area so lively with inspirational nature magazines, a hammock chair in the corner, and a small desk to journal my trip or plan my next-day adventures. The kid's room allows for plenty of fun and late-night conversations with two full-size / Twin bunkbeds; my kids can enjoy musical beds just like they do at home.

Icanalsoenvisionafuturetripwithcousins;thisroomofferssomuchgreatspaceand hasaperfectplaceformylittleonetocolorandcraftatthekid-sizedeckinthecorner.

Across the hall, I find an additional guest room ready to host one or two with a queen size bed and large closet; this nautical-themed room has a lovely feel as the crisp white bedding and rich blue decor offer a gender-neutral feeling that would make anyone feel at home. I love that each room has a desk. I never know when one of my teens will need to jump on a laptop to finish a school project or chill out gaming, or whatever it is they do.

The primary bedroom steps it up with a Tommy Bahama decor. I know my husband loves this space because of the explorer vibe this room gives off. I love it because it has a large walk-in closet for our luggage, and I'm totally in love with the attached bathroom with its beautiful mother-ofpearl shower tile. The open floor plan is a great way to enjoy seeing my family throughout our vacation. And I love that this house offers something for all ages The open floor plan is a great way to enjoy seeing my family throughout our vacation. And I love that this house offers something for all ages. The outdoor area has everything I could ever ask for a sensational inground pool with a lounge area to sit and relax as I watch my little one on the backyard playground equipment.

I love seeing my husband at the grill as I set the table for our outdoor summer meal. I have to laugh a bit that even in the middle of summer, my husband wants to show off his inner warrior by building a fire in the fire pit. But my favorite part of this backyard is the on-site kayaks and the ability to open the gate and put them right in the water. My teens are obsessed, and it thrills me to no end to see the smiles on their faces as they explore nature right in the backyard. The Blue Heron was an incredible choice for our stay here in West Palm. She has definitely made us feel welcome and provided the perfect place to come home to every night.

After years of working in various areas of hospitality, from food and beverage to property management to project development for vacation rentals, Jen Katz knew that in order to fulfill her dreams and goals, she needed to add a more creative element to her work-life balance. So when she was presented with the opportunity to stage and decorate an up-and-coming vacation rental, Jen jumped at the opportunity. Hard work and education in interior design and staging lead the way to Jen opening her dream business, Creative Elements by Jen.

This Luxury Design firm creates Designer Vacation Homes throughout the state of Florida. With her love for hospitality and her passion for seeing a basic home turn into a designer space, Jen works with her clients to help them turn their design dreams into reality. I recently sat down with Jen to ask her what is her biggest motivation in her business. Her response was so beautiful. "My children, I want to show my children that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible and that no matter what their dreams may be, they can accomplish them."

This native of South Africa is no stranger to hard work and dedication, considering herself a hustler. Jen has worked her way through various roles to find herself where she is today. She said, " I can see each step of my journey was destiny, bringing me to where I am today."

Jen's work speaks for itself; you can see her love for humanity and her personality shine through in every aspect of her creative expression. These are the things that made our team notice her work and motivated us to introduce her to you and share one of her recent projects.

( The Blue Heron )

We are excited to see what her future holds and what she will be creating next.

Special thanks to Brianna Michele for her beautiful work. An award-winning makeup artist based in South Florida, Brianna is the perfect choice for your upcoming wedding or event.

B E H I N

D T H E B R A N D B E H I N D T H E B R A N D

PRODUCED

BY

- GRETCHEN GREY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY - GRETCHEN GREY PHOTOGRAPHY BY - LUCRECIA QUESADA

"One day, in "One day, in the middle of the middle of a photo shoot, a photo shoot, I realized I realized that I loved that I loved photographing photographing food more food more than I loved than I loved making it . " making it . "

It was in that It was in that moment that moment that the direction of the direction of my life totally my life totally cchanged. hanged.

I was recently invited to the studio of visual artists and food photographer Lucrecia Quesada. It was a privilege to witness her as an artist as she inspires the world with her imagination and Rembrant-inspired food photography . Born in Costa Rica, before the days of technology and cell phones, Lucrecia was given her first film camera as a teen.

Capturing family memories as a girl and a young mother was just something that was part of her life. Living in Mexico, Lucrecia became a pastry chef in 2013 and opened her bakery in 2014. She began photographing her baked goods as a way to document her creations and show clients what they could purchase. As her artistic abilities grew in food, so did her desire to create images that reflected the food at its best.

In 2019 we moved to South Florida, and I began studying my craft as a food photographer. I started a food blog and began using the blog and social media as a place to showcase what I was learning and share my favorite recipes with friends and family. I would lose myself in the joy of what I was doing.

In 2020, I launched my dream career as Food Photographer. I work with Women Entrepreneurs from around the world who have hospitality and food-based business to create images that showcase their creations in the most beautiful way possible.

Watching Lucrecia as she shared her design process was fascinating. Her collection of antiques and carefully chosen props are a critical part of her artistic process. The ideal linen for added texture, selecting the perfect floral color, and vintage serving dish are just a few of the many decisions that go into creating the perfect photo. Lucrecia has spent years building out her prop collection to achieve the perfect effect. I learned in this process that you have to have a lot of patience to create this level of art.

The details are what sets her work apart. Three to four hours on a shoot is a very typical day in the world of this artist. With the support and encouragement of her husband and children, Lucrecia has seen her dreams unfold into reality as her work helps to enhance the lives of her customers and their clients. At this time, I would like to give a special acknowledgment to the many incredible photos this talented artist contributed to our Summer Issue of FVM. Her work can be enjoyed throughout this publication on front cover and pages 5-14, 21-24, 44, 48, 50.

Lucrecia Quesada

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Beingfeaturedinourpublication givesyoucredibility,visibility,and profitability.Ourdigitalmagazineis viewedworldwide,andourprint publicationisdeliveredtoExecutive Womenthroughoutthegreater AtlantaAreaandacrosstheUS.Ifyou arereadytoseeyourbusinessgrow usingouruniqueapproachto buildingrelationshipsandmarketing, reachouttoourteamtoday,andlet's explorethepossibilityofabrand partnership.

O R I D A

O N C E U P A T I M E I N F L

O N C E U P A T I M E I N F L O R I D A

PRODUCED BY - GRETCHEN GREY PHOTOGRAPHY BY - GRETCHEN GREY

Miami Miami Beach Beach

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 sugar-soft sand, the waves, the weather, and build memories together.

Thirty-Sixcolorfuloneof-a-kindlifeguard stationslinethecoastof MiamiBeach.Evenin themostcommon places,Miamiwillnot allowthesmallestdetail ofhercitytoreflect anythingbasicorboring. TheArtandflamboyant culturedrawspeopleto thisareaandinvites themtoplanttheir rootsanddrinkinthe energyandexcitement ofthelifeofferedhere. Theloud,overstated expressionmaybetoo muchforsome,butfor others,itisjustwhat theyneedtofeel energizedandalive.The SouthAmerican influencerunsstrongin thisSouthernpointof thecountry,soifyou areacalmadventurer thatislookingfora quietstreamandaslow hikeinthewoods,

this may not be the place to go, but for those who are ready to taste, touch, smell, and experience the intense stimulation that this city has to offer Miami should be your next choice for fun and adventure.

Pre-dating Columbus. The Miccosukee Indians were originally part of the Creek Nation, migrating to Florida before it became part of the United States. In the 1800s, most of the Miccosukee were forced to relocate out West. About 100, mostly Mikasuki-speaking Creeks, never surrendered. Hiding out in the Everglades, this band of resilient rebels who eluded capture decided to live life on their own terms. Over the next hundred years, the Miccosukee would adapt to living in small groups in temporary 'hammock style' camps spread throughout the Everglades' vast river of grass

Opened in 1983, the village offers visitors a glimpse into the Tribe’s unique way of life. Miccosukee history and culture is preserved through historical documents, archival photographs, and original artifacts.

The Miccosukee Indian Village and Airboat Rides is a family camp where there are sleeping, working, and cooking chickees. This village includes a museum, boardwalk, and alligator arena. People can visit the camp and watch the Miccosukke Indians engage in doll-making, beadwork, patchwork, and basket weaving. There are alligator demonstrations, airboat rides, a restaurant, and a gift shop.

VISIT US.

We don’t “wrestle” our ‘gators— we love them and hope that you’ll learn about them through our demonstrations! Watch in awe as a brave demonstrator explains centuries-old traditions and rituals that have been handed down by generations of Miccosukee with their bare hands!

To ensure that the federal government would formally recognize the Miccosukee Tribe, Buffalo Tiger, an esteemed member of the Tribe, led a group to Cuba in 1959, where they asked Fidel Castro for, and were granted, international recognition as a sovereign country within the United States.

Following this, on January 11, 1962, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior approved the Miccosukee Constitution, and the Tribe was officially recognized as the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, legally established the Miccosukee’s tribal existence an their sovereign, domestic depende nation status with the United Stat Government.

Today, they have a population o approximately 550 individuals an three reservation areas in the state Florida: Tamiami Trail, Alligator Alley, and Krome Avenue.