Toast 2018 Spring/Summer Edition

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“

WARMER MONTHS SET THE TONE FOR EFFORTLESS GATHERINGS. EMBRACE THE NEW SEASON AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CULTIVATE A RELAXED ENTERTAINING STYLE

free of fuss and focused on those you love.”

Laura Johnson, Founding Artist & CEO

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Happy Everything!™ – a Coton Colors Collection, founded in 2003.

from Laura As farmers begin their planting season, preparing for the upcoming harvest, we too plant seeds and begin the process that will bring its own harvest of sorts.

You’ll find in these pages that our product design process never actually stops, but I think spring is the perfect time to answer that frequently asked question… “What exactly do you do at Coton Colors?” Page by page you’ll see the inner workings of Coton Colors and, with a nod to the past, the influences that got us where we are today.

While we wanted to really explore behind the scenes of the brand and lifestyle a little more, we still serve up plenty of celebration inspiration. As the country warms up and flowers begin to bloom, whether your part of the world is fully in spring mode or you’re dreaming of the sun in the midst of the year’s last cold spell, I hope this edition will get you inspired for the celebrations to come!

Laura Johnson, an entrepreneurial artisan inspired by the celebrations of her own life, founded Coton Colors in 1989. Influenced by a childhood immersed in the colorful culture of Old Miami and engrained with the Southern charm of her current home in Tallahassee, Laura has created a leading lifestyle brand in the giftware, dining and décor industries.

@COTONCOLORS | @HAPPYEVERYTHINGCC COTON-COLORS.COM | HAPPY-EVERYTHING.COM PRODUCED BY COTON COLORS, INC. PUBLISHED BY P2P PUBLISHING 2718 CENTERVILLE RD. | TALLAHASSEE, FL 32308 EDITORIAL INQUIRIES CALL (877) 801-1292 SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES CALL (877) 801-1292 OR VISIT WWW.COTON-COLORS.COM FOR MORE ON COTON COLORS AND THE JOHNSON FAMILY, VISIT TOAST, BLOG.COTON-COLORS.COM TALLAHASSEE FLAGSHIP STORE 1355 MARKET ST | TALLAHASSEE, FL 32312 TAMPA FLAGSHIP STORE 1716 S DALE MABRY HWY | TAMPA, FL 33629 ATLANTA FLAGSHIP STORE 3872 ROSWELL ROAD NORTHEAST SUITE A8 | ATLANTA, GA 30342 PRINTED IN THE USA THE NEXT ISSUE OF TOAST WILL BE AVAILABLE FALL 2018

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Cheers!

We’re Coton Colors.

We are a lifestyle brand and designer of products created to inspire a celebration.

Our Founding Artist and CEO, Laura Johnson’s motto “never miss an opportunity to celebrate every day” has inspired her to create pieces that elevate everyday moments with ease. Coton Colors consists of three collections for all of your celebrating needs: Kitchen + Home, Ornaments, and Happy Everything!™.

The Toast Crew FOUNDING ARTIST/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Laura Johnson CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND DESIGNER Kyle Johnson Smith PHOTOGRAPHER Sara Kate Johnson

Never miss an opportunity to celebrate…

HOME 14 B ringing Happy to your Everyday Moments 26 S pring Flower Guide 28 Patio Redoux

TR AVEL 23 W elcome to Tallahassee

FOOD & DRINK 30 M iami Roots

MARKETING DIRECTOR AND COPY EDITOR Molly Corder COPY EDITOR Lauren Lee COLLECTIONS EDITOR Brittany Perkins

EN T ER TA ININ G 10 Summer is Here and the Celebrating is Easy

FA M I LY & F R I E N D S 04 Flagship Stor(i)es

DESIGN TEAM Ashley Barber Whitney Borkowski Sara Gottfried Lizzie Kiessig

08 Life Notes

DESIGN 16 Product Design from Start to Finish

VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS Ashley Trafton

22 C olor Crush: Emerald

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES AND MARKETING Cindy Sullivan

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flagship stor(i)es

It was a grand affair and a night to remember as Taylor and Thomas Gwynn, niece and nephew-in-law of Founding Artist and CEO Laura Johnson, celebrated the opening of the Atlanta Coton Colors Flagship Store.

Everything from the music {fun and upbeat} to the menu {straight from the Happy Everything!™ Cookbook} was designed to make the atmosphere cheerful and festive.

The celebration was filled with laughter and excitement as friends and family gave toasts to the new adventure.

The idea of bringing Coton Colors to Atlanta actually started years ago. Taylor and her sister Courtney proposed the opening of an Atlanta store back in 2011. With a printed and bound proposal in hand, they petitioned their Aunt Laura. At that time, the company’s focus was on growing the corporate business, so the idea for a new flagship store was tabled. After having her daughter, Collins, in 2016, Taylor began to see a need for a new gift store in the Buckhead area and the idea of opening a new flagship store resurfaced. This time, the company was ready!

Creating the new store was a challenging project yet incredibly exciting. First and foremost, the mission was to create a physical space where customers could be immersed in the company’s brand promise to “never miss an opportunity to celebrate every day.”

Every detail of the Atlanta store was carefully considered so visitors would have an experience that stimulates the senses. Upon walking through the front door, they are met with the lively sound of a curated playlist {you can find our playlist “CC Everyday” on Spotify} and a warm cup of fresh brewed coffee to sip while they stroll. A signature “Celebrate” scented candle with a crisp, 4

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NO DETAIL UNTOUCHED

WITH THE GOAL OF A DECEMBER OPEN DATE, THE TEAM SET OUT TO TRANSFORM A CONCEPT INTO A PHYSICAL STORE IN A MATTER OF MERE MONTHS. FOR THE FULL STORY BEHIND THE DESIGN AND LAUNCH OF THE ATLANTA STORE – STRUGGLES, ROADBLOCKS, AND CELEBRATIONS ALONG THE WAY – HEAD OVER TO TOAST, THE COTON COLORS BLOG. HTTPS://BLOG.COTON-COLORS.COM

SEPTEMBER 1 – LEASE WAS SIGNED AND DESIGN MEETINGS BEGAN! SEPTEMBER 28 – BLUEPRINTS FINAL, FLOORING CHOSEN AND FURNITURE SHOPPING IS A GO. NOVEMBER 1 – HAMMERS AND HARD HATS! THE CONSTRUCTION TEAM WENT IN TO START BUILDING OUT THE SPACE. DECEMBER 2 – WITH A WEEK TO GO BEFORE OPENING DAY, WITH BLANK WALLS AND BOXES OF PRODUCT, THE COTON COLORS TEAM BEGAN THE WORLD’S FASTEST STORE INSTALLATION. DECEMBER 7 – OPENING DAY! DISPLAYS SET, COFFEE BREWED AND THE FIRST GUEST WALKED THROUGH THE DOORS. DECEMBER 14 – TIME TO CELEBRATE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY AT THE GRAND OPENING!

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clean smell fills the air and the sight of products displayed in an inspiring way rounds out the at-home feel.

A reclaimed wood trestle table set with bold dinnerware and serveware designed by Coton Colors designers in the Tallahassee corporate office anchors the left entrance. Centerpieces line the middle of the table and are everchanging - one could spot anything from a lavish floral arrangement made at the store’s last floral centerpiece class to an eclectic mix of unique seasonal finds sure to add depth and dimension to someone’s tabletop.

Explore a curated collection of giftables, books and housewares tucked into the custom designed modular shelving much like one would find in a well-suited modern butler’s pantry.

Step into the Happy Everything!™ room and you’ll be surrounded by all things happy. Here customers will find the full offerings of this popular collection as well as exclusive pieces like retired attachments brought out from the vault and the very first Happy Everything!™ platter created by Laura.

The Coton Colors crew left no detail untouched. The hope is that customers leave with new tidbits of inspiration after every visit helping them live out a celebratory lifestyle as well as pieces that warm their homes with happy.

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“Every piece here means something to us.

Our store’s products are a carefully curated collection of family favorites we not only want in our stores, but want in our homes.”

Taylor, Atlanta Flagship Store Owner

The Flagship Family The Atlanta Flagship Store joins two other Coton Colors flagship stores in Tallahassee and Tampa. The need for a flagship store surfaced more than 20 years ago when people visited the Tallahassee design studio, curious to see what was being created. Word spread about the pottery, and with so much traffic to the design space, a small storefront was created at the entrance of the studio. That once-tiny store grew organically and eventually evolved into three flagship stores. Each flagship store is family owned and operated and has the full assortment of Coton Colors and Happy Everything!™ products alongside a selection of items from designers the family loves.

Tallahassee Coton Colors Flagship Store

Tampa Coton Colors Flagship Store

Atlanta Coton Colors Flagship Store

The pioneer Coton Colors Flagship Store first began as the small storefront in the studio where Laura’s mother, Dee, loaded kilns, fired the pottery and shipped customer orders. Today, Dee operates the Tallahassee Flagship Store, a mainstay in the area’s retail landscape. Stop by the Tallahassee store and you’ll find Dee waiting with a warm hello and expert (as she would tell you) advice.

As the demand for Laura’s handpainted items grew, Laura’s sister Marcie opened a second Coton Colors studio in Tampa where the original line of hand-painted glass ornaments were produced. After continuing to see the demand in the area for the lifestyle brand, the Tampa Flagship Store opened in 2009 and continues to be the go-to destination for many discerning hostesses, entertainers, and gift-givers in the area carrying a carefully chosen product selection with a regional feel.

Deepening Coton Colors’ roots as a family business, Taylor and her husband Thomas opened the Atlanta Flagship Store in the winter of 2017. With just the right combination of Type-A personality and creativity, Taylor is always busy brainstorming how to create the next ultimate customer experience at her store.

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I find myself in the business of taking notes. I’m never without my notebook, scribbling something down. A quick line here and there that I want to remember. Over the years it’s become something fun to look back on – to see where I’ve been, what I’ve done, what I was thinking or finding amusing at the time. It’s something I recommend to others - to write it all down. Life flies by and so many of the experiences we have in a day are gone, and as much

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as we want to remember and tell ourselves we will, we don’t.

So, I wanted to create something that would prompt people to remember, and in doing so, create opportunities to celebrate every day. Our Celebrate Every Day Book is the result, designed to capture the daily details of a journey well celebrated. We ended up with three books exploring different journeys in life. Celebrate Every Day for your personal journey,

Celebrate Me for your children’s journey, and Celebrate Us for your journey as a couple.

Take one line a day or multiple lines a day and ask yourself, “What about today is worth capturing?” What is worth celebrating? It doesn’t have to be grand to be beautiful.

Simply capture it and you’ll have a lifetime worth of little celebrations to enjoy. So, here’s to you and your journey, wherever it may lead.

Life

Notes

BY LAURA JOHNSON

CELEBRATE EVERY DAY

CELEBRATE ME

CELEBRATE US Whether you’re coming up on 20 years of marriage or are spending your days immersed in plans to walk down the aisle, you’ve made a commitment that is to be nurtured. In the wild chaos of life – having children, raising teenagers, sickness, and health – we all too often take the person standing beside us through it all for granted. Celebrate Us strives to beautifully capture the moments that make up a lifetime. Year after year, capture the laughter and tears. The first meal you cooked as a married couple… Traditions you’ve spent years creating… Bringing home your first child… Dropping your last child off at college… Have a memento to look back on and celebrate the journey with your partner.

It won’t seem like it to them, but their childhood will fly by in the blink of an eye. From the up all nights of cutting teeth to their first word sounding an awful lot like “mama,” these are the moments you swear you’ll never forget. But as fast as life goes, and as hectic as it gets, these precious memories are fleeting.

Before you know it, you’ll be an empty nester. Celebrate Me gives you a platform to document the tiny little moments of each day – it doesn’t require more than a line to spark your memory.

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SUMMER IS HERE and the celebrating is easy

SUMMER MEANS SLOW.

Summer means relaxed. Summer means less makeup. Less fuss. Funny though - that cadence, as appealing as it sounds, doesn’t come natural for all of us. (We’ve got one finger pointed at you and three back at us.) Especially when you’re coming off the hamster wheel of deadlines, carpools, back-toback meetings, and to-do lists and you’ve grown accustomed to one speed that seems to always hover at breakneck.

Achieving your new (summer) mindset may take some effort at first, ridding yourself of the tendency to overthink and over plan. We get it and are right there with you. But once you do hit the brakes, you’ve set yourself up for a free and easy few months ahead.

What better way to kick off a season of leisure than with a night around the table at home with friends – where your new “less is more” attitude is carried out through your entertaining style, too.

CRE AT E A TA B L ES C A PE T H AT ’S T HE OPP O S I T E OF S T U FF Y. A F T ER A L L , S U MMER S O IREES A RE R A RELY T HE T IME F OR F ORM A L DINING . L E T YO U R TA B L E REFL EC T T HE SE A S ON A ND LO SE T HE TA B L ECLOT H A ND G O AU N AT U REL . C AC T I A ND S U C C U L EN T S A RE A N E A SY WAY TO CRE AT E A WA RM W E AT HER V IB E A ND PRE T T Y M U CH IMP O S S IB L E TO K IL L , W HICH ME A N S YO U R CEN T ERPIECES W IL L L A S T LONG A F T ER YO U R L A S T G U ES T. CHEER S!

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K EEP T HE MEN U S IMPL E. A S S EMB L E-YO U R- OW N-TAC O S I S E A SY F OR YO U A ND F U N F OR YO U R FRIEND S. K EEP A L L T HE TOPPING S ON T HE TA B L E F OR E A SY PA S S ING .

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W HEN YO U MI X OL D A ND NE W, YO U ’RE AU TOM AT IC A L LY CRE AT ING A N IN T ERES T ING PL ACE SE T T ING . IF YO U G O W I T H A MORE N AT U R A L C OLOR PA L E T T E, RE ACH F OR S OME F U N GL A S S WA RE T H AT W IL L A DD A P U NCH OF PER S ON A L I T Y.

B RING S OME OF YO U R FAVORI T E FIND S FROM PA S T S U MMER T R AV EL S O U T A ND P U T T HEM ON DI SPL AY F OR U NIQ U E DÉC OR A ND A G UA R A N T EED C ON V ER S AT ION S TA R T ER .

YO U WA N T YO U R HOME TO FEEL WA RM A ND IN V I T ING F OR YO U R G U ES T S. SPA RE T HEM T HE NEED TO A SK W HERE YO U R M A RG A RI TA GL A S SES A RE K EP T ( A ND SPA RE YO U FROM PL AY ING B A R T ENDER A L L NIGH T ) A ND H AV E A N A RE A DES IGN AT ED W HERE G U ES T S C A N HEL P T HEM SELV ES TO A DRINK (OR T WO).

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happy BRINGING

TO YOUR EVERYDAY MOMENTS

Life moves at a fast pace.

The world is becoming more and more complex, and it seems as though everyone is feeling like they have to purposefully put their focus on being more intentional. We’re totally on board with training ourselves to be more intentional, but the key word there is “train.” It’s going to take some work and self discipline to achieve this mindset. So, in our journey to simplification, we wanted to start with the small things first.

Where could we be more thoughtful and deliberate in finding joy and happiness in the everyday moments? After all, the everyday moments are what add up to the big moments.

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You’ve freshly rolled out of bed and what’s the first thing you do? Consume caffeine is a pretty safe bet in our book.

Why not store your morning beverage essentials in fun containers that make shuffling to the coffee pot half asleep a little less dreadful.

Happy Everything!™ Mini Canister Cube www.Happy-Everything.com

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Because every day is the right day to stop and smell the....you get the point.

Simply having fresh cut flowers somewhere in the house is an instant mood booster. Colorful blooms on the night stand is one of our favorite spots, and helps in making the sound of the morning alarm not as jarring.

Helpful hint: Find a vase that perfectly fits a store-bought bouquet so you can skip the trimming and rearranging, unless that’s your thing. Less work = more happy.

Happy Everything!™ Mini Vase www.Happy-Everything.com

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Your family spends a lot of time in the kitchen. Be sure it’s filled with things that brighten your day and take your attention away from the dirty dishes that might be sitting in the sink.

Happy Everything!™ 13 inch Square Platter www.Happy-Everything.com

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Make the mundane happy.

Turn simple tasks like brushing your teeth or tidying up everyday essentials into a more delightful routine. Happy containers create a place for everything and keep everything in its place.

Happy Everything!™ Mini Nesting Cube www.Happy-Everything.com

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Remember when mom used to surprise you with a note in your lunchbox?

Remember the feel-good feeling it gave you? A simple gesture like this can go a long way in spreading happy to those you love most. Take a minute to write a sweet note to your husband or kids while you’re waiting on breakfast to heat up or even on your way out the door. It takes no time, and it’s an easy way to kick off their morning (and yours!) on the right foot.

Happy Everything!™ Message Board www.Happy-Everything.com

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PRODUC

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T DESIGN

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A Behind the Scenes Look into How We Design our Products from the Perspective of the Coton Colors Design Team

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YOU’VE PROBABLY HEARD US introduce Laura Johnson as the Founding Artist and CEO of Coton Colors. More than 20 years ago she started our company (hence her CEO badge), and she was the artist and designer of our products. She physically made them. . We’re talking poured the molds, fired the pottery, hand painted it... you get the point. What many don’t realize though is that despite the company’s growth over the years, we still design every single product. To us, designing a product doesn’t mean just choosing a color to apply to a pattern on a piece of pottery. Nor is it simply tweaking the pattern of an existing piece found in a factory somewhere to “make it ours”. We design every single piece from the bottom up – literally. This means carefully curating everything from the shape and size, (who knew we’d actually use geometry outside the classroom?) to the pattern and colors that bring the whole piece together. How many pieces are we talking? So far this year, Coton Colors launched 329 new products. Good thing we love our jobs, because we are b-u-s-y.

OTHER SOURCES OF INSPIRATION Our lead designers (Laura and her oldest daughter Kyle) entertain often, live with our products, and pay close attention to the things they reach for repeatedly. They consider what shapes are most functional for everyday uses, what is most sought after for easy holiday entertaining, and what pieces they feel are missing.

Yes, the colors, shapes and patterns are a big part of the design process, but there’s actually a lot more to it.

Here’s a look into how we design are products from start to finish.

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LET’S TALK INSPIRATION We’re constantly finding inspiration, tucking it away in a safe place (notebooks, journals, our heads) and building a bank of designs that have potential to be curated into a line and brought to market. Our inspiration comes from a lot of sources - travel, other cultures, on-trend home décor, and vintage colors and designs from decades past are just a few places we reference.

IT’S NOT ALL FUN AND GAMES. Well it depends who you ask.

Our Product Line crew (mostly comprised of right brain, analytical minds) might argue that this is when the real fun begins. See, it would be one thing if we could just design beautiful products every day we all want in our homes, but these products also have to make sense for our product line. That’s where product analysis comes in.

WE POLL THE OFFICE! We ask the rest of the crew to send us products missing in their lives. We’re wives, moms, and business women. We’re just like you - our customers! So we design our products with busy women’s needs and desires in mind. It’s always interesting to see what the crew comes up with for ideas. Usually it depends on what stage of life the person is in. For example, our children’s melamine line stemmed from our Coton Colors crew moms who wanted stylish yet practical tabletop pieces for their little ones.

NEXT COMES ANALYSIS. Our Product Line Department looks at the success or lack thereof (sadly that can happen, too) of previous products, studies the numbers and market trends, then makes a strategic plan for the next product line. This tells us what holes we need to fill and what lines to further enhance.

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BACK TO OUR INSPIRATION BANK AND PRODUCT DESIGN BEGINS. We pull ideas from the inspiration we’ve been stowing away, meld it together with the product line analysis and get to work on new designs!

We usually start with rough sketches – old school style - pencil to paper. At the same time, we’re pulling color chips from our color wall to give us a visual and help narrow down color palettes.

We then transfer sketches to a digital design format and continue tweaking until we’re ready to present to the rest of the Product Development Team made up of our Product Line, Marketing, and Sales Departments. We like to have our designs pretty final before proposing to the team, but we also work in an open-concept office where the walls are lined with white boards covered in tacked-up pages of designs in the works. Crew members can’t help but sneak an early peek and jot fun, supportive notes about the designs along the way. Once the products have been presented throughout a series of design reviews, and all parties agree, it’s stamped with approval.

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We then gather all the design notes containing the product specifications, along with the final art and send it off to our manufacturer to create a sample. Once the sample is created, they ship it to us to inspect and see if the product is exactly how we designed it. If so, all things are a “go” to officially bring that product to life and ultimately to you! That’s when the real celebrations happen - in your own home, using our products that we hope bring you happy.

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STAMP OF APPROVAL Yes, it is a big red stamp that says “approved” and makes a sweet, sweet sound when it hits the paper.

MAIL DAY! When samples arrive to the office word spreads quickly – everyone is so excited to catch the very first peek at our new designs brought to life (and place their order for first dibs on the new pieces – major job perk!)

QUALITY CONTROL Fingers crossed as we open the boxes and our Quality Control Team examines the products.

They’re checking every single detail including the size, color and quality to ensure it’s just right.

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Emerald Symbolizing the growth and renewal that comes with spring, our longtime love for emerald couldn’t be more timely. It’s vivid, and it’s bold.

Yet it’s calming. It’s a bit unexpected and the rich hue is something we are filling both our clothes closets and dish closets with this season.

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Greetings From

TALLAHASSEE MIA MI HA S IT S HISPANIC CULT URE.

TA MPA HA S IT S INLE T WATERWAYS. JACKSONVILLE IS THE L ARGES T CIT Y BY A RE A IN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED S TATES A ND WE A RS THE B ADGE PROUDLY. WHAT ABO U T TALL AHA S SEE ?

When putting your finger on Tallahassee’s claim to fame, it’s not as easy. Not because there’s a lack of superlatives that apply. Quite the opposite, actually. Partially because of its location, partially because of its people, Tallahassee boasts an extensive (and still growing) list of why it may just be the best city in Florida (in our humble opinion).

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A BIT OF HISTORY The name “Tallahassee” stems from a Muskogean Indian word often translated as “old fields” or “old town.” Tallahassee proper was founded in the early 19th century, and was the only capital east of the Mississippi that didn’t succumb to the Union forces during the Civil War. Although its “old town” feel still rings true today, our hometown has been experiencing a renaissance that brings newness, innovation and life to the city.

Tallahassee is really good at a lot of things. It’s really good at being a long established buttonedup legislative city - since it is the capital - complete with cobbled downtown roads, burgers named after past governors served at the downtown grill, and just the right amount of tufted leather-filled cigar rooms where business is discussed. It’s also really good at embracing new ideas and welcoming a progressive mindset with outstretched arms. Its somewhat new avant-garde approach to cuisine, watering holes, pop up yoga classes and a thriving arts and music scene has created an atmosphere that people want to get out and experience.

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For those not familiar with Tallahassee, the location alone is definitely an essential ingredient contributing to its cultural uniqueness. Go thirty miles in one direction and you end up in the Gulf of Mexico.

Go thirty miles in another direction, you end up in Georgia. There are rolling hills, sprawling live oaks and the South’s quintessential red clay roads. It’s a town boasting of antebellum architecture, plantations, rich history and Southern hospitality. But that’s not where the allure ends. Tallahassee is so much more than an old southern city with a gulf breeze. There is a sense of modernity wreaking some havoc on the city – in a good way. Take a peek into our city.

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CO

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When heading to the coast from Tallahassee, you pass through a few sleepy fishing towns along the way that offer up some of the best fish dips (smoked mullet dip is our favorite) just-caught seafood, and the freshest oysters around.

Considered by many to be home to the most bird hunting plantations in the country, (Ted Turner even agrees and owns a plantation here) our North Florida and South Georgia surroundings have been attracting wealthy northerners for centuries – all wanting a literal piece of the quail mecca.

#iHeartTally

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Spring & flower guide OUR TAKE ON THIS SEASON’S BOUNTY

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VERONICA

HYACINTH

DAHLIA

LILAC

Grown for its attractive flowers, Veronica is appealing to more than just flower enthusiasts. Veronica is also known for its attraction of butterflies, or perhaps more importantly, its resistance to the oh-so-cute garden villains, deer and rabbit. We love it for the height and dramatic look it gives our floral arrangements.

We can’t talk spring without Hyacinth. To add to their charm, Hyacinth can also be planted indoors (in a sunny window) and make excellent container plants for patios.

Just remember to move the container close to your living space so you can reap the rewards of these fragrant flowers once they bloom.

A symbol of elegance, change, and an everlasting union, Dahlias are often gifted during weddings and engagements. They’re said to be one of the most popular summer flowers, and they are certainly popular with us. Dahlias are warm climate flowers and come in many sizes - the dinner plate variety grow up to 12 inches in diameter, letting them take center stage in an arrangement.

If ever there were a plant we southerners would love to have from the north, it would probably be the fragrant Lilac. For those below the Mason-Dixon (roughly) who want to experience these beauties, it’s probably best to stick with cut Lilac flowers. They add lovely texture, color, and height to floral arrangements and stand beautifully on their own.

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Summer

HEATHER

SCABIOSA

WAXFLOWER

GARDEN ROSE

Long gone are the days when this flower’s branches were used to make brooms and baskets. Although it grows wild in parts of Europe, gardeners are planting it for its foliage, no matter how tricky it is. We love the volume it gives to arrangements as a tall filler flower. Looking for something different for decor?

Heather also works well dried.

Want an interesting addition to your garden or, more simply, your next centerpiece? Try Scabiosa or Pincushion Flower.

We love the laid-back charm and personality of these flowers, making them perfect for a relaxed, no fuss celebration.

And, when paired in an arrangement, their frilly blooms and whimsical stems are sure to liven up any dinner party.

Originally from Australia, there aren’t a lot of places that grow Waxflower. However, these flowers are popular in the cut-flower industry and are readily available.

They are known for their long vase life (say no more) and we love them for their small size, making them ideal as a filler in larger arrangements. Try waxflower wherever you would use Baby’s Breath for something new!

While the outer petals are structured like a standard rose, the old garden rose has ruffled center petals that open up to fill the air with the most gorgeous fragrance.

The White O’Hara variety we love has the softest blush center and ivory petals making it perfect for bridal bouquets, to give them a mix of femininity and romance.

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pat io REDOUX

WITH CRE ATIVE DIREC TOR K YLE SMITH DOES THE THOUGHT OF WARMER WEATHER AND OUTDOOR DINNER PARTIES HAVE YOU EYING YOUR NEIGHBOR’S SET UP AND FEELING A BOUT OF PATIO ENVY? LIKE YOU, WE’RE READY TO TAKE THE PARTY OUTSIDE AND EAGER TO CREATE A SPACE THAT HAS US PROUD TO CALL HOME. CREATIVE DIRECTOR, KYLE SMITH, AND HER HUSBAND, WARREN, RECENTLY BIT THE BULLET AND PRESSED START ON REINVENTING THEIR OUTDOOR SPACE (#PATIOGOALS), SO WE WANTED TO PICK HER BRAIN ON HOW IT ALL CAME TOGETHER.

“Warren built and installed arched garden gates on both sides of the house for a symmetrical and structured look. We painted them Behr’s Black Evergreen color, so they would tie nicely into the surrounding landscape. This project was definitely unchartered territory for him, and I love how they turned out.”

– Kyle Johnson Smith

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Q: WHEN STARTING A BIG PROJECT SUCH AS A PATIO UPDATE, HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH YOUR OVERALL VISION OR END GOAL? A: We knew when we bought the house that a patio overhaul was in our future, but I wanted to wait a bit to get a good feel for how we use the space before we started the project. We threw a few outdoor parties to get an idea of what we needed and didn’t, and let that be the driver in helping us come up with an outdoor area that’s enjoyable and functional for our lifestyle. Once I had a loose vision, we reached out to our friend and extremely talented landscape designer Ed Blissard with Purple Martin Outpost, who drew plans based on our notes. Little did we know that our eyes were a bit bigger than our budget (haha!). Warren and I love a good project, so we worked with Ed to see what we could take on ourselves, and then what we needed to leave to the professionals.

Q: WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION? A: Visiting other people’s homes always inspires me – I love seeing how their yards function. A Sunday afternoon spent at my favorite local nursery, Purple Martin Outpost, also really gets my creative outdoor juices flowing, but I’m careful not to go crazy and buy everything I see.

I’m definitely still honing my skills when it comes to landscaping and gardening, but one thing I have learned is that you can’t just buy something because it’s pretty, or you just might end up with a yard full of dead plants. You really need to buy what works for your space, soil, amount of sunlight you get and so on.

Q: HOW DID YOU CHOOSE MATERIALS? A: Plants: We chose our plants based on what I couldn’t kill. Ha! But seriously. We have busy schedules and as much as I picture myself outside watering and tending to my yard every night, I knew that wasn’t realistic. As far as greenery goes, I wanted something that would be impactful and full. I’m a sucker for fresh greenery in the house, so I also wanted plants I could easily cut and plop in a vase. Ed hit the nail on the head, and we came up with a plan that allowed for seasonal fun and “playing” but that could also stand on its own when we’re traveling or working late.

“Warren and I got an itch one Saturday a couple of years ago and built and installed four larger scale garden boxes and have been experimenting with seasonal crops ever since. I joke that I have a greenISH thumb – I’m still very much learning, but it has been so fun and something for us to work on together.”

– Kyle Johnson Smith

Gravel: I wanted a tailored look around garden boxes and our driveway. Something neutral and easy to maintain, so we went with a limestone gravel, and I love the finished result!

Brick: I knew I wanted a brick patio but had no clue where to start as far as choosing a color and pattern.

My dad sells brick, so I worked closely with him to choose the right materials. I work with my mom every day, so getting to work with my dad was a new experience and was a lot of fun. He taught me so much about different types of brick and what to consider in achieving the look you desire. We went with an old brick for a classic look, but added a level of interest by turning the traditional basket weave pattern on a 90-degree angle to hint at a herringbone pattern, but less busy.

Q: YOUR HOME IS JUST THE RIGHT BALANCE OF OLD MIXED WITH NEW. TRADITIONAL AND ECLECTIC. WAS IT IMPORTANT TO YOU TO CARRY THAT OUT INTO YOUR OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE AS WELL? A: The inside of my house is definitely an eclectic mix of old and new, but I would say the outside is very much traditional. I wanted to create a timeless look that could act as a blank canvas for my more eclectic style to spill out for entertaining and just living.

Q: ANY ADVICE TO THOSE ABOUT TO TAKE ON A SIMILAR PROJECT? A: Start with HOW you will use your space. Define your purpose and decisions will come much easier and guide you to a super functional finished product for your lifestyle.

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MIAMI

R O O T S

Southern hospitality is the quintessence of gracious living - welcoming your neighbors with a smile and glass of iced tea or slowing down to offer a sweet smile and hello to a stranger. There is no shortage of it in our hometown of Tallahassee, where you can’t speak with someone too long before you realize the degree of separation between you is small.

Growing up in Miami, however, surrounded

by Cuban American influences, Founding Artist and CEO Laura Johnson experienced a different kind of hospitality. She shares some recipes and memories from her childhood to inspire you to let your guard down, experiment with new recipes, and create a summer menu that paints the picture of Little Havana in the warm Miami sunshine.

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“The Cuban influences in Miami are truly something to behold. I can recall being invited to friends’ houses where the mentality was always the more the merrier.

One where friends became extended family and meals were the center of it all.

Interactive cooking that is almost used as a form of entertainment. It is upbeat and jovial, with multiple generations coming together to share the same meal and space. A large family

atmosphere with plenty of lively conversations and delicious slow cooked food, a style of entertaining that I am most comfortable with.

I love making recipes that remind me of my childhood, and Cuban recipes are certainly among them.

There’s something about the blend of Spanish and African influences with the flair of Caribbean flavor that never gets old and has me longing for summer.”

– Laura Johnson

CU B A N S A N DW ICH W I T H

T O M A T O

J A M

I NGR E DI E N T S

DI R E C T ION S

16-18 ounces pork tenderloin

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and adjust oven rack to the middle position.

2 cloves garlic, sliced lengthwise into 6 slivers each 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon fennel seeds 1 teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon paprika ½ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper ¼ cup mayonnaise ¼ cup Dijon mustard 2 cloves garlic, mashed into paste

Using a small paring knife, cut slits in tenderloin and stuff with slivers of garlic. Place tenderloin in a medium roasting pan and drizzle with olive oil.

Place spices in mortar and grind with pestle. Rub tenderloins with spice mixture and return meat to roasting pan.

Place roasting pan in oven and bake uncovered 30 minutes or until internal temperature of the meat reaches 150 degrees or cooked to desired doneness. Remember, meat will keep cooking once removed from oven.

Allow tenderloin to rest for 10 minutes before slicing into 32 pieces. The pork can be made ahead and refrigerated until ready to prepare sandwiches.

2 ciabatta loaves ½ pound Serrano or Black Forest ham ½ pound baby Swiss cheese 4 whole half-sour pickles, sliced

T O PR E PA R E S A N DW IC H E S

thin lengthwise

Prepare and light the grill.

¼ cup pickled jalapeño slices

Slice bread open face and cut each loaf into 4 equal pieces. In small bowl, mix mayonnaise, mustard, and garlic paste. Spread mayonnaise mixture on cut sides of bread allowing 1 tablespoon per sandwich. Arrange pork, ham, cheese, pickles, and jalapeños to make 8 individual sandwiches. Top each sandwich with 2 tablespoons of Tomato Jam. Wrap each sandwich in foil. Grill and press until sandwich is warm and cheese is melted.

Tomato Jam* *See recipe on next page.

While nothing compares to an authentic Cuban sandwich, this recipe is a close second. It’s an easy summer meal that transports well, making it a family favorite for summer days on the boat.

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TOM ATO J A M

I NGR E DI E N T S

DI R E C T ION S

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes

In a medium saucepan, combine tomatoes with onion, vinegar, sugar, and raisins. Stir in mustard seeds, ground cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, curry, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium-low, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 45 minutes or until mixture is thick and jam like. Allow to cool and transfer to a sterilized resealable container. Jam will keep for up to one month refrigerated.

1 small onion (1/2 cup), diced ¼ cup apple cider vinegar ¼ cup sugar 2 tablespoons golden raisins (optional) 1 teaspoon mustard seeds ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg ¼ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon curry powder (optional) ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper salt

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YBOR

C H I C K E N

I NGR E DI E N T S

DI R E C T ION S

½ cup flour

Mix flour, salt and pepper, and coat the chicken. Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Brown the chicken slowly.

1 whole chicken, cut Salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 green pepper, cut 1 large onion, cut 1 large garlic clove, minced 1 large tomato, chopped 1 bay leaf 1 cup raisins 1 cup green olives with pimento, sliced

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Place chicken in a casserole dish.

Sauté green pepper, onion, garlic, tomato, bay leaf, raisins, and olives in the skillet with the remaining oil.

Add wine and simmer for 5 minutes.

Pour over the chicken and add chorizo.

Cover and bake until chicken is tender, 1 ¼ to 1 ½ hours. Serve with white rice.

1 cup dry red wine 1 chorizo sausage, chopped

Another neighborhood with deep Cuban influence is Ybor City in Tampa. Cigar workers from Cuba immigrated there to work in Ybor City’s cigar factories, giving the city its rich history and amazing food. Here’s a take on Ybor Chicken, a recipe adapted from The Tampa Treasures Cookbook.

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NE V ER M I S S A N O PP O R T U NI T Y T O C EL EB R AT E E V ERY DAY.