PHOTO: LAYNE LILLIE | COURTESY OF ROSEMARY BEACH REALTY
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Envisioning a wedding weekend where everything was just a stroll away, Breezi Harrell knew the charming town of Seaside, Florida, where her family owns a vacation home and has shared many lifelong memories, was the perfect backdrop for her big day in October 2024. Breezi couldn’t wait to introduce her groom-to-be, Leonardo Murri, to Seaside and later celebrate with his family, who came from the countryside just outside of Rome, Italy, to witness their union. The long weekend of dinners, parties, and sweet moments with their loved ones was truly one for the books! With the help of Amorology Weddings and Breezi’s creative direction, the design of each event also took on an unforgettable life of its own. Congrats to the Murris!
Photo by Rebecca Yale Photography
Vie is a French word meaning “life” or “way of living.” VIE magazine sets itself apart as a high-gloss publication that focuses on human-interest stories with heart and soul. From Seattle to NYC with a concentration in the Southeast, VIE is known for its unique editorial approach—a broad spectrum of deep content with rich photography. The award-winning magazine was founded in 2008 by husband-and-wife team Lisa and Gerald Burwell, owners of the specialty publishing and branding house known as The Idea Boutique®. From the finest artistically bound books to paperless digital publication and distribution, The Idea Boutique provides comprehensive publishing services to authors and organizations. Its team of creative professionals delivers a complete publishing experience—all that’s needed is your vision.
40 Going to the Chapel, And We’re Gonna Get Married
46 Petite pause: Pharrell Williams x Louis Vuitton
48 A Stylish Engagement: Celebrating Lauren & Austin
54 A Chef’s Success: From Point A to the A-List
VOYAGER 61
62 Home on the Grange: A Culinary Respite in Willamette Valley
68 Petite Pause: Ponant Explorations
70 The Old Guard Meets the New in Portland, Oregon
74 Petite pause: Pinky Swear NYC
76 Château de Puymartin: Une Affaire de Famille
81 L’intermission: Sip & Savor at Park City Wine Festival
AU REVOIR! 145 On the Cover THEIDEABOUTIQUE.COM INFO@THEIDEABOUTIQUE.COM
114 LOGAN LANE, SUITE 4 SANTA ROSA BEACH, FLORIDA 32459
DISCOVER A NATION WITH SO MUCH TO OFFER WHEN YOU JOIN VISIT SWEDEN ON A GASTRONOMIC CITY TOUR OF GOTHENBURG, FOOD-CENTRIC EVENTS, AND MUCH MORE!
82 Brilliant Bordeaux: Floating Through France
90 A Scottish Scene Stealer South Beach
BON APPÉTIT! 97
98 A Love for Nostalgic, Elevated Comfort Food
103 L’intermission: A Fresh Dining Destination at the Vinoy
106 Gothenburg’s Gastronomic Boom
111 L’intermission: 750 Years of Amsterdam
INSPIRATIONS 112
113 How to Savor Your Summer
LE MONDE 115
116 Ohana Day School: The Heart of Early Education
120 Petite pause: Chalet Ukiyo in the French Alps
C’EST LA VIE CURATED COLLECTION 122
LA SCÈNE 130
THE LAST WORD
139
Photo courtesy of Visit Sweden
CREATIVE TEAM
CEO/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CREATIVE DIRECTOR
LISA MARIE BURWELL Lisa@VIEmagazine.com
FOUNDER / PUBLISHER
GERALD BURWELL Gerald@VIEmagazine.com
EDITORIAL
EDITOR
JORDAN STAGGS Jordan@VIEmagazine.com
ASSISTANT EDITOR
KATIE OGLETREE Katie@VIEmagazine.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
MEGHAN RYAN ASBURY, SARAH FREEMAN, ANTHEA GERRIE, MYLES MELLOR, CAROLYN O’NEIL, LIAN PICKENS, ABIGAIL RYAN, COLLEEN SACHS, MADISON SHIRLEY, XENIA TALIOTIS
ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY
ART DIRECTOR
JACK KIRKENDALL Jack@VIEmagazine.com
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
ANNA SIMPSON
HANNAH VERMILLION
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
LAUREN ATHALIA, VINCENT BENGOLD, MICHAEL BOOINI, MATT BORKOWSKI, HUNTER BURGTORF, NOAH FECKS, JACK GARDNER, TRACE INGHAM, SYDNEY JETER, BRENNA KNEISS, JEFF LANDRETH, LAYNE LILLIE, KURT LISCHKA, MARK LITTLE, STEVEN MANGUM, JOANNA MARCHI, ROSIE MARKS, CARLO PIERONI, JULIEN RIOU, ROMONA ROBBINS, TEDDY VERNEUIL, DAVE WARREN, CHANDLER WILLIAMS, BELMOND, BOO MEDIA, BORDEAUX TOURISME, BRENDAN VACATIONS, DÉCLIC & DÉCOLLE, DEEPIX, GETTY IMAGES, GRAY MEDIA, HANA, LES DRONERS, MODUS PHOTOGRAPHY, MOON CREEK STUDIO, NATIONAL ARCHIVES USA, REBECCA YALE PHOTOGRAPHY, SHUTTERSTOCK, STM PHOTOGRAPHY, SYDNEY FAITH PHOTO, THE COBRA SNAKE, VISIT SWEDEN, WHITECAP 30A, WORLD RED EYE
ADVERTISING, SALES, AND MARKETING
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING / AD MANAGER MORGAN CLAYBOURNE Morgan@VIEmagazine.com
AD MANAGER
ABIGAIL RYAN Abby@VIEmagazine.com
BRAND AMBASSADORS
LISA MARIE BURWELL Lisa@VIEmagazine.com
MARTA RATA Marta@VIEmagazine.com
INTERN
ANNA GILCHRIST
SOMEWHERE OVER the RAINBOW
Hope Springs Eternal
It continues to amaze me how our team curates a fresh new issue with bold intensity each month, allowing us to bring forth exciting and engaging stories. The goal is always to showcase content riddled with goodness and boundless beauty. There are many engaging and thoughtful stories, accompanied by vibrant photography and intentional design, that serve as our constant vanguard. It’s tough to meet the deadlines, and it isn’t for the faint of heart, but it is also a labor of love. Even as I lead the vision and initiatives of the magazine, I stand in awe of what we accomplish together. It is such a feat— one for which I give thanks to our team and God for His watchful eye over this undertaking. It’s been my mission field for seventeen years to bless and inspire our readers, advertisers, and the people and places whose stories we have the privilege of sharing. With this issue, which focuses on travel and food locally and globally, we invite you to sit down, take a pause in your day, and dine and travel with us. We always have something new around the corner, and this journey starts with our cover feature, a destination wedding weekend to beat all weddings, which was held in the idyllic town of Seaside, Florida, a few miles down the road from our HQ. Discover it in “That’s Amurri: Breezi & Leonardo’s Magical Wedding Weekend” by Abigail Ryan.
In addition, we showcase a very special wedding at The Chapel at Seaside, where our advertiser and brand partners, E. F. San Juan owners Edward and Mary Kathryn San Juan, hosted their daughter Lydia’s marriage to Trey Peirce. Read it in “Going to the Chapel and We’re Gonna Get Married.” The wedding venue holds a special place for the San Juan family, and this wedding looked like one of the most joyous I’ve seen in a long time. Lydia, you were a gorgeous bride, and you and Trey make a striking couple!
Photo by Romona Robbins
wine and culinary aficionado. I met her in 1993 when she was the longtime host of CNN’s On the Menu, and I was the marketing director for the Seaside Merchants Association, which was hosting the annual Seeing Red Wine Festival alongside Robert Mondavi and his wife, Margrit, and the famed chef and cookbook author Lidia Bastianich as celebrity guests. Carolyn and her crew were covering the offthe-charts event for her show, and it was my thrill to meet her, as I’d been watching her program for years. Bud & Alley’s owner Dave Rauschkolb hosted the sold-out wine dinner with his chef Irv Miller working in the kitchen with a superstar. I recall the weekend as if it were yesterday, and having Carolyn be part of our editorial team these many years later makes life even sweeter, as I truly admire her and am humbled that we get to work together.
When people are asked about their bucket lists, they often cite places they want to travel, and it’s become such an integral part of our modern way of life. Ecotourism, spiritual tourism, holistic tourism, gastro-tourism, and vinotourism, also known as enotourism, are just a few reasons the industry continues to soar. One of my favorite articles in this issue is “Brilliant Bordeaux,” penned by Carolyn O’Neil, who is our
As an avid traveler for many years, I have seemingly been sequestered from it (relatively speaking) these past two years, only taking a few trips. One was to England on behalf of the Seaside Institute to attend IMCL’s annual conference with executive director Christy Milliken and VIE editor Jordan Staggs. My husband and I voyaged to St. Barths, where we covered the gorgeous Le Barthélémy resort, and then to Ogunquit, Maine, where we featured the charming Dunes on the Waterfront. I loved these trips, as well as all my other travels over the years, which have all been exhilarating and wonderful.
When I find myself saying, “somewhere over the rainbow,” I’m referring to a need for newness and brighter days ahead. Traveling to new places usually fits that bill for me. I want to see more rainbows and hope to travel more often in the years ahead. May your “somewhere over the rainbow” also give you that feeling of hope and renewal.
—To Life!
—Lisa Marie Burwell CEO/Editor-in-Chief/Creative Director
We collaborate with talented photographers, writers, and other creatives on a regular basis, and we’re continually inspired by how they pour their hearts and souls into their crafts. Follow these creatives on social media and don’t forget to check out our account, @viemagazine.
IN THIS ISSUE, WE ASKED THE CREATIVES: WHAT MEAL AND BEVERAGE COMBINATION IS BEST ENJOYED IN THE SUMMERTIME? WHAT MAKES THIS YOUR FAVORITE MEAL OF THE SEASON?
Author & Speaker @meghanryanasbury
I think a stacked sandwich with chips and some type of fizzy drink makes the best combo for a summer meal. Something about it feels like coming home from a long day in the sun, and it reminds me of my childhood.
VIE Intern @annagilchriist
Hands down, my favorite summertime meal is a strawberry beet salad topped with fresh mint, creamy feta, and candied pecans. It’s light, refreshing, and perfect for a warm summer day. I love to pair it with a chilled Topo Chico and a squeeze of fresh lime for a crisp, citrusy kick. The balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors feels like summer on a plate. It’s the kind of meal that can go wherever the day takes me, whether I’m lounging at the beach all day or enjoying a nice picnic with my friends.
ANNA SIMPSON
VIE Graphic Designer @annanoellesimpson
Growing up in Louisiana, my grandparents’ neighbors had a huge garden, and every summer, they would bring our family baskets overflowing
with fresh fruits and vegetables. This season quickly became my favorite because they always stocked our pantry with fresh tomatoes, squash, peppers, black-eyed peas, and watermelons. In the summertime, I always find myself gravitating toward meals that incorporate these ingredients because they feel like home. My grandma would often make my sister and me fried squash in the summertime, and of course, in classic Louisiana fashion, it is best washed down with an ice-cold glass of sweet tea!
THE BALANCE OF SWEET, SAVORY, AND TANGY FLAVORS FEELS LIKE SUMMER ON A PLATE.
Partner & Executive Chef, Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events @chefdanielcapra
One of my favorite summer bites—super delicious and about as simple as it gets—is a bowl of sliced peaches with a squeeze of lemon, a drizzle of peppery olive oil, and a generous shaving of Parmesan! I’ll enjoy this with a crisp sparkling wine such as the Sparkling Solera from Maître de Chai or the Dry & Mighty non-alcoholic cider from Golden State Cider. Either pairing is best enjoyed outdoors with friends under the sun or moonlight.
MEGHAN RYAN
ANNA GILCHRIST
DANIEL CAPRA
CHURCHILL OAKS
THE HEART OF COMMUNITY
Midsummer Magic!
July is in full swing, bringing on the boldest, brightest days of the season. Whether you’re chasing fireworks, enjoying salty breezes, or savoring slow, sun-filled mornings, this month is all about vibrant moments and carefree memories. Keep the adventures coming, stay inspired, and don’t forget to tag @viemagazine in your favorite summer snapshots!
@emeraldcoaststorytellers Join us as we celebrate three years of stories, connection, and community at Emerald Coast Theatre Company—hosted by yours truly, Emerald Coast Storytellers, and featuring the one and only Lisa Burwell of @viemagazine as our July Featured Storyteller. This one’s going to be unforgettable—and tickets are live now. Grab yours before they’re gone!
@the87central Summer’s here and @seasidefl evenings are made for delicious bites, perfectly paired pours, and endless good times. We can’t wait to kick off the season with you!
@allseasons_30a THE ELEVATED RESPITE | Home away from home never felt so good. As we wrap up the month, we’re sending a heartfelt thank you to @viemagazine for featuring The All Seasons Collection 30A in their stunning Resorts & Destinations issue. What an honor to be included among such inspiring company! Grateful for these beautiful moments captured of our founder, Cheryl Moodie, and some of our team by @marlacarterphoto.
@tribekelley Americana is now live!
@theideaboutique Hosting an event soon or just looking to spruce up your table? From curated home accents to thoughtful gifts and design expertise, @summerhouselifestyle x @designbar30a is your one-stop destination for all things elevated living. Visit their stunning storefront in Watersound Origins.
@e.f.sanjuan A vision of beauty in Alys Beach, Florida! From the interior and exterior trim to the ceiling materials, Loewen windows and doors, ipe decking, and more, the E. F. San Juan team was thrilled to work on this dream home by architect Gary Justiss and the team at Alys Beach Construction, with interior design by Bohlert Massey Interiors. Photo by Layne Lillie
LET’S TALK!
Send VIE your comments and photos on our social media channels or by emailing us at info@viemagazine.com. We’d love to hear your thoughts. They could end up in the next La conversation!
VIEmagazine.com
To learn more, visit us.LALIQUE.com and follow @lalique on Instagram.
L’ amour
IT’S ALL YOU NEED.
Step into the world of French luxury at LALIQUE’s Maison d’Artiste in New York City. This iconic crystal house artfully blends French heritage with contemporary Upper East Side architecture, crafting an unforgettable immersive experience for its guests. The stunning Beaux-Arts design of the building, featuring intricately carved limestone and bold black metal accents, is thoughtfully implemented with modern New York details to tell a captivating story. Each room, adorned with flawless furnishings and thoughtful design, reflects LALIQUE’s unique savoir-faire and craftsmanship. Its historic setting, nestled between Fifth and Madison Avenues, echoes its intertwined history of early Manhattan high society and jewelry-making. The Maison d’Artiste is a natural extension of LALIQUE, embodying the celebration of French excellence that the brand is known for, with a distinct New York twist.
Photo courtesy of LALIQUE
That’s A MURRI!
In a radiant celebration of culture, family, and love, Breezi Harrell Murri and Leonardo Murri brought their enchanting wedding vision to life during a stunning weekend in Seaside, Florida. Their story—one of serendipitous romance sparked on the relationship app Hinge and shaped during a global pandemic—is marked by resilience, joy, and deep-rooted connection. From Italian serenades to Southern hospitality, their wedding was nothing short of a cinematic experience.
How They Met LOVE IN THE TIME OF QUARANTINE
In June 2022, just before the world came to a standstill, Breezi and Leonardo met on Hinge. What began as casual dates in Austin, Texas, quickly blossomed into a strong connection that thrived despite the uncertainties of the COVID19 pandemic. While the world paused, their love story continued to unfold, laying the groundwork for a surprise proposal in Cabo San Lucas.
The Proposal
A CABO SUNRISE WITH A TWIST
In May 2023, Leonardo orchestrated a dreamy beachside proposal during a family trip. Breezi, believing it was just a vacation, was taken by surprise when she stepped into a private cabana adorned with flowers and a gourmet breakfast spread. There, Leonardo dropped to one knee. Both families joined in to celebrate the moment, setting the tone for a wedding journey grounded in joy and familial love.
A Warm Welcome
ITALIAN HOSPITALITY MEETS SOUTHERN
CHARM
The wedding weekend began with a family welcome dinner that gathered twenty-eight members of Leonardo’s Italian family. They found comfort in a cozy cottage situated directly across from Breezi’s family home, where the enticing scents of garlic and simmering sauces filled the air. Leonardo’s uncle, Pasquale, a
BY ABIGAIL RYAN
PHOTOS BY REBECCA YALE PHOTOGRAPHY
butcher hailing from Rome, took charge of crafting an unforgettable Italian feast. The spread included homemade pasta, exquisitely aged prosciutto, and a seemingly endless flow of wine. Despite language barriers, laughter and shared stories bridged the gap, uniting the two families in the universal language of food and love.
La Serenata A LOVE SONG UNDER THE STARS
One standout moment of the weekend was La Serenata, a romantic Italian tradition secretly organized by Leonardo’s family. The night before the wedding, Leonardo surprised Breezi with a serenade outside her window, accompanied by a local guitarist. This enchanting moment took place at Breezi’s family beach home, where seventy-five wedding guests gathered to witness this beautiful expression of love. The atmosphere was magical, with guests toasting with Italian champagne and indulging in homemade lasagna, marking it as a night to remember.
A Beautiful Beginning
The wedding weekend unfolded beautifully, blending traditions from both Breezi and Leonardo’s backgrounds. With 200 guests in attendance at the ceremony and reception, their wedding vision came to life against the backdrop of Florida’s Emerald Coast with the help of Amorology Weddings, based in San Diego. This celebration was not only a testament to the couple’s love but also a tribute to family, culture, and the bonds that unite them. Breezi and Leonardo’s wedding was a remarkable journey illustrating the beauty of love transcending borders. From a heartfelt proposal to a rich tapestry of family traditions and festivities, their story is a mesmerizing reminder of what it truly means to unite two families. As they embark on their new life together, their love story continues to flourish, woven with unique threads of culture and shared experiences.
The Wedding Day SEASIDE SOPHISTICATION
The couple exchanged vows at the Chapel at Seaside, an architectural gem nestled near the Gulf. Breezi, who spent childhood summers there, chose Seaside for its sentimental significance and effortless beauty. After a heartfelt ceremony, guests moved to the Seaside Pavilion for sunset cocktails and breathtaking coastal views. The night concluded at The Daytrader Tiki Bar, where the celebration adopted a relaxed, tropical vibe.
A Market of Memories THE WELCOME PARTY
Before the big day, guests were treated to a vintage Italian welcome party at Modica Market. The space was transformed into a whimsical mercato, complete with pasta-inspired décor, vibrant floral ribbons, and a color palette of tomato red, basil green, and soft yellow. Signature cocktails—like Pasta Water Martinis and Aperol Spritzes—flowed freely. A Frank Sinatra impersonator serenaded the crowd as guests mingled, sampled Italian delicacies, and left heartfelt notes in a cookbook titled A Table for Two When dinner was served on the lawn at The Court hotel behind the market, guests were delighted to start the meal with a beautiful, warm olive oil cake with Limoncello glaze—a nod to Modica’s motto: “Life’s short, eat dessert first!”
Breezi stunned in a custom Nardos couture gown featuring green, white, and red disks—an homage to the Italian flag—with ribbon streamers that fluttered with each step. She paired the look with ruby-red Attico mules and a vintage diamond-andruby necklace passed down from her great-greatgrandfather. Her Olympia Le-Tan clutch, shaped like The Italian Cookbook, added a whimsical touch. Leonardo matched her flair in a custom suit from Ahmed Custom Clothiers, complete with flagcolored accents and woven Italian loafers.
A Tiki-Inspired Finale
As the sun dipped below the horizon, guests made their way down the boardwalk to The Daytrader Tiki Bar, ready to celebrate an enchanting evening filled with love, laughter, and a touch of tiki magic. The soothing sounds of a steel drum player harmonized with the ocean breeze, creating the perfect atmosphere. Upon arrival, guests were welcomed with refreshing Daisy cocktails—an elevated version of the classic gin and tonic—garnished with delicate edible flowers for a touch of tropical elegance.
In a delightful twist, the bride and groom transformed from their traditional attire into stunning tiki-inspired outfits. Breezi dazzled in a custom, flirty tiki dress adorned with imported flowers, while Leonardo opted for breezy linen that showcased an effortless island charm. This lively spirit soon spread to their family, who also donned tiki-inspired ensembles, enhancing the celebration’s vibrancy.
Culinary artistry took center stage with an exceptional dinner curated by Chef Nikhil Abuvala, who was recently nominated for a James Beard Award for Best Chef of the South. Guests indulged in an exciting multi-course dinner, with each dish expertly paired with inventive cocktails. Tuna crispy rice bites accompanied the romantic “True Romance” cocktail, while lobster noodles were served with colorful dry ice cocktail vials that mesmerized diners. Edible shots delivered in elaborate octopus vessels added a whimsical touch, making each bite a delightful surprise.
As the evening progressed, the signature Medical Mai Tai cocktail—a playful drink served in medical bags—circulated throughout the crowd, embodying the joyful essence of the celebration with its fun tropical twist. To further engage the guests, Backup Productions introduced an interactive spinning wheel where attendees could win exclusive wedding swag. From artisanal cocktails to the highly coveted Daytrader Tiki hats, every spin elicited cheers and excitement.
A world-renowned magician captivated guests with mind-bending illusions while immersive Aura
Booth experiences rounded out the night’s entertainment. The wedding was adorned with exquisite details. Breezi’s attire included a custom couture tiki dress complemented by Amina Muaddi Gilda sandals embellished with multicolored crystals, as well as a Marco Bicego Paradise necklace featuring a vibrant array of colorful gemstones. The couple’s wedding cake, designed by Hey There, Cupcake, was a stunning daisy-inspired four-tiered masterpiece suspended from a custom surfboard with nautical ropes against a charming yellow and white striped cabana backdrop.
But the night was beginning. After the festivities at The Daytrader Tiki Bar, guests boarded party buses for a late-night afterparty at A.J.’s Grayton Beach. With DJ Tripp Martin’s (Don’t Trip!) spinning tracks, the energy soared as the bride and groom danced atop the bar, setting the tone for a night that stretched into the early morning hours. In a heartfelt nod to their Scottish friends, the night concluded with an indulgent late-night feast—a full English breakfast—a cherished tradition that wrapped up the celebration on a comforting note.
Family, Heritage, and Heart
Breezi’s brother-in-law, David, affectionately known as “H,” officiated the ceremony in both English and Italian, paying tribute to the couple’s blended heritage. Leonardo’s family experienced their first American wedding with wonder, especially during the La Serenata. Their beloved dog, Snacks, made a surprise appearance on the dance floor, joined by their three-year-old nephew, capping off a celebration centered on family and authenticity.
The Honeymoon
GOLF AND GLACIERS IN NEW ZEALAND
After their nuptials, the couple jetted off to New Zealand for a ten-day honeymoon filled with adventure and relaxation. They enjoyed wine tasting and biking through vineyards, while Leonardo had the unique experience of golfing alongside an Olympic champion. This journey beautifully encapsulated their shared love for discovery and connection.
A Celebration Beyond Compare
Breezi and Leonardo’s wedding was not just a party—it was a heartfelt tribute to culture, family, and tradition. With every handmade daisy chain and thoughtfully curated pasta display, they honored the roots that shaped them and the future they are building together. Their magical weekend in Seaside was more than just a wedding; it was a vibrant tapestry of laughter, heritage, and the simple, beautiful joy of love celebrated remarkably.
Thank You!
Coordinator
AMOROLOGY WEDDINGS
Photographer
REBECCA YALE PHOTOGRAPHY
Videographer
ALAN LEBLANC
Florist
NATIVE POPPY
Brides Hair
ELIA GRAVES
Brides Makeup
NATALIE MALCHEV, GLAM BY NATALIE
Transportation
SUNSHINE SHUTTLE & LIMOUSINE
Rehearsal Dinner
Venue
MODICA MARKET & THE COURT SEASIDE
Catering
TOWNSEND CATERING
Rentals
ADORE FOLKLORE AND H&M RENTALS
Linens
SOMETHING VINTAGE, CATALOG
ATELIER, AND THEONI LINENS
Dance Floor
EMERALD COAST EVENT WRAPS
Prosciutto Wheel
THE SALTY BUTCHER
Coffee Bar
COASTAL COFFEE BAR CO.
Photo Booth
EPIC PHOTO CO.
Invitations
CECILES PAPER CO.
Musician
EAST COAST ENTERTAINMENT
DJ WILL BOWERS
Wedding Day
Ceremony Venue
THE CHAPEL AT SEASIDE
Reception Venue
THE DAYTRADER TIKI BAR
Ceremony Dress
NARDOS NYC
Jewelry
JONATHANS FINE JEWELERS
Shoes
LOEWE
Officiant
DAVID HOLLAND
Wedding Cake
HEY THERE, CUPCAKE!
A poetic blend of attention to detail and tactical roughed edges captures the last summer rays embracing the Mediterranean.
—OAS COMPANY
Stockholm-based fashion brand OAS Company was born in one of the coldest countries in the world but began as a celebration of the sweetness of summer. Numerous trips to his family home in Barcelona, Spain, inspired founder Oliver Adam Sebastian to create a company that would allow him to cherish the feeling of vacation year-round. The company draws inspiration from the global art, architecture, and culture of international travel. OAS is rooted in the sense of nostalgia, evoking the lasting memories and joy of summer vacation. One of the latest collections features swim and lounge looks set against the backdrop of Hydra, Greece.
To see more or shop now, visit OAScompany.com and follow @oascompany on Instagram.
Photo by HaNa, courtesy of OAS Company
Going to the Chapel, and We’re Gonna get Married
Mr. and Mrs. Peirce
by Katie Ogletree | photography by Gray Media
ydia San Juan recalls her love story with Trey Peirce as the “Invisible String” experience. Both Florida natives, Lydia hails from Panama City, while Trey grew up seven hours east in Vero Beach. An incredible detail that ultimately became the catalyst for their meeting years later was that while Lydia attended Florida State University, she lived next door to Trey’s twin brother, Colton; while Trey was at the University of Florida, he lived next to Lydia’s brother, Eddie. The pair started dating, and Trey began his career with her family’s legacy millwork business, E. F. San Juan, while Lydia was finishing college.
VIE magazine was honored to sit down with Lydia and Trey, who shared exciting wedding plans and intimate details of their love story.
VIE: When did you become engaged, and what was the proposal like?
Lydia: We dated for about six years, and one day, on a trip with his brother and sister-in-law to Amsterdam, he proposed during a canal cruise on our last day there. I never saw it coming, and that made it all the more unforgettable! We were taking pictures together when he said I have something I want to ask you and dropped down to one knee. Once I regained the ability to speak, it was an obvious yes!
VIE: How did you choose your wedding venue, and did you explore a lot of options, or was it love at first “site?”
Lydia: The Chapel at Seaside holds a special place in our hearts. My dad and grandfather spent so many hours creating the custom interior and exterior wood millwork details in this chapel. Something Trey and I bonded over immediately was our shared commitment to and love for our families. Family values, legacy, and tradition are fundamental to both of us and form the foundation on which we have built our relationship. Standing within the walls of The Chapel at Seaside, knowing the hands that shaped the beautiful details are the same hands that shaped me into the person I am and got me to this point—marrying my best friend. To us, this wasn’t just a beautiful venue; it was a part of us, a reminder that the people we loved were surrounding us in more ways than one.
VIE: What was the process of wedding planning like for you as a couple? Did you hire a planner or do it on your own?
Lydia: When we sat down to start the planning process, the only thing Trey and I wanted was to have all our family and friends together to celebrate our commitment to one another. The process for us was an absolute breeze. My best friend’s mom, Rachelle Youd, is a wedding planner, and there was no one I would trust with this day more than her. She is extraordinary, and I can’t take any credit for the beautiful day and experience she and her team created for us. It was beyond anything that I could have ever imagined. She thought of every little detail and truly made it so personalized and special for us. From the stunning florals to the custom-curated bar, themed to our dogs whom we are obsessed with, and everything in between, it was flawless. All we had to do was show up and enjoy our perfect day!
VIE: Describe your wedding day. Was there a theme to your décor? Were there any memorable moments or favorite things about the day?
Lydia: We had the ultimate spring garden party that felt like something out of a dream. It was intimate, fun, and full of natural beauty. Rachelle created the perfect environment surrounded by blooming flowers and citrus. The atmosphere was lighthearted and blooming with joy from all our closest people. It was timeless, romantic, and perfectly us. One of my favorite moments of the day was a “first look” with my dad before the ceremony at the chapel. It was an exciting and meaningful moment for me to have that special moment to share with him.
The bride’s father, Edward San Juan, says, “When my father, my mother, my wife, and I attended the dedication ceremony for The Chapel at Seaside in October of 2001, Lydia was five years old. On that day, we never imagined that twenty-three
years later, I would be walking my daughter down the aisle of this now-iconic chapel on the day of her wedding. Even though this day would have been special regardless of the venue, the fact that we celebrated Lydia and Trey’s marriage at Seaside Chapel with a reception at the Seaside Lyceum made this all the more memorable for our family and guests. We could not have asked for a more beautiful setting to mark the beginning of Lydia and Trey’s life together as husband and wife.”
The couple has decided to delay their honeymoon plans for a few months to savor every moment of the wedding experience. Once things calm down, they plan to have a nice relaxing getaway to St. Lucia!
Special Thanks
Planner: Rachelle Youd, Rachelle Youd Designs
Invitations & Custom Printing: Rachelle Youd Designs, Ella Catherine Youd Ink X EC, and Helen Made Designs
Lydia & Trey: “We would also love to give a shoutout to The Chapel at Seaside team for all their help and support!”
Under the creative direction of Pharrell Williams, Louis Vuitton’s Pre-Fall 2025 Men’s campaign captures the essence of the modern traveler. The campaign is divided into two distinct chapters—Transit and Arrival—emphasizing the traveler’s journey rather than the destination. The voyage begins in Miami, where the Transit wardrobe channels the charm and nautical elegance of retro South Beach. It concludes in Paris with the Arrival wardrobe, embodying the sophistication of resort chic. Together, the two chapters display the evolution of the traveler from departure to arrival, capturing the transformation of style and sensation of leisure along the way.
To see more or shop, visit LouisVuitton.com and follow @louisvuitton on Instagram.
Photo by Rosie Marks, courtesy of Louis Vuitton
AENGAGEMENT Stylish Celebrating Lauren & Austin
Photography by Sydney Jeter
hen Lauren Lindgren and Austin Chrun met as teenagers, they never dreamed they’d be tying the knot about a decade later. Still, with all the makings of a great friends-to-lovers story, their romance blossomed over the years. It eventually led them to move from the Midwest to the Gulf Coast together, where they became coworkers at Summer House Lifestyle interior design studio, and now, they are planning their big day as bride and groom-to-be. VIE would like to wish this beautiful couple a heartfelt congratulations, and we were excited to chat with the bride about their wedding plans!
“IT WAS SIMPLE, AND THE SUNSET THAT NIGHT WAS AMAZING. THE WHOLE THING FELT LIKE A DREAM!”
VIE: TELL US A LITTLE MORE ABOUT YOUR LOVE STORY!
LAUREN: We actually met at Austin’s sixteenth birthday party—almost ten years ago now! We were just friends at first and kept running into each other over the years. We both ended up at the University of Missouri and even had a few classes together, but still didn’t start dating until after college. After graduation, we reconnected, started dating, and made a big move to Florida’s 30-A region together. After nearly three and a half years of dating, he popped the question this past March!
VIE: HOW DID THE ENGAGEMENT HAPPEN? WERE YOU SURPRISED?
LAUREN: It was the most low-key but perfect Tuesday! We went for a spontaneous beach walk after work, and Austin had decided that morning that the weather was just too perfect to pass up. I had no idea he even had the ring, so when he got down on one knee, I was in complete shock. It was simple, and the sunset that night was amazing. The whole thing felt like a dream!
VIE: WHAT ARE YOUR WEDDING PLANS, AND HOW ARE YOU ENJOYING THE PLANNING PROCESS?
LAUREN: We’re planning to get married in September 2026 in our hometown— St. Louis, Missouri. We’re still in the venue-hunting stage, but we’re dreaming of a big celebration surrounded by all our favorite people. St. Louis has so many great spots, so we’re having fun exploring our options! We haven’t hired a planner yet, but we’re not ruling it out. As an interior designer, I definitely have a lot of ideas and want to be super hands-on with the planning and design process. Our goal is to lock in a venue (and possibly a planner) by the end of summer!
VIE: THANK YOU, LAUREN. CONGRATULATIONS!
The couple celebrated their engagement with this beautiful photo shoot in Rosemary Beach and Alys Beach, Florida. To see more photography by Sydney Jeter, visit SydneyFaithPhoto.com or follow @sydneyfaithphoto on Instagram. See work by Summer House Lifestyle at SummerHouseLifestyle.com and @summerhouselifestyle.
PRIVATE RESIDENCE
Heritage Dunes, Seagrove Beach, Florida
A CHEF’S Success
“I became a chef by accident,” admits Chef Daniel Capra As a natural creative Capra s teenage years were marked by a strong passion for the visual arts and music He spent his time playing in a band and focusing on visual arts as part of a magnet school program At age sixteen, Capra began working at a movie theater to support his artistic endeavors. Its kitchen featured a double-decker pizza oven, six deep fryers, and a sandwich station
“Early on, I expected to succeed in music. The ‘kitchen thing’ never crossed my mind as a possible career path. It wasn’t until my mid-twenties that I had an ‘aha’ moment,” he recalls. Capra credits the turning point in his culinary journey to what he calls the “failure” of his music career. Stepping away from the aspiration led to a chance introduction to a Washington, D.C.-based chef, Greggory Hill. The encounter changed his trajectory forever. “His approach to food and menu development was
truly art. That’s when it clicked for me—cooking is another form of (disciplined) art.”
Today, Capra is the Executive Chef and Partner at Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events in Emeryville, California. As a renowned chef dedicated to culinary art, he brings signature creativity, personality, and passion for food sustainability to every detail of his work on incredible weddings and other high-end events.
VIE: Tell us a little about your background. Where are you from, what was your early culinary journey, and what led you to Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events?
Chef Daniel Capra: I was born in Detroit, grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia, spent some time in Iowa City, back to Virginia, drove to San Diego after high school and spent a year there, went back to Virginia for a few months, and then I moved to New Orleans where I spent ten years. While there, I met the most incredible woman, Ashley. We moved to the Bay Area in 2000 as she was returning to work at Paula LeDuc Fine Catering. Though I was interviewing at restaurants, I began working in the kitchen at
Inset: Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events, a culinary event design and production company, creates unforgettable experiences through exceptional culinary art and service.
PLD. I took on a sous chef position, and after a few years, I advanced to become the executive chef. A few years after that, I was actually ready to be the executive chef—ha!
VIE: Your work has taken you from the East Coast to New Orleans to San Francisco. How have those different culinary landscapes influenced your style in the kitchen today?
Chef Capra: Great question, and only recently have I understood the true answer. My early years at the movie theater (and then a vegetarian café) were about kitchen mechanics, flow, functionality, multitasking, endurance, and timing. In New Orleans, in addition to honing the skills I already had, it was about exposure to a range of ingredients, techniques, cultures, tools, and mentors. Once I arrived in the Bay Area, it was about locality, seasonality, and the expansion of techniques and cultures. Most importantly, I learned how to taste. I’m confident I had an “okay” palette and had been “cooking well” for years. I understood some specific flavors and flavor combinations, but the emphasis was on the action of getting the food on the plate, with very little explanation of how to taste it. I learned how to appreciate the taste of food in California.
Left: Chef Daniel Capra, Executive Chef and Partner at Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events in Emeryville, California
VIE: You’ve cooked for everyone from President Obama to Oprah. Is there a particular moment or event that you credit as the most defining experience in your career?
Chef Capra: Crikey, I’ve been fortunate to experience what feels like career-defining moments every few months. Some stand out in scale—like the 2003 Gala Dinner with Chef Daniel Boulud or Sean Parker’s wedding weekend in Big Sur in 2013. Others have been more rooted in purpose, such as our 2019 partnership with World Central Kitchen to support furloughed workers or our ongoing collaborations with nonprofits like Foodwise, La Cocina, SF-Marin Food Bank, Tipping Point, and the Agricultural Institute of Marin. But more often, the moments that stay with me are quieter: watching team members in our kitchen grow into leadership roles, then turn around and mentor others with the same care they were shown. I still love what I do, and any success I’ve had is shared with the people I work alongside every day.
VIE: In your eyes, what truly sets Paula LeDuc apart from others in the competitive world of fine catering and events?
Chef Capra: What truly sets Paula LeDuc apart is the integrity and creativity our team brings to every event. We’re not just executing a service—we’re crafting
experiences with thoughtfulness and intention. Creativity drives us, but never at the expense of quality or our values. We pay close attention to the details others might overlook, and we’re honest about our limits. If we feel taking on a project could compromise the standards of another, we’ll say no. That kind of discipline isn’t always easy, but it’s part of what allows us to consistently deliver something extraordinary. Even in high-pressure moments, there is a sense of joy and collaboration that fuels everything we do.
VIE: How would you describe the food and experience provided by Paula LeDuc Catering & Events to someone who has never experienced it?
Chef Capra: We strive to bring a restaurant experience to a backyard, a beachfront, a hangar, a museum, etc. We create and customize menus per event based on the client’s preferences, leaning into seasonality, creativity, and an array of tastes.
VIE: What inspires the menus you create for Paula LeDuc? Is there a specific philosophy or seasonal rhythm you follow when designing an event menu?
Top: Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events produces premier culinary experiences for all occasions, from intimate to extravagant.
Above and opposite:
Paula LeDuc sources many sustainable, locally grown ingredients from its Beaulieu Garden, led by Executive Chef Daniel Capra.
Do your personal preferences ever influence the menu design?
Chef Capra: When working on a menu, I begin with a list of ingredients that will be in season and break out a few ways I might showcase each one, as well as what would pair best with a specific fish, cut of meat, duck, or game hen. I ask what should stand out on its own or what might work well in a pasta filling or sauce. I’m a huge fan of incorporating fruit into savory dishes, and throughout the year, we preserve, pickle, can, and dry various market gems to use throughout the year. The gardens and farms we work with play a vital role in the dishes we create.
VIE: How do you maintain the same artistry and attention to detail when designing dishes for intimate gatherings versus large-scale events?
Chef Capra: The creative process is always the same—whether it’s dinner for twelve or a gala for twelve hundred. We dream big, chase flavor, and obsess over the details. That said, during the brainstorming phase, there’s usually a moment when someone on the team gently (or not-so-gently) asks, “So… how exactly are we going to pull that off?” That’s when the fun starts. Sometimes, it leads to a brilliant workaround, and sometimes, it’s a full-on “back to the drawing board” moment, complete with coffee, laughter, and a healthy dose of humility. But no matter the scale, the goal is always the same: to create something beautiful, delicious, and memorable.
VIE: What’s your favorite dish?
Chef Capra: One answer is duck and andouille gumbo. Other options include moules frites (steamed mussels), a smashburger, a perfectly ripe peach with olive oil and parmesan, or fried chicken with a side of fries. How could I possibly choose one favorite dish when there are so many fantastic options?
VIE: The Beaulieu Garden is a unique part of your culinary process at Paula LeDuc. How does having access to a private estate garden influence your sourcing and creativity?
“
Farmers, pro ducers, kitchen teams, and service staff are the foundation of our industry and yet they’re often the most overlooked and under protected.
Chef Capra: What we grow in the garden reminds us how little it takes for something to shine—a squeeze of lemon, a drizzle of olive oil—and yet how much must align for it to even reach the plate. The garden is more than a source of ingredients; it’s a quiet meditation on resilience, impermanence, and wonder. From seedling to harvest, each step is vulnerable to forces beyond our control—too much rain, too little, an unexpected frost, or the whim of a hungry blue jay. It’s a humbling reminder that creation is as much about surrender as it is about intention.
VIE: Beyond the kitchen, you’re involved in philanthropic efforts and serve on the Foodwise board. What drives your commitment to food justice, and how do you bring those values to life through your work at Paula LeDuc?
Chef Capra: At the heart of my commitment to food justice is a deep respect for the people who grow, harvest, and prepare our food. Farmers, producers, kitchen teams, and service staff are the foundation of our industry—and yet they’re often the most overlooked and under-protected. Through my work with Foodwise and other organizations, I’ve seen how powerful education can be in shifting this narrative: connecting people more deeply to where their food comes from, who’s
Top left: Chef Daniel Capra pictured with Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events kitchen team and service staff
Left and opposite: Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events’ menu draws inspiration from fresh, seasonal ingredients, reflecting the company’s ethos and commitment to food sustainability.
San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. There’s a lot on our calendar to get excited about.
VIE: What advice would you give young chefs or culinary students hoping to follow in your footsteps?
behind it, and why equity in the food system matters. At Paula LeDuc, these values show up in the choices we make every day—supporting local farms, building relationships rooted in fairness, and creating opportunities for mentorship and growth within our team. Food should nourish more than just the body; it should sustain communities and affirm dignity at every level of the process.
VIE: Looking ahead, are there any upcoming projects or events you’re particularly excited about?
Chef Capra: As I am answering these questions, my kitchen is wrapping up production for the SF Jazz Gala this evening. It’s going to be an incredible event honoring Don Was. He’s such a brilliant artist. Next week, the kitchen will conquer about 200 lbs of plums for plum jam and plum chutney. In August, I always look forward to a three-day music festival, Outside Lands, and the food we do in the VIP Golden Gate Club section. In September, one of my favorite dinners is a fundraiser for the
Chef Capra: Don’t rush. Understand, loud and clear, you are going to make mistakes, and you will experience failure. We all have, and we all still do. It’s essential that you take the time to reflect on and learn from those moments, deciding whether to embrace humility and move ahead with grace or feed your ego with excuses and blame others, thereby limiting your growth. Believe in yourself. As Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.”
Visit PaulaLeDuc.com and follow @paulaleduc and @chefdanielcapra on Instagram to learn more, or contact the team.
To learn more or plan your visit, go to Belmond.com/hotels/north-america and follow @belmondcasadesierranevada on Instagram.
Casa de Sierra Nevada, one of Belmond’s five distinctive North American properties, is a testament to the city of San Miguel de Allende and its rich history. Set across six seventeenth- and eighteenth-century mansions, each of its thirty-seven suites features intricately hand-carved furniture and Talavera tiles, bringing the region’s past to life. Modern luxuries, such as rooftop bars, vineyard tastings, and plunge-pool suites, strike the perfect balance between each property’s classical aesthetic and contemporary sophistication. Mexican culture comes alive through immersive experiences such as the Sazón cooking school, where guests can master the art of traditional cuisine. With its stunning views of the city, Casa de Sierra Nevada of Belmond North America is a blissful escape.
Photo courtesy of Belmond
H O M E O N T H E
G R A N G E
A CULINARY RESPITE IN WILLAMETTE VALLEY
BY MADISON SHIRLEY
REFUGE. RESPITE. RETREAT.
Nestled deep in the verdant heart of the Willamette Valley wine country, Grange Estate serves as a sanctuary for those looking to escape the troubles of yesterday and tomorrow. Set against a backdrop of oak-covered hills to the west and a rolling, emerald tapestry of vineyards to the east, this self-described “rustic retreat” blends history, luxury, and Oregonian charm, creating a distinct sense of peace and place for guests.
Opened in June 2024, the turn-of-the-centuryinspired farmhouse known as Grange Estate boasts nine stunning rooms overlooking the sun-kissed rows of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes at the Foley Family Estate Vineyard, stretching across the Dundee Hills and beyond. Designed by the Portland firm Urban Patterns, each room is curated with bespoke interiors crafted from local white oak, Douglas fir, and black walnut, enhanced by colors, textures, and artwork influenced by the Northwest. A warm atmosphere invites you to unwind, escape the ordinary, and indulge in the extraordinary.
Although not everyone is an early riser (especially this writer), mornings at The Grange property, which encompasses the Grange Estate and much more, are not to be missed. Golden sunrises bathe the south-facing rooms in soft light, highlighting the leather, wool, and wood furnishings to create a scene brimming with rustic charm and comfort. Locally sourced coffee, teas, fresh milk—both dairy and non-dairy—and matcha are available in the room for guests who wish to enjoy the understated luxury while savoring a leisurely morning.
The Four Graces tasting room at The Grange property in Willamette Valley’s Dundee Hills region offers wine experiences by day and a ten-course tasting dinner by night when it becomes home to the Anthology chef’s table.
Right: Grange Estate opened on the property in 2024, offering a nine-room rustic-meets-modern residence for overnight guests to enjoy.
Guests exiting their rooms, coffee in hand, encounter wind whispering through vines and sunrise dancing on dewdrops. The tranquility of this scene offers a haven for the soul, but don’t worry—this property also provides plenty for the body.
Good food and drink are integral to Oregonian culture, so it’s no surprise Grange Estate is just steps away from several remarkable farm-to-table dining experiences.
After a short stroll beside the sprawling vines, guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast on the terrace at Grange Estate’s sister property, the beloved Black Walnut Inn & Vineyard. Each plate features organic fruits and vegetables, farm-fresh eggs, artisanal breads, and cured meats, all prepared to order, offering a delightful start to the day. Be sure to try their seasonal pastry! It’s likely to die for. Room service is available for guests who embrace the blackout blinds in their rooms, allowing them to enjoy the refined relaxation of their accommodations late into the morning.
With breakfast done, guests now face the impossible challenge of choosing which adventure to embark on next. The trails that crisscross the property will delight nature lovers, runners, and those who enjoy a leisurely stroll. Surprises await at every twist and turn, from secret gardens buzzing with bumblebees and butterflies to a small, well-kept barn housing chickens, goats, and particularly sassy piglets at the end of one path, which could entertain animal lovers for hours.
Guests exploring the expansive vineyards and sprawling property can request a perfect picnic with sandwiches, salads, and sweets. The attentive staff will point out the most picturesque spots on the grounds. Some locations, such as beneath the branches of a majestic black walnut tree overlooking the lush valley, appear plucked straight from a Jane Austen novel.
One culinary adventure that guests must experience while staying at Grange Estate is an evening of indulgence at Anthology. Located in the Four
Top: From the curated tasting menu at Anthology to the dining room at Black Walnut Inn and the Cellar Bar on property, a variety of culinary experiences awaits guests of Grange Estate.
Bottom: Breakfast at the Black Walnut Inn is not to be missed—but can also be delivered to your room if you’d prefer to enjoy it in bed!
Graces tasting room, just steps away from The Grange’s guest rooms, this dining experience lives up to its billing as “innovative and unforgettable.”
In the culinary world, terms like “innovative” and “unforgettable” can be overused. Can originality and innovation thrive in an industry steeped with ideas polished to perfection? How can one craft an unforgettable experience in a world saturated with sensory overload? By embracing the story.
James Beard-nominated Chef Chase Williams, Sous Chef Zack Ehrlich, and Sommelier Peter Marcy guide diners through a culinary journey rich in storytelling. First, they set the scene: fourteen seats overlook the open kitchen, with the breathtaking Willamette Valley visible through floor-to-ceiling windows on the right. This layout encourages diners to connect with their neighbors, and as the night unfolds, these strangers become friends.
Next, let’s discuss the characters. The cast resembles what one would expect from a meal at this price point: locally sourced seasonal ingredients, thoughtfully paired wines, and creative plateware. The quality is exceptional, yet expected. What elevates the experience is the presence of Williams, Ehrlich, and Marcy themselves. Each is talented and an expert in their respective specialties, and they collaborate to craft the rotating menu, which changes every two months.
Above middle: Sommelier Peter Marcy, Sous Chef Zack Ehrlich, Chef Chase Williams, and Assistant Sommelier Caroline Huggins at Anthology
Right and above right: Gorgeous amenities at Grange Estate
From gorgeous and comfortable accommodations to unforgettable food, wine, and cocktails, The Grange has it all.
Finally, the essence of the experience: the ten-course meal. Each course, or chapter, is paired with a carefully selected wine and a rich, evocative story from the team members about how the dish was conceived, crafted, and perfected. Williams and Ehrlich took turns leading each course with passionate, persuasive, and playful stories, emphasizing their personal experiences while highlighting the significance of the individual ingredients in the dish and the local culture, all while leaving diners smiling, laughing, and satisfied.
Please, however, do not let this showmanship overshadow the food and wine. Deceptively simple yet technically intricate, the dishes showcased the beauty, potential, and grandeur of Pacific Northwest ingredients. Like any well-curated anthology, finding a dish that stands out is challenging. Could it be the beet and caviar, with its deliciously juxtaposed ingredients, that shocked diners? Or the fresh cheese and radish dish, whose simple blend of farmer’s cheese, radish, and wild herbs had one diner saying they could die happy? Or perhaps the fall-off-the-bone pork rib with fermented honey that left guests begging for more? Those, along with the other seven courses, were exemplars of excellent craftsmanship.
From the prelude to the epilogue, the experience at Anthology provides guests with an innovative and unforgettable ride, which, given its host property, should come as no surprise.
Whether it’s a relaxing rendezvous with wine-loving friends, a romantic getaway, or a search for some much-needed “me” time, Grange Estate is undoubtedly one of the West Coast’s great escapes.
Visit FoleyWinesDundeeHills.com to learn more or make reservations. Follow along on Instagram @thegrangedundeehills and @anthologydundeehills.
PONANT EXPLORATIONS is set to complete a full circumnavigation of Antarctica between January and March of 2028, achieving a new world first.
Aboard the Le Commandant Charcot, the expedition will depart from Ushuaia, Argentina, journeying nearly 11,200 miles through remote, uncharted regions of the White Continent. This extraordinary voyage is designed to transport guests back in time to the era of the great polar explorers who unveiled this frozen world. With this journey, PONANT EXPLORATIONS will bridge the past of esteemed explorers with the boundless possibilities of the future.
To see more from PONANT or book a cruise, visit PONANT. com and follow @ponant on Instagram.
Photo by Joanna Marchi, courtesy of PONANT
DISCOVER SENTINEL PORTLAND
THE Old Guard MEETS THE New
By Jordan Staggs
Photography courtesy of Sentinel
Ahistoric building steeped in storytelling is what travelers will find when they approach the Sentinel in the downtown district of Portland, Oregon, tucked between the Willamette River and Washington Park. The hotel, built in 1909 and a filming location for Gus Van Sant’s My Own Private Idaho, starring Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix, exudes an artistic, edgy, and innovative nature balanced by timeless charm. In 2012, it became known as the Sentinel, named after the robotic sculptures on its rooftop. Architect William Christmas Knighton drew inspiration from Viennese-influenced Early Modern and modified Arts and Crafts styles in his design.
Upon entering the lobby, guests are welcomed by polished stone and plush sofas arranged in a lounge area. Coffee-table books are artfully displayed on low tables, and a complimentary Wine Hour is offered daily from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Intricate crown mouldings complement the contemporary furnishings and decor as guests make their way to the elevators and upstairs, where their rooms await. Along the way, the halls are adorned with large-scale photographs depicting cultural and historical trailblazers, such as Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Coco Chanel, and even Secretariat.
Rooms are decorated with cozy plaid blankets, perfect for snuggling up after a day of exploring the city. Amenities include local chocolates, flat-screen televisions, a 24/7 virtual concierge, and a state-of-the-art fitness center featuring Peloton bikes. Guests can also enjoy complimentary outdoor bike rentals and pet-friendly perks if traveling with furry companions. The hotel’s meeting rooms and event spaces are perfect for conferences, weddings, and other special occasions.
Art, culture, and dining come together at the strikingly renovated hotel, part of the Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio of independent properties. Located just north of some of Oregon’s best wine country, it’s only fitting that Domaine Serene Wine Lounge beckons guests into its chic HQ within Sentinel so they can get a taste of the vineyards. The casual yet elegant bar offers weekly rotating wine flights, live music, rare and exclusive wines by the glass, and bottles for both on-site and off-site consumption.
Jake’s Grill opened in 1994 and has since become a modern Portland landmark, generating its own colorful tales and history. This American classic is a local go-to spot for steak and seafood, also offering in-room dining for Sentinel guests. Stop by for breakfast and enjoy homemade favorites, including buttermilk pancakes, biscuits and gravy, omelets, oatmeal, and much more. The Steak Frites au Poivre is a chef favorite for lunch, with the menu also boasting an array of oysters and seafood, sandwiches,
LOCATED JUST NORTH OF SOME OF OREGON’S BEST WINE COUNTRY, IT’S ONLY FITTING THAT DOMAINE SERENE WINE LOUNGE BECKONS GUESTS INTO ITS CHIC HQ WITHIN SENTINEL SO THEY CAN GET A TASTE OF THE VINEYARDS.
salads, soups, and filling entrées. Dinner at Jake’s is a staple if you’re staying at the hotel, with chops and seafood to rival any New York steakhouse.
The trendy, relatively new addition to Sentinel’s dining scene is Fortune, a vibrant vegan spot that relocated from its Old Town Chinatown location to the historic building in 2021. During the day and at dinnertime, it serves stunning craft cocktails and mocktails, savory small plates, and delectable plantbased entrées. From falafel to French onion soup, “steak” frites to seasonal veggies, each dish is made with love and beautifully plated. The deep teal dining room, large floral motifs, and glistening cocktail bar invite guests and locals alike to relax, enjoy good company, and come back on the weekends to party with a live DJ!
Touted as an accommodation curated with trailblazers and visionaries in mind, Sentinel Portland is “inspired by the passion that drives people to innovate—to step forward and make a difference, envisioning a brighter future.” Whether celebrating these individuals through its art collection or by inviting artists and bold creative types to stay for a night or a week, the hotel describes itself as celebrating “moments in time when change was made, and the world shifted as a result.” Exploring Downtown Portland’s eclectic mix of boutiques, galleries, theaters, bookstores, cafés, and nightlife brings guests into that world where anything can happen, and the desire to make bold moves can make all the difference between a so-so stay and a truly memorable sojourn. Sentinel provides your base camp for it all.
Visit SentinelHotel.com or follow @sentinelhotel on Instagram to learn more or book your stay. For more information or to see more Benchmark Resorts & Hotels, visit BenchmarkResortsandHotels.com.
Left: Delicious vegan fare and beautiful design converge at Fortune, located adjacent to the Sentinel hotel lobby.
Opposite top left: The Domaine Serene Wine Lounge, attached to Sentinel, offers visitors a taste of Oregon wine country.
This isn’t just a restaurant with great art, nor is it an art space that simply serves food. It’s a true integration of both, designed to surprise and delight at every turn.
—WILL HOROWITZ, CULINARY DIRECTOR
Pinky Swear, located in the Lower East Side, is designed to ignite the curiosity of New Yorkers and redefine the intersection of art and cuisine. The new concept from South American hotel group Grand Hotels Lux, Daniel Picciotto, and Mark Croitoroo is meticulously designed to push boundaries.
The immersive art lounge has curated an experience of hand-crafted installations and daring culinary creations, where every detail embodies the bold creativity of NYC. Will Horowitz’s avant-garde culinary vision and Jon Nutter’s exquisite signature cocktails come together in perfect harmony to create a truly remarkable experience. At Pinky Swear, guests are invited to step outside of their comfort zone and reconnect with their sense of wonder.
To see more from Pinky Swear, visit PinkySwearNYC.com and follow @pinkyswearnyc on Instagram.
Photo by Noah Fecks, courtesy of Pinky Swear
Chateau de Puymartin Une Affaire de Famille
By Anthea Gerrie
“I’m the Lady Grantham of this chateau,” announces Bernadette, future Comtesse de Charade de Montbron, sweeping up with a hand playfully extended for a kiss—before completely flipping expectations of how a chatelaine should behave by going off to sort our post-prandial coffee.
You could call Chateau de Puymartin, where we have enjoyed a posh private lunch with owners Bernadette and her family, the French Downton Abbey—except for the fact that no butlers or footmen are standing to attention as we rub shoulders with one of the oldest families in France. For these are hands-on working aristocrats—Bernadette runs an interior design shop in the nearby town of Sarlat when not entertaining visitors at the chateau, and her daughter, Marie-Sophie, is devoting her life to making the old pile a leading visitor destination.
For there is a surprising amount of competition here in the Dordogne. We are not in the Loire, more usually associated with fairytale French chateaux, but further southwest, in a less-overrun area of France where many Brits and Americans have made a home. The chateaux here are no less historic—some have been standing nearly a millennium—but in an under-visited area, they have to work harder to earn their keep.
The gorgeous, turreted Chateau de Puymartin is a case in point—built in the fifteenth century, its owners have spent the past fifty years bringing new life to the old pile by opening it up to the public. This includes not just the usual guided tours and events but also getting up close and personal with visitors on occasion, something that rarely happens in British stately homes. Indeed, sharing
Chateau de Puymartin in Dordogne, France
Photo by Julien Riou
family secrets with the hoi-polloi would have been anathema to the dowager duchess of television’s Downton Abbey, played as a haughty and hugely class-conscious aristocrat by Maggie Smith.
But although, like the duchess, Bernadette’s grandmother resisted the idea of opening up the chateau, the younger generation had no such qualms: “We really had no choice,” shrugs Bernadette’s nephew Sebastien, who organizes tours for Americans. Now, special events include exclusive private breakfasts before the doors open, at which family members spill family secrets to a handful of VIP guests. “At first, we made a few stories up while we were learning the facts about our history, which we had never really studied,” laughs Bernadette.
A member of one of only five aristocratic families in the area who have held on to their vast properties, she recalls years of vacations at Puymartin before it became her principal home—and shares anecdotes of a very different age. She recounts the 1950s furor caused by the arrival of American cabaret singer Josephine Baker, the newest chatelaine
on the block, and a curiosity that extended beyond the fact that she had bought nearby Chateau des Milandes rather than inherited it. “One morning, she arrived unannounced in her white
Chateau des Milandes lies nearby among the beautiful forested valley of Dordogne.
Photo by Déclic & Décolle
Below left: Josephine Baker lived at Chateau des Milandes for over fifty years.
Photo courtesy of National Archives USA, New York Times Paris
Right: Also along Dordogne’s castle trail is the beautiful Chateau de Commarque.
Photo by Les Droners
Rolls[-Royce], astounding the butler, who told my grandmother: ‘She’s black!’ She was the first person of color in the area, and despite their differences in style, she and my grandmother became good friends. In fact, grand-mere was very sad when she learned about her problems because she would have taken her into her own home when she lost everything, while other aristocrats in the area ignored her.”
The story of Chateau des Milandes is a cautionary tale about what can happen when attempts to commercialize one’s home go wrong. Baker, who spent nearly thirty years in the fairytale castle she fell in love with in the ’40s and made a wartime nerve center for her involvement in the French Resistance, was ahead of her time in seeing its visitor potential. She bought up most of the surrounding village and employed 150 people to create the region’s first tourist complex, attracting half a million visitors in the ’50s. However, she was tragically short on the focus and business acumen needed to make a success of the enterprise, with her cabaret career and the twelve adopted children she raised in the chateau making demands on her already divided attention. One of the most moving exhibits at Chateau des Milandes, once again in the hands of the family that owned it for centuries, is a floor-to-ceiling photograph of Baker sitting on the doorstep after she had been evicted; eventually, she had to be dragged away.
“The complex had become a money pit, and despite the support of Brigitte Bardot and Princess Grace, it had to be sold in 1968,” says Angelique de Labarre de Saint-Exupery, who has made the restoration of this exquisite home her life’s work. “When the chateau was auctioned, it was bought by crooks; we are the only owners, since getting it back into our family in 2001, to pay tribute to Josephine Baker and her life here.”
The aristocrat (“I have the title of Countess but never talk about it”), who admired the chateau as a child from her home on the other side of the river Dordogne, received it as a gift from her parents at the age of twenty-five. She took on a house empty of furniture in terrible condition but refused to buy any of the many artifacts looted while Baker was in the throes of being evicted. Instead, she collected authentic memorabilia and costumes and got hands-on with repairs while writing the text for the information panels and audioguides herself. I find her clearing up in the cafe, as she is too busy to play the chatelaine most of the time, “although I do organize a few evenings a year when visitors can meet me in the corner of an alley,” she admits.
Bernadette, the future Comtesse de Charade de Montbron, and her daughter, Marie-Sophie, have done a wonderful job preserving the Chateau de Puymartin for guests to enjoy.
Photo by Déclic & Décolle
If this chateau is the most relatable, with its fabulous Art Deco bathrooms and modern fixtures, more familiar than the ornate canopied beds, heavy chairs, and medieval tapestries that decorate the living quarters of neighboring castles, Chateau de Commarque is the least accessible. It’s a ruin dating back nearly a millennium, albeit a spectacular one to be explored on ladders as well as steps by the fit and not faint-hearted. “When I started uncovering it sixty years ago when it was hidden in the undergrowth, I had no idea I would find such a spectacular building,” says Count Hubert de Commarque, a sprightly 78-year-old who points out the highlights, which include an original twelfth-century tower house, chapel, and great hall.
There may be no grandly decorated rooms to explore. Still, a ruin can have its advantages— abseiling down the walls of the keep or climbing into a hot air balloon to take in the astounding
valley views are unique offerings, as is the chance to view cave paintings—the chateau was built on top of caves dating back to the Neolithic area. A sound and light show is coming this summer. Whatever the activity, the opportunity to rub shoulders with Hubert, whose ancestors were part of the extended French royal family, is an unadvertised free attraction.
You do need a car to get around these remote Dordogne chateaux from the nearest airports—Bergerac or the larger Bordeaux—and unlike Downton Abbey’s visitors, you won’t be invited to sleep in the grand old piles you visit. Perhaps a good thing, given that chateau bedrooms can be spartan by today’s standards. At the same time, the Hotel de Bouilhac in Montignac, a seventeenth-century mansion located near the famous Lascaux caves, has been elegantly updated to suit modern tastes. Its restaurant is overseen by a Michelin-starred chef, bedrooms are equipped with elegant fireplaces and bathroom vanities, and here, at least, there’s a butler type on call to light a fire for you after dinner!
Rooms start from €200 at Hotel de Bouilhac (HoteldeBouilhac.com). For more information on the region, visit Dordogne-Perigord-Tourisme.fr, and for castle activity details, Chateau-Puymartin.com, Milandes.com, and Commarque.com.
Sip & Savor at Park City Wine Festival
Park City Wine Festival is the perfect way to sip, savor, and celebrate great wine in the stunning mountain town of Park City, Utah. Featuring tastings from local and international wineries, live music, delicious food, and fun events, this is a laid-back festival where wine lovers can relax, discover new favorites, and enjoy the beautiful scenery all at once. Whether you’re a casual wine lover or a seasoned enthusiast, this is an occasion made for good vibes and great pours. Join the fun from October 2–4, 2025!
To learn more about the Park City Wine Festival, visit ParkCityWineFest.com and follow @parkcitywinefestival on Instagram.
Photo courtesy of Park City Wine Festival
Bordeaux BRILLIANT
FLOATING THROUGH FRANCE
BY CAROLYN O’NEIL
The word Bordeaux conjures images of fine French wines from the world’s most celebrated vineyards. Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour, Château Margaux, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château d’Yquem, and Château Pétrus are just a few iconic names. Rather than just name-dropping, why not drop in to taste these wines where they were born? Wine tourism, or “oenotourism,” invites guests to tour vineyards, witness winemaking, and discover the diverse histories of each château.
With over six thousand wineries from Médoc to Margaux, the Bordeaux region sits on the banks of the rivers Garonne and Dordogne, literally turning water into wine. Emphasizing water’s historical significance in its name, a recent Jeopardy clue read: “Words meaning ‘water’s edge’ are one suggested etymology of this city, once the capital of the province of Aquitania.” Correct response: What is Bordeaux?
BATEAUX TO CHÂTEAUX
A great way to explore this part of France is to have a home not just by the water but on the water via a river cruise.
The Uniworld S.S. Bon Voyage is a floating boutique hotel with French-inspired design featuring sumptuous furnishings, custom fabrics, and original artwork. With fewer than 125 guests aboard, this luxury river ship provides ample space to relax in the book-filled lounge (there are books here on Bordeaux wines to study, by the way) or soak up the sun on the upper deck, which sports a small infinity pool for a cool dip on a warm day.
The journey begins and ends in the city of Bordeaux, where the ship docks near the centrally located Place de la Bourse and a wide riverside promenade perfect for walking or biking. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bordeaux blends eighteenth-century architecture with modern commerce, education, and innovation. Minutes from the ship, you’ll find historical sites, great shopping, and the Cité du Vin—a modernistic museum dedicated to Bordeaux wine history. But don’t be late for dinner.
Saint-Emilion in the heart of Bordeaux wine region
Photo by Vincent Bengold
Right: Sidewalk cafes in historic Bordeaux
Photo by Deepix Photography courtesy of BORDEAUX-TOURISME.COM
BORDEAUX ON THE MENU
While the captain navigates the river, the S.S. Bon Voyage culinary team steers the menu toward regional specialties: steak with Bordelais sauce, fresh Atlantic coast seafood, seasonal produce such as white asparagus, warm bread from the galley oven, and perfectly crafted French pastries. Each course is paired with specially selected regional wines, making dinner both a culinary experience and nightly wine education. Meanwhile, there’s always Champagne or a chilled rosé for the asking, even if not from this region of France!
A cruise highlight was a progressive dinner with a behind-the-scenes ship tour. Wine in hand, we visited the galley to meet the executive chef for velvety pumpkin soup, relaxed in the crew lounge, and then it was up to the bridge for a few lessons in steering a long river vessel.
Seated for dinner in La Cave de Vin dining room, we toasted to all the crew who kept us happy, fed, and safely afloat. Uniworld cruises are all-inclusive, covering activities, shore excursions, food, drinks, gratuities, and airport transfers.
BEYOND BORDEAUX
Leaving Bordeaux city, we sailed north along the Garonne. Views shifted from spectacular hilltop châteaux to neat vineyard rows to the rusting
remnant of a World War II ship. While river cruising is calm primarily, captains must navigate shifting tides and strong currents on these sea-bound rivers. The best appreciation comes from gazing through your comfy cabin’s picture window at night as moonlight shines on the rushing waters.
MÉDOC
A rainbow greeted our first shore adventure in the Médoc region on the river’s left bank. At historic Fort Médoc, an oysterman shucked platters of plump Médoc oysters, cultivated on Gironde estuary rafts and paired with crisp white Bordeaux—principally sauvignon blanc and sauvignon gris. How’s that for an after-breakfast snack?
Next, Château Camensac welcomed us for tours of the beautiful 1799 château, wine cellars, and tastings of their Grand Cru cabernet and sauvignon wines from Haut-Medoc.
Above: Soleil Deck on S.S. Bon Voyage
Above right: French pastries on S.S. Bon Voyage
Right: Tour Bordeaux on Uniworld River Cruises
Below: Celebrating food and wine in Bordeaux
Back aboard, guests dressed for a festive black-and-white themed evening with an official captain’s welcome. Dinner menus offer a myriad of choices. I landed on grilled local langoustines with pasta and sautéed vegetables, paired with Château Malagar’s Bordeaux Blanc, a blend of sémillon and sauvignon blanc. Prefer a red? Another Chateau Malagar being served was a blend of cabernet franc, merlot, and cabernet sauvignon. The ship’s expert sommelier quickly became the passengers’ MVP.
BLAYE
Our floating geography lesson of Bordeaux continued in Blaye on the Gironde Estuary’s right bank. This charming village boasts a seventeenthcentury stone citadel and surrounding wine region, but I chose the morning street market to marvel at local produce, seafood, cheeses, and stalls of colorful scarves and sweaters.
A GREAT WAY TO EXPLORE THIS PART OF FRANCE IS TO HAVE A HOME NOT JUST BY THE WATER BUT ON THE WATER VIA A RIVER CRUISE. “
Above left: La Boca Food Hall
Photo by Teddy Verneuil
Above: A charming bistro in Bordeaux Photographer credit.
Left: Regional fresh produce
The real local color emerged during our visit with Les Kellen at his art gallery, antique car collection, and well-stocked wine shop, La Petite Cave. “There are two kinds of wine in the world,” he declared. “French and the others.”
We happily tested that theory again and again.
SAINT-ÉMILION
Have you really visited Bordeaux without seeing Saint-Émilion? This medieval city and surrounding vineyards boast a winemaking history dating to Roman times. Saint-Émilion is renowned for its merlot, cabernet franc, and cabernet sauvignon grapes, which are cultivated in clay and limestone soils, producing elegant wines with rich, complex flavors and smooth tannins.
A special visit to Château Cheval Blanc for tastings of their newly released vintage provided a masterclass in professional winemaking. As with any farming, the weather can be friend or foe, and heavy rains in 2024 took their toll on the vineyards. Only 66 percent of the harvest was bottled, a sacrifice to ensure that the Cheval Blanc wines shared with the world met only the highest standards.
This page, top to bottom:
Isabelle Pochat (center) leads Bordeaux a Dream Food Tours.
Bread is a fine art in Bordeaux.
Cheese tasting in Capucins market
Opposite, top to bottom:
Left: River views in Bordeaux
Right: Cite de Vins wine museum
Seafood stars in southwest France
Bistros and bars abound in Bordeaux.
BACK IN BORDEAUX
Food tours offer fabulous ways to taste your way around town with local experts who know where to find the very best coffee, chocolate, bread, and cheese.
We joined the lovely Isabelle Pochat, who leads walking food tours in Bordeaux and Paris. We followed her along cobblestone streets, through the historic Capucins indoor food market, and from shop to shop, sampling pastries unique to Bordeaux: cannelé—tiny, fluted cakes caramelized outside and custard-like inside—and chocolatine—flaky croissants filled with dark chocolate.
Capping off our food tour, we settled in for lunch of southwestern French cuisine at the cozy Gauta restaurant. Isabelle shared servings of food history, too. “In France, we invented the restaurant for sitting, enjoying food, and restoring your body,” she proudly explained. Viva la France!
ILLUMINATING HISTORY
For a unique Bordeaux evening, Uniworld organized a private visit to Bassins des Lumières. Set inside a cavernous concrete building that the Germans built as a World War II submarine base, this immersive exhibition is now the world’s largest digital art space. Images of artistic and architectural masterpieces are projected on twenty-five-foot walls and reflected in vast pools that once shielded submarines, morphing in and out of focus and set to dramatic musical scores.
The war’s dark history fades in these bright lights—a poignant reminder to cherish the French ideal of celebrating life’s beauty, as expressed in nature, art, fashion, and the joy of sharing food and wine at the table. Au revoir Bordeaux, and merci beaucoup.
Visit Bordeaux-Tourisme.com to learn more or start planning your trip.
The SEASIDE® story celebrating the town's entrepreneurial spirit, as told through the perspectives of cofounder/visionary Daryl Rose Davis, VP of The Seaside Style® Erica Pierce, and many more.
A SCOTTISH Scene Stealer
By Sarah Freeman
Photography courtesy of Brendan Vacations
here’s history within footsteps of your hotel, not to mention the hotel itself,” guide Katrina Faccenda says outside the honey stone façade of dockside Malmaison Edinburgh. Built in 1883 as a seaman’s mission, the boutique property now claims a coveted address in the Scottish capital’s trendy harborside district of Leith, which is steeped in maritime history.
Faccenda is the first of a handful of expert local guides leading excursions on Brendan Vacations’ nine-day trip to Scotland’s highlands and islands, bookended by its two most charismatic cities. A road trip with a difference, we are set to travel in style in a top-of-the-range Mercedes-Benz coach with running commentary by Travel Director and adopted Edinburgher Michelle Worthington.
For a literal change of perspective, I trade Leith’s waterfronting cobblestones for the Royal Mile in Old Town. Crowning the UNESCO-World Heritage-listed thoroughfare is one of Scotland’s most celebrated landmarks: Edinburgh Castle, which perches on the plug of a 350-million-year-old extinct volcano. “The biggest cannon ever fired on British soil is hidden behind the (castle’s) Romanesque chapel,” Faccenda says as we climb up to the castle ramparts where views stretch as far as the Firth of Forth, which flows into the North Sea. We crossed this estuary the next day en route to the University town of St. Andrews, whose gift to the world was the modern-day game of golf. Its acclaimed Old Course overlooks dune-backed West Sands, where the slow-motion title sequence from Oscar-winning Chariots of Fire was filmed.
Sunrise at Quiraing, Isle of Skye
Revived by my barefoot beach stroll, I rejoin the group to resume our road trip, which edges us inland. “When Queen Victoria stayed at Blair Castle in 1844, it really put Pitlochry [the geographical center of Scotland] on the map,” Worthington says as we pull up to the white turreted fairytale fortress. The Queen was also a fan of floppy-fringed ginger Highland Cattle, a native breed that greeted us with the sonorous sound of traditional Scottish bagpipes. After ticking off all thirty of the castle’s treasurefilled rooms—including a whisky study—I sate my appetite with bottomless tea and cake at Blair’s Victorian-era neighbor: Atholl Palace.
We continue northwards to legendary Loch Ness (“loch” is the Scottish word for lake), before making a poignant call in at Culloden, where the last hand-to-hand battle on British soil unfolded in 1746.
Day three begins with a breakfast fit for Scottish nobility at Inverness’ Kingsmill Hotel, setting me up for the long but scenic drive to the mainland’s most northerly town of Thurso. Coconut-perfumed gorse paints the rolling hillsides vivid yellow, whilst mesmerizing blues bring northeast Scotland’s ruggedly beautiful coastline ever closer. We pass Skibo Castle: the former summer retreat of Scottish-American philanthropic industrialist Andrew Carnegie, before stretching our legs in Dornoch, “described as a large golf course with a small village attached!” remarks Worthington. I make a beeline for St Gilbert Street, where the nineteenth-century cottage of America’s best-known golf course architect, Donald Ross, still stands.
National Gallery of Scotland and Edinburgh Castle
Eilean Donan Castle
Back on the road again, the sight of harbor seals sunning themselves on the sand banks of tidal Loch Fleet signals the sea, which shapes not only Scotland’s shoreline but also the country’s favorite tipple. “We’re a maritime whiskey; salty sea air and outdoor casks,” Jane Grant says as she leads a small group of us around Old Pulteney Distillery, located in the fishing port town of Wick. The tour’s capped with a tasting of their twelve-year-old single malt, which is aged in American oak casks.
Later that evening, I raise another glass—this time mouthing the words slàinte mhath (good health) in a traditional Scots-Gaelic toast—at a blacksmithturned-pub in the village of Thrumster. “Our cèilidhs [pronounced ‘kay-lee’] were held in our kitchens where your friends and relatives would tell stories and sing songs,” landlord Raymond Bremner says of the Scottish social gathering, which he recreates for us in the Old Smiddy Inn. “Thrumster comes from the old Norse word meaning a farm or homestead,” he adds.
In the late eighth century, Vikings settled in Orkney, where we excitedly boarded a ferry for the following morning. As well as Viking relics, Orkney – an archipelago cast ten miles off Scotland’s northernmost tip – has a remarkable wealth of Neolithic monuments; the most noteworthy being the Ring of Brodgar. Any conversation is soon drowned out by the whipping wind and warbling of skylarks raining down on the ceremonial site’s 36 surviving standing stones that predate the Great Pyramids of Giza.
“There’s nothing between us and the shores of North America!” Orcadian guide John Taylor exclaims as we drink in views of the Atlantic and North Sea on a stretch of Orkney’s 500-mile-long coastline.
Day six ushers in a new island adventure, reached on yet another thrilling drive across the country via Scotland’s UNESCO Geopark. “We have some of the world’s oldest rocks here in the northwest!” Worthington says, who’s a fount of knowledge on her adopted homeland.
“Later that evening, I raise another glass—this time mouthing the words slàinte mhath (good health) in a traditional Scots-Gaelic toast”
Charming cottage in Glencoe, Scottish Highlands
Ballachulish Hotel
Glasgow Cathedral
Billion-year-old geology also sculpted Skye, where peerless blue skies defy its ‘Misty Isle’ nickname, on our visit at least. “Skye gave rise to a lot of the early theories on how the earth was formed,” guide and third-generation piper Alistair Mackay tells me as I crane my neck to marvel at The Old Man of Storr. This spiky pinnacle of rock “guards over the hills like a sentry,” much like the island’s medieval watchtowers have over its seaways for centuries.
Bidding soraidh (the Scottish-Gaelic for farewell) to Skye’s dramatic peninsulas and jagged sea cliffs, we return to the mainland, this time to one of the western Scottish Highlands’ most magical valleys. Three hours later, I’m learning how rare high-altitude alpine flora—from lichens to mosses—are being conserved in Glencoe National Nature Reserve, which is also a refuge for golden eagles and mountain hares. “It boils down to keeping the land wild,” National Trust for Scotland ranger Lindsay Warner tells me during the Make Travel Matter® experience. Selected by Brendan Vacations on the merits of their positive social or environmental impact on local communities, at least one MTM is offered on each of their itineraries.
On the move once more, we journey eastwards through the Valley of Glencoe, navigating a stretch of road which made a star turn in the 007 movie Skyfall. More baronial than Bond, Glencoe’s loch-fronting Ballachulish Hotel welcomes us like a warm Scottish hug with its crackling log fires, sleigh beds, and cosseting clawfoot bathtubs.
The lakeside vistas continue the next day at one of Scotland’s most beloved natural treasures: Loch Lomond, best appreciated from the water. Captain Bev Schofield narrates a ninety-minute round-trip cruise of the pear-shaped beauty where English poet William Wordsworth penned “To a Highland Girl.”
Only 35 miles south and yet worlds apart is Glasgow: our thirteenth and final stop. It’s hard to imagine that this cultural powerhouse “started as a fishing village on the edge of the Clyde River,” Worthington says as we traverse the city’s newly opened Renfrew Bridge, which can open for passing ships.
History runs deep here too. My last evening is spent in The Willow Tea Rooms; a landmark building designed inside and out by one of Glasgow’s most famous sons: Art Nouveau artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Akin to dining in a living museum, we devour dishes like Scottish smoked haddock and cod fishcakes, surrounded by Mackintosh’s original friezes in the front saloon.
A thoroughly Scottish farewell to a soul-soaring Scottish sojourn.
Brendan Vacation’s nine-day ‘Country Roads of Scotland—Premium’ trip starting in Edinburgh and finishing in Glasgow starts from $3,975, including guided excursions (*with optional excursions chargeable), transport, airport transfers, and eight nights’ accommodation with half board. Visit BrendanVacations.com to learn more or book now.
Atholl Palace Hotel
Mountain view in Portree, Isle of Skye
University of Glasgow behind lush trees
Glencoe, Scottish Highlands
St. Andrews Village, the birthplace of golf
Sunset at Neist Point Lighthouse, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Atlantic puffin on Orkney Island
To learn more or book a stay, visit Hyatt. com/unboundcollection/en-US/ jcagh-hotelmartinez and follow @martinezhotel on Instagram.
Bon appétit!
THE ESSENCE OF LIFE
Discover The Martinez Bar, an exceptional new addition to Cannes’ iconic Hôtel Martinez. This moody, art deco-inspired speakeasy blends vintage charm with modern sophistication, transporting guests into another era. Guests and locals alike can enjoy signature cocktails designed to resemble vinyl tracks and exclusively curated sharing plates. Live music featuring DJ sets and rare vinyl complements the striking hues of gold and red, evoking a sense of timeless glamour and elegance.
Photo courtesy of Hôtel Martinez
A LOVE FOR NOSTALGIC ELEVATED COMFORT FOOD
Myriel by Chef Karyn Tomlinson is a unique farm-to-table dining experience in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Interview by Lian Pickens | Photography courtesy of Myriel
“A
fter college, I started working on my garden, and that’s when it clicked for me,” says Chef Karyn Tomlinson, who graduated with a history degree from Northwestern in 2007. Perhaps it was her fascination with the past that fueled her love for nostalgic, elevated comfort food as she pivoted to attend the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in Paris just a few years later. Tomlinson may not have always known she wanted to pursue a career in the culinary field. Still, she has made up for lost time since making the switch and opening her renowned St. Paul, Minnesota, restaurant, Myriel, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I realized how food connects us to the land, to each other, and to our communities,” she continues. “Cooking is about more than just feeding people. It’s about connecting around the table, building relationships, and celebrating culture. That’s how I knew food was the career path for me.”
VIE was thrilled to catch up with Chef Tomlinson, who was named one of the Best New Chefs of 2024 by Food & Wine—who also named Myriel the No. 9 Best Restaurant in America last year—thanks to her dedication to exceptional food and hospitality alongside her team.
VIE: How has the local food scene in Minnesota influenced your cooking? Are there specific ingredients or inspirations you draw from the community?
Chef Karyn Tomlinson: The local food scene in Minnesota has really shaped my cooking. I love celebrating what’s grown here, like beans, grains, and fresh produce. Working with local farmers is inspiring, and I get excited about what’s in season. My grandma’s famous apple pie is a big influence, too. I always try to preserve what I can from the summer harvest so it can be enjoyed all year long.
Chef Karyn Tomlinson, named one of the Best New Chefs of 2024 by Food & Wine
VIE: What do you consider the most essential qualities in a successful dish? Is it more about technique, ingredients, or the experience it provides to the diner?
CKT: You can’t really separate the technique, the ingredients, and the experience. They all work together. A successful dish needs conviction and should only have what’s necessary, nothing extra. It’s about the philosophy behind it and having a strong brand. I never put technique first; it’s always about making sure the dish tastes good and connects with the diner.
VIE: After about fifteen years in the culinary world, do you believe that food has the power to bring people together in ways that go beyond just sustenance? Could you share a memorable story of how a meal you prepared had a more profound impact on someone or a group?
CKT: Absolutely, food has the power to bring people together in ways that go beyond just sustenance. For me, the farmers I work with are like family. At Myriel, we try to honor their work, and when they come in to eat, it’s amazing to be able to show them firsthand how their efforts translate into the dishes we serve. It’s a special moment for everyone, to realize the full circle of the food and
the care that went into it. It’s not just about feeding people; it’s about showing respect and appreciation for all the hands that make it possible.
VIE: Le Cordon Bleu is world-renowned for its rigorous training. What was the most valuable lesson you took away from your time there, and how has it influenced your cooking philosophy?
CKT: Le Cordon Bleu taught me the importance of using excellent ingredients and working clean and organized. One of the biggest lessons was being pushed to be faster and more efficient. It was challenging, but it really shaped how I approach cooking now. I believe that working with quality ingredients and maintaining a disciplined, efficient environment is key to creating great food.
VIE: Your story of opening Myriel during the pandemic is inspiring. What were some of the most unexpected challenges you faced while starting a restaurant during such uncertain times, and how did you overcome them?
CKT: Opening Myriel during the pandemic was definitely risky, but it also taught me a lot about sensitivity. We had to be mindful of people’s comfort levels and
Myriel, named the No. 9 Best Restaurant in America last year by Food & Wine
Myriel is committed to sustainability and quality, sourcing ingredients from local farmers to serve thoughtfully crafted, seasonal dishes.
“You can’t really separate the technique, the ingredients, and the experience. They all work together. A successful dish needs conviction and should only have what’s necessary, nothing extra.”
respect the uncertainty everyone was dealing with. Gathering, whether with my team or the community, became increasingly important. We leaned on our supportive neighbors, which made a huge difference. Before we officially opened, we even offered meal kits for families just to give them something comforting during such a difficult time. It was all about adjusting and being flexible with the situation.
VIE: Have you had any key mentors in your culinary journey? How important is mentorship for young chefs today, and do you see yourself taking on the role of a mentor to upcoming culinary talent?
CKT: Mentorship has been incredibly important to me in my culinary journey. It’s all about honesty and having someone to steer you along the way. Chef Thomas Boemer encouraged my food and helped me find my style. Then there’s Magnus Nilsson from Sweden. He taught me the importance of intentionality and having one clear purpose behind every dish. Growing up, I also learned a great deal from Jacques Pépin, whose cookbooks and shows made cooking feel practical and approachable. He’s always been someone who looks to mentor younger cooks, and I hope I can do the same for others.
VIE: If you could give one piece of advice to a young aspiring chef or anyone looking to break into the culinary world, what would it be?
CKT: My best advice would be to be willing to work hard and do every task to the best of your ability, no matter how small it may seem. Always ask questions and be open to receiving feedback. It’s how you grow and improve. The culinary world is about constant learning, and one must remain humble and hungry for knowledge.
VIE: Was there ever a time in your career when you wanted to give up your dream of becoming a head chef? A time you were discouraged? If so, how did you break through the urge to give up?
CKT: There were definitely times when I questioned myself, especially during my training. I didn’t always know exactly what I wanted to be, but I knew I wanted to work in a specific type of environment, one that felt right for me. A leadership position is challenging, no doubt, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.
VIE: In the restaurant world, there’s often an emphasis on perfection. How do you personally define “excellence” in the kitchen, and how do you foster that sense of excellence with your team?
CKT: For me, excellence isn’t about perfection; it’s about the pride my team feels in what they’re doing. They have to be proud of the food they’re sending out, and that pride is what drives us to grow. Excellence is measured by the quality, the taste, the presentation—the whole experience. It’s about constantly improving and ensuring that everything we do is both good and meaningful.
VIE: When you’re not working, what do you like to do in the St. Paul area?
CKT: When I’m not working, I love being outside. Whether it’s running or crosscountry skiing in the winter, I try to take advantage of the seasons. I’m also really into art, so I enjoy checking out galleries or working on my own projects. And when I’m in the mood to relax, there’s a diner in Hopkins that is always a go-to.
VIE: Do you have any projects or events coming up that you are particularly excited about?
CKT: I’m really excited about some upcoming private dining room events we’re planning, ticketed-themed gatherings that create unique ways for people to connect over food. I also recently signed with a literary agent, which is a big step for me. I’m working on a cookbook where I’ll be sharing recipes and stories. Plus, I’m working on a film project and am consulting, helping guide younger chefs as they strive to break into the industry. It’s all about sharing knowledge and creating new experiences.
Visit MyrielMN.com and follow @myrielmn and @katomlinson on Instagram to learn more or book a reservation.
A Fresh Dining Destination at The Vinoy
A new chapter in St. Pete’s dining scene began on May 20, when Elliott Aster opened its doors at The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club. The restaurant is the latest project from Boka Restaurant Group and Chef Lee Wolen, known for his work in Chicago’s top kitchens. Elliott Aster brings his ingredient-driven, seasonal cooking to Florida’s Gulf Coast. Named after a native wildflower, Elliott Aster invites guests to settle in with an aperitivo on the waterfront patio or gather around the antipasti bar inside. With a menu that transitions from handmade pasta to wood-fired steaks and interiors that pay homage to the historic charm of The Vinoy, this is a place designed for both lingering and savoring.
Discover more from Elliott Aster by visiting ElliottAster.com and BokaGrp.com/restaurants/elliott-aster. Follow @elliottasterstpete, @bokarestaurantgroup, and @vinoyresort on Instagram for more updates.
Photo courtesy of Boka Restaurant Group
Gothenburg’s Gastronomic BOOM
30 Delicious Reasons to Visit Sweden in 2025
STORY and PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY of VISIT SWEDEN
Sweden’s culinary rebel city is just getting started. The culinary landscape of Gothenburg, Sweden, is thriving, with over forty new restaurants, cafés, and food destinations set to make waves in 2025. From a one-of-a-kind spirits bar and a steamboat café on the Göta River to cutting-edge eateries pushing gastronomic boundaries, the city continues to earn its place on the global food map.
GOTHENBURG,THE WEST’S FOODIE DESTINATION
Gothenburg’s enviable location on Sweden’s west coast has long made it a haven for seafood enthusiasts, offering some of Europe’s finest fish and shellfish. But the city’s culinary landscape extends far beyond its coastal bounty. With a relaxed, unpretentious charm and a strong emphasis on sustainability, Gothenburg is home to an exciting array of Michelin-starred restaurants, trailblazing bistros, and vibrant food trucks that reflect its creative and inclusive food culture.
Ranked consistently as one of the world’s most sustainable cities by the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDSI), Gothenburg’s environmental ethos is deeply embedded in its food scene. Local, seasonal ingredients sourced from small-scale producers are the norm, particularly in the city’s acclaimed fine-dining establishments, where sustainability and innovation go hand in hand.
THIS YEAR’S TOP 30
Below is a curated list of thirty of the most exciting new venues and food events happening in Gothenburg this year. These venues offer everything from casual bites and natural wines to world-class dining and vibrant festivals.
New Openings
KRAVALL – OPENED JANUARY 23
Miki and Kiki, the brothers behind Puta Madre and Grill del Mundo, return with a relaxed and irreverent new concept: Kravall. Pop in for oysters, wine, or a full dinner.
EGO SPRITBAR – OPENED FEBRUARY
Attached to Ego Distillers, which launched in late 2024, this bar-restaurant hybrid offers distilling, tasting, dining, and music in a sleek, international setting.
MISS MISO – OPENED MARCH 28
From the Michelin-starred team behind Project, Miss Miso introduces a modern Asian menu with a laid-back vibe. It is open late on weekends and features live music and cocktails.
SUBER – OPENED MARCH 11
Sisters Klara and Wilma helm Suber, a Scandinavian–French restaurant on Aschebergsgatan with West Coast influences and a strong emphasis on natural wines.
PALME’S PENTRY – OPENED MARCH
A new “back pocket” dining concept from the team at Folk, featuring vinyl tunes, tasting menus, and a refined yet affordable approach to fine dining.
HJÔRDIS – OPENED APRIL 01
A nostalgic nod to traditional Swedish home cooking and guilty pleasures, served in a casual, pub-style setting on Järntorget.
ELIO – OPENED APRIL 16
From the Orrmyr family (Natur, Totale, and Kaifo), Elio brings a fresh addition to Kungsportsplatsen, serving lunch and dinner daily.
BAR HUMAN – OPENED MAY 07
A vibrant, drink-focused bistro, it is a sibling to the fine dining establishment Human by Martin Moses, located in Linné.
New Cafés and Bakeries
BORGSKOG BAKERY – OPENED MID-MAY
Celebrated pastry chef Fredrik Borgskog launches a café-bakery hybrid in Linnéstaden, focusing on artisanal breads and desserts.
EDUARD MELIN STEAMBOAT
CAFÉ – OPENING SUMMER
Chef Sofia B Olsson (VRÅ) revives the sunken Eduard Melin into a floating café serving fresh waffles and classic fare.
RÖDMÖNJA – OPENED JUNE
Winner of a local architectural competition, this modern café in Brunnsparken is managed by the team behind Viktors Kaffe.
KNUTSSONS – OPENED EASTER 2025
The first garden café on the scenic island of Asperö, bringing coffee culture to the archipelago.
Upcoming Openings
KUSTHOTELLET STYRSÖ RESTAURANT
– OPENING LATE SUMMER
A serene archipelago hotel with a seafood-focused restaurant overlooking the water.
BHOGA – REOPENING AUGUST
The Michelin-starred Bhoga returns after extensive renovations and is now offering lunch.
DICKSONSKA PALACE – OPENING 2025
A grand revival of this iconic building, featuring a restaurant, wine bar, cellar, and outdoor spaces.
EXO – OPENING LATE 2025
Sweden’s highest restaurant opens on the 69th floor of Karlatornet, named after the exosphere.
JINX – OPENING AUTUMN
From the creators of Jinx Food Truck, this new 300-square-metre restaurant near Ullevi brings a larger-than-life street food experience.
the city continues to earn its place on the global food map.
Key Food Events in 2025
SLAKTHUSET SATURDAYS – NOW THROUGH OCTOBER
A monthly urban market blending food trucks, craft food, and art, running through October.
SLAKTHUSET BLOCK HOUSE PARTY – JULY 16–18
A three-day celebration of food, music, and local drinks in Gothenburg’s lively Slakthuset district.
STREET FOOD FESTIVAL – AUGUST 28–30
This street food celebration, which runs alongside the Gothenburg Culture Festival, features music, drinks, and competitions.
GOTHENBURG MEAL FINAL – AUGUST 28–30
The grand finale to find the city’s new signature dish, featuring finalists like Fish Pudding – De va la gött, Taco’hej, and Gothenburg Royale.
FOOD FEST GOTHENBURG – SEPTEMBER 12–21
Ten days of city-wide culinary events, from pop-ups and long tables to harvest festivals and workshops.
SAUSAGE FESTIVAL – SEPTEMBER 26–27
Held at Gothenburg Film Studios, this celebration of sausages draws thousands annually.
CHEESE FESTIVAL – OCTOBER 10–11
Returning for a third year at Auktionsverket’s Culture Arena, this festival is a must for cheese lovers.
SPARKLING GOTHENBURG – OCTOBER 17–18
A luxurious fair devoted to champagne, cava, and sparkling wines at Clarion Hotel Post.
Plan your next delicious trip at VisitSweden.com.
750 Years of Amsterdam
To celebrate Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary, Minor Hotels has introduced a charming walking tour that allows guests to explore the city’s hidden corners through the lens of history. The “Minor Hotels Walking Tour – 750 Years of Amsterdam” winds through narrow alleys, quiet courtyards, and centuries-old landmarks, linking three of the hotel group’s most historic properties: Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, NH Collection Barbizon Palace, and Tivoli Doelen. Along the way, guests can scan QR codes to hear stories tied to the city’s past, pick up locally inspired treats at each stop, and discover details they might otherwise miss, from medieval chapels to the city’s oldest bank.
To see more from Minor Hotels and the 750 Years of Amsterdam Walking Tour, visit MinorHotels.com and follow @minorhotels on Instagram.
Photo courtesy of Minor Hotels
Inspirations
IMAGINE MORE
For its Spring/Summer 2024 campaign, OAS Company draws inspiration from the allure of the Aegean Sea, capturing a sunlit journey from the ancient ruins of Athens to the serene paths of Hydra. This collection represents the understated beauty and quiet elegance of the Mediterranean lifestyle. Earthy, muted tones mimic the natural landscape and rich heritage of the area, weaving the story of Hydra into every detail. OAS Company featured Hydra locals as the face of the campaign, bridging contemporary life with the island’s cultural legacy and the warm, lingering glow of Mediterranean summer.
To see more from OAS Company or shop now, visit OAScompany.com and follow @oascompany on Instagram.
Photography by HaNa, courtesy of OAS Company
How to Savor Your Summer
By Meghan Ryan Asbury
There is something about summer. Longer days. Sunshine. Slower schedules. There’s an invitation to live differently this time of year.
Growing up by the beach, my childhood consisted of boogie boarding all day in the Gulf and watching thunderstorms roll in, eating popsicles fresh from the ice cream truck, and only coming home once the sun went down.
Summertime feels like freedom, and even well into my adult life, I start anticipating summer as soon as March 1 rolls around. I long for the days of fun and no responsibilities, looking for ways to bring that childlike wonder into the season.
But summer never really looks like that as an adult, does it? It gets busy. Whether it’s because your kids are out of school or you’re attending seventeen weddings and other things that take up your nights and weekends, summer can feel a lot more tiring than the rest of the year. Even that vacation you desperately look forward to can end up being a lot more work and a lot less relaxing than you hoped.
A couple of weeks ago, I started to feel like summer was already over. The calendar for the next few months is looking full, and there is still so much I haven’t done that I wanted to this season. I was already dreading the shorter days and the return of cold weather. But before I got too crazy, this thought came to me:
Summer is supposed to be savored.
While I tried to grasp at time, slow down, and live in the moment, I felt a sort of invitation—a feeling that maybe, just maybe, there was a way to savor this season. And this wasn’t just about summer; it was deeper than that. What if there was a way to savor the season of life I’m in?
Much like the seasons change throughout the year, we all walk through different seasons of life. Some of us are in winter, when life feels quiet, maybe even lonely and dark. Or perhaps you’re in a spring season when life feels like it’s full of growth, or autumn when you are finally seeing the fruits of things you’ve worked for. No matter where you find yourself today, there is something you can savor about the season you are in.
But how do we do this? How do we not rush from one thing to the next? How do we find joy now without fearing what’s ahead?
When I asked myself those questions, I turned to the Bible and how Jesus lived. Even if faith feels distant or unfamiliar to you, I think we can all find beautiful examples of how to savor the seasons we are in:
1. Slow Down.
As I’ve read through the Bible, I’ve noticed Jesus was never in a hurry. He retreated to be alone with God. He napped. He ate with friends. He accomplished his
mission on earth but wasn’t in a rush. He didn’t try to fill his days to the brim; he left room for margin and to be interrupted along the way. Even when his disciples tried to add to his schedule, he didn’t let that distract from his pace or from what he set out to do. What is something in your schedule you can remove to make space for slowness and stillness?
2. Stay Present.
Another thing that strikes me about Jesus is that he was fully present where he was. Whether it was talking to someone, healing someone, or praying alone, he did not think about being somewhere else. He knew what the future held and let that drive what he was doing, but he did not skip ahead. And he told his disciples not to worry about tomorrow but to focus on today. Instead of rushing ahead and looking at what’s coming, what if we just be present? We don’t constantly need things to look forward to and be excited about. We spend so much time looking down at our phones or gazing at the past, wishing things were like they were before, but if we stay present, we may not miss as many things. Try spending five minutes outside without your phone. Let the sun hit your face, take a deep breath, and remember you are alive.
3. See the Good in Front of You.
Over and over in the Bible, we see a challenge to fix our eyes on good things. Like in Philippians 4:8—whatever is true and noble and right and pure and lovely and admirable and excellent and worthy of praise. God calls us to present our requests to Him with gratitude amid anxiousness (Philippians 4:6-7). When we fix our thoughts on the goodness of God and His grace, we can better savor where we are. What if today you wrote down one thing you were grateful for and watched how it changed your perspective?
What would it look like for you to savor this season? Soon, school will start, and vacations will end. But I don’t want either of us to miss the season right in front of us. I hope we all learn to love where we are, whether it’s summer, fall, winter, or spring.
Here’s a brief prayer for the moments you long to savor:
God, teach us to savor this season.
Show us how to slow down when we want to speed up.
Show us how to stay present when we want to skip ahead.
Show us how to see the good things right here, even when it’s easier to see the bad.
Show us how to surrender not just in this season but in the ones to come.
Amen
Meghan Ryan Asbury is an author and speaker who is passionate about helping people discover and live out their God-given callings. She has worked in international ministries as well as with Proverbs 31 Ministries. When she’s not surrounded by friends, you can usually find her reading a book or enjoying the great outdoors. A 30-A beach girl, born and raised, she and her husband now reside in Nashville. Her first book, You Are Not Behind: Building a Life You Love Without Having Everything You Want, is available wherever books are sold. You can connect with her on Instagram @meghanryanasbury and at AlwaysMeghan.com.
To learn more about the HOST&HOME Project and Salone Del Mobile 2025, please visit SaloneMilano.it/ en/brands/hh-project and follow @isaloniofficial and @hostandhome_ditp on Instagram.
Photo courtesy of HOST&HOME
Le monde
GOES ROUND AND ROUND
Since 2015, the HOST&HOME project, an initiative developed by the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, has supported local entrepreneurs in crafting unique lifestyle products that reflect the depths of Thai culture and creativity. In a landmark collaboration, the Department of International Trade Promotion selected fifteen exceptional Thai entrepreneurs from the HOST&HOME program to join renowned Italian designer Matteo Ragni of Matteo Ragni Design Studio. Together, Ragni and each of the fifteen companies chosen presented original furniture and home decor at the Salone Del Mobile 2025 in Milan. Each design reflected the concept of “The Golden Age of Thai Soft Power,” celebrating Thailand’s global cultural identity and heritage. The fifteen presenters exhibited unique creative visions, uniting traditional Thai elements with contemporary aesthetics.
The Heart of Early Education
Holistic Learning at Ohana Day School
Ohana Day School, South Walton’s premier day school, celebrated the grand opening of its second location in the summer of 2023. Situated in the Town Center of Grand Boulevard at Sandestin in Miramar Beach, this custom-designed facility, built by Santa-Rosa-Beach-based Grand Bay Construction, offers a central and convenient location for families in both Destin and South Walton, Florida.
Founded in 2011, the Ohana Institute developed a learning model centered on the principle of placing students first. The Institute focuses on K-12 students, with the mission to educate children in innovative ways, thereby encouraging them to discover their true passions. The name “Ohana,” meaning family, permeates every aspect of the Institute—interactions, lessons, and physical spaces. This reflects a simple philosophy: a genuine love for learning naturally emerges when children feel loved, supported, and safe.
Building on the success of Ohana Institute, the natural progression was to establish Ohana Day School. This new initiative provides a nurturing environment for Pre-K students aged three to five, focusing on laying essential foundations for cognitive, social, and emotional growth. At this critical age, flexible thinking and rapid neural growth are at their peak, making early learning vital for a child’s future success, which aligns with the thriving learning model of the Ohana Institute.
By Katie Ogletree
Photography by Hunter Burgtorf
The Ohana Day School’s experience is guided by three key pillars: Encourage, Nurture, and Educate. Ohana Institute’s signature framework, the SHELL model, created by founder Lettye Burgtorf, brings this experience to life. It is broken down into five categories.
S – Safety and Security: Create spaces that feel like home—where children know they are safe, loved, and supported. Whether they’re learning, playing, or resting, they are surrounded by calm routines, warm teachers, and places that encourage confidence and exploration. “I feel safe. I feel happy. I can be me.”
H – Holistic: Care for the whole child—heart, body, and mind. Every child learns differently, and Ohana helps them discover how they learn best. Through music, art, movement, play, and personalized attention, their natural talents are nurtured and teachers help them love the way they learn. “I learn in my own way. I have special gifts.”
E – Experiential: Children learn by doing. That means hands-on, real-life experiences every day—digging in the garden, cooking, exploring nature, and discovering through play. These experiences help children grow curious, creative, and connected to the world around them. “I try things. I explore. I discover!”
L – Loving Yourself: Ohana teaches children to pause and listen to their own hearts. Every day includes quiet time to rest, draw, daydream, or just breathe. This helps children feel calm, grow emotionally strong, and begin to understand who they are on the inside. “I can be quiet. I can feel calm. I can listen to me.”
L – Loving Others: Children learn to treat others with kindness and respect every single day. Through play, story time, and modeling, they practice sharing, helping, and showing compassion. They learn to appreciate what makes each person special and to celebrate our differences. The spirit of service is alive in the way they care for their friends, teachers, and community each day. “I care about you. We take care of each other.”
This adapted SHELL Model is a simple, powerful way to help the youngest students feel loved, known, and ready to grow. It’s a way of life at Ohana Day School.
The new Ohana Day School space was carefully designed with intention–every color, shape, and space aimed at supporting meaningful play and joyful discovery. The school features a building block area, a dramatic play space, a science area, a library, a play kitchen, an art space, and a quiet resting area. The facility also features a secure outdoor playground.
A cornerstone of the Ohana experience is Ohana Records, our popular band program. Designed for five to six students per band, it encourages the exploration of instruments and sounds while fostering collaboration and connection—much like a real-life School of Rock! Students take the lead in every aspect, from instrument selection to song choice.
While Ohana Day School operates as a for-profit entity, it is part of the broader Ohana Institute, a nonprofit organization that fuels long-term educational innovation. In addition to being fully licensed and accredited, Ohana Institute recently joined Kaplan Education Company, one of the most prestigious national academic organizations. Kaplan’s learning approach aligns with Ohana’s mission: to establish a company that offers developmentally appropriate resources to nurture every child’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
Ohana cofounder Lettye Burgtorf
On its website, Ohana Day School provides its Daily Schedule to take parents through a school version of a day in the life.
Arrival & Morning Routine
7:45–8:00 a.m.
Arrival & morning routine with puzzles and books.
Circle Time
8:00–8:30 a.m.
A whole-class welcome and shared learning with songs and a weekly lesson overview.
Morning Snack
8:30–8:45 a.m.
Outdoor Play
8:45–9:45 a.m.
Outdoor play to build gross motor and interpersonal skills.
Learning Stations
9:45–10:45 a.m.
Students rotate through various learning stations, participating in small-group, teacher-led lessons, STEAM projects, math and literacy activities, and kinesthetic learning programs.
Music & Movement
10:45–11:00 a.m.
Music and movement time to engage students in the learning process and help develop motor skills, language, and coordination.
Lunch
11:00–11:30 a.m.
Character Development
11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Developing the building blocks for strong interpersonal skills.
Story Time
12:00–12:30 p.m.
Interactive story time following the weekly lessons and theme.
Nap & Quiet Time
12:30–2:00 p.m.
Afternoon Snack
2:00–2:30 p.m.
Creative Expression
2:30–3:00 p.m.
Self-selective play time for students to build their interests and follow their passions.
Dismissal
3:00–3:15 p.m.
After School Enrichment
3:15–4:15 p.m.
Although the Ohana Institute is a nonprofit organization, it does charge tuition that covers teachers’ salaries, building renovations, and supplies. However, the primary source of income comes from fundraising. This allocation supports additional projects, curriculum enhancements, and further research in the field.
In addition to offering regular school-year care, Ohana Day School is open for summer camp and is currently enrolling. Each week focuses on a theme while still adhering to their set curriculum.
WEEK 1: JUNE 9TH-13TH
Going on a Safari
WEEK 2: JUNE 16TH-20TH
Running into the Olympics
WEEK 3: JULY 7TH-11TH
Setting off to Sea
WEEK 4: JULY 14TH-18TH
Dreaming of Superheroes
To be eligible for summer camp, the child must be three to five years old during the camp dates and must be fully potty trained. Camp days are from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Grand Boulevard’s new location is offering a local-only discount of $50 per week as well as a single-day option of $125 per day for the camp season.
Enrollment is still open for the 2025–2026 school year, which starts on August 11. Don’t miss out on this opportunity, as spaces are limited!
For more information or to start the enrollment process, visit OhanaDaySchool.org.
Set within the serene Praz de Chamonix area, Chalet Ukiyo offers a dreamy escape into the heart of the French Alps. This mountain chalet beautifully blends traditional Japanese design with modern finishes, drawing inspiration from the Japanese art of living. During winter, guests can indulge in luxurious amenities, including a rejuvenating sauna, a cinema room, a foosball table, and an extensive wine cellar. The chalet is conveniently located just a threeminute drive from La Flégère ski lift. In the summer, Chalet Ukiyo offers a truly unique experience with outdoor amenities, including a lush garden and private swimming pool, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of Mont Blanc. Chalet Ukiyo is the ideal year-round sanctuary for those seeking elegance and tranquility in the Alps.
To learn more about Chalet Ukiyo, visit LeCollectionist.com and follow @lecollectionist on Instagram.
Ukiyo, meaning ‘floating world,’ captures the essence of a zen lifestyle, inviting you to reconnect with the surrounding natural beauty.
—LE COLLECTIONIST
Photo courtesy of Le Collectionist
Adjustable-Rise Bikini Bottom & Adjustable Halterneck Bikini Top – Italian Compact Stretch Fabric meandem.com – $145–$225 Heat Index 1
From brunch on sunny terraces to dinner on moonlit piazzas, this month’s C’est la VIE guide is your passport to summer experiences. This curated selection brings together breezy linens, artisan accessories, and body care that smells and feels like a cool, salty breeze. With each item as timeless as the elegant Italian coast, these picks are sure to elevate your summer, whether you’re island-hopping or lounging poolside at home. Allow yourself and your suitcase to travel in style. Benvenuto!
Yarn Sweater Vest
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Text SAFETY to 31279 for surf conditions
DOUBLE RED FLAGS
WATER CLOSED TO PUBLIC*
RED FLAG- HIGH HAZARD
High Surf and/or Strong Currents
YELLOW FLAG- MEDIUM HAZARD
Moderate Surf and/or Currents
GREEN FLAG- LOW HAZARD
Calm Conditions, Exercise Caution
PURPLE FLAG- STINGING MARINE LIFE
Man O’ War, Jellyfish, Stingrays
For a complete guide on beach rules, visit BeachSafety.com.
*Entering the Gulf during double red flag conditions can result in a $500 fine and criminal charges. Absence of flags does not assure safe waters. Swim at your own risk. For emergencies call or text 911.
POP-UP GALLERY OF MARK LITTLE ART: AN EXHIBITION OF PAST & PRESENT
The VIE Magazine team had the pleasure of hosting the Pop-Up Gallery of An Exhibition of Past & Present, an evening celebrating the remarkable works of local artist Mark Little. Guests enjoyed an intimate gallery experience on June 4, with past and present pieces of fine art photography and videography thoughtfully displayed to showcase Mark’s creative evolution. The night was elevated by exquisite bites and bubbles curated by James Beard Award semifinalist Nikhil Abuvala and his team at Roux 30A, creating a perfect pairing of culinary and visual artistry. It was a truly memorable evening filled with creativity, community, and conversation, and we can’t wait to see what Mark has in store next!
Photography by Hunter Burgtorf
Javan Garza and Mark Little
Lisa Marie Burwell and Mark Little
Drew Auker, Jordan Staggs, and Arlon Jay Staggs
Laura Hamilton, Mark Little, Katie Hampel, and Lindsay Wilson
Lisa Marie Burwell and Christy Milliken
Edward San Juan Amelia, Mariana, and Jason Hale
Libby Baker and Lisa Burwell
Paul Landers, Mark Little, Mike Kerrigan, and Jane Kerrigan
Kaitlyn Cicoria and Caleb Whitworth
Jennifer Steele, Megan Trent, and Alexis Miller
Jordan Cash and Dave King
Bo King and Mara Clark
Su, Jayden, and Richard Olivarez
Patty Palmer, Gerald Burwell, and Sonia Dyer Shoemaker
Mark Little and Jessica Anderson with Cam Anderson
Jane and Greg Bahr, Jordan Staggs
Kaitlyn Cicoria and Caleb Whitworth
Catering by Roux 30a
Jennifer Steele and Lisa Marie Burwell
Mike and Pam Eason, Mark Little
Alexis Miller, Jordan Staggs, and Jennifer Steele
Dave King, Jordan Staggs, and Chris Burch
Alex Lewis and Jason Hale
DIGITAL GRAFFITI AT ALYS BEACH 2025
The 18th Annual Digital Graffiti Festival lit up Alys Beach this past May, transforming the signature white architecture into a glowing canvas of art, technology, and creativity. Vibrant projections danced across the town’s rooftops, stairways, breezeways, and fountains, blending cutting-edge design with the charm of Alys Beach right along the Emerald Coast. This year’s show featured 54 finalists from around the world, along with emerging artists from top schools and programs. With artists and guests gathering under the stars, Digital Graffiti 2025 delivered another unforgettable weekend of light, innovation, and inspiration, and we are already looking forward to the next.
Photography by Kurt Lischka & Michael Booini
MIAMI SWIM WEEK 2025
Miami Swim Week 2025 made waves once again as designers, models, and fashion insiders gathered to celebrate the latest in swimwear and resort fashion. This week-long showcase featured bold designs, cutting-edge trends, and unforgettable runway moments against the backdrop of Miami’s vibrant energy. From emerging labels to established fashion powerhouses, this year’s collections embraced innovation, sustainability, and global influences, solidifying Miami Swim Week’s status as a leading destination on the international fashion calendar.
Meghan Thee Stallion joins the Swimwear Icons Hall of Fame
Photo by Matt Borkowski
Photo by Getty Images for Leslie Amon
Photo by World Red Eye and Getty Images for Oh Polly
Selena Sofia
Photo by Matt Borkowski
Photo by World Red Eye and Getty Images for Oh Polly
Photo by Getty Images for Leslie Amon
Photo by Getty Images for Leslie Amon
Jessica Vestal for Cupshe
Jana Craig for Cupshe
Photo by Getty Images for Leslie Amon
Photo by World Red Eye and Getty Images for Oh Polly
Dominique Ruotolo
Photo by Matt Borkowski
Paige Mastrandrea and Nicole Williams
Photo by Matt Borkowski
Cybil Bonhamme and Kiki Barth
Photo by Matt Borkowski
Photo by World Red Eye and Getty Images for Oh Polly
Rick Ross
Photo by The Cobra Snake
Photo by Getty Images for Leslie Amon
Photo by Getty Images for Leslie Amon
BY MYLES MELLOR
Puzzle on previous page
Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first. “ ”
—Ernestine Ulmer
C E L E B R AT I N G 2 0 Y E A R S O F
H E A LT H I E R , H A P P I E R S M I L E S !
CVHN proudly offers critical healthcare services at no cost to children facing provider shortages and limited insurance options in Florida’s Walton and Okaloosa Counties. Our mission to eliminate barriers to accessible and affordable children’s healthcare is made possible by the generous support of our community, partners, and volunteers. Please consider donating today!
Since 2005
19,000 Children Helped
160,000+ Healthcare Procedures $9MIL in Services Provided*
Learn more at LouisVuitton.com and by following @louisvuitton on Instagram.
Au revoir!
BEFORE YOU GO . . .
Louis Vuitton unveiled its Women’s Fall-Winter 2025 collection as a narrative of transportation, highlighting the dual meaning of adventure and enchantment it presents. Artistic Director Nicolas Ghesquière collaborated with legendary electro group Kraftwerk to present a collection that merges the house’s rich heritage with the bold essence of futurism and innovation. The collection was staged at L’Étoile du Nord during Paris Fashion Week, evoking the emotional spectrum of a train station platform the designer calls “the hopefulness of love or the melancholy of separation.”
