Destin, FL September 2023

Fashion Issue

A BOUTIQUE BROKERAGE Specializing in CREATIVE SOLUTIONS

6 7

5,382 sq/ft

New construction, custom beach home in Seagrove Beach, just 2 blocks away from the several public beach access points as well as multiple shops and restaurants in Seaside!

TBD Forrest Street, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 34259

SAVOR EXQUISITE CUISINE

AN ELEGANT CULINARY ADVENTURE

The crown jewel of Hotel Effie's dining scene, Ovide blends elevated coastal cuisine rooted in southern tradition, creating dishes that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Reserve you next indulgence now (888) 840-5291. Open to the public. Private parties accepted. Complimentary valet parking. Reservations arerecommended, but not required.

ESCAPE TO SERENITY

Escape to Spa Lilliana, the ultimate luxury retreat located inside Hotel Effie Sandestin. Indulge in our world-class spa treatments, featuring OSEA and Biologique Recherche products, and unwind in our exclusive co-ed relaxation room. Book your appointment today (888) 323-1488. Open to the public. Complimentary valet parking.

joy of dressing is an art." -John Galliano

Dear Readers,

I hope this letter finds you well and in high spirits. Today, I want to take a moment to celebrate and explore the fascinating world of style with you.

Style is not limited to the clothes we wear or the way we adorn ourselves; it encompasses every aspect of our lives. From the way we decorate our homes to the music we listen to, from the books we read to the way we carry ourselves in conversations, style permeates every facet of our existence. It is the thread that weaves together the tapestry of our lives.

As individuals, we have the freedom to embrace established styles, blend them together, or forge entirely new paths, becoming trendsetters ourselves. Style is deeply personal, and it evolves as we celebrate our quirks, our passions, and our desires; It is a form of self-expression that communicates who we are, how we perceive the world, and what we value. In this way, style becomes a powerful tool for connection, as it enables us to find common ground with others who share our aesthetic sensibilities.

In this issue, we hope to inspire you to explore new paths or perhaps revisit familiar ones. There is so much here in the panhandle to uplift our spirits, boost productivity, and ignite creativity. We encourage you to embrace your uniqueness and celebrate your personal style.

As Coco Chanel once said, "Everyday is a fashion show, and the world is your runway." So, let us celebrate the fascinating world of style together and embrace our individuality.

Here’s to being uniquely you!

September 2023

PUBLISHER

Carmen Ionascu | Carmen.Ionascu@citylifestyle.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Josh Foster | josh.foster@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Savannah Vasquez | savannah.vasquez@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Shanna Magnuson, Davista Photograpy, Robert Young of Forever Young Images, Jordan Horn and Dianna Bergeren

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray

CARMEN IONASCU, PUBLISHER @DESTINCITYLIFESTYLE

Learn

Proverbs 3:5-6

"The

ARTICLE BY SAVANNAH VASQUEZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT YOUNG

FASHION MEETS DESIGN

Hotel Effie is an oasis on the Emerald Coast. Located within the gates of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Hotel Effie was designed by Sarah Becnel to be a place of luxury for those vacationing in the Destin area. From the lighting and ambiance to the elegant decor, Becnel has created a place of elevated southern style reflective of the beauty found along the Gulf Coast.

Hotel Effie and Kiki Risa Clothing

Combine to Showcase Local Luxury

Amanda Abbott of Abbott Martin Group brokerage by ExP models pieces by Kiki Risa one of Destin’s elite clothing brands.

The Ara Rooftop Pool & Lounge offers panoramic views of the Choctawhatchee Bay as well as amenities such as pool-side food and cocktail service.

Named after Becnel's paternal grandmother, Hotel Effie also carries with it an air of southern excellence. Known for her impeccable taste and warm southern hospitality, Effie Burns lives on in the minute details such as a no smoking sign that simply reads; Don't you dare!

Brianna O’Brien, Owner of Destin Blowout Bar showcases evening gowns by Kiki Risa in the gorgeous Ovide restaurant.

Hotel Effie exudes modern coastal luxury reflecting the white sands and emerald blues found on the Destin coast.

2ND Quarter Market Report

Emerald Coast Residential Properties

The Emerald Coast residential real estate market is still adjusting to the post Covid era of increased prices and higher mortgage rates. Locally, we are now seeing increased inventory levels, more average days on market and lower closed sales volume overall as compared to the same period in 2022, but many other markets across the nation are still experiencing continued inventory shortages. The current market conditions in our local area may be short lived and present a unique opportunity for Buyers as we move into the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2023. Sellers have continued to enjoy close to peak level pricing over the last year, but with the softening local market conditions, many Sellers are now more negotiable than they were this same time last year. Buyers should consider being proactive and making the most of the increased local inventory levels while they last.

ARTICLE BY SAVANNAH VASQUEZ

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVISTA PHOTOGRAPHY & DIANNA BERGEREN

Elevated Entertainment

Luminary Entertainment Company Brings The Magic

Gearing up to perform as an aerialist takes several steps. The costume, the hair, the make-up, but most importantly, getting into character. Lydia Gallup of Luminary Entertainment Company performs many acts including aerial silks and lyra, fire dancing, LED dancing, stilt walking and many more.

“My friends joke that in real life I don't like to be the center of attention, but I change completely when I perform,” Lydia said. “Especially if I am doing an act where I am trying to portray a character, I try to get into that headspace before I approach my apparatus, so I am in that character.”

CONTINUED >

Lydia said that she transforms into character through music. Each act she performs on an aerial apparatus has a soundtrack, and once the music starts, she is ready to transform.

Lydia started dancing at the early age of five, starting like most other young dancers with tap and ballet. As she grew past her teen years, her love of dance intensified, but it grew harder to find dance classes for adults. She began teaching pole dancing and it was there that a friend introduced her to aerial silks.

“I’ve taken every type of dance class I could find, but when I tried aerial silks out, it was love at first sight,” Lydia said. “I love it; it’s just a beautiful way to express emotions using your body.”

Luminary Entertainment Company has 10 performers on the roster, all are busy women with other responsibilities, but all have the same love for performance.

“We are all mothers and people with other things going on, but busy people are the ones to get things done,” Lydia said.

“We are an encouraging space for women, I really try to foster a space of warmth and growth for our troupe.”

Lydia said that when practicing for performances, the girls gather at her Destin home and often end up chatting and catching up for the first half hour of the meeting before diving into the routines.

“We often have our rehearsals centered around some type of cheese, snack or dessert,” Lydia said. “After the social hour, we do our training portion and then frantic goodbyes as we all have to run off to other things in our lives.”

But all the practicing, transforming, and hustling is worth it when the troupe gets out in front of a crowd and performs. Seeing the crowd entranced by the performers, or the children’s faces light up in awe is what makes all the rushing worthwhile.

“We are just a group of women who fell in love with performing,” Lydia said. “Everyday life could use a little more magic in it, and we are grateful to be a source of that in the world.”

Desserts by Design

TOUT SWEET PROVIDES CUSTOM TREATS

ARTICLE BY SAVANNAH VASQUEZ

Ketima Labrador was used to the hustle and bustle of bartending, but all of that came to a screeching halt in 2020, when the global pandemic forced businesses to shut down. With extra time on her hands, Ketima turned to her favorite hobby to keep busy, dessert making.

“The idea to start Tout Sweet really came out of lockdown,” Ketima said. “Most of my food and beverage career was spent behind the bar, so when the whole industry was shut down, I needed

something to do. There was a lot of uncertainty during that time, but people were still celebrating when they could. Those moments of levity helped us all during a very dark time.”

Ketima is a firm believer in internet learning. Although her love for baking came from home, her knowledge came from researching techniques online, and experimenting in her kitchen.

“You can learn to do just about anything online,” Ketima laughed. “There was a lot of trial and error and I have had my fair share of errors.”

CONTINUED >

As for the business name, Tout Sweet, Ketima said that is one of the phrases from French class that she has always remembered.

"I took French in high school and ‘tout de suite’ means immediately or at once,” Ketima said. “In the beginning, we were offering desserts ready to go. Our future concept is to have a storefront where you can grab a sweet treat to-go or sit and enjoy dessert after dinner."

CREATING A TIMELESS DRESS

Maggie Matthews has known what she wanted to do since she was a little girl. Even though she took a detour for a few years, Maggie followed her heart and eventually established Margaret Ellen Bridal in 2018.

“As a child, I had dreams of being a wedding dress designer and that kind of fell by the wayside,” Maggie said. “I decided to pursue education and taught in an elementary school for

six years; but truly it was not my calling. It was not until I went wedding dress shopping with my best friend that I finally realized my first love was truly for bridal.”

Today, Margaret Ellen Bridal offers high-end designer dresses and private fitting sessions to brides who venture to her 30A store.

“We carry nine, well-known designers that you would usually find in larger cities,” Maggie said. “But the biggest

Margaret Ellen Bridal Marries Elegance And Style

thing that sets us apart is the way we do business. It’s a special moment that we are getting to help with, so I really make sure that every bride feels loved, celebrated and like they have been our friend forever.”

When a bride makes an appointment at Margaret Ellen Bridal, the planning begins with a phone consultation. This is where the bride’s vision is shared, and any inspirational photos can be discussed.

From there, the bride and a few of her close friends and family members are invited to a fitting. This is where the magic happens.

“At the fitting we provide champagne, and do a toast with the bride,” Maggie said. “Each bride we host is in their own space and while they are here, we do everything for the bride. We really go all out and make it incredibly special.”

CONTINUED >

ARTICLE BY SAVANNAH VASQUEZ

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT YOUNG (FOREVER YOUNG IMAGES)

“IT’S A SPECIAL MOMENT THAT WE ARE GETTING TO HELP WITH, SO I REALLY MAKE SURE THAT EVERY BRIDE FEELS LOVED, CELEBRATED AND LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN OUR FRIEND FOREVER.”

When it comes to what makes a wedding dress timeless, Maggie said it really has very little to do with the dress itself and instead, it all comes down to how well the dress reflects the bride.

“I think, what makes a dress timeless is the question, ‘Would it carry over in time with that bride?’” Maggie said. “Is the bride being true to herself in that dress? If it reflects who they are as a person, then they have created a timeless dress.”

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES STYLIST: AMANI SKALACKI

THE little BLACK DRESS

Most of us can say we have that one staple black dress that can be worn at any occasion, and the classic look is not only popular but is elegant and timeless. It is the dress in our closet that can be accessorized to fit the event and often is the dress we go back to time and again. It is one of the most versatile items we own, never goes out of style and looks good on anyone. But how did this classic look originate?

Prior to the 1920’s, black was reserved for funeral wear, but when Coco Channel made the bold move to print a short, black dress on the cover of Vogue in 1926, all of that changed. The popularity of the black dress skyrocketed, and it became one of the most influential pieces of clothing. Chanel transported fashion from tight corsets and bustles to straight-lined silhouettes. Because of its affordability, black remained a popular choice during The Great Depression. The black dress had another boom in popularity when “Breakfast at Tiffany’s’’ debuted, and Audrey Hepburn showcased her iconic black dress with long, black gloves. Today, people accessorize the black dress to fit any occasion.

We enlisted the help of stylist, Amani Skalacki, to show us how versatile the little black dress can be.

“We usually think of the little black dress as a piece you wear to an event. However, because black is so flattering on all body types and skin tones, women have multiple black dresses from casual to evening,” Amani says.

Although black is a timeless, classic look, that doesn’t mean it goes without personality. You can make it your own style by accessorizing to infuse new life into a dress that you already own.

“A sequin dress can be dressed up with heels, or that same dress can be transformed into a casual outfit with the addition of tennis shoes and an oversized blazer or a denim jacket. Transform that strappy dress you have been wearing all summer into an outfit that is perfect for chilly fall temperatures. Add a narrow scarf, a leather jacket and sandals or a tall pointy boot, and you have a whole new look for an evening out,” Amani adds.

If you have a dress in the back of your closet that you haven’t worn in years, don’t be afraid to dust it off and give it new life. “Take that evening gown you wore years ago to a tailor for a little transformation. Turn it into a high low dress-top that can be worn out with girlfriends or on a date night. Pair the top with leather leggings, ankle boots, a chunky belt and some statement jewelry, and now you have a piece that pushes the boundaries of the little black dress.”

Are you looking for the best cut or style of dress that works best for your body type? Amani provided this simple guide:

HOURGLASS FIGURE:

• V-necklines

• Cinched-in waistlines

• Tailored/fitted dresses

PEAR OR TRIANGLE FIGURE:

• Tailored dresses

• Off the shoulder

ATHLETIC FIGURE:

• Embellished

• Ruffles

• Empire waist

• Volume is your friend

APPLE FIGURE:

• Drop waist

• A-line

The dress that all body types can’t go wrong with is a wrap dress of any length.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVISTA PHOTOGRAPY

Dress To Impress Event!

DESTIN CITY LIFESTYLE CELEBRATES ONE YEAR IN BUSINESS

We cordially invite you to celebrate Destin City Lifestyle Magazine’s one year anniversary and our September fashion issue at Marina Cafe’ in Destin on September 7th, 2023.

Enjoy Marina Cafe’ like you never have before with heavy hors d’oeuvres and champagne, entertainment by Luminary Entertainment Company and a silent auction benefitting Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation. Tickets can be purchased online at facebook.com/destincitylifestyle.