SeptemberFashion & Style Issue
I hope this letter finds you in high spirits and full of creative energy.
Today, I want to take a moment to celebrate and explore the fascinating world of style. 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.
Style is deeply personal. And it evolves as we celebrate our quirks, our passions, and our desires. Style 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 will introduce you to fashion in different realms of society, from clothing and accessories with Kiss The Sky Boutique to floral fashion with Bella Flora 30A to interior design with HOME AT EASE. We will also take a look at personal growth and redesigning yourself with Destin Blowout Bar, JS Salon & Heart, White Ox Construction and social media influencer Sarah Again.
As individuals, we have the freedom to embrace established styles, blend them together, or forge entirely new paths, becoming trendsetters ourselves. We hope this issue inspires you to forge new paths or perhaps explore familiar ones. There is so much here in Destin to uplift our spirits, boost your productivity and ignite your creativity.
What I’ve found is that the best style is an authentic expression of who you really are. And that’s something no one on earth can duplicate.
Here’s to being uniquely you!
CARMEN IONASCU, PUBLISHER @DESTINCITYLIFESTYLE
September 2024
PUBLISHER
Carmen Ionascu | Carmen.Ionascu@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Josh Foster | josh.foster@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Savannah Vasquez | savannah.vasquez@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Melanie Gray | melanie.gray@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Robert Young, Forever Young Images, Salvatore Brancifort, Shanna Perret of Davista Photography and Frederik Grosskopf
Corporate Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto
LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray Learn
inside the issue
CREATING INTERIOR JEWELS ON THE EMERALD COAST
ARTICLE BY SAVANNAH VASQUEZ
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT YOUNG, FOREVER YOUNG IMAGES
HOME AT EASE Incorporates Design Indoors & Outdoors
If you have ever watched HGTV and thought it would be fun to have a home remodel and redesign like they do in the home improvement shows, Laura Bommarito of HOME AT EASE is your girl.
“I have solid relationships with long-term local trades providing concierge level service to my clients in the area,” Laura said. “I’m different from other designers in that I execute the whole thing from start to finish. Right through from placing personal items in storage to renovating the house and setting it all back up for them. Importantly, I act as their local advocate as most live out of town.”
Laura has an extensive background in commercial design that stems from her work as a producer and creative director for brands like Ford, Cadillac and Lincoln. During her time in the automotive industry, Laura worked to create luxury experiences for customers in product launches and experience centers.
“I have a unique style myself, but I design for my clients,” Laura said. “My approach is different because I think about all the types of guests that will be utilizing the space. People want a beautiful place to stay in a vacation home, and I want to WOW them when they walk in the door because it's about the experience of living here.”
One of Laura’s most notable designs was for a client who wanted a space with dramatic color highlights reminiscent of a jewel box. Laura took that idea and incorporated a bold dark blue island with an exquisite stainedglass backsplash in the kitchen. She also incorporated gold and brass tones throughout the home to give the space a luxurious, jewelry box feel.
“The Jewel Box project is really reflective of what a client would ask for,” Laura said. “I get very deeply involved with my clients and what they are looking for; I really try to listen to my clients and give them a beautiful execution of what they envision. It’s their home and not mine at the end of the day.”
Design and utilization of every square foot of real estate is Laura’s goal. With ideas such as creating hidden storage under the island or building out unused spaces in a hallway, Laura has really made an impact in the area with her out-of-the-box designs. Since moving to the Emerald Coast full time in 2020, Laura has been studying the area in order to offer the best use of space both indoors and outdoors.
Laura’s first question when tackling outdoor space, is how the space will be best utilized and what the clients are looking for. Typical responses have included low maintenance outdoor kitchens, water features, putting greens, covered structures to escape the sun, or even a place to throw the ball with the grandkids.
"What I try to do is really leverage the outdoor space and make it an extension of the inside," Laura said. "My clients are used to larger spaces where they come from, and having a beach home in our area sometimes requires compromises on space. With my expertise, I can take their space and transform it into a beautiful, functional and enjoyable home for my clients for years to come."
FL O R AL
FASHION FORWARD
BOUTIQUE FLORIST, BELLA FLORA 30A, HAS AN EYE FOR MODERN DESIGN
ARTICLE BY SAVANNAH VASQUEZ
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SALVATORE BRANCIFORT
Custom floral design is at the heart of everything Maggie and Kevin Sotomey do at Bella Flora 30A. When asked to design a one-of-a-kind floral dress, Bella Flora 30A rose to the occasion. In the course of three days, the team at Bella Flora along with the DCL team, assembled timeless wearable floral art using 800 fresh flowers and a mesh frame.
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Upscale floral design
Bella Flora 30A’s focus is floral classiness. Bouquets from Bella Flora 30A are large and have a wide selection of exotic flowers.
“As an independent florist, we have full control over what we produce, allowing us to craft unique and personalized floral designs,” Kevin said. “Each creation is a perfect blend of sophistication and personal touch.”
The design team behind this unique fresh flower dress are, from left, Maggie Sotomey, Carmen Ionascu, Shelli Chinlund and Sally Foster.
Classic Trends
Quality floral fashion takes a dual talent to be both fashion forward by staying on top of the latest floral design trends, while maintaining an eye for classic design.
“We take what our clients have in mind to the next level by suggesting trends that are starting, or resurfacing trends that are coming back,” Kevin said.
This custom floral dress took 15 hours to complete and is comprised of 525 carnations, 125 roses, 120 fuji mums and 30 alstroemeria.
ALL AGE BOUTIQUE
ARTICLE BY SAVANNAH VASQUEZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT YOUNG & SALVATORE BRANCIFORT
KISS THE SKY BOUTIQUE OFFERS WOMEN’S FASHION IN DESTIN
Sunny Mitchell has always had a knack as a creative. She has worked as a floral designer and baker and now for the past four years, as a boutique clothing store owner at Kiss The Sky Boutique in Destin.
“I have a lot of design work in my background, the artist gene runs strong in my family,” Sunny said. “I’m one of eight children, all of whom are creative in some way. My brother Richard is a renowned chef in Dallas, and he is also a sculptor and painter. My other brother David has created his own line of European golf bags, and one of my sisters is an interior decorator.”
Kiss The Sky Boutique offers an array of unique clothing and accessory items that are hand-selected by Sunny and her 15-year-old daughter Maggie. The boutique carries brands such as Johnny Was, THML, Peach Love, Elan and Easel as well CONTINUED >
as the premier dress line of Louis Lynette, a designer from Sunny’s hometown of Dallas, Texas.
Browsing through the store, shoppers can also find unique items from 15 local artists including paintings, jewelry, pottery and purses. And this year, Sunny has added a few new services at the boutique including high-end consignment and alterations.
“It’s a fun boutique for women of all ages,” Sunny said. “We carry a lot of beachy linens, handmade jewelry and handbags. I’m always looking for new, fun and interesting designers.”
As for the younger generation, Maggie said they value both style and quality in their wardrobe.
“Girls my age value quality, we don’t want to spend our money on something and then turn around and it will fall apart after one wash,” Maggie said.
Sunny and her family moved to the Destin area nine years ago, after years of vacationing on the Emerald Coast. A mother of five children, four boys and her daughter Maggie, Sunny said Destin always called to her family.
“We traveled down here for 20 years with the kids,” Sunny said “We knew the area and any chance we got we would pack our suitcases and run here. I have identical twins, and the minute we got them out of the NICU, we got them into the car and came here. When we decided to finally make the move in 2015, we packed one car and one little U-Haul and came. ”
Luxury Consignment & Alterations
New at Kiss The Sky Boutique this year are luxury consignments and alterations. Anyone is welcome to bring in consignment clothing, handbags, jewelry and accessories. Now taking fall consignment for brands such as Aviator Nation, Free People, Jimmy Choo, Blueberry, Coach, Christian Louboutin, Gucci, Golden Goose, Hudson, Mother, Hermes, Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch, Lois Vuitton and other high fashion brands.
Alterations can be requested for items from a pair of jeans to silk formal dresses. Both women’s and men’s alterations are accepted.
Visit Kiss The Sky Boutique at 4489 Commons Drive West Unit 4 in Destin.
Design. Purposeful Planning.
ARTICLE BY SAVANNAH VASQUEZ
FASHION EXTENDED
How hair health & quality extensions amplify personal fashion
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHANNA PERRET WITH DAVISTA PHOTOGRAPHY
Brianna O'Brien of Destin Blowout Bar has worked in the cosmetic and hair industry for nearly two decades and knows that quality products paired with highly trained professionals equal the best possible outcome for her clients.
“Feeling good in your own skin and hair is one of the most important aspects of fashion,” Brianna said. “Hair health and quality extensions play a big role in personal fashion confidence.”
Brianna is a Great Lengths Certified Extension Specialist, which means she has gone through rigorous training from one of the most prestigious hair extension brands in the country. She explained that extensions can often be chemically treated or a mixture of synthetic and human hair which can lead to discoloration, breakage and short lifespan of the product. That’s why Brianna recommends Great Lengths extensions.
“You can physically tell the difference in the hair, it’s amazing,” Brianna said. “And I am confident after a Great Lengths extension install, that it leaves my clients with safer, healthier and better hair as a result.”
Cover ups sponsored by Kiss the Sky Boutique.
Swimwear sponsored by Brittnay Therese Dawson of Emerald Jade Swimwear.
Instead of using a sew-in or tape-in method, Brianna uses a keratin bond method, which uses the existing hair strands and fuses the extensions to the client’s own hair making the whole process more authentic, flawless and healthy.
“With tape-ins and sew-ins you have to move them closer to the scalp every 4-6 weeks, but the keratin bonds grow out with your own hair,” Brianna said. “I utilize a cold fusion machine that
makes the molecules move fast enough that they soften, and I form a cocoon around the client's own hair; it’s so much safer and more healthy for your hair.”
Brianna explained that because of the natural style of Great Lengths extensions, clients have more freedom in how they wear their hair, and what activities they choose to do such as swimming, running and going to the beach.
“Feeling good in your own skin and hair is one of the most important aspects of fashion,” Brianna said. “Hair health and quality extensions play a big role in personal fashion confidence.”
“Most clients wear sew-ins, so it’s hard to wear your hair up and not show the beads or tape, but keratin bonds are easy for an active lifestyle,” Brianna said. “If you really take care of the hair it can last up to 3-6 months where you don’t have to do anything.”
Brianna is passionate about quality in every product at her salon, and also values Destin's beach lifestyle. The two paired together led her to find the best extensions for her clients.
“I love being at the beach,” Brianna said. “Feet in the sand, listening to the water, I am happy.”
Fort Walton Beach
Redesigning THEIR FUTURE
LOCAL COUPLE USE CREATIVE SKILLS TO UPLIFT THE COMMUNITY
ARTICLE BY SAVANNAH VASQUEZ
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SALVATORE BRANCIFORT & FREDERIK GROSSKOPF
Jason and Jenna Shinholster have a storied past. The two met 15 years ago, early in recovery.
But as the couple re-discovered their faith together, they dreamed of a future where they could make a difference in the lives of others who struggle with addiction and the challenges of life.
Jenna, a hair stylist with a heart for ministry, uses her salon, JS Salon & Heart in Miramar Beach, as a safe place for women to come, get pampered, and share whatever is on their minds.
“My salon is a ministry; it’s become something bigger than me,” Jenna said. “It’s a very different atmosphere to be in than other salons - I play worship music,
I get to pray for and with my clients - my chair is just a space for them to feel safe.”
In addition to her salon, Jenna often visits the Blue Door homeless shelter in Destin to offer homeless men and women free haircuts.
Together, the Shinholsters run a life recovery ministry at Watershed Community church called LifeLine. Men and women can share their struggles and get support from others who have walked the same road and found freedom.
“We were both given a gift of new life. We were both so broken before we became followers of Jesus, and now restored, we want to help others experience this type of life,” Jason said. “We have a passion for ministry because we hate to see people
struggle with the same things we did. I know that God brought us together for a reason. People often ask, how did you find God? God wasn’t lost; we were. That’s the heartbeat of our ministry.”
Jason has also taken his ministry into his career, as he often hires former inmates to work with him in his business, White Ox Construction. What started as offering a few men career training and a job in his construction business has become a full-blown ministry of training men to transition from inmates to trade-skilled citizens.
“They just come! God sends them to me,” Jason said, explaining how he finds the men he employs. “A lot of people in business have to go out and search for the right employees, and we don’t have to do that. Sure, there can
“My salon is a ministry; it’s become something bigger than me,” Jenna said. “It’s a very different atmosphere to be in than other salons - I play worship music, I get to pray for and with my clients - my chair is just a space for them to feel safe.”
be drawbacks to that because it takes time to train and teach a trade and life skills. But I believe if more businesses build their employees up, loyalty to their employers will increase.”
The Shinholsters have launched a nonprofit ministry and plan to build and open a transitional home for men recently released from prison and looking for a fresh life. With the support of the community, they have already begun the journey to raise $250,000 by the end of 2024.
“The idea for the transitional home sprang from the fact that years ago, I could not find a place for my employees to live affordably,” Jason said. “I’m counting on people in the community to step up and give them opportunities.”
ARTICLE BY SAVANNAH VASQUEZ | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT YOUNG, FOREVER YOUNG IMAGES
Becoming Sarah Again
Local influencer shares message of self worth
Meet Sarah Weinberg, the captivating social media influencer better known as Sarah Again, who's taking the digital world by storm with her unique voice and vibrant personality.
In February, Sarah posted a reel on Instagram in response to a fan's comment about her slowly growing following. With her characteristic candor, she described her voice as an "acquired taste," and the reel quickly went viral, amassing an impressive 1.5 million views.
“I connect with those who feel a bit out-of-thebox,” Sarah shared. “At first, I might come across as reserved, but once you get to know me, I’m eccentric, energetic, and full of life.”
Over the past year, Sarah has immersed herself in her passions for songwriting, singing, and podcasting, under the moniker Sarah Again. Reflecting on her journey, she recalls her early days of writing and performing her own music, a passion she set aside while raising her three children. Now, she's back, ready to rediscover and redefine herself.
“All of my songs are in the form of a story,” Sarah said. “My messages are focused on honesty and explaining that life has its ups and downs but don't let the downs consume you.”
Sarah explained that she has struggled with anxiety in the past, and her songs and spoken word help her to reflect and rise out of fear. She said that she shares her words of self-affirmation in hopes that others will also see their worth and rise to face their own challenges.
“My musical journey began as a form of self-affirmation," Sarah said. "But I believe in the power of reinventing oneself – it's perfectly okay to come back as whoever you want to be. I believe that you have to allow yourself space to shift and grow, as long as it’s always for the better.”
As for her upcoming podcast, Sarah said she is excited to see where the journey will lead. She plans to bring on special guests to speak on topics from the music realm to the self-help sphere.
"It will be a little bit of everything, that will reflect what I have been working on over the past year," Sarah said. "It will be a combo of all my life experiences."
Sarah Again's mission is to spread her message of self-affirmation through her music and her highly anticipated podcast. Stay tuned and follow her inspiring journey on social media, you can find her on most platforms @listentosarahagain or online at www.listentosarahagain.com.
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“I connect well with those who feel a bit outof-the-box .”
