The Style Issue
The 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 extends beyond the clothes we wear, encompassing the music we listen to, the food we prepare, the parties we throw, and the homes we live in. It touches every aspect of our lives. It is the thread that weaves together the tapestry of our lives.
Style is deeply personal. And it evolves as we grow as people. I remember my style of hair as a teenager. There is not enough hairspray on the shelves for that style today. As we celebrate our quirks, our passions, and our desires, style is 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.
As we dive into the style of our city, I am so hopeful looking at so much growth and style happening downtown. I meet so many great business owners that are proud to express their style through their décor, food and, most importantly, their atmosphere. It makes me proud to see so many people collaborating for one common goal. Pretty cool to witness.
I encourage you to head downtown in the near future. Check out a new place to eat, explore the many shops, have a mocktail to cool off. Meet someone new and learn about them and their style.
I hope you enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed creating it!
Cheers!
AMY WALTERS, PUBLISHER
September 2024
PUBLISHER
Amy Walters | amy.walters@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
JoAnn Chang | joann.chang@citylifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Brandon & Rose Fabian with Lux Content Co. info@luxcontentco.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
JoAnn Chang
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Lux Content Co., Bradley King, Chiara DeLosh, Stephanie Klein, Shirley White, Nicoel Elliott-Strobbe
Corporate Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall
LAYOUT DESIGNER Adam Finley
Expertise You Can Trust
Our highly skilled plumbers bring years of experience and a commitment to excellence, providing you with peace of mind and impeccable service.
Our team operates with the utmost respect for your home, maintaining a clean and professional work environment at all times.
Join the homeowners who trust us for their plumbing needs. Call us at 727.843.0306 or visit our website at www.continentalplumbing.net to schedule your consultation. WHAT DID YOU WANT WHEN YOU STARTED IN BUSINESS?
Chances are, if you are like most people, it would have included some of the following concepts…
- Earning More Money
- Creating More Lasting Wealth
- Doing More Of What You Love
- Building An Incredible Team
- Working Fewer Hours
- Having More Time For Vacations And if you are like most people, chances are your current reality doesn’t quite reflect the visions you once had. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
great team,
create substantial amounts of net wealth.
SEPTEMBER 2024
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1 — 2: Local residents celebrate Independence Day in style at the 4th of July Hometown Extravaganza at Sims Park 3 — 4: Trinity Women’s League celebrated summer at their recent charity social event at Dang Good on Main.5: Jaxon Klein dives into a cupcake at the Generations Church 4th of July Event. 6: Gulf Coast Cosmetics enjoyed a recent employee appreciation event at Ocean Prime. 7: Generations Church lights up the night for Trinity residents on the 4th of July.
Want to be seen in the magazine?
STEPHANIE KLEIN
BRADLEY KING
NICOEL ELLIOTT-STROBBE
CHIARA DELOSH
BRADLEY KING
SHIRLEY WHITE
CHIARA DELOSH
Reconnections Education Center Supports Those With Special Needs
Reconnections Education Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing specialized education for individuals with special needs. Our unique approach includes a low student-to-teacher ratio of 1:3, ensuring personalized attention and support for each student’s learning journey. Supporting non-profit organizations like Reconnections Education Center is crucial in empowering individuals with special needs to reach their full potential. Please consider a donation to Reconnections today. Your support can have an enormous impact!
Photography by Reconnections Education Center
The Playground Pro Creates Perfect Play Environments
We offer fully customizable playground solutions tailored to our clients’ specific needs. From classic swings and slides to innovative climbing structures and sensory play elements, we provide a variety of equipment to create the perfect play environment.
MAKING A HOUSE INTO YOUR HOME
Stylish Living
ARTICLE BY JOANN CHANG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LUX CONTENT CO.
Any style can be beautiful when
it is well done.
Some homes just speak to you. You walk in the doors and the balance of light and texture makes you feel instantly comfortable. It looks warm and inviting and just feels like home. The opposite is also apparent. A clutter of things and a mishmash of styles can feel off putting.
What’s the key? The secret recipe for taking your largest investment and making it feel like home. A space both beautiful and a reflection of the people who live there. How do you find that essential style that lives within and make it come to life within your space?
The secret to finding your style is to first understand the space and what you need it to be. “Look at your space. Do you like it to be bright and light? Do you want it to be warm and cozy? Do you need it to be den like? Are you an entertainer? Or you have seven children, and you like it noisy with lots of people running around,” said Janine Finch, owner of GoldFinch Interior Styling.
Your personal style is constantly changing. Your influences as a child, travels and others you encounter over the years all impact your personality and what feels like home. “When you see stuff, you soak it up. It gives you even more ideas. You see an amazing color of red in the middle east. Or you see those wonderful wedding fabrics in India. So, all of those things sit somewhere in the brain and that invariably ends up driving your personal style,” shared Finch.
Once you really look at your space and identify how you need that space to function, the hard work begins - expressing your thoughts through words and pictures. That can be as simple as creating a Pinterest board and collecting images of spaces that speak to you or pouring through magazines and creating a physical mood board.
Janine shared how that process works through recent projects, including a charming lake home. “Their lakefront home has the most charming outlook that immediately called for the outside palette to be brought inside. They are slowly renovating the home as their forever retirement refuge and they wanted the space to be warm and inviting, classy, but not formal. They spoke of their love of the lack of embellishment of mid-century modern style of furnishings, and wanted a style that echoed that, not copied it to the letter.”
Another project, a complete kitchen gut, involved moving the kitchen to a larger space, custom cabinetry throughout and adding a butler’s pantry. “The couple favored different styles, and we met in the middle with a transitionary style,” said Finch. The results are stunning.
Of course, budget can have a big impact on how you bring your personal style to life in your home. “There are times and places where you don’t want to skimp. You want something that is going to have
When is a space complete? ‘Cohesion and balance are your ultimate takeaway.’ “ ”
longevity to it. And that does have style and a story behind it. That adds to the personality of your space,” said Finch. “Small budgets need to be hyper focused on what they want to realistically achieve with their budget. It’s best to start small, do it well and work out from there as budget allows. Larger budgets require a great deal of attention to detail not only because more money is being spent but often because there are more moving parts.”
Once you have your plan in mind, the hard part can be locating unique pieces. Janine suggests online sources like 1stDibs, Etsy and Pinterest, while Facebook Marketplace can yield unexpected treasures. “There are also plenty of places to spend a wonderful day looking around consignment shops, like The Missing Piece in
Tampa and Palm Harbor. Just keep dropping in or looking at their website and you can find a gem or two.”
When is a space complete? “Cohesion and balance are your ultimate takeaway,” shared Finch. She also offers a word of caution in creating your dream home, “don’t be led by trends, be led by the things you genuinely love and feel at home around. Any style can be beautiful when it’s well done.”
If you struggle to bring your vision to life, an interior designer can be a worthy investment. GoldFinch Interior Styling offers a range of services, including space planning, 3D conceptualizing and even a “designer for a day” to help you clarify your needs to start or finish your space. You can learn more about the services Janine Finch offers at www.goldfinchstyle.com.
FRANK STARKEY IS DEDICATED TO DEVELOPING NEW PORT RICHEY’S STYLE.
City Style
ARTICLE BY JOANN CHANG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LUX CONTENT CO.
““It’s so pleasant to live in a place where your whole daily life is within walking distance.”
Frank Starkey knows New Port Richey well. As a member of one of the original ranching families in Pasco County, he’s looked for ways to be a good steward of this community, seeking to bring more life and energy to his hometown.
“I was looking for an opportunity to do something different and I really wanted to do something in the urban development world. I looked around the state for small towns that had good urban bones,” shared Starkey. “New Port Richey has a really great city plan. The layout of the town is just a really clever, nice design.”
As a resident, Frank is truly invested in the future of New Port Richey and helping to develop the style of the city as it grows. “Moving downtown, we immediately had the
frank starkey
Frank Starkey is the Founder of People Places, a company dedicated to transforming New Port Richey’s business district through reimagining underutilized and vacant buildings. You’ll find Frank strolling through downtown, advocating at City Council meetings and educating the community through his Talk About Town discussion series. You can learn more at people-places.com.
most luxurious lifestyle. It’s so pleasant to live in a place where your whole daily life is within walking distance.”
The downtown corridor has seen many ups and downs but has felt a resurgence in recent years with a strong increase in foot traffic to visit the many area restaurants and shops. “It’s gone from near ghost town to a lot more vibrant. You really see a broad spectrum of people enjoying downtown. It gives the place an authenticity that isn’t easy to achieve most places.”
Frank looks forward to being a part of the city’s continued growth. “There are so many things that make it special.”
MUST-DO downtown 4
Tina Gordon shares her must-do things downtown.
ARTICLE BY JOANN CHANG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LUX CONTENT CO.
1 - SIMS PARK : A true highlight of the city, with concerts and events offered regularly.
2 - RICHEY SUNCOAST THEATER : See live performances from local and national performers and special movie showings.
3 - DINING EXPERIENCES : So many options to fit your cravings. Try a new restaurant every time you visit!
4 - NEW PORT RICHEY CITY LIBRARY : Great activities for all ages including the Tasty Tuesdays Local Organic Market.
Tina Gordon enjoys her role as Program Director of New Port Richey Main Street, Inc.
Quality In Everything We Touch
A Handmade Date Night
Make it feel like an extra special at-home date night with thoughtful touches from the heart—and hands.
A date night at home is the perfect occasion to shower your loved ones with affection and appreciation. While storebought gifts and cards have their charm, there’s something incredibly special about receiving a handmade gesture. By opting for a handmade date night, you’re not just expressing love but also showcasing your thoughtfulness and effort. These handmade creations convey a personal touch that can’t be replicated.
From-Scratch Pasta
what you need
Lavender Bath Salt Blend
what you need
16 ounces Bokek Dead Sea Salt 20 drops lavender essential oil
what you do
In a mixing bowl, add drops of the essential oil to the bath salt and mix well; store in a glass jar. Add 1/3 to 1/2 cup of the scented salts to a bath for a relaxing experience. SeaSalt.com
Yield: 1 pound
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
4 large eggs
what you do
1. Mound the flour in the center of a work surface with a well in the middle. Crack the eggs into the well and beat with a fork until smooth, then work flour into eggs with the fork. Use a bench scraper to work in the rest of the flour a little at a time. When the flour is incorporated, form the dough with your hands into a rounded mass for kneading. Lightly dust your workspace with flour and knead dough about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Cover dough with a bowl or plastic wrap and rest 1 1/2 hours, or chill overnight.
2. To roll by hand, flour a clean work surface. Vigorously roll dough to a very thin circle and roll constantly with even pressure as it stretches for several minutes until as thin as possible, almost translucent.
3. To cut by hand, lightly fold sheets one at a time into thirds and cut to desired thickness. Recipe from MarthaStewart.com
Dark Chocolate Truffles
what you need
1/2 cup heavy cream
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup cocoa powder, for dusting
what you do
1. Bring the cream to just a simmer in a saucepan over low heat. Pour the cream over the chocolate in a bowl and let stand about 10 minutes to melt the chocolate. Add the vanilla, stir until smooth and set aside to cool for 1 hour at room temperature.
2. Beat chocolate at medium speed until thick and light-colored. Spread over the bottom of a baking dish, smooth and refrigerate 2 hours until firm.
3. Pour cocoa powder onto a deep plate or shallow bowl, and using a melon baller or small ice cream scoop, scoop out balls of chocolate. Roll in cocoa powder until coated and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Recipe from FoodNetwork.com
ELEVATE YOUR CLOSET
Every woman dreams of an organized and beautiful closet space, but it often comes last on the list of places that get their time and attention. Follow our nine tips for transforming and elevating your closet. How you organize your closet will of course differ based on the size of your space, the size of your wardrobe, and the kind of life you lead. But applying these guidelines will result in a much more organized and aesthetically pleasing space.
FACE CLOTHES THE SAME DIRECTION
It may seem silly, but when dealing with a small space, little things count. Hanging all clothes the same direction is a no-brainer for continuity in your closet.
8 WAYS TO ORGANIZE AND INJECT STYLE INTO YOUR SPACE
ARTICLE BY HALEY WILLIAMS | PHOTOGRAPHY
BY CASSANDRA CASTANEDA
USE REAL ESTATE WISELY
Reserve the front and middle of the closet for clothes worn most often. For someone who gets dressed for work each morning at 6 a.m., work clothes should be at the front of the closet. Store lesser-worn items like formal wear and out-of-season clothes toward the back and on the upper shelves. A large mirror and counter with chair provides the perfect spot to select jewelry and finalize finishing outfit touches. While every closet is different, the key here is everything has a home.
02 03 04 05
HIDDEN STORAGE
Hidden storage is a game changer in keeping a closet visually clean. Tuck folded clothes behind closed cabinet doors if the space is multipurpose. The floor-toceiling built-ins in Keri’s closet contain folded clothes, athleisure and other items she needs as she gets ready each day. Tuck away the least-used items: Use hidden storage and the very top of the closet for out-of-season items and stuff only worn a few times a year.
NEGATIVE SPACE
Using space efficiently is important, but keep in mind every good design includes some negative space. For instance, consider adding built-ins on the long wall of your closet but keep the short wall open with a mirror.
ORGANIZE BY KIND AND COLOR
Group clothes by kind first and color second. This ensures quick location of that favorite shirt when it’s needed. Bonus - it’s easy on the eye. Group like with like: Gather belts, sweaters, long-sleeve shirts, work pants, dresses, button-down shirts, jeans, shorts, etc., and decide the best place to store each item as a group (e.g., hang pants in the closet, fold and stack sweaters in a bureau). Working with groupings will help you figure out how much space you need and the best way to store each type of item.
UPGRADED HANGERS
The simplest and fastest way to make a BIG difference in your closet organization is to get matching hangers that go beyond the traditional plastic or wire hangers. And for sure ditch any with paper from the dry cleaner!
BAG & SHOE STORAGE
Alternate the way shoes are facing. This ultimately helps fit more on each row and provide a visually appealing way to display those prized possessions.
Everyone understands the frustration of searching for that one clutch when rushing out for the evening. Bags benefit from a space all their own. Get clear container storage for small bags and purses so you can locate and access them easily.
MAKE A STATEMENT
Why use an armchair when you have room for a sofa? Slide up a stool and colorful area rug to complete the look. If you have excessive wall space, consider a mini gallery wall or a statement wall with wallpaper to polish things off.
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS SEPTEMBER 2024
SEPTEMBER 6TH – 15TH
Sound of Music
Richey Suncoast Theater | 7:00 PM
A local cast performs in this classic Rogers & Hammerstein musical set in Austria prior to World War II. Shows on September 8th & 15th are 2:00pm matinees. Visit www.richeysuncoasttheatre.com for more information and ticket details.
SEPTEMBER 7TH
Stargazing at Starkey
Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park | 8:00 PM
This free event is organized by the Pasco Astronomers Club. No registration needed. Event will take place in the large open field in the front of the park. Follow the signs and staff for parking. Telescopes will be provided to see many deep sky objects. All ages welcome.
SEPTEMBER 19TH
New Port Richey Main Street Fall Wine Stroll
Downtown New Port Richey | 5:00 PM
Put on your 80’s best and stroll through downtown to visit 40-55 participating businesses with wine and fun to offer. Contest for best dressed. Visit
SEPTEMBER 26TH – 27TH
Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy
Richey Suncoast Theater | 6:00 PM/8:00 PM/10:00 PM
Over a century and a half after Edgar Allan Poe’s death, this cocktail experience brings the most beloved works of Poe to life off the page and onto the stage. This immersive evening pairs four tales with a dash of history and heavy libations. Visit for more information and ticket details.
SEPTEMBER 28TH
Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Sims Park | 8:00 AM
The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease. Visit alz.org/pascocountywalk for more information.
SEPTEMBER 28TH
“This” 70’s Show
Richey Suncoast Theater | 7:00 PM
An All-Star tribute to the decade of decadence. From Studio 54 to Hotel California, and everything in between, “This” 70’s Show will pay tribute to some of the many artists and groups that defined a generation. Features a special tribute to ABBA. Visit www.richeysuncoasttheatre.com for more information and ticket details.
hacks HAIR
Part the top half of the hair in two sections. Create fishtail braids (or braids of choice) and tie them together in the back of the hair. Add a fashion accessory around a ponytail for a little extra fun!
fishtail braids reverse
ARTICLE BY ABBI SULASKI
PHOTOGRAPHY BY POPPY & CO. BY KELSEY HUFFER
Part the hair down the center or side part, if preferred. Create braid(s) on the side of the head and secure with elastic. Twist the hair with braids into a simple bun, securing it with hair pins. Add an accessory for a classy touch.
simpleupdo
Braids to Keep You Chic All Year Long
Braids are a great way to add style and uniqueness to your hair style rotation and have been a staple in hair styles dating back to the 3500 B.C. This historical hairstyle is here to stay, so we wanted to share some go-to impressive looks.
DESIGN | BUILD | REMODEL
