Spring is officially here, and I couldn’t be more excited to observe the world around us spring back to life. The flowers are blooming, the trees are bright green again, and all sorts of baby animals are frolicking around. Since becoming a mom, it’s a season for growth, both literally and figuratively. They say New Years is the time for change, but I always find myself ‘cleaning house’ when spring approaches. Recently, I’ve really prioritized eliminating the unfulfilling things in my life that do not serve a purpose or cause unwanted chaos. Whether it’s that overcrowded spare closet that’s been whispering, begging to be cleaned out,
or it’s a to-do list of unfinished house projects, I always get an itch to simplify my life this time of year.
Since it’s the season of vibrant colors, it only felt appropriate to feature an artist. This issue, we are showcasing Melissa Lakey, a contemporary artist based in Joshua Tree, California. Melissa commonly paints her surroundings of the Mojave Desert, but recently released a collection inspired by a trip to Florida. I love her use of multiple mediums and have even been inspired to pick up a paintbrush myself… something I haven’t done since I was a kid!
For new moms, this season offers us a chance to clear the clutter, both in our homes and in our minds, and focus on what truly matters. Whether it’s cherishing a quiet moment with your baby, getting outside for some fresh air, or prioritizing rest over routine, spring encourages us to bloom at our own pace.
As this season unfolds, it’s a reminder that there is beauty in slowing down and embracing the simplicity of life. In this new chapter of motherhood, less can truly be more.
It’s a beautiful life,
(321) 501-5006 P.O. Box 643022 Vero Beach, FL 32964-8155
Owner/Editor/Creative
Alyssa Carter
Art Director Christina Alta Luboski
Cover and Featured Artwork by Melissa Lakey
Contributing Writers
Olivia Assaf
Summer Almand
Sam Atwell
Brianna Beard
Brian Beckner
Vicky Dominguez
Amy J. Kight
Kirsten Kowalski
Gabrielle Monahan
Published four times per year. Portfolio Magazine, LLC P.O. Box 643022, Vero Beach, FL 32964-8155
Experience Vero Mountain, a 158-acre luxury retreat in the Appalachian Mountains, 30 minutes north of Asheville, NC. Unwind in cozy glamping domes or elegant glass suites with private hot tubs and modern amenities. Discover new glass suites with panoramic forest views through floor-to-ceiling windows and pet-friendly options. Explore the onsite farm for a unique, hands-on experience. Indulge in the ultimate mountain oasis!
GLASS SUITES
Vibrant Visions of the Southwest
THE CONTEMPORARY ART OF MELISSA LAKEY
Written
and artwork
by MELISSA LAKEY
< The Birds Danced as She Rode
I wanted to be a cowgirl when I grew up but ended up an artist instead, and now cowboys ride through my paintings, picking flowers and stopping to swim in every creek they pass. I am a contemporary visual artist and illustrator based in Joshua Tree, California, where the windows of my art studio look out into the Mojave Desert.
Several years ago, I made the move to Joshua Tree, California, which brought me back to art after a decade-long break. The wide-open spaces, the expanse of the sky, the sunrises and sunsets—it felt like there was space in my life to explore art again. I began a new way of painting, leaving behind realism and instead choosing colors and subjects that made me smile.
> Desert View
My first few years back in painting, I explored the magic of the American Southwest through my art, creating paintings based on the desert where I lived and the plants and animals. I saw colors and subjects that made me smile.
< Lullabies for Crocodiles
^ Nights on the Range > They Heard Her Songs Across the Water
These days, I create work based on both real memories and imaginary places I’d like to visit—swimming, dreaming, in the sunshine, and under the moonlight. Music and musicians are themes I return to often in my work, whether it's based in the desert or on the coast. What are the melodies of the stars, the moon, the ocean? What is the music of dreams?
A trip to Florida last year sparked my imagination in a new direction. I was captivated by the soft sunsets, the warm water, the vibrant colors, and all the new flora and fauna. I spent the trip filling my sketchbook with birds, boats, palm trees, and alligators, trying to capture everything.
I often work in a combination of gouache, ink, oil pastel, and colored pencils, but recently I have been working on canvas with acrylic paint and oil sticks.
< Flamingo Dance
When I returned home from Florida, I began a new series of art, inspired by the ocean and what happens above and below the surface.
I love working in mixed media and use a variety of materials in each piece of artwork. The atmosphere, mood, and time of day helps me choose what to use—whether it’s a day or night scene, a dreamy moment, or something more defined.
^ Friendly Octopus > Lobster Coastal
< Who’s Dreaming Who
I enjoy the freedom of working without a plan and the happy accidents that come from experimenting with materials. This helps me leave space in each piece for surprises and play. Creating art is one of the happiest parts of my life and I hope my paintings capture the joy I felt while making them and remind you of your own joyful memories.
You can find prints of Melissa’s newest collection of ocean artwork at coastwaysprints.com. For more information, or to purchase original artwork, prints, or workshops, visit melissalakey.com. Follow along on at @melissa.lakey for an inside look on her adventures.
Artwork by MELISSA LAKEY
SPRING AWAKENING
Rejuvenating Your Garden and Embracing the Art of Flower Growing
Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth. This season can bring on inspiration for growth and positive changes. The days are transitioning from darkness to more light, and we can feel and benefit from this change in our lives as well. It can be a time of hope and new beginnings as our surroundings begin to burst with life. The cypress trees push out their radiant green buds. The blue flag iris found in Florida’s wetlands are vibrantly showing off their violet-blue flowers. The warblers are flying in with their sweet songs and beautiful colors. If you are truly lucky, you may even get to
catch a glimpse of a hummingbird. Everything feels fresh and restored in nature. It only makes logical sense for us as humans to embrace this time, just as nature does. A good spring cleaning of our spaces helps prepare us for this new cycle and clears out what no longer serves us. Setting specific intentions helps us focus on our goals and envision our ideal future more clearly. Taking a minute or two each morning to greet the sunrise and honor our life and how precious it is. Planting seeds—literally and figuratively— go hand in hand with spring. Figuratively, by getting creative and planting new ideas for this magical season in our imagination and then making it our reality, little by little. Literally, by planting vegetable or flower seeds to begin the cycle of growth that will nourish us immensely. This just might be my favorite part of spring as a small-scale flower farmer here in Vero Beach. Springtime in Florida is glorious and we can add to the beauty by starting our own gardens. Imagine having fresh food or flowers in your home daily. Envision waking up each day with the hint of corals and pinks painted across the sky while checking on your garden with a coffee or tea
in hand, as you meander through this new space of beauty, solitude, and peace. A little planning and a lot of love can make it happen. Make those dreams, whatever they may be, a reality. Your soul is ready to bloom. Today is the day!
Written by SUMMER ALMAND
Photography by LYNN BEUTTELL
Painted Sky Farms is located at 7025 41st Street in Vero Beach. Fresh flowers and homemade goods are available at the farm on Satrudays 9-12PM, during the fall through spring. Workshops are offered monthly or by special request. For more information, visit PaintedSkyVero.com or call (772) 766-3391, and follow along on @PaintedSky.Farms
• #3 Sales Agent in Indian River County, 2024
• Licensed Realtor® for over 19 years
• DSRE Top Producer 2019-2025
• Specializes in million dollar+ properties on the Barrier Island
• Extensive network in the Northeast including New York, New Jersey and Connecticut
• BSBA in Marketing and Sales
• Lives on the Barrier Island in Riomar
• Actively involved at Holy Cross Church
• 2 sons who attend Saint Edward’s School
• Founder of the Flamingo Fundraiser, raising money for the fight against breast cancer
TOP PRODUCER
REALTOR®
HOMESCHOOLING
EN PLEIN AIR
“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” ~Aristotle
My friend and fellow homeschool mother confided, “I wake up Mary Poppins and by the end of the day I’m Cruella de Vil!” I laughed with agonizing self-reflection at her clear-cut quip. I thought, “It’s nice to know I’m not alone!” Who doesn’t want Mary Poppin’s refined disposition and effectual manner? We may not snap our fingers and make toys tuck themselves away, but there is an “element of fun to every job that must be done,” as Mary Poppins would say.
We can delve into any subject with ease and diligence, capture attention, engage senses, and fill our charges with wonder and awe at all there is to know and discover. Yes, there is a Poppins pedagogy, that not only facilitates a mother’s serenity but encourages children to expend the profusion of energy they have been so abundantly blessed with. Let’s call it… Homeschool En Plein Air (meaning in the open air). You may have heard of painting
en plein air, but why let the artists have all the fun? Take your young scholars out in the open air—Mary Poppins did! Here are a few ideas to incorporate a homeschool day en plein air.
Begin the day with a walk. I tell my boys, “We must leave our house on time to get started with school on time.” The discipline of walking away from our home down the street and back to school/home, not only helps them learn timeliness, but it burns up extra energy, which makes the day’s academic rigors more manageable.
Read aloud in the outdoors. Collect your books and find a shady spot. Read aloud while the children paint, draw, or play with insects and/or other interesting finds.
Déjeuner sur l'herbe. Enjoy a picnic. Take time to relax and eat. Watch the clouds and birds. Discuss what is on your children’s minds. It’s your turn to listen and theirs to share.
Study nature and science. Qui vois tu? Ask your child (in the language you are studying), “What do you see?” Observation is necessary for the study of everything, especially science. Encourage children to put words to observations or to draw/paint their discoveries in a nature journal. If they need vocabulary or require tools to draw what they see, assist them. As they draw ask what details they are seeing. What do they hear? Can they recognize birds by their sounds? Ask what else they know about their subject. Leave them with questions to ponder and pursue. Volunteer at a local farm harvesting produce and learn how to grow food.
Last but not least, paint - en plein air! Set up an easel and paint like the masters. Be sure to take them to see Monet to Matisse at the Vero Beach Art Museum. The French Moderns Exhibit is on view until June 22nd.
When nothing else is going right, go outside, look up at the sky, and say, “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!” Thank you, Mary Poppins for the inspiration.
Written and photography by OLIVIA ASAAF
Artwork by MELISSA LAKEY
The one thing I love about this recipe is the mouthwatering flavor, the medicinal benefits from the spices, the vibrant color, it’s simplicity and freshness, the chunky texture, and the fact that I want to put it on everything! Ok, that was more than one thing.
A pro-tip I give to anyone looking to have healthier options for easy meal making is to always have a dip or spread prepared in your fridge. That could be hummus, guacamole, pesto, or a patê like this one! I usually always have a few stocked in my fridge to add to buddha bowls, sandwiches, salads, or wraps.
Now, back to why I love this dip… Curry is a combination of spices that creates a delicious flavor profile. There is a reason these spices used to be as precious as gold! They are incredibly medicinal and truly healing.
Turmeric has been regarded for many years and is a well-known medicinal
component in curry. The hype is for good reason and that is why I always reach for this yellow spice to brighten my recipes. When we are bombarded by pollutants from all angles, turmeric is the superhero that helps to fight free radicals wreaking havoc on the body. On top of that, this golden spice is known to improve immunity, ease joint pain, protect the heart, and heal the gut.
Not sure where to start with turmeric? This recipe is a great starting point! It takes a few minutes and only has a few ingredients, but it will blow you away with flavor. It’s a crowd pleaser, so bring it to the next dinner party you attend!
Written and photography by BRIANNA BEARD
1 ½ cup raw cashews
5 cups carrot, peeled and chopped
3 soft medjool dates
1 clove garlic
½ teaspoon red curry paste
(or 1 teaspoon curry powder)
2 teaspoons dried turmeric powder
(or a pinky-sized nub of fresh turmeric)
1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
1 teaspoon sea salt
In a food processor, first, grind the cashews into tiny pieces (not into butter). Then, add the remaining ingredients and process again until well combined. If the food processor is being stubborn and everything is sticking to the sides, you can add small amounts of water at a time until everything blends into a smooth and thick patê.
CARROT CASHEW CURRY PATÊ
THE WITCH DOCTOR
Unleash the mysterious allure of “The Witch Doctor”—a dark rum cocktail that casts a spell on your taste buds with its bold flavors and irresistible charm. Be sure to try it next time you’re at Heaton’s or Cobalt, or test your bartending skills at home! Please remember to always drink responsibly.
2oz Papa’s Pilar Vero Barrel Select Rye Barrel Aged Dark Rum
½ oz Miso Honey Syrup
1oz Hoodoo Chicory liqueur 3 Dashes Smoked Chili Bitters
Shake, strain over large ice cube, garnish with dehydrated chili pepper, and enjoy!
Cocktail by JACOB TURNER
Photography by BRITTANY NORAIR
REVITALIZE YOUR ROUTINE
The Benefits of Adaptogens and a Refreshing Mocktail Recipe
The term “adaptogen” has become a buzzword lately, but what does it mean? Adaptogens are any plant, herb, root, or extract said to help our bodies resist and manage stress. They adapt to our body’s needs—hence the name! Ginseng, turmeric, ashwagandha, schisandra berry, holy basil, and lion’s mane mushroom are all common adaptogens.
Adaptogens have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, and it seems the western world is finally catching on—and for good reason. Ginseng (panax ginseng) may improve psychologic function and immune
function, and exercise performance. Turmeric is a powerhouse anti-inflammatory. Ashwagandha may increase muscle strength and endurance, lower cortisol to help with stress and anxiety, and boost the immune system. Schisandra berry is an antioxidant and has been shown to aid the liver and nervous system. Though these plants are all very different, there’s a common thread in many adaptogens: antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, the ability to lower cortisol (stress hormone), and immune system support.
This mocktail recipe features a non-alcoholic adaptogenic spirit including suntheanine, moringa,
choline, bitartrate, panax ginseng, vitamin B3, and vitamin B12. Designed to elevate mood, boost energy, and sharpen focus, it’s the perfect way to enjoy a mindful, stress-free sip on a beautiful spring afternoon.
Written and photography by
GABRIELLE MONAHAN
ELECTRIC DRAGON FRUIT MOJITO
Frozen Dragon Fruit Cubes
2oz Aplós Arise: Non-Alcoholic Spirit
Infused With Adaptogens
4-6 oz Sparkling Water
½oz Agave
Dash of Lime Juice
Fresh Mint (for muddling and garnishing)
Muddle the dragon fruit, mint, agave, and lime juice. Then, add ice to a glass, Aplós Arise, and top with sparkling water. Garnish with mint and dragon fruit cubes. Cheers to your health!
In 2023, Gabby founded Evergreen Curated; combining her two passions of normalizing non-alcoholic beverages and helping people consume products with better ingredients. Since then, she’s curated a full range of non-alcoholic products including wine, spirits, beer, aperitifs, ready-to-drink mocktails, bitters, mixers, functional beverages, and more. Evergreen Curated offers private bartending for events and regularly attends local events to share alcohol alternatives with the community. For more information, visit EvergreenCurated.com, or email hello@evergreencurated.com. Follow along on @evergreen.curated.
Artwork by MELISSA LAKEY
Artwork by MELISSA LAKEY
EXPLORING THE NIGHT HERON
A Fascinating Florida Resident
Southeast Florida is home to an incredible array of bird species, from majestic wading birds to colorful songbirds. Among them, the Black-crowned Night Heron stands out— not for its size or color, but for its secretive, nocturnal habits. Often overshadowed by more popular herons, this fascinating bird plays a vital role in Florida’s wetland ecosystems.
Unlike the tall and slender Great Blue Heron, the Blackcrowned Night Heron has a stockier build. It has a short neck, a thick body, and relatively short legs. Adults are easily recognizable by their striking plumage. These birds have a black crown and back that play contrast to their pale, gray wings. The black crowns also have bright red eyes, a feature that enhances their night vision. Juveniles, on the other hand, look quite different. They are brown with white streaks, helping them blend into their surroundings for protection from predators.
Southeast Florida provides an ideal environment for the Black-crowned Night Heron. They are commonly found in
mangroves, coastal estuaries, freshwater swamps, and even rookery islands. They thrive in places where ample food and safe nesting sites are available. They feast on a variety of species such as fish, small amphibians, crustaceans, insects, and worms. As their name suggests, Black-crowned Night Herons are most active at dusk and during the night. They are opportunistic feeders, often hunting along the edges of shallow water. Unlike Great Egrets and other herons that patiently stand still and wait for prey, Black-crowned Night Herons often stir up the water with their feet to startle hidden prey before striking.
If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of this elusive heron, the best time is around dusk or early morning. Some of the best places to spot them in southeast Florida include: Wakodahatchee Wetlands (Delray Beach), Green Cay Nature Center (Boynton Beach), Everglades National Park, and Big Cypress National Preserve. Look for them perched quietly in trees or standing near the water’s edge, waiting to strike at passing fish.
The Black-crowned Night Heron may not be as famous as the Great Blue Heron or as flashy as the Roseate Spoonbill, but it is a fascinating and important part of Florida’s ecosystem. As a skilled nocturnal hunter, they help maintain the balance of wetland food chains by controlling fish and insect populations. Next time you’re exploring southeast Florida’s wetlands, keep an eye out for this secretive bird. With patience and a little luck, you just might spot one quietly watching the water, waiting for its next meal.
Written by BRIAN BECKNER
Photography by ASHBY BECKNER
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of reeling in your own dinner from the deep blue waters off Vero Beach. On a summer morning, with the sun rising behind you and the Gulf Stream stretching out like glass, there’s an unspoken promise of adventure. Out there— where the warm current meets the Florida coast—mahi-mahi, blackfin tuna, and snapper thrive. With a little luck, they’ll soon become the centerpiece of an unforgettable dinner.
One of my favorite parts of running Down Sea Charters is giving people the full experience—not just the thrill of catching fish but the satisfaction of sitting down later that day and enjoying it, prepared to perfection. It’s something special,
something primal even, to chase down your own food and then taste the reward. In a place like Vero Beach, where the culinary scene embraces fresh, local ingredients, it doesn’t get much better.
A typical summer trip starts with an early run offshore, watching for birds diving on baitfish or floating weed lines where mahi-mahi like to gather. Mahi are one of my favorite fish to catch. They hit hard, fight like crazy, and their electric green, gold, and blue colors almost don’t look real when they hit the deck. Plus—they taste incredible. If the bite is hot, it’s not unusual for my crew and I to have a cooler full of mahi and even a few blackfin tuna by midday. The real magic happens when we get back to the dock. One of the best
parts of fishing in Vero Beach is that several local restaurants will take your fresh catch and turn it into a gourmet meal. Places like The Tides or Ocean Grill will do what’s called a “hook and cook,” where they’ll prepare your fish however you like—blackened, grilled, seared, you name it —and serve it alongside local sides and signature cocktails. There’s something about biting into a perfectly seared mahi filet, knowing that just hours earlier, you were out there fighting it in 150 feet of water. When you pair it with a cold drink and a Vero Beach sunset… That’s coastal living at its finest. Some of my guests love the idea of taking their fish home to cook it themselves, and we’re happy to filet and package it up for them.
For those who want the full experience, I always recommend heading straight from the dock to one of our local spots and letting a chef work their magic. Seared blackfin tuna with a wasabi aioli, crispy snapper with tropical salsa, or grilled mahi tacos—it just doesn’t get any fresher than that. I think what makes catch-and-cook so special is the connection it creates—between you, the ocean, and your meal. You fought for that fish, felt the power of it in your hands, and now you get to taste the reward. It’s more than just dinner; it’s a memory.
So, if you find yourself in Vero Beach this summer, I invite you to step aboard Down Sea Charters. We’ll chase mahi, tuna, or whatever’s biting—and when we get back, I’ll point you to one of the best restaurants in town to turn your fresh catch into a five-star meal. Trust me—the best dining experience in Vero Beach starts 10 miles offshore, with a bent rod and a cooler full of fish. When you take that first bite, you’ll know exactly what I mean.
Written and photography by SAM
ATWELL
Down Sea Charters offers inshore, nearshore, and offshore charters. Contact Captain Sam Atwell at Sam@DownSeaCharters.com, or call (772) 532-9347. Follow along on @CaptSamAtwell
BRUSHSTROKES FROM THE WILD
Creating Enriching Environments for Animal Ambassadors
Over 200 wild animal ambassadors call the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary home. They are former patients of its wildlife hospital and have suffered permanent impairments, usually at the hands of humans. Whether they have been hit by cars, attacked by people’s pets, or even declawed by someone trying to make them a pet, their lives have been changed forever. Freedom is no longer an option and their life takes on a new purpose teaching the sanctuary’s guests about Florida’s fragile ecosystems and how to embrace conservation efforts.
A top priority for the Busch Wildlife staff and volunteers is the ambassadors’ well-being, both physically, mentally, and emotionally. To stave off a sense of boredom in captive life, the keepers work hard to create everchanging and enriching environments with different scents, toys, puzzles, and even painting. A blank canvas is laid before them with safe, watersoluble paint splattered around. These inquisitive creatures will investigate and explore, sticking their nose and feet in the paint and on the canvas. This playtime is combined with training
them to touch a target for a reward to make the experience extra engaging and rewarding. While it might seem like this is all fun and games to animals, it is an important lesson in bonding with their caretakers, feeling safe in their new homes, and using free-will training to shape their behaviors for a better quality of life.
While you can purchase their masterpieces in the sanctuary’s gift shop and all proceeds go back to the mission of wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education, you can also take your artistic skills to the next level and come paint with them! You can request your animal painting partner, pick your custom color palette, and participate in a VIP training session. To schedule your own interactive art experience, please email the sanctuary’s Chief Operating Officer, Christen Mason, at cmason@buschwildlife.org. Come paint with us!
Written and photography provided by AMY J. KIGHT
Amy Kight is the Chief Executive Officer for the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary at the Abramson & Schlaggar Reserve. The BWS is a non-profit organization with more than 40 years of dedication to Florida wildlife conservation and education. The sanctuary is open to the public seven days a week from 10am to 4:30pm and hosts a variety of events throughout the year. For more information, visit buschwildlife.org or follow on @BuschWildlife.
Artwork by MELISSA LAKEY
HONORING THE PROCESS
One of the most interesting things that I have noticed in my work about the human species is our tendency to focus on the starting point. Usually, a current life situation has triggered our need or desire for change and the end point that we want to see happen, the final vision. There is very little conversation about the middle part which is navigating the ups and downs, experiencing the discomfort that comes with change, the devotion required, the resistance that shows up, and the time it takes.
In today’s day and age, or maybe always, we want whatever we want and we want it now. The “instant gratification” conditioning is more notable than ever and has instilled in us nothing but an unrealistic approach to life, goals, and the spiritual and emotional process. I consult with people every day who are frustrated by their “lack” of progress, which ends up layering with the struggles that brought them to me in the first place.
The truth is, change is gradual. You can’t rush healing and it’s a process. We cannot change that, but we can change the approach. Instead of meeting with resistance, we meet with curiosity, patience, and devotion. As Alan Watts would say, “the step back is also part of the dance.”
All this to say... you are always where you need to be. Make room for the discomfort because ironically enough, the more you
push back, the more it will present itself. Breathe, be intentional, focus on the now (it’s where you build) and eventually you will “conquer your mountain.” Only to find that there are many more mountains to be conquered. May we learn to see and honor the process.
Written by VICKY DOMINGUEZ
For more information and to inquire about 1:1 offerings and workshops, contact Vicky Dominguez by email at ByMeditacionesDeUnaLoca@gmail.com. Follow Soulfully: nner Work & Meditation on @ByMeditacionesDeUnaLoca.
Photography by SAM MGRDICHIAN
THE WEDDING PEOPLE
A Novel by Alison Espach
Everyone knows that spring is a time for weddings, and if you are like me, you have at least one or two to attend this year. So, I thought what better book to recommend than one that will make you look around the next wedding you attend and wonder…
I initially picked up The Wedding People by Alison Espach because I was looking for a light, easy book to listen to while walking and doing chores. While the topics weren’t exactly “light” or “easy,” I ended up listening to this story non-stop, even while working and shopping. I couldn’t put it down!
This witty, entertaining, darkly humorous novel is the story of a woman, Phoebe, who is struggling with some very difficult life events and ends up at a luxury hotel in Newport, Rhode Island—a destination she had dreamed of visiting on a romantic getaway with her husband. Except that her husband has left her for another woman and now she is there alone, wearing a fancy, green dress, high heels, and without any luggage. She won’t need more clothes for what she has planned. As she checks into the hotel, she finds herself surrounded by “the wedding people” and she discovers that, due to a booking mishap, she is the only guest of the hotel that isn’t a part of a large, upscale, indulgent wedding that has taken over the entire hotel. No bother, she thinks. All she needs is one night to carry out her plan.
When she meets the bride in the elevator— an annoying, entitled, but also beautiful and somewhat endearing young woman who thought she had planned for every possible thing that could go wrong at her wedding
(everything except Phoebe that is)—a chain of events begins that changes both of their lives forever.
The events that unfold over the course of the wedding week are comical, ironic, frustrating, annoying, and quite hilarious. I found myself laughing out loud several times and wishing every wedding was this interesting! Espach does a fabulous job navigating the complexities of each character, their various personalities, and tough topics such as selfishness, strained family relationships, betrayal, unmet expectations, and loneliness, but she also explores love. Love for others of course (it’s a wedding, after all), but also love for one’s self. As Phoebe interacts with these wedding people, she discovers a lot about
different types of love, and most importantly, she discovers who she truly is, who she wants to be, how she wants to interact with the world around her and how much she actually loves it all.
This is a great book club book. The narration was excellent if you choose to listen. The cover art tells a story and depicts my favorite champagne. What else could you want in a book?
Written by KIRSTEN KOWALSKI
Photography by PAUL PASTOURMATZIS
Follow Kirsten Kowalski's writing career and book recommendations on @KirstenKowalski_Author and at Kirsten Hunt Kowalski, Author.
the locals
LIFESTYLE, ART & FASHION
LPL CREATIONS
55 Royal Palm Pointe Vero Beach, FL (772) 559-0395
LPLCreations.com
PAINTED SKY FARMS
7025 41st Street Vero Beach, FL (772) 766-3391
Painted-SkyVero.com
PAKMAIL BEACHSIDE
505 Beachland Boulevard, Suite #1 Vero Beach, FL (772) 231-0021
PakMail.com
RIVERSIDE THEATRE
3250 Riverside Park Drive Vero Beach, FL (772) 231-6990
RiversideTheatre.com
SALT & SPURS P.O Box 643022
Vero Beach, FL
Howdy@SaltnSpurs.com SaltnSpurs.com
SASSY BOUTIQUE
3365 Ocean Drive Vero Beach, FL (772) 234-3998 SassyBoutique.com
SEA GLASS BOUTIQUE
3500 Ocean Drive Vero Beach, FL (772) 774-4965
VeroBeachHotelAndSpa.com/ Sea-Glass-Boutique
ST. EDWARDS SCHOOL 1895 St. Edwards Drive Vero Beach, FL (772) 231-4136
StEds.org
VERNON SCOTT 818 Beachland Boulevard Vero Beach, FL (772) 231-3733
VernonScott32963.com
the spread
FOOD & DRINK
AMERICAN ICON BREWERY
1133 19th Place Vero Beach, FL (772) 934-4266
AmericanIconBrewery.com
COBALT RESTAURANT
3500 Ocean Drive
Vero Beach, FL (772) 469-1060
CobaltRestaurant.com
HEATON’S
3500 Ocean Drive
Vero Beach, FL (772) 231-5666
CobaltRestaurant.com
PETERSON GROVES & NURSERY
3375 66th Avenue
Vero Beach, FL (772) 562-6900
THE WAVE KITCHEN & BAR
3244 Ocean Drive
Vero Beach, FL (772) 410-0100
the abode
HOME & GARDEN
ABBATE TILE AND MARBLE
1136 Old Dixie Highway Vero Beach, FL (772) 569-9113
Abbate.net
CATHY CURLEY
DALE SORENSEN REAL ESTATE
3206 Cardinal Drive Vero Beach, FL (772) 559-1359
DARLING CONSTRUCTION
622 Beachland Boulevard Suite 101
Vero Beach, FL (772) 978-6502
DarlingBuilt.com
JETSON TV & APPLIANCE
1231 20th Street
Vero Beach, FL (772) 567-3200
ShopJetson.com
JOHN’S ISLAND
REAL ESTATE COMPANY
1 Johns Island Drive
Vero Beach, FL (772) 231-0900
JohnsIslandRealEstate.com
LIFESTYLE SOLAR
POWERED HOMES
3453 W. New Haven Avenue Melbourne, FL (321) 727-8188
CAPTAIN SAM ATWELL DOWNSEA CHARTERS (772) 532-9347 Sam@DownseaCharters.com
COSTA D’ESTE BEACH RESORT & SPA 3244 Ocean Drive Vero Beach, FL (772) 562-9919
PURSUIT BOATS
3901 St. Lucie Boulevard Fort Pierce, FL (772) 465-6006 PursuitBoats.com
VERO MOUNTAIN VeroMountain.com
the nourished HEALTH, WEALTH
& HAPPINESS
C|SPA AT COSTA D’ESTE 3244 Ocean Drive Vero Beach, FL (772) 410-0101
FLORIDA CANCER SPECIALISTS
3730 7th Terrace, Suite 101 Vero Beach, FL (772) 567-2332
INDIAN RIVER ACUPUNCTURE & INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 1345 36th Street, Suite H Vero Beach, FL (772) 564-8383 IndianRiverAcupuncture.com
LEVEL YOGA: ON CARDINAL 3055 Cardinal Drive, Suite #106 Vero Beach, FL (772) 365-4407 LevelYogaStudio.com
LEVEL YOGA: ON THE POINTE 29 Royal Palm Pointe, Suite #2 Vero Beach, FL (772) 365-4407 LevelYogaStudio.com
STUDIO GABRIEL SALON, SPA & BOUTIQUE
2855 Ocean Drive Vero Beach, FL (772) 234-8105
StudioGabriel.com
BOUGAINVILLEA LN
BEACHLAND BLVD
LN
LN
RIOMAR DRIVE
CAMELIA
FLAMEVINE
1. Cathy Curley Realtor
Cobalt
Costa d’ Este Resort
Darling Construction
Heaton’s
Level Yoga
Pakmail Beachside
8. Riverside Theatre 9. Sassy Boutique
10. Sea Glass Boutique 11. Saint Edward's School
Studio Gabriel
Vernon Scott
Town of Vero Beach
Cancer doesn’t wait. Neither do we.
When you’re diagnosed with cancer, every minute matters — our nearly 100 statewide locations and in-house pathology lab ensure that your treatment is timely and personalized.
With lab results returned faster than the national average, our team of precision oncology experts takes action to quickly match each patient’s data with the appropriate targeted therapy or clinical trial.
