VIE Magazine January / February 2017

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In this issue On the Cover

VIE is excited to introduce its first-ever Health & Beauty issue. On the cover, hairstylist and model Brooke Miller radiates grace and positivity. With her outgoing personality, Miller tends to bring a smile to those around her, and

96

HAPPINESS IS IN STYLE!

THE LULULEMON BRAND HAS MADE WAVES IN THE WORLD OF ATHLETIC CLOTHING, BUT THERE’S SO MUCH MORE TO IT THAN THAT.

we have enjoyed working with her on many photo shoots over the past several years. See Miller’s handiwork in the “Easy, Breezy Resort Updo” how-to piece on page 62, and read about the true meaning of recognizing the beauty in everything with our feature, “Going Acoustic,” on page 38. Miller’s angelic image was captured in sunny Pensacola, Florida, by portrait enthusiast Sohail Chouhan. Makeup by Dawn Hamil.

FEATURE 38 Going Acoustic: The Beauty in Everything

C’EST LA VIE CURATED COLLECTION: HEALTH AND BEAUTY 70

LA CONVERSATION 19

VOYAGER 77

INSPIRATIONAL MUSINGS 21 The Gift of Love

from Pedego

SARTORIAL 93

24 In a World of Questions, Love Is the Answer

94 Spectacular Specs from Dior

30 Arts in Medicine

96 Lululemon’s Pathway to Bliss 100 Peace, Love, and Maha Loka

44 Put Your Best Face Forward in 2017

LA VITALITÉ 105

46 The Painted Lady: Ashley Longshore for

106 Find Your Fit: Tips from the Experts

Clé de Peau Beauté

108 An Inspirational Journey: Living with Multiple Sclerosis

52 Beauty Spotlight: Cosmetic Vein and Laser Center

54 From Soles to Scents: Designing with Christian Louboutin

60 Beauty Spotlight: Destin Plastic Surgery TheIdeaBoutique.com info@theideaboutique.com

88 A Greener Way to Travel: Biking Gets a Boost

L’AMOUR 23

LA BEAUTÉ 37

PUBLISHED BY

78 Don’t Worry, Be Happy: The Place That Has It All

62 How-To: Easy, Breezy Resort Updo 66 Makeup Tips for a Radiant New You

112 Chasing the Dream: A Dedicated Life 118 VitalityPro: The True Body Workout

LA SCÈNE 122 AU REVOIR! 129 V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 13

CREATIVE TEAM FOUNDER / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LISA MARIE BURWELL Lisa@VIEmagazine.com

FOUNDER / PUBLISHER GERALD BURWELL Gerald@VIEmagazine.com

EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR JORDAN STAGGS Jordan@VIEmagazine.com

CHIEF COPY EDITOR MARGARET STEVENSON CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SALLIE W. BOYLES, DR. WILLIAM BURDEN, PAMEL A DOWLING, LISA FERRICK, TOM LOSEE, SYDNEY LOVEL ACE, K AREN MEADOWS, BROOKE MILLER, DR. KIMBERLY MOSKOWITZ, ZOLTAN NAGY, JAMIE PARKER, TORI PHELPS, NICHOL AS S. RACHEOTES, ANGEL A RAGSDALE, ANNE W. SCHULTZ, STEPHANIE SHAIA, JACOB SUMMERS, JOHN THORNDIKE, MYRANDA TRUST Y, BRUCE WAYNE, DR. STEVEN WEINER

ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY ART DIRECTOR TRACEY THOMAS Tracey@VIEmagazine.com

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR LUCY MASHBURN FILM CURATORS AMANDA CROWLEY, TIM DUTROW GRAPHIC DESIGNER RINN GARL ANGER CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS SOHAIL CHOUHAN, HELGA ESTEB, LISA FERRICK, CHERYL GERBER, DARREN GERRISH, BRENNA KNEISS, MIKE MARSL AND, ROMONA ROBBINS, PAUL SHERWOOD, DAWN CHAPMAN WHITT Y, EDINA KISS PHOTOGRAPHY, JACQUELINE WARD IMAGES

ADVERTISING, SALES, AND MARKETING DIGITAL MARKETING DIRECTOR MEGHN HILL WEB DEVELOPER MARK THOMAS BRANCH OFFICE MANAGER – IRELAND SHARON DUANE MARKETING MANAGER AMANDA CROWLEY CREATIVE STYLIST SUVA ANG-MENDOZA SALES AND MARKETING DIRECTOR L AUREN SHAW Lauren@VIEmagazine.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE MARY JANE KIRBY MaryJane@VIEmagazine.com

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER TIM DUTROW DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR SHANNON QUINL AN

VIE is a registered trademark. All contents herein are Copyright © 2008–2016 Cornerstone Marketing and Advertising, Incorporated (Publisher). All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher. VIE is a lifestyle magazine and is published six times annually on a bimonthly schedule. The opinions herein are not necessarily those of the Publisher. The Publisher and its advertisers will not be held responsible for any errors found in this publication. The Publisher is not liable for the accuracy of statements made by its advertisers. Ads that appear in this publication are not intended as offers where prohibited by state law. The Publisher is not responsible for photography or artwork submitted by freelance or outside contributors. The Publisher reserves the right to publish any letter addressed to the editor or the Publisher. VIE is a paid publication. Subscription rates: Digital magazine (iPad only) – One-year $11.99; Two-year $17.99 / Printed magazine – One-year $29.95; Two-year $54.95. Subscriptions can be purchased online at www.VIEmagazine.com.

14 | JA NUA R Y / FE B R UARY 2017

Editor's Note

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH Dear Friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.

—3 JOHN 1:2 “If you have your health you have everything.” My grandmother, Nannie Ryan, used to say that almost every time I saw her, closing her remark with “thanks be to God.” I vividly recall her saying this and I thought it was nice, but I was an invincible teenager then and it wouldn’t be until later in life that I realized truer words were never spoken. No matter what you’re going through in life, if you can walk, see, breathe, eat, and lend someone else a helping hand, you have riches beyond gold because gold can’t help you when you are sick. We live in a health-conscious society, yet sickness still seems to affect so many. As more people have adopted healthy lifestyles that include eating organic foods, taking vitamins, exercising, and trying to maintain overall good health, others cannot do these things due to a myriad of reasons: poverty, poor nutrition habits, lack of education, or an overall malaise, to name a few. Good health is an absolute blessing and should never be taken for granted. I remind myself of this fact every time I am overwhelmed by the cares of this world—and there are many—and pause for a moment to reflect on how fortunate I am to be alive and in good health.

I speak from experience. When I was in my thirties and married a little over a year, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, just like countless others have been—too many, in fact. Unfortunately, I had also witnessed some of my extended family members die from cancer, so when I heard the word, which back then was dreadfully referred to as “the big C,” I was devastated. A long faith-filled battle, praying to stay alive and be well, was fought over the course of a year. One of my fervent prayers was that I would not need chemotherapy or radiation, and this was answered.

Thanks be to God! I have since talked to many women who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer and offered hope, compassion, and prayer, and every one of them is still alive today and actually thriving. I am not sure if I would walk in the same gratitude that I do today had I not encountered mortality at an early age. I hardly ever talk about this as it’s been over eighteen years, but something about publishing an issue dedicated to health and beauty prompted my candor about what I’d long considered a private matter from my past. Much of beauty is found in gratitude and a thankful heart, and that is what I wanted to share. Of course, like many, I am obsessed with all that modern skin care, cosmetics, and

Founder/Editor-In-Chief Lisa Burwell Photo by Gerald Burwell

a healthy lifestyle have to offer, but I find that I feel most beautiful and happy when I am grateful.

One of our feature stories, “In a World of Questions, Love Is the Answer” by John Thorndike—author of The Last of His Mind—chronicles the last year he spent on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, caring for his father, who was afflicted with Alzheimer’s. It’s an excellent read and it struck me to the core; I could relate to much of what he recounted as my father passed away, also from Alzheimer’s, two years ago at this time of year. I asked John if he would contribute an article for our readers in our first Health & Beauty issue from the vantage point that maybe, when it’s within our power to do so, caring for a loved one at home may be the kindest act of love we can share.

To a healthy, prosperous new year and to Life!

—Lisa Marie Founder/Editor-In-Chief V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 15

La conversation

A STEP BACK in TIME AS WE BEGIN OUR TENTH YEAR OF STORYTELLING, WE’RE LOOKING BACK ON SOME OF OUR FAVORITE READER FEEDBACK. LET’S GET THE CONVERSATION STARTED IN 2017!

@kchenoweth Today Times Square @viemagazine, tomorrow @HSN. #grateful

@brettbulthuis Front and center @jfkairport with my cover for @viemagazine … I’m still obsessed with the Modern Minimalist Issue!

@csiriano Dreaming back to our cinematic shoot in Ireland with @viemagazine #ChristianSiriano

@erintaylorhair So regal! This lady is grace and beauty. Now in @viemagazine, the stunning @morganajames. @maharajapatiala @alexis. barbera @mimiprober designs @fancycamps Lovely lounge! Still swooning over this shoot with @viemagazine

LET’S TALK!

@connemaralife Say cheers this holiday season with Flaming Leprechaun, an award-winning line of distilled spirits! Check out some delicious cocktail recipes Colleen Coffield Sachs made for our sister publication, @viemagazine, using Flaming Leprechaun’s rum, whiskey, and gin!

Send VIE your comments and photos on our social media channels or by e-mailing us at info@viemagazine. We’d love to hear your thoughts. They could end up in the next La conversation! @romeyroe Even in the darkest of times, beauty still exists. Still loving this beautiful shot by the late @sheilagoode for @viemagazine. Accessories by @arriagapearls, model @maleenapruitt

VIEmagazine.com

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 19

digitalgraffiti.com

Inspirational Musings

THE GIFT of LOVE Dear Friend, I write this as I remember my best friend in the world. You probably have one too— you know, the one you do everything with and tell everything to? What a gift!

You see, two years ago in November, my friend went to heaven. I had in my life— as we all sometimes have—what I call a “911 moment,” the kind of moment that you will always remember where you were and what you were doing at the time the event happened. In this case, the event was my friend calling me at work to tell me that she had just been diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer. It had spread to her liver as well.

I fell apart. I could not believe what I had just heard. I could not imagine life without my friend. She was a special treasure from God. I was blessed to have this person in my life for several years, as she taught me many things. For one thing, I learned to be open and honest about my feelings. Often, we may think something but never speak it out loud. After all, what would others think of us? I used a phrase many times with my friend, as I would observe that it appeared she was being blessed in so many ways, and I felt in my heart that perhaps God just liked her best and that maybe she was more pleasing to Him than I was.

Instead of just keeping this thought to myself, I would laughingly say, “I think God likes you best!” Of course, she would always reply back, “No, He doesn’t.”

One day, however, I said that very statement to her, and she simply said, “Well, if you think so.” I was really taken aback. The Bible says in Proverbs 23:7 that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. For me, in my heart, I truly believed that God liked her better, that he loved her—and pretty much everyone else—more than me. I always felt that I was just not quite good enough. I felt that there was something lacking within me. My friend had made that comment to provoke me into taking a look at what was truly in my heart. She knew that God did not love her more. It was her sincere desire for me to know it in my heart and not just in my head. As a matter of fact, that was one of our last conversations.

As I began to think about this over time, what I saw within my heart was that I compared myself to my friend. I always felt that I did not quite measure up. Have you ever had a thought like that? I would venture to say most of us have. You see it all

the time, especially in our world today, where so much is focused on our appearance and achievements in life.

But if we believe that our looks, our career, (or lack thereof ), our spouse (or lack of one), or any number of things in some way make us more acceptable to God and His love, then we are greatly deceived, and our true identity in Him is misplaced. If we base our perception of God’s love for us on anything other than His eternal word, then we will be like the dog chasing its tail. We will always be looking to fill the void within our hearts.

The truth is that God loves each of us the same. Can you open your heart and allow that love to flow and receive all that He has to give you with gratitude?

I will leave you with this. In Mark 12:30–31 are the two greatest commandments of all: Love God and love your neighbor as you love yourself.

So you see, God not only loves you, but His desire is for you to love Him, love yourself, and in turn love your neighbors as well.

Blessings, Pamela Dowling V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 21

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L’amour

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V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 23

L’amour

IN A WORLD OF QUESTIONS, LOVE IS THE ANSWER

By John Thorndike Illustrations by Suva Ang-Mendoza

In early 2005, as my father’s dementia grew worse, it seemed unlikely that he would live out his days at home. All talk was to the contrary.

A neuropsychologist, after diagnosing “advanced second-stage dementia, most likely caused by Alzheimer’s,” urged me to investigate the memory care units at local nursing homes.

There, he explained, was where an Alzheimer’s patient would almost certainly wind up, once his family could no longer take care of him.

24 | JA NUA R Y / FE B R UARY 2017

he psychologist was an expert with a PhD. His specialty was dementia; he ran a memory center on Cape Cod, and clearly he was familiar with both the progression of the disease and the difficulties of caring for such patients. “He’ll have good days and bad,” he said of my father, “but in the end, if he lives long enough, he’ll forget everything.” Well before that, he would have to be moved to an institutional home.

Both my brothers believed the same thing. The time was coming, they felt—and soon—when care for our father would be more than we could handle.

I wasn’t sure. At the time of his diagnosis, Dad couldn’t remember the day of the week, could only name one recent US president, and couldn’t spell “world” backwards. But he could still shower and use the bathroom by himself, and he could still carry on a logical but limited conversation. For now, at least, I wasn’t going to move him into a nursing home. I knew this because only months before he’d made it clear to me that he wanted nothing to do with such places.

In the fall, I’d taken him to visit one of his oldest friends, Oliver Jensen, who was slowly forgetting everything, in a Connecticut nursing home. On the day we arrived, Oliver was alternately cheerful and confused. His room was large and bright, but there was almost nothing in it. There were no books, not even the books he had written himself while working with my father at the magazine they started, American Heritage. Oliver was belted into a wheelchair and could not go outside on his own. He knew my father, and perhaps, he knew me, and he seemed glad to see us. But periodically, in the midst of our conversation, his head would drop onto his chest, and he he’d go to sleep. Waking a few minutes later, he would repeat his initial greeting: “So, where have you two come from today?”

If this unnerved my father, I couldn’t see it. Nor did he respond when some woman down the hall started screaming. For fifteen minutes, she screamed and went silent, screamed and went silent. Oliver didn’t seem to notice either, but to me, it sounded like bedlam. Someone was in physical or emotional pain, and could nothing be done about it?

After ninety minutes, my dad and I took our leave, passing the double row of wheelchaired patients inside the building’s front door. Almost all of them were old, some looked ancient, and many stared as if into a void. Once outside, my father hobbled across the parking lot to our car, looking more bent than when we arrived. For ten minutes, as I drove, he slumped in his seat against the car door. Then he gathered himself, sat up straight and said, “Don’t ever put me in a place like that.”

According to the AARP, 90 percent of US seniors want to spend their last years at home. It’s what I’ll want, I’m sure, and it’s definitely what my father wanted. The previous summer, after watching the first signs of his confusion, both my brothers offered him a place to live. But he didn’t want to move to Vermont or Virginia; he wanted to stay in his own house. That was why, following a troubled Christmas, I left my own home in Ohio and moved in with him on Cape Cod.

Neither of my brothers could have made such a move. One had a busy law practice, the other a teaching job and a two-year-old daughter, and both were married to women who also had jobs. I was single. I’d spent the last few years building houses and was now renting out eight of them, but I knew I could find a friend or agent to take care them. I was available, and my father needed me—my father who had done so much for me my whole life and almost never asked anything in return—just that one stark plea: “Don’t ever put me in a place like that.”

And my father needed me— my father who had done so much for me my whole life and almost never asked anything in return—just that one stark plea: “Don’t ever put me in a place like that.”

Though barely aware of it at the time, I had another motivation. Thirty years earlier, I had not looked after my mother when she had been desperate, and she had died alone, at the age of fifty-seven, on the floor of her New York apartment. There were reasons for my negligence: I had a two-year-old son, my wife was descending into schizophrenia, and I was living half in the United States and half in Central America. Family life is complex, with money, time, and emotional inclination all playing a role when it comes to looking after our parents. However, from my father, I’d had a direct request.

I remember the low-level panic that gripped me on my first nights at his house, as I lay on one of my grandparents’ horsehair mattresses. “I’ve been here two days,” I thought; “I’ve been here three days.”

Instead, it felt like weeks or months. Here, time would stretch out without my friends, without volleyball, tennis, and dancing. This year I would plant no garden, and travel nowhere. I’d known all this was coming, but it was still a shock.

At the same time, looking after my father was easy, at least at the start. For over thirty years, he’d taken V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 25

L’amour care of himself, and he didn’t like to think I’d moved in because he was failing. Between us, for months, we sustained a small falsehood about my stay, pretending that I was only there for a visit. I cooked for him; I took care of his meds; I took him to his doctor, dentist, and podiatrist appointments, and at night, we watched the news or sometimes a movie, until television no longer made sense to him.

I became aware, over those first months, of how many things helped make the job easier for me: The fact that he was ninety-one. What, I thought, if he’d been twenty years younger? I had a friend whose father was in his early seventies and thought his wife was a woman he’d hired to clean his house and cook his meals. The care for someone that age, newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, could easily go on for a decade or more. No, my father was already old, which put a probable cap on how long I would have to look after him.

Support from my brothers, especially the one who was a lawyer. He took care of all legal and financial matters, which relieved me of a huge burden.

Money. My brothers had agreed to pay me, out of my dad’s account, $1,000 a week. This was more than I’d ever earned in my life, and whenever some resentment surfaced about my seven-days-a-week schedule, this paycheck soon calmed me.

We’re supposed to care for our loved ones because it’s the right thing to do, but I was always aware of how much that salary helped. I was also aware of how most caregivers do not get paid, or paid enough, for all they do.

Recognition. Though I pretended otherwise, I liked telling my friends back in Ohio or people I met on the Cape that I’d given up my own life to look after my father. The truly enlightened caregiver might never consider what other people think. Who among us is so pure? There were plenty of small lost moments when I was buoyed by the approval of others.

My father’s gentle nature. Dementia can thoroughly change a patient, and after talking to hundreds of caregivers over the last ten years, it seems to me the luck of the draw as to which patient will prove calm and polite and which will start insulting or even thrashing those close to him. My dad grew confused, but he was rarely angry or resentful.

Can you see what an easy time I had of it compared to how it might have been and compared to how it is for many caregivers? I’ve been humbled, over and over, by how many have spent five, ten, or fifteen years caring for someone with severe dementia or some other debilitating condition such as Parkinson’s, MS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, cerebral palsy, and others.

Millions of people sacrifice, every day, to keep family members out of facilities they don’t want to be in.

Dementia can thoroughly change a patient. My dad grew confused, but he was rarely angry or resentful.

Was it worth it? It was for me, though I could not have guessed the rewards beforehand. It was much like child-raising, a job that sometimes threatened to crush me when my son was young, but that later

Opposite: Author John Thorndike and his father, Joseph J. Thorndike

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L’amour

seemed the vital center of my life. (I was lucky not to be one of the “sandwich generation,” taking care of both children and parents at the same time.) Without my father’s decline, I might never have grown so close to him.

I might never have learned to touch him. From my teenage years on, our only touch had been handshakes. Dad came from a restrained New England family, and as I grew up I adopted the same reserve. In the sixties and seventies, as the world loosened up, my brothers and I had begun to hug Dad briefly when we greeted each other or parted. I’m sure that, if it had been up to him, we would have kept it to handshakes—but now, as his dementia and other infirmities grew worse, I helped him dress and undress, helped him in and out of the shower, and helped him onto and off the toilet. I shaved him, I cut his hair, and eventually, I had to clean his bottom. Like all of us, I had feared that job, but when the time came, how simple it was. My brother, no more adaptable than I, learned how to do it overnight, after he took over Dad’s care for ten days, close to the end of his life.

If my father had spent his last days in a home, how much I’d have missed.

I would probably never have pored through all of his letters, papers, and clippings.

He had saved close to ten thousand letters, many of them sent to him, others the carbon copies of letters he’d written and mailed. I read, or at least glanced at, every one of them and learned much about his past as well as a little about my mother.

Before Dad’s nouns fell away, we talked. He told me stories about his years at Life magazine, about the nights he’d spent at Anzio with shells passing overhead like freight trains, about our ancestor who was hanged as a wizard during the Salem trials.

I was able to see that even when deprived of language and memory, even when he couldn’t focus or respond, he was still my father. The vital elements were woven through him: his gestures, his expressions, the occasional and miraculous eruption of a full sentence, or two, or three in a row! This was not some random old man. This was my father, and while at the end he might not have known me, I always knew him.

I was able to see that even when deprived of language and memory, even when he couldn’t focus or respond, he was still my father.

In the evenings, through the long middle stretch of his dementia, I read to him. I read Lieutenant Hornblower and The Wind in the Willows and The Story of Babar, each book simpler than the one before. These restful sessions were the highlight of my day, just as they had been with my son when he was growing up.

Very little of this would have happened if my father had been living in a home.

Over the years, I’ve been in plenty of nursing homes and rehab centers. I was in one last week, visiting a friend who’s recuperating from cancer surgery. The nurses and attendants in these places might be doing their best but, to be blunt,

28 | JA NUA R Y / FE B R UARY 2017

it’s not enough. Their touch cannot carry the same affection. They don’t have the time to sit down and read or talk to their patients. They don’t know their histories. There is never enough staff, and they’re hopelessly busy. What you hear on most wings is television, with the sound of a half dozen sets reverberating up and down the hall.

Halfway through my year on Cape Cod, I called Dotty, a woman who had worked for Oliver Jensen and who still visited him almost daily. She told me how short-handed they were at his nursing home, how they never took him outside, and how they didn’t brush his teeth. She told me she had gone in one morning at eleven and found him lying in his own diarrhea, and how thirty minutes passed before she could get some reluctant help. “Everyone’s in a hurry,” she said. “The feeding room is the worst. I hate to go in there. They purée the food and spoon it in too fast.

There’s always somebody coughing or choking.”

Her conclusion about such homes: “I pray to God I won’t have to go into one of those places.”

I am never going to judge those who wind up putting a parent or spouse in a home. Some cases are simply too difficult, and some caregivers too exhausted. Or even simpler, they don’t want to go on immolating their lives on the altar of doing the right thing. Each person has his own story, her own situation, his own abilities. Home care is not for every caregiver nor every patient. I only want to say that it’s often more feasible than we imagine.

Above all, I don’t advocate for doing the job by yourself. Indeed, from both relatives and professionals, the most common piece of advice you’ll hear is, “You can’t do it alone.” This is especially true as a patient becomes less mobile, can’t make it to the toilet, can’t walk at all. But you don’t have to do it alone. Visiting nurses, physical therapists, counselors, and attendants can help. And since the advent and spread of hospice, even dying at home has become a reasonable choice.

That’s what I wanted for my dad, and what he wanted for himself. And we were not alone in this: for while 60 percent of us still die in acute care hospitals and 20 percent in nursing homes, 80 percent of Americans now say they would prefer to die at home.

Because I was living with him, my dad died in my arms. This was partly by chance, of course, for any morning I might have gone downstairs and found him lying cold in bed. But, as usually happens, I knew his death was coming. The hospice nurse and aides all knew, for we’d watched his decline over the most recent weeks.

For three days, he’d neither eaten nor drunk. Propped up in his hospital bed, he had barely moved in the last twenty-four hours. Still, I didn’t spend every minute with him, and it was somewhat by chance that I went into his room when I did and stood beside him. I put a hand on his chest to feel his heartbeat, and two minutes later, I still had it pressed to him when his heart stopped beating.

I was glad not to share the end of his life with people who hardly knew him. I was glad, too, that we were not in a home or hospital where I’d have felt constrained.

Instead, with just the two of us in his house, I climbed onto his bed and took him in my arms. I embraced him in death as I never could in life—a thought that soon pitched me into the deepest sobbing, loud and shameless.

Dad died around nine in the evening, and I held back from calling hospice until the next morning. I called my brothers, I called my son, and I called a few others, but I wanted more time with my father before the men in black coats came, before they transferred him into a zippered bag and removed his body.

I put a hand on his chest to feel his heartbeat, and two minutes later, I still had it pressed to him when his heart stopped beating.

Over and over during that year, my family helped me. Hospice helped me. The local Alzheimer’s Association, the senior center, a woman who came every day so I could get two hours at the local library—many people helped me. I did not do it alone. But to this day, I am hugely grateful that I did not put my father in a place like that. He wanted to live in his own house and die in his own house, and that was the right choice for both of us.

John Thorndike grew up in New England, graduated from Harvard, received an MA from Columbia, and then spent two years in the Peace Corps in El Salvador, as well as time in Chile and Guatemala. In 1972, he returned to the United States with his son and settled in southern Ohio. For ten years, his day job was farming. Then, it was construction. He is the author of two novels, Anna Delaney’s Child and The Potato Baron, as well as a pair of memoirs: Another Way Home, about raising his son after his wife developed schizophrenia, and The Last of His Mind: A Year in the Shadow of Alzheimer’s.

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L’amour

Arts

IN MEDICINE

By Myranda Trusty Photography by Romona Robbins

S

tudies have shown that the creative arts significantly improve patients’ overall health, resulting in a more holistic treatment of the mind, body, and spirit. This has inspired the incorporation of arts in medicine programs into hospitals across the country, with the University of Florida’s Shands Hospital being internationally recognized as one of the leaders in the field of arts in health care. Their Arts in Medicine program integrates numerous expressive therapies such as visual arts, music, writing, and performing arts into traditional health-care practices to enhance the patient experience.

Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, which is located in Miramar Beach, Florida, and one of the area’s leading health-care facilities, adopted the program and received funding not only from the University of Florida’s Center for Arts in Medicine but also the State of Florida Department of Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Arts in Medicine (AIM) program allows local artists and musicians to volunteer their time and talents to provide patients with some form of expressive therapy. Visual arts activities and musical performances are offered to patients in the Intensive and Progressive Care Units and the Family Birth Place.

Those who wish to participate in AIM activities are

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provided with a session that lasts fifteen to twenty minutes, though it sometimes runs longer. Visual artists either have a planned project and materials laid out for participants or allow the patient to choose a subject and medium and then assist as needed. Musicians perform a short vocal and/or instrumental piece for patients and are occasionally set up in the hospital atrium for staff and visitors to enjoy as well.

The programs are not limited to inpatients. Patients coming in for both outpatient and scheduled procedures, their friends and family members, and even hospital visitors and staff are encouraged to participate in the Arts in Medicine activities offered at Sacred Heart.

“You never know if it’s going to be the last music they’ll hear ... it’s a bigger deal.”

Robin Horne, a classically trained silver flutist, is one such volunteer who shares her musical talents with patients and staff. Horne graciously allowed me to sit in on her rounds at Sacred Heart one morning. She played principal flute for twenty-six years with the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and eight years with Sinfonia Gulf Coast, where, through their partnership with AIM, she first heard of the program at Sacred Heart. Horne has been playing with various other groups for a year and a half now, along with her monthly performances at the hospital, and providing private instruction. She describes her experience with Sacred Heart’s AIM program as “more than gratifying—it’s something deeper than that.” Methodically reflecting on some of her favorite moments, she commented, “You get a different experience every time. Sometimes I’ll be playing and I look up and they’ll be crying. I love it when they close their eyes—you can tell they’re feeling relaxed by the music in that moment.” Horne has also played for terminally ill

Flutist Robin Horne

patients. “You never know if it’s going to be the last music they’ll hear ... it’s a bigger deal,” she explains.

Horne’s instrument of choice at Sacred Heart is a Native American cedar wood flute she purchased at Musical Echoes. (Musical Echoes is an annual Native American art and flute festival held in Fort Walton Beach, Florida; Horne assisted in launching the event and she has also served as a vice president of the board.) She admits there was a trial-and-error

period while deciding on the appropriate flute for the environment at Sacred Heart when she began.

She first brought in her silver flute but soon discovered that the tone was just a bit too harsh, owing to the acoustics of the building, and replaced it with a cedar wood flute, which produced a much mellower and more soothing tone. When choosing what pieces to play in patient rooms, Horne tends to play what she feels at that moment so that each patient receives a unique song and experience.

“I completely forgot about my pain!” “God bless you!” “This is a wonderful thing that you’re doing.

Thank you!”

These are just a few of the many expressions of gratitude Horne received during her morning.

From the visual artist’s perspective, Amy Fogg has been volunteering with Sacred Heart’s AIM program for the last four years. Fogg first read about AIM in V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 31

L’amour

“I always get a good turnout. They find it relaxing and something to look forward to.” a local magazine after moving to the area to focus on her own artwork. She states, “I remember sitting there reading about this wonderful opportunity that seemed like the perfect start and I just felt called to do it.” Fogg’s interest in the therapeutic aspect of art, combined with her background as an art educator, led her to find her niche in the program working with the hospital staff, dubbing her arts and crafts projects as “Art with Amy.” This new addition opened up a firsthand experience of the AIM program to Sacred Heart employees.

“I try to hold my ‘Art with Amy’ sessions on a Thursday or Friday, as it serves as a way for the staff to unwind for the weekend,” Fogg explains. The challenge is finding something small and inexpensive for staff to do quickly and easily, as they typically come during their lunchtime to participate, but Fogg makes every effort to mix things up so there is always something new and different for staff members to enjoy. “The staff here love it! I always get a good turnout. They find it relaxing and something to look forward to,” she remarks. One of the participants even commented that some coworkers who were moving from the area didn’t want to lose their “Art with Amy” time and hoped to continue to find and complete arts and crafts projects on their own. “People get inspired by my project ideas here;

they tell me that they go home to create duplicates or variations of the project,” she states. She also recalls a particular painting project involving a bird’s nest: she had provided an example piece for participants to replicate in their own style. One staff member told Fogg that she was painting her piece with the intention of giving it to her daughter for Mother’s Day. “It’s neat to me that they will be creating the project for someone else,” she says. About her experience with AIM, she gushes, “I find it very rewarding! I’m able to continue educating and give back to the community.”

The Arts in Medicine programs are not designed specifically for professional artists; anyone of any skill level interested in the healing powers of expressive therapies can volunteer and make a difference in the lives of patients, visitors, and staff.

Those who wish to become involved in the Arts in Medicine program at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast may contact Volunteer Services at (850) 278-3081.

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La beauté

La beauté IT’S ALL AROUND US

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched; they must be felt with the heart.

—Helen Keller

Like a field of bright red poppies under a deep blue sky, the world’s beauty is boundless. True seekers of beauty can find something to admire even in the darkest times, and it is their courage and positivity that help them get through. We hope you’ll be inspired by this section full of beautiful things, people, and places.

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 37

La beauté Some people choose to see only the world’s flaws, but if you pay attention, you’ll find that beauty is all around you. It can be in the sounds you hear, the places you visit, and the people you meet. Some people seem to radiate beauty and positivity, like professional hairstylist and model Brooke Miller, our Health and Beauty cover girl. Photo by Sohail Chouhan.

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GOING ACOUSTIC: THE BEAUTY IN EVERYTHING

BY NIC H O L A S S . RAC HEOT E S

From my deck on Cape Cod, the view is rich with the sounds of serenity. It is an afternoon in the middle of August, and the west wind is laying down an instrumental track in the maple leaves.

Somehow, this tree was spared by our resident arborist.

The vocal is provided by a song sparrow, whom we’ve named Edith after Édith Piaf, the Little Sparrow, whose throaty French singing once captivated the world.

It occurs to me that the bird, like the chanteuse, is voicing the beauty of her soul.

There are backup singers as well: the ice cubes that are kissing in my glass, a quartet of goldfinches, and a honeybee who mistakenly thinks that he can meet his quota for the day by gathering the nonexistent pollen from my grizzled locks. But I didn’t write this to school you on the birds, the bees, and my taste for distilled beverages.

Think of this essay, rather, as your engraved invitation to meet at the intersection of the beauty that lies within ourselves and the beauty surrounding us.

The music plays on. Across the street, a pool full of little kids, still young enough to enjoy lives uncomplicated by their impending sexuality, is decorating the silence with their laughter. There is such sweetness in their joyful shrieks. Soon, but, believe it or not, nowhere near soon enough, I’ll be back

on a college campus. I’ll be reveling in the annual noise of a new semester. The returning students will have missed one another over the summer and be drowning each other in the mixture of fear and happiness marking their speech. They’ll be comparing ringtones and downloads. They may be whining in four letters about being shut out of a desired course. Their talk will devolve into woofing about the demands of assignments and meowing about faculty. They’ll also be chirping merrily about, “like who’s paired up with like who already.”

We taxpaying grown-ups have granted them the privilege of searching for truth and beauty amidst the distractions of their world.

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 39

La beauté

W

ith a speed that always amazes, summer, which stretches from Memorial Day to Labor Day on the commercial calendar, will give way to winter, which runs from Halloween to Tax Day according to the same source. This span offers a veritable candy factory of sweet noise. In the mall, parents speaking their native language are being answered in English by their sons and daughters. By paying close attention, I’ve learned to say, “Mom, speak English. We’re in America now” in Mandarin, dialects of other parts of Asia, Arabic, Russian, Spanish, Creole, and the languages of Africa. Such exchanges are the outward signs of generational conflict and clashing cultures that always seem to resolve themselves. To me, these are the welcome sounds of diversity, but not the only ones.

The briefest month even rewards ardent listeners.

February has its moments. Find the shouts of joy or the groans of disappointment in the feasting households on our national day of carnage, also known as Super Bowl Sunday. With a little imagination, I can detect the swish of clothing and dare not speak of other things present in a valentine’s surprise.

In the elongated winter season, attentive listeners can even catch the echoes of God’s voice. Not on the radio stations, whose program directors turn themselves

Sometimes, when memory speaks, I need to escape into the noises of spring. The sweep of the paintbrush and the thump of a hammer as a neighbor makes

Is April really “the cruelest month” as a poet once wrote? Perhaps it is to the hypersensitive few, but not to these ears of mine. Was that a teenager trying out Hebrew at Passover or was it a grandfather explaining the symbolism of Easter eggs? The many forms prayer can take appear in all seasons. Take not the mouthed driver-to-driver curses, but the grateful wave of thanks you get for allowing another car into your lane. I interpret that as the silent sound of inner beauty.

How sweet the bond of imagination can be.

How quickly it dispels the bleakness. inside out to get Christ out of Christmas by deeding the holiday over to Rudolph, Frosty, romance by the fire, and a Santa who is as far from the real Saint Nicholas as we are from the edge of the universe, if the universe has an edge. No, God is talking in the meaning of the “Love you!” that ends so many phone calls, in the first spoken words of the learning-disabled child, at Thanksgiving dinner in a shelter with the homeless, in the Koran chanted at the mosque, in the Psalms at the temple, in the voices of a thousand choirs, and in the “Hey, how you doin’?” on every street corner. Taken together, they comprise the mystery and magic of our private selves reaching toward one another.

Winter doesn’t necessarily shut us in and distance us, but brings us together in sound. Think of the sonic dance of snow against a window. Now, consider the rush of ocean waves as they roll over the stones of so many beaches. How sweet the bond of imagination can be. How quickly it dispels the bleakness.

40 | JA NUA R Y / FE B R UARY 2017

those long-postponed home repairs, the power lawn mower that shatters the stillness of a Saturday morning, the dialogue between baseball and glove, and the skidding of the new bicycle on a sandy street all serve the purpose. They testify to pride, to honing skill, and to affirming ourselves.

In his own annoying way, a certain colleague of mine plays his part. He fancies himself the whistling version of a jazz master. Unfortunately, we don’t enforce the rule enacted by the editors of The New Yorker long ago: No public whistling! Not for this savant of the shrill who is now swept up in a paroxysm of vernal joy. He is blistering the paint on the corridor walls with a warbling version of “It Might as Well Be Spring,” and it might as well.

Rhyming Paul Simon had it right long ago when he beckoned us into the sound of silence. I delight in the thought that quiet does not and cannot exist.

The philosophers posted this verity to our civilization.

Socrates was overheard by Plato declaring, “I ask troubling questions, therefore I am.” Descartes doubted, therefore he was. Across the parentage of the world’s religions, men and women declared, “We believe, therefore we are.” Why, even the moderns, twisting the tail of logic, challenged us with paradoxes that threaten the very existence of meaning. At the same time, they expected us to heed what their words meant.

Still others have welded our being to awareness of perceptual categories, to seeing ourselves in others, to engagement in class struggle, and even to inalienable (or should it be unalienable) rights. This is all well and good, but deep thinking can make your eyes do funny things, such as close in sleep. My unsophisticated mind takes matters elsewhere, to the utterly simplistic.

I hear my own blood circulating. I rehearse the lyrics of remembered songs. I plumb the treasury of cherished words and even the scoldings of loved ones no longer living. My existence is confirmed in them. The content of our character is shaped by what we remember and how we use or curb so heaping an accumulation of impulses.

Because all writing, no matter its quality and purpose, ends in silence, I leave you to yours. Instead of ringing phrases calculated to fill your ears with syntactical elegance and your mind with memories as enduring as time itself, I’m not going to conclude. You do it. Write your own happy or unhappy noise. Take control again of your own precious silence. Go acoustic. Let the wondrous sounds of the world pour in and what you have to add to them pour out.

Nick Racheotes is a product of Boston public schools, Brandeis University, and Boston College, from which he holds a PhD in history. Since he retired from teaching at Framingham State University, Nick and his wife, Pat, divide their time between Boston, Cape Cod, and the Western world.

When the night stillness of the house opens its arms to the quiet, a truth is born. I listen, therefore I am.

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Stunning views of the sun rising over the Sea of Cortez are one of the daily rituals to enjoy from this single-level home. Recently constructed and lavishly furnished and decorated, Villa La Madrugada provides unsurpassed comfort, practicality and privacy just steps away from miles of white-sand beach. The large outdoor patio and pool area are ideal for relaxing while being bathed by

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La beauté

ACNE SCARS ARE GREATLY REDUCED

PUT YOUR BEST FACE FORWARD IN 2017

T

he impact of acne scars goes well beyond the visible skin irregularities seen on a person’s face. There are severe tolls on one’s self-esteem and confidence which affect social interactions, relationships, and overall mental health. Feelings of ugliness, isolation, and anger are described by a majority of these sufferers.

Unfortunately, even with the best makeup, acne scars are hard to conceal. Treatments for acne scars have not been very effective, but recent advancements have led to significantly improved outcomes.

The mainstay of treatment has been ablative laser resurfacing. The results were mild improvements, and there was a price to pay. There was downtime, up to a week, with dressing changes and wound

44 | JA NUA R Y / FE B R UARY 2017

care required. Individuals with darker skin were at risk for hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin), which could be hard to treat. The results plateaued after several treatments as well.

Infini was introduced to the United States in August 2013. It is not a laser but uses radiofrequency energy, a technology that has its roots in medicine for over fifty years. Infini uses an array of insulated microneedles to introduce energy (heat) to the dermis (skin). The insulation allows for the energy to bypass the skin surface, thus decreasing the downtime and pigmentation risks that are associated with lasers. The heat causes collagen remodeling (breaking up of the scar

tissue) and leads to new collagen and elastin formation in a more organized fashion (akin to normal skin).

One benefit of Infini is that it can be used on all skin types, regardless of how much color there is to the skin.

Another is that there is no need for wound care, and downtime in most cases is about a couple days due to swelling and redness. A series of at least three treatments is recommended.

At a recent dermatology conference, there was a consensus that Infini was the best energy device for treating acne scars.

While Infini is becoming the gold standard of devices for acne scar treatment, there will be some scars that need more than just Infini. If the scars are deep and have significant volume loss, they will need a filler. That’s where Bellafill has its role. Bellafill was FDA approved for treating acne scars in 2015. It is best used for the rolling-type acne scars that are distensible (flatten when stretched). Bellafill is composed of 20 percent PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) microspheres and 80 percent bovine collagen.

Over a period of two to three months, the added collagen is degraded, and the body forms collagen in response to the PMMA. The procedure involves injecting the Bellafill underneath the scar to elevate it. Most people require more than one treatment.

Results will be long lasting as Bellafill was shown to last at least five years in a recent FDA study. A small portion of the population is allergic to the collagen; therefore, a skin test is required three weeks before the administration of Bellafill.

Both Infini and Bellafill are used for mature scars that have been present for years. The newer red scars require another type of treatment. These scars are treated with the Excel V or VBeam laser. These lasers are vascular lasers and are attracted to the red (hemoglobin) in the scars. They cause these scars to heat up and promote collagen remodeling. These treatments have mild swelling for up to twenty-four hours; a series of three or more treatments is required.

Another laser, the Spectra Gold Toning laser, can be used in combination for even better results.

Treatment with Infini, Excel V, and Spectra Laser, used along with topical Retin-A

As alluded to earlier, there are different types of acne scars: rolling, boxcar, and ice pick. The Infini can improve all three types of scars. Bellafill is best used for the rolling scars. The hardest scars to treat are the ice pick scars—deep channels which appear as holes in the skin. The technique used to treat these scars is called TCA Cross. TCA is used for deep chemical peels. The concentration of the TCA is much higher in this procedure, and it is placed just within the depth of the scar. This causes a small injury to the scar and leads to the scar contracting from the depths of the scar up to the skin surface. As with all the other procedures, it requires multiple treatments to get optimal results.

Significant advances have been made to get better results with even lower risks than prior treatment options.

There is new hope for the acne scar sufferer. Significant advances have been made to get better results with even lower risks than prior treatment options.

Improving these scars can heal years of emotional “scarring,” leading to a whole new perspective on the future for these patients.

Steven F. Weiner, MD

ABOUT DR. WEINER Dr. Steven Weiner is the largest provider of Infini in the country, with over a thousand procedures performed over the past three and a half years. He is an international lecturer, trainer, and researcher for Infini. Dr. Weiner also lectures and trains for Bellafill. Dr. Weiner is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who “laid down his scalpel” in 2005, opened the Aesthetic Clinique, and has concentrated on nonsurgical cosmetic procedures ever since.

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 45

La beauté

THE PAINTED

ASHLEY LONGSHORE FOR CLÉ DE PEAU BEAUTÉ

BY TO RI P HELP S | PH OTO GRA PH Y CO U RT E SY O F A S H L E Y LO N GS H O R E

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WHEN THE POP ART SUPERSTAR TEAMED UP WITH THE ICONIC BEAUTY BRAND, IT WAS A WALK ON THE WILDLY CREATIVE SIDE. Ashley Longshore doesn’t paint strong, powerful women because she wants to be them. She already is them. A phenomenally successful artist whose work is collected by celebrities and a long list of devoted fans, she’s riding a wave of talent and business acumen right into a holiday collaboration with Clé de Peau Beauté and a book deal with publishing powerhouse Judith Regan.

That’s one book you’ll want to pick up. This straight shooter with audacity to spare refuses to adopt a “public face” and a “private face”—a common side effect of achieving prominence. She’s just Ashley: enviably confident, hilariously frank, and unrepentant about the curse words that pepper her speech, a by-product of the passion she feels for whatever topic she’s discussing. It’s not for shock value; it’s just her. And if some are left clutching their pearls in dismay? Well, her give-a-damn is broken.

Artist Ashley Longshore inside her studio in New Orleans, Louisiana

A born-and-bred Southerner, Longshore now lives and works in New Orleans. She loves everything about the South—from the food to the men—but she feels most at home in the free-wheeling Crescent City, where inspiration comes easily and its bold, untamed spirit matches her own.

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La beauté LOADS OF CELEBRITIES HAVE ADDED LONGSHORE’S POP ART TO THEIR COLLECTIONS, A FACT THAT SHE’S NOT TOO COOL TO ADMIT IS PRETTY COOL.

History is littered with now-revered artists who were poverty-stricken unknowns during their lifetimes. It wasn’t a blueprint Longshore was eager to follow.

Instead, she played a numbers game. She exhibited anywhere she could, and if people wanted to see her art, she packed up every piece and drove to their homes.

That was eighteen years ago, mind you; today, buyers come to her.

That spirit confounded her mother, who tried to channel her daughter’s energy into anything and everything that might hold her attention.

Nothing took. It wasn’t until college, armed with an American Express card her father had given her, that she bought a paint kit. “I just sat down and absolutely lost myself in it,” she recalls. “And then I thought, ‘My God, can I make a living from this?’”

And, boy, do they come.

As it turns out, she could. She went about her art career strategically, concentrating on the business as well as the creative side from the very beginning.

Longshore is perhaps most famous for her Audrey and Frida series. Open about her often-contentious relationship with her own mother, Longshore says that painting Audrey Hepburn and Frida Kahlo, whom she calls mother figures, simply makes

Loads of celebrities have added Longshore’s Pop Art to their collections, a fact that she’s not too cool to admit is pretty cool. However, she’s also quick to point out that she appreciates every single one of her collectors, from the movie stars to the young couple who saves for six months to buy a painting. There’s an intimacy to the transaction, she contends, because the truth is that someone is choosing to buy her thoughts and live with them.

her feel good. In her own life, she surrounds herself with powerful women and sees the paintings as a continuation of that. “I think people respond to the honesty of it,” she says of their popularity. “When I paint Audrey, having her beauty around me makes me feel stronger, makes me feel brave, makes me feel happy. When I paint someone like Frida and see that wild, bohemian look in her eye, she’s so strong it just makes me feel safe.”

Longshore’s artistic energies, not limited to canvas, frequently venture into mediums from film to furniture. Asking her to choose a favorite form of expression is like asking her to pick the best part of a twelve-course meal, she chides.

She recently added another course to the meal that is her life, courtesy of a 2016 holiday collaboration with Clé de Peau Beauté. Though regularly courted by big names, she had never before agreed to a collaboration with a beauty brand. Why this one?

“I said yes because they are, to me, the pinnacle of luxury in the makeup world,” she explains. “They’re the Hermès of the makeup world.”

Longshore refuses to take part in projects that aren’t in line with her own brand. A fat paycheck isn’t worth it and, fortunately, isn’t needed. Clé de Peau Beauté won her heart not only because of its best-ofthe-best reputation but because of creative director Lucia Pieroni’s impressive arts background. The deal was sealed when Longshore discovered the theme of the collection: a Tamara de Lempicka-esque Art Deco celebration of radiant feminine strength. “I feel like I capture that really well in my artwork,” Longshore says. “And I love Art Deco; I’m obsessed with Art Deco.”

And customers are obsessed with the LongshoreClé de Peau Beauté partnership. Record numbers of people turned out for a trunk show at the Dallas Neiman Marcus, and the line has sold faster than any other Clé de Peau Beauté holiday collaboration.

Longshore is understandably proud of the enthusiastic reception, especially given that she had complete artistic freedom with the package designs. She drew inspiration from the camellia, the symbol of Clé de Peau Beauté, as well as the Art Deco era’s joyful take on beautifully resilient women.

The holiday collection also benefited from Longshore’s built-in audience. She convinced Clé de Peau Beauté to let her team run with the marketing, assuring the company—correctly, as it happens—that her collectors would snap up the products.

The iconic beauty brand entered into lots of new territory with this collaboration.

Longshore is the first artist whose name appears on the packaging and the first artist to attend the global release. This one, which took place in Shanghai, included a Q and A session featuring Longshore and Clé de Peau Beauté brand muse Amanda Seyfried, whom Longshore calls “so gorgeous.”

THE ICONIC BEAUTY BRAND ENTERED INTO LOTS OF NEW TERRITORY WITH THIS COLLABORATION.

Opposite: One of Longshore’s paintings featuring actress Amanda Seyfried, created for Clé de Peau Beauté’s 2016 Holiday Collection Above: Each makeup palette, as well as the Limited Edition La Crème crystal case, features Longshore’s art—a perfect gift for any occasion!

Clé de Peau Beauté also agreed to feature Longshore’s original art alongside the makeup and skincare products on its website. Unsurprisingly, the artwork has sold well, too.

Getting to the launch stage with this collaboration hasn’t been all fun and games and hanging out with Amanda Seyfried, though. “It’s been an unbelievable amount of work,” she admits. “But anything that’s worth it, you have to work for.

If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.”

“Easy” isn’t a word Longshore seems familiar with. Many artists in her position would consider lying on a beach somewhere for a few years, but that’s the last thing on her mind. “Am I slowing down? You can quote me on this: F*** no.”

Insisting she’s never been so inspired in her life, Longshore is also not so coincidentally free of the fear that plagued her as a young artist and has built up the capital

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 49

La beauté to do pretty much whatever she wants. She can, for example, write a candid memoir, You Don’t Look Fat, You Look Crazy: An Unapologetic Guide to Being Ambitchous, at the request of publishing mogul Judith Regan.

Her fans will be happy to know that she’s not abandoning the women who’ve helped her get this far, though. Audrey, Frida, and the other luminous women she paints are her virtual girl squad and visual reminders to be brave, to be strong, and to be present. She’s a big believer in celebrating today, perhaps because she’s so in love with where she is right now.

Up next is a book tour in support of her memoir, on sale starting in February, and a home line debuting this spring. That’s in addition to the recent release of fifty highly coveted small paintings and, of course, her Clé de Peau Beauté work. If you’re tired just thinking about all that, you’re the only one. “I wake up so happy and excited and inspired and motivated every morning because of all the opportunities that are happening,” she says. “I can’t wait to get to my easel when I’m done with this interview so I can start painting.”

Clé de Peau Beauté brand director Roxana Daver, Shiseido China president Kentaro Fujiwara, Clé de Peau cover girl Amanda Seyfried, and artist Ashley Longshore attend a press event in Shanghai in 2016 to announce the collaboration.

We’ll let you get to it, Ms. Longshore.

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BEAUTY SPOTLIGHT: Cosmetic Vein & Laser Center

THE ART of AGING GRACEFULLY I believe that beauty is the balance of energy, nature, simplicity, and art. It can transform you and be transformed by you. Beauty can transcend the obvious and deceive the careless. Youth is reserved for those of young age, but youthfulness knows no bounds. Biolifting helps you maintain youthfulness and a beauty that is subtle, lasting, and refined. Youthfulness is about being and feeling carefree. It aligns with ‘natural beauty.’ As we bring about a more youthful appearance, you’ll feel like your natural self again, as opposed to being uncomfortable with an aging face that has become unfamiliar to you.

—Kimberly Moskowitz, MS, MD

ABOUT DR. KIMBERLY MOSKOWITZ

Kimberly Moskowitz, MS, MD

After completing her residency at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., Dr. Moskowitz moved to Panama City Beach, Florida, with a passion to provide area patients with innovative, nonsurgical treatments for varicose and spider veins. Board certified in internal medicine and venous and lymphatic medicine, Dr. Moskowitz has the reputation, experience, and compassion that attract patients from around the world. She has performed over ten thousand EVLT procedures for nonsurgical closure of varicose veins and spider veins, and combines EVLT with sclerotherapy, foam sclerotherapy, and lasers to keep legs feeling healthy and looking beautiful.

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Dr. Moskowitz specializes in all aspects of the aging face and skin, including sunspots, wrinkles, skin cancers, birthmarks, and sagging skin, and medical skin disorders such as acne and rosacea. Her procedures include laser skin resurfacing, photodynamic therapy for skin cancers and precancers, Botox, dermal fillers, laser hair removal, body contouring, and laser liposuction.

ABOUT THE COSMETIC VEIN & LASER CENTER Dr. Moskowitz’s meticulous attention to detail reveals itself as you enjoy the five-thousand- square-foot, European-inspired office. The office, an extension of her heart, is graced with three-hundred-year-old wood beams, Italian chandeliers, authentic French doors, fountains, layered Venetian plaster, handdecorated frames, artwork, and chocolate—there is always chocolate!

For more information about all the services listed above or to schedule your appointment with Dr. Moskowitz, call (850) 233-0264.

BEST ANTIAGING TREATMENTS FOR THE

NEW YEAR BIOLIFTING

Biolifting with Sculptra is redefining “aging gracefully” by allowing us to anatomically re-create the natural shapes, contours, and shadows of youth, replicating facial volume and bone structure based on what people actually looked like ten to twenty years ago. Biolifting allows Dr. Moskowitz to employ the use of serial photographic analysis by studying photos of patients from their twenties, thirties, and forties —or whenever they looked their best. Biolifting helps keep patients looking more youthful and never “overdone” or out of proportion. It also allows patients to see the progression of their facial aging, and from there they can decide to

change or enhance specific features such as the lips, chin, or cheeks. Dr. Moskowitz performs her Biolifting procedure using natural hyaluronic acid fillers, biological collagen stimulators like Sculptra, and skin resurfacing to correct and restore the loss of skeletal structure, fat, and collagen that accompanies aging. Sculptra changes the way light bounces off of the skin, making it more luminous. The Biolift procedure is performed in a series of two or three treatments spaced about one month apart, and results last for more than two years. Since volume is replaced only where it is meant to be, patients look the same over the years, essentially becoming ageless.

LIGHTSHEER DESIRE

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LightSheer DESIRE permanent hair reduction offers unparalleled treatment speed and efficacy with optimal patient comfort. The DESIRE is more than 75 percent faster than the average hair reduction session and also features the ChillTip™ for pain relief.

SculpSure, a breakthrough in light-based body contouring, is designed to permanently reduce stubborn fat in problem areas, helping you achieve a slimmer and more natural appearance without surgery or downtime.

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 53

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FROM SOLES TO SCENTS Designing with Christian Louboutin

By SUVA ANG-MENDOZA Photography courtesy of CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN

A LEGEND IN THE WORLD OF HIGH FASHION AND EVEN HIGHER HEELS, FRENCH DESIGNER CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN HAS SINGLE-HANDEDLY—OR PERHAPS MORE APPROPRIATELY, “SOLELY”—UPGRADED SHOE CLOSETS AROUND THE WORLD WITH HIS ICONIC “RED BOTTOMS.” THIS TIME, THE GLOBAL LUXURY FASHION EMPIRE IS UPDATING WOMEN’S DRESSING TABLES WITH SOMETHING JUST AS STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL AND ARTISTIC.

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W

hile his shoes can “transform your body language and attitude” and “lift you up physically and emotionally,” as Louboutin famously explained, he says his fragrances give women “the means to express themselves and delight in their femininity.” Truer words were never spoken.

I was around the age of six or seven when my mother introduced me to perfume. She used to tell me there are three basic things a woman should do to prepare for the world: keep the accessories classy, remember that makeup is the best cover-up for any doubts, and lastly, use perfume to radiate power. (I didn’t know what that meant at the time; I thought maybe her meaning was just getting lost in translation from Mandarin to English.)

Long before I knew anything about Christian Louboutin, I used to watch admiringly as my mother sprayed Elizabeth Taylor’s White Diamonds on each side of her neck. She insisted that one is never fully dressed without perfume, like an ice cream sundae needs a cherry on top or a fairy should have wings.

Most women’s morning routines go something like this: Get dressed, apply makeup, and spray on a mist of a favorite fragrance that unleashes an identity— a hidden alter ego. Perfume has the power to morph you into whomever you want to be. It can radiate power. I never knew what that meant—until I bought my first bottle of it.

I don’t know how to describe it, but there’s something about that spray that intoxicates your mind and gives you a boost of confidence and an edge to start your day. Somehow, this invisible beauty product can make a visible difference in the way you look, feel, and move. It’s magic.

Having successfully entered the color cosmetics business, Christian Louboutin is now completing the growth from sole to scent, bringing pure delight with the complex layers of three newly launched fragrances: Bikini Questa Sera, Tornade Blonde, and Trouble in Heaven. In true Louboutin fashion,

no detail was spared in their creation. “I wanted to celebrate woman and her desires,” Louboutin says of the collection. “I wanted these fragrances to enhance an aspect of her personality, or perhaps reveal something about her that no one knew before, maybe not even her, tell a secret, a story.”

Each fragrance was designed with a fantasy-like, dreamy story to be told:

BIKINI QUESTA SERA “Bikini Questa Sera takes the heat into the night. The heat of the day, sun hot on skin, the voluptuousness of the beach that she doesn’t want to let go. Hold onto the intensity, feel the heat and the happiness, there is the scent of the sun which becomes the scent of the woman as day turns into night. In the cool of the night air, the headiness of the parfum shimmers still in the moonlight, jasmine and tuberose, opalescent against the skin. Intimate, hot, and compelling, she is wearing only her Bikini Questa Sera.”

TORNADE BLONDE “She went by so fast; she turned me upside down.

I didn’t see who she was, but she left all this golden light and luminosity. Was she dancing? I can’t get her out of my head. Tornade Blonde, not a color, but a parfum and a state of mind. The scent of love and adventure, a gorgeous red rose lies deep in a bed of sweet violet and cassis. Feminine and potent, animalistic yet floral, Tornade Blonde leaves a trail of golden light like a comet in the night. It is a burst of potent sensuality, an invitation to follow. Tornade Blonde is the scent of desire.”

TROUBLE IN HEAVEN “Trouble in Heaven is a parfum that lights the fire.

Mysterious and sexy, for the woman who wants to provoke and is at ease with her provocation. Turn heads, raise the heartbeat, be noticed, make dangerous liaisons. It is both intimate and overt, an intoxicating fragrance to wear close to you, to be loved by others.

A second skin of perfect iris, patchouli, and tonka absolut resonates with the dry heat of oriental amber and makes Trouble in Heaven.”

Louboutin’s new fragrances—Bikini Questa Sera, Tornade Blonde, and Trouble in Heaven—have their own “stories,” all inspired

by Renaissance woman Elisa Sednaoui, his goddaughter.

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 55

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F

rom the stories to the bottles and the scents that fill them, the fragrances are as strikingly beautiful to the eye as they are to the nose. With three different scents to cater to every woman, these perfumes are about to be staples on vanity tables worldwide. The designer with the most coveted shoes has become the man with the most coveted fragrances.

“FOR ME, ELISA IS ONE WOMAN WHO IS MANY WOMEN.”

Although Louboutin has already made his mark in the fashion and beauty industries, the fragrance collection completes his brand. However, the process to successfully integrate his luxurious brand with his complex ideas proved to be laborious. Launching a product in a whole new category involves intricate steps and careful planning.

What goes into the branding of Louboutin’s sophisticated products, especially these fragrances? Part of me visualized something magical like Santa Claus and his secret helpers, except maybe Louboutin’s “elves” were working away in a chic white-walled design studio with red carpet and gold embellishments. As powerful and magical as the scents are, the design process for creating a fragrance is far from what I imagined.

As with the development of a shoe design, the first step for Louboutin was to draw inspiration. His goddaughter, Elisa Sednaoui, who is a model, actress, film director, mother, and founder of the Elisa Sednaoui Foundation, became his muse.

“For me, Elisa is one woman who is many women,” Louboutin explains. “I can’t tell you if she’s blonde or brunette. I can’t describe her physically. But I can describe the melody of her voice, the vitality of her gestures. She has always fascinated me, not just because of her beauty, but her whole way of being.”

For Louboutin’s fragrances to have such a personal inspiration may seem convoluted; in fact, he had

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to ensure that his fragrance wasn’t just one-sided based on his personal feelings. He had to take those affections and ideas and manufacture them to please women around the world. As his creative mind would have it, Louboutin was quite aware of the fragrances he wanted to design, and his muse embodied the entity of each of his concepts. It was evident that his close relationship with Sednaoui was key to the design process. “It was rather like making a film, and I was the director and Elisa interpreted the role,” he explains. “It was beautiful synergy.”

Although most fragrances launch one at a time, Louboutin insisted one is simply not enough, which was a major factor in choosing Sednaoui as the face of the collection. To him, she represented the many nuances of all three fragrances. “She is the personification of the fragrances, which are intended to express women’s many changing facets. A woman can have so many different lives and feelings and desires; she can be one thing and the opposite, depending on the climate, the time of day, her mood, her company… I couldn’t limit women to one fragrance. For me, Elisa really is the reality of this idea.”

take on the project of creating the perfect containers.

“Thomas is a fantastic designer,” Louboutin says.

“He has a wide-eyed energy that I love which he puts into all his work. His design process is the same whether he is working on a building or a bottle.”

That energy can be seen in any one of the iconic global projects Heatherwick Studio has designed, including the Olympic cauldron for the London 2012 Olympics, the Learning Hub, a cornerless university building in Singapore, and the impressive Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town.

“IT IS ALMOST AS IF THE BOTTLE TURNS ITSELF INSIDE OUT.”

With this sense of direction, three unique scents were born, and they needed to be contained in something visually hypnotic and as powerful as their personalities. The fragrance bottles were to have a strong sense of identity, and Louboutin handpicked Thomas Heatherwick of Heatherwick Studio to

“It was a really natural process of collaboration,” Heatherwick says of working ambitiously with Louboutin to create a series of bottles to contain and represent his fragrances. “We began by asking questions about Christian’s dreams and expectations to get the essence of what he was searching for.”

Questions turned to discussions. Discussions turned to sketches, which eventually became a glass menagerie of prototypes.

“We started with the top and the base and a very simple rectangular form,” says Heatherwick. “From there, the idea is that the glass goes on a journey in between. It is almost as if the bottle turns itself inside out.” According to Heatherwick, it was hard to control and manipulate the glass due to the central aperture, making Louboutin’s idea of creating a “liquid is alive” bottle with the illusion of movement almost unattainable. Eventually, they found a way to twist the glass bottle for that flowing look.

Each fragrance in Louboutin’s new perfume collection has a bottle to match its scintillating scent, with colors fading down the undulating glass.

The bottle design was created in partnership with London-based architect and designer Thomas Heatherwick.

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 57

La beauté The result is stunning. With a dynamic and harmonious flow, the fragrances and bottles together become works of art. The stem of each bottle undulates and wraps the body of it, giving the illusion of movement and allowing light to glisten through, enhancing and intensifying the colors of the fragrances. After all the countless experiments and prototypes, Louboutin and Heatherwick’s dedication paid off. “I love the beauty and simplicity of the bottles,” says Louboutin. “They have the look of a totem or trophy, like a César or an Oscar. They have a purity of design which appears so simple, and yet I would say this simplicity is an indication of the rigor and reflection dedicated to the design.”

“I LOVE THE BEAUTY AND SIMPLICITY OF THE BOTTLES.” Three different color palettes were also needed to distinguish and personalize the three scents and their bottles. In Bikini Questa Sera, the deep amber and warm golden tones inspired by the colors of an Egyptian sunset were meant to evoke heat and sensuality. Tornade Blonde strategically mixes a bold, warm garnet color and gradually lightens to a glowing light gold for a daring yet dreamy look. Fit for a queen, Trouble in Heaven displays a royal purple shade dissolving to a glistening gold reminiscent of the perfect iris, a flower that is at the heart of the fragrance.

What could be more perfect than starting the day in Louboutin—from your soles to your scent? Release your alter ego and radiate the power within when you discover all three luxurious fragrances, now available to purchase at ChristianLouboutin.com.

Designer Christian Louboutin

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HAIR & MAKEUP Your NEW GO-TO RESORT LOOKS

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TRUE BEAUTY is ALL AROUND US

January / February 2017

La beauté

BEAUTY SPOTLIGHT: Destin Plastic Surgery

SHINE YOUR LIGHT William Burden, MD, FACS Founder, Destin Plastic Surgery

DISCOVER STATE-OF-THE-ART BEAUTY ENHANCEMENT AT DESTIN PLASTIC SURGERY

ABOUT DR. BURDEN Combining a nimble intellect with compassion and empathy, Dr. William Burden embodies the ideal traits of a plastic surgeon. Since establishing Destin Plastic Surgery east of Pensacola, Florida,

The eyes are your window to the world. When you meet someone, you look them in the eyes. They can reflect your mood—do you look happy and energetic, or sad and tired? Sometimes appearances don’t match our feelings; we may look tired or angry even when we’re not.

Dr. Burden has remained a visionary and innovator, using his experience and training to adapt top-ofthe-line technology for the benefit of his patients.

Botox Cosmetic can help by relaxing the muscles around your eyes. This relaxation prevents those scowl lines between the brows and softens lines such as crow’s feet.

At the same time, he’s a down-to-earth, devoted family man who coaches youth basketball and is a hands-on dad. He’s creative, possessing a sense of aesthetics that comes naturally, and, at his core, he’s a people person.

Latisse will thicken, lengthen, and darken your eyelashes. Many women have replaced their daily eyeliner-and-mascara routine with a simple drop of Latisse to the upper eyelid lash line. This means no more time spent in front of a mirror applying messy eye makeup in the morning and removing it at bedtime. Think of all the time you waste on eyelashes!

60 | JA NUA R Y / FE B R UARY 2017

“

Botox Cosmetic can help by relaxing the muscles around your eyes.

This relaxation prevents those scowl lines between the brows and softens lines such as crow’s feet.

”

Eyelid surgery can remove the bags above and beneath your eyes. Instead of looking droopy, aged, and tired, you’ll look vibrant and awake. This surgery is one of the most frequently requested procedures in the United States.

An arched eyebrow, with no skin hanging over the outer upper eyelid, gives your eyes a pleasant appearance. The innovative endoscopic brow lift achieves this without any scarring on the forehead! This is an advanced procedure that uses fiber-optic technology and is performed by plastic surgeons with advanced training.

SCULPT, TONE, AND TIGHTEN

YOUR BODY! Motherhood is very rewarding. Unfortunately, it can take a toll on your figure. Most women don’t want an overly large bust; they want to fit nicely in their clothes and feel comfortable in their bathing suits when sitting around the pool with the kids or friends. A breast lift or breast implants can help you get the shape that you want.

Many implant options are available now. The cohesive gel implant is the most popular and most frequently used breast enhancement implant today. Many women who have had saline implants placed in the past have switched to the softer gel implants. The new Allergan Natrelle Inspira implants have less rippling than the saline implants of the past.

“

With 3-D imaging available, you can see possible results before surgery.

The Canfield Vectra system is used to allow patients to get an approximation of the size and shape of the breasts with different sizes of implants.

”

A breast lift can greatly improve the shape of excessively droopy breasts. Women frequently comment after the surgery that they love no longer being slaves to a bra, that they don’t have the pressure of bra straps on their shoulders, and that they can now wear shoulderless tops and dresses. They feel liberated!

With 3-D imaging available, you can see possible results before surgery. The Canfield Vectra system is used to allow patients to get an approximation of the size and shape of the breasts with different sizes of implants and with or without a breast lift. Many women feel better informed once they undergo the 3-D analysis and discover the possibilities.

You have to work with what your momma gave you. Sometimes, diet and exercise don’t make a difference. If your hips and thighs just don’t fit in those jeans like you want, or a bathing suit is not part of your wardrobe, then you are limiting yourself to what you do and what you wear. Many people have benefited from liposuction, ridding themselves of those stubborn problem areas. We are frequently asked to transfer the fat removed to the buttocks to further enhance curves, helping patients realize their full potential.

After the holidays, the weather is cold and we begin working on losing the weight gained from the fun parties and frequent feasting. Remember these tips for slimming down for the spring: •

You run one mile, you burn 100–150 calories.

That’s it!

•

Watch your liquids. A chocolate caramel macchiato has 600 calories. Choose the low-fat latte at 70 calories instead!

•

Make good choices with your solids as well. An 8-ounce filet at 400 calories is a better choice than the 14-ounce rib eye that’s 900 calories. Grilled vegetables (80 calories) are a better option than a twice-baked potato (350 calories).

Visit www.DestinPlasticSurgery.com or call (850) 654-1194 to book an appointment or learn more about the lifechanging services available at Destin Plastic Surgery and the Anti Aging Skincare Clinic.

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 61

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EASY, BREEZY

RESORT UPDO

BY BROOKE MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENNA KNEISS

MORE TIPS! SEE A VIDEO HOW-TO AT VIEMAGAZINE.COM!

THINGS YOU’LL NEED: • 6–7 clear elastic bands (small to medium depending on your hair’s thickness) • Bobby pins

1

Take two sections of hair from around the face and use an elastic band to secure them together at the back of the head a little below the crown. Follow this step one to two more times, alternating where the elastic sits below the previous one, with one section secured to the left of the center, and the other to the right.

GIVE YOUR HAIR A SALON-WORTHY TWIST THIS RESORT SEASON WITH THIS SIMPLE YET ELEGANT UPDO!

Take the hair that is still down and separate into three sections. Twist each section and secure each one at the end with an elastic.

Gently pull each side of the twist apart to loosen, giving more volume and texture. Begin to pin at the nape of the neck, working in a circular motion as you pin. Continue this step with the last two twisted sections.

3

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2

• A firm-hold hairspray such as L’Oréal Extreme Lacquer (It holds without making hair stiff!)

Individually flip all of these sections inside out (toward the head) and tuck.

While holding the elastic, gently loosen the pieces you pulled together. This gives texture without having to curl!

Brooke Miller has been a hairstylist for nine years and works all over the Gulf Coast specializing in hair for onlocation weddings and photo shoots.

Find her on Facebook at Brooke Miller: Hair Stylist, on Instagram @brookemillerstylist, and through e-mail at brookevmiller@yahoo.com.

The community of Seaside on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast is a perfect getaway for resort season. This New Urbanist beach town is an idyllic combination of hometown Americana and European sensibility. Find this and other Seaside looks at Perspicasity beachside bazaar.

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 63

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CARRIE UNDERWOOD WAS BORN TO SHINE

September/October 2013

Plus Greg Barnhill Salvatore Ferragamo

ALYS BEACH

Brewing Biodiesel Yolo Boarding

C’EST LA VIE A CUR ATED COLLECTION

THE ANIMAL ISSUE September/October 2014

T HE Y E A R O F T HE HORSE

Femme au chapeau de paille bleue, Pablo Picasso Linocut in colors (1962)

September/October 2015

HOME & GARDEN PROJECT D REA M V I E C OV E R S N E W YO R K ' S FA S H I O N W E E K !

Holiday Style Dressing Tables for the Holidays

Behind the Lens

Portrait of an Artist

The Pursuit of Happiness

O You! Conference in Atlanta

THE ART OF LIFE

Neil Young

Pensacola Opera Presents

Still Rockin’ in the Free World

Journey Performs Live

Photographer Jessie Shepard Captures the Magic

The Joy of Publishing

A Story of Hope from Behind the Lens

Gourmet Holiday Desserts

Jessie Shepard and Dia Sather

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

An in-depth review by Prudence Bruns

Steve Wagner

9/11: The Tenth Anniversary

Michael Granberry

Escape to Create’s Fall Writers Conference

The Art of Life

PERSPECTIVES

Jacob Meyer

A Ruby Anniversary

Perspectives

Seaside's Perspicasity Turns 25

WINTER 2010

BEHIND THE LENS

Northwest Florida Ballet

Rome Was Not Built in a Day

Jukebox Gala

BEHIND THE LENS

The Written Word

Facade Book Review

Sister Schubert Cooks a Book

The Language of Light

Northwest Florida Golf Trail

An Exposé on Its Power

Ten Exceptional Courses

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Plus

THE HOLIDAY ISSUE

The Life of a Snowbird

Chef Olivier Gaupin Romona Robbin's Egypt The King & Queen of Spain The Beautiful Game

Birds of a Feather Paint Together

30A Songwriters Festival A Celebration of Songs

A Legendary Wedding Giveaway At Emerald Grande – Our first GiVIE

MOTHER'S DAY

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

A C E L E B R AT I O N O F FA S H I O NVIEZINE.COM , F O OWINTER D & F U1 N 2010

S H O P Y O U R W AY F R O M C O L A 2 C O L A

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VIE - Spring/Summer 2008

NORTHWEST FLORIDA – COLA 2 COLA®

COMPLIMENTARY WINTER 2009

The Art of Life

A Sense of Place

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NORTHWEST FLORIDA – COLA 2 COLA®

NORTHWEST FLORIDA – COLA 2 COLA

NORTHWEST FLORIDA COLA 2 COLA

VIE - Summer 2009

The Architecture of Branding

THE COLORS OF

November/December 2015

COMPLIMENTARY SUMMER 2009

V I E P AY S T R I B U T E

BEAUTIFUL BEACH HOMES

THE HOME & GARDEN ISSUE

THE MUSIC ISSUE

November/December 2014

Brand & Identity

NORTHWEST FLORIDA’S

TOP FIVE HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS

VIE - Winter 2009

Northwest Florida Physicians Spotlight Feature A Cajun Road Trip

Celebrating Mardi Gras along Louisiana’s Acadiana Trail

VIE ’s Favorite Things

Gift Giving, Recipes, and Ideas for Entertaining

THE FASHION ISSUE

NYC MERCEDES - BENZ FASHION WEEK

Winter 2011

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COMPLIMENTARY SPRING 2009

WEST FLORIDA LA 2 COLA

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ARTIST SHANTELL MARTIN COVERS THE GLOBE

January/February 2015

January/February 2016

CANYONS BEYOND THE EIFFEL TOWER BEST SUNSETS GATEWAY RESORT & SPA IN THE WORLD THE GREAT THE BRIDGES OF PARIS CALIZA POOL IN ALYS BEACH ESCAPE COMMANDS ATTENTION AWAIT

July/August 2014

NORTHWEST FLORIDA – COLA 2 COLA®

NORTHWEST FLORIDA – COLA 2 COLA®

NORTHWEST FLORIDA – COLA 2 COLA®

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THE HOME & GARDEN ISSUE

VOYAGER ISSUE

Brand Curators Creative Influencers Boutique Publishing House Design Studio

FOR THE LOVE OF FOOD The Soul of BBQ

The Best from COLA 2 COLA

Beer 101

with Grayton Beer Company

VOYAGER

TheIdeaBoutique.com

A Journey to Beale Street

Remembering Memphis Music Legends

A Luxury Retreat

Fountainview Mansion

THE WRITTEN WORD Haley Kilpatrick

Get Healthy

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Back to the Barre

Get Out

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ISSUE

LIFE IS BE AUTIFUL

May/June 2012

THE ALL-AMERICAN SUMMER BRINGING PREPPY BACK

THE HOLIDAY ISSUE

THE ARTIST ISSUE

Leading a Generation’s Renaissance

May/June 2013

A N E X P R ES S I O N O F L I FE

November/December 2012

C E L E B R AT E T H E S E A S O N W I T H L OV E

Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, USA +001 (850) 231-3087

Clifden, Co. Galway, Ireland +353 (85) 158 9879

La beauté

T

he holidays have passed, and winter is upon us in full force. It’s time to take a good look in the mirror.

Does your skin look tired and dull? A lack of sleep from all of the holiday festivities? Too much rich food or one too many cocktails?

Exfoliation is going to be your best friend this resort season. A gentle exfoliant such as Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream helps to remove dead skin cells and increase cellular turnover. On clean, damp skin, massage a nickel-sized amount of scrub into skin for one minute, then rinse with warm water.

As an alternative, you can make your own facial scrub. Mix a tablespoon of oats in a bowl with just enough water to make a paste. Massage into damp skin and rinse thoroughly. Don’t forget: “gentle” is the key word. Follow up with your favorite serum or moisturizer or both, such as Bio-Performance from Shiseido. If you have exceptionally dry skin like I do, try the Bio-Performance Advanced Super Restoring Cream.

A RADIANT NEW YOU

BANISH DULL, DRY SKIN and BRING BACK YOUR YOUTHFUL GLOW with EXCLUSIVE INSIDER BEAUTY TIPS from CELEBRITY MAKEUP ARTIST BRUCE WAYNE.

66 | JA NUA R Y / FE B R UARY 2017

For everyone headed off on a cruise or to an island for a little escape, don’t forget the sunscreen! You are already aware of the health benefits of a sunscreen. However, it’s also your best defense against dry, leathery skin. My go-to sun care is from Lancaster. It comes in a broad range of SPFs. Do your research and choose the one that is best for you. Take a look at IT Cosmetics CC cream. It’s a full-coverage foundation, a skin treatment, and an SPF 50 all in one tube, helping to simplify your beauty routine. It comes in several shades from fair to rich and contains “all of the good and none of the bad.”

If you have an important event or evening out, try an oxygenating mask. My absolute favorite is the O2 Lift Mask from Dr. Thomas Loeb. Dr. Loeb is one of the leading plastic surgeons in the country and practices on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. His oxygen mask reduces the appearance of fine lines, plumps the skin with moisture, and makes the skin soft and supple.

Now that we have your skin looking radiant, let’s discuss makeup trends for winter 2017.

Contouring is still the biggest trend going and has long been the trick of most celebrity makeup artists. It can give you the cheekbones that you have always dreamed of, strengthen the jawline, diminish a double chin, and straighten or slim the nose. Powders work best for contouring. Choose a color that is a couple of shades darker than your skin tone, but not too dark! Apply under your cheekbones, down the sides of the nose, under the jawline, and other areas where you’d like to create a more structured look.

Blending is key! You don’t want to look like you have stripes on your face. Take a good look in the mirror, and if you’re still not certain you blended correctly, try misting your skin with a light spray of water or a product such as Evian mineral water facial spray. While skin is slightly damp, blend in the edges of your contour with a sponge or foundation brush.

Eye makeup this resort season is trending toward the hues of a copper penny. Try lining the upper lash line and lower waterline with a chocolate-brown eyeliner. Smudge the line on the upper lash line.

Apply a copper shadow on the eyelid and under the lower lash line.

Curl your lashes and follow up with a coat or two of black mascara. Lancôme Hypnôse Drama is the only mascara that I use, and it’s worth the investment.

For a more dramatic look, substitute a navy or black eyeliner instead of brown. This eye makeup look is universally flattering; it’s easy, creates a warm look in the winter, and can be worn by everyone!

For lips, the trend is all over the place—from barely there to the deepest plums and raisins, and even Goth black. Experiment with your lip color and have fun! If your lips are thin, it’s best to stay away from the dark shades, as they will make your lips look even smaller.

Remember, trends come and go very quickly. You know what works best for you. Stick with that.

Incorporate a trend into your regular makeup once in a while—no need to go crazy. Makeup was designed to make one look better, so put on your best face and conquer the world!

BRUCE’S FAVORITES

BRUCE WAYNE

Celebrity Makeup Artist

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1. Lancaster Sun Care, $31 2. Clinique Exfoliating Scrub, $21 3. Dr. Thomas Loeb O2 Lift Mask, $35 4. Shiseido Bio-Performance Super Restoring Cream, $99 5. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+, $38 6. Dior Fusion Mono Long-Wear Eye Shadow in #781 Fahrenheit, $31 7. Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette, $46 8. Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in #212 Alternative Plum, $37 9. Lancôme Le Crayon Khôl in #100 Black Coffee, $26 10. Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Mascara, $27.50

Wayne resides on Manhattan’s Upper East Side with his life partner, interior designer Benjamin Bradley, and their pride and joy, Ebbie the black Lab. Wayne moved to NYC twenty years ago to pursue his dream of being a celebrity makeup artist and quickly found that his life had surpassed his dreams.

He has worked with Miley Cyrus, Vanessa Hudgens, Kelly Ripa, Paris Hilton, Kristin Chenoweth, Kate Mara, Katherine Heigl, Lisa Kudrow, Candice Bergen, Megan Hilty, Lisa Rinna, and Sarah Hyland, to name a few, on national campaigns such as Pantene, Bongo, and Goldrush, and in InStyle, ELLE, Teen Vogue, Esquire, Vanity Fair, GQ, Redbook, Glamour, Women’s Health, and VIE. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 67

Seaside School HALF MARATHON & 5K RUN MARCH 3–5, 2017 | SEASIDE, FLORIDA

Taste of the Race

Half Marathon & 5K

MARCH 3, 2017

MARCH 5, 2017

Enjoy cuisine from some of the Gulf Coast’s top chefs, as well as fine wine from Wine World, craft spirits from Buffalo Trace, craft beer from Grayton Beer Company, and live music!

Finishers will receive a Vera Bradley tote, and all runners will receive a 2017 race shirt and a coveted swag bag! Half-marathon runners will receive a custom finisher medal. Come celebrate at the after-party and enjoy live music, lunch, and craft beer from Grayton Beer Company!

PRESENTED BY

PRESENTED BY

REGISTER AT RUNSEASIDEFL.COM

H E A LT H & B E A U T Y

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It’s the beginning of a new year, typically the most health-conscious time of the year—and the perfect time for a new you. Resolve to be radiant and feel good about yourself with the help of the latest collection of products we love!

1

Clutch Tight

Shoepeaks Minaudière $3,500, christianlouboutin.com 70 | JA NUA R Y / FE B R UARY 2017

2

The Dream Cream

Charlotte’s Giant Magic Cream (150 ml) $255, charlottetilbury.com

Buckle Up

3

Hermès Double Buckle Cuff Apple Watch $1,100–$1,500, apple.com

4

Brushing Beauty

Kevyn Aucoin Essential Brush Collection $650, barneys.com

5

Breath of Fresh Air

Foobot Indoor Air Quality Monitor $199, foobot.io

6

Now We’re Cooking

Eat Beautiful cookbook £20.00, wendyrowe.com

Behind the Mask

7

La Mer Lifting and Firming Mask $250, neimanmarcus.com

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 71

C’est la vie

Skin Deep

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Goop by Juice Beauty Exfoliating Instant Facial $125, goop.com

One Step at a Time

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Walkstation steelcase.com

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Pure Genius

Tom Ford Purifying Facial Cleanser for Men $48, nordstrom.com

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Tech Connect

Tech Dopp Kit $199, bespokepost.com

Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee

Greatest of All Time: A Tribute to Muhammad Ali $150, taschen.com

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Be My Valentino

Valentino Garavani $2,000, taschen.com 72 | JA NUA R Y / FE B R UARY 2017

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Dress to Impress Balmain Resort 2017 Collection balmain.com

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C’est la vie

15

Cycle of Life

Vine Bicycle $449, purecycles.com

Bottle Fed

16

Connected Hydration Bottle with Smart Lid $60, thermos.com

17

Never Skip a Beat

Fitbit Alta Accessories in Gold $116.95, fitbit.com

Break a Sweat

19

Tracy Anderson Fitness Vitality Tour tracyanderson.com

74 | JA NUA R Y / FE B R UARY 2017

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Save Face

Nutri-Define Superior Retexturising Facial Serum $120, jurlique.com

A TRADITION

EST. 1958

The Art of Science and Water

Custom Pools and Spas • Outdoor Furniture • Grills DESTIN FLORIDA:

36074 Emerald Coast Pkwy.

Destin, Florida (850) 650-9138

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Panama City Beach, Florida (850) 235-7957

Dream a Home. Discover a Lifestyle.

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1.866.563.0070 Watersound.com The St. Joe Company 2016 All Rights Reserved. “JOE®”, “St. Joe®”, “St. Joe (and the Taking Flight design)®”, the “Taking Flight” design®, “Fish Out of Water®” and “Watercolor®”are registered service marks of The St. Joe Company or its affiliates. “Watersound OriginsSM”, “OriginsSM” and “St. Joe Club & ResortsSM” are service marks of The St. Joe Company or its affiliates. The materials and features and amenities described and depicted herein are based upon current development plans, which are subject to change without notice. This does not constitute an offer to sell real property in any jurisdiction where prior registration or other advance qualifications of real property is required, including New York. Void where prohibited by law. Equal Housing Opportunity. St. Joe Club & Resorts is a private club, membership in which permits Watersound OriginsSM owners the use of facilities designated by the Club. Use of additional Club Facilities requires purchase of a separate membership upgrade. Club membership may be subject to application and acceptance, payment of fees, membership requirements, rules or other limitations, all of which are subject to change. Club Facilities are also available to other club members and persons who stay in rental program residences. The St. Joe Company does not guarantee the obligations of, nor provide any warranties for unaffiliated parties who build homes or offer services in the Watersound OriginsSM community.

Obtain the76Property required and read it before signing anything. No federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property.

EMBE R / D E CbyEFederal MB E R Law 2016 | NO VReport

Voyager

Voyager

SEE THE WORLD

From the white-sand beaches of Florida’s Gulf Coast to the exotic forests of Bali, connecting with nature and getting away from it all seem to go hand in hand with relaxation and pampering. Join us on a tour of some of the world’s “Top Spa Destinations to Visit in 2017” when you visit our website at VIEmagazine.com.

Miraval Arizona resort in Tucson is home to the award-winning Life in Balance Spa. Everything— from its treatments, services, and classes to its serene architecture— suggests Life in Balance is perfectly attuned to the vast desert landscape surrounding it. A perfect getaway to relax and renew both body and mind.

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 77

Voyager

78 | JA NUA R Y / FE B R UARY 2017

Don' t

Be

Worry,

Happy The Place That Has It All

By Sallie W. Boyles Photography courtesy of Aruba Tourism Authority

The details of a dream vacation are subjective, but the tide is shifting from taking vacations centered on indulgence and leisure to instead getting away to replenish one’s physical and mental reserves. Validating the trend, the Global Wellness Institute—a nonprofit organization that promotes worldwide wellness through education—reports that wellness and fitness tourism is the world’s most rapidly growing travel category.

Coined “One Happy Island,” Aruba must have something in the water or air because augmenting all of its tangible treasures, the people exude a giving spirit that is attentive to the well-being of their guests.

Responsible for 70 percent of the island’s income, the country’s hospitality industry pondered the question of what constitutes a guest’s dream wellness vacation—and responded with some great answers.

A native divi-divi tree, stretching toward azure waters, creates a serene and whimsical sight for island visitors.

The multicultural character of the island—thanks to its history of occupancy by natives, the Spanish, the British, and the Dutch—cultivates a warm, accepting people who love talking about their origins. Residents have emigrated there from more than ninety countries, but they demonstrate pride in Aruba’s rich history and traditions. Preserving

the past is important to them, so the country has two official languages: Dutch and Papiamento—a Creole vernacular spoken in Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. Preparing students for jobs in tourism and higher education abroad (usually in the Netherlands), local schools require fluency in Dutch, Papiamento, English, and Spanish.

Contemplating the island’s past, locals have different opinions over who named Aruba. According to one popular notion, Alonso de Ojeda christened the island Oro Huba, meaning “there was gold.” The Spanish, however, never struck gold; the Dutch did, but not until 1824. If not from the Spanish, perhaps the name originates from the Carib Indian words ora oubao, meaning “shell island,” or oruba, for “well placed.”

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 79

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The Casibari Rock Formations provide a hiking path up to some of the best vantage points of the island.

Opposite: The Casibari Rock Formations, located in the island’s desert region, are a must-see.

These unique formations of tonalite rock offer scenic hiking and, from the top, incredible panoramic views.

Below: Kayaking is among the many popular activities that keep guests and locals of Aruba fit and having fun in the beautiful Caribbean.

Indeed, Aruba, the most southwestern Caribbean island, is ideally situated. Resting on South America’s continental shelf just fifteen miles from Venezuela, the island falls tranquilly outside the hurricane belt. Aruba also receives only eighteen inches of rain annually, so pleasant, desert-like conditions—not the usual wetblanket stickiness felt in other tropical locales—prevail across the seventy-square-mile island. Showers tend to materialize and evaporate quickly, while trade winds blowing from the northeast grant cooling breezes that keep temperatures around 82 degrees.

Most of Aruba is flat and sandy, with beaches ranging in shades from bleached-coral white to hardenedlava black. For dimension and drama, Mother Nature added mystical igneous boulders, hidden caves, rocky shores, and three small mountains. She also bred life. A bird’s-eye view reveals an overlay of cacti, desert flowers, brush, aloe, palm trees, and the

iconic southwesterly leaning divi-divi tree. The diverse topography fosters unique animal populations: unusual birds, like the shoco, an Aruban burrowing owl; the cascabel, the rarest of rattlesnakes; native lizards, including iguanas; seven different species of bats; and wild goats and donkeys.

Valuing its many resources, the government protected 18 percent of the island from development by establishing the Arikok National Park in the 1980s. One of the most exhilarating and enlightening ways to tour Arikok National Park and other land attractions is via a guided UTV (utility task vehicle) or ATV (all-terrain vehicle) tour. Horseback riding, biking, and hiking are also popular modes of travel for active sightseers.

The Ayo Rock Formations, monolithic boulders that surfaced from primeval volcanic activity, are a must-see. The island’s ancient tribes used them not only to listen for incoming thunderstorms, but also for religious rites. Preserved carved paintings convey their stories. Equally fascinating, the Casibari Rock Formations provide a hiking path up to some of the best vantage points of the island; on clear days, you can even see Venezuela on the horizon.

A stairway eases entry to the Guadirikiri Cave, where ceiling openings shed light inside and facilitate sightings of its inhabitants—small, harmless bats! People who prefer birds to bats should make time for the Bubali Bird Sanctuary, right in front of the Old Dutch Windmill. The refuge and breeding ground for at least eighty species of migratory birds has an observation tower for spotting coots, cormorants, ducks, egrets, gulls, and skimmers.

Wild and beautiful Andicuri Beach, a competition site for body-boarders, hides in a sandy cove amid jagged bluffs. Nearby, the collapsed remains of an Aruban wonder—the island’s revered Natural Bridge—appear braced to battle the elements against ultimate destruction. Three other smaller arches, former caves that wind and water have eroded, still stand intact. One is near Wariruri Beach, a popular cove for local surfers and fishermen. The latter use the surrounding limestone cliffs as piers.

Aruba is only six miles across at its widest, so enticing glimpses of the Caribbean are always within a short distance. Thankfully, companies like De Palm Tours and Pelican Adventures, offering every watercraft and sport under the sun, oblige visitors who wish to ride the waves and dive in. Numerous wrecks, vibrant sea life, and clear waters reward divers and snorkelers. For the ultimate splurge, couples and small groups (up to twenty) should consider a day or evening cruise aboard the Monfort III, a luxury sailboat added to the Pelican Adventures fleet in the spring of 2016. Between snorkeling and sunning, or cocktailing and socializing, guests feast on the catch of the day and other fresh delights prepared aboard.

80 | JA NUA R Y / FE B R UARY 2017

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 81

Voyager Certainly, personal goals and perspectives about achieving wellness on holiday influence what individuals see and do on Aruba; if they’re pursuing serenity over fitness, Eagle Beach is one of the world’s top ten beaches according to Travel + Leisure and TripAdvisor. The spacious playground (or resting spot) of soft white sand stays cool to the touch and doesn’t fly with the wind. Peaceful turquoise waters invite swimming, snorkeling, sailing, and other endeavors. Also known for its small boutique resorts, Eagle Beach appeals to those searching for solace and laid-back socializing.

A place that one must visit to appreciate fully, Manchebo Beach Resort and Spa was originally developed by KLM pilots and owned by Ike Cohen, a highly regarded Aruban entrepreneur and philanthropist. Before he passed away at 96, Cohen put Bill Crona, a trusted business partner, in charge.

(Crona is from Tallahassee, Florida, where the two met.) Noting the expansive beach and ample space

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between the shady palapas (thatched-roof structures) under which guests relax, Crona says, “Manchebo was one of the early hotels, and they basically had the pick of the island when choosing this spot.”

Over the years, instead of building more guest rooms, the resort’s managers have invested in renovations and enhancements that broaden and improve services.

Maintaining the original two-level structures with seventy-two rooms preserves the property’s intimate Caribbean vibe. In fact, after first introductions, staff members have a way of remembering guests’ names. “They’ll also remember you when you return,” Crona promises. Manchebo hosts a high proportion of regulars from the United States, Europe, and South America. “Some have been coming to Manchebo for thirty years,” he says. “This is their home.”

“

Along with scrutinizing what they use on their bodies, wellness travelers also monitor what goes inside.

“We are a place to return for many,” says general manger Edgar Roelofs. Like countless others, he found his way to Aruba from Holland (in his case, twentyfive years ago) and decided to stay. “I came for a five-month internship in hospitality and fell in love with the island.” A surge in new hotel construction back then allowed him to find permanent employment, and he joined Manchebo in 2003.

“In 2004, I opened the spa with Ike,” he recalls, referring to Spa del Sol, which features Balinese architecture and private rooms that open to the sea.

Spas with Caribbean-themed treatments abound in Aruba and aloe vera is a prized ingredient, particularly during Aloe Awareness Month in June.

The succulent’s clear gel contains remarkable healing and skin-softening agents, and users appreciate that it’s farmed without pesticides. (Bugs don’t like aloe!)

Having ignited an industry that put Aruba on the map, the plant appears on the country’s coat of arms. Aruba Aloe, the company that has descended from the original maker, sells a complete line of aloe-based products to retailers and consumers in twenty-eight countries and online.

Along with scrutinizing what they use on their bodies, wellness travelers also monitor what goes inside; thus, they list nutrition and dietary preferences among their must-haves. In response, Aruban restaurateurs and hoteliers design thoughtful menus that frequently incorporate vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, organic, and other exceptions. Although the island imports a majority of its produce, fresh fruits and vegetables are plentiful in restaurants and stores like Super Food, the local supermarket. For an energizing, nutritious meal or pick-me-up, Nuts Nuts, a health food boutique with several locations in Aruba, also sells a variety of nuts, snacks, smoothies, teas, and more.

Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort, right next to Manchebo on Eagle Beach, retains a full-time nutritionist and dietician to guide and accommodate guests. “We do not believe wellness is a cookie-cutter concept,” says owner Ewald Biemans, who opened the spa-like, 104-room, adults-only resort in 1987. A native of Austria, Biemans was living in South America and working in the luxury hotel segment when he first visited Aruba on vacation. “I came here on weekends, and on one trip I met a guy in the hotel industry. I loved it here and stayed.”

Earning worldwide acclaim and travelers’ highest ratings, Bucuti and Tara has a reputation for anticipating desires and conceiving how best to fulfill them—that could be why 60 percent of its guests are repeat visitors. No matter a person’s dining preferences, for instance, flavor and ambience prevail.

Encased in glass for clear views of the pool deck and beach, the relaxed yet sophisticated Elements Restaurant prepares an array of organic and natural, fresh selections. Also on the property, the exclusive Carte Blanche restaurant, owned by Chef Dennis van Daatselaar, is what Biemans calls “a place for foodies” who embrace experimentation.

Above: Palm trees abound on One Happy Island, and street vendors with fresh coconuts are abundant, providing a refreshing natural libation and a souvenir all in one.

Opposite: As an ideal destination for those with a healthy and active lifestyle, Aruba offers water sports such as windsurfing, diving, swimming, and more.

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 83

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“

I feel that yesterday, today, and tomorrow are closely intertwined. The island is in movement.

Fresh tropical drinks flow across the island, along with the locally brewed Balashi Beer. The flavor resembles a European pilsner, but it’s the only beer made with desalinated Caribbean water. Those who count calories and monitor alcohol intake need not worry; the smaller bottles contain eight ounces rather than twelve, and Balashi also makes a light version called Chill.

Locals often mention Yemanja Woodfired Grill as their favorite for a dinner out.

Inventing her own European and Caribbean signature dishes, Chef Joyce Hüsken, who grew up and trained in the Netherlands, uses a wood-fired grill to retain the distinct, fresh flavors of her ingredients. Her highlighted recommendations include a Caribbean barbecued mahi-mahi fillet with plantain chutney and an open-faced Mediterranean veggie burger on a sprouted sesame bun, layered with hummus and spinach.

On occasion, even wellness vacationers need to break some dietary rules, and when in Aruba, pastechi is a worthwhile splurge. Similar to an empanada, the stuffed and fried pastry placates even the most persistent fast-food craving. Choosing the ham, cheese, beef, tuna, or chicken filling can be stressful—so the sensible decision is to try a few!

More conscientiously addressing the issue of stress, Manchebo led the way in offering yoga in Aruba’s resorts. “I was noticing that the yoga companies owned some of the hotels in Costa Rica,” recalls Crona, who has a home there. Anticipating the benefit to guests, he says, “We converted the pavilion on the beach into a yoga deck and began bringing in teachers from Costa Rica.” Yoga and Pilates are now island staples, and resorts like Manchebo host regular classes. They further assist guests in arranging one-on-one and group sessions for all levels. Conducive to meditation, the scenery and trade winds draw many to practice on the beach.

Yoga is not the only addiction. Beach tennis, golf, paddleboarding, waterskiing, and kitesurfing also keep active guests and locals fit and happy.

Above: The wildlife on Aruba varies greatly across the island’s diverse ecosystems. This famous pink flock can be seen on Flamingo Beach on Renaissance Island.

Opposite: The flourishing culture on the island is a product of its many global influences, bringing dance, the arts, and historical celebrations to its calendar of events for all to enjoy.

Overall, Aruba is a splendid place for culinary exploration. European, Latin, Caribbean, and African influences are among the many viewpoints that spawn inventive menus with seafood, meat, vegetarian, and vegan specialties.

For tasty concoctions that are so beautifully plated they could be served in an upscale eatery, visit the West Deck, an alfresco seaside porch open for lunch and dinner with tantalizing small plates of fried funchi (polenta) with Dutch cheese, island coconut shrimp with homemade mango chutney, Caribbean jerk chicken wings, and more.

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Of all physical activities, dancing is second nature on Aruba, especially when night falls and live music plays. (For those who want to pick up some salsa or merengue, local teachers offer lessons.) Moomba Beach Bar and Restaurant, only a ten-minute drive from Manchebo or Bucuti and Tara, lures movers and shakers to the sands of Palm Beach. Two large palapas amplify the Latin music and carefree mood, and it’s easy to spend hours there without realizing it. Even so, barhopping is also a blast, and for a safe yet wildly fun evening, many board the colorful Kukoo Kunuku party bus, which makes multiple stops and returns patrons to their hotels.

Renowned locally and abroad as a dancer and choreographer, Alydia Wever, who grew up in the Aruban Dance Theater (owned and directed by her mother) and studied at the Boston Conservatory and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, prizes opportunities to share the folkloric dances she performs with her group.

Keeping the island’s history alive through dance, she says, “I feel that yesterday, today, and tomorrow are closely intertwined.” Wever further perceives a strong

connection between the rhythm of the island and dance. “The island is in movement,” she expresses.

Correspondingly, an eclectic artistic movement has emerged on Aruba and celebrations of art and culture fill the island. Arguably the most electrifying display of public art, eight shocking-blue horse sculptures in downtown Oranjestad pay tribute to Paardenbaai, or the Bay of Horses, where the animals arrived on the island during the seventeenth century.

The people of One Happy Island clearly urge their guests to make wonderful memories, but not necessarily attempt to do it all in one trip. If the idea is to go home feeling renewed and happy, they would rather share their love of Aruba with visiting friends who return again and again.

For more information or to plan your vacation, the Aruba Tourism Authority’s website at www.Aruba.com is a great place to begin.

Louis Louis is the sister restaurant of Picolo's restaurant and the Red Bar in Grayton beach.

LIVE

ARRIVE EARLY, STAY LATE. CASH OR CHECK ONLY, NO CREDIT CARDS. THERE IS AN ATM ON SITE.

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Voyager

A GREENER WAY TO TRAVEL BIKING GETS A BOOST FROM PEDEGO

Product Photography courtesy of Pedego Electric Bikes

Last fall, the two-wheeled commuters of Northwest Florida’s Scenic Highway 30-A discovered a quicker way to go to and fro along the eighteen-mile stretch of coastal road.

Passing through colorful beach towns and chic resort areas such as Alys Beach, 30-A is known as a vacation destination for Southern tourists who want a unique experience on the Gulf of Mexico’s white-sand beaches. The area is also favored by many celebrities who either own homes here or visit frequently.

Biking is a popular pastime on 30-A and the ideal way to travel, whether you’re heading from your vacation home in Blue Mountain Beach to do some shopping in Seaside, off to enjoy drinks and live music at the Red Bar in Grayton Beach, or just spending the day cruising from one scenic stop to the next.

Thanks to Pedego 30A, the area’s first all-electric bicycle shop, travelers can enjoy the scenery without needing more hours in the day to get to it all. Pedego 88 | JA NUA R Y / FE B R UARY 2017

TWO’S COMPANY The Pedego Tandem Cruiser is the world’s only electric bicycle built for two.

Electric Bikes are an environmentally friendly alternative to gas-powered vehicles, but they go faster than conventional bicycles and still provide exercise.

They can be pedaled manually or electronically, and riders can get assistance up to twenty miles per hour with PedalSense technology, which operates at five different power levels.

“From my first ride on a Pedego, I fell in love with the simplicity of it,” says Jason Medina, co-owner of Pedego 30A. A Destin native and U.S. Coast Guard retiree, Jason and his wife, Emily, were Pedego fans before they decided to open Pedego 30A in the WaterColor Crossings shopping center of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, last November. “I love the ease of getting around, the alternative transportation aspect of these bikes. The flexibility and choices of destinations and routes are so liberating! I can go whenever, wherever—as I choose.”

A NEW WAY TO CRUISE The Pedego Interceptor combines the comfort and style of a beach cruiser with the performance of a top-quality electric bicycle.

“I love the ease of getting around, the alternative transportation aspect of these bikes. The flexibility and choices of destinations and routes are so liberating!"

It’s not just a Florida thing—Pedego 30A became the brand’s eighty-ninth store location upon opening, and Pedego has moved to the top of the list as America’s best-selling electric bicycle since its inception in 2008 in Orange County, California. Its ten high-quality models include cruisers, tandems, commuters, fat-tire bikes, mountain bikes, cargo bikes, and a convenient electric folding bike. “Pedego electric bikes are a perfect match for the Emerald Coast,” says Pedego CEO and cofounder Don DiCostanzo. “With a choice of colorful bikes at hand … the South Walton community is sure to be delighted by Pedego 30A.” Pedego 30A offers sales, rentals, maintenance, and a variety of products and accessories for cyclists, including Nutcase Helmets, Thule, ABUS, Yepp, Burley, and many more. Scenic 30-A bike tours are also available with a reservation. “A Pedego electric bike rental is the most fun way to get out and explore V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 89

Voyager

“Riders can go so much farther, and faster, with a ton of fun along the way. With ten models to choose from, there’s a bike for everyone."

Scenic Highway 30-A and beyond,” says Pedego 30A co-owner Emily Medina. “Riders can go so much farther, and faster, with a ton of fun along the way. With ten models to choose from, there’s a bike for everyone.”

Pedego 30A is located in WaterColor Crossing on County Road 395 by Publix. Stop by for Pedego Electric Bikes, tour information, free test drives, and more! Photo by Romona Robbins.

850.267.3028 3295 W Count y Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

With their whisper-quiet motors and powerful lithium-ion batteries, Pedego bikes make headwinds, hills, and long trips a breeze, so riders can enjoy more miles and reach destinations with a smile.

Learn more at www.Pedego30A.com, call the shop at (850) 598-6380, or visit Pedego 30A at 174 Watercolor Way, Suite 106, in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.

Voyager

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE A CELEBRATION OF THE BALLET RUSSE DE MONTE CARLO April 1 @ 7:30 pm ∙ April 2 @ 2:30 pm ∙ Mattie Kelly Arts Center

Live Music by the Northwest Florida Ballet Symphony Orchestra

Tickets On Sale March 3 The Firebird with music by Igor Stravinsky and choreography by Derek Reid

Scheherazade

with music by Rimsky-Korsakov and choreography by Ian Carney

Romeo & Juliet Balcony Scene with music by Sergei Prokofiev and choreography by Todd Eric Allen

850.664.7787 NFBallet.org

Sponsored In Part By:

Sartorial

Sartorial STRIKE A POSE

With awards season upon us, it’s time to dust off our best looks and emulate some of our favorite red carpet styles of the year. We’ve already kicked off with the Golden Globes, and Best Actress nominee Emma Stone (La La Land) is one of our all-time red carpet favorites.

Loving the classic Hollywood glam of her Prada gown seen at the December 6 premiere of La La Land.

Photo by Helga Esteb

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Sartorial

r a l u c a t c e p S S C E SP

REAL” O S “ R O I THE D FFERS O N O I T CIOUS, COLLEC I L E D O DY S EYE CAN HAVE ’T N A C YOU E! JUST ON

Get Real!

Characterized by their deconstructed pantos shape, this collection of front row–worthy sunnies are perfect for throwing shade in style. The two-tone lenses and architectural frames are available in a variety of chic colors and also come in customizable options.

94 | JA NUA R Y / FE B R UARY 2017

J’adore Dior!

Along with the new “So Real” collection, the luxury brand has rolled out plenty of sunglasses to suit every style.

Available at www.Dior.com and The Lens Bar Seacrest Beach, Florida (850) 502-2676 V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 95

Sartorial

A PATHWAY TO

Bliss

BY ANNE W. SCHULTZ

Just as Lululemon Athletica in Grayton Beach, Florida, offers a variety of classes and activities for clients— such as yoga taught on stand-up paddleboards in the area’s rare coastal dune lakes—the Lululemon brand offers clothing to suit athletes for all occasions. Photo by Dawn Chapman Whitty.

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Maybe it’s the playful name “Lululemon”—which sounds to me more like a Ben and Jerry’s ice cream flavor than a store—that suggests there is something magical about this unique retail venture. The fact that one visionary man can follow his dream and launch a single store that expands to three hundred plus worldwide only adds to its mystique.

Maybe it’s the company’s “desire to empower people to reach their full potential” that lights up the whole operation. Walk into any Lululemon and discover for yourself why it’s so much more than a store.

You’ll find not only over-the-top yoga pants there but also an active lifestyle that makes for happier and healthier living—a lifestyle committed to practicing yoga or any other exercise that keeps you sweating. “Our love for yoga runs deep; it rejuvenates our body, calms our mind, and is at the core of who we are,” the company’s website explains. So whether you’re stretching your arms to the sky in a tree pose or out in a warrior stance, Lululemon has you covered in high-tech apparel that moves with your body.

later that it’s a stylized A, but to me it resembles the Greek omega. The white logo enclosed in a red circle is printed on a signboard at the entrance to a small shopping center in Grayton Beach, Florida. Like a child on a treasure hunt, I searched for the store to match it until, through a window, I spotted the same exceptional clothing I had found in Charleston.

It was love at first stretch for Lululemon’s founder, Chip Wilson, at the first commercial yoga class offered in Vancouver. There he experienced an endorphin high similar to the ones he enjoyed while surfing and snowboarding.

He was sold on yoga, but with his passion for high-tech athletic fabrics, he was not impressed by the baggy clothing that participants wore. Thus, Lululemon clothing was designed by day and tested by instructors during yoga classes by night.

It’s embarrassing how many times I’ve worn my pants over the past four years, yet they still look brand new.

Photo courtesy of Lululemon.

In 2000, the first store opened in the Vancouver beach community of Kitsilano. Years later, a showroom opened in another beach community—the one where I live in the Northwest Florida Panhandle, famed for its white sandy beaches and emerald waters.

How I stumbled upon this local showroom was as serendipitous and fun as the beginnings of Lululemon itself.

It all started on King Street, the commercial shopping district in Charleston, South Carolina, where I purchased a pair of terrificlooking yoga pants at an unassuming store without a name out front. As one of the few on the planet who had never heard of Lululemon, I didn’t realize I was in their Charleston showroom until years later, when I was back home driving down the main beach corridor of Highway 30-A and spotted the logo—the same one that was attached to the zipper of my yoga pants! I find out

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 97

Sartorial They never bag or sag and haven’t shrunk after countless washings. They are buttery soft against my skin and hug the body so my Iyengar Yoga instructor can check my alignment. They look stylish enough to wear out to lunch or coffee in a beach community where casual and laid-back are the dress code. They have even endured miles of hiking trails and never unravel in spite of the tiny pinpricks inflicted by the needle-sharp claws of my daughter’s rat terrier.

“OUR LOVE FOR YOGA RUNS DEEP; IT REJUVENATES OUR BODY, CALMS OUR MIND, AND IS AT THE CORE OF WHO WE ARE.”

Lululemon’s wide array of sports gear and loungewear includes yoga and running pants and shorts, sports bras, swimwear, cold weather gear, accessories, and more for women and men. Photo courtesy of Lululemon.

Grayton Beach Lululemon ambassador and yoga instructor Laura Bailey explains why: “The seams are stitched six times, and pants are prewashed so they retain their shape. I still wear yoga pants I’ve owned for ten years. I love how they include ‘happy surprises’ in their clothing, like a hair tie on the end of a zipper and pockets concealed in unexpected places. The fabrics are amazing. In some fabrics

they use the technology of silver threads woven in to inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria. My favorite fabric is what’s called ‘Full-On Luxtreme.’ It is breathable, wicks sweat away, and dries really quickly.”

Although Lululemon usually selects new ambassadors every one to two years, Bailey stands out as an exception: she has served for four. In 2017, another local yoga guru, Angela Ragsdale, joined the Lululemon family as the new ambassador, while Bailey transitioned into the role of legacy ambassador, remaining a member of the Lululemon family.

If yoga is the “core” of Lululemon, then wonderful staff and ambassadors like Bailey and Ragsdale are its heart and soul. They are embodiments of the holistic lifestyle that Lululemon promotes with its athletic and leisure clothing. They are the ones who live the brand’s mission every day and who attract others to it with their energy and vitality, along with their calm and serene composure. They welcome customers with friendly smiles and bond with the local community at free yoga classes at the store, which Bailey teaches once a month. They also pass along information about local yoga classes, unique coastal offerings like yoga on stand-up paddleboards, as well as healthy restaurant recommendations and other information pertaining to a healthy lifestyle.

According to the American Yoga Association, “The classical techniques of Yoga date back more than five thousand years. In ancient times, the desire for greater personal freedom, health and long life, and heightened self-understanding gave birth to this system of physical and mental exercise that has since spread throughout the world. The word Yoga means ‘to join or yoke together,’ and it brings the body and mind together into one harmonious experience.”

It seems more than a coincidence that yoga, one of the few exercises to address mind and body, has resurfaced and spread throughout the world at a time when both are threatened by technology. During the Industrial Revolution, physical fitness declined as advances in industrial and mechanical technologies replaced labor-intensive jobs. Large populations moved from farms, where outdoor chores provided natural exercise, to a more sedentary lifestyle in the city.

In The History of Fitness, Lance C. Dalleck, MS, and Len Kravitz, PhD, write about how the health costs of industrialization and urbanization weren’t apparent until much later, in the 1950s and 1960s. At that time, an epidemic of diseases that had not been prevalent before— including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes—exploded as the leading causes of disease and death.

A fitness test for children in the 1950s measured the decline in our physical fitness, as 60 percent of American children failed at least one of the tests in comparison to only 9 percent of children from European countries.

Skyrocketing obesity and the continuing rise of these same diseases indicate technology is still affecting our health. Yoga is the ideal

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preventive medicine for the effects of today’s technology that keeps us indoors staring at screens instead of exercising. Technology follows us into the car and is carried with us throughout the day, so our minds are constantly bombarded by sound bites, advertisements, gossip, and much more.

The dedicated staff and Lululemon brand ambassadors of Florida’s South Walton region make both classes and shopping fun and informational for their clients. Photo by Dawn Chapman Whitty.

“THE WORD YOGA MEANS ‘TO JOIN OR YOKE TOGETHER,’ AND IT BRINGS THE BODY AND MIND TOGETHER INTO ONE HARMONIOUS EXPERIENCE.” Yoga directs our focus inward to a deep reservoir of peace and serenity. Its meditative techniques help us surrender our egos, tune out other voices, and quiet our minds enough to hear the one voice we most need to listen to—the still, small voice within. It’s more than magical—it’s downright miraculous—how daily exercise, a healthier diet, and meditation help us reach our full potential. By offering the gift of yoga, Lululemon not only opens the door to a more blissful lifestyle, but also makes sure everyone is well dressed for the occasion.

WWW.LULULEMON.COM

Origin

al G ra

yton Gi rl

Kitty Taylor, Broker, GRI, CRS, CIPS Catherine Ryland, Broker Associate “Grayton Girl Team” Selling Grayton and Beach Properties along 30A.

Grayto

n 1968

850.231.2886 | 850.585.5334 133 Defuniak Street, Grayton Beach, FL 32459 www.graytoncoastproperties.com

Sartorial

PEACE, LOVE, AND

BY JAMIE PARKER PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MAHA LOKA

B

e great. Do great. Live great. These simple words embody the spirit of Maha Loka, a brand dedicated to building a supportive global community.

The Maha Loka dream did not reveal itself all at once. Rather, it developed slowly, evolving as I experienced our wonderful world every day.

Throughout my life, I have experienced many exciting opportunities to get to know the extraordinary people that make up our magnificently diverse world. Casual conversations often led to sharing life stories. Strangers became lifelong friends after connecting in soulsearching and other purposeful activities. Leading peaceful yet exciting yoga sessions at Otium 30A in Inlet Beach, Florida, resulted in opportunities to touch lives and bond with others through fitness and self-growth.

What these encounters revealed to me was what I believe we all already know in our hearts: Our amazing world is full of incredible people—shining spirits with bright promise and eager souls, individuals driven by passion and a desire to be part of something greater than themselves.

Filled with hope, happiness, and compassion, each of us carries within our hearts the innate desire to preserve our beautiful world and its diverse cultures.

We walk this earth as equal yet unique individuals and crave a universal home that fosters love, friendship, and acceptance.

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It was the culmination of these encounters and the desire to achieve a globally unified vision that gave birth to the Maha Loka brand. Meaning “Great World,” Maha Loka was not only developed to work with artisans around the globe to produce eco-friendly and sustainable bags, accessories, and other products, but also to bring together a supportive community of unique personalities and cultures.

Maha Loka seemed a fitting name to describe our group of caring individuals who strive toward positive unity.

Maha Loka is more than a simple company selling recycled products. The mission of this great community is to help support people worldwide by providing ethical and sustainable products. By collaborating with artisans from around the globe— from Italy to Bali, New York to El Salvador—who channel their spirits into each of their handcrafted products, Maha Loka represents that mission from concept and design all the way to the consumer. Maha Loka also partners with other brands that have the same high standards, morals, and values and who share a passion for the earth and its people. To give back, Maha Loka supports causes that in turn promote

Above: All Maha Loka products are handcrafted from high-quality, sustainable, animal-friendly materials.

Opposite: The “Be Great” shoulder bag is handmade by women in El Salvador and features straps with brass buckles perfect for holding your yoga mat or a blanket.

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Sartorial MAHA LOKA EMBODIES THE ASPIRATION TO BE GREAT, DO GREAT, AND LIVE GREAT. the development and perseverance of our great world.

In these ways, Maha Loka and its lifestyle community strive to positively influence the world and encourage others to adopt the same mind-set.

Maha Loka’s mission is only possible through the support of its blended ensemble of artisans, visionaries, and dreamers. As one mind, one body, and one spirit, our remarkable community works together to encourage peace in humanity and ensure the success of creating a world united. Maha Loka embodies the aspiration to be great, do great, and live great.

It is a unified essence, a soul that strives to make this great world a happier, cleaner, and more sustainable place.

THEMAHALOKA.COM

art Gallery | custom framinG | interior desiGn

Over 25 Years Experience | Home Furnishing & Accessories | Personalized Interiors Organized Project Management | Floor to Ceiling Design | Original & Commissioned Art

850.650.0779

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- Formerly Geana’s Art Gallery -

850.496.2205 | 36150 Emerald Coast Pkwy., Ste. 106, Destin, FL

La vitalité

La vitalité A ZEST FOR LIFE

GREEN IN ’17 In honor of Pantone’s 2017 Color of the Year, Greenery, we’re introducing our inaugural “La vitalité” department with this refreshing green smoothie recipe courtesy of Freshii.

Freshii is an up-and-coming international brand with the mission to “help citizens of the world live better by making healthy food convenient and affordable.”

Freshii Green Smoothie Blend kale, spinach, pineapple, avocado, and low-fat frozen yogurt on high, and enjoy!

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La vitalité

TIP: If the routine becomes very comfortable and easy to perform, add weight.

FIND YOUR FROM RUNNING MARATHONS TO

FIT

LIFTING VERY HEAVY OBJECTS OR ACHIEVING PERFECT BALANCE, FITNESS GOALS ARE DIFFERENT FOR

ANGELA RAGSDALE

JACOB SUMMERS

ROUNDED UP A PANEL

Owner/Instructor at 30A Namaste Yoga, Lululemon Brand Ambassador

Certified Personal Trainer, Strongman Competitor

OF EXPERTS IN VARIOUS

AngelaRagsdale.com

BarsAndStripesFitness.com

I always start my practice by warming up my spine with a few cat and cow poses, then incorporating child’s pose. Next I go into downward-facing dog, and then step into a forward fold. Sun salutations always follow. I love a warrior sequence that includes high lunge, warrior 2, reverse warrior into extended side angle pose, back to high lunge, to warrior 3, and then to half-moon pose. You can either vinyasa through that into upward and then downward dog, or you can simply go to forward fold from there. I usually like to do sequences in threes. Wind down with pigeon pose, to half lord of the fishes pose, then to fire log or double pigeon pose. Supine, static stretches for the hamstrings and hips are essential for winding down. I also do a supported bridge pose with the block below my hip points to set my sacrum. End with at least five minutes of savasana—you’ve earned it!

As a veteran, a Southerner, and a geek, I have two favorite workouts: 5/3/1 powerlifting for the weekdays and Strongman for the weekends. On weekdays, I focus on maximum strength with the big three lifts—bench, squat, and deadlift—for five-rep sets on Mondays, three-rep sets on Wednesdays, and one-rep sets on Fridays, doing anywhere from three to five sets. If I have the time, I might do more. On the weekends, I do Strongman workouts, organized like competitions with a group of friends to have fun and to allow for ample rest time. Typical Strongman events include the log press, yoke walk, farmer’s carries, Atlas stone load, sandbag carry, axle deadlift, heavy tire flip, and even pulling a truck by chain hand over hand or by strapping up to it and walking.

EVERYONE. WE’VE

FIELDS OF FITNESS TO PROVIDE INSPIRATION, GIVE SOME POINTERS, AND SHARE A FEW OF THEIR FAVORITE WORKOUTS!

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“

WE OFTEN USE OUR BOARDS AS WEIGHTS, PERFORM YOGA OR WORKOUTS ON THE WATER, AND INCLUDE BEACH RUNS AND STAIRS TO CHALLENGE AND STRENGTHEN OUR CLIENTS.

”

TOM LOSEE Stand-Up Paddleboarding Pioneer, Lululemon Brand Ambassador BoathousePaddleClub.com

I have lived along Scenic Highway 30-A in Northwest Florida for fifteen years and have enjoyed numerous entrepreneurial pursuits. Aside from my children, my proudest accomplishment is the creation of RUN/ SUP—a fitness and lifestyle brand that combines my two fitness passions, running and stand-up paddling (SUP). I believe 30-A has some of the best places to run and to SUP in the world. RUN/SUP is an interval-style workout that is the perfect cross-training tool. We often use our boards as weights, perform yoga or workouts on the water, and include beach runs and stairs to challenge and strengthen our clients at the WaterColor Boathouse. Join us and find out how to, as we say with RUN/SUP, “let your workout take you somewhere.”

COACH KAREN MEADOWS

ZOLTAN NAGY

USA Triathlon and USA Track and Field Certified Coach, Lululemon Brand Ambassador

Owner and Certified Personal Trainer, Destin Athletic Club

Coach-Karen.com

DACFitness.com

As a triathlon and running coach, I love having my athletes do their long runs in the Panama City Beach Conservation Park. It offers a network of trails ranging from two to ten-plus miles, with tall pines providing some relief from our hot summers.

A favorite workout for marathon training includes a warm-up of two miles’ easy jogging, plus dynamic warm-up exercises (high knees, butt kicks, heel walks, sky reaches). The main set starts with a onehour run at planned marathon pace (PMP), then a one-mile easy jog. Go back into tempo (an effort that you could hold for a 15K race or about an hour) for two to four miles, with two- to three-minute rests as needed. Cool down with gentle stretching.

I believe nutrition and lifestyle plans are essential to help each person achieve his or her goals and assume an overall healthy life, in addition to exercise. The following exercise is good overall conditioning for anyone who wants to build a strong, athletic physique and burn calories much faster. Using dumbbells or barbells, perform six reps for each exercise in a continuous manner: upright rows, high pull snatch, squat press, bent-over rows, and high pull snatch again. Pick a weight that you can finish the whole sequence with— approximately 60 to 70 percent of your first repetition maximum. For a higher intensity, increase the weights or repetitions. Note: If the routine becomes very comfortable and easy to perform, add weight.

TIP: A post-workout recovery drink (with a good mix of protein, carbs, antioxidants, and potassium) within thirty minutes will help ensure a faster recovery!

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La vitalité

Journey

AN INSPIRATIONAL

LIVING WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

By Stephanie Shaia Photography by Sohail Chouhan

A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence.

—JIM WATKINS

e live in a world of instant gratification. We tend to take the quickest, most direct path and appreciate the destination more than the journey.

For me, a direct path has not been an option. I know exactly what I want to do, am excited to start my career, but still have been in and out of college for eight years. I have a chronic disease. My body rarely works like it’s supposed to. Overall, I am healing and improving, but it is taking years to become fully functional again. I had to learn to enjoy the journey. Hopefully my story can help you do the same.

who I am; I like being busy and active. In 2007, everything changed. My body couldn’t keep up. I was sixteen years old, and it was the summer before my junior year of high school. I developed extreme weakness, severe muscle spasms, cognitive and memory problems, visual disturbances, and pain. In December of 2007, I was diagnosed with malignant multiple sclerosis (MS).

Before I was sick, I was that overachieving kid that did everything. I led multiple extracurricular clubs, played clarinet and saxophone, was in color guard with the marching band, played softball, and made As in all my classes. That’s just

The doctor told me I should not expect to walk again. He also said that we would do everything possible to stop the disease progression. I’ll spare

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you the details of all those treatments—suffice it to say that I was lucky. In 2011, my disease was relabeled from malignant to benign. From a neurology standpoint, the disease is inactive and expected to remain that way; unfortunately, some symptoms have continued.

fantastic school and I loved it, but I did not learn until my sophomore year that the course work in my major was not as strong as it was at other schools. I am an exercise science major. It is just as rigorous a major as biology or chemistry, but we focus on the effects of exercise on the body.

Right now, exercise science degree requirements are not standardized from school to school like most health professions; the field is growing and in a transition period. For students, this means we need to search out academic programs that offer the specific course work we want. The first time I withdrew from school to take recovery time, I decided that, since school was going to take longer than planned, I would make sure it’s worth it by getting the best, most comprehensive education possible.

The one thing that has been consistent is inconsistency. There are good days and bad days, and even good hours in the middle of an otherwise bad day. There are months when I feel better, and months when I feel worse.

What I find most challenging is that I never know how I will feel when I wake up or what I’ll be able to do each day. It varies dramatically.

Some days, I can run a mile, and my brain is alert and works quickly to do any type of schoolwork. Other days, I’m the equivalent of a pile of Jell-O melting into the couch.

I go to a functional medicine doctor for treatment. If you have any type of chronic condition, I highly recommend checking out functional medicine. It is a perspective that looks at the whole body, rather than any particular system. In my case, neurology dealt with the damage happening to my brain, but neglected the root cause of why I got sick in the first place. That’s where functional medicine has come in. For the last year or so, I’ve been treating a very stubborn mycoplasma infection and working to balance gut health and correct a candida overgrowth. Again, if you have any chronic condition—particularly fatigue, fibromyalgia, or an autoimmune condition—look into these things.

Treating these often-ignored factors is making a huge difference for me. But, as I said, it’s a slow road.

Now, let me be clear; I am not a spokesperson for everyone with MS. Every patient is different, and my case is unusual in many ways. The important

Stephanie Shaia

OVERALL, I AM HEALING AND IMPROVING, BUT IT IS TAKING YEARS TO BECOME FULLY FUNCTIONAL AGAIN. part of my story—the part I want you to take note of—is that I have been sick in varying degrees for over nine years. I definitely will not cut the rock by power. I am not on the standard, direct path, but I am determined to achieve my goals with persistence.

Perhaps it’s even better this way.

If I had completed college on a standard four-year plan, I would have stayed at my first school. It was a

I went home and regained some strength.

Then, I transferred to a school that is supposed to be the best one for exercise science in the country. The course work was great, but the school’s attitude was problematic. They knew I had MS, but insisted I take a full-time course load. Halfway through my first semester there, I became sick again. The disability office was of no help, so I finished the course work I could and then moved. I ended up finding my current school, where I found a similar class lineup, as well as professors and a disability office that support me in any way they can.

I have learned a lot of lessons along the way—lessons I could not have learned had I taken a different path. I’ve made contacts in three different regions of the country and have been exposed to multiple professors’ interests and specialties. All this experience will add up so that, when I do finally graduate in May 2017, I will be more marketable and have more knowledge and experience than many other new graduates. Not to mention I’ve gained plenty of

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I HAVE LEARNED A LOT OF LESSONS ALONG THE WAY—LESSONS I COULD NOT HAVE LEARNED HAD I TAKEN A DIFFERENT PATH. personal experience in my field by dealing with my own body that I will later be able to apply to my clients. The journey is what prepares us for the destination.

Still, some days, it’s easy to wish things were different. I admit I get frustrated when there is so much happening around me that I can’t do. One thing I firmly believe, however, is that everyone deals with some type of challenge—maybe it’s financial, maybe it’s emotional, maybe it’s disease or injury. Everyone, at some point in life, will face something difficult and beyond their control. When that happens, it is important to find the things you can do and not to dwell on the things you can’t.

There is no point in trying to compare your problem to someone else’s. Figure out what is important to you, set realistic goals, and work toward them. Even if you can’t achieve the goal as quickly as you want, you can still achieve it.

When I was a child, my parents always told me to do my best. I could earn an A or a C and they would be equally proud, as long as it was the best I could do. I am grateful to have been raised that way. Every person’s abilities are different and we all have strengths and weaknesses. Do your best and do not compare yourself to anyone else. Your goal for finding happiness is likely completely different from mine. Trust your intuition; it is your best guide. Some days you work hard, and some days you need to rest and take care of yourself. Balance is important for everyone, and even more so when dealing with disease. But I know that if I can do it, you can do it. Find value in the journey—persistence is the key.

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La vitalité

Zoltan “Zoli” Nagy Owner, Destin Athletic Club

CHASING

THE DREAM A Dedicated Life

By Lisa Ferrick Photos by Edina Kiss Photography

There will always be some obstacle. You will always have some reason why you cannot do it. But it’s actually very simple. You have to stay consistent. You’ve got to have a plan and find somebody who has the knowledge and ask for help. That’s it. Through health and fitness, anything is possible.

—Zoltan “Zoli” Nagy

Each of us has a dream, an instinctual driving force that pushes us to make the most of our lives.

As most people can attest, it’s right about the time when you’ve finally hit your stride that it all comes crashing down, leaving you disheartened and wary of the future. Sometimes these setbacks can be quickly and easily dealt with, and you’re free to continue along with your progression uninterrupted. More times than not, that isn’t quite how it pans out. Your only option is to follow that age-old adage: Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.

It was during one of these inconvenient episodes that I found myself experiencing fear and anxiety in a way that I never had before. Before I knew it, I was on a downward spiral and powerless to prevent it.

I found myself lost in a self-sabotaging maze of my own creation, with no clear way out. I had a creeping suspicion that this would come to define my life, for

better or for worse, and that taking control of the situation was the only chance I had. Looking back, I now realize that this “creeping suspicion” was my moment of clarity.

I decided to take back the control that I had lost and continue pursuing my dreams. What follows is the account of how one man single-handedly pulled me out of my self-induced rut and helped me understand that there is a fine line between pride and humility and that the foundation of a happy, fulfilling life begins with health. This is my story, but it wouldn’t be complete without first introducing a particular key character: my friend, Zoltan “Zoli” Nagy, owner of the Destin Athletic Club in Destin, Florida.

Humble Beginnings Nagy’s formative years were spent in the sovereign state of Romania under the rule of the Romanian Communist Party at a time when full-scale rationing

was in place. With most of the quality foods being exported, he committed to learning how to grow his own in the fertile soil of the Olt River valley.

There exists a well-known anecdote about Boris Yeltsin stopping off in an American grocery store in 1989, during his visit to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Upon observing, for the first time, a multitude of shelves lined with goods of every possible sort, Yeltsin was reportedly astonished by the abundance of food compared to what his countrymen were forced to survive on in Russia. I like to imagine Nagy having a similar reaction to the aisles of the average American grocery store, but also recognizing that this hodgepodge of options could ironically be detrimental to the health of unsuspecting shoppers. Having a variety of fresh apples to choose from is a blessing; having a dozen different flavors of Oreos tempting us can be a curse.

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“Being a competitive athlete will teach you exceptional work ethic in any field you wish to apply it. It will also teach you to work through any discomfort.”

Opposite: At Destin Athletic Club, clients learn nutrition and custom lifestyle plans in addition to strength and conditioning workouts.

Romania has a long, rich history of sports ingrained into its culture. Nagy hails from a family of athletes.

Though the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid is mostly famous for the “Miracle on Ice,” he remembers it for a different reason: his father was there, representing Romania on the same ice hockey rink where a young, inexperienced American hockey team would ultimately make history. He would go on to follow in his father’s footsteps, becoming a professional hockey player up until the age of twenty-three.

Soon after his career in hockey ended, Nagy decided that his dream of becoming the best competitive

athlete he could was better served by a change of scenery. He had grown up admiring the physiques of Western celebrities such as Schwarzenegger and Stallone, even going so far as to hang their posters on his bedroom wall. With the images of these fitness gurus as his constant reminder that with enough hard work and discipline, anything was achievable, his destination became clear. Nagy left the Eastern bloc behind with nothing more than an overstuffed suitcase, around $400 in cash, and determination. He set out for the Land of the Free in search of his destiny.

Reality Check Years later, grappling with my uncertainty of the future, I would find myself also making some life-altering decisions. These changes weren’t born out of a personal desire to look better in a bikini or because I was bored and needed a new hobby.

It turned out that they were necessary if I had any intention of continuing to live.

Aside from the fact that I was spending more and more of my days existing in what I refer to as “a funk,” I also wasn’t eating much. The little that I did eat was anything but nutritious or wholesome, so, as a result, I was losing weight—and not in a good way. This perfect storm of self-neglect led me to the emergency room.

I’ve always considered myself a courageous person for the most part, but being in the confines of an emergency room will typically make even the most stoic individuals second-guess their bravery. I was terrified. I’ve no shame in admitting that the entire

experience was somewhat traumatizing. For the first time in my life, I was completely and utterly not in control. I was far away from home, which meant that I had no real family nearby. Adding to my distress, I was injected with unfamiliar drugs (something I have never been fond of ). The doctors were able to get me stabilized and released, but on top of being deprived of electrolytes and suffering from malnutrition, I was now pumped full of unnatural chemicals.

After barely getting through this unexpected ordeal, I received bad news from my doctor. Though I have never received an official diagnosis, the results of the tests they had run at the hospital were nothing short of startling. On top of being severely dehydrated, I began experiencing heart palpitations, and my blood pressure was dangerously high. My doctor recommended I submit to further testing. He also insisted that I undergo a drastic lifestyle change, and, worst of all, he warned me that I might be looking at a lifetime of taking medication to control my condition.

These revelations and the despair that accompanied them could not have come at a worse time. I was in the middle of starting my own business and struggling for some sense of structure. I got caught up in achieving my goals but had neglected my health. I wholeheartedly agreed that a lifestyle change was in order, but the last thing I wanted to hear at this stage in my life was that my well-being might depend on daily medications and regular testing. On the verge of defeat, I prayed for another way; Nagy was the answer to my prayer.

From Dishes to Fitness “Being a competitive athlete will teach you exceptional work ethic in any field you wish to apply it,” remarks Nagy. “It will also teach you to work through any discomfort.” Upon arriving in America, he accepted his first job: washing dishes in the basement of a Hilton hotel. Leaving behind all the perks that came along with being a respected professional athlete and working long hours in the service industry was humbling. “Starting from the bottom and working my way up is one experience that I would never change.”

He continued to work odd jobs to make ends meet— from laying tile to doing henna tattoos—and even

shared his residence with six other people at one point. Through it all, he maintained his workout regimen, squeezing in sessions wherever he could.

As fate would have it, it was on one of his visits to the gym that Nagy realized an occupation existed in America he’d never even heard of back home: the personal trainer. “We had a coach,” he explains, “but we don’t have personal trainers.

“After quitting hockey,” Nagy continues, “nothing excited me. I had spent so much time playing organized sports that I felt incomplete without the idea of competition in my life.” He began looking into the qualifications needed to become a personal trainer. “I felt like this was the perfect marriage between athleticism and competition.” As far as Nagy was concerned, this would provide him with the competitive drive he had longed for, with the added benefit of assisting others who might be striving to find their purpose.

In establishing his style of training, Nagy developed a personal connection with Istvan Javorek, a retired Hungarian strength and conditioning coach who had trained Olympic weightlifters and coached field events and conditioning at Texas A&M University.

“Istvan is my coach, my mentor. He helped me find

my style, which I combined with everything I had learned from hockey and fitness in general. Best of all,” Nagy says with a smile, “he’s from my neck of the woods.”

After much diligent research, Nagy formulated his ideal workout plan and dietary guidelines. Soon after that, he became certified by the American Council on Exercise, transforming his dream of becoming a personal trainer into reality. The next step in his journey was securing clients. As it turned out, finding people in need of motivating themselves was the easy part.

A Little Help There are fundamental truths that I have come to believe in unequivocally: I believe that taking care of your body and living a healthy life is the foundation for success. I believe that finding someone who can offer you a hand and help you find your way can be the catalyst for a better life. I believe that inspiring others to reach their goals is the definition of humanity. I also believe that there is a man here on the Emerald Coast who is dedicating his life to doing all these things.

After my “health scare,” I reached out to Nagy.

I knew that he had a sincere passion for helping

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La vitalité us, if only we can find it. To live well is to consistently remain on that path. I’ve discovered that making connections between good, honest people and emboldening them is what I excel at. This is the destination to which my long, winding path has always been leading.

Nagy helped me find my path and continues to ensure that I never lose sight of it.

Being true to yourself is what is always going to make you happy. Too often we are distracted by the white noise, and it can be all too easy to focus on the negative aspects in our lives. But every one of us can improve ourselves and encourage others to do the same—that is far more compelling than any distraction.

This is your opportunity—no matter where you are with your goals and aspirations. You can always start from the bottom and work your way up.

Nagy has an uncanny ability to form moving bonds with his clients and help them realize their full potential.

His generosity has created a wave of much-needed change in the lives of those he takes under his wing. He is a man who genuinely wants to better the lives of everyone he has the opportunity to work with.

The least I can do after all he’s done for me is support him in this endeavor. It is an honor to make known the presence of someone whom I feel is a one-man support system for so many.

As a Romanian professional hockey player turned personal trainer and gym owner, Nagy has proved that with a dream and enough drive, a person can change his or her life.

people who needed guidance, and I more than fit the bill. I had confidence in his unique perspective on fitness, but most importantly, I knew that he would hold me accountable for my actions (which was exactly what I needed). Taking the first step in anything new is often the most difficult part, but Nagy simplified it for me. He told me, “If you want to live, here is the diet that I want you on and here is the exercise routine.” It was that easy.

Nagy has since helped me reaffirm the idea that leading a healthy life is the beginning of building a positive mind-set, and once that is achieved, everything else will come together. He has given me and many others comfort and hope for a productive future at a time when we felt like everything was falling apart. The trials we face throughout our lives are often discouraging, but I sincerely feel that each of us has the advantage of having a path laid before

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This is your opportunity—no matter where you are with your goals and aspirations.

You can always start from the bottom and work your way up. Nagy and I are living proof that if you take control of what is important in your life, a better future will present itself.

I started with a dream and was blindsided by a jarring dose of reality, and now— with a little help from a friend—I am learning how to seize opportunities that come my way. I traded in a lifetime of medication for a refined mind, body, and soul. I am no longer afraid of what may come, and my health and happiness are finally in good hands—my own. I have Nagy to thank for that.

www.DACFitness.com Lisa Ferrick resides in Destin, Florida, and has worked with The Idea Boutique and VIE as a publicist. As the owner of LF Consulting, she helps businesses with PR, marketing, and social media. She’s a creative lover of nature, God, and a lot of laughter!

Follow her on Instagram at @lovinglifetothefullest

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La vitalité

VITALITYPRO THE TRUE BODY WORKOUT

By Sydney Lovelace Photography by Dawn Chapman Whitty

A

s a lifelong waterman and avid surfer, when I heard about an ER doctor in Panama City Beach, Florida, who designed a groundbreaking, research-backed, water-based training program—not to mention that he collaborated and shared his research with Laird Hamilton, former pro volleyball player Gabby Reece, and XPT’s Brian Mackenzie, and has worked with many Hall of Fame surfers and countless rock stars—it immediately inspired me to jump out of my beach chair and get to work.

The night before my first session of what I learned is called VitalityPro, I got a text message from the famous Dr. Frank Merritt himself. “You are officially invited to join us in the morning for one of our twohour water sessions, so no food after dinner, and only water and coffee before the 9:00 a.m. session.”

The VitalityPro workout includes dynamic exercises performed both on land and in the water, making the Gulf Coast of Panama City Beach, Florida, an ideal location for Dr. Frank Merritt to train his clients.

I was caught off guard by the idea of working out on an empty stomach. I’m the guy who likes to eat a sandwich on the way to the gym. (I must admit that the next morning I cheated and had a hard-boiled egg with my coffee. Since I weigh 230 pounds, a hard-boiled egg doesn’t go far for me, but mentally I felt like I needed it as a reserve because I’d never worked out hungry in my life.)

The next morning, at a resort swimming pool on sparkling Panama City Beach, I met the articulate and charismatic Dr. Merritt; his lovely wife, Regina,

118 | JA NUA R Y / FE B R UARY 2017

who is a physical therapist; and his head trainer, Brandon Rager, a gentle, chiseled rock of a man who is also a former NCAA linebacker and NFL player for the Baltimore Ravens. Joining us for the training session on this exciting morning was a mix of individuals of all ages and fitness levels—everything from a couple of corporate CEO types to a waitress and a high school wrestler. Some of the participants were strong swimmers, but surprisingly about half were not. For the next two hours, we did a circuit of activities on deck and underwater that as a former collegiate swimmer at Florida State University and all-around waterman I had never attempted nor contemplated.

Before we get to the session and my personal results, let me try to explain the lightning in a bottle that is Dr. Frank Merritt. Imagine Dr. Oz meets Tarzan meets Andy Griffith. This surfer, doctor, and son of an Alabama preacher man has smarts, energy, faith, and passion at levels which I have rarely seen. He quickly reminded me of enigmatic visionaries like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos—inventors who had taken a look at the way things have always been and dared to ask, “Why? Isn’t there a much better way?” As the session progressed, it became obvious to me that I was in the presence of a guy who is about to shake things up in the world of health and fitness. His tactics will not only optimize the performance of college teams, but also enhance the quality of life for average individuals, middle-agers, senior citizens, and, perhaps best of all, those with lifechallenging ailments.

As we all sat in a circle to do stretches and basic breathing exercises, Dr. Merritt spoke about the three biggest functions that determine our longevity: pulmonary function, mobility, and cognitive function. These make us question if we feel that life is worth living. Anybody who has parents or grandparents who are in their late seventies or beyond knows exactly what I’m talking about. As Dr. Merritt explained, there is a big difference between chronological age and vitality age.

Vitality age is determined by testing each of the following: cardiovascular age, pulmonary age, mobility age, body composition age, and muscle fitness age.

Combine all of those scores to calculate your “overall vitality age.” Once this is done, the VitalityPro team designs a tailored program to help you improve in your weakest areas. Dr. Merritt went on to explain that when we’re young, we take all of these for granted.

By the time we’re middle-aged, we start to worry about such things as being healthy and strong enough for sex; in later years, we worry that we might catch the flu, which can lead to pneumonia and death, or that we might lose our balance, fall, and break a hip, thereby losing our independence. At this point, he had everyone’s undivided attention. Suddenly we were unified in a desire not to allow those three factors to interfere with our future life plans.

Stations include weight lifting (both above and under the water), balloon blowing, walking or running with weights above and below the water’s surface, balancing, and a combination of cognitive and balancing exercises. The latter is a brilliant method to train your all-important brain while also training your other muscles.

For the first time in my life, I’m finally doing a total-body workout! It made so much sense! My favorite station was the one where we stood on the bottom of the pool in ten feet of water (and later in the Gulf of Mexico), holding dumbbells in our hands, pushing off the bottom, thrusting our bodies to the surface for a breath, and finishing with an effortless descent back to the starting position.

Vitality age is determined by testing each of the following: cardiovascular age, pulmonary age, mobility age, body composition age, and muscle fitness age.

I participated in two different sessions a few days apart: one was conducted in the swimming pool; the other was on land. In both the land and the water sessions, we spent the first fifteen or so minutes stretching not the typical large muscle groups, but all the muscles and tendons that are attached to the all-important lungs (many of which I never even realized were critical to breathing). With all of these crucial tendons and tiny muscles that make up the connective tissue around our lungs, helping pull air in and push it out, it’s crazy to realize how little we work them! Just like our larger muscle groups, they too can weaken and atrophy when not used. They are so critical to our vitality—and mortality. That’s why Dr. Merritt likes to call these workshops PulSessions. Suddenly, the lightbulb turned on; my biceps and triceps that I’ve worked on since I was nine years old may help fill out my T-shirt nicely, but they will not do a thing for my longevity or vitality.

In both the gym and the poolside sessions, Dr. Merritt breaks things down into a set of stations, each of which also incorporates a specific breath-control goal that is paired perfectly with the physical activity.

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La vitalité One of the stations that I thought would be the easiest was, in fact, my toughest: the infamous ice bath. Yep, a bathtub of ice and water. As a weekend warrior, I’m constantly icing knees and shoulders. I learned long ago about the healing that can occur when you don’t spare the ice, so I thought I was all set. When it was time for me to jump in, though, I made it to my belly button before every molecule in my body went on autopilot, immediately vetoed this idea, and worked together in the blink of an eye to thrust me straight out of that tub. It took three attempts before I could override my natural instincts and slide up to my shoulders in the ice. We only had to stay in for one minute, but while we were in the ice we had to play cognitive games with our partner in the next tub. Brilliant idea! Mentally, it was a big challenge even to speak, much less to try to answer a simple question. This was done to make sure we were not getting hypothermic.

The next station was a tricky balancing motor-sensory exercise. As Dr. Merritt pointed out, the body and

It took three attempts before I could override my natural instincts and slide up to my shoulders in the ice. mind are geared to notice and recognize change. For example, if someone held a hand on your shoulder for a long time, after a while you would not even notice it, but as soon as it was removed, your mind would draw your attention to that change. I think the ice was a way of stimulating every cell in our bodies, and letting us know that a big change was on the way. I must say, after initially hating the ice, when the entire session was over I slipped back into the tub for some extra shots of exhilaration.

An important disclaimer that Dr. Merritt is quick to articulate is that in his sessions (he sometimes hesitates to call them “workouts” so as to not scare

Tours available by appointment.

off those who feel they are out of shape) he may not be able to cure you of your Parkinson’s, your MS, or your cancer—but he can help you maximize your mobility and improve your pulmonary and cognitive functions to enable you to be the highest-functioning Parkinson’s or MS patient ever. This is why he challenges you to push yourself, to face your fears, and to blow those boundaries and any other limiting mindsets out the window.

What Dr. Merritt has designed and, more importantly, what his program has proved through medical science and lab analysis, is that VitalityPro has unlocked doors that can dramatically change how you perform in all areas of your life. The sessions work on your body, mind, and coordination, and the efficiency and the speed at which you can recover and be ready for your next peak-performance burst (very important for pro athletes). When Dr. Merritt says peak recovery time, he’s not talking about days, hours, or even minutes; he’s counting seconds. His program trains your body to master speedy recovery times so you can quickly get your oxygenation levels up, your heart rate down, your muscles ready to fire, and—arguably the most crucial result—your mind functioning at the highest level possible. Dr. Merritt’s research has even determined exactly how many reps and sets are the most beneficial for athletes and nonathletes alike.

So, after the two-hour session, how did I feel? I went back to where I was staying to nap before embarking on the drive to Tallahassee for the weekend. In general, I love thirty- to sixty-minute naps each day, whether I work out or not; so when I failed to sleep a single wink, I was truly baffled. I rarely partake in two-hour workouts of any kind these days, except surfing, so after the session, I should have been wiped out.

On the contrary, my mind was clear and sharp. Rather than grumpy with fatigue, I was full of energy, positive thoughts and ideas, and even bliss. The sequence of the activities, complemented by the breath work, must have released a mother lode of endorphins, dopamine, and more that lowered my blood pressure and gave me an awesome feeling of Zen. On my two-hour drive to Tallahassee, I never once thought about pulling over to rest or sleep. After arriving and having dinner with some friends, I thought for sure I would finally hit the wall and not even make it to ten o’clock, but I was pleasantly surprised. As midnight

approached, I was still feeling clear-headed, calm, inspired, accomplished, and happy. What more can you ask for from any physical activity on the planet? What was even more surprising to me was that these great feelings stayed with me for days. Even weeks later, I can still tap into those feelings!

That’s when it hit me and I knew for sure that Dr. Merritt and his programs have the potential to change how the world approaches health care, performance, vitality, and longevity. For those who are fortunate enough to experience this program, it’s going to be a huge game changer. I predict that in the coming years Panama City Beach will have people traveling to its sunny shores from all over the world just to participate in his workshops—and undoubtedly after their first experience, they will look forward to returning for years to come.

Above: As a surfer and a doctor, Merritt focuses his program heavily on water as an ideal environment for pushing fitness to the limit—with an emphasis on safety and achieving goals of overall health and vitality rather than just building muscle.

Opposite: Though grueling, an ice bath can help prevent injury and soreness from microtrauma—small tears in muscle and tissue that occur during rigorous activity.

Frank Merritt, MD, founder of VitalityPro, graduated magna cum laude from Harding University, did post-grad research at Pepperdine University, and received his medical degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Currently, he is an emergency room physician and the former medical director for Bay Medical Center in Panama City, Florida. He has been a doctor for NASCAR, the Association of Surfing Professionals (now World Surf League), and the WWE. Learn more at www.VitalityPro.org.

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The Fashion Awards 2016, produced by the British Fashion Council in partnership with Swarovski, were held on December 5 at the iconic Royal Albert Hall in London. With Jack Whitehall acting as emcee, the ceremony saw the best of the British and international fashion industries joined by a glamorous lineup of guests andw presenters, including Gigi Hadid, Lady Gaga, Kate Moss, Jared Leto, Naomi Campbell, David Beckham, and Anna Wintour.

Supermodel and former VIE cover girl Naomi Campbell wears Alexander McQueen on the Fashion Awards red carpet. Photo by Mike Marsland, British Fashion Council.

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Nadja Swarovski, Natalie Massenet, and Caroline Rush arrive at the Fashion Awards 2016. Photo by Mike Marsland, British Fashion Council.

F Model Sarah Snyder, New Fashion Icon winner Jaden Smith, and Kim Sung-Joo of MCM Worldwide. Photo

by Darren Gerrish, British Fashion Council.

rom the red carpet in London to the lights of Broadway in New York City, the end of 2016 brought glitz and glam. Stage, film, and television star Kristin Chenoweth, who graced the cover of VIE ’s 2015 Cultural Issue, returned to her roots with her twelve-nights-only performance of My Love Letter to Broadway. The Tony Award winner poured her heart out with some of her favorite Broadway tunes, all while dressed in custom looks by designer Christian Siriano.

Chenoweth’s latest studio album, The Art of Elegance, was released in September 2016.

American pop icon Lady Gaga looking elegant in Brandon Maxwell at the Fashion Awards.

Photo by Mike Marsland, British Fashion Council.

Kristin Chenoweth shines on stage during her exclusive My Love Letter to Broadway performance at NYC’s Nederlander Theatre.

Supermodel Kate Moss is the picture of sophisticated grace on the Fashion Awards red carpet. Photo by Mike Marsland, British Fashion Council.

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Yi Zhou of China, actress Amanda Seyfried, and artist Ashley Longshore attend the promotional event for Shiseido’s Clé de Peau Beauté at Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, China.

Photo courtesy of Ashley Longshore.

Artist Jewel performs at Restaurant Paradis in Rosemary Beach, Florida. Photo

by Jacqueline Ward Images.

T

he Ohana Institute, an exploratory and innovative school in Northwest Florida, welcomed singer-songwriter Jewel to perform at its charity event on November 11, 2016, at the elegant Restaurant Paradis in Rosemary Beach. Guests donated to the Ohana Institute and also enjoyed a private meet-and-greet with Jewel, a champagne reception, and silent and live auctions.

Across the pond, VIE’s sister magazine, Connemara Life, was nominated in three categories for the Irish Magazine Awards 2016: Innovation of the Year, Best Photographer (Cliodhna Prendergast), and Annual of the Year. Congrats to our publisher, The Idea Boutique, for this honor!

Bill and Tracee Hodges with Jewel.

Photo by Jacqueline Ward Images.

Master of Ceremonies Matt Cooper, Magazines Ireland CEO Grace Aungier, and IMAGE editor Ellie Balfe.

Photo by Paul Sherwood.

124 | JA NUA R Y / FE B R UARY 2017

Tracey Carney and Alan McArthur attend the 2016 Irish Magazine Awards. Photo by Paul Sherwood.

Brian Fogarty and Amy Bartlett enjoying the IMAs at City Hall in Dublin. Photo by Paul Sherwood.

Klara Herron, Maria Moynihan, and Maeve Barry at Dublin City Hall for the Irish Magazine Awards.

Photo by Paul Sherwood.

Chef Chris Wilson of Emeril’s New Orleans and Chef Emeril Lagasse say a few words. Photo by Cheryl Gerber.

Food Network host Sunny Anderson and guest at Emeril Lagasse Foundation’s Carnivale du Vin 2016.

Photo by Cheryl Gerber.

Celebrated food critic Ian McNulty.

Photo by Gerald Burwell.

Miss New Orleans USA 2015 Christina “Fammy” Famularo and husband Tony Rodrigue.

Photo by Cheryl Gerber.

What a wonderful night for the Emeril Lagasse Foundation at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans! On November 5, 2016, the Empire Ballroom was the site of the foundation’s annual Carnivale du Vin gala and charity wine auction. The famous Krewe du Vin celebrity chefs, assisted by hospitality students and culinary interns, gave patrons the culinary experience of a lifetime. This four-course wine dinner event raised over $1.5 million for the foundation’s educational programs. Read more in VIE’s upcoming Culinary and Couture Issue.

Alden and Emeril Lagasse share a moment at the Carnivale du Vin Gala. Photo by Gerald Burwell.

Sazerac Company chairman Bill Goldring with Chef Emeril Lagasse.

Photo by Cheryl Gerber.

La Scène

Linda Miller, Darrell Russell, Alda Sileo, and Greg and Jane Bahr. Photo by Gerald Burwell.

Dana Jusselin and William Schissler attend the private reception before Café Thirty-A’s Annual Christmas Charity Ball. Photo

by Gerald Burwell.

V

IE is proud to share its home community with many kind and giving neighbors. Each year, Café Thirty-A in Seagrove Beach, Florida, throws a Christmas Charity Ball. The 2016 event on Saturday, December 10, benefited Caring and Sharing of South Walton.

Guests also enjoyed a private reception at the home of Harriet Crommelin, owner of Café Thirty-A.

Harriet Crommelin and Stephen Marlette. Photo

by Gerald Burwell.

Foster Sanders and Claudia Hasty. Photo by Gerald Burwell.

126 | JA NUA R Y / FE B R UARY 2017

Another Northwest Florida community event we can’t commend enough is the Children’s Volunteer Health Network’s Annual Hurricane Party at Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant in Seaside.

There’s nothing better than gathering together with good friends, taking in a fantastic view of the Gulf of Mexico, and supporting our local children in need.

Kellie Flavin, Jamie Gummere, and Katie Turner at the 2016 CVHN Hurricane Party.

Photo by Lisa Ferrick.

Shawn and Geoff Chick attend the 2016 CVHN Hurricane Party at Bud & Alley’s. Photo

by Lisa Ferrick.

Au revoir!

Au revoir!

THAT’S A WRAP.

Inspirational App Takes Flight Fashion illustrator, designer, and entrepreneur Emily Brickel and hubby Jordan Edelson, CEO and founder of Appetizer Mobile, teamed up to create Chic Sketch, a mobile app that lets users turn their photos into adorable “Insta-worthy” fashion illustrations or create their own sketches and outfit inspirations on the fly! Brickel attends fashion events around the world and sketches her favorite celebrity looks—including this one from the recent 2016 American Music Awards red carpet.

Learn more at www.ChicSketch.com, or download the app free from the App Store or Google Play and start sketching!

Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 129

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