WHAT’S IN STORE

A roundup of retail happenings throughout the Emerald Coast

by HANNAH BURKE

As the name implies, AUBREY AND OLIVER UNIQUE GIFTS & DÉCOR isn’t your typical clothing store. The beloved boutique’s brick-and-mortar location is now open in Panama City Beach, offering on-trend fashion and jewelry, as well as equally chic home furnishings, candles and personal care products.

Quick Bites

➸ For a refreshing pick-me-up, swing by PLAYA BOWLS 30A in Rosemary Beach. Wet your whistle with cold-pressed juice, smoothies and iced coffee, or make a meal of it with customizable poke and protein power bowls. ↓

➸ Kids aren’t the only ones who can overindulge in sugar this time of year. Splurge at SUGAR BUZZED, Panama City Beach’s newest emporium of cakes, chocolate-covered sweets and treats. No costume required.

All the Rage

➸ SECRET SCIENTIST, a Mobile, Alabama-based urban streetwear brand, has opened a new location in Pensacola. Stand out with signature graphic tees, printed pants and stylish outerwear for both men and women.

➸ CAN I GET A LULU! Destinites, rejoice! Just in time for your fall fitness goals, a lululemon has opened in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, offering your favorite brand of leggings, performance shirts, loungewear and fitness accessories.

Because You’re Worth It

➸ Nails looking a little dull? Visit NAILS LABELLE at Destin Commons for eye-catching acrylics, powder dips or classically chic French tip designs, and don’t forget to treat your feet to a signature scrub pedicure. ➸ No bad hair day is a match for the BOMBSHELL BLOWOUT BAR, one of Pensacola’s latest hair styling and makeup salons. Get flowing locks with a blowout and extension services, or opt for an updo and freshly made-up face for your special outing. ➸ Now open in Destin, BEACHSIDE BEAUTY is veteran-owned salon specializing in skincare, nails, waxing, makeup and hair. De-stress with a facial and massage therapy, or spruce up for your big event with a formal makeover and manicure.

Household Effects

➸ UNWIND FURNITURE CO., a full-service European fine leather furniture store, is now open in Fort Walton Beach. With the assistance of “Stressless Specialists,” shop hundreds of Ekornes Nordic recliners, cutting-edge massage chairs, ottomans, mattresses and more.

➸ PANHANDLE PATIO is Panama City’s newly opened and family-owned and operated patio furniture factory showroom. Optimize your outdoor living space with designer-brand wicker, aluminum, or PVC-pipe furnishings for cozy nights around the fire pit. ↓

Calm, Cool and Sculpted

Aqua Medical Spa transforms body fat through CoolSculpting®

Many aspects of medical technology are labeled as “cool” for the ingenuity they possess. CoolSculpting® is not only groundbreaking, but it’s also literally cool.

CoolSculpting®, medically known as cryolipolysis, uses a device to cool your fat to a temperature that destroys fat cells without harming skin or other tissues. CoolSculpting® freezes fat cells in your body allowing them to metabolize, resulting in fat reduction of up to 30 percent.

The procedure is not surgical and does not involve needles. Instead, applicators hold the skin in place cooling it to below zero for 35 to 60 minutes, targeting fat in specified areas of the body. For all patients considering CoolSculpting®, a complimentary consultation is offered, in which the desired results are discussed, an applicator customized to the targeted body area is selected and all questions are answered.

Meredith Murphy, aesthetician at Aqua Medical Spa in Panama City, states that CoolSculpting® is most suited for those who have tried a strict routine of diet, exercise and water intake, but they still have fat cells that are difficult to remove.

“If you can squeeze it, we can freeze it,” says Murphy. “That being said, you should listen to the licensed medical professional in order to determine what options are best for your body.”

The FDA approved areas for CoolSculpting® are the upper arms, thighs, buttocks, bra fat, upper and lower abdomen, flanks, knees and under the chin. It cannot be performed on the chest and lower arms.

Once the area is decided upon, photos are taken before the patient is made comfortable for the procedure. It begins with slight discomfort, but within minutes, the skin becomes numb to the cold for the remainder of the treatment time.

It is common to experience some discomfort, bruising and numbness in the weeks following the procedure. Within four to six weeks, most patients begin to see results. Results could begin sooner based on the speed of your metabolism. At the six-week mark, a check-in is required, photos are taken to document progress and any questions are addressed.

The most noticeable results occur between six to 12 weeks. It is during this time that a patient decides if they are satisfied with the results or would like to have a second round.

“Our main goal with each client is to ensure they feel better about what was bothering them,” said Murphy. “We can’t a lways promise a one-and-done, but we can promise a treatment to transformation result.”

MEREDITH MURPHY

AQUA MEDICAL SPA & DERMATOLOGY SPECIALISTS OF FLORIDA | 30A PLASTIC SURGERY | (850) 252-4450