Home + Design

Curated Events

Kristin Drohan Launches 30A Interiors and Events Article by Kristin Drohan | Photography by Shanna Magnuson with Davista Photography After moving permanently to Santa Rosa Beach and doing mostly coastal design builds for the last several years, award-winning designer, Kristin Drohan felt inspired to rebrand. Having 20 years of experience doing luxury interior projects and manufacturing her eponymous furniture collection, she felt it was time to also incorporate her love of wine, champagne...

April 2024

Food + Beverage

Becoming Enchanted

How An Idea Became a Picnic Article by Savannah Vasquez | Photography by Robert Young, Forever Young Images Have you ever had a dream that just wouldn’t go away? That’s exactly what inspired Amy Douglas of Enchanting Picnic Company to finally go all-in and start her luxury picnic business.   “I was in a bookstore and I started reading this children’s book called, 'What Do You Do With An Idea?'" Amy said. "I was tearing up. The book was about this little boy who had this idea but kept pushing...

April 2024

Life + Culture

Market 30A

Experience Fine Fresh Food Article by Savannah Vasquez | Photography by Shanna Magnuson with Davista Photography From the ceiling hang beautiful chandeliers and lining the walls are dozens of fine art paintings by Thomas Arvid. The air smells of freshly baked cookies and savory meatballs and marinara. Friendly staff members greet customers and offer advice on proper food preparation or the perfect sauce and wine pairings. Walking through Market 30A at the Crossings in Inlet Beach is an...

April 2024

Local Services

Leading Local Ladies

Destin's Business Women Spotlight Article by Savannah Vasquez | Photography by Contributed Photos Every year we look forward to the Women's Issue because it gives us the chance to highlight the strong ladies that build our community, oftentimes from behind the scenes. Let's take a look at 10 local leading ladies of Destin and the surrounding areas whose impact has gone deep into the fiber of the community and changed the area for the better.  Velia Lala An artist, a realtor and a community...

April 2024

Finance + Legal Services

Business of the future

How technology is fixing the staffing shortage Article by Josh Foster | Photography by Robert Young, Forever Young Images It has now been four years since the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the landscape for small business owners, leaving a lasting impact that continues to be felt today. Despite some signs of softening the effects of the pandemic, particularly in terms of staffing challenges and inflation, persist with no immediate resolution in sight. In response to these ongoing challenges...

March 2024

Education

Live, Work, Play

Investments Impacting the Emerald Coast Article by Savannah Vasquez | Photography by Robert Young, Forever Young Images When planning the investment issue, we here at Destin City Lifestyle turned to an expert with one question: What does the economic future of Destin look like in the coming years?  Enter Steven Franco, a well-established entrepreneur and commercial realtor with a wealth of knowledge in city economic planning. Steven is the Managing Partner of Rodos Realty Partners and Rodos...

March 2024

Finance + Legal Services

The Right Time to Build

Local developer creates opportunity in Freeport Article by Savannah Vasquez | Photography by Robert Young, Forever Young Images Matt Lozecki knows the full meaning of being in the right place at the right time. In 2013, Matt and his brother Jay bought All Clear Restoration and Remediation. At the time, All Clear was a small local water damage company, however, shortly after acquiring the company, Matt and his team expanded it to a restoration company that now travels to disaster-struck areas...

March 2024

Finance + Legal Services

How Should Investors Think About Risk?

Local Financial Advisor Bennett Stein discusses risk in investments Article by Bennett Stein | Photography by Eliana Kinneman, Main Character Photography If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a million times. Everyone 'knows' investors need to park their funds in low-risk funds and investments, or at least take risk into account. But what does risk in investing really entail?  When people mention low-risk investments, a commonly offered example is United States Treasuries. People point out...

March 2024

Home + Design

2024 Home Renovation Trends

Meet the Experts of Renovation Flooring & Elite Cabinet Designs Article by Savannah Vasquez | Photography by Robert Young, Forever Young Images Bronwyn Landis, Cabinet Specialist   DCL: Where are you from and what brought you to the Destin area?   Bronwyn: I am from here! My family and I moved here when I was 8 after my dad was stationed at Eglin Air Force Base. My husband and I moved to Santa Rosa Beach in 2012.  DCL: What got you into the home design/flooring industry?    Bronwyn: I...

February 2024

Arts + Culture

Velia's Life

Meet Local Realtor and Artist Velia Lala Article by Savannah Vasquez | Photography by Shanna Magnuson with Davista Photography Who said success comes from sticking to one career? Certainly not local Realtor, Artist and Philanthropist Velia Lala. Life would be boring if there wasn’t a little flair, and where Velia is concerned, that means more color, more travel, more design, more living and more surrounding herself with good people.   “I want to go anywhere I’ve never gone and do everything...

February 2024