Home + Design

Designed With Purpose

Freda Butler creates beautiful Gulf Coast spaces while building family, business and community connections. Article by Lillian Norris | Photography by JD Swiger- Swiger Studio Long before Southern Palms Furniture & Decor became a trusted name along Alabama's Gulf Coast, there was a little girl who simply saw the world differently. At four years old, while most children were choosing toys, Freda Butler was helping her grandparents select fabric to recover a family sofa. It seemed like a small...

Life + Culture

Creative Impact

Artist, entrepreneur and community leader Tara McMeans Article by Lillian Norris | Photography by JD Swiger- Swiger Studio Creativity has never occupied just one corner of Tara McMeans’ life.  This year, McMeans and her team celebrate the 20th anniversary of Design Print Promote, the creative marketing agency she founded to help businesses connect with their audience. Over two decades, the company has supported clients through branding, design, printing, promotional products and marketing...

Real Estate

Welcome Home

Modern design meets quality construction Article by Lillian Norris | Photography by JD Swiger- Swiger Studio Today’s homebuyers want more than a place to live. They are looking for thoughtful design, durable construction, everyday comfort and long-term value. That's when Danielle comes along; you see, all across Baldwin County, D.R. Horton continues to build communities that combine modern finishes, practical floor plans and convenient locations for buyers in every stage of life. As D.R...

Arts + Culture

Art That Connects

J.D. Swiger honors musical history while expanding Swiger Studio’s reach into Mobile. Article by Lillian Norris | Photography by J.D. Swiger - Swiger Studios For the third time, Gulf Coast City Lifestyle is proud to feature artist J.D. Swiger of Swiger Studio, whose work continues to connect people through creativity, history, and community. Known across the Gulf Coast for inspiring budding artists and making creative expression feel approachable, Swiger has built a reputation that reaches...

Life + Culture

Against All Odds

Kelsey Neel’s journey from cancer survivor to miracle motherhood Article by Lillian Norris | Photography by JD Swiger- Swiger Studio Kelsey Neel had no idea, when she began the fight of her life, that just two years later she would be rocking a baby fast to sleep. The last time we shared Kelsey’s story, she was facing breast cancer with courage, uncertainty, and more strength than anyone should ever have to find inside themselves. Her days were filled with appointments, surgeries, treatments...

Life + Culture

Mini-Me Adventures

For Paige and Nanno, adventure begins close to home. Article by Lillian Norris | Photography by GCCL/Paige Moore For Paige Moore and her daughter, Nanno, the best adventures do not have to be expensive. In fact, some of their favorite memories have come from discovering the no-cost things to do right here in their own community. Paige and Nanno are, as Paige puts it, “two peas in a pod.” Whether they are heading to the library, walking through a park, or finding something new to explore, the...

Life + Culture

Willie Nelson's Best Life

Meet the Goldendoodle with charm, quirks, and serious personality Article by Lillian Norris | Photography by JD Swiger- Swiger Studio We all know how much our pets mean to us. The give us comfort, joy, peace, and well... sometimes a good laugh. Que our new friend Willie. We just know  you're going to love him too.  Willie Nelson is not just any dog. He is a dog with a big personality, a loyal heart, and a daily routine that proves he is absolutely living his best life. For his owner, Melissa...

Entertainment

Still Singing Along

The Goo Goo Dolls bring nostalgia, connection, and timeless songs to Orange Beach Article by Lillian Norris | Photography by Goo Goo Dolls The Goo Goo Dolls are back on the Gulf Coast this month, bringing decades of familiar songs, road-tested heart, and big singalong energy to The Wharf in Orange Beach on August 21st. Catching up with the band now feels a little like catching up with an old friend. Their music has been part of so many life chapters that even a few opening chords can send...

Auto + Marine

Life Begins at the Dock

With GSPS Marine, boating in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach becomes more than a pastime. It's a way of life. Article by Lillian Taylor Norris | Photography by JD Swiger- Swiger Studio There is a certain kind of magic that happens when you leave the dock along the Alabama Gulf Coast. The water stretches ahead, inviting you toward lunch with a view, an afternoon at anchor, a sunset cruise, or the kind of fishing story that gets better each time it is told. In Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, boating...

Life + Culture

Through Robyn’s Lens

A heartfelt look at coastal life in motion Article by Lillian Taylor Norris | Photography by Robyn Choiniere Some people take pictures of what they see. Robyn Choiniere seems to photograph what she feels and captures the perfect moment of beauty in what she sees.  Where the water, sky and wildlife are part of everyday life, Robyn has developed a way of seeing the Gulf Coast that feels both intimate and extraordinary. Her images are not simply records of birds, dolphins, sunsets or quiet...