Even the slightest shift in temperatures makes trading in our chilled cocktail glasses for a cup of the hot and soothing a decadent affair. Fire up your bar carts, and cozy up with these three winter warmers. Winter Blues If…
The holidays are so tightly tied to memory—the scent of your grandma’s pumpkin pie baking, the taste of the brined turkey seasoned with dad’s secret recipe, or your aunt’s cornbread stuffing that always sends you back for thirds. In a…
Freeport’s streets burst with color and history in the form of massive painted concrete anchors—each landmark telling a story. The Anchored in Freeport project transforms the city’s maritime symbol into a permanent public art installation. For a town shaped by…
Boasting hundreds of thousands of acres of pristine, protected wilderness, Franklin County is heaven for hikers. Within Tate’s Hell State Forest, visitors can traipse among ancient, 150-year-old dwarf cypress trees, native pitcher plants, and coastal scrub ecosystems that populate the…
Since 1954, the family-owned Magnanni luxury brand has remained dedicated to its heritage and shoemaking traditions. Founded in Almansa, Spain, much of the company’s operations still take place in the area with footwear now manufactured in both Spain and Portugal,…
Taking in the fall weather the last few months and celebrating the holidays has got me feeling nostalgic for one of the hardest seasons of my life. It was fall 2021 when I first applied for a job at Emerald…
Across Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties, an average of 12.5 percent of residents are experiencing food insecurity, according to numbers reported by Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study. A 2025 annual report from the Florida Council on…
Brittany White, an aesthetician at Aqua Medical Spa in Panama City Beach, meets a lot of people who are this close to loving what they see in the mirror. They’ve done the workouts, watched their diet, and made progress, but…
There’s something undeniably magical about a good croissant. Flour, butter, water, milk, yeast, sugar, and salt combine to transform into fluffy, flaky, and impossibly light confections. But croissant production is no simple feat, rather the result of a multistep, labor-intensive…
Melli Pappas is a passionate advocate for literary accessibility. A proud mother, grandmother, and owner of The Book Rack in Fort Walton Beach, she’s always loved to read for herself and with her kids. “Both my parents were huge readers,”…
Sarah White is an ardent curator of holiday aesthetics. She is known to have a minimum of five Christmas trees throughout her home during the winter holiday season and has an ever-growing collection of ornaments and nutcrackers. Much of her…
After nearly three decades of commanding the kitchens of prestigious properties such as the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, the Boca Raton Resort & Club, and even serving as the executive chef for the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park,…
Between Pensacola’s iconic beaches and historic facades lies a city in motion, where every block offers a new layer of discovery. Wander down 12th Avenue and hear the hum of vinyl spinning in a local record shop. Step into a…
ANNIE Nov. 28-Dec. 21 Join your favorite red-headed orphan Annie, Daddy Warbucks, and the eternally grumpy Miss Hannigan for this feel-good story of finding your forever home. With hits like “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” “It’s a Hard…
There’s nothing like a good prompt or theme to get a writer in the spirit of storytelling. It’s no wonder I was immediately drawn to the idea of dinner and a story. Founders of Emerald Coast Storytellers, Kristy Holditch and…
The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) launched a calendar photo contest at the beginning of 2025 as part of the Mattie Kelly Environmental Initiative. The contest invites amateur photographers of all skill levels to capture the natural beauty and ecological heritage…
Growing up in Salt Lake City, Utah, I can remember the excitement of the 2002 Winter Olympics being held in my hometown. The location decision took place seven years prior, after many failed attempts. The city’s developmental preparation for the…
In the Mix There’s no need to hire a sous chef for your cooking endeavors thanks to the Thermomix TM6 ($1,649). This all-in-one multicooker offers 28 functions (including chop, blend, steam, knead, sauté, grind, whisk, sous vide, and slow cook)…
A new Gulf Coast cruise will take passengers from historic Pensacola to the vibrant streets of New Orleans—and vice versa. The seven-night, eight-day voyage offered by American Cruise Lines will charter trips in March and December of each year. The…
At Traditions Workshop in Fort Walton Beach, the past and present coexist. Antique tools and old, weathered machinery, some dating back more than a hundred years, sit comfortably alongside power tools of the twenty-first century. But this isn’t a museum—the…
Sequins and silk. Jewels and glitter. Sweaters and stockings. The holidays are a special time of year when our styles level up in panache and pizzazz. Holiday gatherings with friends, family, and coworkers keep social calendars booked with dinners, gift…
While we may be in the sunshine state, Northwest Florida is sure to experience a few chilly days throughout winter. If you’re coming down with a case of the winter blues, you can now easily fly south for winter thanks…
Managing multigenerational wealth is more than just growing assets—it’s about ensuring financial security, protecting legacies, and passing down values along with wealth. At Esteem Wealth Partners, we help families implement strategies that secure their financial future while preparing the next…
Give the gift of radiant, healthy skin this season with ZO Skin Health’s anti-aging kit. It’s a moderate skincare program for the reduction of early or significant signs of environmental and chronological aging. Coastal Skin Surgery & Dermatology 12469 Emerald…
The holidays have arrived on the Emerald Coast, and there’s no place that captures the spirit quite like Hotel Effie Sandestin, Autograph Collection. From the moment you step through the doors, the warmth of the season surrounds you—glowing trees, sparkling…
The annual Best of the Emerald Coast event has always been about community. It’s about the businesses we love, the providers we trust, and the services we choose time and time again. At the core of all of that are the people who make it happen. That’s why we gather each year for Best of the…
The crisp October air and the sound of drives cutting across emerald fairways set the stage for more than just a golf tournament—it was a day that combined sport, philanthropy, and community purpose in perfect harmony. On Monday, October 13,…
Dr. Layne Fielder has always enjoyed tackling a good puzzle. Growing up in Niceville, he was always building forts and other contraptions, taking things apart and putting them back together. “I always had a proclivity for science and technology,” he…
The Agency Northwest Florida Beaches, a boutique luxury real estate brokerage, officially stepped into a glamorous new era September 25 with an exclusive launch party at Hotel Effie, where guests celebrated its debut with a night of collaboration and culture.…
Most locals have had family or friends visiting the area and asking for their best recommendations. Everyone has their personal favorite coffee shop and go-to dinner spot. And with a wealth of options at the beach, it’s important to know…
At Dermatology Specialists of FL & Aqua Medical Spa, expert practitioners and cutting-edge technology combine to grant patients clearer and healthier skin with long-lasting results. Whether you need tattoo or body hair removal, or treatment for conditions such as rosacea,…
Wild Ice Botanicals Wild Ice Botanicals is a first of its kind cold-preserved skin care line that maintains a complete cold chain from ingredient to sale. As a small family operation, all Wild Ice products are made and packaged at…
Justa Hotmess. Poise & Bury. TT Twister. Ms. Sippi Queen. Sir Blox-a-lot. Michi-Gang$ter. More than slang nicknames, these titles are a badge of individuality. Plays on words, puns that reflect their personalities, their playing styles, their place in the team…
Kuk Harrell and his wife Stevie sat on the couch in front of a box that was delivered to their Atlanta home. Unsure what it could be, he carefully cut the seal, pulled open the carton’s lid, and reached inside.…
Something about meeting a fellow Emerald Coast local automatically engenders kindred spirits. Maybe you’re at a coffee shop near the coast, and you get to chatting with the barista. They ask where you’re from, and to their surprise, you’re a…
In August, The REP Theatre announced a final curtain call as it wrapped its last season after a 25-year run. In its time, The REP was a significant contributor to the arts for the Seaside community and beyond. The organization…
Merit by Willow Located in the picturesque Alys Beach, Merit by Willow offers a curated collection of fine jewelry, on-trend clothing, and elevated accessories. A masterclass in modern layering, REBECCA PINTO’S FINE JEWELRY COLLECTION brings a sense of personal story…
Autumn’s show of colors has just begun in Northwest Florida. Deciduous native plants, those which lose their leaves in winter, will be displaying reds, yellows, purples, and browns. Deciduous trees and plants produce and consume chlorophyll throughout the warm growing…
BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL SEPT. 18-OCT. 12 Emerald Coast Theatre Company presents the inspiring true story of Carole King’s rise to stardom as part of the hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin. emeraldcoasttheatre.org MOON CRUSHAVETT MOON OCT.…
It was only a couple years ago that I couldn’t find an eagle anywhere. Fellow photographers were finding them, and the photos were taunting me on social media. But the more I looked, the bigger the disappointment in not seeing…
A Punch of Fun Signature drinks are always a great way to underscore the mood of an event and include an individualized element. But how about adding a twist by offering a signature punch instead? While the rainbow sherbet variety…
Children don’t have to be the only ones enjoying the Halloween spoils. Try pairing your childhood favorite candies with adult treats. Mairin Moore of Tallahassee’s Hummingbird Wine Bar advises which wines to pair with which candies based on their flavor…
Backyards and porches are an extension of the home. With the addition of a few creature comforts, outdoor spaces become as cozy as indoor dining and living rooms. “People come and live at the beach or visit the beach to…
Bobby Wagner first attended a city council meeting to talk about planting trees along roadways. At the time, Wagner was executive director of the nonprofit Trees on the Coast organization. But the meeting left him with the seed of a…
Sam Vandiver is, in her words, simply “a dork with a game store.” But Vandiver is far from simple. One might say she’s pretty rad even. Her signature blue hair alone makes her stand out. But it’s her personality—witty, raw,…
Brandon Smith doesn’t just farm oysters—he brings them straight to the party. Named for Smith’s sons Grayson and Baylen, Grayson Bay Oyster Company and its mobile offshoot, Emerald Coast Oyster, maintain a mission to connect people directly to the briny…
Sean Murphy spent much of his photography career in the thick of alternative and punk rock action. Throughout the late ’90s and early 2000s, he shot an innumerable number of bands, many of them big names—Jimmy Eat World, Everclear, Tenacious…
Mystic Mycelium This earthy iteration of a Scotch Sour evokes an enchanted woodland, rich in flavor and layered with intrigue. Ingredients 2 oz. blended Scotch whisky, such as Monkey Shoulder 1 oz. fresh lemon juice 1 oz. egg white1 oz.…
The new palm tree planted in Sergey Bogza’s front yard is symbolic to the 39-year-old Panama City Symphony maestro. Bogza was born in Russia but came to the United States when he was 9 years old. He’s lived, studied, and…
