Destin, FL August 2024

Kids & Pets Issue

August - Kids & Pets Issue

I hope this letter finds you enjoying the last days of summer with those you love. This issue is always one of my favorites! I suppose because of the immense joy that children bring to their families and the significant impact they make on their communities.

Children are not merely the hope for a brighter tomorrow; they are the foundation upon which our society stands. Their innocence, curiosity, and boundless potential have the power to shape the world in ways we can only imagine. Kids represent our hardest work and greatest investment and we are happy to highlight the best opportunities and stories for Destin's kids in this issue.

We are excited to introduce Shelli Chinlund of Charcuterie By Shelli, who not only loves creating artful food platters, but also has a huge heart for children. You will also meet Gulia Metcalf from Pink N Blue Avenue, and learn about her nonprofit organization inspired by her own children. Finally, you will read all about Emerald Coast Theatre Company, and everything the non-profit offers to the children of the Destin area.

And of course, who could forget pets? The special kind of companionship can be a transformative experience for children and adults alike. Pets provide us with unconditional love, the opportunity to learn, grow and develop essential life skills in a nurturing environment.

In this issue you will meet Elizabeth Cox of Salty Paws Boutique and Barkery, who shares a deep love for four-legged friends. We will also introduce you to four pets and their prestigious professionals in the Destin business world.

We hope this issue inspires you to pour a little extra into the children and pets in your life this month.

Happy trails and happy tails!

CARMEN IONASCU, PUBLISHER @DESTINCITYLIFESTYLE

August 2024

PUBLISHER

Carmen Ionascu | Carmen.Ionascu@citylifestyle.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Josh Foster | josh.foster@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Savannah Vasquez savannah.vasquez@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Melanie Gray | melanie.gray@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Robert Young, Forever Young Images, Cali Hlavac with TO DO IN DESTIN, Ernalyn Ruda with Emerald Coast Photography, Nikki Hedrick, Galina Wells Photography, Melanie McEver, Salvatore Brancifort

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto

LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray

inside the issue

Shelli and Michael Chinlund with their adopted twins Mariah and Malachi and their two beloved dogs.

Emerald

Children’s

city scene

charcuterie CHILDREN &

A local mom took her two loves and found success

ARTICLE BY SAVANNAH VASQUEZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT YOUNG, FOREVER YOUNG IMAGES

Children have always been at the center of everything Shelli Chinlund of Charcuterie by Shelli does. From the time she was a young girl, to her job as a preschool teacher at First Baptist Church of Destin, Shelli has felt a special connection to children. She has dedicated her life to supporting childhood education. Shelli has homeschooled her own children and been an advocate for over 30 years and

her current charcuterie business is also inspired by her children.

“I found a winning combination with my love for art and feeding my kids well by slicing up healthy foods and presenting it in a fun way,” Shelli said. “I became more creative, adding things they normally wouldn’t have tried, and they loved it.”

Shelli’s friends encouraged her to open a business as her charcuterie boards were unique, artful and upscale. With the additional support of a commercial kitchen within the new Destin High School, Shelli launched her business in 2022, and has grown in popularity every year since.

“I started with a few cheeseboards and small events, but now I do weddings, birthday parties, beach bonfires, concierge services, corporate events and private catering to name a few. My clientele comprises of about half locals and half visitors who order from me on a regular basis.”

Life has always been an adventure for Shelli, as she explains how everything has come as a result of finding the blessing in the circumstance she is in, no matter how good or bad it may seem.

In the early 2000’s her husband Mike transitioned as an Air Force pilot to flying for American Airlines. However, shortly after 9/11, he was furloughed. What could have devastated a growing family, instead turned out to be a blessing. Mike found the opportunity to cross-train as an attorney. To this day, he works as a commercial pilot and lawyer.

“He is an amazing husband who has always worked extremely hard for our family,” Shelli said. “When he started law school he asked me to hold the fort at home for a few years and promised that when I needed him he would wholeheartedly be there. For example, when we lived in Chicago I managed a large children’s theater group that produced plays, camps and classes year round. He sat on the front row cheering me on and is still encouraging me today, but this time with my catering business”

Another blessing in the midst of pain came when Shelli and her husband Mike experienced several miscarriages. They had five biological children and were at a crossroads. Although they didn’t plan on having a large family, Shelli said they always knew they would grow their family through adoption at some point in their lives.

“We knew we were going to adopt from the time we were engaged,” Shelli said. “I told Mike it was on my heart as long as I could remember and asked if he was open to adoption someday. He said absolutely, so that’s how I knew he was the one for me.”

They decided to finally open the door with an adoption agency in 2010, and soon Mike and Shelli were matched and became the proud parents of twins, a double blessing.

"Looking back I can see God’s hand in every decision we made," Shelli said. "The twins came to us in a miraculous way, finding the commercial kitchen for my business was also a miracle, and the list just keeps growing."

Shelli said she doesn’t view her business’s success in monetary terms, but more as a way to serve the community and give back. She uses much of her profits to support organizations like Destin High School, Emerald Coast Theatre Company, South Walton Academy, Make-A-Wish Foundation and the local food pantry.

"I believe the purpose of my business is to be ready and willing to bless the people that God brings to me to serve," Shelli said. "I am so thankful to be a small part of a much bigger plan.”

PE T S & PROFESSIONALS

Let’s meet some of Destin’s pet owners who are also some of the area’s most versatile business owners. From a gym owner with a focus on educating about bully breeds to a cleaning service that specializes in pet-friendly services, check out our round-up of amazing pets with their professionals.

MEET SOME OF DESTIN’S FRONTLINE BUSINESSWOMEN AND THEIR FAVORED PETS

ARTICLE BY SAVANNAH VASQUEZ | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Grettel Olivos

Grettel Olivos is a native Peruvian and the owner of Olive: The Cleaning Boutique. She is living the dogmom life she never dreamed of. It was Grettel’s now 19-year-old daughter, Mia, who originally wanted a dog. Grettel says she wasn’t sure about taking on a dog at the time, but in the end, Mia convinced her.

“Our dog West is the baby boy I never had,” Grettel said. “West is a daily reminder that through hard work and focus, there is good even in the toughest of times.”

West is an energetic and playful 5-year-old sweet boy. He loves treats, toys and during the day he can be seen lounging around the house. Grettel cooks homemade food for West and he has his own TikTok account.

“He truly is the most spoiled dog in the world,” she said.

Love brought Grettel to the United States in 2014, and in 2020 she moved from Texas to the Emerald Coast. Once here, Grettel noticed a need for quality cleaning services.

“My concerns for my family’s health during the pandemic increased my obsession for cleaning,” Grettel said. “That is how Olive: The Cleaning Boutique was born.”

Sally Foster

Sally Foster is the co-owner of Flex Fitness Center, which she shares with her husband Dan Foster. The couple’s two fur kids, Flex and Xena, are the face of the business.

“My husband and I are huge pitbull advocates and are sponsoring bully breeds through Saving With Soul,” Sally said. “With our love for pitbulls, we wanted to use the gym platform to help create an interest in learning about pitbulls. They will genuinely listen, and do what you want, unfortunately, some owners are not meant to be pet owners that give these beautiful dogs a bad name.”

Flex Fitness Center opened its doors in August  2017 with the goal to give people a place to be comfortable and feel welcomed. Together the Fosters have created a safe and positive-driven gym along with the Flex Family Team.

Sally has lived in Okaloosa County for almost 34 years.

“I am proud to be a Floridian raising my dogs on the most beautiful beaches in America,” she said. “We want to be the best dog parents we can be and we hope by sharing our life, we can spread pitbull awareness with our programs and the work with local rescues.”

Mary Ellen Cornelison

Mary Ellen Cornelison is a proud fur baby momma to twin kittens Heckler and Kosch, adopted from Alaqua Animal Refuge. These furry companions have brought her immense joy over the past two years.

In addition to her role as a devoted pet parent, Mary is a local realtor with Hometown Realty Partners and a talented artist in the community. A former Atlanta resident for 20 years, Mary was an accomplished model and actress, as well as a hair and make-up artist and salon owner.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Mary is also a published author who has founded a charity foundation called YouShine. Her passion for giving back to the community is evident in her charitable efforts. Mary’s entrepreneurial spirit has also been passed down to her three sons, who have undoubtedly been inspired by their mother’s drive and dedication.

With a diverse background in the arts, entertainment and real estate, Mary brings a unique perspective to her work. Her creative talents shine through in her real estate transactions, where she approaches each client’s needs with a personalized touch. In her artwork, Mary’s passion for self-expression and creativity is evident in every piece she creates.

Eliana Ciao

As an Italian immigrant to Florida, Eliana Ciao always dreamed of owning her own business and providing a unique and memorable service to her clients. This dream became a reality with The Tipsy Mule, which began as a side-gig offering mobile bar services for events. What started as a small venture quickly exploded into a large-scale event service. The Tipsy Mule transitioned from serving small gatherings to hosting large parties and adding cocktail crafting classes to our repertoire.

As an Italian, Eliana said she couldn’t resist incorporating pasta-making classes into her company’s offerings.

“My heritage and passion for food have always driven me to bring people together around the table for family-cooked meals,” she said. “The joy and camaraderie experienced during our pasta-making classes and the laughter created in our cocktail-making sessions are the most rewarding aspects of our events.”

Eliana said that her two fur babies help her to relax after a long day of work. Penelope is her 9-year-old Chihuahua and Mafalda is her Dachshund-Beagle mix.

“Penelope is a joy to watch prance around when I get home after a long day. And Mafalda, I named after my favorite pasta shape because she is the fluffiest, happiest, and most adventurous partner.”

Empowering Through Theatre

Emerald Coast Theatre Company Offers Education & Inspiration to the Emerald Coast Community

Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) was born out of necessity. In 2012, Nathanael and Anna Fisher, a local couple passionate about theater, noticed a lack of access to theater classes and education in the area and decided to do something about it.

“We noticed that at that time, there were not many opportunities for Okaloosa or Walton County elementary school children to get involved in theater,” Nathanael said. “We saw a need for it, and from there, ECTC was launched.”

Since launching, ECTC has grown exponentially each year with a two-part mission to focus on theater education as well as to bring well-rounded professional theater offerings to the Emerald Coast area.

“It started with a dream and a drive, and now we have hundreds of kids involved in our educational programming each year,” Nathanael said. “Then with our professional shows, last year over 13,000 people came out to support us. It's exciting how the community has responded to our vision with a resounding yes!”

From weekly acting classes to field trips, to camps and performances for young audiences, ECTC offers children a wide variety of ways to interact with theater. There are even scholarships available for those in need of it.

“It’s our mission that everyone can be involved, no matter their socioeconomic standing,” Nathanael said. “We want to make our programs accessible.”

As for the community, each season, ECTC produces and performs a plethora of entertaining shows that incorporate both serious and humorous topics. The company can also be found outside of the theater, caroling in local shopping centers at Christmas, or bringing pop-up shows to the public through their Broadway in the Boulevard series.

“ECTC was launched out of our experience and desire for theater education," Nathanael said. "To create positive change in children and to create a place of inspiration and connection through theater for the entire Emerald Coast community.”

ARTICLE BY SAVANNAH

BY NIKKI HEDRICK

“It’s our mission that everyone can be involved, no matter their socioeconomic standing,” Nathanael Fisher. “

PINK N BLUE

ARTICLE BY SAVANNAH VASQUEZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY GALINA WELLS PHOTOGRAPHY

CHILDREN’S BOUTIQUE CELEBRATES 10 YEARS IN DESTIN

Gulia Metcalf, owner of Pink N Blue Avenue, moved to the United States 18 years ago on a student program from Russia. When she first arrived in Destin, Florida, she said she found herself facing a new culture, new language and new job experiences.

"At first, I questioned why I'd traded my secure government job, after graduating from a prestigious college in Russia, for roles in retail, restaurants, and real estate offices in a new land," Gulia said. "But deep down, I knew this was my path. I believed that as long as I gave my best every day, everything would eventually fall into place."

Eight years after moving to Destin, Gulia welcomed her daughter Gigi into her life, sparking the inspiration behind Pink N Blue Avenue.

CONTINUED >

“It was then that I felt a calling, leading me to open a children's boutique," Gulia said. "The store allowed me to spend invaluable time with Gigi while contributing something meaningful to our community. Today, beyond the hustle of the business lies my heart and soul; my two bundles of joy, Gigi, 11, and my son, 6-year-old Gregory, a.k.a. Bubby.”

Pink N Blue Avenue opened just over 10 years ago in a small plaza near Fresh Market in Destin, offering a physical place to browse and purchase quality children’s clothing and European-inspired toys, books and accessories. Just three years after opening, the need to expand brought the boutique to the large outdoor mall, the Destin Commons.

“The unwavering support of our locals moved us forward, leading to a rapid expansion and a transition to Destin Commons,” Gulia said. “Today, our shelves proudly hold over 220 handpicked brands.”

Fueled by the supportive Destin community and her own desire to give back, Gulia initiated the non-profit Dream Big Foundation in July of 2023.

“It’s a passion project I had in my heart for a while,” Gulia said. “Our goal and thought behind it is that any child in our community can access after-school activities, such as sports, art, or dance, despite financial limitations. We hope that with the community’s support, we can sculpt a future where every child's passion finds a place to blossom.”

When not working, Gulia can be found spending every second she has with her kids.

“Family time is sacred in our house,” Gulia said. “Our time together is filled with joy, games, crafts, outdoor activities, and shared passions like learning crochet or cooking or exploring the wonders of the world traveling together.”

The Dream Big-G Foundation, while still in the build-out phase, plans on hosting fundraisers in the future to benefit local students seeking to participate in afterschool programs.

“We had one fundraiser throughout my store donating 10% of sales over the holiday weekend towards Rise Dance Studio and their holiday needs,” Gulia said. “In the future we plan to run fundraisers and distribute them accordingly, 80% towards scholarships and 20% towards local youth recreational facilities.”

Gulia said her own children, Gigi and Bubby love dance and sports, and she dreams that all children will have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities regardless of the cost.

We offer private offices, coworking, meeting room space and virtual offices/business address in the heart of Destin. While not pet friendly, we’re picturing Vice President Melissa Fertitta and her Corgi, Margot. Fur babies, have your humans contact us for a tour. thebeachworx.com | 850.974.3435 | info@thebeachworx.com 34990 Emerald Coast Pkwy., #300, Destin, FL 32541

SALTY PAWS BOUTIQUE

A Boutique for Boujee Pets

ARTICLE BY SAVANNAH VASQUEZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY SALVATORE BRANCIFORT

Imagine a place where pets are center stage; a place where you can find cute clothes for your miniature dachshund, birthday cupcakes for your poodle, or even a celebratory “21st Birthday Martini Bone,” for your 3-year-old labrador. Well, imagine no more, as Salty Paws Pet Boutique and Barkery in the Destin Commons has everything you need to make your four-pawed pet feel loved.

“I’ve always wanted to open a store, ever since I worked in my family's store for 14 years in New Orleans,” said Owner Elizabeth Cox. “My whole family loves pets and it’s just a need here in Destin, a lot of people here love their pets like family.”

Elizabeth and her family moved from New Orleans to Destin at the end of 2023, and opened Salty Paws in February of 2024. A lifetime visitor of Destin, Elizabeth said her husband’s job finally brought them to the Emerald Coast for good.

“We love it here so we finally decided to make the move,” Elizabeth said. “We love it when people bring their pets into the store and we really love hearing people’s stories about how they got their pets; that’s my favorite part of having the store, it makes it more fun.”

Elizabeth Cox said her four-legged family consists of two dogs and two cats. Meet the family: Duke, a black lab. Cane, a stray, possibly American Bulldog and Labrador mix. A stray cat named Beanz, and Tux, a black and white tabby.

Whether your pup has the obedience of a dog show finalist, or social behavior that makes you want to play dead around others, you can develop more owner confidence with help from this expert trainer.

ARTICLE BY LISA MOYER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES | STYLED BY ANGELA BROOCKERD

SOCIALIZING TIPS:

“Socializing your dog is beneficial for both dogs and their owners,” says Taryn Tyler, a certified dog trainer. “It creates confidence for both dogs and owners and displaces the anxiety we feel when our dogs aren’t behaving like we want them to.”

Taryn stresses that teaching a dog to sit or stay is less about tricks and more about the relationship that builds between animal and owner. “We all love our dogs, but they can be stressful when they can’t seem to click in our home environments.

• Socializing is more than taking your dog in public. A guy can dump a bunch of mulch in your driveway and spread it , but he’s not a landscaper until he’s following a plan. When the doorbell rings or a visitor comes into the house, what’s our expectation for the dog? When we’re in public and the dog’s attention is diverted, what’s our plan to refocus them? Socialization is 99 percent working on small steps as part of a larger plan.

• Socializing isn’t about our dogs being the center of attention in public. Everyone loves seeing a dog, but our best outcome for the dog is to go unnoticed. Sitting by our side, ignoring external stimuli, remaining calm—those are things we strive for when socializing a dog.

• When socializing dogs with other dogs, start small. Take a walk with another dog to get them to just exist in the same vicinity. Once they’re able to not be excited by the other dog, work on limited playing in controlled environments.

• If someone comes into your home, let them know what boundaries you’re working on with your dog. You can even suggest asking them to carry a few treats and work on some of the behaviors your dog is already comfortable with.