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LIFESTYLE LETTER

FEBRUARY 2021 PUBLISHER

Rob Hannon | rob.hannon@lifestylepubs.com AD DESIGNER

All You Need is Love—and Art FEBRUARY IS OUR MONTH OF ART—MAKING, COLLECTING, ADMIRING

Evan Deuvall L AYO UT DESIGNER

Dana Rudolph CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

AND LEARNING. We love art because it gives us a glimpse of someone’s heart, the

Jessica Fitch, Stephanie Hasbrouck, Audrey Kuether

part of them we don’t see on the surface. We are all drawn to art in different ways.

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

We like to look at and listen to art that makes us feel something, art that resonates with us. Through art, we learn about ourselves.

Shelby Elmore, Audrey Kuether, Angelica Marie Photography

As you read about the local artists in our community and their stories of passion and self-expression, we hope that you too are inspired to pursue what you love. After all, February is the month of love. So, Fort Myers, while you fill your home with chocolate truffles and roses this month, remember to fill your heart too. Find what makes you feel alive—and don’t forget to share it with us. Today is always a great day to love yourself.

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

Rob Hannon, Publisher

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO

CityLifestyle.com/FortMyers COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHELBY ELMORE 4

Fort Myers Lifestyle | February 2021

Proverbs 3:5-6 Fort Myers Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Fort Myers areas’ most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Fort Myers Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

INSIDE THE ISSUE FEBRUARY 2021

FEATURES 08 Picnic in the Park 10 Chocolate to Show Your Love Make Your Own Valentine’s Day Chocolate Dishes

16 Hand Made Home A Comprehensive Guide to All Things DIY with Expert Audrey Kuether

10 08

26 Cocktail Club Enjoy a Valentines Day Drink with Your Beau

26 DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

Food & Wine

Culinary Creations

16 DIY 22 Open House 26 Parting Thoughts

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FOOD & WINE

picnic in the park ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY MICHELLE SANCHEZ

Fort Myers Lifestyle | February 2021

CUSTOMIZED

PICNICS

ARE

QUICKLY

BECOMING A TREND THAT INCORPORATES OUTDOOR DINING, CHARCUTERIE BOARDS, COZY AND BOHO SET UPS, AND TASTY TREATS AND DRINKS TO CELEBRATE! Creating your own picnic can be a great alternative that offers additional flexibility and customization for your unique wants and needs. I have designed a Valentine’s Day Date Night

Part of the excitement of the picnic will

picnic to celebrate the day of love, you can fol-

always be the food and beverage experience.

low along for some inspiration of your own!

Personally, I prefer to gather my food and drink

The location for your picnic could take you

options from local businesses to eliminate any

anywhere around town or even in your backyard!

additional preparation on my end. If you have

Are you looking for more privacy, or a picnic with

a chef extraordinaire at home, you can create

a view? For your picnic set up, you will need

your own menu lineup to feature at your picnic.

blankets, pillows, candles, and any other linens or

I started the picnic with a charcuterie board

decorations to match the theme of your picnic. A

which incorporates locally sourced ingredients

vase of fresh flowers will add to the ambiance for

to create charcuterie masterpieces. Grab a bot-

Valentine's Day celebrations. Don't forget some

tle or wine or champagne from a local business

glasses for wine or champagne!

or a growler of beer from a local brewery. The best type of picnic is the one that has all of your personal favorites! Enjoying a private custom picnic is a great way to experience the outdoors during the cooler Florida temperatures. The natural scenery can take you away from the hustle and bustle of daily life to escape. This creates the foundation for a lovely unique date night to remember for years to come.

CityLifestyle.com/FortMyers

CULINARY CREATIONS

chocolate to show you r love ARTICLE JESSICA FITCH PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

CHOCOLATE HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH LOVE FOR NEARLY 700 YEARS. It is a suspected aphrodisiac, an endorphin factory, and a gift of love. No matter how you spend your Valentine’s Day this year, you will likely end up with some of it in your grasp. Be it the day of or the day after on discount candy, chocolate is quite nearly unavoidable in February. Why settle for bunnies and boxes when you could delight and astound with something homemade? 2020 was the year that birthed many bakers. Flour sold out everywhere and homemade sourdough was in almost every house. Many people are still trying their hand at new recipes. So we recommend gathering the family and your loved ones to create, bake, and enjoy some goodies together.

Fort Myers Lifestyle | February 2021

MAKE YOUR OWN VALENTINE'S DAY CHOCOLATE DISHES

Coated Chocolate Brownie Thins

+ ½ cup flour + ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder + ⅛ tsp baking powder + ¼ tsp salt + 1 tbsp unsalted butter. melted and cooled slightly + 1 large egg white, room temperature + ½ tsp vanilla + 2 tbsp plain nonfat Greek yogurt + 5 tbsp pure maple syrup + 2 tbsp milk + Almond bark chocolate

Preheat the oven to 300°F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk together the first four ingredients in one bowl and the butter, egg, and vanilla in another. Stir in the Greek yogurt, then the maple syrup. Alternate between adding the flour and milk, and stir until just incorporated. Spread the batter onto the parchment paper, about ⅛” thick. Cook for about 13 minutes. Let cool for several hours before slicing and coating in melted almond bark.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/FortMyers

CULINARY CREATIONS (CONTINUED)

Vegan Chocolate Truffles

+ 2 cups old-fashioned oats + 3/4 cup roughly chopped pitted dates + 2/3 cup creamy almond butter + 1/3 cup honey + 1/4 cup raw coconut flakes + 3 tablespoons chocolate chips + 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder for coating

Prepare the oats in a food processor with short pulses. Add the dates, almond butter, and honey and continue to pulse until well mixed. Add the coconut flakes and chocolate chips and continue processing until evenly combined. Dampen your hands and roll them into tablespoon sized balls (if crumbly, add some warm water until right). Arrange the truffles in a single layer in an airtight container and chill them for about 25 minutes. Just before serving, roll in cocoa powder.

Fort Myers Lifestyle | February 2021

Chocolate Pudding Parfaits + 1 box chocolate instant pudding mix 5.9 ounce size

+ 3 cups milk + 1 quart heavy cream + Chocolate Chips + Single-serve glasses for serving Easy and impressive - these can mold to any kind of parfait you want. Whisk the pudding mix and milk together and set aside. Mix the heavy cream with a hand mixer until it whips and also set aside. Layer your single-serve cups as desired. This also works great with crushed oreos, thin mints, cookies, brownies, you name it! CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/FortMyers

CULINARY CREATIONS (CONTINUED)

Homemade Chocolate Cream Puffs

+ 1/2 cup butter + 1 cup water + 1 cup flour + 4 large eggs + 1 tsp salt; optional + 2 - 3.4 ounce size packages chocolate instant pudding mix; prepared according to package directions

Preheat the oven to 400°. Heat the butter, water, and salt over high heat in a saucepan and bring to a rolling boil. Remove from heat and add the flour all at once, stirring quickly until the dough creates a ball. Let the dough cool for 5 minutes. With a mixer, add eggs one at a time until the dough is smooth and silky. Scoop onto cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temp to 350° and bake for 30 additional minutes until golden brown. Poke a couple of holes into the sides of each puff and then return to the oven and turn it off. Leave the slightly door open for another 12 minutes or so. Let cool completely before filling with pudding.

Fort Myers Lifestyle | February 2021

A LEVEL ABOVE

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13300-56 South Cleveland Avenue Fort Myers, Florida 33919

INFO@AMPSHOTSMEDIA.COM AMPSHOTSMEDIA.COM

READ

DINE

SHOP

L O C AT E D AT

C O N TA C T U S

PHOTOGRAPHY · VIDEOGRAPHY

PLAY

During this time, we’ve brought our print publication to you. Now, we’re adding a new way to share good news! + INTRODUCING +

CityLifestyle.com YOUR DIGITAL DESTINATION FOR LOCAL LIVING CityLifestyle.com/FortMyers

DIY

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY AUDREY KUETHER

H A N D M A D E H O M E A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO ALL THINGS DIY WITH EXPERT AUDREY KUETHER

Fort Myers Lifestyle | February 2021

Before I made these cute gold leaf dishes, my jewelry was a tangled mess. Now I actually enjoy keeping it organized and displayed! Don’t let gold leaf intimidate you – it’s a game changer. Check out the tutorial to learn how to make some of these pretties for yourself or for gift giving.

+ G O L D E N

G L A M

J E W E L R Y

D I S H E S

SCAN ME FOR THE FULL TUTORIAL!

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/FortMyers

SCAN ME FOR THE FULL TUTORIAL!

T E R R I F I C

T O Y

A N I M A L

P H O T O

D I S P L A Y S

DIY (CONTINUED)

Fort Myers Lifestyle | February 2021

I turned these toys into some fun photo holders, but they are also super fun used as table place settings at a kid’s birthday party. They double as a party favor!

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/FortMyers

DIY (CONTINUED)

SCAN ME FOR THE FULL TUTORIAL!

P R E T T Y

P O M

It doesn’t get more fun than yarn pom poms – ok maybe I need to get a life, but nonetheless .... In this tutorial , I show you just how easy it is to make your own pom poms and pull them together to make the cutest wall hangings.

Fort Myers Lifestyle | February 2021

P O M

W A L L

H A N G I N G S

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H O M E

OPEN HOUSE

HOME WO R K

WORKING FROM HOME BECAME THE NORM IN 2020, AND FOR MANY, THE HOME OFFICE REMAINS A PRIMARY WORKSPACE. Laura Christian, owner of Laura Design and Co. offers some advice this month on how to turn what may have at one time been a part-time office space into a full-time, stylish and sophisticated work dwelling. “For some, this state of working from home will be permanent. It is a different time we are living in, so we might as well embrace what we can control - our homes. We have the unique opportunity at this time to make our work space our own, and make us truly want to spend time in it,” Laura says.

Fort Myers Lifestyle | February 2021

LAURA CHRISTIAN OF LAURA DESIGN AND CO. GIVES ADVICE ON CREATING A STYLISH AND FUNCTIONAL HOME OFFICE

ARTICLE STEPHANIE HASBROUCK PHOTOGRAPHY ANGELICA MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

Choose a color palette. “I like to stick with neutral paint colors as a jumping off point. Then bring in colors through artwork, accessories, window treatments and rugs,” Laura says.

Chose a desk wisely. “Think about your personality and the way you work. Do you need more drawers and storage or do you prefer a more minimal, clutter-free work space? This will make the decision on what type of desk to purchase. In many cases, less is more,” she says.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/FortMyers

OPEN HOUSE (CONTINUED)

P E S O N A L

T O U C H

Create balance. “Like so many other things in life, design is all about finding balance,” Laura says. “Create a balance between textiles, wood finishes, stone, colors, natural elements, finishes and accessories.”

Fort Myers Lifestyle | February 2021

Incorporate art. “Use oversized artwork as a backdrop for those long zoom calls. It will not only look beautiful, but professional as well,” Laura says. “We are big fans of neutral, abstract landscape artwork, especially pieces that have a calming aesthetic to them.”

Make it personal. “Do not forget to include personal touches here and there – family photos, favorite books, etc. They serve as little reminders of the things that bring you joy,” she says.

S H E L V E S W I T H

S T Y L E

Follow Laura’s tips below to style perfectly balanced bookshelves.

+ Start with a clean slate. Begin by emptying everything off of your shelves so that you have a fresh look at them. Consider your room and color palette. Is the cabinetry backing dark, light, or open? This should affect how you select you styling elements … If the cabinetry is dark, you want to select lighter pieces in order to obtain that contrast. Are you wanting to keep it neutral or add bold colors and patterns to your decor? You can organize your items by category prior to placing them on your shelves. Overall, you want to keep a cohesive look throughout the shelves. + Gather varied items. Only use items that you love. You want these things to make you happy when you look at them. I personally like to use baskets, greenery, geometric objects, pottery/vases, books, bookends, jars, artwork, frames, candles and wood trays. I also love incorporating personal items that have a unique value and interest to you. For example, nick-knacks, or souvenirs from past travels, personal photos of a memorable occasion, or collectibles that mean something special to your family. + Ground your shelves. I usually start by placing a set of large baskets or trays on the bottom shelf. This really helps it feel more substantial, weighted, and connected at the base of your shelves. + Style from largest to smallest. The next step is incorporating the large items first and spreading them out over your shelves so they are not right next to each other. Then, fill in the remaining shelves with the smaller items. Here's one of our best tricks: if it feels like something is missing, add some greenery (faux works too!). + Create that necessary depth. You can do this through the use of artwork or trays stacked against the back wall. Make sure items that are similar to each other are not right next to one another. It is all about balance. CityLifestyle.com/FortMyers

PARTING THOUGHTS

ENJOY A VALENTINES DAY DRINK WITH YOUR BEAU

PHOTOGRAPHY

ENTICE RECIPE + Maker's Mark 1.5 oz + Pama Pomegranate Liqueur 0.5 oz + Lemon Juice 0.25 oz + Lime Juice 0.5 oz + Cranberry Juice 0.25 oz + Thyme Simple 0.5 oz

INSTRUCTIONS Mix ingredients on ice in a cocktail shaker, shake for 10-15 seconds, strain over a large ice cube

Fort Myers Lifestyle | February 2021

C O C K TA I L C L U B

SHELBY ELMORE

SOME GIFTS ARE MEANT TO BE PLAYED WITH

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