Port St. Lucie, FL September 2023

Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles and Boats are a staple of American Life and enthusiasts dedicate extensive time and financial resources toward fulfilling their dream of having the coolest, most exotic vehicles and garages with which to house them; GARAGE EXOTICA exemplifies the means with which these vast number of enthusiasts can fulfill their desire to have the best!

Hey Port St. Lucie,

Welcome September! Funny how years ago when we were living in New Jersey, we'd be breaking out the sweaters and boots, getting into the fall theme.  But for all of us here in Florida, we just continue rolling with the bathing suits and tank tops!   What a year it's been thus far.  Before we know it, we'll be talking Holidays!

Hopefully the August "Kids and Pets" issue was educational for you regarding some potential dangers for your pets, learning more about the foster care system in our town, or maybe you were able to find a fun service for your kids party.  For this month, we're aiming for a "Style and Fashion" vibe, featuring some awesome products, salons and more in the area.

Over the last few months, we've had the opportunity to meet with so many local business owners and residents around town. It's been a pleasure getting to see more familiar faces as we're out and about and learn more about the history of our town, the story behind some of the businesses, and just meeting some new friendly faces overall.

A specific thank you to everyone who has continued to support us since we launched in May. Whether you be following our social media and staying engaged, reading our content and supporting our partners with their services, or are a partner of the magazine, we appreciate you and hope we continue to peak your interest each month and keep you in the know.

We hope everyone had a smooth transition saying goodbye to Summer and hello to back to school season!  Hopefully we see you around soon. Cheers.

All Our Best,

September 2023

PUBLISHER

Corey Smith | corey.smith@citylifestyle.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Alexa Smith | alexa.smith@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Genevieve Castro; NextGen Photography

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

1: @k9adventurespsl Splashin’ around at doggy daycare! 2: @onlocaltimewaterexcursions Taking out a group on another exciting adventure.

3: @inspir8tionbasketball A great team photo from our local youth basketball sports association 4: @pslcrosstownrunningclub A great group from a successful event sponsored by Fleet Feet. 5: @freedomboatclubsouthfl getting people out on the water without the hassle of owning a boat! 6: @roof_top_cocktails doing a delicious and beautiful display for a local event. 7: @thegafford47 A perfect spot for a date night with great food & fancy cocktails.

Want to be seen in the magazine?

Tag your Instagram photos with @portstluciecitylifestyle

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

American Veteran Power Washing

Paver driveway and pool deck need to be fixed? We offer repairs, joint sand, stripping and sealing. We pride ourselves on using the best products on the market and the results, along with our reviews, reflect the work. We can also clean your roof and home with our safe soft wash system. Even better, we treat everything with a neutralizer to protect and prevent issues to vegetation, so you don’t have to worry about your plants! Call Chris today for your free estimate. 772.267.7695

A New System with Fit Fixins

Fit Fixins has migrated to a new website platform, offering enhanced user-friendliness. Enjoy our new features, including meal packs with extra discounts for greater value. Our innovative delivery software sends real-time notifications and provides picture confirmation upon delivery. Experience ultimate convenience with our new app, simplifying the ordering process. Join us as we redefine online interaction, providing a seamless and satisfying browsing experience. Have questions? Contact us at info@fitfixins.net or call 772-519-1271 to explore the exciting enhancements we've made!

This Ones For the Readers

Did you know you can tag or send us photos through social media to be featured on our “City Scene” page? We love showcasing our residents and what’s been happening around town, so don’t forget to share! In addition, if there’s something you’d like to hear about or a good idea to share with other readers, please reach out to us! Your ideas are valued and heard and we’ll do our best to incorporate them.

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/PortStLucie

Watching New Trends Begin...

If someone told you 50 years ago that you could wear your Rolex with a T-shirt and shorts, not just a tuxedo, would you believe them?  Mariano Steisel from The Watch & Jewelry Hospital has let us in on how the style and trend of watches is much more universal than it used to be.

His business has handled manufacturing, importing, designing, wholesale, mastering every aspect of the industry at one point or another.  At only thirteen years old, Mariano joined alongside his father and has since worked in and now runs the family business. They have been operating here in Port St. Lucie for 14 years now.

Over the last five years, the trend for watches has taken over jewelry. Although he can custom design anything you request, nearly 90% of business is now about watches. The Watch & Jewelry Hospital is successful to this trend because they carry multiple brands and are one of the only places around certified to repair nearly any watch, no matter the brand. They have the equipment, talent, and capability to repair what most others don’t.

Wearing a watch can be casual, professional, fancy, but how do we know which goes with what? Mariano let us in on a few important tips when styling yourself and picking out which watch to wear.

Case Size :

Finding the perfect size watch means taking several factors into consideration like style, wrist size and taste to help find the best suited one for your day to day hustle.  Is there such a thing as too big or too small?

That depends on your personal preference! I like a bigger watch, like an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean that is 43.5mm, on my 7 inch wrist.  To some, that’s too big, but it’s my preference!  It all comes down to taste, so take your time to find your style whether it’s something complex and unique, or more authentically plain and simple.

Bands/Textures:

To me, the man that changed the watch game with fashion is James Bond!  He would wear a Rolex Submariner Reference 6538 Big Crown on a Nato strap no less, with a tuxedo!  Pretty sure no one said “are you crazy wearing that with a tux?”

With the invention of the quick release spring bars that come on watch straps today, it’s simple to change the strap and look of a watch to suit many different styles.  You can wear a rubber strap while in the pool, then swap it out to a dressy leather one for dinner the same night.  You don’t have to buy a whole new watch when you’re ready for change, just the strap!

A time where watches have become a powerful accessory

Case Size

Bands/Textures

Formalities:

Chances are, you’re completing your outfit with a watch. If you’re dressing up for a nice night out, find a watch that matches that favorite pair of shoes with the matching leather belt! The set will help spruce up your overall look.

A metal band can go both ways, being less casual to apply to your day to day activities, or being the finishing touch for your upcoming professional business meeting.

Formalities

BIOGRAPHY: The Watch & Jewelry Hospital is owned by Mario and Eugenia Steisel, parents of Mariano.  The business has been around for nearly 55 years! His father, Mario, was a watchmaker and his grandfather a jeweler, making Mariano a third generation expert in this field.  Mariano enjoys giving back to his community and is excited to announce that they’ll be working with and supporting the charity “Angels 4 Autism”.  Find more information about their company by visiting thewatchandjewelryhospital.com .

Perfectly Imperfect

Products created with a powerful message

Kelita’s Cork is a company owned by Kelly DaRosa, which partners with a Portuguese manufacturer, Artelusa. The company consists of accessories all hand made from cork.  Growing up, Kelly would spend her summers with her grandparents in Portugal where cork products are very common. There was something about cork that she always gravitated toward and showed interest in. “It’s the trunk of a tree, made into these beautiful accessories, I was just always so drawn to it,” Kelly says.  Her grandmother would take her to visit the cork farms where she started to watch and learn the process along with the benefits.

What she loved the most was the fact that the motto for cork is how it’s perfectly imperfect. The same tree cuts multiple pieces, yet they all have their own look and imperfections, which is what makes it beautiful. Kelly always compared this to real life, which is a big part of how her passion began. She states, “We are all created differently, we have things we might be insecure about, but that’s what makes us different and beautiful. It’s a positive self image for women and young people to love themselves and their imperfections.”  These products designed and made by Kelita’s Cork go so much further than just an accessory - they have a true meaning behind them.

In 2021, Kelly was hospitalized with a blood clot in her lung. Surviving this neardeath experience is when she opened her eyes and realized she doesn’t want to continue her day to day not doing something she loves or at least trying to pursue her dream.  It took this traumatic experience for her to move forward with her life-long dreams and plans in opening Kelita’s Cork.

The Message

Kelly wants to push being naturally beautiful and embracing who you are. This was something her grandmother always embraced: loving the skin you’re in. Kelita’s Cork shares this message in honor of her grandmother and in her memory. Kelly personally embraces it by doing a giveaway the last Sunday of every month. She says that sometimes people feel like they aren’t seen, or sometimes don’t feel appreciated, so what she wants to do is make her loyal customers who support her feel seen and appreciated, too. By signing up for her newsletter, you are entered into the giveaway which she announces on social media. This is her way of making someone feel special every month by receiving one of her products as a gift.

The Process

All of these products come from Portuguese cork farms. She wanted everything to be ethically sourced and sustainable. Growing up spending summers there, Kelly saw where the farms were and how they were made first hand.  When harvesting the cork trees, the trees are marked with a number. This number represents how many years you have until you can harvest the next one. The beauty of this is that it’s not

hurting the tree, rather helping it. When a piece of the tree is shaved off, it gives it more life and makes it grow stronger, preserving it until the next time it can be harvested. These pieces are then brought to a steaming processor where they are pressed and smoothed out like fabric, to then be made into these accessories by hand! Everything down to the ink for chocolate or white cork is ethically sourced and natural.

The Benefits

Cork products have so many benefits, especially living in Florida weather. The products are a lightweight, breathable material that can withstand a wide range of temperatures. Cork is water-resistant, eco friendly, and 100% recyclable, and it does not absorb dust, bacteria, or mold. This means that the products, such as yoga mats or shoes, aren’t affected by the moisture here in Florida, let alone sweat. Being that cork is cruelty free, no trees or animals are harmed in the harvesting and making of any products as well!

The Products

Shopping at Kelita’s Cork gives you a wide range of accessories. It’s amazing how many options can be made from a single tree!  These natural colors can go with any outfit whether you choose to dress up or down. There are bigger accessories like handbags and backpacks, smaller ones such as wallets and crossovers, and other wardrobe accessories you might need like shoes, hats, or jewelry. Not to mention you can also grab a cork tumbler or yoga mat! Shop her products online at kelitascork.com or go visit her actual store.

“We are all created differently, we have things we might be insecure about, but that’s what makes us different and beautiful. It’s a positive self image for women and young people to love themselves and their imperfections.”

Fashion for Fosters

AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY LED BY TWO LOCAL MOTHERS TO HELP THOSE IN NEED

Many of us know and love the feeling of shopping and buying that new outfit. Can you believe that there are many children in our own community that have never had that experience? Furthermore, there are children here who are placed in foster care and often times show up on the doorstep of their new foster home with nothing but the clothes on their backs. A majority of foster families have multiple children in their home and buying an entire wardrobe for each child can be expensive!

This hit home to sisters-in-law Ericah and Sabrina Brinson. After becoming foster parents they decided to come up with a way to help. When Ericah, Sabrina, and their husbands first started fostering, they sometimes found themselves in need of certain items in which they would share with the community. The influx of people who were offering support was overwhelming. They started getting multiple offers so they would take the extra items and work with other foster families in need, and the donations just started to multiply! The power of social media started connecting so many families with things they needed from clothing, to furniture, to toys.

This is when Ericah and Sabrina felt it placed on their hearts to have a facility where foster families could access these donations. They took their idea to social media to see if anyone was willing to help make this dream become a reality. Within 24 hours, someone offered to pay for a storage unit for an entire year, and they had enough funding to build shelves and get storage containers in the unit! The ladies started working with local businesses by putting boxes at their stores where people could drop off items. They would then pick them up and take the items to the storage unit where foster families could go and take what they needed. The active

and compassionate community became so involved that they quickly outgrew the storage unit.  Within a short time, the storage unit was so overcrowded that they opened up a storefront... A storefront! Two moms trying to do good, ended up opening and running a store filled with donations where foster families could come get anything they needed, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Not only did they create this resource to provide the tangible needs for these families, but it ended up forming a community where foster and adoptive parents could connect with each other and garner support from one another.

Just hitting six years, the ladies are starting to make changes to the Treasure Coast Foster Closet, with new announcements in the works & coming soon. One thing that isn’t changing though is their favorite part of the journey, their Christmas event.

What started as a small event hosted at their store front with just a few tables full of new toys, has grown to an event that served over 500 kids this past Christmas! It has become something that the foster parents and the community look forward to being a part of each year. They solicit local businesses, churches, schools, groups, and more, to host toy drives in the Fall to collect new, unwrapped toys. They collect thousands of toys and allow the foster parents to come “shop” for the children in their home. To become a part of this event, or to learn about other ways to get involved with their organization, you can visit their Facebook group Treasure Coast Foster Closet, or send them an email at tcfostercloset@gmail.com

You’ll Love What You See

Walk out the doors of Elysian By Mod feeling like a new & improved YOU.

Featuring Fashion & Style, let’s shine a spotlight on the owner of Elysian By Mod, Samantha Johansen! I can personally tell you that she has saved the appearance of my hair, but that’s just one simple testimonial. You’ll need to go for yourself to feel the full effect! We’re here to help you understand more about how they’re different. Learning about your stylist before you go can always help you feel more confident in who they are and the work you can expect to receive.

When I asked Samantha how she got into this field, she quickly replied “Oh, I always knew I wanted to do hair since I was a little girl.” Right out of high school, she went to hair school where her journey began.  Born and raised in Connecticut, she did some work between there and North Carolina before settling in Florida in 2017.

As a lot of you know, it takes time to get your bearings when you move to a new place. She worked for a bit in Jupiter while getting used to the new state, built her clientele, and realized shortly after that she wanted to work for herself.  She rented a chair out of a salon in Stuart for a year until COVID-19 hit and salons were shut down.  This is when she really decided that it was time to open her own place, so she started developing a plan. In May of 2020 she found & bought a space, took a few months to renovate and make it exactly what she wanted, then opened her doors to “Mod” in September of 2020 with just one other girl on her team. Samantha expressed how she loved the idea of having a salon name that was one simple word. She wanted it to be easy to remember and have an industrial and modern vibe - a modern focused name.  That’s exactly when it came to her. “Mod.” Simple, easy to remember, and MODern.

CONTINUED >

To no surprise, Mod grew fast! She told her landlord to keep an eye out for something bigger, not knowing how quickly that would work out.  About a year and a half later, ‘Elysian’ was up for sale, and when she visited it, she realized it was the perfect opportunity for her. Although she had to completely redo the salon to fit her vision all over again, she did so with ease, came up with “Elysian By Mod,” and opened the doors in May of 2022. She now has a team of five talented artists working beside her, and the crew recently worked hard to move to a more centralized location during the month of August, so be sure to check out their new spot!

Samantha believes that her team should be able to showcase their creativity and work in a positive environment without feeling controlled as an artist. She wants her clients to come in and feel welcomed by each team member and be provided with services and products that will genuinely benefit them, not just feel like a sale.  She has an organic color line and all vegan products. Samantha is huge on education; she believes in continuously learning and educating herself and her team on different products to know what’s best for clients. Her chosen salon products have lower toxins, no parabens, no sulfates, and no mineral oils, and they are all cruelty free.

“You can have a luxury experience without it being pretentious. You can be pampered and have a high quality and experienced stylist, without it being an experience where you feel like you can’t relax,” says Samantha.  She ensures that at Elysian by Mod your wants are heard, they listen to you, and they take the time to consult you, educate you on your hair, and make sure you feel confident that you’re in the best hands for the best outcome.

A New Generation of Rental Homes

With Port St. Lucie growing as rapidly as it’s been over the past few years, it seems that we’re always looking for places that friends and family can rent to check out the town before jumping into buying a home. Lucky for us, we have an incredible new community right within our own, The Cottages Tradition; built with nothing but the best in mind for the residents to make it feel like home.

The Cottages Tradition is a product of Capstone Communities, whose mission be an innovative company dedicated to serving people, building community and delivering exceptional experiences that stand the test of time.  You can see this message come to life from the amenities offered, the cozy, home-like feeling when you walk into each cottage and the sense of community intentionally created throughout the property.

These pet friendly cottages have anywhere from one to three bedrooms, all of which have privacy in their backyard from a private balcony to a fenced-in yard consisting of patio space and astroturf. Capstone’s decision to use turf instead of traditional sod again shows the value of their message and how they are offering the space and privacy of owning a home with the amenities and ease of a traditional apartment setting.  Can you imagine living in a community with a 24-hour fitness center and clubhouse, a resort-style pool, a bark park for your pets and conference rooms to get work done or hold meetings? (I know, I’m ready to put my house on the market now, too!)

I found the interior design and style within these homes to be incredibly beautiful, that it made me start to wonder about the designer and her vision. Thankfully, The Cottages Tradition was able to get me in touch with designer ‘Shelly Orr Interiors,’ so we could learn where her inspiration came from!  Her intent and overall vision were to create a unique space that felt casual and comfortable. When discussing the “why” behind

The Cottages

The Cottages Tradition; built with nothing but the best in mind for the residents to make it feel like home.

the style she went with, she expressed how the purpose was to make each visitor immediately feel at home in each room, while also showcasing elements of design & decor that add functionality to the areas. While having the opportunity to talk to the incredibly talented designer, I asked if she had any pointers for our readers when designing their homes. She let us in with a great tip, stating “Layering various textiles against a bright, crisp background softens a space! Use rugs, drapery, throw blankets, throw pillows, and bedding of various textures and patterns to enhance your home making it a relaxing retreat appealing to both you and your guests.”

In addition to everything The Cottages Tradition offers, their atmosphere is geared towards family and belonging. The Property Manager, Jessica Swords, expressed her delight of their new community when stating, “From the moment you enter our Cottage Community, you are greeted as family and treated as such. We want every resident to love coming home every day and genuinely enjoy where they live. Our long term goal is to create a strong sense of community and lasting relationships within Port Saint Lucie.”

Another important aspect to The Cottages Tradition is the way they give back to the community they’re in. They actively stay involved with community outreach sponsoring lunches or meetings and working with the police department, first responders, schools, St. Lucie Mets, and more. They want to ensure everyone feels like they’re a part of the community, and much more than another apartment complex. They’re putting their footprints in the community, and are here for the long run! The next time your friend or family member is telling you that they’re unsure where to move, hopefully you know where you plan on sending them!

THE little BLACK DRESS

Most of us can say we have that one staple black dress that can be worn at any occasion, and the classic look is not only popular but is elegant and timeless. It is one of the most versatile items we own, never goes out of style and looks good on anyone. But how did this classic look originate?

Prior to the 1920’s, black was reserved for funeral wear, but when Coco Channel made the bold move to print a short, black dress on the cover of Vogue in 1926, all of that changed. The popularity of the black dress skyrocketed, and it became one of the most influential pieces of clothing. Because of its affordability, black remained a popular choice during The Great Depression. The black dress had another boom in popularity when “Breakfast at Tiffany’s’’ debuted, and Audrey Hepburn showcased her iconic black dress with long, black gloves.

We enlisted the help of stylist, Amani Skalacki, to show us how versatile the little black dress can be. “We usually think of the little black dress as a piece you wear to an event. However, because black is so flattering on all body types and skin tones, women have multiple black dresses from casual to evening,” Amani says.

“A sequin dress can be dressed up with heels, or that same dress can be transformed into a casual outfit with the addition of tennis shoes and an oversized blazer or a denim jacket. Transform that strappy dress you have been wearing all summer into an outfit that is perfect for chilly fall temperatures. Add a narrow scarf, a leather jacket and sandals or a tall pointy boot, and you have a whole new look for an evening out,” Amani adds.

If you have a dress in the back of your closet that you haven’t worn in years, don’t be afraid to dust it off and give it new life.

Are you looking for the best cut or style of dress that works best for your body type?

HOURGLASS FIGURE:

• V-necklines

• Cinched-in waistlines

• Tailored/fitted dresses

PEAR OR TRIANGLE

FIGURE:

• Tailored dresses

• Off the shoulder

ATHLETIC FIGURE:

• Embellished

• Ruffles

• Empire waist

• Volume is your friend

APPLE FIGURE:

• Drop waist

• A-line

The dress that all body types can’t go wrong with is a wrap dress of any length.

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

STYLIST: AMANI SKALACKI

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

SEPTEMBER 3RD

Islamorada Brewery & Distillery

3200 ST. LUCIE BLVD, FORT PIERCE | 1:00 PM

A kid & dog friendly brewery where you can come out every Sunday for live music from 1-4pm.  To add to the fun, there's a bounce house and food truck (weather permitting) while you enjoy the entertainment!

SEPTEMBER 5TH

Tuesday Night Car Show

ELLIOTT MUSEUM; 825 NE OCEAN BLVD STUART, FL | 4:00 PM

Every Tuesday through September come out and enjoy oldies music, a 50/50, car products and food from Philly Down South!

SEPTEMBER 9TH

The Pure Zeppelin Experience

SUNRISE THEATRE; 117 S 2ND ST., FORT PIERCE | 7:00 PM

Enjoy a performance by The Pure Zeppelin Experience featuring a special guest, Completely Unchained. A portion of the proceeds for this event will benefit Multiple Sclerosis.

SEPTEMBER 16TH

International Festival

MIDFLORIDA CREDIT UNION EVENT CENTER; 9221 SE EVENT CENTER PLACE | 2:00 PM

The first ever Port St. Lucie International Festival! This free event will feature a variety of performances and allow you to experience traditional food, drink and culture of multiple different countries.

SEPTEMBER 23RD

Port St. Lucie Home Show

MIDFLORIDA CREDIT UNION EVENT CENTER; 9221 SE EVENT CENTER PLACE | 10:00 AM

Join in for this two day event and find everything you could need for home improvement projects! This event will be filled wall to wall with different displays for you to speak directly with experts and start planning ahead for your upcoming projects.

SEPTEMBER 30TH

Family Fun Day at Tradition

TRADITION SQUARE; 108807 SW TRADITION SQUARE | 1:00 PM

FALL EDITION! Music, vendors, food trucks, artisans, a kid zone and more to make for the perfect family event. Support local businesses while you shop, eat, connect with others, and have a good time.

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/PortStLucie

HONEY, it’s time for a cocktail!

Angelique from Rooftop Cocktails is at it again, sharing another delicious drink for us to try!  When it comes to fall flavors we think of apple and pumpkin.  Well, September through January is peak pear season, and I don’t know about you but, I’ve had enough of the spiked apple ciders and pumpkin spice concoctions!

This Pear and Honey martini gives you the flavors of fall while maintaining a light freshness to deal with South Florida’s heat and humidity.

The pear vodka is the star of the show, that’s complemented by the citrus of fresh-squeezed lemon juice. The honey liqueur finishes this cocktail off with a warm richness, perfect for that fall-tasting craving.

Pear & Honey Shaken Martini

ingredients

• 2oz Grey Goose Pear Vodka

• .5oz Honey Liqueur

• 1oz Fresh Lemon Juice

• 1oz simple syrup

directions

1. Combine all ingredients and shake over lots of ice for at least 15 seconds. (Key word, LOTS of ice!)

Note: the simple syrup can be omitted or reduced if you prefer a more spirit-forward taste.