The energizing sounds reminiscent of Vintage Hollywood Cabaret and Big Band will fill the air on Tuesday, March 23 as Pink Martini with lead vocalist China Forbes takes center-stage in Sinfonia’s Gala Event: An Evening in Vintage Hollywood featuring Pink Martini at the Emerald Coast Conference Center on Okaloosa Island.

The venerable and well-traveled ensemble of twelve joins Sinfonia Gulf Coast for an explosive evening of amazing music. Having shaken up the music world in their debut in 1994, Portland, Oregon-based Pink Martini has been featured around the globe from the Cannes Film Festival to LA’s Disney Concert Hall to Singapore. You may not even know that you are familiar with their oeuvre considering that their music has been featured on compilations from Starbucks, commercials for Volkswagen, Lexus and in top-rated TV dramas such as “The West Wing,” “The Sopranos” and films such as “Nurse Betty” and “In the Cut,” just to name a few.

Table seating at $75 per ticket is located in the front section of the venue and includes catering from Carrabba’s Italian Grill. Single tickets are also available for $37.50. The performance begins at 7:30pm. Purchase and print your tickets from the convenience of your home or office by clicking www.SinfoniaGulfCoast.org or by calling the box office at 269-7129.

Grand Boulevard is thrilled that Donna Burgess is bringing her stunning artwork and amazing talents to the Town Center. Join us on Friday, March 12 from 5-7 p.m. to celebrate the grand opening of her new gallery, next to Fusion Art Glass Gallery, across from Orvis. Donna Burgess is a renowned local artist who has been on the local scene for over 20 years. She was named "Artist of Year" a couple of years ago by Beaches of South Walton - a much deserved recognition. She is also the official Autumn Tides artist, each year creating a unique watercolor masterpiece that the community looks forward to collecting each year. Stop by to welcome her and see her beautiful pieces. For more information, visit www.artzbydonnaburgess.com.

Billabong just got all of their spring arrivals in and they are terrific! Check out this great purse. Believe it or not, all of their new arrivals are on sale this week only! Spend $50 and get $10 off. Make sure to mention coupon code BBDVD215 when you make your purchase. They have a great selection of men's board shorts and some adorable bathing suits! Eek, is it that time of year already? It's crunch time.....I'm heading to the gym and then to Billabong! Shop great brands like Sanuk, Reef, Costa del Mar and of course, Billabong.

Enjoy a fun twist on a regular night out to dinner. Make your reservations today at Tommy Bahama's Restaurant & Bar for "Death by Candygram", a murder mystery for dinner theater on Friday, February 26. Enjoy a delicious three-course dinner and hundreds of laughs for only $59 (includes tax and gratuity). Seating is at 6:15 p.m. with dinner and the show beginning at 7 p.m. What's on the menu besides Debauchery, fun and bawdy antics? Start with a delicious house salad, then choose from Sanibel Stuffed Chicken, Shoal Bay Snapper or Tommy's Rib-Rack and for dessert, choose from Key Lime Pie or the famous Pina Colada Cake. Don't miss out...and remember, someone's going to die! Will you and your friends win the prize for knowing who dunnit?! Call Tommy Bahama's at 850-654-1743.

Here are the most comfortable twills you may ever slip on! Thanks to Coldwater Creek's two-way, ultra stretch fabric that provides an impeccable fit. It even features a natural waist and straight leg styling for a slimmer look. The perfect way to stay stylish and cool this summer.

Romance the weekend away on the Boulevard. With five world-class restaurants, there is a memorable meal waiting for you and your sweetie. Enjoy delicious sharing menus from Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (don't forget the wine!), P. F. Chang's China Bistro, Tommy Bahama's Restaurant & Bar or Cantina Laredo (don't forget to add the tequila pairings!). Or enjoy the freshest seafood and steaks from Mitchell's Fish Market. After your delicious meal, take a romantic stroll through the lush grounds of Grand Park and the Town Center. Top the evening off with a sweet treat from Kilwin's. Love is in the air on the boulevard!

Kilwin's is now taking Valentine's Day orders for chocolate covered strawberries at $14.95 per lb. Either call or email them with your order at 850-837-9445 or destingrandboulevard@kilwins.com.

 Also, Kilwin's now has daily specials with amazing deals. Tuesdays, buy one caramel apple and get one free! We're talking crisp Granny Smith apples dipped in homemade caramel with additional toppings if you like. Click here for more information about each day's special.

Tommy Bahama Rum, yum,yum, yum! Treat your sweetheart to Tommy Bahama's Drink of the Month - T. B. Mine featuring Tommy Bahama White Sand Rum, Cointreau, sour mix, blood orange simple syrup and fresh orange juice. Visit the beautiful Tommy Bahama's Restaurant & Bar for Island Time in Grand Boulevard or make it yourself - click here for the recipe. With a great drink like this, that special loved is sure to be yours this Valentine's Day.

Check out the fantastic January SALE at Billabong with 25% OFF selected winter merchandise. The jackets worn in the movie "Twilight" are from Billabong! New spring 2010 merchandise arriving soon!

 Shine all season long in styles from J. Jill in Grand Boulevard. Click here for two exclusive coupons. Take $20 off your purchase of $80 or more now through Tuesday, December 15. Enjoy 25% off already-reduced styles now through Monday, December 14. In-store purchases only, must print and present coupon at time of purchase.

It’s back!  Remember that oversized wicker chair your mom place perfectly in the corner of the living, you called it the peacock chair, well its back with a fresh new look and style.  Pretty Please, the children’s boutique in Grand Boulevard, has revamped that favorite wicker chair, and introduces the new and improved Bonnet Chair.  It’s perfect for a child’s playroom or even your own pad.  Custom designed by owner Keely Fall and built by Andre Originals, the bright fuchsia lacquer paint and a lime green pattern cushion will transcend any room into the fun vibrant area that people of all ages can enjoy.  Fell’s keen design eye and unique personal style transformed this retro piece from a furniture fad has-been to an absolutely fabulous, trend-on piece.  Come in and visit Pretty Please to get some great design ideas for your child’s playroom, and even your room.  For more information visit www.grandboulevard.com or www.prettypleaseonline.com.

Grand Boulevard presents Restaurant Week/Dining for a Cause from November 9 – 13.  This exciting week-long event combines one-of-a-kind 3-course fixed price dinners ranging from $19.95 to $32.95 from our five signature restaurants and $1 dollar from each 3-course meal sold goes to Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center. As if that isn't incentive enough, each time you order the 3-course meal from Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Cantina Laredo, Tommy Bahama’s Restaurant & Bar and Mitchell’s Fish Market restaurant, you can enter to win a $1,000 Shopping Spree from Grand Boulevard - just in time for holiday shopping.

Come back each night for a great cause and to enter to win a $1,000 shopping spree.  On Friday, November 13, at 7:30 p.m. in Grand Park, the drawing for the winner of a $1,000 shopping spree will be drawn by special guest author Sister Schubert of Sister Schubert rolls fame.  Come out and listen to radio station Coast 93.3 who will be on hand in Grand Park Friday night spinning tunes from their “80s all weekend” show.  Grand Boulevard’s Town Center will be decorated early for the holidays that week to provide you with a beautiful and memorable dining experience.

Restaurant Week/Dining for a Cause offers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy delicious meals at great prices and allows you the chance to give back while dining out. For more information about Restaurant Week visit www.grandboulevard.com.

Grand Boulevard at Sandestin^® announced the selection of The Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center in Niceville as its beneficiary for the first-ever Restaurant Week: Dining for a Cause.  Scheduled November 9 – 13, the week will feature a specially selected three-course meal at each of Grand Boulevard’s five signature restaurants: Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Tommy Bahama’s Restaurant & Bar, Cantina Laredo Mexican Gourmet and Mitchell’s Fish Market. The Center receives one dollar for each select three-course meal sold during the week.  In addition to the specially prepared three course meals each night, each visit during the week earns the patron an entry into a drawing for a $1,000 Shopping Spree from Grand Boulevard – just in time for the holidays!  The drawing will be held the evening of November 13 at Grand Park in Grand Boulevard.  For more information about Restaurant Week, and Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, visit www.grandboulevard.com or www.eccac.org.  

The Orvis Company will present their Fall Orvis Days Seminar scheduled October 8 – 18.  The week’s event will feature seminars from the Panhandle Flyfishers, Espy of Florida Fish and Game, Captain Mike Mangum and Captain Preston Sutter of Shallow Water Expeditions, Alaqua Pet Rescue, and various other representatives from Orvis and other local clubs.  Enjoy swamp fishing tales as you enjoy lunch at Orvis at Sandestin.  Special promotions will be available all week.  Adopt a dog and receive a 20% discount on all your new pooch’s needs.  Love fish and fish tales, head over to Orvis and indulge yourself in nature’s natural pleasures.  For more information on Fall Orvis Days visit www.grandboulevard.com. 

Early bird special!  The UPS Store extended their hours to better serve the working public.  The UPS Store will now be open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., and on Saturaday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.  For more information visit www.theupsstorelocal.com/4873. 

Coldwater Creek presents Blue Jeans in Pink sweepstakes, an exciting new program launched in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. From October 1^st – 31^st, customers are able to enter to win 16 pairs of one-of-the-kind celebrity custom-decorated jeans.  All donations support Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure^®.  For more information about Coldwater Creek’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month visit www.coldwatercreek.com/komen.

Emerald Coast Coffee & Grille present a weekly in-house concert featuring guitarist Scott Gilmore.  Look forward to great Contemporary Jazz, Pop, Classic, and Latin music every Thrusday night from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

You know that bottle of wine you’ve been saving for a really great meal?  Bring it to Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar on Friday, September 25 at 6:30 p.m., and Fleming’s staff will serve it for you at no additional cost alongside a $45 wine-friendly 3-course menu like lump crab crostini, baby arugula, broiled filet mignon and other delectable meals created just for the special occasion!  Call and make reservations for you evening of splendor at Fleming’s.  Space is limited, so hurry and plan your dinner reservations now!  For more information about “BYO” Wine Dinner visit www.flemingssteakhouse.com.

With a warm, inviting ambiance, exceptional food and a world-class wine list, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is the perfect place to host holiday celebrations, business meetings, cocktail gatherings, wedding receptions, and other forms of events.  Take advantage of the limited time offer and book your event by September 30 and receive a $50 Fleming’s Card for every $500 you spend, plus a $25 Card for each of your guest!  These cards can be used toward a future dining event at any Fleming’s location.  For more information, please call 850-269-0830, or visit www.flemingssteakhouse.com.

Start spreading the news…Weekend Concert “A Musical Farewell to Summer,” presented by the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation and Grand Boulevard at Sandestin^®, was a big hit. More than 900 people attend to this much anticipated event. Delicious food like bruschetta and pinchitos were provided by Emerald Coast Coffee & Grille and filled the air with the aroma of sheer delight. Families gathered to laugh, dance, cheer, and reminisce about what matter most to them. Kudos to the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation and Grand Boulevard for hosting such a memorable event. David Seering and The Classic Brass closed the show with their rendition of Frank Sinatra’s classic hit “New York, New York.” The Grand Park grounds were filled with couples dancing and singing to the timeless song.  For more information about events at Grand Boulevard visit www.grandboulevard.com. 

Fall is here!  Short shorts and tank tops are out of fashion, dark denims and long-sleeves are in style.  Coldwater Creek’s Lightweight Tees Promotion starts September 14^th and is valid through September 29^th, or while supplies last. The store has a variety of styles and colorful lightweight tees from which to choose.  Customers are able to purchase two or more at only $19.95 each.  Don’t miss out on this amazing promotion!

For more information call 850-269-0531 or visit www.coldwatercreek.com. 

The summer has given us great memories to cherish for years to come, so let’s properly say adieu to summer by ending this season with a bang!  The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation and Grand Boulevard at Sandestin ™ will present “A Musical Farewell to Summer” on Sunday, September 6^th at 7:00 p.m. at Grand Boulevard.   Entertainter/singer David Seering and The Classic Brass will take to the stage at 7:00 p.m. in Grand Park performing music from Broadway, Big Band to the best of Chicago.   Admission is free and open to the public.  Emerald Coast Coffee & Grille will be serving a variety of beverages and specialty cuisines during the concert.  This premier community event is sponsored by Trustmark Bank, CSI/CHELCO, Coastal Business Products, Seabreeze 106.3 FM and The Walton Sun. 

The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation will host a pre-concert reception at Tommy Bahama at 5:30 p.m.  To purchase tickets, contact the MKAF office at 650-2226.  During the concert, enter a raffle drawing to win fabulous prizes from the merchants of Grand Boulevard to benefit arts and education programs.  For reservations or more concert information, please call 650-2226 or visit online at www.mattiekellyartsfoundation.org.

We got spirit yes we do, we got spirit how about you!  The Walking Company is excited to announce UGGs 4 School.  With every UGG boot purchased through October 31^st, The Walking Company will donate $10 to your school or school program of your choice!  You can register and get your UGGs 4 School voucher at www.thewalkingcompany.com/uggs4school. So don’t run, walk to The Walking Company, and support your school by purchasing the trendy, and stylish UGG boots!

Coldwater Creek is giving back to the community by hosting the Fall segment of its semi-annual, nationwide "Try It On for the Cure®" initiative at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin®. The one day only event, hosted on Sunday, September 13^th, during regular store hours, encourages all area women to stop in to any of the Coldwater Creek stores and try on clothes as a fun and easy way to join in the fight against breast cancer.  For everyone who enters a dressing room and tries on an item from Coldwater Creek's extensive collection at any store on September 13^th, Coldwater Creek will donate $1 and 10 percent of the day’s sales from each of these stores to support the local affiliate Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  Support Coldwater Creek, by visiting the store and join in the fight against breast cancer.  For more information on "Try It On for the Cure®", please visit your local Coldwater Creek store, visit www.coldwatercreek.com or visit www.grandboulevard.com.  

Mark your calendars! The revival of the Beaux Art Ball with the added Artist Market the day after the Ball is being described as “what was and will be the premier event to support the arts in Walton County! Artists are called to exhibit in the Beaux Arts Artist Market on Saturday, September 26, 10:00am - 6:00pm.
A bit of history here: The Cultural Arts Association last held this wild & zany event in the early nineties with the proceeds benefitting various arts programs in Walton County. The CAA chose to revive the Beaux Arts Ball this year! It will feature the best live music, dancing, food prepared by some of the fine establishments at Grand Boulevard, specialty cocktail bars, along with wine & beer, and a silent & live local art auction.
The showcased artwork will be donated by artists participating in Saturday's ARTIST MARKET, which is a new component to the event. ALL proceeds will benefit the CAA, Seaside Repertory Theatre AND Sinfonia Gulf Coast!
Tickets to the Ball will go on sale August 15 online and at various locations between Rosemary Beach and Destin, including Tracery Interiors, Eileen West Gallery, CAA office and Grand Boulevard's information kiosk. Masks will also be available for purchase at those locations!  Costumes are optional, but masks are a must!
Are you an artist interested in participating in the Artist Market? Download an application.  Applications will be accepted by the first 50 artists to apply before September 1.  In lieu of a booth/exhibit fee, artists are required to submit at least one piece of artwork that will be showcased in the Beaux Arts Ball's silent/live auction. Call the Cultural Arts Association for more information at 850.622.5970. 

THE BALL} Friday, September 25
7:00 - 11:00pm
Grand Park in Grand Boulevard
$44 tickets

THE ARTIST MARKET} Saturday, September 26
10:00am - 6:00pm
North Lawn
Free and open to the public

Kilwin's Chocolates, Fudge & Ice Cream just celebrated its 2nd birthday last month. The fine owners, Paul and Kirsten Nykamp say they “are truly grateful to work and live in such an amazing community.” People like them make a community so nice to live in. They recently asked themselves how they could give back some of the love that has been given to them and as a result, came "Scoops for a Cause".

Now, they have teamed up with two great causes in the community to help support their goals through selling Kilwin's treats. Here is how it works...

On Monday, July 27 Kilwin’s will be donating 20% of their total sales from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to Jason Thompson (a local soccer coach and small business owner who found out he had a rare form of cancer on 6/2/09. Jason is uninsured.). A website as been created for Jason at www.kickingitforjason.com. They have asked Jason to create his favorite sundae which consists of toffee, butterscotch and vanilla ice cream (YUM!) and Kilwin’s will be highlighting Jason's sundae exclusively for that day only. Jason's family and friends are spreading the word for this event!

On Tuesday, July 28 Kilwin’s is partnering up with Destin Harvest and from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. they will donate the EXACT AMOUNT of ice cream sold at Kilwin's to Destin Harvest! A Destin Harvest representative will be available (specific time TBD) to answer questions and to explain what Destin Harvest is all about. Be sure to stop on by and drop off any food that you may have lying around as there will be a "Needs Drop Off" available at the store. The Nykamps say, “It is our hope that we can help these sweet causes by providing a remedy for the sweet tooth.”

Music in Grand Park Wednesdays has become a very happening place. This past Wednesday, local favorite Cheryl Jones played her eclectic brand of R & B-tinged pop and jazz and everything in between. She is such a consummate entertainer and regales listeners with her wonderfully colorful stories and anecdotes. One of the really fun and interactive parts of Cheryl's show is that she brings a large basket of cool percussion instruments for the kids to play with. The kids love being "part of the band!" Sharing the Wednesday performance slots in this summer series is Sean Dietrich, playing a wide range of jazz standards. Bring a chair or blanket and come prepared to enjoy an entertaining night of Music in Grand Park starting at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 850-654-5929 or visit grandboulevard.com.

Make your way to Pretty Please this Fourth of July weekend for a sale so red-hot it only happens once a year!
 
This is a sale not to be missed! Enjoy booming savings with an entire area of our store at 50% off. Choose from a fabulous selection of clothing, artwork, furniture, accessories, and other wonderful finds for your little firecracker.  These once-a-year savings will only be offered for 4 days only, so do not miss out!

Grand Boulevard offers many wonderful places for lunch and dinner.  A great way to keep your children entertained and occupied while waiting on the food to arrive is with Doodles at Lunch and Doodles at Dinner.   These books are placemats bound together as a pad where children can doodle fun characters and animals.  Doodles at Lunch will liven up lunchtime with placemats that teach kids how to turn an A into an Alligator, a Z into a Zebra, and a number 9 into a hot air balloon. The tear-off pad means there’s always a new placemat when you need one.  

Doodles at Dinner has shown many would-be artists how to make fun, easy, and personality-filled doodles at mealtimes.  Step-by-step instructions that are simple and easy to follow make this the perfect book for anyone, from budding artists to those of us who "can't draw a straight line."  These Doodle books make the perfect gift and will liven up dinners in restaurants, at home, and picnics!  These are good even for backseats for those vacationers with long rides back home. Stop in to Pretty Please, right across from Tommy Bahama's to pick up your copy of Doodles at Lunch and Doodles at Dinner. The kids will thank you!

The Walking Company is now having their half-yearly sale. Come in for the sale so big it only happens twice a year. This end of season sale will feature unheard of discounts on the "best brands from around the world." Look for red tag prices throughout the store and take advantage of clearance pricing on select items. The sale will not last long so hurry in for the best selection. Sale ends July 4, 2009.

It is Kilwin’s Chocolates, Fudge & Ice Cream’s second anniversary and you know what that means. Lot’s of great and tempting specials for the kids and kid in all of us!  Mascot “Kilwin the Moose” will be on the prowl throughout Grand Boulevard from June 22-June 28^th. At the store, he will be handing out goodies, leading dance contests (!), and handing out coupons. Kilwin’s will also offer daily specials and host a contest for customers. Recently, enterprising owners Paul and Kirsten Nykamp, as part of a series presented by local arts organization Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, showed local middle school kids how to make chocolate. Lucky kids!

Looking for a great place to take Dad for Father’s Day?  On June 21, in celebration of the holiday, each dad dining at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar will receive a $25 gift card towards a future visit to the restaurant.

Fleming’s also has a great ongoing promotion happening that does not break the bank. With their ongoing “5 for 6 ‘til 7” offer, you can indulge in a menu of five appetizers, five cocktails and five wines for $6 until 7 p.m. daily.  The appetizers featured on the menu include tenderloin carpaccio, sweet chili calamari, wicked Cajun barbecue shrimp, seared ahi tuna and jumbo lump crab cakes   I’ve tried the Cajun shrimp, the seared ahi tuna and the jumbo lump crab cakes with a nice Cabernet and it was a terrific deal and early evening. Additionally, the Prix Fixe menu at Fleming’s consists of a three-course dinner for $39.95, which cannot be beat. 

Tommy Bahama's Emporium is running a great promotion called “on the flipside.” Through June 21^st, you receive a voucher for $50 for every $200 you spend. You can use the $50 voucher toward your next purchase from June 22-July 31. Their clothes are just perfect for our beach weather and especially the beach. Here is an amazing Rainbow Palm Halter tank swimsuit for $144. I might even be able to pull this look off. They have all kinds of lovely accessories to enhance the swimsuit, including a Rainbow Palm Pareo for $91. With the Pareo over your suit, you can easily take this look from day at the beach to night at the beach (though you may need some snazzy sandals to complete the look!).

One of the great aspects of being part of a mixed-use development is the sense of community among the retailers, restaurants and professional office staffs. Grand Boulevard is known for its great shopping and dining but there are many wonderful professional offices located in the Town Center as well. Case in point is Arnett & Kerrigan, P.L. law office. Real estate and estate planning, condominium management and property issues, probate, trusts and litigation are among the firm’s areas of legal expertise and services. Laurel Abbe is their on-the-ball marketing person. She says that the Arnett & Kerrigan just completed a big update of their web site. I checked it out and it does look great – very professional and easy to traverse. Go here to check it out for yourself www.arnettlegal.com. There is a section called “Guide to Estate Planning” where folks can get educated on an important subject – our future! The law firm also offers a complimentary consultation on this very topic. You can call them at (850) 502-4373.

After a day at the beach - or work for that matter - most folks are interested in finding a great place to eat, maybe get in some shopping. Grand Boulevard opened two years ago and has debuted several upscale retail stores and restaurants new to Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast. Luckily for us foodies, five nationally recognized restaurants have made the Town Center their home in our beach community. They are, the ever popular P.F. Chang’s China Bistro – this place has an avid to rabid customer base plus they have a vegetarian menu. Local favorite Cantina Laredo prepares table-side guacamole (can you say margarita fast 10 times, er, 2 times fast?). Tommy Bahama’s Tropical Café is famous among locals for “Island Hour,” and their fish tacos make me cry they are so good. Fleming’s Steakhouse & Wine Bar has the best wine tastings around and a fabulous menu with the charming Chef Innocent Utomi in charge of the kitchen. Mitchell’s Fish Market is a gem and I am constantly impressed by the quality of the fresh seafood and meal preparation (plus, it’s amazingly easy on the wallet). The variety of food offerings in the Town Center is staggering and there is literally something for every palette. Most of these restaurants offer some type of tapas menu or bar specials so be sure to check those out since that can be a fun way to enjoy and experience a selection of the menu. For the casual diner, there is Emerald Coast Coffee & Grille with tasty and healthy sandwiches and salads, Johnny Rocket’s for burger and fries and The Cheese Bar in Wine World for excellent soup, sandwiches (great chicken salad!), cheese plates to go and Friday wine tastings. Kilwin’s Chocolates, Fudge & Ice Cream offers sweet delectables in every form. Slurp.

It’s true, we live in paradise. It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it. The beaches of South Walton and Destin, Florida are among the most beautiful in the world. I’ve been to many other beaches and I’m still awestruck by ours. About 13 years ago, I decided that if I have to work hard – and I do – that it may as well be with a great view and close proximity to the beach. I’ve never looked back. Back then (back in the old days of the 90s), there were few entertainment options or shopping venues and only few restaurants that were open year-round. Boy oh boy, what a difference a decade makes. To give that statement a little more perspective, in 1996 there were no blogs, no Facebook, Google, Twitter was a nervous tic, laptops were uncommon and cell phones were much larger as where computers (some of you know exactly what I’m talking about!). Anyway, there wasn’t much going on in the Destin or Walton County areas. So when places like Silver Sands began to grow and then - fast forward 13 years - for our area to be able to sustain a mixed-use development, such as Grand Boulevard, with so many nationally-recognized stores and restaurants, is a pretty amazing testament to the growth of our beach community. It was too much of a utopia to stay a secret and growth and development have been inevitable. What I’ve come to appreciate and respect is when development within a community is done correctly, with care, mindfulness and long-term goals for sustainability and community stewardship. I love living the dream here at the beach. After work today, I think I’ll head down to the beach and watch the sun set.

Cantina Laredo held their first ever Cinco de Mayo family celebration on “dos” de Mayo. It was a terrific success and a lot of fun. Dora the explorer, courtesy of Learning Express Toys, was a big hit with the kids. Russ Gilbert of Fusion Art Glass was demonstrating his incredible glass making technique all day – even with bronchitis – what a trouper. The music was lively, as was the dancing. I even got a Salsa lesson! The staff at Cantina, especially manager and Chef Clint Viehman, really put on a great show. Nice work!

Everyone in the Sandestin area was excited to see Emerald Coast Coffee & Grille open in the Town Center. It is now officially my favorite place to lunch and hold informal meetings. Their sandwiches and salads are too die for. They even brew their own iced tea freshly made for each order. Big plus: they have Wifi. Oh, they open daily for breakfast too. Yum.

Shout out to all of the moms out there. Here’s hoping you have a wonderful Mother’s Day! By all means, check out the fantastic Mother’s Days specials offered by the restaurants in Grand Boulevard. Some of the restaurants are doing a special brunch and even special hours. Click here for details.

Billabong is presenting a local surf contest for young surfers called the Billabong Grom Comp on May 16 in Miramar Beach. Call for more info 850-424-3553.  Frank and Tina Sims own the totally rad (I am so busted by using that term…) store in the Town Center. Frank has been surfing in this area and in Hawaii for years (and years!). They nurture the local surf scene and have even raised at least one excellent surfer of their own. At Billabong they carry board shorts, very cool beach and surf wear for girls and guys, surfboards and even great selections for those of us who may parent young surfers. This is where I found my favorite, darling short sleeve, long knit sweater that I wear to work or play, over slacks/jeans and a top. I get tons of compliments every time I wear it. I am always pleasantly surprised at how reasonable the prices are here.

I mean, come on, this is too cute for a little girl who definitely wants to be a mermaid at the beach – or at her pool. Heck, why not the bath? I think this would make any potential Ariel happy and it will make a great gift to my niece Ava for her 5^th birthday. Aunt Stacey better get busy! Pretty please owner Keely Fell has truly created a magical space with her kids-themed store in the Town Center. If you haven’t visited her store yet, be sure to stop in the next time you are on the Boulevard. Oh, she also has a great website www.prettypleaseonline.com.

Priced: $42

Come on, we had to include something for the fellas in our first blog. Jason over at Orvis tell me this is a “must have” for big game fishing. I’m sure you guys will know what that means. I kid. It’s, um, the really, really big fish that you see on the walls of restaurants, lodges, clubs, yachts and the fine homes of big-game fishermen! If you stop by Orvis, be sure to get Jason to show you some of his casting techniques – the guy knows of what he speaks.

Priced: $795

Coldwater Creek delivers every time. Check out these beaded flip flops and great belt. These sandals will dress-up any sundress or pair of shorts and the price is right, sister. The belt will pull together an outfit for the perfect finishing touch for a “put-together” look. These exceptional staff at the Grand boulevard store really know their business and will bend over backwards to assist you with what you are looking for.

Priced: Beaded belt $69.50 and flip flops $19.50

I want it! Tommy Bahama Emporium has the most gorgeous models, er, the most gorgeous swimwear. Their clothes just make you feel like you are at the beach – or at least should be at the beach (I live here – yeah, it’s tough but someone has to do it!). Seriously, their clothes are super high quality and make you look like a million bucks. Check out this Hot Dot & Stripe Swimsuit. Like, I said, sign me!

Priced: Hot Dot & Stripe V Neck Bra – Handlewood, $77, Tommy Bahama Swim; Hot Dot & Stripe high waist sash bottom – Handlewood, $59, Tommy Bahama Swim)

Hi everyone and welcome to the “Boulevard Buzz” where we will keep you up-to-date on the very best our Town Center has to offer. Great clothes for all ages, accessories, toys for kids and grown-ups, food-glorious-food items and what’s what along our beautiful Boulevard. I’ll be sure to include a little something for everyone. So, are you buzz-worthy?