Innehållsförteckning för April 2015 från Naples Illustrated

Grateful. That’s a word that seems to be coming to my mind a lot lately. It’s the little things I am grateful for, like climbing into a warm bed at night with clean sheets, opening my refrigerator to find fresh vegetables and milk, a steady paycheck, a car in the driveway with gas in it, a driveway to call my own and a loving family. These are little things to us, but life-changing for many. So many of these everyday gifts we take for granted. I recently attended a luncheon hosted by the PACE Center for Girls. As I listened to each young lady speak of overcoming adversities I found hard to imagine, I noticed one constant with each speaker—pride. With the help and support of the center, these young…

NAPLES ILLUSTRATED WHAT: THE 2015 LEADING LADIES CELEBRATI ON PRESENTED BY NAPLES ILLUSTRATED WHO: HONORING AMANDA JARON, KIERSTEN MOONEY, AMY SEDLACEK, ANGELINA SPENCER AND NANETTE STAR OPOLI WHERE: CA FÉ LURCAT CELEBRITY MARTINI GLASS AUCTION WHAT: CELEBRITY-SIGNED MARTINI GLASSES DESIGNED BY ARTISTS AUCTIONED TO BENEFIT HONOR FLIGHT AND PAWS ASSIS TANCE DOGS WHO: FO UNDER BRENDA MELTON, SUPPORTERS OF VETERANS ’ CHARITIES, SPECIAL GUESTS JOE KASHNOW WITH HIS SERVICE DOG, CHICO , AND BOBY GOLDSBORO WHERE: SUGDEN COMUNITY THEATRE. THE EVEN T WAS SPONSORED BY NAPLES ILLUSTRATED. A highlight of the evening was Patty and Jay Baker’s $100,000 donation. THE LEAGUE CLUB WHAT: YOUR LIFE CALING—A CONVERSATION WITH JANE PAULEY , PRESENTED BY IBERIA-BAN K, LUNCHEON AND PA TRON PAR TY WHO: GUEST SPEAKER PAULEY AND SUPPORTERS OF THE CLUB’S PHILANTHROPIC…

Following three years of planning and a search for the perfect location, sister duo Juliana and Kristine Meek bring a breath of fresh air to the Naples art scene with the introduction of their new gallery, Harmon-Meek | modern on 12th Avenue South. The daughters of William and Barbara Meek, owners of Harmon-Meek Gallery on Ninth Street South, the longest established art gallery in Naples, Kristine and Juliana represent the second generation and future of the gallery. “The name of the new gallery reflects our vision and what we want to showcase,” says Juliana. “We’ll feature modern and contemporary art pieces, but it’s also modern in the sense of a fun, fresh look that signals the start of a new generation of the gallery.” Featured this month will be works…

Selman Marrakech A magnum opus from award-winning French designer Jacques Garcia, Selman Marrakech veers from ostentation, conveying Garcia’s vision of the marriage between an intimate, design-driven hotel and a private Moroccan home. Garcia’s signature touches like modish leather end tables are instantly recognizable; however, his profound use of a purple color palette and his role as architect in the hotel’s construction breaks new ground for Garcia. In fact, Selman’s Moorish architectural edge—thirteenth-century Marrakech meets Andalusía hacienda—stems from Garcia’s structural vision following his first meeting with owners Saida and Abdeslam Bennani Smires. It was also during this meeting when Garcia learned of Abdeslam’s passion for Arabian thoroughbred horses, instigating an ingenious brainstorm to weave equestrian elegance into Selman’s fabric. Nowadays, dozens of these prized horses live like royalty on-site in trendy…

BIG CYPRESS NATIONAL PRESERVE What to do: Drive scenic Loop Road for wildlife sightings without leaving your car The “big” in Big Cypress refers to its size. At 729,000 acres, it can easily overwhelm visitors. For a perfect introduction to the environment, take a drive along Loop Road, which is about 7 miles east of Highway 29 off Tamiami Trail at Monroe Station. Especially in the morning hours, you are likely to see alligators, huge softshell turtles, anhingas, egrets, herons, ospreys and hawks. If you are lucky, a river otter may also make a cameo appearance. The entire loop is 45 miles, though about halfway through, Loop Road reconnects to Tamiami Trail to bring you back to where it starts. The best time to drive Loop Road is in the…

“I was born to be a chef,” says Giuliano Matarese. “From the time I was two or three years old, I wanted to cook and I wanted to come to America.” He made that journey at the age of 21, moving from his native Naples, Italy, to New York City, where he worked under Charlie Palmer at Manhattan’s famed Aureole, among other restaurants and chefs. In 2010 he enhanced his public profile with an appearance on the Food Network’s popular show Chopped, competing against other chefs to make dishes from a mystery basket of ingredients within a strict time frame. The following year he took the reins as executive chef at Sale e Pepe, which serves Southern Italian cuisine at the Marco Island Beach Resort. And as Chef Matarese shares…

Feeling utterly drained as we wind down (at least a little!) from the height of season? The Ritz-Carlton, Naples (ritzcarlton.com/naples) is taking massage to another level for those in search of that coveted mind-body-soul connection. A recent addition to the spa menu is a Chakra Balancing massage that uses gentle, sweeping strokes to focus on the seven energy centers in the body. The chakra system has been around for centuries in ancient healing practices. The energy centers start at the crown chakra at the top of the head all the way to the root chakra at the base of the spine. The massage includes seven unique essential oil blends for each of the energy centers, like rose and geranium for the heart chakra, and healing affirmations to melt away tension,…

If you can hold onto a ballet barre, you can do the workout at Pure Barre. Its low-impact, isometric approach to exercise has grown in popularity in recent years because of its accessibility to people of all ages and fitness levels. The second Southwest Florida location of the franchise (the first is in Naples on Pine Ridge Road) opened its doors recently in Estero. The classes do not require dance experience, and instructors are happy to answer questions about the moves after class. Just be sure to bring a pair of sticky socks to prevent slipping. (purebarre.com/fl-estero)…

Education is what brought Naples residents Don Fites and Joyce Hagen together. Married nearly two years now, the couple first met at a board meeting for Valparaiso University, where they are both alumni. Their passion for education also has guided their philanthropic involvement with The Immokalee Foundation. When Fites visited the nonprofit’s Immokalee Technical Center, he saw an opportunity to help train young people to work with heavy equipment, a skill that leads to lucrative jobs that are in demand. “There’s a place in the world for a lot of people who do not end up going to college,” says Fites, a former CEO of machinery giant Caterpillar. “I thought, what are we going to do to help those people?” Answering his own question, Fites conceptualized and helped launch The…

It is often said the greatest wealth is your health, and how true it is. As we all dart around town trying to squeeze in all that we can during the social season, inevitably something has got to give. We may unwittingly skimp on sleep, miss a workout or eat unhealthy foods because we’re always in such a rush. In this Wellness issue, we go one-on-one with Naples neurologist and best-selling author Dr. David Perlmutter, who has been in the national spotlight for his tenets of healthy eating that he based on experience and research. What you eat can affect far more than your waistline, and turn to page 62 for what is sure to be “Food for Thought.” Beyond diet, chronic stress has long been known for having an…

GARDEN PARTY Floral prints spring up this season in pretty pastels style notes STYLE ME PRETTY: Keep your look sophisticated with ladylike silhouettes and accessories PETAL, PLEASE: Look for geometric and painterly forms of flowers for a modern take on the trend GARDEN VARIETY : Mix different styles of floral prints and appliques for a head-to-toe look ENCHANTED FOREST Valli Bag leather handbag (price upon request), Giambattista Valli, special order, Saks Fifth Avenue, Naples…

It was a George Jetson vision of the car of tomorrow: a stylized illustration from the pages of Popular Science, circa. 1957. It showed a sleek, glass-canopied sedan with more fins than a Discovery Channel special on great whites, gliding along a wide highway. Inside, Dad played dominoes around a square-topped table. Mom in her cardigan sat alongside, while two well-behaved kids sat smiling in the back. It took only a moment to realize this scene of rolling domestic bliss was possible because the car was performing the seemingly impossible: driving itself. Back in the fifties, that was the stuff of dreams—to get into your car, tap a button and zoom down the highway, the car piloting itself, allowing you the luxury of reading, knitting, catching up on correspondence or…

MUM’S THE WORD 18-karat white and yellow gold and diamond butterfly pin/pendant with ruby eyes ($7,680); pink sapphire and diamond dragonfly pin ($2,400); aqua crystal with coral and diamond pin/enhancer ($3,800); gray mother-of-pearl with coral and pearl pin/enhancer ($975); bee pin with jade, rubies and pearl ($850); coin pearl necklace with magnet attachment with 14-karat gold in center ($575); Carlson’s Fine Jewelry, Naples GREEN WITH ENVY Buddha Mama 20-karat gold and diamond Dharma Wheel ring ($7,800); Ruven Perelman 18-karat gold and citrine ring ($5,000); vintage Carolina Bucci bracelet in 18-karat gold with diamond, emerald and silk ($6,500); Buddha Mama 20-karat gold, emerald Dharma Wheel bracelet with toggle ($14,800); Shannon Greene Collection, Naples FLUTTER AWAY 14-karat white gold butterfly pin/brooch with rubies, diamonds, emeralds ($6,995), 18-karat gold bee pin with pearl…

If you have not experienced Naples Food Tours yet—or even if you have—there are more reasons to hop on the bus. The three-hour tour, where guests discover hidden culinary gems around Naples, has added two new stops to its revolving roster of food purveyors. The recently opened Inca’s Kitchen at the Pavilion shopping center and Martin Fierro Steakhouse in the Marquesa Plaza will be serving up tasty bites of Peruvian and Argentinian cuisine, respectively. These South American restaurants join other possible tour stops like Alto Live Jazz Kitchen, Olde Naples Chocolate, Naples Olive Oil, Mereday’s Fine Dining and Neighborhood Organics, to name a few. Tours are Wednesdays and the third Saturday of the month during April. (239-404-7884, naplesfoodtours.com) NI’s curated dining guide for Greater Naples THE LISTINGS The Naples area…

This month marks the start of blueberry season, and we now have yet another reason to stock up on this delicious superfood. Of course, we all know the tiny berries are bursting with huge health benefits, including antioxidants, potassium and vitamin C. Now, the latest research shows they may also help keep blood pressure in check. A small study, published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, focused on 48 post-menopausal women with borderline hypertension. Half the participants consumed a tablespoon and a half of freeze-dried blueberry powder (equal to a cup of blueberries), and after two months they experienced a 5 to 6 percent drop in blood pressure compared to the women who ate powder with no blueberries. Researchers also found the blueberry powder spiked blood…

Spring is fast approaching, which isn’t necessarily a good thing if you’re an allergy sufferer. For those looking for an alternative to antihistamines, consider these natural remedies. Keep in mind: While some research supports their beneficial roles, more study is needed—and, as always, check with your doctor before taking herbal remedies or supplements. HERBS: A literature review funded by the National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health found the shrub butterbur is effective in curing allergy symptoms like itchy eyes. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a preliminary study suggests stinging nettle could also help reduce sneezing and itching related to hay fever. NUTRIENTS: Test-tube experiments have discovered quercetin—a flavonoid that gives fruits and vegetables like apples and parsley their color— stops the release of histamines and may…

Artist Julia Kostsova, a young and gifted painter, has been fascinated by color and shape since childhood. The Siberian-born Kostsova, a graduate of the famous Repin's Art Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia, is known among public and private collectors around the world for capturing movement and moments in their immediacy on the canvas. Her impressionistic style will be on display in the exhibit “Neapolitan Moods”—a series of new oil paintings capturing such local scenes as the beach at Lovers Key and the night lights on Fifth Avenue South—April 1 through 22 at Gallery on Fifth/Russian American Museum of Art in Mercato. (artorg.net) 2 FLAMENCO PURO “SENTIO” IGNITES THE STAG E AT THE CENTERS FO R THE ARTS BONITA SPRINGS ’ HINMAN AUDITO RIUM. (ARTCENTERBONITA.ORG) ART & MUSEUMS ArtGallery OldNaples2, Naples—Kiss…

BUYING INFORMATION COVER Floral printed silk organza gown with beaded insets ($9,900), Badgley Mischka, New York, Beverly Hills; crystal earring, (price upon request), Prada, prada.com PAGES 78-79 Floral printed silk organza gown with beaded insets ($10,495), Badgley Mischka, New York PAGE 80 Figured organza dress (price upon request), metallized crumpled lambskin/satin belt with pale yellow metal ($1,100), metal cuff ($1,100), Chanel, chanel.com; Kaya sandal in champagne shimmer natural canvas, natural cobra python ($2,195), Jimmy Choo, jimmychoo.com PAGE 81 Embroidered lace and fringe poncho ($8,995), leather, suede and lace flats ($945), Dolce & Gabbana, dolce gabbana.it; beaded tassel earrings ($345), Oscar de la Renta, Marissa Collections, Third Street South, Naples PAGE 82-83 Linen top ($1,660), leather skirt ($5,130), silk socks ($140), leather boots, (price upon request), Prada, select Prada boutiques, prada.com;…

The creativity of Naples-based artist Jackie Morelisse stretches far beyond paint on a canvas. She has also worked as a jewelry designer, a costume and set designer for theater productions in Southwest Florida—and now she’s adding furniture designer to her list of talents. Her latest undertaking is BouTeak by Jackie Morelisse Fine Furniture, a colorful collection made from reforestation hardwoods, designed by Morelisse and handcrafted in Finca Pangola in Costa Rica. “It allows me to express my love of color through the natural beauty of hardwood,” says Morelisse, who spent 15 years at Finca Pangola nurturing more than 700,000 reforestation tree species from which the furniture was created. The handcrafted and custom collection is available at Clive Daniel Home in Naples. (239-261-4663, bouteak byjackiemorelisse.com) —Brooke Blythe…

Sophisticated gents know a grooming routine goes well beyond shaving. Some of our favorite skin-saving finds for men: Montez Renault No. 17 facial moisturizer with organic jojoba oil and vitamins ($30, montezrenault.com); La Prairie Anti-aging Rapid Response Booster, a targeted wrinkle fighter ($290, La Femme Perfumery, Naples); Billy Jealousy’s coveted Whipped Cream shave lather ($22, billyjealousy.com); Anthony No Sweat Body Defense to keep you dry all over ($20, anthony.com); Le Baigneur Amuse-Douche handmade soaps ($12 for a pack of 3, beautyhabit.com); and The Art of Shaving new Beard Oil ($30) and Lexington Collection Fusion razor ($125, The Art of Shaving, theartofshaving.com).…

It could be an extra from a sci-fi blockbuster. Harrison Ford behind the wheel in Blade Runner. Tom Cruise reclining in the back seat in Minority Report. What you’re looking at is the F 015 Luxury in Motion, Mercedes-Benz’s vision of the self-driving super-luxury car of the future. Strange name, exciting concept. Unveiled at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, it was built to showcase how the car is growing beyond its role as mere transportation and into what Mercedes describes as a “private retreating space.” Here, four occupants can relax in huge, almost retro-looking white leather armchairs that swivel to allow face-to-face interaction— just as in that pen and ink illustration from 1957. A game of dominoes, anyone? Six ultra-wide display screens wrap around the car’s interior…

Move over, bacon. Out of the way, kale. Brussels sprouts are here to stay as one of the trendiest foods featured on menus. The 2015 Zagat Dining Trends Survey of 10,000 American diners shows kale and bacon, the oncetrendy foods that were “in” last year, are not feeling the love from diners in 2015. But 45 percent of people said they still love Brussels sprouts. Sure, mom would be proud, but aren’t Brussels sprouts just another vegetable? Apparently not, considering their widening popularity. USS Nemo (ussnemorestaurant.com) is one of many Naples restaurants offering a Brussels sprouts dish on its menu. Chef-owner Nicolas Mercier’s spin on the dish is serving the sprouts fried with shrimp, sweet soy, orange and almonds. How’s that for a trendy (and delicious!) way to eat your…

MEREDAY’S FINE DINING Mereday’s Fine Dining is an elegant waterfront restaurant serving an innovative menu that changes daily and focuses on the freshest, seasonal and finest ingredients available. Diners choose a two-, three- or four-course dinner with a complimentary dessert or from an a la carte bar menu. Naples Bay Resort, 1500 5th Ave. S., Naples 239-732-0784 | meredaysnaples.com WATERSIDE SHOPS Waterside Shops is the exclusive luxury shopping destination in southwest Florida. The stunning beauty of the center is matched by the exclusivity of its retailers and desirable location. Anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom, this outdoor center offers breathtaking views of architecture, flora, soothing water features and inspiring decor. 5415 Tamiami Trail N., Naples 239-598-1605 | watersideshops.com TRUDY LABELL FINE ART Trudy Labell Fine Art represents sophisticated contemporary…