Ponte Vedra Focus - Small Business

Personal Recommendations: Kathryn Pearson and Team at Boutique Breast Imaging

By Gwinn Volen

I suspect each of us has had a recent medical story where either a) it took months to get an appointment b) you felt like a number, not a human or c) you felt like the CYA culture in our medical universe precludes you from getting real answers. 

I found a lump in my breast a couple of weeks ago. It was alarming, though I tried to keep my cool. I scheduled an appointment with my general practitioner, and he confirmed that he felt what I was feeling and gave me imaging orders for an ultrasound and diagnostic mammogram. 

I left the office thinking I'd take those over to my regular imaging center that afternoon to have the scans done hoping to alleviate my anxiety. I called the imaging center, and after waiting on hold, listening to…

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What and Where to Read at The Beach

by Karen Tyrrell

Do you love the smell of a bookstore? Does the idea of curling up on the sofa or in bed with a good book on a rainy afternoon with hot tea and your dog and/or cat on your lap while everyone is away and you probably should be doing something else but you're not because the book is getting really good and you don't know when you'll have another chance to read again so you're doing it now sound good to you? Was that too specific a scenario? Either way, if you love to read then you might enjoy this article because I have read loads of terrific books recently and would love to share a few of them with you.

Before I get into the book suggestions, you may be asking yourself, "are there any small, locally owned bookstores or a used…

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Discover Cabana Life: Where Sun Protection Meets Style!

by Jenn Heller

Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans will face a skin cancer diagnosis by the time they hit 70? This sobering statistic hit home when Melissa Papcock, founder of Cabana Life and Ponte Vedra Beach resident, was diagnosed with melanoma at age 26. Surprisingly, she learned that lightweight clothing didn't offer the sun protection we assumed. Your typical white tee? Barely a UPF 7 shield. Determined to blend sun safety with trendsetting style, Melissa embarked on a mission to create chic and sun-safe styles.

For over 15 years, Cabana Life has been revolutionizing the way we enjoy the sun with UPF 50+ fashion pieces that you'll actually love wearing. But their mission extends beyond just clothing to educating the public when out in…

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Sun, Sand, and Style: Unveiling 12 Beach Boutiques You'll Adore

by Jenn Heller

Ready to embark on a coastal shopping adventure like no other? We've got you covered with our ultimate guide to 12 charming boutiques nestled right in the heart of Ponte Vedra Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Atlantic Beach. Whether you're a local beachcomber or a visiting sunseeker, these handpicked boutiques will sweep you off your sandy feet with their laid-back beachy vibes and fabulous finds. From boho-chic fashion to unique coastal decor, get ready to discover a treasure trove of beachside delights that'll elevate your style and make your beach days even brighter! So, grab your sunscreen and flip-flops – it's time to shop, soak up the sun, and make waves of fashion statements!

Boutiques in Ponte Vedra Beach

Model…

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Mother’s Day or Everyday Flowers

Any day is a great day to receive or give fresh flowers. However, Mother’s Day is fast approaching and flowers for mom (be it birth mom, cat mom, friend mom, grandmom) are a welcome Hallmark tradition. 

Instead of searching online, go local. 

A few places offering beautiful bouquets and plants for the holiday or the everyday are:

St Johns Flower Market in Historic Riverside Avondale
​​https://www.stjohnsflowermarket.com/

Charming family owned spot with an impressive array of pick your own stems as well as gorgeous premade bouquets. Check or instagram for a possible outdoor market for the Mother’s Day holiday. 

Liz Stewart Designs  - Jacksonville Beach
https://www.lizflowers.com/
Custom elegant and fun designs with private classes coming…

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Interior Designs Stores at the Beach

In need of a little spring refresh, a whole house redo or a present for a friend? These local shops, and the interior designers associated with them, are perfect for all three. 

Boxwood & Birch in Ponte Vedra Beach

Boxwood & Birch recently renovated and expanded  to include tableware, women’s luxury small goods such as the iconic Nuxe Oils from France, an eponymous gorgeous smelling room spray, a wide collection of design books and much much more. Each collection offers a bit of indulgence at a variety of price points and are carefully chosen by owner, Connie Riik. Her touch of “tradish with a twist” makes for lots of goodies to explore.  I recently left with some beautiful notecards and a deck of cards printed with Gray Malin’s iconic beach…

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The Beaches Town Center: Where Neptune Beach Meets Atlantic Beach

by Jenn Heller

Just north of Ponte Vedra Beach and Jacksonville Beach sits two quaint beach communities thriving in local hotspots featuring fantastic dining, entertainment, shopping and of course, some of the prettiest ocean frontage to grace the First Coast. The Beaches Town Center is not just a landmark to the locals looking for good food but vacationers as well who enjoy the oceanfront hotels including One Ocean and The Seahorse. What could be better than being located directly in the heart of Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach.

Residents and area beaches locals alike love to stroll the of the Town Center for the dining selections and locally owned shopping opportunities to include boutiques of all kinds. And there's so much to choose from!

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The Best of Riverside: A Day in Jacksonville's Urban Core

By Jessica Malosh, High School Senior
Class of 2022 and 2022 Ponte Vedra Focus Blog Scholarship Participant

Lovers of culture, history, and a trendy urban core are guaranteed to be captivated by the uniqueness of Riverside Jacksonville. If that sounds appealing to you, follow my footsteps on my fun-filled and intellectually stimulating day around the Riverside area that will satisfy your mind, step-count goal, and tastebuds. 

Jaxson Five Points & Brooklyn Walking Tour

My Saturday morning began with a brisk walk to the Cummer Art Museum, the starting location of the Jaxson Five Points & Brooklyn Walking Tour. During this two-hour experience, I learned about the forces that shaped Riverside's infrastructural and economic development. The tour took…

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10 FAQ Shedding Light on Solar Panels

The Chase Bank building in Ponte Vedra Beach was once home to our Keller Williams Luxury International office at 190 A1A North where recently solar panels were installed on the roof. The same week a customer asked us about the new Tesla roof (which I never heard of) and suggestions for solar panel company. Later that week as chance would have it, I met a lovely couple, Josh and Siobhan, who own a solar panel company. With all these solar panel coincidences I felt like solar energy had to be a hot topic and I was curious. I chatted with Josh Moore and Siobhan Christman of Masterpiece Solar for quite a while and connected to go over some frequently asked questions on solar energy that even I was curious about and maybe you are too!

Meet Josh and…

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DogBeach Comes to Ponte Vedra Beach

by Jenn Heller

Let's face it, our dogs ARE family and there's nothing more comforting than coming home after a long day and "Man's Best Friend" is there wagging his tail and showing us all the love, affection and loyalty that makes us forget about our wretched day.

I'll be completely honest, the best part of lockdown in 2020 was being home with my dog! Then suddenly I was faced with having to return to the office and looking into those sad eyes as I grabbed my keys and headed out for the day. Anyone else remember this or is it just me? It was the worst feeling ever! And somehow the days seemed even longer as I wondered what Joker (yes, that's my dog's name) was doing while I had ventured outside without him. I somehow knew he was sadly sitting on…

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