Feature Stories

Traditions & Trends

Traditions & Trends

Are plans in motion for your big day? You are in luck! Although classic, ageless touches will never go out of style, today’s trends are definitely something to consider when planning the wedding of your dreams.

There is so much to look forward to in 2019, from dramatic, over-the-top customized dance floors to personalized embroidered linens. Unique textures will also be a big element this upcoming season. Think outside the box and let your imagination run wild. It’s your day, and everything around you should reflect that.

Instead of the same old thing, consider unique florals like dogwood for that soft bouquet feel. Use natural potted plants in place of traditional colored flowers, or perhaps long fern for your centerpieces.

Muted, but colorful candles and décor will be popular this year, along with splashes of sparkle here and there. Personalized items always make guests feel special, and they are usually very budget friendly.

The venue you choose will dictate many of your event fashion choices. Outdoor rustic has become a very popular choice. Destination weddings create lifetime memories for both you and your guests. Whether you are home or abroad, try to incorporate local customs from both sides of the family. This is sure to be a big hit with grandma, who sees her granddaughter in that beautiful white lace veil from Italy.

Many couples are opting for small, more intimate bridal parties. Even when the night is done, bride and groom keep the party train going with an after party. This is where you can really let your hair down.

We hope you choose a great blend of traditions and trends that help you capture every essence of the wedding you’ve been dreaming of!

Dogwood Bouquets  Bridal bouquet styles have been everything from a one-stem rose, to the rich and colorful norm. In 2019, we’ll see many different varieties. This year, we choose to showcase dogwood blooms, which trends show will make a huge appearance this season.

Local Culture Whether at home or abroad, one way to make a wedding feel entirely new is to embrace the culture of your heritages. Try a unique henna experience, have a Mariachi band or create a Buddha-inspired wedding ceremony. Embracing your culture is sure to create unity for family and friends.

Intimate Bridal Parties Trends are showing that a long line of bridesmaids and groomsmen will not be as popular in 2019. Many couples are leaning toward a more intimate, smaller group that includes a best man, maid of honor and a select family member or close friend.

Creative Place Cards Plain white place cards are being replaced by beautiful and personalized themed ones, which will be popping up at weddings across the nation this upcoming season. From personalized keepsakes that guests can treasure forever, to personalized gourmet cupcakes, plain paper will not be seen for miles at weddings in 2019.

 

Rustic Outdoors Although rustic, outdoor weddings have been popular in recent years, 2019 will see even more of them, as this trend grows with couples across the spectrum from first-time brides to renewing of vows and older couples alike. There is just something about bringing the wedding outdoors with that farm-style, rustic backyard feel that seems so special. We are seeing trends of glammed-up rustic as well. Stay tuned, y’all!

Living Bars The buzz is “living bars” will be the hot item planners will be recommending as a unique focal point of the wedding. Fresh, straight-from-the-garden, cut foliage will adorn many of the high-end, fancy finished bars using industrial metals and the natural foliage to create that unique touch to each venue’s living bar.

Textured Linens Many brides and their wedding planners are getting inspiration from the 2019 fashion runway for their linen selections. You will see that runners, napkins and table cloths will have a more finished, laser-cut style of linen in a variety of white and neutral tones this season.

Entertainment For years, the only two options when considering wedding entertainment was either a live band or a DJ. Well, not anymore! Couples are finding some of the most unique ways to set their party apart, such as a Mariachi band, a singing wait staff, dueling piano players and much more.

Exquisite Dance Floors The days of wood-plank dance floors are a thing of the past. Standard dance floors are quickly being replaced by granite, marble and for outdoor rustic weddings, metals and steel. Most couples never gave the dance floor a second thought. Song selection was usually the big item to concentrate on, but now dance floors are one of the first items of interest when visiting a venue. After all, it is a focal point of the room.

The After Party Not to downplay the reception, but once you move through all of the scheduled, organized events of the wedding day, wouldn’t it be great to let your hair down, throw on your favorite outfit and head out on the town? Yes, the after party is becoming a larger part of the planning process, and couples are ecstatic to get to hang with some of their favorite people, even after the reception is over.

Natural Touch Aisle Décor Candles or bows tied to chairs that line the aisle — pretty for way too long. Many planners are recommending turning your aisles into garden beds in 2019. This will be a big trend. Wrapping the pots in silk fabrics that coordinate with your wedding colors puts that special touch on this unique trend.

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Feature Stories

Let’s Ask A Bridal Gown Expert A Q&A With Lenyce Boyd,Wellington’s Own Bridal Expert

Let’s Ask A  Bridal Gown Expert
A Q&A With Lenyce Boyd,Wellington’s Own Bridal Expert

One of the highlights of planning a wedding is when the bride-to-be picks out the perfect dress to complement her big day. It is often an amazing experience that many women have dreamed about for years. However, there is some complexity involved, and we’ve all heard stories about future brides who have tried on hundreds of dresses without finding the one for them. To make the process as easy as possible, we went to Wellington’s own bridal gown expert, Lenyce Boyd of Bacio Bacio Bridal Salon, for advice.

What does a bride gain from shopping at a boutique dress shop rather than a large chain or department store?

From the customer feedback that we’ve received since we opened in 2006, they like the personal attention and the nicer, warmer feeling. We have a relationship that develops with our bride and her family because we are available to work with a bride from the time we meet her until she’s walking down the aisle, often a year later.

What does a boutique dress shop offer that other retailers do not?

In addition to the personalized service, our designers would be different than a chain’s designers. Ours have exclusivity here for us — their dresses are not available all over the place. We also offer a “day-of” concierge service where we go to the wedding, steam the bride’s gown, help her get dressed, help the men tie their bowties and make sure the parents, grandparents and everyone in the bridal party looks good. It’s an extra charge, but Palm Beach County has a lot of destination weddings, so we often get calls from bridal stores in New York, Pennsylvania, all over the place, asking us to help their customers when they come down. Brides don’t need to buy their dress here in order to hire our concierge service.

What is the average cost a bride-to-be should consider for a dress when preparing a budget for their big day?

Our dresses average from $1,300 to $3,000, or about 10 to 15 percent of the total cost of the wedding. But whether a bride spends $500 or $10,000, they all get treated the same. The price fluctuates depending on the fabric, lace and beadwork, but mostly because of the designer. Some designers are more expensive than others. It’s the label, like jeans. You can pay $30 or $180 for jeans depending on the designer, but it’s still denim.

What are your recommendations when a bride-to-be begins her wedding dress search?

Try to limit the number of people you bring with you. Bring a small number, two or three of your most trusted friends and family members. Brides get overwhelmed with all the different opinions, and they don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. It can be upsetting for them. My second piece of advice would be to keep an open mind about style. Try on different styles and silhouettes. Often, a bride comes in thinking she wants a certain style, and we pull them for her. However, when she tries them on, none of them seem right. Then we throw in a wild card or two and, often, she falls in love with the dress, even though it wasn’t what she was looking for. What they think they like may be why they haven’t found the perfect dress. Once we know the venue, we can help guide them with styles as well. So, have that in mind.

What should the bride-to-be do to prepare for a day of wedding dress shopping?

In addition to limiting the number of people she brings and knowing her venue, she should know her budget and be honest with us about it. This is helpful for them and us, even if they don’t know exactly. If they say $2,000, does that include alterations, accessories, the veil, jewelry and shoes? Those are all part of the head-to-toe budget. Sometimes, when they realize that, they get nervous about money. But they can focus on the dress and come back later for the other things, when they’re doing their fittings and have decided how they’re going to wear their hair.

Do you recommend a specific day or time that would result in a better experience for their appointment?

Saturdays are busier because of everyone’s work schedules, but we try to space out our appointments. We assign about two hours for an appointment and try not to have more than two brides in at a time. That’s another reason we ask the bride to keep her party smaller — we don’t have enough space for seven people and a baby stroller. We do encourage wine and champagne here. There’s a liquor store next door, we have glasses, and we can turn up the music. We’ve heard over and over that brides have had “their best experience ever” here, and it’s because of that feeling of comfort. They’re allowed to touch the dresses and have fun. Some brides come in so nervous, and we have an inviting, warm and welcoming atmosphere. Regardless of their budget, they all get treated the same. We are just honored that they are allowing us to be a part of this special time. This business never gets old, it’s always changing. The dresses change, the brides change, the family members change.

Walk us through a bridal dress consultation.

Very often, it’s a bride’s first time ever trying dresses on. A lot of ladies don’t know their style, or they’re not used to dressing in dresses, so there’s a lot of learning. We don’t pressure them. We invite them to go home and think about it. Usually, we end up being the first place and the last place they come. They don’t want to shop anymore. They’d rather leave here and celebrate.

How far in advance do you suggest that a bride start the search for her one special dress?

A year to nine months ahead is good. We haven’t had to make too many drastic alterations later on. We have brides who have added a sleeve or wanted to re-make a grandmother’s dress. We may have a bride who went on some crazy diet and lost 30 pounds, but it all works out. Nothing has caught us too off guard.

What else should brides know when planning a dress appointment?

We definitely want to have the bride’s appointment be the only appointment that happens that day, especially if it’s a Saturday — no bridesmaids or flower girls. We don’t want to take away from the bride. If she has found her dress and wants to take a peek at flower girl dresses, that’s fine.

Would you advise a client get hair and makeup done similar to the look they will wear the day of the wedding or focus solely on the full effect of the dress?

Usually, when they visit, they’re not that far into the planning process, so I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Sometimes the dress will dictate the hairstyle. We do have clips if a bride wants to pin her hair up to see if the dress looks better with her hair up or hair down.

What are some things that you recommend the bride-to-be ask during the consultation?

It is very important to make sure you realize that these sales are final. When we place your order with the factory, those workers do not care if you have changed your mind. They’ve cut your dress in the color and size you ordered, and we still have to pay for it. We had one bride order a dress six years ago, and she came in four years ago to pick it up. If we don’t hear from you for 90 days, your dress is gone — sold or donated. That bride eventually got married at the courthouse.

What are some of the options for preserving a wedding gown, and do brides still carry out this tradition?

Yes, many do. Dry cleaners can preserve a bridal gown, but we offer that service as well.

Bacio Bacio Bridal Salon is located in the –Kobosko’s Crossing shopping plaza at 9160 Forest Hill Blvd. For

info., call (561) 792-6111 or visit www.baciobacio.com.

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Feature Stories

Prenuptial Agreements Why Visiting A Lawyer Is Great Advice For Many Couples

Prenuptial Agreements Why Visiting A Lawyer Is Great Advice For Many Couples

Attorney Anthony Barbuto of the Wellington-based Barbuto Law Firm P.A. runs a general practice that handles a variety of legal issues, including family law, general civil litigation and equestrian law, both here in the United States and in Italy, where he spends part of each year.

With experience in the realm of family law, Barbuto provided important insight on the much-discussed topic of prenuptial agreements.

“The topic of prenuptial agreements is taboo in a lot of households,” he explained. “For one, prenuptial agreements are against some religious faiths, and two, there is this misconception that marrying with a prenuptial agreement implies that the bonds of marriage are weak. Often, when I consult clients for a prenuptial agreement, one of the soon-to-be spouses is not happy, especially in first-time marriages of young couples. The classic criticism is, ‘Requiring me to sign a prenuptial agreement implies that you do not trust me, which is hurtful, and if you do not trust me, we should not be getting married.’ One of my jobs as a lawyer is to educate my clients about prenuptial agreements and to get them to the point where they feel good and confident about them.”

Couples need to understand that divorce is always a reality, Barbuto said, and having a prenuptial agreement makes the process easier.

“In Florida, it is relatively easy to get divorced,” he said. “Of course, there are amicable divorces when parties go through the process with reason, respect and consideration. But for many, divorces get ugly and bring out the worst of all involved during an expensive and stressful litigation period that can last years. The latter is what prenuptial agreements are designed to avoid, whereas if a divorce occurs, there would be nothing to litigate, as the terms would have already been decided pre-marriage.”

Prenuptial agreements give the parties the opportunity to agree on how property issues will be decided.

“For example, if spouses accumulate assets during the marriage, or if spouses enter the marriage with assets, a prenuptial agreement will set forth how those assets will be distributed if a divorce occurs,” Barbuto said. “Prenuptial agreements can also address other issues, including, but not limited to, alimony entitlements and inheritance rights. What couples must understand is that prenuptial agreements are negotiable, and they do not have to be prepared in a dictator-like fashion. It is recommended that both spouses have their own lawyer, and that the lawyers work together in achieving the clients’ goals.”

Prenuptial agreements are more common with couples who already have significant assets.

“I handle several prenuptial agreements each year, but my guess is that I probably handle more for clients who are getting married for the second time,” Barbuto said. “Getting married complicates things when assets have already been accumulated and when children are already involved, so a prenuptial agreement is not only encouraged in these scenarios, but often the spouses mutually desire one.”

For first-time spouses, the process tends to be more emotional.

“I think this is because of the stigma that prenuptial agreements have as a result of parties not fully understanding their significance,” Barbuto said. “I think if a soon-to-be spouse desires a prenuptial agreement, the best way to approach it with their significant other is by simply being truthful, and as early as possible before the anticipated wedding. Explain your concerns and your fears, and ask for understanding and cooperation.”

So, should a trip to see an attorney be part of your pre-wedding checklist?

“My recommendation for people interested in a prenuptial is to at least consult with a lawyer to discuss options,” Barbuto recommended. “All client circumstances are different. If people are already married but wish they entered into an agreement prior to the marriage, it is not too late, because a postnuptial agreement can be entered into addressing the same terms.”

Barbuto is originally from New Jersey and relocated to Wellington in 2008. He later took over the practice of Ann Porath, who practiced law in Wellington from the 1980s until her retirement.

“I have fantastic clients, and I am grateful to have them and to be able to assist them with their legal issues,” he said.

In addition, Barbuto is also an accomplished blogger. His blog — www.italianenthusiast.com — covers Italian culture and receives more than 15,000 views each month. In addition, he has approximately 100,000 followers on Facebook and about 20,000 on Instagram.

“Even though I continue working as a lawyer for my Wellington clients while in Italy, and I make myself available for them 24/7, I spend approximately two months per year in Italy visiting different hotels, towns, events, restaurants, etc. Italians often invite me to Italy to write about their culture, so I can spread awareness to my American followers,” he explained.

He is careful to make sure that his blogging interest does interfere with his obligations to his legal clients.

“Over the years, I have developed an Italian clientele, so going to Italy allows me not only to blog, but also to meet with my Italian clients that I handled legal matters for,” he said. “I handle lawsuits and equestrian matters for several Italian clients.”

Barbuto lives in Wellington with his wife, Rovena, who is originally from Albania, but grew up in Italy. They have been married three years and have two children — Leonardo, 2, and Sofia, 3 months. “I like the Wellington community and its residents,” he said. “It is the town I chose to raise my children. I think the community is safe, and I love the people.”

To contact attorney Anthony Barbuto, visit www.barbutolaw.com or call (561) 798-2907.

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Feature Stories

Palm Beach Brides 2018

Palm Beach Brides 2018

Bellewood Plantation

www.bellewoodplantation.com

 

GOWN

Bacio Bacio Bridal

www.baciobacio.com

 

PHOTOGRAPHY

Dragonfly Photography

www.thedragonflyphoto.com

 

VIDEO

Key Moment Films

www.keymomentfilms.com

 

CAKE

Johnson’s Custom Cakes

www.johnsonscustomcakes.com

 

BRIDAL ACCESSORIES

Champagne & GRIT

www.champagneandgrit.com

 

FLORISTS

Vero Beach Florist

www.verobeachflorist.net

 

HAND LETTERING

Ink Letter Love

www.inkletterlove.com

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Feature Stories

Red, White & Blue Jeans Event To Honor Veterans, Local Heroes Nov. 9

Red, White & Blue Jeans Event To Honor Veterans, Local Heroes Nov. 9

November weather in Wellington is magnificent, with beautiful, breezy days and brilliant, starry skies at night. It’s also the time clothing ensembles display the colors of proud reds and patriotic whites over blue jeans as the Wellington Community Foundation gears up for its growing tradition, the annual Red, White & Blue Jeans event.

This year, the Red, White & Blue Jeans fundraiser will once again be held at the Wellington National Golf Club on Friday, Nov. 9 from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

“We hold the event in November, so it is near Veterans Day,” explained Tom Wenham, chair of the Wellington Community Foundation. “It brings a lot of people together.”

The patriotic evening is where veterans and local heroes, their families and members of the Wellington community come together for a night of camaraderie, revelry, patriotism, charity, gratitude, good feelings and fun.

The Wellington Community Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization committed to benefiting community residents by supporting and improving their quality of life, particularly for children, seniors and veterans.

Wenham, along with foundation board members attorney Mickey Smith of Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith and Robbin Lee, CEO of Wellington Regional Medical Center, are enthusiastic about the continued success of the November fundraiser, which has been growing each year.

The number of people in attendance last year was approximately 170. Although only begun two years ago, the event raised more than $55,000 last year — all of which is used to support those in the Wellington community.

Wenham explained that the 2018 edition is shaping up to be bigger, better and even more fun than its successful predecessors.

“It is cocktails, dinner and a dance. It’s red, white and blue jeans, with the emphasis on jeans,” Wenham stressed. “It is a casual event. There’s no need to get dressed up. Just a sports shirt and a red, white and blue combo. Consider it a chance to wear something patriotic and enjoy relaxing.”

Smith echoed that sentiment, highlighting the fun aspects of the event. “This event is just plain, laid-back fun,” he said. “An added bonus is the fact that all the money raised will stay right here in Wellington to help our children, seniors and veterans. It’s truly a win-win situation. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Wenham explained that the fundraiser is a double event, designed to honor and recognize Wellington’s veterans and first responders, and to raise funds to help seniors, veterans and children.

Lee said that the foundation puts its focus on community awareness.

“We give back to our neighbors,” she said. “We help those in the community. For example, we have bought school uniforms, and done other projects supporting seniors and veterans.”

Earlier this year, the foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Village of Wellington to work on charitable community projects.

“This has worked out very well,” Wenham said. “The village knows that we will get things done and done right. The village does the vetting, and we also have a good, cooperative relationship with other groups in the community.”

Wenham remarked that the formalized cooperation with the village helps the efforts to serve Wellington residents in need.

Wenham explained examples of how the MOU with the village facilitates the efforts of the foundation in helping seniors who are aging-in-place, by doing home modification programs, such as installing a new hot water heater for an elderly resident. They have put in wheelchair ramps for veterans in need and supplied 600 school uniforms to help provide required school clothing for children.

“The Red, White & Blue Jeans event is the best event of the whole year,” Lee said. “I am so looking forward to it. We have a good time doing it.”

Smith is excited about the social aspects of the evening. “After all, how many premier events can you attend in blue jeans and have the opportunity to chat with so many of your Wellington friends and neighbors?” he asked.

Wenham thanked the many volunteers and sponsors who make the event possible.

“We have assembled a super group of people from the community as volunteers,” he said. “Ticket sales are brisk with people buying tickets and tables.”

For questions about the Red, White & Blue Jeans event, or to secure your tickets, call Wenham at (561) 333-9843.   

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Wellington Health

Dr. Sy Woon Brings Her Passion For Animals To All Paws Animal Clinic

Dr. Sy Woon Brings Her Passion For Animals To All Paws Animal Clinic

Dr. Sy Woon, the newest doctor at All Paws Animal Clinic, brings her life-long passion for working with animals all the way from her original home, down under in Australia — complete with the great accent.

“I am Australian, of Malaysian-Chinese descent,” Woon said. “I graduated with my veterinarian degree from the University of Sydney in 2014, which is accredited in the United States.”

Woon also received certification in this country by passing the state licensing exam and a rigorous board examination. “It is a seven-hour test and that ensures I am knowledgeable in all aspects of veterinary medicine and surgery,” she explained.

Just starting work at the clinic about a month ago, Woon is new to the western communities, having moved to South Florida three years ago.

“I’m loving it [here], although I have been working so much that I have only seen a bit of it,” she said. “I’m looking forward to getting to know the area. It has everything I need in a community.”

Since opening 17 years ago, All Paws Animal Clinic has developed into a well-respected veterinary hospital serving the western communities. With a mission statement dedicated to providing “quality care with compassion for your best friend,” the facility provides the latest in medical diagnostics and surgery with warmth and dedication.

Dr. Patricia Forsythe, medical director at All Paws, has been a veterinarian since 1985 and is a member of the Florida Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association. “Everyone on Dr. Patty’s team [as Forsythe prefers to be called] has been so welcoming. A bouquet of flowers greeted me on my desk the first day,” Woon said.

All Paws provides an excellent, modern medical and surgical services facility with everything required to deliver the best quality veterinary treatment.

“The practice has a big-family feel, and everyone is so dedicated and loves animals,” Woon said. “The clients and patients are just great.”

Most recently, Woon was the medical director at the nonprofit Justin Bartlett Animal Hospital. She feels that she has found a home with the best fit at All Paws. “It really aligns with my values,” Woon explained.

Woon’s passionate views about the welfare of animals is one reason that she is also the state representative for the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association.

Working with her favorite category of pets, small animals, Woon said, “I am a dog and cat person,” explaining that she has a special interest in dermatology, dentistry and behavior.

“Dental disease is one of the most common issues with pets,” she explained. “They don’t have a self-cleaning mechanism, and dental disease can affect the important organs — the heart, liver and kidneys.”

Dermatology is another important issue in our area. “Florida is the perfect breeding environment for yeast and bacterial infections,” Woon said. “Many of the different plants and trees here can cause allergies that affect the skin. Just because you can’t see anything doesn’t mean it is not there.”

Woon explained that it is usually the odor and the fact that the animal is constantly scratching that alerts pet owners to a dermatological problem. “There are plenty of medications developed in the past five years that can help make your dogs and cats happier,” she said.

Both dental and dermatological issues can be combated with annual visits to the veterinarian. “Prevention is better than treatment,” Woon stressed.

Woon also works to modify behavior in dogs. “Behavior is the biggest reason pets are surrendered,” Woon said. “A ‘bad dog’ is exhibiting learned behavior, and there are many ways to address and train-out the established behavior. Any dog can be a good dog.”

Woon enjoys being the newest member of the All Paws family.

“I really enjoy working with these great animals… I am proud to share the compassion for the patients,” she said with a distinct accent on caring.

 All Paws Animal Clinic is located at 1011 N. State Road 7 in Royal Palm Beach. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call (561) 790-9225 or visit www.allpawsanimal.com.

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Wellington Home

Recently Renovated Palm Beach Polo Home Features Plenty Of Amenities

Recently Renovated Palm Beach Polo Home Features Plenty Of Amenities

Cooler temperatures are coming, and that means spending more time outdoors in the backyard, relaxing on the pool deck or entertaining on the patio. This recently revamped Mediterranean style two-story home in the Golf Brook neighborhood of Palm Beach Polo features a show-stopping pool area, and also boasts five bedrooms with en suite baths for a total of six-and-a-half baths. This amazing home also features a custom staircase and railing, marble and wide-plank wood flooring throughout, no-drapery window treatments, hurricane impact glass, an alarm system, security cameras, a whole house generator, a two-car garage with wood doors and wood-burning fireplaces both inside and out.

Pool Deck: A sparkling saltwater pool and spa, expansive covered lanai with retractable screening and a separate outdoor kitchen stand at the ready to host spectacular backyard gatherings. Color-filled planters and lush tropical landscaping imbue a sense of privacy, while the view from the upstairs balcony offers another way to enjoy the space.

Living Room: The open plan of the home allows both residents and guests to move freely throughout the foyer and gallery to the step-down formal living room. The fireplace adds an element of coziness.

Seating Area: The living room is open enough to accommodate several seating areas and opens onto the generous back lanai with its tongue-and-groove pecky cypress ceiling.

Dining Room: A vaulted ceiling, marble floors and French doors that open to still more outdoor seating give this formal dining room a classic feel.

Kitchen: Custom wood cabinetry with plenty of pull-outs, granite countertops, Wolf and Sub-Zero stainless-steel appliances, double convection ovens, an apron sink and an induction cooktop make this kitchen particularly chef-friendly.

Bedroom: Step out of bed and greet the morning with a smile on your face when you venture out onto this northeast-facing balcony.

 

Master Bath: This wood-look, tile-floored “his” bathroom connects to “hers” through a roomy shower, then it’s on to the master bedroom’s custom closet.

 

Bedroom: This downstairs en suite guest bedroom features a bumped-out seating area and lots of natural light.

 

Soaking Tub: The “hers” bath features a Roman soaking tub and built-in TV.

 

Front Elevation: The arched double doors of the front entry are framed by bougainvillea, making this home beautiful by day and, thanks to well-placed landscape lighting, somewhat mysterious by night.

 

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Wellington Table - Signature Dish

Dive In To ‘Asian Cajun’ Seafood At New Submarine Crab

Dive In To ‘Asian Cajun’ Seafood At New Submarine Crab

“Asian Cajun” is taking seafood to a whole new level at Submarine Crab, a new eatery located in the Pointe at Wellington Green.

Owner Tai Le is fusing his Vietnamese roots with Louisiana-style seasoning, hoping to make a big splash in the Wellington area. It’s his second South Florida location of Submarine Crab.

“This type of food has been around for 10 years. It started out in California, which is where I’m from,” Le said. “Because I go back and forth, and we live here, we always noticed the real lack of flavorful seafood, because the traditional model for seafood is, you boil the seafood, steam it and dip it in butter. For us, it’s just not flavorful. So, that’s where this type of concept came about.”

The Cajun seasoning and the sauce are what make all the difference, Le explained. “Typically, in Louisiana-style seafood, you hear of seafood boils. We do that as a first process, and we can serve it that way like Louisiana, but we sauté it first in our sauces. It’s really our sauces that differentiate us versus what traditional seafood is,” he said.

Everything is made with a blend of garlic butter and a variety of seasonings, all at different spice levels. The torpedo sauce is hugely popular.

“Our lemon pepper, our classic Cajun, our torpedo sauces are all Cajun-based sauces,” Le said. “It does have cayenne in it, so it does have a little bit of spice. Those three sauces come standard as mild, and then we can spice it accordingly.”

The seafood takes center stage. Always live, never frozen. “Our most popular items would be our shrimp, as well as our snow crab,” Le said.

The crawfish at Submarine Crab comes from Louisiana during season, which runs from December to about July. When crawfish season ends, they get it from a farm in California.

“Because we are Louisiana-style and Cajun-based, crawfish is something that we really focus on. There’s not a lot of places that do crawfish,” Le said, adding that fresh crawfish tastes much better than frozen. “If we can’t get it fresh, we don’t offer it.”

Food is served up family style with three combo meals to choose from, with samples of all the different offerings, designed to suit any seafood lover’s palate. All come with a choice of clams or mussels.

Combo number one also includes shrimp, crawfish or both. Combo two includes shrimp or crawfish, as well as a choice of lobster tails, Dungeness crab, snow crab or king crab. Combo number three — the biggest of the combos — comes with a little bit of everything, including two pounds of snow crab legs.

“Typically, a customer will eat one pound of seafood. Combo one or two are three pounds. That will feed two to four people. Combo three could feed a family of four,” Le said.

All combos include sausages, corn, potatoes, hard-boiled eggs and bread. “It’s a good counter between the sweetness of the corn and the savory sauces,” he explained.

You won’t see a “market value” on the menu. All seafood is priced.

“We want to offer a very fair price for what we do. Although the price of seafood continually goes up, we’ve absorbed a lot of the price increase, because we want to be sure that we’re offering a reasonable price,” Le said.

Side dishes vary from traditional hush puppies with a hint of jalapeño peppers, to Cajun fried rice and crab Rangoon with a twist.

“We put crab meat in with fried shallots. All made in-house. We use our honey mayo dipping sauce, which is the same as we use for our wings. It gives it a sweet taste with a kick,” Le said.

Other traditional Cajun dishes include gumbo with okra. Also, seafood pasta with a Cajun-based sauce. There’s a selection of po’ boy sandwiches, from shrimp or catfish to oyster or sausage — all served up with a side of Cajun fries.

“Most po’ boys come with lettuce. We use cabbage instead. It tends to have a better texture because it’s crunchier. With our po’ boys, it’s all about our sauces,” Le said. “Sauce is everything.”

To wash it all down, there are “Ocean Fog” specialty drinks that come complete with a foggy effect. They’re a fusion of Asian green tea mixed with flavorful jellies and basil seeds for texture. Dry ice is added to give it a fog mist. Teas come in three flavors: the Mermaid, a passion fruit; Captain Andy’s, a strawberry green tea; and the Seahorse, which is mango flavored.

There’s even a soapy treat for your hands when you’re done digging in.

“We developed a whole hand wash to remove the garlic smell,” Le explained.  “Instead of using a wet nap, you use suds to wash your hands, and the fragrance helps to remove the garlic smell.”

Le’s first Florida location is in Pembroke Pines. His location in Wellington opened Aug. 1 and already has quite a following. This is the fourth location in all, including two in California.

The 80-seat restaurant offers eat-in or take-out, where the food to go is triple-bagged to prevent breakage.

Originally a pre-med student, Le and his business partner, a chemistry major, stumbled into the restaurant biz. Something that he feels is working out well. “For us, whatever we do, we really pour our energy into it, to make sure it’s successful,” he said, adding that they strive to regularly get feedback, and tailor the menu to meet customers’ needs.

Submarine Crab is located at 10140 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 170, in the Pointe at Wellington Green. Hours are Monday through Friday from 3 to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m. For more information, call (561) 355-0533 or visit www.submarinecrab.net.

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Feature Stories

Lynda Reich Of Master Travel Helps Clients Explore The World

Lynda Reich Of Master Travel Helps Clients Explore The World

Lynda Reich of Master Travel and Cruises has been a Wellington fixture for three decades. In her 30 years as a travel agent, she or her clients have experienced it all.

She works beside her husband, Michael, who handles all corporate travel, whereas she focuses on leisure travel. “Working together has been great,” she said. “We complement each other.”

Lynda and Michael have been together 41 years and will be celebrating their 39th wedding anniversary in December. Their son, David, is a graduate of Forest Hill High School who currently resides in Melbourne. Their daughter, Allyson, now lives in Blackstone, Mass., with her children Madison and Jackson.

Prior to moving to Florida, the couple lived on a farm in Medway, Mass., about an hour southwest of Boston. At the time, Michael was a special education counselor, but the couple soon opened a video rental store. “It was a great run,” Lynda said. “It was lots of fun. We loved going to work.”

The two alternated shifts, with one running the store during the day and the other in the evenings.

When it came time to plan their honeymoon, they were on a limited budget, but their experience with a local travel agent would change their lives forever. With the help of their agent, they were able to book a cruise to Bermuda and have the wedding celebration they dreamed of, but didn’t think they could afford. “The travel agent made it happen,” Lynda said. “Without her, we wouldn’t have had a honeymoon.”

At the same time, a company named Blockbuster was beginning to expand, and they saw the writing on the wall. The experience with their own travel agent inspired them to get out of the video business and become travel agents.

“I thought it was exciting,” Lynda recalled. “What an exciting career it would be, and you get to travel a lot as well.”

They were also making regular visits to Palm Beach County in the 1980s, both to visit Michael’s mother in Lake Worth and to attend polo matches in Wellington. “Polo is a great fun, Sunday thing to do,” Lynda said. “When we moved here, we were able to ride our bikes to the former polo fields.”

Wellington has transformed dramatically in the 31 years they have lived here.

“Wellington now has everything,” she said. “The growth has been tremendous. It has grown to be the perfect size. There’s very little reason to head north, south or east anymore. Anything you wanted, you had to go out of Wellington for. Everything is here now.”

Master Travel and Cruises moved to their current Wellington location six years ago but will soon be moving to a new location — staying in Wellington, of course. “We love Wellington,” Lynda said. “Our clients are from Wellington, and it has made it easier for them.”

It is not just Wellington that has transformed since the Reichs moved to the village. The travel industry has seen its fair share of changes as well — most notably in regard to the internet.

“The internet has made people more aware of where they can go,” Lynda said. “And how easy it is for them to get there.”

Despite the growth of internet travel sites, booking through a reputable travel agency, such as Master Travel and Cruises, offers certain perks and advantages that do-it-yourselfers cannot obtain.

“We belong to the oldest and best group of travel agencies in the world,” she said of their affiliation with Travelsavers and the Affluent Traveler Connection. “They negotiate specials for our clients. There are many value-added benefits for booking with us, including upgraded amenities and shipboard credits. We have great relationships with cruise lines.”

The Reichs offer personalized service and carefully curate each trip for their clients. A customer recently came to Lynda with no destination in mind — just a budget. She put together a trip to California wine country that was not just memorable and within budget, but also unique and crafted just for them.

South Africa remains her favorite destination. The safari she embarked on there is her favorite adventure in a lifetime of travel. She recommends that travelers to Africa go as part of a luxury tour that takes care of accommodation, baggage and some food.

“You need an unlimited budget to go to Africa on your own,” Lynda said. “The most expensive travel I ever facilitated was a month in South Africa, Tanzania and Botswana.”

In addition to Africa, Italy has remained a popular tourist destination for clients of Master Travel and Cruises. However, another memorable destination is rising in popularity once again.

“Hawaii is back on people’s radar,” she said. “No passport is required. There’s a lot to do. There’s adventure. And people perceive it as being safe. Safety is important.”

Master Travel and Cruises’ clientele is split roughly 50/50 between land vacations and cruises. One type of vacation seeks to combine both and is seeing a boom at the moment.

“River cruises are very hot right now,” Lynda said. “No seasickness. You stay in a different place each night, and the ship is your hotel.”

Millennials are experiencing life quite differently than their parents’ and grandparents’ generation. Travel is no exception.

“The generation today wants adventure,” she explained. “They want ziplining. They want white-water rafting. They have so much energy. They’re very active. They want to go wherever there’s going to be an adventure — something different.”

Lynda has seen this vacationing trend affect the way young couples are taking their honeymoons. One of the most popular destinations might be a surprise. “Costa Rica,” she said. “There’s a beach. There’s mountains. There’s ziplining over trees with monkeys underneath.”

Gone are the days of newlywed couples relaxing on a beach during their honeymoon, but some traditional locations such as Venice and Tahiti remain popular.

“The sky’s the limit, depending on the budget and the desires of the couple,” Lynda said. “It’s their time to celebrate their wedding.”

Destination weddings are becoming popular and make for memorable weddings, but she pointed out that booking a destination wedding or a honeymoon through an agent can make for one less headache before the big day.

“People are always getting married,” Lynda said. “Booking through us gives them one less thing to worry about. They have confidence behind experienced professionals. We make sure everything is perfect, and we’re someone they can contact if they’re not.”

Master Cruises and Travel is currently located at 13833 Wellington Trace, Suite E13, in the Wellington Marketplace, but is soon relocating to the Wellington Professional Centre at 12161 Ken Adams Way, Suite 170. For more information, call (561) 798-0505 or visit www.mastertravel.net.

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Wellington Real Estate

Realtor Kathy Lebrecht Brings More Than 15 Years Of Local Experience

Realtor Kathy Lebrecht Brings More Than 15 Years Of Local Experience

Kathy Lebrecht of the Rucco Group at Re/Max Direct spent her childhood in the suburbs of New York City before leaving the northeast behind to begin life anew in South Florida.

“My family moved to Broward County from Long Island when I was eight,” she recalled. “I am one of nine children. I am very family-oriented; that is what makes being a Realtor special to me. I get to work with families.”

As a resident of the area for more than four decades, Lebrecht has watched South Florida grow from a handful of sleepy beach communities into a major metropolitan area.

“Witnessing this transformation has provided me with a deeper insight into our unique culture and vast knowledge of the many neighborhoods that make up Palm Beach County,” Lebrecht said.

Lebrecht moved to Wellington with her husband and three children in 2002, the same year that she began her real estate career. She considers both moves among the best decisions she has ever made.

“With 11 years in finance, I was well equipped to assist buyers and sellers with the largest financial transactions of their lives,” she said. “Starting at the original Re/Max in Wellington, I was deeply involved in the high level of development at that time, specializing in new construction in the Isles at Wellington and Versailles. Wellington has provided me with a plethora of opportunities, not just to develop my career but to raise my children.”

She enjoys the overall “vibe” of the village. “Wellington is a very close-knit community and does not have the same impersonal feel that is found in the big cities,” Lebrecht said.

She believes that the quality of the local educational system is also a big attraction for would-be residents.

“From kindergarten to high school, I cannot say enough about the education that my three children have received here,” Lebrecht said. “My oldest daughter loved attending school in Wellington, so much that she is now teaching third grade reading here. With so much experience in our school system, I enjoy pointing out to buyers the ins and outs of the schools in our various neighborhoods.”

In 2016, Lebrecht made a move within her company that took her game to a higher level.

“In order to fully realize the potential of our flourishing housing market, I joined the Rucco Group at Re/Max Direct two years ago,” she said. “The Rucco Group is the number-one team in Palm Beach County for volume. This allows us to offer a high level of service for very competitive commission rates due to economy of scale. This success is achieved through extensive community expertise, innovative marketing strategies and a diligent staff in place to handle every step of the transaction.”

When you do business with Lebrecht, she aims to make sure that the experience is successful on every level.

“We take customer satisfaction seriously; in fact, we guarantee it,” she said. “We offer sellers listing agreements that expire every 30 days with an automatic renewal. We take the stress out of buying or selling your home so that you can focus on your upcoming move.”

Call Kathy Lebrecht directly at (561) 758-7739. For more information, visit www.theruccogroup.com.el

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