Pure 7 Studios - A different approach to portrait lighting
Posted Monday, June 7, 2010

Pure 7 Studios specializes in fine art beach portraiture that is artistic and photojournalistic in nature. Their intention is to create heirloom quality portraits, canvases and albums to display in your home and pass down to future generations. They differ from the many other beach photographers in that they use a combination of natural and off-camera lighting (NO on-camera flash). While on-camera flash can produce harsh shadows and unflattering light, their technique provides for the most flattering lighting possible as well as eliminating harsh shadows. Using a subtle vintage technique, they artistically edit each image before presentation providing timeless images for you to treasure. Guaranteed to be the best souvenir from your stay on the Emerald Coast! You can view their website at www.pure7studios.com for samples of their fine art portraiture. You are also welcome to stop by their studio in Destin to view their  beautiful products in person.
Phone: 877-865-PURE (let them know if you are a Sandcastle Escapes client and they may have a special offer for you...)

Louis Louis - A Touch of Grayton Opens on Highway 98
Posted Saturday, April 17, 2010

The sister restaurant to the iconic "Red Bar" in Grayton Beach, Louis Louis offers diners an eclectic ambiance, a limited menu hand-written on a chalk board, and a hopping bar scene with an outside terrace.  Located at 35 Mussett Bayou Road, with frontage on Highway 98 in Santa Rosa Beach.  Making great use of the old Cafe Provence, French restaurant establishment that closed late last year - Louis Louis brings the eclectic, funky flair of Grayton Beach and makes it more accessible to locals and guests alike from the Destin and Panama City Beach areas. 
Locals are known to wait for up to 2 hours to enjoy the Jazz bands, panne chicken or sumptuous crab cakes from the Red Bar - so the addition of Louis Louis will be an interesting mix to the culinary fare of northern South Walton.  Famous chefs from around the country have already heard the news - come check out why Louis Louis was one of Emeril Lagasse's first stops during his recent vacation to the area!
Reservations are not accepted and Louis Louis is only open for dinner, and make sure you bring cash or the checkbook - credit cards are not accepted at either location.  Louis Louis is open 7 days a week from 5pm to 2am and offer live entertainment and fresh Florida culinary delights with large portions and exceptional deserts and drinks.

Yolo Boarding in South Walton
Posted Wednesday, April 14, 2010

YOLO boarding - an acronym for You Only Live Once, is the newest addition to the South Walton water sports arena.  A fusion surfing/kayaking/canoeing experience - water enthusiasts stand upright on a wide, long board and paddle along the Gulf Waters giving you a unique perspective to the sea life that surrounds.
A great experience for beginners or advanced surfers - Rent boards, take lessons and learn more about this new sport at YOLO Board, 820 N. County Hwy. 393 in Santa Rosa Beach, or call 850-496-7286

Eglin Air Show
Posted Sunday, April 11, 2010

The US Airforce Thunderbirds headlined the 75th annual Eglin Airforce Air Show.  Open to the public, many of our locals and tourists are not aware that our beautiful Destin and South Walton beaches are also home to one of the largest Air Force bases in the world - Eglin Air Force base. 
Just a short twenty minute drive from the beaches into the Valparaiso/Niceville area, Eglin Air Force base is a closed base most of the time, but has opened up to the public for an open house and the air show for the first time in three years.  Featuring planes from all era's including the World Wars - it is a crowd pleaser including the first public demonstration of the new F-22 fighter plane, and some bombing demonstrations.
A perfect retreat for the whole family, food and beverage tents are available as well as chair rentals to make sure everyone is comfortable throughout the show.

790 on the Gulf - New Gulf Front Seafood Dining!
Posted Saturday, April 10, 2010

790 on the Gulf resides in lower beach level of the Inn at Crystal Beach - the former home of the fine dining establishment, Beachwalk Cafe.  Although the gorgeous wall to wall Gulf Views are the same, the menu has changed dramatically and the atmosphere is more casual and family friendly. 
The menu is extensive with mutliple pages of seafood and land lovers fare - all with a cajun twist.  Gumbo of four divine flavors including Duck, Andouille Sausage, Seafood and Chicken, many different salads, fried snacks from the sea, burgers, entrees and more - a sure fire pleaser for the entire family, including the children.
Indoor and Outdoor dining is available as well as a full indoor bar.  Expect to pay about $15 - $20 on average per person - a very budget friendly Gulf Front experience!

Le Grand Cirque is Coming to the Beaches of South Walton!
Posted Wednesday, April 07, 2010

Now you can enjoy your Destin & South Walton Vacation at the Beach and enjoy the country's greatest beaches, some of Florida's finest dining establishments, watersports galore, the largest outlet shopping in the USA and now even some of the great cultural delights with Le Grand Cirque!
Seen by millions of people around the world, this must see Cirque extravaganza has broken box office records all over the Globe including becoming the biggest ever selling shows in the history of the Sydney Opera house.
Le Grand Cirque is a jaw-dropping visual feast of breathtaking group acrobatics and white-knuckle stunts and has been described by the press as
“The Next generation of Cirque Du Soleil” (Southen Style)
Featuring more than 40 champion acrobats and performers from Brazil, Canada, Russia, Mongolia, Europe and China, the performers have been hand picked from around the globe for their amazing abilities and precision skill. The result is a fast-paced, heart-pounding spectacle that will astound you and keep you at the edge of your seats!
This spectacular production features, contortionists, tumblers, incredible aerial acts as well as the breathtaking Wheel of Death -- one of the most dangerous circus tricks ever attempted, and so much more packed into a 2 hour extravaganza!   Extravagant and mesmerizing, Le Grand Cirque is a spectacular experience the family will never forget.
Starting May 25th, Le Grand Cirque will be performing at Grand Boulevard for the whole summer in its custom designed, air conditioned Italian tent which has been designed to hold just under 1100 people.