Get Away and Go All Out
With travel rules still a little unpredictable, that African safari you’ve always dreamed of probably needs to stay on the bucket list for the time being. But why not satisfy your travel bug with a luxe getaway a little closer to home? “There are some wonderful properties right here in the United States that can host magical, luxurious vacations,” says Stacy Hart, a Jupiter-based luxury travel advisor with Protravel International. “Western dude ranches and mountain resort areas like Telluride in Colorado are beautiful year-round and filled with family-friendly activities.”
For a quick island escape, Hart recommends the gorgeous retreat Amanyara Beach Resort in Turks and Caicos, just a 90-minute flight from Miami and nestled along the shores of an 18,000-acre nature preserve. Says Hart: “Amanyara is known for its stand-alone pavilions and villas with dedicated butlers, not to mention private beaches and an award-winning spa.” Nightly rates start at $1,400
Bonus Splurge: Throw in a luxe travel accessory, like Louis Vuitton’s Horizon Soft 55 carry-on, created in partnership with influential industrial designer Marc Newson. $3,250; Louis Vuitton, Palm Beach Gardens
Polish Your Play
Whether you’ve always wanted to master that chip shot, learn how to launch a kiteboard, or perfect a wicked tennis backhand, splurging on private lessons will accelerate your skills and provide the tips and tricks to keep you motivated.
Warren Bottke is a PGA Master Professional and head instructor at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens who offers private lessons at the club. “Golf is a great outdoor sport you can do at any age,” says Bottke, who was PGA Tour champ Brooks Koepka’s youth coach. “It has a great social aspect, and you can play a round with a beginner and a pro at the same time and still play your game. Having lessons with a coach gives you a road map to a swing. We help you find the playing formula to reach your goals.” $1,000/five-pack of one-hour private lessons, $2,000/deluxe elite coaching program
Bonus Splurge: If you’re new to golf, you might consider borrowing or renting clubs to see if this is your game. If you love it, investing in a bag of quality, fitted clubs can make a big difference in your play. Bottke recommends getting a club fitting ($125) at Moon Golf in Palm Beach Gardens—and he’s a big fan of Titleist equipment, which recently released its newest TSi2 and TSi3 drivers sold there. They’re made with aerospace titanium, providing consistent speed and spin for longer, straighter drives off the tee. From $549 per club
Party Like a VIP
Perhaps you have a special anniversary or birthday to commemorate in 2021, or maybe you just want to celebrate a new year and a fresh start. Why not treat yourself by hiring expert help to make it truly memorable? Enlisting help from a party planner, a private chef, a sommelier, and even a florist can not only relieve your stress but also elevate your occasion to the decadent party you deserve—even if it is a socially distanced, intimate gathering in the backyard. Jupiter-based Chef Tim Armstrong, also known as The Hybrid Chef, delivers gourmet meals throughout northern Palm Beach County and also cooks on-site for private events. “I can do anything from an eight-course wine dinner to a tapas menu with 20 different options,” says Armstrong. For a three-course menu with hors d’oeuvres, including servers, plan to spend about $100 per person.
Wine consultant Brian Chamis, sommelier at Café Chardonnay in Palm Beach Gardens, can work with your chef on wine pairings for the evening, sourcing from your own cellar or suggesting vintages to purchase. “It’s great to be able to work with the chef and talk flavors and styles,” says Chamis, who offers a four-hour wine menu planning package for $250 (plus $50 an hour for service during the event).
Bonus Splurge: Whether you’re upgrading your cellar this year or just want a few great bottles for that special occasion, Sommelier Brian Chamis has a winning list: La Jota Vineyard Co. Howell Mountain merlot, $90; Lail Vineyards Blueprint sauvignon blanc, $48; Krug Grande Cuvée, $200; Tenuta di Arceno Arcanum, $72; Zena Crown Vineyard Slope pinot noir, $75.
Ship Ahoy!
Living in Jupiter means having lots of places to play on the water, which really can’t be enjoyed to the fullest without a boat. If purchasing one is on your splurge wish list, then you don’t want to miss the annual Stuart Boat Show taking place January 15-17 this year.
The exciting event will feature 175 exhibitors displaying hundreds of boats of all sizes and models. You can browse the latest in yachts, cruisers, center consoles, and more, as
well as marine electronics, engines, and other nautical gear. There will be music, food, and drinks, and a portion of the proceeds benefits the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast. But if you’d prefer to test the waters first, consider joining a local boat club, where an annual membership allows you access to a fleet of boats without the docking and maintenance hassles of ownership. “Our Open Throttle plan is $1,899 for the year and lets you take out a 24-foot Hurricane deck boat for $159 a day, plus fuel,” says June Gaines, manager of Jupiter Inlet Boat Rentals and Boat Club. “The deck boat is perfect for cruising the Intracoastal, going to the sandbars, or pulling up to dockside restaurants. It has an oversized Bimini top for more shade and wraparound bow seating, good for groups of up to 10.” No need to have prior boating experience; they offer a training program and boating safety courses to get you ready.
Pamper Yourself
Let’s face it: 2020 was a lot. A cosmetic refresh may be just the right jump start to the new year, when (hopefully) you’ll get the chance to shine at more than just the Zoom Christmas party. Whether your wish list includes surgical nips and tucks or less-invasive skin treatments to get you glowing again, there are a wide variety of options for treating yourself to luxe procedures and products you may have been putting off.
“We strive to help our clients feel young and confident and have beautiful skin, using natural products and advanced aesthetics,” says Alicia Roy, co-owner of Pure Bliss Day Spa in Jupiter. “It’s a more natural way to achieve results without plastic surgery. Right now, two of our most popular treatments are the Plamere Plasma Pen for lifting and really softening lines and tightening skin, as well as microblading eyebrows for that ‘wow factor’ with no makeup.” The Plasma Pen treatment (from $400 per area) uses electrical energy to react with nitrogen just above the skin’s surface, inducing it to regenerate its epidermal layer while heating and disrupting the deeper dermal structure to spur collagen production and skin elasticity. Microblading is a technique similar to tattooing that uses a tool with multiple tiny needles to add semi-permanent pigment to the skin, creating a fuller-looking brow. Roy says she specializes in precise “nanoblading,” which uses even smaller needles for a subtle, natural look ($450 for two visits).
Make Home Your Haven
As we’ve all been nesting over the past year, many of us have been dreaming
about upgrading areas of our homes in a grand way. Perhaps you’ve been imagining a dedicated home theater for binge-watching, or a complete outdoor kitchen for en plein air entertaining. Whatever the case may be, this could be the year you make that dream a reality.
“People are realizing how important their homes are, and we see them splurging accordingly,” says Krista Watterworth Alterman, designer and creative director of Krista + Home design studio in Palm Beach Gardens. “Our clients love luxurious kitchens that can
include anything from double fridges to pot fillers and espresso bars. We are also seeing requests for ultra-comfortable family rooms or home theaters that are perfect for movie night.” A home theater can be created in nearly any room with a blank wall for a big screen by adding plush reclining chairs, a surround-sound speaker system, and blackout window treatments to create that cinema feel.
Bonus splurge: Up your theater cred with a vintage-style popcorn cart. This one from FunTime Popcorn has an old-timey carnival look that will add a dash of whimsy to your home theater while cranking out 48 cups of fluffy kernels to satisfy everyone’s movie munchies. $349
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