How we Met Paul was friends with my older sister Jaimee in high school. I always thought he was the cute one out of her group of friends but never dreamed I would have a chance with him since I was three grades younger; I never thought he would even notice me. Time went on and my sister and Paul graduated high school and went onto college and I was still at home finishing up my senior year. That October, my family threw a costume party and had all of our friends over to celeb

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL JOHN MURPHY Who is the Wandering Gypsea? A creative force inspired by her location, also known as Brie Fagan. Read on for more about Brie’s work, in her own words… Back in August 2013, I made myself a flower crown with this big, pretty sunflower to wear to one of the Wednesday night summer concerts in Harvey Cedars. By the end of the night I had five orders from friends wanting their own personalized flower crowns. When I realized how happy something I creat

WRITTEN BY Chris Gaydos | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SEARCHINGFORAMERICA.COM AND MARSHALL MARINE CORP. Seeing a fleet of sailboats darting or cruising the shallow waters of Barnegat Bay makes one think of fun and leisure. If you stop and look closely, you might spot a small sailboat, wide in the body with a mast positioned far forward, a lengthy boom, and a four-sided gaff-rigged sail. You would be looking at a catboat—a uniquely American boat originally described as far back as the lat

WRITTEN BY Chris Gaydos | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SEARCHINGFORAMERICA.COM AND MARSHALL MARINE CORP. Seeing a fleet of sailboats darting or cruising the shallow waters of Barnegat Bay makes one think of fun and leisure. If you stop and look closely, you might spot a small sailboat, wide in the body with a mast positioned far forward, a lengthy boom, and a four-sided gaff-rigged sail. You would be looking at a catboat—a uniquely American boat originally described as far back as the lat

Photos by Ann Coen Spearfishing has become a fairly popular sport in the past 10 to 15 years here on Long Beach Island. Most people find this surprising because—although our waters are not always crystal clear like those of Florida or the Caribbean—one would not expect the same out of the turbulent North Atlantic. From time to time however the water clarity off Long Beach Island allows for a brave group to dive into the dark waters and harvest the sea’s bounty. Spearfishing s

ART BY SHARON GUISTI WRITTEN BY LESLEY TAYLOR If you are looking for a unique gift or accessory for your home, check out Tahlulas Treasures, a line of products designed and created by Sharon Guisti. Sharon and her family have vacationed on Long Beach island for the past 30 years. It is a place that holds many special memories she calls treasures, that are near and dear to her heart. LBI has been the inspiration for her many crafts and gifts. Sharon has always had a love of cr

Warm up first with a 20-30 minute jog. I love to put my headphones on and run along the bay, because there’s nothing quite like that breeze! PHOTOGRAPHY BY Giovanni Fiorentino WORKOUTS BY Christine Florio Push Backs: 2-3 sets of 10 - Get into a push-up position with arms extended directly under your shoulders. - Using your arms, core, and legs, push yourself back into a squatted position. Do not let your shins or knees touch the ground. - Hold yourself at the bottom for t

| Photography John Martinelli Architect Michael Pagnotta shares his tips for getting the most out of your home at the shore Michael Pagnotta knows a lot about living at the shore. An Ocean County native, he has been the lead architect in his namesake design/build firm in Ship Bottom since 1990 and has helped a lot of people build their dream beach house. “A home at the beach should be a background to your life at the shore,” Pagnotta says. “I call it Coastal Casual: A great,

The Knightly Family of New Canaan, CT, summers at this great oceanfront beach house in Harvey Cedars. Originally constructed in 2004 while the family was living in London, the home recently underwent a major renovation under the direction of the owners’ close friends NYC decorators and Beach Haven shop-owners Mark W. Eggleston and David Allieiri of Wyndecrest Home, who also decorated the Knightlys’ primary residence. In fact, the designers and homeowners are such good friends

Tailoring each project to the client’s specific wishes and the uniqueness of the property, while in the confines of small lots and strict zoning codes, these two homes designed by Lomer & Meggitt Architects and built by Sharpe Construction reflect a collaborative process between homeowner, architect, and builder. Along a narrow slice of Barnegat Light, with unique and spectacular bay views, both projects show how the collective strength of the architect-contractor relationshi