Stars align MARDI GRAS THEME DRAWS COSMIC CONNECTION FEBRUARY 2026 $10.99 COASTMONTHLY.COM 645485005999 CREOLE COMFORT RED BEANS, REAL TRADITION ALL THAT GLITTERS LET YOUR PARTY LOOK SHINE FEBRUARY 2026 STEPPING UP NEW ALL-MALE DANCE KREWE ON PARADE TROPICAL TREATMENT A SAZERAC, ISLAND STYLEMarylouise@CaravellaCoastal.com • www.CaravellaCoastal.com Marylouise Caravella, Owner/Broker (713) 598-6719 Galveston is my Home. Galveston is my Business. 22113 Lampasas Drive Waterfront | Sea Isle 4112 W. Bayside Way Bayfront | Jamaica Beach 13957 Grambo Blvd Golf Course | Pirates Cove Stunning Panoramic Bayfront Jamaica Beach 801 E. Beach Drive BC2305 Beachfront | Palisade Palms 7700 Seawall Blvd #702 Beachfront | The Breakers 3519 Christmas Tree Waterfront | Pirates Cove 1243 Pilot Lane Deep Waterfront | Near Evia 13414 Binnacle Way Nature Preserve | Laffites Cove13655 FM 3005 Suite B, Galveston, TX 77554 (Corner of 12 Mile Rd and FM 3005) Experience Island Living with Mardi Gras Elegance Looking for a home where every day feels like a celebration? Discover exceptional island properties that blend coastal tranquility with the vibrant energy of the Mardi Gras season. From serene beachfront or bay retreats to homes positioned along premier parade routes, Caravella Coastal’s properties offer a rare opportunity to enjoy both relaxation and celebration on remarkable Galveston Island! Whether you are seeking to purchase, sell, or invest, I provide trusted guidance and a refined approach to helping you find the ideal island property. With deep knowledge of the local market and a commitment to exceptional service, I ensure a seamless real estate experience from start to finish. Your ideal island property is waiting, and Mardi Gras season is the perfect time to make your move! Elevate your lifestyle. Explore the possibilities of Galveston Island living today. Marylouise Caravella, Broker/OwnerMarylouise@CaravellaCoastal.com • www.CaravellaCoastal.com 13655 FM 3005 Suite B, Galveston, TX 77554 (Corner of 12 Mile Rd and FM 3005) 3210 ECKERT DRIVE | THE HARBOR AT LAFFITES COVE Waterfront | 5-6 BR | 4.5 BA | 3,273 SQ FT Marylouise Caravella, Owner/Broker 713-598-6719 4.5 +/- Acres Treasure Cir. | Bayfront | Pirates Cove 7301 Stewart Rd. | 6.1 Acer Commercial| Seawall Frontage 13338 Binnacle Way | Nature Preserve | Laffites Cove 4003 S. Sunset Bay Dr. | Bayfront | Sunset Cove 14450 Spyglass Circle | Beachside | Pirates Beach West 14459 Spyglass Circle | Beachside | Pirates Beach West Galveston is my Home. Galveston is my Business. Featured Listing COASTMONTHLY.COM | FebruArY 2026 3 1510 Marina Bay Dr., Bldg 124, Clear Lake Shores, Texas 77565 281.334.00064 COASTMONTHLY.COM | FebruArY 2026 FebruArY 2026 | VOLuMe 19 | ISSue 2 3014 24 FEATURES 14 ‘WRITTEN IN THE STARS’ Island’s oldest krewe looks to the cosmos for this year’s Mardi Gras theme 18 ALL THAT GLITTERS From jewels to headdresses, this Mardi Gras season is all about the sparkle 30 AXE-IDENTS TO GRIND Island’s first all-male dance krewe to make Mardi Gras parade debut 46 LET US COUNT THE WAYS This Valentine’s Day, celebrate the many variations of love 52 ‘IT’S ABOUT UPLIFTING’ Organization aims to empower the Latino community through the arts 20 BEHIND THE SCENES Guest creative designer gives insight to cover inspiration 22 COVER CONFIDENTIAL Meet cover model rachel Miranda 24 STEPPING OUT IN STYLE Islander embellishes shoes and boots for Mardi Gras festivities“My exceptional Galveston team is marketing premier properties from the beaches to the bay — from historic treasures to high-rise condos!” NOTHING COMPARES to WHAT’S NEXT. BEACHTOWN | 2553 East Seaside Drive 4 BR | 3.5 BA | +/- 3,540 SF Last list price $2.3M PALM BEACH | 4210 Surf Drive 4 BR | 3 BA | +/- 2,498 SF Offered at $1+M Co-listed with Kiki Wilson EVIA, The Preserve At Grand Beach, Laffite’s Cove Stellar new construction. Mesmerizing lake, golf course and West Bay vista sites. Gourmet island kitchens. Grand downstairs primary suites. Colossal screened porches. 1, 2 and 3 story plans. Priced from the $650’s Proudly marketing for over 15 years! SOLD 25919GLOSSYIBISWAY.COM 607ELEVENTHSTGALVESTON.COM POINTE WEST | 25919 Glossy Ibis Way Beachside haven (ca. 2022). Gulf and bay vistas. Stunning interior decor and finishes. Primary suite with sitting area. “Lighthouse” cupola and observation deck. Fabulous Beach Club amenities. 4 BR | 4.5 BA | +/- 2,691 SF | MLS 5150118 Offered at $1.6M Co-listed with Jay Monroe EVIA | 3 Mariner Pass Exquisite “historic-inspired” waterfront villa. One-story recent construction (2021). Enormous lake vista veranda. Gorgeous finishes & millwork. Superb chef’s island kitchen. Primary suite with spa-style bath. 3 BR | 2 BA | +/- 1,680 SF | MLS 9941326 Offered at $624,880 EAST END HISTORIC DISTRICT | 607 11th Street 3 BR | 3 BA | +/- 2,810 SF | MLS 44517721 Offered at $724,880 HISTORIC DISTRICT | 613 9th Street 2 BR | 2 BA | +/- 1,183 SF | MLS 67375258 Offered at $374,880 Contact me with all your Real Estate needs. Jim Rosenfeld BROKER ASSOCIATE MTSIR Circle of Excellence Award Winner MTSIR Hall of Fame Member Texas Monthly Magazine Five Star Realtor 2012-2025 Galveston Historic Home Tour Major Underwriter 2011-2023 Houstonia Magazine Best Of Houston Realtor 2016 Trulia and Zillow Five Star Rating 713.854.1303 Jim.Rosenfeld@sir.com THE GALVESTONIAN | 1401 E. Beach Drive, #509 1 BR | 1 BA | +/- 576 SF | MLS 71108686 Offered at $374,800 NEW PRICE TIKI ISLAND | 1302 & 1306 Maui Drive +/- 16,596 SF LOT | MLS 38028394 Offered at $974,880 NEW PRICE NEW PRICE NEW LISTING6 COASTMONTHLY.COM | FebruArY 2026 56 ON THE COVER Galveston native Rachel Miranda at Bishop’s Palace. Concept and styling by Mateo Sifuentes. Makeup by Megan Stamper. Altar flowers by JoJo Sandoval. Photo by Jennifer Reynolds DEPARTMENTS 28 TREASURE TROVE Island museum exhibits Mardi Gras gown from 1936 34 DOWN THE HATCH A secret ingredient makes this New Orleans cocktail ‘a little more Galveston’ 36 DOWN HOME Island restaurant family shares beloved recipe for Mardi Gras 40 TASTE OF TEXAS This dish puts a French twist on Texas scallops 42 GAME ON This bite-sized comfort food is better than a slider 44 DESSERT ISLAND The sweet potato is a symbol of sustenance and survival 56 HOMEPORT Islanders design home to reflect their devotion to each other, family and art 62 GARDEN VARIETY Talavera brings color and portability to island garden 36 66 HOOKED If you believe the fish will bite, the fish will bite 70 YOU WEAR IT WELL Islander prides himself on looking stylish for any occasion 72 PARTY PICS Find out who made the local party scene 76 SAVE THE DATE Area events to keep your calendar booked 82 SHUTTERBUGS readers share their coastal photos 62919 LONG REACH DR 3BR | 2.5 BA | 3238 sq ft | $1,250,000 Carole Bell | 979-201-7677 1615 CHURCH ST 4BR | 3.5BA | 2816 sq ft | $849,000 Brian Schwenk | 845-519-0118 4803 SHERMAN BLVD 3BR | 2.5 BA | 2459 sq ft | $479,000 Brian Schwenk | 845-519-0118 4327 AVENUE O 2B | 2BA | 1213 sq ft | $380,000 Robert Zahn | 409-939-9237 841 BUELL 3BR | 2 BA | 1400 sq ft | $729,000 Brian Kuhn | 409-354-6456 26570 BAY WATER DR #303 3BR | 2BA | 1427 sq ft | $489,000 Brian Kuhn | 409-354-6456 1716 23RD ST Three Luxury Townhouses | $449,000+ Brian Schwenk | 845-519-0118 2002 AVE K 4 BR | 2.5 BA | 2504 sq ft | $499,000 Suzanne McClere | 713-408-3051 775 MARLIN ST 2BR | 2BA | 980 sq ft | $350,000 Brittany Lamb | 409-789-3816 2102 MECHANIC ST The Cotton Exchange 21 luxury apts 713-857-2309 2023 AVENUE O 1/2 4 BR | 3 BA | 2044 sq ft | $415,000 Robert Zahn | 409-939-9237 1401 E BEACH DR The Galvestonian 3 luxury condos | $393,900+ Mary Ellis | 409-939-8623 NEW HOME FOR THE NEW YEAR NEW PRICE NEW PRICE NEW PRICE CRYSTAL BEACH BAYOU VISTA WATER VIEWS FOR LEASENext >