Susanna Mayberry with her “best friends” Gucci, Lola, Chanel, Dwight, Polo and Coco. “This is my family and they are the special beings in my life,” Mayberry said. Photo by Chris Kuhlman

Each month, Coast Monthly visits with some of the most charming people on the Texas Coast to chat about their style.

Houston was Susanna Mayberry’s first introduction to Texas. But the city didn’t resonate with the Pennsylvania transplant. Her niece knew she loved the beach, so pulled open a map and there was Galveston.

“I couldn’t get here fast enough,” said Mayberry, who moved to the island in 2009.

Mayberry has lived in The Strand area downtown and the West End, but it wasn’t until she saw a building near the East End Historic District that she found her forever home, she said.

This former interior designer-turned-Realtor is passionate about animal advocacy and shares her home with some very lucky canines. The thing she likes most about Galveston is the relaxed atmosphere.

“Everyone is on island time,” she said. “I love the seafood restaurants and shopping local.”

As for summertime fashions, Mayberry is all about off-the-shoulder, flowing sundresses.

“I’m more bohemian, nothing fancy,” she said. “For something formal, I turn to the little black dress.”

Here are a few of her favorite things:

Versace purse: I got this at the Versace Boutique in New York. Black and gold are my colors and I just love the look — quilted with gold hardware and braided handles.

Cowgirl boots: This is my very first pair of cowgirl boots that I bought at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. I like the turquoise and brown cross pattern with silver grommets and fleur-de-lis on the toes. They look good with shorts when I go to country music concerts.

Door: This is the actual pink door from the Balinese Room that floated up after Hurricane Ike with the Lucite handle intact. I bought it from Scott Hanson at Antique Warehouse, who rescued it. I’m in the process of restoring it.

Cross: This was my mother’s gold cross with two symbolic Italian horns that were meant to ward off evil spirits. It was very meaningful to her, so it reminds me of her.

Dog tile: I got this last year while visiting Italy. It says “Beware of Dog” in Italian and is the inspiration for the coffee shop I’ll be opening early next year. The dog on the tile looks like Polo, my Mexican Hairless breed.

Swimsuit cover-up: I got this in Zihuatanejo, Mexico from a vendor who made it for me right on the spot. The yellow and red colors look great against a tan.