Our summer wardrobes were only in retirement for the blink of an eye, making it difficult to tell whether or not winter actually came to Sarasota at all this year. Spring, however, has clearly begun to blossom, and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art’s 2nd annual Ringling in Bloom festival served as a delightful welcoming committee. The four-day festival was a vibrant celebration of fine art, flowers and fashion—with a definite emphasis on the floral aspect. The event kicked off on Thursday with an after-hours Designer Preview of [...]

I was a late bloomer, and I thank my lucky stars every day that I was. I’m from a small town in Mississippi between New Orleans and Biloxi. We’re famous for meth, teenage pregnancy and spawning Brett Favre. I was a straight-A student and champion swimmer. When the other kids were going to dances and proms, I was swimming 300 laps a day and winning science fairs. I didn’t kiss a real boy until senior year. On Sundays, my only day off, I had an almost religious habit of going [...]

Walking up to Laurel Phipps’ house, we are greeted by prayer flags and a patio set with chairs opened outward, seeming to say, “Sit here, sit here.” We decline the unspoken request and ring the doorbell, which brings our hostess’ warm smile and open heart. The first colors meeting our eyes upon crossing the threshold are blue-greens and warm browns. A butterfly wall hanging to the left of the door connotes playfulness and the large paintings upon open walls bring nature inside. Yes, the soothing colors, the ambient placing of [...]

The last time we saw The Dating Duo they were on their way from the James Turrell Skyspace at the Ringling Museum to Blu Que Island Grill on Siesta Key in search of a pleasant atmosphere and pretty colors.   When the Dating Duo arrive at Blu Que it is raining. But have no fear, Blu Que has valet parking and the wrap-around deck is dry; live music is playing, the tabletops are changing between shades of blue and green and beautifully-presented food and drinks are arriving at the tables already full [...]

Tall, dark and handsome, Harvard graduate Lee Poulis is serious about three things: opera, food and the law. I had the privilege of attending a performance of Lucia Di Lammermoor at the Sarasota Opera House on Thursday, Feb. 23, and Lee’s incredibly commanding performance (as Lucia’s cruel and selfish brother Enrico) was one of the reasons that I was riveted to my seat and—at the end of an emotionally arresting three hours—left wanting more …   Dining Diva: Where are you from? Lee Poulis: Long Island, N.Y. and now I live [...]

Forget Team Edward versus Team Jacob, Team Angelina versus Team Jennifer; today I am voting for Team Human. I choose this team for the increasingly rare opportunity to celebrate my membership. I celebrate the good I see that remains, and the ways man can enhance the life of another.  And all of my celebrating is due to a simple interaction that I witnessed in a hotel. Sandra Hyland, a front desk agent at Hotel Indigo Sarasota and coworker of mine, recently lost her father. His death was sudden and unexpected; [...]