Guest Contributor Cate McLean discovered unexpected fashion inspiration among beautiful blooms, vines, leaves and trees at the Selby Botanical Gardens.

Contributor Robin Punsalan has been waiting none-too-patiently for this exhibit at the Ringling Museum since last year, and for her it did not disappoint in the slightest. Read her takeaway, which runs through May 19, along with an interview with one of Herb Ritts’ professional counterparts.

The major trend I keep seeing in my favorite downtown shops has been a wash of blues through each and every store. Not your everyday blue color, but cobalt blue, the most vibrant blue hue there is. Take the tour with me …

It was non-stop action at the St. Pete Chillounge Night, with parades, fashion show after fashion show, lively music acts and plenty of chill seating to enjoy the bites and cocktails. It was a truly impressive feat conquered by founder Rainer Scheer, and also a grand tribute to Francisco Azucar, who passed away that evening. Azucar was a wonderful designer who worked with Patti Wooten-Thompson, owner of Phassion Magazine, in helping make the Chillounge Daybed Parade so stylish and special. Sarasota’s Chillounge has a lot to look forward to on March 9! But [...]

I met the ever-lovable Amanda Landesberg at my first staff meeting with This Week in Sarasota earlier this year. Apart from her good looks and charming personality, I found myself observing the piece of jewelry adorning her neck. After the meeting, I asked Amanda about her intricate necklace, and she told me she did it herself. I thought … yeah, right!  I was blown away by her meticulous attention to detail, her color theory and most importantly her indescribable taste. Soon after that meeting, I got to see many more [...]

Earlier this year I ran into one of Sarasota’s elite … It’s no joke that there are certain names in Sarasota that everyone knows, and not for some vague reason. Some of them are high-profile socialites; others are important business leaders, politicians, restaurateurs, or donors and patrons to our many local charities and art institutions. Mr. Matt Orr is known for many reasons, some which are listed above … he has not gone political yet, but some might argue that he should be in the running along with Obama and Romney.   [...]