Food + Beverage

Foodie Favorites: Insider Picks from Sarasota + Lakewood Ranch

From mouthwatering authentic French pastries to LWR Main Street dining Article by Tanya Tutcher | Photography by Nick B Photos Two must-try spots that locals can’t stop buzzing about. Three years ago, I moved to Sarasota without realizing just how much Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch would steal my heart through their food and locally owned businesses. As someone who has always loved exploring local flavors, I quickly discovered this area is so much more than beaches and sunshine. It’s a true...

Life + Culture

Fuel for the Journey

Beyond Cornetto and Cappuccino Article by Rachel Smith, DNP | Photography by Provided Travel can be a challenge to your senses and your stomach. Whether you’re hopping time zones or strolling medieval streets, your body needs to digest, rest, and recharge. And while indulging in local food culture is one of travel’s greatest pleasures, the way you fuel your body while traveling can make or break how you feel on the journey. As a nurse practitioner focused on metabolic health and hormone...

Food + Beverage

Real Wins Taste So Sweet

Turning every day into a day to celebrate Article by Michelle Numann | Photography by MarinoProduxions Some cravings demand more than an ordinary solution. Sometimes, only a signature swirl of buttercream on a fresh baked cupcake will do. At Sprinkles, indulgence isn’t just about satisfying a sweet tooth—it’s about transforming the everyday into something worth celebrating. From signature cupcakes to ice cream, playful Pupcakes, and even the iconic Cupcake ATM, this bakery has turned joy into...

Food + Beverage

A Taste of Elegance

Exploring cYou Luxury Boutique Coffee + Wine Bar with owner Cyndi Garza Article by Michelle Parnell | Photography by Photo Guru SRQ Why did you decide to combine a boutique with a coffee and wine bar? My mom once owned a boutique, and we always dreamed of opening one together. I also used to say that when I retired, I just wanted to pour people a cup of coffee every day. Two years ago, I lost my mom, dad, and brother within six months, and that grief shifted everything. When the chance came...

Arts + Culture

Handcrafted Coastal Charm

Masterfully created gifts and home décor by Gulf Coast Custom Designs Article by Michelle Parnell | Photography by Photo Guru SRQ Gulf Coast Custom Designs creates custom furniture, home décor, and art pieces that range from cutting boards to wall décor to large tables made from wood and epoxy resin. Each item that owner and artist, Tricia Bolds, designs is truly one-of-a-kind. “No two items will ever be the same because that’s how the process works,” Tricia explains. “With each item, the wood...

Shopping

Style Meets Community

at Monkee’s of Lakewood Ranch Article by Lisa Michel | Photography by Nicole Mac Photography Step into Monkee’s of Lakewood Ranch and you’re greeted by a beautifully curated space full of color, texture, and sophisticated style. Owner and buyer Emily Hovermale has a passion for pieces that tell a story—whether handcrafted by women-owned businesses, made by local artisans, or produced in small batches with purpose. “We do boutique styling, which means we typically carry just one of each size,”...

Home + Design

Structure and Style

Creating beautiful spaces with Marie Vianca Design Article by Lisa Michel | Photography by Nicole Mac Photography Marie Vianca brings a distinctive approach to design, seamlessly blending interior design with architectural elements to create stunning, functional spaces tailored to her clients’ lifestyles. Originally from Puerto Rico, where she discovered her passion for design early on, thanks to her great-grandfather's legacy, who was an architect. Marie began her path as an architect...

Arts + Culture

From Sketch to Stage

World-Class Theatre Costumes Stitched in Sarasota Article by Lisa Michel | Photography by Kristen Jensen David Covach, Costume Shop Manager of the Asolo Repertory Theatre, shared the process of bringing a costume from a sketch to a finished stage-ready garment. First, the director and designers from every aspect of theater: costume, lighting, sound, projections, props, hair and makeup, read through the script. Then sketches or storyboards are created to convey how the show will look and feel...

Auto + Marine

Horsepower and Heart

Local car show benefits children's charity Article and Photography by Sage Auto The Exotic Car Show on St. Armand’s Circle in Sarasota returns for its 13th consecutive year, proudly presented by Sage Auto Studios. This premier automotive event transforms one of Florida’s most iconic shopping and dining destinations into a showcase of the world’s most coveted vehicles. From Ferraris and Lamborghinis to McLarens and rare supercars, the streets of St. Armand’s come alive with roaring engines...

Food + Beverage

Sweet Endings

Cider muffins with cinnamon-streusel topping Article and Photography by As we make the transition from Summer to Fall, these quick and easy muffins celebrate the season. Makes 12 muffins. Streusel Topping 1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter Muffins 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 egg, beaten 3/4 cup apple cider or...