Sarasota's Official Shopping Guide for Her

This needs to be talked about openly and honestly. Straight men love me, and they use me for lovin' on a regular basis. This bromance occurs every year around the same time: the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and again at their wife/girlfriend's birthday, Valentine's Day and anniversary. My phone blows up with texts and calls followed by the words, "Okay, we need need to talk. She's not around and I'll be sleeping alone if I don't get her what she wants this year."

Men, this is a problem. While I was window-shopping with your better half (which is something I don't enjoy either, but I do it because she likes it) and you were attending another "big game" with the guys, I took the time to listen to what she wanted. Remember last year when you got kicked out of bed because you bought her "the washing machine of her dreams?" Or how about three years ago when a few of you crashed on my couches because you just KNEW she wanted that Xbox ... let's prevent that from happening again this year, shall we? My home is not a revolving door for wayward straight men who need a crash pad. All you have to do is listen. That's right: Because I'm a good listener I've done all the heavy lifting for you (again). Just follow this awesome little shopping guide and you will be golden (read: not lovin'-free). My specification for this year's "list:"  Everything must be from a local store or support the local economy.

Spa Day at the Ritz - Fellas, let's be frank. If you've been with your better half more than five years there's a good chance she does not really want you around too much anyway. She loves you, but she also loves spa days---and The Ritz-Carlton has the best spa deals going on, with champagne, free valet, lunch, signature treatments, access to the pools, and if you're really smart, you will buy a room for the night. Why? Well, with your hotel stay you have access to the Beach Club, Golf Course and the much-anticipated Jack Dusty restaurant slated to open in January. Prices range, so check out their website for details.

Bliss Necklace by Samantha Wills - Remember that store Gizmo came from? You know, the one that had wonderfully unusual treasures including a cuddly Mogwai? Well, Bohemian Bliss is sorta like that store, minus the strange old man with one blue eye. Bliss has a lot of cool fashion including this little ditty of a necklace. The designer, Samantha Wills, was voted "Jewelry Designer of the Year" next to Tiffany, which means she's going places. The necklaces are handmade in America, the wooden box they come in is hand-carved, and if you want to look like you're up-to-date on fashion trends, my man, then this is your gift.

Lotus Jewelry by Catherine Michiels - Catherine Michiels has it going on, and Wendy Getchell from Lotus has her one-of-a-kind pieces in stock. All are strung on hand-dyed silk ribbons. Many designs have precious stone accents using diamonds, rubies, sapphires, garnets and tourmalines. They can be worn by wrapping them around your arm as a bracelet or as a necklace. They are terrific heirlooms, too, which is going to make you look super good when you present this gift with an "I'm looking into the future" attitude.Annual membership to our attractions - This is the gift that keeps on giving, and frankly, I think you should get this as a stocking stuffer in addition to any gift you give. We have some killer attractions in Sarasota, and with an annual membership you have access to any of them at any time. Most of these attractions include classes, special access, priority parking and reciprocity. Plus, they are good for the entire family. They range around the $50-$75 mark and are good for the entire year. Here are links to buy any or all of them:

Mote Marine Laboratory - The Ringling Museum - G.WIZ - Jungle Gardens - Selby Botanical Gardens - Historic Spanish Point

Flying Yoga - There are tons of exercise options in Sarasota that range from Pole Dancing Class (which could be the equivalent of the washing machine or Xbox) to personal training. The problem with presenting the gift of excercise is the message it could send. You have to be very careful with this presentation, and that's why I think aerial yoga, or "flying yoga" from Circusoul.com is a great buy for an active partner. Sarasota's fitness guru Cara Levitt has given flying yoga a certain two thumbs up and it's currently her "class du jour." As any good Sarasotan knows, "If Cara's doing it, then it must be good."

A trip from Admiral Travel - This is the mothership of gifts.  Just think, you can actually present this gift in such a way that you won't have to buy another gift all year! Admiral offers trips ranging from weekend getaways to Virgin's Galatic Space Launches. They are also deemed by Conde Nast as the "go-to" people for trips to Egypt and Africa. The good thing about Admiral is that they are always in the know of the best travel deals available to you. If you give them a call they will roll out a red carpet and send you and your honey on a trip of a lifetime! Call 941-951-1801 to get your trip-shop on.Lorraine Stanick and "The Current Custom" - It's no secret that one of Sarasota's greatest success stories is Lorraine Stanick and her YouTube Channel TheCurrentCustom. Lorraine has a following equal to a cable network station and her "thing of fame" is jewelry, makeup and her dad's art. As a Sarasota resident, Lorraine searches far and wide for the hottest jewelry and she sells it to people across the globe. Lorraine is in our backyard and she's doing all the shopping for you. All you have to do is order from her webstore (the money stays in Sarasota) and know that she's picked out the right stuff to make your shopping easy. Order direct at www.thecurrentcustom.com.