Who’s In Store
Elizabeth Rice says she needs to be close to family, which explains why her eponymous (and world-class) art and antiques gallery opened on Sarasota’s Main Street 10 years ago. Now a quietly burgeoning retail empire (including FantaSea, Terra Nova and Vivid on St. Armands Circle and a FantaSea outpost in Lady Lake) ensures that Rice and husband/co-owner Paul Chren are here to stay.

The pair developed their business plan while living in San Francisco, deciding “to present products that focus on art and nature,” Rice explains. “We represent more than 50 artists from all over the world who create unique pieces with natural elements—seashells, coral, wood, cotton, linen, bone and stone.”

From pedigreed Biedermeier antiques to artisan-crafted clothing, jewelry and gifts, Rice and Chren’s concept of lifestyle art is a Sarasota natural. Elizabeth Rice Fine Art & Antiques, 1467 Main St., Sarasota; (941) 954-8575.

Shell-Stocked From pillows to picture frames and this mother-of-pearl jewel box ($450) topped with chambered nautilus shell, FantaSea celebrates the sea’s beauty. FantaSea, 345 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota (941) 388-3031.

Wearable Art Israeli artist Dori Csengeri’s necklace ($1,250) features silk cords, beads and semi-precious stones. Not your grandmother’s choker, and that’s the fun. Vivid, 349 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota (941) 388-4400.

Star Fruit Florida-based Randi Joe Grantham’s cast bronze fruit sculptures bear names like Passion Pear and Cherry Berry ($3,500). Liza Minnelli and Kenny G are fans. Terra Nova, 351 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota (941) 388-0410.

Shoptalk
Art and Soul Sur La Table’s hot new line of kitchen tools is called Things Cooks Love, and it’s as irresistible as chocolate on Valentine’s Day. Hand-crafted by artisans in Italy, France and the U.S., the collection includes everything from basics (peelers, turners and spatulas from $12) to hard-to-find tools like the truffle/chocolate shaver ($40). Heirloom quality and dishwasher safe; the cook in your life will love them all. Sur La Table, 22 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota (941) 365-0380.

Security System You’ll find Stokke’s cribs, changing tables and award-winning Xplory stroller ($799) at Kidz etc., where owner Geri Black shows how the Norwegian-made products grow with baby and create closer relationships between parent and child. Turn this amazing stroller’s seat to give baby eye contact with parent; raise it to table height at restaurants and to provide views more stimulating than on-coming feet. Kids etc., 4043 Clark Road, Sarasota (941) 923-4001; 14818 Tamiami Trail, North Port

Fearless Gear You don’t have to own a skateboard to collect Nike SB shoes: New models are released every month to feed the fervor. For the best selection this side of L.A., try the Compound’s newest branch on Clark Road. Custom skateboards will run you $120 to $200; the shock value of freaky sneakers ($60) in tartan plaid worn at the club après golf: priceless. The Compound Boardshop, 4063 Clark Road, Sarasota (941) 966-8877.

Fashion Finds

Red Haute
Va-va-va-voom, Valentine!

By Jill Obrochta

Red Carpet Ready
Pretty enough for the paparazzi. Red patent leather peep-toe wedge heels with delicate Gucci emblem. Strike a pose. Gucci. $510. Saks Fifth Avenue, 100 Southgate Plaza, Sarasota (941) 364-5300.

Paint the Town
In this heart-stopping lipstick that’s just the shade of passion—red enough for royalty. Created by a Euro-count and countess, and that’s not lip service. Sisley, #125 Rouge á Lèvres hydrating long-lasting lipstick. $50. Saks Fifth Avenue, 100 Southgate Plaza, Sarasota (941) 364-5300.

Caught Red Handed
Now don’t let go! Red satin evening bags with jeweled closure and Swarovski accents, yours for the taking. $89 each. Preston’s Boutique, 7628 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota (941) 922-1911.

See Red…
Through rose-colored glasses. Swarovski crystals bedazzle these shades. Get noticed! $65. Preston’s Boutique, 7628 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota (941) 922-1911.

Little Miss Smarty Pants
Get ruffled in these sweet red rumbas. Delicate rows of lace grace undies that dare to be seen. So sexy. Honey Dew. $15. Sea Cup and Up, 1810 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota (941) 951-2727.