Bloom Where You're Planted

Sarasota Waterfront

Sarasota, Florida seems to have won every award lately when it comes to best cities to live - best beaches, best places to retire, etc. etc. The latest accolade is winning the best city in the U.S. for date night. It easily beat out 160 other cities achieving perfect scores in several categories. I found this very interesting and well deserved because I first fell in love with and chose this area not just for the glorious weather and stunning beauty, but for the restaurant and cultural scene.

Living in Paradise

Sarasota, Florida 

I'm sure everyone who follows Chinoiserie Chic has figured out how much I love it here. I am not alone. U.S. News & World Report has named Sarasota the #1 place to live in Florida and the #5 best place to live in the entire country. No argument here - I live in paradise. It is also #7 for the safest places to live in the country.

Sarasota Style

Blair Eadie - Atlantic-Pacific X Lake

My favorite fashion blogger/influencer is Blair Eadie of Atlantic-Pacific and she just happens to live here in Sarasota. Her style is colorful, feminine, and maximalist. She has just launched a collaboration with Lake Pajamas, a favorite line of mine.

My Black Friday in the Emergency Room

Sarasota Memorial Hospital at Venice

I suspect you noticed that I was MIA from my usual daily post yesterday. On Friday, I experienced vertigo that got progressively worse as the day progressed, with everything spinning nonstop. I went to the emergency room at the brand new Sarasota Memorial Hospital at Venice that literally just opened its doors. It is five minutes from my house. 

It looks more like a Ritz Carlton than a hospital. Seriously - check out the photo above. It has been likened to a modern art museum. It even has a blue meditation room. And it is filled with modern art. I should mention that it is a nationally ranked hospital by U.S. News and World Report. Another reason why Sarasota is the number one relocation destination in the country.

CCC

CCC

I love blue and white Chinese porcelain and hydrangeas. I think they make a perfect combination. These pink beauties I picked up yesterday when I went to Publix for Wednesday Sushi Day.

Legend of Asia

CCC HG

The ginger jar on the right in the Legend of Asia photo looks just like this one I recently scored at HG.

I ordered the Samsung frame TV yesterday during Amazon Prime Days and got a great deal. I got the 55 inch with the white frame. Some of you have commented that you have this TV - I am super excited about choosing art for it - any tips?

Chrissy Marie Blog

Did you see that U.S. News & World Report has named the greater Sarasota area THE NUMBER ONE place in the entire country to retire? I done good. Another day in paradise. 

House Hunting in Florida - Part 1

Just Chilling

Someone commented recently asking that I do a post on house hunting in Florida. This will be far from scientific, but I would love to share my experiences in looking for two homes over the past year in Sarasota/Venice. I was in the D.C. area for 40 years and I adored it. I never planned on leaving. But life had other plans for me and here I am in Florida. And guess what? I am in love with it.

This is one thing I absolutely adore about Florida. The animals. Last evening, this guy was sitting and chilling just feet from my front door for about an hour. There were sandhill cranes in the back yard, and an alligator swimming lazy laps in the lake behind our house. On any given day I see dozens of egrets, heron, deer, turtles, geckos, armadillos, eagles, cranes, rabbits, frogs, snakes, alligators, the list goes on and on. The other day there was a horse just relaxing in my back yard. We are surrounded by farms. There are roseate spoonbills too - such beautiful birds.

Roseate Spoonbill

And I forgot to mention the wild hogs in our community. Unbelievable.

Wild hogs

If you love wildlife as I do, select a home that is near lakes, a golf course, preserves, or marshes. We have all of these, and there are animals in our yard nonstop. None do any damage really. We use a natural deer repellent on a few plants and if armadillos dig holes anywhere, we stick a fallen prickly palm frond in the hole and they move on to more hospitable surroundings. My new home backs onto beautiful preserves with ancient palms, and the community has lakes, canals, a golf course, and preserves, so I am optimistic I will have lots of wildlife there too. I don't think I can bring all these guys with me - just the puppies. Getting ready for our drive to Venice this past Sunday - they wanted to drive.

Harper and Margot

Blue and White in Florida

Blue and White in My Kitchen

I am headed out today to tour the Edison Ford Winter Estates in Ft. Meyers. I thought I would share a blue and white vignette in my new home. Above is a favorite spot of mine in my kitchen. I bought this etagere a few years ago at Ikea and my daughter and I hand gold leafed it. (Ikea Vittsjo - cost for entire project under $100.) It previously housed her handbag collection - I have repurposed it to hold some of my blue and white Chinese porcelain collection with lots of vases at the ready as I am always arranging flowers. I have another great Ikea project I am excited to share in an upcoming post.

A Sneak Peek

My Dining Room

This is a little peek at my house - the painting is a brand new acquisition from a wonderful art show and auction of local Sarasota artists to benefit Guide Dogs and Alzheimer's. The painting features a pair of roseate spoonbills that I also have in my backyard along with a zooful of animals. The house has ten foot ceilings which makes everything look great. I am excited to combine my Chinoiserie collection with some new Florida pieces as well. Headed to West Palm Beach soon for some great vintage shopping there.

Below is a quick shot of my lanai with lots of my blue and white Chinese porcelain.

My Lanai

Below is me winning first prize at the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party at a beautiful rooftop venue in Sarasota last month. I am definitely getting blonder down here!