Still scrambling to buy Valentine’s Day gifts? Osprey Avenue lingerie store Sea Cup and Up has a great selection of last-minute gifts for men and women. If you are looking to inspire romance, they offer fine lingerie for women and boxers and briefs for men. And for gifts of a more platonic nature, the shop carries soaps, bra bags and cosmetic cases.


And there’s never a better time to be sure that you are wearing the best-fitting and most flattering bra size than just before Valentine’s Day. Watch our video, featuring our fashion blogger Heather Dunhill and Cheryl Burke, owner of Sea Cup and Up, or visit the store in-person for a proper fitting.


Stop by Sea Cup and Up at 1810 S Osprey Ave between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays to do some last minute Valentine’s Day shopping.

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Say it with us: chocolate. It makes the perfect gift any time of year, but especially around Valentine’s Day—and if you’ve got a chocolate lover in your life, we’ve got a list of sweet spots that will satisfy even the most intense craving (and secure your place in his or heart as the best Valentine ever).

• Looking for the best chocolate dessert in Sarasota? We’ve got you covered.
• Brasserie Belge sells authentic Leonidas Belgian chocolates that come packaged in a pretty box; you can pick them up during regular restaurant hours.
• There’s still time to order a box of cute-and-quirky Valentine’s Day lollicakes—the Lollicake Queen is open until 9 p.m. tonight and 4 p.m. tomorrow.
• Heavenly Cupcakes will package up a dozen cupcakes in a long-stem rose box for $30, but make sure you order in advance.
• The Chocolate Bark Company offers a variety of chocolate barks that are sure to please any palate—flavors include chocolate-cherry, dark chocolate coconut, dark chocolate caramel with sea salt, brownie batter and chocolate peppermint.
• Sirard’s Chocolate on South Tamiami Trail offers a menu of beautifully designed chocolate, including truffles, chocolate-covered Oreos, homemade peanut butter cups and chocolate-covered popcorn. And if you or your Valentine love chocolate but want to avoid the calories, Sirard Skin Care sells everything from chocolate truffle body soufflé to chocolate massage oil.

Where’s your favorite place to indulge your inner chocoholic?

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With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we were happy to stumble upon Victoria Blooms, a new flower shop that's one of a slew of new businesses opening in downtown Sarasota. The shop creates one-of-a-kind bouquets with names like Black Magic Woman and Blushing Beauty, and if you are feeling like a grand romantic gesture is in order for Valentine's Day, you can order your special someone flowers for a year, as well.




Victoria Blooms works with growers in Myakka State Park to source orchids and other flowers, and prides itself on the uniqueness of every bloom and arrangement.


Viktoria  Warren, the shop’s owner, used to do modeling and acting before the birth of her two children. She found her passion for floral design when friends started asking her to arrange flowers for their weddings.

Now that her shop is open, Victoria plans to share her passion and expertise with the community. Starting February 21st, she will be offering a 4-week class on flower arranging, which teaches things like design rules, how to arrange bouquets, and how to work with orchids. Space is limited, so call 941-363-0900 if you are interested.

Victoria Blooms is located on 1818 Main St, between Links and South Osprey and open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. If you would prefer to order flowers by phone, call 941-363-0900. There's free delivery anywhere in the Sarasota area, and if you order before tomorrow, you will receive a 10 percent discount on your Valentine’s Day bouquet.

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Sigrid Olsen’s art gallery in Burns Square is currently featuring a collection of Valentines that puts Hallmark cards to shame. The designs are made from hand-carved block prints and watercolors in playful hues of pink, orange, green and blue that evoke a relaxed, island lifestyle. Olsen’s cards couple charming artistic designs with brief messages from her favorite songs, allowing you the freedom to express your heartfelt sentiments without competing with the typical romantic formulas.

The gallery is located at 407 S. Pineapple Avenue and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays.