Pure Blends Organic Spa & Apothecary

Pure Blends is the new hidden gem in Winter Park and it’s the go to place for unique products, pampering, and relaxation! Pure Blends is an organic spa and apothecary in Winter Park, Florida. It offers the most unique spa experience with the philosophy of inspiring a healthy lifestyle through organic and natural products with personalize services.

Pure Blends was founded by Kimberlea Isaac and Kelly Newton. These two co-founders have  years of experience in the beauty industry and they have the knowledge, experience, and dedication to make Pure Blends an unique and unforgettable experience.

Every single product sold in the store and the products that are used in the professional services are all organic and/or natural. Pure Blends make sure that all their products are cruelty-free and free of synthetic chemicals, preservatives, dyes, fragrance, and/or animal ingredients. Not only that, but Pure Blends are very conscientious about preserving earth’s resources by using recyclable materials. Their no waste philosophy enables a guest to receive a 5% discount on a new purchase by bringing in recyclable empty containers.

Pure Blends offers an array of unique and customized services. After a long day of shopping on Park Avenue, Pure Blends is the best place to just relax, unwind, and end the day right. Pure Blend offers customized services, such as facials, massages, body treatments, waxing, hand and foot remedies, sauna, and the New York Minute remedies. The New York Minute are express treatments that are fabulous when you don’t have that much time.

Not only are the services and products amazing, but anyone that walks in the store will be in awe by how beautiful it is. The store has the atmosphere of a vintage apothecary with a luxurious feel.

Pure Blends makes it their goal to provide the best organic and natural products. It was great to see the variety of brands and products that the store had to offer. Pure Blends doesn’t just offer beauty products, they also offer delicious organic and natural food. For example, fresh and natural iced pops from the Winter Park Farmer’s Market. 

Another fascinating thing to see at Pure Blends is a small station where guests can cut their own bar of natural soap. All the proceeds from the natural soap are donated towards the Make-A-Wish Foundation!

Everyone deserves to be pampered once in a while. Pure Blends is definitely the place to go and is truly an experience you will not get anywhere else.

Lily Nguyen

for About Town With Shel 

Red Bull Curates: Canvas Cooler Project

This year at Red Bull Curates: Canvas Cooler Project // Orlando, Red Bull is taking twenty local artist and will have them each paint a cooler.  Those coolers will then be placed in twenty local Venues/Accounts. The coolers will be judged and the two winners will attend Scope Art Show and have placement in Art Basel Miami this December. Celebrating local art and artist in our community this event will really show all the different kinds of styles Orlando has to offer.

Red Bull Curates is going to be a one of a kind event, contributing to Orlando's rise in the art world.  The event will be at The Orchid Garden which is a unique venue in downtown Orlando. For more information visit: www.redbull.com/canvascooler.

Nicholas Del Orbe
for About Town With Shel

Cask & Larder

            Are you someone who enjoys a classy upscale dinner and can appreciate a good ole’ fashioned southern cooked meal? Do you love craft brews and specialty cocktails?  Do you prefer a cool laid back ambiance teamed with the highest professional standard? If this is how you like to get down and dine, then you should check out Cask & Larder located on Fairbanks Avenue in Winter Park.  This 22-month-old restaurant has created big hype and delivered high quality results since opening in September 2012.  It is not only a fantastic restaurant; it doubles as a brewery that brews all beers on tap in house.

Cask & Larder brew pub prides itself in its seasonal, fresh and local ingredients.  Therefore, the menu is constantly changing to keep up with the best fruits and veggies available.  They are also known for curing their own meats, canning their own preserved fruits, and pickling their own vegetables.  The day I visited this unique southern public house, some of the entrees on the menu consisted of Florida Frog Legs, Smoked Duck, Clams and Sausage, and Country Fried Rabbit. I ordered an Imperial IPA and an order of the fried oyster lettuce wraps.  To say the least, I was completely taken back by the amazing presentation, taste, and overall uniqueness of the meal.  My best advice for you is to go there and try it for yourself.

Photo credit to: https://www.facebook.com/cask.larder?fref=ts

Cask & Larder is open for dinner 7 days a week with a Sunday brunch from 10:30 -3PM .  With its convenient location and affordably priced beer, this brew pub will be a forever favorite of mine…

Needless to say, I have found my new birthday spot for years to come.

Ty Zarbo

for About Town With Shel

Raphsodic Bakery Urban Pastry Art House

Raphsodic Bakery

Are you a the type of person who is health conscious and cares about what kinds of foods enter your body, but cant seem to fight the never-ending craving for your sweet tooth?  Look no further than Raphsodic Bakery, an urban pastry art house. 

This is not your ordinary bakery with cakes filled with trans-fats, hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup and preservatives.  This bakery bakes all of its cakes with integrity and a deep sense of caring for its customers.  Everything that comes out of the oven at The Raphsodic Bakery is handmade, all natural, and contains the best in high-quality ingredients.  Did I mention that all of the products are Vegan as well?  That means no animal products whatsoever.  They pride themselves in being egg free, dairy free, honey free, as well as gluten free.  Raphsodic Bakery is an allergy and special diet conscious bakery, so they use gluten-free flours, thickeners, and leaveners sweetened with raw blue agave nectar.  The owners of this new age bakery work hard to insure that everyone will be able to enjoy their sweet cakes; regardless of allergy or personal diet choice.

 As if being the healthiest sweet shop in Orlando isn’t enough; the owners of this hip bakery, Jonathan and Katie Andrews, are probably some of the coolest and most down to earth business owners in town.  Their store is filled not just with amazing baked goods, but also with local art and handmade jewelry, which adds a sense of caring for the local community to the shop.

Next time you are in the Mills and 50 District and can’t seem to fight off your sweet tooth, quit fighting and swing by 710 Mills Avenue to The Raphsodic Bakery for some of the healthiest and yummiest cupcakes in town.  I promise, your tastebuds and your body will thank you.

Tyler Zarbo

for About Town With Shel 

Skin Studio

Amy Runyan - Owner of Skin Studio

When it comes to the beautiful community of Lake Baldwin Park, the best place to get a facial and a wax is Skin Studio. Skin Studio offers professional skincare on a personal level.

Amy Runyan is the owner and esthetician of Skin Studio. Her years of experience in the entertainment industry have taught her the importance of skincare. Through her exposure in the industry, she has gained knowledge of skincare and has started her own skincare studio!

If Amy looks familiar to you then you might know her as the former Miss Ohio America or in national commercials such as: Geico, Klondike, Florida’s Natural Orange Juice, Friendly’s, Academy Sports, and many more. Every client that comes in to Skin Studio can trust that their skin is in the perfect hands.

Amy truly cares for each of her clients and her facials and services are personalized to each client that walks through her doors. Every single minute is truly utilized to help each client with their needs. Amy is friendly, knowledgeable, and personable. Not only are Amy’s services excellent, but the products that she uses and offers are great and beneficial to the skin. Skin Studio is by appointments only, however Amy’s services and expertise will nurture and rejuvenate your skin. Your skin will truly be thankful at Skin Studio.

Lily Nguyen

for About Town With Shel