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 

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

Mark your calendars for Park Avenue Fashion Week 2014

It's back ! Mark your calendars for the biggest and most exciting event of the year. Follow them on Facebook to stay in the know for all the great sneak peaks leading up to the event this October! #AreYouReady #PAFW14 

The W Event: Where Winter Park Meets Windermere

We invite you to experience Park Avenue's boutiques with a Windermere twist. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Kids Beating Cancer. Held at the new luxurious Jaguar of Orlando. Eat, drink, and experience the spring and summer fashion runway show.

Tickets are available at: Shelmarkspr.com/thewevent

Cafe de France

Nestled between a sub shop and a candy store on Park Ave is a small, elegant and fine French cuisine restaurant called Cafe de France. The oldest single owned restaurant on Park Ave. I had the pleasure to enjoy a decadent meal fit for a king. 

When I first walked in I noticed there was not much lighting except for candles on every table which made the room very romantic, with jazz playing in the background and pictures of France all over the walls. My server knew so much about the menu, telling me the origins of some of the platters, how they were made and the ingredients are always fresh because they are delivered daily.  He used such great detail, I could picture every plate in my head as my mouth watered from each description.

I started out with a French Martini and a creamy P.E.I. Mussels Mariniere, next I  enjoyed the Steak Tartare and a Romain BLT Salad. Each platter looked as if it was a work of art. The portions were perfect and I left completely full and satisfied.

I was honored to sit and talk to the owner, German Gutierrez. He told me, he and his wife Dominique, have owned the cafe since 1982 and have worked as a balanced team since. Her handling food orders while working lunch and him beverage orders and dinner times. They change the menu at least twice a year and are open Tuesdays through Saturdays for lunch, then close and reopen for dinner. They also are available for private parties and may I say it would be a lovely event space.

Cafe de France is hands down the best French cuisine I have had since I visited France many, many, years ago. With a knowledgeable, friendly staff and an even greater choice of food and wine, German and Dominique have done it correctly. I encourage everyone to enjoy the ambience, the food, and the charm of Cafe de France.

Nicholas Del Orbe

for About Town With Shel