About six months ago I officially retired. I don’t particularly like the word “retire” because it sounds old to me and maybe it is because most people think of it as the coming of OLD age. The definition says something like – to stop working because of a certain age. Another definition is more palpable to me: “never to be used again.”
Funny about retiring – one knows when it is time. I knew in December 2013. I asked my husband, Doug, if we could start to look for places to live when we retire. We were cuddled up in our lovely apartment on Park Avenue in New York during a snowstorm, and we came upon our now beautiful home in Sarasota – on the internet! We took it sight unseen, although we asked our good friend Pat if she would stop by and check it out for us. Pat has lived in paradise for about ten years now and all who know her would say she has great taste. She immediately gave her approval and before I knew it I was resigned to my manager. (More to come about the signs and symptoms of a retirement.)
Graciously, my manager did not accept the resignation but asked if I would work out of Sarasota and come into New York once a month. I thought what a terrific idea! So we moved in April of 2014 and I set up a little workspace with a paradise-like view. Not a great combination. The view didn’t help the stress, and in September I told Doug I wanted to REALLY retire. I gave 90 days notice and ended my 30-years in fashion the week before Thanksgiving.
For those who don’t know about the fashion industry, Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day is “IT”; the short period that can make or break a company – and – I didn’t have to work! This is a period of time when nobody gets to take vacation – ever. You might be able to have a day off if you are on your death bed. (More to come on the fashion industry.)
So paradise became even more idyllic! I could have the time to pick every last ingredient for good Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve dinners, bake Christmas cookies to no end and whenever I wanted; wrap beautiful gifts; and, with Doug, decorate our home for the holidays. I could do anything I wanted any day or time of the week or weekend! So decadent.
The holidays came and went quickly and all of a sudden, the season was upon us – lots of people and visitors from the north. Our home turned into Chez Stine, complete with one’s own suite, fresh linens, towels and popovers for breakfast (the kitchen was opened 24/7).
We have been here for about a year now and I look forward to paradise turning into the little fishing village-type town it really is, especially on Siesta Key. Siesta Key has been rated the #1 beach in the U.S. and maybe the world. It is glorious – even down to very white quartz sand which is never a hot touch to the feet. We have a great little downtown for shopping, movies, restaurants and entertainment, and of course our wonderful circle of friends.
Yet I still have the work-ethic type thing going on inside me and following six months of sheer pleasure, I thought it was time to work on a project – thus the birth of a blog.
Why epicureinparadise? Epicure is the love of food and wine – and for me all things connected: style, fashion, home furnishings, music, etc. Paradise – well, you already know all about my paradise. In short, all “good” things. But in particular in the past few weeks two things from my past inspired me: Pino Luongo and Marcella Hazan.
For those not familar with one or the other or both, Pino Luongo just opened a new restaurant in paradise. He has had a few successful places here before (from what I am told), but I don’t think anyone here knows the Pino I know. He had several excellent restaurants in New York: Il Cantinore, Le Madri, Coco Pazzo, Centolire and Mad 61 to name a few. He had a close association with the Pressman Family – they owned Barneys New York – and I worked there as the head of recruiting. The offices were right across the street from Le Madri.
Pino had great taste in food, decor and had the ability to welcome the hip and famous. (He is mentioned in Kitchen Confidential and Medium Raw (Tony Boudrain’s books) and has written several books himself. I am very much looking forward to the pleasusre of eating in his new place. (More to come about my experience.)
Marcella Hazan was earlier – back in my Bloomingdale’s days. There was a time when the store had an incredible gourmet food department with the very best in everything edible. The Cheese counter was superb; the Petrossian Caviar ad Salmon was incredible along with so many others delights. Marvin Traub the CEO (and the true merchant prince of forever) met Marcella and convinced her to open a shop within a shop at Bloomingdale’s which she did. It was the first time any of us could buy fresh pasta and take it home and cook it along with freshly made marinara (Marcella’s recipe is the best.) and it was a fast hit. Marcella has left us, but her son is here in paradise and continues the legend with an intimate cooking school. (More to come about the school.)
Lastly, Doug’s parents and my parents favored vacationing on the southwest coast of Florida with more about them to come.
It is just about the beginning of Happy Hour in Sarasota – 5:00 pm, although SKOB (Sarasota Key Oyster Bar) starts at 3:00 pm. All you need is you wallet and a pair of flip-flops.
Till next time,
E
Paradise Found 