LIFE ANEW

FROM BAY EDITOR SUSAN TAYLOR MARTIN

Spring is the most beautiful time of year in Florida. Everywhere you look trees and flowers are bursting into bloom. Signs of new life abound, from ducklings waddling across the road to doves gathering twigs and leaves for their nests.

In homage to the season, we photographed our fashions for this issue at St. Petersburg’s Sunken Gardens. This century-old botanical gem has been enjoying a fresh lease on life ever since the city bought it in 1999, saving it from the fate of so many other roadside tourist attractions. And it seems fitting that our model was Claire Bridges.

At 22, Claire is starting a new chapter of her life after surviving a near-fatal illness that cost her parts of both legs. The fashion shoots, while fun, can also be tiring, yet after several hours Claire’s energy never waned. She looked as fresh at the end of the day as she did at the beginning despite having to walk on artificial limbs. Thanks, Claire, for joining our fashion team. And thanks, too, for being such an inspiration.

Contact Susan Taylor Martin at smartin@ tampabay.com.

12 SHOPPING ▲

April showers bring May flowers, but these finds will bring the fun even without the sun.

44 TRAVEL ▲

A return visit to the Hawaiian island of Maui soothes the soul and warms the heart.

56 Homes

Multimillion-dollar views are on full display at this 31st-floor condo in downtown St. Petersburg.

38 FACES ▲

Claire Bridges isn’t letting an illness that nearly took her life last year ruin it

26 Fashion

St. Petersburg’s historic Sunken Gardens is the perfect backdrop for lovely looks.

22 HISTORY ▲

Take a trip down memory lane as we explore Sunken Gardens through the years.

52 Food

16 ARTS ▲

Graphicstudio is a hidden gem of a print studio at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

Pastries and plants rule the day at Sucré Table on West Kennedy Boulevard in Tampa.