Met with soft pink walls featuring words of encouragement, a woman battling breast cancer feels a sense of comfort as she enters A New You, Pink Boutique. A different kind of shop, the boutique seeks to work with a woman's medical team to provide compassionate care before and after breast surgery. Made in the USA, American Breast Care products provide a high standard in breast prostheses. Several different types of breast forms are available. A certified fitter on staff will help select the right fit for a woman's individual needs. They carry mastectomy garments, such as pocketed bras in styles from casual, to lacy, to even strapless. Also, several styles of swimwear are on display. Wigs and artificial eyebrows from the boutique help a woman on chemotherapy to feel more feminine and confident. There are also racks of "T" shirts and fun hats with upbeat and encouraging slogans. One might purchase a gift for a loved one such as a journal or jewelry.

Carol Sands-Poole co-founded the boutique with her sister Lisa, who passed away in 2013. Her warm and upbeat personality helps bring encouragement and hope to her clientele. Carol sees her business as more than a store. Instead, she sees it as a ministry to women at a vulnerable time in their lives. On the window of the shop are the words "Faith," "Hope," "Strength," and "Courage," – and that's what it's all about.

106 West Robertson Street, Brandon, Florida
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Written by Lucy Noe

The Leepa - Rattner Museum is a small and delightful museum of modern and contemporary art. It is located on the Tarpon Springs campus of St. Petersburg College. Besides their permanent collection they have many temporary gallery shows. We enjoyed our time visiting and will become a frequent visitor. The staff and docents were friendly and knowledgeable. We were surprised about the variety of the art and the enjoyment we had being there.

The museum views itself as a support to the local community by helping people learn and appreciate art, create their own art, and display the art. We talked with several college students who were studying art work for one of their classes. The museum had several displays of local art from people from all ages and abilities. It has a variety of interactive art experiences.

​600 East Klosterman Road, Tarpon Springs, Florida
​LeepaRattner.org

Written by: Tom Noe