How Enough For You?

We knew Southwest Florida was hot, but we didn't know how hot until we read Marty Ambrose's "You Sexy Thing" in this issue. Romance and mystery novelist Ambrose takes a light-hearted look at how women are redefining middle age, especially in our steamy, tropical region.

From vampy versions of Samantha in Sex and the City to happily married wives and mothers, they told Ambrose they were only getting better with the advancing years, thanks to confidence, exercise and-let's be honest-a little help from the plastic surgeons and other professionals who have followed the demographics to our coast. We added even more sizzle to her story by looking at the sexiest-ever movie scenes, restaurant specialties that feature ingredients said to boost the libido, and some red-hot Gulfshore couples. The whole Valentine's package begins on page 120.

Ambrose's story made us wonder what else is sexy in Southwest Florida right now, so we asked some

local experts.

Judi Gallagher, host of a new cooking show that debuts on local TV next month, Cooking in Paradise, highlighted several food trends. "Our parents used to wear Bohemian skirts and have fondue parties," she says. "Now they're both super-hot again." Hottest of all: chocolate fondue. "It drips, it's creamy, and it's sexier than sitting down to a chocolate truffle-it engages people and it's playful," she says. Ditto for the tapas trend, which brings people together to share small plates, exciting flavors and intimate conversation.

Remember Twiggy? The mod waif of the swinging '60s gave way to the California-surfer-girl appeal of Cheryl Tiegs a decade later, and today's "it" model has a definitive look, too, says Brigitte Heininger of Miami's Irene Marie Model Management. Heininger might scrutinize

100 portfolios to find one girl she wants to meet, and that one will be not only beautiful but "in great shape and look healthy." And like our culture, today's models often have a global face. Her dream girl? "European height, Russian skin, and Latin skin tones and curves."

What would a midlife crisis be without a snazzy, sexy new car? Dan Lussier at Image Motor Company in Fort Myers Beach sells hot new and classic cars, including to Hollywood's Nicolas Cage (a Z06 high-performance Corvette) and Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer (a 1958 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL convertible). No question, he says, "Cars with big engines are the sexiest-it's a guy thing." Right now, Lussier says, "the sexiest car out there" is the ultra-fast Ferrari 360 Modena. "The lines are amazing-like the curves of a woman's body," he says. Coolest of all: When you look through the rear window, you can see the engine on display. Yours for between $250,000 and $300,000.

For Bari Newport, associate director at Fort Myers' Florida Repertory Theatre, what makes an actor sexy is "the confidence you get only when you're comfortable in your own skin." Actors should be "in prime condition, like a race horse," she says, and the most charismatic are those who can make other actors-as well as the audience-react to them. "I like women with a little sizzle," she says, "voluptuous, with a little meat on their bones." When it comes to sexy men, she points to Greg Longenhagen, who will be playing Sherlock Holmes for Florida Rep next month. Didn't think of the lanky, cerebral detective as a sex symbol? Get set for Holmes as "superhero," she says, with "lots of physicality,

confidence and charisma."

If there's one time a woman wants to look ravishing, it's at a gala event, and Terri Eisenfeld, owner of Zola Keller in Bonita Springs, says, "It's all about the fabrics." For those with great bodies, silk charmeuse "feels like butter" and clings to every curve. For the rest of us, she recommends silk taffetas, which come in gorgeous, shimmery colors and "make that swishy noise when you walk." Today's older women "don't want to look like grandmothers," she says, and the new sheer "illusion" sleeves and tops help them look alluring while hiding aging skin. "I'm 55, and I feel young and sexy in our dresses," she says.

Most appealing of all, says Barbara Zdravecky, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, is "to be responsible while you're enjoying the wonderful gift of sexuality." Older people, too, she says, must have "those critical conversations about condoms, birth control-going through menopause doesn't always ensure you're off the hook-and HIV." Far from being a turn-off, she says, such conversations show you're "modern and in control of your own destiny"-and nothing is sexier than that.

-Pam Daniel