ILoveSoFla.com

Archive for the 'Florida Life' Category

Happy Fourth of July

Whether you are celebrating with a BBQ, on the boat, at the beach, or some other wonderful venue, I wish you and your family a happy and healthy Fourth of July.

Hollywood Beach

Art Deco buildings, wide beach, easy parking, and walking distance to Le Tub.  What more could you ask for for a great day at the beach!

Le Tub – Great Food and Views in Hollywood

Le Tub in Hollywood is one of those funky, fun, old-Florida places that I love.  Originally a Sunoco Gas Station, Le Tub was built out of flotsam, jetsam, and ocean “treasures” over a 4 year period.  The atmosphere is great, on the Intracoastal,  the food is very good beach fare and the  portions are large enough for sharing.  If you don’t finish everything on your plate and don’t want to take a doggie bag, just throw the food over the side and watch the fish have a feast.  These have to be some of the best fed fish in Florida! No credit cards.

Tags: Food tasting

Summer in South Florida

Today is the officially the first day of summer, but since  school got out on June 8 and the humidity and summer showers arrived before then, I forgot we weren’t already well into it.  A pleasant sign of summer in South Florida is the Royal Poinciana.

South Florida – A Great Place to Winter

Well, its Ground Hog Day and P. Phil has predicted 6 more weeks of winter.  Thank goodness, I guess.  It is supposed to get up into the 80’s today here in beautiful South Florida.

Tags: Miami Beach

Have We All Gone Dog Gone Mad?

Two sights within a 1/2 block of each other in Coconut Grove…just had to post them!

South Beach Life Guard Huts – Another Reason I Love South Florida!

Tags: Miami Beach

New Year’s Resolutions For South Floridians

Okay, I know every year we make resolutions only to break them or not live up to them, but these are pretty easy and will help you get better acquainted or reacquainted with your own back yard.

1. Get in shape!  This is South Florida, where the heat, beach, water activities and year-round outdoor lifestyle make this easy to do.   Gables Fitness has bootcamps, which take place in the beautiful outdoors, in Pinecrest, Coral Gables, Key Biscayne and Bayfront Park.  They also have personal training classes for men and women.  I started about a month and a half ago at the Pinecrest location and am having a great time while I am getting in shape.
2. Visit one of our museums.  Many of the Miami museums have free events.  The Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science will take more than one visit to explore.  It has over 200 exhibits plus an IMAX theater.  The Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale is currently exhibiting the works of Norman Rockwell (through February 7, 2010)
3. Go on one of the art walks.  In Miami:  Calle Ocho, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Design District, Miami Beach, Wynwood all have art walks on different days of the week.  Broward County has a twice yearly walk.
4. Take a historical tour with Paul George.
5. Volunteer at one of the many one-day volunteer activities such as Hands-On-Miami, Habitat For Humanity, Biscayne Bay Cleanup (Baynanza).
6. Attend a performance at one of our many venues.
7. Go to the horse races.
8. Visit the Miami-Metro Zoo, Lion Country Safari, Butterfly Garden.
9. Take a bike ride in the Everglades and/or Oleta State Park and/or Markham Park.
10. Go to one of our local Farmer’s Markets, which are open through April, to purchase fresh local produce.
11. Tour the Redland.
12. Take a canoe or kayak ride.  Most of the State Parks have hourly rentals and tours.
13. Go to a full moon outdoor concert.
14. If you are remodeling or landscaping, include energy efficient and sustainable products and go native with your landscaping.

If you have completed any of these resolutions recently (2009), please add your comments and feedback on this post.  Do you have a resolution you would like to add to the list?

Tags: entertainment, Free things to do in Miami

Hello 2010, Good Riddance 2009.

Not all of 2009 was bad, though you couldn’t tell from most of the news stories.  As we ended 2009, we started to hear a little more upbeat news about the housing market (sales are up due to low prices), the national unemployment rate (appears to be steadying in most places, though not in Florida), consumer confidence is higher, the stock market is up, interest rates remain low, though are starting to creep up.  Most economists are saying the recession is ending and, even though the future remains a bit bumpy, the overall economy is improving.

So as we enter 2010, let’s remember lessons learned in 2009, especially about bubbles, following the herd, and biting off more than we can chew (personally, professionally and financially).  Most importantly remember priorities: health, family and friendships is what carry us through rough times and make the good times better.  I know that sounds sooo corny, but it is true !

Blue Moon In Miami Rings in 2010