Category: Florida Life

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Things To Do

Fairchild Mango Festival Is This Weekend

One of my favorite things about summer is that it is mango season.  This year, Fairchild’s Mango Festival features the mangoes of  Mexico.   I have no idea where the mangoes I buy from my neighborhood pop-up mango stands are from but they are all delicious.  When you are done at the Festival, drive through the streets of Pinecrest and stop by one of the stands.  They are Miami’s version of the kid’s summer lemonade stand up north and if you get more mangoes than you can eat,  freeze the overripe ones for making smoothies, deserts, and salsa, long after the season is over.

If you still have your Sunday, July 7 copy of the Miami Herald, there is $2 coupon for the Fairchild Festival on page 3M.IMG_1364

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Florida Life Things To Do

Happy 4th of July!

Sketchpad

I will be spending the 4th of July at a friend’s house, celebrating her birthday.  If you don’t have plans for the day, here are some ideas on where to celebrate and watch fireworks:

On land (FREE)

The Biltmore Hotel  

Black Point Park & Marina 

Bayfront Park

At Sea:

Aboard SeaFair

South Beach Lady

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Florida Life Things To Do

Enjoy Local Spas At A Discount From July Through August

Today is the beginning of Miami Spa Month, which is really two months since it lasts through August, where you can get $99 treatments at some of Miami’s most luxurious spas.  I tried the Aquavana Experience at  Canyon Ranch and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I am looking to squeeze in a couple more before the end of August.

Aquavana at Canyon Ranch
Aquavana at Canyon Ranch

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Florida Life

Quito, Ecuador is Just a Short Flight From Miami

One of the great things about living in Miami is how easy it is to travel abroad.  Today I am leaving for Quito, Ecuador which is just a 4 hour and 20 minute flight from Miami.  Although this country has been in the news of late due to Edward Snowden and is a bit testy toward the U.S., Ecuador is a huge exporter of goods and services to the U.S. and we gain a lot from trading with them.  Some of the main exports to the U.S. are shrimp, bananas, brocoli, coffee and chocolate. 

Pacari Chocolate has been growing in populatrity in the U.S. and has participated in the Fairchild Garden Chocolate Festival.   Republica del Cacao has also been winning awards in the U.S.  I am looking forward to bringing back a stash of both!

Artisinal Ecuadorian Chocolate
Artisinal Ecuadorian Chocolate

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Things To Do

Miami Exotic Auto Car Racing: Great Fun For Wannabe Race Car Drivers

There are many exotic, fun, and expensive cars in Miami.  Audi R 8, Ferrari, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche, are all fairly common here.  If you do not own one and still want the heart pounding experience that driving one of these cars brings from the moment you hear the engine roar, consider the Miami Exotic Auto Car Racing experience at the Homestead Speedway.  You get to choose between the Audi R 8, Ferrari 430,  Lamborghini, or you can drive all three for the ultimate thrill.

My husband was skeptical when we gave him the gift certificate for Christmas, but was convinced it was the real deal when they hit 100 miles an hour in the Audi 4S during the “test” run with a driver showing him the course.

Makes for a great Father’s Day gift!

 

 

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Neighborhood News Pinecrest Things To Do

Chocoholics to Converge at Pinecrest Gardens March 9-10

My Current Stash

I love chocolate, especially dark chocolate, so I am thrilled that the first ever Miami Fine Chocolate and Food Show is coming to Pinecrest Gardens this weekend.  One of my favorite chocolate stores, Romanicos on Coral Way, will be there as well as Valor chocolates from Spain.  Romanicos’ chocolates are pure artistry from their Tropical Collection, with painted  fish motiffs, to their Nostalgia Habanera, with chocolates filled with dulce de leche and guava paste.  My favorite from Valor is their 70% dark chocolate bar with banana. Pair any of these with red wine and…heaven!

I am looking forward to tasting chocolate from all of the chocolatiers that I don’t know yet and adding to my current stash.

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Florida Life Things To Do

March Madness: Busy Event Season Continues in Miami

In case your activity calendar hasn’t been full enough with the boat show, Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Art Wynwood, SoBe Wine and Food Festival, you can add to it with all of the events coming in March.

Tonight kicks off the 30th Annual Miami International Film Festival.  Over 100 films will be shown through March 10.

The Cadillac Golf Championship comes to Doral Golf Resort and Spa on March 6-10.

Two music events overlap when the Winter Music Conference, March 15-24, and the Ultra Music Festival, March 15-17 and 22-24, come to town.

March 18-31features the Sony Open Tennis on Key Biscayne.

All this is great for our local economy and our social calendars, but I am looking forward to the “lazy” days of summer!

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Florida Life Things To Do

Happy Valentine’s Day

Okay, I have to admit that although I love my husband, family, friends, clients, south Florida, referrals, wine and dark chocolate, but am not a big fan of Valentine’s Day.  As my husband said early on in our dating, every day should be Valentine’s Day, not just a day where flower prices sky rocket, restaurant reservations are scarce, and Hallmark cashes in.  So instead of celebrating just one day, go out and celebrate all weekend!  There is so much to do between the boat show and Coconut Grove Art Festival that you will find plenty of reasons to love living in, or visiting, south Florida.

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Florida Life Things To Do

Happy Valentine's Day

Okay, I have to admit that although I love my husband, family, friends, clients, south Florida, referrals, wine and dark chocolate, but am not a big fan of Valentine’s Day.  As my husband said early on in our dating, every day should be Valentine’s Day, not just a day where flower prices sky rocket, restaurant reservations are scarce, and Hallmark cashes in.  So instead of celebrating just one day, go out and celebrate all weekend!  There is so much to do between the boat show and Coconut Grove Art Festival that you will find plenty of reasons to love living in, or visiting, south Florida.

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Florida Life Things To Do Where's JWo?

Weekend Trip From South Florida – St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is a 4.5 hour drive from Miami and, though different, has a lot of similarities.   St. Pete is on the Gulf, Miami is on the Atlantic.  St. Pete is full of tourists, as is Miami.  The Port of Tampa (St. Pete/Tampa/& Clearwater are basically considered one area) services Central Florida and is doing a lot of business with Brazil; Port Miami services Central America and also does a lot of business with Brazil.

There are a lot of things to do in both St Pete and Miami, but I am a beach girl and spent the time I was in St Pete on the beach with my nephews.