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5 Tips to Surviving The Dog Days Of Summer In Miami

In case you hadn’t noticed, summer in South Florida is in full swing and the dog days of summer, the hottest time of year, starts today!

The rich smells of mangoes, mixed with the briny smell of the ocean, flowering jasmine, and bug spray are held in the humid air that surrounds us.  School has been out for a while, the streets are less chaotic at rush hour times, and the beaches are a lot less crowded.  Still, the heat and humidity can get the best of us.

Here are some tips to surviving the dog days of summer.

  1. Relax!  Miami Spa Month is actually two full months of discounts and special deals at Miami’s top spas.
  2. Chill out – There are so many great ice cream spots to help you cool off.  Two not in that link that I like are, for 21 and older only, Aubi & Ramsa, and Wall’s Ice Cream Parlor, which has good old-fashioned ice cream.
  3. Spice it up – Miami Spice Month is also two full months of discounts and fixed-price menus are many of Miami’s award-winning chef restaurants.
  4. Dive in – Don’t want to go to one of our beautiful Miami beaches?  Then head to one of these 10 best pools in Miami
  5. Take it to new heights – take advantage of the sultry evenings and visit one of these amazing rooftop bars Miami has to offer

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Aventura Brickell/Downtown Miami Florida Life Miami Beach Miami Design District Neighborhood News Things To Do

6 Places To See Free Art In Miami – North

The art starts on the outside of ICA MIAMI

With cooler weather and Miami’s “in” season almost here, I thought it might be appropriate to give us all a jump start on Miami Art Week, by listing some places where we can see art.  Year round.  In our own back yard.  Without crowds. For FREE!

Other than the obvious Wynwood, there are so many places to see art in Miami.  Thanks to Miami-Dade County Art in Public Places and astute business owners who also happen to be art aficionados, there are plenty of places to see art in Miami.  In no particular order, and by no means all inclusive, here are a few of my favorites:

Aventura Mall art collection – Better known for world class shopping, Aventura Mall has an extensive and impressive art collection

Institute of Contemporary Art – In the Miami Design District, this museum is ALWAYS free.  The art installations are sometimes trippy, but always thought provoking.

Miami Beach – I think the ocean and colorful life guard stands on the beach are art enough, but Miami Beach Art in public spaces include sea inspired as well as modern and art deco pieces.

Miami Design District Art Tours – In addition to being able to see great, fun architecture for free as you stroll through the MDD, they have regular art tours in conjunction with Arts Encounters.

PAMM – Perez Art Museum Miami free second Saturdays.  The second Saturday of each month you get to see their art exhibits for FREE!

Is your favorite free art space in the northern part of Miami-Dade not on the list?  Please share it with us!

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Florida Life Miami Beach Things To Do

5 Reasons to Take Advantage of Miami Spa Month Before August 31

Tierra Santa Spa – Faena Hotel- Miami Beach

 

Okay, do you really need any reason to take advantage of discounts on some of Miami’s best spas other than the discounts themselves?  Probably not but, since lists are in, here are my top 5:

  • Kids are back in school
  • It has been a long, hot summer, especially if you have school age children
  • You deserve pampering
  • Miami’s high season is just around the corner so it will be harder to make an appointment
  • Bonding with spouse or friends through experience vs technology is important and more enjoyable.
  • Miami spa month ends August 31 and then you will be paying regular price

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Commercial Real Estate Luxury Real Estate Marinas, Yacht Clubs and other Boating Information Miami Beach Neighborhood News Restaurants Selling

Live. Work. Play. Repeat in Sunset Harbour District of Miami Beach

 

Live in Sunset Harbour, Miami Beach

I love the Sunset Harbor area of Miami Beach.  It is a non-touristy part of Miami Beach, right before you get on the Venetian Causeway.  I have been going there for years, when it was just a bunch of auto repair warehouses with a great Italian restaurant, Sardinia.  Then came Scott Robins with his vision for the neighborhood.  Soon Barceloneta and Pubbelly Sushi moved in and the locals started coming.  Needless to say, it is no longer full of auto repair warehouses, though there are a few.  Now, new, fun, tasty restaurants, boutique clothing shops, yoga & pilates studios line the streets.  Popular workout and hangout spots like Flywheel and Panther Coffee, as well as both Publix and Fresh Market are here.

Work in Sunset Harbour, Miami Beach

For your working convenience, and a really short commute if you live here, there is buro, the community building co-working space.  Or you can work at any of the shops, restaurants, warehouses, or offices nearby.  Finally, and probably most importantly, if you live and work in Sunset Harbour, you don’t have to go too far to play.

Play in Sunset Harbour, Miami Beach

In addition to all of the shops, restaurants and workout places, Sunset Harbour is surrounded by water, spas, parks, running and walking paths.  Paddle board or kite surf in the harbor and if boating is your pleasure, there is the Sunset Harbour Yacht Club.  So, whether you are looking for a new place to live, work or play, or want a charming place where you can do all three, check out the Sunset Harbour District.  You won’t be disappointed!

 

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Buying Florida Life Miami Beach Neighborhood News

Miami Beach Loft-Style Condo Is Perfect Pied-A-Terre For Art Lovers

DSC_9460_1_2Just in time for Art Miami and Art Basel, this unique New York City style apartment comes on the market.  The light and bright unit features an open floor plan with plenty of wall space for art.  The kitchen features a Viking gas stove and a great layout for entertaining.

DSC_9482_3_4 Located in the heart of Miami Beach on tree-lined Meridian Avenue, you are walking distance to everything:  beach, grocery stores, shops, parks, and restaurants.

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Miami Beach Neighborhood News Things To Do

Christie’s Auction of Modigliani’s Reclining Nude Fetches $170,405,000

Miami Beach’s Art Week featuring Art Miami, Art Basel, and many other satellite art fairs isn’t doesn’t start until December 1, but Christie’s just hinted at what may be the biggest art season yet with a record setting night, including the sale of Amedeo Modigliani’s Nu couché.

 

modigliani-full

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Miami Beach Things To Do

South Beach Wine And Food Festival Is This Weekend

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Wow! I barely survived President’s Day Weekend, between Art Miami, the Miami International Boat Show, and Coconut Grove Art Festival, and it is time for the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, which starts on Thursday.

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Coconut Grove Florida Life Miami Beach Neighborhood News Restaurants Things To Do

Celebrate Seafood Festival Weekend This Weekend

South Florida has an abundance of seafood, so why not celebrate by attending both the SoBe Seafood Festival on Miami Beach on Saturday October 19 and Coconut Grove Seafood Festival at Peacock Park in Coconut Grove on Sunday, the 20th.

Typical Florida Seafood At Coconut Grove Seafood Festival
Typical Florida Seafood At Coconut Grove Seafood Festival

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Miami Beach Restaurants

The PubBelly Guys Are At It Again – Taco Belly Pop Up A Hit

Tacos de Bulgogi
Tacos de Bulgogi

I am a big fan of the Pub Belly team.  Although I have never eaten at their original restaurant, Pub Belly, I am a frequent eater of Pub Belly Sushi, Barceloneta tapas, and now, Taco Belly.  The tacos pictured above are Korean beef with Kimchee, and although they were my favorite everything we tried was very good.  Typical of the Pub Belly team, these are not your ordinary tacos.

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Aventura Coconut Grove Coral Gables Florida Life Miami Beach Palmetto Bay Pinecrest Things To Do

10 Things To Do In Miami In October

I love October in South Florida.  Not only does the weather start to tease with occasional cooler, drier temperatures, but it is the official start of our art season.  Although we now have cultural activities year-round with our monthly art walks, museum exhibits, and great musical programming at the Arsht Center and venues throughout South Florida, we really kick into high gear in October.  Here is a list of some venues to try in October:

  1. Soundscape movies every Wednesday starting in October through December 18 at the New World Symphony (free)
  2. Wallcasts October 5 & 25 at the New World Symphony (free)
  3. Sounds At Fairchild October 6, 13, & 20 at Fairchild Tropical Garden
  4. Barnacle Under Moonlight Concert October 11
  5. Diavolo’s Transit Space Dance October 12 & 13 South Miami Dade Cultural Arts Center
  6. Ruthless, the musical October 18, Actor’s Playhouse
  7. Artists At Vizcaya October 19 at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
  8. Wine on Harvest Moon October 19 at the Deering Estate
  9. Jazz at Pinecrest Gardens October 26
  10. New World School of the Arts Repertory Dance Ensemble October 30 at the Aventura Art and Cultural Center

In case you have a free day in October with this calendar,remember most of our museums have free days every month.