The Nutcracker Ballet in Miami

Attending performances of The Nutcracker ballet is one of my favorite childhood Christmas memories.  I have taken my children to see it, but not consistently every year.   Now that they are older and can appreciate and understand it better, I plan to take them and hopefully continue the tradition that is so dear to me.

The Nutcracker performances at the Adrienne Arsht Center are limited.  They will be taking place from December 15th through December 18th, 2011.

Visit the Adrienne Arsht Center website for information and tickets.

Miami City Ballet presentsGeorge Balanchine's The Nutcracker™

ZIFF BALLET OPERA HOUSE 

Thursday, December 15, 2011, 7:30pm

The Nutcracker is a magical treat for young and old. Ours is the exciting George Balanchine version, complete with beautiful sets, lavish costumes, dazzling special effects and glorious music. A large cast of talented children accompanies our international ballet stars.


* Image and information from:  www.arshtcenter.org

Greater Miami Convention and Visitor's Bureau

I recently had the opportunity to roam around the website for the Greater Miami Convention and Visitor's Bureau.  They have a lot of useful and informative information about Miami and vacation planning in the area.  

They offer planning guides, lists of attractions, travel advisors, restaurants, spas and golf course, etc.  They even have apps with local information.

This may be a good resource in addition to this blog, of course, for information about Miami and the beaches.

I hope you find everything you are looking for and hope you have a terrific vacation!

Come back and post your comments.  Let us know what you like to do while in South Florida on vacation.

Whisk Gourmet Restaurant and Catering

Whisk Gourmet Restaurant and Catering

After twenty minutes of searching for parking and walking practically four blocks to the restaurant (in Miami we are not used to walking too much), we finally arrived.   My foul mood lifted almost immediately...
The vibe in the restaurant is chic and trendy. We went for lunch and found a mix of executives and housewives. Although the restaurant is almost unassuming, it has a certain "je ne sais quoi".
I really enjoyed just being there.

The menu was different from most I've seen in Miami. Yet, from the selections I could almost guess what the meals would look and taste like.

Once we received our meal, my husband immediately commented that this restaurant was similar to "Justine's Kitchen" in Charleston, SC. I argued and said "No way, you are crazy!!!" I continued by adding that Justine's was a very southern, home-like restaurant, almost like eating at a southern neighbor's home. I even added that Whisk was too chic to be like Justine's.

Lunch was fabulous! We shared a house salad (WHISK House Salad w/ Organic Mixed Greens, Raisins, Gorgonzola, Brown Butter Walnuts, Fresh Tomato & Cider Vinaigrette) and then each had a half of two different sandwiches. We ordered the Pimiento Cheese & Fried Green Tomato Sandwich w/ Hydroponic Arugula, 3 Fried Green Tomatoes, Pecanwood Smoked Bacon and the Turkey Avocado Lettuce & Tomato w/ Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo & Dijon. The first was better than the second, however, if you request the raspberry mayo, the turkey sandwich gets a whole lot better.

So while we had coffee and my husband ate a cookie for dessert, our server came over and my husband interrogated her (as he loves to do). It turns out we were both right. The owner is from the south, and wanted to introduce Miami to gourmet southern cuisine.

I think he hit it right on!!! This place is great. You can even look past the horrible parking, because it truly is a special place.

Drop in, you certainly won't be disappointed!

Vizcaya Part 1

Every visitor to Miami must visit Vizcaya.  It is an amazing place to visit.  It was built in 1916 by agricultural industrialist James Deering.  Its interesting to walk through the home and listen to its history and how its inhabitants lived back in the day.   Vizcaya features a main house and ten acres of gardens.

An added bonus is that it has some of the nicest views in the entire city. Many brides and "quinceaneras" use the gardens as the setting for their precious photographs.

I have so many beautiful photographs, I've decided to divide the photos into several posts.  My next few posts will include all the photos.

Take the family for a visit you will truly enjoy!

Real Estate Services

As a realtor in South Florida and particularly Miami Beach, I specialize in short or long term rentals.

Some of the real estate services include:
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Phone (305)761-5700
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lifesthebeachfl@gmail.com


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Broadway in Miami 2011...Take 2

I am re-posting a previous entry to remind all of you that this is still available...

Wow!  Broadway in Miami...sounds great!  I am looking into purchasing a subscription for this year's season.  Visit the  Adrienne Arsht Center website and purchase your subscription.

You can purchase tickets for individual performances or for the entire Broadway series.

Come back and post your comments on your experience(s).

The Addams Family October 25 - 30, 2011 Shrek, The Musical December 6 - 11, 2011 Million Dollar Quartet Dec. 27 - Jan. 1, 2012 Come Fly Away March 20 - 25, 2012 Disney's The Lion King May 15 - June 10, 2012

**Images and information from Adrienne Arsht Center website

October is Everyone's A Kid Month

I came across this bit of information while I was researching things to do in Miami.  I never knew about this...

I will definitely check out some of the activites and come back and report to all of you...

		Miami Attractions Month—Everyone's a Kid

	Other great opportunities...		Miami Attractions Month will return... October 1 - 31, 2011!  Attractions that offer countless choices — from historic to adventuresome, natural to man-made. Attractions so exotic they beckon to be explored. Old World-style villas. Animal and botanical sanctuaries. Glass-bottom boats. A River of Grass. Places that capture the imagination and stir the soul. Just imagine swimming with dolphins, penguins in the sun and hand-feeding giraffes — just a few of many jaw dropping sights and experiences that makeup our kaleidoscope of attractions. Amazing Miami Attractions ... Miami is known for its amazing attractions. For more attractions, please click here. For comprehensive information including dining, shopping, events, clubs, accommodations and much more visit the Greater Miami Convention & Bureau's online Miami tourism guide at www.MiamiandBeaches.com. The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) hopes your Miami Attractions Month experience was memorable, if you would like to share any comments or concerns with us please send an email toMiamiAttractions@gmcvb.com. Miami Attractions Month is organized: As part of our Local Program... | Home | Participants | Special Offers | Sponsors |
***Images and information from the Greater Miami and the Beaches website:  www.everyonesAKid.com

Frozen Yogurt Craze

If you've been to South Florida lately, you surely have noticed the large amount of frozen yogurt shops.  There are many different yogurt places throughout Miami, but they all feature about the same product...a self-serve frozen yogurt (usually 10 flavors to pick from) and toppings bar.

Basically, it works like this...
you walk in and make your way to the back of the shop.  Usually the back is lined with ten different flavors of frozen yogurt you can serve yourself.  You can mix and match flavors or just pick your favorite. (Tiny little cups are provided for tasting the variety of flavors.) 

Once you've decided on the flavor(s) of the day, you move on to the toppings bar.  Toppings usually range from several fresh fruit to fruit in syrup, nuts, granola, a variety of crushed chocolate bars, cookie dough, candy, etc, etc, etc...I seriously could go on for a long time.

In addition, most shops provide sauces to top your creation.  Nutella, hot fudge, caramel and/or strawberry syrup to name a few.

These places are a family favorite at our house.  We do have a "favorite shop" but most are very similar.  I think we are just partial because it was the first one that arrived in town.

We enjoy our frozen yogurt escapades tremendously. But I must warn you, you should probably go there in lieu of a regular meal.  If you get carried away like we do, the creation becomes way too big to be considered dessert, it moves straight up to entire meal category.

Enjoy!!!

**Image from Tutti Frutti website: http://www.tfyogurt.com/

Miami Spice, 2011...Take 3

I am re-posting this entry again, to remind all my followers to take advantage of the terrific pricing at otherwise pricier restaurants.

Miami Spice has been around for a few years.  I always enjoy going and trying new restaurants with my hubby, family or friends.  I look forward to finding some new gems this year...

**The information below and images have been copied from:  www.ilovemiamispice.com

Miami Spice will run from August 1- September 30, 2011 with even more rave reviews! 

Miami Spice 2011 is a mouth-watering summer restaurant promotion showcasing the very best of Miami cuisine.

During August and September, Miami’s top restaurants offer three-course meals (Lunch $22, Dinner $35) featuring signature dishes created by world-renowned chefs. Discover the tropical fusion of ingredients that makes Miami dining so wonderfully out of the ordinary. An epicure’s paradise awaits you in Greater Miami and the Beaches! 

For more on these restaurants and fine dining in Miam

For comprehensive information including attractions, events, clubs, accommodations and much more visit the Greater Miami Convention & Bureau's online Miami tourism guide at www.MiamiandBeaches.com.

The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) hopes your Miami Spice experience is memorable, if you would like to share any comments or concerns with us please send an email toMiamiSpice@gmcvb.com 

The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau is proud to present an impressive lineup of participating Miami Spice restaurants! Please check back periodically for updates. Days offered and menus to come... Miami Beach/South Beach 660 at The Angler's 1500° Ago Restaurant A Fish Called Avalon Asia De Cuba at Mondrian Baires Grill Resto Bistro One LR Blade at Fontainebleau Miami Beach BLT Steak at The Betsy Blue Door Fish at Delano Blue Sea at Delano Bond Street Lounge Cabana Canyon Ranch Grill China Grill Miami Beach Deco Grill The Dining Room Eden South Beach Essensia Restaurant & Lounge Fogo de Chão Churrascaria The Forge Restaurant & Wine Bar Gotham Steak at Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hakkasan at Fontainebleau Miami Beach Kung Fu Kitchen & Sushi La Marea at The Tides South Beach Meat Market Morton's The Steakhouse, Miami Beach Mr. Chow OLA Restaurant Pelican Cafe Quattro Gastronomia Italiana Quinn's South Beach Red, The Steakhouse The Restaurant at The National The Restaurant at The Setai Rosa Mexicano The Royal Sardinia Enoteca Ristorante Scarpetta at Fontainebleau Miami Beach Shula's Steak House at The Alexander Hotel Smith & Wollensky Solea SUSHISAMBA dromo Sushi SoBe Tantra Restaurant & Lounge Tudor House Vita Restaurant & Lounge Wish Yuca Mainland—North (Airport Area, Aventura, Design District, Doral, Miami Lakes, Midtown, Morningside, North Miami, North Miami Beach) 94th Aero Squadron Armillary Grill Restaurant Bourbon Steak Catch Grill & Bar City Hall the Restaurant Graziano's Restaurant—Hialeah La Riviera Mercadito Midtown Mesazul Steakhouse Michy's Morton's The Steakhouse, North Miami Beach  Palm Restaurant Petit Rouge Shula's Steak House—The Original Sra. Martinez Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill Sustain Restaurant & Bar Tuna's Raw Bar & Grille Mainland—South (Brickell/Downtown, Key Biscayne, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, South Miami) Anacapri on Ponce Area 31 Atrio Restaurant & Wine Bar Azul Bizcaya Cafe Sambal Caffe Abbracci Caffe Portofino The Capital Grille Chart House Miami Christy's Restaurant db Bistro Moderne Eos Fontana at The Biltmore Hotel Gibraltar Graziano's Restaurant—Bird Road Graziano's Restaurant—Brickell Graziano's Restaurant—Coral Gables La Cofradia Restaurant La Palma Ristorante & Bar Le Provencal Restuarant Loulou "Le Petit Bistro" Morton's The Steakhouse, Coral Gables Morton's The Steakhouse Miami Novecento—Brickell Novecento—Key Biscayne Old Lisbon Restaurant Ortanique on the Mile Palme d'Or at The Biltmore Hotel Pascal's on Ponce Por Fin Restaurant & Lounge Red Fish Grill Red Koi Lounge Rincon Argentino Steakhouse Rincon Argentino Steakhouse No. 2 Rosa Mexicano Ruth's Chris Steak House Shula's 347 Grill Tony Chan's Water Club The Trapiche Room Truluck's Two Chefs Restaurant Whitney's Northern Beaches  (Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles Beach) The H Restaurant Il Mulino New York Mister Collins The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) hopes your Miami Spice experience is memorable. If you would like to share any comments or concerns with us, please send an email toMiamiSpice@gmcvb.com  For more information on these restaurants visit: www.ilovemiamispice.com **IMages and information from:   Home     Restaurants     Events     Offers     Sponsors     . The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau is proud to present an impressive lineup of participating Miami Spice restaurants! Please check back periodically for updates. Days offered and menus to come... Miami Beach/South Beach 660 at The Angler's 1500° Ago Restaurant A Fish Called Avalon Asia De Cuba at Mondrian Baires Grill Resto Bistro One LR Blade at Fontainebleau Miami Beach BLT Steak at The Betsy Blue Door Fish at Delano Blue Sea at Delano Bond Street Lounge Cabana Canyon Ranch Grill China Grill Miami Beach Deco Grill The Dining Room Eden South Beach Essensia Restaurant & Lounge Fogo de Chão Churrascaria The Forge Restaurant & Wine Bar Gotham Steak at Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hakkasan at Fontainebleau Miami Beach Kung Fu Kitchen & Sushi La Marea at The Tides South Beach Meat Market Morton's The Steakhouse, Miami Beach Mr. Chow OLA Restaurant Pelican Cafe Quattro Gastronomia Italiana Quinn's South Beach Red, The Steakhouse The Restaurant at The National The Restaurant at The Setai Rosa Mexicano The Royal Sardinia Enoteca Ristorante Scarpetta at Fontainebleau Miami Beach Shula's Steak House at The Alexander Hotel Smith & Wollensky Solea SUSHISAMBA dromo Sushi SoBe Tantra Restaurant & Lounge Tudor House Vita Restaurant & Lounge Wish Yuca Mainland—North (Airport Area, Aventura, Design District, Doral, Miami Lakes, Midtown, Morningside, North Miami, North Miami Beach) 94th Aero Squadron Armillary Grill Restaurant Bourbon Steak Catch Grill & Bar City Hall the Restaurant Graziano's Restaurant—Hialeah La Riviera Mercadito Midtown Mesazul Steakhouse Michy's Morton's The Steakhouse, North Miami Beach  Palm Restaurant Petit Rouge Shula's Steak House—The Original Sra. Martinez Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill Sustain Restaurant & Bar Tuna's Raw Bar & Grille Mainland—South (Brickell/Downtown, Key Biscayne, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, South Miami) Anacapri on Ponce Area 31 Atrio Restaurant & Wine Bar Azul Bizcaya Cafe Sambal Caffe Abbracci Caffe Portofino The Capital Grille Chart House Miami Christy's Restaurant db Bistro Moderne Eos Fontana at The Biltmore Hotel Gibraltar Graziano's Restaurant—Bird Road Graziano's Restaurant—Brickell Graziano's Restaurant—Coral Gables La Cofradia Restaurant La Palma Ristorante & Bar Le Provencal Restuarant Loulou "Le Petit Bistro" Morton's The Steakhouse, Coral Gables Morton's The Steakhouse Miami Novecento—Brickell Novecento—Key Biscayne Old Lisbon Restaurant Ortanique on the Mile Palme d'Or at The Biltmore Hotel Pascal's on Ponce Por Fin Restaurant & Lounge Red Fish Grill Red Koi Lounge Rincon Argentino Steakhouse Rincon Argentino Steakhouse No. 2 Rosa Mexicano Ruth's Chris Steak House Shula's 347 Grill Tony Chan's Water Club The Trapiche Room Truluck's Two Chefs Restaurant Whitney's Northern Beaches  (Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles Beach) The H Restaurant Il Mulino New York Mister Collins The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) hopes your Miami Spice experience is memorable. If you would like to share any comments or concerns with us, please send an email toMiamiSpice@gmcvb.com  Miami is known for its world-class fine dining experience. In addition to participating Miami Spice restaurants, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau touts a plethora of unique restaurants. For additional restaurants, please click here.

Sunset at Seacoast

Seacoast Views from the Pool