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My Trip Planner |
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| Kristine Hughes's Blog Archive |
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| Back to Kristine Hughes's Page |
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| 13th Annual Summer Shorts Festival – Miami |
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| May 11, 2008 |
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“America’s Short Play Festival” has just gotten more festive than ever. City Theatre proudly announces expanded programming for its 13th Annual Summer Shorts Festival. The lauded annual event is now offering three distinct performance series under the Summer Shorts umbrella: Signature Shorts, the signature series of Programs A & B that put City Theatre’s “shorts” on the map; Shorts 4 Kids, a fast and furiously fun festival of “short” plays designed expressly for families; and Undershorts, a late-night series of provocative, political and hilarious plays that are cutting edge and current.... more |
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| Sex and the Magic City to Take Orlando by Storm - May 22, 2008 |
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| May 09, 2008 |
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Orlando just got sexier as popular Fairbanks hotspot, Tatáme Lounge, hosts Sex and the Magic City, the ultimate celebration for Sex and the City in conjunction with New Line Cinema, on Thursday, May 22 at 10 p.m. Guests are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite character: Carrie Bradshaw, Samantha Jones, Charlotte York or Miranda Hobbes for a chance to win the best-dressed prize.... more |
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| Princess Diana's Dresses at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood |
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| May 03, 2008 |
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An exhibit of six of the late Diana Princess of Wales’ dresses and interactive media entitled Dresses for Humanity II will run in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino ballroom from May 6 to May 11. The dress exhibit is curated through the People’s Princess Charitable Foundation (PPCF).
Among the gowns to be showcased are several by designer Catherine Walker including a champagne-colored, glass beaded shift; a long, beaded evening dress in champagne silk and lace; a nautical evening dress in navy blue silk crepe; and another, a heavily-sequined halter dress.... more |
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| Patricia South's - The Bride's Choice |
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| May 02, 2008 |
I’m getting married!
Yes, you read that right – I’ll be getting married in September, so I had no time to lose in planning this monumental event.
The first thing I did was to buy innumerable copies of bridal magazines in order to get the lay of the land. It was in one of these that I saw the ad for Patricia South's “The Bride’s Choice” - a full service bridal salon located in a two story, 11,000 square foot Victorian Wedding Center in more |
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| Bikers & Shopping in Panama City |
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| May 01, 2008 |
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| Pier Park, Panama City Beach’s premiere retail, dining and entertainment venue, is hosting its first annual ‘Fun in the Sun’ Street Fair, May 1 - 4, which will coincide with the semi-annual Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally and the opening of approximately 30 new stores at Pier Park.
Billed as “The Most Biker Friendly Free Rally in the United States,” the Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally is truly a community event and as the area’s newest attraction.... more |
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| Living (and Dining) Large in Palm Beach |
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| April 25, 2008 |
Think Palm Beach and certain iconic images come to mind – Worth Avenue, exotic cars and multi-million dollar estates fronting the Atlantic Ocean. In short, Palm Beach is the ultimate enclave in which to live large.... more |
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| A Permanent Wine Tasting in South Beach |
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| April 21, 2008 |
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| Wish you knew more about your favorite wine? Want to discover new varieties? Looking for a unique night out? If you answered yes to any of these, you’ve got to visit Cavas Wine Tasting Room. They’ve got locations in Weston, Sawgrass Mall, Pembroke Pines and at Espanola Way in South Beach, the location I recently visited.... more |
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| Gourmet Lunch at Florida Int'l University's School of Hospitality Restaurant |
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| April 17, 2008 |
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| The next time you want to break for a unique gourmet lunch during your shopping expedition, book yourself a table at Florida International University's School of Hospitality Restaurant in North Miami, where the culinary students design the menu, cook the food, act as host and servers and design the dining room.
For just $15, you’ll be served a lunch that includes salad, warm bread, your choice of two entrees, iced tea, glass of wine, dessert and tea or coffee.... more |
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| Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort |
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| April 14, 2008 |
| One of the first thing’s you’ll notice upon arrival at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is how consistently nice all of the people associated with the resort seem to be. I don’t mean nice in a professional or fawning way, I mean genuinely nice and happy to be there. No wonder - Sandestin is a fabulous, self-contained property located along more |
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| Bill Cosby’s Garage Sale for Charity |
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| April 10, 2008 |
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| Join Bill and Camille Cosby, along with their family and Malcom-Jamal Warner, for a charity event benefiting the Hello Friend/Ennis William Cosby Foundation on April 25th at The Forge in Miami.
The entire Cosby family will be present as well as a special live performance by Gladys Knight.... more |
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| GBS - Florida's Beauty Store |
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| April 08, 2008 |
| Profiled in Instyle and Allure magazines for bringing the best in beauty to South Florida, GBS, The Beauty Store stocks more than 18,000 brands of cosmetics, skincare, bath and aromatherapy essentials, nail-care, and hair-care products. Celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Cindy Crawford as well as the leading stylists in the industry shop GBS due to its unparalleled selection of marquee beauty brands and knowledgeable staff of experts. In addition, each location offers salon services, including hair, nails and make up, with facial rooms opening in selected locations.... more |
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| Fresh Faces in Fashion 2008 Show |
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| April 03, 2008 |
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| Gen Art has announced this year’s designer slate selected for Fresh Faces in Fashion 2008, which will take place on Saturday, April 12th, 2008 at the brand new Gansevoort South Hotel, Spa and Residences in Miami Beach. The seven lucky local designers to be featured include women’s wear designers Megan Huntz Dresses and Shumaq by sisters Vanessa and Jacqueline Barrantes; swimwear designer Fabiana Ferriera; menswear designer August Alexander by Courtney Alexander Russell and accessory designers Malcolm Fontier, Nazly Villamizar and Septimo by Silvia Fassardi and Gustavo Rohrscheib.... more |
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| Selena Impersonation Contest - Delray Beach |
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| March 31, 2008 |
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| This year’s Cinco de Mayo Festival in Downtown Delray Beach will feature a Selena Impersonation Contest. The contest will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at the Cinco de Mayo Festival in the yard of Old School Square. All contest entries must be received by April 4, 2008.... more |
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| The River Oyster Bar - Downtown Miami |
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| March 25, 2008 |
| Located far from the madding downtown Miami crowd in a space defined by sleek hardwoods and slate and metal accents, the River Oyster Bar is actually located two blocks south of the North Fork Miami River, but it makes no difference. There’s enough stunningly fresh seafood on the menu to satisfy even the most discerning diners.
Chef David Bracha has created a menu that revolves around fresh ingredients coupled with a culinary vision that makes his dishes interesting, rather than unrecognizable.... more |
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| Simply Ballroom - Panama City |
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| March 20, 2008 |
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| On March 31st, the Marina Civic Center in Panama City will be the location for a performance called “Simply Ballroom,” a lavish production full of glitz, glamour and breathtaking performances hosted by the one and only Debbie Reynolds.... more |
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| Sing, sing, sing! |
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| March 16, 2008 |
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| If you’re a budding singer, closet karaoke diva or just looking for a great night out, you’ve got to put Orlando’s Rising Star at CityWalk on your must do list.
Rising Star is taking karaoke to a whole new level - performing guests will be introduced to screaming audiences by an emcee and take center stage as they sing with a full live band and back-up singers. This fresh, new take on a favorite social pastime gives even the most amateur karaoke fans a taste of musical fame as they belt out their favorite songs either solo or with a group of friends.... more |
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| St. Patrick's Day Events - Florida Style |
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| March 11, 2008 |
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| St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner and, as usual, there will be lots of celebrations around the State. Here are a few to get you started:
Coral Gables - St.... more |
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| The TradeWinds Island Grand - Luxury and Relaxation on St. Pete Beach |
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| March 05, 2008 |
| Wide, white sand beaches, relaxing days and fabulous food are all on hand at the AAA four-diamond TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, located on 20 beachfront acres in St. Pete Beach.
After I’d checked in, the first thing that struck me was how comprehensive the grounds were.... more |
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| Celebrate Carnival at Chima on Las Olas |
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| March 05, 2008 |
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| If you’ve been meaning to get to the elegant Chima Brazilian Steakhouse (pronounced “She-ma”) on Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale, now is the time to visit, as they’ll be hosting their Carnival Celebration, a 5-day-long festival celebrating the Brazilian culture, from March 12-March 16, 2008.
The traditional Carnival, originating in 1845 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is not only a celebration of Brazilian culture, it’s a street festival known across the world for elaborate parades, masquerades, music, dancing and vibrantly colored costumes.... more |
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| MTV Hosts Spring Break Event in Sunny Isles Beach |
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| March 05, 2008 |
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| On Saturday, March 8, 2008 and Sunday, March 9, 2008, more than 2,000 lucky spring-breakers will take-over the landmark Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort in Sunny Isles Beach for MTV's annual Spring Break celebration. Known for satiric game shows and celebrity appearances, MTV Spring Programming is being co-hosted by My Space sensation Tila Tequila, hot off her MTV show A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila, and Tara Conner, Miss USA 2006.
MTV will film two game shows over the weekend, “Pretty Smart” and “Fantasy Couples,” slated to air later this March.... more |
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| The Best of Everything - A Naples `Must See.' |
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| March 02, 2008 |
| I’ve been going to the Best of Everything in Naples for years. With hundreds of displays of top-end costume jewelry, handbags, clothing, jeweled cell phone covers, watches, reading glasses and a host of other unique accessories, the Best of Everything has become a Naples shopping landmark.... more |
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| Delray Beach Joins Palm Beach Fashion Week 2008 |
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| February 29, 2008 |
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| For the first time, Downtown Delray Beach will participate in Palm Beach Fashion Week 2008 by hosting a free event called “Fashion on the Avenue,” which will take place in front of the Colony Hotel, located at 525 East Atlantic Avenue, on Friday, March 7, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
“Palm Beach Fashion Week is very pleased to partner with Delray Beach in producing a fashion event during Palm Beach Fashion Week 2008,” says Lauren Malis, one of the event organizers.... more |
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| John's Pass in Madeira Beach |
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| February 25, 2008 |
| John’s Pass in Madeira Beach is a quaint turn-of-the-century fishing village that’s now home to over one hundred merchants ranged over the Village and Boardwalk areas. With a variety of restaurants and a marina that’s the launching point for pirate ship cruises, parasailing, casino cruises, boat and jet ski rentals, John’s Pass is the perfect day out when in Pinellas County.
The Boardwalk is filled with charm and retail shops like Caribongo, where everything in store changes color in the sun.... more |
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| Grant Seafood Festival February 23-24 |
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| February 21, 2008 |
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| The 42nd Annual Grant Seafood Festival is the largest and longest running seafood festival in the Southeast, drawing crowds of 50,000 people for this two day event.
This year’s festival will be held February 23 - 24, 2008 from 11 a.m.... more |
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| The Maritana Grille - Stellar Dining on St. Pete Beach |
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| February 19, 2008 |
| The Don Ceasar Beach Resort, A Loew’s Hotel, opened in 1928 and has seen both good and bad times over the past 90 years. Today, the “pink lady,” as the Don is affectionately known, enjoys a stellar reputation on St. Pete Beach and is a fitting location for its AAA Four Diamond rated restaurant, The Maritana Grille.... more |
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| 3rd Annual Rum Festival in Tampa |
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| February 19, 2008 |
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| The Third Annual Polished Palate International Rum Festival takes place in Tampa on March 27, 28 and 29. You can sip, sample and savor more than 100 of the world’s most renowned rums while meeting leading industry experts.
This annual celebration of sugar cane-based spirits has become the largest event of its kind to be held in the U.... more |
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| Florida Native is Idol Finalist |
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| February 14, 2008 |
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| Syesha Mercado, who graduated in 2005 from the Visual and Performing Arts program at Booker High School in Sarasota, was chosen as one of American Idol’s Top 24 last night.
Mercado, 21, wowed the judges with her first audition and continued to impress them in Hollywood during the eliminations despite throat problems. Saving her voice for her audition, Mercado used cue cards to get her words across prior to her performance.... more |
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| Elton John in Pensacola! |
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| February 14, 2008 |
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| If you're going to be in the Pensacola area on March 14, hurry down to the The Pensacola Civic Center (www.pensacolaciviccenter.com) to get your Elton John tickets, which go on sale this Saturday at 10 a.... more |
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| Dining Under the Stars in Clearwater |
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| February 13, 2008 |
| Clearwater offers many dining options, but few as unique as the StarLite Majesty dinner cruise.
I showed up at the Clearwater Beach Marina one Friday night ready to board the boat at 6:30 p.m.... more |
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| Panama City's Pier Park Hosts First Phase Opening |
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| February 13, 2008 |
Pier Park, Panama City’s newest shopping destination, is ready to launch the opening of its first phase of stores onThursday, February 14. The stores will be located in the 233,000-square-foot Boardwalk area, located on the east side of Pier Park.
The Boardwalk at Pier Park contains three large stores: Ron Jon Surf Shop, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and The Grand 16 Theatres, along with more than 30 small shops.... more |
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| 2nd Annual Dan Marino Wine & Food Fest |
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| February 12, 2008 |
| The second annual Dan Marino Wine and Food Festival, presented by Libation the Love of Wine, will be held at the Waterway Shoppes II in Weston, FL on Sunday, March 2, 2008 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Dan Marino Foundation, which supports medical research, treatment for children with chronic illnesses and developmental disabilities.
Stop by and sample a variety of food from more than 30 locally acclaimed restaurants and taste more than 400 wines from around the world, courtesy of Libation the Love of Wine, a Weston wine store carrying the most exclusive selection of wines from across the globe.... more |
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| Marco Island - Something for Everyone |
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| February 04, 2008 |
| With its miles of white sand beaches and its laid back personality, Marco Island has been a mecca for visitors since it was a sleepy fishing village. No longer asleep, Marco Island now offers just right mix of relaxation and activities to keep visitors coming back.
The more |
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| Grab Your Beads and Head to a Florida Mardi Gras Celebration |
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| February 01, 2008 |
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| Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday celebrations are taking place across Florida. Here are just a few:
Lake Wales - The Historic District of Lake Wales is hosting a city-wide Mardi Gras festival with masquerade parties, fanciful formal balls and incredible parades. The fun begins on Saturday, January 12th, 2008, with the Ancient and Mystic Krewe of Atlantis at La Bella Torre Restaurant.... more |
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| Celebrate Oscar Night in South Beach |
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| January 31, 2008 |
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| The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has selected the Miami Beach Film Society’s Cinematheque for the seventh year in a row to host the only official Oscar Night America (ONA) celebration in Miami. This special night is presented by Hotel Victor South Beach and WPLG-Local 10 (ABC), and will take place on Oscar® Sunday, February 24, 2008. Hotel Victor, a luxury boutique hotel on in the heart of the Art Deco District of South Beach Miami, is located at 1144 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
Oscar Nightwill begin with red carpet arrivals and a cocktail hour at 6:30pm.... more |
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| Rare Nightlife Opportunity |
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| January 30, 2008 |
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| DolphinGirl Cruises & Eco-Tours in Rockledge are offering a unique nighttime cruise on the Indian River Lagoon during the February 20th Full Lunar Eclipse. Their astronomy enthusiast, Naturalist Joe, will talk about the stars, constellations, the full moon and the eclipse as it happens.
The boat will depart Conch Key Grille at 8:30 pm and return at 10:30 pm.... more |
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| Valentine's Day, Florida Style |
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| January 28, 2008 |
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| Love is in the Florida air with great Valentine’s Day specials and events taking place around the state. I’ve listed some of the highlights below and hope you’ll take advantage of these great events, packages and dinners.
First of all, there’s the largest annual beachside Vow Renewal held on Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, FL.... more |
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| Heads Up for Florida Wine Lovers |
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| January 28, 2008 |
| Florida ranks third for sales and consumption of Napa Valley wines, trailing only New York and California. Therefore, a delegation of vintners, industry experts and leading wineries representing Napa Valley’s world famous wine industry will be appearing throughout Florida, including the Tampa Bay area, in early February as part of a statewide tour promoting that region’s signature wines.
Look for public wine tasting events and private receptions, seminars and tasting events around the state.... more |
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| Luxe Lodgings at Acqualina Resort & Spa |
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| January 27, 2008 |
| When I was recently invited to stay at the Acqualina Resort & Spa in Sunny Isles Beach I jumped at the chance. Located right on the beach and smack in the middle of Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach, Acqualina is an ultra-luxury boutique resort with a 51-story Mediterranean-inspired tower featuring 97-room guest suites.
The first thing I noticed when driving up to the entrance was the Old World architectural features including stately iron gates, sculpted archways, Baroque fountains and a grand porte-cochere with a domed cupola.... more |
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| Cruisin' SoBe Style |
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| January 23, 2008 |
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| I just got a tip on a great shopping venue in Miami that sells vintage cars. Heck, if you’re going to splurge, might as well do it on a classic car.
South Beach Classics has been selling classic, antique and muscle cars for over thirty years.... more |
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| C. Madeliene’s - You’ve got to see it to believe it. |
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| January 23, 2008 |
| I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz lately about C. Madeleine’s, the vintage clothing store in Miami that also carries shoes and accessories, so I had to check it out. On a recent visit, I was amazed to see just how much stock the store has on hand – 10,000 square feet of fashion history.... more |
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| Daytona's Flip Side |
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| January 02, 2008 |
| Typically known for high energy NASCAR racing and the raucous goings on during its annual Bike Week, Daytona Beach has a flip side to its personality: a beach town perfect for a romantic getaway or family vacation. With its wide, sandy and drivable beaches, Daytona is also home to The Shores Resort & Spa, a civilized oasis located just blocks south of all the hustle and bustle found in Daytona.
The 212-room boutique retreat overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and my room offered views of the pool and the beach beyond.... more |
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| New Year’s Eve, Florida Style |
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| December 21, 2007 |
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| My in-box is smokin’ with invites to New Year’s Eve parties all around the state, so I thought I’d pass along some of the inside scoop on the guaranteed hottest NYE parties. I’ve included contact info for each venue, so call them NOW – tix are flying out the door. If you take me up on any of the following suggestions, drop me an email and let me know how the party was.... more |
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| Cocoa Beach: Beyond the Surf Board - Part I |
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| December 18, 2007 |
Cocoa Beach on Florida’s Space Coast is world famous for its surf and the thousands of people who visit each year in order to take advantage of its beach.
On a recent visit, I stayed at the more |
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| Shopping in Coconut Point |
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| December 03, 2007 |
As you’ve guessed by now, shopping is my life. And I had an extraordinary shopping experience recently at the more |
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| Quiet Elegance in Vero Beach |
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| November 26, 2007 |
On a recent visit to Vero Beach, in central Florida’s Indian River County, I discovered a gem of a town that has everything a visitor to Florida might want: great dining, shopping galore, nightlife and the Vero Beach Hotel and Club (www.... more |
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| Shepard’s Beach Resort: The Nightlife Destination on Clearwater Beach |
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| November 18, 2007 |
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With three separate entertainment venues, each with their own distinctive personality, Shepard’s Beach Resort in Clearwater is the place to party on Clearwater Beach. During the day, this beachfront hotel offers everything you could want in a resort, including live music from noon on, but at night the place really rocks with live bands, frozen drinks and a clientele that includes every age group.
When I visited recently, I was first blown away by the buffet spread put out in the restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner.... more |
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| Naples Nightlife: Standing Room Only |
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| November 06, 2007 |
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On a recent visit to Naples, I stayed at the Inn on Fifth, a perfect jewel box of a hotel on Fifth Avenue, right in the heart of all the nightlife, which is what I was in town to check out. My second floor room had sliding doors that led directly to the rooftop pool and Jacuzzi, so after checking those out, I visited the spa for a facial. Hey, a girl’s gotta look her best when she’s going out for the evening.... more |
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| Clearwater Jazz Festival - Four Days of Food, Fun and Free Jazz |
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| November 02, 2007 |
Jazz enthusiasts who have never attended the Clearwater Jazz Festival will definitely want to mark their calendars for next years’ event. After 28 years, the Festival is still free to the public. This was my first time at the Festival and I assure you, it won’t be my last.... more |
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