Welcome Fall!

Front door fall decor

Although it doesn’t feel very fall-like in Miami, I still put up my annual front door fall decor on Sept. 22 because that’s how I roll! And I’m not saying it’s cooled off much, but it was nice last Sunday to see it was still 78 degrees at 11 a.m.

Janet the host is in the back (short hair) and those are her high school and childhood friends and me in the front in the red. Look at those cool witch hats she hung from the ceiling over the dining room table!

Taking it back to last Friday, I had a great time at the “Practical Magic” Halloween party at my friend Janet’s house. She’s a fantastic hostess and once again showed her hosting prowess with cute decorations, a scrumptious charcuterie board featuring cheeses she brought back from her recent European trip, a cozy and delicious homemade lentil stew and gifting us all a cute take-home bat that we decorated with little string lights. She also had the movie “Practical Magic” projected on her living room wall during our get together. Thanks for a great night Janet.

Wynwood treats and finds. That’s the heart-shaped ring on top of the doughnut box.

Saturday Monica and I went to a Miami Spice lunch in Wynwood. I asked her to pick and she chose Otto & Pepe where they offered a nice selection for their three-course Miami Spice lunch. After that we walked around Wynwood, stopping at one of her favorite places, Voodoo Doughnut where I brought home a few choice selections that I’ve enjoyed throughout the week. I also took advantage of a clearance sale at a store in Wynwood that is unfortunately going out of business and picked up a great piece for the house and a cool heart-shaped ring. Each cost me just $10.

Jojo getting ready to blow out his birthday candle.

Our family’s beloved Jojo, my adorable great nephew, turned three on Sunday so we went to my sister Susy’s house for a Toy Story-themed birthday party. My niece Elena made the most adorable cupcakes, put out great appetizers like she always does and got him the cutest Toy Story-themed birthday cake. It was a fun mellow afternoon.

View at Antonio Maceo Park.

Ibis at the park

Rooster perched on a bench and another bird below.

Monday morning, which is when I always have to kill about an hour between dropping off Nick and doing my food rescue, I decided that instead of sitting in my car, scrolling on my phone, I’d try to find a nearby park and take a walk. I did find one, just five minutes away from Nick’s program. It’s Antonio Maceo Park, a cute little park with a nice view water view, pretty trees, a small walking trail and plenty of roosters, chickens and ducks. It was a nice diversion and I think I’ll be going back there often.

Because my friend Gema, who lives in Virginia, was in town for her high school reunion last weekend, Monica and I made plans to have lunch with her on Tuesday before she returned home on Wednesday. We met for lunch at Sirocco Mediterranean in Dania Pointe where we split several delicious small plates and enjoyed catching up and planning a girls weekend getaway in 2027.

Then last night, I couldn’t pass up attending the annual Brushes With Cancer opening reception at the Arsht Center downtown. I wrote about the event a few years ago and have been attending ever since. The program created by the organization Twist Out Cancer, pairs an artist with cancer survivors and caregivers to create an inspirational piece about their cancer journey. Click the link above to read all about it. The inspiring artworks will be on display for a month and can be viewed during the Arsht Center’s public art tours at noon on Saturdays and Mondays. I was too busy chatting with the artists and subjects of the art last night to take any pictures. I encourage you to go see them for yourself. It is an emotional experience, you will definitely be moved

Things to do…

• Miami Beach Bandshell is in full swing and with the weather improving, it’s the perfect time to catch a show at this beachfront open-air venue.

• Stop by Sweat Records and hang out with vinyl heads and hear about their planned expansion The Sweat Annex a few doors down.

• Save the Date… all you bibliophiles, the Miami Book Fair Street Festival is Nov. 20-22 at Miami Dade Wolfson Campus

• Fall festivals have started popping up around Miami, click here to read about the ones I’ve found and find one near you.

• Listen to classical music with a Latin flair/beat at the season opening concert of The Alhambra Orchestra. They perform at the FIU Wertheim Performing Arts Center or go see The New World Symphony at their New World Center on Miami Beach. Admission is Pay What You Wish. Both concerts are Saturday night, I have to give you options.

And here are some parting shots of Wednesday night’s sunset and a cute witch hat display at a house in Biscayne Park.

Now go have a great weekend, enjoy yourself, relax and soak it all in before Monday rolls around again!