Where to Celebrate Halloween in South Florida

One of the most expected celebrations of the year is right around the corner, and we all can see the “spooky” atmosphere taking over every store, restaurant and nightclub as the 31^st approaches. For most, Halloween usually means customs, great parties and fun events; in this article we are going to tell you how we celebrate it in South Florida and where you should go to make the best out of All Saints’ Eve.

You’ll find countless party events that are going to take place in Miami this October 31st, but there are plenty of events that you can attend with your family (children included) and where you can all have a blast during this colorful festivity. Here are the top 5 places to celebrate Halloween in South Florida:

1.      Zoo Miami Zoo Boo: one of the most popular activities in Miami for the youngest (12 years and under) during this celebration. Trick-or-treating, costume contest, and special treats for the animals are only some of the fun things to do at Zoo Miami. Fun for the whole family on Saturday and Sunday October 28 and 29.

2.      Spooky Symphony atthe Adrienne Arsht Center: for all the music lovers out there, there will be two performances of famous musical scores (Star Wars and King Kong) and creepy classics like Toccata and Fugue, Danse Macabre, and much more, on Sunday October 29 at 1:00pm and 4:00pm.

3.      Safe Trick-or-treatingat Sunset Drive: games, prizes, music, the classic trick-or-treating, free candy, and much more at Sunset Drive (SW 72nd Street) Between US 1 and Red Road (57th Avenue). Enjoy a spooky and fun evening celebrating Halloween the old-fashioned way with the youngest and, why not, get some matching family costumes.

4.      Miami Halloween Haunted Houses, Ghost Walks, and Miami House of Horror Haunted Carnival: in the Miami International Mall’s parking lot (2-acre space) 1455 NW 107th Ave, Doral, FL 33172, you’ll enjoy some creepy adventures while you enjoy some delicious Halloween-themed food, have some drinks and enjoy the fun and imaginative costumes everyone will probably be wearing at one of the main events during this celebration.

5.      Annual HalloweenParty at The Biltmore Hotel: open bar, buffet dinner, and plenty of entertainment at one of the most expected events every year during Halloween. Friday and Saturday October 27 and 28 you’ll be able to enjoy an electrifying night with a costume contest, a wonderful prize for the spookiest and best couple, and the best music, definitely a must if you are visiting us during those days.

Are you ready for Halloween?

  

Photo taken from: http://bit.ly/2xh4l6N

Tips for a Safer Home

Few things are more exciting than moving to a new home, especially if it is your first home. And when it comes to what it’s ours, our family and our loved ones, there’s no such thing as “too many” security measures. In this article, we are going to give you some tips about security and how to keep your home safe in every possible way.

Neighborhood security has always been a priority for homebuyers, right next to finding an affordable home. Recent surveys have shown that 78% of the respondents felt like it was very important to replace or rekey their new home’s lock after moving in, which might sound a little bit obvious, but until the 1990s, only 50% felt this way. What changed? Is it a rising paranoia?

Justified or not, families keep investing in security measures every year and everywhere in America. Like we said, you can’t be “too safe” when it comes to your family’s wellbeing.

If you think that your home could probably be safer, here are some tips to finally achieve that peace of mind that you’ve always wanted:

1.      Paying a monthly fee for an alarm service can be a great investment to consider. It’s worth every penny, if you ask us.

2.      Make your home look occupied even when you are away. Use timers to turn the lights and the TV on and off at different hours of the day.

3.      Use warning signs even if they are not true. A little “beware of the dog” sign can do wonders against burglars who are always looking for the weakest house. If you want to go the extra mile, placing a dog food bowl near the back door can be a great idea.

4.      Light is essential. Make sure that your house is well lit on the outside and that there are no dark spots, especially near the entrances.

5.      Get to know your neighbors, even if you are not much of a people person. Having an extra pair of eyes right outside of your property can be very useful, and in case of an emergency, you can count on their help. And if you go on vacation, you can ask them to pick up your mail so your home won’t look empty.

6.      It doesn’t matter how safe your neighborhood might appear, always keep your valuables creatively hidden.

These are some simple pointers to consider whenever you move to a new neighborhood, or if you are already established in one and you would like to make your home a safer place. Most landlords and home sellers know about the importance of security, and they are already making some improvements to their properties to capture the interest of more and better buyers. If this is an important matter to you, remember to mention it to us at Gables Riches.

Top 5: Best Latin Food Restaurants

One of the best things about cultural diversity is the food. South Florida has become a sort of meeting center for all races; a place where there’s room for everybody. Particularly, the Latino influence is taking over the culinary arts. In Coral Gables and its surroundings, you will find some of the best Latin food restaurants in the world; here are our favorites:

Jaguar Ceviche Spoon Bar and Latin Grill: this delicious restaurant mixes flawlessly Mexican and Peruvian food. Every item in the menu will take you to the roots of Latino food with a lot of flavor, fresh ingredients (some brought from South America!), and colorful attention. You won’t eat a better Ceviche, and their mouthwatering “Chupe de Camarón” (shrimp soup) will present you with a whole new set of flavors for your palate. 3067 Grand Ave, Coconut Grove, Miami, FL 33133-5170.

Talavera: this is a little piece of Latin America in Coral Gables. Mexican food there is absolutely astonishing, and it’s actually the restaurant the Latino population in Miami always chooses because it offers authentic flavors from their countries. Be amazed by their wide selection of handcrafted cocktails and delicious shots, with real Latino seasoning. Another great thing about Talavera: special meals for vegetarians. 2299 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables, FL 33134.

Doggi’sArepa Bar: if you want to know what Venezuelan food really tastes like, you need to go there. Empanadas, arepas, yuka fries, and other traditional meals are all available there, and at a more than reasonable price. You can’t miss their Cachapas (traditional corn pancake, semi-sweet, with cream and organic white shredded cheese). 1246 SW 22nd St, Miami, FL 33145.

MesaMar Seafood Table: this Cuban restaurant features some of the best seafood and Latin food in the South of Florida. Have an unforgettable lunch or dinner with a soothing and relaxing musical background where all your senses will be involved. Try their unique lobster tacos or their Ceviche with Peruvian influence while drinking Prosecco. This is one of the best reviewed Latino restaurants in the area, and it only takes one bite to understand why. 264 Giralda Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134.

PlomoTequila & Taco Bar: if you are looking for a fun place to have a delicious Mexican meal with your family or with some friends, you should definitely try Plomo Tequila. Try their delicious tacos while you watch how their staff, who are very knowledgeable about their craft, prepare and mix some of the best cocktails you’ll ever have. You’ll probably end up learning a thing or two about Latin American culture and maybe how to make some of the drinks at home.

Main picture: http://bit.ly/2xW2kgK

Decorate Your New Coral Gables Home

There are few things happier than decorating your new home; the excitement of shaping your house or your condo, filling it with color, technology, and every last piece of furniture required to express, through your home, who you are. Decorate your new Coral Gables home with these tips and with the help of the stores below.

Hiring a professional interior designer can be very expensive, and some of them don’t have the ability to translate your thoughts, emotions and feelings into actions to decorate your new place exactly the way you want to. That’s why, even if you would like to get someone’s help with this matter, there are a few things that you should know first and some concepts that you should be familiar with before getting started.

Work with a budget: knowing how much money you have to spend on furniture, painting, lamps, drapes, and every item used to decorate is actually quite important, because this way you’ll be able to make smarter choices and you’ll be able to unify more evenly every piece you decide to buy.

Don’t buy everything at once: there are certain items like couches, sofas, appliances and beds that everyone needs to buy first, but every professional designer recommends getting everything else more calmly. Shop around, get to know your local stores and what they have to offer, do online window shopping and let your entire home take the shape that you always dreamed of.

Define your color palette: knowing which colors and hues you want is essential to be able to make smart purchases at the local store. Define if you would rather have warm colors with wooden floors and furniture, or a modern, pale look with white hues and minimalistic items.

One of our favorite stores in Coral Gables is Fine Line Furniture &Accessories. You simply can’t go wrong with this boutique where you can be sure that you’ll find some of the finest pieces of furniture in the whole state. Another unbelievable boutique we always recommend to our clients is Morada HauteFurniture; Italian designs that will provide a luxurious, contemporary and cosmopolitan look to your home. On the other hand, if you are more into rustic and modern accessories and furniture, all handcrafted by professionals, Victoria’s Armoire is the perfect store for you in Coral Gables.