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Wynwood Walls: A Fresh-Air Expression of Local (and International) Talent

October 20, 2015 by

To visionary Tony Goldman, the blank walls of warehouses in Wynwood weren't just blank walls—they were blank canvases. In 2009, he decided to take full advantage of the empty space by leading a charge in the artistic community for local residents. "Wynwood's largest stock of warehouse buildings, all with no windows, would me by giant canvases to bring to them the greatest street art ever seen in one place," he decided.

So with Tony at the helm, artists from around the area and the world started covering the walls with colorful graffiti and street art. Even after Goldman passed away, the movement continued to grow. The outdoor art gallery has attracted masters from Brazil to Belgium, Spain to Singapore, and Greece to Germany. Explore the winding streets of Wynwood Walls yourself to see the impact that one man's bright idea made on Miami.

Wynwood Walls
2520 NW 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33127
(305) 531-4411
thewynwoodwalls.com
www.yelp.com/biz/wynwood-walls-miami

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Happy Fall!

October 15, 2015 by

With Autumn just arriving, we hope everyone enjoys all of the fun this season has to offer! Happy Fall!

Filed Under: Life at Portofino at Biscayne Apartments Tagged With:

How to Make the Perfect Apple Pie

October 9, 2015 by

New to baking? Keep these smart techniques in mind the next time you make an apple pie from scratch, and your dinner guests will be none the wiser!

  1. Keep the crust ingredients cold. One of the most important things to do while mixing and rolling your pie crust is to keep all of the ingredients cold. Your crust will only become dense and flaky if the butter is kept in chunks rather than melting, creating layers between the flour and water mixture.
  2. Use real butter. Dessert is not a time to worry about your diet. Make sure that you always use real, full-fat butter (instead of margarine or another butter alternative) to achieve the best results possible.
  3. Use your hands. While kitchen stores boast a wide variety of tools for creating the perfect pie crust, the best thing to use is your hands. Knead the dough between your fingers to get it to the perfect consistency, and don’t forget to lick your fingers to make sure that it’s not too salty or too sweet.
  4. Let the filling sit overnight. To get the best taste out of your apples, let them sit overnight with the rest of the ingredients to really draw out that lovely apple flavor.

The Food Lab's Top 9 Tips For Perfect Apple Pie [Serious Eats]
Your Grandma's Apple Pie Recipe Is Good. This One Is Better [Bon Appetit]
How to Make the Best Apple Pie Ever [Good Housekeeping]

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Taste Japanese Food in Miami at NAOE

September 30, 2015 by

NAOE Miami is a laid-back and modern Japanese dining establishment located on stunning Brickell Key Drive in Miami, Florida. The eatery is run under the guidance of Kevin Cory, an acclaimed chef who specializes in Japanese fare. Diners who are in the mood to nosh on classic Asian cuisine are sure to appreciate a meal at NAOE Miami. Seafood and sushi are two big focuses at the eatery. The decor has a subtle, streamlined and simple feel that's simultaneously attractive and "no frills."

Several examples of the delectable foods that are available on the NAOE Miami menu include mushrooms and sweet rice, marinated freshwater eel, liver of the monkfish and Maine lobster. A wide selection of sushi options are served at the restaurant, too, from unagi (eel) to uni (sea urchin) and beyond. When people are finished dining on their meals at NAOE Miami, they can also check out the dessert menu. The dessert menu consists of a variety of tasty and sweet Japanese-influenced favorites. These desserts include ice cream, Japanese spongecake and fresh fruit.

NAOE
661 Brickell Key Drive
Miami, FL 33131
http://www.naoemiami.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/naoe-miami-3

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Where to Shop Industrial-Style Furniture and Decor Online

September 28, 2015 by

Want to get in on the industrial-chic trend? You can inject the cool, hip home decor style into your space at Portofino at Biscayne with help from these popular retailers. A bit of distressed metal here, a dash of reclaimed wood there, and your cozy rental will take on the big-city loft vibe that you’ve always wanted!

Dot & Bo
Although this popular online home goods retailer is best known for its affordable selection of mid-century modern furnishings, it’s also a great resource for finding industrial furniture pieces that look like they came straight from a converted warehouse. Browse metal pendant lights, concrete planters, and even Parsons desks with perfectly weathered wood tops.

World Market
This affordable, eclectic housewares store offers an impressive selection of industrial-inspired furniture items that includes wooden beds, coffee tables on rolling casters, and metal bar carts perfect for entertaining.

Industrial Home
The name says it all at this popular online retailer. Industrial Home carries what it describes as “a vintage twist on modern industrial living,” which includes a great selection of antique-inspired light fixtures, warm leather sofas and rugged, wooden dining tables that offer that signature loft feel.

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Ceviche Recipes You Need to Taste to Believe

September 17, 2015 by

Traditional ceviche is a popular Latin American dish, but the citrus-marinated fish dish has also become popular among ethnic restaurants all over the world. It can be made with a variety of different ingredients, though the flavorful combination of raw fish and lemon or lime remains virtually the same. This trio of creative ceviche recipes is perfect for the adventurous at-home chef.

Halibut-Mango Ceviche [MyRecipes]
Mild halibut is perfectly seasoned with the sweet taste of juicy mango and the spicy kick of jalapeno in this tropical ceviche dish. It’s surprisingly easy to make, and it pairs perfectly with crispy tortilla chips or tostadas!

Coconut Lime Ceviche [Cooking Channel TV]
The meaty cubes of coconut replace the traditional fish in this unique ceviche recipe, but the tart lime juice still adds a refreshing burst of flavor. It’s also seasoned with a wide variety of herbs and spices to add an even more intense taste.

Snapper Ceviche with Chiles and Herbs [Chow]
Both lime and orange juice create a wonderfully acidic reaction with the flaky snapper in this spicy ceviche. The traditional blend of chiles and herbs is also on par with the authentic Latin recipe. Be sure to ask for a top-grade cut of fish since you’ll essentially be serving it raw.

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Performing Arts at The Adrienne Arsht Center

September 10, 2015 by

The Adrienne Arsht Center on Biscayne Boulevard in Miami, Florida is a lovely destination for those who are interested in the performing arts. If you'd love to experience a wondrous night out reveling in the joys of ballet or opera, for example, then the Adrienne Arsht Center is something you simply don't want to miss.

Many diverse events regularly take place at the esteemed Adrienne Arsht Center. These events include season openings for local orchestras, flamenco festivals and performances by circus troupes. Whether you adore Broadway, gospel music, Latin music or pretty much anything else, the Adrienne Arsht Center should have something to make you smile.

Visitors to The Adrienne Arsht Center never have to worry about beverage and food options, either. The center is home to an on-site restaurant that offers brunch buffets and prix-fixe dinners (3 courses). Check out the Adrienne Arsht Center website to learn more!

Adrienne Arsht Center
1300 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL 33132
http://www.arshtcenter.org
http://www.yelp.com/biz/adrienne-arsht-center-miami

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Happy Labor Day!

September 7, 2015 by

Wishing everyone a happy and relaxing Labor Day!

Filed Under: Life at Portofino at Biscayne Apartments Tagged With:

How to Master the Art of Conversation

August 31, 2015 by

Whether you'd like to be less shy or you want to make meaningful connections for the sake of your business, there are a number of reasons why people may want to become better conversationalists. Here are a few smart (and sincere) ways to become better at making conversation.

  1. Do some research beforehand. This may seem like a bit too much if you’re on a first date, but if you’re speaking to someone for the sake of business, it always pays off to know a few things about him or her before meeting.
  2. Really listen. Instead of thinking of the next point that you want to make—which is often very apparent to the other person—really listen to what he or she has to say. The person you’re talking to won’t mind waiting for your thoughts to catch up if it seems like you’re really engaged.
  3. Ask questions. You might even want to encourage the other person to keep talking by asking thoughtful questions. This shows that you’re interested enough that you want to know more.
  4. Keep things short. You don’t have to talk for hours to seem like a good conversationalist; in fact, both parties will likely feel relieved to leave when the conversation naturally dies down.

13 Simple Ways You Can Have More Meaningful Conversations [Forbes]
5 Secrets That Will Help You Master Conversation Skills [TIME]
Making Conversation: A Skill, Not an Art [Psych Central]

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Easy Decorating Tips Every Renter Needs to Know

August 28, 2015 by

Decorating the bare walls of your new apartment may seem overwhelming at first, but even if you’re not a professional interior decorator, you can create a magazine-worthy rental by following a few simple tips. Here are just a few smart tricks that you should know before hitting the home goods store.

  1. Incorporate storage wherever you can. Choose furniture items that contain built-in storage, and make sure to hang shelves in spaces like the kitchen or bathroom.
  2. Replace the hardware. Showerheads and drawer pulls are easy to replace to reflect your style. Hit up your local hardware store and invest in a high-pressure, filtered showerhead, and then choose kitchen and bathroom pulls in whatever style you like. You can easily switch these back once you move out.
  3. Work around a rug. Unsure about the color scheme for a room? Choose a rug first, then decorate around it since it will likely be the largest item in the space.
  4. Add temporary wallpaper. Try temporary wallpaper in a fun color or edgy pattern to create a designer-inspired look that you can easily remove.

The 10 Commandments of Rental Decor [PopSugar]
5 Easy, High-Impact Rental Decorating Ideas (That Can Move With You) [Apartment Therapy]
6 Ways to Decorate Your Rental—Without Losing the Deposit [Oprah]

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