Issue - January 2015

The real deal 2015

A few of The Magic City’s top realtors share their insights on the state of the market and what selling homes means to them, with a couple of real estate trend predictions for the new year mixed in.

Domain Diva

Lori Anne Wardi of Neustar is helping run the critical infrastructure that makes the digital world function while creating a galaxy of highly sought-after digital real estate.

Wellness Apps

Today’s phone apps help us oversee our finances, our home and work projects, and they even tell us when it’s time to take the mini-van in for scheduled service. Why not have them also assist with your personal well-being? Here are a few options.

VIRTUAL ASSIST

Sometimes you need a special someone to hand off grueling, time-sucking tasks to so you can free up valuable time, be more productive, spend quality time with family, work on your fitness and earn a higher return on happiness. Here are a few great options to consider.

Wet Ride

Want a boat to explore Biscayne Bay and the surrounding waters or an open-top Jeep to cruise A1A? How about both? Yeah, it’s possible.

Hands of time

The claim that you can tell a person’s true age by taking a look at their hands is true. Fight the signs of time by indulging your mitts in a luxurious gulp of hydrating protection.

Fitness First

Andy Luaces of Core Fitness Miami shares his 10 years of experience training all kinds of people — from busy executives to pro athletes — to help us get the most out of our health and fitness efforts and habits.

It’s All Yours!

With so many new condominium developments nearing completion in town, it’s important to keep in mind that the turnover of these properties from the developer to the owners is perhaps the most critical phase for ensuring the association’s long-term financial well-being.

Walkable Art

Next time you’re inspired to spruce up your art collection with a jaw-dropping conversation piece or two, you might want to check out the unique — and functional — rug art offerings at Soho Design House.

Borrowed Time

Want to tell the time like a millionaire without spending millions on your collection? Adorn your wrist in style without breaking the bank with a membership to Eleven James that transcends time, space and budget.

Pedal Power

It’s time to get physical as you make your way around town with stops at all the hidden treasures and prime attractions The Magic City has to offer — and the best way to do it is with a monthly membership to the new solar-powered bike-sharing system from just-launched Citi Bike.

Guitar Guru

Classical Guitarist Mario Vuksanovic could legally change his last name to Virtuoso as his acoustic performances of everything from Delta Blues to Bachata have earned him near sage-like status.

WAKEY WAKEY

Can’t wake up? You’re not alone. Studies show that nearly half of people “abuse” the snooze. If early morning wake-ups aren’t your thing, bring one of these gadgets to the bedroom and you’ll be an early bird before you know it.

Baggage Blunders

Whether traveling for work or play, your luggage is not something that you want to lose along the way. Be sure to pack one of these in your bag to ensure a drama-free arrival of your goods.

Shhh Style

The new wardrobe boss in town wears studious glasses, rugged boots and packs a slight Venezuelan accent when she speaks. Her name is Simonett Pereira and her brainchild is Wynwood-based Style Mafia. It’s still under the radar, because that’s how she likes to run things.

Hidden Gem

E-2 Investor Visas allow an individual of a treaty country (a country with which the U.S. maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation) to be admitted to the country when investing capital in a U.S. business.

High-Voltage Heroes

Singer/Guitarist Gabriel Alcala, Bassist Danny Gonzales and Drummer Diego Monasterios are native sons earning worldwide acclaim as rock trio Jacuzzi Boys, thanks largely to live performances that are half shock, half awe.

Building Dreams

Besides helping bring big-hearted folks from around town together for a great cause, Habitat For Humanity makes the dream of home ownership a reality for low-income families all year round.

Soulful Scents

There’s no better way to ease into the baby brand new year (and our individual expectations) than to create the ideal ambiance using candles that bring balance & harmony to our lives.

Future Vroom

The latest generation of smartphones are a great example of how we rely more on technology than ever for what used to be mundane tasks — including driving around town.

Paws Party

When it comes to man’s best friend, there isn’t much we wouldn’t do to show our canine companions just how much we love them…and nothing says puppy love like the inaugural Doggy Fest at Bayfront Park.

Let’s Play Beer

The Miami Marlins have gone on vacation and left the keys to their house with the Miami Beer Festival Team whose first order of business is to bring the tailgate inside the stadium.

Virtual Realty

ArXperience 3D augments the luxury real estate buying experience with virtual reality, changing the way developers and brokers lure sophisticated buyers from around the globe.

Cruise Control

Until recently, Miami’s beer world was flat, then some adventurous brewers and restaurateurs started discovering new ways to make waves. Now they’re setting sail on Craft Beer Cruises and your presence is requested on-board.

Imagination Meets Technology

Iconic designers Konstantin Grcic & Toan Nguyen have completely revolutionized bathroom design by turning it into an artistic endeavor and working with the groundbreaking new ceramic material SaphirKeramik by Laufen.

Elegant Doral

The residences at Oasis Park Square in Doral are sophistication personified — from the sleek urbane exteriors to the open living interior plans with smooth modern lines.

Luxe Closings

Choosing the right property is stressful enough. Perland Title & Escrow Services Corp. prides itself on fast, efficient closings that keep prices low while pampering clients to the max.

Marketing Maestro

Monica Venegas sold out over 70% of Chateau Beach before the Sales Lounge was finished. So it’s no wonder Château Group has asked her to head the sales & marketing efforts for their latest ultra-luxury venture, Fendi Château Residences.

A STEP UP

Once you’ve found the perfect home, Nakkas is ready to put the rugs of royalty and celebrities at your feet. Their collection includes over 20,000 carpets and kilims, including traditional Hereke, Konya, Kayseri, Sivas and Bergama carpets.

Shot Caller

Kori Baxter has diverse experience putting her Dietetics & Nutrition degree to work slinging low-calorie shooters at Spazio Nightclub. Now armed with Massage Therapy credentials, she can cure anything that ails you.

Cray Cray

It might sound crazy, but crawfish, or crayfish, or whatever you want to call these delectable sea dwellers, are coming to Miami in a big way — all you’ve got to do is learn how to eat them right.

Rum Rebellion

Rum, the red-headed stepchild to its barrel-aged bourbon and whiskey brothers, is seeing a recovery in American drinking dens — although you might not notice the difference at a bar near you, the shift is palpable in the rest of the country and around the world.

If Walls Could speak

A haunted house, literary greats and some serious bungalow love, baby — only in Miami can you find all the aforementioned harmoniously meshing under the balmy sunrays and shaded breezes that define our magic city by the sea.

Life in Paradise

This spectacular oceanfront property at Ocean Tower II in Key Biscayne will have you saying home sweet home from the moment you set foot inside.

Life’s little hacks

Put each day to good use by adopting these new habits and editing out things that aren’t adding to your goal of achieving complete and utter happiness.

Cohabiting Bliss

The time has arrived when both of your leases are up and the timing couldn’t be better to move in together. You’re both ready to take the big leap and get a place all your own. Watch out: The web you weave can yield good or evil — find out how you can live happily ever after.

Up, Up & Away

Tibor Hollo can literally stand atop any of the scores of projects he’s developed around town and see how his vision has influenced the city in more ways than he can remember. In his 6 decades as a developer, he’s seen the market soar and crumble 9 times while his vision for the future of Miami steadily continued to materialize with prophetic accuracy. Today, he’s planning to build the tallest skyscrapers Miami has ever seen.

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Philanthropic Champions

Giving back is essential for building stronger communities, fostering empathy and inspiring the next generation. It cultivates a sense of responsibility and creates opportunities for those in need. Ultimately, it enriches both the giver and the receiver in ways that only those who experience altruism for themselves can understand.

Home Away From Home

Supporting health and wellness through lodging, meals, activities and a community of care for critically ill children and their families who need to be near a hospital for treatment, Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida.