Finally!

Kid Robot isn't exactly my scene, but my curiosity is increasing. We went to Miami on Friday in a second attempt to check out the store and we missed closing time, AGAIN. Kid Robot is a trendy store selling designer toys, clothing, and accessories. Their two main toys or figurines are Dunny and Munny, both of which come in an array of shapes and sizes. Artists and designers are commissioned to create Dunnys, while Munnys are sold as a "blank canvas" to anyone eager to take on a project. Visit their website for more info.

The Blank Canvas





This G really loves his MegaMunny.





Completed Munnys. My favorite is the one with the apple, based on the iconic magritte painting.

The Icing on The Cake

Family study was off to a great start this week after we treated ourselves to delicious cake brought home from Miami's Ice Box Cafe. So light and fluffy and lovely! Everything we tried was amazing, but if I was absolutely forced to choose, the strawberry cake was my favorite. Even Oprah, supreme goddess of the mass media, recognized these delectable delights as the best in America. Watch the clip and get the address on their website.

"Every Friday just about midnight, all my problems seem to disappear"

I spent a recent Friday with two of my most favorite people in Miami. We parked the car and walked Lincoln Road, Espanola Way and Ocean Drive. I know many people have mixed feelings about South Beach, but I have to say it is pretty spectacular in its own glitzy, unapologetic way. It's such a break from the normal for me. A 45 minute drive thrusts me from the gut of suburbia into pulsing city night life.

I won't recommend the restaurant where we ate. It was good, but expensive, and nothing extraordinary. We walked by this Indian restaurant after finishing dinner and it seemed the only anomaly on all of Ocean Drive. Next time.

Espanola Way is worth a stroll, simply because the aesthetic is so completely unique to its surroundings. There are no cars allowed on the street, and it is lined with Spanish bars and restaurants, serving tapas and the like. It resembles the streets of old San Juan.

We finished the night at Segafredo, a local chain coffee bar on Espanola Way. It was comfortable and they had an interesting shabby-chic atmosphere, with plush vintage furniture and candelabras dripping in the dried wax of yesterday's candles. We sat and philosophized.

Bianca provided the soundtrack for the evening…

"I need love
Cause only love is true
I need every wakin' hour with you
And my friends cause they're so beautiful
Yeah my friends they are so beautiful
They're my friends"

Why not take a Mini Road Trip?

What I'm really lusting for is an epic cross-country road trip(a la Kerouac). Until that can happen, I'm finding tasty appetizers for my insatiable wanderlust.

Yesterday we got in the car and just drove. No particular direction in mind. The sun was out, clouds were few, and it was crisp, but not cold.

The first stop was the Aero Toy Store, a showroom of revamped vintage and luxury vehicles. It's not somewhere I would think to stop, but I really enjoyed myself. The cars were pretty impressive, even for someone who is not that into cars. The store was playing oldie stations, perhaps to make the cars feel more at home, and I couldn't help but feel very sunny and cheerful. My favorite car was a classy little jag convertible, white, but not too white, with a tan interior.

Our next stop was the beach in Boca. I'm not sure what beach, but it was just off a1a. The sand was very fine and sugary and felt good beneath my feet. I admired the people swimming. I was in two sweaters and barely warm enough. Must be Canadian. Or crazy.



We kept driving, and found the Sundy House, Del Ray Beach's first mayor's abode, now a B&B and historical sight. From the outside, it's hard to tell what one is seeing. Step inside, and you step into another world. It is old Florida at it's finest- lush, colorful, and corky- a visual delicacy. They are famous for their Sunday brunch, which I have been to in the past. It is pricey, but so worth it for special occasions. Mimosas are included!

Juice and Java

I went to the restaurant Juice and Java on Thursday. It's right next to Aventura Mall (Side Note: Ruehl is going out of business on January 23rd so everything in the store is 50% off). They specialize in healthy food. A great restaurant for vegans, vegeterians, or those who eat gluten-free. The menu is HUGE so everyone can find something they like. The service is efficient and the atmosphere is casual and upbeat. Website and locations.

Hello Friends,

Blogspot has created a monster. I started a new one. Unlike this one, it has no theme, and will reflect the eclectic meanderings of my whimsical mind. Follow, Please.

A Muse Revealed

Driving along, I listened as Campbell McGrath read his poems on NPR. I don't love his work, but I like it. He presented to me a new Florida. A strange, wondrous, and exploited land. He writes of a Florida worth exploring, worth writing about, worth blogging about.

"The Orange"
An Excerpt from Florida Poems
By Campbell McGrath

Gone to swim after walking the boys to school.
Overcast morning, midweek, off-season,
few souls to brave the warm, storm-tossed waves,
not wild but rough for this tranquil coast.

Swimming now. In rhythm, arm over arm,
let the ocean buoy the body and the legs work little,
wave overhead, crash and roll with it, breathe,
stretch and build, windmill, climb the foam. Breath,

breath. Traveling downwind I make good time
and spot the marker by which I know to halt
and forge my way ashore. Who am I
to question the current? Surely this is peace abiding.

Walking back along the beach I mark the signs of erosion,
bide the usual flotsam of seagrass and fan coral,
a float from somebody's fishing boat,
crusted with sponge and barnacles, and then I find

the orange. Single irradiant sphere on the sand,
tide-washed, glistening as if new born,
golden orb, miraculous ur-fruit,
in all that sweep of horizon the only point of color.

Cross-legged on my town I let the juice course
and mingle with the film of salt on my lips
and the sand in my beard as I steadily peel and eat it.
Considering the ancient lineage of this fruit,

the long history of its dispersal around the globe
on currents of animal and human migration,
and in light of the importance of the citrus industry
to the state of Florida, I will not claim

it was the best and sweetest orange in the world,
though it was, o great salt water
of eternity,
o strange and bountiful orchard.

Click to hear Campbell McGrath read excerpts from this poem and others.

Sweat the Small Stuff (Part II)

I spent a delightfully rainy after noon at Tate's Comics about two weeks ago. Located off University Dr., the bottom floor of the store is dedicated to comic books and related items (hence the name). Bear and Bird Boutique+Gallery overlooks everything from a small loft above, and offers odd and eclectic treasures.

I browsed the Small Stuff collection hosted by Bear&Bird. There were less pieces than I had imagined. It was initially a small collection, and many pieces had been sold by the time I went. Most of them were comic oriented, which isn't exactly my thing, but might have been expected considering the venue.

I enjoyed myself and ended up buying the little piece below by Valentina Ramos. It is a 6x6x1 inch canvas and has an interesting texture as the artist covered the canvas in a collage of maps and newspaper clippings before drawing and painting over it. The ink beta fish swims in layers of blue water color. When I got the piece home and unwrapped it, I found a tiny label on the back with the title "I know where I'm going," an ironic statement at this very indecisive juncture in my life. Appropriately, the piece has found it's happy home just to the left of my front door.

The staff was so down-to-earth and excited I bought a piece of art. They were even more elated when I told them I read about their boutique in Go! magazine (Air Tran's poorly edited attempt at in-flight entertainment) while traveling. Their positive, indie, nerd energy was infectious.

I drove home quite contented. It felt most satisfying to support a family-owned and operated indie business, as well as a local artist.

www.tatescomics.com

They are always having interesting events. Follow them on their blog.

Click to check out the rest of Valentina Ramos' beautiful collection.

The fish with an ironclad grasp on his future.

Not-so-Cultured Kid (Part II)

I went to Art Basel in Miami this past Sunday afternoon. I saw so many things, it is hard to remember. Someone said the walls of the exhibit amount to the circumference of the earth in length. I believe it. I felt like an outsider looking in. Not in a bad way. I wanted to know and understand what I was seeing, yet there was little time, and scarce information given. I often found myself more intrigued by the crowd than the art work. There were so many beautiful and interesting-looking people. Where are they from? Are they artists themselves? What’s it like to be part of this subculture? Were they born into it? It all seems rather inaccessible and intimidating.

“It’s an elevator. You start going down and you keep going down and you can’t get off. But you can’t kill energy. It keeps on going.” An older blond woman with thick -rimmed glasses philosophized as we peered down into a piece constructed of mirrors and neon lights that spelled “DEATH”. An optical illusion, it seemed to go miles and miles into the earth.

Favorite Piece: Tree Constructed of Metal, Paper Mache, Feathers, and Thread

Unusual Piece: Moving Heads Constructed of I Really have no Idea

Animated Piece: Dark but Charming film by Brent Green (His display marked the first time a living self-taught artist had been given a solo exhibition at Art Basel Miami Beach.)


For the record, Beethoven lived in Vienna, not Salzburg. Thank you, Stephan.

I don't have the artists' names for the first two pieces. I understand this is lame. I'm sure artists do not like not-so-cultured kids like me.

Not-so-Cultured Kid

Art Basel started today and runs through the 6th of December. I have never been, so I don’t know what it’s like as an experience. I’m going to remedy that this weekend. More and more, I am realizing how out of the loop I am with my Community. This is what the website says:

“Art Basel Miami Beach is the most important art show in the United States, a cultural and social highlight for the Americas. As the sister event of Switzerland's Art Basel, the most prestigious art show worldwide for the past 40 years, Art Basel Miami Beach combines an international selection of top galleries with an exciting program of special exhibitions, parties and crossover events featuring music, film, architecture and design. Exhibition sites are located in the city's beautiful Art Deco District, within walking distance of the beach and many hotels.”

“The most important art show in the United States”?I will have to see for myself.

As I am clearly not an authority on this subject, here is their website for all the necessary details: www.artbaselmiamibeach.com

I’ve climbed out from under my rock. The daylight is blinding and my legs are trembling.

Sweat the Small Stuff

I'm off to class, so this will be a short post. Bear and Bird Boutique+Gallery (4566 N. University Dr, Lauderhill) is holding an exhibition featuring "affordably priced smaller artwork by local, national and international artists." I'm so there!

More info at http://www.tatescomics.com/bearandbird/

D

Star Gazing at the $wapshop

"Why is everyone yelling? Why are there so many people here? Why are those twelve-year-olds in heels?”

These are the sort of questions that cross my mind when I go to Muvico(now Cinemark) on a Friday or Saturday night. Perhaps you have wondered the same thing. Fear not. I think I have found the answer to all of our movie-going qualms.

My friend Bianca went to the drive-in movies last week, and was kind enough to take a few notes for me. The outdoor theater is at the Swap Shop (3291 W. Sunrise Blvd.) and tickets are $ 6.00 per person. Find movie times and more information here.

Positives:

• Starts right on time


• Pick your own seat or choose where to park your truck or convertible (say “goodbye” to front row, crooked necked agony).


• Control the volume of the movie from your own radio.


• Enjoy the great outdoors.


• Movies like they used to be

Negatives

• Less flexibility with movie selection and show times


• More preparation needed


• Weather dependent


• "Stranded at the drive-in…”

Helpful Hints

• Cooler weather is ideal.


• Bring a handheld radio so you don’t have to worry about leaving your car on.


• "Yes this is my pickup truck, and no I won’t take you to the drive-in movies.” Pleeeeeeeease? A pickup truck with an open bed is perfect for this venue. Stock up on blankets, sleeping bags, and hot cocoa. Back up to the screen and enjoy.


• They don’t allow you to lay on the ground, so bring lawn chairs if you don’t want to sit in the car.

Peace, Love, and Fresh Produce!

I have only ever been to a farmer’s market in Chicago, but I’m dying to go to one down here. They are a great way to spend a few hours outdoors, people watch, and support local farmers. Not to mention the numerous health benefits of organic produce.

I’ve been hearing a lot about Josh’s Organic Garden in Hollywood (Hollywood Blvd & A1A Hollywood,FL). It’s right on the beach and runs every Sunday from 9am-3pm. In my experience, it’s best to go first thing, as the selection dwindles throughout the day. I’m going to go as soon as I can, and promise to report back then.

D

Tell Me a Story...

Dear Friends and Followers,

My first post was just some of my creative “blah blah blah,” but I posted it because it’s a true story. I was relaxing in my Mom’s neighborhood pool, and a whole world unfolded before me. I am struck over and over again by the benefits of just tuning in, and trying to appreciate one’s environment.

Talk to me. Tell me what you appreciate about living in Florida and your favorite places to go: Restaurants, stores, clubs, theaters, museums, parks, road trips to take, etc. Tell me any observations or conclusions you have come to about South Florida culture and what it’s like living here.“This place sucks!” is strictly off limits, but articulate criticism is encouraged.

D