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7 Great Yoga Studios in Boca Raton & Delray Beach
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Michele Bellisari - April 6, 2024
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Empowering Women: Reflections on International Women's Day
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16 Pros and Cons of Moving To Boca Raton
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CELEBRATE VALENTINES DAY IN BOCA RATON STYLE
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Boca Raton's Charcuterie Scene: A Flavorful Journey
#SoooBoca - January 30, 2024
Boca Raton's Pickleball Craze: Your Ultimate Guide to Joining the Fun!
Michele Bellisari - January 18, 2024
Galentine's Day | Top South Florida Creatives Have The Best Ideas For You
#SoooBoca - January 16, 2024
Lilly Pulitzer For The Florida Fashion Win
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Choosing Your Word of the Year: A Guide to Setting Intentions for Success in 2024
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We love to venture all over for good food…good crab in particular and it seemed perfectly timed to celebrate my birthday at the Rustic Inn Crabhouse in fabulous Fort Lauderdale in Broward County… Garlic Crabs for everyone! Our server was fantastic and the food was amazing! We love to experience different food spots around South Florida so check out our vlogs and reviews!
Location, Location, Location
The location is so cool with being close to the Fort Lauderdale Airport you can watch the jets landing while you enjoy your garlicky meal! You can order the World Famous Golden Crabs, World Famous Garlic Crabs, Alaskan King and Queen crabs, lobster, shrimp, fish like grouper, mahi-mahi and of course stone crab when in season which is November 15 – May 15. Never had a stone crab…it is one of life’s great foodie pleasures!
If you love clams, oysters or conch they have plenty of that as well but frankly we went for the crabs baby and my birthday celebration was in full swing…literally! The menu is huge! By the way…crazy good caesar salad and yummy glass of chardonnay to round out this delish meal! PS…if you prefer or cannot eat shellfish The Rustic Inn has steaks and burgers too!
The Rustic Inn Crabhouse is about a 30 minute ride from #SoooBoca and a straight shot south on I-95 and super easy to get to plus the parking was a breeze. Whether you are vacationing in Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Boca Raton or even Palm Beach this is a not to miss throwback seafood destination you don’t want to miss out on.
Lunch is a great time to go as traffic on I-95 is not too bad at that time of day or after 6 ish at night…we drive around South Florida alot so don’t forget to to use your map app on your phone for directions and traffic updates!
Plan to relax and take your time … enjoy the views, the company you are with and the food especially those garlic crabs sooo yummy…it truly is a special restaurant that has been around for 55 years! Don’t forget to look at the “celebrity” photos all over the walls too… a fun and nostalgic way to spend your South Florida day!
Don’t forget to click on our travel, local, foodie, real estate and calendar links for lots of local information because we are #bocalocals and #livelikelocals Follow us on Instagram stories for timely and fun posts where ever we are getting our nom nom on!
#SoooBoca xo
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Thinking of purchasing a vacation home?
Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca. Information in this post should be verified with your accountant, attorney and or financial planner as well as the state of Florida. Information in posts should be verified independently. Information deemed reliable, not guaranteed.
Every summer I enjoy discovering new books to read (or to listen to on Audible). I love to put together an annual summer reading list for myself and my friends and this year’s version is now here! I included light, biographical, coffee table and society books that may peak your interest.
So whether laying inside with the air conditioning blasting, by the pool, under a shade tree or at the beach I truly try find time to read a few choice books each summer and hope you will too.
Disclosure: The links in this post/on this page are affiliate links via Amazon and other companies and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission.
Summer Beach Reads
Finding a good book (and might I mention an old favorite) to drown yourself in is just good therapy in my opinion. I researched and crawled around the Amazon charts for some great suggestions that have great reviews that might appeal to you.
Summer Reading Ideas
Now one thing I want to point out that as a certified workaholic I try to stay away from too many business and marketing books these days, sorry not sorry.
I consume a ton of blogs, social media and vlogs on YouTube to satisfy my “learning” need so I really try to focus on light and easy reads vs something I feel the need to take notes on.
However, with that being said, I have included a few of my quick read marketing and branding books on my summer reading list that I think you will enjoy and that might inspire you in your own business or if you are considering starting a business.
The books I chose are in no particular order and I have not read them all. Just click on the links for short summaries! PS…don’t forget to peruse your local library online for lists and suggestions too!
I would love to know your choices so send me your list via Instagram direct message or a comment below! Flip your way to some sense of summer with some of these great books!
About Michele Bellisari
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Thinking of purchasing a vacation home? Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca. Information in this post should be verified with your accountant, attorney and or financial planner as well as the state of Florida. Information in posts should be verified independently. Information deemed reliable, not guaranteed.
“Often It Is What We Hold Onto That Holds Us Back” – Cheryl Richardson
Whether you are making a move or just tired of clutter, today you will get some great tips on how to declutter your house! Isn’t any season a great time to consider doing a little declutter action in your home and life…but where to begin? I have a knack for clearing the clutter quickly in my house and I love executing this quickly!
Taking one day to declutter is in my DNA and something I personally like to do and get done…thus waving at my mess and donations in the rear view mirror!
GET YOUR ROOM BY ROOM 7 DAY DECLUTTER CHECKLIST CLICK HERE
I have put together a one page easy to follow room by room declutter your home checklist for y’all by the way so you are not on your own! You can do this in a day or you can tackle one room per day for an hour and be done in 7 days!
As I mentioned I am a declutterer and tidier by nature in my own life, home, car and real estate business so when Marie Kondo started popping up on my Twitter feed I had to see what all the buzz was about and I am so glad that I did!
PS…if you are thinking of selling your home any time soon once you de-clutter, use what you have left to stage your home!Check out this video for some great tips on that! Get Your Home Value Today!
“Does it spark joy?”
This is the question that Marie Kondo, decluttering sensation and author of the No. 1 New York Times best-selling book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up”, poses to her followers. She is the founder of KonMari Media, Inc. and has a show on Netflix called “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo”. This is a great new binge to watch and learn from. You will be enhanced, charmed and pulled into her philosophy of organization and decluttering for a happier and more simplified life.
The Home Edit
This Netflix sensation is fantastic if you need ideas on how to organized and declutter your house. Think organizing with a dash of design and style and you have some beautiful inspiration to make your home amazing with pops of color and function! From freezer organization to holiday decor you will love checking out their blog for tips and ideas!
Getting Started
Less is more. Period. A few years ago when we had to store household items in a portable storage unit we ended up giving away, selling or throwing out over 60 percent of it. Out of sight, out of mind is what happened. Who knew we were already KonMarieing!
I find starting with small spaces like my master bathroom is a great place to begin. I recently went through my drawers and under that sink and threw out tons of stuff, picked up some organizing drawers and got rid of old makeup (ladies you know what I am talking about…samples, expired items, yucky eyeliner and icky makeup sticks).
At the end of the day the simplest way to clear the clutter and bring good energy into your living space includes, as Kondo suggests, to “take an inventory of what you have” dump it all in one room and then see what “sparks joy” and remove the rest. In other words as she implies, “We should be choosing what we want to keep, not what we want to get rid of.” Brilliant!
Don’t Forget These Places
Bedside Tables – Those drawers are full of stuff, organize and put only what you will use there. Think face wipes, emory board, notepad, pen, any sort of things that are essential to you.
2. Under Your Bed – They say putting things under your bed is not Feng Shui and frankly it collects dust. Get rid of the crap!
3. In Those Storage Benches – Nice try! If it truly is a great use of space (which it is in our home) then use them, if not, you know what to do!
4. Sheds – I have never met a shed yet that is not a cluttered mess. Go through that and keep what you need and toss or donate the rest.
5. Bathtub/Shower – Just sayin’. You know who you are.
I Never Thought About These
Branded items in your home like liquid soap and shampoo bottles create “visual clutter” in our lives. How can you fix this? Simple…decant what you have into clear pump bottles and containers. Kondo says, “By eliminating excess visual information that doesn’t spark joy, you can make your space much more peaceful and comfortable.”
Everything should have a place. Meaning if you cannot put it away easily you probably need to make some changes.
Living in an event heavy community like Boca Raton and Palm Beach County means “swag bags”. My goal is to appreciate the bag but not bring it home. Thanks to “thinking like Marie Kondo” I only take what I need from my bag and I leave it behind for the organization to reuse again.
Lack of Space? Get Creative
I think everyone has a pain point in their home or apartment and mine is a lack of closet space or a fabulous walk in closet. Couple that with no basement (South Florida probs) and only a garage for additional storage and the need to declutter is real.
I am always looking for creative ways to store items I truly need without cluttering up my actual living space. From shoe organizers, decorative boxes, under the bed storage, racks and benches that can store seasonal items like sweaters I have found there are great ideas on Pinterest and YouTube that can help you find some smart storage suggestions.
GET YOUR ROOM BY ROOM 7 DAY DECLUTTER CHECKLIST CLICK HERE
Alternative Decluttering Methods
Lastly another method of decluttering I have used is the four box method. Super simple in which I get four boxes and use one box for donations, one for what you are going to keep, one for trash and one for storage.
If the direction you are heading may be exploring minimalism, which is a cool mindset by the way, then check out The Minimalist Home.
National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO)
I would love to hear about your organizing and decluttering successes! Once you start if you are like me you will be on a mission to clear that clutter and simplify your life! PS…Don’t forget to get your declutter checklist!
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials.
Boca Raton Is An Amazing Place To Live, Work and Play
My name is Michele Bellisari and I am the Founder of #SoooBoca®Lifestyle & Real Estate. One of the things I love to share with the world is the Boca lifestyle!! As a long time resident, I can tell you there is nothing like living in Boca Raton! There is something for everyone here in Boca Raton!
I started this website as a love letter to the city of Boca Raton and South Florida so I could share things to do, places to go, businesses to see, restaurants to visit, hidden gems, hotspots, events, real estate and more with visitors and residents!
I love discovering and sharing all aspects of the Boca lifestyle, from fabulous foodie finds, new and established businesses, thrifting options, beaches, boating, parks, events, holiday and business roundups and more right here in Boca and South Florida!
Ask Michele Bee
If you need recommendations for things to do in Boca Raton, places to go, hotels to stay at or even your next daycation, shoot #SoooBoca® an email or text! I love to share my faves!
If you have happened upon this blog because you are considering a move to Boca Raton or South Florida grab my relocation guide and begin your search for properties under the real estate tab! If you are thinking of selling, I have resources for you too under that same tab!
Boca Raton and South Florida is a marvelous place to live, work and play! I raised my family here and love where I live! Get ready to explore and if you have a fun find, share it with me so I can highlight it on the #SoooBoca® Instagram account or Facebook page!
Thanks for being part of the Boca Raton community and welcome to #SoooBoca®
About Michele Bellisari
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Thinking of purchasing a vacation home? Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca. Information in this post should be verified with your accountant, attorney and or financial planner as well as the state of Florida.
“Breakfast is everything…at least in the #SoooBoca world! There is something extra special about going out for breakfast with friends and family and lucky for us, some of the BEST breakfast spots in Boca Raton and South Florida are located right here; we don’t have to go far. Check out where to get breakfast in Boca Raton and hit up some of our favorites. Oh and for you “coffee or tea” only for breakfast…check out coffee spots in Boca Raton and Delray Beach we love!
Located in Royal Palm Place, this restaurant specializes in breakfast. No wonder it’s one of our fave breakfast spots in Boca! The menu is HUGE and offers the perfect array of both sweet and savory items. If you are hoping to indulge…..look no further; the options are endless. We are fans of both the croissant french toast and the eggs benedict. And, we love that they offer a breakfast flight; you can select three of their yummy pancakes. It’s perfect for when you can’t make a decision. Finally, we rate their beverage selection, including cocktails, an A+.
If you haven’t been here yet…..run, don’t walk, for a spectacular breakfast. Keke’s is known for its super-fresh and always delicious offerings. If you are in the mood for some awesome stuffed french toast, this is the place to be. Their menu includes the full array of breakfast items including waffles and pancakes and a host of egg dishes. The Boca restaurant is on Palmetto Park Drive east of 95 in the old K-Mart plaza. It’s a great place to grab breakfast on your way to the beach!
Talk about the perfect name for a great breakfast spot in Boca, Yolk is known for its creative menu, private label coffee, and generous portions. It has become a favorite of locals and visitors alike. Just watching their food come out of the kitchen makes our mouths water. Don’t believe us, check out their Instagram feed. As would be expected, the egg offerings are extensive. You can customize your omelet or choose from one of their specialties. (The kale scrambler is a #Soooboca favorite.) Finally, we love that they offer a “sweet single” a single piece of one of their yummy treats! Breakfast should always have dessert right??
Locally, Tom Sawyer’s is synonymous with breakfast. And for good reason; they have been serving breakfast in Boca Raton for 32 years! With over 100 dishes on the menu, there is something for everyone. Known for their “breakfast in a pot” and “breakfast skillet”, this spot is also praised for its homemade baked biscuits and pastries. Everything is always fresh, hot, and delicious. If you are looking for something sweet, try cinnamon bun french toast. It’s spectacular. To be honest, we suggest dining with a friend. One of you go sweet, the other savory…and share. It is the best of both worlds. If you haven’t been to Tom Sawyer’s for breakfast, plan to go!
It would simply be wrong of us not to include Bagelworks in our list of breakfast favorites. Some of us truly believe that bagels are the perfect food! You can really have a bagel for breakfast, lunch or dinner LOL! This spot, located on Glades Road, is well-known and well-respected as one of the best spots for a yummy breakfast. Their breakfast menu includes freshly baked bagels, breakfast wraps, sweet options (including waffles and pancakes), and eggs. And, don’t forget the always fresh and yummy delicacies like lox and salmon. Everything here is consistently good. Take our advice, grab a dozen bagels and some cream cheese on your way out for the rest of your family. They’ll be eternally grateful!
Open 7 days a week, from 8:00am – 3:00pm, Boca Beach House serves breakfast….. beach style. Breakfast tacos and banana bread french toast are two great options on their broad based menu. And, how’s this for innovation — you can order a side of nutella for any of your griddled treats. Who doesn’t want to eat at a restaurant that knows the value of Nutella! Make it a point to meet a friend for breakfast here, you’ll be glad you did.
When a restaurant shares that they offer “authentic French food and baked goods” we simply cannot resist a visit. Brunch at this local gem is not to be missed. In fact, just reading the menu makes our mouths water. The sweet waffles are an indulgent treat. Take our advice and stop by the bakery and bring home some scrumptious treats for later. You’ll be glad you did.
For you donut lovers out there, you have to check out Duck Donuts over at Polo Club Shoppes! They love to create donuts and smiles and boy do they have a great menu! They have made to order donuts, featured donuts and special occasion donuts yum! Couple that with their fresh coffee and you are ready to run and do your deals in heels! This fun donut stop started in Duck, North Carolina and ps…Quack gives back so if you are a local non profit connect with them!
If you haven’t been to Flakowitz have you even been to Boca? This place is an institution. Take the word of their many loyal followers and put this spot on your “must eat at” list. Specializing in “Jewish Deli” favorites, breakfast is hearty and yummy. And, it’s our favorite spot for Mazto Brie (that delicious fried combination of matzo and eggs that you can top with syrup or sugar, and butter). Honestly, don’t wait for Passover, order it today!
This Boca Italian espresso bar has lovely indoor and outdoor seating, perfect for breakfast. When you visit it FEELS like your dining in Europe. They have a full array of baked goods, spectacular oatmeal and, even a “Tuscan Sensation Every Day Brunch” when you want to relax and indulge. Enjoy a relaxing breakfast with friends or family here.
Welcome to The Griddle, an amazing coffee shop on Spanish River Boulevard. In operation since 1945, this restaurant is part of the history of Boca. If you live here, you know full well how spots, especially restaurants, fall in and out of favor. The longevity of The Griddle speaks volumes. We have been known to order, and of course share, biscuits and gravy and the corn beef hash…oh my! Their breakfast is comfortingly traditional and always hot and delicious. Stop by and try it out; we bet you will be back for more!
Oh boy! If you love pancakes…and we love em! We always took our girls here when it first came to Boca! Still a fan fave for many, this is the place to be! PS…if you love crepes too they have an amazing selection! As per their website The Original Pancake House was founded in Portland, Oregon in 1953 by Les Highet and Erma Hueneke. Drawing upon their many years of experience in the culinary field, and their extensive working knowledge of authentic national and ethnic pancake recipes they were able to offer without compromise this unique and original menu which has gained national acclaim.
We love the vibe at First Watch and the fact they have sooo many options to choose from! Located over on St. Andrews, they offer healthy options like the ever popular avocado toast, to omelets and frittatas to power bowels and egg-sclusives! Fresh and fab they serve breakfast, brunch and lunch!
Smoothies
Breakfast Thoughts
Clearly, we don’t have the time, or space, to share all of the phenomenal breakfast spots in Boca. My goodness, we’d be here all day. That said, feel free to comment and share your favorites, along with why you love them. We’re always looking for someplace new and yummy in South Florida. It’ll be our excuse to go out, once again, for breakfast!
Are You In The Mood For Brunch In Boca Raton?
Well here is a little reminder…if you want to find the best brunch in Boca Raton, many of the breakfast spots we mention offer that as well! Craving a refreshing Mimosa or spicy Bloody Mary? You can also brunch at Oceans 234, Louie Bossi in Boca and Waterstone Resort and Marina!
PS…do you have breakfast for dinner? Inquiring minds want to know! This may or may not include pizza, so check out our blog post on where to get great pizza here!
About Michele Bellisari
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Thinking of purchasing a vacation home? Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca. Information in this post should be verified with your accountant, attorney and or financial planner as well as the state of Florida. Information in posts should be verified independently. Information deemed reliable, not guaranteed.
Disclosure: This post contains Amazon and other retail affiliate links. If you purchase I will earn a small commission from these companies. Shopping through these links helps support my business. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
If you are thinking it is time to get out of the winter and get down to South Florida, I have another hidden gem for you! As a lifestyle blogger and Realtor, there is nothing I enjoy more than exploring these hidden gems in South Florida. Lets visit Highland Beach!
Did you know that when you head east on Spanish River Blvd towards A1A, and hang a left to go north, that you are heading into Highland Beach? Yup!
Take A Tour With Me
This is a cozy residential strip along the beach, with amazing views of luxury homes and high end condos on both the east and west side of the road.
The Town of Highland Beach is 1.1 square miles, has it’s own police department, library and water services and the median home price is $591,500. Highland Beach real estate is higher end and if luxe is on your radar this is the place to be. If you think you might be in the market lets chat by the way,
Easy to get to, as it is between Fort Lauderdale International Airport and Palm Beach International (or if you fly private, Boca Raton Airport).
Friends and Food
I am fortunate to have friends that live in Highland Beach and always enjoy an invite to hang at the pool and beach. One of my friends has a great “deck” where we enjoy the view of the ocean, sea life and windsurfers from. And yes, sipping on something fun like Prosecco and enjoying a charcuterie board with local delights including smoked fish dip (check out Old Dixie Seafood for that delicious snack).
Highand Beach is a very relaxing community to visit and live in. The properties are mostly on the beach or intracoastal waterway. There are a variety of options if you choose to rent there or you want to purchase. Many of the people that live in Highland Beach are part time.
If you love to dine out, Delray Sands Resort is a great place to have cocktails, brunch and stay for vacation. We have had so many great times there and the views are simply stunning!
The sunrises from the beaches are amazing + many of the properties in Highland Beach also have a west view for some colorful sunsets too!
The proximity to Delray Beach and Atlantic Ave is fantastic. Literally a short bike ride or Uber to all things happening just to the north of Highland Beach. Restaurants like Bostons on the Beach and Deck 84 by the beach or on the water, art shows and out door events are happening at any given time.
To the immediate south, you have all things Boca Raton! From Mizner Park, to Town Center Mall, lets face it, world class shopping in Boca! To the Boca beaches and parks which are fantastic, all kinds of restaurants to choose from and plenty of out door activities to choose from. PS…you can also join The Boca Raton Club if you like the feel and style of a country club, enjoy tennis, golf and a social membership.
If you buzz further south past Boca, you have Deerfield Beach at your finger tips! Gotta love all that is there to enjoy! From the pier, the restaurants like Oceans 234, The Cove and Whales Rib, the shopping including Island Watersports, Target (no, we don’t have one in the city limits of Boca Raton), and some great thrifts including the Goodwill Superstore. Check out 18 Cool Things To Do In Deerfield Beach here on the blog!
Making A Move To Highland Beach
The great thing about Highland Beach is that it is less hectic and touristy then some of the other cities here in South Florida. It is fairly quiet and almost 100% residential, as there are no retail stores at all along that A1A stretch.
You have the best of both worlds when you live in Highland Beach. The quiet and sereneness of a small town feel with access to big city life from Miami, Fort Lauderdale to Palm Beach!
About Michele Bellisari
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Thinking of purchasing a vacation home? Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca. Information in this post should be verified with your accountant, attorney and or financial planner as well as the state of Florida. Information in posts should be verified independently. Information deemed reliable, not guaranteed.
Lets face it there are a million things to do in Palm Beach county and here is just another example of a daycation, staycation or vacation right in our beautiful South Florida community!
Check out this link for more things to explore and do!
From the beaches to the parks not to mention shopping and exploring there is something for everyone in Boynton Beach!
Not to mention that we have many people visiting and Boynton Beach real estate is hot, hot, hot! From beach front condos to 55+ communities you can search here for your dream home.
An quick trip from Boca or Palm Beach the city of Boynton Beach is truly in the heart of Palm Beach county and super easy to get to with both the Florida Turnpike and I-95 having exits into the city.
Take A Drive
Or you can take an leisurely drive up or down A1A by the fabulous Atlantic Ocean on the east side of town and enjoy one of the parks or the beach with a cooler full of snacks, sandwiches and drinks.
Disclosure: The links in this post/on this page are affiliate links via Amazon and other companies and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission.
Boynton Beach has a cool art and culture vibe from music, to art in public places to the children’s museum. If craft beer is your thing you can visit local breweries as Boynton Beach has some great options for you!
Beaches in Boynton
One of our favorites spots is Boynton Beach beaches…yes you read that right!
If you are beach person then you have to swing by Oceanfront Park if you want to coordinate a picnic or just hang out at the beach. It is gorgeous!
Another great spot is Gulfstream Park...truly a beautiful beach location to relax and enjoy our amazing South Florida weather!
One of #SoooBoca’s favorite things to do is head over to some of the waterfront restaurants by the Intracoastal to eat, drink and watch the boats go by.
Some of our foodie favorites include Two Georges, Prime Catch and of course Banana Boat. Sometimes we get to see the fresh fish that has been caught by the local fisherman.
Ready to go fishing in Boynton Beach? You can go drift boat fishing on the Sea Mist III. Speaking of fish we love mahi mahi and snapper so consider ordering that if it is on the menu that day at any of the local restaurants!
Love the History
The city of Boynton Beach has a ton of history too and you can buzz by the Boynton Beach Historical Society for lots of fun and interesting facts about this unique beach side town!
Take a ride by NOMAD Surf Shop for a real piece of history and if you want to learn how to surf! Right over the Woolbright bridge on A1A. I have some fond memories of running up there in high school for some OP shorts, tops and bathing suits!
Seaside Deli and Market is right next door so grab some fabulous sandwiches for your beach picnic…freshly made to your liking!
We know you will enjoy spending some time shopping, playing and eating around Boynton Beach! Love to hear some of your favorite spots to visit while you are there!
Oh and by the way there are some fabulous golf courses in Boynton Beach too if you love to hit the links!
Golf Courses in Boynton Beach and The Palm Beaches
Don’t forget about The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Refuge a gorgeous location for wildlife and birding. This is a 147,392-acre wildlife sanctuary that is located west of Boynton Beach, in Palm Beach County, Florida.
As you can see there are tons of things to do in Boynton Beach at any given day or time. We would love to some of your favorite spots and locations so send us a message!
☀️Moving to Boynton, Delray or Boca click here or if you are leaving our beautiful area then click here.
Here are a few other posts you may enjoy for more about our fabulous South Florida area!
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Thinking of purchasing a vacation home? Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca. Information in this post should be verified with your accountant, attorney and or financial planner as well as the state of Florida. Information in posts should be verified independently. Information deemed reliable, not guaranteed.
If you are thinking of purchasing a home or you just purchased a home then you want to find out and make sure you file get all the great facts on our Florida Homestead Exemption and see if you qualify to take advantage of it!
(Courtesy the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Office)
Welcome to Homestead Exemption online filing. My office is pleased to provide this service to new homeowners in Palm Beach County.
Homestead Exemption can provide significant property tax savings, and this interactive system will walk you through the qualifications and application process. Many other exemptions are also available through our office. At this time, we ask that qualified seniors, disabled veterans and other disabled persons visit us in person to file for those additional exemptions.
Where To Get Started
Dorothy Jacks, CFA, AAS Palm Beach County Property Appraiser
In order to begin your filing process you will need to:
Gather necessary documentation establishing your qualifications to file.
On the last business day in the month of December, the Property Appraiser’s Office mails a pink and white homestead exemptionreceipt card to every property owner in Palm Beach County with a homestead exemption. If there are no changes to the use and/or ownership of the property, simply keep the card as your receipt that you have been automatically renewed for another year. However, if there is a change to ownership due to a sale, marriage, divorce, death, or change in property use, call our office at 561.355.2866 or email us at MyExemption@pbcgov.org.
The E-File process now allows for taxpayers who have recently purchased their property to file for Homestead Exemption, even if their deed has not been recorded and/or uploaded into our database. Simply begin the process by requesting a PIN and follow the simple instructions. Please know your Homestead Exemption Application will be in a Pending status until your deed is recorded and transferred into our database. When this occurs, your application will be submitted automatically and reviewed for processing.
Filing For Portability
You may now file for Portability while using the on-line filing system. Portability is an additional tax savings to residents moving from one home to another within the State of Florida. At the end of filing for Homestead Exemption, you will be asked if you wish to file for Portability.
The PAPA website is full of information for home buyers and homeowners in our county so take advantage of all the information you can get from it.
More Information About South Florida Real Estate and Lifestyle
So now you know! If you want to learn more about our beautiful Boca Raton and South Florida lifestyle follow #SoooBoca on Instagram and check out some of our other articles, podcasts and videos!
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Thinking of purchasing a vacation home? Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca. Information in this post should be verified with your accountant, attorney and or financial planner as well as the state of Florida. Information in posts should be verified independently. Information deemed reliable, not guaranteed.
We have always loved what Boca Raton Airport has to offer in regard to flying options! Did you know you can fly into Boca Raton just as quickly as you can fly out! The airport is rich with history and has been part of Boca Raton since 1936.
With so many global businesses and headquarters based in and around Boca Raton, it makes it very easy for executives to fly private in and out of Boca Executive Airport or as “locals” call it Boca Exec!
If you have thought about relocating your business or making a move to Boca, having a hyper local airport nearby can be very convenient. South Florida is a moving magnet these days and businesses and people are moving here in droves for a variety of reasons.
Perhaps you have a meeting here, want to fly in for a Miami Dolphins or FAU football game, attend a concert or fly over to the Bahamas for a beautiful vacation to fish, snorkel or dive? How cool is it that you could fly into Boca Raton Airport.
Entertaining guests or your business associates for the weekend? Charter flights make for a quick weekend getaway to enjoy our Boca Raton beaches, world class shopping, amenities and to have a fabulous dinner with friends!
No matter what the reason, Boca Raton Airport is convenient and well located to all things South Florida.
PS…the airport sits right off of Airport Road, I-95 and Spanish River. I love to watch planes of all types taking flight and landing daily with that gorgeous Boca blue sky and FAU Football stadium as a backdrop.
The Airport encompasses 214 acres between Spanish River Boulevard and Glades Road. The Airport’s runway 5/23 is 6,276 feet long and 150 feet wide, with a full-length 40-foot wide parallel taxiway.
The Boca Raton Airport serves the recreational, corporate, and flight training needs of the community, averaging over 70,000 operations annually.
FAA Contract Tower located on the field. The Tower is open daily from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Two full-service Fixed Based Operators (FBOs) are located at the Airport. Each FBO offers a range of amenities, such as fueling, ground handling, aircraft storage, conference rooms, catering, and limousine service.
Onsite Customs and Border Protection facility (coming soon) enabling international flights to fly directly into the Boca Raton Airport instead of first stopping at another airport to go through customs.
Did you know…that during WWII, Boca Raton Airport served as a base for air-sea patrol, and a weigh station for planes being ferried to Europe?
Things To Do in Boca Raton
Jetting off is as easy as 1, 2, 3 when flying out of Boca Raton Airport — no security delays, no two hour wait times, no crowds and most importantly no TSA!
Choose from a list full of carriers HERE, that best suit your needs. If you are just staying for the night, there’s a hotel right on site at the recently renovated Marriott Fairfield Inn and sever more close by.
If you are in need of some entertainment then head over to Cinemark Palace 20 to catch the latest flick, or catch an Uber or Lyft to shops and dining of Downtown Boca, Atlantic Ave or the Town Center Mall. This “fly private” idea is sounding better and better isn’t it!
10 Reasons to Fly Private
Convenience
Time Saving
Reduced Stress
Privacy
Flexibility
No long security lines
Food choices
Life Balance
Makes Sense for Your Business
Cuz you can (okay we threw this one in but seriously are we right or are we right)
We have a variety of options for you as you can head up to Palm Beach or down to Fort Lauderdale International to travel. However be sure to find out how Boca Raton Executive Airport can meet your needs as well.
Check this informative video out below and if you want more tips on what to do in #SoooBoca check out our YouTube channel!
Some references provided via Boca Raton Executive Airport site. Please contact airport, carriers and any referenced businesses for the most up to date information.
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Thinking of purchasing a vacation home? Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca. Information in this post should be verified with your accountant, attorney and or financial planner as well as the state of Florida. Information in posts should be verified independently. Information deemed reliable, not guaranteed.
Breast cancer screenings are important. This undisputed fact is regularly shared by medical professionals, the media, family, and friends. When breast cancer is diagnosed early, recovery is significantly more likely.
Dense Breasts
However, did you know that women with dense breasts are at a higher risk for breast cancer? And that detection can be more challenging? Many women may be unaware that they have dense breasts and uninformed regarding issues they may need to know.
What Are Dense Breasts?
According to the CDC, “Breast density reflects the amount of fibrous and glandular tissue in a woman’s breasts compared with the amount of fatty tissue in the breasts, as seen on a mammogram.”
As per the National Cancer Institute, “Only a mammogram can show if a woman has dense breasts. Dense breast tissue cannot be felt in a clinical breast exam or in a breast self-exam.”
Research Indicates Nearly 50% Of Women Age 40+ Have Dense Breasts
Breast density can affect the radiologists ability to distinguish between healthy tissue and tumors. This may lead to unidentified cancer and a lack of important follow up testing. Women with dense breasts are advised to schedule breast ultrasounds or MRIs in addition to their regular mammograms.
The Breast Center at West Boca Diagnostic Imaging
Those of us who live in the area are incredibly fortunate to have West Boca Medical Center in our community, on 441 between Palmetto Park Road and Glades Road. Among many of its services, The Breast Center at West Boca Diagnostic Imaging, a top notch diagnostic breast imaging center, is right here in central Boca Raton at The Garden Shops at Boca Del Mar, 7070 W Palmetto Park Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33433.
In fact, The Breast Center at West Boca Diagnostic Imaging has been named a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence from the American College of Radiology. Among the breast health screenings they provide are breast MRIs, breast ultrasounds, diagnostic imaging, and mammograms. The breadth of their services illustrates their continued commitment to the health of our community.
Are you wondering how much you know about breast cancer? Take the quiz! West Boca Medical Center has a 3-4 minute breast cancer quiz on their website that you can take to be more informed.
As we end a year and begin another new one, please take a few minutes to schedule your mammograms. As a matter of fact schedule all of those doctor appointments you my have put off due to what ever the reason. Lets make a pinky swear that by December 31st, you will have scheduled your appointments, especially your mammogram!
Sponsored: This post was sponsored by West Boca Medical Center. All opinions expressed in this blog post, vlogs, emails and social media are my own. Please reach out directly to the sponsor in regard to facts and information provided about their service or business. I have been compensated, but that does not impact my views or opinions. Information is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.
Boca Raton Podcast
About Michele Bellisari
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Thinking of purchasing a vacation home? Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca. Information in this post should be verified with your accountant, attorney and or financial planner as well as the state of Florida.
This mother daughter squad loves fashion, beauty, home decor and thrifting and will tell you that shopping in Boca Raton by far one of the best cities with some of the most unique and amazing stores to be found in the world!
Boca Raton has options for every personality and budget and typically most stores and shops are open 6 – 7 days a week.
We would love to know some of your favorite shopping spots and boutiques to share with our followers so send us an email so we can explore what you adore.
Don’t forget to visit the Community Links page for calendars of all types of events around Boca Raton and sunny South Florida.
That includes art fairs, festivals and events that are a ton of fun and happen throughout the year!
Shopping in Boca Raton is a unique experience and you can truly make a weekend vacation out of shopping at some of the most interesting stores in the world found right here in South Florida.
Podcast
About Michele Bellisari
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out!
Thinking of purchasing a vacation home? Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca.
Information in this post should be verified with your accountant, attorney and or financial planner as well as the state of Florida.
We are super excited for the 2021 ESPN Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl that will be played on December 18 at 11 am EST at FAU Stadium! As a community captain since the inception of the “bowl”, my entire family has had so much fun attending all of the events leading up to the game and the game itself!
As a local Realtor and long time Boca resident we are sooo fortunate to have this annual December football tradition to celebrate here in Boca Raton!
The Boca Raton Bowl is an annual National Collegiate Athletic Association sanctioned post-season Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football bowl game played in Boca Raton, Florida, since December 2014 at FAU Stadium on the campus of Florida Atlantic University.
This Year’s Teams
For the 8th Annual Boca Raton Bowl, we have a great match up this year with Western Kentucky University and Appalachian State set for game day! We welcome these teams, their friends and family to Boca Raton and Palm Beach county.
Interview With Doug Mosley
Today I have the unique pleasure of interviewing Doug Mosley, Executive Director of “the bowl”. Doug is a great friend to the community and today we talk all things college football, the Boca Raton Bowl, Spirit of Giving, Fan Fest, Women Changing The Game and events surrounding the game!
PS… if you don’t know, Doug is a BBQ aficionado too, so as a local foodie you know we talk a little barbeque too!
Doug Mosley Executive Director of the Boca Raton Bowl
Catch The Full Interview On The #SoooBoca YouTube Channel
#SoooBoca Stories Podcast
You can also catch the interview on the podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Buzzsprout and iHeart Radio! Click here!
The bowl games begin on December 17th culminating in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game 8 p.m. | ESPN Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, so check out all the games happening and plan your time, food and fun accordingly!
About Michele Bellisari
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Thinking of purchasing a vacation home? Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca. Information in this post should be verified with your accountant, attorney and or financial planner as well as the state of Florida. Information in posts should be verified independently. Information deemed reliable, not guaranteed.
A few years ago, the time had come to pick out white paint for the interior of our home. We had a major water issue that happened and thus we had to gut the floors, living and kitchen areas of our home. We had to choose tile, cabinets and paint for our home.
When something like this happens, you really are not prepared to make so many choices as to what look you want to go with. Luckily, I had a pretty good idea of the feel and vibe and I also started a Pinterest board to help me get organized.
Family Affair
My husband and I really collaborate well on house and home projects, as he grew up in the plumbing industry, and I studied interior design for about a minute in college before I switched my major to advertising. We both like neutral walls as we add pops of color and coastal accessories to give our house a beachy feel. The project lasted a few months and frankly, the biggest challenge I had was choosing the right paint. It was overwhelming.
Aesthetics To Consider
My design feel for our home is beachy elegant with a Florida Keys vibe, so I prefer white walls so I can play around with pictures, change my furniture at whim (thank you bulk Mondays, thrift stores and garage sales), and I just think it suits our “beach house” not on the beach home really well for us.
We also have a ton of color coming in the windows via palm trees, blue skies and our pool which we see from all our main rooms.
So Many Choices
With that being said I was in cool or warm white hell…do we go with Roman Column or Eggshell? Did we want a white paint that is more beige, grey, pink or yellow? What is a hue vs a tint? Where do we even paint some walls to see how the “sunlight” glints off of the colors?
Thankfully the interweb came to the rescue and Pinterest, which is a haven for great ideas and trends and also made me realize there is no shame in going neutral…phew…as I was sweating it out on that one:
Flooring and Deals
The other kicker is that we had flooring picked out before our paint, so moving a 24 x 24 inch polished marble sample around from room to room to see how the paint looked against it was the other big challenge and frankly was making the husband cranky. Those tiles are freaking heavy!
By the way…definitely shop around for flooring! I got a crazy good closeout price at a tile place in Pompano Beach and negotiated it down even more! We are fortunate here in South Florida to have so many amazing flooring, paint, home decor, design centers in the Tri-County area. You can literally shop from Miami to the Palm Beaches. It is fantastic!
Sound Advice From An Expert
I participate in a great real estate mastermind daily on the Clubhouse App. The conversation recently turned to why a seller should paint before listing a home, colors to use and the value it can add. Many agents, like Atlanta Realtor Glennda Baker, Virginia Beach Realtor Megan Luker, and designer Bridget King chimed in to share their thoughts and ideas on best practices and colors they recommend to their clients.
After our group discussion, I reached out to Bridget for some thoughts on painting, especially since sellers always ask if a fresh coat of paint will add value to their home sale.
“The RIGHT paint colors can boost your home’s value. Paint is the most cost effective investment for the biggest return on the value of your property. Interior painted is said to bring a 55% ROI. Select warm and neutral colors that work with all styles of homes and furnishings.”
Bridget is the founder and owner of Captiva Design, is the current President of the South Florida Chapter of International Association of Professional Home Stagers. She is the first African-American woman to hold such a prestigious position governing the Florida Southern Region. Bridget is an Accredited Home Staging Professional, and Certified Interior Decorator.
Choosing The Perfect Color
So although we were challenged on the paint front, we both make decisions rather quickly. I am the type of person that even when car shopping, can narrow it down pretty quickly and choose the “one”. Same thing with the paint. Once we figured out about 5 colors, tested them on a few walls in the house, we knew what we wanted. See our choice at the end of this blog post.
Get Your 2022 Color of The Year Lists Here
Since everyone has an opinion on brands. I have highlighted a few here that you may want to peruse.
Apartment Therapy has that answer for you! Did you know that companies have people and teams specifically tasked to come up with fabulous paint names. Some names are trendy, some romantic, some quirky, some fun, some dark and some classic. One company even has an accompanying playlist on Spotify to get you in the mindset and spirit of painting your rooms!
10 White Paint Color Faves
A tried and true list of white paints to consider include: White Dove, Super White, Chantilly Lace, Crisp Linen from Benjamin Moore, Extra White, Alabaster and Mercer White from Sherwin Williams, Design Studio White by Ralph Lauren, Polar Bear by Behr 75, Wimborne White No. 239, Farrow & Ball and Fresh Kicks from Clare, to name a few!
Lastly
If you are stuck in 50 Shades of White Paint hell…no worries… there is a white shade of paint for every personality and taste out there, you just have to experiment and play with some samples to see what works for your home and lifestyle.
So what did we choose in 2016? Sherwin Williams Mercer White and I still love it!
PS…don’t forget to get all the house painting accessories you need right from Amazon!
Another quick reminder is to start planning your landscaping refresh on a budget! You would be surprised at how much you can change the curb appeal of your home for just a couple of hundred dollars!
If you are getting ready to paint your home I would love to hear what color you choose! Here is to keeping it fresh and fun anytime of the year!
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Thinking of purchasing a vacation home? Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca. Information in this post should be verified with your accountant, attorney and or financial planner as well as the state of Florida. Information in posts should be verified independently. Information deemed reliable, not guaranteed.
If you love art galleries and live in Boca Raton or South Florida, you have hit a home run! We have a list of galleries and art options for you in the Palm Beaches, Boca Raton and South Florida to make your weekends pop! If you are considering an art weekend or a daycation in So Flo, then keep scrolling for suggestions and links to plan your day! FYI…the New York Times clearly loves the art scene here in South Florida check out this article!
We have enjoyed Art Basel over the years especially Scope Miami Beach and heading over to Wynwood. Check out this YouTube video from one of our trips to Miami for this spectacular event! We love hitting the restaurants and exploring the foodie options available in Miami + all of the different types of hotel venues available to spend time exploring.
Boca Raton Events
Tap into The Boca Raton Museum of Art to get updates on events and shows. As per their website, The Boca Raton Museum of Art encompasses a creative campus that includes the Museum in Mizner Park and the Art School. The Museum has provided seven decades of cultural and artistic service to the community and to many visitors from around the world.
Boca Raton is a world class city with much to offer in regard to art and culture. Perfectly situated between Palm Beach and Miami, it makes it very easy to day trip to the plethora of galleries and museums here in South Florida!
The Vernissage of Art Boca Raton is an event that we had the great luck of attending a few years ago! I cannot think of a better way to spend an evening then simply sipping an icy cold glass of champagne and enjoying lite bites while wandering through the 45,000 sq. foot white tent directly on Florida Atlantic University campus and watching the sun set while private jets take off into the dimming Boca Raton sky. As a huge music fan I could not get enough of Robin Austin’s very cool art showcasing some of my favorite artists like David Bowie, The Beatles and Mick Jagger…and of course the icon Marilyn Monroe.
Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County as a whole has amazing art districts and venues that you can check out and make a day of! The Cultural Council of Palm BeachCounty is an amazing resource for all things art in our area.
Don’t forget to subscribe to #SoooBoca and our social media channels. We love that Boca Raton and South Florida has amazing art, culture, music and theater sooo close to us and we enjoy sharing it with all of you!
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Thinking of purchasing a vacation home? Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca. Information in this post should be verified with your accountant, attorney and or financial planner as well as the state of Florida. Information in posts should be verified independently. Information deemed reliable, not guaranteed.
Who doesn’t love the the music from the beloved George Balanchine’s Ballet The Nutcracker with music by Tchaikovsky. We love this beautiful ballet from the waltz of the snowflakes, the sugar plum fairies to the Mouse King and Clara and her Nutcracker Prince!
The Nutcracker kicks off the holiday season, in our opinion, and we look forward to purchasing our tickets to see a performance.
This beautiful ballet is truly one of our favorites and always makes us smile. This is one of those holiday shows you simply should not miss!
Make sure the checkout out our annual Holiday Event Guide with a list and links of events and activities happening in Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, Fort Lauderdale area and Miami!
How about a casual brunch and a matinee? The #SoooBoca squad has gone many times for the matinee in particular and we make an afternoon out of it.
One of the many benefits of living in South Florida during the holidays (in addition to the absolutely fabulous weather) is the fact that we are in close proximity to venues dedicated to the performing arts; many of which are hosting dance companies performing The Nutcracker.
What Is Happening Every Weekend!
The Weekend List is here for you! Every Thursday we update this link with local events happening here in Boca Raton and South Florida every weekend! Make sure to subscribe to #SoooBoca for alerts!
Where To See The Nutcracker in South Florida
Below we have compiled a list of performances from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and Palm Beach. Even though we may not have snow to celebrate the season we do have many options to see The Nutcracker at your favorite theater or venue.
Boca Ballet Theater: For over 23 years, this dance company has been performing The Nutcracker.
With so many performances, there has to be one that fits in to your holiday schedule! Reserve your tickets and plan your day – what could be better! Enjoy the show!
As always please check with the venue and companies to confirm dates, times and for the most updated information.
Happy Holidays to you and your family from #SoooBoca!
About Michele Bellisari
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Thinking of purchasing a vacation home? Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca. Information in this post should be verified with your accountant, attorney and or financial planner as well as the state of Florida. Information in posts should be verified independently. Information deemed reliable, not guaranteed.
Want more money for your home? Start with instant curb appeal for your South Florida home! For just a couple of hundred dollars you can make your front yard look spectacular! As a Realtor I can tell you that one of the most frustrating things I see when showing homes is lack of curb appeal. It is such an easy fix in most cases very affordable.
In many cases it this could include simply weeding, clearing the clutter on the porch or in the carport, painting a front door or even adding some new plants to the garden.
Even if you are not making a move, create more equity in your home by doing improvements both outside and inside!
Disclosure: This post contains Amazon and other retail affiliate links. If you purchase I will earn a small commission from these companies. Shopping through these links helps support my business. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
Just take a drive around any Boca Raton or South Florida neighborhood to get instant curb appeal ideas for your front island, driveway, porch and front doors! Nothing is set in stone by the way! In other wards, you definitely see traditional Florida landscaping with just palm trees and shrubs to more extensive showcase style outdoor landscaping including paved driveways, extensive outdoor lighting or exotic types of landscaping.
The cool thing is that you can totally take the luxury look and implement it at your home if you are on a tight budget! Check out some of the steals and deals on Amazon like this bench! Now that will liven up any front porch and create some instant curb appeal!
When Is A Great Time To Refresh Your Landscaping
Frankly, with the amazing weather we have here all year long, you can pretty much create instant curb appeal throughout the year (and usually in under a couple of days).
Now we typically do a refresh right before Thanksgiving as we are usually having family and friends over.
This includes trimming back overgrown bushes and plants (now we do this throughout the year too) but in particular we go to town in November. We add fresh mulch a few times a year to the gardens and of course trim back those pesky palm fronds that grow like weeds.
We like low maintenance plants that do not need shade. Now, just to be transparent, I am not a gardener by any means. But I know what I like, and I have an eye for simple design. I love palm trees of all kinds and we are fortunate to have some beautiful, and very old ones in our yard. One did leave us during one of the hurricanes but it’s twin is still in the front island garden.
This year we have liriope, iris regina blues, and angelonias and then added the red mulch (which fades pretty fast in the hot South Florida sun). Always cool when the walkers in your neighborhood stop and say how nice it looks. Yay!
Of course my big favorite is the bougainvillea. Sooo many colors to choose from and they really thrive is the South Florida weather.
I have tapped into some great blogs you might enjoy in regard to learning more about Florida gardening here is a list I put together for you. It goes beyond just doing a refresh of your gardens and gets into all types of things you can do including fruit trees and beyond!
This is just a short list of things you can do to create instant curb appeal:
1. Fresh mulch 2. Updated plants and shrubs 3. Porch seating 4. Beautiful door wreath 5. Outdoor lighting 6. Fix those sprinklers 7. Pressure clean sidewalks (and roof) 8. Paint the front door 9. Replace mail boxes 10. Fresh house numbers
Vision or Mood Board
Another great ideas is to set up a mood board on Pinterest or to a folder on your phone if you are driving around taking photos. I did this exact thing. Turns out I really do not like those faux rocks that I see in island gardens LOL!
Luckily we have many places to choose from for plants, landscaping, mulch, outdoor living and more. You can hit up your local Home Depot or Lowes and even better, swing by a local business like NuTurf Pompano for landscaping, plants and outdoor decor. Next time I am there I am definitely getting some plants that attract butterflies!
Mac’s Garden Center has been around since 1987 and a Delray Beach nursery and landscaping staple. Another fan fave is Johnny Mango’s also in Delray Beach. If orchids are your thing, then check out their selection along with outdoor merch to refresh your outdoor space.
New to the area? Check out The Boca Raton Garden Club celebrating 68 years as I write this post! This organization can help you with all your gardening questions!
You better believe it does. Curb appeal is a big deal. People want to showcase their home and consider that when buying. Does it look pretty when they drive up to it. Can they envision a fresh look? Will it be too expensive to do a front yard refresh. The more you do as a home seller, the less the buyer has to imagine and frankly many buyers simply don’t have vision.
First Impressions
You only get one chance to make a fantastic first impression. Block out a couple of days to create instant curb appeal for your home that buyers, and your neighbors will rave about!
Quick Decor Tip
Something I have done for years when I am in a pinch for fresh flowers, is to go out to the yard and cut some fresh palm fronds and pop them in a pretty vase positioned on my kitchen island! Nothing like bringing the outside in and it is already in your garden!
Ready To Roll
So now you know! If you are ready to list your home, perhaps downsizing, needing to sell due to a divorce or estate situation, lets chat. I have ideas for you to get you the highest and best price for your property!
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Thinking of purchasing a vacation home? Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca. Information in this post should be verified with your accountant, attorney and or financial planner as well as the state of Florida. Information in posts should be verified independently. Information deemed reliable, not guaranteed.
There is nothing better than a sensational thrift or consignment store haul. If you are hankering for a deal in Palm Beach county, then check out some of the best thrift stores in Delray Beach for that perfect haul!
There are a variety of reasons I love to thrift, hit garage sales on the weekends, drop into consignment stores and, yes, pick up items on the side of the road weekly during bulk day.
Some of the most popular celebrities in the world love thrift shopping, buy from consignment and look for a great deal from Hoda Kotb to Sara Jessica Parker.
I wear items I have purchased from thrift stores, my home has furniture from my shopping finds and I have found beautiful gifts at bargain prices to share with friends and family. Think Lilly Pulitzer, Tiffany & Co. and beyond!
If high end clothes are your jam then look no further in our 2,383-square-mile county because clearly with the number of events, balls and charity dinners happening at any given time you can find designer gowns, handbags, shoes, dresses and more by shopping thrift and consignment…some items will even have the tags still attached.
Designer Clothing Finds
If you have a weekend or business event to attend or a home decor project to tackle but your budget is limited buzz by a local thrift store to stretch your dollar to find secondhand items and designer deals to freshen up your wardrobe and your hive.
If classic T-shirts are your passion, you need a winter coat, for the one trip up north this year, or you simply have to freshen up that one room in your house and have champagne taste but a beer budget then you are in luck with all the thrifting store choices we have right here the Delray/Boca area!
#SoooBoca Thrift ShoppingTips:
Make a list of what you are hunting for before you go.
Check the back racks…always.
Bring cash as a backup
Dress comfortably
Clean out your car…you never know when something big may be on your take home list.
Find out when new items will be hitting the floor each week at your favorite thrift and consignment boutiques. Certain days have certain sales and discounts and pop that in your calendar.
Remember another ones give aways are someone elses treasures! One of my best finds was a Tiffany votive candle holder for a $1.00 at Debbie Rand Thrift Shop in Boca Raton. You never know what you might find so go to your favorite thrift stores often!
Have a favorite store? Send a direct message to @soooboca on Instagram, instant message us on Facebook or email info@soooboca.com to share!
#SoooBoca has some fun merchandise too! Our store is now open! Click here to see what fun items we now have for purchase!
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Thinking of purchasing a vacation home? Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca. Information in this post should be verified with your accountant, attorney and or financial planner as well as the state of Florida. Information in posts should be verified independently. Information deemed reliable, not guaranteed.
Okay, we admit it. At #SoooBoca we LOVE dessert. And, because we live in Boca Raton and sunny South Florida, it should come as no surprise the key lime pie is one of our favorites. Because we are so dedicated to sharing the best South Florida has to offer with you, we did some research into the most delicious key lime pies in the area. Some we have had the pleasure of tasting personally while others came highly recommended. All we can say is that we are determined to try them all!
When something is available on Goldbelly you know it’s in high demand. Kermit’s key lime pies are available on the foodie website for shipping across the country. This pie is unbelievable. The totally sour key lime part is balanced by the creamiest whipped cream. It hits every note perfectly. And, for our friends with dietary restrictions, Kermit’s offers a gluten-free version. Hooray! Pie for everyone!
Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory
When your key lime pie has been featured on The Food Network and The Travel Channel, you must be doing something right. The Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory is located in Tavernier, in the Florida Keys. Their website says they “have a passion for key lime pies” and “their job is to make people happy”. If that doesn’t say it all, we don’t know what does. Their pies are made fresh daily, on-premises, and reviews are out of this world!
Known across the country for their awesome stone crabs, Joe’s is no slouch when it comes to dessert. And, their key lime pie has quite a following. We are big fans. The pie is the perfect combination between tart and sweet and the ideal way to end your meal at this spectacular restaurant. While we suggest a trip to Miami, you can even get this pie delivered to your home.
Bob Roth’s New River Groves
Located in Davie on Griffin Road is Bob Roth’s New River Groves. This awesome shop sells tons of fresh fruit and Florida favorites, including Terry’s Pies. The key lime pie, made in-house, is well-known as one of the best ever. Trust us, it’s worth a drive to Davie just to enjoy this indulgent dessert. These pies are one of the most popular items. Visit the grove early to make sure they don’t sell out!
Beach House Pompano
This fun Pompano Beach restaurant not only has great food and a spectacular view, but it also has some pretty yummy key lime pie. In fact, members of a Facebook group dedicated to South Florida food repeatedly shared its name in response to the question “where can I get the best key lime pie?” While there is no meringue on top, it does feature ground pecans in their graham cracker crust. We’re putting it on our list of must-haves!
Kaluz
In that same Facebook foodie group, Kaluz was often cited for their awesome key lime pie. The restaurant is a favorite of those of us at #soooBoca. And, their menu describes it as a “traditional key lime pie, graham cracker and pecan crust, whipped cream.” We’re making reservations as we speak!
Luff’s Fish House
If you don’t want to travel far, but do want to enjoy authentic key lime pie, head to Luff’s in Boca. This super “high” pie is actually baked in a springform pan. And, instead of a whipped cream topping get ready for some yummy meringue. Honestly, our only complaint about this decadent treat is that we can’t finish a serving, because it’s so rich and yummy…..but we really, really want to! Visit this awesome restaurant and be sure to leave room for dessert.
Grammas Bakery
If you are in Delray Beach, make sure to to drop by this lovely spot! Gramma’s offers fresh baked bread, homemade Key Lime pie, cakes, pastries and cookies. Everything is made from scratch every morning.
Old Key Lime House
With a name like Old Key Lime House, you’d expect the key lime pie to be top-notch. And, you’d be right. This Lantana restaurant’s pie is one of our local favorites. Their homemade key lime pie has been called “Best in Palm Beach”. Take just one bite and you’ll know why. It is delicious!!
Grocery and Gourmet Markets
Publix
Yes, we said it. In our search for feedback for the best key lime pie in Florida, so many of our friends firmly responded “Publix”. We know that those from out of state don’t understand the high-quality baked goods that Publix provides. Whenever visitors ask for bakery recommendations, and we send them to Publix they are mystified. But one bite of their yummy treats and they are sold. Apparently, their key lime pie is just as good as their chocolate chip cookies and birthday cakes. Even better, they are super convenient and reasonably priced. Pick one up today!
Recipe’s for You
While there are so many places to get a sensational key lime pie in South Florida, we know that some of you are sold on homemade. So, we are including a link to this incredibly well-regarded recipe from Martha Stewart, who seems to be able to do everything well. We love this recipe because it gives you the option of whipped cream or meringue on top!
About Michele Bellisari
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Thinking of purchasing a vacation home? Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca. Information in this post should be verified with your accountant, attorney and or financial planner as well as the state of Florida.
Boca Raton’s Only Five-Star Labor and Delivery Unit
Having a baby is a life-changing event. And, while you are likely beyond excited to meet the newest member of your family, you may also be apprehensive about the birthing process. I know I was.
Recognizing that many women feel this way, the awesome administrative and medical team at West Boca Medical Center’s Boca Center for Women’s Care has developed the best family centered maternity unit in Boca Raton. In addition to providing top-notch medical services, they also cater to the emotional aspect of having a baby.
West Boca Medical Center recently had a groundbreaking ceremony for their new Boca Center for Women’s Care. The renovation is under way and all of the maternity rooms will be updated by end of the year.
Boca Center for Women’s Care: The Best of the Best
The Boca Center for Women’s Care, formerly known as The Birthcare Pavilion, at West Boca Medical Center, in their own words, “strives to provide the very best in family-friendly care.” They realize that while giving birth necessitates top-notch medical professionals and facilities for the health of the mother and child, it also requires a delicate emotional approach directed toward the entire family.”
As the only five-star labor and delivery unit in Boca Raton, they are also a National Certified Safe Sleep Hospital. They are committed to reducing infant sleep deaths through their “hospital infant safe sleep policy”. Additionally, they place a high priority on accommodating your wishes and your birth plan.
The hospital can support natural births, anesthesiology, C-sections, and even hydrotherapy. Birthing amenities include, among other things, aromatherapy and lemon ice chips. They have truly thought of everything.
Incredible Care from Beginning to End
The hospital offers a host of resources to its patients, both before and after they give birth. The information they provide covers everything from what to bring to the hospital to creating a nursery to newborn care. They also leverage technology wherever they can.
You can pre register online, from the comfort of your home. And, make sure to check out their “e-nursery” service which allows you to share pictures of your beautiful addition with select family and friends.
Nursing: All the Support You Need
One of the most challenging aspects of being a new mother is nursing. What seems like a simple process can sometimes be overwhelming. Of course, the professionals at West Boca are experts in helping new moms adjust.
In addition to identifying where to rent a breast pump, they also can help you connect with local support groups and lactation consultants. The broad array of breastfeeding information they provide is invaluable to new mothers.
The NICU
One thing I want to mention is that the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) at West Boca Medical Center is fantastic. West Boca Medical Center has an on-site level III NICU which is staffed with the specialists, and is the only level III NICU in Boca Raton.
As a forward thinking medical center here in Boca Raton, West Boca Medical Center is the first hospital serving Palm Beach and North Broward counties to use NICVIEW 2™, a live video streaming camera system, in the NICU, to ensure that families and their newborn are connected.
Our Story
When I was expecting my first child, Kylie, in 1990, The Birthcare Pavilion, now the Boca Center for Women’s Care at West Boca Medical Center was newly opened. I remember taking a tour and being so impressed with the birthing suites and the pavilion itself. At the time, we lived in West Boca, so having a new maternity facility that was close to our home was wonderful.
As things happen, I ended up needing a c-section, and the care that I received from the nurses, doctors and staff was excellent. When the unexpected happens you want a team that is gentle, informative and well trained at your side.
The following evening, as we enjoyed our new baby girl, they brought us new parents a lobster and steak dinner…which was quite a fancy perk at the time! I remember my mom saying that times sure had changed since she had me!
Today, the Boca Center for Women’s Care, offers aromatherapy, lemon ice chips, a post-partum snack pack and a celebration breakfast! They also offer private post-partum rooms with single bathrooms for comfort and privacy!
Our NICU Experience
We had Kylie on April 10, 1990, 8lbs, 5oz. We took her home a couple of days later, however, she spiked a temperature about 7 days later and we ended up bringing her back to the hospital and the medical team advised to put her in the NICU. Again, the medical staff was simply wonderful, to the point, informative and addressed all of our concerns. It was a scary few days, but the infection that she had picked up finally dwindled away and we took our little baby girl home.
As an FYI…”Level III NICUs are defined by having continuously available personnel (neonatologists, neonatal nurses, respiratory therapists) and equipment to provide life support for as long as needed.”
Learn More Today
The offerings provided by the hospital are considerable, there are so many things available. In order to streamline your learning curve, the hospital employs a well-respected maternity navigator who will guide you through your entire experience.
If you are pregnant and are in the process of deciding where to give birth, consider West Boca Medical Center and its Boca Center for Women’s Care. Take some time and enjoy a one-on-one virtual tour. You can see all that they have to offer, ask questions and become familiar with the facility.
West Boca Medical Center has made a commitment to providing new mothers and their families attentive comprehensive care while offering them a host of hands-on resources. Having a baby is a spectacular experience. Giving birth at the Boca Center for Women’s Care at West Boca Medical Center makes it that much better.
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca.
Sponsored: This post was sponsored by West Boca Medical Center. Photos provided by West Boca Medical Center. All opinions expressed in this blog post, vlogs, emails and social media are my own. Please reach out directly to the sponsor in regard to facts and information provided about their service or business. I have been compensated, but that does not impact my views or opinions. Information is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.
Working From Home Driving You Nuts? Try One Of These Cool Options!
The phrase “going to work” has a very different meaning today than it has in the past. The growth in technology and the internet has given professionals the ability to call almost any space their office, including co-working spaces.
If you have considered making a move, don’t want to work at home all the time and need some work space options check out the list we have put together that can help you create a great work space option!
Co-sharing space or communal working space has become incredibly popular in the last few years especially here in Boca Raton and South Florida. Did you know we have some of the best co-working spaces in the world right in our backyard?
While the ability to operate from anywhere is convenient, not everyone believes they are as productive as they could be working from local coffee shop…and trust me if you know us you know we adore our local coffee spots! Sometimes you just need to be in an office type of environment!
With a variety of co-working space design available there is a style and fit for any entrepreneur. The reasons why people engage in co-working spaces vary; but include the opportunity to meet other professionals and the chance to work in a collaborative manner.
Check out 11 things people have said recently, on social media, about utilizing co-working spaces:
11 Reasons to Try Co-Working Spaces
People love the “different energy and meeting people”.
“Meeting entrepreneurial minds in a creative setting” is a draw.
Entrepreneurs “like the energy of coworking spots”.
“Connecting with others” is a huge benefit.
“Potentially collaborating” is of value.
“Love meeting other young hustlers.”
“I’ve ended up working with several good people on different projects as a result of us all being in the same co-working spot. :)”
“Mine is also an art gallery so they host community events, they host artist events and change out the art every few months.”
“I’m a big fan of the environment that many provide for work and for connecting with others especially for potential collaborations.”
“ I don’t have any memberships I just pay when ever I go.”
“I frequent several…the more local, the better.”
Clearly, the need for part-time, sometimes temporary and sometimes not, office space is growing. In Boca Raton and South Florida and there are multiple companies that offer co-working spaces to professionals, creatives and entrepreneurs.
Boca Raton Co-Working Spaces
Cendyn Spaces: Located on Federal Highway in east Boca, Cendyn Spaces bills itself as an “innovative, hybrid, workplace”. Their co-working option, which is known as the Cazbah, provides an open and dynamic space in which to work. You can grab a seat on a couch or chair, or grab a spot at a table and plug in and get to work, all while surrounded by people doing the same thing. You can even reserve conference room space if you need to hold a meeting. Cendyn offers a variety of membership plans; check them out and find something that meets your needs.
Flamingo House Boca Raton
Co-Suite: You can reserve conference rooms, rent private office space or participate in one of their two co-working space plans, either benching or dedicated space. Benching provides desk space that includes outlets for your equipment; but it is available on a first come first serve basis. Co-Suite is ideally located in central Boca and provides a broad range of amenities, everything from coffee and privacy phone booths to mailing addresses and storage.
Regus-Florida:Can you imagine a more fabulous place to co-work in Boca than Mizner Park? Operating nationally, this organization offers private offices, meeting space and office suites. Working here puts you in the center of Downtown Boca where you can take advantage of everything that Regus and Mizner Park have to offer. Regus is global so you can choose locations all over the world to work from.
Delray Beach
Living in the Delray Beach area? Check out Seed Co-Working Space. They have private and open space, a kitchen, zen rooms, meeting rooms and more!
South Florida Co-Working Spaces
The Studio 1016Located in the heart of The Warehouse District and Downtown West Palm Beach this is a cool and innovative space you will want to check out if you are in the West Palm Beach area. With a photo studio, open space, offices and more if you have biz for the day in our area you can drop in for a day pass or get a monthly membership.
Social Housein Lake Worth is another fabulous co-working space right here in Palm Beach County. They host workshops, pop-ups and events in their venue located on Lucerne Ave. There is a commercial kitchen and it is a great location and space for networking events. Close to both West Palm Beach and Boca it truly is in the heart of Palm Beach County.
General ProvisionFort Lauderdale has two locations one in FAT Village (Flagler Art and Tech) and one in Downtown Fort Lauderdale in The Historic Colonial Hotel. From shared offices, virtual offices and dedicated desk club for entrepreneurs. They offer workshops, hackathons, meetups and more! Think innovation and incubation. We have been to the space in FAT Village and it is inspiring to say the least!
Miami Florida
Miami has a huge number of co-working spaces from Brickell to Downtown to Wynwood! Wework has a presence here and creates a space and place via shared offices, private space or office suites. Love their mission statement “Create a world where people work to make a life, not just a living.” You can also find a Wework space globally.
No matter where you go in South Florida there is a plethora of co-working spaces to choose from! From a day pass to a monthly membership you can enjoy working around creative entrepreneurs that will inspire you!
Time to get out of your home office or uninspiring work environment? Give co-working a chance we know you will love it! We have linked the mentioned spaces for you so check them out and so confirm with them directly any questions you have. Bottom line: There is a co-working space for everyone!
PS…share your co-working space with us so we can update our post throughout the year!
About Michele Bellisari
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca.
Welcome to Wellington, Florida one of the most beautiful cities in Palm Beach County! Those who live here enjoy magnificent weather, beautiful homes and fun activities and events all year long! These fabulous qualities are only enhanced by all of the amazing things the city offers.
Wellington Florida
Wellington is is the western part of the county and not too far from West Palm Beach, Lake Worth and Palm Beach Gardens. Approximately 15 miles from the beach, convenient to Palm Beach International Airport and just a short drive to Florida’s Turnpike you can easily get to cities and communities in Broward and Miami-Dade counties to the south.
Since it is impossible to list everything we love about Wellington here we thought we would start with some of the top faves that others shared with us!
Here are more things to know if you are considering moving to Wellington!
Animals
Are you an animal lover? If so, make a reservation to tour the Wellington Conservation Center. This 501c3 organization is sanctioned by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Federation and provides a home to many abandoned and injured animals. In August of this year, a baby sloth was born at the center!
Art
The arts are alive and well in Wellington. Annually, the Wellington Arts Society hosts ArtFest on the Green. If you (or your kids) love to paint, visit The Art Cellar. Classes and events are scheduled for both adults and children; it’s a great place to relax and be creative.
Dining
Wellington is home to a broad array of restaurants. You can enjoy dinner out with your children or a romantic and relaxing evening with someone special, both without leaving town. Can we recommend Mellow Mushroom for dinner with kids (the pizza and pretzels are the BEST)? And, for a relaxing dinner (or even happy hour), consider Kaluz. This restaurant’s atmosphere is as appealing as its food is delicious!
Horseback Riding
Wellington is home to a number of stables and many residents are horse lovers. Horseback riding is incredibly popular (the city has 57 miles of trails). Whether you have years of experience or a true beginner you can enjoy riding here. Dream Believers Stables in Wellington offer both individual and group lessons. They are also one of many places where you can board your horse in town.
Wellington has many fabulous which to choose from. If you are looking for one that has almost everything, visit Village Park on Pierson Road. It offers both indoor and outdoor facilities and includes everything from gymnasiums and classrooms to sports fields, concession stands, hockey rinks and more. Note to nature lovers, Peaceful Waters Sanctuary, which comprises more than 30 acres of undeveloped wetlands surrounded by a boardwalk, is located within this park as well.
Polo Grounds
International Polo Club
Another reason people are moving to Wellington includes the International Polo Club, which is the premier polo destination in the world and Polo season is highly anticipated every year! This facility hosts a number of polo tournaments, which are open to the public, each year. From champagne brunch, field tailgating, sponsor boxes and grandstand viewing you will love experiencing a Sunday polo match! PS…the half time divot stomp ala Pretty Woman is not to be missed!
Welington Green Mall
Shopping
The Mall at Wellington Green is a favorite shopping destination that also includes a cinema, live events and of course restaurants for you foodies out there! You can easily spend an entire day here! There are also a number of big box stores within city limits as well as some of our favorite grocery stores including Publix and Trader Joe’s (try the cookie butter, yum!!)
Water Sports
The Wellington Aquatic Complex is the home of the Wellington Swim Team. Other activities here include diving, rowing and sculling, water aerobics, swimming lessons and birthday parties (their pool with waterslides and sprinklers is awesome)! Daily and annual passes are available.
Wellington Amphitheater
The city government hosts a plethora of events at the amphitheater. Bring the family out for a concert, a movie or an evening with food trucks (the latest unique dining craze). Take advantage of all this city sponsors.
Coral Sky (Palm Beach County)
The Coral Sky Amphitheatre is a 20,000-seat open-air music venue in West Palm Beach, Florida. The facility, owned by the South Florida Fairgrounds, is a modern amphitheatre used primarily for concerts and other performances.
Palm Beach
West Palm Beach
By the way did you know that Wellington is not far from Downtown West Palm Beach and Palm Beach. Want to take a day trip? Buzz by Clematis Street, take in a show at Kravitz Center, catch Brightline to go to Fort Lauderdale or Miami or take in iconic Worth Ave via short car ride from Wellington.
Wellington is one of the most popular communities in Palm Beach county and if you want more details click on this link! There are just so many great things to do in Wellington!
As always please confirm all info we share here directly with the city, county and businesses via their websites. Information is subject to change without notice.
About Michele Bellisari
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca.
I love my town! I get asked for my top moving to Boca Raton tips all the time! Have you thought about moving to Boca Raton? If you didn’t know, Boca Raton and the surrounding South Florida communities are a fan fave for buyers globally.
Hi there! I’m Michele Bellisari, and I’ve proudly called Boca Raton, Florida home for over 45 years. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable Boca Raton Realtor, you’re in the right place. I’m here to guide you through the Boca Raton housing landscape—from condos and luxury waterfront properties to gated communities. Plus, if you have questions about other delightful locales like Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lighthouse Point, Highland Beach, or cities across Palm Beach and Broward counties, I’m your go-to resource. Let’s explore together!
Boca Raton Beach
When you make a move to Boca Raton you get beautiful beaches, year round weather, nightlife, businesses, parks, recreation, economic development and fantastic coastal lifestyle, Boca Raton is one of the most popular places to live in South Florida. Now more than ever people and companies are making moves to Boca Raton.
There is so much to do here from events,live music, shopping, dining and more, our area is very appealing to many who are considering moving to Boca Raton and South Florida.
Did You Know
“Boca Raton is the second largest city in the Palm Beaches, has 46 parks, 5 miles of beach, 1,650 acres of recreational space, over 30 corporate headquarters are here, that Boca Raton Airport offers a customs facilities, there are top luxury shopping malls that features a mix of upscale specialty shops and department stores and three nationally ranked universities and an abundance of A-rated public and private K-12 schools.
A true “full service” city, Boca Raton is consistently recognized for being one of the safest cities to live in and for having one of the lowest property tax rates for a full-service city in Florida. The City of Boca Raton offers a unique and unparalleled quality of life you can only truly experience when you are here. Welcome home.” – City of Boca Raton Website
Boca Raton Waterfront Living
In Addition
Florida doesn’t collect an individual Income Tax. Here is the link to the Florida Tax Guide.
Homestead Exemption Every person who has legal or equitable title to real property in the State of Florida and who resides thereon and in good faith makes it his or her permanent home is eligible to receive a homestead exemption of up to $50,000. The first $25,000 applies to all property taxes.
Proximity
South Florida Airports
Boca is located in Palm Beach County and has easy access to three international airports in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach. Not to mention cruise ports and an easy flight to the Bahamas (or boat ride).
As per the Palm Beach Business Development Board, “Palm Beach County boasts some of the finest manufacturers in the world. Their presence is a strong indication of the county’s ability to support industry. Although the county has a variety of producers, there are distinct industry clusters. The most prevalent in the county are: communications & information technology; aerospace & engineering; agriculture & food processing; business & financial services and medical & pharmaceutical products. Many of the county’s industrial employers are competing on a worldwide basis with products sold in the international market. Below is a list of some of the quality companies that have chosen Palm Beach County as a business location.”
Ready to Make A Move
Our amazing community and sister cities like Delray Beach, Wellington, Lighthouse Point and West Palm Beach and throughout Palm Beach and Broward counties have so much to offer!
Get my exclusive relocation guide today and lets work together to find the perfect home for you! PS…did you know there is zero cost for you to hire a Realtor to help you with your home purchase? Just making sure you know that!
No matter when you are making move or why, relocating to a new city or town is tough, stressful and tiring. My goal is to always be a connector, a facilitator for you and of course help you find an amazing new home.
As a kid that moved frequently growing up, including moving to Boca in 1978 as a high school junior at Boca Raton Community High School I totally understand what is involved with making a significant change.
I have included a short video all about Boca Raton and why I love it here! You will find many videos I have done on the surrounding South Florida communities so take a quick look!
Relocation Tips
My relocation buyers have shared with me some of the things that helped them stay “sane” during their relocation move.
Stay organized to keep your stress down. Nothing worse than panicking as it makes everything seem sooo much more overwhelming.
Know your relo package. Does your company pay for flights, house hunting trips, seller assistance, buyer closing cost help. Don’t assume anything and if you don’t see it, ask for it, the worst that can happen is your relo specialist will just say no.
Second showings! If you are looking at properties online, which everyone does, look carefully at angles of photos, ask what is behind those trees in the backyard (like a water tower or busy road), try to come to see the area at least once or twice and absolutely look on YouTube and local blogs like www.soooboca.com to get a feel for the area.
Look into the cost of living the new city you are moving to and in some cases perhaps it makes sense to rent for 6 months before you buy.
Of course…once you are here lets get you wired into the local chamber like the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, non-profits, sports and other activities for your kids and other networking organizations to help you meet new friends and business acquaintances.
Do you have a stay at home spouse or partner? Hey it is important for everyone making the move to meet new people…we can help with that too! From mom groups to empty nester activities we can wire you in to what is happening around town! Join our Facebook group!
If your company is planning on relocating employees to our area let us be your only call…we not only help with the move but we network your employees into the area with ease.
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Home Buyer Tips
Know your credit score and pay down your debt.
Know your budget and be comfortable with sticking to it.
Work with a recommended Realtor to help you find the right home for you.
Get with a reputable lender and determine how much house you can afford and get a pre approval.
Get familiar with your closing costs, inspection fees, appraisal costs and any fees in regard to your closing.
Learn about down payment assistance programs
Understand you will be negotiating a variety of things from the closing date to possible closing credits.
An older home is never going to be new again!
Don’t apply for new credit or buy anything new during the loan process or until after you close on your property.
Enjoy the process…buying a home should be enjoyable and yes, it will be a little stressful, but the end result is awesome!
Vendor List
As a valued customer making a move or a relocation I give you my VIP list of vendors, professionals like elder law, estate attorneys, placement counselors, move managers, tradesmen you name it from paint to plumbing and beyond including restaurant suggestions and more!
I tell all of my customers and clients that “One Call Handles It All!” Just call or text me and I will do my very best to help you in any way that I can.
I hope if you decide to “relocate” to #SoooBoca or one of our sister cities to purchase a home that you give me an opportunity to work with you to make your relocation as smooth as possible!
Five Star Review
“Michele was referred to us by our agent in Colorado when we were making our move back to Boca Raton…from beginning to end she helped us find a fantastic home in Royal Oak Hills where she happens to reside. Her VIP list of contacts made it very easy for us to find contractors and vendors to help with items around our new home. Always available to talk via text, phone or email, Michele made the buying process smooth and easy. We would highly recommend Michele to any of our friends and family who are buying or selling a home in South Florida.”
Michele Bellisari is a Realtor with Real Broker, LLC in Boca Raton, lifestyle blogger and midlife mom of millenials and a Boca local since 1978. Social media savvy, virtually virtual since forever and a lover of a great chardonnay you can find more about Boca on Michele’s #SoooBoca Stories Podcast where she interviews locals and shares local events and trends around town!
Selling a probate property, in Florida, that you have inherited is overwhelming to say the least. From coping with the grief and loss of a loved one to dealing with the many issues surrounding selling a property like handling an estate sale, clean out, repairs, moving or living out of state, it becomes overwhelming.
Are you a personal representative or executor of an estate that’s going through probate or potentially going to be going through one? I have tips and information for you to help you through the property sale process. Please contact me for a confidential meeting.
What Is Probate: Florida Bar Association Definition
Probate is a court-supervised process for identifying and gathering the assets of a deceased person (decedent), paying the decedent’s debts and distributing the decedent’s assets to his or her beneficiaries. In general, the decedent’s assets are used first to pay the cost of the probate proceeding, then are used to pay the decedent’s funeral expenses, then the decedent’s outstanding debts, and the remainder is distributed to the decedent’s beneficiaries. The Florida Probate Code is found in Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes, and the rules governing Florida probate proceedings are found in the Florida Probate Rules, Part I and Part II (Rules 5.010-5.530).
There are two types of probate administration under Florida law: formal administration and summary administration. This pamphlet will primarily discuss formal administration.
There is also a non-court-supervised administration proceeding called “Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration.” This type of administration applies only in limited circumstances. (via Florida Bar Association)
Selling A Probate Property
In this blog post I have included a video where I discuss some of the situations that I encounter as a listing agent when getting a property ready for sale including working with the personal representative, heirs and their attorney.
5 Probate Property Home Selling Tips
Don’t just hire anybody to help you out. From Realtors to attorneys to contractors and vendors, make sure you interview and get referrals for the professionals that you are going to have assist you with the sale of the probate property.
Don’t turn off the power to the home. Make sure, especially here in Florida, that you keep that A/C running. Between the heat and the moisture here it makes good sense to keep the house cool and as humidity free as possible.
If possible, maintain the landscaping in the front and backyards. Curb appeal is important and you don’t want the appearance that nobody lives in the property to avoid possible break-ins.
You can hire local professionals to help you clean out your probate property. If you live out of are, in particular, you may not be able to come here to ready the property for sale. There are a variety of movers, packers, estate sale companies and cleaners that can get the property ready for you, without you being here.
In today’s world, if you do need to conduct an estate sale, you can Facetime, Zoom or do a What’s App video meeting and go through the property virtually to get things coordinated in regard to what you are going to sell, keep, donate or dispose of.
I have worked with probate properties for many years here in South Florida and if you need to just talk or want an attorney or another local professional referral please reach out to me. I have a VIP list of vendors and I can give you an idea of property value too.
Lastly, in many cases, a property may not be a probate situation, however a surviving partner or spouse may need to downsize their living situation and I can assist you with that as a Senior Real Estate Specialist. From assisted living, memory care or independent living, I can guide you to caring professionals that can assist you with making a housing decision for your loved one.
If you have would like to set up a private and confidential conversation with me about selling a house in probate in Florida, lets set up a confidential time to talk.
I defer all legal questions about probate, accounting, finances and real estate law to attorneys and licensed professionals. I am not an attorney, financial planner, accountant or give any legal advice on any real estate transactions. Please reach out to your own attorney for legal advice.
About Michele Bellisari
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca.
Need Some Design Inspo? Check Out Your Local Store!
I fell in love with HomeGoods many years ago! I was studying interior design in college for a bit before I switched my major to advertising but I never lost that passion for home decor and design.
I truly love the way a few well placed items can change the entire feel of a room and a home for the better and give one a sense of peace and joy.
The cool thing about being a Realtor is that I truly get to see some incredible homes, home design and also some very expensive home designs.
For those of us not with an unlimited budget, HomeGoods is a great option if you are wanting to remodel your home or freshen up any room.
If you are like me I literally have to decide between buying a new pair of shoes or home decor!
I am always looking for smart deals that I can use personally and that I can move around my house in order to create different looks for different seasons.
Home Staging
As a Realtor I also will purchase items to stage my listings with. I store items to re-purpose and reuse for different situations and decor. I like my properties to have a fresh look and will blend my items with my seller’s individual style.
HomeGoods Has A Blog
Home Decor Tip: Check out the HomeGoods blog for great posts on room decor, holiday ideas, kitchen decor and more…I recently discovered this and it is a great tool for us DIY folks!
Typically my HomeGoods experience occurs during the week when I am trying to figure out either an update to my own home or a new listing I have taken.
I love the challenge of finding the perfect item at a deeply discounted price!
My best finds are usually discards from other shoppers that I find in departments I am perusing throughout the store. A mirror in lamps, a pillow in the art department and a chair that someone forgot to pick up at the front of the store…lucky me!
Declutter Challenge
One of the suggestions I have, before you shop, is to declutter the rooms in your home that you want to freshen up. It will allow you to see what you really have and what you will donate or get rid of. Get your 7 day challenge here!
Pinterest
Take some time to peruse the fabulous world of Pinterest. Let me tell you…setting up boards with the ideas you have, the items you love and pinning other great suggestions is a complete afternoon of design and decor bliss!
Pillows
By the way…they have the best decorative pillow selections especially for every season. This is a great way to change up the look in your bedroom, living room or dining room.
New Items
Try not to get overwhelmed. New items come in daily so don’t over buy because there is always something new to tickle your fancy.
There is so much to choose from I suggest you have a strategy to what you need and what look you are going for.
I personally love a coastal chic beach look which suits my personality, style and that of my family.
Holiday Decor On The Cheap
If you like to entertain you will always be able to get some fresh ideas as well as holiday decor for the multitude of dinners, brunches and special occasions we all put together.
Hostess Gifts
I have a box in my home office that I store things that I find when I am “treasure” hunting so that I have hostess gifts, wedding shower gifts, gourmet food gifts, thanks for being my pal gifts at my finger tips.
I do purchase gift bags in bulk and of course candles.
Sale Items
Don’t forget to check out the sale items…I have found many a great deeply discounted item for my home, to use for staging or simply a gift.
PS…did you know if you open a TJ Maxx credit card the discounts and coupons are fabulous!
There are 23 HomeGoods stores in South Florida
If you find something great at one of your local stores tag us on Instagram so we can see your very special find!
In the meantime take what you have in your home and blend it with something fun and fresh to brighten up your day!
If you enjoyed this post please check out some of my other posts about real estate, home decor and South Florida style!
About Michele Bellisari
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca.
Anytime I have a chance to pop up to #SoooPalmBeach from #SoooBoca I do! It is an easy drive right up A1A which is scenic and peaceful.
Yes…yes you can take I-95 but on this particular morning I chose to buzz up ocean side and forgo the highway traffic.
A favorite part of driving through Palm Beach is admiring the gorgeous real estate on my drive up and in the beautiful neighborhoods all throughout the area. From condos to mansions it is an HGTV kinda paradise!
What a wonderful morning I had at The Colony Hotel with an amazing group of bloggers and entrepreneurs at the Lets Get Social PB event! It is always a treat to walk into a room and feel the collaborative and warm welcome of fellow bloggers.
Disclosure: The links in this post/on this page are affiliate links via Amazon and other companies and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission.
Join me on a quick tour and highlights of this gorgeous gem (consider a staycation or vacation in the near future) and a sneak peak at a fabulous breakfast gathering we had. It was an early meeting that did not disappoint and brought so many of us together at 8 am on a lovely Tuesday morning!
PS…if you are looking for calendars of events for around Palm Beach County including city and school calendars just click here!
There were many excellent tips, takeaways and strategies shared by our hosts and our main keynote speaker Michelle Dempsey brought it with a thought provoking and informative conversation in regard to her journey as a single mom, entrepreneur and life in the co-parenting space.
As always the magic continued to happen in the lobby, the hallway and in private conversations on how to be better in our businesses as bloggers, vloggers, social media companies and business owners. Can hardly wait for the next it event…it was THAT good!
Many thanks to the committee for putting on a stellar event, the sponsors and The Colony Hotel for a magnificent morning!
If you want to have a little of the history of Palm Beach in your home Aerin Lauder has a fabulous coffee table book you will really love! If you are Lilly Pulitzer fan pick up a copy of Lilly too! Thinking you might need to get a cute outfit to match your book…Amazon has a ton of choices for you!
There are many things to do in Palm Beach here is a list to get your started:
If you are thinking a quick Florida getaway is in your future these #SoooBoca gals love Palm Beach and highly recommend spending some time relaxing, shopping and enjoying this little barrier island in the sun!
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca.
There is something magical about Harbour Island and the gorgeous islands of the Bahamas. I have been fortunate to travel to a few of the Bahamian islands over the years with my husband, who is a sport fishing captain. Our family had the opportunity to experience Harbour Island and Eleuthera when the girls were younger as Andy was fishing there quiet regularly with clients. My daughters fondly remember their time at Valentines and many of the Bahamian friends my husband had.
We have celebrated a few birthdays and long holiday weekends in the beautiful Bahamian islands. Enjoying the relaxed atmosphere, fishing, food and fun.
As luck would have it, living in Boca Raton means a fairly short boat ride in some cases or quick flight to many of the islands in the Bahamas. We are perfectly situated here in South Florida to fly out of Fort Lauderdale International Airport, Miami International and Palm Beach Internationals and on the occasion, out of Boca Raton Airport via a chartered flight, to Nassau, Bimini, Eleuthera, The Abacos and beyond!
Back in the 1990’s we were staying at Valentines Residences Resort and Marina in Harbour Island, Bahamas as my husband had a day of fishing planned with his then boss and thus I was left to my own shopping and exploring devices.
As luck would have it I wandered into India Hicks store The Sugar Mill on Bay Street I knew I was home! I fell in love with her “island style” and it became one of my favorites moving forward.
India Hicks Island Style
So imagine my pleasure of being able to interview India Hicks, designer, lifestyle entrepreneur, best-selling author and mother of five at the Delray Beach Public Library Book It! luncheon in 2019.
India graciously jumped on with me to do an Instagram “Live” and was funny, easy to chat with and shared some fun tidbits about her life and style! It was truly a very cool and fun moment in my life!
India’s father was famed interior decorator David Hicks, and her mother is Lady Pamela Hicks, whose father was the last Viceroy of India, hence her name. India Hicks was a bridesmaid in Princess Diana’s wedding, which I recall getting up quite early to watch in 1981.
It was truly a marvelous afternoon complete with champagne, beautiful items to purchase from her then collections and a fun and informative talk about her life and what inspires her.
With that being said, I thought to myself, since I enjoyed doing the interview so much why not share some of the fun things and locations I had experienced visiting Harbour Island and the Bahamas with my family.
Courtesy of Valentines Residences Resort and Marina
Fishing, Diving and Water Activities in Harbour Island
If you love to fish, Harbour Island and Eleuthera will not disappoint! From bone fishing, to fly fishing to deep sea fishing you can bring your own boat to the island and stay at one of the marinas or you can hire a charter captain and guide. No matter what you do, you will be on the hunt for all types of fish from dolphin (mahi) to tuna to marlin and a variety of sport fish.
Spanish Wells
Things To Do In Harbour Island
From fishing, boating, shopping, eating, chilling and of course dancing (the nightlife is sooo much fun), Harbour Island is one of my favorite places to visit. I hope to return very soon…thinking 2021! Without further ado, here is a small list that will help you jump start your next Bahamas trip!
Rent A Golf Cart at Kiplins and Explore (one of our most favorite things to do).
Sooo if you all follow any of our Instagram stories and social media y’all know how much we love trying different types of dishes and recipes! Some of the finest cuisine in the Bahamas is right here in Harbour Island and you will not be disappointed. Have I mentioned Bimini bread yet? Order that ahead, and multiple loafs, as you will be able to inhale one by yourself!
Lets talk too, about conch! OMG…fresh conch salad from Queen Conch is something I dream about. It is simply fresh and delicious. I can tell you I have enjoyed nothing more that just sitting there eating that beautiful salad!
Visit the Queen Conch – Conch salad, conch fritters, blackened conch and more! I dream of this place and the delicious conch salad they prepare! Casual and low key, you will love this place!
Fresh Conch Salad
Runaway Hill – Accommodations include rooms and villas. Executive Chef Krishana Higgs creates an amazing food experience for all who dine there!
Rock House
Rock House is a beautiful boutique hotel with an amazing restaurant! Known for fine food, destination weddings and a beautiful location, this is a not to miss locale.
Known for their lobster quesedilla, Sip Sip is fun, fun! I remember having a delicious Bloody Mary that was spicy and refreshing while enjoying a fresh salad overlooking that blue water!
Arthurs Bakery -Think lobster scrambled eggs, banana pancakes and french toast just to name a few items from the menu for a quaint breakfast.
Harbour Island Hotels You Will Love
You can book your hotel right here and through the individual websites. There are many hotels and resorts in Eluethera and Harbour Island you can choose from, this is a small sample of places to stay. The choices are endless and charming and there are accommodations for every type of occasion and vacation.
Pink Sands Resort – PS…shopping and horse back riding on the beach at this resort is sooo much fun!
Courtesy -Pink Sands Resort, Harbour Island, Bahamas
We always love to head out after dinner for a little dancings, some island drinks and music to finish up a day of fishing, snorkeling, swimming and exploring. Here are a few suggestions to plan for during your time in Harbour Island.
So there you go. A few ideas for you for when you are traveling to Harbour Island or other islands in the Bahamas. It is truly a beautiful country with friendly and amazing people. We have always enjoyed our travels to the Bahamas and since it is a short flight or boat ride from Boca Raton and South Florida, it makes it easy for us to return again and again.
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Thinking of purchasing a vacation home? Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca. Information in this post should be verified with your accountant, attorney and or financial planner as well as the state of Florida. Information in posts should be verified independently. Information deemed reliable, not guaranteed.
Need Great Ideas For A Quick Florida Lunch At Home?
If you are ever struggling to figure out authentic Florida lunch ideas for entertaining friends or family we have a winning menu for you! This is a 30 minute meal with about 20 minutes of prep time.
We decided to have a “dining” at home experience while Kylie was here on business. A mother daughter date of sorts!
Disclosure: The links in this post/on this page are affiliate links via Amazon and other companies and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission.
But what to choose? We needed some Florida lunch ideas that were fresh and new that we had not made before. In our travels we love to share and try new dishes so after chatting via text and thanks to Google we came up with the big picture and we each came up with a dish!
Are You A Foodie Too?
We are foodies first and foremost and love to try new places, spaces and dishes. However, we also really enjoy eating at home in our kitchen around the island with friends and family.
PS…if you are a foodie like us check out “Homegating Is The New Tailgating” blog post that has some great appy and lunch ideas ideas for football season!
Since we live in South Florida and we “love” seafood and especially shellfish we thought you might enjoy this easy to make (anytime of the year) meal for a lite lunch or dinner.
For Starters
To kick off our delicious lunch Halle Alessia made a marvelous charcuterie board that was perfectly put together with cheese, meats and olives. It looked sooo pretty we didn’t want to touch it … but we did and enjoyed it immensely.
What’s On The Menu
We paired the crab cakes with an amazing hearts of palm salad and refreshing #SoooBoca spritz of sorts with Ketel One Botanical Vodka and fresh citrus coupled with a splash of champagne.
We chose a recipe that emulates the lumb crab cakes from the iconic Joe’s Stonecrab in Miami. Now we adore stone crab especially when it is in season, from October 15th – May 15th, but for now…we thought an amazing crab cake lunch would be perfect for this girls luncheon.
Stone Crabs
Now just to be fair…we also adore garlic crabs and The Rustic Inn in Fort Lauderdale is the best game in town for that so check them out as well!
Recipes
Crab Cakes Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant Recipe
1 pound jumbo lump crabmeat, picked over 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped 1/4 cup chopped onion 4 scallions, trimmed and chopped 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 1 garlic clove, minced 1 egg, lightly beaten 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1/4 tablespoon Tabasco sauce 3/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more if needed lime or lemon wedges, for garnish
In a large mixing bowl, combine the crabmeat, red pepper, onion, scallions, parsley, and garlic. In a small bowl, stir together the egg, mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire, and Tabasco. Gently fold this mixture into the crab meat mixture; then add 1/4 cup of the bread crumbs, mixing with a light touch just until combined.
Form 8 patties, using 1/2 cup of the crab meat mixture for each. The patties should be made in ovals about 1/2 inch thick and 3 1/2 inches long. Coat the patties with the remaining bread crumbs and place them on a wax paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until set, at least 1 hour.
Heat the oil in a large skillet, preferably nonstick, over medium heat. Add 4 of the crab cakes at a time. Cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Adjust the heat as you cook so that the fat maintains a steady, gentle sizzle. Gently flip the crab cakes with a spatula and cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Serve hot, garnished with lime or lemon wedges, with a small cup of salsa on the side, if you like. Makes 8 crab cakes. – This “copy cat” recipe is from http://seafoodchainrestaurantrecipes.blogspot.com/2016/05/joes-stone-crab-crab-cakes.html
Hearts of Palm Salad and Crab Cakes
Hearts of Palm Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
Prep all of the items in the recipe and chill for an hour in the fridge
1 14 ounce can of hearts of palm, sliced
2 papayas, peeled and cubed (we used mango)
2 kiwis, peeled and cubed
2 bananas, sliced
1 fresh pineapple, cubed or canned is fine (we did not use due to a food allergy)
1 6 oz box of dates, chopped
Lettuce (we added a fresh lettuce to this recipe)
Combine the fruits and lettuce into a pretty glass bowl, mix and serve.
The salad recipe is from Tropic Cooking by Joyce LaFray Young. This is the most fabulous cook book that has amazing cuisine from Florida and the Islands of the Caribbean! Grab this amazing addition to your kitchen!
We hope you enjoy our lunch ideas, cooking video and conversation and lets us know if you try any of the recipes! Make sure to follow at #SoooBoca on Instagram!
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca.
I love shining the light on local businesses and people! In this episode of #SoooBoca Stories I had the great pleasure of interviewing Melanie De Vito, Marketing Director of The Addison of Boca Raton, one of the most iconic event and historically gorgeous wedding venues in Boca Raton and South Florida!
Melanie De Vito – Director of Marketing The Addison
Historic Venue Hosts Amazing Events
The #SoooBoca gals absolutely love the charm and history of this romantic venue that exudes old Florida with class and beauty. Halle Alessia Photography and I have enjoyed the Five Star Diamond Award Dinner, Halloween, business and wedding events at The Addison!
The interview starts around 3:15 and Melanie and I touch what is happening in the event space and where it is at post Covid-19 and the options for in person weddings and business events.
The Addison Boca Raton
Pink Fight Club
We also chat about the The Pink Fight Club which was created after Zoe Lanham, The Addisons VP, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She felt it was necessary to share her story, support the research behind her recovery, and help women around the world with early detection, knowledge empowerment, and finding a place for support. Join her and her team by supporting #thepinkfightclub. All fundraising efforts support American Cancer Society.
Lastly, if you are a women in biz and local, we buzz about FEMCITY® Boca/Delray a members only organization infused with gratitude, positivity, purpose & soul. This organization is curated and created by women for women, FEMCITY® is a community dedicated to arming your with everything you need to grow and live a happy life. Click here for more information on this amazing organization!
I hope you enjoyed this Boca Raton business spotlight interview as much as I did! Make sure to follow The Addison and #SoooBoca on Instagram and all the socials!
The Addison Courtyard
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Michele podcasts, blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca.
And just like that…out of left field here comes the invite only Clubhouse App! What is it you ask and why should I run, not walk to get involved with the Clubhouse community? Keep reading!
Connect, Collab, Learn on Clubhouse
#SoooBoca loves tech and loves fresh social media options and boy is this one cool option! This is one of those few times I have actually been on the ground floor of an app and platform like this. It didn’t happen for me with Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram or TikTok but it is happening for me with Clubhouse.
Clubhouse social network is the perfect app for course creators, speakers, trainers, coaches, businesses, collaborators and connectors! If you have ever wanted your voice to be heard, and don’t want to do video or a podcast, you can now make your own seat at the table with this app!
I love that CEO’s, celebrities and industry icons from around the globe including Forbes Riley, Elon Musk, Amy Porterfield, Jasmine Star, have flocked to the platform and are sharing and fielding questions and advice from members.
Where To Find People
Once someone is officially on the app, they can make a profile and grab their URL to share anywhere. Here is mine @themichelebee.
Currently I have started two Clubhouse Clubs. The South Florida Network is for all locals, business owners and entrepreneurs in our area to join in and converse.
The second club I have is for Realtors called Club Real. I love to network with agents globally and refer back and forth so this is a club to do just that.
Anyone can start a club now on Clubhouse which makes it very nice and you will get a ton of invites to those clubs so choose wisely!
So What Is This Clubhouse App?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The Clubhouse App
As per Mashable- In short: Clubhouse is an audio-based social media app. The company describes itself as “a new type of social product based on voice [that] allows people everywhere to talk, tell stories, develop ideas, deepen friendships, and meet interesting new people around the world.”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Clubhouse is currently in beta mode, currently invite only and currently for iPhone users (I know, I know). Make sure to download the app and sign up. Why you may ask? Because users get “invites” to give away and if you are in someone’s contact list, who is already on Clubhouse, who has invites, will probably share one of the golden Willy Wonka invites with you! ⠀⠀⠀⠀
Getting Started
Clubhouse Profile
Add your profile photo with a great color for your background (not logo), add your profile bio (first 3 lines of 125 characters) are seen as a preview so make it good with a great hook to encourage other people to “follow” you! Take a look at mine @themichelebee and you can get a good feel for what to do!
Connect your Instagram and Twitter. There is no direct messaging feature on Clubhouse, but, and here is the great part of this…you will grow your Instagram following for sure so that is a huge bonus!
Start looking at the “hallway” which is the main feed on Clubhouse. This will show you current rooms that are happening…and trust me they are happening. You can “join” a room as a listener and also put up your hand to be a speaker. If you see a room you like, jump on in.
You will notice there are people at the top of each room with the “green bean”. These are room moderators and they guide the conversations in each room. They also have control over inviting people up on “stage” (that is where they are) to join the conversation or ask a question. Sometimes you may be also added as a moderator!
Clubhouse Tip: Mute your “mic” if you do go on the stage as Clubhouse does not automatically mute you when you go up and well, lets just say, we have all heard some bathroom sounds and you don’t want to be that person!
One thing to keep in mind is that the Clubhouse algorithm (yup they have one just like all the other socials) is looking at who you follow, what Clubs you join and your activity to curate your experience. The first couple of weeks I had rooms being suggested to me that did not peak my interest, I now know that I can hide those rooms and also in my profile where the “gear” is upper right, I can tap on that to adjust my settings including tapping on adjust my “interests”.
Speaking of settings, you can also adjust notifications, which I highly suggest you do, or you will lose your mind. I also have “trending room” turned off.
BONUS TIP: Clubhouse does not
How To Create A Club On Clubhouse
Clubhouse Profile
As of this post, Clubhouse loosened up their rules and guidelines for creating actual Clubs in the app. Now anyone can create a club. For example, as I mentioned, I have created two clubs. The South Florida Network, to connect locals and business owners together in conjunction with Facebook group of the same name and Club REAL #realtorlife (for Realtors).
The cool part about clubs is that you can “host” rooms under that club name and continue to grow your followers and connect with people you want to get to know or do business with. You can also let other people host a room in your club or co-moderate/host together. Very cool and great for getting known.
Bonus: The more rooms you add value you to the better.
14 Pros & Cons Of Clubhouse
Clubhouse App Hallway
Here are the Pro’s:
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 1. Mastermind Rooms (that if you were paying for would be $1000’s of dollars)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
2. High Level Coaches, CEO’s and Influencers Are There And Sharing Knowledge⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
3. Networking (You can add your Instagram and Twitter) and direct people there. PS… your follower count will start growing. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
4. You can start a private room with people or a public room and share your knowledge as a moderator⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
5. Connect and engage with people in your industry and in your related niches ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
6. Learn from experts, colleagues, grow your own authority as an expert and plant the seeds for referrals and future business.
7. Find guests for your podcast or become a guest on someone else’s podcast.
8. Mastermind rooms that you can join in or start.
Here Are The Cons:
A little clique at times just like any club.
2. There are people on the app that will try to sell you courses and products. Buyer Beware!
3. It can be a time suck if you don’t control the notifications and your time on the app.
4. Make sure that you take what you need and leave the rest!
5. Everyone professes to be an expert…trust me, they are not. Bad advice is in every room so please do your due diligence.
6. Racism, bullying and rudeness have been ongoing concerns of the Clubhouse community and are against terms and service.
Clubs You Might Want To Following
There are 1000’s of clubs now on Clubhouse. Don’t just hang out in your industry, check out other industries and conversations! I love checking out the blogging clubs!
The Real Deal Club – Sue B. Zimmerman – The Instagram Expert – @suebzimmerman
The Midlife Network – Colleen Rosenblum – Hot Flashes Cool Topics – @colleenrosenblm
WomXn in Business – Christina Holder – @xtinaholder
Good Morning, Real Estate! – German Hernandez – @yourswflrealtor
Luxury Travel House
Breakfast With Champions
The Hustler Club
New Bloggers Club
Last Thoughts
As someone that loves to try all the different platforms that show up on my radar, I really try to keep it simple. One, it must be a connector, it must have the ability to generate leads and referrals, it must hold my interest and it must be profitable. I have already generated 2 referrals on Clubhouse in the last 30 days so this definitely checks the boxes I like for spending time on any social media app.
About Michele
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Start your search here! Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida & Beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca.
Deerfield Beach is a fun city with an amazing beachfront! Located just south of Boca Raton, it is easily accessible from all points north and south. It’s popularity is likely a result of all that the city offers and its proximity to cities like Lighthouse Point, Pompano Beach, Delray Beach, Highland Beach, and Hillsboro Mile.
Below, we have shared some of #SoooBoca’s favorites around Deerfield Beach. That said, if you think we have missed a hidden or not-so-hidden gem, let us know!
Please note that Covid-19 has altered the offerings here so please check websites for the latest updates.
Things To Do In Deerfield Beach
Hit the Beach: It should be no surprise that a city named Deerfield Beach is home to some of the coolest beaches in Florida. Spend the day relaxing in the sand, take a dip in the ocean, and don’t forget to walk along the boardwalk! The remodeled North Beach Pavilion (by the beach volleyball) is named after Kirk G. Cottrell, the original founder of Island Water Sports
Surf the Waves: Deerfield is a great surfing beach and you can even get your kids a lesson locally! Visit Island Water Sports and check out their Surf Camp. They are also a great site for equipment rental; get your paddle boards, surfboards and body boards there! Let’s not forget that you can shop for the latest surf fashion, shorts and of course flip flops!
Go Fishing: If you love to fish, or if you never have but want to try, you MUST visit the International Fishing Pier. Located at 200 NE 21st Street, this 976-foot pier welcomes scores of fishermen each year. You can rent rods and purchase bait and ice. And, even if your not a fishing fan, it offers a beautiful view of the ocean and the surrounding area. FYI…There is metered parking on the street, a parking lot and there is also a big parking garage close to the beach.
Downtown Deerfield Beach
4. Camp Out: Yes, you heard me right. You can go camping right in Deerfield. In fact, this is a perfect introduction to this great outdoor adventure. Quiet Waters Park is home to a fabulous family campground where you can rent a tent on a platform or even a teepee! The sites have fire pits and grills, and there are public restroom facilities. Bring your air mattress, and a volleyball (there are sand courts available) and try out camping close to home! (Please note that Covid-19 has altered the offerings here so please check the website).
Dine Outand Happy Hours: There is no shortage of restaurants in Deerfield. Head there for dinner and visit a city staple, JB’s on the Beach This fabulous and fun oceanfront restaurant is a favorite of ours at #SoooBoca! We also adore The Whales Rib, especially those Whale Fries and rock shrimp! We love weekend brunching in Deerfield Beach. Another fave and landmark restaurant is The Cove! We have been going there forever and you can pull your boat up and enjoy lunch, happy hour or dinner! Finally, we have to share a couple of Deerfield Beach landmarks, Charm City, well-known for perhaps the best burgers and shakes in the area, and Pops Fish Market (we pick up our favorite seafood and stone crab when it is in season).
Appreciate Nature: Deerfield Island Park (temporarily closed) is the perfect spot to embark on a nature walk and simply escape the grind of everyday life. This island, accessible only by boat (there is a free shuttle), features a butterfly garden, picnic areas, and a nature trail. Pack your lunch and enjoy some time relaxing in this beautiful location. Also, consider a trip to the Deerfield Beach Arboretum, located in Constitution Park. This self-proclaimed “tree zoo” is home to over 200 exotic trees and well worth a visit.
Rock Shrimp
Attend a Festival: The city hosts an array of fun and exciting festivals each year. Check out the dates for the Annual Deerfield Beach Festival of the Arts. There will be lots of artists displaying their work, food and drink vendors and even a kids’ zone! It’s not to be missed. Also, mark your calendar for their annual Pioneer Days. This three-day event features a carnival, food and drinks, live music, a parade, and even fireworks!
Enjoy a Cup of Tea: Tea rooms are becoming increasingly popular in South Florida. That said, one of our favorites is The Modern Rose. Located in The Cove, we encourage you to stop by, indulge in your favorite tea and relax. This spot is truly lovely!
Tea House
Water Ski: Yes, that’s right, you can water ski right here in Deerfield Beach. If you haven’t been to Ski Rixen (also inside Quiet Waters Park) you must go! This accessible water sports and activity center even has a cable park – ski with no boats! You can wakeboard, slalom, kneeboard, and more in their beautiful lake!
Tee Off: South Florida is home to some awesome golf courses, and one of the best is located in Deerfield Beach. If you are a golfer, consider playing a round at Deer Creek, an 18-hole championship course designed by Arthur Hills. And, how’s this for a bonus, you don’t need to be a member to play!
Golfing in Deerfield Beach
11. We also love that one of our favorites, Kilwins, has a Deerfield location. Whether you are looking for a refreshing ice cream cone or some yummy fudge, this is the place to be!
12. Grab some of the best BBQ around South Florida at Papa Sauce on Dixie Highway just south of Hillsboro Blvd. Darwin “Papa” Brooks founded Papa Sauce after his love for cooking surpassed his love for football. You can take out or cater and trust me when I tell you it is absolutely fantastic! We love all the sides, especially the mac and cheese and collard greens. So grab a slab and a few sides today!
And Now You Know
If you weren’t aware of all there was to do in Deerfield Beach, you certainly are now. Take advantage of all this wonderful city has to offer. From great restaurants in Deerfield Beach, to the Deerfield Beach boardwalk to sports, events, and parks, you simply have to take it from us, this city truly has it all!
About Michele Bellisari
Michele is a South Florida Realtor, based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving surrounding cities, and the founder of #Soooboca Lifestyle and Media.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Boca Raton and any of the surrounding cities let her help you out! Thinking of purchasing a vacation home?
Michele blogs, vlogs, posts and shares all things Boca Raton, South Florida and beyond from events, people, food, travel, home decor, fashion, beauty, and real estate! You can find more at www.soooboca.com and on all the socials @soooboca.
Information in this post should be verified with your accountant, attorney and or financial planner as well as the state of Florida.
Information in posts should be verified independently. Information deemed reliable, not guaranteed.
