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  • The Effortless Home: Smart Cleaning for Miami’s Modern Apartments

    There's something appealing about walking into a Miami apartment where everything feels considered. Sunlight moves across pale porcelain floors, furniture sits comfortably within an open layout, and the view beyond the windows does much of the decorating. In neighborhoods like Brickell, Edgewater, and Miami Beach, contemporary apartments often embrace this kind of understated design. Clean lines, natural materials, and thoughtfully concealed storage make even compact spaces feel open and inviting. Of course, anyone who lives in one knows that maintaining the look takes some effort. Bright sunlight reveals every footprint on glossy tile. A little sand follows you home from the beach, and cooking dinner can leave more marks on the floor than expected. The answer isn't to spend every evening cleaning. It's to make floor care as thoughtfully organized as the apartment itself, with practical routines, accessible storage, and equipment that fits the space. When the Floor Becomes Part of the Design In a minimalist interior, flooring does more than provide a surface to walk on. It helps establish the character of the entire room. Large-format porcelain tiles can create a continuous visual flow between the kitchen and living area. Polished concrete gives an apartment a more industrial character, while wood and wood-look finishes introduce warmth without overwhelming the space. These materials look particularly striking in Miami's natural light. But the same light that makes an apartment feel spacious can also reveal dust, smudges, and footprints. On glossy floors, even a small amount of cleaning residue may be noticeable when the afternoon sun hits at the right angle. That's why the cleaning method matters as much as the frequency. Start by removing loose particles that might scratch the finish. For everyday dust, use a suitable dry vacuum or soft cleaning tool. When the floor needs washing, use a method recommended for that particular material, paying attention to how much water and cleaning solution remain on the surface. For compatible hard floors, a Tineco vacuum mop can combine the collection of everyday debris with wet cleaning in one process. That may be convenient in apartments with continuous hard flooring, where pulling out a separate mop and bucket feels unnecessary for a small mess. However, polished stone, wood, laminate, and specialty finishes have different requirements. Always confirm that the appliance and cleaning solution are suitable for the flooring before use. A beautiful surface deserves a cleaning routine that preserves its finish rather than gradually wearing it down. The Best Storage Is the Kind You Barely Notice An apartment doesn't feel minimalist simply because it contains fewer objects. What matters is whether the things you use every day have a sensible place to live. Cleaning equipment is a good example. A floor cleaner left beside the sofa can interrupt an otherwise carefully designed room. Put it at the back of an overcrowded closet, however, and you're unlikely to reach for it when a drink spills. The ideal arrangement is somewhere between those extremes. In a Brickell condo, that might be a dedicated section of the laundry closet. In a smaller Miami Beach apartment, it could be a narrow utility area beside the kitchen or a suitable cabinet with enough space for the equipment and its accessories. Before buying a cordless floor cleaner, measure more than the machine itself. Check the dimensions of the charging base, the space needed to remove water tanks, and whether there is a conveniently located electrical outlet. A docking station also needs a stable surface and appropriate clearance. Follow the manufacturer's charging, ventilation, and storage instructions rather than assuming it can operate safely inside a tightly enclosed cabinet. Keep spare brushes, approved cleaning solution, and maintenance accessories together in a small storage container. The goal is straightforward: everything should be easy to find, easy to use, and just as easy to put away. Smart Cleaning Is About Reducing Small Interruptions Technology is most useful at home when it quietly removes repetitive tasks. Consider a typical weekday. There's coffee spilled near the kitchen island in the morning, a few footprints after someone comes in from the balcony, and crumbs beneath the dining chairs after dinner. None of these situations calls for a major cleaning session. What makes them frustrating is having to assemble equipment, refill containers, and clean everything afterward. This is where modern floor-cleaning systems can fit naturally into apartment living. For residents who prefer a dedicated cleaning station, the Pro configuration of the Tineco STATION S9 Scientist offers an approach built around a Smart Refresh Station. The FLOOR ONE STATION S9 Scientist Pro features a 5-liter water storage system that supports automatic clean-water refills. It also provides self-cleaning and drying functions for the machine's brush roller and internal cleaning path. These features can reduce some of the repetitive maintenance associated with traditional floor washing, although the dirty-water tank still needs to be emptied and the system maintained according to its instructions. A station-based system does require planning. The dock occupies floor space, needs access to power, and should be positioned where removing tanks or maintaining the machine won't become awkward. For a larger open-plan apartment, a dedicated utility corner may be a reasonable trade-off. In a studio or smaller one-bedroom residence, the station's dimensions deserve more careful consideration. The advantage of a well-planned setup isn't that cleaning disappears. It's that the process becomes easier to fit into the day. Cleaning Around Low Furniture Without Rearranging the Room Modern Miami interiors often feature low-profile furniture. Platform beds, streamlined sofas, and floating-style cabinets help create an uncluttered appearance, but they can make the spaces underneath difficult to reach. Dust and hair collect there regardless of how carefully the room is arranged. Moving a heavy sofa every week isn't realistic, especially in an apartment where furniture has been positioned to make the most of the available space. A cleaner designed to work at a lower angle can help. The Tineco Floor One s7 Stretch Ultra features a 180-degree lay-flat design intended to reach beneath certain sofas, beds, and low cabinets. Its cordless construction also makes it easier to move between rooms without managing a power cable. That can be particularly useful in apartments with furniture positioned close together, although the machine's dimensions and available clearance still determine where it can reach. It's also important to distinguish a wet-dry floor washer from a conventional dry vacuum. The S7 Stretch Ultra is designed for cleaning compatible hard floors with water and should not be operated as a dry-only vacuum. For dry dust or loose sand, a suitable dry vacuum may be the better first step. Choosing equipment around the furniture you already own is often more practical than expecting the room to accommodate the cleaning process. Coastal Living Comes With a Little Extra Maintenance Miami's coastal setting is part of its appeal. Balconies extend living spaces outdoors, beach outings are easy to arrange, and sliding glass doors often connect indoor rooms with expansive views. The same lifestyle creates a few housekeeping challenges. Sand travels home in beach bags and sandals. Fine outdoor dust can collect near balcony doors, while wet footprints appear after trips to the pool. Sand deserves particular attention because it can be abrasive when dragged across certain floor finishes. A small mat near the entrance helps catch loose grit. If you've been to the beach, shake out towels and bags before bringing them inside, and rinse sandy footwear where practical. Once particles reach the floor, collect them with a suitable dry vacuum or soft broom before wet cleaning. That keeps loose grains from being pushed across the surface. Miami's humidity is another consideration. High indoor humidity can slow the drying of damp materials and contribute to moisture problems in poorly ventilated areas. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, indoor humidity should generally remain below 60%, ideally between 30% and 50%, to help discourage mold growth. Air conditioning and dehumidification can help manage indoor moisture, but it's still important to address leaks, condensation, and damp areas promptly. After washing floors, avoid leaving standing water, especially near seams and edges. Keep indoor air circulating appropriately and allow the surface to dry before walking across it. A clean coastal apartment should feel comfortable, not perpetually damp from cleaning. A Routine That Fits the Way Miami Lives There's little reason to spend an entire weekend maintaining an apartment if a few smaller habits can keep things under control. The trick is to focus on the areas that get dirty most often, rather than treating every room as equally demanding. In the morning, check the kitchen after breakfast. Coffee drips, crumbs, and minor spills are easier to handle before they dry. When you return home, pay attention to the entrance. Put away sandy footwear, shake out anything brought back from the beach, and collect visible grit before it spreads. In the evening, give the kitchen and main living area a quick check. A small spill near the dining table or a few footprints by the balcony door usually don't require a full cleaning session. Once a week, make time for the less obvious spots. Clean beneath accessible furniture, inspect floor edges, and check whether entry mats need washing. If you use a wet-dry floor cleaner, empty the dirty-water tank and follow the recommended brush-cleaning and drying procedures after use. A self-cleaning function can simplify maintenance, but it doesn't eliminate the need for regular care. It's also worth reviewing what you keep in your cleaning storage area. Empty containers, worn accessories, and products you no longer use take up valuable space. A minimalist home benefits from an equally uncluttered maintenance routine. Make Room for Living, Not Just Looking Good A carefully designed apartment should be pleasant to live in, not simply beautiful in photographs. That means choosing finishes and furniture with everyday use in mind. Consider washable entry mats that complement the interior palette, furniture pads that protect floors from scratches, and discreet storage for the equipment used most frequently. If you're planning a renovation, think about floor care before selecting materials. Large-format tile may suit an open-plan living area, but its finish, grout requirements, and cleaning recommendations should be considered alongside its appearance. Likewise, wood flooring can bring warmth to a contemporary apartment, but moisture management and approved cleaning methods remain important. A practical home doesn't have to sacrifice design. In fact, many of the best design decisions are the ones that make everyday activities easier without drawing attention to themselves. A well-positioned storage cabinet, a convenient charging location, and a floor finish suited to the household can all contribute to that feeling. Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Modern Miami Apartments 1. How do you keep polished tile floors looking clean without streaks? Remove loose dust before washing, use a cleaner approved for the tile, and avoid applying too much solution. Dirty cleaning water or excess product can leave visible residue, especially on glossy surfaces. Follow the flooring manufacturer's care recommendations and allow the floor to dry properly. 2. Is a wet-dry vacuum suitable for a small apartment? It can be, particularly when most of the flooring consists of compatible hard surfaces. Consider the machine's dimensions, weight, storage requirements, and maintenance needs before buying. A compact cleaning routine matters more than simply choosing the appliance with the most features. 3. How should you clean sand from porcelain tile? Start with a suitable dry vacuum or soft broom to remove loose sand. Avoid dragging abrasive particles across the surface. Once the grit is gone, use a manufacturer-approved damp-cleaning method to remove remaining fine dust and footprints. 4. Can a floor washer clean beneath low sofas and beds? Some floor washers offer lay-flat designs that help reach beneath low furniture. However, actual access depends on the height of the cleaning head and the available clearance. Measure the gap beneath your furniture and check the machine's specifications before purchasing. 5. Does Miami's humidity affect how often floors should be cleaned? Humidity doesn't necessarily mean floors need more frequent washing, but it can make moisture management more important. Keep the air conditioning or dehumidification system properly maintained, address condensation, and avoid leaving floors unnecessarily wet after cleaning. 6. Is a self-cleaning docking station worth the extra space? A docking station may be useful if it reduces routine maintenance and fits comfortably into your apartment. Consider how often you clean, whether automatic water refilling would be beneficial, and how much room the station needs. The best choice depends on convenience, space, and the maintenance you're willing to do. The Beauty of a Home That Works for You Miami's best contemporary apartments strike a balance between visual simplicity and everyday comfort. The floors are part of that experience, reflecting natural light, connecting living spaces, and giving the interior a sense of continuity. Keeping them in good condition shouldn't require constant attention or a collection of equipment that takes over the utility closet. A practical cleaning routine, thoughtful storage, and appliances chosen for the space can make everyday maintenance feel less intrusive. The result isn't a home where nothing is ever out of place. It's one where a sandy footprint or an unexpected spill can be dealt with easily, without interrupting the rest of the day. And when the apartment is ready for an evening with friends, a quiet morning overlooking Biscayne Bay, or simply a little time away from the city's pace, that's exactly how a well-designed home should feel. The Effortless Home Starts With the Right Choice A beautifully designed Miami apartment deserves cleaning equipment that makes everyday life easier without compromising the space you've worked to create. If your priority is a streamlined cleaning routine with fewer manual water refills, the Tineco FLOOR ONE STATION S9 Scientist Pro is worth considering. Its automatic refill system and dedicated cleaning station may be particularly appealing in larger apartments with extensive hard flooring and enough room for the dock. If you live in a more compact apartment or regularly need to clean beneath low furniture, the Tineco FLOOR ONE S7 Stretch Ultra offers a practical alternative. Its cordless, lay-flat design makes it worth considering for hard-floor cleaning around contemporary furniture. Before making a purchase, take a moment to measure your storage space, check the flooring manufacturer's cleaning recommendations, and compare each model's current specifications, price, and availability on the Tineco product pages linked above. The right floor cleaner should fit your apartment as naturally as your furniture does. Whether you're drawn to the convenience of a self-maintaining station or the flexibility of a lay-flat cordless design, choose the features you'll actually use. Explore the Tineco options, find the model that suits your home, and make everyday floor care one less thing to think about. After all, the best part of living in Miami isn't spending time maintaining your apartment. It's enjoying the view, welcoming friends over, and having more time for everything happening beyond your front door. By ML Staff

  • How to Tell If Your County Overvalued Your Home (And What It Actually Takes to Fight a Bad Number)

    Image by DepositPhotos My neighbor's county assessment jumped 31% in one year while her house sat unsold and unpainted. Mine barely moved. Same street. Same school district. Different luck with whoever ran the numbers that cycle. That gap is the entire reason this topic exists, and it's the reason you should spend ten minutes checking your own notice instead of assuming it's fine. I've watched enough of these notices land in mailboxes to know the pattern: a county appraiser works from a mass model, your house gets slotted into a value bucket, and nobody walks your driveway before the number goes out. Sometimes the bucket fits. Sometimes it doesn't. If it doesn't, a travis county property tax appeal is the standard way homeowners push back, and the same basic mechanics show up in most counties, not just Travis. Your job today isn't to become a tax expert. It's to figure out whether your number is wrong enough to bother with, then do the boring parts right if it is. Here's what we're covering: how to read your notice in five minutes, the three mistakes that sink most challenges, a filing calendar that keeps you out of trouble, and the evidence that actually moves an appraiser. No jargon, no fee schedule, no promise that you'll win. Read Your Notice Like You're Looking for Errors, Not Numbers Most people open the envelope, look at the total, feel something, and put it down. That's backwards. The total is downstream of two inputs: the taxable value and the rate. The rate gets set by your school district, city, and county in public meetings you can attend but can't really fight. The value is the part you can contest, so that's where your attention goes. Skim for four things: The assessed value versus last year's assessed value, as a percentage. The exemptions listed. If you filed a homestead exemption and it's missing, that's a phone call, not a protest. The value classification. Did they call your 1,800 square foot ranch a two-story? The deadline printed somewhere on the page. It's usually within a month of the notice date. If the percentage jump is bigger than what's happening to similar homes around you, keep going. If it's roughly in line with the neighborhood and the exemptions are right, you probably don't have a case, and filing one anyway costs you a Saturday and a little credibility with the panel. What Actually Constitutes Overvaluation Feeling like your taxes are too high and proving your house is overvalued are two different animals. The board doesn't care that the bill stings. It cares whether the number on your notice reflects what your property would realistically sell for on January 1. So grab comparable sales. Not listings, not Zillow's estimate. Closed sales, ideally within the last year, ideally within a half mile, ideally similar in age, size, and condition. Three solid comps beat fifteen loose ones, and a comp that sold for a stretch price after a bidding war hurts you more than it helps. Then look for defects the mass model couldn't see. Foundation repair. A weird lot shape. A busy road at the property line. An addition that never got permitted, which cuts value no matter how much you spent on it. This is the part where a little honesty pays off, because the panel hears "my house is perfect and worth less" all day and tunes it out. Image by DepositPhotos The Filing Calendar You Can't Afford to Miss Every jurisdiction sets its own window, but the shape is consistent: you get a notice, you get a fixed stretch of time to respond, and once that stretch closes, you're usually stuck with the number for the year. In Texas, the standard deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the notice arrives, whichever comes later, and that detail trips people up every spring. Put the deadline in your phone the day the notice lands. Not the day you decide to protest. The day it lands. I've seen people with a genuinely strong case lose it entirely because they spent three weeks hunting down a survey and blew past the window. Filing itself is usually a form or an online portal, and it's free in most counties. You don't need a lawyer to file. You need a settled number in your head, your comps, and photos of whatever's wrong with the place. Where Most Challenges Fall Apart Arguing the tax bill instead of the value. The panel can't lower your rate. Ask for a value correction and let the bill follow. Showing up with an estimate. Automated valuation models are all over the place, and appraisers know it. The Federal Trade Commission has written about how those estimates get marketed, and the short version is they're not appraisals. Printed listings from a portal carry about the same weight. Ignoring the evidence packet requirement. Many counties want documents submitted before the hearing, not handed across the table. Read the instructions twice. It's tedious and it decides cases. A Quick Way to Check Your Own Odds Before You Bother I call it the two-question screen, and it takes about five minutes. Question one: can you name three closed sales nearby that support a lower number? If you can't name them without opening a laptop, your case is thin. Question two: is there something about your property the county's model couldn't have known? A defect, a lot issue, a use restriction? If yes, you've got an argument that doesn't depend on market timing. Two yeses, file. One yes, file if the gap is wide. Zero yeses, save your afternoon. That screen has kept me from wasting more time than any spreadsheet ever did. For context on why local governments lean on this revenue source so hard, the U.S. Census Bureau tracks how property taxes stack up against other local revenue streams, and it's not a small slice. Knowing that doesn't change your number, but it explains why counties are slow to hand out reductions without documentation. Evidence Type Weight With the Panel Effort to Gather Closed comparable sales High Medium Photos of defects High Low Contractor repair estimate Medium Low Online valuation estimate Low Very low Recent listing prices Low Low If You'd Rather Not Do It Yourself Filing on your own is genuinely doable, and I'd push most homeowners to try it once just to learn how the system reads their property. But there's a version of this where hiring help makes sense: a wide valuation gap, a commercial property, a hearing already rescheduled twice, or a schedule that won't allow a weekday morning off. Look for a firm that charges based on what it saves you rather than a flat retainer, because that structure keeps their incentives pointed the same direction as yours. One more thing worth checking before you file anything: your state's rules on how values get set and what relief programs exist, since those vary more than most people assume. The Texas Comptroller's office publishes plain-language material on how the process works in this state, and reading twenty minutes of it will make your hearing go smoother than any script you memorize. What to Do This Week Pull your notice out of the pile. Check the four items. Run the two-question screen. If the answer is file, calendar the deadline, gather your comps, and submit early rather than the night before. If the answer is skip, you've still learned how your county values your biggest asset, and that knowledge pays off the next time a notice shows up. So, what's the gap on your notice this year, and does it match what homes near you are actually selling for? By ML Staff. Images courtesy of DepositPhotos

  • How Property Tax Fits Into Your Federal Return Without the Confusion

    Image by DepositPhotos Most homeowners never actually see their property tax bill. The county mails it to the mortgage servicer, the servicer pays it out of escrow, and you find out at the end of the year through a line item buried in a statement you skim. Then April shows up and you have to decide whether that money did anything for your federal return. Short answer: yes, often. Property tax is one of the few local costs that can reduce your federal taxable income, but only if the numbers are real, the charges qualify, and you are willing to itemize. The gap between "I paid a lot of property tax" and "I can deduct this amount" is where people lose money every spring. Here is the trap I see most. A homeowner adds up twelve escrow payments, writes the total on a worksheet, and treats it as the deduction. That number is a monthly budget estimate, not a record of what the county received. Getting property tax onto your tax return correctly starts with pulling the actual statement from the county, not the mortgage portal. If the mechanics of the deduction itself are still fuzzy, property tax for tax return treatment is worth reading before you fill in a single field. What Actually Counts as Deductible The test is not "was this a tax on my house." The test is whether the charge was based on the assessed value of the property. Ad valorem charges qualify. That is the portion of your bill calculated from the county's valuation of the land and improvements. Assessors usually print it as a distinct line or set of lines, sometimes split across school district, city, and county levies, and every one of those pieces counts as long as it is value based. What does not count: Penalties and interest from a late payment Special assessments for a sidewalk, sewer line, or street lighting Transfer taxes and recording fees at closing, which belong to the seller's side of the deal Homeowner association dues, no matter what the HOA letter calls them Trash pickup, water, and other flat service fees bundled into the bill That last one gets people. Plenty of counties cheerfully roll a flat garbage fee into the same statement as the ad valorem charge, and the total at the bottom of the page looks deductible when part of it is not. Timing matters too. You deduct the year you paid, not the year the tax was assessed. If you escrowed all year and the servicer disbursed in December, that is usually your 2025 deduction. If the county received the money in January, it slides to the next year. Servicers are supposed to report this on Form 1098, but they do not always separate the ad valorem portion from the service fees, which is exactly why you keep your own copy. Itemize or Take the Standard Deduction? This is the decision that quietly decides whether the property tax line matters at all. You only benefit from deducting property tax if your total itemized deductions beat the standard deduction for your filing status. Run your own math before you assume. Add up: State and local income tax, or state sales tax, whichever you choose Property tax on every property you own, primary home, second home, or rental Mortgage interest Charitable contributions Medical expenses above the threshold If that total clears the standard deduction, itemizing is worth the extra paperwork. If it does not, the property tax you paid still mattered to your monthly budget, it just does not change your federal bill. One structural limit sits on top of all of it. State and local taxes, income tax plus property tax plus sales tax combined, are capped at a fixed amount per return. The cap applies per household, not per person, so a married couple filing jointly gets the same ceiling as a single filer. For owners in high tax counties, the cap gets hit fast, and the property tax line simply stops adding value once you are at the limit. If you are itemizing, the exact treatment of these combined deductions is worth confirming with a tax professional before you file. My honest take: if you are anywhere near the cap, stop optimizing the property tax line and start looking at the other deductions on the list. That is where the remaining headroom lives. Image by DepositPhotos The Escrow Math Most People Get Wrong Escrow accounts are the single largest source of bad property tax numbers on returns, and the error runs in both directions. Servicers pad escrow payments to cover shortages and build a cushion. So your twelve monthly deposits almost always exceed what the county actually received. Claim the deposits and you have overstated your deduction. Meanwhile, a servicer that under-collected and made a short disbursement can leave you understating it. There is a second wrinkle. Some years the county sends two bills and the servicer pays both in the same calendar year, which spikes one year and drops the next. Your 1098 will show it. Your memory will not. The fix takes about twenty minutes. In late January, log into the county assessor or tax collector portal, find the payment history for your parcel, and download the receipt for every disbursement made in the tax year. Compare that against your Form 1098. Where they disagree, the county receipt wins, because that is the record of money that actually changed hands. Do that once and you will never guess at this number again. The Five Minute Pre Filing Check I keep a short pass I run through before handing anything to my tax preparer, and it has caught real money more than once. Start with the parcel record, not the bank statement. Confirm the ad valorem charge and strip out every penalty, special assessment, and flat service fee. Match each disbursement date against the tax year you are filing. Total your itemized deductions and check it against the standard deduction honestly, without hopeful rounding. Then apply the state and local cap on top. If your property outside the primary residence generates income, including rent from a duplex or a converted garage, those taxes belong on a different schedule and follow different rules than your personal residence. Mixing the two is a common and costly mistake. One more thing worth knowing. Property tax is the single largest source of revenue for local governments across the country, according to Census Bureau data, which is why county bills keep climbing even in flat housing markets. That trend is the reason this section of your return keeps getting more attention, and the reason the cap keeps getting more painful. If you are also in the workforce and wondering how much of your income actually reaches a state treasury, the baseline income tax rates published by the IRS give you the federal starting point. Bottom Line Property tax belongs on your federal return when it is value based, actually paid during the year, and part of a total itemized picture that beats the standard deduction and survives the state and local cap. Everything else just increases your monthly housing cost. Pull your county receipt this week. If the number on it does not match what you were planning to claim, you have time to fix it. And if you have been taking the standard deduction and assuming this never applied to you, get a real estimate of your itemized total before you file again. Sometimes the answer surprises people in the best way. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of DepositPhotos

  • The House of Creed Unveils Holiday 2026 Collection

    The House of Creed has launched its Holiday 2026 collection, inspired by the lifestyle and entertaining traditions of fifth-generation descendant Charles Creed. Set within an Art Deco residence backdrop, the seasonal campaign highlights new fragrance releases, curated discovery sets, home scents, and luxury body care products. Fragrance Lineup and New Releases The 2026 collection features the newly launched floral-fougère fragrance, Iris Debonair, which blends English lavender from Kent with French iris pallida from Les Landes. Available in 100ml ($510) and 50ml ($380) bottles, it joins the House's core offerings, including: Aventus: 100ml ($510) / 50ml ($380) Absolu Aventus: 100ml ($610) / 50ml ($450) Aventus for Her: 75ml ($460) / 30ml ($310) Millésime Impérial: 100ml ($490) / 50ml ($360) Wild Vetiver: 100ml ($510) / 50ml ($380) Silver Mountain Water: 100ml ($490) / 50ml ($360) All fragrance offerings utilize Creed's Art of Millésime process, featuring hand-weighed, aged natural ingredients crafted near the Château de Fontainebleau in France. Holiday Gift Sets and Packaging The seasonal sets are presented in packaging featuring Art Deco-inspired motifs. The gift lineup includes: Home & Away Sets: Aventus ($600) and Aventus for Her ($550) Discovery Sets: Women’s and Men’s 3-Piece Sets ($280) and 5-Piece Sets ($380) Travel Accessories: Refillable 5ml Travel Atomizers ($95) Exclusive Offerings: Customisable La Sélection Privée sets starting at $1,580, and the Aventus Édition Artisanale, limited to 500 numbered pieces worldwide ($1,800) Home Fragrance and Body Care For the home, Creed introduces the limited-edition Smoked Wood & Incense Reed Diffuser ($350), embellished with 18-karat gold. The collection also includes porcelain scented candles ($125), ceramic scented ornaments ($75 each or $195 for a set of three), and a scented Hand & Body collection—comprising wash ($110), lotion ($110), and perfumed soap ($60)—available across multiple signature scents. House of Creed Boutiques in South Florida Miami Design District 151 NE 41st Street, Suite PP-143 Miami, FL 33137 Phone: (305) 573-9495 Hours: Monday–Saturday, 11 AM–8 PM; Sunday, 12 PM–6 PM Aventura Mall 19501 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 904 Aventura, FL 33180 Phone: (786) 998-8977 Hours: Monday–Saturday, 11 AM–9 PM; Sunday, 12 PM–7 PM CONNECT WITH HOUSE OF CREED Website: creedboutique.com Instagram: instagram.com/creedfragrance By ML Staff. Photos: The House of Creed.

  • Miami Halloween Guide 2026: Events, Parties & Family Fun

    Miami takes Halloween seriously. In 2023, WalletHub ranked Miami No. 4 among the 100 largest U.S. cities for celebrating Halloween, citing factors including walkability and the availability of costume and candy stores. Hialeah also made the list, ranking No. 9. To help you find the right Halloween event for you, your family or your friends, Miami Living has compiled a guide to Halloween 2026, featuring family-friendly festivals, trick-or-treating, costume contests, dog-friendly celebrations and late-night parties. Explore the events below, with dates and details to help you plan your October. Don't miss our other guide on Miami's greatest Haunted Houses of 2026: Miami Halloween Haunted Houses 2026: Tickets, Prices and What’s Included Halloween gif/courtesy of Skeleton Family Fun by Day Daytime activities packed with fun, treats, and costumes for the whole family to enjoy Halloween at an easy pace. Galleria Fort Lauderdale: Halloween Boo Bash Photo: Courtesy of Galleria Fort Lauderdale On Oct. 29, the mall turns its attention to young ghouls and goblins with a free afternoon of trick-or-treating, a costume contest, games and sweet treats. Characters in costume are on hand for photos, which makes this an easy stop for families who want Halloween without a long drive or a ticket. Address: 2414 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 Phone: (954) 564-1015 Website: Official website Gulfstream Park Village: Creepy Carnival Clowns Halloween Celebration Photo: Gulfstream Park On Saturday, Oct. 24, from 7 to 10 p.m., Gulfstream Park Village hosts a free celebration with a live DJ, candy stations, food trucks, outdoor bars, a beer garden, performers and interactive characters. Families should arrive early: candy stations run from 7 to 8 p.m. as a safe alternative to neighborhood trick-or-treating, and costumes are encouraged. Address: 901 S Federal Hwy, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009 Website: Official website Kiki on the River: Halloween Pumpkin Carving Party Photo: Kiki on the River To mark National Pumpkin Day on Monday, Oct. 26, Kiki on the River invites parents and kids to carve, create and celebrate together along the Miami River. Pumpkins and all carving supplies are provided, and the afternoon adds Halloween décor, themed activities and photo opportunities. Admission includes a set menu, so the whole family can enjoy the full Kiki experience. Address: 450 NW North River Dr, Miami, FL 33128 The Little Lighthouse Foundation: Children's Halloween Party Photo: The Little Lighthouse Foundation The Little Lighthouse Foundation brings back its Children's Halloween Party on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Jungle Plaza in the Miami Design District. Expect costumes, treats, games and magical moments with the children and families the foundation serves. Volunteer sign-ups are open, and guests can also sponsor a child through the foundation's website. Address: Jungle Plaza, 3801 NE 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33137 Website: Official website Miami Children's Museum: Not So Scary in Miami Photo: Miami Children's Museum The museum's 16th annual Not So Scary Halloween Bash took place Oct. 4, and the fun continues all month. Weekend trick-or-treating returns Oct. 10, 17 and 24, while the not-so-spooky Haunted House stays open daily. Other highlights include the "Glowing Pair of Underpants" Theater Troupe on weekends, Mini Monster Monday on Oct. 26 for toddlers, mini pumpkin decorating and a mad scientist lab. Costumes are welcome all month. Address: 980 MacArthur Causeway, Miami, FL 33132 Website: Official website Plantation Walk: Trunk or Treat & Car Show Photo: Plantation Walk On Saturday, Oct. 24, from 4 to 8 p.m., Plantation Walk hosts a free outdoor Trunk or Treat and Car Show. The show starts at 4 p.m., with trick-or-treating at 5 p.m. as participating vehicles hand out candy while supplies last. Halloween-themed cars compete for the Top 5 Merchant's Choice Trophies, with live music, street performers and more than 30 restaurants, shops and experiences. Pets are welcome. Address: 321 N University Dr, Plantation, FL 33324 Halloween Day and Night Versatile celebrations that seamlessly transition from family-friendly daytime adventures to spine-tingling thrills after dark. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden: The Seven Ravens and Garden of Shadows Photo: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Fairchild celebrates Halloween around the clock. By day, through Oct. 31 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), families follow The Seven Ravens, a storybook adventure with hidden letters, a final mystery and a prize at the Garden Shop. After dark on Oct. 23 and 24 (7 to 10:30 p.m.), Garden of Shadows brings six haunted encounters, cocktail and mocktail flights and a 9 p.m. costume contest. The daytime adventure is included with Garden admission, and Garden of Shadows is $35.95 per adult. Address: 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, FL 33156 Website: Official website Kings Doral Photo: Kings Doral Kings Doral splits its Halloween in two. Families take over for a building-wide trick-or-treat experience between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Then at 8 p.m., the mood turns adults-only, with hidden "Trick" and "Treat" cards around the venue. Tricks might mean bowling a frame with your non-dominant hand, and treats include free appetizers. The $13 Boo's Bag, an IV-style drink bag filled with Bacardi, orange juice, pineapple and cranberry, is available Oct. 12 to 31. Address: 3450 NW 83rd Ave, Suite 152, Doral, FL 33122 Pups in Costume: Adorable fashion shows and yappy hours designed to let your four-legged friends join in on the Halloween fun. Deli Lane: Howl-O-Ween Yappy Hour Photo: Deli Lane On Saturday, Oct. 24, from 3 to 6 p.m., Deli Lane invites locals to bring their pups to the patio for an afternoon of Halloween fun. A dog costume contest begins at 4:30 p.m., and the first- and second-place dogs win Deli Lane gift cards of $50 and $30. Admission is free. Address: 7230 SW 59th Ave, South Miami, FL Kiki on the River: Paws & Pose Halloween Photo: Flow Gallery Agency On Saturday, Oct. 24, from 12:30 to 5 p.m., Kiki on the River hosts a dog fashion show and costume competition judged by a celebrity panel. The $99 Paw-Ty Pass includes a welcome cocktail, a Pup Cup, a signature brunch dish and competition entry, with 25% of proceeds donated to charity. Prizes include a Kiki Yacht Experience, a Habibi Chef's Tasting Experience and A Day at Faena (each of the last two valued at $1,000). The Healthy Bud Treat Bar, a Mr. Beni Dog Art Gallery Pop-Up and a Halloween photo booth round things out. Address: 450 NW North River Dr, Miami, FL 33128 Tickets: Official ticket page Parties After Dark: Vibrant nightlife, themed dinners, and costume contests tailored for adults looking to celebrate in style. Cantina La Veinte Photo: Cantina La Veinte On Saturday, Oct. 31, Cantina La Veinte dresses up with Halloween décor and an ofrenda, serving its regular à la carte menu alongside a DJ and mariachi entertainment. Guests are encouraged to wear costumes, with $500 going to the winner of the contest. Earlier in the week, the restaurant teams up with Bucket Listers for a Halloween dinner series on Oct. 27 to 29 featuring a dedicated menu. Address: 495 Brickell Ave, Miami, FL 33131 Phone: (786) 623-6135 Website: Official website Instagram: @CantinaLaVeinteMiami Delano Miami Beach: Queen of the Jungle Photo: Delano Miami Beach On Saturday, Oct. 31, from 8 p.m. to midnight, Delano takes over its ground floor for one night only with Queen of the Jungle, an immersive after-dark celebration hosted by Ladyfag and Rigo Lora. The setting leans into a tropical, overgrown theme that suits the hotel's design. Address: 1685 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 HalloWYN Photo: SWARM Wynwood's Halloween tradition hits its 13th year on Halloween night at Wynwood Marketplace. The neighborhood known for street art and nightlife becomes a costume parade of its own, making it an easy choice for anyone who wants to see Miami at its most creative on Oct. 31. Address: 2250 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127 Sexy Fish Miami: Vampire Tide Photo: Sexy Fish Miami On Saturday, Oct. 31, Sexy Fish becomes a world of gothic glamour with immersive installations, striking costumes and theatrical entertainment, presented with Don Julio 1942. Dinner from the à la carte menu is followed by headlining DJ Pablo Fierro, performances, cocktails and a late-night food menu. Seating begins at 9:30 p.m. with a $300 per person deposit applied toward food and beverage. Guests must be 21 or older. Address: 1001 South Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33130 Phone: (305) 889-7888 Website: Official website Instagram: @sexyfishmiami Sunset Tavern: Halloween Bash Photo: Sunset Tavern On Saturday, Oct. 31, Sunset Tavern celebrates its final Halloween at its current location with live music by Drako at 7:30 p.m. and a crowd-voted costume contest at 9 p.m. Winners receive $50 and $30 gift cards. Themed drink specials include Witches Blood Sangria, Midnight Moscow Mules, Boo Breezes and Jello Syringe Shots. Admission is free. Address: 7230 SW 59th Ave, South Miami, FL Wine Bar Halloween Week: A wine-fueled lineup of spooky pairings and themed events for a cozy, spirited celebration. Magie Wine Bar Photo: Magie Wine Bar Magie spends Halloween week with a wine-fueled lineup across its Little River and Coconut Grove locations. On Oct. 28, Adult Trick or Treat pairs four glasses of wine with candy for $30. Oct. 29 brings Halloween Singles Night. On Oct. 30, Freaky Friday invites guests to dress as the person they would swap lives with. The week ends Oct. 31 with the 2nd Annual Slutty Pumpkin: all-night happy hour, $35 bottomless wine and a $100 prize for the "sluttiest" costume. Address: 8281 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33138 (Little River) | 3540 Main Hwy, Miami, FL 33133 (Coconut Grove) Website: Official website Hotel Halloween: Immersive resort experiences blending festive parties, great dining, and seasonal traditions. The Boca Raton Photo: The Boca Raton The resort serves families and adults alike. On Oct. 24, the Harborside Lawn becomes a Pumpkin Patch where guests can decorate (or smash) a pumpkin. On Oct. 31, the Family Boo Bash fills the Grand Ballroom with costumes, a DJ, kids' crafts, an adult open bar and treats such as "Witches Fingers" and Mini Hot Dog Mummies. The adults-only Día de los Muertos Party follows Nov. 1 with a live DJ, open bars and Mexican-inspired bites. Address: 501 E Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432 Hotel Beauden Photo: Hotel Beauden Outside Miami, Orlando's Hotel Beauden hosts Libra After Dark: A Halloween Affair on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. The evening includes a complimentary champagne wall, cocktails crafted by the hotel's mixologist, a live DJ, tarot card readings and a costume contest with prizes for first and second place. Address: 325 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801 The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach Photo: The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach On Oct. 31, guests arriving in the afternoon are greeted in the lobby with Halloween Cupcakes & Champagne, pairing spooky sweets with flutes of brut sparkling wine. Later, the Ritz Kids Pumpkin Decorating Workshop at DiLido South gives young guests a pumpkin to take home before a guided trick-or-treating adventure around the resort. Address: 1 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139 Screen and Scream: Engaging film festivals and movie screenings perfect for fans of horror, suspense, and cinema. OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival: Fall Edition Photo: OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival The 28th-year festival runs Oct. 15 to 25 across Broward and Miami-Dade, with At-Home viewing from Oct. 26 to Nov. 1. Opening night is La Bola Negra on Oct. 15 at Regal Dania Pointe. Horror fans get OUTshine After Dark with the Southeast premiere of Corpus, plus the folk horror Centerpiece No Rest for the Wicked. Other titles include Love on a Tightrope (Tal Vez), Bea Arthur: The Documentary, Jim Queen and The Drive, previewed Oct. 20. Tickets start at $17. Address: Regal Dania Pointe, 10 S Compass Way, Dania Beach, FL 33004 Website: Official website Instagram: @OUTshineFilm By ML Staff. Photos: Provided by each featured venue in this story. Top gif/courtesy of delpicdog

  • Henri Corbin de Mangoux on Liaigre’s Next American Chapter

    For more than 40 years, Liaigre has built its reputation around a distinctive approach to French interiors and architecture: refined materials, restrained forms and spaces designed to feel deeply connected to the people who inhabit them. Today, as the Paris-based house expands its presence in the United States, Henri Corbin de Mangoux, CEO of Liaigre USA, is helping shape what its next chapter will look like. Living abroad brought Corbin de Mangoux closer to his French roots, but Japan left a particularly lasting impression. Its sense of restraint and ability to convey emotion through simplicity shaped how he approaches both work and home. After a career spanning consulting, technology and financial services, design offered a way to bring those experiences together with a longstanding personal interest in art. Corbin de Mangoux joined Liaigre in 2024 to lead its business across Southeast Asia, India and the Pacific before taking on his current role in the United States. Here, his focus extends beyond the house’s established residential practice to hospitality, branded residences and larger real estate projects, while maintaining the close relationships that have long underpinned its work. Miami is central to those ambitions. Corbin de Mangoux sees a natural connection between the city’s coastal way of life and Liaigre’s understated interiors, with further developments planned for Florida in 2027. As the house takes on projects of greater scale, he emphasizes an approach rooted in the particularities of each place and the people who will inhabit it. In conversation with Miami Living, Corbin de Mangoux discusses the balance between growth and intimacy, what a branded residence should offer its residents, and why good design requires something his earlier industries approached differently: time. Miami Living (ML): What is the first priority you want to address as CEO of Liaigre USA? Henri: My first priority it to continue to expand our presence in the U.S. among a community of architects and designers who have been doing remarkable work in promoting Liaigre for decades. We are also willing to attract new types of clients, including young art collectors, successful entrepreneurs… Of course we are continuously and carefully working to retain our long-standing clients, who are deeply attached to the timeless value of the Liaigre style, while also catering to the new lifestyles of a more eclectic clienteles. In today's highly competitive environment, where our customers are constantly bombarded with choices, we must continue to stand out by showcasing our elegance and authentic expertise, while keeping them in step with the times to meet these new expectations. Following our hospitality and Liaigre branded residences project in Florence Italy with the Capella Group due to open in 2028, we are working on branded future property projects in close collaboration with very high-end real estate developers. To serve these three discerning client bases—trade clients, end ones and hospitality actors-, we are strengthening our creative teams to support these developments while preserving our “fit in the context” DNA. ML: You previously led Liaigre across Southeast Asia, India and the Pacific. What did that experience teach you about adapting to local tastes while preserving the house’s identity? Henri: We were just talking about our “Fit in the Context” culture, which lies at the heart of Liaigre’s long-standing values. More specifically, we build very close relationships with our partners and clients. Liaigre as all very high-end Houses is a relationship-based business. We specialize in building exclusive relationships and offering unique, meaningful experiences that embody our French art of living and our French spirit. By understanding our clients’ expectations and taking a holistic approach, we serve as ambassadors for this art of living. At Liaigre, there is this unexpected juxtaposition between a strong and relatively authoritative brand culture and in the relationships, it builds with its customers and stakeholders a sense of intimacy, closeness, and a certain humility. ML: Where does Miami fit into your plans for Liaigre’s U.S. growth? Henri: Miami’s real estate market is booming, with unprecedented growth in residential and hospitality sectors, making it a natural fit for Liaigre. At the same time, the local culture resonates strongly with the coastal lifestyle which is dear to our history and style: lifestyle at sea with yachts, South Beach and Palm Beach... which align with Liaigre’s connection to the sea and the costal lifestyle generally speaking. Miami and Florida are a priority market for Liaigre. The brand has had a commercial presence there for over 15 years, and new developments are planned for 2027 which we will disclose soon. ML: How would you interpret Miami’s distinctive character through Liaigre’s understated approach to design? Henri: Our minimalist aesthetic, clean lines, and casual-chic style blend perfectly with the local lifestyle. We have a 30-year history in the region, which began in Saint-Barths, where Christian Liaigre had a vacation home, the Hotel Sereno, and the now-defunct Liaigre showroom—which felt like a small shed…This long and poetic history remains a vital source of inspiration for travel within Studio Liaigre to this day. ML: As Liaigre pursues larger real estate projects, how do you protect the attention to detail that defines a bespoke private home? Henri: What defines Liaigre (in particular) is its “no compromise” approach; as a result, in both the Studio and development departments, we have the luxury of choosing our projects and partners. We limit the number of projects we can take on and make sure we have the right people to work with, sharing a common philosophy and eye on a refined lifestyle and what it demands. On the retail and collection side, we’ve been using the same workshops for 40 years: same DNA, same quality. ML: What should a Liaigre branded residence offer beyond the name attached to the building? Henri: Choosing Liaigre for a branded residence guarantees an experience that seamlessly combines comfort, well-being, and sophistication, executed to perfection. It is the ultimate blend of quality and durability, as well as elegance and beauty. I would add that a Liaigre-branded residence benefits from the same level of thoughtful design. It is never merely a concept; it is always the result of an in-depth and distinctive study that will not be replicated elsewhere and will remain unique within its context, culture, and geography. ML: “Timeless design” is central to Liaigre’s philosophy. What makes an interior stand the test of time rather than simply look current? Henri: “Fashions come and go, but style endures” is still the best definition for a house like Liaigre! At Liaigre, style is mainly about a warm simplicity underspinned by a serious consideration for functions and needs, the perfection of proportions and a virtuous relationship to space…Liaigre uplifts lifestyle and conveys wellbeing: this, last in time. ML: Your career spans consulting, technology and financial services. What drew you to design, and what has working in this field changed about your approach to business? Henri: Two things drew me in: first of all, art and design are fields that have always been to my personal taste, so I’m happy today to be working in those areas. Also, since I’ve always lived abroad, I’ve come to realize—as I’ve moved further from my roots—that I appreciate the distinctive character of France even more deeply. French design in general, and Liaigre in particular therefore represented a perfectly natural evolution. The real difference compared to my previous experiences is managing Liaigre’s long-term approach: “Time for creativity.” It takes time to craft things, while to attract people, we need to be part of a dynamic that draws inspiration from my past experiences. ML: Having worked across different regions, is there a place that has particularly shaped your personal sense of home? Henri: For me, there’s a “before” and an “after” Japan. That culture has left a very strong impression on me—especially the sense of restraint and the ability to get to the heart of things, including emotions. I’ve made this highly developed sense of essentialism my own, both in my personal and professional lives. By ML Staff. Photo(s)/RG2 Communications

  • From Model to Novelist: Sara Stamford's Creative Journey

    With her new novel The Lost Souls released October 8th, author and former international model Sara Stamford is entering an exciting new chapter in her literary journey. Sara made her fiction debut with The Honeycomb Diamond and has since continued to build a creative life shaped by writing, international travel, and her philanthropic work supporting mental health and women’s empowerment. Dividing her time between Los Angeles and Paris, she brings to her writing the perspective of a woman whose career has taken her through very different worlds, from international modeling to the literary world. As The Lost Souls prepares to meet its readers, we caught up with Sara to talk about her journey from modeling to fiction, her work beyond the page, and the experiences that continue to shape her. Miami Living (ML): You’ve moved through some fascinating chapters: from an international modeling career to becoming a novelist, while now dividing your time between Los Angeles and Paris. Do you remember the moment when writing first began to feel like something you wanted to pursue seriously alongside everything else you were doing? What was happening in your life at the time? Sara: I think it happened during a time when I was looking for something that felt completely mine. Modeling had been such a big part of my life, but I wanted a different creative outlet. I’d always loved reading and writing, and once I started working on my first novel, I realized how much I loved it. It just naturally grew from there. ML: You made your fiction debut with The Honeycomb Diamond. What do you remember most vividly about the experience of bringing your first novel into the world? Sara: It was a really special moment for me, and it also made me realize that writing was something I wanted to continue pursuing. I was locked in my apartment for days and weeks, just writing and living my characters’ lives. I’d go to bed dreaming about the next chapter or the next page I was going to write. It’s fascinating to see how the characters come to life on their own. It’s like a ball of yarn. You pull on one thread, and it just keeps rolling and rolling, and suddenly a whole new world unfolds before your eyes. I love adding the suspense and emotional intensity, those moments of uncertainty, betrayal, tension, and vulnerability that keep you turning the page. Your imagination takes control, and voilà, the novel is complete. ML: You’ve said that your years as a model taught you that rejection isn’t personal. How did you come to understand that, and how does that perspective show up in your life today? Sara: You know you can walk into a casting thinking you’re perfect for it and still not get the job simply because they’re looking for a different look or vibe. At first, I definitely took rejection personally, but over time I learned to move on and not let it affect how I see myself. A “no” simply means it wasn’t the right fit for that particular project at that particular time. That’s it. There will always be other opportunities. ML: Your new novel, The Lost Souls, follows Elizabeth as she leaves her quiet, ordinary life for Hollywood and becomes involved in a friendship that begins to blur the line between connection and self-loss. What can you tell us about how this story came to you? Sara: Some of the characters are inspired by people I’ve met over the years, and a lot of the story comes from things I’ve experienced or seen myself. So while the book itself is fictional, there’s still a sense of truth behind the characters and what they go through. Writing The Lost Souls was definitely an emotional process, just because the theme is so human and relatable when you’re exploring things like loneliness, friendship and betrayal, joy and deep sadness. ML: You intentionally write your female characters as imperfect: complicated, driven, and resilient. What made it important to you to portray women in this way? Sara: I love exploring that contrast in my characters. I’m interested in women who are ambitious and imperfect, who make questionable choices, reinvent themselves and sometimes surprise even themselves. For me, that’s where the most interesting stories begin, when the perfect image starts to crack and you discover what’s really underneath. ML: Mental wellness and women’s empowerment are also important parts of your philanthropic work. What first brought you to this work, and what have you learned from being involved in it? Sara: Mental health affects all of us in different ways, and I think books can be such a powerful tool to explore feelings that aren’t easy to put into words or talk about openly. Through stories, we get to step into someone else’s world, see things from a different perspective, and sometimes even recognize parts of ourselves in the characters. I learned that empathy is very important. Sometimes, simply knowing that someone understands you can make you feel a little less alone. ML: You’ve described self-care as a daily practice centered on sleep, movement, and quiet time. What does that practice look like in your own life these days? Sara: These days, self-care for me is really about creating a little more balance in my life. I try to prioritize getting enough sleep, exercising every day and giving myself some quiet time without constantly being on my phone or thinking about work. I’ve realized that I need those moments to reset and recharge. I also try to listen to my body and recognize when I need to slow down instead of always pushing through. ML: And as The Lost Souls has just made its way into the world this October, what are you most looking forward to about sharing this particular story with readers? Sara: I’m most looking forward to seeing how readers connect with the story and the characters. There are so many themes in The Lost Souls that I think people can relate to: friendship, betrayal, loneliness and simply trying to find your own path. I also love that everyone will take something different from it. Some readers might connect with Elizabeth, while others might recognize parts of themselves or people they’ve known in Anna or some of the other characters. One of the most exciting parts of being an author is that once the book is out, it no longer belongs only to you. It becomes part of the readers’ experience too. You can follow Sara on: Website | Instagram Download or buy The Lost Souls on Amazon. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Sara Stamford

  • Swae Lee Sells South Miami Estate for $4.4 Million

    Two-time Grammy-nominated singer, rapper, and songwriter Swae Lee has sold his South Miami estate for $4.4 million. Eddy Martinez and Roland Ortiz of The R/E Team at ONE Sotheby’s International Realty represented the seller. Adriana Rinaldi of LPT Realty and Carlos Ernesto Socorro Pulgar purchased the property, with Rinaldi representing herself in the transaction. Located at 7855 SW 83 Court on a secluded cul-de-sac, the gated estate encompasses 53,291 square feet of tropical grounds near the Shops at Sunset Place. Property Details and Amenities Designed for multigenerational living, the residence features a five-bedroom, five-bathroom main house alongside a two-bedroom, two-bathroom guest wing equipped with its own living room and full kitchen. The primary suite overlooks landscaped gardens and includes high ceilings, custom walk-in closets, a private fitness room, and an onyx bath featuring dual vanities, a soaking tub, and an oversized shower. Additional property features include: A climate-controlled 15-car garage with seven bays and automated lifts An 11-seat movie theater A climate-controlled 500-bottle wine cellar with a bar A billiards room A championship tennis court A resort-style pool, expansive terraces, and a summer kitchen By ML Staff. Photos: Luxhunters Production / Eddy Martinez & Roland Ortiz at ONE Sotheby’s International Realty.

  • From Miami Mechanic to Artist for Latin Music's Biggest Names: The Rise of KA$PER

    The Nicaraguan-American painter, sculptor and designer is building a world beyond the canvas, and he's doing it from his hometown Before KA$PER was creating art for Maluma, Ozuna and Nicky Jam, he was working as a mechanic in Miami. Today, the Nicaraguan-American painter, sculptor and designer has worked with more than 25 A-list talents and dozens of global brands, including Nike, Spotify, Rémy Martin and Patrón. His work has found collectors from New York to London, Australia and Germany, yet he is still building it all in Miami. A Valentine's Day Painting Changes Everything KA$PER's career took off during the pandemic when he posted a Valentine's Day painting on Instagram and landed five commissions within 24 hours. Just weeks later, a music executive discovered his work and commissioned a piece for Ñengo Flow. He quit his mechanic job, set up shop in his mother's kitchen and quickly became a go-to artist within Miami's Latin music scene. Five years later, that scene has grown into a client list that also includes Universal Music Latino. Making His Mark in South Florida KA$PER created eight of the ten works in the world's first Basquiat NFT project, which was endorsed by The House of Basquiat. Last year, during Miami Art Week he was selected from a field of artists as the live painter for Nike and Foot Locker's "Forever King" activation, celebrating LeBron James' 23rd NBA season. In 2025, he also completed a residency at Kimpton EPIC Hotel in Miami and became the first artist to display a sculpture in its lobby. The centerpiece was a 6-foot silver sculpture that he designed and fabricated himself. KA$HY and the Studio Behind Him At the center of KA$PER's expanding world is KA$HY, his original character: a masked ghost with a dollar-sign third eye and the slogan "Be transparent." The character is quickly becoming the face of everything KA$PER builds. What sets KA$PER apart is how hands-on he stays. While many artists send concepts to overseas manufacturers, he is involved from concept to fabrication. His studio, Ka$per Studios, is building a hub for art, fashion, music and cultural collaborations near the Miami Design District. It produces everything from large-scale installations to complete event branding. Its latest project was producing all of the signage for Corona Beach Club at the State Fair of Texas. What's Next KA$PER's next step is taking KA$HY into collectible sculptures, animation, fashion and immersive experiences, an identity meant to outlast him and provide a legacy for his family. He is also expanding into a space he has always wanted to explore: women’s fashion. His first women’s clothing line is launching soon, taking the creative energy of his art off the canvas and into something people can wear. In the meantime, he is preparing for Miami Art Week, with the same hometown energy that carried him from his mother's kitchen to the biggest names in Latin music. To follow KA$PER's work, visit Ka$per Studios online at https://kasper-studios.com/ or follow @kaspermiami on Instagram for more. By ML Staff. Photo Credit: KA$PER.

  • PURRR Adoption + Sanctuary to Host PURRRs and Precious Gems on Nov. 6

    PURRR – a nonprofit organization with a mission to transform cats' lives one PURRR at a time, through rescue, adoption, and spay + neuter initiatives – will host “PURRRs and Precious Gems,” a jewelry and clothes trunk show, on Friday, Nov. 6, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The community is invited to sip ‘n shop with designers Heather Wells and Lis Castella while mingling with adoptable cats. Every stunning piece of jewelry and clothes helps support PURRR Adoption + Sanctuary, a South Florida nonprofit dedicated to cat rescue, adoption, and high-volume, feline-only spay + neuter services. Guests will enjoy delicious food and drinks provided by Muscle Vodka in purr-fect company while discovering ways to support PURRR’s mission to help more cats find their happy ever after. Guests have the opportunity to meet adoptable cats and learn about fostering, adoption and volunteering at PURRR. Heather Wells, the visionary designer behind LOVEthirteen, returns to Fort Lauderdale with her signature collection of miracle-infused, healing jewelry. Guests are invited to shop her coveted crystal bracelets and diamond and gold pieces that radiate both beauty and intention, perfect for adding sparkle to any outfit or gifting to a loved one for the holidays. Lis Castella is a Fort Lauderdale-based fashion designer and founder of Lis Castella Designs Inc., established 12 years ago. Originally from Medellín, Colombia, she brings professional design experience and a deep personal approach, working one-on-one to create unique pieces. She is committed to making dream dresses and supporting local nonprofits. Guests can shop her sophisticated dresses and jumpsuits. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to PURRR Adoption + Sanctuary to provide food, medical care and a safe place for the cats in its care. Through its “Find Your One” process, PURRR’s team helps future cat moms and dads find their soul cat and guides them every step of the way. With over 150 adoptable cats, the PURRR team knows every cat – their personality, history, quirks and what kind of home they need to become themselves fully. Whether future cat parents are seeking a playful and energetic kitten, a calm and cuddly adult cat, or a wise and gentle senior, PURRR’s diverse selection of feline friends ensures there’s a perfect match for every home. Soul cat profiles built around personality are available on each feline friend in PURRR’s care. The “Find Your One” experience starts with filling out an application to help PURRR’s team understand the adoptee’s preferences, lifestyle, and what they're looking for in a cat companion. Within 48 hours, a PURRR team member will schedule a meet and greet for the chance to see firsthand the personalities and quirks of feline residents. After connecting with a potential furry family member, PURRR schedules a 15-minute in-home, educational consultation to ensure a smooth integration into the home. PURRR prioritizes the new feline family member's well-being and conducts a comprehensive final medical examination and bloodwork before taking the lifelong feline companion home. The PURRR team will check in after a week to ensure a smooth transition and address any questions. Beyond adoption day, PURRR provides support, resources, and guidance throughout the journey as a pet owner. Founded in 2018, PURRR Adoption + Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to transform cats' lives one PURRR at a time, through rescue, adoption, and spay + neuter initiatives that help reduce overpopulation and ultimately enrich the human-feline connection. PURRR is committed to giving cats and their companions a better future by offering a safe haven and encouraging responsible pet ownership. PURRR’s team and volunteers bring a wealth of experience and compassion to everything they do. From adoptions to spay + neuter services, every aspect of PURRR is driven by a deep love for cats and a commitment to their well-being. When: Friday, Nov. 6, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Where: PURRR Adoption + Sanctuary Ranch 15040 SW 31st Court Davie, FL 33331 As parking is limited, carpooling and ride-share are suggested. How: For more information or to RSVP, please contact info@purrr.org. By ML Staff.

  • Carlos Boozer Named Chief Growth Officer of Impeccable

    Impeccable announced that co-founder Carlos Boozer has taken on the full-time role of chief growth officer, expanding his involvement with the vertically integrated real estate and restaurant platform as it continues to grow throughout the Southeast. In his new role, Boozer will work across Impeccable Capital’s diverse portfolio, including Impeccable Development and Impeccable Restaurant Group, to strengthen the companies’ public presence, build strategic relationships and identify new business opportunities. He will also participate in executive planning and work directly with leaders across Impeccable’s investment, development and restaurant businesses. “Carlos has been an integral part of Impeccable from the beginning,” said Rob Tanner, founder and CEO of Impeccable. “He has an extraordinary ability to connect with people and see opportunity across industries. We want that perspective involved as we grow our existing businesses and explore what comes next.” “I helped build Impeccable because I believed in what we could create together,” Boozer said. “I’m excited to take a bigger role in the day-to-day business, spending time with our teams, showing up in the communities we serve and bringing the right people together to help us grow.” As chief growth officer, Boozer will help drive Impeccable’s growth by using his visibility, credibility and relationships to open doors to investors, strategic partners and new business opportunities. Working closely with CEO Rob Tanner and the company’s leadership team, he will build key relationships, make qualified introductions and evaluate potential new lines of business. Boozer will represent Impeccable at conferences, speaking engagements, media appearances, investor meetings and company events, including restaurant openings. He will also visit restaurants and development projects, strengthen connections with employees, franchise brands and community leaders, and participate in executive planning to help turn promising opportunities into long-term growth. A two-time NBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist, Boozer played 13 seasons in the NBA for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers. He represented the United States at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, winning bronze in Athens and gold in Beijing. The 2008 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team, known as the “Redeem Team,” was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of its class of 2025. Since retiring from professional basketball, Boozer has focused on entrepreneurship, franchising and commercial real estate. As a co-founder and investor in Impeccable Capital, Impeccable Development and Impeccable Restaurant Group, he also serves on Impeccable Development’s board of directors and real estate committee. Boozer’s expanded role comes as Impeccable continues to scale its real estate development and restaurant operations throughout the Southeast. Impeccable Development has more than 25 active projects, with approximately 2 million square feet developed or under development. The company specializes in ground-up retail, restaurant and select mixed-use developments, working with national and regional brands throughout its portfolio. Boozer’s transition into a full-time role reflects Impeccable’s plans to expand its development and restaurant businesses, strengthen its investment platform and explore new lines of business. Bringing him into the company’s day-to-day leadership allows him to apply his relationships, visibility and credibility more directly to those priorities. As chief growth officer, he will help attract investors, build strategic partnerships and identify opportunities that support Impeccable’s next phase of growth. Looking ahead, 2027 and 2028 are shaping up to be an exciting next chapter, with major acquisitions, new brands and strategic partnerships expected to expand Impeccable’s portfolio and reach. Several significant partnerships and new tenant announcements remain confidential for now. Impeccable looks forward to sharing more as these initiatives advance and introducing the brands, partners and opportunities that will help shape its future. By ML Staff. Photo Credit: Impeccable.

  • From Pumpkin Patches to Masquerades: Halloween in Miami for Kids, Families and Grown-Ups

    Some Halloween plans revolve around candy, costumes, and getting everyone home before bedtime. Others call for a masquerade mask and dancing well past midnight. This October, Miami and nearby South Florida offer plenty of ways to celebrate, whether you’re planning a day with the kids, gathering the whole family or organizing a grown-up night out. From pumpkin photos in Coconut Grove to Halloween parties after dark, here’s where to find your kind of festive fun. Family Fun Daytime outings and early-evening celebrations for children and their grown-ups Pumpkin Photos and Fall Fun in Coconut Grove A tiny pumpkin, an oversized costume and a camera roll full of fall photos: sometimes, that’s the perfect Halloween outing. Coconut Grove Harvest brings a seasonal celebration to Downtown Coconut Grove from October 23 through November 1, with a pumpkin patch on Fuller Street throughout the celebration. CocoWalk’s fall photo installation adds another stop for family snapshots from October 30 through November 1. On Saturday, October 31, Books & Books Coconut Grove hosts storytelling at 6 p.m., with trick-or-treating, a live DJ and the Grove Stamp Scavenger Hunt from 6–8 p.m. Fantasy Theatre Factory presents Little Monsters Tales on Fuller Street from 6:30–7:30 p.m., and a costume contest starts at 7:30 p.m. Photo Credit: Coconut Grove Business Improvement District A Sweet Start at Coral Square Give those carefully chosen costumes an early debut at the Coral Square Mall Trunk-or-Treat. Taking place on Saturday, October 31, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event features decorated vehicles hosted by local businesses and mall retailers. Kids can collect treats and admire the creative trunks during a daytime celebration that leaves the evening open for more Halloween adventures or an early night after all that excitement. Spooky Science at Frost Science For families with curious kids, Halloween comes with chemistry reactions and eerie experiments at the 10th Annual Spooky Science Monster Mash presented by Miami DDA. The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science hosts the celebration on Saturday, October 31, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Expect hands-on science and experiments in the Mad Science Lab, along with opportunities to meet scientists from local universities and professional organizations celebrating National Chemistry Week. The special programming is included with paid museum admission, making it an easy addition to a family museum day. Costumes, Contests and Trunk-or-Treat at Unseen Creatures Bring the family’s most creative costumes to the Halloween Kids Costume Contest and Party at Unseen Creatures Brewing & Blending. Scheduled for Saturday, October 31, from noon to 5 p.m., the afternoon includes children’s costume contests with categories for best, funniest and scariest looks, plus a Michael Jackson “Thriller” costume contest. Trunk-or-treating, kid-friendly vendors, music, games and prizes round out the festivities. It’s a chance to make an afternoon of dressing up, with plenty happening beyond the candy collection. A Halloween Stroll on Lincoln Road On Halloween, people-watching becomes part of the entertainment at the Lincoln Road Halloween Block Party. The October 31 celebration runs from 5 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., beginning with family programming that includes children’s trick-or-treating, crafts and costumed characters, while supplies last. As the evening progresses, elaborate costumes, live performers, a band, and DJs bring more energy to the promenade. Families with younger children can enjoy the early festivities, while groups with older kids may appreciate the costume spectacle and street entertainment. Plan your visit around the atmosphere you want: Lincoln Road’s family gathering gradually becomes a party after dark. After Dark For grown-up nights out; admission requirements vary, with 18+ and 21+ events noted below Red, Black and a Little Mystery at The Crimson Mask Photo Credit: Imperial Key Events Start Halloween weekend with a more dressed-up affair at The Crimson Mask – Red & Black Halloween Masquerade. Held in Coral Gables on Friday, October 30, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., the 21-and-older celebration invites guests to wear elegant red-and-black attire with a masquerade mask. A live DJ, complimentary bites, raffles, a costume contest and a cash bar set the scene for an evening of music and mingling. Sponsorship proceeds and a portion of event proceeds benefit the Creating Abilities Foundation, which supports children and adults with autism. One Last Halloween at Sunset Tavern Photo credit: Sunset Tavern For a night of live music, spooky cocktails, and friendly costume competition, head to Deli Lane & Sunset Tavern in South Miami for the Sunset Tavern Halloween Bash. On Saturday, October 31, Drako starts the music at 7:30 p.m., followed by a crowd-voted costume contest at 9 p.m. First and second place receive $50 and $30 gift cards, respectively. Halloween drink specials include witches' blood sangria, midnight Moscow mules, boo breezes, and Jell-O syringe shots. Admission is free, and the celebration marks the venue’s last Halloween at its current location. It’s a fitting reason to give your costume one more flourish. Salsa, Bachata and Costumes at DanceArts Miami Choose a costume you can dance in for Salsaholics: “Halloween in Miami” at DanceArts Miami. The party runs Saturday, October 31, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., beginning with an On2 salsa workshop led by Angie Zumaran. Separate salsa and bachata rooms keep the evening moving, with DJ music and live percussion adding to the atmosphere. A costume contest rewards the top three looks, so consider how your outfit will handle both the spotlight and a spin across the floor. Keep Halloween Going at The Underworld For night owls, The Underworld Halloween Night brings the celebration to Julia & Henry’s in Downtown Miami. Running from 10 p.m. on October 31 until 5 a.m. on November 1, the 18-and-older event features multiple DJs, dancing across three floors and a crowd encouraged to arrive in costume. If your ideal Halloween ends closer to sunrise than bedtime, this is one to put on your calendar. Check each event’s linked listing for tickets, admission requirements and schedule updates before heading out. By ML Staff. Top photo/Szabó János/Unsplash

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