Dolce & Gabbana in Miami - Spectacular Exhibit

Hold on to your seat—because I’m buzzing with excitement. I just experienced the Dolce & Gabbana: From Heart to Hands exhibit in Downtown Miami, and it was nothing short of spectacular. 

This wasn’t simply a fashion display. Yes, there were breathtaking garments, shoes, and handbags of wearable art—but each of the many rooms on multiple floors unfolded like a fully immersive world of its own to match the artistic creations. 

Pink Martini Steals The Show

Are you familiar with the musical group called, Pink Martini? Do you like International music? 

31 Degree Cold Spell in Miami- Rediculous

This has to be one of the coldest Januaries I can remember in South Florida. It's been in the 50's and 60's most of the month but this coming Sunday morning, temperatures are expected to dip down to 31 degrees—yes, 31! The photo above  is of my friend feeding the sea gulls on our morning walk about 7:30 AM when the temperatures were around 50 degrees.

Happy New Year 2026: A Stunning Miami Fireworks Display Seen From Our Balcony

Happy New Year 2026!

The highlight of our New Year’s Eve celebration was an unforgettable fireworks display over Miami and surrounding areas. My husband and I chose to stay in and enjoy a quiet, cozy evening at home in our Florida condo—a perfect way to welcome the New Year.

Fall in Miami: A Different Kind of Autumn in South Florida

Since arriving in Miami a few days ago, I’ve been thinking about how different fall in South Florida feels compared to back home in Pennsylvania.

In some ways, we hated to leave Pennsylvania. Everything was so beautiful — bursts of orange, yellow, and red in the trees, cheerful fall decorations on porches and lawns, pumpkins everywhere, hayrides, and pick you own apple farms full of family outings. That classic autumn spirit was contagious, and it followed us at least as far as Maryland or D.C.

But the farther south we drove, the more it faded. The trees lost their colors, the porches lost their decorations and pumpkins, and by the time we reached Miami nineteen hours later, it just didn’t feel like fall anymore.

Tree in my neighbor's yard

Don’t get me wrong — we love being in Florida. There’s always that little thrill when we cross the border from Georgia to Florida and spot the first palm trees.🌴🌴

My condo in Miami

But autumn in Miami is a completely different experience. There’s no dramatic change in the air, no crunch of leaves underfoot. It’s more like a gentler, calmer version of summer. The days stay in the mid-80s, the ocean’s still warm for swimming, and it’s perfect for early morning or evening walks along the beach.

Palm trees don’t change color; they stay their steady, bright green. Still, a few tropical plants will still bloom as the temperatures drop, so there’s color here — just in a different way.

Fall in Miami also marks the end of hurricane season, less rain and humidity, and the start of art fairs, craft shows, food festivals, and outdoor concerts and activiites. After the long, humid, often oppressive summer, people finally start getting out again to enjoy the cooler, breezier weather. Fort Lauderdale is 1/2 hour ride for us. 

So while there’s no need for sweaters or leaf rakes, fall in South Florida has its own kind of charm. It’s warm, breezy, and full of life — like an endless summer, only softer. Whether we are enjoying the beach, exploring a weekend market, or catching a sunset concert, this really is one of the best times of year to be in Miami- not too hot, humid, or rainy.

Do you like pumpkin pie? 

Here is a really easy vegan pumpkin pie recipe  that is made in the blender. Nice and creamy and of course meets gluten-free standards.

Heading To Florida - On The Road Again

Ai generated photo

It’s that time of year and we are taking a road trip to Florida! 

In the past, we always powered through with just one overnight stop, but this time we’re slowing down, taking a little more time, and enjoying the journey with two nights in hotels and less driving each day, which will give us a little more time to stretch, explore, and take in the scenery along the way. It should take us 3 days traveling to reach Florida instead of two.

Ai generated photo

Of course, Mother Nature always likes to keep things interesting. A Nor’easter storm is moving through, and I’m crossing my fingers we can stay ahead of the rain. Either way, the open road and palm trees are calling!

Beyond Vincent Van Gogh Immersive Exhibit

The Beyond Van Gogh Immersive art exhibition at the Ice Palace Studio in Miami was quite a memorable experience that left me mesmerized after seeing this 360 degree digital art extravaganza.

I've never actually seen anything like it. It's so worth seeing and I understand that this exciting exhibit will be in cities across the US as well as Asia, Europe, and the Americas. 

The life and artwork of the Dutch master, Vincent Van Gogh, was spectacularly projected on the huge surround walls along with exhilarating music, letters that Van Gogh wrote to his brother over many years of correspondence, and quips about his life. The experience transformed me to a different time and place. 

You must watch the trailer that I posted from Youtube from the Toronto Exhibition at the end of this post.

You will be mesmerized. 

His classic work seemed to crawl up the walls almost being painted right in front of you. Splashes of colors emerged into Van Gogh masterpieces with portraits that seemed to blink if you stared at them long enough. 

It was a unique and unforgettable stunning experience. 

I believe the exhibit is traveling around the United States. Watch the following trailer. It is amazing.

Covid Precautions: 

The exhibit in Miami that I attended limited the amount of people that could enter and the rooms at one time and each ticket holder had a specific time to enter. At the time I went in April 2021, everyone was wearing a mask and the rooms were very large allowing for spacious social distancing.