Review – 100 Things To Do in Miami Before You Die by Roxanne Vargas & Maruchi Mendez @RoxyNBC6 @MaruchiMendez

 

 

Get ready to take in the rich flavor and diversity of Miami, one of the most vibrant cities in the country and a place with something for everyone! Whether you’re planning to explore our shores, indulge in our international cuisine, or check out the swampy river that is the Everglades, 100 Things to Do in Miami Before You Die gives you the inside track to the best spots, from popular to obscure, in the metro area. Discover festivals that garner international attention, ideal places to sip and socialize, historic sites, and international shopping destinations – not to mention places where you can throw down a game of dominos while sipping a café. Written by two Miamians for locals and visitors alike, this guide will help you make the most of a family vacation, romantic getaway, or escapade with friends. So strap on your salsa shoes and experience the magic that Miami has to offer!

 

My Review

I am a Miami native and I love the city I live in.  There are so many things to do here. One of my favorite things to do is to visit my favorite book store, Books and Books in Coral Gables.  While browsing this one of a kind store, I spotted this book, 100 things To Do in Miami Before You Die by Roxanne Vargas and Maruchi Mendez.

Well, I immediately flipped through the pages and decided I needed to buy it.  You see, although I live in Miami, there are many undiscovered gems I have yet to experience.  This little book is my new guide to Miami.

The book is organized by categories:  Food and Drink (my favorite) Music and Entertainment, Sports and Recreation, Culture and History and Shopping and Fashion.  As I went through this book, I checked off the places I’ve been to and the things I have already done in my wonderful city.  I was surprised to see that I have experienced many of them.  However, as an adult I am looking forward to revisiting many of these places and experiencing them through new eyes.  Just like a book, you always learn something new the second time around.

This book makes a great gift for out of town guests. It is also valuable to the locals.   Have you ever had friends over and can’t think of where to go?  I recommend you get yourself a copy of this book and keep it with you.  You will be amazed at the new plans that will evolve from the wonderful suggestions in the book.

Since purchasing the book, I have already enjoyed the Southernmost Winery in the USA, Schnebly’s Winery in the Redlands.  (stay tuned for my post & wine review)

I gave this book 5 stars!

Thank you Roxanne and Maruchi for your stellar suggestions.

You can find this book at Books and Books, #100 in the book, where you can find the pulse of Miami’s literary world.

~Susi

Buy Link

100 Things To Do In Miami Before You Die

 

 

 

 

 

Sex on The Beach Drink Recipe

I just finished reading this awesome book, Beyond Me by Jennifer Probst.  It is one of the books in the Sex on the Beach Series.  (full review tomorrow)

The Sex on the Beach Series

This series releases tomorrow. I can’t wait to read the other two books Before You by Jenna Bennet and and Between Us by Jen McLaughlin.  They are next on my TBR.

Three separate novellas. Three different authors.

I thought it would only be right to get in the mood for this series with a drink.  Here is the recipe for a Sex on the Beach Cocktail.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz vodka

1/2 oz peach schnapps

2 oz cranberry juice

2 oz orange juice

Add vodka and peach schnapps to a highball glass over ice.   Fill with equal measures of cranberry and orange juice.  Stir!

Garnish with a slice of orange.

A Delicious New Cab – Root:1 Cabernet Sauvignon

I am all about trying new wines.  I love it when I receive a bottle of wine as a gift.  This past Christmas, I received several bottles of wine.  While some were my usual favorites, I did get some new and interesting varieties.

Root:1 Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 was one of those new never tasted before wines.

I finally got around to that bottle and truly enjoyed it.

This wine was quite fabulous. Pour this dark ruby red into your wine glass and enjoy the perfect blend of flavors.  Your taste buds will be rewarded with hints of raspberry, oak, chocolate and spices. It was easy to pick out some of these distinctive flavors.  The wine was delicious and perfectly balanced.  This wine was smooth, full bodied and savory.  For me, it paired well with a nice steak.

Since I enjoyed this wine, I looked for it locally and was surprised that this delicious wine was also inexpensive.

If you are looking for a nice cab to go with your dinner tonight, check this Chilean wine out for yourself.

~Susi

Rose Wines – My New Favorites

I recently visited a wine shop here in Miami.  While I was overwhelmed with the choices of wines, I was on a mission for one particular wine.   ~Rose

I had just finished reading and reviewing A Sip of You (Book 2 in the Epicurean Series) by Sorcha Grace.  Her 5 star story inspired me to try new rose wines.

I bought three wines to sample.

The first wine is from France. Domaine Guy Mousset – Cotes du Rhone 2012.  ~Refreshing, fruity, hints of strawberry, and a great price!

The second wine is from Spain. Eguren Tempranillo 2012 ~Light, refreshing, raspberry and red berry flavors, great for tapas! Great price too!

The third wine is from Argentina. Aberdeen Angus Rose 2012   ~  Light bodied, crisp, cherry and strawberry flavors, fresh and fruity, great with light salads.

While all three were equally delicious, my favorite is the wine from Spain, the Eguren Tempranillo 2012.

Rose’s have quickly become my favorite anytime wines.  They are perfect when entertaining or just lounging around.

Try these wines and let me know what you think.

Do you like food, wine and romance?   Check out these books too!

A Taste of You  and  A Sip of You by Sorcha Grace

Happy Saturday!

~Susi

Crème de Vie (Cuban Egg Nog)

When I was a little girl, I looked forward to the Christmas Season for obvious reasons.  I loved the presents. However, it was during this time of the year that I would watch my Mom in the kitchen as she prepared her famous Crème de Vie or Cuban Egg Nog.  

It was a tradition to prepare bottles of this sweet and tasty drink and give it to the neighbors, family and friends.  I especially remember toasting on Christmas Eve (Noche Buena) with this drink in hand.

Now, my mother’s recipe is not original.  In fact, as I converse with friends and colleagues of Cuban descent, this recipe is popular in their households too.

Well, it is the Christmas Season.  So here is the recipe.  It means Creme of Life.  Let me warn you, drink with care.  You may not realize the effects until you have had too much.

 Ingredients

• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 can evaporated milk
• 6 egg yolks
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• ½ cup white rum (you can add more if you love rum like me)

1) Make your simple syrup.  Start off by mixing the sugar and water together over very low heat.   Stir it constantly until the sugar dissolves – about 3 minutes. It has to be just low enough so that the sugar doesn’t caramelize, but makes a thick sugary water.

2) Add the egg yolks in a blender and mix with the condensed milk.

3) Add the evaporated milk slowly and mix completely.

4) Add the vanilla. ( Use pure vanilla extract)

5) Pour the mixture into the sugar-water and mix together.

6) Finally stir in the rum.

7) Let mixture cool.

8) Pour into glass bottles and refrigerate.  (It tastes better the next day)

9) Serve in shot glasses as an after dinner drink.

10) Cheers!!

If you have a variation to this recipe, feel free to share it with me.

Happy Holidays!

~Susi