U.S. News & World Report used to have a feature I enjoyed, “News You Can Use”. Instead of “finds”, I now adapted that term to be “News You’re Sure to Use” in my blog, which are products and services I’ve found and like. This month you’ll find a more expanded list than usual, with home services; tips on fashion, grooming, travel; jewelry repair; even a new business idea; and some darn good empanadas (you know me, had to get the food in). Hope you find these useful. And love to hear your “finds” as well!
Want to protect your hands from the sun, avoiding sun spots? My tip: start using cloth gloves. They’re light, you can put them in the washing machine, and they do the trick. Buy them on Amazon choosing from a variety of colors and prints and some with UV protection. Depending on what you wear, they may even be a fashion statement. In fact, a concierge at a five star hotel in Rome told me he liked my hand fashion! Click here.
Need a battery replaced or other service on your watch? Jewelry repair? Pearls restrung? I praise the day a girlfriend told me about Manley’s several years ago. Since then they’ve successfully replaced a battery in an expensive Italian watch, repaired several sets of earrings and converted them from pierced to clips. They’re lovely people, very reliable, quick, and reasonably priced. Manley’s Jewelry Store, 12772 Biscayne Blvd. Tel. (305) 893-7601 or DM @bymonicabarber.
One of you entrepreneurs out there should get the franchise for OpenClosit. A take off on Rent the Runway, they rent stylish designer clothes and handbags but with the point of difference: you can bring in your designer frocks and handbags and rent them out. You set the rental price of your items and get paid 70% by direct deposit every time they rent. The shop is in Santa Monica.
Having one of the half moon empanadas raised the bar on this Latin American snack (or meal as the case may be) for me. i knew I was in for a taste treat when I saw the video of Argentine born owner Juan Zavala slicing beef off a grilled beef rib, chopped it up and readied it for the filling of one of his nine varieties of savory empanadas. They bake the empanadas fresh everyday and are plump with filling. A welcome twist is that they stamp the outside with what the filling is, so if you have a combo you can tell which is which. Besides the more traditional fillings, they have a bacon, egg and cheese, three cheeses, and what sounds like an over the top one — cheesy gaucho with in house ground beef, diced onion, red bell pepper, black beans, corn, diced bacon, mozzarella, asiago and provolone cheese and chimichurri sauce (phew!) ($3.95 each).
They also have sweet varieties like dulce de leche and nutella (also $3.95). They can be ordered online or enjoyed at their eatery in MiMo or Little Haiti where they have several tables for outdoor seating and serve beverages as well. Special prices are offered on quantities of 6,12 and 24 and a combo empanada and soft drink or coffee for $5.79. They also sell at FIU, select area hospitals, Miami International airport and soon to come, airports across the country. And BTW, they can be frozen and reheated at 350 F for 20 minutes. Half Moon Empanadas,860 N.E. 79th Street, Miami.
Grooming tip: If you want to prolong the life of your blow dry, spray dry shampoo on the roots and then blow dry it loosely. Thank you to my cherished hairdresser, Steven Schmidt of the Peter Alexander Salon. for the tip.
Brightline+ now includes integrated private rides with Uber, offering additional options to get to and from their stations easily, conveniently, and affordably. New stations include Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton that join Miami and West Palm Beach. When booking Brightline ticket on the app, you’ll have the option to add a private ride that aligns with your train schedule. PREMIUM fares will include a complimentary Uber ride within a 5-mile radius of their stations, and the option to reserve a paid Uber ride for farther distances. SMART fares also include the option to add Uber to your train ticket and avoid peak pricing by reserving ahead.
Finally got around to attending to matters of home and found some wonderful new service and product providers.My new “go to” place (and Mr. W’s too) for custom made curtains, sliding panels to cover doors, and Roman shades, The Shade Gallery by Elsy. It’s a small, friendly shop and everything is reasonably priced. Elsy has 20 years of experience so is a real pro. They have thousands of fabrics to choose from or you can bring your own. Repairs. too. 7290 NW 7th Street, Tel 786.536.6853.
Right down the block is another real “find”, a very good upholsterer for indoor, outdoor furniture, headboards, and boats, Tapiceria Portilla. I’d been having problems with the cushions for my outdoor chairs as they were an unusual shape so I needed them custom made. Though planning to get a sunbrella fabric again for the outdoors, they recommended an alternative that’s much more stain resistant and works for outside – vinyl, as what they use on cushions for boats. I picked out a party pink from their wide range of wonderful colors. They made them in two weeks. The price? $120 for two. They have a large selection of remnant fabrics, great for budgets. Speaking of budget, if you mention MiamiCurated Julio will give you a 10% discount. 7290 NW 7th Street, Unit #107, Tel 305-267-8436. Doral.
If you need tiles of any kind, check out Designers Tile in Coral Gables. They have a terrific selection, from ceramic, stone, glass, and mosaics to cement and decorative murals. Owner Rhett Cili is very experienced and knows his stuff. Designers Tile, 300 Palermo Avenue, Coral Gables 33134.
On the fashion front, one of my favorite clothing and accessory boutiques in Spain, Bimbo y Lola, is coming to Miami. The Miami Herald reports it’s coming to Dadeland Mall in May. Until the shop opens here, in the meantime you can shop online.
4 Responses
Very helpful and well chosen as always. Closer to home, if you need a watch repaired, battery replaced or jewellery refreshed or are looking for a second hand piece for that special somebody, Rafael Luaces Watches and Jewlery on Coral Way is a little hem too. It’s a one-man operation. He is nice, remembers his customers and works well. The place is hidden next door to the Vintage Liquor store on Coral Way where you can pick up your favorite spirit while waiting for your watch battery to be replaced.
I second you on Tapiceria Portilla. Have been using their services for 3 years now and Mr Julio is always very nice and helpful and they do a great job on upholstery. Now I’ll try The Shade Gallery by Elsi!
Useful finds!
These are great tips! It’s so difficult to find goods and services that are reliable and cost effective.