Cultural Destinations – The Flohemian

Miami Beach: Always a Circus

Posted on May 25, 2020August 10, 2020 by Mandy Mizell

Did you know the original mascot of Miami Beach was an Elephant? The story starts on Collins Avenue, this little stretch of A1A was purchased in the 1880s by John Collins of NJ with big plans of a coconut plantation. When that failed, Collins’ sons gave him the idea to make lots for lovely Miami Beach winter homes. Collins liked the idea, but the mangroves, noseeums and the occasional venomous snakes were daunting. He recruited some unique help, namely Carl Fischer (as in Fischer Island) who suggested using elephants to aid in bulldozing the salty swamp of the Venetian Islands.

The Local Spots in Downtown St. Augustine

Posted on February 16, 2020August 10, 2020 by Mandy Mizell

The Local Spots series is a highlight reel of favorite local businesses and landmarks that have made an impact on the community, source Fresh from Florida or play an incremental role in the town’s history. If your stay in a Florida destination is brief, this series will serve your needs as you live local. I […]

Finding Old Florida in Jax Historic Neighborhoods

Posted on November 22, 2019February 13, 2020 by Mandy Mizell

I have this thing with Old Florida. Before amusement parks and country clubs lined the spine of our state, Florida was still considered to be paradise. I am constantly driving down US-1, the original East Coast Highway, seeking out vintage neon signs and abandoned attractions. In my quest of capturing Old Florida, I developed an […]

Art Couture at Cornell Art Museum

Posted on November 8, 2019February 13, 2020 by Mandy Mizell

Cornell Art Museum is swinging into The Season in style with the latest exhibit, Art Couture: The Intersection of Fashion and Art. This exhibit featured twelve designers ranging from style icons like Andy Warhol, to legends in the making. My favorite part of the unveiling exhibit is the first glimpse spotlight artwork in the Cornell’s […]

The Seven Solos at Cornell Art Museum

Posted on May 10, 2019February 13, 2020 by Mandy Mizell

It is MOSAIC month in the Palm Beaches, which stands for Month of Shows, Ideas, Art, and Culture. For the second year, I have kicked off MOSAIC with a visit to the Cornell Art Museum in Delray Beach. The newest exhibit on display is The Seven Solos, with seven unique interactive art installations. It is […]

Exploring Culture during MOSAIC

Posted on May 9, 2018February 13, 2020 by Mandy Mizell

Cinco de Mayo is over, and you are awaiting the long haul to Memorial Day for the next holiday. You may think no excitement awaits in the moments in between, only to be introduced to summer by afternoon storms and humid air. This is the reality of South Florida, it gets uncomfortably swampy. Not only […]