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FALL 2018 Neyva the Bright Season Gala Guide Hunter Vision Afternoon Tea at The Ritz Carlton Orlando Int'l Fashion Week Kobi Halperin Interview Luxury Chamber Youtube Channels Porsche South Orlando Lamborghini Champagne
FALL 2018
PUBLISHER | Jay Shapiro Luxury Chamber Media Group
Fashion Editor | Phillip Madison phillipmadisonclothing@gmail.com
Travel Editor | Frankie Blankenship
Business Editor | Ron Goldberg
Real Estate Editor | Angela McCloskey
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Allen Kopelman, Frank LoRe Jr., Christopher Ramey, Ross Mandell, Eirini Kalaitzopoulou
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Sabrina Smith
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Phillip Madison Dawn V. Gilmore
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Florida's housing market reported more sales, higher median prices and more new listings from owners ready to sell, according to the latest housing data released by Florida RealtorsÂŽ.
"Strong demand from buyers, coupled with a lack of for-sale inventory, continues to have an impact on rising median prices in many local housing markets," said 2018 Florida Realtors President Christine Hansen, broker-owner with Century 21 Hansen Realty in Fort Lauderdale. "Home sellers continued to get more of their original asking price at the closing table. Sellers of existing single-family homes in May received 96.7 percent (median percentage) of their original listing price, while those selling townhouse-condo properties received 95.1 percent (median percentage).
"However, it appears that our tight inventory may be easing slightly: New listings for single-family homes in May rose 4.8 percent year-over-year, while new townhouse-condo listings increased 6 percent. If the trend continues, that could mean good news for buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines."
Sales of single-family homes statewide totaled 28,071 last month, up 0.8 percent compared to May 2017. Meanwhile, the statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes was $255,000, up 6.7 percent from the previous year, according to data from Florida Realtors Research Department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. The statewide median price for townhouse-condo properties in May was $188,688, up 6 percent over the year-ago figure.
May was the 77th consecutive month that the statewide median sales prices for both single-family homes and townhouse-condo properties rose year-over-year. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.
According to the National Association of RealtorsÂŽ (NAR), the national median sales price for existing single-family homes in April 2018 was $259,900, up 5.5 percent from the previous year; the national median existing condo price was $242,500. In California, the statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in April was $584,460; in Massachusetts, it was $385,000; in Maryland, it was $307,440; and in New York, it was $260,000.
Looking at Florida's townhouse-condo market, statewide closed sales totaled 12,012 last month, up 4.1 percent compared to a year ago. Closed sales data reflected dwindling short sales and foreclosures in May: Short sales for townhouse-condo properties dropped 43.2 percent and foreclosures fell 43.7 percent year-to-year; while short sales for single-family homes declined 43.5 percent and foreclosures fell 47.4 percent year-to-year. Closed sales may occur from 30- to 90-plus days after sales contracts are written.
"Florida's resale market for existing homes continues ahead of last year's pace, with median sale prices and the number of sales checking in at levels above where they were at this time in 2017," said Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O'Connor. "Price growth for both single-family homes and for condo and townhouse properties was slightly more modest than the year-over-year increases we observed in previous months of 2018, but not by much.
"Year-over-year sales growth was a bit slower in May than in April. Overall, there were about 200 more closed sales of single-family homes across the state this May than in May of last year – a rise of less than 1 percent. Condo and townhouse sales, on the other hand, were up more substantially by a little over 4 percent."
Orlando Fashion Week Fall 2018 Southern Women’s Show Returns to Orlando Mark your calendar for the once a year and much anticipated Southern Women’s Show, October 25 - 28, 2018. Returning for its 28th annual event, the show features an exciting 4 days of one-of-a-kind shopping, fashion shows, cooking demonstrations, health screenings, DIY workshops, makeovers and so much more!
Savannah Chrisley from USA’s hit reality show Chrisley Knows Best will grace the Fashion and Entertainment Stage on Saturday, October 27. At just 19 Savannah became the youngest person to retail on HSN with her fashion line, Faith Over Fear, which debuted last fall. When she’s not filming, Savannah uses her voice to advocate for Unlikely Heroes, the non-profit organization that works to save and rehabilitate victims of sex slavery. Fans will have a chance to meet Savannah and get the scoop on filming Chrisley Knows Best, growing up under the watchful eye of her father, and putting her career before love.
Keegan Allen from Freeform’s Pretty Little Liars will be signing copies of his recently released book, “Hollywood: Photos and Stories from Foreverland”. Keegan takes the Fashion and Entertainment Stage on Sunday, October 28. Keegan is a lifelong photographer whose first book, “life.love.beauty”, was a national bestseller. His second book captures the beauty and glamour of Hollywood, revealing the city we see – and the one we don’t.
Manny Washington heats up the Cooking Stage on Thursday, October 25. Chef Manny, F.D. is both a Food Network Star season 14 Finalist and Cutthroat Kitchen Winner. Chef Manny incorporates his roots as a cook for Station 7 of the Orlando Fire Department to light up taste buds and leave hunger in smoke.
Dana Cody from Oxygen’s Boss Nails and Bravo’s Real Housewives of New York can be met at exhibit #614. The top line nail expert and serial entrepreneur is owner of Tippie Toes Beauty Lounge, specializing in the most extravagant manicures and pedicures to ever be done based in Miami. Dana will be re-launching the infamous Imperial Nails this fall and is in the final stages of completing her first book.
The Southern Women’s Show takes place 10:00am – 7:00pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and 10:00am – 5:00pm on Sunday. General admission tickets to the Southern Women’s Show will be $12 for Adults, $10 for Seniors (55+), $6 for Youth (6-12), and free for children under six with a paying adult. VIP tickets for Savannah and Keegan’s meet and greets can be purchased online. Advanced tickets can be purchased at Walgreens starting September 25 at a discounted rate of $8 for Adults
The Southern Women’s Show is proudly sponsored by Chevrolet, Little Black Dress Wines, Shipt, and Florida Dairy.
This year, the show will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in the North Concourse in Hall B. The address is 9400 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819.
BERLUTI AND FERRARI: AN HOMAGE TO EXCELLENCE Maranello’s collaboration with Berluti has produced the Ferrari Limited Edition footwear collection designed specifically for gentlemen drivers and inspired by the Prancing Horse’s latest models, the Ferrari Monza SP1 and Monza SP2. Every detail and styling element of this exclusive collection – including its sculptural, sinuous shapes and stitching – references the iconic Ferraris, their instantly recongisable exterior styling and exquisite interiors.
To further underscore the link to the Prancing Horse, all three models – a Slip-on, an Oxford and a Chelsea Boot – have the same red piping detail on their heels. When it came to designing and developing the soles used in the collection, Ferrari drew on its wealth of experience with innovative technologies, choosing to craft them in Twill 2×2 carbonfibre which is not only used in its cars, but also makes for ultra-comfortable driving in particular.
The Ferrari Limited Edition collection was unveiled by Ferrari Chairman John Elkann and Berluti CEO Antoine Arnault at a cocktail party in the brand’s boutique on Paris’s Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré to celebrate both Fashion Week and the Mondial Paris Motor Show. Designed by Berluti and Ferrari, the collection will be available from the start of November in select Berluti boutiques internationally.
Porsche South Florida - Opening Winter 2018 With a total facility footprint over 231,000 square feet, including 120,000 square feet for sales and service alone, the 2-story showroom has 75 indoor, climate-controlled vehicle display areas. The 5-story parking deck allows easy access to an additional 320 vehicles in inventory. The multi-level showroom features multiple cafÊ’s, quiet lounge space, 2 large media walls, a Porsche Heritage Wall and 2-story event space. Experience both ground level and aerial views into one of the most advanced service departments in the world. The 3-lane service drive is climate-controlled and features alignment and tire tread quick check machines for quick vehicle diagnostics. The service department features 24 service bays including 2 dedicated alignment bays, 3 dedicated quick service bays and 2 dedicated Porsche Taycan service bays. The service experience and turnaround time will be second to none. Porsche South Orlando will be a dealership unlike any other in terms of size and amenities and the ownership experience will truly be unlike any other.
Little Known Theme Park Experiences 1.
Get a Haircut at Disney
Visit Magic Kingdom's Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street, USA for a once-in-a-lifetime trim or even a whole new look. Welcoming all ages, the shop also offers a special First Haircut experience for little ones, complete with commemorative Mickey Ears and a certificate. 2.
Grab a Cold One with the Simpsons
Grab a glass of Homer Simpson's favorite beverage, with three varieties of Duff Beer available only at Universal Studios. Despite the running joke on the show that all three are the same beer, the real-life versions include Duff (a lager), Duff Lite (a light beer), and Duff Dry (a stout). 3.
Become Your Very Own AVATAR
Create a personalized AVATAR as the ultimate souvenir at Disney's Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Animal Kingdom. Guests can have their faces mapped and printed onto a Na'vi action figure, complete with blue skin and traditional garb, just like the aliens in the film. 4.
Pet (and Feed!) Sting Rays
While the popular marine mammals like dolphins and sea lions may be more well-known, one of the most unusual animal encounters is feeding and touching the stingrays at SeaWorld Orlando. Guests of all ages - even tiny tots - can dip their hands directly into the pool, feel the velvety texture of the rays, and delight as the gentle creatures suck fish from their hands at lightning fast speed. (Don't worry, the stingray barbs are trimmed, just like human fingernails.) 5.
Perform "Real" Magic
Spell it out with the wave of a wand at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort. Objects suddenly move, water spouts and secrets reveal themselves throughout Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade when visitors use one of the Interactive Wands available at Ollivander's Wand Shop. 6.
Meet The Pets That Went from Shelters to Stars
Many people don't know that SeaWorld also provides a home and second chance at life for dogs and cats rescued from animal shelters. Considered by many to be untrainable due to their high energy, these adopted animals now steal the stage and fans' hearts - as stars in the parks' Pets Ahoy, a funny, fast-paced animal training show that also imparts a meaningful message to support local animal shelters. The cast of talented rescued animals includes dogs, cats and even ducks, and guests can personally meet some of these amazing "animal ambassadors" along with their trainers after the show. 7.
Dine with Princesses in Epcot, Too
Join Disney princesses for Storybook Dining at the Norway pavilion of Epcot's World Showcase. While many visitors flock to Magic Kingdom's Cinderella Castle for princess dining, this lesser-known option includes a meal with several of the mostloved princesses in another, equally beautiful medieval castle. 8.
Send A Letter from Hogsmeade
Send a real letter from Hogsmeade's Owl Post at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort. Special postage, a Hogsmeade postmark and even unique wizardly stationary makes for a one-of-a-kind love letter, pen pal or postcard. 9.
Make Friends with Rescued Manatees
Step behind-the-scenes and catch a glimpse of SeaWorld Orlando's working manatee rescue and rehabilitation facility to learn more about the plight of these vulnerable animals that have been rescued from illness or injury in the wild. Guests can get a closer look at some of the water's most gentle creatures - including calves, "teens" and adult manatees - all of which have been rescued and are undergoing treatment with the goal of successfully returning them back to the wild.
10. Play I-Spy with Mickey Embark on a scavenger hunt for hidden mickeys, a famous "secret" of the Disney Parks. Everything from rides to dĂŠcor and even walking paths at Disney properties feature subtle Mickey shapes, some easier to spot than others. While books have been published to help guests find them all, half the fun is in the discovery.
Afternoon Tea is Back at The Ritz! The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes has re-launched its popular Afternoon Tea for the fall season. Beginning September 15, the popular Afternoon Tea will be offered every Saturday and Sunday from 2-4pm in the new Lobby Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando. The Traditional Tea Service includes an individual pot of freshly steeped loose-leaf tea, five tea sandwiches, assorted pastries and classic treats like freshly baked scones with lemon curd and Devonshire cream while the Royal Tea Service also features strawberries with whipped cream and a hint of Grand Marnier. Children aged 10 and under can join in on the experience with the cute and creative Peter Rabbit Tea, inclusive of a selection of beverage choices, animal-shaped sandwiches and Chef’s selection of desserts and pastries. The newly renovated Lobby Lounge draws inspiration from the Mediterranean through a subtle and tasteful contemporary design, integrating both rustic and polished elements like the awe-striking combination of distressed wood and white marble tile. For reservations, please call 407-393-4648 or 407-393-4034. All Afternoon Tea reservations must be made a minimum of 24 hours in advance. For pricing, please visit grandelakes.com.