If asked your opinion on which cities in the world are the most expensive, what would you guess? Singapore, Hong Kong, Palm Beach, Dubai?  Sorry you would be incorrect. According to a new analysis by Swiss Bank USB, they have factored into determining the most expensive cities to live such factors as residential price points, goods and services as well as high taxes and after tax wages.

Anyone who lives in New York City won't be surprised which city is on top of the list, given the extravagant real estate market, city, state, and federal taxes as well.  Interestingly, Swiss cities, is the absence of Singapore- which topped the world list last year, " were markedly more expensive than in last year's study because of the Swiss National Bank's…

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It is somewhat magnificently hideous. However, as far as an ugly Christmas sweater party goes, it is flawless!  Everyone loves to hate those horrendous Christmas sweaters. 

As far as chic fashion goes, it is somewhat gloriously ghastly, that dreaded ugly Christmas sweater you have hidden in the back of your closet!  However, for a holiday party theme, it is utter perfection! Downtown West Palm Beach will be crawling with tipsy elves, glittery gaudiness, holiday laughter and goofiness galore.

Event coordinators and revelers will be celebrating for a great cause - Toys for Tots. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy to the event. The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect and distribute toys during the holiday…

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Photo Courtesy of Guanabanas.

One of the rewards of living in Palm Beach County, South Florida is going out to dinner with friends and family by boat. In our area, the Intracoastal Waterway is our marine highway. No restrictions on whether you are salt-covered from a day on the water or dressed for a romantic sunset cruise, in our area there is dockside bistro to fit your mood.

Here are some favorite spots:

Square Grouper Tiki Bar, 1111 Love Street, Jupiter on the Jupiter Inlet. 561-575-0252  This is a little piece of paradise, with beautiful water views of the Jupiter Inlet and its famous lighthouse, this local landmark boasts the 19-slip Castaways Marina and the most stunning scenery in the area. Wiggle your toes in the sand, catch a bite…

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Attribution: Nick22aku at English Wikipedia

OpenTable is an online restaurant-reservation service for foodies and gourmets.  According to the OpenTable, it provides online reservations for about 31,000 restaurants around the world and seats about 15 million diners a month.  They released the “Top 100 Restaurants for Foodies in America”. The 2015 list pays tribute to the 100 best restaurants in the United States after “analyzing more than five million reviews of more than 20,000 restaurants across the country, all submitted by verified diners.”

On December 07, 2015, OpenTable diners determined that the state of New York has the highest number of restaurants on the list, with 12 eateries spanning Manhattan to Buffalo.  The patrons also selected…

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During the holidays, people are so busy with planning family gatherings and prepping for the holidays that real estate purchases seem to fall on the back burner.  According to Forbes Business, the biggest big-ticket items purchased during this time are homes!

Forbes states, “About a million consumers will purchase a home from November to January this year”.  Did you know that according to the Case -Shiller Price Index, typical homes rise around 3% to 5% per year?  They are predicting this year; the gain will be a little bit stronger closer to 6%.  A shortage of inventory is partially to blame.  Thusly, indicating a seller’s market.  Nevertheless, hold on one minute…

Homebuyers must keep in mind that great deals can be had during this time. The…

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This year’s Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival is selling out quickly, says festival organizer David Sabin. “We just counted five events sold-out in the last two weeks,” he says. “We’re about 60 percent sold-out.”  The festival will be held at the Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach and select eateries on Palm Beach.

The gastronomic feast festival includes “Chef Talk Discussions”, to five course meals with exceptional wine pairings, to evenings of carefree cocktails, and much more. From “The First Bite” dinner to the festivals “Grand Tasting Finale” on Sunday night, the Palm Beach Food and Wine Festival serves up a dozen opportunities for foodies to visit and experience an epicurean extravaganza with some of the nation’s top chefs – and sample their…

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It seems like something that occurs 4,500 miles away from us would not affect us.  Nothing is further from the truth.  A series of terror attacks erupted in Paris on Nov. 13, 2015, leaving an estimated 129 people dead, 352 people seriously injured and a nation and world in sorrow.  Americans are shocked and saddened by the recent tragic events in Paris, France.

Local area businesses have responded to recent terrorist attacks in Paris by raising money and relief. Perfect Vodka, a Palm Beach Gardens-based company with a French distillery, announced plans Sunday to raise money for the French Red Cross.  Owner and CEO, Dennis Cunningham, said the company would donate $3 or $5 — depending on bottle size — to the French, Red Cross Relief Organization…

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Waterfront on the Ocean at Juno Beach is a luxurious oceanfront condominium community,located at 800 Ocean Drive, Juno Beach. This is where the wide white sand beaches and tranquil blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean just happen to be the resident’s back yard.  Waterfront on the Ocean is one of Juno Beach’s premiere elegant oceanfront condominiums located in Northern Palm Beach County offering sunrise as well as sunset views.

Relaxing at this beachside residence is stress-free and well appointed.   Spectacular east and west views await the homeowner.  This oceanfront condominium demands your attention with its expansive 9-foot ceilings and 9 foot sliding glass doors, which allow the breathtaking ocean views into the residence.  The stunning building…

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The most expensive home in the United States is back on the market and listing price is $159 million! The beachfront mansion is located at 935 Hillsboro Mile, Hillsboro Beach, Florida.  The luxe digs feature over 60,000 square feet with 11 bedrooms and 17 bathrooms sprawling over 4.4 acres from the Atlantic Ocean to Intracoastal Waterway.  It includes an IMAX Theater, a 4,500-square-foot infinity edge pool, a $2 million grand staircase, gold leaf finishes, a putting green, a 26-foot tall fountain, and a 30-car garage.

Le Palais Royal just became the most expensive listing in America — again. Le Palais Royal originally was listed a year ago for $139 million. At the time, it was the most expensive formal listing in America. Then a California…

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The latest quarterly report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), released November 12, 2015, asserting that median prices for existing homes in metropolitan areas continued to climb in the third quarter of 2015, but at a healthier pace that could entice more homebuyers into the market.

"Many of the metro areas with the fastest price appreciation over the past year were in the South — particularly in Florida," says Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. The economist stated that Florida, in particular, had some of the strongest price appreciation.  Yun stated without question the housing market had its best quarter in nearly a decade. "The demand for buying, picked up speed in many metro areas during the summer as more households…

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