Giselle – Page 4 – Flair Miami

By Giselle Valenzano August 19, 2013 in All, Food

TRADER JOE’S TAKES MIAMI

If you haven’t already heard, Trader Joe’s will finally open a Miami location! Opening up in the heart of Pinecrest, the specialty grocery store will be the fourth location in Florida but the first Trader Joe location in Miami Dade County.

Known as “your neighborhood grocery store”, Trader Joe’s offers all kinds of environmentally friendly products and gourmet, organic, and vegetarian foods at an affordable price. However, you won’t find a lot of branded items at Trader Joe’s, and that’s what makes them different from your every day grocery store. Instead, you’ll find unconventional and interesting products in the Trader Joe’s label as well as everyday basics.

Want to know more about the Trader Joe brand? They promise that their products contain:

NO artificial flavors or preservatives
NO synthetic colors
NO MSG
NO genetically modified ingredients
NO partially hydrogenated oils (artificial trans-fats)
NO “marketing” costs
YES tasting panel approval
YES quality ingredients
YES great price

I’m sold! The South Miami store is set to open on October 18th and will be located on the 9200 block of South Dixie Highway, where the old Borders bookstore used to be. Interested in working at Trader Joe’s? They are accepting applications in person and will begin hiring September 9th!

I don’t know about you, but I’m excited for the opening of Trader Joe’s, South Miami! So long, Whole Foods, hello, Joes!

PS: I also came across some delicious recipes on the Trader Joe’s website. Check them out! ;)

By Giselle Valenzano July 29, 2013 in All, Fashion

L*SPACE LOVE 2014

As swim week came to a close, and the rush of it all began to sink in, I wasn’t sure where to start. Being my first Swim Week, I am proud to say it was a success. Not only were the shows and parties fashion perfection, but the simple fact that Flair Miami was featured at the Escape Miami Style Lounge was enough to make it the best yet (who knows what’s to come for next year’s swim week ;) )

This year, we were fortunate enough to have a chat with some of our favorite designers, one of them was Monica Wise, the creative director and lead designer behind L*Space.

What was your inspiration for the 2014 line?

This year’s collection is inspired by the girl that wants to travel and get away. It’s about packing different looks and learning how to pack lightly while still having a lot of looks to choose from. In this collection, I did a lot of mix and matching and a lot of reversible pieces, I wanted to make it easier to take fewer suits on a trip.

Tell us about some of the looks that we saw on the runway.

We had a few stylists from NYC incorporate hats used by Nicki Minaj. And the jewelry you saw were some of Cher’s personal pieces. Oh, and something else that was also unique about our show is that we streamed it live from www.everythingbutwater.com so people from all around the world could tune in to see the 2014 collection.

Tell our Flair Miami readers something they may not know about you.

Well, I’ve been doing this for about 13 years and I am an original Florida girl! I started in Florida and later on moved to California.

Monica Wise is not only extremely talented, she was also very sweet. Her swimwear and resort collection blended in several trends beautifully, showcasing the sophisticated pastel color palates along with the classic black and whites. Designer Monica Wise, also incorporated Aztec prints, geometric shapes, snakeskin, watercolor and old-world Caribbean and galactic map patterns that completed the overall look and theme.

Can’t wait to see what she will come up with next!

Missed the show? Here’s a look, thanks to our friends at Mercedes Benz.

Photography: Getty Images
Video: Mercedez Benz Fashion Week

By Giselle Valenzano July 12, 2013 in All, Fashion

SWIM WEEK ESSENTIALS

Our favorite time of year is here… Swim Week! I don’t know about you, but I am beyond excited for this years swim week (not only because of the amazing designers but also because it’s my first year going!). Where do I begin? Wildfox, L Space, and Luli Fama…here I come!

Since I am in the swim week spirit, I thought it’d be fun to put some outfits together, so here you have them!

Long summer skirt/ American Retro/ Zara ankle wrap sandals / Gold glasses / Essie nail color

H&M/ Pull&Bear pull bear/ Olsenhaus vegan sandals/ ASOS watch / DANNIJO chain necklace

H&M bustier top/ Topshop circle skirt/ ASOS leather footwear/ H&M glasses

What will you be wearing at this years Swim Week?

By Giselle Valenzano July 5, 2013 in All, Fashion, Fun, Travel

MANHATTAN MADNESS

Last week, I (Giselle) went on a mini-getaway to one of my favorite places in the United States…Manhattan. Between the fabulous shopping, Broadway shows, delicious New York pizza and the fast paced city life, I loved it all.

First stop: SHOPPING. I spent one full day on Fifth Avenue and one full day in SoHo. But, let’s be real. I spent a full day window shopping on Fifth Avenue, and a full day blowing all my money in SoHo. Between LF Boutique and Brandy Melville I was in heaven. PS. I just learned that there is also an LF Boutique located on Miami Beach! Woohoo! Anyway, I left both spots with lots of goodies, probably more than I should have.

Next stop: BROADWAY. When I tell you that the main reason I went to New York was for a specific broadway show, you may not believe me. But, a couple of months back, I saw that Matilda was on Broadway and I was beyond excited. Matilda was my favorite childhood story, and I knew I had to see the musical! How could I miss it? So, a couple of months later, there I was in New York City at the Shubert Theatre reliving my memory of Miss Trunchbull and the chokey.

Last Stop: FOOD. Those who know me know that I love food. Yes, I love to eat, & I knew I could not leave New York with out having some authentic New York style pizza. So I am telling you about this next place because if you are ever in the Big Apple you must try them out! John’s Pizzeria (not to be confused with Papa John’s) has two locations, one in Jersey and one in the heart of Times Square. This is definitely the place to go for authentic New York style pizza. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that the restaurant is located in what was once the Gospel Tabernacle Church built in the 1800’s. They kept all the original architecture from that time, so you get to enjoy your pizza while time traveling back a couple hundred years.

I wasn’t kidding when I said Manhattan was one of my favorite places in the US, there’s always something to do and there is always people to see.

By Giselle Valenzano June 24, 2013 in All, Food

CULINARY EXPERIENCE: CHEF ADDRIANE

It all started at the age of 12, Adrianne Calvo, decided to experiment by making chocolate chip cookies. Everyone her age already seemed to enjoy eating them, but she was determined to find a way to make her cookies taste even better.

From that day on, Adriane was inspired to experiment in the kitchen. Whether it was baking or cooking, she loved how it made her feel and how creative she could be. But her drive and love for cooking didn’t just end in her kitchen…

Throughout the years, Adriane participated in culinary competitions for scholarships, money, trips, etc. and her competitive spirit always seemed to have her on-the-hunt for something new. Hence, at the age of 20, she won a competition that led her to Napa Valley and changed her perspective on food and wine forever.

“Traveling through Napa Valley, I fell in love with the food, the wine, the atmosphere, and everything in between. A couple years later, stepping into what is now Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar, I knew immediately that what I fell in love with in that famous wine growing region could happen here. It would not be an easy task, but after an enormous amount of effort, imagination, and recipe testing, we now have Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar,” said Adriane.

With the income of her book sales (yet another competition she entered and won), she opened her first restaurant here in Miami, and the FlairMiami gals had the opportunity to taste some of her personal favorite dishes from the restaurant at the Italian Culinary Experience.

The appetizer, raw tuna with ponzu aioli, truffle, radishes and a few jalapeños. The dish was the perfect starter, it was light with a tiny hint of spice – perfect combination.
Our next dish was sweet potato bisque topped with chorizo and tortilla chips. This had to be one of my favorite dishes of the night. The taste of the bisque was not only amazing, but the tortilla chips and the chorizo topped it off perfectly.
Next, we tried a crispy goat cheese, fig marmalade, jamon Serrano and balsamic croquet. When I tell you I’ve never tasted anything like this dish, I mean it.
Our main course was a 24-hour-braised prime beef short rib, paired with whipped boniato puree, and crispy kale. The pairing was by far one of the best short rib dishes I have ever tried.
We ended our experience with a dark chocolate Nutella croissant bread pudding and vanilla bean gelato. Chocolate lovers, if you’re anything like me, you’d fall in love with this dish. It was the perfect ending to one of the best culinary experiences yet.

Salivating? Be sure to check out her restaurant located at 11510 SW 147 Avenue – Miami, Fl 33196. For reservations, contact (305) 408-8386.

Thank you Chef Adrianne for a wonderful experience, and a special thanks to Zonin Prosecco for yet another successful Italian Culinary Experience and of course delicious wine pairings.

By Giselle Valenzano June 7, 2013 in All, Fun

HELLO, AGAIN MIAMI

Cruising through the streets of Wynwood and the Design District behind the wheel of a 2013 Lincoln MKZ was just the beginning of the Hello, Again Miami tour. Thanks to Lincoln Motor Company and several other local businesses, restaurants, and art organizations, I was able to enjoy the streets of Miami in pure luxury. With tour stops at Panther Coffee, the Wynwood Cigar Factory, and a quick drive tour through Maps Backlot, I couldn’t help but fall in love with Miami all over again (and I also couldn’t help falling in love with the car I was driving).

Panther Coffee was our first stop and for those of you who have never been to this coffee spot, it’s a must go! Between their delicious tasting coffee imported from all around the world, and their 90-year-old coffee grinder, I couldn’t help but think this place is like no other. Oh, and did I mention that they have their own line of beer? Yes, a coffee shop with their own beer, genius! Nothing says “one of a kind” more than that!

Next stop: Wynwood Cigar Factory. Warehouse walls painted by local artists from floor to ceiling and the art of making cigars, all in one place. Not only did we get the chance to take a tour of the factory but we also got to see how cigars were made. Pretty cool, right? For those of you who love amazing art and a good cigar, this is definitely the place to check out! Note: The second Saturday of every month, the factory hosts an Art Walk party for the public. So as you stroll along Wynwood, don’t forget to pass by and check out the best cigar rollers in the industry while enjoying art, drinks, food, and live music.

Our tour also made a quick drive through Maps Backlot where they showcased some wonderful art installation by RAW artists. MAPS Backlot is an open photo studio location and event space of 10,000 square feet, easy vehicle access and plenty of parking. A great venue for your next event!

As the tour came to an end, no one was ready to return their cars, great marketing strategy, Lincoln folks. Thank you for the wonderful experience and for showing me some of Miami’s hidden treasures. :)

By Giselle Valenzano May 30, 2013 in All, Fun

THE MIAMI MONKEY

Angela Raiola, also known as “Big Ang” is in MIAMI! Vannia and I were lucky enough to be a part of the grand opening of her new bar, the Miami Monkey, located on Ocean Drive.

The bar is a Miami spin-off of her New York bar, the Drunken Monkey. Its prime location is just the beginning. With an ocean view, modern-chic decor, and a lively crowd, The Miami Monkey brings a unique twist to the SoBe bar scene. And who knows, you may even run into Big Ang herself!

The bar also has a lounge-area located in the back which offers a tapas style menu. Mmmmmm! (It wasn’t opened to the public when we where there, but it sure made us hungry knowing about it.)

Whether you’re at the beach looking for a new spot to people watch, or just looking for a fun place to see the Playoffs, The Miami Monkey is definitely a spot worth checking out!

Oh, and if by chance you can’t find the bar… (It’s a little hidden, it’s on the second floor of the Netherland on Ocean Drive.) Just look for the ladies walking around in black bikinis labeled Miami Monkey. Be sure to ask them for a “sticker” as it gets you a free drink! (And you may need it since drinks range from $10-20).

Cheers!

By Giselle Valenzano May 29, 2013 in All, Fitness, Fun

PURE BARRE PURE FUN!

There’s so much going on with Flair Miami and it’s been so exciting to see how much it has grown! But with everything focused on fashion, I thought I’d change it up a bit! Yes, I do love fashion, and I could probably write and talk and read about it all day, but it doesn’t hurt to switch things up every now and then.

Between work, school, and an internship, finding the time to exercise is hard since all I want to do in my free time is sleep. But I realized I will never have energy unless I work out, so I thought, “What can I do that’s different and will keep me motivated to continue working out?” (I’m not a huge gym fan…I get distracted and unmotivated way too easily.) So, one of my friends told me about Pure Barre and I jumped right on it!

Pure Barre is a full body work out completely inspired around the ballet barre. It’s focus is to tone and burn fat in record-breaking time. Each class is 55 minutes long, and each work out is a good mix between pilates, yoga, and ballet.

My first class with Pure Barre was not only challenging (in a good way) but also fun. It’s a great way to get back into my working out routine. The goal for each class is, ” A transformed body and a clear head in just one hour…” and according to these pure barre testimonials, they’ve been doing just that!

http://youtu.be/GpeN6wV8ZfU

For more information on Pure Barre and for class times and prices you can click here. Happy Exercising!

By Giselle Valenzano May 20, 2013 in All, Fun

FLAIR MIAMI TURNS ONE!

Today is a big day! It’s Flair Miami’s one year anniversary!

It seems like just yesterday I stumbled across the blog and contacted Vannia to write for her. Where does the time go? Oh, and did I ever mention how I met Vannia? It was through Flair Miami! I can honestly say, I am so thankful for this blog and the journey it’s taken me on, the things I’ve learned, and the wonderful friend
I’ve made through it ;)

(Giselle: Dress- Sabo Skirt, Shoes – Zara. Vannia: Dress – H&M, Shoes – Shoedazzle, Accesories: Aldo & Michael Kors.)

We celebrated with fun outfits, cupcakes and balloons, but that wasn’t the end of it! This week we will be having a surprise giveaway AND on May 31st, we will be throwing our very first soirée! Stay tuned for all the details. :)

Thank you to all the readers who have been following us! Here’s to a fun and successful year of fashion, fitness, food, and fun!

Photo Credit: Diego Espinosa Photography

By Giselle Valenzano May 3, 2013 in All, Fitness, Fun

ALL YOU CAN HANDSTAND

I can officially say that I am finished with my Junior year of college! Bring on the senioritis! Anyway, my finals week was one of the most hectic weeks, and so I wanted to end the week right. What better way to end it than with an intense yoga class taught by one of the most inspiring yoga teachers I know?

My yoga adventure began this past Sunday evening with two of my close friends. We heard Yoga Girl Rachel Brathen was going to be in town doing yoga workshops all over Miami, and we were on it in a heartbeat! We signed up for an “All You Can Handstand Class” and boy did they mean it when they said All You Can Handstand.

Rachel Brathen is a Swedish native living in Aruba where she teaches yoga at Manchebo Beach Resort and Spa. Her yoga classes are a mix of Hatha and Vinyasa flow while incorporating breathing techniques, creative sequencing, and core work. Her goal for each class is to energize the body, cultivate a meditative consciousness, and give greater vitality and health. And I must say, her class did just that!

With the help of Om’Echaye Wellness and Fitness Center and Love and Vegetables vegetarian and vegan restaurant I definitely felt energized! Rachel is so talented, and inspiring, and I am so happy I was able to be taught by her.

The All You Can Yoga community brought us together. People from different parts of town were there because of this one thing that we all have in common, a love for YOGA!