Miami – Page 3 – Flair Miami

By Giselle Valenzano October 16, 2013 in All, Fun, News

HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS

Halloween is right around the corner, but have you planned how you’ll be enjoying it? There’s so much going on around town this year and here’s a list of a few of the adult friendly and family friendly Halloween happenings in Miami.

Mad Halloween Party
What? Enjoy a cocktail or two and party the night away in your best costume at Segafredo Brickell. (21+)
When? Saturday, October 26 9P – Sunday, October 27 4A
Where? Segafredo Brickell – 1421 S. Miami Ave. Miami, FL 33130

City Tour: Ghost Tour of Miami City Cemetery Night Walk
What? Whether you’re in the mood to dress up or not, celebrate Halloween the spooky way at Miami’s oldest cemetery. Who knows, you may encounter the ghost of Julia Tuttle.
When? Friday, October 25 8P-10P
Where? History Miami – 101 W. Flagler St. Miami, FL 33130

Miami Children’s Museum Not So Scary Family Halloween Bash
What? Bring the family along to enjoy an afternoon of trick or treating, a haunted house and a Monster Mash dance party
When? Sunday, October 20 1P-6P
Where? Miami Children’s Museum – 980 MacArthur Causeway

Miami Beach Halloween Half Marathon and Freaky 4-Miler
What? Halloween themed run on the boardwalk, starting at parrot jungle and ending at South Point Park.
When? Saturday, October 26 4P
Where? Miami Beach, South Point Park, Boardwalk – 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail Miami, FL 33139

Bleau Moon Howl at Fountainbleau Miami Beach
What? A family friendly fun-filled afternoon including sugary treats, trick or treating and pumpkin decorating.
When? Saturday October 26, 5P-8P
Where? Fountainbleau Miami Beach – 4441 Collins Ave. Miami Beach, FL 33140

The Little Farm Pumpkin Patch
What? Go pumpkin picking or purchase a scare crow kit and make a scare crow with friends and family
When? October 5-31
Where? The Little Farm – 13401 SW 224 ST Goulds, FL 33170

What are you doing this Halloween? Let us know about any other Halloween happenings by commenting below! See you around town ;)

By Giselle Valenzano October 4, 2013 in All, Fun, News

LOCO FOR BOGO

Happy October Flair readers! Not sure how to kick off your weekend?

In case you didn’t know, this month is Miami Attractions Month! During the entire month of October many popular Miami attractions will be offering a buy one admission, get one free. So whether you’re a local or just in town for a couple of days, this is your chance to explore some of Miami’s most well known spots and the same time save a few bucks. ;)

I’ve lived in Miami all of my life, and almost half of the places featured on this year’s attraction list I have yet to visit! So what better time than now? Better late than never, right? With that being said, there are quite a few options to choose from. As a matter of fact, you could visit a new place every weekend this month! So what do you say? Here are a few of the ones that caught my eye:

Deering Estate At Cutler
- Enjoy canoe tours, butterfly walks, and guided nature hikes on the 444-acre environmental, archeological, and historical preserve.
- Location: 16701 SW 72nd Ave. Miami, FL 33157
Dolphin Harbor At Miami Seaquarium
- This is perfect for families! Have an unforgettable experience with a dolphin as you’ll get to interact with them and try out some of the expert’s training signals!
- Location: 4400 Rickenbacker Cswy. Miami, FL 33149
Jungle Island
- Another family friendly attraction, Jungle Island is a great place to go if you want to explore wildlife! From ligers and orangutans to kangaroos and penguins, you will definitely have an unforgettable experience!
- Location: 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail Miami, FL 33132
Schnebly’s Redland Winery
- Enjoy an entertaining evening with a glass of Schnebly’s wine! Located in the heart of the Redlands, this is a great attraction to enjoy with a loved one, friends, or family!
- Location: 30205 SW 217 Ave. Homestead, FL 33030

For a full list of attractions you can visit www.miamiattractionsmonth.com. Have you been to any of the attractions mentioned? Let us know about your experiences and where you’ll be headed this month by commenting below!

Happy Friday!

By Giselle Valenzano August 30, 2013 in All, Fun

LABOR DAY WEEKEND FESTIVITIES

IT’S FRIDAY!! And a three day weekend! Not sure what’s going on around town this Labor Day weekend? I’ll make it easy for you! Check it out.

Miami Nice Labor Day Weekend Yacht Party
What? Party all night long aboard the Luxurious South Beach Lady Yacht.
When? Saturday, August 31 11:30p to Sunday, Sep 1 4:00a
Where? 301 Biscayne, Blvd. Miami, Fl 33132
Cost: $50
To buy tickets click here.

Nabor Day Weekend on Jungle Island
What? Check out the special deals Jungle Island is offering this weekend only.
When? Saturday, August 31 – Monday, September 2.
Where? Jungle Island, 111 Parrot Jungle Trail Miami, FL 33132

Miami Home Design and Remodeling Show
What? The largest home improvement and design event in Miami!
When? Saturday, August 31 12:00p to Tuesday, September 3 6p
Where? Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Dr. Miami Beach, FL 33139
Cost: $10; $1 for kids 10 & under

Labor Day Endless Summer Party
When? September 1, 2013 11:00a to September 2, 2013 5:00a
What? Enjoy the Labor Day Celebration on the beach with brunch, live music, entertainment, and more.
Where? Nikki Beach, One Ocean Drive Miami Beach, 33139
Must be 21 +
To make reservations for brunch call 305.583.1111 or email reservations.miami@nikkibeach.com

There’s plenty to do on this weekend, but if you aren’t in the mood to party, don’t forget to check out all the special deals going on at different stores around town!

Have a happy Labor Day!

By Vannia Enriquez August 12, 2013 in All, Fun

TIARAS THE BALL EVENT

Last week, I volunteered at a Summer camp called Camp Wake. I spent an entire week with middle and high-school students. During my time there, I was reminded how important it is to invest in the lives of teens. While most of our time at camp was spent making up cheers, having fun and competing. We also got to hear a camp speaker, and after every talk one of our girls approached a leader to share and pray about a dark situation they were facing. These teenage girls were dealing with suicide attempts, death threats, emotional and even physical abuse. I was reminded how broken our world is, but I was also reminded of how BIG my GOD is. Though at first, I was saddened by each situation… I was also quickly reminded that God has a plan for each of them, and that this darkness would be no more. So today, I’d like to share with you about how someone else’s brokenness became a dream and a bright new future called TIARAS.

What is Tiaras? Share with us the vision and the dream?

Tiaras exists to Re-Write the statistics, one teenage girl at a time. The mission of Tiaras is to paint a picture of God’s perfect love to every teenage girl we encounter and Re-Writing the statistics of teen pregnancy, promiscuity and suicide. Through a revealing and relevant message based on 1 Corinthians 13, our mission is to let every teen girl know their completion comes from God alone and that they are Daughters of a King!

How did this dream come into fruition?

I, Lily Garcia, was speaking at a young woman’s conference in Ft.Lauderdale last year about our self worth & the way God sees us. I had themed the night as “Princess Night” bringing crowns with me and pink royal touches not realizing God was about to birth a stirring within me called, TIARAS.

I’ve always felt drawn to younger women in this journey we call life. I grew up as not only a fatherless girl, but at age 19 learned I was the result of a violent act. My mom was date raped at age 21 and against all odds kept me. This truth marked my entire 20’s, I felt like I was an accident and I wasn’t supposed to be here. I went on to accept an unhealthy love story and gave myself to this relationship for over 10 years. Coming out of that unhealthy relationship awakened something in me to teach young girls & women, reminding them that they are beautifully and wonderfully made. That they have purpose and are God’s masterpiece, and that the love God intended for us to receive is defined clearly in 1 Corinthians 13.

The night I spoke, a mother of one of the college students attending the conference held my hand at the end of evening and said “I wish someone would have told me at a young age what you just told our daughters”. She wept. Confessed she was a statistic. Getting pregnant at 14 and having been in numerous abusive relationships, she had 5 children fathered by 5 different men. Her tears marked me and I asked God to help me find a way to create a pink box movement that will begin in America, but spread all over the world crowning girls from the US to Columbia, to Thailand and even huts in Africa, awakening the hearts of teen girls to the way God sees them!

How can our community help?

Our ball events are completely sponsor and volunteer driven, and they are completely free to all girls. You can either sponsor a TiarasGirl that evening by donating $10 on www.thelegacyministries.com. This pays for her crown, the experience, and her Devotional on “Shining Like Royalty” written by TIARAS; or by donating dresses of all styles and sizes. We provide a Dress Boutique at the events so that underprivileged girls could select a free dress and come in all her splendor. (Miami donations can be dropped off this week at Christ Journey Church, from 9-5pm, email Vannia for more info.)

Who is it geared toward, and how can we be a part of it?

We gear our Ball events towards pre-teen, teens and young college girls. US statistics say that the average girl is giving away her purity at age 14. The US also leads the world with the highest rate of teen pregnancy, and the 3rd highest cause of death among our teens today is suicide. Therefore, our desire is to get to them as early as we can. How can you be a part of it? Bring your teen to the next event. Or volunteer at an upcoming ball, register at www.thelegacyministries.com as there are volunteer opportunities before, during and after the ball events. We also partner with volunteers in the Arts for all the artistic elements during the Ball experience, actors, photographers, dancers, and lay people wanting to make a difference. (*all volunteers subject to a background check)

Interested in volunteering or donating a lightly used dress? Email us today. We’d love to hear from you, let’s change the world, one girl at a time!

By Vannia Enriquez August 2, 2013 in All, Fashion

PRISCILLA B TAKES MIAMI

As I mentioned in our Bikini Invasion post, this year’s Swim week was a little more special than the last… Flair Miami gals were invited to a plethora of events, and as much as we wanted to cover them all, we simply couldn’t… But with a little help from our friends, we kinda did. ;)
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Contributing post by: Tasha Wahlenberg

PriscillaB takes Miami, woos the audience and debuts her collection. Her line, Appunti Di Viaggio, (and yes you guessed it it’s 100% Italian) was showcased at Wall inside the W hotel. PriscillaB’s bold prints, and embellished accents, had the audience dancing and ready to hit the beach.

Here’s a play by play of the show… There were 5 girls and 3 platforms in the venue; the collection, which she described as a coastal voyage was made up of two lines: Black Label and White Label.

Black Label featured bold prints and jeweled accents.

While the White Label, took a minimalist approach.

The show wasn’t your average runway show, the models danced to Blurred Lines. Priscilla, came out to the sounds of Crazy In Love, and we all know you can’t help but dance to Beyoncé. and she danced indeed!

Last but not least, the girls came out with silk capes! Okay, maybe they were cover-ups that looked like capes ;).

Most of her line was made out of lycra, except for the last set of bathing suits, they were pure silk; and her adorable cover-ups were made with comfy cotton. Oh, and did I mention that all her suits are also available in youth sizes. So, those of you with little sisters or cousins who want to match, she’s got you covered!

I was able to pull Priscilla aside for a few minutes, only to realize she may be one of the most stunning people I’ve met, also a down-to-earth welcoming woman.

Ready to experience the magic for yourself?

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 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 Sabrina Restrepo May 31, 2013 in All, Food

GET TO KNOW JOJO TEA

Michael Ortiz, a Miami local and owner of acclaimed JoJo Tea, wants you to recognize that drinking tea is not merely about drinking, but about the experience behind it. An experience he refers to as the “spirit of the tea.” JoJo Tea does exactly this by providing a natural, smooth and consistent tea experience for everyone who has a taste. A cup of their tea stands to improve health, stimulate creativity and energize the intellect through their meticulous selection of hand picked teas from around the world. Their mission to provide quality tea is also consistent with their commitment to only purchasing tea’s from reputable farms. With all these reasons and more, JoJo Tea makes it their lifework to make tea more than a soothing drink for your throat, but also a soothing mediation for your soul. We got a chance to chat with Michael Ortiz about his experience working with JoJo Tea:

1) How did you get started in the tea distributing business?

I was a full-time yoga teacher for a couple years, and got more and more into tea as time passed. Next thing I knew I was always disappointed with the teas that would be brought out at the end of my meals. So I decided to buy a few pounds of some of my favorites and present them to some of my favorite restaurants. That’s really how it all started.

2) What is unique about your tea business?

What makes us unique is our locality. Most tea companies are based on the west coast, which means that most clients out here would have to wait a week or two before their orders get in. These companies also have no local representation to train the staff of local restaurants. We deliver at least twice a week, and train the staff at all of our restaurants. We also use whole leaf tea, which offers the most complete and complex flavor profiles compared to most tea companies that use fannings of broken leaf, and even some dust. JoJo Tea uses whole leaves, even in our iced teas. That’s quite unique.

3) What tea would you recommend to someone who has never had tea before?

Chai or Green Jasmine Pearls. Chai is a rich and malty black tea that we blend with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and vanilla. It is typically taken with milk and sugar to create a sweet, spicy, creamy drink that is enjoyed all over India and the world. Green Jasmine Pearls take the first two leaves and the bud of each branch of the tea bush, which is the sweetest, most delicate-tasting part of the plant. At origin, in Fujian, China, these tips are repeatedly scented with midnight-harvested jasmine to give them a nice soft flowery aroma without quite getting perfumey.

4) What is a little known fact about tea?

Where to begin?! Its documented history in China goes back about three thousand years. The drink caught on in Japan (it was brought over by Zen monks) around the 13th century. It wasn’t cultivated in India until around the 17th century. The taste of tea will be affected by many things, including the altitude at which it was picked, the humidity of the area, and what else grows in the area around it. Also, the bigger leaves closer to the bottom of the branch will bring a thicker, maltier taste and those closer to the tips, particularly the first two leaves and the bud, will give the sweetest, subtlest taste.

5) How did you come up with the name for JoJo Tea?

While I was going to school in New York, my sister had a beautiful baby boy. He was learning everybody’s name and when, just out of curiosity, they pointed to me in a photo and said “Okay, Andy, who’s this?” He looked at the photo, squinted his eyes, and then relaxed and said, “That’s Jo-jo.” To this day he calls me Jo-Jo. Which is cute enough in and of itself, but I was amazed to find that in Chinese, Jo-Jo actually means uncle! Not only does it mean uncle, but it means maternal uncle! So, JoJo it is.

To learn more about JoJo Tea or to find out what Miami locations carry their tea’s make sure to visit, jojotea.net

By Sabrina Restrepo May 27, 2013 in All, Fashion

GET TO KNOW KRISTIN

A chat with Miami’s fashion blogger, Kristin Brophy, from Fancy Things Blog…

1. What first inspired you to post “your four favorites” as opposed to daily looks of the day?
I loved the idea of sharing four things you love each week, whether it’s an inspiring quote, an item you’re coveting, or a link you enjoyed reading. It gives you the ability to share what you’re loving with your readers and meet new friends by linking up!

2. What kind of impact do you want your blog to have?
I want my blog to be a place for readers to visit and feel inspired. I love to share beauty, fashion and bits of my personal life, so I’d love it if someone could read my blog and feel like we’re already friends.

3. What are the “4 MUSTS” that any blogger should do in order to remain successful and relevant?

Quality over quantity– Write when you feel inspired, not because you feel like you need to. Your readers will be able to tell how much time you spend on your blog. I feel it’s better to have good quality posts, than post every single day. if you don’t have time to post every single day, your readers will understand, just be consistent.
Be yourself- Try to find your own voice. If you’re sharing the same exact things as other bloggers, what would make your readers want to stop by and read YOUR blog? Just be yourself.
Learn new skills– Take the time to learn Photoshop or similar programs, and invest in a DSLR camera. You will find that it makes a huge difference when it comes to the quality of your blog.
Communicate with your readers– Respond back to their comments, tweets or emails and check out their blogs if they have one. It’s important they know that you appreciate their readership; then they will continue to come back.

4. Where do you find your style inspiration?
I find my style inspiration on Pinterest, my favorite blogs, fashion magazines and on the streets of Miami. I’m constantly inspired by new trends and love to make them my own.

5. Where do you hope your blog will take you in the future?
Writing and sharing about fashion is what I love to do. It would be great to be able to work full time doing what I love. It’s definitely a dream of mine, and I’m willing to work hard to make that happen in the future.

6. Tell us a little secret about you. What’s something that nobody knows?
As much as I love fashion, I’m happiest at home in an oversized t-shirt. I basically collect oversized shirts to sleep in and there’s one shirt in particular that’s my favorite and it’s from Chili’s. (Don’t worry, you won’t be seeing that in an outfit post!)

Thank you for reading + I hope you will stop by my blog and say hello! xo

To learn more about Kristin Brophy, or to see her outfit post for our Black is Back: Blogger Style Challenge make sure to visit fancythingsblog.com.

By Vannia Enriquez May 24, 2013 in All, Fun

WHAT TO DO THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Let the three-day weekend begin!

Memorial Day weekend is finally here, and here are a few festive options from May 23-27.

Downtown Full Moon Party

WHAT: A full moon party with Afro Kumbe sounds by Locos Por Juana.
WHEN: May 25 • 8pm-4am
WHERE: LMNT Arts (Midtown Miami) 59 NW 36 ST. Miami, Florida. 33127
COST: $5 before 10pm, $10 before midnight, $15 there after

Wings Over Miami Air Museum Festival & Car Show

WHAT: A local museum filled with cool cars, great bluegrass music, and free photography seminars.
WHEN: Saturday, May 25 • 11am – 5pm
WHERE: 14710 SW 128th Street, Miami, FL 33196

Jungle Island: Memorial Weekend Beach Bash

WHAT: Join Jungle Island as they kick-off the Summer with the opening of their private beach, La Playa!
WHEN: May 24 – May 27
WHERE: Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, Florida 33132
COST: Adults: $34.95+ tax| Children ages 3-10: $26.95 +tax. Entrance cost will include a special Memorial Weekend BBQ.

Memorial Day Weekend Party Hosted by Diddy

WHAT: Music marketing company, The A-Listers, is featuring Cîroc Vodka in a party hosted by Diddy!
WHEN: May 25 • 3-10pm
WHERE: Bamboo Miami, 550 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33139

Improv Comedy Night Club presents Carlos Mencia

WHAT: Stand-up comedian, Carlos Mencia live at the IMPROV!
WHEN: May 24 – May 26
WHERE: IMPROV 3390 Mary Street Suite 182 Miami, FL 33133

El Mini Market at Wood Tavern

WHAT: A pop-up market for artisans, designers, and vintage collectors.
WHEN : Every-last-Sunday of the month from 3pm – till sundown.
WHERE: Wood Tavern – 2531 NW 2nd Ave Miami, FL 33127