All posts by Alicia

A Guide to Shopping the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Fashion & Beauty, Shopping & Deals, ,

Nordstrom-Anniversary-Sale Shopping Guide

Fall is likely the last thing on anyone’s mind right now as Miami turns into the swampiest mosquito playground in the country. But the end of June also signals the onset of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, an annual shopping event, happening in July, that looks ahead to fall with brand new styles priced at big discounts. (Though July 17th is the official start date for the public, Nordstrom card holders get in as early as July 9th.) I’ve been shopping this sale for years with my personal shopper (and now very good friend, Rosi). So this year, I’ve decided to share some of my tips with anyone who wants to take advantage of the sale. Ready to update your look? Read ahead for some tried and true methods. Happy shopping! Continue reading →

Luxe on a Budget

Fashion & Beauty, Food & Drink, Shopping & Deals, Travel & Miami, , , ,

Biltmore-Hotel-Pool

Miami is known for many things, but being budget-friendly isn’t necessarily one of them. Still, being born and raised in this city within pretty modest means will undoubtedly make you a bit of a deal hunter, like it or not. And if you’re one of the tribe that believes nice things don’t necessarily always have to be out of reach, then it’s likely you’ve figured out some of these tips for yourself. Continue reading →

Review: Wantable Style Edit

Fashion & Beauty, Shopping & Deals, , , , ,

Wantable-Review-May-Style-Edit

I never thought I’d be one for a monthly styling subscription (being a “pear shape” isn’t easy!). But because I find myself shopping online these days pretty much 95% of the time (and often returning a good portion of what I’ve purchased), I decided to give the new Wantable Style Edit a try. I’d used them (and reviewed them) before, so when they released their first styling service for apparel recently (their intimates box has been one of my favorites for a few months now), I figured I’d give it a shot. Read ahead for all the details & pics.

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A Few Favorites…

Food & Drink, Travel & Miami, , , , , ,

Bubbles & Ink Blog by Alicia Palma

It’s been about six months since I started writing for MasterCard. They reached out to me as a result of coming across my blog and liking my writing (yay!) and offered me the opportunity to write a few articles for their Priceless Cities blog from a local’s perspective. What began as a twice monthly gig has now become about 6-8 pieces per month that have not only helped me sharpen my writing skills (writing for yourself can get a bit too comfortable), but have also allowed me the opportunity to explore my city with a fresh perspective. The results of which have led me to discover some great new spots, as well as revisit some of my favorites. Here are some of my top choices.

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Spa Days: Acqualina in Sunny Isles Beach

Fashion & Beauty, Travel & Miami, , , , , ,

Acqualina Resort & Spa in Sunny Isles Beach, FL

While the rest of the country shovels its way through snow, I feel almost guilty pulling up to the palm trees and ocean views that welcome me at the beachfront Sunny Isles location Acqualina calls home. There are rows of Rolls Royce lined up on the sides of the valet ramp, not unlike other places in South Florida. What is rare, however, is the peaceful respite that takes me in once I walk past the front desk and make my way to the spa. I’m welcomed with mint tea and and a fresh towel for my face and hands. And for the first time in about an hour and a half of traffic and typical Miami congestion, I am able to really exhale.

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Couture Dining at Romeo’s Cafe

Food & Drink, Travel & Miami, , , ,

Romeo's Cafe Miami Chef Romeo Majano on Bubbles & Ink Blog

Chef Romeo Majano sits across from me in a dimly lit room with rich wood paneling and bottles of wine lining the walls. He’s comfortably sitting in his chair, relaying stories of his career trajectory over glasses of wine to me and my husband, who are drinking in both with the kind of reserved awe and excitement I imagine one would usually experience in the presence of a celebrity. Which, I suppose, Chef Romeo could be considered.

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Front & Center

Art & Culture, Life & Family,

Front-&-Center-Header

When I started blogging back in 2004 (those LiveJournal days!), the appeal was that I could hide behind the page and just get the words out without having to really show my face. Not that I wanted to hide behind anonymity – it wasn’t really about that at all. It was really more about my overwhelmingly introverted side remaining just that: out of view and happily so.

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For the Love of Beer

Food & Drink, Travel & Miami, , , ,

For-the-Love-of-Beer-Header-REVISED

One of the greatest things going on in Miami lately is the burgeoning food and beer scene. It’s not a trend. It’s not a gimmick. What feels like an overdue movement for those of us who have grown up here has finally come to pass – we’re moving forward. We’re creating a scene. And that scene is here to stay, making quality craft beer and exciting gourmet the new standard around this city.

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6 Tips on Navigating the New Networking

Food & Drink, , , , ,

KR BEER BASH 2015

There’s networking, and then there’s networking with craft beer. And if you were lucky enough to attend KR’s recent Beer Bash, then you know that small detail makes a world of difference. Read ahead for some tips on navigating the new style of networking that is (thankfully) shaping the way people make connections.

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