Category Archives: Fashion & Beauty

Miami Staycation: Food & Fun

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

You know, I almost didn’t post this but then I realized there was no way I could omit a Sinbad photo op. I mean, come on – it’s Sinbad! Though this post is a bit of a mish-mash of random (but honestly, very fun) things we did over the course of our Miami staycation, these moments reminded us why we are pretty fortunate to live in this city (now and then and only when there’s decent parking involved).

We rediscovered Monty’s South Beach, a location that not only has spectacular views but also boasts a bar-side pool, so as not to interfere with simultaneous oyster-shooting and tanning. We also discovered that Chili’s is no place for anyone over 30 (that black light pic is the only good thing that came out of that venture – our stomachs are still very upset at us). And we made a pit-stop at some generic Chinese restaurant where we were comfortingly addressed in broken English by a woman who actually had perfectly coherent language skills when addressing her staff.

But let’s get back to Sinbad. I mean, what really needs to be said? If you grew up in the 90’s (and I hope I’m not one of the few), then you can probably share in my Different World inspired glee (I was always rooting for him and Jaleesa). But even now, the guy is still really funny and just plain nice. It was one of those adolescent tv-dreams-come-true — good enough to round out one heck of a staycation and justifying that two-drink minimum at the Improv.

P.S. I wonder where he gets his wardrobe…

In this post: Amorium Jewelry Purple Skull Ring, His & Hers Converse Chuck Taylors

Miami Staycation: The Forge

Fashion & Beauty, , , , , , , ,

The last time I visited The Forge, I could barely afford a glass of champagne and was really only there because a friend dragged me out. The WMC was going on and there were a lot of people whom I suspect were not only sipping champagne. Five years later, it’s probably still a stretch to make it a regular spot, but I’m a savvier shopper thanks to resources like Gilt City.

Thanks to my coupon-clipping ways I was able to surprise my husband during our staycation (yep – still debating that one) with a romantic dinner at the renovated Forge, one that looks nothing at all like that dark little eatery with the speakeasy that led to the club next door (you know the one). It’s polished, sexy, and refreshed, which can also be said for its food, prepared by Chef Dewey LoSasso. But what really made an impression was the enomatic wine bar, a new, interactive wine-by-the-glass self-serve feature truly designed for oenophiles and novices alike. Think of it as a soda fountain for grown-ups.

And if that doesn’t float your flute, then check out the 80’s inspired nudie wall mural in the ladies room. Or the mirror-backed chairs outside. Or even the sultry red lighting that’s more than adequately suitable for all sorts of Michael Jackson stage presence impressions (see MJ-impersonating husband below). You can try it all out for yourself during Miami Spice, beginning August 1st.

P.S. Please feel free to send in any MJ-impersonating husband pics. I like to think that I’m not alone.

In this post: Amorium Jewelry Hand Chain, Revlon Fire & Ice Lipstick, Dorothy Perkins Cream Blazer

Love, Always

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

Thanks to my Instagram addiction, I’ve discovered numerous little online shops crammed with items that are too friggin’ cute and are insistently urging a need to make their way into my already-too-full accessories bins.  But it’s not like I plan to resist. Like I said – they’re too friggin’ cute.

One of said adorable shops is Love, Always, a boutique that not only purveys trendy items for an affordable price but does so with a moral conscience – 10% of all profits are donated to varying anti-bullying organizations. That makes them even harder to resist.

I’ve plucked out some of my favorites below. And because you’re all fabulous readers of Bubbles & Ink, Love, Always is giving you a special coupon code for 15% off your purchase. Just enter BUBBLES when prompted at checkout. So do a little shopping while you do a little good. Because there’s nothing cute at all about bullying.

 

 

 

Thanks to Love, Always for the use of these images from their Instagram feed (@lovealwayscouture).

Style Week Resort in Miami

Fashion & Beauty, , , , , ,

I wish I was cool enough to deliver this post to you without having to admit to the perpetual sense of excitement I’ve been feeling since Friday. But the truth is that half the time I was in awe of the fact that I was seated directly behind Project Accessory designers Nina Cortes and Brian Burkhardt (my two favorites), and the other half of the time was spent wondering how I’d managed to get my name on the guest list for what I have affectionately dubbed as Project Runway heaven.

I’m embarrassed to admit I was a little starstruck. But it’s not very often that Miami gets to experience a CFDA-approved fashion week aimed at launching the careers of emerging (and seriously talented) designers — though we seem to have had our healthy share of events as of late. And though I’m always quite vocal about my often-confounded feelings about this city, there is a sense of pride for my hometown in knowing we not only hosted Style Week Resort but did it with ease and delivered what now seems like the obviously natural fit for this event.

Project Runway alumns Jonathan Joseph Peters and Janeane Marie delivered clean, chic, and quite wearable pieces, JJP with beautifully colored lace and JM with sleek, geometric style. Alessandra Gold offered up deliciously urban flair with a small crew ceremoniously break-dancing their way through the closing.

I’m still relishing in the buzz of fresh fashion and the possibility of such caliber events finding a permanent home in our backyard. But you can make up your own mind: Check out the styles for yourself by heading over to SoFlaNights.com’s recap page. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Amorium Jewelry Giveaway

Fashion & Beauty, Shopping & Deals, , ,

Nothing softens the blow of a Monday morning like the promise of free stuff. This week, I’d like to start by giving you all the opportunity to win the fabulous hand jewelry I’m wearing below, courtesy of Amorium Jewelry, a Miami-based company that sells hand-made items originating from Turkey. (You might have seen their other hot items, like the be-jeweled purple skull ring, on my Instagram feed.)

While some pieces can be found in six stores around the city (Essence Boutique and RikRak Brickell, to name a few), you don’t have to be a local to shop; most items can be found on their website and you can win by doing the following:

1) Like the Bubbles & Ink and Amorium Jewelry Facebook pages.

2) Visit the Amorium Jewelry website and leave a comment on this post telling me which piece you liked the best.

That’s it! Contest ends Friday, July 20, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Winner will be selected at random. Good luck!

UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who entered and CONGRATS to our winner, Yvette!

 

Date Night

Fashion & Beauty, Life & Family, Travel & Miami, , , , ,

If you’re wondering why in God’s name I’m voluntary wandering around West Kendall on a sacred date night, fear not – I have not suffered a concussion or been taken against my will. This is, however, illustrative of what happens when you insist on trying to wrap up a phone conversation while simultaneously gesturing to your husband as he heads in the direction of your flailing  hand signals that should have been pointing east when you were, unfortunately, directing west. Don’t point and talk, kids.

But I digress. Because venturing around Kendall makes for good blog fodder and vivid imagery, mainly produced by the neon lights at the Village Diner and Romero Britto’s insatiable desire to imprint on anything standing still long enough to get a healthy coat of kaleidoscopic glitter paint.

So what’s a girl to do? Well, what did Alice do? She painted the roses red with the rest of them. And so I did as the Kendallites do and enjoyed some time with my man by having some grub at the aforementioned greasy spoon, perusing the magazine racks for some quality glossies, and waiting around for a heavily-marketed summer flick that was delayed due to “technical issues” for about 45 minutes (you don’t want to miss the pic below; the screen was in that state for about 15 minutes following a half-hour period of plain old darkness).

But, if I’m honest, I’ll admit that it wasn’t really that bad. In fact, it wasn’t bad at all. I mean, will I volunteer for another night of dark-screen gazing and overcooked frites-consumption? Well, possibly. But that’s not the point. The point is that my honey took me on a date and made Kendall tolerable, blog-worthy, and even kinda nice. And you’d be lying if you didn’t admit you’d probably feel just as syrupy as I do right now.

So I give you my date-night highlights for your enjoyment and edification. And a word to the wise: Always head east.

Outfit details: L.A.M.B. Maier Tote, Qupid Black Wedges 

Bing Bang on BaubleBar

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

This week’s BaubleBar pop-up features design darling Anna Sheffield, the CFDA-nominated jeweler with a gift for balancing tough-chic pieces that feel sophisticated and on-trend rather than junior and angst-ridden. I picked a few of my favorites below and would suggest stepping over to BaubleBar rather quickly as it seems these pieces are really striking a chord – particularly with me.

Thanks to BaubleBar for the use of these images. 

Swim Shop

Fashion & Beauty, , , , ,

I was really hoping to make it out to the beach this morning but the weather didn’t quite cooperate. So instead, I’ve been in bed all morning, coffee in hand, shopping for what I would’ve worn if it weren’t such a blah kind of Saturday morning.

I’ve had a thing for one-pieces lately, probably because I’m feeling old and conservative. It’s making me sick to even think that way but that’s a topic for another post, preferably involving some sort of libation in hand. In any case, I’ve narrowed it down to these, all styles ranging from Old Navy to Miu Miu. What can I say. I’m an equal opportunity shopper.

Let me know what you think. You can click the pics to see more details.

ULINX Bracelet Giveaway

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

Happy Friday, everyone. Today’s giveaway comes courtesy of ULINX Modular Jewelry. Mine came in last week (see pic, bottom bracelet). The coolest thing about these bracelets is that they’re magnetic so they don’t need any sort of adjustment. In fact, you can play with them and rearrange them and just make them work for you at your whim. I also loved the fact that you can design your own, so you can pick your style, color, and extras.

For this giveaway, one reader will get their own personalized ULINX bracelet by doing the following:

1) Go to the ULINX site and design your own bracelet.

2) Save the design under your name.

3) Post your design to the ULINX Facebook page and tag Bubbles & Ink.

Contest ends one week from today on Friday, June 15th at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Good luck!

P.S. Did you spot the hidden Pomeranian?

UPDATE: Congrats to our winner, Nicole!

Stud Week at Lulus

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

If you’ve been following along, you know I’ve developed an obsession with studs that can nary be satisfied as of late. Enter Stud Week over at the Lulus.com blog and my heart’s all aflutter over spikes and hard edges. I can’t even begin to express to you how excited this makes me. It’s honestly too much for words, so head over and check out their week of all things studs, including my new must-do project: studded nails. Yep. Amazing. Go now. Hurry! Someone’s gotta share this infatuation with me.

Image original to Lulus.com & Lulus.com/blog.