Category Archives: Events

Amigos for Kids Event

Art & Culture, Events, , , , , , , ,

I spent my Saturday working on the Amigos for Kids Celebrity Domino Night at Jungle Island. If you’ve never experienced this phenomenon, it’s about as Cuban as you can get without being in Little Havana’s Domino Park (or Cuba, of course). There were guayaberas galore as Miami’s elite gathered to benefit a cause dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect while sipping Bacardi rum and gnoshing on gastronomy from a slew of delectable eateries (Pasta Factory, your canolies were worth all the calories).

I admit my photography skills were not quite up to par (try running around for 8 hours while parrots incessantly squawk at you and see if your hands don’t shake – though you’re probably well-trained if you grew up with a Cuban mom), but I still wanted to share these with you. It’s not every day you get to experience tropical stilt walkers, salsa dancers, auctioned art, and a flash mob under the same roof. And if you do, let me know what the heck you’re doing for a living because that makes my life seem just a tad deprived.

By the way, major thanks to the ladies at Dior for the amazing five-minute makeover. It made all the difference in setting the tone for the rest of the night.

Enjoy the pics. You can hover over them for more info. (And, yes, I do have an unhealthy obsession with collecting event tags. I see it’s become a thing lately. Just let it be.) As for the critters all the way at the bottom, they’re just my favorite ones to come home to.

P.S. I’m now a new fan of Nicole Martinez. Anyone who can capture croqueta art is a winner in my book. Check out her site for some really fantastic prints. I hate that my iPhone skills don’t do her work any justice. But I HAD to share this with everyone. 

Miami Fashion Bloggers Night Out

Events, Fashion & Beauty, , , , , ,

After having attended the IFB Con in New York City back in February, I came home feeling the need to find out where all the other Miami bloggers were hanging out. Well, after attending Wednesday’s Fashion Bloggers Night Out event at Neiman Marcus in the Village of Merrick Park, it’s clear that this community may be fledgling but it certainly doesn’t lack for enthusiasm.

With a panel consisting of The Fashion Poet‘s Annie Vazquez, Refinery 29‘s Karla Garcia, Miami.com‘s Maria Tettamanti, Daily Candy‘s Ginger Harris, and Next Model‘s Jenny Lopez, established and amateur bloggers alike got some insight into the efforts behind making it in this city in this covet-able light. And, of course, there was a fashion show.

I, for one, am thrilled at the possibility of a developing blogger community in Miami and am curious to see what kind of impact these established ladies, and those of us trying to figure it out, will make on this curiously transient city. For now, there are pics below and many more on the Facebook. Happy blogging. xo

 

 

 

P.S. A BIG THANK YOU to my BFF, Ms. YHA, for taking time to snap tons of great pics while I snagged some on my phone for my Instagram obsession. 

A Nuptial Happy Hour

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

Today’s Happy Hour post was inspired by the wedding I’ve been hired to work on today. As you’re reading this, it’s likely that I’m cursing the shoes I’m currently running in, never being one for convention over pretty stuff. But who can resist when there are shoes like the satin-y dreams the guys at Badgley Mischka think up? I wore them on my own wedding day (in fact, I wore two different pairs), and still regularly swoon over them.

Here are some gorgeous things you don’t have to be a bride to wear. In fact, I could seriously justify wearing these around the house while doing laundry (Never met a purchase I couldn’t justify – I’m that good). So, enjoy – and don’t curse me when you’re breaking these puppies in. Beauty, pain. All that jazz. Cheers!

 

 

 

In this post:

1) Badgley Mischka Fleur de Nuit Eau de Parfum

2) Badgley Mischka Gold Lace Dangle Earrings

3) Badgley Mischka Randee

4) Badgley Mischka Isadora

5) Badgley Mischka Lissa

6) Badgley Mischka Humbie

The Business of Fashion: IFB Con in NYC

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

There’s a palpable energy that courses through New York City on any given day. It’s the kind of energy that makes you want to leap around town and just get things done. Being from Miami, I always feel the need to be productive. But I’m always just a little more inspired the minute my plane begins to make its descent over Manhattan, no matter the season.

That feeling was amplified on the eve of New York Fashion Week as hundreds of bloggers gathered in the spirit of fashion PR, ready to make a name for themselves and the brands they love. This was my first conference experience as an official blogger, a position I chose to take on seriously at the end of 2011. And while I never doubted its validity, attending IFB Con drove home one glimmering point: Fashion is a serious business.

Serious enough to gather the likes of Glamour (@susancernek), DKNY (@dkny), Refinery 29 (@refinery29), Bryan Boy (@bryanboy), and Bauble Bar (@baublebar), industry favorites that were all present to discuss and explore with bloggers the direction of this fledgling industry that’s changing the way business is run. Blogging is no longer the awkward distant cousin of direct marketing but rather the polished celebrity influencer you want in the front row – and we’re all thrilled to be a part of it.

The ladies (and gents) who attended were poised, chic, and ready to do business. They’ve inspired and encouraged me to keep doing what I do, and for that I’m utterly grateful.

Pics are included below, along with some shots of a few of my favorite outfits. You can keep up with these lovely ladies at their blogs:

By the way, check out the live runway shows here on YouTube.

What did you think of IFB Con? How did you fare from at the conference? Let me know in the comments below!

   

   

Event Idea: Live Screen-Printing

Art & Culture, Events, ,

I love the idea of having live art at an event and last night’s live screen-printing team from What Reality? did a great job of entertaining the Yelp Elite Miami crowd with their fashion a la carte services at Wynwood Kitchen and Bar.

If you have the location, What Reality? will bring a  portable screen press and print shirts live at your next event. Check them out on Facebook for booking info and to see pics of their events, tees, and equipment.

Nordstrom Trend Show – Miami 2011

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

Year after year, I look forward to the Nordstrom Trend Show, and this year’s production was as entertaining as watching their crowd of well-dressed ladies bolt for a red-carpeted entrance in hopes of snagging a front-row seat for the action.

Luckily, my blogger status guaranteed me front row access (but not without the occasional elbow to the rib). Still, I’m happy to share my experience (and slight bruises) with you.

Below, some snapshots of the action at the Merrick Park location of one of my favorite places. If you’re still looking for a gift, this is one of the few places I know of that isn’t completely unbearable during the usual holiday madness.

Click here to keep up with year-round events. We may even get to share a glass of bubbly, or two…

   

   

   

 

HOME ALONE: The Sender Collection

Art & Culture, Events, Travel & Miami, ,

I had a rare opportunity to take in HOME ALONE: The Sender Collection last night at the now-vacant North Bay Road home of private collector Adam Sender. The exhibit, curated by Sarah Aibel, coincided with the beginning of Art Basel Miami Beach, and is cheekily themed around the idea of what kind of mischief might ensue when a collector leaves his art at home alone.

Of the 70 featured items, many are making their United States debut. Below, a few quick snapshots of the likes of Urs Fischer, Jim Lambie, Jack Pierson, Gilbert & George, and Lawrence Weiner.

  

 

 

 

Events by Francesca Launch

Events, , ,

Tony and I have been keeping quite busy working on more than a few projects, but my favorite has been Events by Francesca, the new wedding and event planning company founded by one of my best friends and favorite event professionals.

I wrote about her company a little while ago (check it out here) and I’m  happy to report that things have only gained momentum since she decided to launch the business.  Think of her as a much younger (and Cuban) Martha Stewart with the think-out-of-the-box flair of Preston Bailey. You really just have to love that.

Check out Francesca’s blog for your fix on all things glamorous, and if you’re a bride, she’s the one who can really make it work without blowing your budget. (Trust me – I was also a client.) Congrats, Frenchy!

Site design by Tony Espinoza Digital Print Media. Site content by Alicia Palma | AP Creative. 

My First FNO

Events, Fashion & Beauty, , , , , , , , ,

So, I’m pretty proud to report that I’m no longer an FNO virgin. Yve and I decided it was no longer OK for us to miss out on one of fashion’s biggest nights and headed out to the next best place to celebrate if you’re outside of New York City – Merrick Park in Coral Gables.

We braved the crowds and made our way through throngs of shoppers to enjoy parties at Nordstrom, Diane Von Furstenberg,  Betsey Johnson, and Neiman Marcus. The energy was great, the crowds were fun, the stores had fantastic displays, and I picked up a couple of great items along the way (see blurry pics below). I really hope to make this an annual tradition with the girls.

Did any of you celebrate FNO? Post pics of your favorite part of the evening. I’d love to see how everyone else enjoyed it!



Events by Francesca

Events, , ,

I’m very excited about working on the copy for Events by Francesca‘s new website. Aside from being a highly talented and creative event planner, Francesca also happens to be one of my dearest and closest friends, as well as the one who managed to keep me calm and more bridal than bridezilla under severe wedding pressure. Because of her, I had the the kind of wedding I thought I could only dream of.

Now she’s lending her talents to some very lucky brides in Miami, helping them realize their dream wedding within very real budgets. I’m beyond proud and excited for her and hope everyone gets a chance to know her exquisite work. If you’d like to contact Francesca, you can email her at info@eventsbyfrancesca.com or become a fan on Facebook while Tony and I work on her site.