Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, LeBron James photo courtesy Manny Hernandez

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

When our beloved Miami Heat finally won the NBA Championship, a victory more than two years in the making, Miami as a whole experienced the cathartic joy- as we are now all, on some level, champions. Nowhere was this more evident than at LIV at the Fontainebleau, just a few hours before dawn, on Friday morning, and on the streets during the championship parade and at the American Airlines Arena (AAA) for the championship celebration on Monday.

“We are the Champions” blared through the speakers at LIV nightclub at just before 3 a.m. on Friday morning, as the newly crowned, World Champions, Miami HEAT, fresh from winning the NBA championship entered the massive nightclub for their official victory party, to the ecstatic chants of thrilled fans, who shouted, “Let’s go Heat!”  The chanting changed to “MVP” shortly thereafter, as LeBron James made his way to the stage at the back of the club, wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the “vampire image” of his face.   The music stopped for a bit as Heat owner Micky Arison and coach Eric Spoelstra were cheered on as they took to the stage to address the fans and thank them for their support. Read the rest of this entry »

Chad Ochocinco and Morgan More

Miami Dolphins wide receiver and reality star, Chad Ochocinco, was seen filming season one of his new reality show, Ev and Ocho, Tuesday at The Catalina Hotel, with fiancé Evelyn Lozada. The couple was surrounded by film crews and a barrage of producers as they sat together at the hotel’s Asian restaurant, Kung Fu Sushi. Kung Fu restaurant manager, and fiery star of The Catalina reality show, Morgan More, welcomed them on-camera and sat them down in private outdoor seating. Hotel owner and cast member of The Catalina, Nathan Lieberman, accidentally pulled-up on-camera in his roaring re-built 1973 Ford Bronco, in which Ochocinco is very interested.

Oprah Winfrey was seen leaving the AAA on Monday after interviewing the Big 3.

Dwyane Wade and Joel Anthony got groomed and pampered at NailBar & Beauty Lounge in Midtown a day after their big win.

George Bush’s daughter Jenna-Bush Hager was spotted at The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar with a group of girls for a bachelorette party for a close friend on Saturday night.

Argentine soccer player, Ángel Fabián di María Hernández, who currently plays as a winger for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and the Argentine National Team was spotted dining at Gotham Steak in the Fontainebleau Miami Beach last Friday.

Two international soccer stars from rival teams found themselves side by side eating dinner in the private dining room at Cafe Prima Pasta Friday night. Argentinean Lionel (Leo) Messi enjoyed a late night dinner with 12 members of his family. Diego Forlan (Uruguay) sat less than five feet away where he also dined with family at a large table. A large group of fans and young kids waited for hours outside in the rain for a glimpse of their “futbol heroes” who didn’t leave the restaurant until almost 2 am. The stars didn’t disappoint, signing autographs and posing for pictures upon their departure.

Terrell Suggs

CSI:Miami’s David Caruso was celebrating the Miami Heat victory this past week at Serendipity 3 on Lincoln Road, he was spotted sharing one of their signature hot fudge sundae’s with two blondes.

Morgan Freeman was seen dining with friends in the downstairs dining room at Gotham Steak last Thursday. 

NBA baller Carlos Boozer from the Chicago Bulls was seen relaxing and cheering on his fellow NBA players from The Miami Heat during the championship action last Thursday at Monty’s Sunset on the beach. 

Star NFL athlete and 2011 NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the Baltimore Ravens, Terrell Suggs, took his filmmaking talents to South Beach with the premiere of the feature film The Coalition. Produced by Team Sizzle Films and directed and co-written by Monica Mingo, the world premiere screening was held in the landmark Colony Theater in Miami Beach on Thursday. The Coalition was screened for two sold out houses during the festival.

By: Maryanne Salvat

msalvat@miamisocialholic.com

Summer Trunk Show at Bella Beach Club

Local fashion brand RaMona LaRue is hosting a Summer Trunk Show on Saturday, June 30 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm at Bella Beach Club. Be the first to shop from the brand’s new fall collection before it even hits stores! The trunk show will also feature exclusive one-of-a-kind pieces not available in-stores and up to 60% OFF the summer collection. Blo – Blow Dry Bar will be on-site with a team of “bloers” offering signatures styles at the braid bar. Swimwear and accessories from ISA Boutique will also be for sale.

All-You-Can-Eat Maine Lobster at Kitchen 305

Kitchen 305 at the Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort invites those with hearty appetites and a love for seafood to enjoy an all-you-can-eat Maine lobster dinner every Wednesday for $35. For a little more than the market price of a tail, guests can indulge in endless plates of this soft shell, red crustacean flown in fresh weekly from Maine.  Alongside the “Maine” act, Kitchen 305 is serving a bowl of soup du jour and a Wedge Salad with crumbled blue cheese and Applewood smoked bacon.  The dinner special includes fresh baked bread, oven roasted potatoes and grilled corn on the cob. Kitchen 305 supper club guests will enjoy live music and entertainment with dinner and ladies drink free premium cocktails from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. For dinner and bottle service reservations call 305.749.2110.

Aveda Seven Seas Spa & Salon Teacher Appreciation

The Aveda Seven Seas Spa & Salon is recognizing teachers for their generous contributions to the community by offering summer spa specials priced at $20.12. To celebrate the end of the 2012 school year and official start of Summer, administrators, teachers and school support staff can choose from an array of spa services ranging from a 30-minute elemental massage, pedicure and mani polish change or 30-minute exfoliating body scrub priced at $20.12 each. For appointments call 305.749.2100 or visit http://www.sevenseasspasalon.com for more information.

 Mayfair Hotel & Spa’s 4th of July Rooftop Celebration 

Spend Fourth of July poolside this year at Mayfair Hotel & Spa’s Rooftop Independence Day BBQ. Savor homemade hamburgers and cheeseburgers, Kosher hot dogs, marinated chicken breast, pulled pork sandwiches, corn on the cob, honey baked beans and a variety of fresh salads, including a “make-your-own” Cobb salad station. Sip on refreshing cocktails such as the signature Watermelon Martini or Grove Sangria Mojito. All-you-can-eat BBQ: $18.95 for adults and $12.50 per child (10 and under), exclusive of tax and gratuity. Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. and run until 9:00 p.m.; for more information contact the Mayfair Hotel & Spa, www.mayfairhotelandspa.com. *Non-hotel guests must pay the buffet price as admittance to the rooftop. 

 Biltmore Hotel Annual Fireworks Spectacular

The historic Biltmore Hotel is proud to announce that it is partnering with the city of Coral Gables for its annual Fireworks Spectacular on the Biltmore Golf Course. The explosive show, an Independence Day favorite, will feature a special performance by the Greater Miami Symphonic Band as well as concessions, food trucks and entertaining mascots. Along with the famous fireworks display, guests are invited to stay the night with affordable room rates beginning at $189. The general public is also invited to enjoy the show ($115 for adults and $40 for children). A portion of the evening’s net proceeds will be shared with Dade Heritage Trust, the hotel’s partner in historic preservation. Special packages and rates are also available, for more details or to reserve call 305.913.3246 x 2387 or email 4thofjuly@biltmorehotel.com.

Zoo Miami Offers $5 Special Days

For the third year in a row, Zoo Miami is offering a sweet summer deal of $5 admission, backed up by Ford Motor Company. Ford Motor Company president is pleased to provide support so that the Zoo is accessible to more people during this holiday week. Representatives from Ford will be setting up shop in the zoo on July 4, 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors will receive giveaways when they register to win a new Ford Focus and will be able to view some of their latest car models. Guests visiting Zoo Miami on these discounted days can enjoy a few other goodies in addition to visiting the lions, tigers and bears along with the normal attractions offered by the zoo. On July 7, Blue Bell will be helping guests cool down by distributing free samples of ice cream to lucky zoo visitors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., as part of Scoops for Conservation, a partnership between the Zoological Society of Florida and Blue Bell Ice Cream that encourages donations for wildlife conservation. Pepsi Next will also be distributing free samples to help keep visitors refreshed on July 7 & 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To help plan the perfect visit, Zoo Miami has launched a handy mobile application for iPhone and Android owners that equips users with a map, calendar, animal information and more. The application can be found by searching for Zoo Miami in the App Store or Android Marketplace. Free Wi-Fi is also offered in four large, convenient locations throughout the zoo. For the whole Zoo Miami experience, guests should plan to explore the new Playworld Playground for some wet and wild fun for the kids. If visiting on a weekend, the Hippo Slide, the world’s largest inflatable water slide, is open to the public for a seriously slippery experience. The special and limited $5 admission days are available only from July 4-8 and cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion. Go to www.zoomiami.org for more information.

Maria Jose Almeida, Maryanne Salvat, Marnie Howard, and Mary Jo Shore

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Every now and then, all of the elements come together to create the perfect evening.  Such was the case last week when man-about-town Michael Leondas Kirkland and his handsome house-mate Rothsay “Roy” Playa welcomed guests into their home for an all-night birthday fete for yours truly.  We were overcome by Kirkland’s southern hospitality:  from the polished, Tiffany sterling to the perfectly pressed linen napkins (a rarity this far south) to the tantalizing aroma wafting from the giant black iron pot, once belonging to his great-grandmother. 

The mood was comfortable and jovial throughout the night, the din of laughter permeating the beautiful home which is filled with beautiful French antiques and mid-century Scandinavian pieces juxtaposed with paintings by Francisco Clemente Vikki Oglesby; photographs by Karl Lagerfeld, Herb Ritts and Miami’s own Iran Issa-Khan, to name a few. Read the rest of this entry »

Vivica A. Fox and Francoise Elizee

Vivica Fox and Garcelle Beauvais sported Francoise Elizee handbags at the Catwalk for Charity event at The Mandarin Oriental hosted by Kimora Lee Simmons to benefit the children of Haiti.

Recently engaged and very skinny, Miley Cyrus was spotted in and around the Delano pool with longtime friend/assistant Cheyne Thomas.

Michelle Hunziker was spotted sunbathing in South Beach.

Italian Jewelry Designer Franco Pianegonda

Bold looks and beautiful design, define Franco Pianegonda’s Veritas 2012 Collection: which translates the designer’s passion for uniquely crafted pieces made for the confident and independent woman (and man, of course). Franco Pianegonda’s jewelry encourages women to “vivid su espiritu salvaje” or to live life freely encompassing life with all it has offer.

His designs speak to a woman’s personality and independent thinking. During our interview with Mr. Pianegonda he mentioned that “an engagement ring tells of your value- my pieces show your personality.” He also described the mentality of men-who buy jewelry for its value- versus the jewelry women buy for themselves, which in turn reflects their personalities. 

 Hailing from Vicenza, Italy, Pianegonda’s artistic influence is personified in his creations; combining the antique traditions of Italian goldsmiths with current fashionable styles, each personalized piece is sure to make a statement.

The charming Pianegonda went on to say that evoking happiness and emotions through his jewelry is what inspires him to create his masterpieces. The Veritas 2012 Collection incorporates sterling silver and gorgeous stones including: citrine, topaz, and quartz creating a line where beauty and high quality are both combined at an affordable value.  Franco Pianegonda’s creations can be found at his boutique in Aventura Mall or at www.francopianegonda.net.