By: Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore and Maryanne Salvat

Tosca

Revel in the spirits of Jay Gatsby during a New Year’s Eve soiree that will be true to his extravagant form. The Great Gatsby themed party at Tosca will feature a decadent menu consisting of the world’s finest imported delicacies and   the evening will encompass the essence and glamour of the 1920s. Reign in the New Year in your finest 1920s attire as you cheer to another year of fun and excitement with a champagne toast at midnight. For $245 per person, you receive a ten-course meal including the finest daily imported ingredients including: Sevruga Caviar and Todo Crudo Seasoned with Yuzu, Maine Sea Scallops still in Shell with Champagne Sauce, Seared Authentic Kobe Ribeye and Chocolate Mousse made with premium Vintage Valrhona Gran Couva Chocolate and Crunchy Pearls. With one intimate seating for the night beginning sharply at 9:00 p.m., the exclusive evening will be one not to be forgotten. For reservations, call 786.216.7230 or visit www.toscamiami.com. Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore Haute Living magazine kicked off Art Basel with an event Vogue called one of the most anticipated of the week. The dinner party hosted by Daphne Guinness, Dom Pérignon and Roger Dubuis in celebration of Guinness’ collaboration with Swiss watchmaker Roger Dubuis called The Velvet Collection, which was Haute Living’s Basel Issue Cover story. Sixty guests gathered in the courtyard of the posh Villa Azur restaurant on December 5, at a table covered with violet roses to matched Guinness’ Haute Living cover shot taken by Nick Knight. Even Martha Stewart could resist snapping a few photos of the table. The elegant party was crawling with celebrities, VIPs and A listers as guests included Martha Stewart, Karolina Kurkova, Russell Simmons, Ray Allen, Lea Black, Marysol Patton, Stephen Dorff, IWC President Gianfranco D’Attis,street artist, Alec Monopoly, DJ Irie and, of course,Ms. Guinness herself. Dom Pérignon showed off a bottle with a glowing label by fellow creative soul, David Lynch. Earlier in the day, Diane von Furstenberg’s launched her limited edition Evian bottle at a lunch at Soho Beach House alongside guests Russell Simmons, Chelsea Handler and Andre Balazs.

By:  Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Arguably the best week of the year in South Florida, what began as a four-day extension of the Basel, Switzerland fair, Art Basel Miami has grown in scope, style and fashion in its 11 year history.  The festivities surrounding the most important art show in the world have expanded to include celebrations extending to magnificent proportions filling the dance cards of internationally renowned art collectors, enthusiasts, celebrities, fashion stalwarts and socialites for a 10-day weekend second-to-none in the Magic City.  While we proudly wear our Swarovski Crystal encrusted “I survived Art Basel” badges we share a few of our favorite events and experiences below.  Be sure to check back next week for more of the celebrations, celebrity sightings and sheer joy of this, most wonderful time of the year. Read the rest of this entry »

Cocktails For A Cause

Recreating the cocktail styling’s of times long past, The Hoxton will toast St. Alban’s Child Enrichment Center with a sophisticated fundraiser served straight up on Thursday, December 13, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Guests will enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres, live jazz music from gLg, an ensemble of five renowned musicians from Miami Arts Charter, and a special performance from Tony Wilson, with a splash of casual camaraderie over well-executed, classic cocktails in exchange for a $25 charity donation. Over the past 63 years, St. Albans has helped more than 10,000 children and families gain access to imperative educational, health, nutrition, disability, mental health and social services in Miami. The proceeds will benefit St. Albans new early childhood literacy, technology, engineering, math and science programs.  Tickets can be purchased at http://stalbanscocktail.eventbrite.com; For more information visit, http://www.stalbanschildcare.org/ or call 305-443-1234.

Lash Lounge and Brow Bar 

High definition brows and long, glamorous lashes are just a “wink” away with the launch of a new Lash Lounge and Brow Bar at Dr. Patty’s Dental Boutique in East Fort Lauderdale. Not your ordinary dentist’s office, Dr. Patty’s Dental Boutique is South Florida first dental spa.  The new 500 square foot lash/brow bar will compliment Dr. Patty’s existing spa services menu, which features facials, massages, dermal fillers and other aesthetic treatments. Get pampered by Dr. Patty’s master brow sculptresses.  These licensed estheticians are skilled in the traditional Indian art of eyebrow threading and NovaLash artistry.  By removing an entire row of hairs, instead of one at a time, facial hair threading is a quicker, less painful method of hair removal with results that last up to three weeks. NovaLash is an award-winning, medical-grade eyelash extension system meticulously applied lash-by-lash to enhance the length and thickness of eyelashes.  Clients can choose from a broad palette of colors, textures and lengths of weightless lash extensions for customized looks that run the gamut from subtle and natural, to trendy and glamorous. “Each lash application is a work of art with an intricate finish for instant beauty,” explains Dr. April Patterson, founder of Dr. Patty’s Dental Boutique. Prices start at $20 for an express brow service, $28 for a brow and lip combo and $50 for a high-definition brow makeover.  Waxing and additional a-la-carte treatments are also available.  A full set of NovaLash extensions start at $225. New clients can take advantage of the Pretty Peepers Package, featuring 50% off their first visit to the brow bar (NovaLash extensions not included).  All clients can enjoy complimentary cocktails at the new lash lounge including chardonnay and champagne while they wait.  Access to the complimentary Nespresso bar, shower and locker room is also available.

RA Sushi in South Miami

RA Sushi in South Miami has the perfect way to lighten up this holiday season – a salad and beverage combo featuring the fresh, crisp flavors of Fuji apple. RA Sushi’s December Pairing features a Grilled Salmon Apple Salad and an Apple of My Eye cocktail. In addition to helping guests watch their waistline, RA Sushi is giving the gift of savings with all day happy hour on Christmas Eve. Tackle a busy day of holiday shopping by fueling up on a hearty dish that won’t leave you feeling weighed down. The Grilled Salmon Apple Salad features marinated, grilled skewers of fresh salmon, artfully arranged over a salad of lettuce, apples and diced red bell peppers, then drizzled with Asian Yuzu Ninben sauce. A refreshing complement to the dish, the Apple of My Eye is a mix of Absolut Orient Apple Vodka, Rock Nigori Sake, apple juice, lemon juice, and a splash of soda, garnished with Fuji apple slices. Available at RA Sushi in South Miami from December 1 through December 31, order the December Pairing for $18. Enjoy the December Pairing, plus all day happy hour pricing on December 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The happy hour menu features more than 35 appetizer, sushi and drink selections ranging from $2.25 to $7.25. Try sushi favorites like the Viva Las Vegas Roll and Tootsy Maki, or a specialty cocktail such as the Emperor’s Cucumberita or Strawberry Saketini.

Art to Wear Collection

On Saturday, December 15, give the gift of art and fashion this holiday season during Gallery Night at Bird Road Art Walk. ART TO WEAR Collection handbags are one-of-a-kind, hand painted works of art by Miami Artist Holly Jones. Each and every handbag is as unique as the woman wearing it. Hand painted silk scarves and cufflink bangles are also available in the Collection. If you are unable to attend gallery night, place an order online at www.hollyajones.com.

4,500 people participated in the Miami Light the Night® Walk by the Southern Florida chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, raising $850,000 which doubles the amount raised in 2011. 78% of all monies raised goes directly to research for cures for blood cancers. For more information, visit www.lls.org/sfl.  

The Miami Tower was lit up in gold, red and white  – the colors of the balloons carried by the Walkers i.e. gold for those walking in memory of loved ones lost to cancer, red for supporters and white for survivors. The Walk was led by Lisa Gaeta, the National Chairman of the Board of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and by Light the Night® Miami Walk Chair Ralph E. Lawson, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Baptist Health South Florida. 

The Top Friends and Family team was Team Luke and the Top individual fundraiser was Larry Kahn with Lowell Homes.  The Top Corporate team was Baptist Health South Florida. Walk activities included food and activities for children and families, music by DNR, a band featuring local physicians, a Remembrance Ceremony for loved ones lost to cancer and the Walk itself followed by fireworks, dessert and dancing.

By:  Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore and Maryanne Salvat

Art Basel, the Mecca for art collectors and enthusiasts will take over Miami from December 6 through 9, 2012.  In its 11^th season, the most prestigious art show in the Americas will feature more than 260 leading galleries from North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa, among the most respected in the world that will showcase works by more than 2,000 artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.  Special exhibition sections feature young galleries, performance art, public art projects and video art and musical experiences. Art Basel will provide a vital platform for art lovers, allowing them to both discover new developments in contemporary art and experience rare museum-caliber artworks.  In addition to the actual show at the Miami Beach Convention Center, art museums throughout South Florida, satellite art fairs, and events for and by curators provide the perfect forum for encountering and experiencing art and design. Every year, a greater number of art collectors, artists, dealers, curators, critics and art enthusiasts from around the world participate in Art Basel – and the requisite parties keep the locals and the visitors in an art-induced state of bliss.  Without a doubt, sunny Miami is the favorite winter meeting place for the international art world.  Below, we have highlighted just a few of the major events that are scheduled this year, and are sure to make Art Basel 2012 the best to date.  Be sure to visit Passport Miami for the latest updates. Read the rest of this entry »