IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today announced that when its first Miami-Dade store opens in Sweetwater, FL on August 27, it will recognize loyal, enthusiastic customers by giving away thousands of dollars in gift cards and merchandise – including an iconic EKTORP sofa for each of the first 39 adults in line, and a POANG armchair for the next 100 visitors.  Other highlights include a free mattress for the first 39 on Thursday, August 28 and free weekly meatball meals for the year to the first 39 on Friday, August 29.   (Customers may begin lining up on 9 a.m. EDT on Monday, August 25 – 48 hours before the store’s opening at 9 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, August 27.)  Also, Sweetwater Mayor Jose M. Diaz and IKEA U.S. CFO Rob Olson will join store manager Selwyn Crittendon in the official opening of the new store.

IKEA Miami is the Swedish company’s 2^nd store and restaurant destination in South Florida, 4^th in the state, 39^th in the United States, and 361^st worldwide.  (Florida’s first IKEA store opened in the Broward County city of Sunrise in 2007, followed by one store each in Orlando and Tampa.)  The 416,000-square-foot IKEA Miami was built on 14.6 acres adjacent to Dolphin Mall, near both the Dolphin Expressway (SR 836) and Florida’s Turnpike, in the City of Sweetwater.  The store employs more than 350 coworkers and features 10,000 exclusively-designed items, a 600-seat IKEA Restaurant, 44 inspirational room settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area and approximately 1,500 parking spaces.  Reflecting the company’s solar presence atop 90% of its U.S. locations, IKEA installed South Florida’s largest rooftop solar array at IKEA Miami.  Read the rest of this entry »

Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello arrive in Miami, Florida on July 24, 2014.
Credit: Splash News

American designer Tommy Hilfiger dined at Seasalt and Pepper Restaurant on the Miami River with his wife and another couple.

Actress Sofia Vergara and her new boyfriend, Joe Manganiello also recently dined at Seasalt and Pepper. Vergara reportedly picked up the check and left a generous tip. The couple was seen at Cecconi’s the night before.

SNL’s, Keenan Thompson was spotted in Miami with his wife and newborn child. They checked into the Palms Hotel and Spa. Keenan and his wife had a lovely dinner at Essensia and chatted with Chef Julia Frans. The couple also dined at Cecconi’s.

Eva Longoria recently had dinner at Katsuya with a gentleman.

Cassie Ventura, recording artist and girlfriend of Diddy, was spotted at SLS South Beach for a Ciroc photo shoot. Diddy Combs stopped by the shoot twice, posing with guests for photos.

By: Maryanne Salvat

Miami Spice  showcases the very best of Miami cuisine. From August 1 through September 30, restaurants offer three-course meals featuring signature dishes created by world-renowned chefs at reduced prices: Lunch $23 and Dinner $39. Below are a few signature restaurants that we have had the pleasure of previewing.

Azul, the Five-Star restaurant at Mandarin Oriental, Miami announces the appointment of William Crandall as chef de cuisine. Chef Crandall brings his sophisticated, eclectic cuisine of French flavors with Asian influences to the new menu at the 120-seat waterfront restaurant. The delightful Miami Spice Menu includes: Scallop “Poke” trout roe, fingerling potato, sorrel, Kurobuta Pork Belly tenderloin, pumpernickel, braised cabbage, rainbow carrot; Caramelized Banana Cake – Dominican milk chocolate cream, chai tea ice cream. Diners at Azul will also enjoy a refreshed design, which was unveiled in 2014 and includes a new private chef’s table overlooking the restaurant’s open white marble kitchen, accommodating parties up to 12. Reservations are suggested at 305.913.8358 or momia-restaurants@mohg.com. Valet parking; all major credit cards accepted. Read the rest of this entry »

By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

During the weekend of June 27-28, iHeartRadio and Fontainebleau Miami Beach hosted the third annual iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party presented by VISIT FLORIDA. The two-day music fest drew fans from all over the country, including more than 150 contest winners, who gathered for an incredible bash on the lawn, in the pools, and all throughout the Fontainebleau.

Hosted by Nick Cannon, the iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party kicked off Friday night with exclusive performances by Lil Jon who set the one with his hit “Turn Down for What?!” The energy boomed from there as Tiesto, Iggy Azalea and Ariana Grande took to the stage. Read the rest of this entry »

Cameron Diaz and Jason Segel were in Miami last week promoting their new movie, Sex Tape.

Last Tuesday, the Favela Beach party at Wall lounge hosted Italian soccer player Mario Balotelli and his model fiancé Fanny Naguesha. Also spotted at a neighboring table were NFL players Jonathan Vilma and Josh Freeman.

RED the Steakhouse was the exclusive food partner for Mike Tyson’s championship boxing event held at American Airlines Arena last Thursday. On Wednesday night, RED hosted Mike Tyson and fifty of his guests for a pre-fight dinner party.

Recently spotted at Zuma: David Beckham having dinner with friends, including Liv Tyler and Enrique Iglesias, with long term girlfriend, Anna Kuornikova. Jamie Foxx also dined late night at Zuma on Tuesday with a large group of friends dressed casually, in a yellow polo and jeans.

By: Maryanne Salvat 

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim July 2015 

South Beach will once again come alive this July, as the swimwear industry’s most highly anticipated event returns for the ninth year. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim will heat up the sands of The Raleigh Hotel with five days of designer runway shows, presentations and parties beginning on July 17 through July 21. For a complete look at events as well as an extensive list of incredible designers who will be presenting their latest Collections visit: www.mbfashionweek.com. 

NICOLITA Swimwear and a Weekend in Havana 

NICOLITA Swimwear, known for its signature fit of ‘Cuban-style bottoms,’ and ExploreModeling.com, a leading online modeling agency, host the 4^th annual “Search for the Perfect Booty” Model Casting. NICOLITA celebrates natural beauty and real curves, and is looking for models of all shapes and sizes to represent the feminine figure during their upcoming 2015 “Weekend in Havana” Collection photo shoot. Hopefuls are encouraged to apply online at ExploreModeling.com. Once the online casting closes, a group of applicants will be selected and invited to attend the final casting call on Thursday, July 17 at The Surfcomber Hotel. This year’s NICOLITA online casting features two special guest hosts, Megan Parken, YouTube sensation and creator of the highly-visited page – meganheartsmakeup, and Cassandra Bankson, YouTube personality best known for her successful modeling career despite suffering from acne; for more information on NICOLITA Swimwear, visit www.MyNicolita.com.  For official rules or to sign up for the NICOLITA Model Casting, visit http://exploremodeling.com/Casting/NicolitaModelSearch/Default.aspx. 

Style Saves 

Fashion and philanthropy join forces once again as Style Saves launches ticket sales for their fourth annual fashion show fundraiser. Kicking off Miami Swim Week on Friday, July 18, FORD models will work the runway at the ultra-chic Soho Beach House from 9:00 p.m. to midnight for the mission of “building confidence through clothes.” This Swim Week show bolsters the cause of Style Saves to raise funds for underprivileged students in South Florida. In collaboration with The Miami Foundation, Style Saves works with retailers, designers and boutiques to provide new back-to-school outfits, edifying the self-confidence and assurance these students need to succeed academically and personally. Style Saves dedicates all funds to their back-to-school event, which will take place on August 16 and 17 and offers students the opportunity to “shop” outfits in a department store-style environment before returning for the new school year. This year, the Back-to-School event will be hosted at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami and will benefit more than 500 students from Miami-Dade public schools. Tickets for the Style Saves Swim Show are $125 in advance at www.stylesaves.org or $150 at the door. To learn more about Style Saves visit, www.stylesaves.org.