By: Dr. Mary Jo Almeida Shore

The beautiful Mandarin Oriental overflowed with elegance last Saturday night as the 18th Annual Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program hosted its annual gala with more than 500 of South Florida’s finest- philanthropists, celebrities and socialites who gathered to sip, chat, dine and dance, oh yes, and donate, donate, donate- to young ladies in need. Gala Chair Marisa Toccin Lucas along with founders Jennifer Valoppi and Don Browne and Co-Vice President, the Honorable Katherine Fernandez Rundle planned and hosted an unforgettable evening which raised a record- breaking $900,000 this year- not bad for a day’s work, huh? All joking aside, the tireless efforts of the planning committee, helmed by Toccin Lucas became plainly evident from the minute we arrived. Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

For the 13^th consecutive year, the South Beach Wine and Food Festival (SOBEWFF) attracted thousands upon thousands of foodies to the wine soaked sands of South Beach, to delight in scrumptious bites, sip clever concoctions and rub elbows with fellow foodies, VIPs, and more celebrity chefs than you can shake your spatula at. The celebrations started Thursday, February 20 and ran through Sunday, February 23.   

The Q 

Moët Hennessy’s The Q, kicked off SOBEWFF on Thursday, February 20, attracting carnivores and Champagne aficionados like prime, grilled catnip would Tony the Tiger.  Host, Michael Symon, along with over 20 Sports Illustrated swimsuit models converged in a tent behind the Delano for a night of savoring grilled meats from local and nationally renowned restaurants from around the nation and free-flowing Champagne and cocktails.  Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

The cavernous Ice Palace Studios, dramatically aglow in white light, served as the perfect setting for Designed for a Cure, on Thursday, February 13, wherein nearly 800 stylish guests gathered to support the partnership between the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and international fashion designer Oscar de la Renta.  The elegant event raised more than $850,000 to fund cancer research at Sylvester. De la Renta himself spontaneously donated $100,000 at the event.  Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

MOCA Mystery Dates 

MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami) kicked off the month of February in style with its highly anticipated, seventh annual Mystery Dates fundraiser during which guests enjoyed a dazzling evening at the homes of ten private collectors who graciously held dinner parties in support of the museum.  Read the rest of this entry »

Photo Courtesy of Iran Issa-Khan Studios

By:  Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Photos courtesy of Iran Issa-Khan Studios.

 “The Moving Finger writes; and having writ,

Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit

Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,

Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.”

—Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, Edward FitzGerald

  Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

On a picture perfect, Miami “winter” day, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s Visitor Center and Lakeside Marquee were transformed into a beautiful runway for a day of champagne, fashion and fun.  On January 23, Fairchild and Neiman Marcus Coral Gables paired up to host the third annual Splendor in the Garden fashion show and luncheon, which drew a crowd of more than 350 fashion-forward guests. The splendid day began promptly ​at10:30 a.m. with a champagne reception from Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne underneath the sunny Miami sky on the Mosaic of the Visitor Center, where guests could peruse beautiful jewelry on display from Piaget. The reception was so much fun that event organizers had a tough time getting them to move into the stunning tent at the Lakeside Marquee, where chairs and tables decorated with bright pink accoutrements were dotted around the elevated runway. Fairchild’s Director Carl Lewis made the opening remarks and spoke about how influential the chosen Philanthropy Honorees have been to the progress made in the Garden over the years and how many important contributions women have made since the Garden opened 75 years ago in 1938. He then introduced co-chairs Swanee DiMare and Frances Sevilla-Sacasa, who thanked all of the guests and sponsors for their support. Read the rest of this entry »