By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

One of the best parts about staying in town for the summer, as the social season slows down, is that we get to experience what it’s like to vacation in paradise, without leaving home.  Just last week we got the chance to “stay-cation” at the Sense Beach House which felt like our very own beach house.  Possibly Miami Beach’s closest interpretation of a “bed and breakfast,” this 18- room luxury boutique hotel offers a casually sophisticated atmosphere, just steps from the ocean, and a personalized guest experience that feels more like a private Hamptons retreat than a hotel on Ocean Drive. Furnished exactly in the manner in which we would decorate our own beach house- in shades of blue and white with natural sea glass and bleached wood, the boutique hotel utilizes natural light to create a casual, beach chic ambiance while still offering the most up-to-date, modern amenities. Read the rest of this entry »

By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore
Hermès promised, and delivered to Miami, “A Journey into the Extraordinary” for its third A Man’s World  event – previously in Beijing and Paris – an art-fashion happening on May 31 – a party, like none the Magic City has ever seen, filled with multi-sensory experiences and illusions designed to deeply penetrate, and somewhat overwhelm one’s senses.  Over 600 guests were in town for the unprecedented event that took place at the iconic Moore Building, the 1921 architectural monument of Miami’s Design District, a few doors down from the Hermès boutique – utilizing the building’s fascinating interior structure as a backdrop for 11 human-experience art installations that allowed audiences to connect to each one. Read the rest of this entry »

Haute Living magazine editor, Hadley Henriette and her verrry French, husband, Yannick threw a tres magnifique soiree in their lovely Miami Beach home for the launch of Jac Henri Designs’ Slim Wallet, Yannick’s passion project- an innovative Italian leather wallet, designed and hand-crafted by Yannick himself. The Henriettes treated guests to a French-themed spread, of cheeses and delectable bites, drinks by trendy French liqueur St. Germain, tequila infused cocktails and a whimsical wallet-themed cake.  

Despite the multitude of events occurring simultaneously the same night, scads of fashionable friends stopped by to support this power couple and were excited about the Jac Henri line and the Kickstarter project. The lizard-skinned wallets were among the top sellers.  

Guests included stylist Rachael Russel, fashion designers Julian Chang, Karelle Levy and Tara Sokolow and artist Erin Parish. Jeff and Valentina Gutchess, Daniel and Marcella Novela as well as Pamela Jones, Suzy Buckley-Woodward and Dirk Goldwasser, owner of The Betsy Hotel. Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

FedEx/St. Jude Angels & Stars Gala

Latin Grammy Award-winning singer and multi-platinum artist Carlos Vives brought down the house at the 11th annual FedEx/St. Jude Angels & Stars Gala presented by Manuel and Mercedes Mosteiro at the JW Marriott Marquis in Miami on May 18. Vives performed all of his most famous songs, getting the crowd of 700 on the dance floor to celebrate the achievements of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  Prior to Vives’ exciting concert,  Gala honoree, Hall of Famer, Don Shula, who is among the most “winningest coaches” in NFL history was granted the 2013 “St. Jude Al-Rashid Hope Award” for his life-long commitment to helping the community and his unparalleled contributions to the NFL.

“St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a special place for children with cancer, and I was honored to be a part of such an exceptional night celebrating the work of this hospital in the U.S. and around the world,” said Shula. “I have been involved with St. Jude over the years, and I am proud to support this winning team of doctors and nurses who dedicate their lives to saving children who are so in need.”

Gala co-founder Daisy Fuentes emceed the star-studded event, joined by award presenters Pamela Silva Conde, Alberto Sardinas, Julian Gil, Raul Gonzalez and Sonya Smith. Other Latin artists and celebrities in attendance included: Luis Fonsi, Agueda Lopez, Alejandro Chaban, Alexandra Pomales, Ambar, Andrea Chediak, Candela Ferro, Claudia Helena Vasquez, Felicia Mercado, Irma Martinez, Khotan, Leslie Grace, Maripily Rivera, Mauricio Henao, Mauro Mendez, Dr. Nancy Alvarez, Rashel Diaz, Ricardo Chavez, Roberto Manrique, Roberto Tapia, Rodner Figueroa, Vanessa Hauc, among others. Read the rest of this entry »

John Lermayer, Agustina Woodgate, DJ Jessica Who, and MC Zeale

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore   

Absolut X and Bloc Party

Last Thursday night, the line around the 70, 000 square-foot Soho Studios spanned the entire perimeter of the expansive space by the early hour of 9 p.m. It seemed like the thousands of revelers waiting peacefully in line had been camping out for days in anticipation of the Miami incarnation of the ABSOLUT® X Masquerade Ball (which started in Austin, Texas and will end in Philadelphia). The  average passerby might have asked, “What are they giving away in there, cocktails, food, a free concert?” In this case, the answer was a resounding, “Yes!” to all of the above.  For the masquerade ball, Absolut vodka collaborated  with Miami contemporary artist Agustina Woodgate, who looked beautiful in a sequined butterfly tunic, British indie rock band Bloc Party and world renowned and local favorite, mixologist John Lermayer to merge the worlds of art, cocktailing and music- for thousands of partygoers, for free! Now if that doesn’t warrant waiting in line for a bit, what does?

Upon entering, guests were taken aback by the cool lighting, mirrored art installation above their heads and the sheer magnitude of the whole event. Models donning electric space suits and psychedelic make up gave those who weren’t already decked out in bizarre outfits and masks a mask to wear before venturing into the space to pose in the photo booth, imbibe in Absolut specialty cocktails and dance feverishly to the music of DJ Jessica Who, who spun from a platform atop the center bar. In the VIP area, waiters passed a bevy of hors d’oeuvres while favorite veteran mixologist, John Lermayer, formerly of the Florida Room and currently of the Regent Cocktail Club at the Gale, created his namesake cocktail. Read the rest of this entry »

Hadley Henriette and Kamal Hotchandani

By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

“The best things in life are free; the second best are very expensive.” -Coco Chanel 

Such fabulous “second bests” fill the pages of luxury tome, Haute Living magazine, which threw its splashy annual Haute 100 Dinner at the highly anticipated debut of New York’s, Cipriani, the night before the restaurant’s official opening day.  Just over 100 special guests, who were hand-selected by Haute Living’s editors, arrived via   chauffeured BMW 760′s and a Ferrretti Riva 75′ Vernere to the waterfront restaurant, to be toasted with free-flowing Dom Pérignon for their inclusion in Haute Living’s list of the 100 most powerful, influential and philanthropic people in Miami published in the annual Haute 100 issue.  Read the rest of this entry »