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 »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Harry Connick, Jr. Breaks Records at Arsht Gala 

Equal parts: gorgeous, talented and hilarious, Harry Connick, Jr., performed an intimate concert on the main stage of the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall for an audience of hundreds of South Florida’s philanthropists during the Adrienne Arsht Center’s annual gala on Friday, April 26. So moving was Connick’s performance that Gala Chair and Arsht Center Foundation Board Member Swanee DiMare and her husband Paul DiMare made a $1 million gift to the Center, right on the spot! What did Swanee get for the money? A stage in the Knight Concert Hall named after her and a big hug from Harry- not bad for a cool million. The latter, was well worth it. Read the rest of this entry »

Amber Valletta & Rohan Marley

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

“Everyone can do one thing to help the environment and to improve the planet,” said Yalmaz Siddiqui, Office Depot’s Director of Environmental Strategy, as he addressed a stylish, enviro-conscious crowd at the Forge Restaurant/Wine Bar during this year’s Eco-Lifestyle Gala on April 20.  In its third year, the gala, hosted by South Florida Green Drinks, aims to raise awareness and to benefit Global Green USA and Dream In Green’s efforts to “green” South Florida Schools.

The event offered an opportunity to expand the environmental audience throughout South Florida’s communities while also honoring those whose commitment to an eco-lifestyle has helped ignite change and innovation. The 2013 Eco-Lifestyle Award honorees included Supermodel , actress, and Eco-Activist, Amber Valletta, and Rohan Marley, Eco-Pioneer and founder of the organic coffee company, Marley Coffee.

The party began with a VIP reception at the stunning Terra Veritatis, the newly renovated home of William H. Dean who served as Honorary Event Chair along with Capponi Group Founder and renowned philanthropist, Michael Capponi. Guests enjoyed light fare and stimulating conversations while sipping sparkling wine and cocktails before moving on to the awards dinner in the East Room of the Forge. Forge owner Shareef Malnik and girlfriend, actress Gabrielle Anwar once again lent their support to SFGD’s Eco-Lifestyle Gala and to SFGD co-founders Marci Zaroff and Yalmaz Siddiqui. Read the rest of this entry »

Nick D’Annunzio, Ivette Naranjo, & Tara Solomon

By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

 A Burlesque Anniversary for Cafeina 

To say that Cafeina’s VIP anniversary party was a blast would be an understatement.   In fact we can’t recall a time over the past three years when we haven’t had the time of our lives at the chic, original Wynwood lounge (which moonlights as a gallery, garden, restaurant and event space).  It’s hard to believe that it’s been three years since the grand opening blow-out, which featured a liger (You read that correctly).  This year’s celebration featured carnal pleasures versus carnivores, but was equally exciting. For the bash, owner and founder Ivette Naranjo, invited Burlesque- dancers who could have doubled for Dita Von Teese– to heat up an already saucy party with performances that captivated the crowd. DJ A train kept the music playing while servers served up complimentary artisanal cocktails designed by Bar Lab veteran, David Boxwill and Latin-infused bites by Chef Diego Pasqualicchio from Cafeina’s new menu.  The event also marked the official debut of The Mezzanine, a gorgeous second floor lounge transformed by interior designer Todd Corder.  The new space is reminiscent of a 1920’s speak-easy- complete with one-off antique furnishings and also boasts a newly constructed private bar.  The Mezzanine holds up to 50 guests, making it ideal for special events and group gatherings. Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Lea and Roy Black at The Blacks’ Annual Gala 2013

Lea and Roy Black have a magical way of bringing together “A-list celebrities, social icons, business titans and top legal minds” every year for their annual gala.  What began as a party for 450 at the Blacks’ home nearly 20 years ago has grown into one of the most highly anticipated events of the social season, with nearly 700 guests in attendance this year.  The Blacks’ Gala took place at the Fontainebleau on Saturday night to benefit The Consequences Charity and its programs with Teach for America, Breakthrough Miami and Big Dreams for Kids, for which they gala has raised roughly $12 million over the past 19 years. Part of the magic is that this event is actually a “fun gala” (not an oxymoron) which combines giving and celebrating by encompassing all of the elements that make for a perfect party:  hundreds of stylish, interesting and/or beautiful people; one-of-a-kind auction items- at a bargain; top notch entertainment; gourmet food and free-flowing cocktails to get everyone in a celebratory and spending mood.  The best part? It’s all for kids in need. 

The star-studded charity event began with a Grey Goose cocktail reception, and silent auction, followed by a gourmet dinner, performance by American Idol winner, Taylor Hicks and a live auction which featured a walk-on role in an upcoming Michael Bay movie, a one year lease on a 2013 all-new body style Range Rover, Jeffrey Rackover jewelry and Hublot watch to name a few. Read the rest of this entry »

Silvia Karman Cubina, Diane Venet, Criselda Breene

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore  

We enjoy a visit to the Bass Museum of Art, one of Miami Beach’s key cultural landmarks, just about any time, but no visit compares to touring this gorgeous museum alongside the city’s leading arts patrons, socialites and tastemakers after hours.  We had the opportunity to do just that on Thursday, March 14, as the Bass hosted its annual fundraiser, A Night at the Museum, for which more than 500 fashion-forward art lovers gathered to enjoy a private preview of From Picasso to Koons: The Artist as Jeweler curated by Diane Venet, which features over 200 beautiful, wearable “shiny things,” created by 135 artists.  Needless to say, our inner (and outer) jewelry addict longed for “one of everything.”  The exhibition, presents an intimate and often whimsical side of some of the greatest artists of recent times, each offering a singular vision of adornment. The exceptional, little-known works of wearable sculpture offer new insights into the creative genius artistic giants including:  Andy Warhol, Georges Braque, Louise Bourgesois, Lucio Fontana, Salvador Dalí, Louise Nevelson, Man Ray, Anthony Caro, Yoko Ono and Anish Kapoor.   Read the rest of this entry »