Patricia Arquette

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

2011 Eco-Lifestyle Gala  

South Florida Green Drinks’ 2^nd Annual Eco-Lifestyle Gala, paid tribute to environmentally-minded actress, Patricia Arquette, at the picturesque five-star Boca Raton Resort & Club a couple of weeks ago. Guests enjoyed organic cocktails and delicious hors d’oeuvres poolside overlooking the scenic Intracoastal while marveling at a gorgeous sunset.  After the cocktail and silent auction, witty rising-star NYC comedian Jessica Kirson took stage inside the resort, to entertain the hip, eco-conscious crowd of 500, several of whom ventured all the way to Boca from South Miami. 

Marci Zaroff and Yalmaz Siddiqui, co-founders of South Florida Green Drinks, served as the gala’s emcees and welcomed the evening’s honorary host, Patricia Arquette, who gave a heartfelt presentation on the dire conditions in Haiti, following the devastating earthquake that hit the poverty stricken country in 2010. Read the rest of this entry »

Chef Michael Shikany

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

SHIKANY, a new 5-star nomadic culinary series, held a one-of-a-kind kick-off dinner for thirty VIPs at Chef Michael Shikany’s fabulous Miami Beach home. The seven-course meal was exquisite – Jerk Rubbed Foie Gras on Cinnamon Brioche French Toast, Butter Poached Lobster “Mac & Cheese” on Marscapone Truffled Orzo, and Vanilla Scented Seared Scallop with Candied Meyer Lemon were but three. Each course was paired with white wine, red wine, sake, plum wine, prosecco or a SHIKANY martini. 

Immediately following dinner, after DJ Vidal provided mood-setting music, guests boarded a limousine bus to a $9 million, 80’ Ferretti yacht for a sunset cruise, where they enjoyed Moet Imperial Ice and Cloud Nine cupcakes. The night was the perfect preview of what is sure to become among the most sought after experiences in Miami. Read the rest of this entry »

Jenny Wilensky, Josh Fein, and Jillian Sanz

The Design Center for the Americas (DCOTA) was aglow in purple light on Thursday, May 19, for the highly anticipated, inaugural, Flare for Design, (intentional spelling) which merged the elements of high fashion and design to benefit the Southeast Florida Chapter of The Lupus Foundation of America.  A chic crowd gathered at the center to bid on one-of-a kind auction items, sip cocktails and Veuve Clicquot champagne, nibble on gourmet food by Lyon & Lyon and Blade Sushi and enjoy an animated fashion show narrated by Haute Living’s National Fashion Director, Jilian Sanz, who looked “pretty in peach” in a floor-length, Luca Luca gown.  The fashions, modeled by people living with Lupus, included designs donated by 100% Capri, Alice & Olivia, Elie Tahari, Luca Luca, Malo, Max Mara, Noble Experiment, Trina Turk and Valentino that were sold at a silent auctioned following the event. Guests were also treated to a musical performance by Rees Bridges from the Grammy Award winning band Dirty Vegas. Jenny Wilensky of Creative Fashion Agency Istylie, who lost her mother to Lupus last year, founded A Flare for Design in an effort to educate our community about the disease. Read the rest of this entry »

Rick Shadyac, Luis Fonsi, Giselle Blondet, Daisy Fuentes, and St. Jude patients Anthony, Karelys, and Stephan

by: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Angels and Stars Gala

The stars shone brightly at the 9th annual St. Jude Angels and Stars Gala at the JW Marriott Marquis on Saturday night.  The Havana-inspired bash drew more than 700 supporters and Latin celebrities and entertainers, who gathered to raise funds for the nation’s top-ranked children’s cancer hospital.

Television personality Daisy Fuentes, stunning in a hot-pink silk gown, once again served as celebrity chair.  Award presenters included actresses Angélica Maria and Angélica Vale; Univision television host Giselle Blondet; local personalities, Louis Aguirre, co-host of WSVN’s Deco Drive; Enrique Santos, host of the Univision Radio MIX 98.3 FM morning show and Alberto Sardiñas, host and producer of “Intimo” on Amor 107.5 FM.   Read the rest of this entry »

Fabrizio Cocchi,Paolo,Nadine,and Daniel Borgomanero

On Wednesday, April 27, C&C Art and Accessories, Nadine Curmi Borgomanero and Fabrizio Cocchi hosted a celebration to commemorate the unveiling of the Design Districts latest Italian showroom, MADinitaly. 
 
The private event drew support from a number of notables including famed Tod’s baron Diego Della Valle and his wife Barbara, renown Italian editor Carlo Rossella,  Venetian restaurateur Miky Grendene, La Perla heiress Martina Borgomanero and husband Fabian Basabe, fashion photographer Iran Issa-Khan, Italian Real Estate Mogul Daniela Bonetti, and international socialites Carole Seikaly, Maria Lowe, Francesca Halpern, Emmanuelle & Joane Della Valle, Paula Lieto, Giampiero Di Persia, Diane Ovadia,  and Massimo Barracca. 
 
Indulging in light bites and champagne, guests previewed the unique furniture offerings, home accents, pop-themed art and speciality linens – infused with innate Italian Flair.  The vibrant and playful lines of the furniture as well as the unexpected combinations of colors and textures reflect multiple high design influences of Italian interior designer Fabrizio Cocchi, from cutting-edge contemporary to classic.  Located at 4 Northeast 39th street, the 2,000 square-foot space boasts a perfect balance of eclectic and contemporary touches. [smooth=id:237;] photo credit: World Red Eye

Heather Bailey, Tracy Wilson Mourning, Ayana Rodriguez, and Nadine Valme

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

 More than 500 of Miami’s leading ladies kept their hats on under the big top for the circus-themed Hats Off luncheon hosted by Tracy Wilson Mourning at Jungle Island on Tuesday, May 3, the Honey Shine Mentoring Program’s premier fundraising event.  Circus performers, colorful animal statues, a cotton candy vending machine, snow cones, circus fare and Grey Goose cocktails added excitement to the already whimsical afternoon, which began with a silent auction filled with so many name-brand and hand-crafted items that even Mourning delayed her entrance into the actual luncheon to bid on several terrific bargains. 

Once inside the main ballroom, guests delighted in the wall-to-wall circus décor: tabletops adorned with colorful linens, with centerpieces comprised of hand-painted hat boxes surrounded by circus treats including animal crackers, peanuts, and cracker jacks and a stuffed circus animal wearing a Honey Shine t-shirt on each chair.  Read the rest of this entry »