By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

 If you’ve been blessed with beauty, talent, creativity, connections and some spending money, consider applying for membership to the newly minted, private Soho Beach House, the latest, greatest incarnation of founder, Nick Jones’ Soho House brand, which officially opened this week, after a month of exclusive gatherings for its top tier founding members. Soho Beach House, Jones’ third North American property, is right next door to the Fontainebleau on the ocean. The soft opening Founders’ party featured limitless lobster, and other seafood; steaks, black truffle risotto (where the chef was doling out the truffles as if they were chocolate sprinkles) and just about every other delicacy imaginable; a live band and gorgeous crowd- leaving the guests of the Founding members and anyone in the vicinity exclaiming, “Sign me up!” Read the rest of this entry »

Emilio and Gloria Estefan

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

LIV opens at Sun Life Stadium For those who love a little nightclub action with their football, or vice versa,

 we have great news! LIV (the mega-nightclub you’ve come to love/hate at the Fontainebleau), has set up shop at Sun Life Stadium and if Sunday’s Dolphins vs. Jets game is any indication, will offer up the same celeb-infused atmosphere you find regularly at the LIV on South Beach.  The 10, 000 square foot space, which accommodates 800 people, was packed to the rafters with South Beach locals and a few New Yorkers, several of whom we suspect went straight from LIV’s Saturday night party to Sunday’s game.

And yes, expect to see oodles of models, and scantily-clad girls dancing on the banquets at the mini-LIV, who along with the multiple bars, DJ booth, dance floors and bottle service are welcome distractions for those who aren’t such ardent football fans.

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Falling for Spring Fashions

By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week ushered in a new era this year with the historical move from Bryant Park to Lincoln Center and a major upgrade in technology: the addition of Fashion GPS-which streamlined communication and expedited check-in procedures.  Mayor Michael Bloomberg showed his support for the move, declaring, that he thought Lincoln Center would be a “perfect place for a fashion show–fashion is art.”  He went on to say, “New York City is fully committed to the health and growth of our fashion industry.”

The consensus among organizers and industry insiders was that this inaugural season at Lincoln Center was a success.  A common thread among designers for their spring collections was the presence of beige, which ruled the runways, alongside neighbors on the color palette, white and ivory-in sheer and non-sheer fabrics and the requisite spattering of black.  Several designers showcased vintage designs, including Gottex and Betsey Johnson, with a throwback to the 80s and Marc Jacobs with his Studio 54 inspired 70s designs, complete with vintage accessories and big floppy hats.

Despite having a mere 36 hours of non-stop fashion week bliss this season, which is akin to squeezing in all of Art Basel in one day or savoring South Beach Wine and Food Festival in a morning,  we’ve put together a brief recap of the good, the great and the “we-couldn’t-make-this-up-if we-tried!”

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Season’s Bests 2010- Part II

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

maryjoshore@aol.com

This week we continue our guide to the best Miami has to offer in the words of some of the city’s top tastemakers.  Check back next week for even more great recommendations. Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

maryjoshore@aol.com

Tastemaker–noun

A person that establishes or strongly influences what is considered to be stylish, acceptable, or worthwhile in a given sphere of interest…

We’ve asked a few of our favorite tastemakers, whose “fabulocity” makes Miami such a “fabulous city” to weigh-in on some of their favorite nightlife venues, hotels, restaurants and pursuits.

In this two-part series, you’ll find a short list of places and delights you don’t want to miss. Be sure to check back next week for Season’s Bests 2010- Part II. Read the rest of this entry »

Carlos Gomez, Matt Passmore, Michelle Hurd, stars of The Glades

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

It’s not every day we get to party in a former orthodox synagogue, much less rub elbows with celebs, ogle luxury watches, enjoy premium cocktails and fabulous hors d ’oeuvres, erstwhile entertainers on stilts vie for our attention in said temple. A little on the “unorthodox” side, you might say. Add to that, the fact that we were almost run over by a sports car, being driven by the hunky Burn Notice star, Jeffrey Donovan INSIDE the former temple!!! Well such was the case last Thursday, as TAG Heuer, the stylish Swiss watch brand celebrated its 150^th anniversary and paid tribute to its pioneering spirit at an exclusive “Odyssey of Pioneers” private cocktail party and timepiece exhibition at the Temple House on Miami Beach (formerly the 1, 000 member Kneseth Israel Congregation). Two hundred of Miami’s crème de la crème received the VIP treatment, as they were greeted at the valet stop a few blocks from the Temple House and transported via luxury limo bus to the party. Read the rest of this entry »