Internet marketing giant, Market America, closed its annual world conference on Saturday with a star-studded bang as it welcomed Emilio Estefan and Alejandro Sanz to a sold- out American Airlines Arena.

Estefan, a nineteen-time GRAMMY Award-winning producer and songwriter, husband of international superstar Gloria Estefan, and CEO and founder of Estefan Enterprises addressed a sold out crowd of 25,000 Market America UnFranchise Owners, celebrities and fellow business icons as he shared the guiding principles of his newly released book, The Rhythm of Success. Estefan conducted a book signing following his on-stage appearance to a crowd of thousands of excited entrepreneurs and supporters, including Eva Longoria-Parker, from “Desperate Housewives,” a close friend of JR and Loren Ridinger, who head up the Market America enterprise.

Both JR and Loren addressed the crowd throughout the day, detailing the many benefits of the company.  Sanz, 15 time Latin GRAMMY award winner and two time GRAMMY Award winner, closed the conference by performing four songs including his cross-over hit “Looking for Paradise” which includes lyrics performed by Alicia Keys. Other stars in attendance included:  Paulina Rubio and husband Nicolas Vallejo, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Elena Tablada, Tracy and Alonso Mourning and Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Tony Romo.

Every year, Pawpurrazzi is one of the most unique events in town. Where else can you see 500 socialites, with more than 350 dogs in tow, all dressed to the nines?  This year’s Pawpurrazzi, chaired by Pat and Milton Wallace, took place on Friday night at Jungle Island and was THE place where dog and people watching reigned supreme.  From ice cream treats, make-overs, and a Purina doggy bar for the furry guests, to a fabulous dinner and impressive auction chaired by Saks Dadeland’s Juan Lopez, Marisa Cisneros and Ann Rubino, for the humans, Pawpurrazzi was a blast for guests of any species.

One of the evening’s highlights, was the one-of-a kind fashion show:  “Great Pets Who Walk In Front of Great People,” where honored guests and their dog(s) ironically walked the “catwalk” for the runway show, the best part of which was seeing just how much people look like their dogs, or vice versa.  The 50 foot dessert bar, which included gourmet cupcakes, brownies, make-your-own sundaes and S’mores- (complete with blow torches and all), Turkish coffee and just about every other scrumptious delight imaginable was also fantastic. The event raised close to $500,000 for the Humane Society and five dogs were adopted during the evening

Special guests included: Sandy, Jon, and Nancy Batchelor, Kirk Landon and Pamela Garrison, Bunny Bastian, Marisa Cisneros-Rizzon, Dr. Fredric Brandt, Yvonne Eldredge and Emily Damiano, Barbara and F.W. Mort Guilford, Sherrill and Mary Ann Hudson, Linda and Patrick McEnany, Donna Shalala, President of the University of Miami, Jeanette and Ted Fine, Christina and Robert Hudson, DJ and Steve Kerr, Sandy Zankl, Steven and Allison Zelkowitz, Melanie and Ryan Herman, Jeff and Yolanda Berkowitz, Sam Blum, Lady Beatrice Clancy, Ana May and Eugene Conese, Skip and Joyce Dickerson, Irene and Chris Korge, Helene and Marc Kovens, Juan and Carmen Lopez, the Munilla family, Jennifer and Richard Postrel, Ann and Frank Rubino, Bob and Sookey Schwartz,  Rene Ruiz, Marysol Patton, Amy Zakarin and Glenn Singer, Mayor of Golden Beach.

“Luxury porn” tome, Ocean Drive magazine, celebrated its 17th anniversary at the Delano on Thursday night, with a bash hosted by Niche Media CEO, Jason Binn and Kim Kardashian, who, incidentally, was in the seventh grade when the magazine ran its first issue.  The gorgeous, Mia Moretti mixed the music while A-listers and their “+10s” wandered around the pool area hoping for a brush with celebrity, for which Ocean Drive parties are well-known. Read the rest of this entry »

Cafeina- A much-needed Jolt!
Ultra-hip, trendy hotspot, Cafeina, named for its caffeine-infused liquors and specialty cocktails, is our latest, favorite hang-out, located deep in the heart of Wynwood (you won’t find it unless you are consciously looking -we typically use landmarks such as the overturned truck and funky green and red patterned building to know we’re on the right track).  This boîte reminds us of cozy Nobu on west 57 Street in NYC, with its low lighting, oversized lamps and comfy couches.  We also love the loft and huge outdoor area and the attached art gallery, currently displaying the work of Carlos Alves.

We dragged took a group to Cafeina over the weekend to “enjoy” the arctic weather and the Wynwood Art Walk.  Despite the jokes about the crack-houses and seedy environs, the consensus was that Cafeina rivals any South Beach lounge and that the food blows the competition away!  This is due to the creativity and expertise of the charming, executive chef, Guily Booth, who “wo-mans” the tiny kitchen, creating signature international tapas, including sea bass skewers, mini-madness grilled sandwiches and crab cakes, lauded by Martha Stewart as “the best she’s ever had.” Come to think of it, they’re the best we’ve ever had too.  Booth’s cooking style is as unique as her warm and funny personality.  She will mingle with guests and offer to cook up whatever they are craving- whether or not it’s the menu.  And should you be celebrating a birthday, you may even be surprised by Booth’s original coffee cupcakes.

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The antics and events at Malinka Max’s New Year’s Eve circus bash, (which just about shut down Hibiscus Island), seem a lot like scenes out of the wildly hilarious movie, The Hangover, right down to the 850 pound Bengal tiger and the proposal just before midnight.   Thank Heaven for our handy, dandy, digital camera, because it took a photo (or twenty) to prove to those who weren’t there (and to ourselves the next morning) that the baby tigers, fire eater, miniature unicorn, acrobats, Bengal tiger, giant python and adorable, tutu-clad monkey (that pulled our hair during the photo op) and couple who got engaged, were not just champagne-induced figments of our imagination. Although, we’re pretty sure you will agree, as you peruse the photos, that certain images are reminiscent of scenes from the movie. Read the rest of this entry »

Art! It’s the first word and what it’s all about right? Well, mostly…! In addition to works by Chagall, Picasso, Matisse, Miro, Botero, Calder and Warhol, all under one roof at the Convention Center, stand outs during Art Basel week included: Calix Gustav Gallery which held several receptions celebrating the unveiling of “Grit: to endure a trying situation and continue on without complaint” and “Monitoring Art;” urban impressionist Miguel Paredes’ “The Manifestation of Crossover Art” at a pop-up gallery on Lincoln Road; Carlos Betancourt’s “Lapidus Infinitus” at Diana Lowenstein Fine Arts; David LaChapelle’s “Cars and Money;” Kenny Scharf’s “Art White Collection” and William S. Chewning’s exhibition at Miami Art Group Gallery. Read the rest of this entry »