Archive for the ‘ The Fix’ Category

Primal Dwellings

Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On July - 29 - 2009

Oh Yeah!

Entourage aficionados got their fix last Thursday night, as HBO and W South Beach unveiled the luxurious Entourage Bungalow in the hotel’s poolside garden. Miami’s finest became Hollywood insiders for the night, hanging with cast members, Adrian Grenier, a.k.a. Vinny Chase, Perrey Reeves, “Mrs. Ari” and our favorite, Rex Lee, better known as Lloyd!!!! The three-story bungalow reflects the characters’ extravagant Hollywood lifestyle, featuring Vince’s movie posters splattered all over the walls, a rooftop lap pool and BBQ, a regulation size stainless steel, mirror-polished ping-pong table, plasmas, PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) and PSP® systems, along with the hottest games. The Bungalow’s indoor mural reminiscent of the iconic oversized tropical leaf wallpaper featured at the Beverly Hills Hotel just adds to the Hollywood vibe. Our favorite kitschy set-up, which coincided with that of Rex Lee, was the director’s chair and movie camera pointed at the bed, surrounded by empty champagne bottles in the master bedroom. However, due to the sweltering temperatures, made hotter by the torches and grilling, the phrase, “It’s way too hot for an orgy” resounded throughout the evening.

To party like a cable star (who plays a movie star), the aptly named Entourage Experience, available from July 27 through September 27, 2009, will set you back about ten grand. A bargain, when you consider that it includes a personal driver, an afternoon of boating along the coast, a personal poolside cabana and jet skis, dinner for four at Soleà followed by table service at WALL and in-bungalow goodies from GREY GOOSE® Vodka and Heineken.

Jungle Love

Another wild gathering took place earlier in the day, as Jungle Island inaugurated a new home for their adorable 5-year old orangutans, Peanut and Pumpkin. The new digs were designed and built by Suffolk construction. VIPs, press and children from the Boys and Girls’ Home of Greater Miami joined in the celebration, enjoying an ice cream party and delighting in watching Peanut and Pumpkin, wearing construction hats, break-in their new home to the tune of Hey, Hey we’re the Monkeys and Celebrate. One of the day’s many highlights was watching the orangutans eat Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey ice cream- plain old bananas are sure to be a “tough sell” from now on! The folks from Suffolk were given original works of art created by Peanut and Pumpkin (yes, the monkeys can paint!) as a “thank you” for their diligence in finishing the project despite the tough economic climate and unfavorable weather conditions.

**The Webster Makes Space for L*Space**

On, Thursday, July 16, Mercedes Benz hosted a swank luncheon at Caviar Kaspia at the Webster boutique to celebrate the launch of the Mercedes Benz 2010 E-Class Coupe and Sedan. A-list guests experienced the best of several worlds: a private introduction to the new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Sedan led by M. Bart Herring, Mercedes-Benz USA Product Manager; a sneak preview of L*Space for Omni Peace, Monica Wise’s capsule swimwear collection which benefits OmniPeace- an organization aimed at “ending extreme poverty in Africa by 2025; and a special E-Class inspired lunch at Caviar Kaspia, the first stateside locale of the famed Parisian landmark restaurant. After lunch, guests had the opportunity to test drive the E-Class. On-hand for the festivities: founding partners of the Webster boutique, Laure Heriard Dubreuil and Frederic Dechnik; Mercedes Benz PR execs, Adam Paige and Greg O’Shea; L* Space designer, Monica Wise, and OmniPeace founder, Mary Fanaro.

Sizzling Summer Steal

Viceroy at Icon Brickell is inviting locals to unwind at Club 50 with a selection of fine wines and cheeses every Wednesday for just $20. Starting at 6:00 p.m., guests will have the opportunity to sample wines and enjoy cheeses from EOS, while learning about the wines being sampled through intimate Q&A sessions with the winemakers. The real fun starts at 8:00 p.m., as Liset Alea and the Sexy Trio perform live. We had the pleasure of enjoying their performances a few weeks back, and were delighted by the band’s unique style, which combines punk rock, new wave, Bossa Nova, jazz and 60s pop for a unique and sultry sound.

Coming Up

Always in good taste is the annual Share Our Strength Taste of the Nation event, which takes over the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne this Thursday, July 30 at 7:00 p.m. In its 21^st incarnation, the event will feature forty of Miami’s top restaurants, including Chef Allen, Smith & Wollensky and Ortanique, which will serve signature bites to benefit the fight against childhood hunger. The best part is that one hundred percent of the proceeds from the gastronomic festivities (gastro-fest- you heard it here first) will benefit local organizations including, The Daily Food Bank, Florida Impact, and FLIPANY (Florida Introduces Physical Activity & Nutrition to Youth). Tickets are still available. General admission costs $100 in advance, $125 at the door; a head start at the VIP reception goes for $200 in advance and $225 at the door. For more information please call 1-877-26-TASTE or go to www.shareourstrenghthsouthflorida.org.

On Thursday, August 6, award-winning author, Gigi Levangie Grazer, will be at Books & Books on Lincoln Road at 7:00 p.m., to discuss, sign copies of and answer questions about her fourth and latest novel, Queen Takes King. A private cocktail will be held at W South Beach on Saturday August 7. Grazer just held successful book launches in New York and Los Angeles. Her prior novels include: Rescue Me (2000), Maneater (2003), and The Starter Wife (2006), which was adapted for an Emmy Award–winning USA Network miniseries starring Debra Messing, and later for a television series. Maneater was adapted for a Lifetime miniseries starring Sarah Chalke in May 2009. Grazer also wrote the screenplay for Stepmom, starring Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon.

Birthday Love to Leos:

Happy Birthday to the sign invented just for party people. This month we celebrate those who share the zodiac with Madonna: Nick D’Annunzio, Erin Newberg, Merle and Danny Weiss, and Stacy Milon. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t step back and wish a belated to some very cool Cancers: Tara Solomon and Jilian Sanz.

Celebrity Sightings:

Robin Quivers, Howard Stern’s co-host had lunch at Wet at the W South Beach, last weekend. Right next door, Lil Kim was holed up at the Gansevoort South. Kim had celebrated her birthday with a blow out at Mansion on Thursday night. Dwyane Wade shacked up at the W Fort Lauderdale over the weekend, maintaining a low profile. Pharell Williams held court at Flipside Friday at LIV. Dancing on the banquettes all night to the sounds of New Yorks’ DJ Chachi. Burn Notice star Jeffrey Donovan was spotted at Clarke’s and at Shiso.

Rapper Lil Jon partied at Tommy Pooch and Alan Roth’s Shore Thing Sundays party at The Shore Club. Little Kim held a birthday bash at Mansion on Thursday night and holed up at the Gansevoort all weekend. Our source from Aspen, Erin Newberg, (“Aspencita”) reports that Jeff Soffer and Elle McPherson were seen shopping at the farmers market on Sunday and having breakfast at Popycocks on Wednesday. Usher, in town to record with Fat Joe and producer Rico Love, tore up Mansion’s hot new Rewind Tuesday party to watch old school legend Special Ed perform his hit I Got It Made. A casually dressed, Usher ordered three bottles of Moet Rose for his table and danced until 4:00 a.m.

The Fix

Lounging Around

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On July - 24 - 2009

As usual, the Mercedes Benz Star lounge in the Raleigh’s seventh floor Esther Williams’ suite was the place to see and be seen, and take in much needed A/C and refreshments in between shows. At the lounge, we had the opportunity to talk to Sex and the City film hunk and part-time Miami Beach resident Gilles Marini, (made famous by his steamy outdoor shower scenes that got Samantha all in a twist in the movie) whom we barely recognized with clothes on. The charming Marini, a spokesman for Mercedes-Benz, and Dancing with the Stars runner-up, is scheduled to appear in the upcoming seasons of Brothers and Sisters and Nip Tuck. He said he loves Miami and was enjoying the shows with his wife, Carole and two gorgeous children.

The Shay Todd show, held poolside at Wet at the W Hotel was delayed by a brief downpour with gusty winds that toppled part of the stage and an alarm that brought out the Fire Marshall. Despite the setback, the folks at Tara, Ink., including partner, Nick D’Annunzio, who helped rebuild the stage on the pool, kept the crowd happy and put on a great show. We couldn’t help but wonder, “Why all the fuss over a little rain?” After all, the place is named WET! Celebrities who braved the rain delay included actress, Tara Reid and German boyfriend Michael Axtmann; The Howard Stern Show co-host, Robin Quivers; BRAVO TV’s The Real Housewives of New York, Kelly Bensimon; The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Dina Manzo, and BRAVO TV’s Miami Social, Maria Lankina. After the show, Shay Todd held the after party for her show at the Wall at the W, which opened officially to the public on Saturday night.

As expected, de rigueur after parties took place all over South Beach, including the Raleigh penthouse, WALL at W South Beach, Le Cote at Fontainebleau and Louis at the Gansevoort South.

Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

The Fix

Love The Swim You’re In!

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On July - 24 - 2009

Skin!
For the fifth year in a row, the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim extravaganza splashed into town for five fun-filled, albeit exhausting, days of skin, swim and soirees. The year’s Fashion Week Swim saw the greatest number of designers ever, including, Tibi, ANK by Mirla Sabino, True Religion Swimwear, Ed Hardy Swimwear, Poko Pano, Xtra Life LYCRA®, Cia.Marítima, Luli Fama, L*Space by Monica Wise, (this season’s Mercedes-Benz Presents designer), Tibi, Caffé Swimwear, Marysia Swim, Crystal Jin, ANK by Mirla Sabino, True Religion Swimwear, Red Carter, Aqua di Lara, Tori Praver Swimwear, Mara Hoffman, Ed Hardy Swimwear, White Sands Australia, Poko Pano, Xtra Life LYCRA®, Vitamin A, Cia.Marítima, Luli Fama and V Del Sol. Overall, the shows were a throwback to the 80s, with models sporting bizarre hairstyles, funky make-up, outlandish accessories, and of course, the requisite Michael Jackson (R.I.P.) songs on the soundtrack.

The Suits

Many of the designers showcased retro-suits, featuring belts, knots, buckles, studs and hardware. Other common themes were bright colors and oversized, exaggerated accessories. Standouts included Miami-based swimwear designer Red Carter’s eponymous line and Christian Audigier’s Ed Hardy show.

Red Carter told The Daily that his inspiration for this year’s “Rock and Roll Space Hookers Circa 1984” came from his father’s Playboy magazine collection. Carter’s show, which was rumored to be overbooked by 400, did not disappoint. Lots of eccentric looks graced the runway, including black-pink-and-gray animal prints, suits with studs, cutouts and splicing, thunder bolts and wide metallic belts on futuristic-looking models wearing black lipstick and funky hairstyles.

Similar to last year, this year’s Ed Hardy show was part rock concert, part frat party, and featured his trademark colorful, tattoo-inspired suits, complete with the signature skull and crossbones, unique embellishments and custom hardware. Bright colors, sequins, and studs covered the suits that barely covered the models, who, in Mohawk-style hairdos and Joan Jett inspired make-up strutted down the runway in matching Ed Hardy patent leather pumps to the beat of Boom Boom Pow and M.J.’s Dirty Diana. The retro 80s vibe filled the room as the models revved up the crowd by waving their arms in the air and swinging huge silk scarves to garner applause. Everyone seemed to be having a blast, enjoying Audigier’s unique, audacious designs.

Story By: Mary Jo Almeida Shore
All photos by Mary Jo Almeida Shore

The Fix

Skin!

Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On July - 20 - 2009

For the fifth year in a row, the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim extravaganza splashed into town for five fun-filled, albeit exhausting, days of skin, swim and soirees. The year’s Fashion Week Swim saw the greatest number of designers ever, including, Tibi, ANK by Mirla Sabino, True Religion Swimwear, Ed Hardy Swimwear, Poko Pano, Xtra Life LYCRA®, Cia.Marítima, Luli Fama, L*Space by Monica Wise, (this season’s Mercedes-Benz Presents designer), Tibi, Caffé Swimwear, Marysia Swim, Crystal Jin, ANK by Mirla Sabino, True Religion Swimwear, Red Carter, Aqua di Lara, Tori Praver Swimwear, Mara Hoffman, Ed Hardy Swimwear, White Sands Australia, Poko Pano, Xtra Life LYCRA®, Vitamin A, Cia.Marítima, Luli Fama and V Del Sol. Overall, the shows were a throwback to the 80s, with models sporting bizarre hairstyles, funky make-up, outlandish accessories, and of course, the requisite Michael Jackson (R.I.P.) songs on the soundtrack. Read the rest of this entry »

The Fix

Socializing

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On July - 20 - 2009

Miami Social: Really?

By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

maryjoshore@aol.com

Bravo, the network that brings you train wrecks such as those annoying Housewives from here and there…(yawn) premiered its latest, Miami Social, a.k.a. the Real World, the Middle Aged Years, this week. While the show’s got the blueprint for success, pretty people in a gorgeous setting and lots of sexual innuendoes and plenty of skin, the personalities and relationships seem quite contrived and chewed on to those of us who actually live here. We did get a kick out of seeing the vistas of our hometown from every favorable angle, as well as the places we frequent and cameos from friends and acquaintances. Interestingly, the divorced couples get along better than those in relationships (if only they could have figured it out while they were married). One of the only realistic (albeit cliché) portrayals is that of the straight (or bi in Maria’s case) woman-gay man relationship- one of the few that actually works, in real life as well as in reality T.V. While journalists and critics are filling pages by trashing the show, we thought it was actually kind of entertaining. After all, we are a nation addicted to Facebook and Twitter, who makes a habit out of watching John and Kate plus 8, (John and Kate we Hate…), strangers get married to strangers on T.V. and eat bug/monkey brains to survive. Miami Social is NOT intended to be a documentary about Miami social life. It is what it is: a voyeuristic show about fairly regular, somewhat interesting, nice looking people and how they relate (or don’t) relate to each other. Bravo threw a premier party for Miami Social last Thursday at Louis at the Gansevoort South. Despite much hype- you would have thought Clooney and Pitt were in the cast, the event was not very well attended, with about 100 guests, tops. As expected, all of the cast members were there to bask in their 15 minutes of fame (30, for reality show veterans, Katrina Campins and Hardy Hill). DJ John Cash did bring the house down with old school favs, Michael Jackson (RIP), Madonna, etc. that kept the crowd on its feet the whole night.

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Celebs Fete Sweet Mary

On Wednesday, multi-Grammy award winning singer/ songwriter Gloria Estefan hosted a book signing cocktail for her friend, two-time Pulitzer Prize winning author Liz Balmaseda. Celebrities including Andy Garcia, Cindy Taylor, Steven Bauer and Tim Hardaway joined Gloria and Emilio Estefan at the circle bar at the Eden Roc Hotel to celebrate Balmaseda’s first novel, Sweet Mary (her Pulitzers were for her writings on the plight of Cuban and Haitian refugees and for her role in covering the story of Elián González). In honor of the book, Atlantico Rum created Sweet Mary Mango Sour specialty cocktails which kept notable guests, Belkys Nerey, David Siguaw, Greg Cook, Marysol Patton, Frank Amadeo, Willard Shepard and Brian Antoni, among dozens of others milling about the crowded circle bar long after the official cocktail was over. After the party, the Estefans, Andy Garcia and wife, Marivi, Carole and Oscar Seikaly, Marysol Patton and Frank Amadeo, the President of Estefan Enterprises, darted over to Solea at the newly-opened W South Beach for dinner.

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The Fix

A Breather before the Bathing Suits and Groove

Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On July - 9 - 2009

Fourth of July weekend blew through town offering those who had um, lost their invites to Diddy’s White Party in Malibu or missed the bus (or car service) to the Hamptons a heap of fun in the way of boating, beaching, parades, fireworks and swanky parties, such as those over at Mondrian, Viceroy and Red. Other than the grilling and patriotic stuff, it was a fairly quiet week- a much needed repose from all of the exciting social events that have kept the summer calendar chock full, and a breather before the exciting weekend and week to come, which brings us The Groove (formerly Zo’s Summer Groove) and the annual carnal-val otherwise known as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim, produced by IMG Fashion.

W South Beach puts the Ws in WOW

While its sister to the north opened with a ROAR last month, the W Hotel South Beach opened with a whisper on Thursday. It comes as no surprise, that the hip hotel, located in an ideal spot on the beach at 22nd Street is in itself a work of art, being that it is the end product of some of the world’s most creative minds, including conceptual landscape artist, Paula Hayes, Anna Busta of Studio B Design, Rock ‘N Roll photographer, Danny Clinch, Yabu Pushelberg and Costas Kondylis. Developer David Edelstein, behind Lincoln Road and New York’s famed Park Laurel building, can now add this masterpiece to his roster.

Among the W’s offerings are Solea, the stylish new Mediterranean restaurant by Karim Masri and Nicola Siervo, owners of Quattro and Mokai and the fabulous Living Room, where we spent the better (BEST) part of last weekend. Definitely not your ordinary living room, or hotel bar for that matter, the chic lounge is more like a literary salon, where you can mingle with a sophisticated in-the-know crowd, sip delicious, unique and masterfully crafted libations by Israeli-born mixologist, (with a photographic flavor memory) Elad Zvi of Bar Lab, and actually carry on a conversation. Svi revolutionized our cocktail mentality, which consists exclusively of “Absolut splash of soda,” by creating his perfect mixes of rare liquors and fresh-squeezed juices and infusions. Definitely check out the W Essencia, the United Nations of cocktail ingredients, (Japanese cucumber, Israeli mint and Lebanese pomegranate and tequila) and Rasparose (orange blossom, rose-infused honey and champagne). Or just do like we did and tell him to surprise you. You won’t be disappointed! In the very near future, W South Beach will be home to the city’s first Mr. Chow, the internationally renowned restaurant with counterparts in London, Beverly Hills and New York City and WALL, the brainchild of club impresarios, Nicola Siervo and Karim Masri and Francis and Eric Milon, of the Opium Group, whom we include among the “Lords of South Beach.” Talk about a meeting of the nightlife masterminds, and merging of two South Beach empires.

Coming Up:

Zo Groovy !

The Summer Groove promises a weekend jam-packed with fun including golf, comedy, music, a gala dinner, block party and all-star basketball game. NBA Champs Alonzo Mourning and Dwyane Wade join forces this year (ergo the name change from just “Zo’s Groove” to “The Groove”) to benefit the Alonzo Mourning Charities and Wade’s World Foundation. The Groove kicks off on Thursday, July 9, at 9:00 a.m. with a Golf Tournament at Doral Golf Resort & Spa with the opportunity to golf alongside Alonzo Mourning, Dwyane Wade and a host of their friends from the sports and entertainment worlds, and runs through Sunday, July 12, from 1:00- 6:00 p.m. as Zo presents his notorious Block Party at the American Airlines Arena. This event is and is followed by the ZSG All-Star Basketball game; during which NBA Champions Alonzo Mourning and Dwyane Wade challenge many other basketball greats. Tickets range from $5.00-$60.00 and are available through TICKETMASTER.com. For additional information about all of the ZSG events, including the comedy show, concert and gala at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, please visit www.ZSG.com.

Splish, Splash, Swim Week is here

Boasting the greatest number of shows ever, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim sweeps into town next week, setting up camp at the historic Raleigh Hotel for five days of sexy, sweaty, swimwear fun. From July 15-19, designs from 10 newcomers will be presented on the runways alongside prominent swimwear designers and brands such as Tibi, ANK by Mirla Sabino, True Religion Swimwear, Ed Hardy Swimwear, Poko Pano, Xtra Life LYCRA®, Cia.Marítima and Luli Fama. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim kicks-off with a poolside show by Bohéme Boutiques and party on July 15th, followed by four consecutive days of shows and presentations featuring L*Space by Monica Wise, this season’s Mercedes-Benz Presents designer, Tibi, Caffé Swimwear, Marysia Swim, Crystal Jin, ANK by Mirla Sabino, True Religion Swimwear, Red Carter, Aqua di Lara, Tori Praver Swimwear, Mara Hoffman, Ed Hardy Swimwear, White Sands Australia, Poko Pano, Xtra Life LYCRA®, Vitamin A, Cia.Marítima, Luli Fama and V Del Sol. For the most up to date information, please log on to our website at www.mbfashionweek.com/miami.

The Webster and ERES swimwear are partnering up for this year’s Swim Week. ERES will be setting up shop on the third floor of The Webster showcasing its 2010 Swimwear Collection from July 18^th– 20^th. Appointments are a must, and can be made by calling The Webster at 305 674 7899.

On Sunday, July 19, Gerber Group and the newly opened W Fort Lauderdale Hotel will bring a taste of Miami Swim Week to Ft. Lauderdale Beach by presenting Amaya Swimwear during “Salvation Sundays,” it’s weekly pool party. Designer Lila Nikole Rivera will be showcasing her collections throughout the afternoon. This event is fun and free to the public.

Merrick Park Goes to the Dogs

Beginning Sundays in July, the pet-friendly Village of Merrick Park invites locals and tourists to bring their dogs to the center lawn for “doggone afternoons dedicated to the four-legged” during its “Doggie Days of Summer” series. The events will take place every Sunday from 2:00-4:00 p.m., during which shoppers are invited to have their photo taken with their beloved pooch with any $25 purchase from the mall. The event series kicks off on Sunday, July 12^th with a Pooch-A-Palooza of doggy action including a dog parade judged by local luminaries.

Celebrity Sightings:

Carlos Ponce, and Romero Britto partied at Club 50 at the Viceroy for Level magazine’s one year anniversary party on Wednesday. On Thursday, “Real Housewife,” Bethenny Frankel was at W South Beach. Wilmer Valderrama had dinner at Hakkasan on Friday night before heading to LIV to listen to DJ Vice who spun a special Independence set for the crowd. Vivica Fox hung out poolside at the Gansevoort on Saturday. Julio Iglesias Jr. spent the evening at Living Room at W South Beach on the fourth of July. Tracy Mourning dined at Houston’s in Coral Gables with son Trey and daughter, Myka Sydney, on Sunday. The Mournings made the announcement that Tracy is pregnant with their third child at the SoBeFit magazine cover party on Thursday night. Tito Puente Jr., son of famed Latin jazz and Mambo musician Tito Puente (“El Rey de los Timbales” or “King of Latin Music”), gave guests a live and intimate performance at Solé on the Ocean over the weekend. Also spotted at Sole, former New York Jets linebacker Marvin Jones, former Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson and former New York Giants wide receiver and “bad boy” Plaxico Burress. This Friday night, Playboy magazine international cover girl-turned-DJ, Tamara Sky, will perform at Solé’s Friday night “Alba” party from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.