By: Maryanne Salvat and Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Bal Harbour

Emmy Award winning journalist Maria Celeste Arraras, actress and model Paola Turbay and Miami philanthropist and socialite Kelly Gold will host Chloe’s in-store shopping and fundraising event  benefitting Rally for Kids, a non-profit organization providing critical funds for care, treatment and research for children suffering with cancer.  Guests will enjoy live beats, champagne by Louis Roederer and hors d’oeuvres while perusing Chloe’s Autumn/Winter 2010 ready-to-wear collection. RSVP: chloe@taraink.com or 305.864.3434 x 300.

Allison Weiss Brady and Jill Viner along with De Beers will be hosting an exclusive preview of the new De Beers Talisman Collection.  Guests are invited to an evening of shopping, diamonds, and champagne, benefiting Gene Spotlight.   To RSVP go to FNOBalHarbourShops@debeers.com or 305.867.7100

Miami socialites Dana Shear and Vivianne Kurzweil along with VH1’s NBA Housewives Evelyn Lozado and lifestyle editor Jacquelynn Powers will host Trina Turk’s fashion celebration.  Customers are invited to enjoy cupcakes and champagne, and enter for the chance to win exclusive raffle prizes and to purchase the official Fashion’s Night Out t-shirt and tank – to benefit the NYC AIDS Fund. RSVP: TrinaTurk@taraink.com.

Village of Merrick Park

 Village of Merrick Park will host an official Fashion’s Night Out event that will take place throughout the center as well as in participating retailers. Event components will include a Fashion’s Night Out Lounge which will feature cool music, light bites provided by SAWA Restaurant & Lounge, informal modeling and a sneak peak of Fall 2010 trends as well as many other exciting initiatives. Guests will enjoy complimentary cocktails provided by Belvedere Vodka & Atlantico Rum, as well as a coffee station provided by Café Bustelo. Patrons will be able to capture their Fashion’s Night Out experience by receiving a complimentary professional picture with any purchase of $25 or more from any retailer throughout  the center. Fashion’s Night Out participants will include Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Diane von Furstenberg, Jimmy Choo and Etro.  For more information visit www.villageofmerrickpark.com/events/fashions-night-out

Saks Fifth Avenue Dadeland

Saks Fifth Avenue Dadeland has invited four charities (American Red Cross, Baptist Hospital Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Humane Society of Greater Miami) to participate in a night of shopping that will benefit these charities and give back to the community. As part of the promotion to celebrate fashion, Saks Dadeland is giving a Monique Lhuillier evening gown informal modeling presentation to showcase this fall season’s beautiful dresses.  The evening will begin on the ground floor with a Rock Out and Make Up event, which will feature tips and tricks to looking like a rock star.  Enjoy a sampling of fall must-haves that promise to be cult favorites.  The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Miami will be offering five-minute neck massages and raffling off a gift certificate to The Spa. The event will be accompanied by a champagne reception provided by Moet & Chandon and   Morton’s The Steakhouse will be serving light hors d’oeuvres throughout the informal fashion presentation on the second floor. The event will also have dueling Dj’s and a book signing by Margarita Zingg, author of Glamour para Llevar.  Miami Magazine is Saks Dadeland’s media partner for this event.  Shop with your MasterCard® card the evening of September 10^th and receive an exclusive Fashion’s Night Out rock ‘n’ roll playlist.  For further information, visit  the the Saks Fifth Avenue Dadeland Facebook page for an updated event schedule.

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 here »

Laura Izibor

On Thursday, Grey Goose Entertainment Rising Icon Laura Izibor performed at a private gathering at the Bacardi headquarters in Coral Gables to celebrate the second season of the highly acclaimed BET Grey Goose Rising Icons series.  Fellow  Rising Icon, Melanie Fiona, performed at LIV on Sunday, where she gave a breathtaking concert.  Other guests included DJ Irie, Mike Epps and Louis Oliver.

Melanie_Fiona

 On Friday night,  Lebron James threw a surprise birthday dinner party for his girlfriend and mother of his two sons, Savannah Brinson at Red, The Steakhouse restaurant where he brought in a mixlogist to make Atlantico Rum cocktails for his guests which included:  Chris Paul, Udonis Haslem, and  Brian Hartline of the Miami Dolphins, among others. The specialty cocktail served was named the Atlantico Heat.   Apl.de.ap & Will.I.Am hosted the 944 Nightlife Issue release party at LIV.  Travis McCoy also performed at the event.  Guests spotted included: Alice Panikian (Miss Universe Canada 2006), Cedric Gervais, and Sofia Chapman. Chris Bosh and Adrienne Williams made and appearance, celebrating their engagement which took place just hours before.

Loren Ridinger, Kim Kardashian, and J.R. Ridinger

 Miami’s own Market America founders/owners, J.R. and Loren Ridinger recently presented their annual International Convention in Greensboro, N.C. at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex to a sold out crowd of over 25,000.  The Ridingers once again enlightened attendees by detailing ways the company is using technology to change the way people shop and unveiling a host of new products and services. Celebrity guest appearances included close friends of the Ridingers, Kim Kardashian and Scottie Pippen.

By: Maryanne Salvat

Fish ‘N Chips  

The Marlins Community Foundation (FMCF) will host the 4^th annual Fish ‘N Chips Casino Party “A Night in Casablanca” on Thursday, September 2 at 6:30 pm at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle. All proceeds from this signature event will benefit the Marlins Community Foundation’s Cornerstones for Kids programs. Guests are welcome to join Marlins players, coaches, and an elite group of community leaders and other celebrities for an evening of fun and stakes at the Craps, Blackjack, Roulette and Poker tables. The evening will feature an array of hors d’oeuvres from Miami’s finest restaurants, signature cocktails by John Lermayer, Celebrity Bartender of The Florida Room, music, a Silent Auction filled with exciting items and the Tiffany & Co. “Mystery Wall.”  A ticket of $100 admits one, a $175 ticket admits two and $200 admits a VIP Poker Player (one guest) with a seat in the poker tournament. Each Casino Player will receive a “$25 Lucky Chip” to get started and Poker Players will receive their “buy-in” at the Poker table for the Texas Hold ’em Poker Tournament.  Guests will be able to up their chances and keep playing for great prizes by purchasing extra Casino Chips throughout the night. Poker players will also be able to purchase more chips during the Texas Hold ’em Tournament. The Fairmont Turnberry Isle is offering a promotional rate of $99.00 to attendees, valid from 8/30-9/5 based on availability. To make reservations, visit www.fairmont.com or call the Global Reservation Centre at 1(800) 257-7544 and mention the Marlins Fish ‘N Chips event.  Event registration is available online at www.marlins.com/fishnchips. For more information please call the Marlins Community Foundation at (305) 623-6497 or email fmcf@marlins.com. All guests must be at least 18 years old to participate.

Labor Day Weekend at WALL Lounge

WALL Lounge at W South Beach is celebrating Labor Day weekend with a stellar line-up.  Check out DJ Ross One Friday, September 3^rd, DJ JASK on Saturday, September 4^th and celebrate Miami nightlife fixture and velvet rope king, Laurent Bourgade’s birthday on Sunday, September 5^th.

Udonis Races for the Children

Miami Heat Forward, Udonis Haslem will hit the water with the four-time World Champion Miss GEICO race team in an effort to raise money for his Children’s Foundation. The public is invited to join Haslem and his kids at The Water Club located at 3969 NE 163^rd Street in North Miami from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 5.  Door prizes, raffles and autographs will take place during the afternoon festivities. This event is free and open to the public. A portion of food and drink purchases will benefit the Foundation.

Happy Independence Day Brazil!

 SUSHISAMBA dromo pays homage to its culinary heritage by hosting a celebration to mark Brazil’s Independence Day on Tuesday, September 7 at 9 p.m., the same night as the restaurant’s famed weekly party, Cosplay.  Located on Lincoln Road, SUSHISAMBA dromo will host an evening full of festivities with a specialty cocktail, limited-edition dishes and the celebratory movements of Samba and Capoeira (a 400-year-old Brazilian dance that incorporates martial arts). The show will feature performer Gil Santos and will include dancers and Brazilian drummers with a live show at 9:00 p.m. followed by a Brazilian inspired Cosplay celebration.  Pop-off the night with a Sambista ($15) cocktail,  a creative mix of Pop Rocks, cachaca, strawberry-cinnamon “conserva” and sweet basil.  Authentic specials will be available September 4 through 7, and include Espetinho de Camarão ($12), grilled shrimp, cashews, grilled lime, coconut and tomato sauce; Frango Recheado ($22), stuffed chicken roulade, crispy polenta, orange emulsion and heart of palm salad; and Quindim ($8), Brazilian coconut flan, almond crust, passion fruit foam and coffee reduction.  For more information, go to www.Sushisamba.com.

 Save the Date for Fashion’s Night Out (FNO)

 Village of Merrick Park

 On Friday, September 10, from 6 to 9 p.m., Village of Merrick Park will host an official Fashion’s Night Out. The event will take place throughout the center as well as in participating retailers. Event components will include a Fashion’s Night Out Lounge which will feature cool music, light bites provided by SAWA Restaurant & Lounge, informal modeling and a sneak peak of Fall 2010 trends as well as many other exciting initiatives. Guests will enjoy complimentary cocktails provided by Belvedere Vodka & Atlantico Rum, as well as a coffee station provided by Café Bustelo. Patrons will be able to capture their Fashion’s Night Out experience by receiving a complimentary professional picture with any purchase of $25 or more from any retailer throughout  the center. Fashion’s Night Out participants will include Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Diane von Furstenberg, Jimmy Choo and Etro.  For more information vist www.villageofmerrickpark.com/events/fashions-night-out

 Grey Goose Vodka Hosts…

 Saks 5th Avenue Bal Harbour  invites you to join hosts Sarah Harrelson, Christina Getty Maercks, Lucy Burks and Jillian Jacobson-Altit and meet celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein as you enjoy light bites from Michy’s and Sra. Martinez and sip on couture cocktails courtesy of Grey Goose vodka.  Rock and shop for a good cause with 5% of the weekend’s sales benefitting Common Threads.

 Miami Design District

 Miami’s Design District invites you to splurge at boutiques such as Y-3, Maison Martin Margiela and En Avance as you sip on couture cocktails courtesy of GREY GOOSE Vodka, enjoy live music and munch on bites compliments of the Miami Design District shops from 6-10 p.m.

We promise a full line-up of FNO next week. 

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 By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

When it comes to the restaurant business, Shareef Malnik can teach a Master class, after all, Malnik began working at his beloved Forge (now Forge I Wine Bar) at the tender age of thirteen.  So when he decided to close down South Beach’s oldest restaurant and most storied landmark to give it a $10 million extreme makeover, transforming the look, feel, philosophy, and menu, there was no doubt that the result would be “a good  thing,” to quote Martha Stewart.  And, in fact, it is a very good thing. 

  Read the rest here »

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 here »