As if we needed another reason to break free from the work day routine for an extended lunch, Ladies Lunch tempts us more each month, as the perfect way to get the girls together and disconnect from the hustle and bustle that goes along with a career oriented lifestyle. The social soirees are held every month at different locations, ladies are encouraged to bring any materials or causes they would like to discuss and share with the group. 

Ladies Lunch provides a forum for networking with a slew of local characters from all professions, including: museum curators, socialites, professional polo players, gorgeous bakers (Kosher and Greek), personal trainers, and stay at home moms that enjoy racing high speed motor boats. 

March’s luncheon took place on Thursday, March 18^th at the group’s new location, Morton’s on Brickell. Some of the attendees included Committee Members Sage Hoffman & Irene D’auria; Speaker of the month Carol Hoffman-Guzman; Miami “people broker” Heather Davis and Naomi Wilzig, Owner/Curator of the World Erotic Art Museum.

So if you are looking to update your phone tree with a list of multitasking super women, this is the place to make your connections. The next lunch will be held on Thursday, April 22- location is TBA so be sure to check back.

 We highly encourage you to bring plenty of business cards.For more information, please contact events@m3events.net or 305-865-5733. [smooth=id:110;]

Mya and Mary J. Blige

Winter Music Conference coinciding with spring break and Sony Ericsson redefines the concept of March Madness every year, not to downplay the college hoops, we’re just saying…College kids dressed head to toe in neon (when did that resurrect from the 80s?), Ed Hardy, and multi-colored kicks (remember Punky Brewster?) fist-pumping day and night to global beats, in all their sweaty glory jammed the streets, pools, hotels and clubs of South Beach for the better part of last week.  A few happenings stood out, some even WMC related to those with an aversion to the March Madness described above, or basically anyone over the age of 20.

It’s no secret that we’re suckers for any party in a penthouse-even if it’s at the Holiday Inn.  So it came as no surprise that one of the best parties during the WMC, with the chicest crowd, took place at the Penthouse Extreme WOW Suite at W South Beach Thursday night for the launch of W Hotels’ new Symmetry CD, created by W’s recently appointed Global Music Director (and DJ extraordinaire), Michaelangelo L’Acqua, who spun at the party.  Guests mingled on the private penthouse rooftop taking in breathtaking panoramic views of Miami Beach while sipping on Veuve Cliquot.  Later in the evening New York City based electro-popsters, The Golden Filter, performed an entire concert.  Noteworthy attendees included Gigi Ganatra, Eva Ziegler (Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide), Jillian Jacobson-Altit, Michelle Leshem, James Wall, Dana Shear, Chris Oh, Jamie Jo Harris, Jeff Morr, Laure Heriard-Dubreuil, Suzanne Birbragher, James Wall, Aaron Resnick, Michael Comras, Daniela Swaebe, Anne Owen and Alan Roth, and DJ Mia Moretti. 

On the same night, Josette Wys, Andy Katz, and friends were entertained with a private set in Stephane Pompougnac’s Setai suite prior to his performance to a standing-room only crowd on Friday night at the Setai’s reflection pool.  Pompougnac played selections from his latest Hotel Costes Volume 12 CD, along with many of his classics while Wys, along with Marnie Howard, Michael Kirkland, Marco Marquez danced on the DJ platform all night. Read the rest here »

Kelly Rowland

 A slew of celebs dined at Mr. Chow over the weekend, including: Diddy with Jamie Foxx; tennis pros, Boris Becker, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick; Sharam from Deep Dish, Kimberly Locke with Randy Jackson, David Guetta, Paul van Dyk, Christian Audigier, and Pharrell Williams.

Taking a break from the Winter Music Conference mayhem, Kim Kardashian (with Jonathan Cheban in tow), Serena Williams, Lala Vasquez, Miss America, Caressa Cameron and New York Giant, Kareem McKenzie, attended a party in honor of Kelly Rowland, at ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa on Sunday to celebrate the worldwide launch of Rowland’s new charity:  I Heart My Girlfriends. Guests and close friends of Rowland’s toasted her latest philanthropic success with cocktails courtesy of GREY GOOSE Vodka at the 5-star resort’s View Bar terrace.

Last Tuesday, the original “hip-ster,” Shakira, was spotted dining at Midtown’s SUGARCANE raw bar grill. 

 Tennis greats, Victoria Azarenka and Robin Soderling stayed at the Sonesta Bayfront Hotel Coconut Grove. In 2009, Azarenka defeated Serena Williams in the finals 6–3, 6–1 to win the Sony Ericsson Open.  Söderling is the first and only tennis player to defeat Rafael Nadal in the French Open.

 Seen enjoying themselves at Delano Tuesdays this week:  Jamie Foxx, David Guetta, Kevin Martin of Candlebox, Live’s Patrick Dalheimer, Gerry Harrison of the Talking Heads, baseball pro, Roger Clemmens, and tennis pro, Andy Murray, all sipping Leblon Mojitos.

 The third annual Nautica South Beach Triathlon takes place on Sunday, April 11 to benefit pediatric cancer research for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  Participants expected in this year’s 2010 races include co-anchor and national correspondent for NBC‘s “Today”, Natalie Morales, actress, Eliza Dushku, former NBA player, Rick Fox,  Australian triathlete and five-time Ironman champion, Chris “Macca” McCormack, NBC’s “Biggest Loser”, winner Ali Vincent, The Bold and the Beautiful’s, Heather Tom, three-time Winter X Games freestyle skiing gold medalist, Sarah Burke, WPLG Local 10’s news anchor, Sasha Andrade, and WKMG Orlando’s news anchor Michael Garolfalo. The “fun” starts at 7:00 a.m. (yes, in the MORNING) on 5^th street and Ocean Drive.  For more information, please visit www.SouthBeachTri.com.

Roberto Faraone Mennella and Amedeo Scognamiglio

Saks Fifth Avenue recently hosted a meet and greet event with Amedeo Scognamiglio, one of the creators of Faraone Mennella by R.F.M.A.S.  We had an opportunity to sit down and chat with Amedeo and learn about the vision and inspiration behind their jewelry.

 Fellini’s ‘La Dolce Vita’, inspires thoughts of classic romance, beautiful women, and never-ending style, as does the jewelry of artists Amedeo Scognamiglio and Roberto Faraone Mennella.  Together they have created jewelry reminiscent of fashion icons such as Sophia Loren, Grace Kelly, and Jacquelyn Kennedy. 

The lifelong friends launched Faraone Mennella by R.F.M.A.S in the Spring of 2001 upon reuniting in New York after attending law school.  Scognamiglio was expanding the family business (the art of carving cameos by hand) to the United States and Mennella had studied Design Marketing; ultimately graduating from The Parsons New School of Design.   Always having a vision for the latest styles and trends,  Mennella and Scognamiglio decided that they wanted to create a line of high-end jewelry that integrated their Italian heritage with “Italian elegance” and timeless beauty using 18 karat gold and precious stones. 

The passion-driven duo had their big break when renowned New York fashion stylist Patricia Fields of Sex and the City fame, fell in love with their pieces and took all of their designs for six months to use in the series.  Kim Cattrall’s character, Samantha, donned the baubles and created the buzz among New York’s finest.  Before they knew it, Scognamiglio and Mennella were bombarded with requests.  First to come calling – Saks Fifth Avenue.  Scognamiglio confesses that he didn’t even know the term C.E.O and had to showcase their creations in their studio loft in New York.   Faraone Mennella was then featured in WWD; making the cover with one of their classic designs, an 18 karat gold cuff, titled “The Gold and the Beautiful” – talk about the Midas touch! 

 “We are involved in all of our designs, from start to finish.  We enjoy the creative adrenaline.”   When asked specifically about designing for the Miami woman, Scognamiglio replied “The Miami woman is exactly the type of woman we design for: classy, sophisticated, bold and natural, the woman that takes pride in how she looks and feels inside and out.”

To view the complete line of Faraone Mennella by R.F.M.A.S. at Saks Fifth Avenue visit http://www.saksfifthavenue.com .

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Marisa Tomei

A very low-key Marisa Tomei hung out at Cafeina in Wynwood sipping hot tea on Friday night.  The Academy Award winning My Cousin Vinny actress, who was dressed down in a gray hoodie, sat outside with her friend, refusing any photos.  Maybe it was because she wasn’t wearing any make-up, perhaps she had a stomach ache. Who knows?  She slipped in and out virtually unnoticed.

Denis Rodman, threw a party at Kitchen 305 in the Newport Beach Hotel on Friday. Reality star Brittanya Ocampo (Rock of Love, Charm School) and Elaine Lancaster joined in the fun, with tunes provided by Joshua Thomas, aka DJ Zeke (Isaiah Thomas’ son). Rodman spent the better part of the weekend hanging out  poolside at the Newport.

Entourage’s ‘Lloyd!,’ also known as Rex Lee, got Lasik surgery on Thursday (can the guy not even have surgery in private!? Good Grief!).  Our guess is that he’s working on his image, now that he will be playing an agent on the show.  Over the weekend, Lee had dinner at STK Miami Beach.  According to our source, “The pair was having so much fun dancing to 80s hits in their booths; Rex snapped pictures with fans who yelled ‘Lloyd!’ a la Ari Gold and at one point bounced from table to table mingling with other restaurant guests.”

Rex Lee at STK Miami

On Thursday, Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade dined at Mr. Chow.   Roger Federer and Victoria Silvstadt were spotted there on Saturday.

After tearing up the dance floor at the Women of Tomorrow Gala, Victoria’s Secret model, Selita Ebanks and tennis star, Serena Williams partied at WALL at the W South beach until about 2 am.

On Saturday, Creed front man singer/songwriter Scott Stapp and his wife Jaclyn Stapp, winner of Mrs. Florida America, dined at Casa Tua with Allison & Chip Brady of Florida Dental Benefits, Inc. celebrating Jaclyn’s recent modeling cover of the March issue of Palm Beach Young Society Magazine.

Miami-based GREY GOOSE Vodka headed north to accept a “Besties Award” at The Academy Awards VIP viewing party held on Sunday, March 7, at The Manor in Wilton Manors. Prior to the show and during commercial breaks, Joan Rivers Impersonator, Joe Posa, greeted guests on the Blue Carpet and presented “Besties” awards to community members in the audience.