Written by Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Iris Apfel, the 96-year-old businesswoman and former interior and textile designer-turned-fashion and style icon is living her life to the fullest and simply refers to herself as an “accidental icon.” Apfel credits her iconic status to her creative approach to personal style. This caught the attention of Harold Koda, former curator of the Costume Institute at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Mr. Koda, who describes Ms. Apfel’s eveningwear as having a “Fellini-esque theatricality,” curated and exhibited pieces from her extensive wardrobe and jewelry collections at THE MET in autumn of 2005, a few years following her retirement. The exhibition, Rara Avis: Selections from the Iris Apfel Collection, traveled to several other institutions, including the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, and launched Apfel into immediate stardom as well as laid the path for a staid second career. Since then, Apfel’s star has continued to rise. She has designed an accessories line for Swarovski, collaborated with MAC Cosmetics, starred alongside supermodels Karley Kloss and Toni Garrn in respective campaigns for Kate Spade and Etienne Aigner, starred in a documentary, aptly titled “Iris” and penned a new book, Iris Apfel, Accidental Icon, Musings of a Geriatric Starlet (Harper Collins). Read the rest of this entry »

Hunter for Target Morning Funfest Powered by Daybreaker

The Hunter for Target Morning Funfest, Powered by Daybreaker, are mini-festivals that will take place at select Target stores around the country on Saturday, April 14 to kick start Hunter for Target’s launch day.  The three-city takeover is inspired by families, festivals and forces of nature, and is all about play, fun and the community. Luckily, Ft Lauderdale, Florida is one of the lucky communities! Rain or shine, the Morning Funfest experience will bring together guests, their families and the local communities to share an unforgettable morning. The event will kick-off at 7:30, 30 minutes prior to stores opening with funfest activities entertaining guests in line. After the gates are lifted, guests are encouraged to shop the Hunter collection, where they will have a chance to personalize their new purchases while enjoying snacks and beverages. The parking lot will host family-friendly activities like Hunter for Target Welly Wanging, face painting, a glitter bar, yoga for all ages and a fun-filled dance party, with moments sprinkled throughout the day designed to delight guests. The events are free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to RSVP via Daybreaker on Facebook and on Daybreaker.com at the following link: Daybreaker.com/funfest-fl; Target Ft. Lauderdale (3200 N Federal Hwy, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, 33306). 

Miracle Mile Back to Beautiful Celebration

To celebrate the official unveiling of the new Miracle Mile, the Business Improvement District (BID) of Coral Gables, City of Coral Gables and Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, are pleased to partner and host the Miracle Mile Back to Beautiful Celebration on Saturday, April 14 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Live entertainment, giveaways and interactive activations will take place throughout the evening. For more information, visit www.shopcoralgables.com.

Tax Day Specials Worth Your Buck!

 Biscayne Bay Brewing Company

At Biscayne Bay Brewing Company, every buck counts, well at least towards tacos that is. Come into the brewery on Tuesday, April 17^thand dig into all you can eat tacos for $1 each ALL DAY LONG. Taco options include Lechon, Chorizo, and Chicken all topped with Cotija Cheese. To wash it all down enjoy half off core beers during happy hour between 3:00pm to 7:00pm. 

The Local Craft Food & Drink — Cocktail “All About The Benjamins” 

Got your tax refund and don’t know what to do with it? “it’s all about the Benjamins, baby!” The Local crafty cocktail menu is definitely one to experience, the “All About The Benjamins” cocktail simply one you can’t pass up. This cocktial features Grey Goose vodka, St. Germaine, Champagne and Gold, yes, edible gold foil that lays right on top of this absolutely “expensive in taste” craft cocktail. 

Pineapples & Pizza at the Matador Bar

Pineapples & Pizza, the delicious monthly series at Matador Bar, is returning on Thursday, April 19. The event offers a rotating off-menu pizza paired with a boozy Pineapple cocktail to provide a savory experience every month. Guests are invited to bring a friend, share a pizza, sip a cocktail (or two) and jam to live music by The French Horn Collective from 9PM until 11PM. This month, guests may indulge in the Three-Cheese Lobster and Corn Pizza as they sip the Absolut Elyx Pineapple cocktail for $35.

Swing to the music with the upbeat, eclectic sounds of the Miami-based band, The French Horn Collective who has performed at top Miami hotels and venues. 

Matador Bar is located inside The Miami Beach EDITION, at 2901 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. Matador Bar is open Sunday through Thursday from 6pm to 2am and Friday and Saturday from 6pm to 3am. For more information visit Matadorroom.com or call (786) 257-4600.

L.I.V.E: Lead, Innovate, Volunteer & Empower Fight Against Childhood Cancer

L.I.V.E: Lead, Innovate, Volunteer & Empower will host a golf tournament as well as a game night and cocktail reception benefiting Live Like Bella^®, which provides assistance and support to children and families affected by childhood cancer as well as funding innovative research to make childhood cancer a treatable and curable disease. The events will also benefit SebastianStrong, which aims to fund research for less toxic, more targeted childhood cancer cures.

The fundraising events will begin with the fourth annual L.I.V.E. Golf Classic, taking place at the Miami International Links Golf Club on April 20^th. The following evening, more than 300 attendees will gather at the Conrad Hotel for the 2^nd annual “Bet on the Future” event, featuring casino-style games, music, and unlimited food and drinks. Last year, the event raised more than $100,000 for Camp Erin, a free bereavement camp for children in South Florida.

The Golf Classic chair, Gus Vega, and Bet on the Future event co-chairs Katie Blanco Bourdeau and Raul Hernandez are joined by a host committee that includes David Barbeito, Rochelle Clarke, Nicole De Lara-Puente, Mike Pujol, Melly Sanchez, Oscar Ortiz, Kirk Weiss, and more. More information is available at www.livemiami.org.

For more information on tickets and sponsorships, please contact Katie Blanco Bordeau at 305.742.3359 or katie@livemiami.org.  

IRIS APFEL Book Signing: Accidental Icon 

On Wednesday, April 25, meet IRIS APFEL and pick up one of her newest books, the Accidental Icon. This will be Apfel’s only Florida book signing event at the J Nelson Showroom, South Florida Design Park. Join the “ICON” for afternoon tea from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Hollywood, Florida Mayor Josh Levy is declaring by proclamation, April 25 as Iris Apfel Day. 

For information, email info@jnelsoninc.com