Gabrielle Union hosts Hotel Noir presented by Grey Goose

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Grey Goose Brings Hotel Noir to FDR

On Wednesday night, our favorite basement club, FDR at the Delano was transformed into “Hotel Noir,” for the launch of Grey Goose vodka’s latest flavor, Cherry Noir. To parallel the national television advertising campaign entitled “Hotel Noir,” the club was transformed into a seductive sanctuary draped in deep red hues and dim lights.  The best part was the library wall- complete with shelves lined with old hard-cover books-which was really a trap door leading to the clandestine back room.  The secret space took us back a decade to Liquid’s “Situation Room” where we spent many a night welcoming the sunrise- dancing to Old School Michael Jackson and Earth Wind and Fire.  We enjoyed the same type of music in the back room of FDR- which some partygoers dubbed- the “Harry Potter room.”     Read the rest of this entry »

Tracy Wilson Mourning with beautiful Honey Bugs

We were thrilled to see the joy on the faces of the” Honey Bugs” as they rushed to greet the gorgeous Tracy Wilson Mourning upon her arrival at the Asian-themed 10th Annual Hats Off luncheon on Tuesday, May 8, at Jungle Island, to benefit the Honey Shine Mentoring Program, a program which she founded to provide support and guidance to hundreds of girls (Honey Bugs) in the community.

Tracy was joined by her husband, NBA Champion Alonzo Mourning, who graciously mingled and took photos with admiring fans before giving an inspiring speech in which he lauded his wife and encouraged continued support of Honey Shine. When Tracy took the stage, she shared that 15 of the Honey Bugs have successfully graduated and gone on to higher education thanks to funds raised through Hats Off. “The luncheon was amazing. Our Honey Bugs were glowing and the community support was stellar”, said Tracy.

Honey Shine Members and Co-chairs Cathy Blank and Monisha Melwani helped lead the effort, resulting in a successful silent auction and Camp Honey Shine appeal. Between the Membership program, ticket sales, auction, and appeal, $250,000 was raised for the program. Special recognition was given to Steering Committee Member of the Year, Ayana Rodriguez, and Honey Bug of the Year, Jasmine Thompson, who was selected for her overall achievements in the program. To add, two outstanding role models, Tahiese Beckford and Jonaura Wisdom, were honored with the Mentor of the Year Award.

The highlight of the afternoon was the Honey Bug showcase, where the girls showed off their talents by singing, dancing and walking the runway to model fashions provided by GAP, Aleren, Bloomingdale’s Aventura, Manisha Patel and MIA Shoes.

To join the Honey Shine program or to make a donation, visit HONEYSHINE.org.

“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 »

More than 500 women and a few good men gathered on Tuesday, as Tracy Wilson Mourning hosted the 7th Annual Hats off Luncheon at Jungle Island in support of the Honey Shine Mentoring Program, which funds bi-monthly workshops and a four-week summer day camp for 100 at- risk girls. Well-heeled socialites, including Lisa Pliner, DJ Kerr, Jennifer Postrel, Marisa Toccin, Merle Weiss, Heather Davis, Jennifer Boin, Nancy and Lana Bernstein, Daisy A. Casuso and Mari Alarcon-Grimalt, and Jackie Nespral (who served as mc) would have made Minnie Pearle proud by sporting their favorite fedoras, bonnets, panama hats and sombreros at one of the most exciting luncheons of the year. One guest wore a hand-made straw hat decorated with a real garden, butterflies and all!