Thursday, September 25, 2014

#ThankYouMiami for Fashion - Bloggers Give Back

With great power comes great responsibility and your Miami fashion bloggers take that to heart. In the next few days, we have banded together to bring two events that give back to the community. The first contributes to giving underprivileged students confidence through fashion. The second raises awareness to breast cancer by kicking off Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We have joined forces with local organizations to make these events a reality, but we need your support to make them a success. Read the excerpt from our latest #ThankYouMiami for Fashion column below and click on the photo to see the full event information.


What is your favorite way to give back? Will you be attending the events? If so, which? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami. When you see us, make sure to say hello. We love to meet our readers!
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Tuesday, September 23, 2014

#ThankYouMiami for a Thrilling History - The Tropical Atlantic City

Miami has a thrilling history as expertly documented by the Rakontur boys and as flamboyantly dramatized by Hollywood. On its way to becoming a world-class tourism destination, the Magic City has been as much a part of real estate booms, architectural movements, and musical revolutions as it has been a prominent HQ for the underworld. From the speakeasy origins of Tobacco Road to the Miami drug war, our city has seen bootlegging, corruption, organized crime, and drug-related violence. With its colorful past, you could argue that Miami once was the Atlantic City of the tropics.

When the Paul Fredrick team tapped us to create Boardwalk Empire-inspired outfits using items from their collection, we jumped at the invitation. We saw the opportunity as a unique outlet for highlighting Miami's historical similarities with the Prohibition era in Atlantic City through style. So we put on our historian hats, referenced the pillars of Miami style, perused through Paul Fredrick's polished menswear options, and curated male and female looks that give a nod to Miami's dark past.

The Paul Fredrick 100% Wool Two-Button Notch Lapel Suit, while better suited for cooler climates, immediately caught our eye. The suit's make, fit, and light tones scream Miami luxury. Paired with a light blue or white dress shirt, the ensemble proves an irresistible combination ideal for the modern Miami man, but would look just as fitting on Nucky Thompson. Better yet, it pairs perfectly with this sexy Proenza Schouler's Black and Off White Fringe Basket Weave Raceback Long dress so you and your S.O. can both step out in style and make your own mark in the exhilarating Miami story.


What is your favorite period in Miami history? What is your favorite role that Miami has played in global history? Do you like the style of the Prohibition era? Do you watch Boardwalk Empire? What is your favorite piece from Paul Fredrick's Fall collection? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!
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Monday, September 22, 2014

#ThankYouMiami for Cultural Exposure - Downtown Bistro Miami


Somewhere in the midst of the cultural melting pot that is Miami is a large community of French expats that calls our beautiful city home. We have caught glimpses of its members - a coup d'oeil here, a coup d'oeil there - but we rarely get to bask in the sophisticated glory of French culture. Sometimes, out of desperation to regain our quickly loosening grasp of the French language, we sit on the fountain outside Ladurée on Lincoln and wait for a francophone with whom to chat. Alas, the days when Miami's French locals used to frequent this area are long gone. Since the crêperie closed its doors, they have been replaced by bloggers hoping for picturesque Instagrams of macarons and Lincoln Road visitors with a taste for the sweeter, finer things in life - most of which, to our dismay, can't even pronounce Ladurée.

Fortunately, deep in the heart of Miami's downtown, a beacon of hope has appeared: Downtown Bistro Miami. The self-proclaimed purveyor of French fusion food arrived to Miami earlier this year when France's recent export, Ilona, and her husband Jonathan fulfilled their dream of owning a restaurant in the up-and-coming Financial District. Since they opened their doors, they have received glowing Yelp reviews for their lunch and brunch menus (think classic French bistro options like baguette-based sandwiches) and for their excellent service. We recently had the opportunity to taste their lesser-known dinner menu, which is currently only available Wednesday through Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Our visit to Downtown Bistro Miami was the Miami French experience for which we have been yearning. Consistent with French culture, the twelve-course dinner was a celebration of cooking and eating. The meal was long; the food was rich and delicious; and, the wine was free-flowing. Best of all, we got to dust off our French while eavesdropping on some of the staff's conversations. Our evening at Downtown Bistro Miami was reminiscent of the dinners we used to enjoy during that pre-college summer we spent in Provence. Join us in our culinary reverie courtesy of our favorite food snapshots from the night. Bon appetit!
 
Carpaccio de poulpe, tomates sautées et vinaigrete tropical // Octopus carpaccio with sautéed cherry tomatoes and lemon passionfruit vinaigrette
Escargots à la crème // Snails in a heavenly cream sauce

Le steak tartare au couteau // Raw filet mignon cut by hand, capers, onions, anchovies, dijon mustard and a quail egg
Médaillon de chèvre frit sur potiron et roquette avec senteurs de truffe // Fried goat cheese medallion on pumpkin purree, arugula and truffle oil
Caprese de pastèque tiède avec mozzarella de buffalo, huile de truffe et miette de prosciutto croquant // Warm watermelon and buffalo mozzarella caprese, truffle oil, and crispy prosciutto crumbs
Ravioli de short rib, sauce quatre fromage, gambas pochées et asperges // Short rib ravioli with four cheese sauce, poached shrimp and asparagus
Variation de desserts // Chocolate mousse, raspberry tartalette, crème brûlée and fried Oreo

To which culture(s) do you like to be exposed? What culture did you first discover in Miami? What is your favorite part of your culture that you like to share? What language did you take in school that you now forgot? What is your favorite classic French dish? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!
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Sunday, September 21, 2014

#ThankYouMiami for Miami Beach - Photo Contest

Do you love Miami Beach as much as we do? Then today's your lucky day! The Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA) is holding a "Favorite Things about Miami Beach" Photo Contest and they want you to share your favorite places on Miami Beach for a chance to win amazing prizes!

Do you love to relax by a Miami Beach hotel pool on the sunny days?  Does it make you happy to indulge in a delicious Miami Beach restaurant? Is there a hidden Miami Beach gem that makes you smile? Take an original high resolution photo of your Miami Beach favorite, upload it to the MBVCA Facebook contest page, and email it to photocontestmiamibeach@miamibeachvca.com by 11:59 p.m. on September 30, 2014 to enter. 

The top ten photos with the most likes will be chosen as semi-finalists. Prizes include:
  • First place: $500 gift card
  • Second place: $250 gift card
  • Third place: An Apple iPad Mini
Only ten entires may be submitted per person. Open to legal U.S. residents 18 and older. For more information, please visit the MBVCA Photo Contest Page.

Here are some of our favorite Miami Beach snapshots from the #ThankYouMiami instagram page to help you get inspired:




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Thursday, September 18, 2014

#ThankYouMiami for Fashion - True Hair Miami

If you follow #ThankYouMiami on Instagram, you know we are low-maintenance types - as in no make-up and loose locks. We love to sleep so our morning routine involves our bed, not a beauty regimen. That said, we love to get pampered and prettified. Most recently, we challenged the True Hair Miami team to make us look fabulous but give us a natural, effortless look. Gustavo, their hair stylist, and Vanessa, their make-up artist, rose to the challenge beautifully. Read the excerpt from our latest #ThankYouMiami for Fashion column below and click on the photo to see the full feature.


Have you visited True Hair Miami Salon? What do you think? What are your go-to beauty or hair products? Do you have a long beauty routine? Who do you trust to get you ready for an event or special occasion? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!
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Monday, September 15, 2014

#ThankYouMiami for New Experiences - A Day at the Races


Miami life is constantly begging for our attention. There is so much to do at any given moment that our social calendars can border on a "Honey Do" list. It is ironic, then, that Miami-ans can still suffer from occasional boredom. A boredom caused partially by an overwhelming amount of social stimuli and partially by a monotonous routine. Today, we help you sort through the social white noise and fight boredom by sharing with you an experience that breaks our norm: horse racing.

We do not consider ourselves horse people or gamblers, but we are fans of new experiences. So, without any prior knowledge of the sport, we joined America's Best Racing for a day at Gulfstream Park's thoroughbred race track. Our biggest surprise was learning that there is a large horse racing community in Miami that gathers from Thursday through Sunday at Gulfstream Park. But don't be intimidated by the regulars - most are welcoming of new fans. Plus, thanks to America's Best Racing, we picked up 5 tips so you can also join in on the fun:

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Monday, September 8, 2014

#ThankYouMiami for Fashion - A Jetsetter's Guide to Chic Travel

The #ThankYouMiami team is gearing up for four months of travel around the U.S. so we are ruffling through our closet picking out the clothes that will make it into our suitcases and that will get us through roadtrips, plane trips, and everywhere in between. Dressing for travel can and should be chic, so we put together one outfit that exemplifies everything we look for in a travel outfit to inspire you. Read the excerpt from our latest #ThankYouMiami for Fashion column below and click on the photo to see the full feature.


Will you be traveling before the holidays? Where will you be going? If not, where would you like to go? What are your go-tos for a travel outfit? How do you achieve a comfortable and versatile look? What are you favorite trends of the moment? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!
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Wednesday, September 3, 2014

#ThankYouMiami for Dining Experiences - La Boca House


In Miami, meals are better defined as dining experiences. Eating is as much about delicious food as it is about enjoying great music, a killer vibe, and good company. Last night's media tasting at La Boca House in Brickell was overflowing with all four. We look forward to eating our way through La Boca House's full menu after their September 12th grand opening!

We started the evening by making new friends with other attendees over a cold mason jar of Floridian, a craft brew from south Florida brewing company Funky Buddha. When the lights dimmed, our newly formed media family gathered around the table for eight dishes inspired by so many cultures and ingredients it kept us on our toes all night. The lively chatter at the table oscilliated between compliments on the superb musical selection to in-depth discussions about local social issues. La Boca House's ambiance made the experience of dining with strangers easy and enjoyable - like sharing a meal with old friends. We shared our Miami stories, fawned over the food, and laughed our way out of awkward moments.

At the end of the night, pleasantly satisfied, we reluctantly rolled each other out of the restaurant. Lucky for you, we did not leave without documenting our favorite dishes and drinks for all of posterity! Check them out below. A huge thank you to La Boca House's amazing staff and to our new Miami friends for a night well spent!

#ThankYouMiami Must-Have: Tuna Nachos. Tortilla chips fried to order covered in layers of fresh tuna, house guac, seaweed salad, black olives, capers, ginger slices, and a dollop of sour cream.
Coconut-And-Lime Beef and Chicken Skewers. Grilled tender beef and chicken marinated in coconut milk and lime juice, skewered with okra, and served with our house BBQ-Ketchup sauce.
#ThankYouMiami Must-Have: Miami Mac Don Bowl. Stove top avocado mac and cheese with house-made pepper jack cheese sauce and cilantro.
Red Tagliolinni. Red tagliolinni pasta in a cream sauce, topped with smoked salmon, lime, and caviar.
The House Burger and Blue Cheese Fries. 8 oz. of grilled Kobe beef with brie cheese, cucumber, pepper, caramelized onions, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, and truffle mayonnaise.
Lamb Shank. Oven-cooked lamb shank in a red wine sauce and a bed of creamy saffron risotto.
Triple Shot. Your choice of a shot glass of Hennessy, Grand Marnier, and Carmel Liquor served with moist marble cake, topped with a scoop of french vanilla ice cream.
#ThankYouMiami Must-Have: Caramelized Crepe. Thin crepe over a layer of caramelized and flambée rum bananas and green apples, topped with a scoop of french vanilla ice cream.

What is your favorite neighborhood to visit for a great meal? What is your favorite Brickell restaurant? Which dish from La Boca House are you most excited to try? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!
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