Get to Know the Founder of #ThankYouMiami

Each week we share with you information, stories, and quirks about life in Miami, but we rarely share details of our story. Recently our founder Margarita Wells had the opportunity to interview and be interviewed by a fellow Localeur from New York City as part of the company's series "Getting to Know Our Localeurs". Read the excerpt below and click on the photo to learn more about Margarita, what she loves about Miami, her favorite tourist-free spot, and how she envisions the perfect Saturday in Miami.

Do you have any questions for Margarita? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami! You can also Ask #ThankYouMiami.

#ThankYouMiami for Art Luminaries - Alexander Mijares

Perrier recently relaunched their website in a Tumblr format as District Perrier. One of our first assignments for this new vision was to talk to a local influencer about their favorite spots in their "district". We immediately thought of Alexander Mijares because his art is incredible, his social media following is astronomical, and his lifestyle is enviable. He is also a great ambassador for Miami thanks to his Cuban heritage and the incredible success he has seen in his young art career. Read the excerpt below to learn why we love Mijares and click on the image for the list of his favorite eight Miami hangouts.

If you're around this weekend, stop by the Taste of Cuba Festival at the Hialeah Park Casino (100 East 32nd Street, Hialeah) to check out Mijares' newest series "Me Recuerdo". He is the featured artist for this fabulous festival that showcases Cuban culture to South Florida through art, music, food and spirits.

Have you heard of Alexander Mijares? What do you think about his work? Which of his 8 hangouts do you like most? Why? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami How-To: Keeping Warm Miami Style

Winter 2015 lasted a total of two days in Miami. "Irregardless" it was cold and we were ill prepared with our year-round summer wardrobes, which got us thinking: what are the best ways to keep warm in the 305? Turns out, for a city that is ever-warm, we actually have many options. From comfort food to hot beverages, we share our favorite four ways to keep warm in our latest Localeur recommendations. Click on the image below to see the full list and keep an eye on the #ThankYouMiami Localeur page for future recommendations!

Where do you go when you're looking for something warm? Have you been to any of our favorite four spots? Which one is your favorite? What do you get there? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami (Beach) for 100 Fabulous Years - Photo Contest

 
The City of Miami Beach is turning 100 years young this year. And, if you know anything about Miami, you already know that the celebration is going to be of epic proportions. After all, it's Miami, bro. 

The city's centennial events will celebrate its rich cultural and entertainment history with a 100-hour, non-stop historic festival beginning on Sunday, March 22. Associated festivities include a car show, a fashion show, a wedding for 100 couples, and (again, because it's Miami) a naturalization ceremony for 100 new U.S. citizens. The week will culminate in a beachside concert on March 26 featuring Miami-based headliners like Andrea Bocelli, Gloria Estefan and Flo Rida.

While all centennial events are free to the public, limited premium seats, ranging in price between $55 and $525, will be available for the March 26 concert. Miami Beach residents can purchase tickets at www.MiamiBeach100.com at a 10% discount (code: ResMB100) during a special 48-hour pre-sale from February 24 at 8 p.m. through February 26 at 7:50 p.m. Alternately, Miami Beach residents can pre-register to access a resident-only complimentary viewing area on a first-come, first-serve basis. Non-residents can purchase tickets through the centennial website starting Thursday, February 26 at 8 p.m.

In celebration of Miami Beach's 100th anniversary, the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA) is running a photo contest titled "Miami Beach: The Best 100 Years" until 11:59 p.m. on March 27. To enter, visit the MBVCA Facebook Photo Contest page, share an original photo you've taken of the city, and tell us how it signifies why you love Miami Beach. You must email a high resolution version of the photo to photocontestmiamibeach@miamibeachvca.com to be eligible.

#ThankYouMiami for Fashion Luminaries - Angeles Almuna

We recently signed on to become contributing writers for The New Tropic, a forum by Miami-ans that uses journalism and events to help locals connect with our beautiful city. For our first assignment, we had the honor of interviewing our friend and fellow Miami fashion blogger, Angeles Almuna. Angeles' story is a case study of the American dream coming true: she is working hard toward her dream and is seeing results. We hope that you are as inspired by her journey as we are. To read her fashion spotlight, read the excerpt below and click on the photo for the full feature.

What inspires you most about Angeles? What Miami fashion luminaries would you like to see featured in future iterations of The New Tropic's Miami Fashion Spotlight? What other topics would you like to see us cover for The New Tropic? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for New York's Cocktail Ninja

A few weeks ago we celebrated Miami's burgeoning cocktail culture and talked about Reyka's visit to Miami in #ThankYouMiami for Cocktail Know-How. Today we share with you more about Reyka ambassador and New York's Cocktail Ninja, Trevor Schneider. He sat down with us, in our Perrier capacity, to talk about his unique nickname, his acting-influenced hospitality career, and the current state of cocktail culture in the U.S. Read the excerpt below and click on the photo for the full feature.

What is your favorite aspect of Miami's cocktail culture? What is your go-to cocktail of the moment? What is the one ingredient you want to see more in handcrafted cocktails? What is a cocktail trend you want to see more of this year? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for New Relationships

Everyone we know says Miami is a difficult place to fall in love, but we have a more positive outlook. After all, my husband and I met in Miami - in a parking garage of all places - and we have been inseparable ever since. But, if we found each other here, surely everyone else can find their perfect match among Miami's diverse community, no?

Despite our success story, we understand the nature of our social scene makes it difficult to forge quality relationships. From sorting through the superficial and down-right slimy personalities you can meet at nightclubs to discovering that the hot guy you've been ogling is not into girls, pimpin' ain't easy in Miami. The quest for love can be absolutely exhausting in the 305 and, if you're shy, forget about it!

Whether this Valentine's Day left you wanting more or you've always been discouraged by Miami's dating options, we're here to share our secret to tackling the local single scene. Read the excerpt below and click on the photo for the full feature.

Have you tried Meetbowls? What is your secret for dating in Miami? Where is your go-to place for meeting new people? What is your favorite place to go on a date? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for Fashion - West Coast Roadtrippin'

This week, our #ThankYouMiami for Fashion column for SoulOfMiami.org is a little bit fashion, a little bit travel as we recount our recent road trip through the west coast of Florida. Read the excerpt below and click on the photo to discover where we visit, ate and, more importantly, what we wore.

#ThankYouMiami for Spreading Culture, Music & Love - 9 Mile Music Festival

Miami is all about celebrating cultures and Jamaica is stepping into the spotlight this weekend for a one-day celebration of the country's culture, music, and love for all man-kind. On Saturday, the 22nd Annual 9 Mile Music Festival will take over the Miami-Dade County Fairgrounds with arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, and a line-up of incredible reggae artists, including Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Julian Marley, SOJA, and Capelton. This year's event will also showcase Jamaican cuisine during an invitation-only foodie focus and festival preview with Chef Donovan Thompson.

Cedella Marley-Booker is the brains and heart behind the 9 Mile Music Festival which she named after the Jamaican mountain village where she was born and gave birth to her son, the late Bob Marley. The event honors Bob Marley's legacy by spreading the Jamaican culture and music that he loved and came to represent. Furthermore, the event nudges attendees to give back to their community by requiring that they present four canned goods at the entrance with their admission ticket. The food collected will be donated to Curley's House, a local food bank that aids needy families in Miami-Dade County.

If you love reggae and Miami as much as we do, there is no better way to spend Valentine's Day than listening to music and showing your love for your city. We hope you will join us for good vibes at the 9 Mile Music Festival. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the 9 Mile Music Festival website.

#ThankYouMiami How-To: Valentine's Day à la 305

 

Ring the alarm! Valentine's Day is right around the corner and, if you're like us, your preparations are running on Miami time. To help you make magic happen al estilo Miami, we've sorted through a myriad of Valentine's Day date options to bring you the five that best channel our city's glamour, decadence, and pizzazz. Dale!

1. Brunch: The District Miami

190 NE 46 Street, Design District

We are absolutely loving that Valentine's Day falls on a Saturday because nothing is more Miami than celebrating over brunch. This brunch caught our eye because it includes holiday themed drinks, entrees, appetizers, and desserts. More importantly, there will be puppies! Brace yourselves, gentlemen. The District, in partnership with the Humane Society of Greater Miami, will have pets on-site for adoption and playtime from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you're not ready to adopt, you can donate $15 to the Humane Society and receive a complimentary Champagne Fresca or dessert. For reservations, call (305) 573-4199.

2. Cooking At Home: Chef Adrianne Calvo's "Play With Fire"

Miami's very own Chef Adrianne Calvo is bringing the heat this Valentine's Day with the February 12th launch of her new book "Play With Fire". The book, which is a collaboration between Chef Calvo and boudoir photographer Alain Martinez, features a combination of provocative visuals and exquisite recipes to stimulate your senses. If you're looking for a very Miami and muy caliente Valentine's Day date that you can execute from home, let her book be your guide.

3. Seven-Course Tasting Menu: Casabe 305 Bistro

1762 Coral Way, Shenandoah

This option is a "SO Miami" triple threat, starting with the Latin American-inspired fare for which Casabe 305 Bistro is known. Also à la 305 is the over-the-top tasting menu with its seven courses and dishes like lobster bouillabaisse. The $150 Lovebirds Special ends with another Miami bang thanks to the brie and guava puff pastry - pastelitos de guayaba, anyone? For reservations, call (305) 302-5160.

4. Valentine's Day Cruise Package: VanDutch & SEASPICE

422 NW North River Drive, Miami

If you're looking to elicit a "WOW!" from your date, then a yacht and exquisite dinner is exactly what you need. For $5,000, you and your date will be picked up by one of VanDutch's 40-foot luxury vessels and chartered to SEASPICE while you enjoy chilled champagne and the beautiful Miami night. At SEASPICE you will be treated to a five-course menu of aphrodisiac delights paired with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot rosé. Everything about this package is Miami romance perfection. For reservations, call (305) 440-4200.

5. Dessert and a Night Cap: Serendipity 3

1102 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach

A proper Valentine’s Day date is not complete without a delicious dessert or night cap. Serendipity 3 offers both separately or in one. We recommend splitting the chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream sundae with chocolate dipped strawberries and hot fudge. Our mouths are also watering for the strawberry shortcake cocktail (featured above) which has cake vodka, hot chocolate powder, fresh strawberries, and a heart-shaped pound cake. For reservations, call (305) 403-2210.

What type of Valentine's Day experience do you have planned? Do you have any unique Valentine's Day ideas that are "SO Miami"? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiamiGoesToNewOrleans - 4 Remarkable Similarities Between the 504 and the 305

The city of brass bands, beignets, and bon temps is on fire. Recently, it seems like movies, businesses, and tourists are looking to New Orleans. Everyone we talk to brings it up in conversation and, with the start of their peak tourism season, the chatter is only bound to get louder.

In October 2014, we traveled to New Orleans to check out the competition and see if it lives up to the hype. Our findings? New Orleans is just as awesome as everyone makes it out to be. On a more surprising note, it is similar to Miami, which must be why we liked it so much. Here are four remarkable similarities between the 504 and the 305:

#ThankYouMiami for Cocktail Know-How

Miami does a lot of things right and no one is surprised that one of those things is cocktails. This week, Reyka Vodka came to Miami to show us how their brand fits into our burgeoning cocktail culture. They brought with them Trevor Schneider, also known as the New York's Cocktail Ninja, who vouched for Miami's cocktail savvy and praised places like The Broken Shaker for leading the charge. When we asked Trevor why he says #ThankYouMiami, he said "#ThankYouMiami for The Broken Shaker. These guys take a lot of pride in what they do, they are about their business and their fresh ingredients, and they have a nice, casual vibe."

Through their event Reyka Vodka not only proved they can throw a great party, but they also showed that they have a well-deserved place in our local mixology scene. Read the excerpt below and click on the photo to read the full Soul of Miami event recap.

What is your favorite aspect of Miami's cocktail culture? What is your go-to cocktail of the moment? What is the one ingredient you want to see more in handcrafted cocktails? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for The Best Spots to Go Fishing - Localeur

Miami is an amazing city. But, with everything it offers, it can be an overwhelming city for visitors who are unfamiliar with the area. Enter Localeur, an Austin-based company, whose mission is to help travelers get the inside scoop of where to eat, drink, and play on their website and app. Earlier this year Localeur tapped #ThankYouMiami to share our local expertise with their audience.

In our latest recommendation, we share Miami's four best spots to go fishing. So, whether you are a visitor looking for what to do in Miami or a local looking for a place to cast this weekend, click on the image below to discover your gateway to tropical and cold-water fish species. Also, make sure to keep an eye on the #ThankYouMiami Localeur page for future recommendations!

 

Where is your favorite place to go fishing in Miami? What type of fish have you caught there? What rod, hook, and bait did you use? Is there a spot you would have liked to see on our list? Is there a recommendation you would like to have us do next? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!