#ThankYouMiami for #Foodie Friends

Last week Miami's tourism season culminated in a whirlwind of people, events and mischief so it was a rough one for us at #ThankYouMiami HQ. Thankfully Mitch from popular Miami food blog Mitch and Mel Take Miami gave us an excuse for a hump day happy hour. We joined him on Wednesday to drink, eat, and answer 15 questions for their blog's monthly #Foodie Friends feature. Over a delicious blackberry Marg, we shared our thoughts on a wide range of topics, including Miami, food, travel, hobbies, and happiness. Read the excerpt below and click on the photo for the full feature!

If you could ask us one question, what would it be? What did you think of our answers? Do you agree? Disagree? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for Authentic Miami Gifts

Whether you're a Miami resident or you're in Miami on vacation, you are one lucky son of a gun. Everyone you know is peppered around the globe in a place that is likely boring and/or freezing and here you are in our sunny shores having the time of you life. So, when it comes time to go home or to visit your friends abroad, it is only fair that you come home with amazing gifts that give your friends a taste of paradise.

If the word souvenirs immediately made you think of neon "I'm in Miami B..." t-shirts and other tacky gifts, you're not alone. On the surface, Miami souvenirs are cheap, tasteless, and covered in neon. But, if you put some brain power into it, you will find authentic Miami souvenirs that don't suck. We shared four of our favorites with Localeur. Read the excerpt below and click on the photo for the full feature.

Which of the four places will you visit next time you need a Miami souvenir? What place that was not mentioned do you like to visit for Miami keepsakes? What do you get there? What other recommendations would you like us to share through Localeur? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for Themed Weeks - Miami Music Week 2015

Miami is in the peak of tourism season right now so naturally everything here is absolutely insane: the traffic, the people, the amount of activities going on at once and, as a result, our schedules. This week in particular has been a whirlwind of chaos, which explains why we are a day late in talking about the topic du jour: Miami Music Week. The internationally anticipated celebration of electronic music began unleashing its heavy bass and sick beats yesterday and, according to social media, the energetic masses are raging harder than ever before.

This year we're choosing where we spend our energy carefully so we've been keeping a watchful eye on the announcements and marquees. Here are the three events we are most looking forward to this year:

What: Winter Music Conference at the Deauville Beach Resort

When: Tuesday, March 24 through Saturday, March 28

Where: 6701 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

Why: As Miami Beach celebrates its first hundred years, there is no better place than this historic Miami Beach hotel to throw the 30th Annual Winter Music Conference (WMC). As the official WMC host, the Deauville will welcome some of our favorite EDM heavy hitters (i.e., Hardwell, Martin Garrix, Steve Aoki). Additionally, for the first time, the host hotel will bridge WMC's business and party worlds by not only holding pool parties and DJ spin-offs, but also exhibits of the music industry's newest technology and the International Dance Music Awards. For WMC tickets and more information, please visit http://wintermusicconference.com/.

What: Miami Music Week at Basement Miami

When: Tuesday, March 24 through Sunday, March 29

Where: 2901 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

Why: Ian Schrager's Basement Miami, in partnership with THUMP, is kicking off its first Miami Music Week with a stellar line-up. We are particularly psyched for the weekend sets featuring Questlove, DZA, and Dennis Ferrer. On its closing night, Basement Miami promises the appearance of a very special guest. If their track record is any indication, we anticipate the caliber of this special guest to be worth the gamble. For tickets and more information, please visit http://basementmiami.com/events.

What: Miami Music Week at Mansion Miami

When: Tuesday, March 24 through Sunday, March 29

Where: 1235 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach

Why: Since we left college, we rarely make appearances at Mansion. However, every once in a while, they surprise us with a killer event or headliner that we just cannot miss. This year's Miami Music Week line-up includes Armin Van Buuren, Fedde Le Grand, Martin Garrix, and Nicky Romero so we're dusting off our tightest bandage dress and heading to Mansion. For tickets and more information, please visit http://www.mansionmiami.com/dev/.

Which Miami Music Week events are you most looking forward to? Will you be attending any of these events? Who are you most excited to see perform? If Miami Music Week is not for you, what do you plan to do instead? Leave a comment below or send me a tweet @ThankYouMiami.

#ThankYouMiami for Supporting Local Talent - A Blank Canvas

Miami has a new up-and-coming cultural epicenter: the Miami Arts and Entertainment District or A&E District. Since its recent inception, the developing neighborhood has hit the ground running with a constant stream of arts, music, and nightlife programming that put our packed social calendars to shame. This past weekend, the A&E District hosted an event called "A Blank Canvas", a 90-minute art battle produced by Miami's Independent Thinkers (MIT). We stopped by in our Perrier capacity to cover the scene and snap some photos of Miami's killer style.

The event was fun, engaging, and made us proud to be Miami locals. On par with the A&E District and MIT's missions, "A Blank Canvas" promoted local artists and banded the Miami community together to choose the battle champion. And, Miami's artists really stepped up to the plate. Everyone from DJ Patrick Walsh and MC Komakozie to the four competing artists absolutely killed it. A special congratulations to Jenny Perez who the crowd crowned as the night's winning artist. Read the excerpt and click on the photo for the full Perrier feature.

Where you at "A Blank Canvas"? Who was your favorite artists? What other A&E District events have you attended? What did you like about those events? What other Miami neighborhoods do you like to frequent? What do you enjoy doing there? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet?

#ThankYouMiami for Fashion - Coral Gables Fashion Week

Alert the media: yesterday we left the beach! Our destination? Coral Gables for the first ever Coral Gables Fashion Week. The journey was rough (we sat in traffic for almost two hours), but well worth it. We spent the evening drinking bubbly, eating delicious sweets, and shopping our way through Miracle Mile. We even took a pit stop at Swine Southern for a drink with our non-Miami Beach resident friends.

Tonight was only the first night so read the excerpt below and click on the photo for our latest #ThankYouMiami for Fashion column in which we share everything you need to know to seize the last two days of Coral Gables Fashion Week. Happy shopping!

Did you participate in tonight's Coral Gables Fashion Week events? Which events did you attend? What was your favorite part of the event? What great deals did you discover? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for Fashion Luminaries - Valérie Engel

Last month we 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 second assignment, we interviewed fellow Miami enthusiast and owner of South of Fifth boutique Roses and Dreams, Valérie Engel. Valérie's story is a case study of how following your dreams, no matter how big, can really pay off. 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 Valérie? 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 Music, Food, and Culture - Calle Ocho Festival

 

Every March, Miami gathers to celebrate music, food, and culture during Carnaval Miami. The nearly month-long celebration culminates with a one-day street festival along Miami’s famed Calle Ocho, or SW 8^th Street, that draws thousands of locals and visitors. During the Calle Ocho Festival, the main street is lined with vendors and the side streets are converted into concert venues. Even though the focus is primarily on the Little Havana neighborhood’s Cuban roots, the Calle Ocho Festival is an annual tradition for Miami locals regardless of their cultural background.

This past weekend, true to form, the 38th Annual Calle Ocho Festival delivered nearly 20 blocks of Miami-style music, dancing, and flat-out fun. Thanks to Telemundo51 we got a chance to catch the backstage action at one of the hottest stages. We also joined the crowds on the streets, where Miami's locals redefined street style by proudly displaying their heritage on and with their garments, and engaged in some serious people watching. From flags to typical dresses, the Miami community’s diversity and vibrant culture were on full display.

If you missed this year's Calle Ocho Festival, check out the photos we snapped throughout the day so you can absorb some of Miami's incomparable spirit. ¡Nos vemos el próximo año, meng!

Photo courtesy of Sandi Abbott

#ThankYouMiami for Fashion - How to Rocksbox Miami Style

If you've been following us for a while, you know we love white clothes but that you rarely see us wear the same white piece more than a handful of times. That's because we have a penchant for irreversibly staining our white clothes with coffee, sauce, grease, pen, and every other possible staining agent under the sun. But white clothes are a Miami clothing staple so we keep buying them and, as recently as last week, we picked up four new white pieces for our wardrobe from Forever 21.

We styled two of our new finds with this month's Rocksbox jewelry haul for today's #ThankYouMiami for Fashion post. Read the excerpt below and click on the photo for the full feature of the date night look. P.S. We sported this outfit to dinner at Macchialina - because what fun is owning white clothes if you don't take them to an Italian restaurant where everything can stain them?

Would you wear this look? How would you accessorize it? Do you like to wear white? How do you keep your whites clean? How do you clean your stained whites? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for Drinks On Drinks - Cecconi's Thursday Funday

One day Cecconi's Miami said "#ThursdayIsTheNewFriday" and we were like: "That's a concept we can get behind!" In fact, practically all of Miami supports the idea that Friday happy hour doesn't have a monopoly on week night fun. So there we were sitting at their bar after work elbow-deep in a $7 negroni, loving life and devising a plan to keep this amazing new happy hour a secret. Alas, a heavy-handed pour of gin clouded our better judgement and here we are about to share with you the secrets of our latest happy hour find.

The idea is beautiful in its simplicity. From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, Cecconi's offers food and drinks priced between $4 and $7. And, on select Thursdays, the deal is sweetened for Thursday Funday with live jazz, complimentary Estrella Damm, and complimentary truffle arancini served off of Chef Sergio's Aperitivo menu. Read on for more details and for photos from our Thursday Funday evening at Cecconi's bar.

#ThankYouMiami for Being The Cruise Capital of the World

Guys, it happened again! We've been tapped to guide the curious minds that visit our sunny shores - this time, for Cruise Port Advisor. In our new role, we will act as the personal Miami insider for cruise aficionados who are leaving or returning from a cruise through PortMiami. And, since we're considered the Cruise Capital of the World, that is a lot of people who are depending on us to share the best in food, shopping, attractions, and nightlife that our beautiful city has to offer. Whether our new audience is looking to get the most out of a layover or an extended vacation, we look forward to helping them make the most of our visit. Read the excerpt below and follow the link to read about our exciting new experience!

What recommendations do you have for people visiting on their way to or from a cruise? What great Miami attractions can we use to entice those passing through to extend their visit? Is there anything else you would like to see us cover in our new capacity? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for Speakeasy Bars

Miami is a city where people come to let loose. Fortunately for our visitors, no one knows them so no one remembers their indiscretions. Unfortunately for Miami locals, Miami is a small town where everybody knows everybody and the rumor mill never forgets. That's why, for us, speakeasy bars hold a special kind of allure. For starters, they're hidden which means the chances of running into your boss, your tía, or your cousin who always tells on you are in your favor. Furthermore, their ambiance, with its low lights and little nooks, acts as a catch-all for privacy.

Recently, Perrier asked us to scour Miami for the speakeasy-style bars that capture the essence of their recently launched Tumblr, District Perrier. We compiled a list of our favorite 8 hidden spots to disappear on weekends and grab a drink. Our options range from laidback to upscale so you are bound to spy a place that appeals to you. The real challenge will be to find them. Bon chance!

Which of the speakeasies on our list are you most excited to visit? Which one(s) have you visited before? Are there any other spots you would have liked to see on our list? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for Changes - 723 Lincoln Lane

Miami is in a constant state of transition. Most recently, Lincoln Road has become a case study of that transition as quirky shops with local flare are replaced by designer stores and international brands. The air of change is blowing hardest right now along the 700 block of Lincoln Road where Aldo, Spris, and their neighbors are engulfed by construction fencing, awaiting a more modern exterior. And, while it is easy to get nostalgic at the face of all these changes, it is exciting to recognize that they are indicative of our city's growth - in this case, the growth of Lincoln Road into a modern, chic shopping destination.

Last week, Florida commercial real estate firm Terranova Corporation, who is behind the changes on the 700 block of Lincoln Road, unveiled yet another plan for the Lincoln Road area: the reconstruction of 723 Lincoln Lane. The modern building concept will create room for five new tenants out of the currently vacant building. More importantly, it will activate Lincoln Lane by bringing traffic to the infrequently used alley by placing the unit entrances along this stretch of road.

Terranova Corporation, in partnership with Vida and Estilo Restaurant Group, fêted the upcoming construction of the building with a block party on Lincoln Lane (see photos below). The event gave attendees an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the block and to celebrate its future as part of Lincoln Road's shopping legacy. Armed with a croquetica in one hand and a mojito in the other, we seized the chance to reminisce about the building's colorful past - from the pharmacy that once called it home to the H&M and GAP pop-ups transitioned both brands into Lincoln Road power players. But as a wise being once said, "Don't look back with regret. Look forward with hope."

The proposed building concept as seen from the SW corner of Meridian Avenue and Lincoln Lane.

What other changes do you see happening in Miami? Tell us about them. Where are they happening? What is the catalyst for that transition? What do you remember about the past of that area? What do you most look forward to about those changes? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThanYouMiami Visitor How-To: What to See, Hear, Eat & Do in Miami

Miami is the ultimate travel destination and this week, in honor of #305Day, we had the opportunity to share our Miami love with the Fierce Society community. Specifically, we shared with prospective visitors what they can see, hear, eat, and do while they're in our beautiful city. From the vibrant murals of Wynwood to the sandy, white beaches of Miami Beach, they have no excuse not to visit Miami. Read the excerpt below and click on the photo for the full feature.

What tourist attractions do you recommend to your friends and family during their visit? What other recommendations to see, hear, eat, and do would you like to see us include in a future list? What other topics would you like to see covered on Fierce Society? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for Connecting Our Entrepreneurs - Fierce Society

2015 in Miami is all about finding creative ways to connect socially, professionally, and artistically. And, Miami-based entrepreneurs Leigha Pitard and Geraldine "Gigi" Sanon are here to help us do just that. This year, Pitard and Sanon launched FierceSociety.com, a social platform that is shifting the way people approach media and networking by connecting emerging entrepreneurs with industry professionals; by providing them with business development opportunities; and, by giving them with an avenue to promote their personal and professional brands.

Attracting a digital engagement of over 500,000 millenials, FierceSociety.com delivers unique, innovative coverage on entertainment, fashion, beauty, culture, lifestyle, business, celebrities, health, and fitness. However, being a member of the FierceSociety.com means so much more. "We want to provide individuals with the resources to create, maintain, and sustain a successful business," said Sanon. "We believe that when like-minded individuals are brought together into an engaging atmosphere, amazing things can flourish."

As a member you can create and share your personal blog; network and collaborate with community members; join niche groups with similar interests; and, share photos and inspiration. The vast resource center and the user friendly "Fierce Forum" also allow members to share and find out about professional opportunities, develop a business, and create campaigns to expand their business.

Becoming an member of FierceSociety.com is free and takes less than two minutes. It's as easy as signing up, adding some profile information, and uploading a profile picture. So, what are you waiting for? Check out FierceSociety.com and start connecting with other Fierce entrepreneurs in Miami and beyond! You can also follow the Fierce community on Instagram.

Fierce Society Co-Founder Leigha Pitard

Fierce Society Co-Founder Geraldine "GiGi" Sanon

What feature of Fierce Society are you most interested in checking out? What other amenities would you like to see on Fierce Society to connect you with fellow entrepreneurs? How else do you stay connected as a Miami entrepreneur? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for Authentic Taquerias

We love Miami's cultural diversity. When we first moved here from Mexico City, it was easy for us to communicate because everyone speaks Spanish. Every day since, the local availability of Mexican food and culture have made this city a true home away from home.

More recently, taco and tequila spots have been multiplying like bunnies in Miami. And, while we're fans of the trend, we are even bigger fans of those places that have managed to provide Mexican authenticity while appealing to the American masses. This week, new #ThankYouMiami contributor Brad Wells shares with Localeur and us four of Miami's awesomely authentic taquerias so you can join us in relishing the flavors of our home country. Read the excerpt below and click on the image to see the full list!

Have you been to any of the four taco places on Brad's list? Which one is your favorite? What other awesomely authentic taquerias would you have liked to see on this list? What other Localeur recommendations would you like to see the #ThankYouMiami team put together for you? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for Fashion - In Denim Jumpsuits We Trust

If you've been wondering where our #ThankYouMiami for Fashion posts have been for the past two weeks, they've been simmering within us as incoherent thoughts. Fortunately, those thoughts have formulated into an intelligible, albeit fanatical, love letter to denim that we are proud to call our latest post. Read the excerpt below and click on the image for the full article featuring pieces from G-Star RAW's latest women's collection available at their Lincoln Road store.

Which of the three jumpsuits would you wear? What would you pair it with? What other pieces from G-Star RAW's latest collection do you love? What other trends are you currently obsessing over? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!