#ThankYouMiami Rounds Up This Week in Miami

Since the holidays we've been jet-setting so frequently we've started to feel slightly disconnected with Miami. Alas we spent the past week without travel seriously reconnecting with our beautiful hometown by skateboarding, biking or walking everywhere, hanging out with friends, and accepting every invitation under the sun. We were excited to see that Miami's state of affairs is as awesome in 2016 as it was at the end of 2015. In fact we were blown away by the caliber of events that our community has been throwing recently, particularly those of this past week. If you weren't in town, here's what you missed:

1. Rutte Distillery hosts Half Shell Hideaway at Sweet Liberty

On Sunday, February 21 Rutte Distillery hosted over 100 local influencers and industry leaders—including our social media friends Kevin Coster and his beautiful fiancée Victoria Sampaio—at their second Half Shell Hideaway brunch. The brunch, which was held at new Collins Park hangout Sweet Liberty is part of an on-going series of culinary and cocktail gatherings planned for this year. At the event, guests were treated to specialty Rutte cocktails, such as the "Salt & Sea" (Rutte's "Best of Show" Award Winning Celery Gin, Tío Pepe Fino Sherry, lemon juice, celery juice, simple syrup, basil leaf, egg white), paired with oysters and other brunch offerings. We can't wait for the next one!

2. Basement Miami Celebrates One Year of Jelly Wednesdays

On Wednesday, February 24 Basement Miami at The Miami Beach EDITION celebrated the one-year anniversary party of their renown Wednesday night party, Jelly, with bowling, skating, slushies, and old school hiphop. The already perfect night was made all the better by a special live performance from Miami's very own 2 Live Crew (the ones behind 1996's "Shake A Lil' Somethin'"). What a refreshing "So Miami" throwback.

3. NR Investment Fêtes Canvas Miami's Groundbreaking

Also on Wednesday NR Investments threw a killer party to celebrate the groundbreaking of Canvas Miami, the former site of some of the Arts + Entertainment District's best events including Yoga Soundscape and the Miami Flea series. In true A+E District style, the celebration centered around creating culture and community with a "Wishes Tree", a paper lantern release, and performances by Miami musicians Yoli Mayor and Xperimento. We've been following the A+E District since Day 1 so we're excited to see them through yet another incredible milestone. Congrats, guys!

Did you attend any awesome events this past week? Which? What did you enjoy most about them? The coming month is one of the busiest months of the year in Miami. What events are you most looking forward to attending? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

Images via World Red Eye

#ThankYouMiami for Unexpected "So Miami" Nights - STK Miami Lip Service Happy Hour

In the world's eyes Miami is about beaches, babes, bottle service, and overall badassery. Yes, we know that Miami is much more than that pero it is admittedly also about that and we ain't mad about it. (Honestly, there are worse—less fun—things to be known for than beaches, babes, bottle service, and badassery.) As jaded locals we don't usually seek out the "South Beach scene", which makes it all the more fun when it seeks us out and makes for an unanticipated good night like last Thursday at STK Miami's newly launched Lip Service Happy Hour.

ICYMI the modern steakhouse and lounge re-opened at The One Hotel last year after the Gansevoort sold and underwent a serious reno. (Bonus points if you remember from our Instagram that we showed up to the re-opening party looking like farmers in all denim looks, while everyone else was super South Beach in bandage dresses and jackets.) Now, as STK Miami gets ready to fête their one-year anniversary on March 10, they are building on the success of their Bubbles, Bites & Booze Happy Hour, which runs Monday through Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., to include an all-night happy hour on Thursdays called Lip Service.

The premise of Lip Service Thursdays is the same as their weekday happy hour—reduced prices on prosecco, select house wines, specialty cocktails, and bar bites in the bar/lounge area—with the added benefit of extended hours, $5 signature shots and, in our case, a random free round of shots for the entire restaurant while Miami's very own DJ YSL blasted songs about shots. (We're not kidding, check out the short video clip below!) The all-night happy hour menu was the perfect excuse to catch up with our friend Jamison over Cucumber Stilettos, Lil' BRGs with parmesan truffle fries, and some cheesy tots in memory of that one night during Miami Swim Week when we devoured an order with our Miami fashion blogger friends, Kelly Saks of Kelly's Kloset and Evelyn Torres of Brickellista Files. More importantly, it allowed us to indulge in a rare and unexpected "So Miami" night which we would have not otherwise sought out. Can we get a #ThankYouMiami?

#ThankYouMiami Fitness Picks: RedBike Studios Brickell

For over a year, ClassPass has been our fitness lifeline. After three straight years of aiming to run one mile per day, we experienced some serious exercise burnout and, therefore, excitedly welcomed the variety that a ClassPass membership offers. But, after trying what feels like every boutique studio from Miami Shores to Homestead, we are happy to have found a groove alternating between yoga, spinning, and Miami-style twerking (here's looking at you Vixen Workout).

One of the best finds from our first year with ClassPass is RedBike Studios. Our first RedBike experience was before a rare morning meeting in Brickell, which gave us an excuse to check out a ClassPass studio in the area. We were hooked as soon as the instructor explained that, at RedBike, you pedal to the beat of each song and adjust your resistance accordingly. Plus, she mentioned there would be "choreography", which turned out to be synchronized arm and ab sculpting bobs also delivered on beat. So, basically, RedBike turned out to be the best of spinning combined with the best of dancing—a party on a bike, if you will—and we've been obsessed ever since.

Our favorite instructor is Gabi. Our friend Vanessa clued us in to her killer 7 a.m. classes on Thursdays and, while we can rarely make it because Brickell is "so far", her class is our absolute favorite spin class in Miami. Accompanied by a healthy mix of Top 40, techno, and hip-hop songs, Gabi blends high resistance rides with high speed rides, which for us is the perfect combination. We also love that we always come out with a new favorite song, like Martin Garrix & Tiesto's "The Only Way Is Up" which we've had on repeat since we heard it in her class four months ago.

For those of you who prefer more of a high resistance class, we recommend going to RedBike founder Albert's classes. We have it on good authority that his "climb" is no joke. We took his class for the first time last night and our legs are still shaking, which is a great sign considering we're currently training for an upcoming week of skiing in Colorado. Whether you're training, like us, or you're looking to have fun while staying fit, RedBike Studios is watcha want. Oh, and pro tip, if you place your smoothie or bowl order before class, it will be waiting for you when you're finished. So much yes.

Have you been to RedBike? What did you like most? Who was your favorite instructor? What do you order at the smoothie bar? What are some of your other Miami fitness picks? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for Fashion: The Must-Have Travel Dress

Happy Friday! With the arrival of the long weekend comes another day of travel. We're headed to the winter tundra of the Catskill Mountains—wind chill is expected to reach a low of -50 degrees— in search of some quality ski time. If you're staying in Miami, enjoy the warmth and don't forget it's Valentine's Day weekend. (Here are our five "So Miami" Valentine's Day gift ideas in case you need some last minute inspiration.) For those of you traveling like us, this #ThankYouMiami for Fashion post is for you. Read the excerpt below and click on the photo for the full feature. Enjoy your weekend! xx

#ThankYouMiami for New Hangouts - The Tuck Room

Since the Venetian has been under construction, we have been avoiding the mainland like the plague—that is, until iPic Theaters and conjoined restaurant, The Tuck Room, opened up in North Miami Beach. (Let the record show that by "North Miami Beach" we mean the City of North Miami Beach, not Miami Beach's "North Beach" neighborhood.) Thanks to the re-directed traffic and other on-going construction, it can take up to 45 minutes to reach the Julia Tuttle and the MacArthur bridges from within the island. We're essentially trapped by traffic in South Beach. The benefit of iPic and The Tuck Room is that they're located in the new Intracoastal Mall, only one bridge west of Sunny Isles Beach. Technically, the Intracoastal Mall is the mainland but it is so close to the barrier islands that you can by-pass most traffic by taking A1A North all the way there. A traffic-free, stress-free outing in Miami? #winning!

We've already told you about the comfy and delicious iPic Theaters experience, but we yet hadn't had the chance to share with you the goodness that awaits next door in The Tuck Room. The Tuck Room is a magical land of food and drinks where the complimentary bar bites are comprised of liquid nitrogen popcorn that is as interesting to eat as to watch someone eat it. The à la carte appetizers vary greatly in origin—you can order a spicy tuna hand roll followed by some papas bravas—but they are similar in that each is our favorite dish from each type of cuisine represented in the menu.

By far the best part of The Tuck Room is the creativity behind their cocktail program. What else would you expect from a spot that has Adam Seger, dubbed the "A-List Mixologist" by Haute Living, as their Master Mixologist? There is an infinite number of drink possibilities, all fresh and easily customizable to impress even the most particular of cocktail afficionados. (We're talking about people like our Mother In Law who usually gets blank stares when she asksd for her scotch old fashioned with water instead of seltzer and splenda instead of sugar.) Plus, there are surprise elements you won't find anywhere else in Miami like a one-of-a-kind guarapo machine (that makes sugar cane juice for some of the best mojitos we've had), liquid nitrogen bottle service, and hand-crafted cocktails bottled just for you. If The Tuck Room's accesibility and delicious food still have you on the fence, their "garden-to-glass" cocktail program alone is worth the visit. Alas, a new hangout has officially made it onto our social repertoire.

Have you been to the new iPic Theater in North Miami Beach? To The Tuck Room? What did you like best about your visit? What food would you recommend? What drinks should we try next time we're there? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami How-To: 5 Ways to Woo Your Valentine Miami-Style

Time is passing by at hyper-speed. Can you believe 358 days have passed since we taught you how to make Valentine's Day magic happen à la 305? With Valentine's Day once again around the corner, we come to you with a fresh round of romantic date ideas so you can woo the object of your affection with suave, Miami-style moves (think Antonio Banderas with a Cuban twist). As always, we have a little something for everyone, no matter your relationship status, taste or budget because we love you AND we are in love with you, Miami. Happy Valentine's Day!

1. Book a romantic getaway.

We love to travel so it comes as no surprise that our ultimate Valentine's Day fantasy is to be whisked away on a trip somewhere exciting (you know, like in 50 Shades of Grey when Christian casually flies Anna to Aspen for a romantic weekend). We feel super lucky that our husband is whisking us away to Windham, New York where you will find us alternating between skiing and après-skiing all weekend.

If you want to join in on the jet-setting fun, Hope Lake Lodge in Finger Lakes is offering a Romantic Getaway stay package for couples that includes a two night stay, complimentary champagne with chocolate dipped strawberries, a couples spa treatment, as well as breakfast room service and dinner, each on the day of your choice. Alternately, you can road trip to Key West and take advantage of The Marker Resort's Mark Your Love package which includes chocolate covered strawberries and a bottle of red wine delivered to your room upon arrival.

2. Go shopping.

We have yet to meet a person that does not enjoy being showered with gifts. We have however met a ton of people who hate going shopping (ourselves included). That's why we love shopping at The Falls. Their lush landscaping and beautiful water features make you forget you're shopping, creating one of the best shopping experiences in Miami. So, whether you're picking up a gift or taking your significant other ("S.O.") on a shopping spree, it's a win-win for everyone.

If you're in need of gift inspiration, The Falls has a curated selection of Valentine's Day gift ideas at The Falls Guest Services Center that you can conveniently purchase at their resident retailers. They will also be hosting a Sip, Savor & Shop event on Thursday, February 11 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. during which you can enjoy complimentary cocktails, lite bites, music, special shopping experiences, and a silent auction benefiting the American Heart Association.

3. Share a delicious meal.

Miami is home to an expansive roster of great restaurants and there is no better excuse to cross some off your must-visit list than a special occasion. On Valentine's Day, some of South Florida's hottest restaurants, including Atrio, Bagatelle, Bazi, The Dutch, Marion, Seagrape, STK Miami, and TiramesU, will be offering prix-fixe menus and special a la carte menus perfect for exploring their culinary offerings. As they say, "the best way to a man's heart (and, frankly, a woman's heart) is through his stomach." Just don't forget to call ahead to make a reservation. 

If you want to up the ante before or after dinner, The Tuck Room in North Miami Beach is offering liquid nitrogen bottle service which includes a welcome toast of Francois Montand brut rosé, a 375ml bottle of Grey Goose, and homemade ginger beer, passion fruit purée, pineapple juice, strawberries, and raspberries for mixers served in a custom liquid nitrogen ice mold with red rose petals. 

4. Get pampered.

If we weren't planning to ski all weekend, the next place you would find us is at the spa. There is nothing we love more than surrounding ourselves with positive energy and giving our bodies and minds a rest. There's also something about being naked and/or in a bikini beneath a plush robe that's so intimate.

If you or your S.O. are also a "spa person", take advantage of the world class spas within our reach during their month-long Valentine's Day-inspired specials. We're particularly craving these heavenly treatments from The Spa at Conrad Miami. The Miami Beach EDITION, another favorite, is offering spa guests 20% off all services booked Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and is accompanying the 60-minute couples Swedish massage with two complimentary glasses of bubbly and chocolate covered strawberries. Yaaaaas.

5. Party like a local.

For those of you in a more casual or new relationship, there are a number of themed events going on around town that allow you to celebrate the holiday while keeping things perfectly non-commital. For example, on February 11 the Arts + Entertainment District will debut its 2016 Movies Under the Stars series with a free screening of John Torturro's "Fading Gigolo" starring Woody Allen.

Then, on Saturday, February 13, the Thompson Miami Beach and The New Tropic will be hosting a free mix and mingle event in the 1930's House, temporarily dubbed the "Love Shack", from 8 p.m. to midnight. Festivities will include complimentary cocktails (courtesy of WhoNow, a new love life organizing app) until 10 p.m., backyard games, a kissing photo booth, and #loveshack social media games with prizes. It's all fun and games until somebody falls in love, so keep an eye out for cupid.

#ThankYouMiami for Independent Movie Theaters

You may remember for our iPic Theaters review that we're not movie theater people. That said, we are fans of our local arts and culture scene and, by association, of our Miami's independent movie theaters. Unfortunately, independent movie theaters are a rare breed in the 305. (Probably because nobody wants to spend time indoors when you have such amazing weather.) Nevertheless, the few that we have are very special and offer a wide range of films you won't find anywhere else, like this incredible film on Chokoloskee by Miami-an Noah DeBonis that you need to see.

We were excited to share four unique spots to catch a movie in Miami in our latest piece for Localeur. Read the excerpt below and click on the photo for the full feature! Have you seen a movie at any of these venues? Which one? What did you like? What didn't you like? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!