#ThankYouMiami for Fashion - 24 Hours of Travel in Miami Style

This week the #ThankYouMiami team is in Nicaragua working on a special video project that will launch our YouTube channel. Check out the new #ThankYouMiami for Fashion post on SoulOfMiami.org for a sneak peek of how local brands like Razön and Cameri Bead Studio were critical to making our travel comfortable AND fashionable. Read the excerpt below and click on the photo below to read the full post.

What are your favorite travel must-haves? How do you travel in style? What is your go-to travel destination? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for Fashion - The Perfect Summer Look

Miami has welcomed summer with open arms and so have I. My new post on achieving the perfect summer look, including photos revealing my new hair transformation by Emilee Coyle of Studio Chroma, are now live on SoulOfMiami.org. Read the excerpt below and click on the photo to read the full post.

What are your summer essentials? How do you achieve the perfect summer look? Will you be changing your hair for summer? How do you achieve the perfect beach hair? Leave a comment below or send me a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for Themed Weeks - Miami Fashion Week 2014

The Miami fashion scene is getting its bearings and Miami Fashion Week is one of the fixtures at its helm. As fate would have it, I was in New York for most of the week/weekend but I did get the chance to make the kick-off press conference and party on May 15. That night I joined local and international fashion bloggers at the Eden Roc Miami Beach to toast fashion and dance the night away. Immerse yourself in the contagious energy of the Miami Fashion Week Kick-Off Party with my favorite photos of the night.

La moda en Miami esta encontrando su lugar en la escena internacional y Miami Fashion Week es uno de los eventos que le ha ayudado a establecerse a nivel mundial. Como frecuentemente me pasa a mi, mi viaje a Nueva York coincidió con muchos de los eventos y por lo tanto no pude asistir. Pero tuve la suerte de atender la primera conferencia para la prensa y el after party con otras blogueras de moda locales e internacionales en el Eden Roc Miami Beach. En la fiesta brindamos a la moda y bailamos toda la noche. Disfruta de la energía contagiosa del Miami Fashion Week Kick-Off Party con mis fotos favoritas de la noche.

#ThankYouMiami for Photogenic Venues - Miami Beach

Welcome to Part 1 of my series, “#ThankYouMiami for Photogenic Venues", where I feature some of Miami's most photogenic venues by neighborhood and I recommend equally photogenic outfits that are appropriate for each. If you think your venue is photogenic and you would like it to be featured in an upcoming part of this series, contact me.

Miami is not defined by its beauty, but beauty is definitely something Miami does well. Our people are beautiful, our food is beautiful, and our scenery is beautiful. If you disagree, I encourage you to visit the #ThankYouMiami Instagram Page for Exhibits A through Z.

Since I moved to Miami, I have been fortunate to visit some of our city's most photogenic venues. Here are some of my favorites in Miami Beach with recommendations for equally photogenic Miami-style attire:

 

South Pointe Park 

South Pointe Park is located on the southernmost point of Miami Beach in the South of Fifth (SoFi) neighborhood. It boasts views of the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Government Cut and Fisher Island to the South, and the Downtown Miami skyline to the west. The park is popular for exercising, strolling, lounging, and enjoying food and cocktails with a view.

You should be clear about which of these activities you plan to cover during your visit so you can select an appropriate outfit. For the majority who are looking to stroll and people watch, a comfortable but put-together look like the one I choose below is best.

The silk, printed jumpsuit from VAVA Showroom is comfortable for lounging on the grass, but elegant enough to fit into the more upscale feel of SoFi. The American Eagle jean jacket (similar here) and the LC by Lauren Conrad chunky heels (similar here) make the outfit casual enough for the day, but could carry me to dinner in case we decided stay for dinner at nearby Smith and Wollensky.

The Beaches in SoFi

Speaking of SoFi, this Miami Beach neighborhood also features some of the most photogenic sections of beach in Miami. Because what is more photogenic than a beach that is not crowded and is free of rowdy teenagers and Spring Break-ers?

The sunsets are killer, as are the bodies of fellow beach-goers in this area. The beaches here are perfect for surfing, beach sports (think Pro Kadima), swimming, tanning, and even free diving about 150 yards offshore at the Jose Cuervo reef.

Anything goes with bathing suits in Miami Beach. Your final choice is dependent on your anticipated activity level and your personal comfort level. But in Miami, swimwear fashion is "a thing", so feel free to express yourself. I have provided some basic guidelines below.

I generally prefer a standard-cut bikini like this nautical bandeau option from Victoria's Secret (similar here) because it provides me flexibility for any activity. I choose bikinis in bright colors or white because they are quintessential to the Miami style (see, #ThankYouMiami for a Unique and Enviable Style). Matching accessories are also a Miami must! Here I am wearing one of Taradise Miami's "mati" evil eye bracelet (similar here) and Frends Taylor headphones in rose gold (get them here).

 

The Broken Shaker at Freehand Miami

Freehand Miami is a go-to for Miami's coolest and most fashionable locals and visitors. They are drawn by the flurry of activities that are hosted by the Freehand around Miami Beach, in their hostel, and in the gorgeous outdoor venue behind their hostel, the Broken Shaker. The exquisite food and the hand-crafted cocktails are all the more enjoyable because the décor, the pool, and the ping pong tables make you feel like you're in the backyard of a friend's house.

When you visit, dress casually cool (with emphasis on the cool if you're visiting during the hot Miami day). Your outfit should stand out, but not look like you tried on fifty other options before leaving your house. Below are three outfit examples showing my style and those of two friends during last year's Swim Week.

I am in the middle and am wearing a Maaji Swimwear top from Orchid Boutique as a crop top (similar here) paired with a white maxi skirt from Tobi (similar here) and a jean jacket vest from Forever 21 (similar here). In retrospect, the jean jacket was too hot for relaxing outdoors during summer in Miami.

Have you visited any of these venues? What do you think are some of Miami's most photogenic venues? Leave a comment below or send me a tweet @ThankYouMiami.

#ThankYouMiami for Supporting Local Talent - Fashion Happy Hour Recap

Talent instinctively flocks to Miami like the salmon of Capistrano and, with so much talent at our disposal, it is sometimes easy to take it for granted. Last week's Fashion Happy Hour event, however, proved that Miami recognizes and knows how to properly celebrate its local talent.

Fashion Happy Hour as a concept is founded on the principle of "local love" because it gives local fashion industry entrepreneurs a vehicle for showcasing their businesses and directly connecting with their audience. In practice, the event also fosters support of our community by encouraging Miami-ans to shop local and network with each other.

As a supporter of all things "local love", I was humbled by the experience of hosting last month's event. Thank you to all of you who attended or expressed your support in your own way. Your enthusiasm for the event and my involvement is one of the reasons Miami is such a fantastic place to live. So, today, I say #ThankYouMiami for you.

For those of you who were unable to attend and for those who want to relive the good times, below are some of my highlights from February's Fashion Happy Hour event. A special shout out to DJ Juan Luv who was the lucky winner of my #ThankYouMiami mug giveaway. For those of you who expressed interest in purchasing a mug, send me an email at info@thankyoumiami.com. They will also be available for purchase soon under the Shop #ThankYouMiami tab above.

The Blogger's Block, from local special event planning, promotions, marketing, and nightlife company Access & Effect Group, hosted the social media bar and kept all those who could not be in attendance informed with live updates throughout the night.

My outfit for the event was all about mixing lace and leather to create a casual, but sexy look. I'm wearing a BCBG Max Azria Leather jacket (similar here), the Radiant Spark White Lace Dress c/o Alma Mei (get it here), and white Converse sneakers (similar here).

Among this month's vendors was Fashssories. The intricate detailing in their wide selection of accessories, including jewelry, handbags, and wallets, is perfect for the fashionista that is looking to make a bold statement. The clutch shown above was a personal favorite.

Also present was the mother-daughter superstar team of MariMaria Accessories and Avril Accesorios. Daughters Mari and Maria create youthful fashion jewelry using colorful and innovative materials, while mother Arliss creates more classic jewelry with metals like this stunning shark tooth necklace in Italian bronze. You will see examples of both distinctive designs worn by the Damaris Aguiar Modeling Academy (D.A.M.A School) models in later photos.

Me and my wallet are both surprised that we didn't buy out Miami artist Pamela Gallegos' entire Pom Graphic Design and Fine Art pop-up shop. She had her vibrant artwork for sale on everything from throw pillows to framed prints. I was already a fan of her work through her collaborations with Vividly and Wysiwatch, but I walked out an even bigger fan. I mean, come on, check out that killer elephant throw pillow!

Stay tuned for the video soon to come featuring interviews with the vendors, as well as some of the attendees. Here, Marta from Just Be Cosmetics, Inc. explains how she is helping to change the way women see themselves. Also shown are products from her all-natural talc, alcohol, and paraben-free cosmetics and soaps line.

The event was a great excuse to reunite old and new friends, because who doesn't like live music, shopping, 2x1 drinks, and socializing after a long week?

Thank you D.A.M.A School for letting me style the gorgeous Yvannie Soto for the night! I had a lot of fun picking out clothes for her from Norka's fantastic selection.

My favorite moment of the night was when I thought I would get stage-fright and proceeded to write some "cheat notes" on my wrist. I didn't use them, but it made for an entertaining five minutes.

True to my beloved "Miami chic" style, the look I chose for D.A.M.A School doll Yvannie Soto features white classics with pops of color (see, #ThankYouMiami for a Unique and Enviable Style). The Avril Accesorios shark tooth statement necklace in Italian bronze completed this look by channeling both Miami's glamour and marine ties. Yvannie is wearing a white racerback tank and electric blue pleated skirt from Norka Boutique (get the top here and the skirt here) and the Lady Bag in White from Ashlie Redmond (get it here).

When I addressed the crowd, not only did I get to highlight and explain the pieces I selected for Yvannie's outfit, but I also had the opportunity to share the #ThankYouMiami story (see, Why #ThankYouMiami?).

Because you cannot put a price on safety, Yvannie's accessories extended beyond jewelry. Here she shows the crowd how to operate R&D Self Defense's lipstick stun gun which she had hidden inside her Ashlie Redmond handbag.

A huge thanks to Valentina, my co-host Tala Delgado from Pineapple Me, our beautiful models from D.A.M.A School: Yvannie Soto and Nathalie Quinones, and to you, Miami, for supporting your local talent. I hope to see you at next month's event!

Did you attend this month or a previous month's Fashion Happy Hour? What were some of your favorite moments? Leave a comment below or send me a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for Fashion Happy Hour - February 2014

Miami-ans know how to throw great parties. I can't tell if it's out of necessity, passion, or the side effect to something in our drinking water. "Irregardless", it is one of the reasons I love living here.

This month I am fortunate to co-host an event that is a testament to our local's stellar event planning, Fashion Happy Hour. You have heard me talk about the basics of Fashion Happy Hour before (see, #ThankYouMiami for Fashion Happy Hour - October 2013). In addition to 2x1 drinks, here are some of the surprises you can expect to see this Friday at Red Bar Gallery:

• Fashion Blogger Feature: As your co-hosts Tala Delgado of Pineapple Me and yours truly will be styling two beautiful ladies from the Damaris Aguiar Modeling Academy (D.A.M.A) in our own personal styles using pieces from local vendors. You can rest assured my styling will stay true to the "Miami chic" look I love.
• Local Love: Miami vendors, including Norka, Luxe MODA, Fashssories, and Pom Graphic Design & Fine Arts will have pop-up shops on-site so you can indulge in some end-of-the-week retail therapy.
• Live Music: Fashion Happy Hour attendee favorites, The Jukebox Heroes, are back again this month. Make sure you bring your dancing shoes!
• Live Streaming: 24/7 Miami will be broadcasting the event live with DJ Juan Luv. Tune in the night of the event here.
• For more information and to RSVP, click here.
  

I am so excited to have you join me at this event that I am giving away #ThankYouMiami mug featuring my new logo to one lucky reader! Enter the giveaway by following the instructions below and next week you too could be sharing in a #ThankYouMiami moment like this:

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#ThankYouMiami for Great Fashion Finds

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There is no greater feeling than discovering a hidden gem in a neighborhood you know very well. I happened upon such a discovery most recently in Coral Gables, a neighborhood I frequent for work, dining, and shopping. The unexpected treasure? My Best Friend's Closet Boutique.

As both an avid visitor to Coral Gables and a fashion addict, you can imagine my surprise when I was invited last week to celebrate the third anniversary of a Miracle Mile clothing store I had not yet visited. I immediately knew I had to stop by. And, the promise of bubbles, beats, and blow-dry styling were just the excuse that I needed.  

The rave reviews that My Best Friend's Closet Boutique receives on Yelp! truly do them justice. Their inventory includes a drool-worthy variety of clothes, jewelry, accessories, and novelty gifts from my favorite brands. At the end of the evening, I left with a handful of items for myself and a mental catalog of future house-warming and birthday presents for my girlfriends. When their online store is live, my wallet is in deep, deep trouble.

Here are a few highlights from the My Best Friend's Closet Boutique anniversary party and their inventory:

Miami nightclub staple, DJ Ariel Assault, set the perfect atmosphere for a night of cocktails, shopping, and socializing.

The crowd stayed energized for an evening of intensive shopping thanks to these cute cupcakes.

The complimentary dry styles from local personal stylist Nicole Rodriguez of NR Trends were in high demand throughout the event. Because shopping is much more fun when you look fabulous, right?

I joined other Miami fashionistas, their tias and, of course, their cousins in shopping for a good cause. Part of the sales from the anniversary celebration were donated to #theEasterSeals for disability services.

These House of Harlow 1960 sunnies were among my favorite finds at My Best Friend's Closet Boutique. Other available designers that are on my must-have list include BCBG Max Azria, Mara Hoffman, and local fashion guru Noe Cesar (see, #ThankYouMiami for a Unique and Enviable Style).

My Best Friend's Closet offers a wide range of novelty products, including scented options like the Royal Apothic fragrances shown above, which will be among my go-to gift options for future occasions.

How do you express your Miami style? What are the staple pieces in your closet? What are some of your go-to local designers and boutiques? Leave a comment below or send me a tweet @ThankYouMiami!