#ThankYouMiami for Staycations - Melbourne Beach

Miami can be tough location for travel aficionados like us. We are cornered at the bottom of the Florida peninsula like a child in time-out, a seven-hour road trip away from our closest neighboring state. Unlike our friends in other parts of the country, a cross-state trip requires careful planning and consideration. And, while we continue to dream about frivolously crossing state borders, we have learned to find enjoyment in crossing Florida county lines.

Most recently, we ventured to the Space Coast, former home of the John F. Kennedy Space Center. There, nestled in the middle of Brevard County, is a coastal town of just over 3,000 residents called Melbourne Beach. Melbourne Beach offers everything we're looking for in a staycation: peace and quiet, anonymity, and fun places to explore. Best of all, it is only three hours north - a distance far enough to feel like a vacation, but close enough to make the ride home bearable after a lazy Sunday in the sun.

We first discovered the area on one of our many surf trips upcoast. It drew our attention because of its proximity to good surf breaks and great beaches. It kept our attention because we've continuously been able to snag last-minute oceanfront hotel room reservations for around $100 per night on Priceline. Plus, at the end of the weekend when we tally our expenses, they're often substantially less than if we'd spent the weekend at home. That's what happens when you live right smack in the middle of a world-class tourism destination.

#ThankYouMiami for a Better Shopping Experience

The Miami M.O. is "go big or go home". Our beaches are prettier, our skyline is taller, and our parties are "funner". This logic also applies to our malls, which are beautifully designed and outfitted with only the best in stores and restos. We're not mall people so, when we're in need of some retail therapy, we venture to malls that do not give off a traditional mall vibe - think generously landscaped outdoor malls. Fortunately, Miami caters to our needs.

At the top of our list for stress-free shopping is The Falls, one of the largest open-air malls in the U.S. The Falls has over 100 stores, including our favorites Bloomies, BCBG, L'Occitane, Michael Kors, and PacSun. It also has the distinction of hosting one of four Apple Stores in the greater Miami area. To top it off, The Falls is outfitted with a gorgeous series of covered walkways, water features, and vegetation reminiscent of a Japanese garden. Because, if you're not shopping at Miami's most zen mall, then you're not doing it right.

Last month we participated in a blogger's brunch where we got a taste of The Falls experience. During the event, we sampled the decadent breakfast items from resident Italian resto, BRIO Tuscan Grille, and walked off the calories with some cardio (read, shopping). We also took advantage during our visit to pick up cute décor for our beach apartment from the Polaroid Foto Bar and to stock up on some summer essentials from PacSun. Check out the photos from The Falls Blogger's Brunch below to see why Miami even makes shopping better.

#ThankYouMiami for Fashion - Cuban Rice at Miami Swim Week

Miami Swim Week is upon us and we can't wait to see all of our favorite designers' collections unveiled. Miami brand Cuban Rice is prepping for the launch of their new collection, Jewels, that is "So Miami". In anticipation, we sported their sexy Gypsy Gypsy swimsuit during our weekend trip to Key Largo. Read the excerpt from our latest #ThankYouMiami for Fashion column below and click on the photo to see the photos and read more about their events during Miami Swim Week.

Miami Swim Week a llegado y estamos emocionados de ver las nuevas colecciones de nuestros diseñadores favoritos. La marca de Miami, Cuban Rice, se está preparando para enseñarnos su nueva colección, Jewels, que es muy Miami. En anticipación de su llegada, disfrutamos de nuestro fin de semana en cayo largo en su bikini Gypsy Gypsy que es muy sexy. Lee el extracto de nuestro nuevo artículo para #ThankYouMiami for Fashion y dale click a la foto para ver nuestras fotos y leer nuestros más sobre sus eventos para Miami Swim Week.

Will you be attending any Miami swim week events? Which ones? What new collections are you most excited to see? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

¿Asistirás algún evento de Miami Swim Week? ¿Cuales? ¿Qué nuevas colecciones estas emocionado/a de ver? ¡Déjanos un comentario debajo o mándanos un tweet @ThankYouMiami!

3 Reasons Why Visitors Say #ThankYouMiami

#ThankYouMiami primarily presents the Miami lifestyle from a local's perspective. So I was intrigued when Ashley Vaccarino from travel fashion blog and e-commerce brand, Arrive Chic, asked me to view Miami from a visitor's perspective. Last week, I shared with her and her audience three reasons why visitors can't help but say #ThankYouMiami. Click on the excerpt below for the full feature.

Are you a visitor to our beautiful city? What are some of the reasons why you say #ThankYouMiami? Why do your visiting friends and family say #ThankYouMiami? Leave a comment below or send me a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for Dinner in Paradise (A Photo Diary)

Miami life is hectic. It has its moments of peace and quiet, but they are few and far between. Peacefulness is like the 1% of the Miami state of being and, two weeks ago, I achieved this ephemeral dream.

When I was invited to spend an evening at Paradise Farms for the March 23rd Dinner in Paradise, I was excited because they have an impeccable reputation in the Miami dining scene. They cater local and fresh organic produce to some of my favorite restaurants, including Essensia at The Palms Hotel, The River Seafood and Oyster Bar, and The Federal. After my visit, I am also psyched about their ambiance. Owner Gabriele Mariewski and her staff have cultivated an incredibly peaceful sanctuary in Homestead, a true refuge for those of us who live in Miami's more common hustle and bustle.

The farm's tranquil setting has been strategically curated by Gabriele who, in collaboration with a local architect, a local artist, and a local chef, designed the layout in accordance with the principles of sacred geometry and the ancient art of feng sui. Gabriele ensures the continued integrity of Paradise Farms by kindly requesting that no meat or cigarettes be brought on-site. Escape the insanity of Miami life for a moment and join me in reliving a moment of serenity and decadence at this Miami sanctuary:

"Enjoy and Respect" are two sensible sacrifices you are asked to make before entering Paradise and part of the secret behind the property's great vibes.

The farm is only open to the public during special events like the Dinner In Paradise series, when guests are invited to socialize in the garden and to enjoy passed hors d'oeuvres prepared by the featured chefs.

Before dinner, I had the chance to enjoy a glass of Sparkling Tropical Fruit Wine from nearby Schnebly's Redland Winery while watching the sun set over the farm's signature baby greens. The baby greens, which grow around the center of the property, made an appearance in the dishes served later that evening.

Before dinner, owner Gabriele (in pink) treated us to a guided tour of the five-acre property. The highlight of the tour was hearing the story first-hand of how she successfully grew the farm from an abandoned avocado grove and has, through "decision-making by synchronicity", continued to expand the farm's operations.

One example of how she has capitalized on good fortune is the mushroom greenhouse or "lab" where she currently grows only oyster mushrooms. The greenhouse was constructed out of materials which were nearly disposed by the University of Florida, but were discovered by and ultimately donated to her during an impromptu visit to the area.

Throughout the tour, Gabriele encouraged us to pick and eat some of the 52 varieties of edible flowers that she grows around the property. We were all hesitant at first, but were much more comfortable doing so by the end. My personal favorite was the hibiscus we enjoyed early in the tour.

We were all anxious to see what dinner held for us by the time we finished the tour. I took but a few moments to enjoy the beautifully decorated gazebo before sitting down for dinner with some new friends.

The five-course dinner for the night featured Chef Julie Frans from Essensia at The Palms Hotel and Spa, Chef Michael Reidt from soon-to-open Pilgrim, and Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli from Eating House and recently opened Taperia Raca. Each course was paired with a wine from Strategic Importers at the direction of Shari Gherman, President of the American Fine Wine Competition and Gold Medal Wine Tour.

Prior to each course, we had the opportunity to observe each chef, like Chef Rapicavoli above, as they put the finishing touches on their dish. It was an absolute honor to witness renown local culinary talent work their magic first-hand.

The first dish of the night was an exquisite watermelon tartare, which was vacuum sealed with olive oil and citrus to create a texture I had never previously experienced from watermelon. This vibrant and satisfying dish from Chef Rapicavoli was finished off with a garnish of herbs and edible flowers from the farm.

The fourth and main course, which was prepared by Chef Michael Reidt, was perfectly cooked salmon with freekah, purple kohl rabi, carrots, and smoked avocado. Chef Reidt explained that the salmon, which was imported by Stavis Seafoods, is delicious because it dies swimming upstream where it is happy.

The final course was a flour-less chipotle and chocolate cake with a hint of clove prepared by the incredible women from The Palms: Chef Julie Frans and Pastry Chef Sam Frei. The cake was served with a tamarind creme anglaise, roasted strawberries with thyme, and edible flowers.

There are only two Dinner in Paradise dates left this season, which may be Gabriele's last (yes, Paradise Farms is up for sale). Do not miss your opportunity to enjoy this unique Miami experience that should be on everyone's to-do list. Claim your seat now.

Have you been lucky enough to visit Paradise Farms? What was your favorite part? Who were the chefs that prepared your Dinner In Paradise? What was your favorite moment from my visit? Leave a comment below or send me a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for Fostering Local Creativity - O, Miami Poetry Festival

Welcome to Part 2 of my series, “#ThankYouMiami for Fostering Local Creativity", where I highlight the programs, places, and people that attract creative talent to our area and that empower our local creatives. Access the rest of the series here: Part 1. If you would like to be featured in an upcoming part of this series, contact me.

Constant vigilance, Miami - poetry has infiltrated our neighborhoods and it is looking for you! For the third year in a row, the O, Miami Poetry Festival arrives in all its creative glory to share the gift of poetry with Miami-Dade County's 2.6+ million residents. Keep an eye on your lottery tickets and an ear tuned to your radios because every medium is fair game for poetry during the month of April.

The O, Miami itinerary also includes a number of events ranging from workshops, readings, and exhibitions to pool parties, yoga classes, and a literary pub crawl through South Beach. Below are 5 events I am most looking forward to attending. For the full calendar of events, please visit the O, Miami Poetry Festival website.

Credit: O, Miami Poetry Festival

Poetry in the Park ft. Robert Hass and Nikky Finney

Date: Saturday, April 5

Time: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Poetry reading begins at 8 p.m.

Location: New World Symphony Soundscape (500 17 Street, Miami Beach)

The evening will begin with the melodic sounds of Somewhat Hungover, Oscar Fuentes, and New Work Symphony Fellows. Then, at 8 p.m., former U.S. Poets Laureate Robert Hass and 2011 National Book Award-winner Nikky Finney will treat the audience to a reading of their works that will be live-projected on the wall of the New World Symphony building. Like with all wallcasts at Soundscape Park, arrive early to claim a good spot and bring a blanket or chair. Food will be available for sale from Lalatina, My Ceviche, Feverish Pops, and The House of V or you can bring your own.

Poetry at the Garden

Date: Saturday, April 12

Time: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Open mic begins at 5 p.m.

Location: R.Y.P.E. Buena Vista Community Garden (136 NE 46 Street, Miami)

Join the Reclaim Your Power Equality (R.Y.P.E.) Community Garden in Buena Vista as they explore the theme of nature in poetry and create poetry trees using poetry and art using recyclable materials. At 5 p.m., participants will have the opportunity to share poems on nature, sustainability, and empowerment during the open mic session.

Sittin' by the Don on the Bay

Date: Saturday, April 19

Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Location: Paraiso Bay Sales Center (NE 31 Street and Biscayne Bay, Miami)

Poetry magazine editor Don Share improves upon an iconic Miami moment, Biscayne Bay at sunset, with a reading of his work and of his award-winning translation of Spanish poet Miguel Hernandez's work. Participants will be able to enjoy food, cocktails, incomparable views, and music by Tiger's Milk.

LitCrawl Miami

Date: Friday, April 25

Time: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Location: The Betsy Hotel B Bar (1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach)

Miami does pub crawls well so it was only a matter of time until this famous San Francisco-born literature and pub crawl series made it to our sunny shores. The night will begin with readings from novelist Russell Banks and poet Chase Twichell at The Betsy Hotel's elegant premises, after which, armed with a map and a schedule, you will be set loose in South Beach to create your own literary adventure. Godspeed.

O, Miami 2014 Closing Party

Date: Wednesday, April 30

Time: 9 p.m. to Close

Location: Gramps Bar (176 NW 24 Street, Miami)

The month-long itinerary comes to a close at Wynwood staple, Gramps Bar. Celebrate another successful year of the festival's role in fostering local creativity and participate in the first-ever O, Miami Dirty Limerick Competition for your chance at "literary fame and crappy prizes".

Which O, Miami Poetry Festival events are you most looking forward to? What were your favorite events in previous years? 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!

#ThankYouMiami for Distinctively Different Neighborhoods - Brickell

Welcome to Part 3 of our series, "#ThankYouMiami for Distinctively Different Neighborhoods", where Miami locals take us on a journey of their respective neighborhoods and tell us what they love about it, what they hate about it, and why their neighborhood makes them say #ThankYouMiami. Access the rest of the series here.

In this feature, Miami resident Mariamely Leoni explores her Brickell neighborhood. Mariamely was born in Venezuela, but has been living in South Florida for the last 15 years. Recently, Mariamely decided to leverage her knowledge of South Florida and Miami's various neighborhoods to create Local Genie. Local Genie is a pass that gives users access to benefits at local businesses that are part of the Local Genie network. Through this program, Local Genie strives to engage locals to explore their community and to give visitors a taste of the "real Miami". The Local Genie pass is available for purchase through their website starting this month!

1. What distinguishes Brickell from other Miami neighborhoods?
Brickell is the perfect mix of other Miami neighborhoods' best assets. It is not too touristy, but it is in close proximity to popular tourist destinations. It is not too loud, but it is never boring with its wide selection of restaurants and bars, like my go-tos Suviche and Baru Urbano. Other neighborhood notables are the great bay views and the local community, which is composed primarily of health-conscious business professionals from diverse backgrounds.

Brickell's assets include fantastic views of Biscayne Bay. Photo credit: Mariamely Leoni

2. What makes Brickell "SO Miami"?
There is nothing more Miami than local landmark Tobacco Road, which recently celebrated its 101st anniversary! The range of cultures represented in Brickell's residents and businesses is also typical of Miami. For example, local restaurants in the area offer cuisine from a wide range of countries including Japan, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Argentina, and France.

Venezuela native Mariamely represents one of the countries that makes Brickell a melting pot of cultures. Photo credit: Mariamely Leoni

3. What do you like least about Brickell?
The construction and limited parking...enough said!

Despite her gripe with the construction, Mariamely and her dog enjoy Miami's beautiful and growing skyline during their boat trips in Biscayne Bay. Photo credit: Mariamely Leoni

4. What is the strangest thing you have seen in Brickell?
The hoards of people exercising on Brickell Avenue around 7 p.m., like the hundreds of runners that participate in the weekly Brickell Run Club, remind me of the Walking Dead zombie mobs. I have to fight to get past them to get into my building. And, once I make it inside, the experience is enough of a guilt trip to get me immediately into my workout outfit!

Hundreds of Miami runners gather every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at 1300 Brickell Avenue to "run Miami" and enjoy the neighborhood's scenery together. Photo credit: Run Club Network

5. What about Brickell makes you say #ThankYouMiami?
#ThankYouMiami for the best sunsets, for the surrounding ocean and blue skies, and for the amazing people  whose great ideas have made Brickell such a unique neighborhood.

Mariamely is grateful for Miami's awe-inspiring sunsets. I'm with you, Mariamely, and the views definitely do not suck either... Photo credit: Mariamely Leoni

Are you an expert on your neighborhood? Share with Miami what makes your neighborhood distinctively different! Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami. You could be featured in an upcoming segment of this feature.

#ThankYouMiami for Making Moves - 3 Perks to Look Forward to in 2014

It's the second week of a new year and, per usual, Miami is in flux. While everyone else took time off to look back and reminisce about 2013, Miami was focused on the future, setting the stage for a fantastic 2014. These are the three perks that I am most thankful to enjoy this year:

1. #ThankYouMiami for Becoming a More Powerful Culinary Magnet

Miami's dining scene has been growing exponentially and I love it. When a craving hits, I know there are several viable and delicious options to meet my food, price, ambiance, and level of service needs. My options du jour range from tried-and-true favorites like 660 at The Anglers (related #ThankYouMiami for Miami Spice - August 2013) to recently established restos like Stephen Starr's Verde at Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). Newest to my must-try list are my "friendly neighborhood café", Café Mistral, in SoFi and Sea Salt and Pepper Brasserie and Lounge, which is on the Miami River and the only venue on this list I have yet to visit. While I am sad to see some crowd favorites go (cough, Van Dyke Café, cough), my foodie alter-ego is hungry for what this year will bring.

In smoked salmon I trust. Cafe Mistrál is a French café with Miami roots that serves simple yet delicious food, like the smoked salmon sandwich shown above. They win extra points for serving and selling Zak the Baker bread, a locally-made artisan bread.

2. #ThankYouMiami for Becoming Fashionably Relevant

We've already established that Miami has a unique and enviable style. But, until recently, we had not been officially deemed fashionably relevant. These days, our city's fashion spotlight has grown significantly brighter and our local fashion bloggers have become common fixtures in my favorite magazines. Our most recent milestone was the January 2, 2014 launch of Racked Miami, which is an established go-to local fashion and shopping resource for fashionistas in other major U.S. cities like New York and L.A. While Racked Miami is new to our area, we Miami-ans are already unsuspecting fans of Curbed Network blogs - do Eater Miami and Curbed Miami sound familiar? I can't wait to see what editor Ashley Brozic has in store for her hometown and to be in the front row as Miami further cements its place in the fashion world.

An impromptu meeting of Miami fashion superstars.The December issue of Glam Belleza Latina prominently featured photos from two Miami fashion bloggers: Daniela Ramirez of Nany's Klozet and Annie Vazquez of The Fashion Poet. Photo credit: Annie Vazquez.

3. #ThankYouMiami for Fostering Local Creativity

The Knight Foundation is well-known in South Florida for empowering the brightest and most talented to improve their communities, most notably through financial investments which have totaled $86 million since 2006. On December 2, 2013, the Knight Arts Challenge, which first launched in 2008, awarded $2.72 million to forty-nine winning projects that will blend art and technology and will engage and celebrate the communities from which they originate. 2013 Winners from the Miami area include Art Center South Florida, Awesome New Republic, Cannon Ball Miami, The Fillmore at the Jackie Gleason Theater, and Miami Book Fair International. A full list of winning projects can be found here. I look forward to witnessing the development of these projects and watching them take our local arts scene by storm.

"Magic City, what do you mean?" Local musical talent Awesome New Republic, one of the winners of the 2013 Knight Arts Challenge, will bring together local musicians, dancers, and filmmakers to produce a multimedia theatrical work that explores Miami's past and present. Photo credit: The Knight Foundation, some rights reserved.

What Miami perks do you look forward to enjoying this year? Leave a comment below or send me a tweet @ThankYouMiami.

#ThankYouMiami for Distinctively Different Neighborhoods – Downtown Miami

Welcome to Part 2 of our series, “#ThankYouMiami for Distinctively Different Neighborhoods", where Miami locals take us on a journey of their respective neighborhoods and tell us what they love about it, what they hate about it, and why their neighborhood makes them say #ThankYouMiami. Access the rest of the series here.

In this feature, Miami style blogger and fashion ambassador Maya King explores her neighborhood of Downtown Miami. Maya moved to Miami six years ago and loves living here. Her blog, ALaModeMaya, features Miami shopping and fashion events, as well as her personal style (think Halle Berry, Olivia Palermo, Sophia Loren). 

1. What distinguishes Downtown Miami from other Miami neighborhoods? 
Downtown Miami is distinctively different because it is minutes away from anywhere you would want to go in Miami and there is a lot to do close by. Bayfront Park, for example, hosts concerts and events almost every week. Best of all, I never have to drive or fight to park to enjoy a Miami Heat game because I live a few blocks from the American Airlines Arena. And, did I mention that my neighborhood has been the backdrop in music videos for artists like Drake, P. Diddy, Rick Ross, and Pitbull?

Life imitating art. Much like in the music videos filmed here, flocks of mirrored Lamborghinis and Rolls Royces frequent Maya's neighborhood. Photo credit: Maya King

2. What makes Downtown Miami "SO Miami"? 
Definitely the skyline! I still get a special feeling every time I come home and see that beautiful skyline in which I live. Whenever I pick up visitors at the airport and they see it, they say in shock: “Wow! You live here?!"

Maya and her visitors love Miami's mesmerizing skyline. Photo credit: RolloFilm, LLC

3. What do you like least about Downtown Miami? 
I am blessed to live here so my only gripe is actually a humble brag. Downtown Miami’s main thoroughfare, Biscayne Boulevard, is a popular location for parades, races, and other events. So, when I’m pulling out of my garage in a hurry, street closures and traffic resulting from these events are not my favorite.

Traffic trade-off. Special events, like last year's Miami Heat parade along Biscayne Boulevard, make it difficult for Maya to drive through Downtown Miami. I say "if you can't beat them, join them"!
Photo credit: Maya King

4. What is the strangest thing you've seen in Downtown Miami? 
I think the metro mover is a Petri dish for strangeness. It is not uncommon to find affluent people in haute couture and business professionals sharing a car with a homeless drug addict that is shouting expletives. Later in the evening, a drunk or three are added to that mix. I'm still waiting for a flash mob to make an appearance...

Where does Miami fit among the Metro Mover stereotypes? Maya is that well put-together professional whose style shows her commitment to success and her career. Photo Credit: Jennifer Sotolongo

5. What about Downtown Miami makes you say #ThankYouMiami? 
#ThankYouMiami for allowing me to regularly walk out of my front door to enjoy free yoga at Bayfront Park; quality time with friends at the oasis by the man-made beach nearby; or a good production at the Olympia Theater two blocks away. No cab needed!

An urban oasis. Nearby favorites like Bayfront Park keep Maya entertained, cultured, and overall happy as a Miami resident. Photo credit: Maya King

Are you an expert on your neighborhood? Share with Miami what makes your neighborhood distinctively different! Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami. You could be featured in an upcoming segment of this feature.

#ThankYouMiami for a Unique and Enviable Style

White-on-white, light and airy fabrics - these are the pillars of my Miami style. But what represents Miami's collective style? Miami is so diverse that it depends on who you ask. Pinpointing a specific Miami style has been as difficult for me as answering "Who is Miami?" concisely. However, this much is clear: Miami has a unique style that is freely adopted by residents, visitors, and even those who appreciate our beautiful city from afar.

Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to interact with fashion industry professionals who call Miami their part-time or full-time home, including Noe Cesar, Fashion Editor for Brickell Magazine and Key Biscayne Magazine, and Tara Atsalis, the Designer and Owner of Taradise Miami, a line of Grecian-inspired jewelery and designs. My most recent encounter was with Lubov Azria, the Chief Creative Officer of BCBG Max Azria Group. I had the opportunity to briefly chat with her this week during American Express's By Invitation Only event where she previewed BCBG's Pre-Spring 2014 Runway Collection and hosted a private shopping experience at BCBG's Lincoln Road store.

My conversations with individuals like these talented three, as well as my observations during local fashion events, continuously refine my definition of Miami style. For example, during the BCBG runway event, I was convinced that the Pre-Spring 2014 Runway Collection was especially designed for Miami. The pieces, which consist of light and airy maxi dresses and jumpsuits in all-white or in flower patterns, are bold, sexy, and celebrate the woman's body. 

In my opinion, BCBG's Pre-Spring 2014 Runway Collection fully embodies the Miami style and, per our conversation, Noe agrees that the piece's various components (i.e. fabric, cut, boldness) are key features of the Miami style. As such, I was surprised to hear Lubov Azria state that she did not design the collection for one city, but for the traveling woman. Her comment, which tempered my initial assumption that the collection was Miami inspired, made me question where Miami's style comes from, what it truly consists of, and how it influences fashion beyond our borders.

In Noe's experience, the outside world is increasingly adopting aspects of Miami's style, like the flower-inspired patterns which are prominently featured in BCBG's Pre-Spring 2014 Runway Collection. He thinks of Miami as a port with a style of its own that is adopted by others who want to see what the Miami lifestyle is about. He points out that high-profile visitors who are photographed during their visit are a testament to this phenomenon because they are mostly captured in what he envisions as the Miami style. And, although that often means bikinis on the beach, Noe knows Miami has style beyond just the bikini. After all, Miami cannot live on bikinis alone.

Tara associates Miami style with a luxurious island vibe, which is one reason why she left New York to launch Taradise Miami here. While her hand-crafted designs are Grecian-inspired, Miami, like the Greek islands, captures the beauty of the ocean and island living so her designs translate seamlessly. Taradise's gorgeous bracelets and headpieces with their signature "mati" evil eye are primarily white and scream Miami chic. The kimonos come in vibrant colors and look as at home in Star Island as they would in the Greek island of Chios.

My observations over the past year have confirmed my initial suspicion that Miami's style is variable - variable between individuals and variable over time. The constant remains that Miami has a unique style and an enviable style. Check out some of my favorite displays of Miami style below.

Noe Cesar, Fashion Editor of Brickell Magazine and Key Biscayne Magazine, shows us how the fashionable Miami man looks handsome wearing classic pieces in vibrant colors. Noe says "#ThankYouMiami for the boldness of its people who know that it feels good to look good". Photo courtesy of Noe Cesar.

The BCBG Pre-Spring 2014 Runway Collection featured gorgeous maxi dresses in light fabrics with flower print details. Lubov Azria mentioned before the show that her inspiration was "Kate Moss at Coachella".

My favorite piece from the BCBG Pre-Spring 2014 Runway Collection is this white jump suit with side cut outs. This classic, bold, and sexy piece is a Miami girl's must-have.

This romper from Norka, a local and family-owned boutique, is perfectly equipped to keep you looking fabulous in Miami's warm weather. The piece was part of the boutique's fashion show at the November Fashion Happy Hour.

This white and gold bracelet stack featuring, a Taradise "mati" evil eye bracelet and a wrap leather cuff designed by Noe Cesar, expresses my personal Miami style. Tara Atsalis says "#ThankYouMiami for Miami's fantastic weather and atmosphere".

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!

#ThankYouMiami for Our Growing Start-Up Scene - Part 4: David Notik

David Notik, Founder of Woven and Creator of #MiamiTech

Welcome to Part 4 of my 4-part series, “#ThankYouMiami for Our Growing Start-Up Scene", where I recount my conversations with Miami entrepreneurs about what Miami is doing right for its entrepreneurial movement, where there is room for improvement, and why they each say #ThankYouMiami. Today, I share with you a summary of my interview with David Notik from Woven and #MiamiTech. Access the rest of the series here: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

The Start-Up

David Notik is the Founder of Woven, an online platform that makes it easier for individuals to access and get involved in the communities that interest them. Woven organizes all of a community's news, messages, events, resources, etc. in real-time on one page so users can efficiently find, search for, and filter this information to best meet their needs. Simultaneously, it strategically connects the businesses, organizations, and members in each community to their target audience.

You can see the Woven platform in action at MiamiTech.org, the page for Miami's tech and start-up community. Additionally, Woven recently debuted its new live event activity support feature at Social Media Club South Florida's 5th Anniversary Meetup event.

 

Miami entrepreneur David Notik says Miami is "an intimate community that makes it accessible for locals to form relationships that empower them to make an impact".

The Miami Benefits and Challenges

Miami chose David. He met his wife, Rebecca, here while visiting with his family and decided to make the move from New York City 4 years ago.  When he first arrived, David saw Miami as a relative desert for tech and start-up, particularly in contrast to NYC and Seattle where he previously lived. However, he wanted to surround himself with like-minded people so he began attending Refresh Miami meet-ups in hopes of tapping into the local entrepreneurial and tech communities.

In the past two years, David has observed a blossoming of those communities. He is currently working out of The LAB Miami, an "entrepreneurial campus" powered by the Knight Foundation and one of the co-working spaces mentioned in Part 1 of this series.

David mentions that Miami's welcoming nature, as well as its young pioneering community are its greatest strengths. These qualities, combined with a lower cost of living, make Miami an accessible area for growing a business. At the same time, he stresses that the ability to make money, rather than spend less, is critical for drawing talent to the area.

David offers a unique perspective to the funding and talent acquisition question carried throughout this series. Will, featured in Part 2, and Brad, featured in Part 3, started by first thinking about local solutions to these challenges. Conversely, David primarily took a global approach.

For example, Woven's one full-time employee, Kai Sellgren, lives and works from Finland. And, while David is open to hiring local talent, he does not think it is necessary to limit his search to his backyard. He takes full advantage of existing technology, like Skype, which allows him to hire and work with someone who meets his needs anywhere in the world.

David has a similar outlook regarding future investments. He is cultivating relationships with local investors, but will not limit himself to local sources of funding. David is confident in the strength of his business and believes it to be a more important factor in getting funded than the location of his potential investors.

Despite his more global outlook, David's investment in the local community is evident through his involvement in Miami's start-up and tech community. Not only does he regularly participate in community events, but, through #MiamiTech, he has also given this community an innovative tool through which all its members can get on the same page.

The #ThankYouMiami Statement

So what is this hard-working visionary most grateful for? David said "#ThankYouMiami for keeping it real - for being accessible, supporting and  ambitious as a community".

Are you a part of the Miami entrepreneurial movement? What do you think Miami is doing right to support its future growth? Where do you see room for improvement? Which local entrepreneurs would you like to see give their opinion on this subject? Leave a comment below or send me a tweet @ThankYouMiami!