#ThankYouMiami for (Holiday) Fashion

The holidays are here and, like every season, we're here to celebrate it as only Miami-ans do. This year we're advocating for outfits that are feminine, classy, but call upon South Beach's sex appeal. In our latest #ThankYouMiami for Fashion post, we show you how to ace these seemingly contradictory concepts in one look. Read the excerpt below and click on the photo for the full feature!

Do you have your holiday outfits ready? What outfits are you most excited to wear? What is your go-to Miami spot to buy holiday outfits? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for Fashion - A "Premios Tu Mundo" Fashion Emergency

Last week we suffered a last minute fashion emergency that got our adrenaline going. We share all of the details in the format of a "Thank You" letter to the Forever 21 store on Lincoln Road which stepped in to save the day. Read the excerpt from our latest #ThankYouMiami for Fashion column below and click on the photo to see the full feature.

La semana pasada sufrimos de una emergencia de moda que nos subió la adrenalina. Te compartimos todos los detalles en el formato de una tarjeta de agradecimiento a la tienda de Forever 21 en Lincoln Road quién nos salvo al último minuto. Lee el extracto de nuestro nuevo artículo para #ThankYouMiami for Fashion y dale click a la foto para ver todo el artículo.

Do you also struggle with keeping white clothes clean? Where do you turn during your fashion emergencies? What clothing items are your musts for a fashionable night out on the town? What are you favorite trends of the moment? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for a Global Connection - "Good Morning, Miami"

 
The world's eyes are on Miami. So, when London-based artist IMPREINT was looking to expand his global art project "Portraits", it is no surprise his sights landed on our sunny shores. This summer, IMPREINT tapped the #ThankYouMiami team to kick start the Miami segment of the exhibition called "Good Morning, Miami". Learn more about the project below and join us by submitting your own photo holding a balloon by December 16, 2014 to impreint [at] gmail [dot] com. If you post it on Instagram, make sure to tag @ThankYouMiami and #IMPREINT for your chance to be featured on the #ThankYouMiami Instagram page.

IMPREINT is an artist who believes "art has to have a social impact". In 2012, while he was working on painting a collection of 1,000 balloons, IMPREINT saw the painted balloons as people - each one different and imperfect, yet beautiful. Inspired by his balloon collection, he created the one-year project "Portraits" to visualize the human element behind his art and to unify an international audience through photographs with a single, plain-colored balloon. The balloons in the photographs are a reminder of the constants that transcend the geographical and cultural differences of its participants and that connect all humans as citizens of planet Earth.

We are honored to submit the first photo for "Good Morning, Miami", every detail of which is intended to show the world how amazing our city is. The white balloon adds a touch of Miami chic to an outfit showcasing pieces from local style purveyors Ohm Boutique, Razön, and Thrifter Miami. The background highlights Miami landmarks, including the Port of Miami and the killer downtown Miami skyline. Through these elements, Miami responds to IMPREINT's call by saying "Good Morning, World". And, the world looks back in amazement.

Good Morning, Miami! A gorgeous view of the Port of Miami & the Downtown Miami skyline from South Pointe Park in Miami Beach. Photo credit: Brad Wells.

Bamboo Sunnies - Razön

Coin Dangle Earrings - Thrifter Miami

Leah Knit Tank - Ohm Boutique

Overalls (Similar) - H&M

Sandals (Similar) - Steve Madden

#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 (Swim Week) Fashion

Miami Swim Week was chock-full of #ThankYouMiami moments. We compiled our top 10 just for you. Read the excerpt from our latest #ThankYouMiami for Fashion column below and click on the photo to see the full feature. 

Miami Swim Week se lució con sus momentos #ThankYouMiami. Compilamos los 10 mejores solo para ti. Lee el extracto de nuestro nuevo artículo para #ThankYouMiami for Fashion y dale click a la foto para ver todo el artículo.

What were your favorite Miami Swim Week moments? Which swimwear and resortwear styles are you excited to wear? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for Fashion - Miami Swim Week Style Diary

Miami Swim Week quickly came and went. It left us with some amazing memories, a lot of fashion inspo, and a little bit of a cold. While we work to put together our recap, here's our style diary - a day-to-day of what we wore and where you can get it. Read the excerpt from our latest #ThankYouMiami for Fashion column below and click on the photo to see the full feature.

Miami Swim Week llego y se fué muy rápido. Nos dejo con unas memorias fabulosas, mucha inspiración de moda, y un poquito enfermos. Mientras trabajamos en nuestro resumen de la semana, te dejamos con un diario de nuestro estilo personal - es decir, el día a día de lo que portamos y en donde lo puedes encontrar. Lee el extracto de nuestro nuevo artículo para #ThankYouMiami for Fashion y dale click a la foto para ver todo el artículo.

Which look would you wear? What is your must-have summer accessory or clothing staple for beating the heat and looking stylish? Did you attend Miami Swim Week? What was your favorite event? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for Themed Weeks - Miami Swim Week 2014

Happy Swim Week, Miami! We hope you find yourself well-rested because we are about to embark on a binge of fashion, fashion, and more fashion! Our goals for the next 5 days are:

1. To pick up on the newest trends on and off the runway;
2. To stock up on swimwear for the rest of the year; and,
3. To have as much fun as humanly possible.

If you are up for the challenge, we hope you join us at some of this week's most anticipated events. We will continue to update the list below of where we plan to be. Say hi if you see us - we would love to meet you!

#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!

#ThankYouMiami for Fashion - Nicaragua Beach Style

We have already established that Miami is the queen of beach style but, like everything in Miami, that beach style is the product of a melting pot environment. So, during our recent trip to Nicaragua, we multi-tasked - that is, we relaxed, sipped on frozen cocktails, and shot some Nicaraguan beach style to further inspire Miami's beach looks. Read the excerpt from our latest #ThankYouMiami for Fashion column below and click on the photo to see the photos and read the full post.

Ya hemos establecido que Miami es la reina del estilo de playa pero, como todo en Miami, ese estilo es el producto de varias influencias. Durante nuestro viaje a Nicaragua, estuvimos muy ocupados - es decir, nos relajamos, disfrutamos bebidas congeladas, y tomamos fotos del estilo de playa en Nicaragua para inspirar los looks de playa de Miami. Lee el extracto de nuestro nuevo artículo para #ThankYouMiami for Fashion y dale click a la foto para ver nuestras fotos y leer nuestros comentarios.

What do you think of the surf and bohemian styles? Have you seen these styles during your travels? Which was your favorite beach look we snapped in Nicaragua? Did you see any elements of your style? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiamiGoesToNicaragua - Trailer 1

Last month, the #ThankYouMiami team traveled to Rivas, Nicaragua to work on a special video project. The video, filmed around Rivas and at Nicaragua365's Fort Walker rental home, showcases Miami surfers in their element, as well as how Miami brands like B.O.A.T. Attire, Cameri Bead Studios, and Razön make travel comfortable and fashionable. The first trailer, featuring B.O.A.T. Attire's Chrissie tank top, is available on our new YouTube channel and below. Enjoy!

El mes pasado el equipo de #ThankYouMiami viajó a Rivas, Nicaragua para trabajar en un proyecto especial. El video, que fue filmado alrededor de Rivas y en la propiedad de renta Fort Walker, muestra a varios surfeadores y marcas de Miami. El primer corto, en la que figura ropa de la marca B.O.A.T. Attire, ya esta disponible en nuestro nuevo canal de YouTube y debajo. ¡Disfrútalo!

#ThankYouMiami for Fashion - You Say Street Style, We Say Beach Style

In the city where it's summer year-round, swimwear is like a second skin. And, regardless of where we find ourselves in the world, Miami-ans make sure our pool and beach looks are flawless. The #ThankYouMiami team's travels to Nicaragua are no exception. Check out the new #ThankYouMiami for Fashion post where we show you our favorite look from our time poolside at Nicaragua365's Fort Walker rental home. Read the excerpt below and click on the photo to read the full post.

What are your swimwear or resort-wear must-haves for this Summer season? How do you accessorize your pool and beach looks? Which designer are you most excited to see at this year's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim? Leave a comment below or send me a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#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 Scoop

Last week, I was honored to be announced as the new fashion contributor to Soul of Miami, one of the most popular sites in South Florida. In case you missed my first two posts, you can read the excerpts below and click each image to read the full posts. Moving forward, all posts for the #ThankYouMiami for Fashion column will also be posted on here for your viewing pleasure. I look forward to sharing with you more about Miami's fashion revolution!

What would you like to see in my new column? Personal style features? Fashion event recaps? Upcoming event information? Leave me 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:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#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 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 Fashion Happy Hour - October 2013

I have a love/hate relationship with Miami and one reason is the absurd amount of events going on at one time. There is almost TOO much to do in Miami. And, as locals, we are stuck with the burden of choosing between going to that music festival, pool party, business opening, or art event. Let's face it - they all sound really fun, but we can't do them all.

Luckily, some events make the decision-making process easy. Enter, Fashion Happy Hour, a monthly event hosted at different Miami venues that is free and open to the public. Fashion Happy Hour merges all of the elements of your usual happy hour experience (e.g., music, 2x1 drinks, delicious food, and new friends) with art, fashion, and shopping. Best of all, most of the participating vendors are Miami-based or Miami-originated businesses (and #ThankYouMiami for that).

Last month, I grabbed my best friend and checked out the September Fashion Happy Hour at RedBar Gallery in Brickell. Needless to say, I had a cocktail in hand, two shopping bags, and a handful of new friends within 5 minutes of arriving. The highlight of the night was enjoying shopping, cocktails, and the awesome vibe with Miami chicas like Maya from A La Mode Maya, Mariamely from Local Genie Miami, and Yoana from Think Red, Inc.

This Friday, Fashion Happy Hour will be hosting its monthly event again at RedBar Gallery, but with a Halloween twist. I can't wait to get into the Halloween spirit with festive body painting by Miami local Vee Marie of iBrushYou and a manicure from Miami nail salon, Candy Coat Nail Boutique. I'm also excited to check out this month's vendors and to meet more fascinating locals so see you there, Miami!

Check out some of my favorite moments from the September event below:

A social butterfly's dream. Fashion Happy Hour combines shopping, fashion, art, and your typical Friday evening socializing into one convenient monthly event so you don't have to make any social trade-offs.

Unique fashion finds. One of the vendors, Pretty Odd Boutique, had me hooked as soon as I walked in. Check out Thank You, Miami's Instagram for a sneak peek of the gorgeous dress I picked up at the event.

Late night munchies. RedBar Gallery is outfitted with a little cafeteria window that offers latin bar food specials like these ground beef tacos.

I owe how much? RedBar's Happy Hour prices were more than reasonable. So much so, that I took a photo of my receipt at the end of the night.

Have you attended a previous Fashion Happy Hour? What were some of your favorite moments? Leave a comment below or send me a tweet @ThankYouMiami! Also, let me know if you are coming on Friday. I would love to meet you!