#ThankYouMiami for Cirque Du Soleil's OVO

Cirque Du Soleil is not your average traveling circus. From the elaborate shows residing in Vegas to the colorful tents that pop up throughout the country— they are known for flawless stunt execution and mesmerizing costumes that are always governed by a unique and otherworldly theme. The kind of extravagance and showmanship perfectly suited for dazzling metropolitan cities like Miami. This summer, Cirque Du Soleil’s latest show, OVO, made a pit stop at the American Airlines Arena and we were lucky enough to get an exclusive peek of the show, including a behind-the-scenes tour.

#ThankYouMiami for New Experiences - A Day at the Races

Miami life is constantly begging for our attention. There is so much to do at any given moment that our social calendars can border on a "Honey Do" list. It is ironic, then, that Miami-ans can still suffer from occasional boredom. A boredom caused partially by an overwhelming amount of social stimuli and partially by a monotonous routine. Today, we help you sort through the social white noise and fight boredom by sharing with you an experience that breaks our norm: horse racing.

We do not consider ourselves horse people or gamblers, but we are fans of new experiences. So, without any prior knowledge of the sport, we joined America's Best Racing for a day at Gulfstream Park's thoroughbred race track. Our biggest surprise was learning that there is a large horse racing community in Miami that gathers from Thursday through Sunday at Gulfstream Park. But don't be intimidated by the regulars - most are welcoming of new fans. Plus, thanks to America's Best Racing, we picked up 5 tips so you can also join in on the fun:

#ThankYouMiami for Themed Weeks - Miami Spa Month

July is shaping up to be the best month to be a Miami resident. As we ramp up for Miami Swim Week, Miami Spa Month is keeping us calm, cool and collected. The brain child of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Miami Spa Month gives residents and visitors an excuse to indulge in treatments at Miami's renown spas without breaking the bank. Packages starting at $99 are available at participating spas from Aventura to Coral Gables and can include a variety of amenities, including use of the pool and gym at some of our favorite hotels.

This week, we are on perma-bliss thanks to Jurlique Spa at the Mayfair Hotel in Coconut Grove, where we joined fellow Miami bon vivant, Shayne Benowitz of Wanderlust Chameleon, on Tuesday for a post-work evening of massages and bubbles. Jurlique Spa treated us to one-hour Mayfair Signature Tangerine Mimosa massages that quickly made us forget the stress of Miami life. And, considering Miami Beach was named the most stressed suburb in America, that is quite a feat!

When we arrived, we were assigned personal changing suites outfitted with a shower, locker, and key necessities, then we were given a few moments to unwind with a cup of green tea in Jurlique Spa's lounge. Masseuse Elizabeth helped us further center ourselves by placing a heated herbal pack on our spine at the start of the massage. She then applied the perfect amount of pressure to deliver a relaxing and restorative massage using essential oils and a tangerine mimosa back scrub. We were drooling after only 60 minutes, but we've been riding our post-spa high straight into the weekend.

Whether you're looking to unwind on a weekday or live it up on the weekend, Jurlique Spa is the perfect option. During Miami Spa Month, they are offering two combo packages at $99 and two combo packages at $129. Both options include full use of the Mayfair Hotel's pool, fitness center, steam room, spa lounge, and changing suites or lockers depending on availability. Your treatment also includes a $5 discount toward valet parking.

A hard day at work, girl's day, the stress of Miami life - which excuse will you use to find your bliss this Miami Spa Month? Get inspired by photos from our visit to Jurlique Spa below!

What spas are you most looking forward to visiting this Miami Spa Month? Why? What is your favorite themed week to celebrate in Miami? Leave a comment below or send us a 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!