#ThankYouMiamiGoesToNicaragua - Chapter 3 Release!

In June 2014, 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 Jewelry, and Razön make travel comfortable and fashionable. Chapter 3 of the full video, which was filmed as we explored Nicaragua, is available on our new YouTube channel and below. In case you missed it, you can still view the first trailer and the second trailer. Enjoy! 

En junio del año 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 tercer capítulo de la película, que fue filmado mientras que exploramos diferentes partes del país, ya está disponible en nuestro nuevo canal de YouTube y debajo. Si te lo perdiste, todavía puedes el primer corto y el segundo corto. ¡Disfrútalos!

#ThankYouMiamiGoesToNicaragua - Chapter 2 Release!

In June 2014, 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. Chapter 2 of the full video, which was filmed the day the girls got surf lessons, is available on our new YouTube channel and below. In case you missed it, you can still view the first trailer and the second trailer. 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 segundo capítulo de la película, que fue filmado el día que las chicas tomamos clases de surf, ya está disponible en nuestro nuevo canal de YouTube y debajo. Si te lo perdiste, todavía puedes el primer corto y el segundo corto. ¡Disfrútalos!

#ThankYouMiamiGoesToNicaragua - Trailer 2

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 second trailer featuring Miami surfers tearing it up with local surfers is available on our new YouTube channel and below. In case you missed it, you can view the first trailer here. 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 segundo corto en la que figuran surfeadores de Miami y de Nicaragua ya esta disponible en nuestro nuevo canal de YouTube y debajo. Si te lo perdiste, puedes ver el primer corto aquí. ¡Disfrútalos!

#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!

#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 - 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!

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 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 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 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.

3 Reasons Why I #ThankYouMiami: The 2 Year Review

Today, August 8, 2013, marks the 2 year anniversary of Thank You, Miami. And, looking back, I have a lot for which to be thankful. So I Thank You, Miami for these past 2 years and for these 3 reasons because no other city delivers quite like you:

1. #ThankYouMiami for terrible Miami drivers.

Terrible Miami drivers (AKA 99% of the Miami population) are high on the list of issues I rant about the most because I swear they age me 5 years every time I get on the road. If the stress of sharing the road with them doesn't kill me, there is an unfortunately high chance that another Miamian's lack of driving ability will.

But, today I choose to #ThankYouMiami for your terrible drivers, without whom driving would be infinitely basic. Without whom I would take for granted driving competence and overall common sense. And, without whom I would probably take my life for granted more often than not.

So, #ThankYouMiami for terrible drivers because, while they are a threat to our safety, they keep us on our toes. 

2. #ThankYouMiami for making me fight for what I want, but teaching me how to get it.

Before I moved to Miami, I lived by the motto of "It is what it is". I knew how to fight for what I wanted, but often allowed my interpretation of fate to determine whether or not I got it. I quickly realized once I moved to Miami that this type of attitude leads you to getting little, if anything, of what you want here. Even worse, everyone else knows how to get what they want and more for FREE.

Slowly but surely I have learned how to fight for what I want out of pure necessity. More importantly, I have learned how to get what I want - partially by taking a page from the book of other successful but morally-sound Miamians (yes, we exist) and partially by exploiting my feminine charm.

So, #ThankYouMiami for making me fight for what I want, but giving me the skills to do so. After all, I have to be able to hold my own if I want to continue to live here.

3. #ThankYouMiami for being the ultimate staycation.

Between the stress of dealing with terrible drivers and the stress of fighting to make it in this city, I sometimes ask myself why I enjoy living here. Then I look at my calendar and realize it looks like the Griswold's itinerary on National Lampoon's Hawaiian Vacation so I stop asking myself stupid questions.

We are surrounded by world-class hotels, spas, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife, not to mention we have one of the best beaches on Earth according to Travel+Leisure. It is easy to forget that not everyone on the planet has it this good. And that, few people outside Miami leave work on Friday afternoons with the promise of beach days and pool parties.

So, #ThankYouMiami for being the ultimate staycation, where I can leave work at 5:30 p.m. and make it to the Mondrian in time to enjoy a mojito poolside and watch the sun set over Biscayne Bay.

Biscayne Bay and the gorgeous downtown Miami skyline as seen from the MacArthur Causeway.

I really enjoy swapping stories with others about how awesome, but often frustrating it is to live in Miami. Do you have a reason to thank Miami or a story to share? Leave a comment below or sending me a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

Why #ThankYouMiami?

I have been publicly thanking Miami for almost two years. I have been thanking Miami for the good, the bad, and the ugly. Sometimes my "thank you"s seem more like rants, but in the end I'm always thankful. But why #ThankYouMiami?

The idea for Thank You, Miami was born from my growing frustration with Miami's blatant disregard for common courtesy. One day, I decided I had had enough when one too many people didn't hold the elevator for me or didn't say "Good morning!" back. And I decided to do something to fix it. So I called upon the basic manners I was taught as a kid (the pleases and thank yous) and began to remind Miami, through example, how to be polite.

Part of leading by example meant engaging with Miami through social media. And, my work on Twitter opened my eyes to a lot more of Miami than I knew existed. After a few months, I realized many things about Miami, including a baffling realization - us locals often take it for granted.

It's easy to do. I mean, we are blessed by a beautiful setting, surrounded by gorgeous and talented people, and exposed to unique opportunities. But, after living here for some time, we get accustomed to these perks and they start to seem less special. Not to mention, they are often overshadowed by the trade-offs that come with living in such a popular destination.

Due to that realization, Thank You, Miami has since evolved into something more for me. It has become a way for Miamians to rediscover Miami, the city we love but also hate. A way to thank it for the joy it brings us. But also, an outlet for laughing and commiserating about those things that drive us mad. Because if you don't laugh, you'll cry.

In honor of Thank You, Miami's upcoming two year anniversary (August 8), let's look back at our favorite and least favorite aspects of Miami through my favorite 10 tweets from this past year:

I really enjoy swapping stories with others about how awesome, but often frustrating it is to live in Miami. Do you have a reason to thank Miami or a story to share? Leave a comment below or sending me a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#TouristsByLocals Giveaway!

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Dear Miami local,

As you and I are aware, we live in a very unique and fabulous place where most of us locals are kooky as sin and where tourists flock from near and far for the chance to be us for the weekend. If you're like me, you avoid tourist hangouts like the plague. The masses of visitors, distracted by the lights and the oddity of our people, are unwelcome obstacles to my fast-paced day-to-day. Hell, sometimes they are ill-timed reminders that even though the beach and pool are a few feet away, I can't spend all day tanning or drinking Veuve poolside. But every once in a while (about once a year), I take a stroll down Ocean Drive and bask in the throngs of awestruck tourists and their rowdiness and joie-de-vivre remind me of why I love living here.

#TouristsByLocals Giveaway Details

To inspire us to enjoy the good, the bad & the absurd of where we live, I will be doing a giveaway founded on the principle of: "If you can't beat them, join them". Starting Monday, July 1, take pictures, Miami, documenting tourists taking pictures while being touristy in our home. Photograph them posing by our world renown landmarks, taking pictures by the water with Fat Tuesdays cups in hand, and while they take group photos wearing silly helmets on segway tours. Photograph them taking pictures on their rented mopeds violating every traffic rule in the state.

Tag your pictures #TouristsByLocals for a daily chance to be featured on my twitter. Each picture that you submit and that I retweet between July 1 and July 28 will enter you into a drawing for a chance to win a $50 VISA gift card. There is no limit to the number of pictures you can submit, but you must be following me on Twitter (@ThankYouMiami) to be eligible. The winner will be announced on July 29 at 11:00 a.m. (EST). Snap away!

Exhibit A: Tourists taking pictures posing with a parked Ferrari on Ocean Drive #TouristsByLocals