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Culinary

Spice Up Your Life

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By Carissa Davis Photos courtesy of Brustman Carrino PR Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau is hosting its 12th annual Miami Spice Restaurant Program offering exclusive gourmet culinary demonstrations to the public throughout the month of August. Miami Spice Restaurant Program, popular with Miami residents and visitors alike, is launching its annual program with a record-breaking number of participating restaurants, a new and improved website and an expansive lineup of promotions and events. This year Miami Spice is proud to host a month-long series of cooking demonstrations with chefs from various participating restaurants of top caliber. Chefs will showcase menu items from their respective restaurants at exclusive demonstrations being held in four locations- Whole Foods Market in Coral Gables, Bloomingdale’s and The Macy’s Home Store both at Aventura Mall and The Macy’s Home Store at Dadeland Mall. The culinary demonstrations, which are free and open to the public, will be given by some of the top chefs in the area including Scott Barrow of Devon Seafood + Steak, Cindy Hutson of Ortanique on the Mile, Dario Correa of Spartico and Brian Nasajon of SUSHISAMBA Coral Gables. In addition to enjoying the culinary demonstrations, guests can dine on three course prix fixe lunches and dinners at specially discounted prices. Guests can also enter to win irresistible prizes made possible by Miami Spice’s event sponsors, like one of eight cruises to the Eastern Caribbean on one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ships. Other sponsors in addition to Norwegian Cruise Line include Mastercard Priceless Miami, BACARDI, Stella Artois and Wines of Chile. Demonstrations will run throughout the months of August and September. For more information on demonstration schedules and registration please visit www.ILoveMiamiSpice.com

Arts, Culture

FIAT 500L, a Work-of-Art With South Florida Roots

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By Carissa Davis FIAT of North Miami has recently celebrated the launch of the new 2014 FIAT 500L with the help of one of South Florida’s most promising artists. On the evening of July 10, FIAT of North Miami and South Florida artist Alexander Mijares celebrated the launch of the FIAT 500L with a FIAT designed by Mijares and wrapped by Live Colors. The new FIAT 500L features an all-new small-wide design with two extra doors and 42 percent more interior space than previous FIAT models. In addition to the vehicle art, guests enjoyed a showcase of additional paintings created by Mijares as well as other works of art by MADinItaly. Guests were automatically entered into a contest to win an overnight test drive in Mijares’ specially-designed FIAT. The “artwork on wheels” is currently on a two-month tour around Miami before it is placed for sale to the public. Alexander Mijares http://www.fiatusaofnorthmiami.com/index.htm

Fashion, Shows & Events, Swimwear

Mercedes- Benz Fashion Week Swim Miami Beach

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Text by MSM’s Carissa Davis Photos by MSM’s Imani Ogden As photographers, celebrities and fashion gurus descend upon Miami for Fashion Week Swim 2014, designers, models and countless volunteers anxiously immerse themselves in a whirlwind of luxurious swimwear fashion shows for five days. South Beach never sleeps, but during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim the city comes alive in a completely different way. South Beach is home to the swimwear industry’s most anticipated event Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim Miami. This year, the ninth annual Miami Beach Fashion Week Swim features swimwear veteran brands like ROXY and first time Miami Beach Fashion Week Swim participant designers like Maaji. The Raleigh Hotel is the mecca of action for the week as it transformed its pool deck into a surfer’s hotspot to host a special kick-off event celebrating 25 years of ROXY as an iconic swimwear brand and industry leader. The Raleigh is expecting the largest guest turn out since Miami Beach Fashion Week Swim began due to the impressive list of designers including Agua Bendita, Poko Pano, Dolores Cortes, Wildfox Swim, Oakley, Beach Bunny and many others. In the past nine years this Miami Beach Fashion Week Swim has been named one of the must-see events of the summer because of its perfect fit between South Beach and swimwear. The two go “hand in hand,” some can even say synonymously. Miami is one of the only cities where you can see the sexiness of the swimsuits on the runway paralleled by what you see every day on South Beach with its patrons, their designer clothing, luxurious lifestyles and fabulous lifestyles. Miami has enthusiastically welcome its international guests, designers and fashion show attendees alike. For more information and a full schedule of designers and events please visit miami.mbfashionweek.com/schedule

Culinary

Design District neighborhood hotspot, Oak Tavern Now Delivers!

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Design District neighborhood hotspot, Oak Tavern, has added a delivery option for customers to enjoy. Craving one of Oak Tavern’s wood-grilled shrimp salads or prosciutto pizzas but don’t have the time to get there for lunch? No worries! Owner/Executive of Oak Tavern, David Bracha, has launched the restaurant’s delivery service in response to a number of requests from its faithful regular customers. The restaurant’s delivery service, which was launched on June 17, is available Monday through Friday between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Deliveries can be made to customers in Downtown, Midtown and the Design District between 15th and 50th streets and Biscayne Boulevard. Oak Tavern, known for its daily menu changes based on the freshness and availability of ingredients, has added a “To Go” menu to its main website to inform diners of available items for the day. The “To Go” menu includes a great selection of staple menu items including bacalao croquettes, salads, wood-oven pizzas, sandwiches, fish of the day and sweet desserts. Orders must be placed by telephone at 786-391-1818 at a minimum of $15. Orders will be delivered in one hour or less and include a $3 delivery charge. When you’re not tied down, feel free to visit Oak Tavern located at 35 NE 40th St. for weekday lunch and dinner and on Sundays for brunch. For more information visit oaktavernmiami.com. By Carissa Davis, MSM Editorial Division

Culinary

Mas Vino Wine and Spirits, Grand Opening in Hallandale.

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By Carissa Davis, MSM Editorial Division Photos Courtesy of SPINHOUSE PR South Florida’s largest wine, spirits and beer retailer has opened its doors welcoming nearly 1,0000 guests to its Grand Opening in Hallandale. Mas Vino’s owner, Colby Terlip successfully celebrated the opening of his store in style with samba dancers, more than 50 live retailers, incredible giveaways and to top it off, special guest host Adriana De Moura of Real Housewives of Miami. The grand opening was held on June 15 at Mas Vino Wine and Spirits located at 704 East Hallandale Beach Blvd in Hallandale. Guests were offered free tastings of the finest and most rare wines skillfully paired with delicious foods to create an incredible taste experience. A handful of lucky guests took home amazing giveaway prizes. Some guests even went home with a magnum bottle of Veuve Cliqot, worth nearly $400. But style, incredible taste and the finest products are nothing new to Terlip and Mas Vino’s general manager Charles Ferrin. The two are wine experts with deep knowledge of wines from all over the world and knowledge of pleasurable food pairings. Both men are also bringing years of experience in the wine business into their newest project Mas Vino. Terlip and Ferrin feel that it is time for Miami and South Florida to have access to a luxury retailer offering fine wines, spirits, craft beer, sake, mixers, stemware and food from South America, Portugal, France, Eastern Europe, Spain and the United States. Terlip and Ferrin encourage South Florida visitors and residents alike to visit Mas Vino for the ultimate experience in fine wine and spirits. For more information, feel free to visit masvinomiami.com for Ferrin’s blog on wine and food.

Arts, Events

Color-A-Cause 2nd Annual Exhibit

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Photos by Imani Ogden It was a star studded event last Wednesday in celebration of the 2nd Annual Color-A-Cause at the Hoxton. Hosted by NBC anchor Roxanne Vargas and showcased through the eyes of Artist Joey Mugica, Miami’s “Power 20” honorees were “Color Queened” and honored as South Florida’s most influential people. The 20 Honorees include: Beth Sobol, Adora, Berta Bravo, Craig Stevens, Hansell Leyva, James Cubby, Gerry Kelly, Jammin Johnny, Jipsy, Lesley Abravanel, Malinka Max, Maryel Epps, Michael Gongora, Stacy Russell, “Trend Tracker” Tara Gilani, Tony Guerra, Viviana Gabeiras, Nikola Charpentier and Rey Casas. Charity proceeds for this event will go to “Neat Stuff for Kids”.

Health & Fitness

5 Tips To Get A Flat Tummy… Fast

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By Ingrid Macher Nothing can ruin your confidence faster than belly fat. Before I made my transformation and lost 55 pounds in 90 days… All I wanted was a flat tummy… with some sexy abs… But no matter how hard I worked… I couldn’t get rid of that frustrating “pouch.” I’d diet and exercise, but nothing I tried got me any closer to my goal. But then I did some research and found out why belly fat can be especially hard to lose. It turns out, a lot of the fat is actually stored under your stomach muscles. And you’ll never get rid of this fat by simply cutting calories or running on a treadmill. It’s much more complicated than that. Because to get this fat under control, you first
have to get certain hormones under control… hormones which cause you to store fat
around the midsection. But by following these 5 simple tips, you’ll take control of your hormones… and force your body to melt that stubborn belly fat. Tip #1: Make sure you get enough sleep. It’s funny. When we think of losing weight, we think of being active. But sometimes the best thing you can do for your body is the thing that requires the least amount of effort… Sleep! Lack of sleep has been shown to lead to weight gain. It makes us insulin resistant… which sends us into fat storage mode. It also controls our levels of leptin, which is known as the hunger hormone. So without enough sleep, we’re going to crave more food… making it harder for us to get the slim waistline we’re after. So make sure you get at least 7 hours of sleep per night. Tip #2: Reduce stress. Stress isn’t just something that takes its toll on you mentally. Its effects are actually felt by your body. When you’re stressed, your body produces a hormone called cortisol. Unfortunately, too much of this hormone causes your body to store belly fat. So it’s extremely important you control your stress levels. Exercise is a great way to do this. But make sure you also take time to allow your body and mind to rest completely. A great way to do this is by meditation. Just close your eyes, play some music, and let your mind go where it wants to go. Tip #3: Have good posture. Many people underestimate the effects good posture has on their appearance. By standing up straight and pulling in your tummy, you’re indirectly working your
stomach muscles all day… which helps them get that toned appearance. But that’s the only reason to practice good posture… Another reason is… is simply makes you look skinnier! By making the decision to stand up
straight, you look much healthier and much more graceful than if you slouch. Tip #4: Eat high-fiber “super foods.” It’s hard to have a flat belly when you’re bloated. And the way you prevent the bloat is by including a lot of high-fiber foods in your diet,
which keep your digestion regular. Some great choices here are: wheat germ, chia seeds, and flax seed. Tip #5: Eat small meals every 3 hours. This is another way to prevent the bloating people get after eating a big meal. By eating small meals more regularly, you make it easier on your body to digest those meals. So you avoid bloating. Plus, these small meals keep your metabolism revved up… so you automatically blast more fat! Make sure to have a nice snack between lunch and dinner. Aim for foods high in protein and fiber. This will help boost your metabolism and keep you from overeating at dinner time. By following these 5 tips, you’ll be able to make incredible progress… and get a flat tummy in no time. I did it… and I know you can do it.   Ingrid Macher is a holistic health coach, personal trainer, and fitness motivator. After finding the key to losing 50 pounds in 90 days herself, she has found it her duty to help everyone to become more healthy and happy. On her website, she reveals how she did it in her free eBook: 
9 Simple Secrets I Used to Melt Away 50 Pounds – http://my9secrets.com/
9 Secretos que me Ayudaron a Perder 50 Libras Rapidamente – http://9secretos.com/

Fashion, Fashion 101

Nick Verreos coming to South Florida

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Panamanian celebrity fashion designer Nick Verreos is visiting Southern Florida for the launch of his line at Dillard’s in Pembroke Pines on June 1st at 2PM. Nick Verreos is a highly successful fashion designer, and TV Guide Network’s red carpet host and correspondent.  In 2001, Nick co-founded NIKOLAKI, with design and business partner, David Paul. NIKOLAKI sold in over 150 stores in the US, Japan, and Latin America, and was featured in various publications including WWD, Lucky, GenLux, Us Weekly, and People Magazine. In an effort to help women look and feel their best, Nick has just launched the NV Nick Verreos dress line in Dillard’s department stores.  “I’ve incorporated my love of draping and color and also infused my years of knowledge as a fashion designer with details, fit, and shape that will flatter every woman’s figure, says Nick.  “Every woman deserves a red carpet moment. For 10 years, I’ve designed a high-end collection that has been worn by everyone from Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood, Heidi Klum, Eva Longoria to Beyonce. And now with NV Nick Verreos, I’m excited to bring this contemporary line of dresses to women across America!” MSM’s Carissa Davis goes One on One with Nick Verreos – The Dress Collection Interview What makes you most excited about your dress line for Dillards department stores? What makes this line different from any of your previous collections (other than price)? I’m so excited for the launch of my new “NV Nick Verreos” dress line, more importantly because this is the first time my designs are available across the country, as opposed to only in specific boutiques or only through “special custom order”. With my high end line of “NIKOLAKI” cocktail dresses and gowns, I had a limited reach of customers (especially with the four-digit price points) but with “NV Nick Verreos” available at about 50 Dillard’s PLUS online, it can reach a “national” market of fabulous women who want to look even more fabulous…and yes, at a lower price points since these dresses retail from $108-$168. What is your inspiration for your dress line for Dillards? My inspiration for “NV Nick Verreos” collection of dresses comes from my travels and visiting museums (paintings, sculptures), architecture, buildings. For this Spring/Summer collection, I was inspired by the Amalfi Coast of Italy and one of my favorite places to travel to, Positano. In general, however, I’m most inspired by strong confident women who are not afraid to take chances when it comes to fashion and look chic, sexy and powerful, all at the same time. Those women ARE my inspiration for “NV Nick Verreos”. How do you incorporate your everyday experiences into your designs? In terms of my “everyday experiences”, I would say those are not necessarily in every dress but instead my dresses definitely have my “DNA”; I’m half Greek and love interpreting the “Grecian Goddess” draping I love to do, in my designs. My other half is Latino, my mom is from Panama and I grew up in Venezuela so these dresses have a little bit of the fiery hot and very confident Latina woman in them! You might see that in the bold colors or more body-con shapes. Who did you have in mind when you were designing your dress line for Dillards? When I was designing “NV Nick Verreos” I thought of that confident self-assured woman I spoke of in the beginning. I always say this line is not for the “Wallflower” girl who wants to stand in the corner with your “typical” black sheath dress, but more for that woman who is not afraid to be seen across the room. She wants to be noticed and be complimented and these are dresses that give her power, confidence and as I say “an ego boost”. My “NV” woman reads all the fashion magazines, all the blogs and wants a dress that looks as if it’s $600 but for $108! She also wants to upgrade from those cheaper dresses (from “Fast Fashion” stores) that either don’t fit her right or start coming apart after only being worn twice! What is the best accessory a woman can pair with the dresses from your dress line for Dillards? Besides having me next to them as they make their entrance into a dinner/event/party…I think the (next best) accessory and/or accessories for my dresses would include one or two metallic cuffs/bracelets, a great pair of pumps, nude ones or metallic, and a fabulous clutch. Now, she’s ready for a night out in her new “NV Nick Verreos” dress. On the opposite spectrum of styling, a woman can accessorize one of the printed crepe dresses or draped jersey ones with some simple earrings, gold strappy sandals and then they are ready for a Sunday Brunch! Did your childhood play a role in your pursuit of a career in fashion and design? And if so, how? I would definitely say that “Yes!” my childhood did play a role in pursuing a career in fashion and design. As a little boy, we traveled a lot and my first memories of women with style were the fabulously uniformed flight attendants from Lufthansa, KLM, Pan Am, from back in the 70’s (yes, I am aging myself!). Also, growing up in Venezuela, I was very influenced by watching the “Miss Venezuela Pageant” and especially when they would have a GLORIOUS Fashion Show during the “evening gown” competition. I remember being 6 or 7 years old thinking “Wow, I want to make those dresses!”. What three style tips do you have for Fall 2013 trends? What should women keep their eyes out for? I would say for Fall 2013, women should keep their (style) eyes out for: Eastern Influences: Look for dresses with Obi waist wraps and Kimono/Batwing Sleeves. Leather Accents: Whether it is Faux or Real Leather; mix with Jersey and Stretch Woven fabrics for a modern and direction accent. Color Blocking: This will be one of the biggest trends for Fall 2013. Look for unique

Beauty, Body, Skin Care

Q&A with Cindy Barshop, founder and owner of Completely Bare

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Interviewed by Samantha Marie, Lifestyle Editor Photo’s courtesy of Siren Public Relations, Inc. MSM gets the facts from Cindy Barshop, founder and owner of Completely Bare… SM: Is it necessary to hire a licensed esthetician for waxing, or is this something that anyone can do themselves at home? CB: It’s not necessary to hire a licensed esthetician if you have great quality products at home. For those who prefer to wax at home, Completely Bare’s Salon Quality Bikini and Body Wax Kit, Salon Quality Face & Other Sensitive Areas Wax Kit and Hypo Allergenic Wax Strips for Face, Bikini, Body help to achieve wonderful results and are the same high-end, result-oriented quality wax used in my New York spas.  If you are going to a spa, make sure the aestheticians there are licensed; if you are paying someone for a service they should have the proper credentials and deliver stellar results. SM: What are some of the pros and cons of waxing, shaving, and laser hair removal? CB: First and foremost, your preferred method of waxing, shaving and/or laser hair removal really depends on the person. Some of the pros of waxing include: – An immediate result – It’s not as expensive – Can wax either in the convenience of your home or at a spa The cons of waxing include: – It’s more painful – Ingrown hairs are possible – Have to wait for it to grow back before waxing again – You have to wax for the rest of your life The pros of laser include: – Gets rid of it forever – Rejunvates skin in area – No irritation – At some point, you begin to save money – You’re forever hair-free – Great for coarse, dark skin – Great if certain parts of hair on your body affect your everyday life Some of the cons of laser include: – It’s more expensive, as it’s a larger up-front cost – Cant have a fresh suntan; you need to wait two weeks before going for your laser appointment Some of the pros of shaving include: – Fast results – It’s inexpensive The cons of shaving include: – It can grow back faster and thicker – Can lead to ingrown hairs SM: How long must the hair length be before you can wax your legs, under arms, bikini area, etc..? CB: I would advise for hair to be 1/4 inches long before waxing any area of the body.   About Completely Bare: Founded on Madison Avenue, New York City over ten years ago by hair removal expert Cindy Barshop, the single spa in NYC has grown into a national success. The Real Housewives of New York City, Cindy is the founder of Completely Bare, the number one destination for hair removal for men and women in NYC and around the nation, providing breakthrough treatments and unparalleled service in laser hair removal, spray tanning, Brazilian bikini waxing and more with innovated techniques such as the VajewelT nationwide. Boasting highly trained hair removal experts, cutting edge technology and its Completely Bare method of hair removal, Completely Bare is the go-to spa for gentle, lasting hair removal. Catering to the world’s most discerning clients, Completely Bare offers an array of laser hair removal treatments, providing options for every hair type, skin color and hair color. Every service utilizes new innovations for a customized and comfortable experience; from “ouch-less” wax for sensitive skin to scent-free sculpted tans. Completely Bare has been featured in renowned publications such as Vogue, InStyle, Elle and Cosmopolitan and has been recognized by New York Magazine as one of the most innovative and successful spas in NYC. Founder, Cindy Barshop was a cast feature on Bravo’s hit television show, The Real Housewives of New York City. Completely Bare products can be purchased at CVS.com

Beauty, Body

MyLooks Center of Excellence for Cosmetic Surgery Miami Launch

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MyLooks celebrates the launch of MyLooks Center of Excellence for Cosmetic Surgery in Miami. An exclusive VIP reception took place on Friday, May 10th at the Cruz Building in Coconut Grove. The reception with more than 150 guests was hosted by Dr. Darryl J. Blinksi and exclusively covered by MSM. Photos by Imani Ogden MSM AROUNDTOWN

Fashion, Shows & Events, Swimwear

GABBITA’S Swim Spring/Summer Launch Party Makes A Splash

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Photo by Imani Ogden As we walked across the pool deck of 500 Brickell, we half expected to see mermaids glide across the pool and pop up onto the runway. Crowds of chicly dressed fashion-goers mingled in line for cocktails while others gathered by the beautifully lit pool and the glowing Miami skyline for pictures with newfound friends. Among the chic, Sol Filippi in a stunning turquoise necklace of her own design, greeted guest and conversed with MSM about her career journey inside the fabulous world of jewelry design. Backstage, Juliana Rojas hastened her models (who were clad in gorgeous crocheted dresses and bikinis) to line up for what turned out to be a truly unique and spectacular fashion show. *Stay tuned for our Summer Issue featuring one-on-one interviews with Juliana Rojas and Sol Filippi.

Luxury

Yacht Shopping Anyone?

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By Reagan Lightsey It’s nine a.m. on a Thursday and I’ve just been handed a glass of wine by a smartly-dressed yachting attendant. As I stand on a makeshift dock right across Collins Avenue from the Fontainebleau, I think to myself… “I could get used to this life…” As a matter of fact, I think I could get used to living full-time on any one one of these larger-than-life (or at least my life!) yachts. Ha—maybe if I was 25 sitting on $25 mill” like Drake…but alas, I just turned twenty-six, and I don’t see the purchase of one of these gorgeous Ferretti yachts in my very near future. So, if “you only live once” is, indeed, “The Motto,” I’m more than happy to throw back some wine and pretend that I am buying a boat. …But not just any boat. (In fact, to say the word “boat” in connection with this masterpiece is probably among the greater fo pauxs of this event.) The pick of the litter today is the brand new Pershing 82’ whose debut I am here to applaud. With all of the sophistication of any number of yachts by the Ferretti Group and a cruising speed of 45 knots, yacht designer Fulvio De Simoni has achieved something to admire. Since its origin in 1968, the Ferretti Group has built a legacy of unwavering excellence, and this is certainly true of the Pershing. The detail of this eighty-two foot yacht is not simply in the fabric—rather, it is in the wood grains, the perfectly selected, top-notch leather and the brilliantly engineered retractable glass back half. And of course, we cannot forget the majesty of its low, aggressive stance on the waves. I am fairly certain that to own a Pershing 82’ is to have arrived. That said, nothing less than the grandeur of the Miami Boat Show could have done for its debut. As a matter of fact, this particular display of yachts is the largest in Miami Boat Show history—only fitting for the sleekness of this iconic yacht. As we tour the interior—a large living space on the main floor behind the captain’s chairs (with the aforementioned retractable doors), four bedrooms and a kitchen—it is quite easy to see why the Pershing 82’ boasts three awards, including “Best Interior Layout” and “Best Innovation.” And certainly, we can’t overlook the third award, “Best Exterior”, especially when we take into account the beautifully designed sundecks. Yes, that is sundecks with an “s”, as there are actually two: one smaller one on the tip-top by the pilot’s seat and one perfectly situated slightly lower at the bow of the boat. Truly, no detail has been overlooked. As I wind my way back down the retractable carbon steel staircase that delivered me to the sundeck, it becomes increasingly clear why Ferretti Group has had over forty-four years of success; the splendor of the Pershing 82’, while special in its own right, also extends across their other seven brands. From the Bertram and Riva S.p.A. to the Itama, (an open motor style yacht), Ferretti merges distinction and finesse to achieve a particular brand of yachting superiority. View article in our spring issue here!

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