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Giselle Valenzano

By Giselle Valenzano November 16, 2012 in All, Fashion

BEST OF FALL

Can you believe we are already almost through fall?  Where does the time go?

Well, one of my absolute favorite trends this fall had to be the oxblood color trend.  From clothes to accessories, this color was everywhere, so I decided to put together my top five oxblood favorites for fall.

  1. Oxblood Coated Jegging – $44
  2. Dune Balmore Metal Toe Cap Court Shoe – $174
  3. Oxblood Patent Satchel – $211
  4. Alexander McQueen skull ring – $125
  5. RGB nail polish – $16

So, there you have it! Some of my favorite oxblood pieces! What’s been your favorite fall trend?

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Ya casi estamos en otoño, lo puedes creer? ¿Dónde va el tiempo?

Bueno, una de mis favoritas modas de este otoño tendría que ser la moda de “oxblood” – color guinda. Desde ropa hasta accesorios, este color está en todas partes; así que decidí juntar cinco de mis favoritas piezas oxblood. Ojalá te gusten!

Así que ahí lo tienen! ¿Cuál fue tu moda favorita este otoño?

By Giselle Valenzano November 9, 2012 in All, Fashion

H&M GRAND OPENING

We went, and we conquered!

Flair Miami was excited to participate in the grand opening of H&M’s first official Miami store! A few months back we wrote about the pop-up shop in Meridian, but the wait is finally over! H&M’s flagship store located in the historic Lincoln Theatre is officially here, the store opened its doors to the public Nov. 8 at noon.

With over 24,000 square feet of retail space, H&M offers two floors of chic and cheap European-style finds. Who wouldn’t want to raid the store?

From $5 accessories to $10 dresses, H&M was filled with hundreds of people ready to shop till they dropped (and someone actually did, even a rescue came by to get them)! Yikes :(

If for some reason you were unable to participate in the opening of the South Beach location, you still have a chance to be a part of the grand opening in Aventura Mall. The store is scheduled to open before the end of the year!

 

By Giselle Valenzano November 2, 2012 in All, Fashion

FASHION FAVORITES

As we all know, Fridays at Flair Miami are completely dedicated to FASHION!  I have to admit, reading, talking, and writing about fashion is probably one of my favorite things, and this ‘Fashion Friday’ I’ve decided to dedicate to some of my personal fashion favorites.

I’ve put together three outfits, one day time outfit, one work place outfit, and one night time outfit.  I also set a budget for each outfit, the day time being least expensive and the night time being most expensive, ranging from $150 to $350.

Here are some of my fashion favorites for day, work, and night:

1.  DAY TIME OUTFIT UNDER $150

Even though chilly days in Miami are unpredictable, I still can’t help but love chunky knit sweaters. Maybe it is because being able to wear one is something that rarely happens. I also love how gold and black look together, I think it gives such an edgy feel to the very preppy knit sweater.  Oh, and lets not forget the amazing Tom Ford look alikes! What a steal!

Grand total: $139

2. WORK PLACE OUTFIT UNDER $250

What I love about this outfit is that two very popular fall trends have been incorporated – the oxblood and the spots.  I think this would be a very fun/fashion forward office look (well, depending on where you work ;) ).

Grand Total: $240

3.  NIGHT TIME OUTFIT UNDER $350.

One word – Metallics. Metallics are a great way to give an outfit the perfect edge with out over doing it. Since the main focus is obviously the dress, I chose more subtle accessories, and to top it off a great oxblood lipstick and nail polish for a little pop of color. I love this and I think it’s perfect for a night out. You will definitely make a statement in this outfit!

Grand Total: $345

So there you have it!  Some of my personal fashion favorites.  Which is your favorite outfit?

Banner Image Source

By Giselle Valenzano October 22, 2012 in All, Fun

WHAT TO DO THIS HALLOWEEN

For those who haven’t noticed, Halloween is right around the corner, and you may be wondering, what is there to do?

Whether you are looking for family friendly or adult only fun, you’ve come to the right place. Check out these Halloween festivities.

FUN FOR FAMILY:

Halloween Spooktacular 
WHAT: Bring your kids out to enjoy an afternoon of face paining, pie eating contests, arts and crafts, trick-or-treating, costume contests, and more!  Kids (3-10) admission is $5 and all activities are included with park admission.
WHEN: 10/27- 10/28/2012 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
WHERE: Jungle Island

Halloween on the Mile
WHAT:  It’s a family affair (pets included) on Miracle Mile!  Join other families on the mile for trick-or-treating, story time, special performances, kiddie costumes, and doggie costume contests!
WHEN: 10/31/2012 4:00-7:00 PM.
WHERE: On Miracle Mile

Monster Splash
WHAT: Monster Splash Daytime Splash and Nighttime Bash at the Miami Seaquarium.  Trick-or-treat at Sharky’s Sweet Tooth Station, let the kids enjoy kiddie rides and bounce houses at the Little Monsters Play Area, and take a splash at Flipper’s Dance Party. Click here for more information on ticket prices.
WHEN: 10/26 – 10/31/2012
WHERE: Miami Seaquarium

House of Horror Amussement Park
WHAT: Enjoy an evening of carnival rides, food, and games, circus acts and live performances.  Oh, and did I forget to mention a 2-acre haunted house?  If you are looking for a little scare, House of Horror is the place for you! Tickets are $23 for adults and $15 for children (6 and under).  Click here to receive a free coupon!
WHEN: 09/27-10/31/12 Mon. – Thur: 6PM to Midnight & Fri- Sun: 5PM to Midnight
WHERE: Miami International Mall (East Parking Lot)

FUN FOR ADULTS:

The Haunted Jaunt
WHAT: The first annual Haunted Jaunt hosted by The Ponce Society of Young Professionals.  A Halloween-themed haunted house/street party for adults 21+ benefitting the Coral Gables Community Foundation.  The “Jaunt” will feature a walk-through street fair experience in which each sponsor will have its own “haunted house” on the streets of Coral Gables.  Also expect to enjoy costume contests, food and drinks, and vintage horror movies.  Tickets are $20 and are available here.  Costumes are encouraged!
WHEN: 10/24/2012 5PM – 11PM
WHERE: Fred B. Hartnett Ponce Circle Park, 2901 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables, FL

Spookover
WHAT: Interested in spending the night at the most haunted location in South Florida?  Stay overnight at Deering Estate and get spooked while taking a night hike.  Also, let the League of Paranormal Investigators take you on a paranormal investigation through Deering Estate! To purchase tickets call (305) 235-1668
WHEN: 10/26/2012 11PM – 4AM
WHERE: Deering Estate at Cutler, 16701 SW 72 Ave. Miami Fl 33157

Back in Black
WHAT: Considered the country’s leading adult-themed Halloween costume party, Back in Black has returned to Miami for its 3rd consecutive year!  This 21+ party will take place in the heart of Miami at Bicentennial Park.  Guests will get the chance to enjoy a line-up of dance’s top music performers including Dirty South, Paul Van Dyke and many more.  Tickets are available here.
WHEN: 10/27/2012 2PM – MIDNIGHT
WHERE: Bicentennial Park, 1075 Biscayne Blvd, Miami Fl 33132.

Halloween Sundowner
WHAT: This 21+ Halloween party is held at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.  Enjoy a night of cocktails, snacks, music, dancing, costume contests and more!  This is your opportunity to not only show off your best costume but also support the arts.  Ticket proceeds benefit the museum’s preservation.
WHEN: 10/27/2012 8PM – MIDNIGHT
WHERE: Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

If for some reason you are still in the “Halloween mood” after Halloween, on November 3rd you still have a chance to show off your favorite costume at the 4th Annual Green Masquerade Ball, hosted by The Early Development of Global Education.

Hope you have a happy Halloween!

 

 

Banner Image source: oddandstrange.blogspot.com

By Giselle Valenzano October 8, 2012 in All, Fashion

FOR THE LOVE OF CONSIGNMENT

A few months ago I came across this great little consignment shop called The Recycled Closet, and before I knew it, it became one of my favorite go-to spots for trendy, affordable pieces.

From Forever 21 to French Connection, The Recycled Closet has it all, and not only do they have great brand name pieces but they also have GREAT prices. What else could a girl possibly want?

Starting as a mother-daughter business, The Recycled Closet opened in 2008 with two consigners and now, four years later, it has over 1,000 consigners who love the store and the owner, Jennifer Kaloti. Her love for retail is apparent throughout her store. Each piece is selected by Jennifer herself, and she sure does choose them well! What makes her shop unique is that they specialize in premium trend labels for “teens and the young at heart.” Basically, anyone can shop there!

So, for those of you not sure how it works, The Recycled Closet is a traditional consignment store, which means, the consigner’s product must sell in order for them to receive their 40% earnings. How great is that?  Clean out your closet and make a little money?  I’m sold!

I have to be honest though, my favorite part of consignment is finding great affordable pieces, and what I personally love about Jennifer’s store is that every piece looks brand new or is brand new with tags.

Check out some of these trendy items found at The Recycled Closet:

Alexis pants, Lush polka dot top (perfect for fall !), Cip’s Jewels, and A.J. Morgan sunglasses

I couldn’t resist! I had to try on this Alice + Olivia dress.

If these great finds aren’t enough for you, then how about shopping from “Dolla Holla” bins?  Yes, I said DOLLA HOLLA! Unsold items eventually end up in The Recycled Closet’s famous “Dolla Holla” bins. Everything is marked down to either two or five dollars.  I left the store with a five dollar Free People tank thanks to “Dolla Holla”.

In addition to making money from cleaning out your closet, you also could be helping out a great cause. Unsold clothes is donated to Community Partnership (Alvah Chapman homeless shelter in Homestead) and Cope South High School for girls. Jennifer also makes monetary contributions to the National Alliance of Mental Illness.

The Recycled Closet is located at 13843 South Dixie Hwy and is open Monday-Saturday from 11am-6pm. If you’re interested in consigning and would like to know more, visit www.therecycledcloset.com.

Stop by The Recycled Closet today and grab one of the great finds listed above, or search for a piece you’ve always wanted!

 

By Giselle Valenzano October 1, 2012 in All, Fun

MASQUERADE BALL FOR A CAUSE

Interested in attending a masquerade ball, while giving to a good cause?  This may be your chance. Show off your favorite Halloween costumes at the 4th Annual Green Masquerade Ball, hosted by The Early Development of Global Education.

So you may be wondering, what is The Early Development of Global Education, and what is the purpose of this event?

The EDGE was founded in 2007 by a group of diverse women who understood the importance of environmental education.  Since then, the EDGE curriculum has spread to 10 different countries and is currently impacting over 13,000 children worldwide.  The biggest impact, though, has been right here in South Florida, where over 40% of whom they serve, are domestic violence and trafficking victims.  Not only are they educators and environmentalists, but they are also humanitarians, being that one of their main goals is to secure a comfortable learning environment for each child.

Check out this video for more information on the cause:

This charity event will be held on November 3rd, 2012, at 7pm, in the Palm Room at the Palmetto Bay Village Center on Old Cutler Road.  Guests will get the chance to enjoy an open bar, organic hookah lounge, great food, special guests, and live performances, all while dressed as their favorite character from Alice in Wonderland.

According to founder Mercy Hernandez, “ The Green Masquerade Ball, is presently our largest source of fund raising, therefore its success is crucial to our mission and the impact we can make in our children’s lives”

For more information on donating and purchasing tickets for this event, visit www.theedgeeducation.com or contact Mercy Hernandez at (305) 298-1763.

By Giselle Valenzano September 17, 2012 in All, Food

FOOD AND WINE PAIRING AT ITS FINEST

Foodies unite! On September 11th, the Miami Culinary Institute partnered once again with Casa Vinicola Zonin and the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce for their monthly Italian Culinary Experience.

The moment we heard about this event, we couldn’t wait to attend, and thankfully, we didn’t miss out on it this time around!  Flair Miami was given the opportunity to enjoy a complementary five-course meal among other members of the media, foodies, and even restaurant owners. The meals were prepared by the Executive Chef, Sergio Sigala, from Cecconi’s at Soho Beach House, Miami.  Not only did Chef Sigala execute some scrumptious meals, he also paired each dish with different types of Zonin wines.

The wines were compliments of Casa Vinicola Zonin. CVZ is Italy’s largest privately owned wine company and one of the most popular imported brands in the US, and as expected each wine was superb.

The focus for this month’s event was the Lombardy region, an area with over 375 acres of vineyards in production. Each wine came from Zonin’s Tenuta il Bosco Estate where six different types of grapes are grown, (Barbera, Croatina, Uva Rara, Pinot Nero, Chardonnay and Malvasia.) Each grape specifically cultivated for a specific wine.

So what exactly did we eat and drink? Here is what was on the menu, that delicious afternoon:

  • Bresaola Rotolino, Grana Padano & Rucola paired with Zonin Prosecco
  • Trota Alla Gardensana with Grilled Olenta paired with Tenuta IL Bosco Oltrenero
  • Gnocchi Di Pane & Spinich, Taleggio Fonduta (summer truffle) paired with Tenuta IL Bosco Bonarda
  • Risoto Al Salto, Rabit & Mushrooms paired with Tenuta IL Bosco Pinot Nero
  • Crema Di Ricotta Di Pecora, Pere & Vin Brulle’ Sauce paired with Tenuta IL Bosco Oltrenero Cruase

Chef Sigala, was not only talented, but also friendly and full of humor. This made the experience that much more enjoyable.  He confessed to his audience that cooking at home isn’t really something he does on a regular basis. However, in case you were wondering… Most of his inspirations for a meal come from everyday items found in the supermarket.

His cooking expertise was evident from beginning to end, starting with the display of his culinary masterpieces, and ending with the skillful pairing of his savory dishes and Zonin wines.

A special thanks to Miami Culinary Institute, Casa Vinicola Zonin, Sergio Sigala, and his team; Flair Miami’s culinary experience was excellent, and we look forward to the next event!

By Giselle Valenzano September 10, 2012 in All, News

NEWSLETTER: SEPTEMBER 2012

Can you believe we are already in the month of September?  So many things have been going on here at Flair Miami, and we are happy to be able to share our journey with you!  With that being said, we have some things coming up that we want our readers to be prepared for…

  • Get ready to get competitive! Some of our upcoming stories will involve contests/giveaways, so get ready to interact as you read! Stay tuned because we’ll have prizes you don’t want to miss.
  •  Friday’s will now be know as Fashion Fridays! So follow us each Friday to keep up to date with the latest fashion trends, Flair Miami style.
  • Finally, get on-the-go information on upcoming events via our Twitter and Facebook. Go to our “Get Social” section on the side bar to the right, and follow/like our Twitter and Facebook pages!

And readers, your input is extremely important to us, and we’d really appreciate it if you’d let us know what your favorite stories have been so far, and why.  Also, if there are any topics you’d like to know more of, let us know!  So please, comment below and share with us what you are thinking!

We can’t wait to hear what some of you have to say.  Thank you for reading, and have a beautiful September!

By Giselle Valenzano August 27, 2012 in All, Fun

SPEEDING IN STYLE

Adrenaline junkies and exotic car lovers get excited because Miami has a new attraction just for you!

Based out of the Homestead-Miami Speedway, Miami Exotic Auto Racing offers anyone the chance behind the wheel of a some of the fastest exotic cars.  With instruction from professional racers, you could be driving up to the highest speeds in a Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Gallardo, or an Audi R8.

However, maybe like me, you would like to experience these beautiful exotics in the passenger seat alongside a professional racer.  Thanks to the wonderful Miami Exotic team, I was able to do just that. Not knowing what to expect, I was a little nervous stepping into the cars, but the excitement and enthusiasm from the racers made me, not only enjoy the ride, but want to go again and again!


I had the pleasure of riding with Eduardo Placucci (Corvette C6) and Manny Martinez (Ferrari F430). Thanks to their incredible skills and years of experienced racing, I was able to do something I never thought I would.  Taking sharp turns at top speed in the Corvette C6 or zipping down the track in the Ferrari F430, both rides were exhilarating and definitely unforgettable.  As did many of the others, I left the track with a smile on my face and a story I could not wait to share.

To my surprise, many of the riders had never driven an exotic car, and even fewer had any experience racing, but that is what is so great about Miami Exotic Auto Racing–anyone can drive.  All it takes is a 30 minute safety/instruction course and guidance while driving from one of the professional racers.  With that, you are well on your way to the most memorable joy ride, and a story to tell your friends and family.  But, if a story alone isn’t enough, you can purchase your laps with car video.

Here I am in the Ferrari F430 with Manny Martinez.

Whether it be a birthday gift, anniversary gift, or for the sheer love of exotics and racing, the experience alone that Miami Exotic Auto Racing has to offer, goes beyond expectation.  From the excitement and energy that the entire Miami Exotic team has, to the beautiful selection of cars and exceptionally skilled professional drivers, Miami Exotic Auto Racing is an attraction like no other.

But, If you aren’t sure whether or not you want to drive or ride in the cars, come on out to the next track day, sit back and watch!  Although, watching wont last too long because as soon as you see the beautiful cars and the riders thrilled faces you will want to take one of these cars out for a spin yourself.

If you have any questions regarding lap prices or track days visit www.miamiexoticautoracing.com or contact Michael Rivera at (305) 877-0269 or michael@miamiexoticautoracing.com.

By Giselle Valenzano August 13, 2012 in All, Fitness, Fun

YOGA BEGINNERS AND YOGA LOVERS

Yoga beginners and yoga lovers. A little something for both.

Whether it be stretching and preparing your body for an intense work out, relaxing and calming your muscles after a long day, or focusing on certain poses to achieve balance and strength, practicing the asanas may be the perfect thing for you.

The great thing about yoga is it can work for anyone.  Since there are so many different practices of yoga, each person can choose the specific practice that suits their physical and mental needs and goals.

As a current yogi part of the YogiSukha group right here in Miami, I have been able to learn first hand the benefits that come out of yoga, and with out paying a penny!

Vanessa Salcedo,  a devoted yoga student, created the YogiSukha community in January of 2012 as a way to reach out to anyone interested in the yoga practice.  Vanessa always asks her students what positions they are interested in learning and makes sure to incorporate different sequences each time,  “In class, we use Vinyasa yoga as a way to focus on the students specific needs for that day.  None of our classes are the same.”

Classes are four times a week and run for 90 minutes, and the best part–they are free!  The only thing Vanessa asks to bring is a yoga mat, a towel, water, and a smile!

For more information on class times and locations visit yogisukha.wordpress.com or contact Vanessa directly at yogisukhamiami@gmail.com

Namaste!

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