All – Page 23 – Flair Miami

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 4^th 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 3^rd, 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 Vannia Enriquez September 28, 2012 in All, Fashion

FASHION FRIDAY: SPOT ON

Following Fall trends in Miami always gets a little tricky. Not only does the weather not lend itself to fun trendy sweaters, but even shopping becomes a mission when you’re trying to find items at an affordable price.

Lucky for you, we’re making things a little easier… Now, you too can be “spotted” wearing polka dot flair, and still have some money to spare. ;)

Here are a few spot on trends for Fall 2012:

STEAL: Old Navy Sweater $24.95 (sold out)
SPLURGE: Alice + Olivia Sweater $297
STEAL: Asos Platforms $43
SPLURGE: Loaffler Randall Pumps $350
STEAL: Madewell Flats $98
SPLURGE: Loaffler Randall Flats $320
STEAL: Asos Scarf $17
SPLURGE: Kate Spade Scarf $98

I love polka dots. They’re feminine, classy, and also very easy to mix and match. For a simple and classic look, pair the print with a solid neutral piece and add bold (red) lips. For a more modern/runway look, mix and match with other prints (floral or leopard). How will you wear them this Fall? Have fun and get creative!

By Vannia Enriquez September 21, 2012 in All, Fashion

SEPTEMBER BIRCHBOX

It always feels a little bit like Christmas when I get a package in the mail…. This time, the package was filled with surprises and I got to discover new beauty and life-style products!

I’m talking about my Birchbox, a monthly delivered box filled with personalized samples, just for me! When you join, you fill out a beauty profile telling the experts more about you and your lifestyle. Then, each month you’ll receive your very own box.

This month was my first month and I loved it! I’m definitely one to follow fashion trends, but beauty products tend to fall in the cracks. In fact, just a few months ago was the first time I heard about BB cream. So for me, this is definitely a good investment! :)

Here’s what I got in the Sptember Birchbox:

The Fall Lookbook – A mini-magazine filled with Fall trends.
Color Club Polish – Color #968, Status Update (Dark Grey.)
Twirl by Kate Spade – A new fruity and floral fragrance.
Sedu Pure Aragan Oil – An anti-frizz polishing hair treatment.
Twistband Hair Tie – A navy blue snag-free elastic hair tie.
WEI To Go – The perfect sleepover kit, including a gel face cleanser and a moisturizing face tint.
tili Bag – The perfect little plastic bag to store your travel sized items.

Loved: Twirl perfume spray
Could live without: tili bag

Want to receive your very own Birchbox, sign up here!

PS: Did you know that today is the last official day of Summer? Here in Miami, it sure doesn’t feel or look like Fall… Nonetheless, as we welcome Fall and say goodbye to Summer, we have two very special treats for our readers. We’re giving away a $50 gift certificate to Orchid Boutique, here you’ll be able to shop for that adorable bikini you’ve been wanting. And let’s get real, we all know that Miami folks rock white pants and bikinis all year long. Last but not least, to properly transition your style into Fall we’re giving away a $25 gift card to Madewell. To be eligible for this giveaway be sure to like us on facebook and post a comment below telling us why you think you should win. Winners will be selected Monday, Sept. 24 and contacted via facebook. Good luck!

By Giselle Valenzano September 17, 2012 in All, Food

FOOD AND WINE PAIRING AT ITS FINEST

Foodies unite! On September 11^th,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 Vannia Enriquez September 14, 2012 in All, Fashion

FALL FASHION SOIREE

RDo, a local women’s boutique is putting together a fall event on Thursday, Sept. 27. The event will be held at 11730 Biscayne Boulevard #101.

“It’s an evening to pamper and socialize with friends and clients that have been celebrating the brand for over five years now, and an opportunity to introduce the styles we made with so much love,” says designer and owner Rucht D’oleo

The event will offer clients a preview of the new exclusive Fall collection that was inspired by the busy lifestyle of a working woman. The night will be filled with great treats and surprises. Attendees will have the opportunity to mingle and network with other RDo’s faithful fans; while enjoying music, cupcakes and sipping on champagne. Arrive a little early, and you can even receive mini-manicures compliments of All Nails.

Be sure to bring a friend and you’ll get 10% off any regular priced items and who knows, you may even take home a $50 gift card.

This event is free and open to the public and all attendees will receive a goodie bag filled with organic hand-crafted bath and body products made locally by Jacq’s Organics; but you must R.S.V.P because space is limited. Please email info@shopRDo.com or call 305.892.4481.

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 Vannia Enriquez September 7, 2012 in All, Fitness, Fun

5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MARATHON TRAINING

To run or not to run, that is the question?

A few months back, I mentioned that I signed up for a full marathon this year. (I’ve ran a total of 3 half-marathons, I figured it’s now or never.) Well, it’s that time of year when I decide to just run and start my training, or not run nor train at all. Yikes!

At this point, I’d like to start telling you reasons why I don’t want to run the race. But instead, I’ll fight the urge and tell you how training for it shouldn’t be all that bad… So let’s do this together?

5 things you should know about marathon training:

1. Training will take time and dedication. Be ready to persevere. Whether you’re thinking of training for a half or a full, training will take a lot of time. Be patient and find a friend that can train alongside you, it helps if he/she runs at your same pace.

2. To get the best results, be sure to incorporate cross-training and core strengthening into your week. Strengthening all of your muscles is key during such a time, find a training schedule that is right for you! You can find tons of training guides online. A good training plan will require a minimum of 3-4 days of running and two days of cross/strength training. Start slow and build up your mileage weekly.

3. Be sure to always stay hydrated and be conscious about refueling your body. Running will hep your body burn calories, but replacing your body’s energy and nutrients with good sugars and carbohydrates is a must! Therefore, maintaining a balanced diet is a pivotal part of good training. What you put in it is what you’ll get out.

4. Prevent injury by running with the right gear. It is very common for runners to experience injury while training. To avoid this, you can take an at-home wet test, visit a bio-mechanics expert or an experienced shoe retailer. There are three basic foot types: flat, normal, and high arches. Depending on your step and foot type, your shoe may need to be reinforced with cushion, stability or motion control.

5. Runners really do experience a runner’s high. There may be times where you’ll want to quit and it will seem as though you’ve “hit the wall.” But if you push through it, soon to follow is that “runner’s high,” a state of euphoric joy that athletes experience after a vigorous workout. Your body has done what you never thought you could, you’ve accomplished your goal and the finish line awaits!

By Vannia Enriquez September 3, 2012 in All, Fashion

HAIR FLAIR FOR A CAUSE

Have you seen the latest trend in hair flair? Allow me to introduce to you the stylish satin elastic hair ties.

Not only do they prevent those annoying ponytail creases and tears, but they also look just as cute when worn on your wrist. Not sure where to find them? You can snag some at a few high-end retail stores, but they’ll cost you upwards of $2 each. Original creators, Emi-Jay, sell them for about $2.40 each, and even popular clothing stores are starting to stock their shelves.

For a limited time, Flair Miami is partnering with our friend Hana Espinosa to give you inside access to this new trend at a bargain price. Not sold yet? What if I told you your purchase would be going directly towards helping a family adopt a precious little child from China. Hana’s sister, Katie is in the process of adopting a special-needs child from an orphanage in China. Katie is once again following God’s prompting to adopt and clings to James 1:27 as it says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

Every penny spent on these hairties will go directly towards Katie and her family’s adoption process. How can a $1 hairtie make that much of a difference? Your purchase can help chip away the costs of medical procedures, travel arrangements, and food. Your purchase will make a difference. A palpable difference. One child’s life will be forever changed – brought out of an orphanage where he/she is just another child left behind and carried to a forever family who will love and nurture him/her as one of their own.

Interested in getting your hands on these trendy hair ties while making a difference in someone’s life? We currently offer 14 different color options of the satin-handmade ties. Each are sold separately for a limited time price of $1 each. All satin colors are also available as headbands for $4 each, but remember supplies are limited. Be sure to place your orders soon. (Two glitter options are also available: hairties $2, headbands $6.)

To place your orders contact hairflair@flairmiami.com.

Color options: Silver glitter on black, black glitter on black, plum, blue, jade, turftan, beige, gold, ivory, mint green, neon green, neon orange, neon pink, passion fruit pink, tulip pink, silver.

By Vannia Enriquez August 31, 2012 in All, Fun

WHAT TO DO THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Tropical Storm Isaac is long gone, and just in time to let us enjoy our Labor Day weekend!

So, whether you want some fun in the sun, or you just want to sit back and enjoy a drink with friends, here are a few options to kick-off your weekend festivities. All under $20 or free.

OUTDOOR DAYTIME EVENTS :

Miami Critical Mass
WHAT: The last Saturday of every month local bicyclists head to the streets to ride bike and enjoy Miami in a Critical Mass Ride. Participants must keep a 12 m.p.h pace and stay close to the group. The group is often over 100 individuals, so be prepared to meet new people and ride anywhere from 12 – 18 miles. Bring your bike and bring a friend.
WHEN: 08/31/12 – Meets at 6:30 p.m. and departs at 7:15 p.m.
WHERE: Downtown Miami – Government Center

The 2010 Great Grove Bed Race
WHAT: A bed race where individuals carry beds down a 1/8^th mile street in Coconut Grove. Teams consist of four bed pushers/runners and one in-bed rider, all contestants will race against the clock until teams reach the finish line. Prizes are awarded for creativity, decorations, and race results.
WHEN: All day long. 09/01/2012 (Pajama Pub Crawl) & 09/02/2012
WHERE: Coconut Grove, along Commodore and Grand Avenue.

“Nabor Day” Weekend at Jungle Island
WHAT: A family friendly escapade with animals and all! Miami Dade and Broward County neighbors are invited to experience Jungle Island for just $10 per person.
WHEN: 09/01/2012 – 09/03/2012
WHERE: 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail -Watson Island, FL 33132

EVENING EVENTS:

Tweetup at The Abbey
WHAT: A Labor Day weekend tweetup party at The Abbey Brewery Company.
WHEN: 08/30/2012 7 p.m. (Free drinks from 7-9 p.m.)
WHERE: 1115 16TH Street – Miami Beach, Florida 33139

PALO! Cuban Pig Out 2
WHAT: Enjoy a delicious Cuban pig roast, while jamming out to Afro-funk band Palo! You can expect art, free raffles, games, and face painting. $10 cover.
WHEN: 09/02/2012 from 4 to 11 p.m.
WHERE: PAX Miami: Performing Arts Exchange – 337 S.W. 8 St. – Miami, Fl. 33130

The Stage – Labor Day Party
WHAT: A great party with 3 musical performances by Araka and Mixed Culture performing reggae beats and Bento Box mixing it up with blues rock. $10 cover.
WHEN: 09/02/2012 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: The Stage – 170 NE 38th St Miami, Fl. 33137

EVENTS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK:

Miami Spice
WHAT: A restaurant package promotion showcasing the top restaurants in Miami. Select participating restaurants are offering three-course meals for a fixed price. (Lunches $19 or $23, Dinners $33 or $39) All restaurants feature top signature dishes created by world-renowned chefs.
WHEN: 08/01/2012 – 09/30/2012
WHERE: Participating Miami Spice restaurants throughout Miami. Click here to view your options.

Fashion Night Out (FNO)
WHAT: A glamorous evening filled with sales, runway shows, live music, and complimentary cocktails.
WHEN: 09/06/2012 6 to 10 p.m.
WHERE: Fashion retail stores across Miami. (Miami Design District, Village of Merric Park, Bal Harbour, Dadeland Mall, The Falls, Aventura Mall, and Lincoln Road. For more info visit www.fashionnightout.com.

DWNTWN Art Days
WHAT: A unique two-day celebration of Miami’s art culture. Ride the Miami Trolley to different participating venues and enjoy free art exhibits, film screenings and even a bike tour.
WHEN: 09/07/2012 & 09/08/2012
WHERE: Locations throughout Downtown Miami. For more info visit www.dwntwnartdays.com.

Enjoy the festivities and have a wonderful Labor Day weekend.

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.