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By Vannia Enriquez August 20, 2012 in All, Fun

DIY: WINE BOTTLE VASES

Have you ever walked into someone’s house feeling a little overwhelmed by all of their holiday and seasonal decorations? Christmas not included. I’m talking about every season and holiday: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, Halloween, Valentines Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, etc. I sure have, and I must admit I can’t help but to feel a little Scrooge-like every time this happens.

I’m what you call a modern minimalist. My place looks the same all year round except during Christmas. But this year, I decided to add a tiny form of seasonal decor to my apartment by creating my very own up-cycled wine bottle vases. Hopefully they’ll allow me to get fancy and change things up a tiny bit throughout the year, now I’m in the hunt for fall-like stems. I may or may not change them according to holidays. ;)

If you’re feeling crafty and want to join me, here’s what you’ll need:

  1. Gloves
  2. Newspaper, tarp or scrap paper
  3. An empty wine bottle
  4. Your choice of colored spray paint  (I used white with a matte finish)
  5. Spray adhesive
  6. Epsom salt
  7. Clear spray paint sealer

Directions:

  1. Soak your wine bottle/s and gently remove all labels.
  2. Once the labels are removed, wash the bottle to make sure there is no dirt, dust, or glue residue.
  3. Surround your working area with newspaper, preferably do this outdoors.
  4. Put on gloves and place the wine bottle in the center of your newspaper/working area.
  5. Begin spray painting the bottle, keeping the bottle 10 to 12 inches away from the surface. Rotate as needed and air dry according to the manufacture’s recommendations. Re-coat paint if necessary.
  6. After the paint is dry, begin spraying the adhesive in areas where you would like to add texture. (I added texture to most of the bottle.)
  7. Begin sprinkling Epsom salt directly onto the bottle. I used a spoon to help me disperse the salt. Let it dry for a few minutes and repeat process if necessary.
  8. After you’ve achieved your desired look, spray the sealer to finalize and seal the salt.
  9. Let it dry overnight and you’re done.
  10. I bought flowers from Casa Ideas and Michaels and there you have it. Get creative and enjoy your new vases.

 

 

By Vannia Enriquez August 17, 2012 in All, Fashion, Food

HOW TO STYLE CURLY HAIR

If your hair is anything like mine, I’m more than certain that you’ve had your share of bad hair days. Maybe you brushed your curls out because you didn’t know any better; or you lathered it with more than a handful of good ol’ (and by good I mean gross) LA Looks gel. Didn’t we all? All the cool kids were doing it back in the 90’s…

Or perhaps you thought your curly girl problems were solved the day you discovered a blow dryer and/or a hair iron. Think again! After years and years of fighting my curls, I’ve not only learned to work with them, now I embrace them and even love them.

Still not sure how to tame that mane? Here’s a quick guide on how to style curly hair…

  1. I hydrate my curls by using only sulfate and silicone free products. My current favorite is DevaCurl. I’ve tried quite a few, but I’ve stuck with this one the longest. I cleanse my hair with their No-Poo Shampoo. I moisturize with the One Conditioner, and style with the Angel Gel and Set It Free.
  2. I never use a brush or a comb, and when I say never I mean it! I only untangle my hair by running my fingers through it with conditioner and in the shower.
  3. I only use alcohol-free gels. All other gels will dry out your curls causing them to friz even more.
  4. I wash my hair with shampoo only twice a week, every other time I only use conditioner. Your curls need all of their natural oils to maintain and enhance the curl in each strand. This habit may be the hardest to change, but I encourage you to give it a try! Click here to buy a DevaCurl Try Me/Travel Kit.
  5. Last but not least, before styling and in order to prevent friz I dry my hair using a microfiber towel. The most important thing is to not use a terrycloth towel, it absorbs all the moisture that your curls need. Instead of wrapping my hair I flip my head forward and I scrunch with an upward motion.
  6. Once the hair is towel dried I begin styling with the products in the same manner.
  7. After I’ve styled my curls I let them air dry and voila!

Interested in learning more? Read Curly Girl: The Handbook.

Find your curl type and discover a whole new head of curls!

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!

By Giselle Valenzano August 10, 2012 in All, News

HELLO MIAMI!

My name is Giselle Valenzano and I was born and raised right here in the beautiful MIA. If I’m not working or studying for an exam, you’ll find me at the beach reading, practicing yoga at the park, or at home drawing and painting (a new found hobby of mine)!

My passion for reading, writing, and the fun things in life is what brought me to Flair Miami.  By interning here I hope to get as much experience as I can, while giving readers my take on the wonderful things that go on in my home town.

 
This opportunity is the first step to reaching my goal to become a successful writer, and I hope you enjoy reading my stories just as much as I enjoy sharing them!
By Vannia Enriquez August 9, 2012 in All, News

NEWSLETTER: AUGUST 2012

Great things are happening at Flair Miami, it has been a little over 2 months since we’ve gone live and there is so much to tell…

  • Flair Miami now has a new team member, an awesome new intern. Please join me as we welcome, Giselle Valenzano!
  • Giselle couldn’t have joined at a better time, my husband and I will be leaving on a trip to Europe tomorrow morning. Germany, Italy, Austria, and France, here we come!
  • Last but not least, so far we’ve reached over 2,000 people with our posts. Woo hoo! Thank YOU so much for reading and for joining us on this journey.
By Vannia Enriquez August 6, 2012 in All, Fun

SALSA CON COCO MIAMI STYLE!

Today’s post is a little different, Flair Miami was invited to cover the 2012 Miami Salsa Congress and one of our awesome readers, Izabella Lipnharski, got to attend the event and tell us all about it… Thanks for your contributing post Bella!

The Annual Miami Salsa Congress: 5 days of non-stop adrenaline pumping salsa action

Held every summer in Miami Beach, the Annual Miami Salsa Congress was a hit yet again! This 5-day Latin dance conference included a series of live concerts, dance showcases, workshop classes, dance parties, and pool parties. This year marked their 11th anniversary, making it one of the largest salsa dance congresses in the East Coast of the United States. The event took place August 1-5 at the historic ocean front Deauville Beach Resort.

The party kicked off Wednesday, August 1st, with parties welcoming all artists and fans attending. Throughout the day, guests had the option to attend workshops to help sharpen their dance skills, or enjoy poolside dancing, lounging, and partying; not to mention beach side yoga in the mornings.

Here’s a preview:


Image and Video Source: Miami Salsa Congress

The 2012 Miami Salsa Congress offered over 40 hours of unique workshops, giving guests the chance to learn a variety of salsa dance styles and techniques taught by world famous dance instructors, covering ladies styling, body movement, shines, lifts, dips, and tricks, and much more.

The event was attended by a blend of newbies and pros, the free beginner salsa dance boot camp was designed to get beginners through the basics and on the dance floor in almost no time!

As the event progressed, the Miami Salsa Congress offered 3 nights of 80 dance showcases, featuring over 500 performers across the globe who came together to showcase their talent and share their passion for salsa. Each year, the Miami line up offers a unique blend of the world’s top talent, including international touring artists, youth groups, amateur teams, and word championship dancers.

Following the spectacular dance showcases, the official 2012 Congress DJ Team opened the main event with a full scale live concert featuring the industry’s leading talent. Guests danced all night long and in true Miami fashion, the party continued until 6 a.m.

This event is offered every year, and if you’ve got some Latin flavor or would like to, it is truly worth attending. Whether you know how to salsa dance or not, I encourage you to attend next year and watch the amazing performances, or even consider taking some workshops to learn the basics.

Dancing some salsa, and sipping on agua de coco by the poolside… ah! Hope you’ll join us next year. Dates are still to be announced.

 

By Vannia Enriquez August 3, 2012 in All, Fashion

JULEP: FOR WOMEN AND BY WOMEN

One of the reasons I started this blog is to encourage new-found tips and secrets to be shared in community. After all, sharing is caring isn’t it? ;)

Well, this one is for the ladies… Here’s my latest find, Julep, a toxin-free nail polish brand that celebrates friendships and beauty. Julep focuses on healthy nail polish colors and hand/foot care products.  All of their nail colors are free of carcinogens formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene and DBP.

Interested in knowing more? Let’s hear about it from the CEO and founder of Julep herself, Jane Park.

Video Source: JulepNailParlor

Want to receive your very personalized box every month? Here’s how it works:

1. Click here to take their online survey. This survey will help their experts match your style and personality.

2. Review your style profile and the chosen colors.

3.  Ta-dah! You’re done and now you’re officially a Julep Maven.

Every month you’ll receive an awesome little box filled with Julep’s toxin-free nail polish colors and new beauty products that match your style and interests.

Before checking out, remember to use the coupon code: TWITTER1 and receive your first box for only one penny! That’s right, I said it $0.01! You really can’t go wrong, sometimes I even toss pennies. (Shhh. Don’t tell my husband.)

Did I mention their polish rocks? I did my nails late at night and in a rush; they came out awesome. I specifically only applied one coat because it was around 11 p.m. and my nails dried within minutes. No toxins, no need to apply tons of coats, and no need to worry about sheet marks. I’m sold!

Happy polishing!

 

 

By Vannia Enriquez July 30, 2012 in All, Food

A CUP OF JOE WITH PASSION

Has your productivity at work slowed down today? Need a little caffeine pick-me-up?

Sounds to me like you need un poquito de pasion! It’s called Pasion del Cielo (translated from Spanish to English it means Passion of Heaven).

This quaint coffee shop currently has two locations one in Coral Gables and another one at Downtown Dadeland (a Midtown location is soon to come.) At Pasion del Cielo, you not only get a good cup of joe, you also get to entice your taste buds with options. As you place your order, you’ll have the option to select your bean and decide where it comes from.

Pasion del Cielo offers choices from some of the best coffee industries in the world: Guatemala, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Honduras, Mexico, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Hawaii. And its all organic.

So what’s the biggest difference between this and other coffee chains? Let’s see what they have to say… “The majority of competitors offer a commercial blend that is suitable for the average taste, but at Pasion del Cielo, we want nothing short of the best.”

Well, it looks like they’ve succeeded! The New Times even called it “Miami’s Best Coffee House.”

Freshly ground coffee, great music, and a relaxing ambiance – sounds like a perfect spot to blog!

By Vannia Enriquez July 27, 2012 in All, Fashion

SIZZILING SWIMWEEK

In case you haven’t heard, Mercedez Benz Fashion Week – Swim, Funkshion, and Summer Splash came and went.

After a week filled with fashion, fun, and fabulous weather; Miami is left with great beaches and beautiful people that get to rock bikinis all year long. Woo hoo! (Sorry New York folks, that’s about the only thing we have that you don’t – great weather.)

I don’t know about you, but after seeing this year’s new trends in swimwear and even some old fashioned styles making a comeback (high-waist bottoms and the pin-up 50’s look) I can’t wait to hit the beach in a new bikini and a matching trendy cover-up.

So, what were some of the prominent trends? I’d say there was a blend of femininity with a little bit of bold colored fun. From crochet tops, bottoms with ruffles, fringes, and prints, the collections were suited for all shapes and sizes.

Here are some shots from the new upcoming trends:

Over 50 designers showcased their 2013 swim and resort designs from well known international names (Chloe, Mara Hoffman, L*SPACE, Luli Fama, Red Carter, and Dolores Cortes) to up-and-coming local designers.

Miami housed thousands of enthused fashion lovers ready to take a look at this year’s new fashion. Among those in attendance were hundreds of local and national fashion bloggers. And after a long week of work, Bloggers Night Out held a special soirée and their very first BNO event in Miami; it was a twilight rooftop party at the Betsy Hotel filled with cocktails, massages, and great giveaways specifically held for the community of fashion bloggers.

(I won a Stephanie Johnson bag in the raffle ;)) Image Source for BNO: Plastics Make It Possible & BNO

Looks like Miami’s fashion and blogging community is ready to network and make a statement! Maybe one day we’ll host a fashion week that’s not swim related. Till then… Thanks to all who made this possible.

 

 

 

By Vannia Enriquez July 23, 2012 in All, Fashion

EPIC TARGET COLLABORATION

Smiley face

2 retail stores + 24 CFDA top designers = AN EPIC COLLABORATION. See details below. Source: WWD

The collection will be available just in time for the holidays.  Starting Dec. 1, you’ll have more than 50 affordable gifts to choose from. All Target and Neiman Marcus stores will be stocked with the entire collection (online stores included). Prices will range from $7.99 – $499.00 and will include designs for men, women, children, and home.

Mark you calendars and set your alarms! Because if Missoni and Jason Wu caused a commotion, what will happen with names like these?

Designers you can expect:
Alice + Olivia, Altuzarra, Band of Outsiders, Brian Atwood, Carolina Herrera, Derek Lam, Diane Von Furstenberg, Eddie Borgo, Jason Wu, Judith Leiber, Lela Rose, Marchesa, Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta, Philip Crangi, Prabal Gurung, Proenza Schouler, Rag & Bone, Robert Rodriguez, Rodarte, Skaist-Taylor, Thom Browne, Tory Burch, and Tracy Reese.

Now that’s what I call a celebration! Happy 50th Anniversary Council of Fashion Designers of America!

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