Just a day in Miami

In Miami, it's only natural that I feel like sometimes I simply live a life less ordinary. Let it be on days when I wake up and it's over 80 degrees while other places suffer amongst subzero weather, or on days like the one I'm about to narrate which include dancing tourists and "behind the scenes" strolls through fashion catwalks, it's easy to feel like in South Florida we're truly part of something special.

Yesterday afternoon I was whisked away by a friend and work source for a lunch meeting at Nikki Beach where we chatted over chicken fingers about Miami.com and her life in New York. Once I got there, I could feel WMC going on in full swing as local Nikki Music DJ's (the club's own record label) spun their best beats to girls gyrating in bikinis and high heels right next to buff chested guys. Oh well...better get in the spirit. Taking off my work coat and revealing a red tank top, I was introduced to a glass of Ed Hardy champagne which was not bad. The light, fruity and tart taste was good for 3 p.m. and so was the recognition that Nikki Beach was serving Medalla Light for VIP's! Say what? Medalla is Puerto Rico's own light beer, and it's a rarity to find in the United States. Will Miami begin to carry it soon? We hope so! It's delicious and reminds me of home.

Spending some time with a Kardashian

This past Friday night proved to be a packed night at SET as hundreds of fashionistas and their arm candy of choice stopped by for the 944 magazine hosted soiree, “Flavors of Fashion”, featuring a fashion show by LeI Marco collection and an array of signature cocktails featuring Grey Goose vodka flavors in celebration of spring styles and current cover girl, reality star and socialite Kourtney Kardashian.

Even though the “Keeping up with the Kardashians” star caused quite the stir as fans shot pictures of her when she arrived wearing a short Cavalli dress at the event, the sweet and friendly starlet stopped for a few to chat with the media – even stopping to smile and snap pictures with some – to tell us what she loves about Miami’s vibrant nightlife scene.

What do you love most about Miami?
I am obsessed with Miami! I come here at every chance I get with my sisters. The weather is amazing; there are good restaurants, great beaches and a great nightlife scene. I love it when it’s really relaxed and there are hardly any people and hot, perfect for the beach. But it is great to see the party scene when it’s crowded.

Do you look forward to coming here a lot?
Yes, definitely at any chance we get! Currently we are obsessed with the Fontainebleau, it’s a great hotel and we’ve been staying there. I actually got this Cavalli dress at the hotel’s boutique tonight; it is so cute and has a great selection.

Do you have any other favorite boutiques in Miami that you would recommend ladies visit?
I love Atrium.  They have the best bikinis and cover ups on the beach. I love them! It’s a great store.

What are some of your favorite Miami restaurants?
I love Sultan Kabob on the beach, it’s delicious. When my sisters are down here with me I love to go there. I’m also obsessed with Nobu and Prime 112, like many people. The sweet potato mash is out of this world! There are some places I’m dying to try out, though, such as Phillipe and Prime Italian. I want to go to Phillipe so bad!
I was here a couple of weeks ago for a benefit with my sisters and Kim and Reggie said they loved Prime Italian. Been dying to try it ever since!

So, should we expect you back in Miami soon?
Yes! We have so many friends here and it’s the perfect place to come relax.

- Aurora L. Rodriguez

In Miami, what girl doesn’t love fancy jewelry?

Being a girl who eagerly pokes around the jewelry section at Forever 21 and dreams of owning the entire Tiffany and Co. silver collection, I was thrilled when I got an invite in my inbox to check out designs by Ippolita Jewelry in a private event at an Ocean Drive penthouse.

Drawn by the thought of sipping sparkling Piper Heidsieck champagne while browsing multi-colored 18K gold jewelry and taking in the views of the ocean from a home larger than your usual studio apartment rental, I drove over on a laid-back afternoon with visions of gorgeous necklaces and bracelets dancing in my head.

Once I arrived, I was treated like royalty with complimentary valet parking and was whisked upstairs. “You’re lucky, only about 12 people have come in today and all have walked out with a significant amount of stuff,” said the doorman with a grin. “I’m sure there’s still plenty left over for you.”

Oh, I wish. My budget right now is more on the Claire’s jewelry side than designer vintage, but a girl can dream. And being as how I love shopping and fashion – and cocktails, champagne, and wine – the thought of an event mixing it all was purely fabulous. Just call me your sneak peek to upcoming trends.

At the event, I was given a sneak peek of jewelry worn by actresses such as Jessica Alba, Halle Berry and Kate Hudson. All the pieces were timeless, perfect to wear with that little black dress or slinky flowing top to a cocktail party, and had enough bling to be subtle yet classy. Some highlights included the designers perfectly sculptured stackable bangles with clear and colored quartz stones, gold sculpted hoops with intricate diamonds and her new and upcoming silver line featuring quartz settings that capture the sunlight and seem fit for a princess.

The group hosting the event came straight from New York, and some were happy to answer questions regarding upcoming trends, which I was thankful for since others weren’t as talkative. Yet, I was happy to sip on the bubbly and listen in as they recommended Miami fashionistas to be on the lookout for the earthy and sophisticated mix of turquoise stones, gold and deep-colored quartzes.

Looking to snag some Ippolita jewelry as soon as possible? Go no further than Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue at Bal Harbour Shops. Just consider me your friendly fashion concierge.

-- Aurora Rodríguez

Cosmo Bikini Bash 2009

In Miami, we can all deal with our share of cold weather here and there, as long as it’s no chillier than the 50’s. But, once a sunny day hits, you bet that we’re going to throw on our hottest bikinis and surf shorts and make it out towards the closest or most convenient mix of sand and ocean, otherwise known as the beach.

Last Saturday every girl’s fashion and beauty “bible” – Cosmopolitan – hosted the 2009 Cosmo Bikini Bash at Nikki Beach in Miami Beach. Being how it was a friend’s birthday and she wanted to have some fun in the sun, I braved the traffic, woke up my husband and made him drive me over there so he could accompany my friend’s boyfriend as we indulged in one of the year’s hottest parties. Once we arrived at around 11 a.m. we secured a spot south of Fifth St. and made our way to the event.

Ladies, if you plan on coming next year do so, even if it’s just for the goody bags! Jam packed with bright orange Essie nail polish, Nivea lotions, Mentos strawberry gum, coupons, razors, sun block and a celeb-designer Shay Todd royal blue bikini which the girls scrambled to switch into, it’s the type of stash you won’t be sad to have to bring back home and can actually use on your next trip to the warm Miami sand.

Being a part of the Cosmo Bikini bash was like being a part of a giggly, girly sorority party. Ladies lounged in cabanas flipping through the latest issue of Cosmo. Guys sipped on mojitos and watched all the action. And you could take turns tossing beach balls while munching on free fruits, granola bars and sipping flavored Dasani water. Some even braved the heat and sipped on $9 cosmos, specially priced for the event.

And once the clock struck 1 p.m. it was time to pour onto the beach and spell COSMO on the sand for all to see in the magazine’s Miami issue. The perfect way to get a golden tan surrounded by hundreds of your new spring break-ready BFF’s.

According to Shay Todd, events like these are succesful thanks to the variety of ladies that arrive ready to be a part of it.

“When Nivea asked me to design a bikini I thought of one which would flatter every body type and every woman,” said Todd. “It’s great to see girls of all shapes and sizes here for the event and having a good time. It’s an honor to have them wearing my suits. Everyone looks great!”

And, proven by the array of pretty ladies proudly showing off their shape while sporting the bright blue frock, this was not a day to be shy. It’s all about pride, comfort and the art of “flaunting it”. So Miami Beach, right? Hey, they got me in a bikini on a random Saturday. And, I don’t regret it a single bit.

- Aurora Rodríguez

Miami Madness

March Madness, the phrase coined by journalists and fans and marketing gurus for the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, can totally be applied to Miami every third month of the year. From the Miami International Film Festival to Calle Ocho to Carnaval on the Mile to the Sony Ericsson Open tennis to Funkshion Fashion Week Miami Beach to the Winter Music Conference, there may not be a better place than in Miami during March. (And this year we even get some of those tournament basketball games over at Dwyane Wade's house - AmericanAirlines Arena).

Thursday night was when I realized Miami's March Madness had arrived. Two parties, one at the Viceroy at Icon in Brickell and the other at David Barton's new gym and spa at The Gansevoort South, were stuffed with celebrities and people who felt like celebs and people who believe they are celebrities. Sharon Stone and Selma Blair at the Viceroy, a stunning hotel worth checking out the next time you're in Brickell. Tommy Lee and DJ Aero performing at the gym which feels like you're working out in a Moroccan-inspired club with hardbodies everywhere.

After soaking it all in, the best part of the night was when myself and a pair of friends tagged on with a large party that was headed to Plunge, the rooftop hotel of the Gansevoort. They didn't know us. We didn't know them. But we managed to stowaway on the elevator rideand get to the roof in no time, where it was packed. Where did all these people come from? I ran into a friend who said that LIV at the Fontainebleau was the same for the party launch of a new website. Recession? What recession? Three packed opening parties and a rooftop full of revlers? Let the Madness begin.

Happy B-day Miami.com: Week 4 (Updated!)

The hangover still isn't completely shaken from our one-year anniversary party at Liv, but we've got a week left of our month-long birthday celebration, and by golly, we're going to keep the party going. Here's what's on tap:

Tuesday, Feb 24: It's Level 25's b-day too, and so we've decided to throw a co-party from 6-9 p.m. Atrio chef Michael Gilligan will be doing a Spanish Pintxos cooking demo, and $5 glasses of Spanish wine will be flowing. RSVP here.

Happy B-day Miami.com: Week 3

Platinum Weddings and My Super Sweet 16 have got nothing on us. One night of fab? Try a whole month, suckas.

Here's what we have going on this week:

Tonight (Monday), head to any of the Cavas Wine Bar locations from 6-8 p.m. and mention Miami.com to get a $50 wine tasting card for $25.

On Wednesday, get a nap in because we're pulling double party duty. Stop into Blade at Fontainebleau for happy hour, which means 2-for-1 drinks, from 6:30-8 p.m. RSVP here. Grab dinner at Scarpetta (if you've got cashola to spend) before checking out the Spam All Stars at Mansion. The fun starts at 11 p.m. RSVP to editor@miami.com (please include your email address and # of guests) for free admission and drink specials.

Happy B-day Miami.com, Pt Deux (UPDATED!)

If you didn't make it to Miami.com's first weekend of birthday events, you missed out on some quality good times. I missed the burlesque show, but I did see a girl on a leash with a bf and a gf. I can't promise any more leashes (maybe that's a good thing), but I can promise lots more fun, starting with a happy hour at Oceanaire. Complimentary Grey Goose L'Orange Cosmos will be flowing from 6-8:30 p.m., and no need to RSVP. Then on Thursday, we head to Coconut Grove for $5 beer and martinis and a special Miami.com cocktail for $8, all at Cabana One, the new rooftop lounge at the Mayfair hotel. The party starts at 10 p.m., and this one you have to RSVP for. Leash optional.