Santigold performs live at Absolut Miami's Launch Party at The Fontainebleau Hotel

Miami officially has its own vodka flavor thanks to Absolut Vodka. The world's most iconic vodka has created a limited edition "Miami" vodka that reflects the impact Miami has had in shaping the course of nightlife culture. Last week, Absolut hosted an amazing outdoor party at the Fontainebleau Hotel's Ocean Lawn to introduce the new liquor over specialty cocktails and an exclusive performance by Santigold. If you missed this ultra sexy party, make sure to visit the official website so that you can check out more pictures from the event or learn how to make your very own cocktail recipes using Absolut Miami. Remember to always drink responsibly.

The entrance to the grand party...very Miami indeed! Absolut Miami features a bold, new citrus blend of orange blossom and passion fruit. This particular vodka marks Miami as the sixth limited edition, city-inspired flavor. That's pretty cool!


Santigold bringing her flavor to the Miami crowd!

Did you attend this launch party? If so, drop me a comment below and let me know if you had a great time. Till next time....cheers!

Bal Harbour Art Nights Celebrates the Grand Opening of the new Stella McCartney Store

I've been craving a little fashion in my life so I finally attended my first ever Bal Harbour Art Nights this past Wednesday, January 11th. The most important event on my agenda: to swing by Stella McCartney's new Bal Harbour Store. Bal Harbour Magazine hosted a cocktail party inside McCartney's store while customers perused through the designer's Spring/Summer 2012 ready-to-wear collection. During the event, I had the pleasure of making new fashionable friends (meet Danny and Alexie pictured above) and I also reunited with my fellow bloggers who I always love to see around town. If you missed this week's event, make sure you mark your calendar for February 8th and March 29th. That's when fashion and art will collide once again at the Bal Harbour Shops!
Above: My fabulous friends! Caroline Walker (left), Casey Garcia (second from the left; Special Events for Macy's), Rosa Cordero (middle; Founder & Editor of AccidentalSexiness.com) and Jeannette Kaplun (right; Television Host & Founder of VivaLaFamilia.com and TodoBebe.com). Make sure you get to know these amazing women by visiting their websites and following them on Twitter.
In case you didn't know, Stella McCartney has a strict animal-free product policy. Luckily, fans of python will love Stella's python print faux leather bags. They are very stylish and sexy!

The scene inside Stella McCartney's new store at Bal Harbour.

Above Left: A model striking a pose in a beautiful Stella McCartney knee length dress. Above Right: I ventured over to the Valentino Boutique and photographed this Miami Fashionista rocking a Romero Britto bag.

Above: I met a very fashionable duo while checking out this amazing photograph of Karl Lagerfeld and Anna Wintour by Seth Browarnick. Seth's photography was on display in the center courtyard of the Bal Harbour Shops. Click on the video below (produced by The Bal Harbour Shops) to get a full recap of the night! See you all at the next Art Nights event in February!!!

Meet Yehuda Berg, Author of “The Power to Change Everything," at The Forge

Are you looking to start your new year with a positive outlook? On Thursday, January 12th, you'll have the opportunity to check out international best-selling author of The Power to Change Everything and co-director of The Kabbalah Centre, Yehuda Berg (pictured below on the left), who will be the guest speaker during an intimate evening of transformational thinking with the delivery of a special 2012 message, dinner sampling and cocktail to be held at The Forge in Miami Beach. The Kabbalah Centre Miami, a non-profit founded in 1993, whose mission is to make Kabbalah understandable and relevant in everyday life, will serve as the central focus of celebration for the evening’s festivities. During the event, guests will be able to engage with Mr. Berg on a host of topics surrounding the power of transformational thinking and how it can play an effective role in navigating through 2012 and beyond. Since this event is taking place at The Forge, owner, Shareef Malnik, is graciously providing a variety of heavy hors d'oeuvres from their gourmet menu for the what is sure to be an unforgettable evening. Admission costs $150 per person which includes hors d’oeuvres, drinks, autographed Power To Change Everything book, surprise gift bag and more. To RSVP for this intimate dinner, please email powertochange_rsvp@thevioletgroup.com or call 646-470-8844.

Chalk Ping Pong and Billiards Lounge's Grand Opening Celebration in Miami Beach

Sazoneros!!! Did you miss me? Can you believe that it has been an exact month since I last wrote a blog post? Happy New Year and get ready for a fabulous year of events, charities and your favorite celebrities on Miami Beats and Sazon. My very first event of the year was super fun so I had to share it with you. On Thursday, January 5th, I attended the grand opening party for Chalk Ping Pong and Billiards Lounge located in Miami Beach (1234 Washington Avenue). This place is not only a fun concept but it looks like you're actually hanging out at a sexy lounge on the beach. The 6,600-square-foot space features ping pong and pool tables, international beers, 12 LED flat screens, private game rooms, and a digital jukebox carrying more than 2,500 songs that can be streamed via a state-of-the-art turbo sound system. Does that sound entertaining or what?

If you're looking to host a party this year, consider Chalk's private rooms which can accommodate groups of up to 15 guests. Each private room features customizable audio that can be controlled via iPhone, as well as iPad cocktail service. The 290-person space also offers outdoor seating for 30 on its front terrace. Chalk is one of the only environmentally friendly lounges in South Beach, boasting an eco-conscious design that includes LED lighting, Dyson hand dryers, biodegradable cups, waterless urinals and emailed receipts.
During the grand opening event, Chalk was packed with people who were ready to have a good time. I personally played a little ping pong for about half an hour...talk about a work out!!! Regardless of your skill level, there is something for everyone and different spaces for you to enjoy. There are two bar areas as well as comfy couches throughout the lounge for those who want to hang out with friends while watching a others play. Chalk Ping Pong and Billiards Lounge is open Wednesday through Saturday from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. Happy Hour runs until 9 p.m. For private bookings and advance reservations, call 305.532.8662 or visit www.chalkmiami.com. To my Miami Heat fans out there: you'll be happy to know Chalk will be showing tonight's game at 7:30 p.m. on all 12 of their LED flat screens...LET'S GO HEAT!!!

Tracy Wilson Mourning launches first Honey Child Pop-Up Shop at Aventura Mall

The mall is officially the place to be during this holiday season! Today, I ventured over to Aventura Mall to check out the grand opening of Tracy Mourning's (pictured on the right) new Honey Child pop-up shop located in front of the Apple store. The Honey Child Bath & Body Ritual Collection features a complete line of scrubs, washes, lotions and oils that according to Tracy, "envelops the body, calms the mind and kisses the soul." There are several distinctive scents you can choose from: Goddess, Soulmate, Lover, Kiss, Mother and Friend. I actually purchased my very first Friend Body Lotion earlier today and it still smells incredibly nice on my skin. Plus, part of the proceeds from all of the sales go directly to Tracy's charity, Honey Shine, a mentoring program to empower young girls in Miami. If you're planning on swinging by the Honey Child pop-up shop, you'll be happy to know that the store will be open to the public at Aventura Mall until January 2012. Let me know which scent is your favorite below!

Alice and Olivia Designer, Stacey Bendet, visits Saks Fifth Avenue at the Bal Harbour Shops

Today was a colorful day of fashion in Miami! Alice and Olivia designer Stacey Bendet (pictured on the left) made a special appearance at Saks Fifth Avenue inside the Bal Harbour Shops this afternoon. I was extremely impressed by her personal sense of style: butterflies in her hair, bold chunky rings and an amazing pair of silver glittered shoes to complete her vibrant look! Stacey was in Miami to share her candy inspired 2011 Resort Wear Collection with fellow fashionistas. During the event, guests enjoyed an assortment of sweets like mini cupcakes, chocolate candies, pink lemonade and Coldstone ice cream. Guests were also encouraged to bring new and unwrapped toys or children's books to benefit Baby Buggy, an organization which helps needy families. Check out my pictures from today's event and for those of you who can't wait to see what Stacey has in store for 2012....scroll down to watch a fab video from Stacey's show during New York Fashion Week!


Above left: Stacey's AMAZING glitter shoes! Would you rock these heels too? Comments are welcomed below... Above Right: Yours truly striking a pose with Stacey Bendet during the Saks event at Bal Harbour. To see more colorful designs from Alice and Olivia, make sure to visit their official website. Happy holidays and go shop!!!

The Miami City Ballet Luncheon at Neiman Marcus reveals the company's 2012 Season

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas and at the top of my wish list, I've added a must-see holiday classic: George Balanchine's The Nutcracker presented by The Miami City Ballet! After attending an exclusive luncheon in honor of the ballet company and its dancers at Neiman Marcus (located inside The Bal Harbour Shops) last month, I couldn't wait to share all of the exciting shows they have in store for their Miami audiences. During the luncheon, Plum TV personality Gerard Bush hosted an intimate Q&A session with three of the Miami City Ballet’s dancers: Principal Dancer Tricia Albertson, Principal Soloist Didier Bramaz and Corps Dancer Adrienne Carter. The dancers talked about their careers at the Miami City Ballet while highlighting personal anecdotes from their recent performances in Paris. In case you didn't know, The Miami City Ballet made its debut in Paris at the famed 2500 seat Théâtre du Châtelet, performing to standing ovations and sold-out houses. This is a great accomplishment we should all be proud of as Miamians!

Above: Gerard Bush strikes a pose with ballet dancers Adrienne Carter, Tricia Albertson and Didier Bramaz. Don't forget to check out George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ performed by the Miami City Ballet starting December 15th through 18th at the Adrienne Arsht Center, Ziff Ballet Opera House in Miami. For my Sazoneros in Broward, you can watch the show December 21st through 24th at the Broward Center, Au-Rene Theater in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets range in price from $20 to $68 and are available by calling the Miami City Ballet Box Office at (305) 929-7010, toll-free (877) 929-7010 or visit www.miamicityballet.org. Reserve your seats early!

Want to know the inside scoop? According to the attendees at the luncheon, the best show to watch during the ballet's 2012 season is presented in collaboration with The Cleveland Orchestra and it's called "Symphonic Dances." Save-the-date because the world premiere of this grand show is taking place on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at the Adrienne Arsht Center, Ziff Ballet Opera House in Miami. For more information, contact Rebecca Interian at 305-929-7000 (Ext. 1408) or by emailing rebecca@miamicityballet.org.
Above: The luncheon featured the latest Fall and Holiday 2011 collections from various designer brands from Neiman Marcus.

Dana Shear and Vivianne Kurzweil attended the event.

Rebecca Interian, Dr. Amy Buchman, Robyn Rich and Orene Harris all sat in my table during the luncheon and they are great supporters of the ballet. Make sure to look through the Miami City Ballet's website for a complete schedule of upcoming performances. Happy holidays!

WATCH LIVE: Bill and Giuliana Rancic host Cotton's 24 Hour Runway Show on Lincoln Road

Bill and Giuliana Rancic (pictured on the left) are in Miami today to kick off Cotton's 24 Hour Runway Show on Lincoln Road (between Lenox & Alton; South Beach). This first ever 24 hour fashion show is actually being live streamed as we speak via E! and MTV online!!! I've added a fun recap video to my blog as well so scroll down to see Giuliana and Bill talking about the show which features 1,440 looks from brands you love like Forever 21, Kate Spade, Betsey Johnson, Lacoste, Original Penguin, Tommy Hilfiger and French Connection (just to name a few). The show features looks for both men and women so take notes on all of the ways you can easily assemble a comfortable cotton wardrobe using the "Fabric of Our Lives." Since the show is taking place in Miami, you can expect to see plenty of trends like color blocking, short dresses and lots of stripes. Stay connected to the show by tweeting your favorite looks throughout the rest of the night (use #cotton24hours).
Giuliana Rancic kicked off Cotton's 24 Hour Runway Show earlier today on Lincoln Road. I LOVED her dress and thought she looked spectacular. GO G!

Bill Rancic asking Giuliana about her dress...so cute!

I loved this polka dot dress with the red heels!

Get More: MTV Shows

If you want to enjoy this lovely night in Miami, hurry down to Lincoln Road to catch this historic fashion event as it happens live! The event is free and open to the public. Drop me your comments below and let me know what you think of the fashion show....

Kelly Osbourne hosts a Material Girl Casting Call at Macy's Dadeland Mall in Miami

To all of my Fashion Police lovers out there, you'll be happy to know that Kelly Osbourne made a special appearance in Miami this weekend to host a Material Girl Casting Call at Macy's Dadeland Mall. The winner of the Lucky Stars casting call will be featured on ads that will debut in fashion and lifestyle magazines while becoming part of a digital and outdoor campaign and in-store Macy’s marketing collateral. Plus, the winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize. Pretty sweet if you ask me! On Friday, Kelly was joined by a celebrity panel of judges that included Joshua McKinley from Project Runway and DJ Jesse Marco (pictured on the right). After making a successful appearance for Madonna's fabulous clothing line at Macy's on Friday, Kelly made the news on Sunday night when she announced via twitter that she had cracked her head open while in Miami. It is still unclear how this all happened but she urged her fans to tune into The Talk today on CBS to hear all about her hospitalization. I hope Kelly is quickly recovering from her injury and I hope you like these pictures from the event. Big thanks to Alexander Tamargo from Getty Images for the photos.


Joshua McKinley and Kelly Osbourne during the casting call at Macy's Dadeland Mall. To check out Madonna & Lola's sassy Material Girl collection, make sure to visit their online site.

Cynthia Demos & Rik Rak Salon host "Karaoke for a Cause" to benefit the Charlee Program

I've been to many charity events around town but throw in a little karaoke and everyone transforms into a rockstar! On October 27th, CBS4 Anchor, Cynthia Demos, along with Rik Rak Salon hosted their first ever "Karaoke for a Cause" event in Brickell to raise funds and awareness for the CHARLEE Program. This not-for-profit social service agency provides for the needs of abused, abandoned, neglected and at-risk children in Miami-Dade County. During the event, CBS4's Jorge Estevez (pictured on the left along with Raquel Watters) encouraged attendees to sing for a good cause. I can honestly say everyone had a great time singing along to classic tunes! For more information about the Charlee Program or to learn how you can become involved with the organization, visit their official website. Let's get to the singing!

Above Left: Philanthropist Norma Quintero and her daughter attended the charity event at Rik Rak Salon. Above Right: Lissette Gonzalez, CBS4 Meteorologist, also attended the event and sang two beautiful songs (she has real musical talent)!

Rik Rak Salon always has beautiful jewelry on display. I actually bought an amazing bracelet from Taryn Aronson, owner & designer of Jewels by Dunn (pictured above). Make sure to check out her website to see why celebs wear her one-of-a-kind pieces. Enjoy!

Above: Jorge Estevez breaking it down to Barry Manilow!

Above Left: Chloe & Raquel Watters, Owner of Rik Rak Salon.

Jim Berry, CBS4 Sports Anchor, and his wife during the event.

Above: Amy Sayfie and her friend striking a pose for Miami Beats & Sazon. Cheers to a fabulous event and remember that singing a tune for charity is always a good thing!