Experience Key West like a local

Key West Beach



"The best thing about Miami is that it is in the continental US, " I heard this joke when I moved to Miami and I love it.  Miami is so unique but in my view it is what makes it special.  There are so many things to do if you are visiting Miami but one thing you can't miss is Key West.  Also known as the "America's Caribbean Islands", the Florida Keys attracts over 3 million visitors a year for its many attractions: white sand beaches, sport fishing (largest fishing destination in the world), diving or snorkeling in the living-coral barrier reef, exotic food, fun nightlife and a picturesque sunset.

Key West Southernmost Point

Key West is the final stop in the Florida Keys and closer to Havana than Miami, 90 miles to be exact.  I love going to Key West and it is always a must have tourist destination to our friends and families in town.  Since we made the trip last weekend, I wanted to give you my best picks to enjoy the best of Key West like a local.

The drive from Miami is long - about 4 hours - so kick back, relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.  If you are hungry along the way, stop by "Lazydays" in Islamorada for a fish or lobster sandwich with their signature "lazydays style" sauce made with key lime, coconut and other spices to die for.  It is located on mile marker 79 and the terraces have a great view of the sea. 

Lazy Days Restaurant - Catch of the day "Lazydays Style"

Once in Key West, enjoy the afternoon on the beach and stop by the pier for fresh oysters and crabs.  Take a stroll through downtown, Duval Street and Ernest Hemingway's home.  Arrive early at Mallory Square for the sunset celebration.   The plaza gets filled quickly and you will have a great time watching jugglers, musicians and street artists perform before the sun is set. 

Key West Sunset

Mallory Square Sunset Celebration

If you have an extra day (strongly recommended), visit Dry Tortugas & Fort Jefferson.  We took the earliest seaplane tour for half day which is perfect to visit the park and snorkel around the island.  By taking the seaplane you not only have great aerial views but also avoid all the tourists who arrive by ferry at noon, just when it is time to head back to Key West.  Then, grab a quick lunch at BO's Fishing Wagon.  Don't be scared by the appearance of this shack because it serves the best fish sandwich in town with a delicious key lime mayonnaise.  Finally, stock up on key lime pie and be sure to drink a Cuban cortadito before heading back to Miami.

Seaplane tour

Dry Tortugas National Park

BO's Fish Wagon

 

 So, next time you're in Miami, plan to spend a couple of days at Key West for an unforgettable vacation.
Until next time,
xoxo

MB Miami Fashion Week Swim Part 2: Brazilian Designers

Brazil is famous for many things but when it comes to fashion, swimsuits or "bikinis" make the top of the list.  Beautiful people in sexy "bikinis" and "sungas" meet everyday at the worldly famous beaches of Rio de Janeiro to socialize.  It's a way of life where people gather to play sports, swim or sit around the many bars and cafes alongside the beach.

Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes captured this lifestyle in the famous song "Girl from Ipanema".  Listen below to enjoy the runway pictures of the 2012 swimsuit collection for DiNeila Brazil, Poko Pano and Cia Maritima at the Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week Swim Miami.



Ipanema Beach - Brazil


This year at the MB Fashion Swim Week in Miami, 3 Brazilian brands showed off its 2012 collection in style. 

1. DiNeila Brazil - The 2012 collection for DiNeila is a collaboration with Sports Illustrated supermodel Christine Teigen.  The end result:  a perfect fitting swimwear that is is simple and elegant.  The block colors in the collection feature purple, orange and green and are beautifully mixed together.  I also love the look of the models in the runaway with the tiaras in the hair.

2. Poko Pano - I was very surprised to see this brand making it big in the fashion world.  I actually own 2 bikinis from Poko Pano that I bought over 4 years ago when the brand was not as famous and I love it.  Their collection is surprisingly more elegant now with plenty of embellishments and hardware in all the pieces, but the fun prints are still a trademark. 

Celebrities that are Poko Pano clients include Janet Jackson, Jessica Simpson, Beyoncé, Elle Macpherson, Mischa Barton, Angie Harmon, Marisa Miller, and myself of course.

3. Cia Maritima - This is the most famous brand and a veteran at the Fashion Week. I love how their design stays true to the Brazilian look and feel with the triangle tops and string ties bottom.  I was also surprisingly happy to see how they put a fresh spin on the old animal prints mixing it with bold colors to give it a fresh look.

MB Miami Fashion Week Swim - July 14-18

The Mercedez-Benz Miami Fashion Week Swim kicked off in style on South Beach last Thursday at The Raleigh Hotel.  The event began with the runaway show for Diesel 2012 swimsuit collection.  The renowned youth-rock style jeans brand showed that it "is serious about making a statement about beachwear" as asserted by the CEO Cristiano Quieti.

The highlight of the show was the unveiling of the first glass bikini worn by actress and model Kristin Cavallari.  The one shoulder swimsuit featured shudders of glass in a cobalt blue color to highlight the partnership with the event sponsor, SKYY Vodka.  Other sexy models strutted down the runway in little bathing suits with clashes of color,denim graphics, hardware embellishments and leather buckles. 

When the runaway show was over, models, celebrities and guests alike chilled out around the pool area in The Raleigh hotel for the kick-off party.  Enjoy the pictures and stay tuned for more posts on the top swimsuit collections for 2012 featuring Brazilian brands like Poko Pano and the debut of DiNeila Brazil.

Miami: I've got flowers on my mind!!!

When you think of Miami, what comes to mind?  Sexy people, fabulous beaches and miles of luscious landscaping full of palm trees, right?  Well, you  may need to add flowers to your list.



Blue orchids from Silver Vase Flowers showcased at the International Floriculture Show

Fresh-cut flowers are the top perishable commodity at Miami International airport and play a very important role in the local economy.  The Miami fresh-cut flower industry employs around 7,000 people and supply roughly about 86 percent of the approximately 4.5 billion fresh-cut flowers imported into United States every year.  On a daily basis, approximately 40,000 boxes of fresh-cut flowers arrive at Miami International Airport primarily from Ecuador and Colombia to be distributed nationwide by specialized transportation companies such as C.H. Robinson Floral Solutions.





Lavender roses called "Ocean Song" from Passion Growers

  

Miami is also home of the biggest floral show in the country - The International Floriculture Expo.  It was held last week at the Miami Beach Convention Center.  This show is unique by being the only of its kind bringing people from every sector of the floriculture industry together to network, learn and do business.

I leave you with some pictures of the show.  Don’t forget to pick up a bunch of fresh cut flowers the next time you stop by your local grocery store to help our local economy.