Art Deco tour in South Beach

I have been living in Miami for 8 years but last week I was just a regular tourist taking my first walking tour of the Art Deco district.  And there is plenty to see and learn when you are taking a stroll in the largest collection of preserved Art Deco buildings in the world.




Congress Hotel - Art Deco District on South Beach

 
Architects and designers will fall in love with the number of hotels featuring the "Tropical Deco" style of Miami Beach with plenty of whimsical flora, fauna and ocean-liner motifs.  All building have some of the elements characterizing this period: glass blocks, decorative sculptural panels, eyebrows, round porthole windows, terrazzo floors, curved edges and corners, elements in groups of three and plenty of neon lighting.



Neon lights at the Art Deco District on South Beach


However, if you are just a regular guy or girl like me, there is plenty of stories about the period that will catch your attention.  For instance, the controversial Calvin Klein ad for Obsession perfume in the roof of the Breakwater hotel in 1987 that catapulted fashion to SoBe.  My favorite though is the facade of the Commodore hotel where rumor has it that Madonna and Jean Paul Gaultier took the inspiration for her iconic cone bra.



1987 Calvin Klein Ad on South Beach





Commodore Hotel - Art Deco District


Truth or tale, it really doesn't matter.  What I guarantee is that you will have a wonderful time.  Make sure you take the tour guided by Kent, a Chicago native with a passion for Miami Beach history.



Kent - Art Deco Walking Tour Guide



Fashion night out: Fall Trends fashion show

Drinks, cocktails, music, friends and fabulous clothes are just some of the things you missed if you did not attend this year Fall Trends fashion show at the Neiman Marcus store in Bal Harbour.  It was a first for me, but definitely not the last.  I had a great time sipping wine, meeting new friends and enjoying my first runaway show with gorgeous styles by Valentino, Prada, Alexander McQueen and Oscar de la Renta among others.

The trends for the fall season highlighted in the show include: Colorblocking, Handheld bags, Bold Gold, LadyChic, Bordeaux and Pumps.

Let's start with Colorblocking which is very familiar to us by now.  This trend continues into the fall but the bright colors are transformed into the beautiful autumn tones like pumpkin orange and brown leaves.  Here are the runaway looks:

Second, I have to talk about Pumps because I absolutely loved this Alexander McQueen heart shaped pump displayed in the store.  After all what's not to love?  High heels, animal prints, bourdeaux accents and a to die for heart shaped peep toe.  It doesn't come cheap though, with a $955 price tag it is only good for my eyes, not my toes... unfortunately!!!

Another accessory turned into trend is the Handheld bag.  I love the runaway look below combining the handheld bag and the hat in Bourdeaux, which is another must have trend.  Since we cannot talk about fashion without the French influence, this deep purple color reminiscent of the French Bourdeaux wine made it to the runaway once again this year.  Finally, the last accessory trend for the Fall is Bold Gold jewelry, where large cuffs and tiered necklaces are definitely in.

Lastly, I hope we all have some LadyChic trend in all of us this fall. 

So, at the end, itt was a great Fashion night out... some of us couldn't get enough!!!



Hope to see you next time.  Until then, keep looking fabulous!!!
xoxo

Weekend Meals: Vietnamese Ribs and Lemon Sorbet

I had never tried Vietnamese food until recently when my good friend bragged that her husband cooks the best Vietnamese food.  So I figured if he can cook it, so can I.  Luckily, one of my cookbooks had a few recipes inserts from chef Luke Nguyen, owner of the world famous Red Lantern, a Vietnamese restaurant in Sydney, Australia.  My first attempt at his recipes was with the Shrimp Sauteed with Fish Sauce and it was delicious.  I have made it a couple of times when I've had friends over and it was a hit every time.

This weekend, since we are home bound with the visit of Emily, which now is only a Tropical depression, I decided to try his other recipe - Vietnamese Braised Pork Spareribs.  Let me just say it, it was delicious.  Even my 2 year old loved it!!! The ribs are first marinated, then roasted and simmered in coconut water with Asian spices, what's not to love.                                                                            

For desert, I made it for the first time Lemon Sorbet.  It's easy, light and refreshing, a perfect blend of sweet and tart to end the meal. 

Here is the recipe:

- 5 or 6 lemons

- 1 and a half cup of water

- 3/4 cup of sugar

- 1 tablespoon of lemon zest

Start by making the syrup, boil the water and sugar for 1 minute until it dissolves.  Add the lemon zest and let is steep for 10 minutes.  Add the lemon juice and cool it in the fridge for 3 hours before putting in an ice cream maker.

Bon apetit everyone!!!