Happy Endings

Normally I lean towards cable channels for good television, and stick with the basic network channels for a couple favorites like the bachelor franchise. For comedy in the past and still I am really into CBS for how I met your mother, big bang theory, and rules of engagement. Then last fall something happened....ABC!!!! ABC debuted some of the best, funniest comedies such as, modern family, cougar town, and better with you. Recently, just as all shows are about to have their season finales and go into hibernation until Fall ABC pleasantly surprised viewers with Happy Endings. Dubbed the "new friends" Happy Endings is the story of 6 long time friends living in Chicago. Automatically I associated myself with these characters mainly because they're in the same age group as I am, late 20s early 30s. Also because, it's great and refreshing to see these 6 characters all around the same age, in very different personal life stages. The married couple - Jane & Brad, the couple that dated for 10 years then one left the other at the alter - Alex & Dave, the single gal - Penny who never lets the others forget just how brutal and ruthless the single life is, and the "gay" single guy - Max, who as Penny explains is more of a stereotypical heterosexual male.  I don't know if I would necessarily agree that this is the "new friends" that void has been filled by HIMYM for some time now because at least that show is in NYC, but Happy Endings is definitely a must see. Originally intrigued when I saw one of the main characters is Elisha Cuthbert (love her in the girl next door) as Alex, but haven't fallen in love with her character yet, she’s kind of just coasting along. Now, the neurotic, obsessive, controlling and manipulating behavior of Jane is just too much, love her and can’t help but laugh at everything she’s done so far. Convincing the waitress to bring her vodka as "water" at Penny’s 26th (really 30th) birthday dinner had me laughing out loud, seriously laughing out loud! Happy Endings is on tonight on ABC at 10pm., hoping you become a fan!

Snip Bits

I love a night of nothing to do besides sitting on my bed with every magazine subscription that I’ve gotten in the mail that month and a good pair of scissors. I have subscriptions to people style, lucky, instyle, glamour, elle, usweekly, travel + leisure, Martha Stewart living, and food + wine, I know that's a lot of magazine reading! I’m normally running around like a chicken with her head cut off: work, gym, dinner, (some tivo, its becoming less and less everyday), sleep, and then repeat the next day. Those rare nights that I skip the gym, or I don’t have to cook, or dash off to some outing I take advantage of the big pile of magazines that has been accumulating through out the month. For some reason I don’t like reading one magazine at a time, I like to save them so I can read/attack them all together, one after the other. Its funny how this small activity can be a stress reliever, just an opportunity for the mind to unwind and do a simply pleasurable thing. I always snip out my favorite things or really anything that catches my eye like, clothes, shoes, new facial stuff, recipes, bottles of wine I want to buy, new destinations I want to travel to, and then I store all the little snip bits. Is there anyone out there that does this also? (please say yes)

Happy Easter

Happy Easter! Here is wishing everyone including their families, friends, and loved ones a blessed beautiful day! I will be going to a family barbeque with my family, my goddaughter and nephew. I am very thankful for my family , and can't wait to spend this day with them. Here's a picture of the baskets I made for my niece and nephew.

Change Partners

It’s the weekend and you want to go out to a nice dinner. You start thinking hmmm where do I want to go and you throw out the usual suggestions. For me it goes something like this: let’s go to greenstreet, or Houston’s (I know its hillstone now, still Houston’s to me), grazianos, town, the sushi bar. All of us get into these ruts where we repeat the same restaurants over and over again. I know...they are true and trusted good solid choices, I do the same thing but it’s good to change it up and try new things. A couple months ago I started making lists. One being Miami Food, restaurants that friends tell me about, I read about online, or I watch a show about. Then the next time I'm going out to dinner I refer to my list and try a new place. Its hard being put on the spot to pick a place, and most times I blank out, so the list helps immensely. Trust me. The list started evolving and now I have multiple ones, NYC Food so the next time I go to NYC I'm not a crazy person asking for suggestions or doing research for a great restaurant. I also have a dream one....PARIS Food, that’s a good one Anthony Bourdain helped out on that one, a girl can dream can't she?  

Must try Miami Restaurants, like drop what you are doing right now and make a reservation for this weekend if you haven't been yet.

Zuma (Pork Belly to die for)
Sugarcane (goat cheese corquettes & Octopus)
Michi's (best oysters)
Michaels (everything, breakfast pizza)
Joey's (Dolce e Piccante Pizza: figs, gorgonzola cheese, honey and hot pepper)
Gigi (steamed pork buns)

Some from My Miami Food to do list  (really really want to try these restaurants, like I'm going to this weekend)

Pubbelly
Red Light
Hakkasan
Andiamo Pizza
DB Bistro Moderne

Enjoy :)

My Kind of Town

I stumbled upon the questionnaire below while online browsing, and I thought it would be a good idea to try and answer the same questions about my beloved city, Miami. Miami is a beautiful city, and I truly do love living here, as I have expressed before. Sometimes while driving on the causeway getting to or leaving the beach I get goosebumps, I know cheesy but true! So read below for just some things I love about Miami, I would love to hear your opinions also, so dont be shy.

Miami is my City.

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is Lincoln Road, probably dinner at Quattro. (one of my favorite Miami restaurants)

When I crave seafood I always go Garcia's or Joe's. (depending on my budget that month)

To escape tourists I head to the grove/sunset/midtown areas. (there might some tourists in the grove but nothing like the beach)

If I want to have a great martini I go to The Setai Bar and order a Chili Passion Martini .(http://www.miami.com/clink-setai-summer-cocktails-article)

For complete quiet, I can hide away Upstairs at the Starbucks on Sunset and 57th – at least my type of quiet; I don’t do well in complete silence.

If you come to my city, get your picture taken with the roosters in little Havana, the flamingos in coral gables, and the peacocks in the grove.
http://criticalmiami.com/2007/10/01/the-little-havana-roosters
http://diamond-back.com/photos/flamingos/index2.html
http://www.local10.com/entertainment/23947001/detail.html

Norman Brothers is my one-stop shop for a great dinner party: fresh food, distinct wines, and beautiful flowers.

When I'm feeling cash-strapped I go to one of the many ladies nights offered around town, Georges on Wednesdays, Segafredos on Thursdays.

For a huge splurge I go to for food: Prime 112 or Red Steakhouse, for shoes: saks/neiman bal harbor shoe department, for clothes: intermix on the beach.

Photo ops in my city include any Pier overlooking the ocean, the sunset, the Biltmore & Vizcaya.

The most random thing about my city is that there are people from all over the world, the new melting pot.

My city has the most chauvinistic men. (or maybe that’s just the Cuban men)

My city has the most beautiful women. (from L.A to NYC I have never seen as a whole more beautiful women than in Miami)

In my city, an active day outdoors involves Running or Bike Riding the Key Bridge, and Paddle Boarding, a new trend.

My city's best museum is the only museum I've been to lately is the Children's Museum with my niece and nephew - cant beat the scenery! (http://www.miamichildrensmuseum.org/)

My favorite walking route is - everyone drives really in Miami- but I suppose up and down Lincoln Road watching all the doggies, and walking the gables shopping scene going in and out of boutiques.

For a night of dancing, i go to Wall or Mokai.

For live music, i check out Bardot or Hoy Como Ayer.

For a pitcher of beer and a game of pool, i go to Scully’s Tavern (and amazing escargots), honorary mentions Barracudas & Ted’s hideaway.

Sushi Sake on brickell, La sandwicherie or San Loco on the beach is the spot for late-night eats.

To find out what's going on at night and on the weekends, i read Daily Candy Miami or Thrillist.

You can tell a lot about my city from the nightlife, non-stop.

You can tell if someone is from my city by just looking at them, how they dress, compose themselves, and or speak (at least I can).

In the spring you should spend time on a boat, go to carnival on the mile, and the sony ericsson.

In the summer you should go to the beach/pool as much as possible, rent a hotel on ocean or collins and pretend you're a tourist (its fun) & eat lots ice cream.

In the fall you should go to a harvest festival, eat anything pumpkin, and go to a heat game (the season opener is always around Halloween).

In the winter you should eat dinner/ have drinks outside a lot, before it becomes too hot and unbearable again, and get your pictures taken with santa!

A hidden gem in my city is the room (and no I won’t tell you where it is).

For a great breakfast joint try Morgans, feels like you’re in a house in Key West (for something new) or Greenstreet (for a classic).

Don't miss Art Basel festival in December, OR South Beach Wine & Food Festival in March.

Just outside my city, you can visit Key Largo, Key West, Disney World, Bimini, & Atlantis.

The best way to see my city is from a Boat.

If my city were a pet it would be a Dolphin (for the Miami Dolphins DUH).

If I didn't live in my city, I'd live - I really can’t picture myself anywhere but Miami, maybe California, San Fran, San Diego, Santa Monica (just NOT L.A.).

The best book about my city is Miami Then and Now , really shows how much this city has grown.

When I think about my city, the song that comes to mind is Feeling Hot Hot Hot! Welcome to Miami Bievenido a Miami.

If you have kids, you won't want to miss Trick or Treating outdoors, sunset place, merrick park, Lincoln road.

Celia Cruz, Gloria Estefan, Pitbull, Rick Ross could only happen in my city.

My city should be featured on your cover or website because Miami has everything for everyone, and its still growing!

Forever21 vs Shopbop

There is not one girl out there that i know of that does not think of shopbop as one of their ultimate fantasy closets. It really is any girl's dream come true, at least this girl's (as i have shared before http://verythoughtofyou.blogspot.com/2010/02/popsugaring-shopboping.html). Shopbop has all the staples; the most fabulous dresses, the exclusives that only they carry, that one special piece that will make your look different and stand out, amazing look books, and the talent to find every new and up coming fabulous designer. To make things even better they offer free shipping, which sometimes comes the next day, or in two days. The costumer service is one of the best of any online shopping site i have ever used, answering every single one of my neurotic questions. The only down side to shopbop is that unless you are an actress, socialite, princess, model, rock star, early 20s millionaire, or born with a silver spoon, it becomes a very expensive hobby that most of us are not fortunate enough for. I do sometimes splurge and treat myself to shopbop, but its not an every week or every month thing, its a one in a while thing. So for most other stuff I have my websites and shops that i frequent, and i have to admit that a new front runner is forever21.com especially the Love21 section. Even one of my favorite ladies out there and winner of bachelor brad's heart, Emily Maynard, wore almost everything this season from forever21. Yes, she dresses up her Forever21 with $900 Christian Louboutins, but honestly that's the way to do it. Spend money on shoes, purses, jewelry, and face/hair care. Don't spend money on trends. Below is a  little comparison of how you can get almost the same items/looks at forever21 vs. shopbop for 100s of dollars less.

Forever21

Forever by vferrer0706 featuring skinny ankle jeans

Shopbop

shopbop by vferrer0706 featuring floral shorts

Jean dresses, lace tunic tops, big brim hats, flower blouses/cami, gray tanks, flower pleated shorts, colorful bead bracelets, cargo jeans, and white metallic bangles. All achievable in two different stores, for two different budgets, but resulting in the same look.

http://www.polyvore.com
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/browse.sets?uid=2390573
www.shopbop.com
www.forever21.com

Lovely Dressing

(patterson j. kincaid dress.pour la victoire pumps.anthropologie necklace.chanel bag)

Three Terrific Things

1. It's Friday, and that mean its Happy Hour time. Its been a while since I've done the whole happy hour thing, but today my co-worker ( & friend) and I are heading out to the gables. I'm especially excited for the happy hour menu at Fleming's Prime Steak in Coral Gables. Its Called 5 for $6 till 7pm. That means 5 options of wine, cocktails, and/or appetizers each for $6 till 7pm. My favorites are the white cosmos (very deadly, should not consume more than two) the pinot noir mark west (always a favorite), the tenderloin carpaccio and seared ahi tuna.

http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/
http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/media/102700/10fmg9576-03_mnu_567_fh.pdf


2. Saturday, getting a mani / pedi its been almost two weeks and my nails are atrocious. I hate skipping a week but there was just no other time this last week, so tomorrow it is. I'm especially excited about using one of the new spring colors from the essie spring collection. Im leaning towards this lavender pink named "a french affair" (i just love all the essie and opi nail color names, too cute)


http://www.essie.com/latest-collection/

3. Sunday, Cafeina in Wynwood is hosting a Brunch n' Bazaar, this is an open air market with different vendors. One of the vendors in attendance will be two of my best friends, sisters Nani & Kaki Lopez creators of N&K Designs. Their jewelry is one of kind, made by hand with love and care and very very beautiful. I have a couple of their pieces already, and i have my eye on a couple new pieces. My favorite designs right now are the very popular, sold out and re ordered, side ways cross (seen on every fashionista in hollywood), the "yolo" bracelet, and the Hindu Bracelets. The "yolo" has a very special meaning for my friends and i simply meaning you only live once. Which means just exactly what it says,  enjoy the one life you have and don't live with any regrets. The Hindu Bracelets are beautiful for spring & summer designed in many different bright colors. I cant wait to wear them around adding that pop of color to my outfits! Come check them out this Sunday, they are offering 10% off their jewelry. Dogs are allowed (ill be there with my tato) and its $20 unlimited mimosas...do you really need any other reason to go?!?!?!?!






http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=100001306515556&aid=33898#!/shop.nk
http://nkdesignsonline.com/

AMC "as original as it gets"

Is anyone out there watching the Killing on AMC? AMC prides it self as coming up with the most original series on TV, and honestly I can’t argue with them. AMC first won me over with the debut of Mad Men. Mad Men based in the 1950s (my favorite era of American history) when men dressed and acted like men, when woman had class and dressed themselves with elegance, and when there was just a certain enjoyment and passion  about life, then choose NYC to be the setting for the show, and most likely its going to be a home run. Apparently every other TV critic also fell in love with Mad Men, and it won many best drama awards right away, though it did take some time for the viewers to catch up, even still Mad Men was rumored of being delayed this season because it doesn’t have enough viewers, therefore it doesn’t make enough money, resulting in a key character maybe having to be cut out (fired). SAD. My second favorite AMC series debuted October of last year, The Walking Dead. WOW!!!!! The Walking Dead is such an amazing story of survival and the human will to live. You would think the show is all about zombies, and some of it is, but they are not the main characters, the main characters are the few survivors that are so obviously doomed but refuse to give up and endure a daily battle for survival. The first season was very short (only 6 episodes) but enough to have me completely hooked and on the edge of my seat waiting for October 2011.


Debuting two Sundays ago AMC has done it once again, completely hooking me on the Killing. A cross between silence of the lambs/csi/criminal minds (all favorites) you must start watching the Killing as soon as possible. The whole season is the mystery of  one death, the killing of good girl Rosie Larsen who ended up dead and tortured at the bottom of a lake, inside the trunk of politician and mayor candidate Darren Richmond's campaign car. Every character is a suspect and just when you think you know for sure who the murderer is the whole story changes. Staying true to AMC story telling, and reminding me of that Mad Men style, this is not a show that explains to you everything little thing that is happening, you need to devote your full attention for the whole hour it plays because once you miss something its gone. As I like to call Mad Men and now The Killing this is smart TV, therefor while you're watching, it doesn’t feel like your brain cells are rotting. You know the way how some reality TV shows might make our brain cells feel, lol. (don’t hate, I also love reality TV) Just saying if you are bored just a little from all the reality TV out there and you want to watch a different type of show, something that will make you think, watch the Killing, it’s definitely worth an hour of your Sunday night. Warning: Be careful to watch this right before lights out and bedtime, the last two Sundays I have experienced major difficulty sleeping and have had plenty of nightmares regarding poor Rosie.

http://www.amctv.com/shows/the-killing

The Summer Knows

By the time summer comes around the only things I am craving are seafood, super fresh healthy salads, Riesling or Chardonnay, outdoor seating (with shade), key lime pies, and really just about anything that is served cold. In Miami the weather is already between the mid 80s & low 90s, and after a day spent on the beach all I wanted on Sunday night were some fresh oysters. A hidden gem in Miami, that’s most people do know about by now but some still don’t is Garcia’s Seafood Grill and Fish Market. My two friends and I wanted the perfect place to enjoy watching the sunset while eating some delicious seafood, and Garcia’s once again did not disappoint. The prices at Garcia’s are so reasonable you don’t even have to think about feeling guilty for ordering the extra large stone crab claws. The outdoor patio on the first floor is almost always full especially on a late Sunday afternoon, but not to fear, there is an upstairs with a substantially big full bar and another outdoor patio seating area, which is where we sat. We had the pleasure of having a super sweet waiter that made us feel very comfortable, and went through all possible means to raise the blinds so we could have full access of the sunset. Check them out I promise you will not be disappointed.

My friends and I ordered two bowls of she crab soup, 1 dozen raw bar oysters, 1 order of medium stone crab claws, conch fritters, a side or fries, two sprites and a diet coke....for a grand total....wait for it, wait for it....$54.00 !!!!! Amazing prices and so so so so fresh, everything. I’m already craving to go back.

http://www.garciasseafoodgrill.com/index.php

I Fall in Love too Easily

The Quest for the perfect handbag. When i get something in my head i can not stop thinking about it. It truly becomes obsession. I obsess and obsess and obsess, until finally i find the perfect thing that I'm looking for. When it comes to handbags this is more true than ever. I would say i purchase a handbag about maybe 2 or 3 times a year, meaning a nice handbag, probably a designer one. Us girls know what a costly obsession this can be, but I'm sorry i cant help it. Its what i love. This week has been an endless search for the perfect bag. It needs to be the perfect size to fit an ipad, a kindle, a bottle of water, makeup bag, wallet, and some other random necessities i would throw in there. It needs to be stylish, pretty, and comfortable enough to travel with but also use the whole weekend while I'm traveling as my main handbag.

So the search begins and it normally begins online....visiting all my go to websites writing down price, color, size. Then going to blogs/forums reading reviews, going on youtube watching reviews (i know its sick). Even then all this is not enough i need to see the bag in person. i need to touch the leather, carry it, test it out make sure it fits my needs. So then come the store visits (the people that work at these places must seriously think im crazy). Finally yesterday as im walking around the purse department at Neiman's (after the gym, don't get a gym membership in a mall with department stores like neimans & nordstroms never a good idea, mental note for the future) i spotted the most beautiful Alexander Wang tote. OMG it was love at first site! Now i cant get this baby out of my mind. i need it, i will die without it, how can i get it, the constant thoughts wont stop until i make it mine, I know I've headed down this road before.

Coach Kristin Elevated Leather Sage Round Satchel at Coach $698
In person this bag does not look nearly as good as it does in the pictures, which for me was a huge disappointment, it just looks cheaply. and the material dirties very easily.

 
 
Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Francesca $528
This bag was O.K. in person, something about it just didn't have that WOW factor for me, i am looking for a large carry-all to hold all my necessities but this bag was maybe just a little bit too big.

 
 
Mulberry Oversized Alexa leather bag $1,250
Unfortunately, i have not been able to see this beauty in person!!! This bag was almost the winner, it is beyond beautiful to me. The effortless chic ness about it. Its a cool bag, without even trying to be. I called Saks on my search to play with the Alexa in person, and the purse department employee  informed me no store in Miami carries mulberry, solely the Webster in Miami Beach. He also informed me that these bags are dyed with vegetable dye, and if rain drops on them it stains the leather. no no no good. i was very sad....moving on.



CC SKYE Onie $595
This bag to me has the same feel as the Alexa with the top handle, but honestly i don't know, i don't necessarily love it enough to try and find it in person. Maybe its just too tomboyish for me. I saw a picture of Olivia Palermo (the girl that can do NO wrong) strolling around NYC with it and i fell in love, but then it quickly faded.

 
Alexander Wang Emile $975
I fell in love with this baby in person vs. online. I think this is because the pictures of this bag do it absolutely no justice, in person this bag is simply perfection. This is my front runner right now, but i will not be making any sudden purchases just yet (i have taxes to pay!!! dammit!!!) but if i was it would probably be this handbag that takes the cake!

 
 
Giving Credit Where Credit is Due:
http://celebrityfashion.onsugar.com/tag/coach+kristin+elevated+leather+sage+round+satchel
www.coach.com
http://www.zappos.com/marc-by-marc-jacobs-classic-q-francesca-dandelion
http://www.ioffer.com/si/marc+by+marc+jacobs+%2527classic+q+-+hillier%2527+hobo
http://www.mulberry.com/
http://silentserenades.wordpress.com/2010/05/06/mulberry-alexa-versus-ps1-which-ones-your-pick/
www.nordstrom.com
http://www.fashionited.com/trend/cc+skye+one+messenger+bag
www.saks.com
http://coolspotters.com/brands/alexander-wang/and/handbags/alexander-wang-large-emile-tote/media/1293933#medium-1293933

Oh! Food! Comparison

I promised a food delivery service comparison and here it is. This week I tried a new healthy food delivery service called Fit2Go. It was pretty good, but overall I have to say that for me personally I enjoy Fat Busters much better. The meals that I ate while on Fit2Go were as follows, Wednesday a beef fajita wrap with a side of fruit. Thursday Broccoli soup, pumpkin chicken, and carrot purée topped yucca. Friday a ham and cheese wrap with a side of cream vegetables. The beef fajita wrap and the pumpkin chicken were the best two things I ate and would recommend, the rest was just decent, but nothing impressive. It was definitely lacking the flavor and that added punch that in my opinion Fat Busters has. The packaging of Fit2Go is very cute I must say, and I liked how all the containers had a label on the outside with all the ingredients and nutritional information. Though, for the price Fit2Go compared to Fat Busters, the Fit2Go meals were much smaller. Another reason I would recommend Fat Busters over Fit2Go is also because the portions of food are much bigger, for someone like me it’s very easy to eat half at lunch and half at dinner. There is no way this can be done with Fit2Go, you would need to pay more money and also order the dinner meals. I compared two exact soups, the broccoli soup, from each food delivery service, both also have the same nutritional value and the Fat Busters one just has much more flavor and better taste. So there you go, next week I'm back on fat busters. If you live in Miami and you are thinking of order f a food delivery service I hope in some way this helped you.

http://www.fatbustersmiami.com/

http://www.fit2gomeal.com/en/index.asp