Posts filed under 'Lifestyle'
Can South Beach Stay Chic? Mid-South Beach Still Top Hot Spot
Having sufferend the past flashing lights of Miami to nauseating degrees. I have yet, another group of girlfriends who are craving for that steamy South Beach air. Albeit, I don’t have the heart to deny Miami’s charm entirely, however when you have in fact attended the South Beach region to somewhat exhausting levels, the ideal of another South Beach holiday becomes a liittle mundane. Alas, I took a little time out to do some legwork to find just what is “poppin” in Miami these days. Much to my delight it seems that the Mid-South Beach region is pushing it up another echelon and vying for the official Miam HotSpot. In fact, Mid-South Beach Miami was the only place in the US, with the exception of Death Valley, to make top ten of The New York Times 53 Places To Go This Year list.
Here’s a few reasons why:
The Sanctuary
The Sanctuary Hotel & Spa is the ultimate getaway Boutique hotel, where lifestyle connoisseurs are pampered in a relaxing Zen-like environment. The Sanctuary is located right in the marvellous South Beach, with its hectic and hedonistic nightlife, endless sunshine and exclusive shopping. This ultra chic hotel offers a place to get refuge, and has rapidly come the place of choice for people who see Miami as “a second home”, as well as the young and famous.
With 30 suites, the overall emphasis is on privacy and seclusion, contrasting favourably with the high-rise ethos that predominates in the area. All of the luxurious suites overlook a secluded Japanese garden style interior courtyard and are bordered by a terrace with sliding glass doors, inviting plenty of South Beach sunlight. They also have fully equipped kitchens with ‘Nespresso’ coffee makers. The sumptuous Ola restaurant has become a Miami hotspot that offers a gastronomic adventure beginning with a specialty mojito, followed by a signature dish such as goats cheese and black pepper empanadas, “Oysters Rodriguez” or crackling crispy pork. A blend of flavours from the Carribean and Latin America that ignite the taste buds. Ola’s decadent deserts are on a world of their own, churros with Venezuelan chocolate sauce is just one example. To complete the experience guests can finish with a hand-rolled Dominican cigar.Spa treatments include tangerine bath and scrub and revitalizing scalp treatments, perfect for preparing for a big night on the town. The Spa services can be enjoyed from the privacy of a guest suite, or the rooftop pool.
The Sanctuary Hotel & Spa is located in the South Beach area which is known as a vibrant party scene with a tropical setting. Apart from the beautiful beach there’s Lincoln Road Mall which is considered to be one of the hottest shopping streets in the US. South Beach is also home to some of the best golf clubs, such as Miami Beach Golf Club. The Art Deco district is also another interesting attraction in the area.
The Setai
The Setai Hotel is an intimate Art Deco oceanfront resort in the heart of South Beach, set amid tropical gardens and sparkling pools. Featuring a façade of glass and aluminium, The Setai introduces to the vibrant and popular zone of South Beach the Asian traditions of simplicity and elegance. This oasis of pools and gardens is linked together with a pathway that leads to the hotel’s private beach.
This resort has been established with luxury and quality firmly in mind. Bearing the unmistakable imprint of legendary hotelier Adrian Zecha, guests can revel in the exclusive characteristics of the oversized suites, from bathroom Jacuzzis to panoramic city views as well as an in-suite Spa room. If that weren’t enough, the establishment includes numerous restaurants and bars, as well as a wonderful private Spa and three swimming pools.
The Setai is located on Collins Ave at 20th street near Miami Beach’s thriving cultural district, as well as the nightlife, fine dining, shopping and other South Beach attractions.
Townhouse Hotel
Conceived as a fresh, fun and fashionable retreat, the Townhouse Hotel offers a playful combination of modern design and old-fashioned comfort, only steps away from the ocean in Miami’s South Beach. The Townhouse provides guests with a sleek and sexy hideaway for a weekend getaway or a long retreat. Built in 1939, the 69-room five-story building has been creatively redefined by young Paris-based designer India Mahdavi, whose minimalist furnishings provide maximum relaxation and leisure. The hallways have been re-invented with equal creativity, serving as hangout environments soundtracked in stereo, stocked with benches, newspapers, and comics.
The guest rooms offer another fun, unique take on relaxation, utilizing a minimum of furniture for maximum leisure. Oversized baby blue pillows adorn each bed, complementing giant round poufs and rugs in scarlet and blue. L-shaped couches could double as crash pads for overnight guests. Flowered cardinal red sexy lampshades match old-time fire engine red telephones that mix art deco with modern technology. The outdoor rooftop terrace features king-size waterbeds paired with huge umbrellas for sunbathers and shade-seekers alike. At night the rooftop transforms into one of South Beach’s hottest social scenes.”BondSt Lounge”, Miami’s outpost of the famed New York sushi restaurant, is located on the ground floor and is known for its intimate, casual atmosphere and its award-winning menu.
Located at the north end of the art deco district in Miami Beach, Florida. The Townhouse Hotel Miami is beside The Bass Museum Of Art. The beach is just a half block away.
Sources: http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1125134.php?mpnlog=1
http://www.splendia.com/index.php?lang=EN&dev=USD
Add comment January 10, 2008
CHEERS in 2008! Here’s to a year of infinite possibilities!
New Year’s has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It’s a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. Here are 8 big changes you can make this year to make a big difference!
1. Fit in Fitness!
The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better.
2. Give it up!
We all have them. The things we do in life that we know we are just no good for us. Maybe it quiting smoking or drinking or that daily run to Starbucks. Whatever your obsession is albeit overeating, shopping. watching TV, surfing the net, overworking, gambling or gossping, make a commitment this year to avoid these compuslive behaviors and take a positive step towards a more fulfilling life. For more information check out Judith Wrights classic, There Must Be More Than This, recently retitled The Soft Addictions Solution: Break Free of the Seemingly Harmless Habits That Keep You From The Life You Want.
3. Learn Something New!
Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book, you’ll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year’s resolutions to keep.
4. Help Others!
A popular, non-selfish New Year’s resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help. Expand your horizons!
5. Enjoy Life More!
Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that “enjoying life more” has become a popular resolution in recent years. It’s an important step to a happier and healthier you! Consider a holistic healing centers for products designed to bring balance to your body, mind and soul. Or just get out and try something new! Take up a new hobby or try your hand at skiing. Go to a theater performance, or head to the local spa.
6. Spend More Time With Friends & Family
Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. Make plans to meet up with friends for an evening of comaraderie at a favorite restaurant. Work shouldn’t always come first!
7. Get Organized!
On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, these tips and resources should get you started on the way to a more organized life.
8. Develop Your Signature Look
Creating a stylish wardrobe does not have to be a huge expense or mean that you must have a ton of stylish clothes in your closet. The objective is to look your very best by making the most of your wardrobe either by mixing and matching what you have or playing up a look with a few key accessories. Sometimes all it takes is the addition of a few key items to transform and breathe new life into a wardrobe that may have become tired or slightly dated.
Apresenta Concept provides a unique method of wardrobe management through a complete individualized process. This service begins with an initial closet audit to evaluate the existing wardrobe as well as a needs assessment (shopping list) to complete and update each season’s wardrobe based upon specific needs. This allows your consultant to define your personal style and design a wardrobe plan to fit your lifestyle and budget.
We schedule a one hour fashion consultation to evaluate your current style (this consultation can be done in-person, online or via telephone). Wardrobe and beauty recommendations will be provided, tailoring a plan just for you. To prepare for your personal transformation, you will be provided with an in-depth questionnaire to complete.
To get started, Email us today at info@apresentaconcept.com.
Add comment January 1, 2008
Chaos Out of The Closet…
- Keep
Start with jackets, suits, and separates. Keep your essentials, the clothes that make you feel good, the clothes that have worked for you over and over–as long as they’re in good condition, still fit, and don’t look dated. - Donate
If you’re the same size and haven’t worn something in a year or more (some recommend two years), plan to give it away–unless it’s evening wear. An evening outfit or separates that look and feel great can be worn for years. - Dump
Throw out clothes that aren’t fit to donate (c’mon, you know they’re in there!) Keep a few things for dirty jobs like gardening, painting, and store them with your tools. Unless you keep your tools in the garage, because then you’ll never wear them because you’ll be afraid they’re full of spiders or something. - Fix
Put anything that needs a hem, button, alteration, or cleaning into this box. Once everything else is organized, come back to this box and get to work. For things you can’t fix yourself, go to the dry cleaner or tailor (every woman needs a good tailor–if you don’t have one, ask your friends and acquaintances for recommendations). Make sure this box is empty by the end of the day, even if you’ve just put the things in your car to take to the designated repair person. One more caveat–make sure you really want to keep the things you’re fixing–or you’re just wasting money. - Maybe
This box is for the shirt you got on sale but never wore because you don’t have anything to go with it, or just never bothered to figure out what to wear with it, the pants that are a little too tight, etc. At the end of the day, seal this box and put it somewhere else, away from your closet. Anything you don’t miss after four months should be given away.
3. Once you’ve completed these steps, look over your keepers again and see how they coordinate with one another. If one piece doesn’t fit with anything else, donate it. (Shopping to find things to go with it will recreate the problem you just finished solving–your wardrobe should be a coherent, cohesive unit. It’s great to have pieces that express different aspects of your personality, but they still should all fit!).
4. Now make a list of things you need, like a new shell for a favorite suit, or a new white shirt to replace the four with yellowing you just got rid of. Put the keepers back in your closet and revel in all your new space–and in being able to see your clothes. And enjoy getting dressed the next day; it’ll be so much easier and faster…and now you get to go shopping!
Add comment December 27, 2007
Holiday Hangover Recovery
Sure, you’ve heard them before, but isn’t it nice to be reminded what really works…and why?
GO BACK TO BED You’ve drank hard, you deserve a good rest. Especially good if you can find someone to wait on your every need.
WATER, WAITER. Your body might have been 90% water before you went out but it feels like 20% now. Get your dried up prune body over to the tap and drink, drink, drink. Drink ’til you stomach’s so full it hurts, then wait. 5 minutes later your mouth will be parch dry again and ready for more. Two minutes if you smoked ciggies.
PAPILION STYLE We like Papilion’s style. He says “lots of fresh home made orange juice (usually 3 oranges and 1 lemon) then a nice long shower and then lots of sex 
“
PLAY IN THE HAY When you’ve tried all else (better still, before) settle down to a good old fashioned romp. The exercise pumps your blood, the rest, well you know what that does. And at the end you can down a big drink of water and slip back into a peaceful slumber. Ahhhh…
DRINK SPORTS CORDIAL You know, like Gatorade and Powerade and probably Staminade too. You wee’d out all your body salts, so you’ll be needing some more. Naturally, the liquid refreshment will do you good too.
GET A SUGAR HIT Get like a kid on red cordial and pump yourself up. See, your body needs sugar to break down alcohol which means right now it hasn’t got any. Which is why you’re feeling weak and lightheaded. Mars Bars are good…they only take 15 minutes to start giving you a sugar hit. Jellybeans will get you bouncing too, especially the glucose ones you get from the chemist. And they won’t make you as fat.
THE GRAVITY CURE If you feel gravity tugging, let it win for a while. Find a warm, flat floor on which to settle your bones. It’ll open your lungs and slow the pounding in your head. Feel free to fall asleep.
DON’T MIX YOUR DRINKS Don’t mix your drinks, don’t mix your drinks, don’t mix your drinks. Unless one of them’s water.
WET DREAMS Before you go out put a glass of water next to your bed. Then drink it and put another one there for when you get home. Works best if you know where you’ll be sleeping.
KEEP DRINKING You’ve heard it before but guess what? It works. See alcohol contains ethanol and methanol. Methanol makes your head sore, ethanol stops it working its evil magic. New drink = new ethanol = delayed pain. And more fun now.
Taken courtesy of www.hungover.net
Add comment December 26, 2007
