miami

Eva Longoria Spotted in Miami on Utopia III Superyacht

Desperate Housewives stunner Eva Longoria was spotted in Miami over Super Bowl weekend enjoying a romantic rendez-vous aboard the 150 ft. Utopia III superyacht (above). Barely a week after her divorce from Tony Parker was finalized, she was seen making waves with 25-year-old Spanish singer Eduardo Cruz, actress Penelope Cruz's younger brother, the London Daily Mail reports. There were on the yacht as guests of cosmetics mogul Loren Ridinger, who hosted a Super Bowl viewing party.

Built by Trinity Yachts in 1999, the Utopia III has accommodations for 10 guests in addition to nine crew – not that we're implying Eva and Eduardo shared a bunk, though they did spend the night on board. The yacht has been in the news before thanks to Kim Kardashian strutting around the decks in a bikini. Longoria first sparked rumors of a romance when she was spotted with Eduardo at her Los Angeles restaurant Beso in October; Eduardo was then seen leaving Eva's house on Christmas Eve.

Tags: actress, celebrity, Eva Longoria, Kim Kardashian, Los Angeles, Miami, Penelope Cruz, Super Bowl, superyacht, tony parker, utopia+iii, utopiaiii, yacht

Wanderlust Festival Kicks Off at The Standard in Miami

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

Wanderlust is one of the country's fastest growing festivals and its purpose is not only to bring yogis together with each other but also to provide premier nature and music experiences. This year the festival is expanding from just one event to several nationwide and will kick off at The Standard Spa at Miami Beach in Florida.

The festival consists of 4 days and 3 nights of yoga workshops taught by the nation's top instructors, access to The Standard's full range of therapeutic spa treatments, evenings full of musical inspiration from Bonobo and others, and of course lots of fresh air and sunshine. The season's opening festivities are scheduled for March 17th-20th and ticket packages start at $750 per person for the weekend.

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Tags: miami, the standard, travel, wanderlust, yoga, yoga festival

The Villa by Barton G. Offers Valentines Fantasy Weekend

by McLean Robbins (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

A stay at The Villa by Barton G., the former Versace Mansion in trendy South Beach might be romance enough for most couples. But for those looking to kick it up a notch this Valentine's Day, The Villa is offering a Fantasy Versace weekend for $25,000.

Available to just one couple each year, the door-to-door package begins and ends with limo service from the guests' home to the airport and from the airport to the Villa's famous front gates. Once at The Villa, the guests will, for the first time in history, stay in Gianni Versace's opulent personal living quarters where the Valentines couple will begin their magical weekend with a Villa Indulgence, the hotel's signature four-handed Massage for two.

The evening continues with a private dinner under the stars in the Villa's Rooftop Lounge. During the multi-course Aphrodisiac Dinner, guests will be serenaded by a harpist amid romantic fantasy decor enjoy breathtaking views of Miami's South Beach from the Villa's unique position along Ocean Drive. This perfect weekend culminates when the couple returns to their room where they will be treated to a chocolate fountain along with personalized chocolates and floral arrangements.

The Villa Fantasy Versace Valentine's Weekend includes transportation, dinner, spa services and access to all of the Villa's other amenities, which include perks like personal British-trained butlers, Frette linens, and Kindle e-readers with complementary electronic newspaper delivery.

Tags: barton g, luxury hotel package, miami, south beach, valentines day, villa by barton G.

The Art Collection At The Soho Beach House

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Soho Beach House, the third North American property from the Soho House brand, opened in Miami this fall with over 150 original works of art hanging in the lobby and the halls. With Art Basel Miami Beach happening every December, Miami has become a hot spot for contemporary art. The artists gave original work to the club in exchange for membership and credit, the same approach used to curate the work in Soho House Berlin, Dean Street Townhouse in London and Soho House West Hollywood. The result is a collection of artworks given by artists who invest in the creative nature of the club itself.

A number of the artists in Soho Beach House are based in or originally from Miami, including Hernan Bas, Jose Parla, Aaron Young and Jim Drain. The collection also includes respected American artists such as Elizabeth Peyton, Glenn Ligon, Jack Pierson, John Baldessari and Shepherd Fairey as well as British artists including Douglas Gordon, Noble and Webster, Jake and Dinos Chapman, Liam Gillick, and Jonathan Monk. New generation American artists include Rashid Johnson, Slater Bradley, Ryan McGinley, KAWS, Aurel Schmidt and Rosson Crow).Francesca Gavin, the curator of the Soho House Group, works with Jonathan Yeo who art directs the Soho House collection.

The Soho Beach House is both a hotel to the public and members-only club. It is the ninth Soho House and the third in North America. The Soho Beach House is located on the site of the historic art deco Sovereign Hotel, which has been redesigned and expanded to include a 16-story oceanfront tower. The property now includes the club bar, 49 bedrooms, a penthouse, two pools, a full service beach, garden with Tiki bar, a roof deck,Cowshed Spa and Cecconi's restaurant.

Gallery: Soho Beach House Art Collection

Tags: art, miami, miami beach, soho beach house, soho house

Celebrate New Year's Eve Shanghai Style at The Setai, South Beach

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Wine, Events

This New Year's Eve ultra-luxe Miami hotel The Setai, South Beach invites guests to pay homage to the hotel's Asian roots and take a trip back to the 1930s and 1940s for one night to the Golden Age of Shanghai. Inspired by an era of sophistication and wealth, when chic nightclubs and dance halls were all the rage, The Setai will be transformed for the night into the "Paris of the Orient" featuring music from sought after Shanghai artists, awe-inspiring decor, and a decadent seven-course tasting menu to create an evening to be remembered. The fabulous event will be divided into three stages:

• The Welcome: A blend of Chinese, Shanghainese, and western jazz by China's acclaimed singer, Coco Zhao, welcomes guests to The Courtyard where Taittinger Champagne, classic cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be waiting.

• The Dinner: Guests will indulge in a seven-course Grand Tasting Menu by Executive Chef David Werly, which includes Créme of Butternut Squash and Spiced Marshmallow, Home-made Salmon Gravalax with Lime Cream and Osetra Caviar, Foie Gras "Au Torchon," as well as Scallops Black Tie, Fresh Black Truffle & Perigourdine Sauce. With each course, guests will enjoy a paired wine, carefully selected by The Setai's Head Sommelier Dwayne Savoie.

• The Party: The celebration continues in The Courtyard for the Countdown Party, where the music of DJ Ludovic Allen entices guests to dance away 2010 and bring in the New Year. Tastes of congee, spring rolls, dim sum, Peking duck sliders, and Chocolate truffles will be passed complimentary after the ball drop. Seating in The Courtyard is sold separately as Bottle Tables.

Gallery: The Setai, South Beach

Tags: champagne, Miami, New Years Eve, Setai, Shanghai, South Beach, Taittinger, The Setai

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Duncan Quinn's Stylish Den of Iniquity at Art Basel

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Luxury Cars & Autos, Events, Art, Men's Style, Luxury Shopping

Dashing designer Duncan Quinn, known for his roguish take on Savile Row style, is giving Miami's Art Basel a glamour injection courtesy of an ultra-cool pop-up boutique (above) opening today. Following the success of his lavish space at last year's festival complete with an indoor croquet pitch, this year's digs in the Design District's Moore Building are a veritable dandy's den of stylish iniquity, complete with a full-fledged casino, vintage sports cars, cocktails, a screening room showing classic Michael Caine films, and of course plenty of razor sharp threads.

Designed with a Casino Royale theme that would make James Bond himself hot under the collar, guests can take advantage of a bespoke lounge with Dormeuil fabrics, an installation of Ruby couture motorcycle helmets from France, cocktails from the mixologists at the Florida Room, and several limited edition items including the new line of Duncan Quinn sunglasses, polo shirts, jackets and more. Classic cars and motorbikes on display in the space include a 1954 Jaguar XK120, vintage Ducatis and Triumphs and Dime City Cycles' "Brass Café" Racer.

Gallery: Duncan Quinn Miami 2010

Tags: Art Basel, bespoke, boutique, Duncan Quinn, Jaguar, James Bond, mens style, Miami, Michael Caine, motorcycles, pop-up store, Savile Row

Taittinger to Unveil New Artist Collectors Edition Bottle at The Setai

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Wine, Events, Art

Famed French champagne house Taittinger will unveil the newest limited edition bottle in its coveted Taittinger Collection series at an event toasting the kick-off of Miami Art Basel on Saturday at the luxurious Setai in South Beach. Since 1985 Taittinger has commissioned an artist to create a special bottle for its glorious bubbly every year. For this, the 12th edition in the Collection, Taittinger selected artist Amadou Sow for the quality and originality of his work, along with his cultural artistic identity. The artist's design (above) graces a bottle of the 2002 vintage of Taittinger Brut Millésimé, which is produced only in the best years from select Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes grown in vineyards in several of the finest microclimates of France's Champagne region. Meanwhile the Setai also recently celebrated the reopening of its eatery The Grill with newly appointed Executive Chef David Werly, who brings his take on the space offering a fresh menu and alternative to the Asian cuisine of The Restaurant with European inspired menu items.

Tags: art, Art Basel, champagne, Florida, Miami, Setai, South Beach, Taittinger

Champagne Ruinart Stages Exhibit at The Betsy for Art Basel

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Wine, Events, Art

During Art Basel in Miami, luxe hotel The Betsy South Beach is playing host to the works of ten emerging artists commissioned by Ruinart, the world's oldest champagne House, established in 1729. The exhibition kicks off today highlighting a commitment to the arts from both organizations. Ruinart, the official champagne of Art Basel Miami Beach, combed the country seeking talent for the exhibition and selected ten artists considered among the most creative and innovative in their mediums. Their works were produced using classic and avant-garde techniques, in a variety of mediums, including photography, painting and sculpture. Artists were inspired by many facets of the famed champagne, from Ruinart's unique bottle shape to the history of its creator Dom Ruinart. The series of unique works will ultimately be auctioned in New York to benefit the non-profit organization The Art of Elysium.

Tags: Art Basel, Betsey Hotel, champagne, exhibition, Miami, Ruinart, South Beach, The Art of Elysium, The Betsy

Rare James Bond Rolex Chronograph for Sale

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

An extraordinary Rolex pre-Daytona chronograph worn by George Lazenby as James Bond in 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service is being offered for sale in Miami. It's extremely rare for an actual Bond movie watch, let alone a rare Rolex model, to come onto the market. The stainless steel timepiece, ref # 6238, has been written about on many 007 fan sites and Rolex blogs. The Rolex was originally purchased by Bond filmmakers EON productions on October 23, 1968 for use by the underrated Lazenby in the film, and was later sold off among other props. It last surfaced at Christie's Film and Entertainment sale in London in 2003, where it went for $40,000. Recently acquired by Miami's Matthew Bain Inc., it's now being offered at an undisclosed price that could easily reach $250,000 or more.

Gallery: James Bond Rolex Chronograph

Tags: 007, actor, chronograph, James Bond, james+bond+rolex, jamesbondrolex, memorabilia, Miami, movies, Rolex, Rolex Daytona, rolex+chronograph, rolexchronograph, timepiece

New Miami Hotel Includes Luxury Sports Complex

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The new JW Marriott Marquis Miami set to open in October is more than just a hotel, it's a a hotel plus a 50,000-square-foot sports, lifestyle and entertainment complex. The two-story facility will have a10,000-square-foot NBA approved basketball arena, full-size tennis court, the Jim McLean Golf School, Rik Rak Spa & Salon, virtual bowling alley, Met 2 Fitness and more.

"The multiplex entertainment facility spans the hotel's 19th and 20th floors, and was created as part of our mission to cater to the individual preferences of each guest," said Florencia Tabeni, the hotel's General Manager. The 19th floor also is home to a high-tech 3D media room and the pool deck with a heated stainless steel pool and whirlpool. The 20th floor is where you find the fitness center, full-service spa and beauty salon.

There's also a hotel within the hotel. Those wanting more of a boutique experience can visit the exclusive, 44-room Hotel Beaux Arts Miami, an art-centered retreat located directly above the JW Marriot Marquis Miami. The JW Marriott Marquis Miami is a 41-floor hotel and will also be home to Miami's first DB Bistro Moderne, a French/American restaurant by acclaimed chef-restaurateur Daniel Boulud.

Tags: jw marriott marquis miami, miami, miami hotel, miami hotels

Beach Chic: Babalu Opens in South Beach

by McLean Robbins (RSS feed) —

Babalu, Miami's latest hotspot, aims to redefine the concept of beach chic with a "luxury convenience store" in the heart of South Beach. Inspired by the allure, power and beauty of beach culture in destinations from Bali to St. Barth's, Babalu offers a fresh interpretation of elegant, unisex beach jewelry in semi-precious stones and 18K gold and silver, in harmony with nature and very personal, individual style statements.

"Our travels absolutely inspire us!," says Greg Melvin, owner and designer. "The collection instantly invokes the beach mind-set...whether one is lapping up the ocean vibe or navigating the urban grid, the collection pieces remind one of the beach's soothing and powerful energy."

"As designers living the quintessential beach life on Bali for a combined 25 years, and a life of travel to exotic beaches and cities worldwide, we know how the nomadic urbanites express their connection with the beach and style," relates Paolo Ambu, owner and designer.

Miami-based, Ambu and Melvin are known for consistently delivering freshly designed Asian-sourced products for US retail consumer markets. Greg Melvin's product development and export experience includes the creation of Palanquin Bali, named "the hottest shopping destination in Bali," according to the Asian Wall Street Journal. Paolo Ambu, Creative Director, was trained in Milan and London, and is an internationally renowned Product Designer and artist.

The store's signature jewelery collection masterfully mixes sculpted sea motif and talismanic symbol charms with hand-knotted semi-precious stone bead cords with stones including black onyx, fossilized ivory, African turquoise, white, brown and blue agates, blue Hemimorphite, Labradorite and Amazonite beads.

The urbanite will be drawn to the Babalu peace symbol and dog tag, each of which dances from artful arrangements of semi-precious bead strands. Bamboo-shaped wooden bracelets accented by gold or silver sections. For pure fun and ideal for layering, casual beaded bracelets come in four sun-saturated color combinations: Reef, Ocean, Deco Drive and Delano, all white The iconic yet simple pieces complement many personal styles.

The flagship location's building was designed by acclaimed firm Herzog + de Meuron (interior by John Rawlins and Devinn Bruce). The store also carries perfume, candles, home accessories and travel goods, with prices from $24 and up.

The store is now open at 1111 Lincoln Road, Miami, and most goods are available online at www.babalumiami.com.

Tags: babalu, boutique, miami, south beach

Miami DJ To Launch Jewelry Line

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

I cover plenty of celebrity jewelry lines but not too many featuring DJs. DJ Irie is the the Miami Heat's official DJ and a party fixture in South Florida. National Jeweler reports that he will be working with South Florida retail jeweler Levinson Jewelers on a new partnership that includes promoting the Levinson brand as its ambassador as well as designing a line of jewelry that will bear his name. Proceeds from the pieces will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami. A VIP kick-off event will be held at Levinson Jewelers later this year.

Tags: dj irie, levinson jewelers, miami, south beach

Sexy Swimsuits Galore at Miami Fashion Week [video]

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Celebrity Shopping, Celebrity Design, Video

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week just wrapped up in Miami, showcasing the hottest swimsuit looks for next summer. As New York Magazine notes, the annual spectacle "features more bronzer and boobage than every other fashion week combined", and this year's event was no exception, with designs from Kourtney, Khloe and Kim Kardashian's Beach Bunny Swimwear line among other looks both louche and luxe. Tattoo maven Ed Hardy showed a surprisingly wearable collection, while celeb attendance at the shows and parties was a bit sub-par – OK, seriously sub-par – with, in addition to the Kardashians, rapper/actor Bow Wow and Angela Simmons of MTV reality fame, N'Sync singer and Dancing with the Stars contestant Lance Bass, Peregrine from Bravo's Work of Art, Lipstick Jungle's Lindsay Price and the cast of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. The real action was on the runway in any case – check out the video for footage of the Beach Bunny show.

Tags: Ed Hardy, fashion show, fashion week, Kim Kardashian, Mercedes-Benz, Miami, swimsuits

Will LeBron James Buy In Miami?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

The announcement that LeBron James will be playing for the Miami Heat next season has some real estate agents very excited. A report in US Weekly has LeBron already planning to party in South Beach, renting out cabanas at the W Hotel. James will stay there briefly before heading to New York City for the wedding of Carmelo Anthony and Lala Vasquez.

But where will LeBron lives permanently once he heads to Miami? One rumor had him making an offer on a $49.5 million waterfront estate in Coral Gables. Coral Gables is home to many athletes but a 20,000 square-foot house would actually be a step down for James who has a 35,000 square foot palace in Akron, Ohio. Will that home hit the market? It seems unlikely. The home was built to his specifications and he'd be hard-pressed to get any decent return on his substantial investment. He also has deep ties to the community.

Another potential neighborhood for LeBron James could be Star Island, the former home of Shaquille O'Neal. But LeBron James might want to wait before putting down real estate roots. Some of the athletes we've seen try to sell their home in Florida have had a rough time including Miami Heat's Dwayne Wade who struggled to unload his Pinecrest home.

The Huffington Post has a list of ten Miami mansions for LeBron James to consider including the incredible Setai penthouse we recently had as an estate of the day.

Tags: cleveland, Cleveland Cavaliers, lebron james, miami, Miami HEAT dancers

The Setai Penthouse, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

This one is simply phenomenal a penthouse at the Setai in Miami, painstakingly detailed to create a Thai-inspired palace in the sky. The South Beach Condo Blog reports that this palace belongs to Netscape founder Jim Clark. The multi-story penthouse home is stuffed with endless works of Asian art, custom woodwork, unique furnishings and antiques The home includes a spacious rooftop terrace with pool. Ownership comes with access to the Setai's five-star amenities including valet, concierge, room service, restaurant and bar, fitness center with spa and three pools. It is listed at $27 million.

Gallery: The Setai Penthouse