The "Fight for Will" Campaign hosts a Happy Hour Fundraiser at Tarpon Bend in Coral Gables

Sazoneros: Want to know a secret? When I was in high school, I always dreamed of becoming a famous singer. That obviously didn't work out BUT I definitely made great friends along the way. Will Rodriguez is one of those wonderful friends (pictured on the left) I met during my time at South Miami High's music program. Today, he faces one of the biggest challenges of his life. Will was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma and he is currently undergoing Chemo Therapy. The good news is that he has an incredible spirit and he is fighting this disease with full force. The bad news? Will doesn't have medical insurance. Therefore, I hope I can inspire my readers to come out and support the "Fight for Will" Campaign. On Thursday, January 27th, please join us for the first "Fight for Will" Happy Hour (beginning at 5:30 p.m.) at Tarpon Bend in Coral Gables (65 Miracle Mile). Spread the word and invite your friends as we gather to collect donations for this very special cause. During the event, guests can sign up for the "Fight for Will" newsletter, learn about the campaign and network with new friends. If you'd like to meet Will for yourself, check out the official "Fight for Will" website and watch his video blogs on the bottom. See you this week and let's show Will that he is not alone in this fight!

Are you ready for Oktoberfest 2010?

Last week, Kim Kardashian was spotted in Germany wearing a traditional dirndl in celebration of Oktoberfest (she tweeted this photo of her costume). As a result, Kim has inspired this post on Fritz & Franz Bierhaus in Coral Gables. Join the festivities starting October 1st through the 10th to honor this 16 year tradition- Oktoberfest! This has become one of Miami's most anticipated festivals and it's known to attract up to 15,000 guests over a two weekend span. Stop by Fritz & Franz to enjoy an exciting line up of performances, traditional Austrian/ Bavarian food, a Jodel Contest and a Bratwurst Eating Contest. Did I mention there will be plenty of beer? Proceeds from Oktoberfest's $5 raffle to win a cruise for two will benefit local charity, CHARLEE Homes for Children. Admission to Oktoberfest is free. Festival hours are from 11 a.m. till midnight on weekdays and to 2 a.m. on weekends. Fritz & Franz Bierhaus is located at 60 Merrick Way in Coral Gables.

Art in the Park: Additional Oktoberfest celebrations will be taking place at Art in the Park! On October 1st and 2nd, guests can attend this annual concert series at Ponce Circle in the heart of Coral Gables. Bring your friends and watch live performances with a German Bavarian twist. There will be a Sam Adams beer garden throughout the park, schnitzels, pretzels, musical chairs and prizes for the most original costumes [go for the Kim Kardashian look and you should be fine]. This event is sponsored by the Kiwanis of Little Havana & Music Foundation along with Sam Adams Beer. For more information, visit the Art in the Park website. Remember to drink responsibly and get creative with your outfits!!!

Meet Laura and Jenna Bush at Books & Books

On Friday, May 28th, Laura Bush will be stopping by Miami this week to sign copies of her deeply personal memoir, Spoken from the Heart ($30), at Books & Books (265 Aragon Avenue; Coral Gables). Jenna Bush will be joining her mother to meet readers and sign autographs at 1 p.m. This anticipated memoir reveals the personal details of Laura's devastating high school car accident which killed one of her close friends. The book offers readers a glimpse into life at the White House, from presidential finances to stories about White House guests. Tickets will be required for this event and may be purchased at all Books & Books locations. To secure your spot in the signing line, purchase your ticket online at www.BooksandBooks.com or call 305-442-4408 to reserve your copy. There will be books available during the event as well (while supplies last). You must show your ticket and receipt to enter the line on Friday. Mrs. Bush will not be able to personalize memorabilia or pose for pictures. However, guests will be allowed to take photos of Laura and Jenna Bush as they make their way through the line. Enjoy the event!!!

Basketball Wives' Evelyn Lozada Celebrates Dulce Shoe Boutique's First Anniversary!

To my shoe fanatics: Dulce Shoe Boutique in Coral Gables is the new shoe spot! On Thursday, May 6th, boutique owners, Evelyn Lozada and Rebecca Brothers, hosted Dulce's One Year Anniversary bash at 286 Miracle Mile. Shoenista and Reality TV Personality, Evelyn Lozada, mingled with guests as she showcased her latest collection of fabulous shoes. Evelyn's daughter Shaniece (pictured above) was in attendance along with some of her closest friends: Cynthia Rodriguez (A-Rod's ex-wife) and socialite, Lisa Pliner. For those who are addicted to watching Basketball Wives on VH1 (like myself), you'll be happy to know that some of the cast members were in Miami for the celebration. Throughout the night, Evelyn wore three of her favorite pair of shoes. Check out Beyonce (left) wearing one of the newest ankle boots carried by the boutique. This place is HOT! Make sure you visit this beautiful boutique in Coral Gables and perhaps surprise your mom's with a special Mother's Day gift. Trust me, she will love her new shoes! The boutique also features a variety of handbags, jewelry and eye-wear. To view Dulce's summer collection or to shop online, visit www.DulceShoes.net. I hope you enjoy my photos from the event! For those who want to see more shots, visit www.WireImage.com.

HOT HOT HOT!!! That's all I can say right now....

Guests enjoyed these tasty stiletto cupcakes by Cupcake Nouveau. In case you're wondering, these cupcakes were vanilla flavored with "Dulce de Leche" filling. I totally recommend you try these!

Rebecca Brothers (pictured above: second to the left), Co-owner of Dulce, accompanied by her close friends.

Left: The beautiful Amaris Jones, Founder and CEO of Elite Home & Lifestyle Management, along with Evelyn Lozada. Right: Miami's own Joey Mugica (a.k.a The Color Queen) striking a pose with yours truly!

Guests shopping at Dulce during the event in Coral Gables.

Evelyn Lozada, Fabian Basabe (owner of Da Vittorio Restaurant in Coral Gables- 265 Giralda Avenue) and myself.

Guests mingling during the anniversary event.

Evelyn Lozada holds two of her best sellers! I'm officially naming the one on the right: The Beyonce Boot! Swing by the boutique to try on your favorites and remember to visit www.dulceshoes.net. You can also watch Basketball Wives every Sunday at 10 pm on VH1.

ETRO debuts their Spring and Summer 2010 Collections at Village of Merrick Park

On Thursday, April 8th, ETRO hosted a beautiful event inside their store at Village of Merrick Park (342 San Lorenzo Avenue, Coral Gables) to officially introduce their Spring and Summer 2010 collections. ETRO is best known for their distinctive prints and elegant styles. For forty years, this Italian lifestyle brand has been led by the vision and passion of designer, Gerolamo Etro. With 200 boutiques worldwide, we are extremely lucky to have a location here in South Florida! Last night, guests arrived into ETRO to see this Spring's colorful leather handbags, accessories and apparel. The best way to describe the 2010 collection: a kaleidoscope of light, patterns and quality workmanship. The women's collection is actually headed by Gerolamo's daughter, Veronica Etro. Veronica's line offers the brand's signature paisley prints along with soft ruffles, waives and frills that add that ultimate feminine touch. Overall, it was a wonderful event which also featured a special performance by the New World Symphony. For more information on ETRO or to view online catalogs of their new collections, visit http://www.etro.com/.
The very glamorous: Rebecca Brothers, Tara Solomon (Principal of Tara Ink: http://www.taraink.com/) and Evelyn Lozada. As you may recall from one of my previous blog posts, Evelyn Lozada (right) is starring in the upcoming VHI show called "Basketball Wives." The show premieres this Sunday, April 11th at 10 pm on VH1. Last night, I also learned that Rebecca & Evelyn own Dolce Shoes on Miracle Mile! To check out their shoe boutique, visit www.dulceshoes.net or swing by 286 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables. The shoes are fabulous and so are these successful women!

Models at the event showcased ETRO's latest collection.
The New World Symphony entertained guests during the event.
Guests enjoying their shopping experience at ETRO in Coral Gables.
ETRO's men collection is sharp and stylish! Shop at the store from now until Sunday, April 11th, and a percentage of all proceeds will benefit the New World Symphony. Keep their music alive in our community and shop till you drop!

Chelsea Handler is coming to Miami!

The Queen of Late Night Television, Chelsea Handler, will be visiting Miami next week! On Friday, March 26th, fans will be able to meet Ms. Handler as she autographs copies of her latest book, "Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang." This event will be hosted at Books & Books in Coral Gables (265 Aragon Avenue) and Chelsea is scheduled to arrive by 3:00 p.m. Apparently, the talented comedian added #1 bestselling author to her list of many talents after the success of her first book: "Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea." Don't miss this chance to meet your favorite late night talk show diva! Tickets are required for this event. To receive one free ticket, you must purchase "Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang" at a Books & Books store. For more information on Chelsea's book release, visit www.BooksAndBooks.com. Warning: no word on Chuy's whereabouts for the day!

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at JohnMartin's

Bring out your green hats and beads! It's time to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and word on the streets: the best party is at JohnMartin's in Coral Gables. On Wednesday, March 17th, JohnMartin's Restaurant & Irish Pub will host the 20th Annual St. Patrick's Day Street Fair (along Salzedo Street and Aragon Avenue). The event starts at 5:00 p.m. and it is free and open to the public. There will be live Irish music throughout the evening as well as a special performance by a band called "UV." Watch this band hit the stage at 9:00 p.m. for an unforgettable U2 Tribute Show. In addition, JohnMartin's will donate a portion of all proceeds to benefit the Coral Gables Rotary Club, an organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian services to help build goodwill and peace within their communities. This will certainly be the place to be on St. Patrick's Day! JohnMartin's is located at 253 Miracle Mile in the heart of Coral Gables. For more information about this event, visit http://www.johnmartins.com/. This Irish tradition is a great opportunity to get together with your friends, family and community. Cheers and always remember to drink responsibly.

Dear Readers: Meet the Aston Martin Rapide!

Do you find yourself lusting over this beautiful car? I sure do! Introducing the all new Aston Martin Rapide which is now available at The Collection in Coral Gables. The world's most luxurious four-door sports sedan has arrived in Miami and I had the pleasure of test driving this baby! From the moment I saw the crystal key, I knew it would be a great ride. To help guide me through this experience, Mimmo Falanga, Aston Martin expert from The Collection, joined me on an exhilarating drive through the streets of Coral Gables. I mostly drove around the University of Miami because I wanted to wave "hello" to some of my former professors! GO CANES!

According to Mr. Falanga, this is one of The Collection's most exclusive vehicles. Every year, the dealership only receives about four cars from the manufacturer (with a starting price of $200,000). Mr. Falanga says that most clients know exactly what they want and don't tend to ask too many questions when they walk through his door. As far as the Rapide's interior, it is completely covered in leather and suede. All occupants will be glad to find an exquisitely hand crafted and spacious cabin.

You may be surprised to learn that Aston Martin has been around for 95 years. This explains why the company has developed a vehicle that is pure perfection. My favorite feature: the four ‘swan wing’ doors which open at a 70 degree angle to avoid scuffs and scratches when parked next to a raised walkway. That's what I call genius!

Aston Martin engineers have spent thousands of hours tuning suspension, brakes and steering to create a car that, while practical, also provides an engaging drive. For those who wouldn't mind sitting in the back seat: check out the optional Aston Martin rear entertainment system: two LCD screens integrated into the back of the front seat headrests!
Overall, it was a beautiful day in Coral Gables and my ride made it even better! To find out more information about the Aston Martin Rapide, visit http://www.astonmartin.com/ or http://www.thecollection.com/. Even though this vehicle may exceed the average car budget, it does spark an intense desire to one day be the lucky owner of a Rapide.

Another Night Before Christmas

Feeling the Christmas spirit? Check out "Another Night Before Christmas" now playing at Actor's Playhouse (Miracle Theatre- 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables). The show provides a timeless look at the dilemmas and joys of the holiday season and parallels the emotions of the film "Miracle on 34th Street." This holiday musical runs till December 27th. Today's preformance starts at 8 p.m. while Sunday's show begins at 2 p.m. For ticket reservations call 305-444-9293. Take the time to spend some quality time with your friends and family today. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!