Hometown Model, Francesca Frigo, shares her Beauty Secrets and Life as a Playboy Playmate

It's officially summer so I've decided to turn up the heat to muy caliente! Although our city is saturated with models, it's inarguable that Miami's own Francesca Frigo is making big moves in the modeling industry and bringing sexy back while doing so! Born in Puerto de la Cruz, Venezuela, Francesca first moved to Miami to attend college and later decided to pursue a modeling career. After Playboy Magazine named her the official Miss August 2010 Playmate, life has taken her on an incredible journey around the world. In my special interview with Frigo, you'll get the inside scoop on her upcoming projects, her role with DECOBIKE on South Beach and her beauty secrets. Let's get this heat rising! Oh, make sure you watch Francesca add her Playboy spin on the classic Nike commercial starring Mars Blackmon and Michael Jordan at the bottom of this post.
MBS: How did you begin your modeling career and what inspired you to enter the industry? [Picture above courtesy of Wildcard Photography]

FRIGO: As funny as it may sound, I have to say I started taking pictures by accident. A friend of mine asked me to do him a favor and take some pictures for his vodka company. That's when the camera and I met for the first time.

MBS: How do you stay in shape?

FRIGO: I love playing sports (anything that involves physical activity and laughing). I also workout at the gym 3 to 4 times a week. I don't kill myself counting calories! I grew up having homemade meals so I don't eat a lot of processed foods. However, I do have a crazy sweet tooth...chocolate is my weakness!

MBS: Do you have any beauty secrets you can share with my readers?

FRIGO: My mom always told me the less make-up I wear, the healthier my skin would become. Similar to other girls, I love make-up but I only wear it when it's necessary. Of course, one should never go to bed with make-up on. My beauty secrets: Trish McEvoy body scrub and Carol's Daughter almond cookie body lotion keep my skin glowing.

MBS: How has your life changed after being named Playboy Magazine’s August 2010 Playmate? [Francesca is pictured above along with Hugh Hefner]

FRIGO: Now, I have a whole new family at the Playboy Mansion and I basically live out of a suitcase. I have done a lot of traveling, shoots, commercials and I recently finished filming a movie. Yes, my life has changed a bit!

MBS: What do you love most about DECOBIKE and how do you feel about being their Ambassador? [Check out her picture on the left with fellow Ambassador, Chad Ochocinco].

FRIGO: DECOBIKE is a project I have been involved with since its conception. I loved the idea of bringing a healthy mode of transportation that would also be good for the environment. I'm happy to be supporting a company with a cause that I believe in.

MBS: What are your favorite places to visit when you’re in Miami?

FRIGO: Sometimes I feel as if I were a tourist in Miami. I can always be found walking around Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road. I often check myself into hotels on the weekends to get spa treatments and just order room service [it's honestly the best restaurant]! Both, the Four Seasons Hotel and the Mandarin Oriental have amazing spas. The Setai on South Beach has the best brunch in the world!

For all of the latest news on Francesca Frigo, visit her official website and follow her on Twitter. Enjoy your summer and remember to keep it HOT!

Bobbie Thomas visits Miami to support the LATISSE® Wishes Challenge Campaign

My favorite Style Guide, Bobbie Thomas, was in Miami on Monday, September 13th, to speak about LATISSE^® at the Four Seasons Hotel in Brickell. LATISSE^® solution is the first and only prescription treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to grow lashes longer, fuller and darker for those with inadequate or not enough lashes (eyelash hypotrichosis). As an Ambassador for the LATISSE^® Wishes Challenge campaign, Bobbie Thomas is currently leading a team of LATISSE^® users who are challenged to raise more than a quarter of a million dollars for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Bobbie is also the official Style Editor of NBC's "Today Show" and Author of In Touch Magazine's The Buzz Column. Did I mention she has a fabulous website? www.Bobbie.com

Style Guide, Bobbie Thomas, Professional Ballroom Dancer, Chelsie Hightower (pictured above: left), and Fashion CEO, Kathy Ireland (pictured above: middle), are leading teams of LATISSE^® users to see who can raise the most funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The first 10,000 people to participate in the campaign (by making a minimum donation of $20) will receive a LATISSE^® free trial certificate. At the end of the campaign, LATISSE^® will double each individual’s donation, with a maximum donation of $250,000, through October 31st. If you'd like to participate in the LATISSE^® Wishes Challenge, you can join a team by visiting www.LatisseWishesChallenge.com. After learning about Bobbie's commitment to the LATISSE^® Wishes Challenge, I knew I had to interview her during her visit to Miami. Here is a recap of my interview with the very talented and beautiful, Bobbie Thomas:

MBS: How did you become involved with LATISSE^® and are you a satisfied user?
Bobbie: I am. I actually started using LATISSE^® before I became involved with the brand. I was obsessed (and that's an understatement) with using false eyelashes. Over the years, after every application, I was pulling my own eyelashes off. Being in the business of knowing about the latest buzz and aesthetics, I was first in line when I heard about LATISSE^® being FDA approved. I visited my doctor and he told me that I was a perfect candidate for the product. In terms of results, I started applying the product every night and saw a big difference after 4 months (the total time it takes for LATISSE^® to make its full effect). The fullness in your lashes take time to appear and the results definitely vary per user.

[At this point, Bobbie allowed me to touch her stunning eyelashes...and yes...they are 100% natural.]

MBS: Why did you want to support the LATISSE^® Wishes Challenge campaign?
Bobbie: I jumped at the opportunity! Any time I can use my platform to give back...I'm there! I am such an advocate for women and children who are facing life threatening illnesses. The fact that we can help grant the wishes of these children is awesome. If we can use the buzz surrounding a product to create buzz for a charity, all of the stars aligned for me as far as my involvement. I love working alongside Kathy Ireland and Chelsie Hightower. I would urge your readers to join one of our teams. It's great to know that LATISSE^® will be doubling everyone's minimum donation ($20). Your readers can also visit the LATISSE^® website to see the progress different people are experiencing by comparing their before and after pictures.

MBS: In your opinion, why should women be aware of their personal appearance and style?
Bobbie: Because you are your own walking, talking, 24/7 marketing campaign! There's no better person on earth to let people know who you are. I tell people over and over again (I don't care if I sound like a broken record) style is the way you speak to the world. You should be taking advantage of every single opportunity, every first, second and third impression to let somebody know what you're all about! It's not about being superficial. Use the superficial layer to say something meaningful. There's so much that your wardrobe can say. As women, that's how we communicate in a sense.

MBS: Which award show do you get most excited about attending or covering?
Bobbie: After being on the Today Show for 5 years, it has definitely become my second home now. I am so honored that I get to work with Kathie Lee and Hoda every day. Since I follow the buzz and trends surrounding award shows, I love watching the Oscars because they're so grand. Everyone knows that celebrities borrow dresses. I feel like every designer holds on to their dresses for that one particular show. That's why it's so exciting to watch and see what everyone ends up wearing. You definitely want to see familiar faces pull off all the stops on that night!
MBS: Have you been to Miami before and what is your favorite place to visit while you're in town?
Bobbie: You're not going to believe it but I love going to Versailles. My background is Spanish and Portuguese so my family and I love to eat! I always stop by when I'm in Miami.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

ABOVE: A great clip I found of Bobbie doing her thing on the Today Show! Hope you've enjoyed reading my interview. I have to say that Bobbie was extremely kind and down-to-earth when I interviewed her this week. I can see why she has been so successful in her career! The one thing she kept stressing throughout our interview was the need for women to feel confident. Bobbie was truly inspiring and she really cares about today's youth! To stay up-to-date with Bobbie and read all about her upcoming projects, make sure you visit her website: www.Bobbie.com. The website also features her blog and of course, all of the latest buzz! You can follow her on Twitter @BobbieThomas and watch her fashion and beauty segments on NBC's Today Show and her "Minute Buzz" segments on Fridays with Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford. For more information on LATISSE^®, check out www.LATISSE.com. Remember: you cannot use LATISSE^® without consulting your doctor first! xoxo

Leading Ladies League hosts event to benefit the Melanie Finley Ovarian Cancer Foundation

On Wednesday, August 25th, round up your girlfriends and attend a charity cocktail party hosted by The Leading Ladies League from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will take place at the Miami Institute for Age Management & Intervention where guests will enjoy light bites, cocktails, music, artwork, mini facials and brow shaping. All of the ladies will receive exclusive cosmetic treatment promotions including 30 percent off injectables and discounts on future bookings. Five percent of the proceeds from the evening will benefit the Melanie Finley Ovarian Cancer Foundation. Melanie Finley was 27 years old when she was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. After her diagnosis, she started the Foundation to raise money for Ovarian Cancer education and direct financial assistance to young women who have also been diagnosed with this disease. Ovarian Cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among U.S. women. By helping young women become aware of ovarian cancer symptoms, Finley hopes to make a difference. The event is free and open to the public. The Miami Institute for Age Management & Intervention is located inside the Four Seasons Hotel & Tower (1441 Brickell Avenue, 3rd Floor). Hope you enjoy the event!

"SATC2 Movie & a Makeover" hosted by Chevrolet and Rik Rak Salon, Boutique and Bar!

On Thursday, May 27th, Chevrolet and Rik Rak Salon, Boutique & Bar hosted a special "Movie & a Makeover" event for bloggers in Miami. All of the fabulous ladies were invited to attend the salon for a little pampering before watching the anticipated premiere of Sex and the City 2! At the salon, Rik Rak provided complimentary manicures and blowouts for their guests. In my case, I received a serious case of volume and what I like to call: "va-va-voom." My hair looked amazing! For those who haven't checked out this Miami salon, you have to swing by one of their 3 locations (Brickell, Four Seasons Hotel and The Sagamore Hotel). Rik Rak, owned by Ric and Raquel Watters, is a full service upscale salon that features a full bar as well as a variety of accessories, apparel and shoes. It's literally a one stop shop! To find a Rik Rak near you or to see a complete list of services, visit http://www.rikrak.com/site/.

These are the lovely ladies I met last night at Rik Rak Salon. On the left, that's Jeile Marie from "Go Live Miami." Yours truly is dressed in purple and to my right is Annie Vazquez who writes for NBC 6 in Miami. Finally, to the right of Annie is Mrs. Sagz who writes a blog called "Your not so Desperate Housewife" and Mabel from Strictly MIA. Check out their blogs and get to know these ladies!

Rik Rak Salon, Boutique & Bar has awesome accessories!

Rik Rak's Boutique features unique garments throughout the salon.

These were all the ladies who came out to celebrate the premiere of SATC2 in Miami. On my right, check out my friend Mitch who writes her own celebrity gossip blog called "Mitch's Daily Dish." Upon our departure, we were whisked away in a chauffeured Chevy Tahoe to the movie theater on Lincoln Road. Thank you Chevy for a fabulous ride and cheers to an amazing experience!

At the movies, I saw plenty of fashionistas waiting for the big premiere. This is why I love Miami: the ladies are always full of style and sazon! Hope you enjoy your own SATC2 experience this weekend and feel free to share your reactions below.