Spa at the Viceroy hotel in downtown


If there ever was a time to soothe the mind,  pamper the body and uplift the spirit--it's July and August in Miami. Escape the heat and humidity and mosquitoes and indulge indoors with various spa treatments, unless you're relaxing at one of our many beaches.

Miami Spa month is actually two months (July and August) of specialized treatments at participating spas for $99 dollars or less. Most spas are within hotels but you'll also find these deals at independent spas. Below are my top five picks for spas to visit during Miami Spa Month.

My favorite is the spa at the Viceroy (pictured above) which hails regularly in travel magazines offline and online as one of the most beautiful spas in the world. It features a movie theater, a Floating Library and 5,000 square foot water lounge. The Viceroy is offering a Revival 60- minute facial or custom massage combining deep tissue, Swedish, and reflexology for a relaxing or therapeautic treatment .
The prices is $99 before tax and gratuity and is available seven days a week including Saturdays. Reservations are required.

There's nothing standard about the Standard Hotel and Spa in Miami Beach. (Even their name is upside down on their website). It's one of South Beach's sexiest and most relaxed hotels, spas, and pool scenes.  The Spa is offering five different options for Spa Month, including a 100-minute Hamam Spa Ritual. Strolling the grounds in your spa robe and lounging in the swinging chairs post-sauna is a local ritual. [Spa Month deal not available on Saturdays.]

The pool at the Standard Hotel, Miami Beach

Number three on my list is the Spa at the Setai hotel in South Beach, another favorite. Personalization is king where rooms are designed with ocean and pool views, a private bath and steam room. The Setai boasts several 60-minute treatments including an Ancient Balinese massage or Himalayan Crystal Body Polish. Treatments are the traditional $99 before tax and gratuity and available six days. Saturdays are not available.



Setai Hotel, South Beach


 Next  is the Spa at the Mandarin Oriental in downtown Miami. The private treatment rooms have sweeping panoramic water views and blend elements of the East and West. It's no wonder it's a favorite with many celebrities. The Mandarin is offering a 50-minute massage or facial or 95-minute anti-aging manicure and pedicure.  Best of all is the complimentary valet parking and availability on Saturdays with reservation!



Spa suite at Mandarin Oriental, downtown Miami

You don't have to travel far for this wordly experience. Acqualina Spa by ESPA has won numerous awards from AAA five diamond rating to Top 10 Spas by Spa Finder Reader's choice. Located in Sunny Isles, this spa features a labyrinth of rooms, saunas and ice fountains. Acqualina is offering either a 50 minute massage or facial plus you can use the private pool deck. The spa treatments are $99 before tax and gratuity and available seven days, including Saturday!


Have you indulged yet in Miami Spa Month? Share your experience by clicking on "Comment" below.

Fashion Week Swim Miami is fast becoming one of the hottest events around the sun-kissed Miami Beach. While other popular events are normally held in the peak winter season (November - May), this eye candy event is a treat for locals that come out in full force in the off season.

Similar to other beach events, one hotel anchors the main show and a growing constellation of satellite hotels feature ancillary highlights. In this case, the iconic Raleigh Hotel (famous for its shapely pool) once again served as headquarters for Swim Week and undulated to neighboring hot spot hotels like Soho Beach Club, the W Hotel and the Setai.

Raleigh Hotel Pool

As a blogger I was invited to a couple of shows including one invite-only event where the bikini goes green. Yes the bathing suit industry is embracing the environmental movement while maintaining its sexiness.

In only a few short years, Swim Week is bursting at the seams with an official lineup of 25 major international designers, including six labels this year, and elongating the event to five full days.

For ladies who love the latest fashion, Swim Week offers a sea shell collection of new designs and styles and colors.

The runways were brimming plunging necklines, cut-out maillots, one-shouldered styles and a sprinkling of bathing skirts. Add to that, lots of bikinis, with plenty of crochet, fringe and ruffles detailing, rope and leather belts and ribbon-like strings. Both tops and bottoms were accented with hardware, from Diesel’s denim-inspired leather straps to Luli Fama’s gold butterflies and coins and bejeweled broaches.

Animal prints, a designer favorite, were omnipresent, both in natural hues and re-interpreted in bold colors. In a nod to bohemian chic, one designer mixed leopard and floral separates and showed a blue leopard string bikini with pink trim and a cropped tee. Inca, the Miami Beach-based brand by Stacy Josloff, showed flowing cheetah print dresses. And designer Liliana Montoya, who showed at Funkshion, used tiger and zebra patterns.

True to Miami, as if barely clad bodies were not risqué enough, many of the designers showed swimwear that blurred the lines between the beach and the bedroom. Eco Swim featured a “teddy” looking bathing suit. Or was it? Speaking of lingerie, Beach Bunny Swimwear even introduced a bridal swimwear collection, fashioned with hand-beaded pearls, Chantilly lace and Swarovski crystals. And then there was the super feminine corset as shown in the collections of Poko Pano and L Space.

To enjoy a brief view of this hot event, see the video below.

The first video is of the AguaClara swimwear brand (which means “clear water” in Spanish).




Next is the Luli Fama Line.  Love the last bathing suit with the coverup and fedora hat! It's all about the accessories! Do they make them waterproof yet? Now there's a thought!




Fashion Week Swim Miami is held annually in July.

To view my choice to be added to my treasure  trove of bathing suits, visit my personal blog http://www.aboutchristinemichaels.com/

To view photos of the first sustainable swimwear show, click here.

Yes Miami is a vain city. At least we're honest. With glitz and glamouring dripping from the news, Internet, local restaurants and nightclubs, admittedly some of us, or perhaps most of us, get a kick and smile with delight and intrigue when we hear or see a celebrity.

Just standing in the same vicinity orb of these beautiful people, especially models, is a hobby for some Miami residents, usually those who follow reality TV and fashion magazines.  Honestly I'm not one of them but don't mind crossing paths with them by accident at an event or restaurant.

Well now it's no longer a game of luck and chance for those who emulate models and follow their whereabouts. What name shall we give these trackers? Model-istas?

Introducing Where Models Party, an aptly named website that tells you exactly where all the models in the city are at any given moment, online now. This is your source of constant stream of intelligence that discloses specific places to find these leggy, high cheek-bone divas.

In visiting the site, I have to admit I do not recognize the first few names. And just looking at their photo, I have to wonder if some are not porn models.  No discrimination here!

It seems the most popular restaurant destination is still PRIME as in Prime 112 steak house in South Beach. Excellent choice.

So if you're a local or visiting, here is your new GPS to the beautiful people in Miami.


Here's to beauty inside and OUT!

A crisp, delicious Argentinian white wine was served this hot summer evening

This was a great weekend. I took three days off from all three jobs and enjoyed a backyard break.

On Saturday evening I invited my cousin to the SoBe Food tour offered by Miami Culinary Tours. I thought this would be a great way to accomplish two things at once-- dining and absorbing local culture. 

Alexandra and Christine ready for more food

This tour showcases what South Beach is known for-- the Art Deco district and the many fabulous restaurants.

Our tour guide regaled us with stories of what makes South Beach famous including the Art Deco buildings and the colorful history from the pioneers to the little old lady that became a heroine, to the Versace mansion and more.   True to their advertisement, we stopped and enjoyed samplings of fabulous food at both hole-in-the-wall and upscale restaurants that ranged in ethnic recipes.

Mirka, our tour guide, was wonderful.  As a long-time local, she genuinely loves her city and infused personal experiences. This added to the authenticity of the tour and elevated the experience.

Tour guide pouring wine at upscale restaurant

The price of $59 per person is a fair value.  As a tour guide myself that focuses just on the Art Deco Walking tour of history, people and buildings, that alone is worth $30.  So the food samplings at five locations is worth the $30. 

Alexandra enjoying a Passion Fruit Pisco Sour

Even though I regularly visit South Beach, I still discovered new restaurants to try in the future.
So not only do I recommend this tour for visitors, but locals will appreciate the rich history of Miami Beach for such a young city and sampling foods at the best restaurants.

Miami Culinary Tours also offers customized tours for large groups (20 +)  including a bus tour with restaurant stops. For example, for the ultimate Cuban food experience a tour can be arranged to begin at the origins of Cuban recipes in Little Havana to elevated Cuban cuisine at an award winning restaurant in South Beach.

Visit Miami Culinary Tours and tell them Christine sent you and you'll receive a $5 discount!

Well talking about all this food I'm getting hungry. Time to eat!

Note: I received no compensation for this post. Just passing along fabulous information.

Dali Glass Museum

With the addition of the new Salvador Dalí Museum in January 2011 and the Chihuly Collection in summer 2010, the creative city of St. Petersburg is an ideal escape for the art aficionado.

The Renaissance Vinoy® Resort & Golf Club is offering a chance for guests to explore the city’s top art museums, with the Art Retreat Getaway. Starting at $174 per night, the year-round package includes:


• An upgrade to a newly renovated bay view guest room
• Dinner for two at Marchand’s Bar & Grill from the 1925 Classic Dining menu
• Choice of two tickets (valued at up to $42) to the

• Salvador Dalí Museum  --or--

      • The Chihuly Collection and the Morean Arts Center Glass Studio & Hot Shop

Located within walking distance from the resort, The Chihuly Collection features a permanent installation of Dale Chihuly’s artwork in a space specifically created for his designs. At the Salvador Dalí Museum art buffs can explore all 96 oil paintings, plus a selection of watercolors, drawings, graphics, photographs, sculptures and surreal objects from Dalí’s body of work.

For more information about Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club or to book the Art Retreat Getaway, call 1-888-303-4430 or use rate code CUE when making reservations online at http://www.vinoyrenaissanceresort.com/.

This weekend is the annual Mango Festival. Whether you're a local with a mango tree that bursted and dropped mangoes like red and green fireworks, or visiting our subtropical paradise, you don't want to miss this popular annual festival in Coral Gables.

The 19th annual event by Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (FTBG) celebrates the “Mangos of Hawaii” and includes conferences, mango lectures and smoothies, display of mangoes, an auction, culinary demonstrations, mango tasting and flavor evaluations, mango merchandise, botanical art, fruit market, yoga and kids’ activities.

Returning again is the Sunday mango brunch at 11am in the Garden House featuring top chefs from the Delano hotel, STK at the Gansevoort, the Biltmore, and Chef Allen's as they prepare their specialty mango dishes. Purchase your tickets in advance!

Visit the event website to get $2 off admission and $5 discount for walking or riding your bike to the event!


Enjoy mango mania!

When swanky hotels open up their facilities to non-hotel guests, it must be summertime, the slow season. A plus for visiting tourists and us locals. Let the pool wars begin!

The Four Seasons in downtown Miami kicks off their weekly posh pool party Saturdays featuring music, Evian spritzes, cool towels, butler-passed frozen treats and a liquor cart serving up $7 Leblon caipirinhas made right at your lounge. Cost for this luxury: $25, a bargain for country-club goers. (End September 10)

For those who are ready to splurge and upgrade to first class, the cabanas for four may be reserved and rented for $150 and includes water, fruit platter and one cocktail per person. Reservations are suggested by calling 305-381-3037 during the week or 305-381-3190 on weekends.

The Mayfair in the Grove is heating things up by offering lounge-by-the-pool perk on Saturdays to the public for free! Featuring  mojitos at their rooftop pool with panoramic views of the bay and uplifted by two DJs and cabanas, the action starts at 11am and extends well into the night at 11pm.   Feet away are soothing accomodations and treatments at the Jurlique Spa. Relaxing in the Miami sun will certainly make you hungry. Comfort food resides nearby at Spartico that features a Roman style pizza in a wood burning stove.

Pool at the Mayfair

A recent newcomer to the pool wars or playground is the Dream Hotel, the old Tudor Hotel in South Beach. On the rooftop, all of four floors, is the dream pool with live DJs and mojito pitchers and unobstructed views of South Beach.  Sunbathe, people watch and drink away on Sundays 2pm-8pm. It's FREE! But be sure to RSVP.

Dream Hotel
1111 Collins Avenue
305-673-4747




DJ pod faces small rectangular pool



Friday, Saturday and Sunday: July 8-10


KINGFISH CHALLENGE
Chase the big ones in this exciting competition that offers cash and prizes for the biggest catch. Registration is limited to 400 boats. Friday is the Junior Kingfish Challenge, Tournament Registration and the Captain's Meeting. Fishing days are Saturday and Sunday. There will also be a fish fry and awards on Sunday. It all begins at the St. Augustine City Marina located at 111 Avenida Menendez. For more information and registration forms, call 904.824.8324 or visit www.acgfa.com/kingfishchallenge.html.


OLDEST STORE MUSEUM
Visit the "new" Oldest Store Museum Experience now located at Historic Tours of America, 167 San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine. Once a popular attraction in the Oldest City, the museum was closed for 10 years, but is now open daily in a new location. The Museum features more than 100,000 household items from a by-gone era - it's like walking into a Sears & Roebuck catalog from 1900! Plus, live actors add to the fun and charm of this wonderful museum. Admission is $9 for adults and $6 for children. For more information on The Oldest Store Museum Experience, visit www.trolleytours.com or contact Dave Chatterton at 904-829-3800 or via email at dchatterton@historictours.com

El CONQUISTADOR THRILL RIDE
Go for a thrilling, high-speed, one-hour ride across Matanzas Bay aboard El Conquistador, St. Augustine's newest thrill ride. Narrated tour features history, speed and fun aboard this powerful speedboat. El Conquistador departs from the City Marina's Slip 73. Tickets are $39.50 for adults and $29.50 for children (ages 4-12). Free for active duty military. Special rates for groups of eight or more. For safety reasons, children under four and pregnant women are not allowed onboard. For information and reservations, go to http://www.elconspeedboat.com/ or call 904.738.4695.

ASSASSINS AT LIMELIGHT THEATRE
Spend an evening with the infamous during a performance of Assassins at Limelight Theatre. This twisted musical by Sondheim plays out as a murderous carnival game featuring various characters who have all attempted to assassinate a U.S. President. Last weekend! Show times are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and $20 for students and active military. The Limelight Theater is located at 11 Old Mission Avenue in St. Augustine. For more information, call 904.825.1164 or visit http://www.limelight-theatre.org/.

MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATER
Experience the first theater on St. Augustine's St. George Street since a terrible fire destroyed the Genovar Opera House in 1914. The St. Augustine Murder Mystery Theatre features a great meal and great live entertainment daily with a matinee at 2:30 p.m. and an evening show at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $43.15 each. For more information, call 904.671.2508 or go to http://www.staugustinemurdermysterydinnertheater.com/.


YACHT OF FUN
Have a captain and a fun-equipped 22-foot boat at your service from dawn to dusk! Yacht of Fun takes up to six people on a full day of whatever passengers prefer - fishing, swimming, stopping at waterfront restaurants, sunning - you name it. The boat leaves from St. Augustine and offers the perfect way to spend a day. The rate is $60 per person for a party of six. For more information, go to http://www.yachtoffun.net/ or call Cap'n Mike at 352.246.3836


BEACH HORSEBACK RIDING
Experience the fun and excitement of horseback riding at the edge of the sea. Country Carriages offer daily one-hour rides (weather and tides permitting) from Surfside Park on Vilano Beach. The cost is $75 per person. For reservations (a must) and more information, call 904.826.1982.


Saturday and Sunday: July 9 & 10


GUANA FAMILY KAYAK TOURS
Experience a thrilling family outing in kayaks at Guana Preserve. Get up close and personal to crabs, jellyfish, pelicans and Dolphins on a Family Kayak Tour, geared to the more inquisitive younger minds. A percentage of tours proceeds goes directly to the "Friends of the GTM NERR" to assist with their conservation efforts. $55 for adults and $45 for children ages 6 to 15. Tours are by reservation and take place from 9 to 11 a.m. For more information, call 904.347.1565 or visit http://www.kayakguana.com/.

ST. AUGUSTINE ECO TOURS Get on the water and enjoy a fresh sea breeze aboard a stable vessel with St. Augustine Eco Tours. You will be transported through the estuary and the only thing you have to do is sit back & relax! Recent sightings include green sea turtles and baby dolphins. If you want to join the fun, call at 904.377.7245 or visit http://www.staugustineecotours.com/. 1.5 hour boat trip is $35/adults, $30/Kids 3-12, and $10/infant-2.


PGA TOUR GOLF ACADEMY CLINICS
The PGA TOUR Golf Academy at World Golf Village is offering one-hour clinics for $20 to focus on the building blocks of a consistent swing. Cost is $20 per person. For more information, call 904.940.3600 or visit http://www.touracademy.com/.

Saturday: July 9

HISTORIC WEAPONS FIRING DEMONSTRATION
Take the National Park Service's ferry to Rattlesnake Island and experience daily military life at Fort Matanzas - the 18th century Spanish fort that guarded the southern approach to St. Augustine. From 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., authentically clad re-enactors will demonstrate historic weapons at the fort. Admission is free. Fort Matanzas National Monument is located on A1A at the south end of Anastasia Island approximately 15 miles south of St. Augustine. For more information, call 904.471.0116 or visit www.nps.gov/foma.


PLATTERS, COASTERS, DRIFTERS AND TEMPTATIONS SALUTE
Lead singer for the Platters, Myles Savage will perform at Fort Manendez at Old Florida Museum, 259 San Marco Avenue. Performances will include classic songs of these immortal groups as Myles sings for all in attendance and audience participation is encouraged. Performances are Saturdays at 7:00pm and tickets are $40. A buy one, get one FREE ticket deal is being offered for a limited time. For more information, tickets and required reservations visit http://www.oldfloridamuseum.com/ or call 904-824-8874

Sunday: July 10

BOZ SCAGGS AND MICHAEL MCDONALD AT ST. AUGUSTINE AMPHITHEATRE
Spend an evening with two of the iconic entertainers of the 70's and 80's, Boz Scaggs and Michael McDonald! Ever-popular Boz Scaggs and five-time Grammy winner Michael McDonald share top billing in this special concert at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Tickets are $44.50, $59.50 & $79.50. The St. Augustine Amphitheatre is located at 1340 A1A South. For more information call 904.471.1965 or visit http://www.staugamphitheatre.com/.

The Tides is the most exclusive Art Deco hotel currently on Ocean Drive of South Beach. It stands tall, with no "eyebrows" (you'll have to take my Art Deco tour to learn about this term) and unassuming, the bland beige color masks the luxurious interior.

The Tides is also home to another well kept secret--an upscale seafood restaurant, La Marea. When I walk my tour clients into this lobby and then the adjacent restaurant, the reaction is predictably the same.  If you love interior decor, this is a must see.

Every detail from the womb chairs, the eyecatching place settings, and rows of turtle shells lining the wall, leaves a memorable impression. It's quite inviting.

This past Friday I had the pleasure of dining at this seafood establishment for lunch. Worried the menu prices matched the lavish all-suite hotel guest room rates, I was pleasantly surprised that lunch was within my recessionary budget.

To freshen up from the heat wave, a Tides Royale cocktail perked me up. A blend of liquors, I immediately tasted rum. What were the green and brown colors? You'll have to try it and guess. Just leave a comment below!



For starters, I had to try the Tropical Ceviche.  Outside the heat and humidity clung to your body. So a ceviche with its protein and citrus juices is light (low fat!) but filling and the perfect antidote to the heat wave. La Marea's ceviche is a combination of shrimps, Mahi Mahi, jalapenos, red onions, papayas, cucumber and cilantro, cured in a mix of coconut milk, lime and orange.  No skimpy portions here. The ceviche was served in a deep cocktail glass which exceeded expectations.




For my entree, while I was tempted by the Seafood Salad,  I went with a favorite, the Cobb Salad.
A presentation of perky Boston lettuce with turkey breast, crispy bacon, perfect boiled egg, blue cheese, cherry tomatoes, avocado and blood orange vinaigrette, the salad was heavy on the main ingredients and light on the dressing, not drowning.





My dining companion did choose the Seafood salad, if nothing else, for my curiosity so I could blog about it. The Seafood Salad is a base of avocado mousse and baby arugula covered with baby octopus, shrimps, fried calamari, orange segments, mixed radish slices and Agrumento EVOO.





For dessert I chose the Floridian Flan.  This was a surprising light orange twist, and not so sweet like traditional Cuban flans, accompanied by a lemon sorbet. Absolutely refreshing and light!



I highly recommend La Marea for lunch. Indoors the restaurant is lit with natural sunlight and you can readily get a table for two by the window and still people-watch at the same time. No reservations needed. The restaurant is a quiet refuge from the bustling cafe-style restaurants on Ocean Drive where waitresses are soliciting/hustling passerbys.

A quick note: they are updating the online menu to match the current menu.

Enjoy the ebb and flow (the translation of La Marea) of fine dining!

Aventura (North Miami)
Aerial Fireworks can be viewed from any loction along Country Club Drive. Rain date is Tuesday, July 5. Visit http://www.cityofaventura.com/

Bayfront Park, Downtown Miami
Celebrate the birth of the nation at America's Birthday Bash featuring a fireworks spectacular that can be seen from anywhere in the park plus food and beverages and a kids' zone; 3-9 p.m. Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; free admission. 305-358-7550. Fireworks display begins at 9pm or 9:15pm.

Coconut Grove
Now the Grove knows how to celebrate in style featuring a popular trend--the family fun and food truck extravaganza. Bring your own picnic basket or purchase hot dogs, burgers and more. But that's just the beginning. Get their early (starting at 11am) for lawn and board games, kite-making and crafts for the kids.   No 4th of July is complete without a Hot Dog eating contest at 3pm at the CocoWalk Courtyard. But wait there's more! Following the contest is a scavenger hunt at 3:30pm at the Bookstore (3399 Virginia Street). This act culminates with a bash on Peacock Park that includes food trucks, music by Supernova and wire walkers beginning at 5pm.  Fireworks display rounds out the day and evening!

Miami Beach
Bring beach chairs and towels and enjoy live music by Big Poppa E and the E Band and South Florida Jazz Orchestra accompanied by sultry songstress Nicole Henry. Shows start at 6:30 p.m. at Eighth St. and Ocean Drive, Miami Beach; free admission.

Jungle Island (off the 395 bridge between mainland Miami and Miami Beach)

Salute America's armed forces with a fireworks and barbecue bash. Watch the fireworks spectacular from the terrace of Jungle Island's Treetop Ballroom. Indulge in an all-you-can-eat barbecue buffet, family entertainment, including music and dancing, and interactive visits from some animal friends. $22.95 for adults and seniors, $14.95 ages 3-10, $5 for military (includes admission and dinner). 6:30 p.m. Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami; 305-400-7000 or http://www.jungleisland.com/.

Homestead Concert & Fireworks
Kids' rides, food, concert, firework 5-10pm at the Homestead Miami Speedway. http://www.cityofhomestead.com/

Key Biscayne

July 4th parade on Key Biscayne featuring music, floats and fireworks. Parade begins along Crandon Boulevard at 11 a.m. and festivities conclude with fireworks at sunset. Village Green Park, 400 Crandon Blvd. Free.

The Palms at Town & Country (South Miami)
View sand sculptures at Plaza on the Green, free lunch 12pm-4pm plus there will be prize drawings every hour, a concert 7pm-8:30pm and fireworks display by the lake 8:45pm.
8268 Mills Drive, Kendall.


Bank Atlantic Center, Sunrise
This 4th of July celebration includes food and beverage vendors, a sponsor tent area; a family fun zone with bounce houses, games, face painters, and jugglers and live music on stage.  3D fireworks glasses for the 9pm display are available at the Sawgrass Mills booth while supplies last 5-10pm Monday.  http://www.bankatlanticcenter.com/


Hallandale Beach
Gulfstream Park celebrates with live music, a kids' zone featuring bounce houses, face painting and pony rides, food and buffet at $17.76 per person at Ten Palms restaurant. Festivities begin at 4pm and ends with fireworks display.  Gulstream Park & Casino 901 S. Federal Highway; free parking; 954-454-7000. http://www.gulfstreampark.com/

Hollywood
Features kids' games and DJ Tony Tiru (1-6pm at Charnow Park, 300 Connecticut Street. Musical entertainment at Hollywood Beach Theatre features country music with Rodeo clowns (6-10pm). http://www.hollywoodfl.org/


Happy Independence Day!
Be Safe!