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Sunday, July 31, 2011

Music that rocks!

It's summertime, the kids are home...what should you do?






It's summer time in Miami, the kids are home and driving you crazy. For those of you who can't send them to camp in the Hampton's, or somewhere in Pennsylvania for $10,000.00 for a few weeks let me make a few suggestions. The best thing you can do for your child is wear them out before they wear you out. Plan a day that's starts off with cold stone ice cream, video games, and a great kid friendly movie. By the time the movie is over they'll be sleeping in the car and ready for bed after a warm bath. One of the cutest movies for kids right now is the "The Smurfs." The smurfs is light hearted, kid friendly and very funny. I found the adults laughing in the theater just as much as the children if not more. I was very pleased with the story line and enjoyed every punch line made by the villain Garougala. So remember, stay cool this summer by keeping the kids busy. Play dates, books, movies, museums, games, or a walk in the park can be therapeutic for the whole family.
A pool may be a little more sanitary keep them busy!

You don't want your kid doing this for summer break trust me. 

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Gay couples wed in New York....

Despite how you feel about this new law allowing gay couples to wed and have the same rights and entitlements as heterosexual married couples, it is happening and it's going anywhere. I remember talking about this with an older West Indian woman who was furious and said "God will disown "them" I then asked her if you son or daughter was gay would you disown them or stop loving them she looked at me hard and said" of course not, I could never let go of my child!" I replied saying and that's exactly what God says about us, ALL of us. The point is we are all his children. Being a Christian many people in my life who are Christians disagree with my stance. Yet when they find out their spiritual leader is gay, all hell breaks lose. ouch! I say too bad!  My motto is "love all" and judge not.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Mango's South Beach...

Mango's on South Beach is known for thier exotic latin dancers, and scatilly clad bar tenders. The salsa has a life of it's own and the drinks make you feel like you're on a private resort in Cuba. Who would've known that Mango's has the most delish barbecue grilled salmon salad ever. Being the foodie that I am, I invited my high school buddy Betty to join me on South Beach. Visiting from Fort Greene, Brooklyn what better place than Mango's to re-introduce her to Miami. We both ordered the the barbecue grilled salmon salad splashed with walnuts, and avacado and re-entered food heaven once again. This entree is great with a Mai Tai or Pomegranate Mojito. Next time you're strolling down Ocean Drive in your two piece and want something light and delicious in that new lipoed tummy be sure to order the barbecue grilled salmon salad.















The delicious barbecue grilled salmon salad


Betty and I enjoying our meal











                                                                                
                                                                          








Mango's
900 Ocean Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139-5013
(305) 673-4422

Ms. Lauryn hill has her 6th child....but who's the daddy?




Lauryn, Rohan and daughter Selah.


Saturday, July 23, 2011

Amy Winehouse gone too soon....


Amy Jade Winehouse, English singer and song writer pronounced dead! Another music great, ahead of her time, was pronounced dead today in her London apartment. No stranger to controversy and rumored mental illness and substance abuse, the fact remains Amy Winehouse was a natural talent. With a soultry voice, honest lyrics and the beehive hairstyle of the 60's, Amy was what we call " an original." Winehouse's music was a combination of rock, soul, R&B, and Jazz with a hip-hop swag. She collaborated with greats like Jay-z on the remix of hit single "Rehab." Amy Winehouse had fans all over the United Kingdom, states and the world. It is so sad that the music industry has lost another great artist. With songs like 'Back to black, Valerie,  Tears dry on their own, and you know i'm no good, how could you not become a fan. If you never found yourself singing "wake up alone" then something is wrong with you. I remember on those few Saturdays I stayed home, Amy Winehouse would be playing and I would just be in my zone singing to the very apex of my lungs. Her lyrics were naked and as human as human gets. You could feel Amy's pain, her anger, and despair. Her cries for help were melodic and hypnotic. This is a loss for all music lovers, I just pray she has found peace, and that we do not forget her contribution to music and acknowledge the good despite her unfortunate cause of death. At the tender age of 27, Amy Winehouse joins Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, and Janice Joplin in music heaven, the truest form of "rehab." I hope the music industry takes heed and decides to help heal struggling artist rather than expose and exploit them.

R.I.P. Amy Jade Winehouse (14 September 1983 — 23 July 2011)


Friday, July 22, 2011

Miami's hot spots.....


Prime 112
Here in Miami there are so many things to do, places to go and people to see. Yet, how many times have your nights return void? There are a few places here that will never die, as well as some that will be old news or shut down tomorrow. This day and age its all about consistency and quality. For those living in the city and feel like there is no where I want to go, think again. You should party and eat with a purpose, and be satisfied. Some of you are partying too much and not eating enough. I believe a lot of you have forgotten "THEY HAVE BARS IN RESTAURANTS TOO!" because we all know clubs can get old real fast, but food and drinks never do. Now I am totally aware this is Miami, land of the plastic and perfect coke bottle figure, but we still gotta eat dammit! Through my experience bars have been a great place to chat, network and form great personal and/or professional relationships. Here's an example: you're at the bar, next to some old guy with a ya mica on, having small talk, and through vague exchanges realize you work for the same company, then realize hey this is the CEO at my company. You never really knew what he looked like besides in pictures because your cubicle is in the dimly lit basement of the building. So now this old foggie thinks you have a lot of spunk and charisma and ask you to call his secretary and schedule an appointment to interview for a promotion. Of course you have all the qualifications, but it's been two years since you've been promoted because of politics and the everyday bullshit that goes on at work. This was the company you loved but considered leaving due to lack of growth, two weeks later here you are with you suit on accepting that senior level position. All because of what..your MBA from Cornell...NO. All because you decided to go to Prime 112 and have a Lychee Martini. I'm telling you there is something about Lychee martini's, they bring the best out of everyone. Prime 112 is a charming, posh, popular but not overrated restaurant owned by the business savvy Myles Chefetz. Both Myles and Prime 112 are one of those things that just won't die, kind of like a roach. It's not the celebrities that keeps this establishments image though it helps but the great food, drinks and most important of all service. Yes, reserving a table may be hectic, but that's why there's are bar or you can go next door to Prime Hotel or across the street to Prime Italian, all owned by Myles Chefetz. You're young, cute and vibrant, you should be at the bar anyway. With Jay-z's songs playing in the background and an occasional visit from Lebron James, or Clive Davis, this place is not too shabby. Known for their delicious aged Steak, Lobster and Lamb my personal favorites are the Lobster mac n cheese, Chilean sea bass, Brussel Sprouts, God bless their fried chicken, and for dessert either the bread pudding or the fried oreos. With a menu as big as the city surely there is a dish that will satisfy the palate, not to mention they're perfectly mixed drinks and cool bar tenders. Weather you are visiting or live in Miami, drop by, come dressed to impress, have some crispy bacon at the bar (if you're a pork eater), meet a few people, order a Lychee martini or maybe a Mango chili capriosca and treat yourself to great food, people and service. Just don't forget your wallet.
Me and Owner Myles Chefetz

Prime 112
112 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach - (305) 532-8112























City Hall the Restaraunt

This next place is fairly new but shows a lot of promise. City Hall owned by Steven Haas, the protege' of the famous Emeril Lagasse, has opened his restaurant in the up and coming neigborhood of mid-town Miami. For those who are anit-South Beach, this may be the place you were looking for. They too serve great Lychee Martini's and fried chicken. I know Lychee martini's and fried chicken is becoming a re-occuring theme, but usually if those are good so is everything else. So I ate at City Hall for the first time yesterday with my friend Todd and loved it. The food was good it was crowded but not stuffy, and the ambiance was casual chic, not cheap hollywood which is also great. City hall is a great place for those who want to escape the sometimes obnoxious tourist, yet have a graet meal and conversation. I believe really soon it will be hard to reserve a table here like so many other places in South Florida, so stop by now while you can.
City Hall the Restaraunt
2004 Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL
Phone:
(305) 764-3130
 



The River Oyster Bar in Brickell

If you are a seafood lover then this is wear you want to eat. The river is another one of Miami's hidden jewels. When I ate at the River with the fabulous Bianca and Funmi I was impressed by how many chefs from out of town ate their too. This is a foodies restaurant. If you read my blogs enough you'll learn what a foodie is, I am definantly a foodie and proud! Back to the river, they serve everything from salmon to conch ceviche, grilled octopus, as well as more fancy seafood items such as foie gras on calabaza pancakes with vanilla-bean chutney, mahi encrusted with nutty pumpkin seeds, and more. There is something on the menu for everyone. Portions are large and there is also a great bar. If you're ever in Brickell and want to feel like your food just made love to you, this is where you need to be.


The River
650 S. Miami Ave.
Miami, Fl 33130
305-530-1915



I like to call this next place, Miami's best kept secret. Bardot is where you go to dance, and I mean dance your not so little toosh off. Bardot is tucked away in the cutesy artsy neighborhood of Wynwood in Miami's Design and Art District. When you pull up outside you see this drab buliding, but be not decieved my friend, because once you enter you may see Quest love from the roots spinning your favorite records in the DJ booth, or Talib Kweli on the mic. The Dj's at Bardot  do not play the songs you skip through on the radio, but the songs you thought no one else loved but you, the songs the radio does'nt play, and the songs that cause you to break out, dance and sweat profusely. Bardot has live bands, and great artist performing all the time, in an intimate setting for a more than reasonable price. At Bardot, it's ok to sweat, because everyone else is sweating. At Bardot it's o.k to wear Tory Burch flats because no one is in Louboutins or YSL's. You can order a stella or a heineken, or what ever you like. No Lychee martinis here. You can play pool, or reserve a table, but I promise you all the action is on the dance floor. This is a safe laid back place to hang out and meet your favorite Europeans. Bardot has a mixed diverse crowd of Miami locals, NY photographers and models and European vacationers. Next time you want to avoid South Beach and still shake your tail feather be sure to stop by Bardot on a Sunday night and get loose. 
Bardot
3456 N Miami Ave
MiamiFL 33127
(305) 576-5570



Thursday, July 21, 2011

Jamilah Johnson and Absolutely Amazing Affairs

So as promised I am highlighting another one of South Florida's up and coming entrepreneurs. The reason I do this is so that you can benefit while they're appointment books are still open and can say "such and such threw my party, planned my wedding, hosted my event, designed my dress, did my make-up etc." Again, I only highlight the talents of those who I've deemed professional and better than the competition. With that being said, the talent to plan, organize, council and console you through out all your event planning needs belong to the classy Jamilah Johnson of Palm Beach Florida.

Jamilah Johnson CEO/Event Manager of Absolutely Amazing Affairs, originally from Miami earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business at Florida Atlantic University. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Co-Ed Business Fraternity and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Jamilah resides with her husband and daughter in Palm Beach County,FL. Jamilah took on the challenge of completely organizing her own wedding in a four month period, paying close attention to every detail and flow of the event. Her wedding was then featured in the Embassy Suites Fort Lauderdale Wedding Catalog in 2008. She was often requested by friends and family members to plan and organize weddings, baby showers, bridal showers, fundraising events and business meetings.

 Finally, Absolutely Amazing Affairs was established to serve as a vehicle to extend her creativity, eloquent style and love for event planning to the public. Most recognized for orchestrating last minute, magnificent events, personalization of client services and maintaining professional business relationships with preferred vendors, Jamilah has the ability to magnify simple ideas and create Absolutely Amazing Affairs!

Absolutely Amazing Affairs is dedicated to transforming your ideas into a unique and unforgettable occasion and specialize in creativity, etiquette, eloquent style and personalized service to fulfill and exceed your event expectations.

When you hire Absolutely Amazing Affairs, you now have one less thing to worry about, knowing that the event will have the look and feel you envisioned with details and a set-up that exceeds your expectations. Whether you lack time, creative ideas or have too many ideas for just one wedding, Absolutely Amazing Affairs can make the design of your wedding easy and fun by coming up with an overall theme and color palette, incorperating your  ideas on how to personalize design details, source the best aesthetic vendors and supplies, and being there on your wedding day to make sure everything looks picture perfect.


 Event Planning Services Include:
Weddings
Corporate Event Planning
Community Service Events
Non-Profit Organization Events
Baby Showers
Bridal Showers
Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties
Bridal Consultation Services


To book your next event with Absolutely Amazing Affairs contact:

Mrs. Jamilah Johnson CEO/Event Manager
Absolutely Amazing Affairs Especially for the Professional and Busy Business Woman!
Serving Palm Beach and Broward County
305-310-1727



Follow Absolutely Ammazing Affairs on twitter @AAmazingAffairs

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Exactly who is Ms. Kippish


Being from South Florida it is only appropriate that I highlight this cities up and coming shakers and movers. With that being said, I would like to introduce you to Sasha "Ms. Kippish" Revolus. Ms.Kippish is an entrepreneur, wardrobe designer, hairstylist, fashionista, and just your modern day renaissance woman. At the tender age of 23, this young lady defines the term "fierce." Her expertise in commanding visions for video shoots, and music videos is complimented amongst her clients and her peers. Kipp isn't the young wet behind the ears intern, that walks around the set unnoticed. SHE IS THE SET. Having the pleasure of knowing her professionally and personally, I too have Ms. Kippish fever as I await my custom made dresses and shoes, to rock at Liv on Sundays like all her other loyal clients. Ms. Kippish is also the designer of the highly anticipated fashion line called "LVER." I know you thought your favorite designer was Roberto Cavalli, or maybe even Chanel, but that may change. So exactly who is Ms. Kippish?....yeah I thought that was a stupid question too.
-P


For more information about Ms. Kippish
 follow on twitter @mskippish 
visit her websites:
 http://www.Mskippish.com
www.DuctTapeandDiamonds.com

Monday, July 18, 2011

Today we say happy 93rd Birthday Nelson Mandela















Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Transkei, South Africa on July 18, 1918. His father was Chief Henry Mandela of the Tembu Tribe. Mandela himself was educated at University College of Fort Hare and the University of Witwatersrand and qualified in law in 1942. He joined the African National Congress in 1944 and was engaged in resistance against the ruling National Party's apartheid policies after 1948. He went on trial for treason in 1956-1961 and was acquitted in 1961.


After the banning of the ANC in 1960, Nelson Mandela argued for the setting up of a military wing within the ANC. In June 1961, the ANC executive considered his proposal on the use of violent tactics and agreed that those members who wished to involve themselves in Mandela's campaign would not be stopped from doing so by the ANC. This led to the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe. Mandela was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to five years' imprisonment with hard labour. In 1963, when many fellow leaders of the ANC and the Umkhonto we Sizwe were arrested, Mandela was brought to stand trial with them for plotting to overthrow the government by violence. His statement from the dock received considerable international publicity. On June 12, 1964, eight of the accused, including Mandela, were sentenced to life imprisonment. From 1964 to 1982, he was incarcerated at Robben Island Prison, off Cape Town; thereafter, he was at Pollsmoor Prison, nearby on the mainland.

During his years in prison, Nelson Mandela's reputation grew steadily. He was widely accepted as the most significant black leader in South Africa and became a potent symbol of resistance as the anti-apartheid movement gathered strength. He consistently refused to compromise his political position to obtain his freedom.

Nelson Mandela was released on February 11, 1990. After his release, he plunged himself wholeheartedly into his life's work, striving to attain the goals he and others had set out almost four decades earlier. In 1991, at the first national conference of the ANC held inside South Africa after the organization had been banned in 1960, Mandela was elected President of the ANC while his lifelong friend and colleague, Oliver Tambo, became the organisation's National Chairperson.
From Les Prix Nobel. The Nobel Prizes 1993, Editor Tore Frängsmyr, [Nobel Foundation], Stockholm, 1994
This autobiography/biography was written at the time of the award and later published in the book series Les Prix Nobel/Nobel Lectures. The information is sometimes updated with an addendum submitted by the Laureate.


Selected Bibliography
By Mandela
Mandela, Nelson. Nelson Mandela Speaks: Forging a Democratic, Nonracial South Africa. New York: Pathfinder, 1993.
Mandela, Nelson. Long Walk to Freedom. The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela. Boston & New York: Little Brown, 1994.
Mandela, Nelson. The Struggle Is My Life. New York: Revised, Pathfinder, 1986. Originally published as a tribute on his 60th birthday in 1978. Speeches, writings, historical accounts, contributions by fellow prisoners.
Other Sources
Benson, Mary. Nelson Mandela, the Man and the Movement. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1994. Updated from 1986 edition. Based on interviews by a friend of Mandela since the 1950s.
de Klerk, Willem. F. W. de Klerk: The Man in His Time. Johannesburg: Jonathan Ball, 1991. By his brother.
Gilbey, Emma. The Lady. The Life and Times of Winnie Mandela. London: Cape, 1993. Most comprehensive biography.
Harrison, Nancy. Winnie Mandela: Mother of a Nation. London: Gollancz, 1985. Authorised favourable biography.
Johns, Sheridan and R. Hunt Davis, Jr., eds. Mandela, Tambo and the ANC: The Struggle Against Apartheid. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991. Documentary survey.
Mandela, Winnie. Part of My Soul. NY & London: Norton, 1984. Edited by Anne Benjamin and Mary Benson.
Meer, Fatima. Higher Than Hope: The Authorized Biography of Nelson Mandela. NY: Harper, 1990. By family friend, with Mandela’s corrections. Foreword by Winnie Mandela.
M Meredith, Martin. Nelson Mandela. A Biography. New York: St, Martin’s, 1998. By an authority on South Africa. Recommended reading.
Ottaway, David. Chained Together. Mandela de Klerk, and the Struggle to Remake South Africa. New York: Times Books, 1993. Critical treatment by well-informed journalist.
Sparks, Allister. Tomorrow Is Another Country: The Inside Story of South Africa’s Road to Change. New York: Hill & Wang, 1995. By a distinguished South African journalist.
Waldmeir, Patti. Anatomy of a Miracle: The End of Apartheid and the Birth of a New South Africa. London: Viking, 1997.
From Nobel Lectures, Peace 1991-1995, Editor Irwin Abrams, World Scientific Publishing Co., Singapore, 1999
This autobiography/biography was written at the time of the award and first published in the book series Les Prix Nobel. It was later edited and republished in Nobel Lectures. To cite this document, always state the source as shown above.
For more updated biographical information, see:
Mandela, Nelson. 
Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela. Little, Brown and Co., Boston, 1994.

Copyright © The Nobel Foundation 1993
Retrieved from http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1993/mandela-bio.html

In the name of FASHION.....


"I'm looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love. And I don't think that love is here in this expensive suite in this lovely hotel in Paris".
- Carrie bradshaw