In a town where the life expectancy of most nightclubs can be counted in months, Mansion has defied the odds to become a revelrous nightlife fixture. Like the people of the city it caters to, Mansion understands the importance of “maintenance” and recently gave itself a facelift. See the transformation (described as futuristic and spaceship-like) this Friday at Mansion’s new and ongoing Super Fridays, kicked off with a DJ set by Passion Pit. Here’s a sneak peek. 1235 Washington Ave., 305-531-5535       

The miracle ingredient at the core of the newly launched Indian beauty line KeSARI is saffron, or “kesar.” To learn more about this exotic new hair and skincare line, we sat down with KeSARI band ambassador Renée Lucas.

What sets KeSARI apart from other beauty brands?
RENÉE LUCAS: Three things come to mind. First, the main ingredient is saffron, which has a long history in Indian beauty rituals. Secondly, the creators were married through a traditional Indian arrangement—she is the creator and he is the scientist behind the brand. Lastly, KeSARI takes key time-honored Indian ingredients and mixes them with modern-day science.

What is the hero product?
RL: If I had to choose just one, it would be the Pore Minimizing Indian Clay Mask. Not enough people use masks because we are in such a rush all of the time, but this one leaves the face so hydrated.=

A spate of celebrities—Stacy Keibler, Sofia Vergara, Jessica Alba—are fans of the Indian Oil Hair Serum. What makes it so special?
RL: Hands down, the scent. Every time I use it, it takes me away to an exotic garden!

The KeSARI line of products and facial ($170) are available at Agua Spa at the Delano Hotel, 1685 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-672-2000

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Angelina Jolie in Jenny Packham

 

Amber Heard in Zac Posen

 

Stacy Keibler in Marchesa

 

Emma Stone in Alexander McQueen

 

Jayma Mays in Reem Acra

 

Zoe Saldana in Givenchy

 

Rose Byrne in Elie Saab

 

Judy Greer in Collette Dinnigan

 

Katrina Bowden in Amsale

 

Viola Davis in Marchesa

 

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SAG Awards fashion marked a return to black and white glamour. The timeless colors set off a mix of designs ranging from sexy and sophisticated to fun and flirty.

Back to Black
Black was anything but basic for Angelina Jolie and Amber Heard. Jolie wore a slinky, backless Jenny Packham gown while Heard wore an edgy cut-out Zac Posen gown. Looking lovely in lace were Stacy Keibler in an off-the-shoulder Marchesa gown, Emma Stone in a flirty Alexander McQueen cocktail dress and Jayma Mays in a Reem Acra sequined number with a sheer back. 

Winning White
On the lighter side, a fashionable Zoe Saldana wore Givenchy couture straight from the Paris runway. Also a vision in white, Rose Byrne wore a heavily embellished Elie Saab jumpsuit. Judy Greer chose a feminine Collette Dinnigan dress while the newly engaged Katrina Bowden wore a glittering strapless design by Amsale. White was also a winning color for Viola Davis, who took home the best female actor in a leading role wearing a Grecian-inspired Marchesa gown.

Mandarin Oriental

What: A performance of Why Patterns and RECESS
Why: Artist Daniel Arsham, choreographer Jonah Bokaer and 10,000 ping pongs all in one show.
When: Friday, January 27; 8 PM
Where: Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
How: Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online

What: Al Fresco Chinese New Year Party
Why: Celebrate the year of the dragon with a roaring party at the Mandarin Oriental. Guests will enjoy a delicious array of Asian cuisine stations, open bar, an energizing dragon dance and more, with Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline as your backdrop.
When: Saturday, January 28; 7–10 PM
Where: Mandarin Oriental, 500 Brickell Key Dr., Miami
How: Tickets are $95 in advance or $110 at the door, plus tax and gratuity

What: Sundays on the Green
Why: An organic market with local vendors, pop-up demonstrations and a skate ramp.
When: Sunday, January 29; 12–7 PM
Where: Wynwood Green, 572 NW 23rd St., Miami
How: Free and open to the public

What: We Can't Go Home Again and Don't Expect Too Much
Why: Nicholas Ray’s ’70s documentary will be shown along with his wife Susan’s documentary (Don’t Expect Too Much), which is on the making of Ray’s We Can’t Go Home Again.
When: Sunday, January 29; 8:15 PM
Where: Miami Beach Cinematheque at Historic City Hall, 1130 Washington Ave., Miami Beach
How: Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online

What: ING Menu at Area 31
Why: Regardless of whether or not you're running the half, the fully or nothing at all you can enjoy a healthy menu this weekend.
When: January 27 to 29
Where: EPIC Hotel, 270 Biscayne Boulevard Way, 16th floor, Miami,

The Silva Limited MacBook Pro case

This Silva Limited MacBook Pro case ($325) is a sleek and eco-conscious alternative to typical tech cases. Made of one solid sheet of 100-percent bamboo, the case is lined with a wool-felt interior to keep your laptop snuggly secured and fully protected. The case also features a handcrafted leather top handle and has a smart look that’s perfect for the office. Atrium Miami, 1931 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-695-0757

Tomorrow, the Wolfsonian-FIU will open a new installation featuring wine advertisements from its rare books and special collections library. The exhibit (through April 24) offers a unique display of advertisements touting a variety of vineyards and wines. Wine and art aficionados will be most enthused by the early nineteenth century pieces designed by French artists Paul Iribe and Jules Isnard Dransy. The exhibit is the perfect predecessor to the upcoming Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival (February 23–26). The Wolfsonian-FIU, 1001 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 305-531-1001

Blue Collar dining room

The Upper East Side is abuzz over the opening of retro eatery Blue Collar. Located in the former American Noodle Bar spot inside the Biscayne Inn motel, Blue Collar whips up comfort food in a relaxed diner setting replete with vintage lunchboxes, an open kitchen and varnished wood tables. Owner and chef Daniel Serfer, formerly of Chef Allen’s in Aventura, serves up tasty plates such as vaca frita-topped tostones; shrimp and grits; crispy-skinned snapper with rock shrimp fried rice; and pasta piled with veal. 6370 Biscayne Blvd., Miami

Serpiente one-piece by Côte d'Or

Last Spring designers were obsessed with dreamy pastels and bright neons, but this season the emphasis is on serpentine prints splayed across everything from clothing to accessories to swimwear. Local brand Côte d’Or translates the trend for Miamians with this serpiente one-piece ($300), which proves that a modest cut suit with a sophisticated belt can be just as sexy as a string bikini. 

Eau De Lacoste L.12.12

Lacoste’s new trio of colognes, dubbed Eau De Lacoste L.12.12 ($62) is proof positive that good things come in threes. Why three, you ask? The French sportswear brand created three scents so that wearers could express their mood through fragrance. Blanc is pure, crisp and citrus-imbued, Bleu is powerful and aquatic and Vert is fresh and relaxing with notes of fresh bamboo and violet leaf.

Anthony Bourdain slices his porchetta at the Cayman Cookout beach barbecue

Three days of exquisite meals, beachside cooking and cocktail demonstrations and endless champagne. Such was the fourth annual Cayman Cookout, a culinary getaway hosted by Eric Ripert of New York’s venerable Le Bernardin and The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. It was a weekend that flew by fast thanks to nonstop tastings and a memorable lineup of chefs and gastronomes—Anthony Bourdain, Michael Schwartz amd François Payard, to name a few.

On day two of the cookout, Schwartz and April Bloomfield, of New York’s The Spotted Pig, paired up to cook a five-course dinner at the Camana Bay outpost of Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink. Every seat in the house was claimed, and the warm weather allowed for plenty outdoor seating. The dinner, aptly titled Genuine Bloomfield, was a perfect cross section two chefs’ culinary styles. Schwartz brought his passion for fresh, local ingredients to the table while Bloomfield lent her earthy, almost rustic English style of cooking. We devoured local wahoo crudo matched with a spicy ginger purée and Cayman-grown sweet radishes. Scotch bonnet pepper aioli topped a tender hunk of slow-roasted pork shoulder and a pitch-perfect grilled lamb scottadito and local Cayman rabbit with fresh ricotta crespelle rounded out the meal. Dessert was a sweet and salty peanut caramel bar.

A post-dinner chat with Bloomfield and Schwartz revealed that the two planned the entire menu via email and phone. (They met for the first time just two days before the dinner.) We also asked Schwartz about the difference between Michael’s Genuine Miami and Michael’s Genuine Grand Cayman. The answer? The Cayman location offers “the same values of the original Miami restaurant,” but in Cayman they’re working with “a smaller palette and different eating style.” Thus, the menu features an emphasis on local Caribbean ingredients, such as triggerfish, conch and snapper. 

Earlier that morning, Bourdain and Ripert held a confab on The Ritz-Carlton beachfront. No subject was off limits for the outspoken Bourdain. On the subject of Martha Stewart, Bourdain bluntly stated, “She hated me.” On his culinary chops, he commented “I’ve worked in a good [restaurant], but never a great one in my professional career.” As for his new television show, The Layover, he explained, “It was a way to make a show that previously took eight days to shoot in two days. And in every episode I’m blind, drunk and bloated.” He was surprisingly soft on Rachael Ray: “She sent me a fruit basket and she’s a huge New York Dolls fan. She looks like [Auguste] Escoffier compared to the others on Food Network.” And we all know his feelings on the subject of Paula Deen.