The Forge

Travel + Leisure magazine recently listed its picks for America’s Best Happy Hours, and two Miami restaurants made the cut. Michael’s Genuine ranked in the top three with their daily half-price drinks and five-dollar snacks. The Forge also placed in the top 10 thanks to its Thursday night, $6.50 offerings. With prices like that at two of Miami’s finest restaurants, who wouldn’t be happy?

The Oasis Beach Club at Mandarin Oriental, Miami

This past weekend, Mandarin Oriental, Miami debuted “Sizzlin Sundaze,” a new Sunday beach and pool party (12 to 6 PM) held weekly at the Oasis Beach Club. Amid the Biscayne Bay backdrop, Sundaze guests will be able to soak up the sun, sip mimosas, indulge in mini spa services and nosh on sushi, salads and, of course, hamburgers and hot dogs. Each week, a specialty cocktail ($8) will be on offer and a happy hour will run from noon to 2 PM with all drinks selling for $8. Cabana packages, such as the SoBe Cabana ($350), are also available and include perks like champagne, sushi platters, saki tastings and more. 500 Brickell Key Dr.

Reminiscent of his previous Miami-inspired line, Matthew Williamson’s new capsule collection for Impulse hits Macy’s on April 13. Flattering and easy-to-wear, the collection features everyday staples ($50 to $120), as well as specialty pieces (up to $300). Look for 70s leaning graphic print dresses, bohemian blouses and flirty rompers in pretty pinks and purples. Macy’s group vice president and fashion director Nicole Fischelis describes the line as “seductive and sophisticated, yet unconventional," and we'd have to agree.   

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The interior of the store at Bal Harbour Shops

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The posh Bal Harbour Shops are receiving an extra dose of la dolce vita courtesy of Brunello Cucinelli. The elegant Italian label opens the doors of its store on April 1, and the night before a select few are invited to preview the premiere of the Spring/Summer 2011 line during a private reception hosted by Bruno Cucinelli, Leticia and Miky Grendene, Jennifer and Gary Nader and Carole and Oscar Seikaly. Proceeds from the evening will go to the Jackson Memorial Foundation Guardian Angels to benefit Holtz Children’s Hospital.

Brunello Cucinelli offers a mix of classic cuts done with a modern, lightweight twist—and that same attention to detail and desire to soothe the senses is apparent in the latest shop with its cool, calming feel. “Beauty is not always simple,” says Cucinelli, “and yet simplicity is always beautiful.” Brunello Cucinelli, Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., Second Floor, 305-864-4833

Sam Edelman’s latest collection has made its South Florida debut. “It was about mixing and matching and playing on similarities and opposites,” says Edelman of the philosophy behind his offerings. Slip into his four-inch Lorissa ($200), a denim number studded with fierce spikes, and you’ll understand the pretty paradox. Available at Koko & Palenki, Village of Merrick Park, 358 San Lorenzo Ave., 305-444-0626

On March 30, Saks Fifth Avenue launches the Nicholas Kirkwood spring/summer 2011 shoe collection. Nicolas Kirkwood shoes are 1007 hand-crafted shoes Celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, Julianne Moore, Mary-Kate Olsen and Sienna Miller have been spotted wearing numbers from the Young Sole Rebel line. And for this latest collection, Kirkwood collaborated with the designers from Rodarte.

The launch is part of a charity shoe shopping event (6-8 PM) hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue Dadeland in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters. The first 100 guests to donate $100 or more to Big Brothers Big Sisters will receive a $100 Saks Fifth Avenue gift card. The event will feature a Champagne reception and hors d’oeuvres while guests shop the latest shoe trends at 10022-SHOE, the Saks shoe boutique. Saks Fifth Avenue Dadeland, 7687 N. Kendall Dr., Miami; 305-662-8655

Essie has teamed up with Toms Shoes for One Day Without Shoes, a global initiative taking place on April 5 to raise critical awareness about children in developing countries who lack proper footwear. To support the cause, Essie created One Day Without Blues, a dreamy blue lacquer with a hint of shimmer. The limited edition polish can be purchased at onedaywithoutshoes.com, where you’ll also find this cute video of bloggers and editors pledging to “show their toes so kids don’t have to.” At last check, the polish was sold out but here's hoping for a restock!

FROM LEFT: The Bulgari Octo Chronographe Quadri-Retro; Bedat watch; the Carl F. Bucherer Patravi Evotec BigDate

This year Bulgari redefines time with the Octo Chronographe Quadri-Retro timepiece with Gerald Genta caliber. The octagonal case is remeniscent of the great Genta look but with a sporty appeal. It is made of ceramic and steel and offers a jumping hours indicator at 12:00, and retrograde minute hand that travels over the arc. A retrograde date and retrograde chronograph counters complete the look of this automatic column-wheel chronograph.

Inspired by the Art Deco movement, Bedat continues to offer elegance and distinctive beauty in its timepieces. This new Swiss made watch is the perfect marriage of craftsmanship and jeweled magic. It features 365 diamonds weighing 3.53 carats and a monther-of-pearl dial, and is set with a violet satin strap and 18kt gold case.

And from Carl F. Bucherer, this women's Patravi Evotec BigDate watch in 18kt gold houses an automtaic 33-jewel movement. It features a diamond dial and case and a sea-snake strap.

Timepiece editor Roberta Naas reports from BaselWorld and beyond.

FROM LEFT: The Corum Caliber C0313; TAG Heuer Mikrotimer Flying 1000 Concept Chronograph

Two amazing new watches debuted at BaselWorld 2011. For the first time ever, after four years of development, Corum released a new limited-edition self-winding Golden Bridge movement in white gold or red gold, equipped with a platinum linear oscillating weight. The exclusive new Corum Caliber C0313 automatic linear-winding baguette movement consists of 194 parts and offers 40 hours of power reserve. It features a mainplate and bridges made from 18kt gold, Teflon-coated rails for the linear oscillating weight, beryllium copper contact zones, and ceramic ball bearings to ensure unidirectional winding. There will be just 130 pieces made in red gold and 70 pieces in white gold, so act fast.

And it was just a couple of months ago in Geneva that TAG Heuer unveiled its 1/100th of a second wrist watch—the Heuer Carrera Mikcrograph. Now the brand unveils its TAG Heuer Mikrotimer Flying 1000 Concept Chronograph. The watch beats 3,600,000 times in an hour. (No, that's not a typo.) The remarkable power house features a host of engineering breakthroughs and has 11 patents pending.

Timepiece editor Roberta Naas reports from BaselWorld and beyond.

Sometimes we miss amazing concerts and shows. (It happens—we can’t be everywhere.) So when we heard a bunch of South Florida bands brought their breed of noise to Texas for this year's South by Southwest (SXSW), we had to pick out the shows we wish we would have seen. Some were slated from the very beginning, some were snuck onto the schedule at the last minute—but all are worth a good listen.

Surfer Blood: The West Palm Beachers have helped pave the way for a West Coast surf rock revival. Aand with three showcases under their belts for this year’s SXSW, we’re sure they brought their trademark quirky antics with them on stage, as usual.
UPCOMING: A new, not-yet-titled EP is slated for release sometime in April, and they’re touring.
Listen here

Awesome New Republic (ANR): One of our favorite ambient pop two-pieces played three official SXSW showcases this year and was a “band to watch” on several blogs and publications.
UPCOMING: They’ve recently released their new LP, Stay Kids, and have a show at Bardot on March 31.
Listen here

Millionyoung: Having played one SXSW showcase, South Florida’s first chillwaver is adapting to the genre’s changing climate with his latest release.
UPCOMING: He recently released his full-length debut LP Replicants.
Listen here

Pretty Please: This band wasn’t actually confirmed to perform at SXSW this year. They received a last-minute phone call about an hour before they were scheduled to go on, and the rest is history.
Listen here

Teepee: This one-man band led by Eric Lopez-Zareno typically works with synths, a guitar or a combination of both. But at his SXSW showcase performance this year, he hit the stage with a full band (the drummer of Deaf Poets and the lead singer of Little Beard backed him on vocals). We can only assume it made his dreamy pop tunes all the more powerful.
UPCOMING: Download his 11-track Morals LP for free with four bonus tracks.
Listen here