Category Archive for Miami

Travel video: Art Deco Weekend 2013! The Betsy Hotel review, Miami restaurants & Ocean Drive.

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Do the Charleston, the Charleston! I’m very happy with my latest travel video, about Miami’s Art Deco Weekend, now published on Huffington Post Travel.

This episode recounts my Miami adventures, from the Bettie Page fashion show to the flapper gala. Be sure to watch until the end, or you’ll miss the “jazz hands”!

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I always appreciate your feedback about my work. If you’d like to see more alternative travel coverage, I’d be grateful if you can share my Huff Post article (or Like below):

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Shout-out to my collaborators for sharing my passion. I’m wearing a fringe top by Peace Love World, and a striking scarf with a face by Pitsart.

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My host, The Betsy Hotel, is consistently rated one of the top in Miami, and I quickly found out why. The staff genuinely cares about your comfort; there’s an atmosphere of home here.

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All around the hotel, there were intimate portraits of the Rolling Stones and The Beatles. The rock and roll lounge lit up a reflective film ceiling.

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The rooftop garden overlooks South Beach (right across the road). The Betsy’s on Ocean Drive, but a few minutes walk from the main strip, so you’re not surrounded by noisy revelers. It was a perfect stay; I’ll be back.

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At night, Ocean Drive’s Art Deco hotels glow with neon.

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Do you recognize The Carlyle? It’s where The Birdcage movie was filmed.

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Miami’s a winter haven for many East Coast dwellers.

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During Art Deco Weekend, there was live music all throughout the district.

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I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the incredible seafood I had in Miami. Lantao Restaurant, located in the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel, is inspired by Asian street food. I started with the “28 Days Later” cocktail: several types of rum (arr!) and house-made grenadine. Followed up with well-spiced tom yum soup, grilled paiche (South American tropical fish), and ended with pear cake — marvelous.

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I mostly stayed in South Beach, but ventured to Coconut Grove to eat at Jaguar Ceviche. Six types of marinated raw fish on a spoon… mojitos… sangria… blue tortilla chips… grilled mahi mahi… is your mouth watering yet? Jaguar’s service and flavors were spot on, and the space is great for a big group.

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Wynwood Village is also a must-visit (although be careful at night, and in certain parts). It’s an artsy district with colorful murals like this anime one.

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I think this psychic would predict my imminent return to Miami… hopefully in December, for Art Basel!

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Please take a minute to watch my Art Deco Weekend video. Did you laugh at the dancing scenes?

What are your favorite hang-outs and shops in Miami? Would you be interested in seeing me cover Art Basel?

Leopard print retro dress, flapper makeup & finger waves! 1920s Art Deco party in Miami.

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While I put together my Tokyo coverage, let’s pop back to Florida for an outfit post. I didn’t visit any Miami Goth clubs earlier this year, but glammed up for Art Deco Weekend’s Speakeasy & Gala.

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The invitation read: “Come as a Flapper, or come as you are. Dress like a Gangster, or a Silent Movie Star.” So I wore…

Leopard print retro dress: gifted by Bettie Page Clothing (I wrote about their fashion show)
White flapper-style coat: I.T store in Hong Kong

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The party was held in a secret location. These two coat-tails gave me a secret key, and I stepped through the speakeasy doors…

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… into a world of the Roaring Twenties. (With Amanda of Miami Design Preservation League).

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Above three images by Stephane Chiche.

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It was fun to people-watch; quite a few party-goers got into the swing of the era.

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We sampled wines, caviar and other delicacies.

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There was a silent auction…

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… and live music by the South Florida Jazz Orchestra.

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We goofed around by posing like the paintings. Zack gives a Marlene Dietrich stare-down.

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Can’t wait to show you our video, which involves funny dance scenes.

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Have you ever been to a 1920s themed party? Or dressed like a flapper?

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I leave you with this sunrise view of South Beach. You can see all my Miami posts here.

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And don’t forget to add my social networks (below) for sneak peeks of my Tokyo TV adventures. I ate Totoro sweets, hung with Bagelheads and Stormtroopers, went to a Pirate restaurant and steampunk party, made a drag queen film with Yukiro…

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Bettie Page Clothing: 1920s hairstyles & retro fashion show. Art Deco Weekend Miami.

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Goths in hot weather… what do you think of my look for Day 2 of Art Deco Weekend Miami?

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Since some of you requested it, here are closeups of my fingerwave curls and Deco nail art.

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Across the street from my Betsy hotel: South Beach’s confectionery colors.

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I’m more passionate about Art Deco than ever, after seeing the works in person.

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Art Deco Weekend hosts a number of events, including a classic car display. On Ocean Drive, there was a lineup of automobiles from the early 20th century to the 1980s.

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Red fringe dress top: gifted by Peace Love World (Miami, Florida label)
Scallop shorts: Hello Kitty KiLaRa collaboration, bought in Hong Kong (see shop photos in this post)

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This time, I tied a Pitsart silk scarf around my shoulders. There are endless ways to wear these flowing scarves, with prints inspired by paintings and music.

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My Peace Love World top (or dress, depending on how you style it) matches the red carpet.

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I met up with Mayleen Gonzalez, photographer and owner of Photo Boutique, and Annie Vasquez of top Miami style blog The Fashion Poet. (Remember our fashion blogger photoshoot?)

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Together, we enjoyed the Bettie Page fashion show. The cat-eyed decorated sunglasses and flirty retro swimsuits were highlights. Loved the pincurls and ponytails on the models.

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Elegant 1940s and 50s-inspired dresses from the latest collections.

Here’s a 30-second video of the runway show. I have a full travel video about my Miami adventure to come, stay tuned.

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To learn more about Florida’s Art Deco history, visit the MDPL (Miami design preservation league). This celebration happens each January.

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Have you ever tried a flapper hairstyle like this? Or dressed up retro-style, with scarves?

PS: I’m using the Vine app, username “La Carmina.” Add me for silly Tokyo videos.

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Miami Fashion Bloggers: Art Deco photoshoot & meetup! The Fashion Poet & Photo Boutique, Florida style blogs.

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While in South Beach, I met up with a top Miami fashion blogger and photographer, and we did an impromptu Art Deco photoshoot!

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These striking images are by Mayleen Gonzalez of Photo Boutique. She’s a well-respected street style and fashion photographer, available for shoots in Miami (and at New York Fashion Week in February).

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I struck poses all along Ocean Drive with my friend Annie Vasquez of The Fashion Poet. We met last year in New York, when I spoke at IFB Conference (Independent Fashion Bloggers).

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Since it was Art Deco Weekend, we wanted to capture the iconic South Beach architecture in the shots.

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Girls and classic cars are always a good mix. La Carmina wears…

Scarf as a top: gifted by Italian label Pitsart — so versatile and soft!
Draped jacket: gifted by Peace Love World, a cozy-meets-couture Miami brand
Large brim sun hat: Giovanno
Skirt and shoes are older items from my closet

Beautiful Annie wears: MAIO Swimsuit, Forever 21 shirt, Steve Madden shoes, Coach sunglasses

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Pastel paradise.

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Palm trees and bright benches — there’s no place like Miami. My vintage-style sunglasses are a present from Bonlook.

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My Pitsart art scarf matches the Congress Hotel frieze.

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I also posed with this cirlce on day 1 of Art Deco Weekend.

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Deco and sun… Miami’s pure fun! Fingers crossed that I’ll be back in December for Art Basel.

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An iPhone outtake (you can add me on Instagram, under lacarmina).

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Behind the scenes shots by Annie’s iPhone.

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My hat casts a structured shadow.

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Big hugs to my Miami friends. I love how the photos came out, and can’t wait to meet up again.

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I leave you with this ocean view. Ahh…

Have you explored Miami’s retro culture and design? Or surf and sand? What do you think of the Florida fashion scene?

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