My Fabulous Florida

Mother's Day Activities in Miami --NonBrunch Ideas!

Thursday, May 07, 2015

You still have time to plan a special outing with mom for Mother's Day! Looking for non-Brunch ideas--we have it covered.

ART DECO COCKTAIL TOUR
Ansy for something different but fun and memorable? We have the perfect idea! Take her on the Art Deco Cocktail Tour! A great way to add culture to cocktailing and learn about the colorful history of South Beach and admire the stunning décor and architecture of Art Deco historic buildings. Price is $60 per person which includes cocktails and bartender tip. A great value! Space is limited so reserve now! Details: May 9, 10, 12 5pm-8pm; www.artdecotours.com 305-814-4058 or 1-800-979-3370.

MIAMI SEAQUARIUM
Miami Seaquarium honors and celebrates Mother’s Day by granting free admission to mothers May 9-10 if you bring a Mother’s Day card to the marine animal moms. Mothers can enjoy the park, the eight different marine animal shows and daily presentations. Accompanying guests receive 50% off admission (up to 4 guests). Details: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at 4400 Rickenbacker Cswy., Key Biscayne; www.miamiseaquarium.com; General admission $42.99 and $33.99 for children (ages 3-9) (*plus 7% sales tax).

CRAFTS AT MORIKAMI
Stroll the gardens and visit Morikami's museum to see the latest exhibits like "Japanese Design for the Senses: Beauty, Form and Function" and "Poetry in Clay: The Art of Ōtagaki Rengetsu," then at noon the kids can get crafty and honor mom by making a special card for her.Details: Noon-3 p.m. Sunday at 4000 Morikami Park Rd., Delray Beach; www.morikami.org; Park admission $11-$15.

FAIRCHILD TROPICAL GARDEN
Celebrate Mother's Day amidst a beautiful tropical setting with delicious teas and sweet and savory snacks. The famed Chihuly Glass Garden is on display until May 31. Don't miss this sight of glass floating on water, in the trees, and throughout the botanical plants.
Details: 3 p.m. Sunday at 10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables; www.fairchild.org; $25; $18 seniors; $12 children 6-17; free for members and children 5 and under.

BOTTLE & BOTTEGA
Take mom to a night of painting with instructions from a professional artist, all paint supplies, aprons and a 16 x 20 take-home canvas included. A special drink and food menu will be available for Bottle & Bottega painters.
Details: 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Red Koi Lounge & Restaurant, 317 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables; $35.

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equestrian polo

Polo- Hats, Horses and Hordes of ...

Monday, April 27, 2015

Manicured green lawn, white pavilion, elegant grandstand, big wide rim hats, handsome European and Argentinian jockeys, floral and solid sundresses, tailgating, endless champagne, and champion horses can only mean one extravaganza--Equestrian Polo.

Last Sunday I was invited to the final game, my first polo match at the Polo Club in Wellington. (My only prior experience was a polo event on the beach in South Beach). It was the end to the winter polo season in South Florida, in Wellington, Florida.

So often people ask if it's like the scenes from "My Fair Lady" (a musical starring Audrey Hepburn) or "Pretty Woman". It is and more.

Couple at VIP tent with buckets of champagne

THE LOCATION
Candidly for most it's less about the game, and more about the fashion, people watching and drinking. First the location. Why Wellington? It is home to the The International Polo Club Palm Beach, a premier polo destination in the world, hosting the largest field of high-goal teams and the most prestigious polo tournaments in the United States. It is horse country. A welcome escape from downtown city life for me.

The season opened on Sunday, January 4, and concluded 16 weeks later with the 111th U.S. Open Polo Championship® final on Sunday, April 19. Polo matches are open to the public, with a wide range of hospitality and guest seating that includes elegant grandstand viewing, field tailgating, lawn seating, field-side champagne brunch at The Pavilion, and exclusive sponsor boxes.

Surprisingly general admission starts at a reasonable $10 for a sport dubbed "snooty" in one of the wealthiest counties in the U.S. My invitation was to attend a VIP party at the tents on the opposite side of the grandstand viewing.

VIP /tailgating party tents
They were packed for the final day

THE FASHION
What to wear? Men wear jackets, a short or long sleeve polo shirt, and long shorts or slacks. Pastel colors is typical. But ladies, it's all about the dress and hat. Above the knee, fitting floral sundresses seemed the most popular. In January, February, fitted ankle length pants is acceptable. But as temperature rises in the spring, long flowing or looser short dresses are the best choice. The hat? The more outrageous, the wider brim, the better. Shoes--wedge heels. Flats and sandals were acceptable. But not spiked heels or platforms. Never. Otherwise you may be mistaken as the Vivian before she became "Pretty".

Traditional garb at Polo matches

For special occasions such as opening day, Easter and the finals, attendees are more formal. In this case my sundress was more prim and proper, and not my usual sexy- a- la- Miami style. Accessorized with pearl necklace, earrings and complementary cream hat and ankle wedge shoes, I was reminded of the derby races I attended in Northern Virginia some 20 years ago.

TRADITION

At halftime it was a sudden stampede! Everyone grabbed their drinks and rushed to the field for a social tradition called "divot stomping".

Halftime tradition "divot stomping" with Good Year blimp above

This is the only time spectators are permitted on the field.

What is it? Actually it's a brilliant PR move and cheap labor solution. The crowds are invited to tread in the divots kicked up by the horses. In the 1920's grounds- keeping crews tapped in the divots with oversized croquet mallets. Now spectators can socialize on the sacred field while performing a functional purpose. Ironically, the more alcohol one has consumed, the more productive they are on the field. Speaking of alcohol, there's no shortage at polo tailgating party or VIP tents. Hordes of it.

No Prohibition era here. Love the hat!

BASICS OF EQUESTRIAN POLO

1. In the equestrian sport of polo the object of the game is to move the polo ball down-field, hitting it through the goal for a score.
2. Polo is an equestrian team sport, usually played outdoors, with four polo players on each team.
3. A polo field is 300 yards long and 160 yards wide, the largest field in organized sport.
4. A polo match lasts about two hours and is divided into 6 timed periods called chukkers.

For more interesting facts about the Polo game, click here for POLO 101. Did you know lefties are banned from playing? Click on the link to find out why!

Wed did escape the crowds to sit in practically empty bleachers on the VIP side to watch some of the game. The game was tied towards the end. Quite exciting!

Horses are stunning and intelligent creatures, a symbol of America's pioneer spirit. I was more mesmerized by their grace and strength.

I highly recommend polo for a Sunday activity after daylight savings in March for the sophisticated 40 year old+ for socializing, networking, absorbing the fashion scene and admiring the horses and the competition of the sport. And the Champagne brunch of course!

Congratulations to Valiente for their victorious win over Orchard Hill. Third time's the charm.

HELPFUL TIPS:

1. The last day is one of the busiest days. While the doors open at 2:30pm for a 3:00pm start, the line of cars to enter was about 45 minutes long. With only one entrance, the line of cars did not move and you could not cut in last minute. Many police officers were planted along the route so no cutting in. So plan to arrive at 2pm and stock up on patience!

2. The Grandstand is a great location to watch the game and people watch. Plus you can sit mostly in the shade. On the other side of the field are the VIP and tailgating tents. On busy days, it gets warm so dress cool and comfortably. Also the tent most likely will not have chairs for everyone.

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More photos to come on Instagram @miamichristine !!!

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Floatopia

Floatopia Miami 2015

Monday, April 20, 2015

This float can easily fit 10 people.

Floatopia is an epic beach party consisting of innertubes and drinking. It's a giant inflatable beach party. This past Saturday, April 18, in its third year, at South Pointe / Nikki Beach, Floatopia was bigger than ever.

Floatopia Miami 2015

Beachgoers bring individual floats or one large float that can hold 10-15 people. Most of them can be purchased at Walmart or KMart. The idea is that floats are tied together with a rope so you drift in unison on the ocean all while drinking, sunbathing, talking/laughing, paddling, to utopia. It's cheaper and easier than taking out a boat!

Most attendees were in their 20s but for older age groups, it's a great way to bring out the inner child without being laughed at! So enjoy that rubber duck float!

Ellie, Pedro, Christine (me)
Arriving early at Floatopia

You're never too old to use a float

The fun begins with eyeing the kaleidoscope of shapes, sizes, and themes of the floats. From donuts, to pizza slices, to alligators, Shamu, purple dragons, to life size sofas--every year there's something different to exclaim-- "Oh that's cool". So be sure to order yours from Amazon early for large groups. Price is about $300 for larger ones so you'll need to collect $10-$20 each person so you're not in the deep end!

Talk about a party float!

Once out on the water, it's bumper-cars-a-la-beach-floats. Hence the ropes are needed to stay together. If drinking brings people closer, wearing next to nothing (bathing suits), while floating on the ocean alongside others is sure to elevate your experience to UTOPIA and make instant friends!

Love this Swan float and making new friends

Floating and Drinking --now that is relaxation!

Synchronized Floating

This float needs cup holders!

My favorite--the rubber duckie!

Giant Rubber duckie. Love it more!

Miami's Angels

Our Group

Here are five helpful tips in preparing for a great Floatopia event.

TIPS
1.Bring WATERPROOF CAMERA. It's fun and memorable that most people want to take photos but dare not bring their phone camera or real cameras out to sea.

2. DROP OFF GEAR with friends at Nikki Beach and then go park. Not fun to lug around 100 pounds of gear and drinks (cooler, food, drinks, tent supplies, etc.)

3. Be prepared to PARK FAR and WALK FAR. The event begins at 10am. If you arrive after 11am, the only parking is north of 5th street. The event is near Nikki Beach at 1st street. Parking is full at 10am for early goers who set up. Best to park at Shops at Fifth and Alton Road and walk the 10 blocks.

4. Transfer all beer and liquor into plastic bottles or containers. NO GLASS bottles or Aluminum cans are permitted. Police and Code Enforcement will see it, confiscate and fine you! It's to prevent broken glass and sharp metal from cutting beachgoers and causing serious injury.

5. BRING UMBRELLA & WATER. It gets hot. Bring shade and water plus food to absorb the party juice!

Join the fun! See you next year!

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