Today was a sweet day, literally. As a lifestyle blogger I was invited to attend a tasting of specialty mini desserts prepared locally by small business owners for private functions and catering. The desserts ranged from mini cupcakes to chocolate squares to fried Oreo doughnuts to cookies with bacon. Yes bacon--yum! Oh and I almost forgot to mention endless mimosas and drinks as well.

Christine on right with young ladies starting their own blogs.

My first stop around the track was a vendor INSANE COOKIES. The name is fitting. Brandy Cohen, Cookie Counselor, was featuring cookies cleverly named Shopaholic, Diva, Exhibitionist, Mommy Issues...you get the picture.  So what's in an Exhibitionist? Classic dough with white chocolate chips, cranberries and pistachio nuts.  The cookies are all hand crafted from premium ingredients without added preservatives. Flour or gluten free ingredients are available for deliciously rich, soft-textured cookies that are simply insane and memorable. 

My favorite was the PARTY ANIMAL (pictured below) made with Whiskey infused dough, bacon and hickory smoked potato chips.  I love any food with bacon. Even sweets! Bacon is very popular now an ingredient for any dish-entrée, salads and desserts. 

Order in batches or combinations for any event. Please visit their website for their other insanely delicious cookies.



Next was CONTENTI CUPCAKES. The presentation was your old-fashioned chalkboard with 1920's stylized fonts. Who doesn't love cupcakes--mini bite-size desserts that anyone can enjoy even if you're on a diet. Red velvets are my personal favorite and the cream cheese topping was just right.




Speaking of diet, we head right into the danger zone but the good kind.  DONUT DIVAS are famous for their deep fried candy bars and Oreo cookies, churros, funnel cakes and chocolate fountains.  It's a carnival of old-time favorites with a modern twist. Every dessert is so rich you'll experience guilty pleasure in every bite.



A longtime favorite of mine was MISHA'S CUPCAKES. Love their branding!! Misha's started in Coral Gables, their flagship store, and has since expanded to Miami Lakes, London Square, Aventura, and Pembroke Pines.  Whether you need cupcakes for corporate events, a baby shower, or any gathering, Misha's classy and creative presentation and great tasting cupcakes will leave lasting positive impression on your guests. My favorite is vanilla with coconut.

Christine holding a Misha cupcake in round individual presentation case.

Vanilla with sprinkles

Cupcakes that look look ice cream cones

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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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.

Halftime tradition "divot stomping" with Good Year blimp above

No Prohibition era here. Love the hat!

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.

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 !!!