Faena House

 

Before, I moved to Miami, I often saw pictures of people posting a mythical like place, somewhere in Miami, that presents a giant gold mammoth skeleton enclosed in a giant glass case. The installation art sculpture was set amongst a backdrop of flowing palms and the ocean surf. Where was this place!? The Faena District, located at Collins and 32nd street on Miami Beach, houses penthouse residences, hotels, theatre for entertainment, and multiple bars and restaurants that have an atmosphere giving both Vegas and New York a run for their money. The mix of extravagant luxe and bohemian beach decor surrounds you as you enter the lobby at Faena House and continues to provide a unique and grand ambience as you walk through the main entrance and through to the Tree of Life Bar, Veranda with ocean views, and of course my new friend the Mammoth. Faena District is made up of multiple buildings and spaces within a few blocks of one another, including additional event spaces, another boutique hotel and restaurant, Casa Faena, and future plans to include retail shops. A few weekends ago my girlfriends and I decided we needed a night of Faena adventure.  We dined at Casa Faena for Miami Spice (like restaurant week in many other cities), a small boutique hotel across from the main residences. After dinner and before the continued party, we enjoyed taking more than a few fun snapshots and selfies in the lobby library at the intimate hotel. Like everywhere at Faena House, the space is a a designer's dream. The dim lit room was filled with rich color, eclectic materials, and animalia and tropic pattern and decor. Perfect for a glamorous photo shoot! We headed back over to The Living Room cocktail lounge, found in the basement at Faena House, to dance the night away whilst sipping on some bubbly. Next trip to Faena, we will add a show to our evening itinerary. The whole place is a definite must see and visit when spending time on the Beach! xo RCN

NYC: Nolita

 

If you are looking for an adorable (and very pink) place to eat and drink in Manhattan, head down (or up) to Nolita. Nolita stands for North of Little Italy, and by golly is this neighborhood worth the stop. Ever since Pietro Lolita and Cha Cha Matcha took root, bloggers, tourists, and locals have flooded the hotspots, and trust me it's worth it. These two, hip and vibrant restaurant and cafes, are just around the corner from one another. Grab a yummy steak sandwich from Pietro, or one of the mouth watering cocktails. Then complete your trendy food tour by grabbing a beautiful tea, to go, at Cha Cha Matcha. Each place is dreamy in their own way. Pietro is pink from head to toe, or as they like to call it, "Pink As F***". Excuse my language! Cha Cha is a tropic getaway in the crowded streets of NY, where on a hot day like the one we visited, you can cool down with a delectable iced ginger matcha drink or a matcha soft ice-cream twist. The tall, thin, hipster guy working the register is the nicest man, ever! A little customer service goes a long way, no wonder people keep coming back! I couldn't help myself, but order a warm drink just for the powdered palm trees. You can't get that on an iced matcha ;) Be sure to make a stop at both next time you’re in the neighborhood! xo RCN