Shireen’s Spotlight: Poltrona Frau Miami

Shireen's Spotlight: Poltrona Frau Miami

Shireen's Spotlight: Poltrona Frau Miami

What: Poltrona Frau Miami, 3800 NE Miami Court, Miami Design District, FL. 33137

Why: Being a fashionista isn’t just about wearing stylish clothing, it’s also about creating a stylish environment. I just adore being at home surrounded by all the beautiful things that I cherish.

When it comes to fashion forward furniture, Poltrona Frau Miami is one of the best in the business. It’s all about Italian luxury, class and uniqueness. Whether it’s a Pucci-inspired chair, a Louis Vuitton-like supple leather couch or a decadent vase with jewelry to match, this place has got it all.

When I first walked into the uber-chic space, I was hypnotized by its elegance, but more importantly, it reminded me of a lesson I learned long ago when I first started furnishing my home. My mother used to always say: “Never buy your furniture all at once. Instead, buy each piece separately and look for things that are special, unique and personality-driven.” That’s what I love about Poltrona Frau Miami; it allows you to do just that.

The Peacock green armchair I’m sitting in (pictured in the blog,) is constructed out of crumpled sheets of felt. Its curves are fanciful, feminine and fetching. It’s perfect for a glamorous powder room or to add pizzaz to a regal sitting area. The grey Wanders’ Tulip armchair (pictured in the blog) is fabulously feisty and would spice up the corner of a spacious bedroom or add dimension to a small, urban-style living room (both chairs are by Cappellini.)

Where: The expansive store is easy to access right off 38th Street (one of the main roads) in the Miami Design District. There’s plenty of room to park, too. Just make sure you give yourself ample time when shopping, because the big, airy, sleek two-story loft layout is chock-full of fabulous furniture finds.

When: Monday-Friday 10:00am – 6:00pm, Saturday 11:00am – 5:00pm

305-576-3636
www.poltronafraumiami.net
IG: @poltronafraumiami
Twitter: @poltronafraumia
FB: Poltrona Frau Group Miami

“Style is primarily a matter of instinct.” Bill Blass

Thursday, January 8, 2015 Shireen's Spotlight , , ,

The Great Escape … (featuring The Moorings Village)

The Great Escape ... (featuring The Moorings Village)
The Great Escape ... (featuring The Moorings Village)
The Great Escape ... (featuring The Moorings Village)
The Great Escape ... (featuring The Moorings Village)
The Great Escape ... (featuring The Moorings Village)
The Great Escape ... (featuring The Moorings Village)

What’s a desert girl from New Mexico doing in South Florida by the ocean? I’ve always called it, “The Great Escape.” It all started on a hot muggy night a little over ten years ago, when a plane from the cold midwest touched down at Miami International Airport carrying a young journalist with big dreams. When I stepped onto the jet bridge the humidity slapped me across the face, wrapped its warm arms around me and whispered in my ear: “You’re meant to be here.”

I shrugged off the premonition and cabbed it to a part of Miami I’d never heard of called North Bay Village. It was so dark outside I couldn’t see the landscape, which I found disappointing. I had never been to Florida before and was eager to see its lush palm trees, crystal blue waters and much talked about “sexy people.” I settled for a grumpy cab driver, who smelled of cigars, stale sweat and cheap cologne.

After a short and relatively smooth drive, he dropped me off in front of the Best Western strategically placed next to Channel 7, where I would audition for Deco Drive in a few hours. I had been summoned by one of the most powerful stations in the country after their plans to hire a male entertainment reporter had fallen through.

I’ve never been great at auditions, but when I met Lynn Martinez and Belkys Nerey for the first time, it was as if I had known them for years (despite never having seen the show before.) For lack of a better description, we got on famously. After visiting with one another, the three of us did a scripted run-through of Deco, then an unscripted one (we call that ad-libbing in television) and I felt really good about it. Matter of fact, I nailed the audition. I just knew, for whatever reason, Miami was where I was meant to be.

I left South Florida as quickly as I came. I had to get back to Indianapolis, where I was working on a morning show at the time as an Entertainment/Features correspondent. Most job auditions in television are done on the sly and mine was no different. On the way to the airport, though, my agent called and said I had been offered the job. I accepted.

Read the rest of “The Great Escape” at www.wsvn.com or to shop any of the looks featured in the blog go to www.kokopalenki.com.

www.themooringsvillage.com
Twiiter @MooringsVillage
IG @MooringsVillage
FB The Moorings Village and Spa
Reservations: 305-664-4708

Blog styled by Shari Bloch
Twitter: @soblondie729
IG: @ShariBloch
FB: Styling by Shari

Blog Wardrobe provided by:www.kokopalenki.com
Twitter: @KokoPalenki
IG: @KokoPalenki
FB: Koko Palenki

Thursday, January 8, 2015 Shireen's Favorite Things , , , , ,

A New Year, A New You

A New Year, A New You

A New Year, A New You

A New Year, A New You

A New Year, A New You

A New Year, A New You

My name is Shireen Sandoval and I’m a smart, strong, fierce, independent, beautiful woman. I’m a Video Vixen. I don’t have to apologize for it, either. In fact, I relish in it. I believe and trust in myself unequivocally because I am lifted by a sisterhood of women called the Vixen Army. (Now, could someone cue the music, please?)

I first met Janet Jones, a former Miami Heat dancer and the Commander-in-Chief of the Vixen Army, a few years ago when I was on assignment for Deco Drive. At the time, I was trying to fulfill a pipe dream of sorts: performing as a dancer in a Hip-Hop music video.

Actually, I would have settled for a flagrant, self-centered model-like cameo, whilst walking down a Miami Beach catwalk half-naked with a tiger on a leash, but in true entertainment television style, my Executive Producer, Geoff Leval (yes, I’m outing him) decided the pursuit of my impending Vixen-hood would make for “good television.”

To make my cray-cray dream a reality, we enlisted the help of one of our youngest staff writers at the time, Eli Ferradas (who also happened to be a former Miami Heat dancer.) Eli, who was assigned to produce the story, hooked me up with Janet, who had just started her Video Vixen Workout class.

Janet was a retired professional dancer with mind-blowing experience and one helluva resume to boot. She had been wiggling, jiggling, twerking, popping and locking it (in major music videos, the awards circuit and live performances) way before Miley Cyrus ever came along. One day, Janet quit dancing and joined the corporate world.

Read the rest of my “A New Year, A New You” journey at www.wsvn.com or learn more about Janet Jones and her Vixen Workout at www.VixenWorkout.com. Happy 2015 fashionistas!

Wednesday, December 31, 2014 Shireen's Favorite Things , , , ,

Shireen’s Spotlight: Cafe Prima Pasta

Shireen's Spotlight: Cafe Prima Pasta

Shireen's Spotlight: Cafe Prima Pasta

What: Cafe Prima Pasta, 414 71st Street, Miami Florida 33141

Why: If someone were making a movie about my life, Cafe Prima Pasta would definitely be the backdrop for the opening scene. In the dim, warm amber lighting, the camera would snake its way around the dark wood tables until it found me. I’d be sitting with a lively bunch of people drinking, eating and laughing the night away. It’s just that kind of place.

The Italian restaurant isn’t just one of my favorite places on earth, it’s been a Miami Beach staple for over twenty years. The atmosphere is what I love most. The family-owned eatery makes everyone feel special. When you walk through the door, a good energy immediately engulfs you: they remember your name, quickly serve up your favorite drink and do everything humanly possible to make sure your dining experience is delicious.

Good, heartfelt, unpretentious service is hard to come by these days, but there is no shortage of it at Prima Pasta. I love everything on the menu, but am most partial to their Chicken Parmesan, Bronzino and Lobster Risotto (pictured in the blog.) If I were a dead man walking, though, I would want their Cozze Marinara (sautéed mussels in a light tomato sauce) to be my last meal. If you’re looking for fine dining with a comfortable, elegant feel, this is the place.

Where: It’s right by my house, but more importantly, it’s conveniently located on Miami Beach, just a few short blocks from Collins Avenue on 71st and Harding. They have two parking lots and when those fill up (because they do,) there’s a bank behind the restaurant; they use that lot for parking overflow.

When:
Monday – Saturday/5pm-12am Sunday/4pm-11pm
Discount Menu – Monday – Saturday/5pm-6pm Sunday/4pm-6pm

Reservations: 305-867-0106
www.cafeprimapasta.com
IG: @CafePrimaPasta
Twitter: @CafePrimaPasta
FB: Cafe Prima Pasta

“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.”
-Ruth Reichl

Friday, December 26, 2014 Shireen's Spotlight , ,