Mac Bangin' Brilliant Collection

MAC #BanginBrilliant

MAC's Bangin Brilliant collection has launched. It's a line of 29 new permanent lipsticks, 24 eye shadows and 6 blushes.  All shades are new, not repeats (except Gold XiXi which was just launched with the Chris Chang x MAC collection).  The lipsticks encompass all of MAC's lip formulations, described below:

• AMPLIFIED CREME: Ultra-creamy. Quietly shiny. Color-packed! Hi-res: hi-impact.
• CREMESHEEN:Creme-based lipstick that imparts bright full color, with a soft and supple shine.
• FROST: Excellent color payoff with medium to high frosted shimmer-and-shine finish.
• LUSTRE: Demi-sheer with wet-look lustre finish. Very slick. Makes lips look soft, smooth, ultra-moist.
• MATTE: Pigment rich with intense color pay-off. No-shine, all matte finish.
• SATIN: Color-rich. Soft satin, semi-matte finish. Conditions while adding intense color.

MAC Highlights (Lustre) Lipstick: a lustre that swatches out somewhat sheer and glossy. It is a warm, yellowy peach shade. This will just enhance the natural color of your lips.  It's a good day time shade or lip liner topper.

Miami Style

I've lived in Miami my entire life, and while I complain a whole lot about the traffic, rude citizens, and over-crowding, it's still home and I still love it here. There's something about being close to the water that I would never trade.  I also have amazing memories growing up, spending balmy summer Miami nights with my friends, outdoors.  I've seen the city constantly expand throughout my years here and have to say that some of the newer additions like the PAMM are pretty cool. These photos were snapped outside the PAMM on the open air terrace after brunch at Verde.  If you haven't checked out this newest Miami eatery you should. I snapped my brunch, so for those of you that follow me on snap (@FashionableESQ), you saw how delicious our food was. The service? Not great. There is definitely room for improvement and they would benefit by adding additional wait staff.  BUT, but, the eggs benedict were on-point.

Happy Saturday. 

Wearing:
Striped Tank: Zara // similar
Clutch: Bikini Bag by PilyQ  
Skirt: J.Crew // similar // similar 
Wedges: Ann Klein // similar 

Bobbi Brown Sunset Pink Collection

Bobbi Brown Tube Tint in Bare Shimmer

The new Bobbi Brown Sunset Pink Collection is universally flattering, and the most wearable collection from a brand that I have seen in a long time. The shades in this collection are neutral, but have an extra something that make them across-the-board-gorgeous and suitable for all skin tones. The new product line showcases highlighting powders, cheek tint sticks, limited edition long-wear cream shadows, tube tints and of course, Bobbi's amazing long-wear gel liner.

This collection is currently available, limitedly, online.

Hightlighting Powders ($46):

• Currently on sale for $41.
• 3 shades: Telluride, Sunset Glow, and Afternoon Glow
• A velvety, pigmented highlight. A little goes a long way.
• Telluride: the most cool-toned color of the trio, imparts a beautiful, frosty glow (almost a little on the mauve side) that can be used as a subtle contour. 
• Sunset Glow: a beautiful, rose gold color, this can also be used as a blush.
• Afternoon Glow: a champagne, bronze highlight. The most traditional highlight color.
• The product comes in a mirrored compact (for Bobbi Brown loyalists, you will recognize it as the same compact that the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick comes packaged in).
• You get a lot of product in the pan, and you only need to dip your fan slightly to get a good amount on. 
• The glow is perfection. These are my favorite products from the line. 

Telluride, Sunset Glow, Afternoon Glow

EAST, Miami

The highly anticipated EAST, Miami has opened its doors. Located within Brickell City Centre, the Miami location of this hotel, which is originally Honk Kong based, marks the only US outpost. Topping off the hotel is Quinto La Huella, the sister restaurant of famed Uruguayan eatery, Parador La Huella. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor eating, with the main draw being a central open air grill where chef's will focus their skills on bringing you an assortment of grilled meats and fish. Click here to see a portion of the menu. E-mail for reservations/info here.

The hotel has 352 rooms, with 89 of those being residences and 8 being suites. It boasts a contemporary feel, with unfinished cement exteriors, minimalistic, Asian inspired gardens and clean lines. All of these design elements are characteristic of the Coconut Grove architecture firm, Architectonica, which is credited with the project. (Interiors are by NY design firm, Clodagh). Miami Brides-to-be need look no further than EAST, Miami's 3000 sqft plus ballroom,with floor to ceiling windows and a dynamic city view. Nightly room rates will vary, starting at $260 for low season and $550 during high season. Believe it or not, Expedia is already offering room discounts for this brand new hotel.

Click here to make a reservation.

The Biltmore Culinary Academy; Cooking with Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese

Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan Cheese) and the Biltmore Culinary Academy invited us for a cooking class so that we could delight in the wonders of cooking with this traditional, high quality ingredient.  The art of making Parmigiano Reggiano dates back hundreds of years, to a time when artisans produced it in large quantities in copper vats. Today, cheese houses (called 'caseficio's) across Parma continue to produce it in the same, timeless manner.

Did you know that this cheese is natural and highly digestible? It does not contain any preservatives. In fact, it only contains three ingredients: milk from the Parma region, renett and salt. Click here for some recipes featuring Parmigiano Reggiano.

We gathered in the kitchen for our class lead by Biltmore Executive Chef David Hackett.  We were then divided into groups of four.  Each group had one recipe to master. Ours was Parmigiano Reggiano Baked Sea Scallops served with Cumin Corn Salsa (the entire recipe is at the bottom of this post).  In total, we cooked 8 dishes that we all shared and ate at the end of the class.  This event was a collaborative effort on behalf of the South Florida chapter of The Blogger Union.

High res images by Ray Santana Photography