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

Outfit: How to Style a Tulle Skirt + Tutu

SoBlo Salon, in Coral Gables gave me a super sleek, straight look that I wanted to share with you all.  I really like wearing my hair like this, but, I am supremely lazy when it comes to blowdrying and styling my hair.  Luckily, the girls at SoBlo always take care of me.  For this set of pictures, I styled a white tulle skirt  (here, also here) I styled it two ways: one with a drop waist silhouette and the other, with a little bit of a higher cropped top.  I think that a drop waist creates a flattering look and that it is underused.  If done properly, it can flatter and hide the number one problem area one women (the lower half, thighs) and create the illusion of a slim waist. Added some color with a hot pink Furla Metropolis Mini Cross Body Bag.

OUTFIT: EASY SPRINGTIME LOOK

We have had picture perfect weather here in Miami.  Winter came a little late around here but it has finally arrived.  There's a great little spot in Coral Gables that Gissi discovered and today we shot these pictures out there.

I know that it's a bit too early in the year to look like an Easter egg, but I could not resist pairing this pretty, airy pastel dress with a pale pink denim jacket. The stones in my necklace are the same color family as the rest of my outfit, and my makeup has the same type of feel. 

This is a sponsored post in partnership Piperlime 

Wearing
Rory Becca Asymmetrical Shirred Layer Dress c/o Piperlime // Steve Madden Varcityy Pumps c/o Piperlime
BCBG Belt // J.Crew Necklace // Bauble Bar Earrings // Bracelets: J.Crew & Macy's
Twill Twenty Two Jacket
Bag, Philip Lim for Target Pashli Bag

SoBlo Coral Gables, Miami Salon

SoBlo is a chain of South Florida blowdry bars. The newest location is nestled right in the heart of Coral Gables.  I have found a new home in their little salon and here's why:
All Blowouts are $35!
Easy to get to! While I will agree that The Gables is over-saturated, the salon sits right on Ponce (main street) which means that there's street parking to the east of Ponce and a parking garage to the west. 

They have their own line of shampoos and conditioners (aside from carrying other high end brands like Kevin Murphy). These home grown hair products are great for me!  First off, they smell amazing. They're infused with tea tree oil which is perfect for oil absorption (so if you have oily hair like I do, go for this one) and it leaves an absolutely amazing aroma.  The deep conditioning treatments are pretty good, too!  A bonus: stylists here give one heck of a head and scalp massage!

I can honestly say that out of every salon I have test driven in Miami, and there have been many, SoBlo Coral Gables has the most effective shampooing / cleansing routine. My hair feels totally clean post-shampoo (however, I am always careful to ask all salons to only put product on my ends, never on my bangs, or near my scalp). The end result is that my blowouts from this little gem last longer than from any other Miami salon. 
Check them out...Just in time for Valentine's Day fun!

I test drove two styles last week, a super sleek, straight look, and a loose waves look.  Both courtesy of SoBlo and Amanda, my stylist. 

xx

Info: 
SoBlo is located at 2309 Ponce De Leon BLVD in Coral Gables
Hours of Operation: Monday through Sunday from 11:00AM - 6:00 PM
Special Promotional Hours: $25 blowouts Monday and Tuesday mornings from 7:30AM - 11:00 AM
*Walk-Ins Accepted*

All photographs by Cindy Jimenez

Furla Relaunch - Miami Boutique, Village of Merrick Park

The Furla boutique at the Village of Merrick park got a makeover!  The store, which is located on the ground level, next to the Nordstrom's entrance, received a major redo in order to usher in the new Spring 2014 collection.

If you are not familiar with the brand, chances are that you will fall in love with the Candy collection - colored "jelly" bags and clutches that are too cute to pass up.  If you're a Furla loyalist, you will be pleasantly surprised by the new collection, which features lots of textured leather, and gorgeous colors, staying true to the brand.  There's something for everyone at the store, including mini handbags, keychains, belts, and shoes

The Furla Candy bags make great holiday / Christmas gifts - they're fun and fashion forward.  They retail for about $250 but they frequently go on sale at retailers like Nordstrom and Bloomingdales, where they will be listed at a discount.. For the holiday season, Nordstrom has price matching, and this Candy satchel is currently 30% off.

Furla Boutique Village of Merrick Park 
342 San Lorenzo Avenue
305.443.4945

Furla Candy Cooki Mini Satchel in multicolor gliter

Don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post to see a new Spring handbag that I was lucky enough to take home with me courtesy of Furla, Miami.  This is an exclusive bag that has not yet been released and is not currently available for purchase!

Shop Furla pieces here: 

Furla Satchel Baby Candy

Chanel Brunch + Chanel Sublimage, Neiman Marcus, Merrick Park, Coral Gables

I was invited to attend a brunch at Neiman Marcus - at the Chanel makeup counter at Merrick Park in Coral Gables.  I got my makeup done by the very talented Jessica Concepcion before the Gap event.  I met the sweetest members of the Chanel staff, Alicia, Ada & Jessica, and made a new friend named Sarah (shoutout!) Thank you to Brigid for my invite!

I had just enough time to take in a really delicious chicken salad courtesy of Mariposa and delighted in the indulgent Chanel Sublimage products presentation.

Chanel eye shadows; my favorites include Amethyst and Black Star.
I also have recently acquired a love for the Illusion D'Ombre Longwear Luminous Eyeshadows - these are creme shadows that instantly dry from a creme to powder, and they have the most delicious velvety texture. They're super pigmented and can also be used as liners (although I recommend a setting spray if you're going this route). Absolutely love this product.  My favorite shades include Apparition (deep navy blue),  Initiation (glittery bronze), Convoitise (another bronzy shade) and Emerveille, a great, soft goldish pinkish every day shade.

Chroma Studio, Coral Gables Hair Salon, Miami

Good morning!
Emilee at Studio Chroma in Coral Gables reached out and invited me for a visit.   I had just gotten my bangs fixed by Karolina over at Toni & Guy that same day! It was a hair / pampering extravaganza, filled with perhaps one, too many mimosas from Angeliques European Cafe up the street.

Studio Chroma salon is across the street from the Colonade Hotel in Coral Gables at 145 Aragon Avenue.  It's a chic little spot, with clean lines and really cute accents throughout the space.  I loved the art on the walls, and Emilee explained that they function as a mini art gallery for a month or two, and then cycle more artwork through the next month.

I opted for a clear glossing treatment and blowout, while my partner in crime for the day toned up her already amazing red hair with a deeper burgundy shade which she ended up loving.
The salon carries the Pureology line as well as the L'Oreal Expert line.  I started seeing the effects of the glossing treatment right away, but more so the following days.  My hair was noticeably shinier and more soft. I have also been using the Pureology Cuticle Polisher but I am not convinced I love this product yet.  I have fine hair, but a lot of it, and I think that this product may be way too thick/dense for my hair.  I may also be using too much of it on wet hair.  I'm going to switch it up and start using way less on dry hair, to see if that does the trick. My blowout lasted about a day and a half.  By the end of the second day, I had to pick it up in a pony tail.

I highly recommend this charming salon.  The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming.  It was really clean, too.  Everyone I met there was sweet and polite.  They have a range of services, with a focus on hair color.

To book your appointment call 786-518-2920 and ask for Emilee