I'm a Pilates Hottie Now!

My Glam Teacher at Pilates on The Beach

It took me a while to finally get to a group Pilates machine class. I've been doing Pilates mat work since it got popular in the early aughts, but I knew it was sort of the poor man's version of the real thing. So I tried a private class (or two) on a complicated "Cadillac" reformer, but who can afford to do that all the time?  So I continued group mat classes at David Barton and used my beloved Jennifer Kries Method Precision toning DVD. But after a few years it started to feel like I was just doing endless sit-ups.

For the new year, I promised myself I would get this butt over to a real Pilates studio where I could do group classes- on machines.  So I found Pilates on the Beach on 51st Street, and just started going once a week. Now twice a week and the results are amazing. Before it would have taken three days of juice fasting to get such a flat stomach but now, after only four classes, I'm flat as a board. I've heard for years that's what models and actresses do for their tight little bodies, but now I know it's true!

Pilates on Miami Beach:

Pilates on the Beach
712 W 51st St.

Jet Set Pilates
110 Washington Ave. 

Sobe Pilates
950 Arthur Godfrey Rd.

The Best of Art Wynwood

Art-goers are just big kids that have to be told not to touch the cake!

Art Wynwood felt an awful lot like Art Miami. Which makes sense because it's put on by the same group, in the the same location under the same tent with a lot of the same exhibitors featuring some of the same artists. But this is a good thing as Art Miami is one of my early December favorites. This one was a lot of fun as it showed more of some of my favorites from Art Miami, and a lot of artists embracing shiny surfaces and LED technology, which I can never resist. I'm like a moth to a flame. Check it out for yourself in Midtown, Art Wynwood runs now through Monday.

"Elvira" by Hal Buckner

"Tunnel View" by Hans Kotter (acrylic glass, LED)

Into the "Tunnel View"

"Sacred Profane / Motherboard 7" by Alicia Ross at Black & White Gallery

Detail

Chul Hyun Ahn "Visual Echo Experiment"

"Alcyone" by Marie-Josee Roy and Jerome Prieur

This may have been my favorite piece. There are little tiny etchings on top o the painted stainless. It is amazing!

Serious Fahrvergnügen - Test Driving the New 2012 Passat

Passat dash with stainless

I've been threatening to go test drive Volkswagens for a long time now. And one rainy morning in South Miami while the Range Rover Sport was getting some new brakes, I finally did. Never mind that it first required a test drive of the Range Rover Evoque which then required the very nice sales man actually drop us off at the VW dealership a few blocks away.

So I finally got to try the Passat and I loved it. Given it's cheaper price point, I thought maybe it would feel "less than" other cars I've driven but it was far from it. In fact, the only thing that kept me from trading in my X3 on the spot was that, well, it wasn't there. Since I've been feeling a bit patriotic of late, I've been researching German cars built in the USA and built in Tennessee, the Passat is just one such car.

The car had good pickup, even on the base model, the doors had a nice heaviness not felt on Japanese cars and iPod docks come standard on all but the most basic models. And there are many. There are actually 10 different trims/ engine combos to choose from ranging from the $19,000 5 cylinder 170hsp (21 city/ 32 hwy mpg) version to the $32,000 V6 SEL Premium with  280 hsp and 20/28 mpg. There are even a few TDI versions (turbo-diesel) which I would recommend if you live near a station that sells diesel fuel, or better yet U-Gas in Hialeah that sells Biodiesel for $3.89 a gallon. These puppies have crazy pick-up and get 30 mpg in the city and 40 on the freeway. And of course, if you keep them topped off with biodiesel they are the greenest machines around.

Even if you can't do that, you'll want a Passat because it's an American-made car with German engineering and lots of bells and whistles for not a lot of money including a keyless start button and a Fender stereo system (yes, they use the super-cool logo from the famous American speakers). And did I mention the back seat has an insane amount of legroom for back seat passengers? Seriously, a man of 6'4" can ride in the back, no problem.

Some detractors are saying the outside styling is a bit boring for a Volkswagen. And they're not wrong. But I think that's what will make it a bit timeless and keep it from getting dated so it will look good six years from now when it's still sitting in your driveway. 

Grey Interior

Brochure photo of wood dash with beige interior

 Unveiled

Livin' Like a Jedi

All hail the Queen

I may have been the only person in South Beach excited for Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace in 3D, but that didn't stop me from going. And it shouldn't you either. Despite the fact that George Lucas unfortunately didn't remove Jar Jar Binks like a few other creative Starheads, it was really good. I forgot how amazing the costumes of Queen Amidala were, and the real-time pod race in 3-D and beautiful young Ewan McGregor were worth the price of admission alone. And for crazy collectors: the nifty red, special edition 3D specs!

Madonna Fever! (complete with new video and tour dates)

The Superbowl gave just about everyone Madonna fever. Even her detractors could finally understand why I've seen the woman live SEVEN times. It's always spectacular. If her new song isn't stuck in your head yet, check out the Gimme' All Your Love video complete with footballers, MIA, Ms. Minaj and the Divine Miss M looking amazing and almost like her 1985 self.



Tour dates have just been released today. Unfortunately I don't see any for Miami, but she's never missed the Magic City yet, so I'll keep my fingers crossed. Presale for CitiCard Members starts today!! Click here for dates!

I've Seen the (White) Light

Alright, so I don't like to share all of my beauty secrets (where's the fun in that?) But one that I'm perfectly willing to divulge is my Facemaster. Well, that's what I call him anyways. His real name is Eduardo Ayub and he's got a contemporary little spa called White Light Skin Care in SoFi where he works serious laser magic. He's a certified laserologist and he can zap away sun damage, stretch marks and annihilate unwanted hair with his expensive cutting-edge equipment. I used to be able to get an appointment whenever I wanted, but now that the secret is out, he is seriously booked. I must be crazy putting him in here because it's not going to make the appointment thing any easier, but that's ok, maybe I can wait in the oxygen chamber!

Sobe's own "Red Door"

Ritzy Garden on Key Biscayne

Ritzy Mint

I first blogged about my Victory Garden in 2008 for 944. Unfortunately the veggies were evicted by professional landscaping that, while pretty, doesn't fill you up half as well. But seriously, gardens are hot - just ask Micheal Schwartz. So I shouldn't have been surprised when I stumbled upon a rather extensive herb garden at the Ritz-Carlton on Key Biscayne. This first rate piece of real estate boasts oceans of mint, cilantro and lots of other edible plants occupy their formal gardens behind the hotel! And yes, they do use them in the kitchen. Very cool. Very Field Day.

Nearby fountain befitting a Ritz