#SMWMiami Kickoff at Haven South Beach

Social Media Week kicks off in Miami on September 22nd 2014 and I couldn't be more excited! Social Media week is a worldwide event that takes place twice a year where social media enthusiasts get together to hear about the impact social media has on our communities, businesses and most importantly, the world. This message is mainly delivered by influential keynote speakers we social geeks swoon over, for example, one of my favorites, Ramon De Leon, who I had the pleasure of meeting and hearing his amazing story at last year's Social Media Summit in Vegas.

Though the schedule has not been completely published, Event Crowd and Creativas Group has been working hard to provide us with the best speakers and events and also hosted a "kick-off" party last Thursday at Haven South Beach to get Miami's social influencers to come together and network with complimentary welcome cocktails provided by Finlandia. 

+Ernesto Sosa getting social in real time. Picture by Cristina "Crispi" Pimenta
    

    

Last summer, I also had the pleasure of meeting Nicky Yates who was one of the keynote speakers at my NYU Social Media Intensive course and was representing SocialMediaWeek and crowd centric. This was the little gem she provided us with who still, til this day, is my favorite video to show all who question what it is that I "really do".

 

To learn more about social media week and how you can attend or get involved visit http://socialmediaweek.org/miami/

And Suddenly, It Was Summer in Miami...

Summer came and you still have not taken time out to decide where you will be hashtagging #Summer14 from. You fear that by the time you decide where to go, Expedia will stop running those 72 hour heart pounding specials or that your local news will announce another week of rain. Don't Fear! You can still stay in South Florida and engage in the sunny (or gloomy) fun Miami Beach and some of it's surrounding cities have to offer.

So where do you find a summer vacation in a place that can't decide whether it will be sunny or gloomy for the day? RESTAURANTS AND BARS!

My choices for a quick mental getaway and #summer14 worthy pictures.

The Broken Shaker: A bar within a hostel that's a mix between your Santera's waiting room and Tinkerbell's backyard. Add $11 hand crafted (for real) cocktails, a pool, a side of cured meats and Zak the baker bread and what you have is a mini vaca where you can afford to bring all of your friends.Extra bonus? They give you a paper fan to help you beat the Miami heat (I could make a joke here, but I want you to keep reading). The broken shaker is open Monday – Friday, 6pm-2am and weekends, 2pm-2am and is located within The Freehand Miami.

The Bar

The Frenchie & Some Agave

Cute Fa n

Outside

Cured Meats & Zak The Baker Bread

Potions and Recipes

Sandbar Lounge: Located in a part of Miami you are most likely not to go to (NORTH BEACH insert cringe here), resides a bar where Natalie the bartender encourages you to take shots of Patron since you already have your suede heels in the sand. Sandbar Lounge has good music, a daily happy hour from 4pm-8pm and a complimentary buffet if you dare. Don't expect to find tourists of any nature here, unless you want to disguise yourself as one. After all, this is your summer.

Sand Covered Floor

Bar Area

 ChillBar: Inside Yellow Green Farmer's Market, ChillBar  is a place best explained by its title. Beyond being one of the coolest place I have ever been to, the small restaurant has amazing food and cocktails. I have only been here for Brunch but I can tell you it's all I needed for this place to make the list. If you are a locavore and enjoy organic and sustainable ingredients to make up your food, this is the place for you. If you are a person that is not satisfied with the mere bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Mary's offered at some establishments to accompany your brunch and prefer a cocktail which is both well done and artistic enough to need no filter, this place is also for you. Tip: Make reservations, this place gets packed (954) 513-3990.

Ginger and Peach Infused Mimosa, Goat Cheese and Fig Omelette, Craft Beers and Cucumber Water

Although instagram pretty, these places also provide you with good times and the feeling of a quick and much cheaper getaway. The cool factors of each place are just an added bonus. 

Xoxo, 

Jomary Jimenez

Social Media Girl (and your drinking/eating buddy if you'd like)

ELLE Rocs Athleta 305 Style

If I'm waking up early and walking into work with yoga pants you know it's +ELLE Magazine joining +Athleta at the +Eden Roc Miami Beach  for a day of yoga and rooftop socializing. Being the hotel's social media girl, it was my job to get all the bts footage and make sure everyone was having a good time and hashtagging away. The event was to celebrate Athleta Lincoln Road's store opening with Miami's beloved yogi's and to also bring awareness to the community of their new store. I couldn't resist joining in and showing off my flexible skills. Somewhat.

+Athleta Girls waiting for their yoga instructor

+Jahzel Dotel having a blast with Ariom 

Me, not bad right? Thank you for the balance +Jahzel Dotel 

#PowerToTheShe, +Athleta's slogan with +Thank You Miami 

A Good Morning Overall

 Now for some ELLE Spa rooftop fun and shameless promo:

+Thank You Miami , +Gisselle Jimenez , +Tatiana Ceballos 

+Thank You Miami , +Gisselle Jimenez , +Tatiana Ceballos 

Me, +Thank You Miami , +Gisselle Jimenez 

+Maria Tettamanti , our host, and friend

+John Peter Mahoney , +Thank You Miami , +Tatiana Ceballos 

Me, +John Peter Mahoney , +Tatiana Ceballos 

Me, +John Peter Mahoney , +Thank You Miami , +Gisselle Jimenez 

Welcome to Miami +Athleta, I promise you'll love it here.

Xoxo, 

Jomary Jimenez

Social Media Girl

To Eat This Summer, Migrate South

After my last serious eating escapade and gaining 10 extra pounds this spring, I decided that my unapologetic love of good food and the restaurants that serve it deserved a list. Yes, there are millions of lists out there of "Where To Eat In Miami". And yes, at times I do get invited to taste new menus and openings of certain restaurants. To my defense, know that just as unapologetic as I am for my love of good food, I am the same regarding my opinion towards the lack of it. This list will show you raw, unscripted, iPhone 5 taken pictures and perspective of what to eat, what to expect and how instagramable these restaurants really are (it's what I do).

Disclaimer: These restaurants are only in the order of first come first serve. No reservations were taken for special seating.

Tongue & Cheek
Location: SoFi/South Beach (South of Fifth for you tourists)

Tongue & Cheek has been written about over & over. You've heard of Jamie De Rosa (and if you haven't do your homework), the great collabos and the outstanding reviews of his food. I'm just here to tell you the hype is real. I would recommend and probably go with anybody looking to indulge in amazing comfort food and a welcome tweet as soon as you check in. I have only tried brunch, but will soon return.

Any restaurant with mason jars in their decorations is worth the visit

 Le' Brunch:

Eggs Benedict Brisket with the best hash brown's ever!

BLTA: Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato & Avocado

Touché
Location: Downtown Miami

Touché is not just any restaurant. Touché is a restaurant/ rooftop lounge with a retractable roof and beautiful people upstairs and apparently next door (I checked). The weekend before their grand opening, I was invited to eat at the restaurant and had the opportunity to also meet Chef Pellegrino. Both experiences were pleasurable. The restaurant itself holds maybe 50 seats but outside is made to order as well. Inside is all white and good for couples and maybe a couple of girlfriends grabbing dinner. Outside is where you want to be if the night calls for any type of celebration or you just bought a really cute dress you need to take instagramable pictures standing before a serious background that requires no filter.

Perfect View / Perfect Caption

Colorado Lamb Lollipops served with haricot vert, parma prosciutto (which I love) & caramelized onion mashed potato, veal reduction and house made mint sauce.  Side of Lobster Mac & Cheese: broiled macaroni noodles and lobster medallions coated with lobster and manchego cheese sauce.

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail & Beef Carpaccio

Atrio Restaurant and Wine Cellar

Location: Brickell +Conrad Miami 

If you're a locavore and you're okay with straying from the beach, Atrio Restaurant and Wine Cellar is the place you want to visit.Two reasons: Executive Chef Virgile Brandel who solely provides locally sourced ingredients in his eclectic cuisine and the view.

Charcuterie Board

The view, the chef ,croquettes, tartar, Oh my!

 Open Faced Pork Cheek Ravioli topped with escargot in a gremolata sauce. The best thing I have EVER had. #Thatserious 

A chef that lets us have BTS shots get an A in my blog

Conclusion: Go to Atrio. You'll definitely fulfill your "culinary fantasies". The view also takes you somewhere outside of Miami. Go outside and enjoy!

Yard House:
Location: Miami Beach

I went to Yard House due to a happy hour +Thrillist Miami had. I wasn't really expecting to eat but so glad I did. Holy Hawaiian Poke! Yard House is full of locals and you will feel like you belong there. DON'T STAND OUT. Just kidding, they're cool with everybody. Nice presentation of food, totally instagramable pictures.

Hawaiian Poke Stack: Marinated raw ahi with crispy wontons, carrots, daikon radish, avocado, wasabi soy sauce
Lettuce Wraps: Stir fried, smoked tofu, pine nuts and green onions with three dipping sauces and choice chicken, tiger shrimp, or shiitake & portabella mushrooms
I didn't eat the pizza, ask these guys

Citrus Crush: Ketel One Citroen vodka, monin mojito, fresh mint leaves // Juniper Fusion: Hendrick's Gin, fresh strawberry & cucumber, orange bitters.

I look forward to keeping you updated with my picks and opinions about restaurants old and new, lord knows there is nothing to eat in Broward. Or is there? Stay tuned and enjoy your summer! Eat! Eff bikini season (if you're that worried, the Citrus Crush, is one of their "skinny" cocktails").

Xoxo, 

Jomary Jimenez

(A much plumper) Social Media Girl