Starburst Infused Vodka!

Kick Off Your Weekend

Party Plans With 

Starburst Infused Vodka! 

How to make Starburst Infused Vodka? 

First, separate the Starburst for the different infusions. Color by color or if your feeling a little wild, mix up the flavors. 

Remove the wrappers and put into mason jars or empty water bottles (basically anything that has a lid, fits in the fridge, and is shakeable). 12-14 starburst per jar. 

Fill containers with vodka. As much as you can handle! 

Cover with lid and put in fridge until Starburst are fully dissolved (takes about 48 hours). Shake as often as possible.

Once the candy is dissolved, strain the vodka through cheesecloth to remove the foam and any little candy particles still there. You might have to strain a few times. You can also have fun eating the starburst particles, if your living life on the edge! 

Finally, pour into the glass of your choice! 

Enjoy! 

You can use the infused vodka in many different cocktail creations, Stay tunned for the recipes! 

Replace the vodka in a Lemon Drop Martini  with Lemon Starburst Vodka.

Use Cherry Starburst Vodka in the Cherry Bomb Cocktail.

Orange Starburst Vodka would work in the Orange Creamsicle Martini.

Keep it classy and mix the vodka with soda water, drink straight over ice, or as a shot.

Let your imagination go wild with the possibilities.

Emmys 2014 Winners

Last night the 66th Annual Emmy's aired with the handsome and hilarious host Seth Meyers. In case you missed any of the winners or weren't able to stay awake for the entire show, we've composed the listings of the winners.

Jim Parsons (Big Bang Theory): Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep): Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad): Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife): Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Ty Burrell (Modern Family): Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Allison Janney (Mom): Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad): Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad): Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock): Outstanding Lead Actor in Miniseries or Movie

Jessica Lange (American Horror Story): Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie

Kathy Bates (American Horror Story): Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movies

Jimmy Fallon (SNL): Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Uzo Aduba (OITNB): Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

Fargo: Outstanding Miniseries

The Normal Heart: Outstanding Television Movie

Modern Family: Outstanding Comedy Series

Breaking Bad: Outstanding Drama Series

Photo Credits to:

Hollywood reporter, The Guardian, Elle.com, Refinery29, CBSnews.com, More Magazine

#SVEDKAShakedown

SoHo Beach House- Any night is a good night while spent at the SoHo Beach House, but this Monday night was a especially festive. In House Ideas hosted the SVEDKA Shake Down event. The event consisted of a tournament between five of the best bartenders in the nation. A few of the finalist were Trevor Alberts (IG: trevortiki), Oxana Parfenova (IG: oxanav87) and Randal Perez (IG: randy1221). 

While the challengers were hard at work crafting innovative cocktails using an array of SVEDKA flavors, guests were offered a choice of five cocktails to order. These cocktails were handcrafted by each one of the contestants, and the favorite of the night was the rosemary lullaby.

Although all of the cocktails satisfied any taste bud there could only be one winner of the mixology challenges, the dashingly handsome Randal Perez. You can find him mixing up some of Miami's best cocktails at the Broken Shaker Lounge located inside of the hipster hostel Freehand Miami (2727 Indian Creek Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33140). 

If you want to try out some of the cocktails served please see below a snapshot of all of the options. 

The Faces of the Permanent Collection-Art

“25 Sq. Inches: The Faces of the Permanent Collection”

Every Tue., Wed., Thu., Fri., Sat., Sun. until August 24

The way we look has always captivated creative types, launching some of the best-known artworks in history. It’s a notion not lost on Klaudio Rodríguez, a curator at the Frost Art Museum in Miami,  who has organized “25 Sq. Inches: The Faces of the Permanent Collection” to celebrate the enduring appeal of the human features  in a wide gamut of expressions. “As one of the most scrutinized and depicted subjects, the human face - the most prominent features of which typically are situated within a space of approximately 25 square inches - has perpetually captivated and inspired artists and artisans,” Rodríguez says. “From ancient Egypt to the Renaissance, from photography to pop art, man’s fascination with the face is eternal.” 

The free and open to the public exhibit compiles 53 works that span the globe and centuries, featuring everything from paintings to prints, photographs, and sculpture, capturing the artists’ wide-ranging approach to the subject. “Considered collectively and presented in a variety of narrative contexts, juxtapositions, and associations,” Rodríguez notes, “certain thematic threads emerge with the intent of providing a provocative and engaging forum for the viewer to reconsider the role of the face not only in the art historical narrative, but also in a contemporary one.”

We’ll be going to exhibit, will you?

Location

Frost Art Museum

10975 SW 17th St. Miami, FL Miami, FL

Free Admission 

Mercedes-Benz Swim Week Comes to Miami

Mercedes-Benz Swim Week Comes to Miami, Daily until July 21!

In Miami, clothing is optional, but swimsuits are a must. And unlike people in the rest of the country, Miamians live in an eternal staycation of transparent, warm waters and sauna-like temperatures — so walking around half-naked seems like the only logical thing to do. No wonder the folks at Mercedes-Benz and ING chose our bikini-laden mecca to host Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim for the past ten years. To cater to our city’s splish-splash aficionados, 30 leading swimwear brands and designers will jet in from around the world to take to the many runways anchored at the Raleigh (1775 Collins Ave., Miami Beach) and other South Beach hot spots this Thursday through Monday. Brands such as Poko Pano, Beach Bunny, and L*Space will return to the catwalks, while newcomers like Clover Canyon, Frankie’s Bikinis, and We Are Handsome will fight for the spotlight of crowd favorite. Many more will be joining. But it’s not just about sculpted, bronzed honeys wearing trendy nylon and spandex nothings down the white planks of the Cabana Grande and the Oasis tents. Sometimes the parties alone are reason to summon a stampede of the industry’s international elite. 

Location

Raleigh Hotel

1775 Collins Ave. Miami Beach, FL

305-534-6300

It’s Thirsty Thursday! You bring the Candy!

 

That means invite some friends over and have some fun while mixing up unique drinks from the comfort of your own home! With this easy step by step recipe, we will teach you how to make a candy inspired drink using candies that you know and love! 

Summer isn’t over yet! So, let’s start with the Beach Bourbon Slush!

*Serves 6 to 8 people, depending on who is drinking ( you know who you are)*

Time: Less than an hour

Ingredients

2 cups of unsweetened brewed black tea

5 cups of water 

2 cups (or more, if your feeling up for it) of Jack Daniel’s Black Label 

¼ Cup of Sugar 

One 12 ounce can frozen lemonade. Please make sure it is concentrates or thawed. 

One 6 ounce can frozen strawberry juice concentrate, we recommend using Welch’s Frozen: Strawberry Breeze Juice 

One 8 oz can of chilled ginger ale 

Liquor is optional, but recommended.  

Preparation 

1. Combine the tea, water, Jack Daniel’s, sugar, and the two juice concentrates in a 9x13-inch metal baking pan. Place in the freezer. About every 45 minutes, stir the blend with a fork. Continue this for a couple of hours, until the mixture has the consistency of a granita: icy, slushy, and granular.

2. To serve, use an ice-cream scoop or large heavy spoon and fill a glass two-thirds full with the frozen tea. Top with a bit of ginger ale, but don’t stir. Let the ginger ale coagulate with the frozen tea.

 3. Enjoy.

If you have a sweet tooth, feel free to add Gummie Worms and/or AirHeads. In the photo shown below, we used sour Gummie Worms and  AirHeads Xtremes Sour. You may also add an additional travel size bottle of Jack Daniels for “presentational” purposes. 

New fun nostalgic recipes every week! Stay connected! 

Follow us on IG and Twitter!

@eastcoastrise                      #EastCoastRise 

Keep your head! Please, drink responsibly! 

Hidden gem of a town, Ybor City!

Old-world charm with a fresh feel - Ybor City in Tampa is suited for any taste. Enjoy Historic Ybor City's exotic blend of sights and sounds, with a rich history to explore during the day and a sizzling nightlife to experience after sundown. The district's vibrant community embraces its past to create a culture that is uniquely Ybor City.Discover independent Ybor City restaurants on every street, set in eclectic architecture and style. Take a trolly across the historic and arts district to learn about Tampa's History. urn your visit into a vacation by staying in one of the inns and hotels in Ybor City, the National Historic Landmark District. From dining and dancing, to concerts and culture, there's always something new to see or do in Ybor City. Take a afternoon stroll throw the East 7th Street between North 22nd Street and Nuccico Parkway. Enjoy the New Orleans vibe and buildings, take a picture of the vibrant graffiti wall from near a variety of tattoo shops. The Ybor strip is known for its young london punk rock culture, The Ybor City Tattoo Company is worth a glance. If you feeling a bit impulsive or have been wanting to ink your skin for a while. Inside you’ll find a open and welcoming environment fueled with art lovers and tattoo enthusiast. Ed Powell and Curtis, Tattoo Artists at Ybor City Tattoo Company, are creative and inspiring artist who can take your tattoo idea to the next level. After gabbing a quick bite at one of the many local american urban inspired eateries, The Ybor City Jazz House is a can’t miss. This laid-back authentic music bar is filled with local impressive musicians, open-minded ambiance and some of the best inexpensive drinks-only menu in town. The Ritz Ybor is restored theater that present bands and artist, selling out tickets to varies bands including the electric rock duo from Greenwich, New York, PHANTOGRAM (We love this duo). Congrats to Phantogram for a full house on last Sunday, May 29th.  Ybor City has a great comedy scene, Tampa Improv Comedy Club host some of the best underground comedians around, open mic comedy nights, and home of Cigar City Comedy; an assortment of stand-up comedians, sketch writers, Improv performers and esoteric oddballs who have banded together to organize and improve the creative and comedy scene in Tampa Bay.  Ybor City is a low-key vintage town with youthful, airy, historic, and nonjudgemental vibe, where cigarets are common and you can find a $3 beer at any time. Pack your bags and take a road trip, that will be unforgettable.  

Killing 2 Birds With 1 Stone

Today I was in a major bind, and it's only Monday. I had an hour lunch break and I needed to get my car washed before my relatives came into town and eat. I Googled places to get a car wash and I tried finding neighboring restaurants. I stumbled upon a car wash located on Biscayne Blvd. and 151 St. (across from the FIU North campus) called Master Car Wash. 

Located convinietly to the car wash is a restaurant called Bertoni. From the name one can safely assume it's Italian and the seating area outside is cute too, but it's the middle of July in Miami so the only option is to sit inside. I was skeptical at first, but when I walked in I was pleasantly surprised. There is decent amount of seating with a mixture of high top tables and seating near the glass doors to see when your car is finished. 

They serve gelato, wine, beer and brick oven pizza, pasta and a number of other dishes The chocolate Swiss gelato was delicious and the margarita pizza was great too! If your in the area and tight on time, check it out! 

Kush - Wynwood

Thank God it's Friday and we're ready to get our weekend started, so we've decided to hit up Kush Wynwoood. Kush is a relatively new restaurant located on the corner of Miami Ave. and 20 St. This hipster spot is perfect place to chill and unwind after a log and hectic week or if you're a craft beer connoisseur. Kush is not the most spacious of restaurants, but it has a laid back and intimate feeling to it. 

There menu is short, but packed with entrees that will satisfy any palette. If you're in the mood for a salad or a burger and fries there's an option for you. Some choices we highly recommend is there chicken and waffles, Frita burger (they I've you the option to get regular fires, sweet potatoe fries or both at no additional charge!) or the grilled cheese. 

Check it out for lunch or this weekend (perfect Sunday Funday spot). 

In need of some R&R? Try a Miami Spa month deal!

               July 1st- Aug 31,2014

Looking for a relaxing weekend or spa day? Greater Miami and the Beaches is renowned for luxury spas that rank among the “Best Spas in America,” and are beloved by spa connoisseurs around the world. Indulge in the highest standards of pampering and relaxation during the seventh annual Miami Spa Month throughout July and August 2014. Enjoy rejuvenating special treatments for as low as $99 at Miami’s premier spas. Take a glance at Miami’s hottest leading spas and what specials they are offering during this month. Breath. 

Bliss Spa- Art Deco District

This spa combines a clever menu of super-effective spa services with a fun, “no-attitude” atmosphere. Guests can expect 7,300 square feet of tension-fighting facilities, a retail beauty boutique featuring the best in beauty, a nail lounge with two manicure and two pedicure stations, and luxe men’s and women’s lounges. Trademark Bliss touches — like rhythm and blues tunes and the legendary brownie buffet — set a fun, upbeat tone to top off the space.

 http://www.blissworld.com/

The Betsy Wellness Garden and Spa- Art Deco District/ South Beach 

Perched atop The Betsy - South Beach, this spot offers a full range of spa treatments, therapies and yoga. With sweeping, unobstructed views of the ocean peeking just above the palm trees, this Zen-inspired sanctuary was designed to soothe the senses. The space incorporates wood, stone, bamboo and natural fibers, all shielded by retractable sails. Individual cabanas capture light ocean breezes and offer a welcome respite from the buzz of South Beach. Surrounded by lush palms and bamboo, enjoy a few moments for contemplation while drinking a restorative tea or refreshing organic beverage as part of the wellness ritual.

http://www.thebetsyhotel.com/accommodations/amenities-services-en.html

Jurlique Spa at the Mayfair Hotel & Spa- Coconut Creek, FL 

This spa’s philosophy focuses on restoring energy and healing from within. Their range of signature treatments tap into Eastern and Western philosophies and use organically grown plant-based products from Australia.

http://www.mayfairhotelandspa.com/

Ritz-Carlton Spa, Key Biscayne 

An oasis of tropical splendor, this award-winning 20,000-square-foot retreat features a menu with ocean-inspired natural therapies, an exclusive Prada beauty line, a dedicated menu of services for gentlemen, 21 treatment rooms, a Wellness and Fitness center, relaxation lounges, a private pedicure suite, a Pilates studio and attentive staff to complete the spa experience.

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/KeyBiscayne/Spa/Default.htm

How was your Fourth of July?

Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, create a life that you don't have to escape from.  

That is exactly what we intend on doing. Thursday night was unreal. Afrojack preformed a variety of old and a few new songs towards the end of his set. The crowd at Mansion nightclub in Miami was going crazy! Bottles were being popped, dancers were hanging from the ceiling, fire breathers were at every corner and the crowd was simply uncontrollable.  People from all over the nation gathered to watch afrojack. We had the pleasure of meeting many people from all over including Dubia! After shutting down Mansion, we took a quick cat/power nap and was out the door by 1 pm. The Fourth of July pool party the Reliegh Hotel on SoBe was prefect on a hot day. The people were friendly and half naked, the drinks were cold and thanks to the hot bartender endless. We enjoyed the Columbia vs Brazil FIFA2014 game in front to decent tv screen where all soccer fans gathered to see Brazil kick ass. There was some get dj's at this pool party including Michael Woods, Cedric, and Dvbbs. All of which, preformed while everyone was going crazy on the anything goes dance floor. The last two days have been amazing, a true stay-cation. The weekend doesn't end yet, we can't wait to see what is in store for us today and tomorrow. 

The Weekend Starts Now

   Our boo for the day is 6 foot 9, a native of Holland and he’s one of the highest-earning DJs as reported by Forbes. The man we’re describing is the handsome Nick van de Wall, but he’s best known as AfroJack. The 26-year old will be gracing Mansions Nightclub in Miami, and the party is set to start at 11pm and last until 5am. 

AfroJack’s most recent album “Forget the World,” which was released on May 19 is already at #17 on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums and continues to rise. Afrojack will be joined by Bobby Burns also a native of Holland and an up and coming DJ. Tickets and tables are still on sale, follow this link to make your purchase(http://4thofjuly.wantickets.com/Events/157361/Afrojack-with-Special-Guest-Bobby-Burns-at-Mansion/?trackingcode=4thguideg&affcode=rekAEw&gclid=CjkKEQjw_tOdBRDv9tuvl7eAtNEBEiQA9Qm5Ihu6UEy7b8BU9lDZ1lEzuiRfWFvwutdjotq-Rr9DicDw_wcB).

We hope to see you all out there! 

The LAB, an underground playground for creative entrepreneurs.

Most people don’t think of Miami when they picture clusters of web developers huddling around a computer screen while building the next great social network or internet startup. Places like Palo Alto or Silicon Valley are more likely to come to mind than Miami — but the folks at LAB Miami (400 NW 26th St., Miami) want to change that perception. For the past nine weeks, a group of novice web coders has undergone a grueling transformation into experts of software like HTML, CSS, Ruby On Rails, and JavaScript, all as part of LAB’s WynCode program. The students have also been working on individual projects that are ready to be presented to the public. They will do so at an event this Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. that is free and open to anyone interested in web development or making potential business connections. A panel of judges made up of local tech leaders will choose the best apps created from the coders, while you get to mix and mingle with some of the brightest minds in the area.

Check out their website for other events and activites- www.thelabmiami.com

Independence Day Weekend

    The weekend is approaching, and that means it’s time to party. However, being a holiday weekend Miamian’s will party harder than usual. This year will be wilder than normal with America’s birthday landing on a Friday, which means the parties are starting early. Since we’re fortunate enough to be off on Friday, our Independence Day weekend starts this Thursday night at Mansion nightclub with one of our favorite DJ’s, Afrojack, where he will be taking Miami’s club scene to the next level. 

 

     After resting our eyes for a few hours we’ll throw on our bathing suite pack our beach bags with the essentials (sunscreen, phone, cash, towel, big floppy hat, sandals and sunglasses) and head to Nikki Beach for their 10th annual IndepenDANCE Beach Party. The entertainment at this event will be DJ’s Steve Lawler, Bori and Oscar G, to name a few. Although this is an all day event (11am to 11pm) we’ll be splitting our time between there and The Raleigh Hotel. The Raleigh will be featuring some of today’s top headliners Cedric Gervais, DVBBS, Michael Woods and Digital Lab. After watching the fireworks, refueling (eating), and changing our wardrobe we’ll keep the celebration going to LIV nightclub where DJ Vice will mixing until 5am. Our celebration may end Saturday morning, but there are festivities all weekend long. 

Check out the links for more information on all the parties we’re attending and other weekend events happening.

Mansions Nightclub: http://opium.wantickets.com/Events/157361/Afrojack-with-Special-Guest-Bobby-Burns-at-Mansion/ 

Nikki Beach: http://www.wantickets.com/Events/157489/10th-Annual-IndepenDANCE-Beach-Parties-Steve-Lawler-Boris-Oscar-G/?trackingcode=nlmia 

The Raleigh Hotel: http://www.wantickets.com/Events/157554/10th-Annual-IndepenDANCE-Pool-Parties-Cedric-Gervais-DVBBS-More/?trackingcode=nlmia 

BB&T 4th of July: http://www.thebbtcenter.com/events/detail/4th-of-july-celebration-2014

LIV Nightclub: http://www.wantickets.com/Events/160622/Vice-LIV/?trackingcode=nlmia

Beach or House?

It is Saturday and you're not sure what to do tonight, here's what we are debating over:

• Make it a date night! Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday Nikki Beach hosts a fabulous dinner outside on their sandy white beach. There's romantic lighting and live music and you're just steps away from the ocean. They accept reservations or walk-in's. The dress attire is beach elegance and you must be 21 & over to dine. If you would like more information here's a link with more details: http://www.nikkibeachmiami.com/reservations/

• House - another great option (and one of our favorites). This new and vibrant club is a perfect spot to dance, mingle and get a little crazy. This is the club that you must go into with an open mind. Unlike most Miami clubs this is not one for the conservatives. There is plenty of naked people, babies, grandmas and booze too. Oh and don't forget your house key! f you would like more information here's a link with more details: http://housenightclub.com/site/

Weekend Forecast from the Sunshine State

June is Miami Film Month!

According to the forecast, there is a high chance of rain this weekend. Looking for a “indoor” back up plan? As the final weekend of Miami’s Film Month, there is tons to do. With the film industry continuing to grow and position itself as one of the destination’s strongest brand pillars,Greater Miami has become synonymous with spectacular art cinemas and unique film festivals. This is your last chance to enjoy $8 films at participating art cinemas! Enjoy the best indie film scene, Miami has to offer.

ART HOUSE CINEMA

Six local art houses are offering movie tickets for just $8 from June 1-30. Print a coupon for each movie ticket at www.miamifilmmonth.com.

UM’S BILL COSFORD CINEMA

5030 Brunson Dr., Coral Gables

Tel. 305-284-4861

www.cosfordcinema.com

CORAL GABLES CINEMA

260 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables

Tel. 786-385-9689

www.gablescinema.com

MIAMI BEACH CINEMATHEQUE

1130 Washington Ave., Miami Beach

Tel. 305-673-4567

www.mbcinema.com

MDC’S TOWER THEATER

1508 SW Eighth St., Miami

Tel. 305-643-8706

www.towertheatermiami.com

O CINEMA- MIAMI SHORES

9806 NE Second Ave., Miami Shores

786-565-3456

www.o-cinema.org

O CINEMA-WYNWOOD

90 NW 29th St., Miami

Tel. 305-571-9970

www.o-cinema.org

RIDING THE MOVIES

New this year, Miami Film Month is hosting bus tours that offer a behind-the-scenes look at locations where famous movies were filmed. The tours are paired with special screenings of feature films somehow linked to Miami. For a chance to win tickets for the bus tour/screenings, enter the contest at www.facebook/visitmiami.

SUNDAY, JUNE 29

11 a.m. – Film tour featuring Jaie Laplante, executive director of the Miami International Film Festival and Jessica Huppert Berman, Two Much post-production coordinator

1 p.m. – Screening of Two Much with Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith and Daryl Hannah at Bill Cosford Cinema (free, no ticket required).

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/06/23/4196275/free-or-8-movies-are-part-of-miami.html#storylink=cpy

The Actor’s Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables will play Something’s Gotta Give, featuring Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson, as part of its film series. Showtimes are 8:30 p.m. June 28, and 5 p.m. June 29. Free tickets available at www.actorsplayhouse.org.

Kids can enjoy free movies at the Paragon Theater in Coconut Grove at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday through Aug. 14. Seats are limited. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis. Films include Epic June 24-26. For more information, visit www.paragontheaters.com.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/06/23/4196275/free-or-8-movies-are-part-of-miami.html#storylink=cpy

On The Run