GTG's Guide of Festivals

One of my most favorite things to do when I visit New York in the spring time is to attend all the wonderful festivals they have on any given day. I love the food found at festivals because some of it is from out of town vendors, and the food is just simply yummy.

I wasn't even sure Miami had great festivals of its own, until I got back from one of my NY visits and noticed the number of festivals throughout the year. Now I'm always on the look out for festivals.

Below is a list of some of the best festivals I have attended, so you know they are GTG-approved.

Guide of Festivals:

• The Food Network Sobe Wine & Food Festival- Thursday, February 24-Sunday, February 27 all over South Beach.

This is probably one of the best events that only happens in Miami. I've had a chance to check out the festivals in two years and I'm never disappointed. Last year, I was on assignment at the Burger Bash (which is an awesome event to attend, sadly it's one of the first to sell out) and I was able to meet and interview chefs Bobby Flay and Morimoto. The events do sell out super fast and are pricey, but I think the money is  well-spent and I promise you that you will not leave hungry. If you can only check it out once, do it because it is a neat experience. Want to know a little secret? Although the TV chefs steal the spotlight, this event is completely orchestrated by FIU's School of Hospitality and Tourism. A lot of events have already sold out, but there are still tickets available to some, so hurry and check out http://2011.sobefest.com/

• Miami International Film Festival - March 4-13, 2011 throughout various locations all over Miami.

MIFF is a film festival produced and presented by Miami Dade College. The festival continues to be successful because it showcases Miami as a hot destination for film making. It supports local film directors and it also brings forth a lot of international films to our city. I highly suggest you visit the website:  MIFF in order to see what movies are playing this year and where you can see them.

After the screenings of  films, some of the directors and/or stars are on site for a Q&A session after the movie is over and this is such a great chance to get to ask them questions about the film or tips on how to make movies. Tickets are very affordable and if you're a student with a valid ID, you're eligible for a discount.

*Sidenote: My boyfriend just purchased tickets to the screening of Things Fall Apart starring 50 Cent  and I cannot wait to go see it because I'm a huge fan of director Peebles. Fiddy is definitely the star of this movie, for which he lost 50 lbs. to play a cancer-stricken football player in thisemotionally intense flick about having everything in one moment and losing it all in the next moment.

Both will be in attendance--so this is a huge event for MIFF this year.

• Ultra Music Festival- March 25-27th in Downtown Miami

Ultra is the world's largest electronic music festival and in its 13th year and still 30 days away, all tickets have sold out. So whether you're a "pookie head" or just a fan of this genre of music--this is a must-see event. People from all over the world come to Miami to be part of this festival and it seems like every year Ultra gets bigger and better!  Check out this year's lineup for UMF.

*Sidenote: This year Ultra will not coincide with the Winter Music Conference, which be held form March 8th-12th, so expect a lot of great performances by renowned DJs throughout the month of March.

• Comedy Central's South Beach Comedy Festival March 3-6 in various venues.

The South Beach Comedy Festival returns to the beach on March 3rd for 3 days of  big laughs featuring Comedy Central's most recognized comedians. This year look out for heavyweights like Gabriel Iglesias, Adam Corolla and Kevin Hart. Tickets prices vary by location and artist. Get the full scope on http://southbeachcomedyfestival.com/.

• Coral Gables Wine and Food Festival- March 26th in the streets of Miracle Mile, Coral Gables

If you missed out on the SoBe Wine and Food Festival-- fear not because the Gables is hosting its own festival filled with you guessed it-- wine and food. General admission tickets are $65.00 and the VIP Reception tickets are $150. Be prepared to taste apps from more than 30 local restaurants that are paired with international wines. Want more information-- visit Coral Gables Wine and Food.

There are so many other upcoming festivals, but these are my favorites that I can guarantee you will enjoy the most. Miami is filled with so many neighborhoods and all of them have their own festivals, so keep your eyes open for them and don't forget to enjoy the food, the drinks but most importantly enjoy the overall atmosphere that only a festival can produce.

"The seasons are what a symphony ought to be:  four perfect movements in harmony with each other." -Arthur Rubenstein

Recession Romeos by Michelle Madison

Hi there lovers! Happy Valentine's Day! Or Happy Single Awareness Days! Regardless of the category you fall under, today is a day about celebrating love.

A lot of people argue that Valentine's Day is a commercial holiday, which it is, but we observe it for a reason, much like we celebrate Thanksgiving Day. I mean shouldn't we be thankful all year round? The point is that there is absolutely nothing wrong with taking one day out of the year to be a little more attentive and loving than usual.

So taking a cue from myself, I'm adding an extra Valentine's Day post that was written by the one of my dear friends and romance expert, Michelle Madison. Michelle has written about a few Valentine's Day budget-friendly ideas.

Boys--take notes!

Enjoy the post and enjoy your day my sweethearts!

The mistletoes have withered and your credit card balance from the holidays is finally on the decline but the gift-giving season hasn’t totally passed. With Valentine’s Day just days away, the real countdown begins. But none to fear for you recession Romeos stressing how to keep her happy without repeating the Great Depression in your wallet.


The first step to a happy Valentine is assessing how genuine your feelings are. Once this is established, it’s cliché but true that, everything else will fall into place. Next up is creativity, your new bff. If executed well, this single factor demonstrates to her that you’re genuine and thoughtful. For some girls, this day of extolment is merely an extension of Christmas or her birthday, so you may hear hints of Gucci’s Spring purse arrival, but for those true to St. Valentine’s purpose, it’s romance she craves. This doesn’t mean not to get her what she wants if you can. Just think, it’s not about the destination but the journey you take her on before presenting the gift. (I’m not standing in the way of a girl and her Gucci!)


Now for the magic! Here are just a few ideas to keep cupid’s arrow pointed your way and the creditors at bay…


1.) Picnic anyone?

Why reinvent the wheel when it has a basket of goodies. Ditch the Yogi Bear and Bobo duo images because the only pairing will be you….Whether its at the park or beach, its about creating intimacy with a view. You can find an economical picnic basket already included with plates and utensils but you may have to pack your own wine glasses. Not Emeril in the kitchen? Opt to for take-out from your favorite restaurant. If your budget is really tight, the produce section of your local grocer is a nice alternative. Remember to check your local weather forecast. If storms are in the forecast, indoors is still a good option and there’s no need to worry about an audience. Make a CD of your favorite slow jams and add dancing to the menu. It’s an intimate and subtle act that’s often an over looked form of foreplay…wink, wink!

2.) A Foreign Feature

Use your flat screen for something besides ESPN. A favorite foreign film among many is “Como Agua Para Chocolate” translation…like water for chocolate. Going off the old adage “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”, this flick is a story of two torn lovers who use food to indulge in their forbidden passion for each other. Luckily, it has just enough adult content to keep a guy interested! Roses and chocolate are a major theme through-out the movie so why not present your starlet with rose petals scattered on a tray of chocolate treats surrounding her gift (if it’s small enough to fit) . A nice tray is inexpensive, but exceptional chocolate is better if its fresh and or from a chocolatier. Godiva is perhaps the most recognized brand but Google for others in your area. Variety is key when choosing and you can never go wrong with strawberries, truffles, and brownies… oh my!


3.) Chocolate:101

Take your love to a lesson in the art of the sweetest confection…chocolate. Check your local chocolateir or culinary school for any dessert making workshops they may offer to the public for a nominal cost. There’s no guarantee how long the relationship will last, but she’ll definitely think of you every time she indulges in the decadent cocoa!

-xO's,

MM and Your GTG!

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Valentine's Day is a day filled with love and romance. Roses and chocolates. Sex and passion.

Yeah it is, but it's even more so about the little gifts we give to our loved ones. And not just any gift will do for this occasion, it has to be the perfect gift that will create the perfect moment that he or she will be talking about for years to come!

I believe all Valentine's Day gifts must possess a very important factor:

♥ It must come from the heart.

Unfortunately the mall is not always the perfect place to attain these gifts that are filled with love and when you wrap them up, they whisper, "I love you more than anything in this world."

Fortunately for you, I am here to come to your rescue with these few gift ideas that work for both men and women and have "I love you," written all over them.

Gift Idea # 1: Commemorate your special date.

Every couple, old or new has their own special little moments like their first kiss, their first date, their proposal or their wedding day, and if you can recall the exact dates these things happened on, you can visit this unique little website called My Day Registry, in which you can buy a day at the county, state or national  levels and make it your own little holiday.

How sweet is that? It's uber sweet actually, the best part of this gift is that you will be the only person with that registered day--so it really is your day and no one else's! You can expect to receive a framed certificate as proof of ownership and an online profile that you can customize to your liking to let everyone in the world know why this is your day.

I think people who own a star are ridiculous, but this is as romantic as you can get because it really shows that you still remember those special moments!

Gift Idea # 2: Start from Scratch Date.

Think romance is dead? Well you can resurrect it for this one day if you go with this idea. Leave your sweetheart a note asking them to take the day off from work (you should also take off the day.) Let him/her relax as you set up for your perfect day together.

Let's take it back to the days when you had no money and the only thing you did have was an imagination.

Start by making your own Valentine's Day card. Use old pictures of the two of you to decorate the inside and outside of the card (if you're not very artsy or crafty ask a talented friend to help you.) Visit Michael's for all of your material  needs:

♥ Construction paper or poster boards
♥ Markers, pens and any other writing instruments
♥ Glitter
♥ Heart-shaped stencils

Write him/her a heartfelt message in your own words, and add a touch of your personality to the entire card.
***Trust me that making your own card is more meaningful than any store bought card because you made it with love.

An example of the finished product!

Chocolates on Valentine's Day are a perfect pairing just like you and your sweetheart. Instead of spending money on cheap chocolates or on one of those atrocious assortment of chocolates, use your imagination and bake your own goodies. You can use that same money to buy the ingredients from places like Party City or your local grocery store.

Here's a list of what you'll need:

♥ High-quality chocolate

♥ Double boiler or microwave

♥ Heart-shaped lollipop molds

♥ Lollipop sticks

♥ Small cellophane candy bags

♥ Ribbon

The instructions on baking/microwaving can usually be found on the bags of the chocolates you're using, but you can always check online for an easy recipe.

An Example of finished product

**These super cute lollipops were made by: Leasy's Litto Bakeshop.

Feel like making your own chocolate lollipops is too much? You can also try making your very own chocolate covered strawberries.

Once you have your homemadeValentine's Day card and chocolates ready, you can move on to the third phase of you're Start From Scratch Date: dinner!

You can make your honey dinner, or you can make dinner together, either way you are guaranteed major points for the romantic gesture. Plan your dinner and make sure you have everything you need. If you're clueless as what to make--simply type a search for "romantic dinner ideas," and choose one from the many that are out there.

Not in the mood for dinner? No problem.

Another great idea is calling up your local winery and asking if you can make your own wine for the day. If it's booked or they don't offer that you can also take some picnic foods and have your very own romantic picnic at the winery.

Finish your perfect night by lighting candles all over the bedroom, maybe add some rose petals to the bed and offer your loved one a nice back rub massage.

**Very important: Enjoy this date. i know it's a big task, but none of it will be worth it, unless you can show him/her that you have enjoyed doing this for them.

Gift Idea # 3: Give the Gift of Experience.

There are so many wonderful things to do in the cities that we live in that we're simply unaware of. This next gift idea is great for those of us who are dating dare devils or just adventure seekers. If your honey has ever talked about wanting to learn how to surf, or go on a helicopter ride, Gifts.com has an incredible array of experiences to choose from that make a great gift.





Gift Idea # 4: Recreate your first date.

If you're half of a couple who have been dating for a few years then this gift idea is right up your alley!

All you have to do is recall the first date you went on with your honey and recreate it. I think this is one of the sweetest gestures anyone can do for their loved one. It's sweet, it's thoughtful and it's unique because a first date is like no other date.

In case, your first date took place somewhere that no longer exists you can always try to recreate the experience in your home.

Thanks to one of my best friends, Prissy for this idea.



As always, I hope that you guys find these gift ideas helpful in planning your very own special Valentine's Day.

Happy Valentine's from Your Go-to-Gal.

"Love - a wildly misunderstood although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise, and the lips to pucker." -Unknown