Intercontinental Miami hosts a kickoff event for the 17th Annual Make-A-Wish Ball

Granting the wishes of young children and adolescents is an undeniably rewarding experience. That's why I decided to check out a special kickoff event honoring the upcoming 17th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Southern Florida. Held each year at the downtown landmark and attended by more than 250 of South Florida’s leading philanthropists, this exclusive preview event celebrated the annual Ball, to be held on Saturday, November 5, 2011. I was very excited to hear that the money raised this year is expected to push the organization’s all-time fundraising total in 17 years above $10 million. That is an incredible accomplishment! During the kickoff event, the “Three Amigos”— Norman Wedderburn, President/CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida, Shareef Malnik, Ball Chairman and proprietor of The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar, and Robert Hill, Ball Host and General Manager of Intercontinental Miami [all pictured above]— unveiled key details, such as the theme of this year's gala. I'll give you a hint: black and white (masks are a must)! It was also announced that the Ball’s live auction will be emceed by Burn Notice star Gabrielle Anwar. Did I mention DJ Irie will be spinning his beats? Sounds like a ball to me! Make sure you buy your tickets early and save the date for this celeb studded event!
Above: Beatrice Clancy, Dr. Sanford Ziff [Founder of Sunglass Hut and Philanthropist] and Lady Monica Heflter. Past celebrity guests have included Paula Abdul, Pamela Anderson, Kim Kardashian, Scottie Pippen, Venus and Serena Williams [just to name a few]. To secure your seat for this prominent social event, call 888-773-9474 ext. 318.

Above Left: Miami philanthropists, Diane and Aristotle Ares, who always look fabulous! Above Right: Shareef Malnik, Ball Chairman and proprietor of The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar, along with the beautiful Tara Solomon, Principal of Tara Ink.

Above: Karneval Masque Atelier showed guests their Venetian styled masks for this year's ball. If you purchase one of their customized masks, you'll be happy to know that 20% of the profit from your purchase will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For more information, feel free to email info@karnevalmasque.com.

Interview: Loren Ridinger shares her thoughts on Success, Charities and Miami!

Success can be achieved through hard work and dedication. That is exactly what I learned after hearing Loren Ridinger speak at an event hosted by the University of Miami's Launch Pad on Tuesday, April 4th. After speaking to an auditorium full of future entrepreneurs, Loren's message was loud and clear: "believe in your dreams." Loren Ridinger is the Senior Vice President of the internet giants MarketAmerica.com and SHOP.com. Loren is also the Creator of the award winning cosmetic line Motives® by Loren Ridinger, the luxurious skincare line Cellular Laboratories™, the solution-oriented product line Fixx, and Founder of the exquisite jewelry collection, Loren Jewels®. Talk about a business mogul! During her speech at UM, Loren spoke about the struggles and the successes she has encountered over the years. Although Loren is definitely a strong woman, she did create her success alongside her business partner and husband, JR Ridinger (pictured on the right), President of MarketAmerica.com. If you haven't had the opportunity to meet Loren, then read my interview with the internet icon who has been named one of Vogue’s Top 100 most influential women. Loren is an innovator, a philanthropist and a trendsetter. At the end of the day, Loren's passion is to give back to others. Therefore, Loren is involved with many charitable causes including Rally for Kids with Cancer, which she co-Chairs with Eva Longoria, American Heart Association, from whom she received the 2010 Big Heart Humanitarian award, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, the Jennifer Lopez Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and many others.MBS: Can you share your favorite beauty secret with my readers?
LOREN: I think it’s more of a daily regimen than a beauty secret. I use Matraskin, a liquid serum collagen that has changed my skin completely. Never go to sleep with make-up on and make sure you get an early start on your skin care regimen. Most people start to take care of their skin when they're in their 30’s. It is important for women to begin this regimen early in life [even in your teens].

MBS: How can consumers learn about your various personal brands?
LOREN: Consumer can access my brands through MarketAmerica.com and individual websites like MotivesCosmetics.com & LorenJewels.com. I’m a social media addict so I’m constantly promoting my products through the social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and my own personal blogs like MyFashionCents.com and LorensWorld.com. But, most important than all mentioned is through people power, Market America has 180,000 distributors that are knowledgeable of the product and are constantly promoting and educating others on my brands and with this you can’t compete in the stores.
MBS: What is the best advice you constantly give your celebrity friends? (Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Eva Longoria, etc.)
LOREN: It’s not so much about the advice for us. Instead, it’s about reminding each to take time for ourselves. We all have similar personalities and we are workaholics so it’s important to communicate with one another and be supportive.

MBS: What is the most recent product you have launched?
LOREN: Fixx solution oriented products, they are products that actually “fix” stuff. We have Fixx Argan Oil Shampoo which contains Moroccan argan oil [one of the rarest and most sought-after ingredients in the personal care industry]. Fixx Thick Hair Shampoo & Conditioner with stinging nettle extract that cleans and stimulates the scalp hair to make it look thicker and fuller. Fixx Lash Extend which provides you with thicker, longer looking lashes and brows in just two weeks.
MBS: Why did you become involved with the American Heart Association and why is it an important cause?
LOREN: Because my mother passed away at the young age of 42 so I feel it's important for everyone to know how heart disease can change your life. It's important for women to identify the risk associated and it’s proven that women are more at risk with heart failure than men.

MBS: Since this year's Rally for Kids event is quickly approaching (April 29 & 30), is there anything in particular that you're looking forward to?
LOREN: Yes! There is nothing more rewarding than putting a smile on a kids face. This charity is fun, and fulfilling and you get to have a great time. I can’t wait to watch my husband JR and Eva win lol… This charity is all about competing, having fun all while benefiting the children.
MBS: After living in Miami, what are your top 5 hot spots?
LOREN: Casa Tua we get to eat and dance at the same place with amazing food and an amazing host like Mickey; The Forge it’s a Miami institution and Shareef Malnik is the ultimate host and friend; W Hotel because I think it’s so beautiful with a chic and hot bar; Soho House without a question is the place to be seen but not everyone can get in; Sugarcane in the Design District is great for a casual dinner; and Mandarin Oriental for its spa.

I hope my interview has inspired you to dream BIG like Loren! Make sure to follow Loren Ridinger on Twitter and check out the video from her presentation at the University of Miami.

InterContinental Miami hosts an exclusive kick-off event for the Make-A-Wish Foundation

On Thursday, May 27th, Miami's philanthropists and celebrities were invited to a private cocktail reception at the InterContinental Hotel in Miami. The event: a kick-off celebration for this year's 16th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball. During the evening, more than 200 guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while watching a slideshow from last year’s ball, which raised more than $1 million for the nonprofit’s children in need. The list of prominent guests who were in attendance included Evelyn Lozada (star of VH1's Basketball Wives; pictured above- photo by Johnny Louis), Courland Lantiff (Ocean Drive Magazine's Publisher), Kamal Hochtdani (CEO of Haute Living Magazine), Michael Capponi and Celeb Attorney Bradford Cohen. Finally, you cannot have a celebration without Miami's own DJ Irie! The Make-a-Wish Foundation has one mission with every wish: to exceed a child’s expectations, transporting them from a world of doctors and hospitals to a world where anything is possible. A true gift for any child...

Aleksandra Eriksson, Edward Freedman, EJ Bowmen and Shareef Malnik attended the cocktail reception last week (photo from NBC6 Miami). Mr. Malnik serves as the Chairman of the Make-a-Wish Ball and is also the Proprietor of The Forge Restaurant Wine Bar (432 41st Street, Miami Beach).

VH1's "Basketball Wives" stars Suzie Ketcham and Evelyn Lozada strike a pose with Star Jones' ex-husband, Al Reynolds (photo by Andre Pinsun, Sofi Mag). Evelyn, Miami's hippest Shoenista and owner of high end shoe boutique Dulce, was wearing a lovely pair of Christian Louboutin stilettos along with a DVF dress and Jimmy Choo handbag. HOT HOT HOT!

Evelyn Lozada along with famed designer Pepe Calderin and his movie star wife, Carolina Lizarazo (photo by Andre Pinsun, Sofi Mag). Since 1983, the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Southern Florida has given hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Today, the organization grants a local child’s wish every 16 hours. Truly amazing! To learn more about the Make-a-Wish Foundation or to get involved with their initiatives, visit http://sfla.wish.org/.