We believe that visuals can say more than words, but they become powerful accompanied with real life stories. Our editorials of 2014 made our readers daydream about Miami’s most fascinating people.

The hypnotizing images, the striking personalities, and the unique stories have made these editorials our top 5 favorites. Check it out:

5- Trends 2014: ‘GP Natural Cosmetics’ Brings Back Purple Liaisons.

Photo Credit: Humberto Vidal.

A Miami entrepreneur, Glenda Betancourt (CEO and Founder of GP Natural Cosmetics) turned heads in this editorial showcasing a Maria Antoinette style, where she talked about her passion, her great dedication, how she conquered the Anglo-market and more. 

4- MFW Special Edition: What does it take to win the Eastern Air Lines Flight Attendant Competition?

Photo Credit: Numas Carvajal.

We got exclusive interviews with each Miami’s Top Designer as preamble of the Eastern Air Lines Flight Attendant Competition at Miami Fashion Week 2014. Our readers had the opportunity to choose their favorite designer before everything happened…

3- The Five Most Iconic Dresses of Miami Fashion Week

Image: Frank Diaz

Five breathtaking gowns made history this year at Miami Fashion Week! Beth Sobol (The Founder & President at Miami Fashion Week) stood out from the crowd wearing five masterpieces inspiring the audience to dream about fashion! Check out who was the designer behind.

2- Encounter with Celebrity Hair Stylist, Leonardo Rocco.

Born and raised in Argentina, Rocco has been celebrated in Miami since 2004 for his good taste and sophistication. His salon ‘Rocco Donna Hair and Beauty Art’ is considered one of the best salons in South Beach. Our president and founder encountered this luminaire hairstylist, interviewing him while she was getting her cutting-edge style for Spring Break. Check it out!

1- Music Met Fashion: When Eduardo Met Athina.

This editorial is definitely our number one editorial of the year! For Valentine’s Day, we wanted to bring another great love story, found in our city and we got it! Eduardo Marturet and Athina Klioumi shared with our readers the most amazing love story. Inspired by the movie “When Harry Met Sally,” check out our editorial about this powerful couple that have never been separated since they got married (17 years of marriage), not even a single night.

 

The post Top 5 Fashion Editorials of 2014 appeared first on Miami Fashion Spotlight.

50 years ago, on February 7, 1964, The Beatles arrived in America for the first time in front of three thousand screaming fans that received them. On February 9, “The Fab Four:” John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr played their first iconic show on the “Ed Sullivan Show,” aired on CBS and watched by approximately 73 million viewers, and the rest is history!

A month ago, model and actress, Athina Klioumi Marturet met designer, Lisu Vega. After a few minutes talking they discovered that they have something in common, their passion for The Beatles and fashion. Immediately, they began brainstorming about a design that Mrs. Marturet would wear for the next concert of her husband, maestro Eduardo Marturet (music director & conductor of Miami Symphony Orchestra), ending with the creation of one unique gown with printed sheet music of the song “With a Little Help from My Friends” written by the maestro, becoming the most recent fashion statement accomplished by Vega.

After this success, these businesswomen went for more! Sponsored by Miami Fashion Spotlight in an amazing fashion collaboration, Lisu Vega and Athina Klioumi Marturet created a limited edition “Gratitude Collection” to be launched at the ‘50th Anniversary of The Beatles Arrival in Miami’ concert by Miami Symphony Orchestra in Miami, on November 16th, 2014.

In an exclusive interview, these fashion icons talked about the story behind the dress, their fashion collaboration, their passion for The Beatles, and more.

Cover picture (up): Athina’s Dress by Lisu Vega/ Jewelry by Tarbay & Patricia Costa (Beach Boutique Miami). This picture: Athina’s Dress by Lisu Vega/ Jewelry by Tarbay. Images: Simon Soong.

MFS: How did the idea of Lisu Vega designing this unique gown with printed sheet music written by maestro Marturet come about?

Athina Klioumi: “When I met Lisu I told her about the concert remembering “The Beatles” with the Miami Symphony Orchestra and that my husband had composed a work inspired by the song “With a little help of my friends.” I also told her that I wanted a dress that could express the music, my essence, my life with Eduardo, the orchestra, our work with Miami’s community, and Lisu visualized all of it! She came out with a gown that had all the elements. I froze when I saw the accurate sheet music printed on it with the signature on the back by Eduardo. This dress gave me a very high vibration, almost magic!

Lisu Vega: Athina also told me the story about the deep love and admiration between Eduardo and her, and that truly inspired me to create a fabric and dress which could express their two greatest passions: music and fashion, inspirations that I used to create the print of the fabrics with the sheet music written by the maestro and Athina as his muse.

Athina’s Dress by Lisu Vega/ Earrings: Tarbay/ Shoes: BEBE. Image: Simon Soong.

MFS: It is true that due to the success of the exquisite gown that Athina wore on the last gala-concert inaugurating Trump Hall, you are teaming up to launch a capsule collection inspired by The Beatles and Maestro Marturet’s work to benefit Miami Symphony Orchestra?

AK: Yes, it was amazing how many people called me to congratulate me for the dress and wanting one, this dress is unique and it will be a museum piece. I wore this dress in front 800 guests at the Trump Hall in Doral; during the red carpet, the photographers followed me but after talking with Lissette Rondon, my great friend, fashion expert, and contributor of MISO, she gave me the idea to create a collection inspired by the theme of the era of the Fab Four and glam dresses for our friends, something ageless. We had a meeting with Lisu and we were on the same page, she immediately showed us her fashion forward designs with palettes of colors that remember the 1960’s. We have friends who want pieces of this collection and have not even seen the dresses yet!

LV: This year I have learned many new things. I’ve had good experiences with great achievements; not only professionals, but also the main achievement of life: BEING THANKFUL AND GIVING, from there comes my need for working with foundations where I can contribute to help others in need. When I talked to these two great women, they told me about MISO’s charity work and I loved it. How their musicians give free lessons to underprivileged children, teaching them how to play instruments quickly and effectively, motivated me. After that, the three of us began to do what we do best, and my role was to design a collection, and now a portion of the proceeds will be donated to MISO.

Image: Maria M. Baiz

Here, Lisu Vega gives us a sneak peek of her Gratitude Collection with this sketch!

MFS: Could you give us a little sneak peek about this new collection? What is everyone’s role in this fashion collaboration?

LV: This collection was inspired by the bright colors of a very emblematic era where The Beatles were not only part of a musical revolution but also linked to a social revolution because music changes everything, music is life!

AK: This collaboration is between the President of Miami Fashion Spotlight.Net, Lissette Rondon, fashion designer, Lisu Vega, and myself as an ambassador for the MISO. It’s a limited edition collection with short dresses with black base and bright color. The launching will be at the ‘50th Anniversary of The Beatles Arrival in Miami’ concert by the MISO on November 16th at the Arsht Center with many surprises, we can’t tell more!

Athina’s Dress by Lisu Vega/ Jewelry by Patricia Costa ( Beach Boutique Miami). Image: Simon Soong.

MFS- Do you consider yourself fans of “The Beatles?” Who is your favorite Beatle? Which are your favorite songs?

AK: When I was little I lived in Essen, Germany and there was a movie filmed about “The Beatles in Germany,” and I was one of those chosen people to participate in this movie. They recreated the fan’s euphoria, it was unforgettable to live that. Then with my husband and other orchestras I participated as story teller in other versions for concerts.

LV: I declare myself a fan of a movement that through music revolutionized youth!

AK: My favorites were the two Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr and my favorite songs are: “With a Little Help from My Friends,” “All You Need is Love,” and “Lady Madonna.”

LV: Mine favorites are “Love Me Do,” “Yesterday,” and “Obladi Oblada.”

Athina’s Dress by Lisu Vega/ Jewelry by Patricia Costa ( Beach Boutique Miami)/ Shoes: BEBE. Image:Simon Soong.

Written by Lissette Rondon.

Art Direction & Designer: Lisu Vega.

Model: Athina Klioumi

Photographer: Simon Soong

Contributor: Photographer, Maria M. Baiz

Jewelry: Tarbay & Patricia Costa (Beach Boutique Miami).

Shoes: BEBE

Location: South Pointe Park, South Beach & Trump National Doral Miami.

Make-up: Blumind Inc (Javier Martinez). 

The post From Liverpool to South Beach: 50 Years Later, Local Luminaries of Fashion Remember The Beatles appeared first on Miami Fashion Spotlight.

Every Valentine’s Day, Miami Fashion Spotlight pays tribute to Love!

Our inspiration this time was the movie “When Harry Met Sally”—teaming up with fashion photographer, Humberto Vidal, Boca Raton Resort & Club (one of the most romantic getaways in Florida), Rocco Donna Hair and Beauty Art, Carrano Shoes, Septimo by Silvia Fassardi and Shiroiyd D. Cama, along with two amazing fashion designers, Naeem Khan (one of Michelle Obama’s favorite designers) and Viviana Gabeiras (Iconic designer of the year at MFW).

Let’s share the story of When Eduardo Met Athina!

 

Cover picture (up) & this photo: Athina’s dress Naeem Khan / Jewelry: Shiroiy D.Cama.

LR- Tell us the story, how did Eduardo meet Athina? Was it love at first sight? 

Athina: The first time we saw each other it was like a big lightning bolt struck us; we felt intense electricity between us!

Eduardo: First in a house of a friend, then, we were presented once again more formally, and it happened again and it was so strong that our friend got kind of jealous….hahaha.

Athina: In fact he got so jealous, he closed me in his garden and I could not get out until Eduardo left. It took us like 8 years to reconnect again.

LR- What event do you remember being the event that transformed your friendship into a serious relationship? 

Athina: Each time we met I felt like I could talk about so many things with Eduardo! He was becoming a wonderful friend, advisor, and companion. We wanted to open a Greek restaurant together!

Eduardo: We were having tea in the Country Club in Caracas and we talked about our past relationships and suddenly something made us feel even more connected, but we did not want to admit it yet, I guess!We realized that we loved each other but did not dare to admit it. Then Evi, our dear cousin from Greece, came and she did a real wonderful and masterful matchmaking job.

LR – Why and when did you decide to get married? Tell us a little about the marriage proposal. 

Athina: We went to Greece and had the most romantic time and one wonderful day walking down the main street, outside from Athens in Voulagmeni, the sun was going down, it was beautiful and it smelled of eucalyptus and yazmin–like God was watching us, Eduardo asked the question…

Eduardo: The rest is a secret!

Athina’s dress: Naeem Khan/Earrings: Shiroiy D. Cama

LR – Is it true that since you got married you have never been separated?

Athina: Yes, not even a single night!

Eduardo: It took us so long to come together! Why should we be apart?

 LR – How do you handle the commitments of The Miami Symphony Orchestra with Athina’s modeling and acting job? 

Athina: We always organize ourselves very well, so we can always be together! When I film or do a modeling job, Eduardo arranges to be with me and vice versa, in all his concerts and work with the Miami Symphony Orchestra and other orchestras, we always arrange to accompany one another.

Eduardo: So far in our 17 years of marriage we have never been apart, not even one night and I wish for it to go on like that!

LR – What was the contribution that Eduardo brought to Athina’s life through classical music and vice-versa; what was the contribution that Athina brought to Eduardo’s life through fashion?

Athina: My life is full of music and I love to have Eduardo playing piano at home, while I am fixing things. Eduardo is more of a formal person, a gentlemen type, very polite and calm, at first sight. I say at first sight because he is also very intense, like most musicians, but also he helps me to ground myself, when I get carried away. He is very organized, true to his friends and words. He takes time to program everything very well and this is part of his success I believe! He thinks that I am a “loca!” hahaha.

Eduardo: Athina is more spontaneous, Oh yes a very busy bee and very quick! She wants everything immediately…hahaha and you have to be careful with her, otherwise she conducts you as well!

Athina’s dress: Petit Pois by Viviana G/Ring: Shiroiy D. Cama/Shoes: Carrano Shoes.

LR – Do you have something in common with the film “When Harry Met Sally?”

Athina: Oh yes! It took us a while to admit we were meant for each other and we are good friends! First of all, Eduardo is my best friend. We love to be together and share everything and I think this is the base for a long good relationship! Then if there are also love and passion, you have it all!

Eduardo: So far in these 17 years we are very happy.

LR – How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Athina: Valentine’s Day, it is a day full of rituals. We prepare a healthy breakfast with edible flowers. Also, flowers decorate our space. Valentine’s Day always catches us in Miami, where we have a special Valentine concert that night, full of romantic music, which Eduardo conducts in honor of that day.

Eduardo: In the morning, together with “Roma” (our Chihuahua dog) we meditate at the beach and do an offering full of sweets and flowers. We also get some balloons and write quotes or love mantras on them and send them to the sky. We ask God to take care of our love forever! We also express love to our friends. At night in our concert I say some words concerning love and we usually have dinner with friends.

LR – Could you define the relationship of Eduardo and Athina with just 3 words?

Athina: Love, comprehension and admiration.

Eduardo: Love, patience and courage.

LR- What advice would you send to all those couples who find in you both, an inspiration to believe in love and marriage? 

Athina: Love is a continuous process of spiritual growth and care, not a simple happening. Details are important and we are always looking to nourish and share our love as much as we can. My advice is, open up for love! If you want love, you have to give love!

Eduardo: To marry or commit, means that 2 people bring their powers together with love! Nothing is more powerful!

Athina’s dress: Petit Pois by Viviana G/ Earrings: Septimo by Silvia Fassardi/ Necklace & Bracelet: Shiroiy D. Cama/ Shoes: Carrano Shoes.

Athina’s dress: Petit Pois by Viviana G/  Necklace & Bracelete: Shiroiy D. Cama.

————————————–

Written & Produced by Lissette Rondon.

Edited by Alexis Diaz

Photographer: Humberto Vidal.Make-up & Hair: Rocco Donna Hair and Beaut Art.Dresses by Naeem Khan & Viviana G

Jewelry by Shiroiy D. Cama & Septimo by Silvia Fassardi.

Shoes by Carrano Shoes.

Location: Boca Raton Resort & Club.

 —————————————-

Special thanks to:-Cristina Nelson, Marketing &PR Manager atBoca Raton Resort &Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort.

– The Blue Restaurant at Boca Raton Resort & Club.-Frank Diaz ( Always there!)

The post Music Met Fashion: When Eduardo Met Athina appeared first on Miami Fashion Spotlight.

By Lissette Rondon.

It’s finally that time of year where we can begin to enjoy our Christmas traditions. It’s the time to give to others! And what better gift than laughs and honesty to warm up your homes!

This Holiday season, we would like to give as a Christmas present to our readers the 19 hilarious and outrageous confessions of the most outstanding personalities of our city of Miami.

In this special edition, we see life through the eyes of our beloved Miami-citizens who share with honesty their most unexpected moments or secrets— featuring laughs and meaningful stories unlike any other!

Merry Christmas everyone and take some time to remember the true Reason for the Season!

“Staying in the charming ‘Hotel d’ Inghilterra’ in Rome, I was going to a concert, I was wearing a frack suit—I ran into an American lady down the aisle and she confused me, because of my outfit, with a hotel waiter. She claimed that she had placed a room service order, which had not yet reached her room. Very circumspect, answered to her in English, with a British-Pakistani accent that I was already late for a concert that I was to lead, but promised that by going through the reception, I would report her complaint to the concierge.

The American lady thought I was making fun of her– in part it was true; she was furious and called me an insolent Italian. I tried to calm her down explaining that it was not a matter of nationality but of office, but she did not believe me and got even more upset. When I went down to the reception, there she was again, yelling at the concierge who saw me and told me smiling: “maeeestro suo taxi è arribatto, tanti auguri per il concerto”– (Maestro, your taxi has arrived, good luck with your concert). I still remember the look of surprise of this lady when she saw me leaving the hotel with my baton in hand. Since that day I don’t wear frack anymore and I always try to change my clothes backstage at the theater!”

“In a fashion show in Miami, I walked the runway with a silver long silk dress and with well-pronounced cleavage. I had not tried on this dress before and during my catwalk it opened in the bust area, but I felt comfortable. People started to clap very much, it seemed a little bit too much, but I was focused on the walk and the cameras so I went on. I also did a few laps even more than usual. My surprise was great the next day, when I was looking at the pictures of this show and OMG, my bust was full open!

Fortunately, it looked like it was planned like that– I guess the audience thought that was normal. Since that day I always try my clothes on before my runway, but I lost the shame to topless!”

“As you already may know, I am always in a dreaming zone. I may look like I am paying attention, but my mind is not. In one of our travels to New York, my husband and I were staying at the Grand Plaza Hotel. After a whole day of setting up the show, we came back and my husband told me to go ahead to the room and he would meet me there (he has told me previously where we were because he is the one always checking us). I took the elevator and got off on a floor and went to a room that was not mine, I was totally lost and started running around and changing floors trying to remember…and when passing by the elevators, they open and there was my husband! He said to me, laughing: “You don’t know where you are, right?” I said: I was looking for you! He responded: “running floor by floor?” He has never forgotten that episode.

As a little gift I want to share this especial moment of our Christmas in Budapest when we witness the images of the Basilica:” http://youtu.be/EfxoLgx82FA

“I always like to look tan but I never have time to actually go get a tan at the beach. I try self-tanners and professional spray tans to get a quick tan. Sometimes I even do the “at home self-tanners” but it can be a mission doing it on your own. One day I had an event and I was rushing so I did the “at home kit.” Unfortunately, I didn’t notice until I saw a photo the next day that I looked darker in the front and super white in the back.”

“Back some years ago when my son was younger and still believed in Santa Claus, I bought a Christmas tree, decorations, and gifts and I kept them hidden from him. At night when he was sleeping, I made the decoration of our house, the Christmas tree, and I put the gifts under the tree as a surprise for my son to make him believe that Santa had done all of this for him.
Two years later when I’m changing his cellular from Blackberry to an iPhone, I saw that my son had taken photos of me in the scheme of decoration for Christmas, and he never said anything just to please me and he enjoyed everything very happy. Children are wiser than you think!”

“I confess that as a child and teen I did not know what a bidet was but was always scolded for turning it on in the master bedroom and playing with the water coming from it. I finally learned the real use of it the day that my grandmother came in and caught me drinking from it like a water fountain. She quickly explained to me its “hygiene” related purposes and I NEVER made that mistake again!”

“Recently, I was getting an oil change. Also sitting in the waiting area was this woman with a little girl that was asking her the ‘What is?’ and ‘Why?’ questions, typical of kids that age. The woman (I’m not sure if she was her caretaker or mom) wanted to read her book and was being extremely obnoxious and even foulmouthed to this sweet 3 year old girl. I noticed she was half way into the book she was reading, (“The Luminaires” which I had just read. It’s about 800 pages. I admit that I couldn’t put it down either.) My car was ready and after I left the cashier with my keys in hand, this woman was still telling the little girl off. I couldn’t stand how rude she was being to this sweet little girl; I walked up to her and told her how the book ended. She looked at me in disbelief and I walked out fast to my car before she had a chance to process what had just happened. I confess that it gave me great satisfaction telling her how the book ended!”

“Several years ago I had a special client that I tailored her wedding dress. The ceremony was organized in a luxury hotel in the city. When I headed to dress and prepare her for the triumphant ceremony time, I saw she was very excited and nervous at the same time but never expected she would hyperventilate and go into a stage of panic. I thought she was going to throw up on the dress, my only reaction was to order the wedding planner to open the doors of the room and push her in to the ballroom, and the party started. It was the best and worse experience I’ve had. At the end of the day the ceremony, the bride, and the gown were a beautiful success.”

“There was a time of my life when I decided to wear color contact lenses just for fun. I went to a pool party and someone asked me “are your eyes real” and I said yes and the person responded “wow, very nice eyes.” I went swimming and came out and ran into the same person and I just remember his face laughing at me out of the blue. I asked: Is there something funny? He replied: you should go and fix your contacts because you have one eye brown and one eye blue. I wanted to die!”

“One Christmas day two years ago, I was on my own so I decided to read the newspaper while drinking my coffee at Starbucks. I must have been quite engrossed in what I was reading because the time passed quickly, and I suddenly realized that I needed to get going. What I didn’t realize was that I had been sitting with my legs crossed, and one of my legs had completely gone to sleep. As I stood up to leave the café, I quickly became aware that my left leg was ‘dead’, but it was too late; I started to fall. I thought I could catch myself on the table, but the table tipped over and I fell to the floor in front of everyone in the café!”

“As a silversmith I spent many years in the jewelry bench– cutting, soldering and polishing metals; normally I use my fingers and nails to show some tiny marks and cuts produced by some casual accidents with blades during the process of cutting metal sheets. One day I was soldering a large piece and the flame of the torch was on, I was wearing my vest and optivisor but I did not notice since I was concentrating on checking the piece. My hair was too close to the torch and started burning! OMG! It took until I smelled the fumes of my hair burning when I realized it was on fire! Thank God it was not that bad!”

“I’m beginning to find Christmas is becoming much more… stressful. Years ago I could actually deal with things like Christmas tree lights. I get them set, check all are working, and put them aside till we put the tree up; you know, make an evening out of it. You’re there with everyone having a great time less than an hour before the shops close, when every little bastard light goes out! Now I’m running around town like a mad man, calling and searching in ever increasing circles, looking for that one, red, Christmas tree light that was made in Taiwan in 1978. Until I came across one package of bulbs that made me laugh, saying ‘Made in Great Britain with Foreign Parts” Urrg!!! I guess it’s time to upgrade?”

When I finally finished with my guests, I quickly went to check my turkey and found a terrible surprise! The oven temperature was high and my turkey had its chest and wings burnt and black. I could not believe how it happened so I asked everybody, “who changed the temperature of my oven?” nobody answered. My dad said perhaps his wife but I noticed he was acting a little weird.

I had to remove the burned skin and a make a “Make Up” sauce for the turkey– achieving the delicious turkey and also the pictures that presented it. The next day, my Dad admitted that he had changed out the oven temperature because he was very hungry. It was fun to see my Dad behave like a kid. I learned that everything can be fixed with love.”

“I am a little Jewish girl who has always loved Christmas, even though I wasn’t supposed to! In fact, an Aunt of mine was really incensed once when she saw me wearing a snowman pin that I had examined closely before buying it to make sure there was not a speck of holly on it but to no avail, she looked at it and exclaimed “Why are you wearing that Christmas pin?” But forces conspired against her. In the 1990’s I ended up living in Bethlehem, CT, aka “The Christmas Town” and if you drive by my apartment complex between 7th and 8th on Meridian you will discover we have more Christmas lights blazing than anywhere else on Miami Beach!”

“Year after year I’ve been an advocate for the live Evergreen. I tell my friends who contemplate the pros and cons of a live tree, ‘You get to pick out your own tree with your kids, cut off a bit of the trunk and make a memento by writing the year and your whole house gets to smell like Christmas and pine!’ This year is the first that I’m spending Christmas in my new flat since moving out of my bigger house. Without even really thinking much about it, I ironically bought a fake tree this year, as it would be easier to get into my flat’s living room. 

This got me thinking how Christmas has changed from being about giving and sharing, to buying and selling; from opening your doors to family and friends, to locking them down for fear of getting robbed; Christmas has grown to be more materialistic and less like a holy day. Despite the tree being fake, I will compensate with that original Christmas cheer: I’m opening my doors to friends and family; I’m giving advice and sharing anecdotes with family instead of worrying and slaving over what presents to buy; I’m keeping Christmas real this year, though my tree may be fake!

17- “My New Torpedo Board and How I Became a Pro!”

By Ariel Nan, Singer.

Image by Guillermo D’ambrosio

“Since I remember I have always played with skateboards, all kind of skateboards that you can think of. This year, I could not think of a better idea to get a new model of those who are currently using the ones called “Torpedo Boards.” The first day, I went to play with this “torpedo board” and I said to myself: “This should not have much science since I always played with skateboards, it shouldn’t be a hard thing.” As soon as I finished my thoughts I was already sprawled on the floor and the skateboard was lonely without me. And to make everything worse, some construction workers saw me, the lady who was biking, and two girls who were at the stoplight in their cars, were laughing out loud because of my hilarious landing (I think the blow did not hurt as much as the shame.)

The bumps and drops continued, but the culminating moment was when crossing the bridge linking the island; the “torpedo board” literally launched into the water so I did not have any other option than to jump into the canal water to rescue my skateboard, which assured me after this salvage experience my return to the house so wet, along with a few bruises and scrapes, and the lesson that you must never be over confident.

Today, you can see me in my neighborhood, riding my “Torpedo Board” as a pro!

18- “I Want to Sing with Santa Claus”

By Ruben Campbell, Singer & Founder of
MUSIC FOR YOUR HEART FOUNDATION

“Yesterday, as every year, on behalf of my foundation “Music for your Heart” I visited Kidco’s Childcare Center to deliver gifts to 92 children and I sang to them “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

A child asked me: What do I have to do to sing with Santa Claus?

I said, behave well and study music. If you want I can talk to your parents and help you learn to sing. But why do you want to sing with Santa Claus?

He replied: Because he may bring me more gifts!”

19-“I Ate a Raw Worm… and I liked It!”

 Chef Christian Encalada, Peruvian Executive Chef and

 Co-founder of the restaurant Divino Ceviche.

“I was chosen to be a judge at the National Ceviche Contest (Concurso National de Ceviche) earlier this year. I was honored to be invited by the Peruvian government and was expecting to judge “ceviches” of different types of fish. Little did I know and was surprised to find out that one of the contestants had entered a Suri ceviche! Now like any respectable chef, I’ve tried the edible worm before, though when I did, it was grilled and crispy. Never before had I had it served to me raw like this! 

You could really tell the other judges were having a hard time getting themselves to try, most of them looking disgusted at the unusual contestant, and I’ll confess I felt uneasy about trying it myself. Stepping up to the plate, as one of the chef judges, I set the example by courageously trying the dish and as it turns out, it wasn’t that bad.”

The post Christmas Confessions 2013: 19 meaningful stories unlike any other! appeared first on Miami Fashion Spotlight.