........................................................................................................................................................................................ The Bollicine del Mondo's 2nd Annual competition, run by Italian magazine, Euposia, had an unexpected victor when it hosted its blind sparkling wine tasting. This year, their panel of judges, of whom a few are winemakers, chose Nyetimbers Classic Cuvée 2003 as the crown Champion of Worldwide Sparkling wines. Nyetimber's Classic Cuvée 2003 cost less than £30 a bottle  is made in Sussex consist of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes and is described as having 'aromas of mandarins, vanilla and lemons" as well as "shortbread and light apricot" with "biscuity" notes playing a supporting role. Nyetimber's owner Eric Hareema attributed the wine's success to the hot summer of 2003, which produced this line of grapes. Mr. Hareema stated: "It really has been an extremely exciting year for all of us. This is a significant win on the international stage and to ...

........................................................................................................................................................................................ Being that South Beach is a sexy suburb of the Big Apple, we just got another foodie transplant. STK finally opened in Gansevoort South in sunny South Beach!So our NYC visitors have yet another place to dine at and feel at home here.The One Group brings us this juicy new joint. Even celebrity fans of the steakhouse, Fergie, Josh Duhamel, Michael Bay, Michael Mann and Robin Givens, could not resist stopping in recently for a taste of signature favorites such as the Mini Big Macs and new additions to the menu with a Miami flair including the Rice & Beans side dish which is a family recipe of Chef de Cuisine Isaac Maisonet. Executive Chef Todd Mark Miller has created a seasonal menu emphasizing fresh ingredients and local produce, offering Miami locals and our international guests alternatives to traditional steakhouse fare.  The menu features different cuts and sizes of meat, such as small, medium and large, ...

........................................................................................................................................................................................ Sure we are a party town, but when need be, we put our parties to good use to raise money for a cause!  This week, my email box was jam packed with email after email calling for Help for Haiti! Every party promoter reached out to include a collection component to their parties or sent instructions on how to donate direct to the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army or other organizations. Social media was also put to good use this week for helping Haiti.The outreach was incredible and technology took over. Celebrities are also putting their money where there mouth is.I even received an email from Madonna calling for a contribution for Haiti through Partners in Health. She had already personally donated $250,000. Wyclef Jean's "Give on the Go" text-based campaign is set to raise $1 million in donations per day for earthquake survivors! "Give ...

........................................................................................................................................................................................ HAITI NEEDS YOUR HELP!!! SOW A SEED IS COLLECTING RELIEF ITEMS ON BEHALF OF "FOOD FOR THE POOR" AND WILL ASSIST THEM IN THE HAITIAN LOCAL DISTRIBUTION PROCESS. FOOD FOR THE POOR AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS HAVE REQUESTED THAT FOR THE TIME BEING WE ONLY COLLECT THE MOST URGENTLY NEEDED ITEMS, AT THIS TIME THEY ARE NOT ACCEPTING CLOTHES & SHOES. YOU CAN ALSO MAKE ONLINE DONATIONS AT WWW.SOWASEEDONLINE.ORG WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS. All drop-offs should be done no later then Monday 1-18-2010. Please call before making drop-offs Below are different Drop-off locations in different areas: 1. MILAN KITCHENS Phone: (305) 773-4277 10832 SW 104 STREET unit # 101 Miami, FL 33186 M-F 10:00am-7:00pm Sat. 12:00pm-4:00pm 2. Le Chic Events (Judith Joseph) Phone: (561) 305-3375 1140 Holland Drive Suite 21 Boca Raton, Fl 33487 Monday thru Sunday 7:00am-7:00pm 3. World Wide Photo Phone: (305) 756 -1744 5040 Biscayne Blvd. Miami, Fl 33137 M-F 9:00am-6:00pm Sat. 9:00am-5:00pm 4. Anndex Phone: (305) 471-8456 7966 NW 14th Street Doral, Fl 33126 Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm Items needed: CANNED ...

........................................................................................................................................................................................ While LuxSecret Magazine endorses a luxurious style, we always find it important to give back to our global community and address humanitarian issues that present a call-to-action, doing our best to help those in need. This evening, the island nation of Haiti endured an earthquake like they have never experienced. The disaster occurred at nightfall around 5:50 pm and measured a record 7.0 magnitude, devastating Haiti, especially in Port au Prince, imploding the Presidential Palace and Petionville, where a hospital collapsed. Haiti, a nation also suffering from extreme poverty, has recently endured severe hurricanes and is in dire straits, to say the least. At this moment the victims are under the veil of night with no electricity, little help and barely any means of communication except for those fortunate enough to have an internet signal. The damage is overwhelming and it is feared that Haiti will ...