If you own an older home, it probably has a sun room or a Florida Room. These indoor/outdoor rooms were built before air conditioning and were intended to provide their occupants with a sunny and warm space in the winter as well as a cool and breezy environment in the summer.

Original fenestration was typically jalousie windows, slatted glass strips set on a track in a wooden or metal frame. These movable louvers allowed the owner to control the amount of light and airflow in the space by turning a simple crank mechanism.

When air conditioning became commonplace, Florida rooms became less popular. Many were converted into hermetically sealed glass porches or just left unused. Restoring and furnishing a Florida room can add value to your home and can give you the opportunity to create a space that takes full advantage of our subtropical climate.

By establishing a design plan and following a few simple steps, you can transform this unattractive and unused space and make it into your favorite room in the house.

Read the full article here.

Luli Hanimian, Swimwear Designer

Her swimwear has been featured on the cover of the 2010 and 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues, in Victoria’s Secret and on the bodies of Kim Kardashian, Miranda Kerr, LeeAnn Rimes and more.

Born in Cuba and raised in Miami, Luli grew up on beaches and always wanted “in” in the fashion industry; in 2003 with the launch of Luli Fama she made her mark.

Here’s more from the married with three kids, bikini-designing genius!

CRAVINGS: What kind of woman’s body do you have in mind when designing your bikinis?
Luli: “Not a specific type. I believe a woman’s body is beautiful. Curves are sensual and when designing, it’s all about making each physique look better.”

CRAVINGS: How does it feel when you see celebrities wearing your bikinis all over the world?
Luli: “Amazing!! It’s so great to see beautiful women such as Beyonce, Kate Hudson and Jennifer Anniston choosing to wear Luli Fama.”

CRAVINGS: Which of your bikini designs is your favorite?
Luli: “The ruched back bottom! We created a design that almost every designer has copied, and ours still fits the best! We started a trend, which in the past three years remains as strong or stronger than when it began. It makes every backside look better.”

CRAVINGS: How do you think Miami has changed in the past 10 years?
Luli: “I feel that there is more culture and the more I travel, I realize how everyone wishes they could be part of this sexy city.”

CRAVINGS: Where do you like to hang out?
Luli: “I love the W Hotel and some places in downtown such as Brickell Irish Pub. I love live bands and great music, so basically, anywhere I can dance and have good drinks.”

CRAVINGS: Where do you go for good Cuban food? Favorite cocktail?
Luli: “Home. Belvedere & tonic, extra lime.”

lulifama.com

Miss Teen Earth Miami 2011 is April Camacho, an 18-year-old Miami native, who also overcame every challenge and ended up with the highest overall scores.

Both Gonzalez and Camacho will advance to the state finals for a chance to become the Florida queens traveling to the national finals of Miss Earth.

Also crowned were Miss Earth Dade County Janeta Jackson and Miss Teen Earth Dade County Alejandra Montoya. They too will advance to the state competitions.

Miss Earth is one of the largest pageants in the world with over 80 countries competing in the finals each year, and the only one dedicated 100% to environmental and humanitarian efforts.

The Miss Earth Florida finals are scheduled for June 26th at the Miami Convention Center’s Ashe Auditorium from 8-10pm.

www.MissEarthFlorida.com

Miss Earth MIAMI 2011 Vanessa Gonzalez

Miss TEEN Earth Miami April Camacho

Miss Earth DADE County Janeta Jackson

Miss TEEN Earth DADE County Alejandra Montoya

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Tito Puente Jr., Musician

When I called him the first time he couldn’t answer because he was in the middle of potty training his son. Tito Puente Jr. is just like you and me, except that he’s an amazingly talented musician and can jam on the percussion like few others.

His father was the late, great Tito Puente aka “El Rey” and “The Mambo King” and his godmother was Celia Cruz, “The Queen of Salsa.” Tito Jr. grew up surrounded by music and has made quite the name for himself in this business. His newest album is called Got Mambo?

The first fact about Tito Puente Jr. that may surprise you is that although he was born and raised in New York, he’s actually been a South Florida resident for over 20 years.

CRAVINGS: Where in Miami do you go to eat and hang out?

Tito Jr: “I like hole-in-the-wall places; there’s a great place called Disco Fish (1540 SW 67th Avenue). I’m a rice and beans type of guy, so for this combination I’ll go to Bongos or Larios.”

CRAVINGS: What are your favorite night spots?

Tito Jr: “I’m a South Beach cat. I like to go out and hear good music, and that can be anything from hip-hop, to house and of course, Latin. I’ll go to The Delano on Tuesdays, The Forge on Wednesdays and Trio on the Bay; I’m trying to get Gerry Kelly to start a Latin night there!”

CRAVINGS: What are some similarities and differences between you and your father?

Tito Jr: “Well, first of all we look alike, we have the same sonrisa (smile); he loved to entertain and travel, as do I, but I believe I’m more of a father figure than he was; my family is my priority. Some people think that I live in his shadow; not at all, I embrace being his son.”

Official site of Tito Puente Jr: gotmambo.com

Cutler Salon – Gansevoort Miami Beach

Rodney Cutler of Cutler Salon – Gansevoort Miami Beach can do for you what he did for Emma Watson. “Short styles like Emma’s pixie cut are perfect for all face shapes, hair types and ages. Pixie cuts can be understated, edgy or glamorized. It is a refreshing way to change up your style,” said Cutler.

Read his advice. Make the appointment. And don’t look back.

Know what haircut will look good on you. “The key to getting a beautiful short style is getting a cut that flatters your face shape”, said Cutler.

• For a heart-shaped face: balance out the narrow jaw line with long, side swept bangs.
• For a square face: create roundness by sweeping layered bangs to hit at the cheekbones.
• For a long face: add fullness and volume on the sides with blunt layers.
• For a round face: elongate the face with soft and shaggy layers.
• For an oval face: this shape is the most versatile, so go as short as you want!

Cutler Salon – Gansevoort Miami Beach, 2377 Collins Avenue, 305.672.4499, cutlersalonmiami.com

Rodney Cutler of Cutler Salon – Gansevoort Miami Beach

Get your paddle ready. The return of ping pong is on its way. Already big in the two mega cities – New York & LA, thanks to the upscale table tennis club SPiN and its owner Susan Sarandon – it is only a matter of time until you too will be talking technique over drinks, taking your turn at the table and showing off your top spin. If any of you have a folded up tennis table with a major coating of decades of dust, clean it off, set it up and do get to work.

Speaking of work, many offices have hidden away in a storage room or tucked in an unused office the ping pong table of yesteryear – most likely used in the 1990s when it was considered a good team-building activity.

Be the trendsetter, get it back in use. Then when the chichi ping pong places begin to pop up in South Florida, you will receive all the kudos for being so far ahead of the game.

If you loved the snails, then come see Italian artist Francesco Lopez’s most recent artwork which will be on display until June 15, 2011. These photographs are from the opening night reception.

Galleria Ca’ d’Oro Miami is an extension of the renowned contemporary art gallery in Rome.

135 San Lorenzo Avenue, Suite 130, ca-doro.com/miami/home

Albert & Alejandra Poza

Herrera, Nunez, Lopez & Beninato

Lamberto Petrecca, Francesco Lopez & Glorica Porcella

Rafael Bild & Christina Termine

Yolanda & Jeff Berkowitz

Marco Rocca & Francesco Lopez