People often say to themselves, why do I need to use a neck cream? Well, in Miami there are many reasons that make more sense than if you live in another area of the world.  Sun damage is a big thing in Miami, and a neck cream is a good product to have in your skin care arsenal.

Many people just apply their facial anti aging cream on their neck when applying it on their face, thinking it will have the same end results. When in fact the neck needs different ingredients applied to it to receive noticeable results, as the top layer of the skin is of a different texture, and the neck needs some rejuvenation as it is exposed to the sunlight causing more damage than one might think. Your skin needs to stay hydrated to get the feel and appearance of the refreshing younger look.  Using a neck cream on a daily basis will give faster and more reliable results.

It’s a proven fact that woman age faster than men, and the noticeable aging symptoms appear in their early thirties. Taking care of your skin will help tremendously with the appearance of the aging.

When the skin is exposed to the sun, wrinkles, creases, and lines start to take over. Using a anti aging neck cream can help reduce these symptoms, and make for a  more smooth and firm appearance.

The real issues stem from the firmness in the neck as it is exposed, accumulative exposure causes the skin on the neck to lose the buoyancy that it should have.

The look of having mature skin, comes from the quality of the specific neck cream. It is apparent to do some research of the said ingredients to get the results that are needed., to find the right neck cream that is perfect for you.  Certain ingredients help tighten, firm, and smooth the neck just as if one was to have plastic surgery to get the same end results.

There are many different formulas when choosing the perfect neck cream, the anti oxidants for protecting the skin that has a more rich consistency is one of the best ones to use. The skin right below the neck is sensitive to the sun, and needs some attention brought to it as well.

Applying the cream needs to be done in a consistent fashion. Following the directions will lead to a more determined result.

Pamper your neck as you do your face, hands, feet, legs, and your entire body. Use a neck cream that has an anti aging ingredient in it and you will be surprised with the end results. Neck creams really do work and provide healthy looking skin.

If you haven’t heard about the Slap Chop, I suggest you just go to the website and look for yourself here:  SLAP CHOP.

If you do know about the Slap Chop, you know you can slap your troubles away, one slap at a time.  Vince shows you how on the short infomercial. This one is a parody!

With Slap Chop,™ you can Dice, Chop & Mince in Seconds!  Chop fruits, vegetables, nuts and more with one slap.   With every slap the finer the food gets.  It’s so easy you can even do it with one finger.   Well, at least Vince can….but as he says “If I can do it with one finger, you can do it with your whole hand.”

Benefits
•    Pops open like a butterfly to clean
•    Dishwasher safe
•    You never need to switch blades
•    10 year warranty

Check out the Slap Chop Infomercial, one of Vince’s best performances.  He is truly a marketing legend, and he reps a great product that I personally own.  The Slap Chop has helped me make my omelets less boring, my salads full of more ingredients, and it’s even made me refrain from crying when I chop up onions!

(Life is too short, you don’t have time to cry….says Vince)

Jersey Shore, the popular television show based on the lives of various wannabe’s in New Jersey, is looking to spend it’s spring season in Miami’s South Beach.  However, many of the South Beach elite clubs aren’t enthusiastic for their potential arrival.

South Beach’s Mynt Lounge rejected an inquiry from a Jersey Shore location scout,citing the show’s treatment of women and Italian Americans, owner Romain Zago said.

“Miami Beach takes pride in the years it took to establish an upscale tourist attraction, and bringing this show to town would lessen that image,” Zago wrote in a statement Wednesday. “Any club or establishment that participates can and should be held liable for such mischievous behavior.”

The statement added: “Shame on whoever agreesto such [a] display in our city.”

Wow.  Heavy statement from a heavy club owner.  Kudos for rejecting to cave into the program’s objectives and keeping Miami’s A-List persona happy.  I don’t blame Zago for making such a statement, and the staff at Miami blog feels this is the right move by one of South Beach’s hottest clubs.

Who needs attention-seeking guido’s running around, causing trouble, and lipping off?  Seriously, there are enough attention seekers in the area, let alone wannabe’s, we don’t need any more!

Some Italian-American groups are not happy with the show’s focusing on the casts references to “guidos” and “guidettes.”

Whether they choose Miami or not remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain, the show certainly has a following.

The Miami area is sizzling.  With so many events on tap for February, it’s a good time to be in Miami.  For starters, we have the Super Bowl, which will

Miami

be played in the newly named Sun life Stadium.  The New Orleans Saints are playing versus the Indianapolis Colts, who were here just 3 short years ago when they defeated the inspired Chicago Bears in a rain-drenched game.

The South Beach Wine & Food Festival is also coming up in February.  The gala event takes place right on South Beach and features many of the top local restaurants as well as world class wine companies showing off their private stock. It’s a great place to not only sample the great food from around South Beach and Miami, but also to sample many of the best wines from around the globe.

February certainly brings some interesting events to Miami….also leading up to the Super Bowl, Bud Light is hosting parties every evening leading up to the famous Bud Bowl, which takes place during the Super Bowl’s halftime.  Don’t miss out on all of the Miami events happening just around the corner in February of 2010.

So as I summarized in a past Miami blog post, I am trying to get rid of the nasty habit of smoking traditional cigarettes.  I started smoking Electronic Cigarettes, and to my surprise, they pretty much kick ass.  One brand I’ve been smoking is called “Blu Electronic Cigarette.“  It’s among my favorite e-cigarettes and I’ll tell you why today.

First off, the ignited flame, which does not emit any smoke whatsoever, is blue.  For this reason, when I am smoking it in a restaurant, people know right away that I do not have a traditional cigarette in my possession.  This is important as some people really get upset when someone smokes a cigarette in a place that does not allow it.

Another cool thing with the Blu Electronic Cigarette is that it comes in many styles and flavors.  I can go to any bar I want, the Clevelander, the Delano, heck, even Prime 112, and smoke one of the many great flavors that Blu offers.  There is classic tobacco, Java Jolt, Magnificent Menthol, and even one called Cherry Crush.

The major electronic cigarette advantage is that the “smoke” is actually vapor.  This is not only safer on the smoker, but on the environment.  No nasty toxins, and very little nicotine go into this electronic cigarette.

So far, I can say that I’ve enjoyed the Blu Electronic cigarette.

We’re launching a question and answer segment with many of the successful Miami area natives.  Today, we’re starting off with a quick biography of an area legend who goes by the name of Rick Ross.

His birth name was William Leonard Roberts II…..

but he’s best known as Rick Ross, the rapper who has such hits as “Magnificent” and “Hustlin.”  He’s a native of Carol City, and at 300 pounds, he’s an intimidating figure.  He also is a big part of the movement that put Miami on the map from a musical standpoint, along with other natives Trick Daddy, Trina, and Luke Campbell.  Nowadays, several Miami area artists are on the map, such as DJ Khaled, Flo Rida, JT Money, and Pitbull.

We hope to have our question and answer session with Rick Ross in the near future….stay tuned.

Jimbos, as it’s simply known by locals, is a piece of land in a lagoon on Virginia Key.  The famous backdrop to many movies, commercials, photo shoots, and television series was told to move their junk.

If you haven’t been to Jimbos, that may not make any sense to you.  If you are in the know of this famous watering hole, you certainly have images of the broken down buses, boats, and shanties that makes up Jimbos.  Jimbo, a long time shrimper, has had free reign of the land that takes up his bait shack/hippee party spot since he was kicked out of the land that is now occupied by the Miami Herald.  For decades, party people, tourists, and locals have gathered at Jimbos, which has seafood/fish cookouts and cheap beer.  There is no law in Jimbos, and pretty much anything goes.

Last time I was there, I was amazed at the amounts of “trendy people” that mixed in with the mullets that are usually saved for Nascar events.  This is truly a place you have to see to believe, and it’s something that makes South Florida unique.

Having survived all of the hurricanes and torrential weather that often knocks down much larger structures, this trailer-park -esque destination is certainly a landmark.  For more information, check out their official website at www.JimbosPlace.com

Many people come to Miami each year to get married. The gorgeous backdrop combined with the world-renowned climate makes Miami a perfect place to get married.  It’s also a great destination wedding, as the city offers many different activities for the guests of the wedding to partake in. There is the scenic South Beach, which offers all of the nightlife one could imagine.

Miami offers amazing hospitality, as well as a plethora of golf courses for guests to play.  Of course, many of the tropical weddings feature Beach theme wedding favors.  You can buy those online if you follow the link to a highly rated retailer.

Weddings are events that create memories that last forever.  Why not get married in a tropical climate such as Miami?

Special to Miami Blog….reporting from Escazu, Costa Rica.

I was asked to cover Terry Bender’s column as he is unaccounted for at the moment.  I’m Mark Thomas, and I’m a freelance writer from Miami.  About a month ago, Terry and I visited Costa Rica.  I liked it so much that I came back for a week for some R & R.  I went out to a place last night called Gaira.  Supposedly it’s “like a Miami Night Club” according to locals.  While that perked my interest, I have some bad news to report. 

Gaira is located in the trendy, Americanized area of Costa Rica called Escazu.  Escazu is where 90% of the expatriates live and set up business.  It has a Hooters, an Outback Steakhouse (I’ve grown very fond of that place), T.G.I. Friday’s, Tony Romas, and of course, all the normal fast food joints.  I had high hopes of meeting a nice Tica and settling down in this area at one point, but every time I try to settle into Costa Rica I’m let down.  Great place to visit, but to settle down and live, it has too many things that run way too inefficient for me, personally.

So, I go to Gaira with a group of friends.  It’s decor is nice, but the first thing I see is men with painted chests at the doorway.  I asked if it was GAY NIGHT and they got very upset with me.  They said “it’s ladies night.”  I was like, “OK, whatever.”  I entered, somewhat reluctantly, and upon entering, noticed that the women were all downstairs with a bunch of shirtless dancers who were certainly not straight.  Nothing against gay people, but I don’t go to the “hottest night club in Escazu” to watch girls frolic around with shirtless men, while I sit upstairs entrenched in the world’s biggest sausage party aside from Nathan’s hot dog eating competition on the 4th of July.  Not my style.

After about 20 minutes of slamming vodka cranberries, I finally tell everyone I’m fed up with this extreme joeyness. I’ve seen enough sonic the hedgehog-style haircuts (I think it’s the national haircut in Costa Rica) and certainly don’t need to see any more. 

The music was very doosh, in my opinion. It was a mix of Spanish love songs and some horrible upbeat Spanish jams.  I would have been cool if I heard “Jenny from the Block,” but these unknown, unproven Spanish artists that dominate the clubs here are just not my cup of tea. 

I’d grade the entire experience at Gaira as an EPIC FAIL. 

• The accused cat killer has been arraigned.  The suspect is thought to be responsible for killing multiple cats across Miami.  The Miami Herald reported that the suspect even went into great detail about how to dissect cats.  Word to the wise, keep your felines inside this summer.
• The Marlins took 2 out of 3 from the Pirates, a team that had beaten them 8 straight times this year until this weekend.  The Fish now sit only one game out of first place behind Philadelphia.
• The sun was scorching hot, and most people chose to stay indoors as it was unbearable in some parts of South Florida.

More news coming soon…..