It's not always about Fashion...

El Malecon Cuba

El Malecon. Havana, Cuba

I don't always have fashion on the brain. I know. Shocking. As I enjoy a cup of coffee on my porch on this peaceful and sunny Sunday morning in Atlanta, all I can think about is when I will return to Cuba. My journey had a profound and life changing impact on me, but it's even more complex than that. There is a special feeling about returning to your birthplace, I can't quite explain, but I think about it all the time. Can someone actually be homesick for a place they didn't grow up in? A place they haven't visited in over four decades? That's kind of how I feel... Even in it's dilapidated and unkempt state, Cuba is a beautiful country with exquisite architecture, lush countryside and beautiful beaches. While I've always known Miami as "home" Cuba is quickly changing that mindset.

I hope that everyone is having a lovely Sunday, where ever home is for you! xo

fashionado

Classic Cars of Cuba

I once read that it looked as if time stood still in Cuba because of all the classic cars on the street. It's true and here's a video clip from my recent trip to prove it! Truly magnificent. Classic car fans, enjoy!

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The Garden Table Dining Experience at the Four Seasons Atlanta

There's dining. There's fine dining. AND then there's this! The fabulous Four Seasons Atlanta put the WOW factor in fine dining with a Garden Table rooftop dining experience for the senses. Spectacular!

Let's start with the exquisite setting. The fragrance of the peonies, the lush greenery and the glistening flatware was inviting, sophisticated and yet casual. We were mesmerized.

Presentation is EVERYTHING. The attention to detail was superb. Each course was presented with an arrangement of signage.

When Marsha Middleton of M-Squared PR invited me to the Garden Table Dining Experience, I knew it would be fabulous just because I know that's Marsha's modus operandi and by the fact that dinner was at the Four Seasons Atlanta. I didn't know, however, just how beyond fabulous it was going to be. My date for the occasion, Gray Miller West Gallery owner, Nic Miller.

The first course, the "Fresh Market Crudo" set the tone and flavor palate for the deliciousness that awaited.

This was no ordinary mint julep. It was extraordinary! Rather (and better than) sugar, the beverage was sweetened with fresh honey from the bees kept by the Four Seasons Atlanta. Same held true for all the herbs that came from their garden.

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The freshest, most delicious snapper ever! This was the third course. Amazing! In the photo above, Chef Robert Gerstenecker shows us how the salt baked snapper was prepared and cooked. 

Porterhouse and Tomahawk steaks for the main course with a the largest prawn of ever seen. Grilled to perfection and served over an artichoke with a dollop of blue cheese.

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The perfect balance of friends, new and old, contributed to a seamless and flawless evening. You too can enjoy a dining experience like this. Garden Table can accommodate parties of eight - eighteen. I promise you, there is nothing this heavenly or divine or delicious in Atlanta. Bravo Marsha Middleton. Bravo Four Seasons Atlanta!

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The Classic Cars of Cuba

These cars are works of art. Someone recently told me that classic cars aren't too common in Cuba anymore, well, I hope the same fool is reading this now because he couldn't be more wrong!

They are everywhere.

Most of them have been converted to diesel engines for economic reasons and while the shell of the vehicle is original, the motors have been rebuilt with Nissan parts, Mercedes Benz and others. They have to be maintained weekly so they keep running and renting a taxi classic is cheap cheap cheap.

For real - check out this engine. To be fair, this engine is extra sexy because this car is used for racing and showing off.

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We heard this car before even laying eyes upon it. The car enthusiasts gathered around began yelling "por ahi viene Cruella!" [here comes Cruella!] They recognized the zoom from a distance. Cruella is the fastest hot rod on the island.

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Pink convertibles were quite popular. This was was cruising down El Malecon with the Hotel Nacional as it's backdrop.

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I love this - a 1950's Ford Victoria, painted in a matte black with Mustang rims and Porsche brakes. Need I say more...

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We arrived at the Hotel Nacional in grand style in a 1950 yellow convertible. We cruised around El Malecon and Central Havana for an hour in this beauty.

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This is a 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air. It's owner, Osmel, replaced the original engine with a Mercedes Benz and you could feel the difference. We rode two hours up the coast to Varadero in this sweet car.

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This is my father's Jeep and there's a great story here. It doesn't look it but this Jeep is from the 1950's! My dad modified and rebuilt it based on photos of a Jeep from the 1980's he found in a brochure. Yeah, I've got a cool dad.

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And finally...

Gil and I thinking we're hot... 

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Travel Day - Atlanta to Miami to Cuba

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By the time this posts, I would have been driving for roughly five hours. I should be somewhere near Gainesville, FL. I'm not thrilled about driving to Miami, but I'm not going to fly with a 37lb poodle.

Miss Fashionado is very particular. As in spoiled rotten. 

Besides, she will be staying with my sister while I am in Cuba. I'll be pretty quiet today on here and throughout social media. Just the occasional Instagram / FB / Tweet... @fashionado

Have a great day everyone!! I'll catch up with you tomorrow. xo

fashionado

Take a Trip through Miami's Calle Ocho in Little Havana

Welcome to Calle Ocho in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood! Join me while we take in an authentic Cuban experience complete with cigars and coconuts... AND on your next visit to South Florida, make sure you take in some 'salsa' and cafecito Cubano ... have fun! We did!

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Ark & Co. Florals, Crops & Cut-Outs AND how to Wear them by Demi Styles

Surely

if you've been in a women’s boutique lately,

you

may have picked up either a Winter or Summer piece from

Ark & Co

. 

Spring's

almost here and this leading vendor has got all the

slits

,

cut-outs

, and

floral 

filled patterns you need

like this sassy black daisy

dress

with cut-outs around the neck.

Now, cut out body-con dresses were a

hot

commodity last Spring/Summer, but cut-out

cropped tops

are what's ahead for this season! 

Their simple tops are paired perfectly with

floral

filled skirts and very cute 

printed

pants.

Slits

 are a simple way to be 

sexy

.

Ark & Co.

 gave us a number of wonderful spins to the

jumpsuit

. They used lace, which is SO

on-trend

, to it's fullest. From super cute & girly to

tres-chic

with deep cut-outs

— 

perfect when wanting to show off some 

funky

 heels on a night out.

... and

...Speaking of a night out, Ark & Co. certainly knows how to

glam

up a dress. 

We LOVE the 

Rare London White Alice Crochet Neck Open Back Dress

. 

Perfect for a dinner party or date night! This dress is a girl's best friend and a must-have in your closet.

Overall,

Ark & Co.

will keep you

trendy

, but will allow you to cater to your own

personal style

. You can

jazz

any of the pieces up by adding chunky jewelry and your favorite flat sandals or heels. 

fashionado

Demi Styles