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We ❤️ being in good company! 📸: @thebeautyendeavor

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New Post has been published on Nomaterra's Journal - Travel through Scent

New Post has been published on http://blog.nomaterra.com/blog-split/travel-blog-split/ultimate-weekend-guide-miami/

The Ultimate Weekend Guide to Miami

Miami is famous as a destination for all kinds of tourists. But most of the time, visitors flock to the most popular tourist spots, not knowing that there are other epic places and activities which can make a trip to The Magic City even more magical.

Here’s a guide for a weekend escape to Miami without the typical tourist mindset.

Venture to a secret beach

Miami’s beaches are often divided into two: South Beach (SoBe) and the rest. SoBe is known the world over, but consequently, it has become overrun with tourists. For a more quiet retreat, pick a less known but equally majestic stretch of sea and sand.

For instance, there’s Haulover Beach Park accessible via Collins Ave. which, according to an article by Pure Wow, is one of the most private beaches in town.” It’s split into two sections: regular and ‘clothing-optional’. Either way, you have your own private space with Biscayne Bay in view on one side, and the mighty Atlantic on the other.

Another relatively secluded getaway is Matheson Hammock Park near Cutler Road in Coral Gables. It overlooks Biscayne Bay and is surrounded by tropical botanic gardens. As you enjoy moments of serenity, you’re treated with sceneries of lush greenery and calm waters. True to its name, you could imagine setting up a hammock here and just watching the rest of the world fly by quietly.

Other choices include Oleta River State Park in North Miami Beach, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne, and SoBe’s neighbor, North Shore Open Space Park which is also in Miami Beach.

Indulge in lavish dining choices

Considering the touristy nature of Miami, a smorgasbord of restaurants have sprouted up across the entire area to satisfy different cravings, catering to many different cultures. But for haute dining choices, some of the premiere names are in Downtown.

DB Bistro Moderne and Zuma Miami are reportedly some of the hottest places to dine in Downtown, according to a blog post from Discover Homes. DB Bistro Moderne caters to people with a taste for French cuisine with classics like Escargots Persillade and Coq au vin; while Zuma Miami is a Japanese restaurant, which specializes in Grilled Skirt Steak and Black Cod with Miso Sauce.

Pick and prepare food DIY-style

Fancy picking your own ingredients for a fresh bowl of salad? How about strawberries for a strawberry shake? There are locations in Miami called ‘U-Pick Farms’ that welcome tourists to experience orchard living such as Burr’s Berry Farm and Sam and Philly’s. Enjoying freshly plucked crisps or fruits, while admiring the countryside ambience, is an epic way to spend a weekend in Miami, not dissimilar to a tranquil vacation in the vineyards of France.

However it’s always worth nothing that the majority of U-Pick Farms in Miami are only open from November to May. Pickyourown.org specifies this as a harvest period for the produce grown in the region.

Chill in rooftop bars

Unlike many of Miami’s clubs that blast out loud music and host masses of partygoers all night long, there are rooftop bars, which are perfect for guests that need some time to chill out and relax. Baby Jane at Brickell, for one, gives off an atypical bar vibe through its bungalow-chic design. Then there’s 1306 in Downtown, with velvet interiors and leather furniture – the place oozes class and style. The cocktails and food menu are equally impressive, with the former’s kitchen being headed by the reputable hometown chef Michael Beltran who preps specialties like Grilled Oysters and Smoked Salmon Sliders. However, make sure to dress up, as these establishments aren’t your usual casual run-of-the-mill bars.

Become a ‘turista a la Cubana’

There’s a neighborhood located west of Downtown Miami known as Little Havana, which took its name from the capital of Cuba. It gives you a taste of Cuban culture without actually crossing the Straits of Florida.

But aside from touring the popular Calle Ocho, you can head to Flagler Dog Track – a famous hangout for the region’s affluent population. The establishment, which traces its roots back to the 1930s, has greyhound racing, poker tournaments as well as pari-mutuels.

Explore the artsy side of the city

Miami is known for its vibrancy and this is reflected in the city’s art scene. Though there are museums that showcase the best local and international works, you can take a more private art appreciation session by walking along locations such as Wynwood Walls that’s lined with the best graffiti works that Miami has to offer.

Art Deco structures in Miami also reach the hundreds. Whilst options for Art Deco Tours are available, go the unconventional way by plotting your own itinerary. Destinations like The Plymouth Hotel are perfect additions to your art adventure. Better yet, you can rent Art Deco properties while you’re in Miami like in this post by Miami Curbed. No Art Deco hotel can ever replicate the experience of staying in a fully-furnished, multi-bedroom and T&B, 1930’s inspired home.

Go yachting

In terms of opulent activities, yachting ranks pretty high up the list. There’s a startup based in Miami, however, which gives you the chance to go sailing aboard the city’s luxury yachts and you don’t have to own one to be able to join the club.

Miami Herald relayed the YachtLife concept, which lists the local luxury yacht inventories into a centralized database. Its app allows users to check out yacht photos, specs and pricing as well as book them for a cruise on the spot.

These are all awesome alternative adventures in Miami besides visiting the common tourist spots and hangouts. Now that you have more reasons to explore The Magic City, all that’s left is to take that suitcase out of your closet and start packing. To help you out on the last part, check out our previous post about Travel Essentials for Your Weekend Getaway.

What will you be adding to your ultimate weekend guide to Miami? 

[nomaterra]

Accessories du jour...including yours truly. #nomaterra #easthampton #fragrance 📸: @marilee_pham

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Happy New Year! May your 2017 be the best year yet. We're so grateful and thankful for all your love and support, and excited for the year to come! #nyc#newyears#thankful#2017#nomaterra#fragrances (at New York, New York)

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Wanderlust memories bottled 💕 This is the LAST WEEKEND to shop our perfumes for guaranteed delivery by Christmas and Hanukkah!! #nomaterra #fragrances #shopartisanal #holidayshopping #scentventures (at Upper West Side)

[nomaterra]

Cape Cod getting mistletoed 🎄Shop scented gifts, including this favorite by December 19th for guaranteed Christmas and Hanukkah delivery. We're selling out of product FAST, so get over to our store ASAP if you're looking to snag a scented 🎁 for your loved one! #linkinbio #nomaterra #fragrances #holidays #scentedgifts 📷: @amoureusedemode

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Last day to shop your scented gifts from Nomaterra @renegadecraft LA at Grand Park! We're here until 5pm. 🎁🎅🎄💝🎈#shoplocal #shopsmall #handcrafted #holidaygifts #fragrances #nomaterra #renegadecraftfair #renegadela #scentventures (at Grand Park)

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Last show of the year today and tomorrow at Renegade Holiday LA!!! Come out this weekend and shop all your holiday 🎁 (including some scented gifts from Nomaterra) at Grand Park! We're here until 5pm today and from 10am to 5pm tomorrow. #renegadecraftla #renegadecraftfair #shopsmall #shoplocal #fragrances #artisanal #losangeles (at Grand Park)

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Playing @pinterest 👌🍰 (at Pinterest New York)

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Awesome meeting Jo Malone of @jolovesofficial last night @wework what an inspiration! #girlboss #idol #fangirlinglikenoother #femaleentrepreneur #fragrances #perfume (at WeWork Park South)

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Nomaterra's East Hampton in gilded company. Shot by @marilee_pham #nomaterra #fragrances #gilded #holiday

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Black Friday continues! Shop the entire Nomaterracollection and get 15% off + a chance to win a custom fragrance with purchase (valued at $1200). Limited quantities on our bespoke scents so shop fast. To find out about our holiday deals, sign up for our newsletter on nomaterra.com #nomaterra #fragrances #blackfriday #smallbusiness #artisanal #madeinnyc

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Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours! We're so grateful for all your support! 🙏🦃🍽🍁#thanksgiving #grateful

[nomaterra]

You know, just whaling about. #hudsonriver #backyardviews #nyc #winter #whalewatching (at Upper West Side)

[nomaterra]

Our newest article, "6 Fail-proof Tips for Buying Fragrance 🎁 Online," is now live on our journal. #linkinbio to read it especially if you are looking to gift your loved one with a perfume or other scented product! Share with us your fragrance shopping experiences in the comments. #nomaterra #fragrances #holidayshopping #perfume #blackfriday #smallbusinesssaturday #cybermonday#thanksgiving (at Upper West Side)

[nomaterra]

New Post has been published on Nomaterra's Journal - Travel through Scent

New Post has been published on http://blog.nomaterra.com/holidays/6-fail-proof-tips-for-buying-fragrance-gifts-online/

6 Fail-Proof Tips For Buying Fragrance Gifts Online

Most of my online shopping adventures start with random Buzzfeed posts that lead to late night Amazon searches, fueled by 2 glasses of wine. They all consist of shopping for things that I “cannot live without,” but I don’t really mind if, upon arrival, they don’t entirely reach my expectations. It’s like a game of Russian roulette, and that’s part of the thrill for me. But gift shopping, on the other hand, is a ritual. I truly cherish the art of gift giving, and the last thing I want is to leave the fate of my gifts in the hands of the unknown.

After many trials and tribulations, I devised a system for buying gifts online. This year, I applied my system to purchase a perfume online for my sister. As many of you can attest, buying perfume gifts online has its own set of challenges.

What is their scent style?

How often do they wear perfume?

Do they wear it only for special occasions or on a daily basis?

Do they prefer a perfume spray or a roll-on?

Needless to say, that perfume I got my sister is now her go-to fragrance. I’ve since applied my tips to buying fragrance gifts online for other family members and friends with much success, and am excited to share them with you. With this list in hand, you’ll never miss the mark with your scented gift. 

  Find the Right Notes

  Photo by Beautiful & Lovely

  Hitting the mark on the notes of your fragrance gift is 90% of the way to success. Before buying my sister’s perfume, I went for dinner at her house and used the opportunity to look for small clues that helped me paint a better picture of her scent taste. The first thing I noticed was her L’Occitane Vanilla hand moisturizer. A bit more snooping and I realized…ALL the candles she had around the house had some kind of sweet, flowery, jasmine-like essence. So I knew better than to shop for a spicy, patchouli essence for my vanilla-loving sister.

From there, I went to Fragrantica.com, and did a Perfume Search, marking Floral Fruity Gourmand, and Oriental Vanilla for the Olfactory Groups, and sorted the results by popularity. Then, I took it one step further and under “Notes” did a search for jasmine and vanilla, and cross-checked those fragrance results with my first search. I ended up with a number of great options and narrowed down my choices to Dior Hypnotic Poison, Flower by Kenzo, and Narciso Rodriguez For Her.

This website is my favorite for fragrance searches because each scent is broken down into a visual pyramid of top, heart, and base notes, which makes it quick and easy to find the most accurate fragrance gifts.  

    Matching Fragrance Descriptions to Personal Style

Friends and customers have confessed to me that they don’t fully believe the descriptions found on fragrances. As someone who has spent copious hours choosing the perfect words to describe a perfume scent, I assure you they are meticulously written to direct the customer towards their best match. So don’t be skeptical, quizzes and descriptions are key guidelines when buying fragrance gifts online, seeing that they serve to illustrate and evoke through words the personality of the fragrance.  A fragrance described as soft, romantic and feminine is for sure not the ideal scent for someone who has a more alternative and easygoing lifestyle.

  Avoid Buying a Knockoff

The internet is a mysterious road filled with dark alleys, so once you find a perfume that you believe fits perfectly the personal taste of the gift receiver, do a little research to make sure you’re not gifting a knock-off fragrance. The best way to avoid counterfeits is to buy directly from the brand’s website or from a reputable fragrance e-tailer like Indiescents.com or LuckyScents.com.

Sites like EBay and Amazon may sell the real stuff, but are also laden with resellers who may not actually know the original source of the product.

According to Valerie Salembier, senior vice president and publisher of Harper’s Bazaar, “Active ingredients found in counterfeit fragrance include things like urine, bacteria, antifreeze.” When price comparing, If your find your fragrance priced significantly lower than on other, reputable sites, it’s almost certainly a fake.

Besides potentially causing your gift receiver physical harm, a counterfeit perfume sale is often linked with funding criminal activity like drug cartels, child labor, and terrorism.  

    Listen to The Voice of The People 

Check the fragrance brand’s social media pages and review the brand and product on review sites like Yelp and Fragrantica. It’s always easier to trust your peers, and online customers love to share details that could answer even those doubts you didn’t think of. I usually read at least ten reviews before buying ANYTHING online, which is what I did before I purchased my sister’s perfume gift. 

There weren’t overwhelmingly positive or negative comments to the point that I would suspect the sources, but rather, descriptive comments aiming to illuminate the first impressions of the fragrance. Small details such as how it feels on the skin and how wide the scent range were valuable opinions that I took strongly into consideration. When checking for comments online, keep an eye open for the profile of the commenters—if they seem to match the style of your gift receiver, then this is an added sign you’re on the right path.

  Take Advantage of Sample Programs 

Even after finding what may seem like the perfect fragrance for your friend or family member, we all still wish we could just take a quick sniff to be 110% sure. Some brands like Nomaterra have “Sample Programs,” which allow you to redeem the cost of the set of samples for a bottle of perfume. If you know you only want to test one or two scents from a brand, some allow you to order singular samples.

LuckyScents.com, a niche fragrance e-tailer out of Los Angeles, sells Discovery Sets from individual brands, as well as their own themed sets such as “the best-selling masculine scents,” or “November’s newest launches“. To enjoy the benefits of the sample program avoid leaving your gift research for the last minute so you can have plenty of time between shipments and deliveries.

Photo by Getting Cheeky

  Check the return policy. 

If you’ve successfully completed all the steps above, then you’ve now found a great perfume gift that will enchant your loved one. But in reality, it is always good practice to accept that there is still a slight chance that you missed the mark with your fragrance gift, or maybe they would rather have the chance to exchange it for another one. So, it’s important to take a good look at return and exchange policies.

Nothing is more frustrating that not being able to return a product you’re not 100% satisfied with, especially a fragrance, which is so personal. I always make sure that I buy from a brand or store that gives me at least 20 days to return a perfume.

Be aware that if you’re shopping at a department store or other multi-merchandise store, their fragrance return policy may vary from the store’s overall return policy. 

    These 6 fail-proof tips for buying fragrance gifts online can truly save you from pushing your way through holiday shopping crowds and wandering through town in 40 degree weather. And if you’re still uncomfortable shopping for perfume online? There’s always the gift card option. 

Did you follow these tips? We’re eager to hear about your online fragrance shopping experience. Share your stories and comments below. 

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Join us today and tomorrow at Renegade San Francisco at the Fort Mason Pavilion! We're here from 11 am -6pm. Find the perfect 👃🎁 for the holidays. #shopsmall #renegadecraftfair #sanfrancisco #renegadesf #artisanal #madeinny #nomaterra #fragrances #handmade (at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture)