Material World 2009

Each year, I attend a convention for designers, Material World.  They exhibit new technologies, fabric and trimming wholesalers, seminars and any thing else you need to make a garment.  I have been going to this convention for over 3 years now.  I even made a special trip to the one in NYC a few years ago.  As a designer, the hardest part is sourcing and knowing the quality of the products you want to use.  Here you can see and feel for yourself and build relationships with the distributors.   I bumped into old classmates and teachers from the Miami University of Art & Design.  I registered for  a few seminars on new trends, color stories, and was able to hear from local designers on their experience in the industry.  

Non the less, I found everything I need !  There are usually ridiculous minimum yardage or quantities for orders.  Since the economy is the way that it is, distributors are lowering the minimums and really working with the designers.  I have sourced my own fabrics for my collection that will be out this summer, but anticipating the next collection.  One of the exhibitors I met was a family owned business from Canada.  They wholesale elastics and custom tags, pretty much my one stop shop.  Ironically, her and her family were staying in a hotel just behind my apartment in Coconut Grove.  She is a bride to be and gave her the 411 for shopping and directed her to the fabulous Miracle Mile, aka  Bridezilla Alley.  I am really looking forward to working with her and adding special details to Priscilla Jade Lingerie.

The Spa Day

Today, I actually put to use my anniversary present, which was a spa day.  I usually pamper myself when I have a special occasion and I need a mani and a pedi with a glass of wine.  

Tucked away in South Miami, Yazmina Navarro's Jazzy Day Spa was definitely the getaway.  I rushed to make my appointment like every other day.  I was excited to get this relaxing massage since I am always working on a sewing machine or on my laptop.  I meet Yazmina and she takes me to the massage room.  The room was dim and light music was already playing in the background.  I take off my top and lay face down on the table.  She comes in and starts my massage.  She lowered my yoga pants to right below the crack of my derriere.  From that point I knew this was going to be intense.   I could feel each excruciating knot in my back.  Needless to say I had gone out the night before and was slightly hungover.  She topped of the back massage with a hot stone treatment.   I could not tell if I had fallen asleep or if I was in a deep state of mediation.  I did not want it to end.  She then asks that I flip over and face up.  I had forgotten about the facial.  One of my OCD compulsions is people touching my face or having anything on my face.  She began to rub my face with oils and scrubs, and threw my OCD out the window.  I had a foot and hand massage during my steam facial and mask, with the occasional neck/shoulder rub after each application.   I didn't even feel the pain from the blister on my heel I had got from the night before.  You don't realize the muscles in your hands until they have been kneaded like dough.  Yazmina checks up and asks how I am feeling and talks to me about sunscreen coverage for my face, all I can do it nod my head.  I was disconnected.  My hour and 1/2 session had come to an end.  I got dressed and had an amazing feeling of relaxation.  This is the meaning of a sound mind and body.  I sat in the seating area with a glass of water to kind regroup my senses.  I didn't feel grounded until about 20 minutes later while driving.  Its a perfect gift for anyone, everyone needs to have one.  I plan to treat myself to one of these once a month.  

She has different types of facials like the basic which includes the cleansing, extractions, along with the hand and foot massage.  There is the Illuminating Facial, Deep Cleansing, even a back facial.  You can pick a customized facial with collagen, vitamin C, or seaweed and beta peels.

 The massages that are available are the Swedish, Wellness (for injuries usually combo-ed with the Swedish), Reflexology, Cranium Massage, body stretching and one for the pregos too.  

Lets not forget the body wraps, body scrubs and waxing.  

Here is her information.  Yazmina Navarro: 7800 S.W. 57th Ave.  Suite 131 #: 786.683.7156 

Make sure you mention my name ! ;)