Jamaica’s #MyDestinationExperience = Entrepreneurs, Influencers & Creators

10/13/2014adventurousanggg Leave a comment

The key to any fab party is always the ambiance… Whether its soft & sultry or bold & edgy, the first impression sets the tone for the complete experience. So when I arrived to the #MyDestinationExperience at the Goldeneye Resort I was left speechless. The exotic resort has hosted the worlds most prominent figures in arts & entertainment including Ian Flemings (creator of James Bond), Jay Z, Beyonce and Kate Moss. The exquisite destination was the epicenter of an exclusive celebration and entrepreneurial mash-up of Jamaican elites, Hollywood producers and American media.

#DestinationExperience, where a luxurious party meets somewhere between the infinity pool & the beach

The Destination Experience weekend was curated by brother & sister team Kirk-Anthony Hamilton and Michele-Anne Hamilton. The weekend affair consisted of a collection of boutique events around the marvels of Jamaica. Presenting sponsors included National Commercial Bank and Visa Signature including activations from other sponsors including Jaguar and Range Rover, Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum, Moet and Chandon, Virgin Atlantic, Island Outpost, Marketing Guru and Magellan Jets. Weekend activities included:

Private dinner at The British High Commissioner’s residence hosted by High Commissioner David Fitton with cuisine by Chef Brian Lumley and Errol Flynn’s grandson Luke Flynn as a special guest
Cocktail reception at a listed US $3 million home featuring Chef Oji Jaja
Cocktail Reception at The Club at Reading Heights in Montego Bay – private development owned by DC based A.J. Dwoskin and Associates.
Press Reception for ‘The White Witch of Rosehall’ film announcement & media event – Rosehall Greathouse.
Arthur Wyle invitational Golf Tournament – Cinnamon Hill
Jaguar and Range Rover Drive Experience – Hermosa Cove featuring Chef Sean John of Spur Tree in New York
Media Adventure Excursion to Goodhope, Chukka Cove, Hermosa Cove
The Destination Experience flagship party at GoldenEye

The Destination Experience was designed as an global platform for business leaders and key influencers to converge in a unique environment and discover business and lifestyle opportunities. As creator and host, Kirk-Anthony is the founder and CEO of the Infiniti Partnership which owns The Destination Experience and is now pursuing various interests in the hospitality and lifestyle industry, which includes concierge services and resort development. The Destination Experience raised funds to benefit the American Friends of Jamaica Charity and Chain of Hope Jamaica Charity.

Moet was a sponsor at The Destination Experience

Range Rover was a sponsor at The Destination Experience

National Commercial Bank & Visa were presenting sponsors at The Destination Experience

Attendees were in for an exquisite treat! For the first time, the exclusive Golden Eye Resort in Jamaica shut it’s doors to be the destination & experience for trendsetters and high net worth professionals. The evening satisfied all the your entertainment senses, with sounds by DJ Ideal from Miami and DJ Shane – The Firestarter with local Jamaican appeal. DJ Shane was not the ONLY fire starter… The event included amazing dances from Fire Spitters that performed to the music and interacted with guest – I even made a special cameo!

The evening ended with a very special & sentimental touch… Guests gathered on the beach, barefoot and full of optimism as we lit sky lanterns and filled the Jamaican sky with our dreams. This particular aspect of the event really resonated with me, as I’ve always loved the beauty and depth of the fire lanterns. I truly enjoyed the experience mingling with Jamaican entrepreneurs, American media and Hollywood producers while dancing under the Jamaican twilight and sipping on bottomless Moet. I look forward to the next #MyDestinationExperience and an opportunity to visit a new exotic location.

On top of Pasadena: Henninger Flats

08/11/2014adventurousanggg Leave a comment

Overlooking Foothill Blvd and the 210 Freeway is Henninger Flats sitting right above Pasadena, California. The exceptional convenience and ease from city-life to this serene mountainous escape makes the 2+ mile hike onward & upward worthwhile. As a first timer and fairly infrequent hiker, I took the invitation as I would a stroll through Fryman Cyn or Griffith Park. BOY, was I in for an exsertus surprise! At 2,600 feet above sea level, Henninger Flats is atop Eaton Canyon within the San Gabriel Mountains inside the Angeles National Forest. Starting at the residential area below, for well over an hour straight we trekked uphill for about 2 miles before we made it to the top. Along the way there were outlooks and benches to take in the beautiful view. We ceased the opportunity to gulp down water for hydration and was overly ambitious performing tricep dips on the benches until muscle fatigue. It hurt sooo GOOD! *insert sarcasm here*

The trail does not offer much shade, so protection from the sun is definitely mandatory. Having an affinity towards Eaton Canyon, I enjoyed looking down at oh so familiar bridge and trails leading to the waterfalls below. The entire expedition took approximately 3 hours from bottom to top and back to the car. I highly suggest bringing plenty of water and a light picnic to enjoy once you get to the top. There’s plenty of shade at Henninger Flats, along with grills and a quaint little museum with stuffed animal carcasses (which I don’t exactly appreciate). It’s a known campers haven, so feel free to pitch a tent if you can make it up there with your gear. Campers & sightseers can also reach the top through a road that leads straight to the camping grounds. I definitely rank Henninger Flats a ‘must do’ for anyone that enjoys hiking and is looking for a challenge. It’s amazing how many gems are right outside your front door, all you have to do is dig a little deeper. Even after 5 years in Los Angeles the sunsets amaze me and skyline of mountains near and far keep me in awe. Now to find the next adventurous hike to conquer and see the land from a different lens.

3 vineyards + 10 miles = 13 ways to get drunk on a bike

07/29/2014adventurousanggg 1 Comment

During my exploration of the California lifestyle, I organized a group trip with professional colleagues to team-build and exhale with the Santa Barbara Adventure Company. We thought it would be a great idea to bike and booze through the beautiful Santa Ynez wine country. Being a semi-city girl, not riding a bike for over two decades, I had to give myself a pat on the back to make it through 10 miles of easy riding along the beautiful landscape of popular California vintners.

The SBAC staff was young, exciting and very accommodating. The selections from each winery ranged from light whites to robust reds, with each location offering it’s own special charm. My absolute favorite was Riverbench Vineyard & Winery, our last stop on Foxen Canyon Road. This is where I purchased a flavorful rosé that I had the pleasure of sharing with someone special :). I even had a chance to pick a grape and experience the sweet burst of goodness straight from the vine.

Bike & Booze: 13 ways to get drunk on a bike

Dress comfortable
Wear sunblock
Wear a hat
Don’t wear flip-flops
Be sure to wear protective gear (helmet, elbow pads, etc.)
If it’s been awhile, practice in the parking lot & pace yourself
Stay hydrated
Be sure to refuel with snacks & hearty lunch
Take the time to smell and embody the flavor of each wine selection
Strategize each complimentary full glass of wine (start with whites, then go to reds)
Charm & secretly tip the pourer 😉
Only purchase a bottle that you are in love with
Eat the complimentary crackers in moderation

‘Red Tails’ star Tristan Wilds attends JoiStaRR’s ‘Magic Monday’ launch event

01/18/2012adventurousanggg Leave a comment

…And I had the pleasure of being in attendance! It was a great night, the launch for JoiStaRR was pulled off quite classy and everything was in abundance. One of my pet peeves is to go to an event and the food runs out or the ‘open bar’ ends at an undisclosed time. But My Block Records definitely held no stops with making sure that ‘Magic Monday’ launched to a packed house of satisfied attendees. The event was buzzing with camera crews filming the premiere season of WeTV’s Mary Mary which is slated for March 2012. The uber-cute and sassy Erica Campbell was just un-phased by the swelling crowd and in some rooms hot & humid conditions. The food was absolutely DELISH, with unlimited servings of jerk chicken skewers, mac & cheese, crab cakes and even cute fun shaped PB&J. I conveniently positioned myself in arm’s length to sample the comforting bites.

Peach Bellini’s topped with Ciroc was the drink of the night. With endless bottles of Ciroc and Moreno, champagne cocktails are always a hit! The cute studio was equipped with an analog SSL board and vintage hardware to compliment, as the patio area was transformed into a seasonably chic lounge with all white furniture and white trees slightly frosted by blue up lighting. To my surprise a youthful Tristan Wilds was spotted looking effortlessly stylish rocking a Tuskegee t-shirt in support of his new film ‘Red Tails’ that opens in less than a week on Friday, January 20th. Also spotted was 90’s vocalist, Shanice Wilson ALL smiles. PJ Morton was in attendance whom JoiStaRR collaborates remixing the Lauryn Hill & D’Angelo classic duet ‘Nothing Even Matters.’ The host of the night, Warryn Campbell is the CEO of My Block Records and a Grammy award-winning producer. He is the husband to Erica Campbell, which they are expecting the birth of their third child.

The night was very eventful with a short performance by JoiStaRR and PJ Morton. Each room was filled to capacity as everyone gathered inside to see the performance. I was able to see a few familiar faces and network with music insiders and artists on the grind. I would definitely rate this event: B- (Due to the flow of traffic in the venue, everyone was cramming into a room that everyone couldn’t fit. The bars did not have variety, Ciroc was the only liquor and the inside bar was stocked with cheap Barefoot wine chardonnay and Cabernet. PLUS, I didn’t meet any cuties).