Best Bridal Shop 2018 | Chic Parisien | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Miami | Miami New Times
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Courtesy of Chic Parisien

For the fashionable bride, the most important part of the wedding is the dress. At the family-owned Chic Parisien, a full-service bridal shop in Coral Gables, each bride comes under the care of Catherine Fox Milian, the current owner and daughter of the founders, who opened the boutique in 1969. With a half-century of bridal-industry knowledge, Chic Parisien carries luxury brands such as Monique Lhuillier, Ines di Santo, Lazaro, Hayley Paige, and others. In addition, the shop carries bridal accessories, evening wear for events such as debutante balls, and some tuxedos. For this high-end selection and service, you'll end up spending $3,500 to $20,000 on a gown. But don't fret at the price tag. If you're on a budget, stop next door at the Find Bridal, Milian's outlet bridal shop that sells discount designer dresses. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, and by appointment.

Photo by Minhae Shim Roth

Sick of the soul-sucking experience of pushing a shopping cart around a big-box baby store? If you need a more intimate and calming experience, visit Nini & Loli, which is owned by Miami natives and has operated locally since 2006. Find three locations in South Florida: near Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, at Aventura Mall, and at the Promenade Shops in Aventura. They carry a beautifully curated selection of baby basics and extras, such as strollers, car seats, bathing supplies, apparel, toys, cribs, and whatever else you need for the little bundle of joy in your life.

Courtesy of the Fashionista

Thrifting is fun if you have the time and a high tolerance for weird smells. But sometimes you just wanna go where the goods are. Located in the heart of Coconut Grove, Fashionista is the place to score significant markdowns on brands you covet, including Alexis, J Brand, and Jimmy Choo. The prices reflect the high quality. No, you won't find the perfect pair of $3 vintage Levi's, but you also won't find used toasters or broken lampshades. This is where you come when you're looking for a Chanel bag at half price or a vintage Missoni wrap dress for several hundred dollars off. And if you already happen to have a closet full of designer goods, you're in luck. Fashionista buys merchandise from stylish locals so you can make room for even more finds.

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Whether you're down in South Miami, over in Miami Beach, or out in Coconut Grove, you can — and should — take a peek inside Market, a clothing store that prides itself on basics. Find a delicate everyday necklace in rose gold ($24 to $36), a striped two-piece set for Sunday brunch ($70 to $80 for the set or $50 per piece), and the softest gray sweatpants of your life ($48 to $66). Market is all about that effortlessly hot Miami style, and because almost everything costs less than $100, you don't have to feel guilty about picking up a few things to get the look.

Photo by Deft Union

An acronym for "Oh Fuck Yeah," OFY bills itself as a "men's lifestyle store." But just know the shop's best asset is a good selection of clothing that falls somewhere between trendy and classic. That means you'll look stylish without appearing to try too hard. You'll find both established and emerging brands, such as Todd Snyder, Cotton Citizen, J Brand, and Double Rainbouu. Brands change each season, but that should only encourage repeat visits to check out the new items that owner Ofir Farahan has sourced. The shop conveniently has two locations, in Mary Brickell Village and just off the NW Second Avenue strip in Wynwood. And although Brickell's preppy style doesn't seem like it should mix with Wynwood's hipster aesthetic, OFY manages to pull it off.

Photo by Kristin Bjornsen

There's a reason film producers and cruise entertainers depend on ABC Costume Shop in Wynwood for their wardrobe needs: This isn't your basic costume-in-a-bag store, but an emporium of Heidi Klum-worthy costumes for Halloween and beyond. With 30,000 costumes to choose from, you have plenty of options, whether you want to spend the day as a mermaid, a matador, or a mob boss. ABC rents a variety of theatrical-quality costumes for three days, or select from a smaller selection available for purchase. Because the costumes aren't mass-produced, expect to spend anywhere from $100 to $200 for a rental. But can you really put a price on having a high-quality costume no one else is wearing?

Going to the dentist is, for many people, one of the most frightening experiences. There are needles, drills, disturbing noises, and cauterizing equipment. Even getting a simple x-ray is uncomfortable. If only your dentist had one of those mind-erasing pens that the Men in Black use. Dental sedation is the next best thing. Dr. Gabriel Vidal at Miami Dental Sedation Spa believes in sedation. A self-proclaimed chicken in the dentist's chair, he's up for doing anything he can to make you feel at ease. Recline and relax while dental technicians give you a cozy blanket and play soft music as you gently drift to sleep. When you wake up, take a look at your new mug in the mirror. How did your gnarly, crooked teeth turn into a smile that would put a starlet to shame? You probably don't want to know. As Aaron Burr says in Hamilton: Talk less, smile more.

Photo by Joey O'Loughlin

Being a mom is incredibly stressful. Choosing the right doctor is the key to a healthy pregnancy for both baby and mommy. Xana Miguélez is an attending physician in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach. Fully bilingual, knowledgeable, compassionate, patient, and willing to field panic-filled calls and listen to teary-eyed encounters about pregnancy, Dr. Miguélez is unique. In her spare time, when she's not with her kids, she is the president of the nonprofit A Stitch in Time, a group of volunteer gynecological health-care professionals that provides surgery and treatment to needy women in remote parts of the world. She has performed surgeries in Bangladesh and plans to travel with her team to Uganda this summer. She was educated in Spain and completed her residency at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. She also holds a master's degree in reproductive and sexual health research. If you're looking for a doctor with a big heart and a big brain, Dr. Miguélez is the one. Her office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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We all know Panther Coffee has great java. But once you get your brew, you might have some work or interweb surfing to do. Fortunately, you're in luck: The Wynwood location serves stellar Wi-Fi too. What sets this spot apart from other Panther locations and any other place offering free Wi-Fi? An expansive patio out front is great for people-watching. It's an oddly tranquil retreat amid the vibrant Wynwood madness. And, of course, the internet is reliable and fast. The location is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, and you simply need to go through a couple of quick steps for access. From there, the world — or at least the interweb — is your oyster.

Photo by Jonah Gouin

If you're looking for a unique statement piece of furniture for your home, visit the Doro Designs showroom in Wynwood and talk to owners and self-taught woodworkers Timon Harris and Jonah Gouin. Doro specializes in custom, hand-crafted pieces made from sustainable wood embellished with steel, cement, and acrylic. The store also offers ready-to-buy items such as petrified-wood stumps, coffee tables, and dining tables. The wood is sourced from the United States, Central America, Mexico, and Indonesia. The store handles most of the woodworking in-house, including constructing, cutting, sanding, polishing, and finishing. The Doro team works closely with customers to build pieces exactly to their specifications while being mindful of budget, timing, and desired wood. Each piece is priced individually, but the objects can range from $500 to $20,000 based on complexity, size, and material. In its sixth year of business, Doro Designs specializes in unique, functional art pieces with a culture of timeliness and solid customer service. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Best Of Miami®

Best Of Miami®