In 1998 Madeleine Kirsh opened an amazing 10,000 square foot space found on Biscayne Boulevard in North Miami Beach called C. Madeleine's.  The store truly is a vintage utopia with everyone from Milla Jovovich, Chole Sevingy, and Madonna flocking around like wild animals searching for designer vintage Chanel suits, hot pink Pucci day dresses, Badgley Mishka cocktail attire, Bill Blass floral flocks and if you're a Cher fanatic this is the place where Bob Mackie Dresses come to die. The jewelry section is even more delicious to look at; it's like entering the Wonka Factory and you are looking for that golden ticket. Vogue called the store "Miami's best kept secret," and the word on the street is that C' Madeleine's is best described as one of "the fashion wonders of the world."

However, unless you are a super stylist the staff watches you like hawks the second you step foot in the door. As you enter the store, you must lock your items in a high school locker and walk around with someone who works there to make sure you do not steal anything. The store is amazing, like a museum, and if you're a die-hard fashion fanatic ready to throw down some cash, this is the place for you.

The story begins when I had to pick out some jewelry to dazzle up an pink prom bridesmaid dress and I thought I would find my magic at C. Madeleine's. As I walked in, the paranoia began and the ladies followed me around just waiting for me to even try and steal something. I ended up spending $300.00 for a necklace and a ring. I adore my ring even though it was annoying to buy it. When my gal pal Vida came to town for the wedding, another vintage fanatic, I decided to take her to C.Madeleines to show her the palace. The second we walked in and the kooky hawks spotted us, she went bonkers and dug her nails into me and said,  "We are off to Red, White, and Blue."

Red, White, and Blue is another amazing vintage wonderland where you don't have to check your suitcase at the door. It's another one of Miami's best-kept vintage secrets.  As a photographer I hit the jackpot when I found an Sx-70 Polaroid camera just lying by it's lonely self. I almost took down a 90-year-old woman who was just looking at the candlesticks behind it, just to grab it when nobody there had any intentions to buy it!  I also bought lamps for my bedroom here and then I was horrified and shocked to find the same  $150.00 pearl necklace I bought at C. Madeleines for $2.00 dollars at the register! Vida kept laughing as my Irish Jew face turned beet red. I felt like reporting that store to the fashion police!  Vida said this is Miami's best-kept Vintage Wonderland.

A year later, a pinklicious fairy danced into town, spent 2 hours at Red, White, and Blue strolling out with a plethora of shirts and one major tutu all under 10 bucks!

So If your are high rolling check out:

              C.Madeleine's

    http://shopcmadeleines.com

    13702 Biscayne Blvd

              North Miami Beach, Fla.

              305.945.7770

Pennies in the wallet check out:

Red, White, and Blue

12640 NE 6^th Ave

North Miami, Fla.

305.893.1104