We were there so you didn't have to be

Art Flies are usually wannabes, socialites manqué who circle museum shows and gallery parties, networking in garish garb with the hope of getting noticed by Patrick McMullan. At Basel, however, the term means something entirely different, referring instead to art connoisseurs who make their presence known without seeming at all desperate or deplorable. Herewith, a list of the 10 most-seen personalities on the Miami scene, from an Oscar winner to the members of a fictional family.

My boyfriend and I have been saying that a lot since we landed in Miami on Tuesday. When spoken in a tipsy, slutty voice, it's a reverent nod to the late Anna Nicole Smith, and a perfect excuse for the week's debauchery. At a dinner last night hosted by Puma and the Bass Museum of Art in celebration of their partnered unveiling of the works of artist Isaac Julien, the woman sitting next to me said, "If you want to get noticed at Basel, you need to party your ass off." (She was, at the time, heeding her own advice.) This morning, when I ran into another friend, he said, "I see you've got your morning coffee. That must mean you had a good night." And yes, Jimmy, I have had a couple of good nights.

Even before we sat down to chat backstage at Revolution, I sensed a certain reluctance on the part of Bianca Casady, the gal who puts the "Coco" in CocoRosie. It wasn't a matter of her being interviewed by me - not that I know of, anyway - but of her being interviewed in the first place. Then again, CocoRosie creates the kind of wildly beautiful racket that defies depth and gravity, as well as definition, so it only makes sense that they'd hesitate to try and explain it to anyone. In fact, her sister Sierra ("Rosie") slipped out a side door before the possibility even arose. But after I assured the songstress that that this wouldn't be some garden variety Q&A, she warmed to the task at hand. And as we dipped into the deep that comprises CocoRosie, the origins of their latest LP, Grey Oceans, began to be float to the surface. As you might suspect, they spring from a somewhere that is virtually fathomless.

For that desirable combination of unbeatable luxury and city access, you can't top the penthouse. What better way to enjoy panoramic skyline views, concierge service, and lush interiors fit for a mansion? From the retro chic to the ultra modern, from bustling metropolises to the serene tropics, we've compiled a list of some of the sexiest penthouses in the world.

Here at BlackBook, we pay a lot of attention to where cool customers go out -- bars, clubs, restaurants, shops, hotels, you name it. So why not flip the frame and let you see where we go out? Here's a periodically updated, exhaustive list of hotspots currently favored by everyone at BlackBook, from the mighty bosses down to the humble interns, from the charming local lounges around the corner to the jet-setting temples of luxe living. ● Creative Director - Jason Daniels, The Odeon (NYC) -American Psychos down salmon and steak frites, but the real scene's on the sidewalk. ● Vice President, Content - Chris Mohney, Agua Dulce (NYC) - Festive outpost feels like Miami, F-L-A.

Here at BlackBook, we pay a lot of attention to where cool customers go out -- bars, clubs, restaurants, shops, hotels, you name it. So why not flip the frame and let you see where we go out? Here's a periodically updated, exhaustive list of hotspots currently favored by everyone at BlackBook, from the mighty bosses down to the humble interns, from the charming local lounges around the corner to the jet-setting temples of luxe living.

Sure, you could pay to stay and play, but why limit yourself to just one aquatic experience?

It's time to break out the funny glasses, (Note: This will be the last year you'll be able to sport those super cool glasses with the double zeros in them, next year 2010 won't work so well) the poppers, the kazoos, and the champagne. Wear something sparkly and check out this NYE packages from around the country (and London):

Word on the street, beach, the fairs and in hotel lobby banter was that Basel 2K8, as a whole, couldn’t hold a candle to last year’s event. Even so, hordes of New Yorkers made the airborne trek on Friday for the weekend wrap-up. As if Basel-goers needed to clock in more time at the Raleigh hotel, the venue hosted the Tommy Hilfiger & Vanity Fair gala to benefit Free Arts NYC. Regrettably, the soiree can be classified a poor man’s version of the Visionaire event of the previous night (no male models, no champagne fountain).