Extra Long Weekend

© Flickr / sun dazed

Is anyone actually working on Friday? We didn't think so. What's the point when the 4th is on a Monday, and the weekend stretches out before us like so much ocean against the horizon? It's not like we'd get anything done anyway. So get your weekend started early with a sketched out party at Lester's, bayside cocktails at The Standard, and a dance party at WALL.

Thursday: Get Sketched

What: Sketchy Miami
Where: Lester’s
When:  8:00 p.m.

© ASOS, Max & Chloe, Botkier Morea, Jimmy Choo, Top ShopIf you’re not familiar with Sketchy Miami, let us fill you in; as part of their Portrait Project, Miamians can upload their glamour shots, mug shots, quick cell phone pics or embarrassing facebook photos of themselves to the Sketchy Miami website, for all of Miami to see. The catch? After the pictures are posted, local artists study your mug and submit their sketchy portraits. The goal is to create a portrait of every person in Miami. Sounds impossible, but they’re trying to pull it off. Support the cause at the launch party this Thursday at newly opened Lester’s, with live music from Sam Friend, pizza from Joey’s, and flash portraits from a handful of Miami artists.

Look casual but polished (hey – you never know who might be drawing you) in The Only Son Turning Target T-Shirt; wear this soft, slouchy, subtlety studded style with sleek Black Pintuck Shorts from Topshop to get the proportions right. Style it up with classic Jimmy Choo Widdin Suede Ballerina Flatsand a chunk of hardware for your wrist – the CC Skye Baja Malibu Bracelet in black is luxe and ladylike; we love it combined with these Spike Dangle Earrings by Max & Chloe. Pick up on the top’s studded detail with the Botkier Morea Large Cross-Body bag, which is roomy enough for your own pen and paper, just in case you want to try your own sketchy hand.

Friday: Nothing Standard About It

© DKNY, Santi, Aqua, Dolce VitaWhat:  Sunset Cocktails
Where: The Standard
When: 6-9 p.m.

Picture this: chillin bayside with drinks in hand, lounging on the dock of the fabulous Standard Hotel and gazing out at the amazing view. The rippling water, sparkling skyscraper lights, live tunes…and half-off drinks? It’s Friday's happiest happy hour at this gem off the Venetian Causeway. From six to nine, enjoy half-price cocktails, glasses of wine, and pitchers of brew in the laid-back, sultry ambiance of the hotel’s Lido Restaurant and Bayside Grill. So get cocktail hour started early, then finish the journey across the bridge and live it up on South Beach for the rest of the night.

The Broderie Stretch-Cotton Dress from DKNY is a smart, chic, sexy summer essential. Wear it to cocktails with seventies-inspired North Chunky Sandals from Dolce Vita and a fun, embellished SANTI Embroidered Clutch. Add some glamour with a gilded Aqua Twisted Hinge Bangle and a few hot, hot pink Pop of Color Bangles from Forever 21.

Saturday: Two Girls and a Turntable

© IRO, House of Harlow, Jules Smith, Stella McCartney, Jessica SimpsonWhat: NERVO
Where: WALL
When: 11 p.m.

Impossibly blonde twin sisters Miriam and Olivia Nervo started out as high-fashion models from Australia, which was fun for a while, until they got signed to Sony and reinvented themselves as an extremely successful songwriting team. They’ve penned chart-topping tunes for the likes of Kesha, Kelly Rowland, Britney Spears and the Pussycat Dolls, but this Saturday you can catch them behind the decks at WALL as part of the club’s weekend-long Independence Day party extravaganza.

Revamp your usual LBD with the IRO Short Dress – the funky, deconstructed slub material and trapeze silhouette are cool and unusual – not your typical, trendy club garb. Amp up basic black in these super-sexy Jessica Simpson Vadio Sandals in ultra-bright color block and a fierce stiletto that measures in at nearly five full inches. Play up their graphic appeal with House of Harlow Chevron Earrings and an Americana Classic Ring by Jules Smith, then stash all your essentials in the Stella McCartney Shaggy Deer Clutch – no, we don’t know how it got that name, but we do love all those chunky chain details.