Travel Diary: Miami

There are two ways to do Miami: the "stay up all night South Beach" way and the "normal people actually live here" way. For my inaugural trip I chose the road less traveled (way #2) and had the most amazing time! I'm taking a cue from Hallie's NYFW playbook and giving you a little play-by-play travel diary + sharing a few of my fave spots in case you're planning a Miami vacay:

{LA--> Miami}

2:20pm: About to board our flight when the BF announces, "You know it's super humid in Miami? Your hair is going to be crazy!" Umm... thanks?! And yes, I packed some anti-humidity hairspray. This isn't my first rodeo, thank you!

4:00pm: Knee-deep in LOLs while reading 'The Girls Above Me'

10:32pm: We walk out of the airport and my hair instantly curls, frizzes and who knows what else! Ahh, humidity. Mantra for the rest of the trip: #embraceit.

{Miami Day 1}

My idea of vacation = bikini, beach, sun and cocktail(s).

12:30pm: First stop, lunch by the pool at the Raleigh Hotel in South Beach! Talk about a gorgeous Art Deco hotel that makes you feel like you're living the old hollywood glam life. Oh, and we're sitting next to Anthony Bourdain. Who? Yeah, halfway through lunch I realize who he is and then watch his every foodie move.

1:45pm: #beachtime. A lunchtime cocktail lends itself to a nice coastal nap. Towels down. Ash out!

3:15pm: If I lay on my tummy any longer I'm sure to get an awesome tan from my Mikoh bikini top. Oh, but the crashing waves and warm sun are just too good!

4:00pm: Time to pack up and cool off. A juice smoothie? Who are we kidding, ice cream it is. See you in 2.5 seconds Dairy Queen.

4:32pm: Note to self: chocolate dipped ice cream cones melt fast when it's 87 degrees with 80% humidity.

{Miami Day 2}

11:25am: Headed to Fairchild Tropical Garden to experience their incredible Butterfly Conservatory. 

11:50pm: Surrounded by 2K tropical butterflies and totally amazed by their beauty. Holy moly, it's hot in here!

2:17pm: Next stop, Brickell to visit some friends. 

2:46pm: I'm ready to move to Miami (no joke). With views like this + the weather, I'm in heaven. I've already mentally reserved my (permanent) chair at the pool across the way. 

7:00pm: A little shopping and dining at TheVillage of Merrick Park aka the fanciest outdoor mall I've ever seen.

{Miami Day 3}

11:10am: A morning jog (who are we?!) to Chicken Kitchen (yup, always running towards the food). Need a chicken or rice fix? Their chop-chops got you covered!

1:45pm: #pooltime plus some outfit shots

6:45pm: Dinner with the BF's fam at The Peacock Cafe in Coconut Grove. Sit outside? Of course, I've got to get all the Miami I can get in before jumping on a flight back home in the AM! What a magical little restaurant with fantastic food and ambiance.

11:15pm: Bedtime thoughts: Beyond bummed to leave this newfound tropical world. Even the palm trees are different in Miami! When are we moving? Kidding!

Thank you Miami and friends for making this a fantastic trip. Xoxo

{quick update}

Just wanted to share this awesome iPhone app with you called Cameo - it allows you to shoot small video clips then put them together to create a short film. You can add filters, text and a soundtrack. It's pretty seamless and super easy to use + multiple users can come together to submit content for one video. ie: girl's Vegas trip, couples vacay, and family celebrations. Here is ours from Miami (turn your sound up):