Miami, the Magic City

I’ve been trying to write about our Miami trip since we got home last week, but every time I just end up looking at pictures and plotting our return trip. I absolutely fell in love with Miami, something that I didn’t expect before we arrived. 

Maybe it was the perfect weather. Maybe it was the much-needed break from work. Maybe it was because this was the first vacation I have taken in forever. Whatever the reason, I am head over heels for Miami and I may or may not have looked at jobs there before realizing we can not afford the beach condo of our dreams right now. 

Dress, Lilly Pulitzer (it has UPF 50!). Sunglasses, Betsey Johnson. 

After getting my photo fix, we wandered over to Wynwood Brewing Company (you know us, we’ll always sniff out a good brewery). This place had great beer, cool games, and was super cheap for a flight. 

Of course, after all that beer we needed lunch- staying in Wynwood we stumbled upon Suviche and oh my goodness. We went twice over the weekend, it was that good. This place is Peruvian-Japanese fusion, which sounds weird but they have the best ceviche, sushi, and cocktails- and a great happy hour! Not to mention this cute little patio. 

That night we wandered around Lincoln Road and took a spin on South Beach, but we spent more time people watching than partying! Besides, we had to be up early for our day trip to Key West the next morning. 

Romper, Lilly Pulitzer (similar).

The entire drive down to the Keys is worth a day trip by itself. Multi-colored water on either side, tiny little islands, and incredible beach houses for miles and miles. We pulled over at this little beach off the highway on our way down and waded out into the water. It was crystal-clear and you could walk on a sandbar until you were up to your chest. I could have stood there all day! But, on to Key West.

Key West isn’t my favorite place, but it was great for a day trip. It can get a little too touristy, but we had great Cuban food, wandered around, stumbled upon a boat race, and ended our day at a teeny-tiny shop run by two Cuban ladies who served up the best cup of Cuban coffee I have ever had. 

I think this is the only picture I have from Saturday! We spent a long morning laying on the beach, had lunch, and then posted up in South Beach to watch the McGregor fight (I know, but everyone else wanted to go). 

Sunday was hard- none of us wanted to leave, and while we had the whole day to enjoy it was marred by the fact that we had to get on a plane home that night. We had brunch at Balans in Lincoln Road (sooo good and they have great, cheap pitchers of drinks), wandered around, and ended our afternoon at Juvia, a rooftop bar on Lincoln. I could have stayed there all day, drinking overpriced rose and looking out over Miami Beach and the coastline. 

Dress, Lilly Pulitzer (old). Clutch, Marley Lilly (similar). Earrings, Kendra Scott (old color, similar). Sunglasses, Ray-Ban. On Zac- shirt, Under Armour. Shorts, Chubbies. Sunglasses, Jacques Fath (vintage). 

I love love love Miami, and we are already plotting our return trip (along with a few other travel plans for 2017…). I think I imagined Miami the way it seems in every 80s mob movie- full of bikini-clad girls and gold-necklace-wearing men partying on South Beach until the early morning. But instead it was bright, colorful, full of art and fun places to see and beautiful views.

Miami, you have stolen our hearts, but we will be back soon.