thelittlegoldmix

We just got back to NY from Miami, and I’m already missing it like crazy– Miami is the perfect three-day trip, in my opinion, for a few key reasons:

• You don’t need your passport
• It’s a short 2 and 1/2 hour plane ride away from New York
• You get all the sun, sand and palm trees that the Caribbean can offer…
• With all the conveniences that we’ve grown accustomed to (plethora of places to get an iced coffee, two Zaras and a Barneys within walking distance…)
• Hotels in every price range
• The BEST food and restaurants you could imagine
• The ULTIMATE city for people watching (!!!), my favorite activity!
• There are plenty of fun outdoor, sporty activities to do, but also plenty of places to just chill out and relax
• Photo-ops everywhere…all the beautiful Art-Deco buildings and cool street art and natural beauty of the beaches and ocean…

Below is my three-day trip, including tips and places to go on your next Miami getaway:

Airport Essentials: Black and white loafers: Forever 21 (really!)| Aviators: Rayban |Gold leather clutch: Gigi New York |Distressed Boyfriend jeans: Zara |Pearl bracelets: Zara

The South Beach Dream Hotel: Perfect location…right in South Beach, walking distance to all restaurants and shops, with its own beach access and a rooftop pool!

Cheers on the Dream rooftop!

This panama hat from J.Crew is a must (paired with this white cotton cover up dress, also from J.Crew)

Poolside lunch at the Dream hotel

First dinner outfit: A little white dress is my Miami nighttime uniform!  This embroidered eyelet one is from Zara, with Wildfox sunnies and J.Crew metallic sandals — flats were a must since we walked to dinner at Joe’s Stone Crab– a Miami institution.  Next time you’re there, you must eat here– even if you don’t love seafood (I feel bad for you), their sides will 300% make up for it (creamed spinach, lime-chili corn…). It’s been open for 102 years (!!!)and has a distinctive “rat-pack” 1950’s classic feel to it…like Frank Sinatra should be sitting at the table next to you…they don’t take reservations, so come early and have a drink at the bar while you people watch!

Ocean Drive palms & cafes…our favorite place to run in the mornings and ride bikes in the afternoon.

Love seat, Miami-style ❤

Breakfast (the Huevos Rancheros is mine!) at the News Cafe is a Miami must– a little touristy, but great service, awesome breakfast choices, and tables right on Ocean Drive.

One of our favorite things to do on vacation is to rent bikes and explore– Miami has Citi-Bikes for rent on almost every block– for under $20 you can spend hours exploring the city (and getting iced-coffee at Starbucks). We rode the entire boardwalk and up to Lincoln Road, one of the best outdoor shopping plazas I’ve seen. These J.Crew sandals are great for a bike ride because they don’t slide off your feet too easily!

Dinner outfit #2: I told you that a little white dress is my Miami dinner/night out uniform! This one is one of my all time fave white dresses– I’ve already worn it to a graduation, a white-party barbecue, and to countless summer dinners.  It’s by LoversandFriends, a favorite designer of pretty affordable but stylish dresses.  The lace-up sandals are, surprise!, a Zara find! I plan to wear these with just about everything this spring and summer. I wore this outfit to dinner at Dolce Italian, the winner of the Bravo TV show’s Best New Restaurant show.  The service, decor and food did not disappoint one bit…best spring pea soup and lobster ravioli of my life!

Sitting area & bar outside the Dream– how pretty are these lights?!

Huevos Rancheros (yes, again) and a breakfast burrito at the Dream’s Naked Taco.

View from my poolside lounge chair, on the roof of the Dream.

A little rooftop plant life ❤

When your mani matches the pool (Essie’s “Find Me an Oasis” also could not have been better named for this moment!)

Roof top view.

Casual outfit for our last night’s dinner: This Minkpink printed romper is my go to piece for a casual summer event or dinner where I know we’ll be walking or exploring or shopping …it’s so easy to wear and manages to feel dressed up and casual/comfy at the same time.  The tote on the floor is my travel/vacation/summer tote– a raffia Yves Saint Laurent purchased ten years ago and worn every single summer since <3…I like to think there’s a grain of sand from every beach I’ve been to in the bottom of that bag!

So that’s it you guys! My perfect three day Miami getaway! Hope this inspires you to book a trip there and visit some of the spots I mentioned– I promise, you’ll fall in love with it too!

xo,

Christine