miami is for me |travel + style|

This past week a very impromptu trip to Miami happened. Even though my husband’s work schedule would occupy the majority of our stay, this little gypsy is no stranger to roaming a new city solo. Shockingly, I haven’t been to Miami since I was a child so the opportunity to go was pretty exciting for me…

I have some pretty typical flying necessities but they are just that, necessary.  

• Hand sanitizer. (ew, gross, ugh)
• Contact solution – my eyes are so effing dry after flights.
• Lip balm/chapstick – Coconut Aloha Chapstick pictured below is so good yet so bad because it tastes like paradise but I am constantly eating it off.
• Gadget chargers.
• Sunglasses – for discreet “people watching.”
• & a huge scarf – which serves as a pillow/blanket/security system whilst napping.

I love flying. I love everything about it. After driving across America twice, spending endless hours in a car/truck is not my preferred mode of transportation for vacationing. Now, road trips are for moving purposes only. It’s all fun and games until you’re in the middle of the desert with a U-haul full of your life’s belongings with 3 more days of driving ahead of you. I’m soo glad we got to experience it (twice) but that “adventure” gave me such an appreciation for air travel.

When visiting a new place, I tend to do some research beforehand. I also like to set a few goals so I don’t spend my whole trip at the pool. #confessionsofapoolaholic

1. South Beach – for all obvious reasons.

2. Wynwood Walls – because street art is a great love of mine.

3. Collins Ave/Lincoln Road Mall – shopping…forever my #1 goal.

First, South Beach is everything it’s cracked up to be. I’ve lived on both coasts and the beaches are very different on either side. For some reason I was expecting Santa Monica? It’s so much better… sorry, California. South Beach is sooo perfect. The soft pale sand, the crystal clear (WARM, hallelujah) water, the stacks of white beach chairs for rent, and the lack of homeless people/pigeons makes this (maybe) my favorite beach I’ve ever laid my pint-sized ass on.

Next destination was Wynwood. I have been obnoxiously obsessed with street art from the very first time I knew it was a concept. I love the hunt and knowing that the art has an expiration date. Given it’s not carefully protected in a museum, there will come a day when it’s painted over or worn away from the elements.

Wynwood is a super cool area so if you get the chance to go, I strongly suggest it. NW 2nd Ave is peppered with galleries, cafes, and more art than you could ever take in. Loved it…

Lastly, I had to do some window shopping (duh). This was left until the end of our trip so it was short but sweet. South Beach provides all of my favorite spots. So if by chance my husband ends up taking a job in Miami, I have no doubt that I will be spending plenty of time there.

It’s safe to say I fell in love with Miami. My parents are from Florida and we spent almost every summer of my childhood there. It may be the feeling of familiarity that pulls at my heart-strings? Or the way the air swallows you up in humidity when you step outside, but it’s officially made the list of “Cities I Love More Than Most People”.

See you soon, Miami… or more like adios!

XX – Rachael Diane

[Here’s one of my Miami outfits that conquered the heat & all the links are below as well.]

Dress: Forever 21 [sold out] but similar one on Lulu’s here.

Shoes: DV by Dolce Vita – “Marynn” here.

Rings: H&M here & here.

Earrings: Urban Outfitters [sold out] but love these! (Liv Afrika is a company with a great mission helping women & children in South Africa)

Clutch: Envy Brand. I couldn’t locate online but this Rebecca Minkoff crossbody is amazing & has the same black-on-black hardware. (which I love because it’s versatility allows it to go with any tone of accessory)