I recently had the pleasure of meeting Margarita Wells, the Creative Director (not to mention South Florida blogger extraordinare) for the Miami loving blog #ThankYouMiami. She was adorably dressed, sipping gourmet coffee, chatting about her upcoming travels, passion for writing, and love for this crazy city of MIA that we call home. So, of course, we got along splendidly. While I had her ear, I had to ask her… What were her top 3 reasons why visitors say #ThankYouMiami? Here’s what she had to say…
Miami is a city bursting with energy that the world wants to witness firsthand. Our beautiful city draws around 14 million overnight visitors annually. The record-breaking number of visitors year after year is a major economic driver for the region so it is no wonder that Miami is thankful for their patronage. But why do Miami’s visitors say #ThankYouMiami?
1. The Weather
Miami boasts a subtropical climate with a primarily sunny disposition. Our year-round warmth is suitable for spending a lot of time outdoors and getting a fantastic tan, even during winter. Miami also gives visitors from colder climates the opportunity to get more use out of their summer wear. Pack your bathing suit and come pay us a visit – we are waiting for you poolside!
Miami’s perfect weather allows locals and visitors to relax beachside regardless of the seasons. Photo credit: Margarita Wells
2. The Views
The great weather is perfect for showing off our amazing views. In South Beach, we recommend going to South Pointe Park, Miami Beach’s southernmost park, for incomparable views of Downtown Miami and Port Miami. Alternately, join locals for dinner and killer views of the Miami Beach skyline at Juvia, a James Beard Award-winning restaurant housed in a Lincoln Road building penthouse. These not-to-miss spots in Miami Beach are but a few of the locations from which to savor Miami’s picture-perfect scenery.
During your visit, make sure to catch a Miami sunset. You will not regret it! Photo credit: Margarita Wells
3. The Attractions
Miami guarantees its visitors a flurry of activities from which to jam-pack their itineraries. During your stay, you can go from relaxing beachside to world-class shopping within a matter of minutes. Family-friendly attractions include the Miami Children Museum, Monkey Jungle, and the beach. Adult-only attractions include daytime pool parties and nightly events at our world-renown nightclubs. Visitors can also leave the hustle and bustle behind to enjoy the peace and beauty of Miami’s natural capital like the Everglades. With so much to do, Miami is the ideal destination for every traveler.
Miami offers a wide variety of attractions from which to choose giving visitors the opportunity to tailor their vacation to fit their preferences or their mood. Photo credit: Margarita Wells
To read more from Margarita Wells, follow her Miami life at #ThankYouMiami.com.
Jonathan Adler for Tumi
As you may have heard, or have seen from all the way across the mall, Tumi collaborated recently with Jonathan Adler to produce a brightly colored collection of luggage and travel accessories for fashionable, quirky jet setters. It’s quite a lively looking set and one best suited for Caribbean vacations or even quick escapes down here to our sunny hometown of Miami Beach. Most of the collection is made up of the Blue Chevron or Pink Chevron prints which I think look best in their smaller accessories such as the Packing Cubes, Cosmetic Travel Case, or hanging Monaco Travel Kit. Overall though, this new group of travel gear (ranging from $45 to $725) is just great fun. Looking cute while en route? I’m sorry, have we met?
The piece I’m loving most? The “Are We There Yet?” Just In Case Travel Duffel. It can fold flat into your suitcase for that extra bag that’s always needed on the way back. Why is it that nothing ever fits in the suitcase quite as neatly as it arrived? Hmm, probably the shopping along the way. This Travel Duffel can also be used as a roomy carry-on bag for the flight, perfectly designed for that tropical destination that none of us can get to soon enough. And with a bag this cute, there’s no way you’ll whine about whether you’re there yet. Jonathan Adler for Tumi can be found at Neiman Marcus, Tumi, ShopBop, and Nordstrom.
The Local House at Sense Beach House, Miami Beach
Last Friday, I experienced Miami Beach in a way I never had before. I was invited out for a morning of SUP (stand up paddleboarding), lunch at The Local House, and a tour of Sense Beach House by owner Ciro Campagnoli. Eating and checking out hotels? I’m in. But, I have to admit, I was a little hesitant about the SUP. Athletic is not exactly the adjective I’d use to describe myself. But, I’m always wishing for more opportunities to take advantage of my proximity to the beautiful blue waters I’m surrounded by. Plus, how hard could it be? You stand and paddle, right? Ha ha.
Our day started off with a fun ride in this bright yellow jeep from Tons of Fun Tours. They offer tours of Miami, South Beach, and The Everglades in the world’s only super stretch Jeep Wranglers and are listed as the #1 Activity on Trip Advisor.
My ride, a stretch Jeep Wrangler from Tons of Fun Tours.
We were dropped off at South Beach Kayak where the nicest brother/sister team geared me up, helped me walk my board out to the bay, took good care of my Havaianas while I was on the water, and even snapped a few pics of our group. They were great and I highly recommend heading their way for kayak and paddleboard rentals on South Beach. They’re located in the Sunset Harbour neighborhood. Word is they get pretty busy on weekends though so reserve in advance.
Here are a few shots of the SUP group…
SUP in Miami…me, on the right and way in the back of that top shot
For this adventure, I wore my new Peter Pilotto for Target rash guard over a matching black two piece…just in case it got a little bit more active than anticipated.
My Peter Pilotto for Target rash guard for SUP
It’s a good thing I did wear that rash guard. I had one little incident of running into a dock post and belly flopping into the water. Graceful, right? Details. Besides that, it was actually pretty easy and quite calming out on the water. The biggest challenge was keeping the board going straight…and keeping up with the rest of the group. You could say it was a bit of a workout for the arms. But overall, smooth sailing and I highly recommend it.
Next we headed to The Local House, the restaurant at Sense Beach House, where we were greeted & seated at a table with fresh white roses and chilled watermelon juice. Perfectly refreshing after our active morning. I couldn’t get enough of that watermelon juice. Seriously, it’s good enough to make me want to go buy a juicer…and I’m not the juicing type.
Fresh Watermelon Juice & White Roses at The Local House
Then came the glorious food…
What We Ate:
Crispy Octopus over Lentil Tomato & Cucumber Salad, Mustard Lemon Emulsion
Fresh Blue Point Oysters from Connecticut
Tuna & Kiwi Sashimi with Jalapeno & Fresno Pepper Rings, Shallots, Sesame and Ginger-Lime Vinaigrette
Goat Cheese Croquettes served with a Spicy Guava Cream
Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates with Queso Blanco, Spiced Ground Beef and Spicy Yellow Pepper Cream Sauce
Greek Salad with Feta Cheese, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Pickled Red Onion, Capers, Vinaigrette
Pan Seared Salmon with Summer Vegetable Ratatouille, Lemon and Local Seafood Broth
Pan Seared Branzino with Roasted Summer Squash, Goat Cheese Polenta Crisp, Creamy Soubise
Crispy Octopus at The Local House
Blue Point Oysters at The Local House
Goat Cheese Croquettes at The Local House
Greek Salad at The Local House
I’m not an oysters girl, but I heard they these blue point oysters were fab and they went quickly at the table. To be honest, I’m not into sashimi much either but I was adventurous and this version was so good I gulped it right down. The goat cheese croquettes were perfect bite-sized balls of happiness and I probably took more than my share of these…and I’m not sorry. The Greek Salad, which was the new version coming to their summer menu, was fantastically fresh with a huge feta triangle and large chunky tomatoes. The Salmon and Branzino were both quite tasty and were paired nicely with pretty summer veggies. All of this, I washed down with a glass of bubbly. So clearly, they spoiled me.
What I also found out, fish tacos are a new addition to their menu and you can even order them to go and take them out to the beach with you. FYI, their version isn’t like what you’ll find at other taco spots, like Huahua’s. Ciro wanted to create his version of a perfect taco which includes all fresh ingredients, lighter sauces, and even a cream guacamolé. How wonderful! Now, if only we could get them to throw in a watermelon juice for the road too.
After I ate like a queen, I headed up to view a room. The guest room hallways were decorated with fun, kitschy Barbie art. Their guest rooms are quite spacious, had a clean, airy, Hamptons feel with a white and tan color palatte, a large closet, and was stocked with yummy snacks for late night munching.
Sense Beach House Guest Room
Snacks at Sense Beach House
Then I got to peek at their rooftop which is, for now, only available to guests of the hotel. Too bad, as one step out and I was dreaming of my next private cocktail party there. The glistening, petite pool is surrounded by chaise lounges, an outdoor shower, circular seating space, and even a bar. It’s heavenly and perfectly intimate making you feel as if you’re at your own beach house (or a close friend’s) just south of Fifth. Only this Beach House, called Sense, hands you a menu and makes your bed. Sounds even better to me.
Sense Beach House Rooftop
It all looked so inviting and after my morning adventure and a filling, delicious meal at their restaurant, The Local House, I was ready to set my bag down and crash for the weekend. I’ll just have to book a staycation soon. Actually, from what they told me, I’ll have to book a bit in advance as their weekends usually sell out quickly as often times their guests are repeat customers. Who can blame them with all Sense Beach House has to offer. Check them out the next time you’re in the South Beach area and experience Miami Beach in a way you never have before.
Travel Tip: Stash Business receipts in printed Ziplocks that you can easily spot in your bag
When traveling for work, it’s so easy to misplace your receipts. So stash business receipts in ziplocks, then Expensify. As you’re leaving for that next business trip, stash a few ziplocks in your bag or briefcase as you’re leaving the house. We love these Tili bags as they’re super cute and much easier to find in your bag than a regular clear zipper bag. You can find them at our e-boutique! To make sure you have all the info you need once you are back in your hotel room each night, stash a pen in the bag too. This way you can easily note any extra info you may need about all that money you blew…like who you were with and the reason for the dinner/cab/gift/coffee. Also, your pen won’t leak on your fabulous travel bag this way too. Once you’re back to the hotel room each night, use the Expensify receipt capturing app to document all of the information on your phone.
Expensify, the receipt capturing app
Expensify was named the “The Best Business Travel App” by Business Insider and captures your receipts via smartphone camera, tracks time and mileage, and creates expense reports on the go that can easily be emailed. Then trash those receipts or, at least, have no worries about losing your ziplock baggie along the way.
Since April is known for it’s showers (and often times slushy rain up north), we thought we’d chose this cute Jonathan Adler Umbrella in Positano Hexagons for this month’s Travel Giveaway. One thing that is often left off packing lists is an umbrella. But nothing dampens your vacation spirit faster than getting stuck in the rain. So enter to win this Jonathan Adler Umbrella for your next trip so you’re guaranteed to stay dry, keep smiling, and look fab all at the same time!
Jonathan Adler Umbrella in Positano Hexagons (closed)
This auto-open pink, purple, and teal print umbrella measures 12″ × 2.5″ × 2.5″ closed, has a 42″ arc, is aluminum free, lightweight, has a rubberized handle, and is built with windproof construction. Oh, plus it has a matching sleeve included! Enter to win now! This contest ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on April 30th. Good Luck!
Don’t want to take your chances? Order yours today at the Arrive Chic e-boutique here.
We are thrilled to announce our first Instagram takeover TODAY with the fabulous NYC photographer Bentley Waters of Bentley Waters Photography! Follow @arrivechic on Instagram and see Scottsdale, Arizona through her lens. She’s been there all week with her family for Spring Break and let me tell you, her pictures look GORGEOUS! We can’t wait to see what she captures next! Fair warning, you will definitely have a bit of Instagram envy after Bentley Waters Photography takes over today. She’s quite a talent.
Fabulously talented NYC photographer: Bentley Waters
More to come on her Scottsdale trip here on the blog soon. She’s offered to share some of the shots she’s taken with her professional camera (not just the iPhone) and dish on all the chic things she’s found in Arizona from hotel to restaurants and more! Stay tuned…this should be good. Bentley has quite an eye and knows a thing or two about stylish vacations. Plus, did we mention she’s an amazing photographer? Bentley beautifully captures babies, children, teens, entire families, couples, weddings and celebrations, destinations, and the simple beauties she’s surrounded by in life. For more on Bentley Waters Photography, check part of her portfolio out here. In the NYC area? She’s currently offering Spring Mini Shoots that are perfect for Mother’s Day & Father’s Day. Don’t forget to follow @arrivechic on Instagram today to get a peek into her Scottsdale vacation now!
Meet Ashley
Former NYC fashion industry girl, forever traveler, foodie at heart, and now Mom in Miami. My blog, Arrive Chic, covers the style I find in everyday life both on the road and at home, often with my two energetic little boys in tow.
