You may well have guessed from some tweets that earlier this month I took a vacation to Miami to end my year in a calm and tranquil way. 2011 has been hectic, crazy, mayhem all rolled into one. It was pretty sedate (apart from the hell raising in a few bars with a certain few folk I happen to cherish) and I even managed to get to the beach for a grand total of 8 hours.
Piccie of South Beach from a very posh condo... oh I live the high life and own a place that has this view....!
Miami is pretty much a second home to me having lived and worked their for a few years. South Beach, the place to go (if you're young, gorgeous, thin and glamarous!) is a fascinating place with variety of bars, clubs, eating and drinking holes not forgetting the shops every which way but loose. You can't be bored in Miami.
So, if you thinking of going to Miami, here's a quick run down of things that I think are absolute must haves and must do's....
1. SUNSCREEN. Even if your not a beach goer, take Cocoa Butter 15spf moisturiser (they have an olive oil spf 15 version too if you dont like the cocoa butter smell). It's perfect to use every day, your skin doesn't dry out and you are protected even on the cloudest of days.
2. MOSQUITO repellent. Even this time of the year... need I say anymore?
3. Hair STRAIGHTENING tools! Humidity is an absolute bitch in this place, even in winter your hair takes a battering...
4. Go down Lincoln Avenue on a SUNDAY morning for shopping, breakfast etc.. its like market day but on a really good day!
5. Try the alligator ADVENTURE. Go on a hike on bikes to see the gators (and wear the god damn repellent.. you WILL need it)
6. If you want a TATTOO, Miami Ink are right on south beach.... if your lucky you will see Ami, Chris, Chris and Darren working but you might have to wait a few HOURS to be seen.... dont get your hopes up!
7. COOL PLACES... Delano is the sister of the Sanderson, great place and great crowd. Sky Bar is another cool place, pretty swanky. Leave the lobster look for another day if you want to fit in.
8. US food portions are massive, order one and share between 2!!! My personal fav is PF Chang's - asian fusion. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Ask for your nearest if you wanna try it. There's a great diner on the corner of washington road which is all american food, you may want to head their for breakfast!
9. If you want to STROLL something slightly more old style Miami, try Coconut Grove.... its cute and there's some random places to check out. Its been hit by recession but I rather like it anyway, its different.
10. SHOPPING! I need to divide this into sections....
If you want a mall based shopping centre, get to Aventura Mall, just off Ives Dairy Junction on I95 about 20 mins north of downtown Miami. If you prefer the discount stores... a stones throw away from Aventura Mall south on US1 is Nordstrom Rack a brand discount store... if you love Juicy Couture (lots of other brands!)... its the place to go! Loehmann's is a brand discounted store mall a few streets south from Nordstrom. Brand names for less! If you want a very good outlet mall, try Sawgrass Mills which is located north Miami, Sunrise/Flamingo Bouvelard. Everyone knows Sawgrass!
Last but not least, you absolutely need to go for a walk on Miami Beach, take a coffee along the front and celeb watch, there are usually a few to be seen! Thanks for reading my Miami guide, I hope its helpful and you have a super dupa time.
Z xxx
p.s tipping is pretty hot here, add on 20% as a guide!
p.p.s if you dont do any of the above, make sure you do this... Toot toot!
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