Hi all – sorry I’ve been M.I.A. for the last week. I spent a much needed and very relaxing long weekend in Miami! I’d been to Miami once on a day trip from the Orlando area, and in the airport multiple times en route to the Caribbean, but this was my first time spending real time in “The Gateway to the Americas.” It did not disappoint.

My husband and I were invited to what promised to be an epic wedding in ritzy Coral Gables. Long gowns were required of ladies, and black tie was optional for gents. This is what we wore:

I thought the gown was perfect for Miami because of the bright chartreuse color and light, flowing fabric and cut. Plus, since it’s the end of the season, I got it for over 50 percent off (score!).

For the hair, I knew my curls would go wild in the humidity, and the way our flight was scheduled I wouldn’t have time to do my hair the day of the wedding, so I had to do something with it the night before. To tame my tresses, I blow-dried my hair, curled small sections with a 1-inch curling iron, then pin curled them overnight. The next day, I took down my hair and looked just like Shirley Temple. Not exactly the look I was going for, so I separated the curls with my fingers and threw them up in a loose ponytail so they would stretch out on the flight. When getting ready, all I had to do was comb them out, recurl a few sections with the curling iron, and pin them to one side and over the shoulder to create a dramatic evening look. The above picture was taken right after it rained, so I’d say my hair held up pretty well!

The rest of the trip was spent at a boutique art deco hotel on South Beach two blocks from the ocean. For three days, we woke up, put on our bathing suits, ate a breakfast of fruit and pastries, and spent several glorious hours on the country’s most famous beach. We were drunk off the environment: wide sandy beach, crystal clear water, and the kind of big, blue sky that makes you wish you could fly.

Nights were spent eating fresh seafood on some patio, swimming in our rooftop saltwater pool, strolling along breezy Ocean Drive, having drinks on a friend’s balcony, and dancing to live reggae in the kind of tiny venues I love.

I wish I had taken more pictures, but it’s usually the last thing on my mind when I’m relaxed and having a great time (bad blogger!).

So Miami – thanks for being a gracious host and giving us a future trip to look forward to. We’ll see you again soon.

~Thaïs