South Beach: Days 3, 4, & 5

On Tuesday morning I attended rooftop yoga at our hotel while Trinity went for a run along the boardwalk.

I then ordered some fabulous yogurt, granola and fruit for breakfast.  

We reunited for coffee after our workouts.  

We ate lunch at Havana 57 so Trinity could get back to his Cuban roots.  The food was delicious and so much like what Wellie cooks!  

From my visits with Wellie I know I love fried plantains.  These did not disappoint.  

We spent the afternoon at the beach again.

Look at that water!

That sky!

That man!

I strutted back after numerous dips in the ocean, also known as bathroom breaks.  

I always pee in the ocean.

Does that gross you out?

Well then don't ever swim in a pool with me.

That rumor about the water turning color isn't true.

Ha!

Trinity also bought me a hat as a belated birthday gift.

On Wednesday we rented a convertible and drove all the way to Key West.  

The drive was beautiful.

Our first stop was at Sloppy Joe's Bar so T could have a sloppy joe.  I nearly gagged.

You mean we are actually going to pay someone to mix ketchup with ground beef and onions and put it on a bun like my mom did throughout my childhood?

Gross.

I had fish tacos.  

My request was Hemingway's house.

There was a no lifting policy for the cats, but petting was encouraged.  

We drove past the buoy and waved at the line 50 people long waiting for a picture.  

We were good with this kid.  

I am not a fan of Key West.  Too busy and touristy.  We stayed about 3 hours and then drove all the way back.  We were so tired.

On Thursday morning we took the Art Deco walking tour.  At 10 a.m.  in 90 degree heat.  

Trinity was thrilled. 

Verace's house, now a small hotel and restaurant.  

We had a brief break from the heat in the lobby of the Tides hotel.  

I want a leather chair that encapsulates me.  

We spent our final afternoon on the beach.  

I visited the hotel spa, which was outside on the roof.

I had a Cuban mojito pedicure and a soothing scalp treatment.

The woman rubbed my scalp with oils and played with my hair for 15 minutes.  I thought I would die.  It was amazing.  

Trinity met up with a running group at the nearby Lululemon for a 4 mile run along the boardwalk at 7 p.m.  They had coconut water and did15 minutes of yoga afterwards at Exhale in the Loewes Miami.

He loved the run, but loathed the yoga.

I spent that time relaxing from my spa time and shoving another popover in my face whilst wearing my Betsy robe.  

I read some Miami magazine and I was right on trend with my Pucci macarons.

Not that it matters, but that stuff gets me jazzed.

Trinity was not impressed.  

We departed at 9 a.m. on Friday to get back to our girl.  

Yes, that is Papi's giant hat box.  

Thank you to YaYa and Bob for keeping our most precious so we could enjoy a child free vacation.  

South Beach Anniversary Trip: Days 1 and 2

My groom and I flew out last Sunday for 5 nights in South Beach, Miami to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary.  We were actually married in July of 2010, but this travel schedule worked better.  We stopped on Ocean Drive and had a quick drink and were total tourists.  That mango daiquiri was $19 and it didn't even have alcohol in it!

I swear we saw the actor who played Beverly Leslie, Karen Walker's nemesis on Will and Grace.  

I heard him speak.  I really think it was him.

He's watching a drag show here, as were we.

I was a bit concerned that perhaps I had chosen a wilder spot than is my usual speed, but that was really the only crazy we saw all week.  

We did see lots of palm trees, clear blue skies, and fans that blow mist at you.

We checked in to our hotel, The Betsy.  It's on the end of Ocean Drive, and a bit quieter.  It was a beautiful hotel, had a primo location, plus everything said Betsy on it.  

Win win!

We suited up for the beach.  

Trinity stopped traffic by yelling, "her name is really Betsy!"

Just kidding.

He was standing across the street.

I'm wearing a romper.

The water was the clearest water that I have seen since we went to Puerto Rico.  The beach was beautiful.  It was a bit crowded on Sunday, but pretty vacant during the week.  

Our room rate included 2 loungers, towels and an umbrella, which we took total advantage of daily.

The sun was so intense that we were under it unless we went in the water, which we were often.

This is a selfie.

We were the only ones in South Beach without a selfie stick! 

Check out that water and the palest people on the beach!  SPF 50 all the way!  

Dinner our first night was at BLT Steak, which was located in our hotel.  BFF Courtney had taken me to one of these restaurants in Puerto Rico about 8 years ago, and I still remember the popovers.  

We rooftop decked it as the sun went down.  

On Monday we spent the morning at Lincoln Road Mall and found this darling hat shop.  We bought Papi a new hat for his birthday.

Then I had my first experience at Laduree.  

I purchased my macarons to go, along with a new Lululemon tank top with a gift card from Courtney.

Trinity was starving and needed something "normal."

Our only arguments when traveling are how fancy and expensive I like things, and how simple and cheap he likes things.  

I chose the 8 box special edition Pucci Laduree box and just kept staring at it.

Too pretty to eat!

Decisions, decisions.

I lived in that robe all week.  I'm thinking of ordering one.  It said Betsy.

I had my first coconut water straight from a coconut.

It was so Gilligan's Island.

I referred to myself as Brienne of Tarth here.

T couldn't be bothered to stand and I look SO TALL.  

Our hotel was so beautiful in the evenings.  

So was the beach.  

We ended our first full day with rooftop cocktails.  

I am 36!

On Saturday morning we rolled south to Katie and Chip's new house in Newburgh.  They moved over Memorial Day weekend and this was our first visit.

My mother and Chip's mother have been working their tails off to get the house all settled.

Katie and Chip have been working their tails off at their two new McDonald's stores.  

Sister Katie was not surprised at all when I told her I wanted to have a birthday party at her house 2 weeks after she moved.

Being the dear sister that she is, she indulged my wishes. 

I brought my own cake, cake stand and fine pink plastic cutlery and plates.

I try to help when I can.  

Robby and Meghan brought those beautiful peonies, my favorite flower.  

Genevieve helped me open gifts and I sat in the middle of the room like I was 10 years old.

I'm not ashamed that I make a wish list and usually plan my own party.  I have always loved my birthday.

My family cackled when I pulled up a chair to be the focus.  

Sista Katie even had macarons at my party.  They were from Sam's Club and quite tasty!

More pictures of me.

I'm 36.

Robeghan always loves a party.

Genevieve had a fabulous time playing in the yard with Caroline and her friend, Audrey.

BFF Nicole brought her two darlings too.  

BFF Nicole is now officially sharing BFF status with my sister.  As in, I think Katie now refers to her as her BFF too.  

I'm handling this well.

Attendees included Chip, Katie, Caroline, Audrey, Abby, Papi, YaYa, Bob, Robby, Meghan, Nicole, Randy and their two daughters, Mady and Caroline. 

Nicole's Mady was a little shocked by G's outrageous cake touching!  

A special thank you to Caroline and Audrey, who kept G entertained and motivated to continue to use the toilet.  

Yes, she is consistently using the toilet.  

What a glorious birthday gift that is!