miami beach, south beach // smitten studiosouth beach, art deco // smitten studiohill climb // smitten studiosunset over miami // smitten studioI’m back with more from our recent trip to Miami! Visiting South Beach was a big ole trip down memory lane. Rupe and I checked out our old apartments, stopped by the place where we first met and made sure to drop in at all of our favorite spots which I’ll be sharing below.

Some things have changed since the last time I was there, like the Wynwood Art District and the city skyline with how the buildings seemed to have multiplied (photo just above taken of Downtown from our room at the Mondrian). While, other things have remained the same, like sometime around 6pm being my favorite time to go to the beach (top photo taken then, from the 5th street lifeguard tower).

miami beach south beach // smitten studiosoho house, miami // smitten studioLincoln Road is still one of the best spots to do some serious people watching (and shopping and eating, but really the people watching is so good), and the Soho House is the perfect refuge from the usual South Beach chaos (image above).

the atlantic // smitten studioleaves-miamithe raleigh, miami // smitten studioThe Raleigh is one of my favorite hotels in South Beach with its’ post card perfect (or rather, instagram worthy) art deco style and small details that make the designer in me swoon (even their website is awesome). We also had Rupert’s 40th birthday “day after the celebration brunch” at their Restaurant Michael Schwartz (the bar pictured above).

south beach, miami // smitten studiopink umbrellas miami // smitten studiomiami beach // smitten studiocuban coffee // smitten studioNo trip to Miami would be complete without a cup of Cuban coffee, I got my fix at David’s Cafe (pictured above), and my new top pick for cocktails in Miami goes to The Broken Shaker (pictured below and also the location of Rupert’s big bash).

the freehand miami // smitten studiothe broken shaker // smitten studiorupe and sarahand because it isn’t a real vacation until you take a selfie, right? 😉

miami beach south beach // smitten studioThe two things I miss from Miami are the warm nights and the turquoise waters (the Pacific is just so different from the Atlantic). One day at the beach we saw manatees floating by, swam close to dolphins, and took part in my favorite activity… falling asleep in the sun. 🙂

In no particular order here is a short list of places I’d recommend if you are ever in Miami…

Dining & Drinking:
Ice Box Cafe
Michaels Genuine Food & Drink
La Sandwicherie (perfect beach day food)
The Broken Shaker
Delancey’s (we had Rupe’s after party here)
A La Folie
Wynwood Kitchen & Bar
Tongue & Cheek (can’t stop thinking about their sliders!)
The Raleigh

Doing:
Kayaking to Monument Island (you can rent from here)
Wynwood Art District
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
Spa day at The Standard
Other then that I suggest beach days all around. 😉

Product Guide: Blue Romper by Olivaceous (old) find similar here or here // Panama Hat from Forever 21, find similar here or here // Silk Blouse by Everlane // Denim Boyfriend Shorts by Maedwell // Sandals by Sam Edleman // Rose Gold Clutch from Anthropologie // Blue Maxi Dress from Anthropologie (old) find similar here or here

I’d love to hear your favorite Miami spots. Feel free to add any of your own suggestions in the comments. x

Images by me (and Rupe), you can see more via Instagram.

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