“South Beach bringing the heat”
A few days after Christmas, I decided to take a lil jaunt on down to Miami to ring in the New Year and say adios to 2014 the only acceptable way for me: on South Beach. Being born on an island and being a Pisces ensure that I live for sand and water. But not just any type of water (even though Im happy on any shore), I love that Atlantic ocean side, vibrant Miami life.
Rental car rates were astronomical during the holiday season and I did not want to break one of my goals of being fiscally responsible already so the decision was made to hop on the greyhound from Ft. Myers to Miami. Leaving all my skepticism behind, I was shocked at how Greyhound made it comfortable and easy. Met Teena of Fashion for Breakfast at the Miami International Airport and we took our behind straight to South Beach without stopping to collect anything. Our Uber drive dropped us off near the Loew’s hotel and we used their facilities to quickly change into our swimwear. I chose a white string bikini and Teena rocked her black 2 piece! Since the “massage only dreams are made of’ that I had at the Loew’s a couple of years back, I have been attached to this Miami staple. I always have to go in or I dont feel as if I am on South Beach.
Fellow Baltimore gal and graphic designer extraordinaire Tay met up with us later at night and took us to get some authentic Cuban cuisine at La Playa. Those tacos were everything and more. Although the service was subpar, the food was worth the fact that we were treated like 2nd class citizens all because our spoken language was not of the latin variety. Regardless I would go again and indulge in those tacos!
Tuesday morning was spent chillin at my friend Kisha’s house, doing my radio interview for WSRF1580 (full interview will be in another post) and then heading to Sawgrass Mall to see if I could find a cute crop top to go with my high slit maxi skirt that I was planning on wearing. BUT…… the A’Gaci store happened. Shaun T’s workouts had nothing on the bicep burn that came from carrying 20 dresses, skirts and tops to the fitting room. Because of my strict self imposed budget, I left with a pink and navy cut out midi dress that was perfect to have dinner with all my Haitian sisters that night at Moca Cafe and Lounge.
I cannot begin to say thank you enough to all the wonderful Haitian women who shared laughs, “haitian parents be like” commentary and dinner in honor of my visit to Miami. I have an extra special thank you to a blog reader Emmy Petit-Frere for taking care of all the planning, getting a flyer done and choosing some delicious appetizers for us to nosh on while laughing uncontrollably about our culture! It was a fabulous night with ladies that I intend on getting to know further. Please keep your eyes peeled for information about my Haitian Girls Night Out in NYC in the next few weeks! Let’s see how the East Coast shows love!!!
Next day was New Year’s Eve and the beach and getting some sun was on my mind.I was on a mission to get darker and soak up every minute of sunshine. Kisha, Teena and I headed right over to South Beach (between 6th and 7th), planted ourselves on the sand and proceeded to entertain our whole area with our versions of Beyonce’s 7-11 video. While I did more laughing than dancing, I had a fricken blast and was cracking up even more when later on in the evening, we were recognized by randoms walking down Ocean! (the full video is on my Facebook Fan Page)
I am a thicker girl. I have cellulite, stretch marks and could stand to lose a few inches and tighten up but that will not stop me from flaunting what I do have in a bikini. I believe confidence is the absolute best outfit that you can have on and I wore it loud and proud in South Beach. I also wanted to put all these up without airbrushing or editing so that I can be as real as possible with all of you. I dont believe in being transparent only through my words but also via my pictures. We are all beautiful and get out tehre and show the world your version of beautiful!!!
I have always been fascinated with skateboards and men on skateboards. Maybe that is why I love me some Pharrell! So when this guy Alex walked by us with his, I had to ask for a quick lesson. I didn’t make it too far before falling off but Im happy that I scratched it off my bucket list. The Mongolian MF’r drink from News Cafe on Ocean pumped me up with a whole lot of liquid courage as well! This drink is stronger than a Long Island Iced Tea and way tastier! Tay, Teena, and I loved it so much that we had 2 a piece…. did I mention I had a Call-A-Cab from Wet Willies earlier that day as well…. I was seriously an LMFAO song!
All in all this was a dream vacation and I look forward to going on more this year. I am pretty excited that I have been invited to a few other resorts as a special VIP guest and cannot wait to virtually take you along with me. Next stop KEY WEST!!!
For more pictures please visit my Instagram page or use hashtag: #commecocoinflorida or #commecocotravels!
Thank you all for bearing through all of these photos and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
White bikini: Walmart | Orange Bikini: Urban Planet | Purple Body Con Dress: H&M | Hat: Target | Lipstains: Burt’s Bees
99% of photos taken with an iPhone by me, Tay, Teena or Kisha.
There’s a LOT of delicious looking chocolate on display!! ;-p xx
I was there taking pics also…