October half term came out of nowhere and as I'm rushing through the Frieze art preview I find it hard to believe that I am on my way to Miami that night as it is pouring with rain, cold and grey....
Not only am I packing for mid-October sun but also for New York as I will be staying on for a project after my week in Miami with the kids.
I pack city/urban/beach items keeping in mind the new season SS14 trends: my new favourite Saint Laurent black cotton mini, Saint Laurent tees (dress up/dress down) denim shirts, my new J Brand Kailee Trousers in Kenya, my favorite pair of Chloe wedges, my Current/Elliott boyfriend jeans which go well day through to evening with wedges or pumps. My new J Brand Leather skinnies (can't go wrong with that cold or hot), a few shirts, t-shirts and beach dresses. my new super flattering skinny Frame Denim De Jeanne Jeans which I wear with my favourite Gianvito Rossi black suede booties. I have worn these booties so much already that I had to buy a new pair which I keep for back up. They go with everything; skirts/skinnies/leather/dresses. I add my new Isabel Marant black suede tunic which has proven to be a very easy globetrotting item (beside the fact that the made in India dye leaves my skin black at the end of the night).
It's hard to pack light when doing two cities which couldn’t be more different with different climates too. Hard to believe these cities are only two hours flight from each other. If worse comes to worse I know that Miami has one of the coolest store in town: The Webster. A visit to the store confirms that it actually has all the items I have bought this season, therefore I am not tempted and I leave only with a cool zebra print pencil skirt by Carven. A great all year round season purchase...
We're staying at Soho Beach House, the coolest place in Miami. The room is massive, I mean the whole floor! It's so hot that one needs to stay under the umbrella and it's too hot for the kids to walk around town as well. So we do beach, pool, homework and chilling in the room.
I have lots of research to do as Miami is home to the coolest vintage furniture stores and I spent two days going to these as well as Palm Beach. I even buy a gorgeous vintage dress for a mere $100. My mind goes into overdrive as Miami is truly about design. Every hotel, every building catches your creative eye and boom, off you spin!!
I don’t have enough hours in the day to do all I want, which leaves me hugely frustrated. I manage to extend our stay in Miami by one extra day - we just don’t want to leave! The restaurants are cool, buzzing, and lively every night of the week: Katsuya, Mr Chow, Cipriani, Zuma, Cecconi’s...funny to have the London outposts there with similar menus but even better!
I visit The Standard for lunch which I have been told is a must...indeed very cool design and cool lunch spot by the water. I drive around town as if I live here and once again Garmin has taken me under its wing. We go to the Wynwood walls in the design district , where all the galleries and walls surrounding have been graffitied by famous artists, so cool....The Design district also host a few private museums (Rubell Collection and De La Cruz Collection on 41st Street). For the kids, a visit to Jungle Island is easy and fun.
Also about 40 minute drive from town you have the Everglades, which is a real Florida experience. My friend Pia and her sons are happy to join in and play tourist with us. We also go spend the day with my girlfriend Rosa de la Cruz and her boys in Key Biscayne...the islands are gorgeous. Miami has so much to offer, for everyone in every way. I can’t wait to come back but for now NY calling...Adios Miami!
