A whimsical birthday weekend spent with amazing people in beautiful South Beach, Florida. Last Christmas, Gabe surprised me with tickets to see Sam Smith in Miami one day after my birthday which initiated the whole trip….aka let the anticipation and planning begin! 7 months later, Carissa, Juddy, Steph and Tyler were able to join us as well for a fun filled weekend that I successfully never wanted to end. 
We booked an Airbnb right on Collins Street. It was one block away from the beach, had a rooftop pool that offered insane views of the ocean, and a kitchen that fulfilled all of our snacking and drinking needs. It was called The Fritz, which apparently is actually a hotel but was listed on Airbnb—I highly recommend! We started the trip Thursday night with some rooftop drinks and then made our way to the Clevelander. We ate, drank, and then bar hopped in order to find the most appropriate spot to ring in good ole 29. I wish I could tell you what bars we stopped at, but it’s safe to say our first night was well celebrated. Collins street is filled with restaurants and bars that will never disappoint.
Friday morning started with an A.M. birthday beach walk and a treacherous Orange Theory class. I came home from class to a super cute display of rose gold birthday balloons hung up by my friends and to Gabe returning from the store with a bottle of champagne and Grey Goose bigger than my head LOL (along with other essentials like baked Tostitos and Pedialyte, duh). We then headed to the rooftop pool and beach for a fun-filled day of day drinking. After hours of the shenanigans, we napped and then got ready for dinner. I really wanted a birthday dinner that felt extra whimsical–white lights, pretty plants, outside seating etc etc. and somehow I managed to stumble upon Cecconi’s. A one stop shop for everything I was looking for that was also moderately priced. We sat in the patio section that actually felt like you were still somewhat inside because the trees made you feel so enclosed! White lights were everywhere, the service was amazing, the food was to die for and the dirty martinis were on point–a very successful bday dinner if I do say so myself. Afterwards we headed to the Clevelander rooftop for some dancing and city views!
Saturday we woke up on a mission thanks to a successful day of planning the day before. It started with breakfast at Bacon Bitch (wasn’t a huge fan), a stop at Happy Donuts, the liquor store, and then headed to the dock for boat rentals–hello perfect day, nice to meet you. Our trip was 4 hours long and worth every second–we cruised through open waters, in between the city and then parked at the sand bar for some water fun. I was desperately doing anything and everything to not let the moment end. Afterwards we headed back, napped, and then Gabe and I headed to Sam Smith. After all of the insane fun we had the concert became an added bonus. We had dinner, rooftop drinks and then sang the night away. HE WAS SO AMAZING. His voice was even better live and his level of appreciation for his fans was second to none. Afterwards, we met our friends at a speak easy called Foxhole that played some bomb ass music in an intimate venue. Our night ended with good conversation posted up on our cute little balcony. 
Sunday, Carissa and Juddy sadly left on the early A.M. flight while the rest of us slept in. We headed to Yardbird for some of the best brunch food I’ve EVER had–solid pick from Tyler! It was comfort food on a whole ‘nother level. Biscuits and gravy, chicken and waffles, bourbon pecan pie for an app like WHAT, and insane bloodys. Everything was out of this world. To me it’s rare when you find a place that you like EVERYTHING you try but oh how true it was. It’s definitely a hot spot so if you don’t have a reservation, you’ll either end up waiting or be given a time limit at the table like we were given (however, we easily sat there way over the time allowed and no one seemed to be too concerned). We then headed back to our pool to continue the rooftop drinking and sunbathing.
Mid afternoon we all ubered to Ft. Lauderdale together–sadly dropped Steph and Tyler off at the airport and then Gabe and I headed to Drunken Taco on Fort Lauderdale Blvd for an ocean view dinner. I happily balled my eyes out while sitting there because I so badly never wanted to leave LOL. How to stop my crying? Take me to the W for another rooftop drink and then to Cheesecake Factory for my favorite chocolate cake to cap off the birthday trip (sorta kinda worked hehe). The Cheesecake Factory was off Las Olas Blvd, which I’ve actually been to before–it’s a quaint street lined with white lights, restaurants, bars, and cute boutiques. After dinner we strolled along the streets and then headed to our hotel for a quick night’s sleep before our A.M. flight.
A trip of a lifetime, not just because it was in South Beach but because it was spent with an insanely amazing group of people who could make a white room fun, so given the environment ++ those beautiful souls ++ how unbelievably special each and everyone of them made me feel it was truly an unforgettable trip. This vacation was about slowing down, enjoying the company, soaking in the sun and guzzling down the drinks all while celebrating another year of life. If you’ve been following along, thanks for supporting me on this fun and crazy journey of mine! Looking forward to another year of adventure 🙂
Until next time!!
-Lauren