Livin’ La Vida Loca

Fit is Chic has officially “done” Miami Beach. I’m back, I’m (a little) burned, and I’m already missing the beach.

The trip was fantastic; such a relaxing, stress-free experience. If you ever visit Miami, I most certainly recommend staying at Gale South Beach on Collins St. It’s a chic little boutique hotel, with every amenity you could possibly need.

The Gale Hotel, Miami | Fit is Chic

We fell in love with the rooftop pool immediately. The lounge chairs felt like beds, and the view was fabulous!

The Gale Hotel | Fit is Chic

The Gale Hotel | Fit is Chic

The Gale Hotel | Fit is Chic

The hotel didn’t have direct beach access, but it was only half a block away. A beach bag filled with a good book, tanning essentials, drinks and snacks; and you’re good to go!

Miami Beach | Fit is Chic

Miami Beach | Fit is Chic

The hotel’s restaurant, Dolce Italian, was insanely good. Their Margherita Pizza tasted just like the pizza we had in Florence, Italy that we loved so much.

Dolce Italian | Fit is Chic

The best part of the trip was the food, of course. And luckily, we visited Miami at the perfect time — Stone Crab Season.

Joe’s Stone Crab was to die for. Stone Crab, crab legs, and the best key lime pie I’ve ever had.

Joe's Stone Crab | Fit is Chic

Joe's Stone Crab | Fit is Chic

Juvia, a rooftop restaurant, was the sexiest restaurant I’ve ever been to. The view was breathtaking, and the food was fab. If you ever go, order the swordfish…YUM! And look at their bar; I was obsessed.

Juvia | Fit is Chic

Because we loved Katsuya SO much when we tried it in LA a few years ago, we had to try the one in Miami. Don’t waste your time; the atmosphere and food didn’t even come close to our LA experience. The sushi was great, but their fresh fish dishes were fried. Bummer…

The boyfriend and I L-O-V-E steak, so of course we had to try the most exclusive steakhouse in Miami. And when I say the most exclusive, I am not kidding. We made reservations at Prime One Twelve a month in advance, and still waited an hour for our table. Getting into the restaurant was like trying to get into the club. It was nuts! Definitely an experience I’ll never forget.

Check out this food, though — Beefsteak tomato and onion salad, a Porterhouse steak with truffle butter, truffle fries, and broccoli with cheddar fondue.

Prime One Twelve | Fit is Chic

Prime One Twelve | Fit is Chic

There was enough food to feed us for three days. We ended up bagging half of it up and giving it to our cab driver. Lucky guy…

But, here’s the best part: FRIED RED VELVET CUPCAKES. Y’all…I died.

Prime One Twelve | Fit is Chic

In between shopping, laying out and sight-seeing, we discovered the perfect lunch spot — Yardbird. For smaller appetites, the chicken salad is a must-try.

Yardbird | Fit is Chic

And for bigger appetites, go with the Blue Plate Special.

Yardbird | Fit is Chic

I have to mention the AWESOME boat tour we went on. Boat tours can either be reeeealllllly bad or reeeeeallly good; and this one was great! Look up Island Queen Cruises if you’re ever in Miami. They were a delight.

Island Queen Cruises | Fit is Chic

They gave us an up-close-and-personal tour of Star Island, where the most expensive houses in the U.S. exist. This particular house (the most expensive on the Island), had palm trees flown in from South Africa at $10,000 a tree. Look how pretty they were!

Star Island | Fit is Chic

We got to see Fisher Island, the Island you can only get to by boat. Talk about exclusive! And these condos? They start at 2 million…

Fisher Island | Fit is Chic

And then they took us by The Port of Miami, where the freight ships are loaded and unloaded.

Port of Miami | Fit is Chic

We topped off our boat tour with the BEST frozen Pina Coladas. Let’s Make a Daiquiri definitely lived up to the hype. Hands down, the best. Ever.

Let's Make a Daiquiri | Fit is Chic

Let's Make a Daiquiri | Fit is Chic

Miami was a blast, but I’m thankful to be home. That’s what’s great about vacation — It reminds me how much I love to be home. 🙂

Love, Mattie Claire

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