Girl About Town: Miami Beach

Well, you see... this life I lead is a tough one.

I'm vacationing on Miami Beach with a dear friend from high school, indulging in everything I really can't afford. And while debt isn't sexy, Miami Beach is. So I'll be here for the next week, drinking too expensive coffee on my balcony at the Loews Hotel (jealousy inducing view below for your viewing pleasure), eating $16 sandwiches because they are the cheapest thing on the menu, and pretending I'm as rich as my European, accent donning, speedo wearing counterparts at the Loews, because that's what you do on vacation. The Simply Luxurious Life would be so disappointed.

Ciao!

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How To Travel With Your Boo

I like to credit a lot of my wisdom to my Mother, who is the wisest mother anyone could ask for. She's full of little tidbits, whether you ask for them or not. Some of my favorites have turned into posts in the past and this one is no different.

Over dinner at one of my favorite soul food spots in Harlem with my Mom and my girl, Larissa, Mom indulged in a few rules on how to stay sane in relationships. My favorites had to do with travel. Now, she's on a cruise with my Father, and in the weeks leading up to it, she divulged in a few more tips.

So here they are, Mom's Top Five Tips on How to Travel with Your Boo:

1. Just Do It
Yes, just like the Nike commercials, when it comes to travel, my mother's rules are simple - just do it. She and her girlfriends have often found themselves proposing a travel idea to their husbands, only to receive answers like "I'm not sure I can take off work" or "I don't want to go away for that long." *side eye* The solution? Buy their ticket anyway. They'll come around. This is how my parents took a romantic trip to Ireland, a couples trip to South Africa, a week visiting me when I was abroad in London, and it's how they found themselves on a cruise right now. Works like a charm every time.

2. What You Packing?
In preparing for their cruise, Mom told Dad to lay his outfits on the guest bed for the trip. After weeks of peeking in on his progress, she found he'd only planned on bringing 4 t-shirts and some shorts. When asked to pick up a few items from the dry cleaner on the way home, Mom oblidged, and then packed the items in his suitcase under his 4-shorts and shorts. Instantly well packed!

3. We Dont Have To Fight
Eager to get everything started right - Mom noted that you never fight before you leave. It's just bad manners. If you've got something to say, say it once your plane has taken off. Swiftly. Then order a glass of wine and settle in for the flight. Everyone will be all smiles by the time you land.

4. Keep it Freestylin'
Upon landing in New Orleans just before their cruise, my parents realized their airline (American) had lost their luggage. Given only two tuxedo t-shirts, Mom and Dad enjoyed their cruise in matching outfits for almost a full week. When asked how it was going, her only answer was "We're cool. We're freestyling."

[via]

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A Very Suburban Christmas

As I sit at home drinking South African wine chatting about loving New York (a complete 180 from last year), loving my friends (as always) and loving the great group of men in my life, I felt compelled to switch the channel from I.D. to Lifetime to enjoy some romantic comedies surrounding the holidays.

And, thus, please enjoy my holiday inspired post: My Top 5 Holiday Movies (on Lifetime and otherwise):


5. Elf

Um, if you don't like Elf, then you are completely out of your mind. And I feel sorry for you. Don't worry, there's usually an Elf marathon on TNT Christmas Day.

4. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (cartoon version)


I've been watching How The Grinch Stole Christmas every year on Christmas Eve for as long as I can remember. Not only is it a childhood favorite, but it remains one of my favorite traditions (alongside exchanging one gift before bed). Note: I can't watch the Jim Carey remake. It gives me the creeps.

3. The Family Stone

I absolutely love this movie for a number of reasons. Aside from the incredible story line and great cast, it reminds me every year of the importance of family, especially during the holiday season.

2. Love Acutally

I pretty much die for this movie. I can't let the holiday season go by without watching it at least twice. And it's one of my top three go-to movies when I need a little romantic comedy in my life.

1. A Christmas Story

If you don't love this movie and watch it on repeat starting at 8pm on Christmas Eve then you have a cold, dark heart. Fa-ra-ra-ra-raaaa ra-ra-ra-raaaa!



What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?

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Suburban Girl Laments: Escaping the City

It must be clear now that I am not a native New Yorker. Prior to moving here, I had absolutely no desire to even entertain the idea of setting down roots. In fact, I believe the words I used to use were along the lines of "I could NEVER.EVER live in a city like New York". Well, now here I am, working my way into my 3rd year in the city.

[via]

Do I love it?
No.

Do I hate it?
Not always.

What I just can't understand is the constant need to get out of the city. And not just my need, but everyone's. Why do we flock to cities we need to take a break from? Why do we relish weekends like the 4th of July, when everyone escapes and the city is quiet? I guess I thought the point of living in NY revolved around the hustle and bustle of the city.

Anyway, point is - I have yet to embrace this city. There are things I know I'll never find anywhere else - the opportunities afforded to me in this city are beyond words. Being a part of the fashion, the decadence, the luxury - it's been incredible. But for now - I just can't wait to begin my week of vacation.

I'll be enjoying things like nature and writing with a freshly brewed cup of coffee made by mom while the rest of you are working away tirelessly in NYC. Enjoy - I know I will!

[via]

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Suburban Girl Laments: Post Long Weekend Blues

Exactly.

I have two favorite parts of vacation:

1. The moment you drive out of the city on the ever fancy Greyhound bus.


2. The moment you have your first decadent appetizer (in The Cape, it was black truffle infused cheese).

I have one least favorite part of vacation:

1. The moment you finish packing your Polo weekend bag, and zip it up to leave. Some may call this the "Vacation Blues"*

This past weekend was the loveliest of weekends. I spent two nights in my lovely little suburb with Mom and Dad. Our days consisted of coffee, shopping, talking, and acting like the Cosby Family. Unfortunately, there was no soul train this time, as my father reserves that for Christmas. Following my two beautiful nights with the fam, Mom dropped me off at my friend's apartment in the South End (read: my dream neighborhood after Beacon Hill), where we said our tearful goodbyes (okay fine, tearful on my part) and I headed to The Cape.

While on there, I found myself relishing an unexpected silence: the lack of cell phone service and, as a result, the lack of that little "bing!" that sounds on Sunday evening to remind me it's time to go back to work. Rather than my usual stance of clutching my iPhone, I found myself leaving it on the table and enjoying the holiday with friends and family.

Monday afternoon rolled around after too much lobster, too much black truffle cheese, and too many blueberries, and I found myself dreading** everything that I was set to come back to. Tonight, as I reflect on my day and consider the following, I have concluded one thing: thank goodness for four day weeks and summer fridays.

Footnotes:

*Vacation Blues is apparently a scientific term, as defined by Wikipedia. This fact makes me feel awkward.***

**Alexander Kjerulf, the self-titled Chief Happiness Officer, has drawn out this handy little chart for understanding Vacation Blues.

***WebMD also offers a number of tips to "bounce back fast". Yikes.

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Suburban Girl Vacations: Mashpee, Cape Cod

This girl's getting in a car for a mini road trip and fabulous 4th of July in Mashpee, Cape Cod.

Don't mind me, I'll be drinking wine, eating lobster, and pretending I don't hate sand (no really, I hate sand).

See you after the holiday.

xx

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