Party In the City Where the Heat is On

So, if your husband had a 'conference' for work in MIAMI, where most of the expenses were paid, and your daughter was with her grandparents for the week..... What would you do? You would go to Miami, DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!! As did I. We decided to drive down and take our time. We stopped at outlet strips along the way, took A1A through our old haunts of Cocoa Beach, and made it to Miami in plenty of time to have a great first night!!

My cousin Nate lives in Miami, so naturally, I called him up. He scooped us up at the hotel and took us to the Clevelander in South Beach for a drink!!!

Mojitos, anyone? 

After our Mojitos, we moseyed on down (wait, is moseyed a word?) to a place Nate suggested called Mangos Tropical Cafe. And I know what you are thinking... Oh a cafe... it must have bagel sandwiches and coffee and spiced tea and such. And maybe it did.... but I sure the heck didn't noticed. I had an awesome Cubano for dinner on the patio and after dinner.... I walked inside to this------

And THEN I get lead to a special seat at the bar that had THIS waiting on us----

We had such a great time!!!!!!! It was Latin Night and the girls did salsa and belly dances, and then.... the GUYS came up. There was a little something for everyone. They even did a Tribute show to Michael Jackson and it was UUHHH-MAAAZZ-IINNG (click here to watch it)!! And in case you are wondering, yes, they wore very little clothing, but NO, the clothing did NOT come off. haha. It was not THAT kind of establishment. However, we did not leave until the whole bottle was gone! FUN FUN NIGHT!!! 

The next day, I decided to walk down to the beach and rent a chair and umbrella! I took a book and was down there for about 4 hours. Not much else to tell there.... it was GORGEOUS and the water was PERFECT! 

After TJ got back from the CG station for the day, we rested for a few, took showers and headed out to dinner!! Texas de Brazil. If you have not been to one. GO! Be sure you do NOT eat breakfast or lunch! No snacks and I would not even drink water if you can help it. This place is crazy crazy CRAZY! You start by making a trip to the craziest salad bar you have ever seen. If you name it, it is probably there on the bar. Cheeses, meats, salads, sushi, tuna, hot sides, and MORE! Then, they walk around the place holding absurdly large cuts of meat. And slicing whatever you want right there on your plate. Leg of lamb, skirt steak, filet mignon, pichana, chicken and bacon, ribs.... you name it!!! www.texasdebrazil.com/ 

Thursday came and Nate scooped just me up but this time.... we shopped!!!! He took me to Dolphin Mall..... it was big, gorgeous, and loaded with the word OUTLET!! Which, as most of you know, is like one of my favorite words ever!! (along with CLEARANCE, SALE, and CLOSEOUT haha)

the commons

TJ got back and we grabbed a drink at the bar and started walking down the boardwalk to the beach. We ended up walking straight down into South Beach. It was sooo fun down there and lively! But we had dinner plans, so we snapped a few pics and walked back down the boardwalk to the hotel. 

South Beach

Lummus Park

That night was the BEST!!! We went to STK. One of the nicest places in Miami. We got seated in this awesome corner booth. I was told Alex Rodriguez sat at this booth when in town. We ordered the YUMMIEST hamburgers called Lil BRGRs and Tuna Tartare as an appetizer. I cannot even explain how yum they were.... pretty much absurdly yum! And so was dinner!!! Crazy good!

Tuna Tartare

Dinner - Beef Filet and Sesame Peanut Tuna

We skidattled (is THAT a word?) out of there and went to a place called the Playwright! We had a few drinks there and then everybody decided to get a tattoo!! So we went to the tattoo shop! Did we get a tattoo?! HMMM??

HECK NO!!!! We had all drank enough to THINK we would get one, and in the end, we sobered right up and got the hell out of there!! 

This was truly one of the best weeks ever!! I LOVE Miami!! Most of you know that I am not really one to have a few drinks and let loose. But when it Rome. Or in Miami!! ;-)

Huge shout out to Nate though!! He made sure we had a good time and I cannot thank him enough for showing us what MIA is all about! And Steph, of course, for putting up with us all week! :-P