The Weekender: January 2022 Edition

Weekends in January can be claustrophobic. It’s often crazy cold in New York and that makes me want to snuggle in. How many layers is enough for me not to shiver and get the winter itchies? I don’t know about everyone else, but jeans and blistering cold equals near frostbite. I’m not built for any sort of survival show, which I’ve been binging on lately. No thank you. Instead, I bundle up for my walks (mental health matters) like I’m about to venture into the arctic.

This January was a bit special for me and we got a slightly warm winter reprieve. We got married! So this weekend edition is atypical of what usually happens.

Picking Up Wedding Dress

Say Yes to the Dress fan? I can’t say I’m a huge fan, but I’ve seen an episode or three. I was lucky enough to be able to choose my dress at the legendary establishment of Kleinfelds. With the wedding around the corner, I picked it up the weekend before we flew out. I’m in love with the details! And my beautiful friend Mia of Heiter Jewellery made me these gorgeous bespoke earrings.

Engagement Shoot at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

I had previously been to Vizcaya with my sister and fell in love with the gardens. It was an absolute dream to have the engagement shoot here with my husband. Our photographer and my friend from college, Brett did an amazing job of capturing the beauty of this place. I can’t sing her praises enough. Truly a fairytale.

Time Out Market - Miami & More

Some friends and family were in early, so we were able to catch dinner at the Time Out Market with a dear couple on Thursday night, had a lovely welcome reception/intimate dinner at the hotel Friday night and then it was wedding time! For those who stayed on, we had a farewell breakfast that Sunday after and of course I went back to the Time Out Market for some amazing Spanish food from the Basque region. Chef and company turns out amazing food at Lur.

Wedding in Miami

Thank you to The Palms Resort and Spa in Miami Beach! My absolutely dream wedding with my dream man. Felt so blessed to be surrounded by family and friends. For once, I’m at a loss for words, except to say I loved it the weekend which was basically one extended vacation with our loved ones and I’ll forever cherish the day.

Lunch at the Versace Mansion

Ah, the Versace Mansion, also known as Villa Casa Casuarina. Originally built for an oil tycoon, it was bought by Gianni Versace in 1992. The house has a history of being a vacation home, an apartment building, Versace’s house, and now a restaurant/hotel combo. This is also the site where Mr. Versace was infamously murdered right at the front steps. Nowadays, hoards of Versace fans come to pay reverence to the great designer and they come dripping in his clothes. I cannot say I myself am a huge customer. In fact, I don’t believe I own anything Versace. But I’m a fan of grand houses and rich histories. The premise is a little gimmicky, but I have to admit the food was pretty decent and the architecture of the house is intriguing. The website suggests upscale resort attire and I’d say we were a tad overdressed (he had a suit and I had a dress on) compared to our fellow diners. So fret not over that rule.

Disney & Universal in Orlando

And this can be an entire novel of itself. These parks are renowned for a reason and both companies do appeal to different folks. I’m entirely in love with Universal Studios and think they do a marvelous job of keeping folks organized in line and moving. I might also be biased because I’m a Harry Potter geek and love walking through Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley as if I’m part of the world. I know I’m not alone when I ask, can we get an entire theme park built around Harry Potter? We made it to Disney and this year is the 50th anniversary. We had to get our ears, partake in too much food at Epcot, and of course my husband had to rile up the Stormtrooper. Yes, he’s pointing straight at him because Danny kept shouting G-rated comments at him! The kids around thought it was hilarious.