How to Spend 24 Hours in Miami

{Pictures via Pinterest}

I was in Miami not too long ago and I loved every minute of it. From the retro colored buildings to the streets lined with palm trees, the crazy beautiful people and the blaring music -the city has a lot to offer! It is a fabulous tropical getaway for those of you who are after one. But I got to thinking, lots of people fly in for business or for a weekend vacation, so I decided to make a list of things to do if you had only one day to spend in this hot (literally and otherwise) city!

Quick Tips: The best way to see the city is to have your own car or rent one. The public transportation system is not so great and you can end up spending tons of money on cabs. Grey Line's Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours offer an inexpensive travel option as well and takes you around the best sight seeing spots. Also keep in mind, a lot of the action happens in Miami Beach (a.k.a. South Beach, a.k.a. SoBe). All the fancy hotels are located here and it is practically one ginormous party all day long! With only 24 hours to spare, I suggest sticking to this area, otherwise you will only spend most of the day stuck in traffic.

Alright then, no time to waste - let's get moving!

9:00 AM 

Start with a walk along the boardwalk and explore Ocean Drive which is surrounded by colorful Art Deco buildings. To make things easy for you, there is even an Art Deco Walking Tour so all you have to do is show up and get guided! If you are a museum kind of person, there are plenty to keep you occupied in the morning! Of course, no morning is a good one without some much needed coffee, and Miami's got the the best of the best - Cortaditos. What's that you ask? It's a Cuban espresso with milk, foam and sugar. It's pretty strong and very tasty, even Khloe Kardashian got addicted to them while she was in Miami! 

{Picture via Google Images}

11:30 AM

When you're done savoring your coffee and people watching, head on over to the Bayside Marketplace, with it's lovely views; great music and dancing; and cute little souvenir shops. Go on a boat ride and enjoy the gorgeous blue of the ocean. The smell of salt water and your hair blowing in the wind while you enjoy the scenery is a wonderful feeling, especially if you haven't been out on the sea for a while! Also if your tour boat takes you far enough you can even see a little bit of the Bahamas and the Bermuda Triangle! This kind of boat ride is a good two and half hours long, but there are shorter ones if you ask around.

{Chilling at Bayside Marketplace}

2:30 PM

You can eat right in the Bayside Marketplace, or you could drive to the Miami Design District for some quick lunch and more sight seeing. Here you will find galleries, showrooms, and high-end boutiques. Do check out the much-hyped Wynwood Walls which pays tribute to big international artists. If you got lost in the beauty of the district and forgot lunch, drive over to Coconut Grove, another gorgeous place with plenty of window shopping (stuff is expensive!!) and cute eateries.

4:30 PM

You must go to Little Havana, which is basically Cuba in Miami! I love love love it here, the atmosphere is wonderful and you are sure to have a good time even if you can't speak much spanish. Try a hand-rolled cigar and a cup of café con leche (coffee with milk). 

{Pictures via Pinterest}

SOMEWHERE IN HERE HIT THE BEACH!!!! It's not as hot after 4:00 PM and there will still be a crowd, so catch some rays and take a dip in the cool ocean.

5:30 PM

If you haven't done any shopping yet, drive to Lincoln Road where you will find a variety of high street as well as name-brand stores and everything in between. If you're a book lover, your day will be made when you walk into Books & Books. There is also much for the art lover at the Art Center.

6:30 PM

Head back to your hotel room for a quick nap, the whole point of which is to stay awake later and dance into the night! Shower and get dressed up for a night on the town like you've never seen before. Also carry enough cash because cover charges/drinks/random spending can add up! There are a million places to go to dinner, but try something with seafood since they do get some really fresh catches which taste divine. 

8:00 PM

After dinner, stop by Mango's for a mini carnival-like experience, complete with sexy dancers and Spanish music from salsa to samba. Trust me if you love Spanish/Latin culture and the vibe as much as I do, you will spend a good two hours here!

10:00 PM

Start drinking if you haven't already! The party doesn't start till almost Midnight, so the best thing to do is get buzzed now and find your happy place so you don't have to waste any time once you get inside the clubs ;) 

12:00 AM

Let's go! Head on over to the South Beach/Ocean Drive area if you are not already there. Get inside the clubs and party hard! It would be wise to plan ahead and make some calls to get your name on the guest list a while before you arrive. This way you don't have stand in line forever before you actually get in. Hopefully you got a great power nap in earlier because if you're doing it right, you won't be leaving until 6:00 AM at least!

Party Hard!!

XOXO - Chrissy

According to Amanda: Ten Favorite Places in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Here's the first of my guest posts! This one will actually be a recurring feature called According to Amanda (if you didn't guess from the title!). I am so glad to have my friend Amanda be a part of this blog - I have known her since way back when in grade school and she is the sweetest! Amanda lives in Sri Lanka and will be updating us frequently on the world according to her!

Hey everyone!!!!

A couple of weeks ago, my beautiful friend Chrissy asked me to write about my life and travel experiences for her blog “Silk & Spice” and I jumped at the opportunity! I truly would be honored to be a part of this amazing and super spicy blog! 

I haven’t travelled much but boy oh boy have I been bitten by the travel bug…all I ever watch is the travel channel and while at work I only day dream of eating macaroons under the Eiffel tower in Paris.

But for my first post, I’m going to start right at home - in Colombo, Sri Lanka! 

ODEL Unlimited – From its humble beginnings in the trunk of a car to its rapid transformation into an exclusive shopping hub, ODEL is without a doubt Sri-Lanka’s biggest and most cosmopolitan department store. Ranging from designer perfumes to Belgian chocolates, Odel is definitely a must if you’re in Sri Lanka. The store carries global brand names like Ralph Lauren, Bulgari and Donna Karan as well as Sri Lankan brands like the fabulous beachwear brand Arugumbay! Shopping can be exhausting, so if you ever feel hungry there’s a cozy food court at the entrance and two amazing restaurants inside as well - Nihonbashi for all you sushi fans and Deli France, a cute little eatery which boasts some wonderful chocolate croissants. 

Burger’s King – Located in Slave Island’s busiest junction, this little gem serves up the most AMAZING burgers! Despite the name sounding very similar to the famous chain Burger King, this street shop has a story all its own. It is somewhat of a fold away shop – they literally set up to open at around 5:00 pm – don’t go before, you won’t find anything. It’s all very Platform Nine and Three Quarters (a la Harry Potter). The portions are huge and everything is served hot. Hygiene is good and prices are cheap. You can either choose to sit and pig out in the comfort of your car or you can sit on the sidewalk and enjoy the smells wafting your way from the kitchen! The staff are so friendly and you get your order in minutes…every order comes with a huge portion of French fries. The prawn burger is a must have - soooo yummilicious!!!!

Secondhand Books Maradana - Boasts a string of second hand bookshops, which are renowned for their vast collection of old and rare books at bargain prices. This place is every bookworm’s dream. You can find the classics like Jane Austen and Charles Dickens or you can bury your nose in chick-lit and science fiction – you name it, they've got it.

Kama – Colombo’s most exclusive night club! All you party loving, club hopping lads and lasses, this is the place to be on the weekends. The music will make you dance like there’s no tomorrow and if you get hungry from all that dancing, they serve the best chicken club sandwiches ever! The ideal time to get in is around 11:30 -12pm, the party goes on till 7 in the morning and the hangover is definitely worth it!! Kama is the place you wanna go to if you've had a bad day, the music and ambiance instantly puts you in a good mood!

Source

Pettah – “A Bargainer’s Haven”. Your Colombo shopping experience isn’t complete without being thrust in to the hustle and bustle of Pettah which is famous for it's open air bazaars. With almost anything being available in the many narrow streets, you will have plenty of shops to choose from that will satisfy your retail needs. Shops are located in clusters, with specific types of items being sold in each cluster. Although driving through and parking maybe problematic, the entire stretch of shops are located within walking distance. Whatever you choose to purchase, be sure to polish your bargaining skills, which is important to fetch the best prices. Tips – carry a sling bag and wear flip flops, loose the jewelery (you want to avoid being a victim of pickpocketing) carry your ID/Passport securely and keep you money close to you at all times!!! Also beware, street vendors/hawkers might try to sell you items that are not genuine/fake. Follow these and you’ll come out alive!

Pilawoos – is the best place for good ol’ Sri Lankan street food and yes, the best place to prepare for an impending hangover. This is where you go for the legendary “Cheese Kothu” which is to die for! The delicious dish is made with Happy Cow cheese triangles (shame on you if you are Sri Lankan and don’t know about Happy Cow). Another must try on the menu is the Chocolate Rotti made with Nutella. Pilawoos is open till the wee hours, so party all you want and head on over! 

7 Degrees - This is the most insanely romantic bar in Colombo (located at Cinnamon Lakeside). Perfect for dates, you can chill to jazz music and sip on a Margarita while overlooking the bera lake which looks is a pretty sight at night. 7 degrees would be the place you wanna go to have a couple of amazing cocktails/mocktails to get the party started! Perfect for a relaxed evening. They always serve the most exquisite tapas in the world!

Paradise Road – The antique lover’s sanctuary, you truly feel like you walked into nirvana when you enter Paradise Road! The scents from the incense sticks are divine and oh so relaxing. If you want to make your home look like Bali or create a Zen atmosphere, Paradise Road is the place for you! From Egyptian cotton fabrics to beautiful china, they’ve got you covered. My favorite purchase is the scented candles. 

Majestic City – Colombo’s oldest shopping mall, this place is frequented by all kinds of little cliques, but very popular among the teens and tweens. Shops sell everything from movies to electronics and shoes. If you ever find yourself here, you must try Pepper’s Pizza.

Carnival – It is truly a carnival of colors and flavors in this little ice-cream parlor. This place is basically a household name. The ice-cream is beyond fabulous, very milky and creamy – if happiness was a flavor, it would be the flavors of Carnival ice-cream. My fave is Hawaiian Ice Cream Paradise which comes in a huge glass bowl - perfect for two!

Have you visited any of these places? What was your favorite thing about them?

Until next time,

Amanda

(Chrissy Casinader also contributed to this post)

Must-Haves For Your Spring Break Vacay!

Since my spring break will be spent working full-time and studying for some tough exams, I thought I would fantasize a little and make a list of my vacation must-haves. Hey, at least you guys can take a look and be inspired! 

Starting from left, clockwise:

1. Your choice of island getaway - this picture is of Jamaica. I have always wanted to go, and one of my best friends, Natalie, gets to call this beautiful place home.

2. Victoria's Secret Wheelie - What's a perfect spring break without the perfect little bag to carry all your cute stuff?

3. Monokini - Every girl loves a good bikini, but these stylish new one-pieces just beg to be worn.

4. Sundress - Nothing says vacation like a bright, flirty sundress. Take one or five, you just can't go wrong.

5. Floppy Hat - This is a beach/vacay essential. It hides your face from the harmful sun and gives you the instant chic factor. Don't forget the sunscreen.

6. Denim shorts  - Denim cutoffs are an easy-to-wear beach essential. Wear it as a cover up and throw a crochet knit on top so your colorful bikini still shows.

7. Sandals - No heels on the beach missy - some people still need to be told. Wear easy flats for comfort. Neutrals can be worn with anything. Take a pair of heels or wedges for the clubbing.

8. Sunglasses - Shield your eyes from the sun and look like a celebrity. No, seriously, sunglasses give you that ultimate oomph and completes your ensemble.

Now all you need is to actually get to your destination, lie under the blazing sun with a glass of your favorite tropical drink and sigh with contentment.


Promise you'll think of me?

xo-Chrissy


{Images not linked are from Google Images}

Eat. Pray. Love - The Mini Series: {Love is All You Need}

The final stage of Anjani's journey is here. For the "love" portion of her adventure, Anjani went to Mannar and Kalpitiya. At Mannar, she and her friend visited an orphanage for girls. Here's Anjani's take on it:

"Who says women can't drive? The Anuradhapura - Mannar A14 Highway was amazing. 

Bani clocked over 1,000 kilometers across the country and I navigated using a map, girl power at its best! And yes we were listening to girl power anthems the whole way through!!" 

Mannar

"Made it to Mannar in one piece and record time!"

"The sweethearts at the Blessed Sisters of the Virgin & Sister Theresa, their caretaker."

"Posing and enjoying the camera"

"The girls and the sister who teaches at the Montessori (Kindergarten) at the home."

"Fell in love with her glimmering eyes and sweet smile"

"Sister Vasanthi rocking her dirt bike and showing us the way"

"A cheeky smile from a cutie pie"

"6 days and an incredible mini adventure later…

Eat - not just to nourish, but to satisfy all five senses. Relish everything you eat, no matter how simple it is. Take pleasure in eating not overindulgence.

Pray - even if you don't believe in anything, to quiet your mind and give you faith.  It makes you feel at peace with yourself and the world around you, especially when it seems like everything is in turmoil. There is nothing wrong with believing, in something, anything.

Love - and respect yourself.  There is no greater love than the love you have for you, so give yourself the love you deserve, in every sense. Love those around you, show compassion and kindness, it makes you and everyone around you feel better. Love can be one-sided, having the other person reciprocate it is a gift, treasure it. Even if they don't, enjoy being in love, it is what makes us human and gives us purpose.

Friends - you might have many of them, but if you find a few that support a crazy road trip idea and actively plan it with you using Google spreadsheets, patiently deal with you while you misread maps and get wrong directions, put up with your quirky sense of humor and your restlessness, always makes you feel like what you have to say is important, sings along to girl power anthems with you, actively blogs about the road trip with you and indulges your need to vent about the same thing over and over again. Hold on to them, because they are keepers and true friends. “Eat. Pray. Love.” would not have been possible without you, Bani, and I wish you all the best for your next new adventure. I can’t wait for the many more crazy road trips planned.

And to all of you, thanks for tuning in! Eat, pray, love because life is too short to starve, disbelieve and hate."

So there you have it - two women on a mini adventure, a journey of self-discovery and appreciation. Life is too short to not do just that. And to those of us who can't go out and have our own little road trip to self-actualization, we can watch and learn and be inspired until one day, we can do the same.

xo,

Chrissy

Eat. Pray. Love - The Mini Series: {Pray. Finding Peace}

For the "Pray" phase of her Eat.Pray.Love journey, Anjani and her friend went to Anuradapura, a holy city in Sri Lanka. Here are some pictures along with Anjani's comments:

"The beauty of a simple offering and a serene face  — at Ruwanwelisaya, Anuradhapura."

"A monk in search of the truth. His posture of choice- to mediate standing."

"Ruwanwelisaya, in all its lit beauty standing 300ft tall and 950ft wide against the inky black of the night."

"A mini stupor against the dying rays of the sunset."

"With lights brightly shining

Abolishing this gloom

I adore the Enlightened One, 

The Light of the three worlds."

Soul-searching, praying, meditating. Whatever you call it, or whoever you believe - the ultimate question is the same - why did we get put on this earth and how do we maximize the time we have left. For as sure as we were born, one day we will leave...

Follow Anjani as she goes on to the third and final stage of her "Eat. Pray. Love" adventure, coming soon!

Eat. Pray. Love - The Mini Series: {Expo Pavillion Margosa}

Jaffna is fast becoming the place to visit in Sri Lanka. Cut off from the public for over 25 years during the civil war, this picturesque town is now accessible - and tourists, both local and foreign are reveling in this new-found access. Anjani and her friend stayed in the renovated Expo Pavillion Margosa, a quaint little bungalow during their Eat phase and she gives us a review in pictures:

"The original sign of the renovated property that Expo took over."

"A beautifully renovated property tucked away just outside of Jaffna town."

"The entrance, where we were greeted with a cold towel and refreshing nelli drink. A welcome befitting a 9 hour drive in the sweltering heat."

"The traditional central courtyard, providing much needed cross winds to keep the place cool and comfortable."

"A sample of the unique decor that punctuates the renovated property, modern twists on traditional pieces."

"Our simple yet comfortably furnished bedroom, complete with cable TV."

"Our outdoor shower. Exposed to the elements but exceptionally refreshing in the unyielding Jaffna heat."

"A section of the Veranda, where we spent most of our time relaxing, reading, blogging and escaping the heat."

"Our guide, our butler and our friend, David - a talented footballer for the local team and one of the many ever-smiling faces that we encountered during our stay."

"The perfect place to stay in Jaffna.  Spectacular food, friendly service, spacious secluded location and beautiful amenities, all at a decent rate. 

Rating: 4.5/5 (Highly Recommended)

For Reservations: 0217 - 390 - 490"

Stay tuned for more as  Anjani heads on to the "Pray" phase of her mini adventure!

Eat. Pray. Love - The Mini Series: {Eat. The Simple Joy of Indulging}

Anjani is continuing her adventure and everything seems to be going well. Check out these pictures plus commentary - she and her friend Bani, definitely indulged in the simple, yet mouth wateringly satisfying menu at stops along the way. Oh and not to mention, their "Eat" destination - Jaffna.

The Jungle Oberoi - Kekirawa, Sri Lanka

"The Jungle Oberoi, teaching us city folk what simple food is all about. "

Above, Left: "Breakfast at the Jungle Oberoi — with Pol Sambol, Newly Discovered Condiment!, Dhal Curry (lentils), Deep Fried Dry Fish, String Hoppers"

Above, Right: "Deep Fried Firecracker Chillies, a village specialty and a must have at every breakfast table!"

Jaffna - Day One

"Lunch, an explosion of flavors.  I could eat this, again!  Pol Sambol, Pappadam & Fried Curry Leaves, Steamed Basmati (rice), Dhal Curry, Local Greens made differently, Curried Drumsticks and Screwdriver at Jaffna."

"Dinner, simple and satisfying — with Freshly Pounded Onion Sambol, handmade Chappatis, succulent Fish Curry and B's Version of Sex on the Beach at Jaffna."

Jaffna - Day Two

Above, clockwise from left: " Iddly - Soft as Clouds, Watermelon & Papaya Juice, Coconut Chutney and hearty Vegetable Sambar."

Above, anticlockwise from drink: "An Indian inspired lunch — with Mango Lassi, Brinjal Salad; Cashew Nut Pullao; thick, tender, luscious & succulent Mutton Chettinand and Prawn 65 - deep fried nuggets of curried prawn at Green Grass, Jaffna Town."

"The unique & luminous Rio Ice Cream creations - a treat for the eyes & taste buds and only found in Jaffna! Pineapple Ice Cream at Rio Ice Cream, behind the Nallur Kovil."

"Last dinner in Jaffna  — with Bread, Lime Wedges, Jaffna Kool - the Tom Yum of Sri Lankan cuisine and Butter."

"And so we come to the end of our 'eat' phase. We learned to enjoy simple food, in simple surroundings and we satisfied all our senses... Eating is so much more than nourishment, it is a holistic experience, no matter what is being eaten. 

Now we head on to 'pray' to satisfy the soul…"

Stay tuned for more from this adventurous beauty as she continues her journey!

Eat. Pray.Love - The Mini Series: {The Road}

Here's more from Anjani:

The Road

"Our third travel companion, 1 kilogram of fabulous chocolate cake!"

"Our best friend and worst enemy - who said women can't read maps?! Proud to say we've learned... I think we're growing up!"

 "The sights... our travel companions on the A9."

I'm excited to hear more about her fun adventures and I'm sure they are going to be great judging by these pictures!

To see the first post of the Eat.Pray.Love-Mini Series, click here: http://silk-n-spice.blogspot.com/2011/10/eat-praylove-mini-series-beginning.html

xo

Chrissy

Eat. Pray. Love - The Mini Series: {The Beginning}

Hello!


Another week has flown by and TGIF! I have quite the post for you :) 

My friend, the amazing Anjani Athukorala, is a woman of many dimensions - she is smart, witty, creative and the girl's got style! She also likes the good things in life and knows the value of living while you can. 

Anjani

Right now, she is on a mission - a fun mission, to really live and to experience life and the world around us in all it's simple glory. God knows, we would all like to just step outside the norm and have our own personal "Eat.Pray.Love" moment. Well, that's exactly what she did! Without further ado, here are the details of the journey in the words of the lady herself:

“What do you do when you run out of positivity and a zest for living? Elizabeth Gilbert had a clue. 

After recently re-watching the movie remake, two close friends were inspired to conduct a mini version of the plot. Not having the luxury of one year of leave, a huge movie budget or the luck of the leading male co-star, restrictions were put in place and the plan was formed.

6 days, 4 scenic destinations in beautiful Sri Lanka, 2 friends, 1 road and 1 goal, to enjoy life in its simplicity and to revel in the day to day activities that we take for granted. 

And so begins the beginning... "

Are These Women Crazy?

“I think that is a legitimate question really… what would possess two women to even attempt something like this.  

Well, it was getting to a point in the year, where we were feeling burnt out, exhausted, uninspired and we realized that time for ourselves was just not available anymore… we were spending way too much time being bogged down by things that didn't matter and it was getting to a point where it was just plain depressing.   

So we planned a road trip... 6 days across the country… exploring beautiful Jaffna and it’s amazing cuisine, serene Anuradhapura and its spiritual surroundings and stunning Kalpitiya for the romance of the ocean… and then it hit me… unbeknown to us we were planning a road trip that resembled a mini eat pray love…   

Eat.Pray.Love is a fantastic book/movie that always left us both with a great feel good after effect. I am sure many of us dreamed of having a similar experience. But where is the time? Where are the resources?  

So I guess you could call this a mini experiment. Although it might not be to the grand scale in the movie or book, this is more like a tribute… to a great idea... a feel good sabbatical… that maybe every single person should aspire to embark on… no matter the resources, no matter the restrictions… as an ode to life and the beauty of living.  

So I hope you stay tuned as I keep track of our mini 6-day adventure and maybe we will discover something new along the way.”

The Plan

“What is “Eat.Pray.Love": The Mini-Series?   

In Brief: It’s a six-day road trip, two women conquering the A9 highway. The Journey: Colombo -> Jaffna -> Anuradhapura -> Mannar -> Kalpitiya -> Colombo.  

The Breakdown  

Jaffna: Eat eat eat!!! Everything in sight, and savor the amazing cuisine of Jaffna! Crab curry, Jaffna Kool, Rio Ice Cream, Dosa, Lassi etc… We will be visiting a variety of different eating establishments. 

Anuradhapura: Pray, visiting the amazing temples of the area, enjoying the serenity and meditating   

Mannar: A day visit to a girl's orphanage 

Kalpitiya: Love, ourselves, spend time unwinding, relaxing and doing feel-good things and reflecting on the year that has passed.”

So there you have it. The beginning of a great adventure and the road to self-discovery and personal satisfaction.