Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

What:

A quick trip to Tulum; where the water is the color of turquoise, the food is the stuff a New Mexican girl’s dreams are made of and the atmosphere is tropical heaven with a side of incredible hospitality. Oh, and there’s just enough internet to allow a modern day woman to rest, relax and sip on a margarita or two.

Why:

After spending some quality time in France, who knew I needed another getaway? Apparently, I DID. If you’ve ever been to Europe you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s not a place you go to rest, per se; it’s about exploring, discovering, going off-the-beaten-path, eating, drinking and sightseeing until you can’t anymore. I know, I know, I sound crazy, but if you’re like me, when all is said and done, sometimes you need a vacation from your vacation — which is exactly how I ended up making my “Great Escape” to Mexico.

More specifically, the El Dorado Spa & Resort, which happens to be one of the crown jewels of Tulum. It’s not just awe-inspiring, snuggled into the lush greenery of Quintana Roo, it’s also perfectly perched alongside a long stretch of sandy white beaches. If I were Jimmy Buffett, I’d write a song about it called “Lazy Days, Sexy Nights.” The lyrics would go something like this: “A drink in my left hand/one in my right/a white trimmed cabana/hugging me tight/Guess I found happiness/cuz I’m feeling alright/It’s just one of those Lazy Days/Sexy Nights.” Don’t worry, I won’t quit my day job. 😂

The best part of my “Great Escape” — besides the dreamy company —was my hotel balcony, which happened to be a private infinity pool. Yes, I said my balcony was an infinity pool. Oh wait, I enjoyed the swim-up bar, too. That was in the main area of the resort, where frozen Pina Coladas come out of the blender so fast & so frothy, you’ll think you’ve died and gone to happy hour heaven, every hour of every day. Then again, I’m a big foodie and with so many mouthwatering options, I had to strategically map out my menus from meal to meal: Mexican, Italian, Asian, seafood — so many restaurants, so little time.

In full disclosure, I’ve never been big on all-inclusive resorts. I just don’t like crowds or waiting in line. Plus, feeling special when I’m on vacation is a must (because like most people, I work hard and relish my time off,) but El Dorado isn’t just any ol’ place. It’s a sophisticated tropical escape where your every whim is indulged, you’re waited on hand and foot and the biggest challenge of the day is deciding what to eat and drink #OrderOfLobster by the pool, please. I’ll take fries with that and a margarita on the rocks.

Speaking of those aforementioned lines, there were none. In fact, sometimes I felt like I was on my own private island and it doesn’t get much better than that. Sigh. The only BAD part of my “Great Escape” was it ended way too soon. So, here I am, daydreaming of another stay at El Dorado. Next time, though, I’m hoping to stay in one of their beautiful over-the-water bungalows because the only thing better than swimming with the fishies is sleeping close to them, too — that’s why vacationing in Mexico is one of my Favorite Things.

Where:

El Dorado Royale Riviera Maya
IG: @eldoradoresorts #karismaexperience
www.eldoradosparesorts.com

When:

The best time to travel to Mexico is November through March. I went off-season for a special celebration, but tracking the tropics is stressful and trip insurance is a MUST during hurricane season.

We travel
not to escape life,
but for life not to
escape us.Anonymous
James Woodley Photography
Bathing Suits: @jcrew, Monokini: @Montce_swim
Jewery: @handmademiamibeach, @lexijewlery, @liliandcar
Scarves: @camarrero,
Large sunhat: @asos, the rest are from: @SanDiegoHatCompany
Cover-up’s: @bohemeboutique, @vchicstore, @camarrero
Digital Editor: Jessie Neft-Swinger
Editor: Matthew “Oh, Mexico” Auerbach

Boho City Chic

Boho City Chic

Boho City Chic

Boho City Chic

Boho City Chic

Boho City Chic

Boho City Chic

Boho City Chic

Boho City Chic

Boho City Chic

Boho City Chic

Boho City Chic

Boho City Chic

Boho City Chic

Boho City Chic

Boho City Chic

Boho City Chic

Boho City Chic

What:

Playing dress-up at Boheme Boutique’s newest location inside Paradise Plaza in the Miami Design District — bringing beautiful bohemian styles to the heart of the Magic City. ✨

Why:

I’ve always considered myself bohemian; an independent woman wandering the world doing things on her own terms, but as I’ve grown older (and happen to be staring a pivotal birthday in the face,) I’ve realized, perhaps, I never fully understood the true nature of the word — until recently. Part of the reason I just assumed I knew what it meant was because of my New Mexico roots: a state filled with artists, actors and free spirited, hippie-dippy-minded people. I thought growing up in that kind of environment gave me an inside track to an unconventional lifestyle and a free pass to express myself without traditional guidelines. And, for the most part, I did.

I spent weekends wandering around Santa Fe in billowy skirts and Birkenstocks, draped in turquoise with fuzzy hair and big dreams. I went to the opera, watched flamenco dancing (Maria Benitez is my favorite,) meandered up Canyon Drive where my mother showcased her oil paintings at Pipe Dreams Gallery and roamed the Georgia O’Keefe Museum so many times, I knew it by heart. Don’t tell my mom, but I climbed the stairs to the Coyote Cafe bar so often, I knew that by heart, too. The adventures of the desert raised me and because of that I thought I was automatically bequeathed the hippie/bohemian badge of honor.

Grounded by the Southwest sunsets and the purity of a small town, I set out on my own life’s journey to find myself, although I was pretty sure I already knew who I was. By the way, I didn’t. Not a clue and that would be the first of many awakenings. Then — I did something that went against everything I was raised to be: I chose a high octane, aggressive, multidisciplinary television career or as I like to say, it chose me. My billowy skirts and Birkenstock’s gave way to suits and heels and my carefree attitude turned into sharp concentration with a steadfast purpose.

When times got tough, I would cry and wonder why I traded being a daughter of the desert for big city dreams and a career that seemed almost unattainable. Still, I pressed on and when things got really bad, I went home to New Mexico to regather my strength and recharge my spirit. Each time, though, I felt a little less bohemian and knew that part of me was changing or at least, merging with something else.

As the years passed, I slowly became the journalist I had always dreamed of, but constantly wondered why I had turned my back on the path of least resistance. Wasn’t being a hippie in my beloved Land of Enchantment the person I was meant to be? For old time’s sake, I’d get out a billowy skirt, my Old Gringo cowboy boots and drape myself in my favorite confetti turquoise necklace my mom gifted me and walk around whatever town I was currently calling home. I convinced myself I was a nomad gypsy, floating around in search of my true destiny. Then…

I moved to Miami and found myself in a place just as special as Santa Fe. The spirituality of the water, the magical surf and sand — it was different than the desert, but its pull was just as intoxicating. For the first time in a long time I felt like I was home, even though technically I was thousands of miles away from it. Is it possible to love two places equally? Time would tell.

Along the way, I met Edit Meurrens. A beautiful woman with a radiant smile and kind spirit. She oozes sophisticated confidence. We worked together four years ago on “A Bohemian Winter,” a blog featuring fashions from her store Boheme Boutique on Key Biscayne. I was attracted to her clothing because they reminded me of home and she did, too. Edit had that hippie vibe without even trying, but it was mixed with city sensibility.

When I heard she was opening another location in the Design District, I was immediately interested and wondered how her boho fashionings would resonate in Miami proper. The new store is gorgeous, snuggled into Paradise Plaza and has the same zen vibe as her flagship on Key Biscayne. The boutique is filled with goodies from Love Shack Fancy, Zimmerman, Spell & The Gypsy Collective, to name a few. Whether you’re shopping for a special occasion, a beach day or vacation, you’ll find the beautifully unique at Boheme Boutique. I’m a sucker for the accessories, too: basket purses, bejeweled clutches, statement jewelry, fabulous hats… the list goes on.

The best part for me? Realizing the store’s “Boho City Chic” personality is the perfect mix of who I’ve actually become. A desert girl-slash-mermaid-slash-big city career woman. There’s no proper emoji for that kind of hybrid. With that being said: age has also made me realize being bohemian isn’t about where you are, geographically speaking, or what you’re wearing, it’s about a sense of freedom on the inside. Independence of thought, kindness in spirit and forgiveness and acceptance of your own humanity. It’s something I’m still working on, but at least now I have two beautiful places (New Mexico & South Florida) to be “Boho City Chic” and that’s why it’s one of my #FavoriteThings. Happy Shopping !

Where:

Boheme Boutique
1st level of Paradise Plaza
Miami Design District
151 NE 41st Street
Miami, Florida 33137

www.modaboheme.com

Boheme Boutique
650 Crandon Boulevard
Key Biscayne, Florida 33149

When:

Monday – Saturday: 11am – 8pm
Sunday: 12-6pm

Be Social:
IG: @Bohemeboutique
FB: Boheme Boutique @ShopModaBohemeKB

A free spirit isn’t a rebel. A free spirit is simply free within oneself, radiating their light up and out to breathe the sweet medicine of new rhythms and roads into an often stagnant world.Victoria Erickson
James Woodley Photography
all clothing & accessories from Boheme Boutique
styling: Edit Meurrens
Hair & Make-up: Odett Hernandez
Digital Editor: Jessie Neft-Swinger
Editor: Matthew “She Knows The Way To San Jose” Auerbach

A Bohemian Winter

A Bohemian Winter

A Bohemian Winter

A Bohemian Winter

A Bohemian Winter

A Bohemian Winter

A Bohemian Winter

A Bohemian Winter

What:

Boheme Boutique, 650 Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne, Florida 33149

Why:

I’ve always loved the spirit and mystery surrounding a bohemian lifestyle. Perhaps, it’s because my mother is that kind of person; wandering and roaming the world as an artist, creator and nomad. Her stories and free-spirited ways have always inspired me. Truth-be-told, though, I’ve never been brave enough to live that way.

Sure, I’ve travelled the world for work, moved around the country and even given into life’s curiosities, but always in a very strict, driven to succeed, kind-of-way. Matter-of-fact, I’m the complete antithesis of my mother. She’d say I’m “uptight,” I’d say, I have a “Type A” personality.

As a television journalist: structure, self discipline, long hours and never-ending deadlines are my life. So, when I have a moment to relax, my clothes reflect the things I dream of and part of that is being like my mom, who currently resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico (on a ranch in the middle of the desert,) doing whatever she pleases; footloose and fancy free. A true bohemian.

That’s why I jumped at the chance to do this blog. Who doesn’t want to be a gypsy/bohemian princess roaming about the world in all her earthy glory? When my stylist, Jackie Kay, asked me what I envisioned for “A Bohemian Winter,” I told her point blank: “I want it to be as if I’ve just floated to land on a piece of driftwood; all while looking like a homeless gypsy meets grecian goddess.” 😁

Luckily, she didn’t think I’d totally lost my mind because she knew I had just met Edit Meurrens, the owner of Boheme Boutique; a hidden jewel of a store that epitomizes the way I’ve always dreamed of dressing. With Edit’s help and her gorgeous dresses (which are made with amazing materials, colors, detailing and by one-of-a-kind designers,) “A Bohemian Winter” isn’t just a fashionable dream anymore, it’s an effortless reality. Now, if I could just find that piece of driftwood. 🌾

Where:

The boutique is located in the lovely town of Key Biscayne; surrounded by water and shut-off from the hustle and bustle of Miami. The store is located in a shopping plaza right off Crandon Boulevard (the main road that runs through town). With a lot of nice restaurants, including the luxurious “Ritz Carlton” (which has a great bar), you can easily make a day of it. Happy Shopping!

www.bohemeboutiques.com
IG: @BohemeBoutique, Twitter: @BohemeBoutiques FB: Boheme Boutique

The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before.Albert Einstein
Photographer: James Woodley
Styling: Boheme Boutique & Jackie Kay
Make-up: Tabitha Rey & Hair: Jess Stuver of www.zenzensalon.com
sandals: www.jamaicasandalco.com IG: @jasandalco